Speed and surface steepness affect internal tibial loading during running.

Background: Internal tibial loading is influenced by modifiable factors with implications for the risk of stress injury. Runners encounter varied surface steepness (gradients) when running outdoors and may adapt their speed according to the gradient. This study aimed to quantify tibial bending moments and stress at the anterior and posterior peripheries when running at different speeds on surfaces of different gradients.

Running-Related Biomechanical Risk Factors for Overuse Injuries in Distance Runners: A Systematic Review Considering Injury Specificity and the Potentials for Future Research.

Background: Running overuse injuries (ROIs) occur within a complex, partly injury-specific interplay between training loads and extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors. Biomechanical risk factors (BRFs) are related to the individual running style. While BRFs have been reviewed regarding general ROI risk, no systematic review has addressed BRFs for specific ROIs using a standardized methodology.

Enhanced tendon healing by a tough hydrogel with an adhesive side and high drug-loading capacity.

Hydrogels that provide mechanical support and sustainably release therapeutics have been used to treat tendon injuries. However, most hydrogels are insufficiently tough, release drugs in bursts, and require cell infiltration or suturing to integrate with surrounding tissue. Here we report that a hydrogel serving as a high-capacity drug depot and combining a dissipative tough matrix on one side and a chitosan adhesive surface on the other side supports tendon gliding and strong adhesion (larger than 1,000 J m) to tendon on opposite surfaces of the hydrogel, as we show with porcine and human tendon preparations during cyclic-friction loadings.

Runners Adapt Different Lower-Limb Movement Patterns With Respect to Different Speeds and Downhill Slopes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of slope and speed on lower-limb kinematics and energy cost of running. Six well-trained runners (VO 72 ± 6 mL·kg·min) were recruited for the study and performed (1) VO and energy cost tests and (2) an experimental running protocol at two speeds, 12 km·h and a speed corresponding to 80% of VO (V80, 15.8 ± 1.

A new method for measuring treadmill belt velocity fluctuations: effects of treadmill type, body mass and locomotion speed.

Treadmills are essential to the study of human and animal locomotion as well as for applied diagnostics in both sports and medicine. The quantification of relevant biomechanical and physiological variables requires a precise regulation of treadmill belt velocity (TBV). Here, we present a novel method for time-efficient tracking of TBV using standard 3D motion capture technology.

Dorsal muscle fatigue increases thoracic spine curvature in all-out recreational ergometer rowing.

The purpose of this study was to investigate fatigue-related changes in spinal kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of back muscles during a 2000 m all-out ergometer rowing performance. We analyzed ten male subjects with experience in both rowing and CrossFit exercises. We applied a novel kinematic method to describe spine curvature, determined bending moments at the spine using inverse dynamics and collected EMG data.

Salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations after two different resistance training exercises.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the acute hormonal responses of salivary testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) concentrations during and after two different resistance exercises involving the lower and the upper body, respectively.

Methods: For this reason, 13 healthy recreationally trained male athletes performed an identical strength protocol (5x10 reps, with ~75% of 1 RM) with the exercises bench press and back-squat in a cross-over design. Saliva samples were taken at baseline (t0), mid training (t1), immediately after (t2), 15 (t3) and 45 minutes after the training (t4).

Discovery and Optimization of HKT288, a Cadherin-6-Targeting ADC for the Treatment of Ovarian and Renal Cancers.

Despite an improving therapeutic landscape, significant challenges remain in treating the majority of patients with advanced ovarian or renal cancer. We identified the cell-cell adhesion molecule cadherin-6 () as a lineage gene having significant differential expression in ovarian and kidney cancers. HKT288 is an optimized CDH6-targeting DM4-based antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developed for the treatment of these diseases.

Comparison of serum cardiac specific biomarker release after non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

Background: The detection of postoperative myocardial infarction can be difficult in patients after lung surgery. The aim of this study was to verify the clinical significance of elevated Troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB in the perioperative course.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2010, 64 patients (36 men, 28 women) were includeded in this prospective study and underwent thoracotomy and wedge lung resection (n = 20, group I), lobectomy/bilobectomy (n = 24, group II), and pneumonectomy (n = 20, group III).

2'-Deoxy purine, 2'-O-methyl pyrimidine (dRmY) aptamers as candidate therapeutics.

Aptamers are short oligonucleotides that fold into well-defined three-dimensional architectures thereby enabling specific binding to molecular targets such as proteins. To be successful as a novel therapeutic modality, it is important for aptamers to not only bind their targets with high specificity and affinity, but also to exhibit favorable properties with respect to in vivo stability, cost-effective synthesis, and tolerability (i.e.

Conjugation to polyethylene glycol polymer promotes aptamer biodistribution to healthy and inflamed tissues.

Here, we examine biodistribution of radiolabeled aptamers and assess the relative ability of different stabilized aptamer compositions (mixed 2'-F/2'-O-Me; fully 2'-O-Me modified) to access inflamed tissues in a murine inflammation model. Biodistribution of 3H-labeled aptamers, including pegylated and unpegylated compositions, was assessed 3 hours postadministration using quantitative whole body autoradiography (QWBA). Aptamer penetration of cells in kidney and liver was also examined at a qualitative level by microautoradiography.

Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of novel aptamer compositions.

Purpose: Aptamers are highly selective nucleic acid-based drugs that are currently being developed for numerous therapeutic indications. Here, we determine plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution in rat of several novel aptamer compositions, including fully 2'-O-methylated oligonucleotides and conjugates bearing high-molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers, cell-permeating peptides, and cholesterol.

Methods: Levels of aptamer conjugates in biological samples were quantified radiometrically and by a hybridization-based dual probe capture assay with enzyme-linked fluorescent readout.

ADP-specific sensors enable universal assay of protein kinase activity.

Two molecular sensors that specifically recognize ADP in a background of over 100-fold molar excess of ATP are described. These sensors are nucleic-acid based and comprise a general method for monitoring protein kinase activity. The ADP-aptamer scintillation proximity assay is configured in a single-step, homogeneous format while the allosteric ribozyme (RiboReporter) sensor generates a fluorescent signal upon ADP-dependent ribozyme self-cleavage.

[Current consumer conditions among opioid addicts--implications for maintenance-treatment programmes provided by ambulatory drug treatment centers and physicians].

Background: Anonymous evaluation of the current conditions of drug scene and drug consumption, entrance age, personal motives for drug consumption and satisfaction among opioid-dependent clients with treatments available within an ambulant maintenance treatment setting.

Methods: The questionnaire for the study was based on representative studies and covered 112 questions regarding drug consumption. In addition, an instrument of the "Hessische Landesstelle gegen die Suchtgefahren", which measures satisfaction of opioid clients regarding public drug-treatment centers, was used.

A novel strategy for selection of allosteric ribozymes yields RiboReporter sensors for caffeine and aspartame.

We have utilized in vitro selection technology to develop allosteric ribozyme sensors that are specific for the small molecule analytes caffeine or aspartame. Caffeine- or aspartame-responsive ribozymes were converted into fluorescence-based RiboReporter trade mark sensor systems that were able to detect caffeine or aspartame in solution over a concentration range from 0.5 to 5 mM.

Directed evolution of high-affinity antibody mimics using mRNA display.

We constructed a library of >10(12) unique, covalently coupled mRNA-protein molecules by randomizing three exposed loops of an immunoglobulin-like protein, the tenth fibronectin type III domain (10Fn3). The antibody mimics that bound TNF-alpha were isolated from the library using mRNA display. Ten rounds of selection produced 10Fn3 variants that bound TNF-alpha with dissociation constants (K(d)) between 1 and 24 nM.