30233 research outputs found
Sort by
Auditing the Representation of Female Athletes in Sports Medicine Research: Achilles Repair
No full textA grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Background:
Establishing evidence-based recommendations specific to female athletes has been overlooked in sports medicine. Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, occurring in 15 to 55 per 100 000 people annually. Differences in injury rates could be due to hormonal effects, as estrogen receptors have been identified in tendons along with decreased tendon strain based on oral contraceptive use. The primary purpose of this study was to audit the representation of female athletes in the literature regarding Achilles repair.
Methods:
An electronic search was performed using PubMed to identify articles related to Achilles repair using the protocol by Smith et al. Studies were assessed by population, size, athletic caliber, study impact, research theme, and menstrual status.
Results:
Female representation across all studies was 1783 of 10 673 subjects (16.7%). Composition of included studies was predominantly mixed-sex cohorts with 131 of 169 (77.5%) included studies. Within mixed-sex cohort studies, the total representation of female athletes was 1654 of 8792 participants (18.9%). Thirty-two studies were male only, constituting 1540 participants, whereas 3 studies were female only composed of 86 athletes. Importantly, the disparity between male and female representation worsened as the athletic caliber of the study population increased, with 5.0% female representation in studies with professional athletes. No study collected data related to menstrual status and its potential relationship to Achilles rupture or postoperative outcomes.
Conclusion:
Mixed-sex cohort studies underrepresented female athletes, and male-only cohort studies were more common than female-only studies. These findings indicate a need for increased representation of female athletes as well as acknowledgment of menstrual status in research related to Achilles repair. Future studies should focus on representation of female athletes and data collection related to sex-specific hormones, hormonal contraceptive use, and menstrual status to improve treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures for female athletes
Evaluating the Compatibility of New Recombinant Protein Antigens (Trivalent NRRV) with a Mock Pentavalent Combination Vaccine Containing Whole-Cell Pertussis: Analytical and Formulation Challenges (Dataset)
No full textIntroducing new recombinant protein antigens to existing pediatric combination vaccines is important in improving coverage and affordability, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This case-study highlights the analytical and formulation challenges encountered with three recombinant non-replicating rotavirus vaccine (NRRV) antigens (t-NRRV formulated with Alhydrogel® adjuvant, AH) combined with a mock multidose formulation of a pediatric pentavalent vaccine used in LMICs. This complex formulation contained (1) vaccine antigens (i.e., whole-cell pertussis (wP), diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), Haemophilus influenza (Hib), and hepatitis B (HepB), (2) a mixture of aluminum-salt adjuvants (AH and Adju-Phos®, AP), and (3) a preservative (thimerosal, TH). Selective, stability-indicating competitive immunoassays were developed to monitor binding of specific mAbs to each antigen, except wP which required the setup of a mouse immunogenicity assay. Simple mixing led to the desorption of t-NRRV antigens from AH and increased degradation during storage. These deleterious effects were caused by specific antigens, AP, and TH. An AH-only pentavalent formulation mitigated t-NRRV antigen desorption; however, the Hib antigen displayed previously reported AH-induced instability. The same rank-ordering of t-NRRV antigen stability (P[8] > P[4] > P[6]) was observed in mock pentavalent formulations and with various preservatives. The lessons learned are discussed to enable future multidose, combination vaccine formulation development with new vaccine candidates
The slow violence of climate security
No full textThis paper considers how the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) engages in world-making around risk that sets up a harmful basis for thinking about climate security. This inquiry offers a reading of a recent IPCC report chapter as a form of world-making and epistemic violence through its limited portrayal of risk. A core argument made in this paper is that the selective representation of risk sets up the potential for slow violence outcomes and practices can perpetuate unjust harm. It matters how the IPCC portrays risk, because the organization is in a unique position to influence how security practitioners understand connections between climate change and security. This paper draws on concepts of world-making, epistemic violence, and slow violence, and it builds on previous critiques of the IPCC’s selective representation of climate change. It suggests alternative opportunities for understanding human contributions to the current state of our planetary environment through an example of another well-known, world-making representation of the water cycle. Overhauling the way that the water cycle is presented as influenced by human activity offers insights to possibilities to create transformative, less harmful pathways for understanding and engaging with the changing climate
The Relationship Between Community Networks and Population-Level Outcomes
No full textThis presentation was given June 25th, 2024 at the International Network of Social Network Analysis conference, Sunbelt 2024: Networks and Resilience, Edinburgh, Scotland.Social care networks are partnerships of organizations that coordinate, share resources, and refer individuals to services. Resilient communities often have strong provider networks dedicated to solving issues related to equitable access to services and outcomes (Corbie-Smith et al, 2019; DeFosset et al, 2023; Gundacker et al, 2020; Hamer & Mays, 2020; Hardin et al 2020). However, little evidence that collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations improves health outcomes (Alderwick, et al, 2021).
This study utilized a large population of social care to quantify the strength and cohesion of the network as a complex adaptive system and as a key driver of community-level change. We conducted network analysis using service referral interaction data between cross-sector organizations in each network to derive network cohesion metrics. We used a Difference-in-Difference (DiD) method to test the hypothesis: Stronger social care networks positively affect health-related factors compared to weaker networks. We conducted four Generalized Estimating Equations linear regressions using the DiD interaction to test network group as a predictor of changes on community-level Health Factors, Health Behaviors, Clinical Care, and Social/Economic Factors.
Results showed a strong COVID Effect and as anticipated, every health factor significantly declined over time. However, network cohesion mattered. The Difference-in-Difference (Group X Time) test was significant for every dependent variable. Highly cohesive networks mitigated the negative effects of COVID. Communities with cohesive networks were protected against steep declines experienced by those with less cohesive social care networks.
We conclude that network analysis is better suited to quantifying resilience in a community ecosystem and allows for a better understanding of what influences outcomes at the community-level. This work supports the notion that community resilience is a dynamic process that describes a network of adaptive capacities that impact human society and allow it to adapt after adversity and take advantage of opportunities (Garstka & Kennedy, 2023; Norris et al, 2007). From here, we can identify and test interventions to more effectively enhance community resilience and optimize impact by using a structured ecosystem approach. This is Tech-Enabled Community Resilience
Don't Be Stupid or Mean: Be Aware of-Slander of Title in Kansas
No full textThis article is about the tort of slander of title in Kansas. A possible cause of action can arise in a variety of contexts and can cause problems for owners of property interests and their lawyers. The descriptors we use in our title, "stupid" and "mean:' are two of the three ways the West Virginia Supreme Court described some defendants assessed with punitive damages. The court upheld substantial punitive damages awarded by the trial court in that slander of title case. We describe the case in Section III.A. below. Real estate professionals file documents in the register of deeds office to give notice of ownership interests and of claims against the title. Persons and entities interested in ascertaining the status of title to particular land consult these records to draw conclusions and make business decisions.
Most documents filed in the public records are valid and likely contain correct information. Most land titles, however, are not entirely clean and totally without blemish. Legitimate interests such as mortgages, liens, easements, court records, leases, and other interests may show that a particular title is encumbered. A prospective purchaser might require some or all of these legitimate encumbrances to be removed before the purchaser will close a sale. But occasionally a cloud appears that is false and illegitimate. Consider the following four fact situations:
1. A law student disgruntled with his grade in a class files a document in the register of deeds office falsely claiming an interest in the farm owned by the law professor of that class.
2. An unfriendly homeowner next to neighbors whose house is on the market puts up a sign in her own yard claiming falsely that any purchaser of his neighbors' house and lot would be buying a lawsuit because the neighbors' land title is clouded.
3. An employee of a bank that holds a mortgage on a piece of property falsely claims orally during a meeting with the owner and prospective buyer that the bank owns the property outright.
4. A member of a sovereign citizens group files a "commercial lien" against a home owned by a local judge.
The first situation is hypothetical, the second happened in Malibu, California, and the third happened in Kansas. The fourth is an example of tactics used by various splinter groups to gum up title to land owned by public officials and others. All four situations suggest the possibility of a lawsuit for slander of title. Section II provides background about this tort. In Section III we describe a few Kansas cases that illustrate both successful and unsuccessful results. We briefly note in Section IV some related Kansas statutes. In Section V, we examine the first hypothetical situation posed above as well as another situation. Section VI is a brief conclusion
Evaluating the Compatibility of New Recombinant Protein Antigens (Trivalent NRRV) with a Mock Pentavalent Combination Vaccine Containing Whole-Cell Pertussis: Analytical and Formulation Challenges
No full textIntroducing new recombinant protein antigens to existing pediatric combination vaccines is important in improving coverage and affordability, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This case-study highlights the analytical and formulation challenges encountered with three recombinant non-replicating rotavirus vaccine (NRRV) antigens (t-NRRV formulated with Alhydrogel® adjuvant, AH) combined with a mock multidose formulation of a pediatric pentavalent vaccine used in LMICs. This complex formulation contained (1) vaccine antigens (i.e., whole-cell pertussis (wP), diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), Haemophilus influenza (Hib), and hepatitis B (HepB), (2) a mixture of aluminum-salt adjuvants (AH and Adju-Phos®, AP), and (3) a preservative (thimerosal, TH). Selective, stability-indicating competitive immunoassays were developed to monitor binding of specific mAbs to each antigen, except wP which required the setup of a mouse immunogenicity assay. Simple mixing led to the desorption of t-NRRV antigens from AH and increased degradation during storage. These deleterious effects were caused by specific antigens, AP, and TH. An AH-only pentavalent formulation mitigated t-NRRV antigen desorption; however, the Hib antigen displayed previously reported AH-induced instability. The same rank-ordering of t-NRRV antigen stability (P[8] > P[4] > P[6]) was observed in mock pentavalent formulations and with various preservatives. The lessons learned are discussed to enable future multidose, combination vaccine formulation development with new vaccine candidates
Three tests of compensation by mobile and social media: How change in social resources over time moderates the effect of use on well-being
No full textThis work is a conference paper to be presented at International Communication Association; June 12-16, 2025; Denver, CO.Mobile and social media are often identified as a means of enhancing social connection for those who are struggling (i.e., social compensation, poor-get-richer). An alternative perspective suggests that those who are already socially connected benefit the most from mobile and social media use (i.e., social enhancement, rich-get-richer). Using three different data sets from three different time periods (i.e., six years, one year, one month) and across different contexts (i.e., older adults’ pandemic-era communication, college student communication with friends, daily diary study of social media), we test whether change in sociality moderates the association between frequency of mobile and social media use and well-being. We found no evidence of social compensation but found support for social enhancement. When experiencing declines in sociality, the use of mobile and social media was either unrelated to well-being or associated with a decline in well-being. These findings challenge long-held assumptions about relational maintenance through mobile media
Effects of Proline on Internal Friction in Simulated Folding Dynamics of Several Alanine-Based α-Helical Peptides
No full textWe have studied in silico the effect of proline, a model cosolvent, on local and global friction coefficients in (un)folding of several typical alanine-based α-helical peptides. Local friction is related to dwell times of a single, ensemble-averaged hydrogen bond (HB) within each peptide. Global friction is related to energy dissipated in a series of configurational changes of each peptide experienced by increasing the number of HBs during folding. Both of these approaches are important in relation to future atomic force microscopic-based measurements of internal friction via force-clamp single-molecule force spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for six peptides, namely, ALA5, ALA8, ALA15, ALA21, (AAQAA), and HN-GN(AAQAA)G-COONH, have been conducted at 2 and 5 M proline solutions in water. Using previously obtained MD data for these peptides in pure water as well as upgraded theoretical models, we obtained variations of local and global internal friction coefficients as a function of solution viscosity. The results showed the substantial role of proline in stabilizing the folded state and slowing the overall folding dynamics. Consequently, larger friction coefficients were obtained at larger viscosities. The local and global internal friction, i.e., respective, friction coefficients approximated to zero viscosity, was also obtained. The evolution of friction coefficients with viscosity was weakly dependent on the number of concurrent folding pathways but was rather dominated by a stabilizing effect of proline on the folded states. Obtained values of local and global internal friction showed qualitatively similar results and a clear dependency on the structure of the studied peptide
Autoimmunity-associated allele of tyrosine phosphatase gene PTPN22 enhances anti-viral immunity
No full textThe 1858C>T allele of the tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 is present in 5-10% of the North American population and is strongly associated with numerous autoimmune diseases. Although research has been done to define how this allele potentiates autoimmunity, the influence PTPN22 and its pro-autoimmune allele has in anti-viral immunity remains poorly defined. Here, we use single cell RNA-sequencing and functional studies to interrogate the impact of this pro-autoimmune allele on anti-viral immunity during Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus clone 13 (LCMV-cl13) infection. Mice homozygous for this allele (PEP-619WW) clear the LCMV-cl13 virus whereas wildtype (PEP-WT) mice cannot. This is associated with enhanced anti-viral CD4 T cell responses and a more immunostimulatory CD8α- cDC phenotype. Adoptive transfer studies demonstrated that PEP-619WW enhanced anti-viral CD4 T cell function through virus-specific CD4 T cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Taken together, our data show that the pro-autoimmune allele of Ptpn22 drives a beneficial anti-viral immune response thereby preventing what is normally a chronic virus infection
Electric field-enhanced backscatter interferometry detection for capillary electrophoresis
No full textBackscatter interferometry (BSI) is a refractive index (RI) detection method that is easily integrated with capillary electrophoresis (CE) and is capable of detecting species ranging from inorganic ions to proteins without additional labels or contrast agents. The BSI signal changes linearly with the square of the separation voltage which has been used to quantify sample injection, but has not been explored as a potential signal enhancement mechanism in CE. Here we develop a mathematical model that predicts a signal enhancement at high field strengths, where the BSI signal is dominated by the voltage dependent mechanism. This is confirmed in both simulation and experiment, which show that the analyte peak area grows linearly with separation voltage at high field strengths. This effect can be exploited by adjusting the background electrolyte (BGE) to increase the conductivity difference between the BGE and analyte zones, which is shown to improve BSI performance. We also show that this approach has utility in small bore capillaries where larger separation fields can be applied before excess Joule heating degrades the separation. Unlike other optical detection methods that generally degrade as the optical pathlength is reduced, the BSI signal-to-noise can improve in small bore capillaries as the larger separation fields enhance the signal