Mitochondria as a target and central hub of energy division during cold stress in insects

Temperature stress is one of the crucial factors determining geographical distribution of insect species. Most of them are active in moderate temperatures, however some are capable of surviving in extremely high as well as low temperatures, including freezing. The tolerance of cold stress is a result of various adaptation strategies, among others the mitochondria are an important player. They supply cells with the most prominent energy carrier—ATP, needed for their life processes, but also take part in many other processes like growth, aging, protection against stress injuries or cell death. Under cold stress, the mitochondria activity changes in various manner, partially to minimize the damages caused by the cold stress, partially because of the decline in mitochondrial homeostasis by chill injuries. In the response to low temperature, modifications in mitochondrial gene expression, mtDNA amount or phosphorylation efficiency can be observed. So far study also showed an increase or decrease in mitochondria number, their shape and mitochondrial membrane permeability. Some of the changes are a trigger for apoptosis induced via mitochondrial pathway, that protects the whole organism against chill injuries occurring on the cellular level. In many cases, the observed modifications are not unequivocal and depend strongly on many factors including cold acclimation, duration and severity of cold stress or environmental conditions. In the presented article, we summarize the current knowledge about insect response to cold stress focusing on the role of mitochondria in that process considering differences in results obtained in different experimental conditions, as well as depending on insect species. These differentiated observations clearly indicate that it is still much to explore. Graphical Abstract

Industrial Upper-Limb Exoskeleton Characterization: Paving the Way to New Standards for Benchmarking

Exoskeletons have been introduced in industrial environments to prevent overload or repetitive stress injuries in workers. However, due to the lack of public detailed information about most of the commercial exoskeletons, it is necessary to further assess their load capacity and evolution over time, as their performance may change with use. We present the design and construction of a controlled device to measure the torque of industrial exoskeletons, along with the results of static and dynamic testing of an exoskeleton model. A step motor in the test bench moves the exoskeleton arm in a pre-defined path at a prescribed speed. The force measured with a beam load cell located at the interface between the exoskeleton arm and the test bench is used to derive the torque. The proposed test bench can be easily modified to allow different exoskeleton models to be tested under the same conditions.

Evaluation of a Diagnostic-Therapeutic Algorithm for Finger Epiphyseal Growth Plate Stress Injuries in Adolescent Climbers

Background: Finger epiphyseal growth plate stress injuries are the most frequent sport-specific injuries in adolescent climbers. Definitive diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are pending. Purpose: To evaluate a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for finger epiphyseal growth plate stress injuries in adolescent climbers. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: On the basis of previous work on diagnostics and treatment of finger epiphyseal growth plate stress injuries (EGPIs) in adolescent climbers, we developed a new algorithm for management of these injuries, which was implemented into our clinical work. During a 4-year period, we performed a prospective multicentered analysis of our patients treated according to the algorithm. Climbing-specific background was evaluated (training years, climbing level, training methods, etc); injuries were analyzed (Salter-Harris classification and UIAA MedCom score [Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme]); and treatments and outcomes were recorded: union, time to return to climbing, VAS (visual analog scale), QuickDASH (shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand), and a climbing-specific outcome score. Results: Within the observation period, 27 patients with 37 independent EGPIs of the fingers were recorded (mean ± SD age, 14.7 ± 1.5 years; 19 male, 8 female; 66.7% competitive athletes). Regarding maturity at time of injury, the mean age at injury did not differ by sex. Average UIAA climbing level was 9.5 ± 0.8, with 6 ± 4.6 years of climbing or bouldering and 14 ± 9.1 hours of weekly climbing-specific training volume. Among the 37 injuries there were 7 epiphyseal strains, 2 Salter-Harris I fractures, and 28 Salter-Harris III fractures (UIAA 1, n = 7; UIAA 2, n = 30). Thirty-six injuries developed through repetitive stress, while 1 had an acute onset. Twenty-eight injuries were treated nonoperatively and 9 surgically. Osseous union was achieved in all cases, and there were no recurrences. The time between the start of treatment and the return to sport was 40.1 ± 65.2 days. The climbing-specific outcome score was excellent in 34 patients and good in 3. VAS decreased from 2.3 ± 0.6 to 0.1 ± 0.4 after treatment and QuickDASH from 48.1 ± 7.9 to 28.5 ± 3.3. Conclusion: The proposed management algorithm led to osseous union in all cases. Effective treatment of EGPIs of the fingers may include nonsurgical or surgical intervention, depending on the time course and severity of the injury. Further awareness of EGPI is important to help prevent these injuries in the future.

THE HEGEMONY OF KEYBOARD DEFAULTS

No single tool is more fundamental to writing—and more unexamined—than the computer keyboard. Most of us in the West never consider that the standard QWERTY key layout, i.e. the staggered key design and the selection of keys available, is anything but the received, traditional means of text input. And as such, keyboard/device manufacturers wield a unique form of power: they dictate the kind of words we can create. They further decide, however unconsciously, the motions our fingers take when we write; the staggered layout was necessary for the proper functioning of mechanical typewriters, but has no necessity for computers (let alone mobile devices), yet continues to be replicated, despite the fact that it is responsible for repetitive stress injuries that could be eliminated or reduced with an improved ergonomic design. QWERTY may even shape the meaning of words that we type. Furthermore, considering the global reach of QWERTY against the backdrop of language diversity, and particularly the approximately 300 non-Latin scripts in existence, the hegemony of default QWERTY keyboards hints at the ongoing impacts of the colonial legacy within digital technologies. Thus, to make computing, and the Internet, more equitable and humane, we must reimagine our keyboard layouts, the characters they include, and our modes of human-computer interaction. Our paper presents this case, employing data analyses of hardware and software keyboard usage statistics.

Adolescent Running Biomechanics - Implications for Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation

Global participation in running continues to increase, especially amongst adolescents. Consequently, the number of running-related injuries (RRI) in adolescents is rising. Emerging evidence now suggests that overuse type injuries involving growing bone (e.g., bone stress injuries) and soft tissues (e.g., tendinopathies) predominate in adolescents that participate in running-related sports. Associations between running biomechanics and overuse injuries have been widely studied in adults, however, relatively little research has comparatively targeted running biomechanics in adolescents. Moreover, available literature on injury prevention and rehabilitation for adolescent runners is limited, and there is a tendency to generalize adult literature to adolescent populations despite pertinent considerations regarding growth-related changes unique to these athletes. This perspective article provides commentary and expert opinion surrounding the state of knowledge and future directions for research in adolescent running biomechanics, injury prevention and supplemental training.

Vocal Programming

Vocal Programming or voice programming is going to be the need of the world as Programmers around the world are facing Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) in their upper limbs. RSI further causes cubital tunnel syndrome. The syndrome occurs when ulnar nerve gets pinched at the elbow causing pain and numbness in hands and fingers. We are interacting with our gadgets by talking to them with the help of voice assistants. But what if the software itself could be built using voice? That’s the idea behind vocal programming, an approach to developing software using voice instead of keyboard and mouse to write code. This paper talks about a system which will help RSI affected programmers to program with minimum use of their hands.