Effects of different types of warm-up on swimming performance, reaction time, and dive distance.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3 types of warm-up (WU) on swimming performance, reaction time, and dive distance. In repeated-measures counterbalanced design, National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I swimmers (n = 16) used 3 WUs before performing 50-yd (45.7-m) freestyle swim trials.

Born to yawn? Understanding yawning as a warning of the rise in cortisol levels: randomized trial.

Background: Yawning consistently poses a conundrum to the medical profession and neuroscientists. Despite neurological evidence such as parakinesia brachialis oscitans in stroke patients and thermo-irregulation in multiple sclerosis patients, there is considerable debate over the reasons for yawning with the mechanisms and hormonal pathways still not fully understood. Cortisol is implicated during yawning and may link many neurological disorders.

Urinary hormone metabolites identify sex and imply unexpected winter breeding in an endangered, subterranean-nesting frog.

Urinary hormone analysis has proved accurate for identifying sex and breeding periods in dimorphic amphibians with known reproductive cycles. We examined whether these techniques could provide this much needed information for a monomorphic anuran with an unconfirmed mating season in the wild. We analysed urinary estrone conjugate, testosterone, and progesterone metabolites to infer the time of breeding and to identify sex in the endangered Maud Island frog, Leiopelma pakeka.

Effect of free ammonia concentration on monochloramine penetration within a nitrifying biofilm and its effect on activity, viability, and recovery.

Chloramine has replaced free chorine for secondary disinfection at many water utilities because of disinfection by-product (DBP) regulations. Because chloramination provides a source of ammonia, there is a potential for nitrification when using chloramines. Nitrification in drinking water distribution systems is undesirable and may result in degradation of water quality and subsequent non-compliance with existing regulations.

The vitreous glycoprotein opticin inhibits preretinal neovascularization.

Purpose: Opticin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that the authors discovered in the vitreous humor of the eye. It is synthesized by the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium and secreted into the vitreous cavity and, unusually for an extracellular matrix molecule, high-level synthesis is maintained into adult life. Here the authors investigated the hypothesis that opticin influences vascular development in the posterior segment of the eye and pathologic angiogenesis into the normally avascular, mature (secondary) vitreous.

Fluorescent probes as a tool for labelling and tracking the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

The dissemination of the virulent pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has contributed to the decline and extinction of many amphibian species worldwide. Several different strains have been identified, some of which are sympatric. Interactions between co-infecting strains of a pathogen can have significant influences on disease epidemiology and evolution; therefore the dynamics of multi-strain infections is an important area of research.

Development of polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measurement.

Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination has been recognized as a promising method to solve the water shortage problem. Nevertheless, since it is energy intensive and has many problems associated with biofouling/fouling of RO membranes in RO plants, its commercial acceptance is still slow. Especially, as high levels of oxidizing agents negatively affect RO membrane efficiency and life span.

Wheelchair-mounted accelerometers for measurement of physical activity.

Purpose: To evaluate the validity of a wheelchair frame-mounted accelerometer for the assessment of physical activity of wheelchair users.

Method: Twelve collegiate wheelchair basketball players participated in this study. The study was conducted in a modern indoor gymnasium at a university in the USA.

Persistence of non-native spore forming bacteria in drinking water biofilm and evaluation of decontamination methods.

Persistence of Bacillus globigii spores, a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, was studied on biofouled concrete-lined slides in drinking water using biofilm annular reactors. Reactors were inoculated with B. globigii spores and persistence was monitored in the bulk and biofilm phases, first in dechlorinated water and later with free chlorine concentrations of 1 and 5 mg/L.

Knowledge of eating disorders among collegiate administrators, coaches, and auxiliary dancers.

Knowledge of eating disorders, confidence in knowledge, and attendance of eating disorder educational programs were assessed among NCAA Division I and II university administrators (n = 61), coaches (n = 44), and dancers (n = 53). A questionnaire assessed knowledge in 5 domains: etiology, signs and symptoms, management and treatment, risk factors, and prevention and education. Overall, dancers' knowledge and previous attendance were significantly lower than administrators' and coaches'.

Attitude and knowledge changes in collegiate dancers following a short-term, team-centered prevention program on eating disorders.

Eating knowledge, nutritional knowledge, and psychological changes among female collegiate dancers were examined before and after a 4-wk. team-centered program on sport nutrition, exercise, and disordered eating consequences. Collegiate female dancers from two NCAA Division I institutions participated in a control (n = 19; M age = 19.

A web-based pilot study of inter-pathologist reproducibility using the ISHLT 2004 working formulation for biopsy diagnosis of cardiac allograft rejection: the European experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess, at the European level and using digital technology, the inter-pathologist reproducibility of the ISHLT 2004 system and to compare it with the 1990 system We also assessed the reproducibility of the morphologic criteria for diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection detailed in the 2004 grading system.

Methods: The hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections of 20 sets of endomyocardial biopsies were pre-selected and graded by two pathologists (A.A.

Glycosidic enzymes enhance retinal transduction following intravitreal delivery of AAV2.

Purpose: To determine whether the co-injection of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes improves retinal transduction following intravitreal delivery of adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV2).

Methods: AAV2 containing cDNA encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP), under the control of a chicken β-actin promoter, was delivered by intravitreal injection to adult mice in conjunction with enzymes including collagenase, hyaluronan lyase, heparinase III, or chondroitin ABC lyase. Two weeks later, retinal flatmounts were examined for GFP expression using confocal microscopy.

Mapping the differential distribution of glycosaminoglycans in the adult human retina, choroid, and sclera.

PURPOSE. To map the distribution of different classes of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the healthy human retina, choroid, and sclera. METHODS.

Systematic review: occupational physical activity and low back pain.

Background: Although various occupational physical activities are suspected of contributing to low back pain (LBP), causal relationships have not been confirmed, complicating adjudication of work injuries, return to work instructions and preventive efforts.

Aims: To summarize eight systematic review (SR) reports that examined evidence supporting causal relationships between bending/twisting, awkward postures, sitting, standing/walking, carrying, pushing/pulling, lifting and manual handling/assisting patients and LBP.

Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies.

Differential polymorphism in cutaneous glands of archaic Leiopelma species.

Endemic New Zealand frogs of the genus Leiopelma are from a basal lineage of extant anurans that release defensive secretions onto their skin when disturbed. Here, we characterize the gross anatomy and microscopic structure of the skin of L. archeyi, L.

New environmentally friendly catalysts containing Pd-interstitial carbon made from Pd-glucose precursors for ultraselective hydrogenations in the liquid phase.

We report a novel preparation of a Pd nanocatalyst modified with subsurface C via blending a glucose precursor at the molecular level: the catalyst is demonstrated for the first time to be stereoselective in the hydrogenation of alkynes to cis-alkenes in the liquid phase.

Fluid balance, thermal stress, and post exercise response in women's Islamic athletic clothing.

This study examined heat stress, heart rate (HR), fluid balance, micro-environment temperature and humidity with Islamic athletic clothing (IC) compared to traditional soccer uniform (SC). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), session RPE (S-RPE), comfort, and cooling response were also examined. Female volunteers (N = 8) completed a treadmill [Formula: see text] test and then, in a randomized, counter-balanced order, two intermittent running bouts (45 min total) in a hot environment (30.

Application of an integrated testing strategy to the U.S. EPA endocrine disruptor screening program.

New approaches to generating and evaluating toxicity data for chemicals are needed to cope with the ever-increasing demands of new programs. One such approach involves the use of an integrated testing and evaluation strategy based on the specific properties and activities of a chemical. Such an integrated strategy, whether applied to existing or future programs, can promote efficient use of resources and save animals.

Too many mouldy joints - marijuana and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is a progressive debilitating disease with multiple underlying pulmonary diseases described. Here we report the association of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and long term marijuana smoking in 2 patients and review the literature related to invasive and allergic aspergillosis.

Crossmodal session rating of perceived exertion response at low and moderate intensities.

Session rating of perceived exertion (SRPE) permits global effort estimations after an exercise bout and has shown promise for evaluating training load. However, factors mediating SRPE are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to compare SRPE between cycling and treadmill exercise at low and moderate intensities.

Juvenile polyps and juvenile polyp syndromes in children: a clinical and endoscopic survey.

Unlabelled: In children, most colonic polyps are juvenile polyps with negligible risk for malignant transformation. The exception is juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) where there is a risk for developing colon cancer. The authors studied differences in clinical features and colonoscopic findings in children with solitary juvenile polyps (SJP), multiple juvenile polyps (MJP), and JPS.