Lower-body muscle structure and its role in jump performance during squat, countermovement, and depth drop jumps

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lower-body muscle structure and vertical jump performance. Twenty-five resistance-trained men (age, 23.3 +/- 3.2 years; height, 176.1 +/- 7.4 cm; and weight, 86.2 +/- 11.6 kg) took part in both anatomical and jump performance testing. Muscle fascicle thickness, fascicle length, and pennation angle were analyzed for the vastus lateralis (VL) and the lateral gastrocnemius (LG). Jump height and both relative and absolute power were measured for the squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and depth drop jump (DDJ). Regressions were used to determine if jump performance could be predicted using the aforementioned structures. No VL measurements were significantly correlated with any of the jump measures. Lateral gastrocnemius pennation angle was a significant but weak predictor of jump height for all 3 jump types (SJ: r2 = 0.212, p = 0.021; CMJ: r2 = 0.186, p = 0.018; DDJ: r2 = 0.263, p = 0.005). When comparing jump height at increasing preloads, none of the variables of interest could significantly predict the jump height differences between CMJ and SJ. However, LG fascicle length had a weak but significant inverse relationship with DDJ-CMJ (r2 = 0.152; p = 0.031). Lateral gastrocnemius thickness was the strongest predictor of absolute power for all jump types and between jump types (SJ: r2 = 0.181, p = 0.034; CMJ: r2 = 0.201, p = 0.014; DDJ: r2 = 0.122, p = 0.049; CMJ-SJ: r2 = 0.201, p = 0.014; DDJ-CMJ: r2 = 0.146, p = 0.034). Lateral gastrocnemius pennation angle was also the best predictor of relative power for all 3 jump types and between jump types (SJ: r2 = 0.172, p = 0.038; CMJ: r2 = 0.416, p = 0.000; DDJ: r2 = 0.167, p = 0.024; CMJ-SJ: r2 = 0.391, p = 0.000; DDJ-CMJ: r2 = 0.136, p = 0.039). Results for jump performance differ from those previously found for sprinting in that greater pennation and shorter fascicles, positively predicting jumping ability at increased prestretch loads reinforcing the need for training specificity. Our findings in resistance-trained men indicate that where jumping is vital to athletic success one can benefit from developing LG muscle architecture along with addressing eccentric strength.

Prevalence-dependent use of serological tests for diagnosing glanders in horses

BACKGROUND

The internationally mandatory complement fixation test (CFT) for testing of equine sera for the absence of glanders has repeatedly led to discrepant results. Not only do "false positive" sera pose a problem for the diagnostician and the animal health authorities but they can also result in significant financial losses for the animal owners.Due to the very low prevalence of glanders in the horse population it is of major importance to use tests with a high specificity to overcome unreliable predictive values. We have compared formalin-fixed B. mallei whole cell antigen and a well characterised mouse monoclonal antibody with regard to their specificity and sensitivity for glanders serodiagnosis using CFT, an indirect (i) and a competitive (c) ELISA platform.

RESULTS

Our results show that the CFT is still a very reliable technique in horse populations with very low glanders prevalence. The cELISA has a high sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of the CFT. The cELISA offers the possibility for automatisation, can be applied to non-complement fixing sera and used for various host species.

CONCLUSION

The CFT is still the method of choice for testing horses for the absence of glanders.

The role of hepatitis E virus testing in drug-induced liver injury

BACKGROUND

Locally acquired hepatitis E is an emerging infection in developed countries and can be misdiagnosed as drug-induced liver injury.

AIM

To study the role of hepatitis E virus (HEV) testing in drug-induced liver injury.

METHODS

Retrospective review of a cohort of patients with suspected drug-induced liver injury (n = 69) and hepatitis E (n = 45). The standard criteria for drug-induced liver injury were applied. Patients with suspected drug-induced liver injury who met these criteria were retrospectively tested for HEV on stored sera taken at the time of presentation. The two cohorts were compared to determine variables that predicted either of the diagnoses.

RESULTS

Forty-seven out of 69 patients had criterion-referenced drug-induced liver injury. 22/47 were HEV negative and thus had confirmed drug-induced liver injury. 19/47 were not tested for HEV, as there was no sera available from the time of presentation. 6/47 were HEV positive and thus did not have drug-induced liver injury, but had hepatitis E infection. Compared to patients with confirmed drug-induced liver injury, patients with hepatitis E were significantly more likely to be male (OR 3.09, CI 1.05-9.08); less likely to present in November and December (0.03, CI 0.01-0.52); have lower serum bilirubin (P = 0.015); and higher serum alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase/alkaline phosphatase ratio (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury is not secure without testing for HEV.

Guilt-by-association feature selection: identifying biomarkers from proteomic profiles

In recent years, proteomic profiling by mass spectrometry has opened up a new realm of methods for identifying potential biomarkers. Mass spectrometry data, like other proteomic and genomic data, are challenging to analyze because of their high dimensionality and the availability of few samples. Hence, feature selection is extremely important because it directly provides a list of potential biomarkers by choosing a subset of effective features that separate diseased samples from healthy ones. The rule of thumb for feature selection is that features must be discriminant and independent for the best separation of the two groups. However, in general, existing feature selection algorithms only take into account the discrimination ability of features. In this paper, we present a novel method for feature selection, guilt-by-association feature selection (GBA-FS). The algorithm makes it possible to select features that are independent as well as discriminant. After measuring similarities between features, the algorithm groups together similar features using a clustering algorithm, and selects the best representative feature from each group. As a result, it produces a list of discriminant and independent features. The efficacy of GBA-FS was extensively tested on two real-world SELDI TOF data sets. The experimental results demonstrate that GBA-FS assists in selecting more independent features as compared to a common filter type feature selection method, the t test. The results also show that GBA-FS can be used to deconvolve multiply charged states of the same protein molecules. As GBA-FS successfully identifies feature groups with similar mass values, it can also be employed as an alternative to peak detection for preprocessing the mass spectrometry data.

Development and clinical evaluation of a PCR assay targeting the metalloprotease gene (mprA) of B. pseudomallei

A PCR assay targeting the metalloprotease gene (mprA) of Burkholderia pseudomallei was developed for the specific detection of this organism in pure cultures and clinical samples. All other closely related organisms including B. mallei the causative agent of glanders, and B. thailandensis tested negative. Burkholderia pseudomallei DNA was successfully amplified from paraffin-embedded lung tissue of a camel with a generalized B. pseudomallei infection. The developed PCR assay can be used as a simple tool for the specific and sensitive detection of B. pseudomallei.

An integrated treatment approach: a case report for dentinogenesis imperfecta type II

Dentinogenesis imperfecta type II or hereditary opalscent dentin is one of the most common autosomal dominant anomaly of dentin that occurs in both sex affecting approximately 1:8000 persons. Clinically this disorder is characterized by variable blue gray to yellow brown teeth, with fracture of enamel and excessive wear. The treatment strategy is focused towards protecting teeth from further wear and tear and total oral rehabilitation of patient with paramount importance to aesthetics, obtaining an appropriate vertical dimension and providing soft tissue support which will help to return the facial profile to a more normal appearance. A multidisciplinary treatment planning is required for treatment of these individuals.

Oxylipin covered ascospores of Eremothecium coryli

Eremothecium coryli is known to produce intriguing spindle-shaped ascospores with long and thin whip-like appendages. Here, ultra structural studies using scanning electron microscopy, indicate that these appendages serve to coil around themselves and around ascospores causing spore aggregation. Furthermore, using immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy it was found that hydrophobic 3-hydroxy oxylipins cover the surfaces of these ascospores. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, only the oxylipin 3-hydroxy 9:1 (a monounsaturated fatty acid containing a hydroxyl group on carbon 3) could be identified. Sequential digital imaging suggests that oxylipin-coated spindle-shaped ascospores are released from enclosed asci probably by protruding through an already disintegrating ascus wall.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis presenting as subdural haematoma

The authors report a 39-year-old woman who presented with intermittent, excruciating nuchal and occipital headache. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography scans showed bilateral subdural haematomas with veno-occlusive disease of the superficial and deep venous systems. There were bridging collaterals with scalp veins, bleeds from which could explain the subdural haematoma. There was acute on chronic veno-occlusive disease with an acute rise in intracranial pressure and a bleed from the vein of Galen.

[Prevalence of Brugada syndrome among 35,309 inhabitants of Lorraine screened at a preventive medicine centre]

Brugada syndrome is a recently identified cause of sudden death. Its primary prevention remains controversial, and epidemiology poorly defined.

PATIENT POPULATION AND METHODS

Electrocardiograms (ECG) of 35,309 individuals (mean age = 37.2 years, 47% men) recorded over a 1-year period were reviewed and classified as (1) typical, (2) suspicious, and (3) negative. Subjects whose ECG was suspicious were offered a provocative test with flecainide, 2 mg/kg, i.v., and individuals whose ECG was typical were advised to undergo programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS).

RESULTS

In 14 men and 6 women between the ages of 24 and 77 years (mean =47.5), ECGs were typical (n=6) or suspicious (n=14). Among 6 subjects with typical ECGs, 3 underwent PVS, which was positive in 1, who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Among 14 subjects whose ECGs were suspicious, 5 declined further investigations and 5 developed typical ECG characteristics of Brugada syndrome after flecainide administration. PVS was negative in 4 subjects who consented to the procedure. Overall, among 35,309 individuals screened, 11 had ECG findings consistent with Brugada syndrome and, over a follow-up of 30 months, all had remained free of adverse cardiac event.

CONCLUSIONS

we estimated a prevalence of Brugada syndrome of 0.3% in Lorraine. A single patient received an ICD for inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmia during PVS, representing a potential 30 per million asymptomatic adult rate of ICD implantation for this indication.