Characterization of Neck Strength in Healthy Young Adults.

Background: The role of cervical muscle (neck) strength in traumatic brain and spine injury and chronic neck pain disorders is an area of active research. Characterization of the normal ranges of neck strength in healthy young adults is essential to designing future investigations of how strength may act as a modifier for risk and progression in head and neck disorders.

Objective: To develop a normative reference database of neck strength in a healthy young adult population, and to evaluate the relationship of neck strength to anthropometric measurements.

Antibodies elicited in response to EBNA-1 may cross-react with dsDNA.

Background: Several genetic and environmental factors have been linked to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). One environmental trigger that has a strong association with SLE is the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). Our laboratory previously demonstrated that BALB/c mice expressing the complete EBNA-1 protein can develop antibodies to double stranded DNA (dsDNA).