Viruses routinely employ strategies to prevent the activation of innate immune signaling in infected cells. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is no exception, as it encodes two accessory proteins (NS1 and NS2) which are well established to block interferon signaling. However, RSV-encoded mechanisms for inhibiting NF-κB signaling are less well characterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe measles virus (MeV), a member of the genus , is an established pathogen of humans. A key feature of morbilliviruses is their ability to spread by virus-cell and cell-cell fusion. The latter process, which leads to syncytia formation in vitro and in vivo, is driven by the viral fusion (F) and haemagglutinin (H) glycoproteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfections of humans and livestock with African trypanosomes are treated with drugs introduced decades ago that are not always fully effective and often have severe side effects. Here, the trypanosome haptoglobin-haemoglobin receptor (HpHbR) has been exploited as a route of uptake for an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is completely effective against Trypanosoma brucei in the standard mouse model of infection. Recombinant human anti-HpHbR monoclonal antibodies were isolated and shown to be internalised in a receptor-dependent manner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an important cause of respiratory disease in young cattle and is closely related to human RSV (HRSV), which causes severe respiratory disease in infants and the elderly. The RSV genome encodes a small hydrophobic (SH) protein with viroporin activity. Previous studies have shown that recombinant BRSV lacking the SH gene (rBRSVΔSH) is attenuated in the lungs, but not in the upper respiratory tract, of calves and mucosal vaccination with rBRSVΔSH induced long-lasting protective immunity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe JAK2V617F mutation commonly found in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) induces constitutive phosphorylation/activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3). However, the contribution of Stat3 in MPN evoked by JAK2V617F remains unknown. To determine the role of Stat3 in JAK2V617F-induced MPN, we generated Stat3-deficient Jak2V617F-expressing mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContext: A database describing the range of normal rotator cuff strength values in uninjured high school pitchers has not been established. Chronologic factors that contribute to adaptations in strength also have not been established.
Objectives: To establish a normative profile of rotator cuff strength in uninjured high school baseball pitchers and to determine whether bilateral differences in rotator cuff strength are normal findings in this age group.
Context: The magnitude of motion that is normal for the throwing shoulder in uninjured baseball pitchers has not been established. Chronologic factors contributing to adaptations in motion present in the thrower's shoulder also have not been established.
Objectives: To develop a normative profile of glenohumeral rotation motion in uninjured high school baseball pitchers and to evaluate the effect of chronologic characteristics on the development of adaptations in shoulder rotation motion.
Background: The repetitive overhand throwing can potentially cause physiologic or pathologic changes in musculoskeletal and vascular structures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of throwing on upper extremity arterial blood flow before and after a controlled pitching session. The hypothesis is that pitchers with physical signs of shoulder laxity would demonstrate differential changes in upper extremity blood flow as compared to those without laxity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is an assumption that baseball athletes who reside in warm-weather climates experience larger magnitude adaptations in throwing shoulder motion and strength compared with their peers who reside in cold-weather climates.
Hypotheses: (1) The warm-weather climate (WWC) group would exhibit more pronounced shoulder motion and strength adaptations than the cold-weather climate (CWC) group, and (2) the WWC group would participate in pitching activities for a greater proportion of the year than the CWC group, with the time spent pitching predicting throwing shoulder motion and strength in both groups.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.
Background: There are no validated upper extremity instruments designed specifically to evaluate the performance and function of overhead athletes. Current shoulder and elbow scoring systems may not be sensitive to subtle changes in performance in this high-demand population.
Hypothesis: The scoring system developed in this study will be valid, reliable, and responsive in the evaluation of overhead athletes.
Background: Increased pitch counts have been linked to increased complaints of shoulder and elbow pain in youth baseball pitchers. Improper pitching mechanics have not been shown to adversely affect the upper extremity in youth pitchers.
Hypothesis: The correct performance of 5 biomechanical pitching parameters correlates with lower humeral internal rotation torque and elbow valgus load, as well as higher pitching efficiency, in youth and adolescent pitchers.
Background: Although excellent results can be achieved in up to 90% of primary elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions, retears of the ligament have been reported. As the number of primary reconstructions continues to increase, one could expect a commensurate increase in the number of revision medial collateral ligament reconstructions performed.
Hypothesis: Given the difficulty associated with revision procedures, the complication rate relative to primary reconstructions would increase while the percentage of athletes returning to their previous level of play would decrease.
Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ)
June 2007
Repetitive overhead throwing exerts significant mechanical stress on the shoulder and elbow joint; this stress can lead to developmental anatomic changes in the young thrower. Asymptomatic pathology in the shoulder and elbow joint is prevalent and, with overuse, can progress to disabling injury. Joint injury occurs as a result of the body's inability to properly coordinate motion segments during the pitching delivery, leading to further structural damage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Sports Med
December 2006
Background: Inappropriately sized tennis racket grip is often cited in the popular media as a risk factor for overuse injuries about the forearm and elbow. Currently, a hand measurement technique developed by Nirschl is commonly used by tennis racket manufacturing companies as the method for determining a player's "recommended" grip size.
Hypothesis: Quarter-inch changes from that recommended by Nirschl in tennis racket grip size will have no significant effect on forearm muscle firing patterns.
Background: Although elbow pain is common in throwing athletes and golfers, posterolateral impingement from a hypertrophic synovial plica is a rare but possibly underdiagnosed condition.
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic lateral elbow plicae in this athletic population.
Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Although often perceived as a leisurely activity, golf can be a demanding sport, which can result in injury, usually from overuse and sometimes from poor technique. The shoulder is a commonly affected site, with the lead shoulder, or the left shoulder in the right-handed golfer, particularly vulnerable to injury. A thorough understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing is helpful in diagnosing and managing these injuries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe goal of this study was to describe the anatomic relationships present during the active compression test. Four pairs of cadaveric shoulders were positioned to simulate the active compression test. The shoulders were embedded in polyurethane and evaluated in the axial and coronal planes with a planer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEighty-three athletes with medial elbow instability underwent reconstruction of the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament with a muscle-splitting approach without transposition of the ulnar nerve. The purposes of this study were to describe postoperative neurologic outcomes in all 83 athletes and to describe the 2-year follow-up in 33 athletes. Postoperatively, 5% of this group had transient ulnar nerve symptoms, all of which resolved with nonoperative management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe elbow is subjected to enormous valgus stresses during the throwing motion, which places the overhead-throwing athlete at considerable risk for injury. Injuries involving the structures of the medial elbow occur in distinct patterns. Although acute injuries of the medial elbow can occur, the majority are overuse injuries as a result of the repetitive forces imparted to the elbow by throwing.
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