Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (United States)

Purpose The objectives of this mixed-methods study were to gather survey and interview data about the barriers and facilitators from grantees funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and to extract themes that could inform program changes that would increase technology translation (TT) success in assistive technology (AT). Materials and methods We developed a TT Barriers and Facilitators survey consisting of Likert scale and multiple-choice questions about barriers and facilitators to TT. With survey respondents who were willing, we conducting a semi-structured interview and asked pointed questions to expand upon survey response rankings and perceived barriers and facilitators. The questions were framed to explore the grantee’s personal experience with ATTT and what helped and hindered their individualised processes. Results Across survey and interview respondents, the three most common themes when exploring the barriers and facilitators of TT were funding, incentives, and collaboration. Conclusions Results indicate that there is a need for increased collaboration and access to additional resources such as funding for pilot grants, support to assess technology marketability, help to navigate regulatory and legal aspects, and assistance in establishing goals to help grantees successfully transfer assistive technologies to consumers. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION A large amount of research and development into assistive technology does not lead to tech transfer which means that these technologies are not getting to the people that need them. Educating tech transfer offices at universities about how to transfer AT would improve outcomes greatly. Creating a community of practice where grantees can find academic or industry partners would also increase the likelihood of tech transfer. Some tools to catalyse these improvements are: mentoring, access to consultants, podcasts, and online training.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell‐derived nanoparticles that can serve as carriers of DNA, RNA, and protein. For the pathogen S. pneumoniae,which causes diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis, EVs can be used to transport these macromolecules to recipient cells, facilitating communication and signaling between cells. However, the overall composition of these S. pneumoniaeEVs is still unknown and how the macromolecules packaged within these EVs contribute to the pathogenicity of S. pneumoniaeremains a hot research topic. In this work, we have developed a novel multi‐omic workflow that isolates DNA, RNA and protein from a single S. pneumoniaeEV starting sample, enabling analysis of these macromolecules without the need for multiple sample preparation steps and allowing us to gain insights into the composition and functionality of S. pneumoniaeEVs.EVs from a S. pneumoniaeculture were isolated and the proteins in the EV homogenate were labeled with the bifunctional ProMTag. One end of the ProMTag forms a reversible, covalent bond with proteins. ProMTag’s other functional group is methyltetrazine, which forms an irreversible bond with trans‐Cyclooctene (TCO), allowing capture of EV proteins on TCO‐agarose beads. Organic solvent was then added to precipitate the nucleic acids in the EV homogenate. Nucleic acids were released by a series of washes and subsequently separated into DNA and RNA fractions by RNase or DNase treatment, respectively. Proteins were then released from the TCO‐agarose beads by reversing the ProMTag‐protein linkage, yielding proteins in their original, unmodified state ready for analysis. DNA and RNA were sequenced, and proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. Using this workflow, we were able to describe the composition of multiple macromolecules within S. pneumoniaeEVs and gain insights into how these macromolecules might facilitate communication and infection within the S. pneumoniaepopulation.

Update concussion recovery curves by considering pre- and postinjury modifying factors. Determine whether there is a dose-response for modifying factors on recovery. Sports medicine concussion clinic. A total of 314 athletes aged 12-23 years within 7 days of a concussion enrolled between 2015 and 2018. Prospective cohort study. Categorical recovery time defined as days from injury to full medical clearance for return to play per established criteria. Preinjury factors included age, gender, concussion history, and migraine history. Postinjury factors included loss of consciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, posttraumatic migraine symptoms, and high symptom burden. Average recovery was 27.5 ± 25 days. Five factors were prognostic of recovery: (1) younger than 18 years, (2) female, (3) history of migraine, (4) posttraumatic migraine symptoms, and (5) high symptom burden (P < .05). Recovery percentage at 21 days after injury was 96.7% for participants with 0 factor, 65.3% for those with 1 to 2, and 31.8% for those with 3 to 5-with prognostic separation in low- to high-risk groups of 62%. Findings support a dose-response for combined pre- and postinjury factors on recovery. Both the type and quantity of modifying factors influence recovery and should be considered in prognosis and approaches to multidisciplinary care.

Background:Increasing efforts have been made to reduce the incidence and severity of concussion in high-contact sports. Despite these efforts, a relative lack of knowledge is available regarding modulating factors affecting concussion injury.Purpose:To analyze the potential influence of game characteristics and outcomes on concussion incidence and severity in professional football.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:PBS Frontline Concussion Watch was used to collect concussion injury data from regular-season games of 32 National Football League (NFL) teams from 2012 to 2015. Game characteristic variables such as rushing and passing attempts, turnovers, and margin of victory were collected from ESPN. Analysis included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, t tests, and correlation tests.Results:Away teams demonstrated a significantly greater concussion incidence per game than home teams. Losing teams had a significantly greater concussion incidence per game than winning teams. Being both the away team and the losing team appeared to have an additive effect. The home-versus-away and win-versus-loss effects were significant for offensive but not defensive positions. Within individual positions, significantly greater concussion incidence was associated with tight ends, running backs, wide receivers, and cornerbacks. When running versus passing positions were compared, passing positions (wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, safety) had significantly greater concussion incidence. A total of 626 games were missed as a result of reported concussions. Away teams had significantly more games missed due to concussion when they lost. Play time did not significantly differ before or after concussion injury. Other game characteristic variables did not significantly affect concussion frequency or intensity.Conclusion:Position, game location, and game outcome affect concussion incidence for professional football players. In a subset of analyses, the number of games missed aligned with concussion incidence, but this appeared to be an imperfect measure. These findings highlight new factors that may modulate concussion incidence and merit further study on how they may influence concussion evaluation.

Chiral recognition of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to binaphthyl derivatives (BNs) is visualized utilizing poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM) bearing a BN moiety. The affinity of an anti-BN (S) antibody to BN (S) is retained even when BN (S) is attached to the center of the pNIPAM main chain. The addition of the anti-BN (S) antibody in an atroposelective manner suppresses the aggregation of pNIPAM-BN (S).