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John Rooney's (1969) seminal geographical work on the origins of U.S. college football players showed how a comprehensive examination of player origins could be analyzed and presented. This study utilizes Rooney's findings to compare changes in the origin and migration patterns 50 years after his work. The hometowns of 14,937 elite high school football players recruited to play for "Power 5" schools between 2010 and 2020 are analyzed. The findings reveal that substantially more elite players now originate in the southern states and migrate into areas that underproduced elite talent. The methods and results of this study contribute to the merging research fields of sports management and sports geography on geographic patterns and the migration of athletes and how they can change over periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) is highly effective in preventing HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). The effects of consistent personal lubricant use in the rectum on tissue PrEP drug concentrations and the rectal microbiota are unknown. We investigated rectal PrEP drug concentrations and the microbiota in MSM before and after repeated rectal application of a hyperosmolar lubricant. Methods: We randomized 60 HIV-negative MSM to apply 4 mL of hyperosmolar rectal lubricant daily (n = 20), take daily oral TDF/FTC (n = 19), or both (n = 21) for seven days. Blood, rectal biopsies and rectal secretions were collected via rigid sigmoidoscopy before and on day 8 after product use. Tenofovir (TFV) and FTC as well as their intracellular metabolites tenofovirdiphosphate (TFV-DP), FTC-triphosphate (FTC-TP) were measured by HPLC-mass spectrometry. Rectal mucosal microbiota was sequenced with 16S rRNA sequencing using Illumina MiSeq. Results: Seven days of lubricant application was not associated with differences in PrEP drug concentrations in rectal tissue or secretions. Lubricant use was associated with a decrease in the relative abundance of the Bacteroides genus (p = 0.01) and a non-significant increase in the Prevotella genus (p = 0.09) in the rectum. PrEP drug concentrations in rectal tissue and secretions were not associated with microbiota composition or diversity either before or after lubricant use. Conclusions: Repeated rectal application of a hyperosmolar lubricant does not affect mucosal PrEP drug concentrations but is associated with changes in the rectal microbiome. Keywords: lubricant; men who have sex with men; pre-exposure prophylaxis; anti-retroviral agents; HIV; gut microbiota, 1 | INTRODUCTION Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) is highly effective in preventing HIV infection, particularly among men who have sex with [...]

Background Event-driven HIV prevention strategies are a priority for users who do not require daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Regimens containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are under evaluation as alternatives to daily PrEP. To better understand INSTI distribution and inform dosing selection we compared the pharmacology of two-dose boosted elvitegravir and unboosted bictegravir regimens in MSM. Materials and methods Blood, rectal and penile secretions and rectal biopsies were collected from 63 HIV-negative MSM aged 18–49 years. Specimens were collected up to 96 h after two oral doses of tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine with elvitegravir boosted by cobicistat or unboosted bictegravir given 24 h apart. Antiretroviral drugs were measured by LC-MS. Results Mean bictegravir plasma concentrations remained above the 95% protein-adjusted effective concentration 96 h after dosing [273 (95% CI: 164–456) ng/mL] whereas elvitegravir plasma concentrations became undetectable 48 h after the second dose. Bictegravir and elvitegravir reached rectal tissues within 2 h after the first dose, and elvitegravir tissue concentrations [1.07 (0.38–13.51) ng/mg] were greater than bictegravir concentrations [0.27 (0.15–0.70) ng/mg]. Both INSTIs became undetectable in tissues within 96 h. Elvitegravir and bictegravir were not consistently detected in penile secretions. Conclusions Whereas bictegravir plasma concentrations persist at least 4 days after a two-oral-dose HIV prophylaxis regimen, elvitegravir accumulates in mucosal tissues. Differing elvitegravir and bictegravir distribution may result in variable mucosal and systemic antiviral activity and can inform dosing strategies for event-driven HIV prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article explored the changing body sizes of high school football linemen recruited to play for "Power 5" schools between 2003 and 2020 when factoring in the position group. This study also allowed for a cross-sectional analysis to explore body size differences within and between "Power 5" conferences. Methods: The dataset contained 7,428 linemen, and a cross-sectional design was used to examine position and conference affiliation related to the differences in height, weight, and Body Mass Index over three time periods. Statistical analysis was conducted using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H tests and post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction for pairwise comparisons. Results: The results showed that while height did not significantly change, weight continued to increase, particularly among defensive tackles, offensive centers, and guards. Conclusions: In some "Power 5" conferences, the number of linemen recruits weighing more than 300 pounds had more than doubled over this period. This adds to the player obesity discussion and the systematic issues that allow linemen to continue to play at weight levels categorized as obese, with little apparent regard for the risk of injury or long-term health implications. Application in Sport: College football decision-makers will be able to use the results of this study to demonstrate a need for new health protocols and policies that reduce the number of obese and significantly overweight linemen. Keywords: college football, BMI, health risk [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-mediated immune responses are known to be critical for control of mycobacterial infections whereas the role of B cells and humoral immunity is unclear. B cells can modulate immune responses by secretion of immunoglobulin, production of cytokines and antigen-presentation. To define the impact of B cells in the absence of secreted immunoglobulin, we analyzed the progression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in mice that have B cells but which lack secretory immunoglobulin (AID−/−µS−/−mice). AID−/−µS−/− mice accumulated a population of activated B cells in the lungs when infected and were more susceptible to aerosol Mtb when compared to wild type (C57BL/6) mice or indeed mice that totally lack B cells. The enhanced susceptibility of AID−/−µS−/− mice was not associated with defective T cell activation or expression of a type 1 immune response. While delivery of normal serum to AID−/−µS−/− mice did not reverse susceptibility, susceptibility in the spleen was dependent upon the presence of B cells and susceptibility in the lungs of AID−/−µS−/−mice was associated with elevated expression of the cytokines IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-10 and molecules made by alternatively activated macrophages. Blocking of IL-10 signaling resulted in reversal of susceptibility in the spleens and lungs of AID−/−µS−/− mice. These data support the hypothesis that B cells can modulate immunity to Mtb in an organ specific manner via the modulation of cytokine production and macrophage activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals lacking the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene ( nos2−/−) are less susceptible to Mycobacterium avium strain 25291 and lack nitric oxide-mediated immunomodulation of CD4+ T cells. Here we show that the absence of nos2 results in increased accumulation of neutrophils and both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells within the M. avium containing granuloma. Examination of the T-cell phenotype in M. avium infected mice demonstrated that CD4+ CD44hi effector T cells expressing the Th1 transcriptional regulator T-bet ( T-bet+) were specifically reduced by the presence of nitric oxide. Importantly, the T-bet+ effector population could be separated into CD69hi and CD69lo populations, with the CD69lo population only able to accumulate during chronic infection within infected nos2−/− mice. Transcriptomic comparison between CD4+ CD44hi CD69hi and CD4+ CD44hi CD69lo populations revealed that CD4+ CD44hi CD69lo cells had higher expression of the integrin itgb1/itga4 ( VLA-4, CD49d/ CD29). Inhibition of Nos2 activity allowed increased accumulation of the CD4+ CD44hi T-bet+ CD69lo population in WT mice as well as increased expression of VLA-4. These data support the hypothesis that effector T cells in mycobacterial granulomata are not a uniform effector population but exist in distinct subsets with differential susceptibility to the regulatory effects of nitric oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As NCAA Division I coaches feel greater pressure to produce winning teams while ensuring that athletes remain eligible and progress toward degrees to avoid sanctions under the NCAA's academic reform initiatives, concerns regarding the clustering of athletes into limited numbers of academic majors has increased. Academic clustering occurs when 25% or more of the members of one team share a single academic major (Case, Greer, & Brown, 1987). Recent studies have extended the analysis of clustering to include the disparate impact on white and minority football players in a single athletic conference (Fountain & Finley, 2009), as well as consideration of female basketball players throughout Division I (Paule, 2010). To date, these studies have provided a snapshot of teams for a given season. This study extends the understanding of clustering by examining one football program over a period of ten years, which allowed for greater understanding of the movement of players into and out of majors, especially the movement into a clustered major midway through their academic experience. Media guides from one BCS football program were used to track the listed majors of 349 players, from 2000 through 2009. Results indicated that players migrated into a single clustered major over time and that a significant number of touted recruits and National Football League draftees selected the clustered major. Further, players who had listed general education (University Studies) in their first media guide appearances frequently selected the clustered major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns regarding gentrification of sports and the loss of middle-income fans have increased throughout the years, as ticket prices have continued to increase well beyond the rate of inflation for professional sports. This research focused on the changes in purchasing power for fans wishing to attend live games in the National Football League from 1991 to 2009 and then made subsequent forecasts for purchasing power 10 years into the future, should current pricing trends continue unabated. The Fan Cost Index (FCI) was utilized to compare purchasing power over time. Results showed that average FCI price for the league increased by 75% beyond inflation from 1991 to 2009. Purchasing power for fans from all the teams in the study diminished in some fashion from 1991 to 2009. However, eight of the 24 teams in the study severely reduced fan purchasing power, including a 50% or more reduction in the number of tickets alone. If pricing trends continue, the league could experience decreased attendance, particularly from fans in the lower income brackets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on graduation rates of college athletes have typically utilized subdivisions based on race, gender, and sport to allow for more transparent scrutiny of potential problem areas. However, subdivision by race has not been utilized when examining clustering of football players into academic majors. Clustering occurs when 25% or more of an athletic team shares a single academic major (Case, Greer, & Brown, 1987). Football media guides from Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schools were utilized to determine the academic majors of upperclassmen to explore whether race could be a factor in academic clustering. The results showed that Minority players were clustered into specific academic programs at greater rates than their White counterparts. While academic clustering occurred for both White and Minority players, the clustering of Minority players involved greater numbers of players enrolled in clustered majors, as well as the existence of a second clustered major at several schools. At six of the schools in the study, 75% or more of the Minority players were enrolled into just two academic majors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferon-γ is key in limiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Here we show that vaccination triggered an accelerated interferon-γ response by CD4+ T cells in the lung during subsequent M. tuberculosis infection. Interleukin 23 (IL-23) was essential for the accelerated response, for early cessation of bacterial growth and for establishment of an IL-17-producing CD4+ T cell population in the lung. The recall response of the IL-17-producing CD4+ T cell population occurred concurrently with expression of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11. Depletion of IL-17 during challenge reduced the chemokine expression and accumulation of CD4+ T cells producing interferon-γ in the lung. We propose that vaccination induces IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells that populate the lung and, after challenge, trigger the production of chemokines that recruit CD4+ T cells producing interferon-γ, which ultimately restrict bacterial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the retention of football players among the Power Five conference universities between 2002 and 2013. A new metric was created to evaluate roster retention beginning at the time players committed to a university as opposed to after matriculation, as is used in more common graduation-rate metrics. Results suggested a large disparity among universities between those that maintain recruits through four or more years of college football and those that have much higher roster turnover rates as well as high rates of commits never appearing on even a single roster. Additionally, the results showed the average number of games football players appeared in during the 12-year time period. The new metric developed and the results of the study are important for various stakeholders, including providing Additional information for prospective college football players during the recruiting process. The metric could also provide additional data for athletic department officials when analyzing their own roster management practices as well as the past roster management practices of potential coaches. The NCAA could also benefit from this new metric as it adds information to the conversation about athletes in higher education and it provides a roster based viewpoint on the sheer number of athletes that have moved through "Big Time" college football over the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on obtaining the thoughts and opinions of high school cross country coaches regarding the role road racing should play in youth running. The participants for this study consisted of 132 successful high school cross country coaches from across the United States responding to an original Youth Running and Road Racing survey. The results of the survey found that there was a high level of concern by a majority of the coaches that youth runners face risk of both injuries and burnout because of the distances they run at young ages along with the current environment that focuses too much on competition and not enough on fun and enjoyment of running. Therefore, coaches need to be brought into the conversation with race organizers, the media that covers running, and parents to help modify youth road races so that they can ensure the health and safety of future runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urine provides a minimally invasive specimen that may allow for development of rapid tests to detect antiretroviral drugs and provide opportunities to improve individual adherence. This study sought to determine whether urine could provide a biomarker of adherence for currently approved pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV treatment regimens., Methods: Urine and blood were collected from 34 HIV-negative men who have sex with men aged 18-49 years, enrolled in a clinical trial comparing 2 antiretroviral regimens. Specimens were collected 4 and 24 hours after a single oral dose of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) (n = 10) or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/FTC/cobicistat (COBI)/elvitegravir (EVG) (n = 8), or after 4 and 10 days of daily oral TDF/FTC (n = 9) or TAF/FTC/COBI/EVG (n = 7). Tenofovir (TFV), FTC, and EVG were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry., Results: Median urine FTC concentrations at 4 and 24 hours were similar between men receiving TDF/FTC (4 hours 147 µg/mL; 24 hours 10 µg/mL) and men receiving TAF/FTC/COBI/EVG (4 hours 333 µg/mL, P = 0.173; 24 hours 13 µg/mL, P = 0.681). Median urine TFV concentrations were lower among men receiving TAF/FTC/COBI/EVG (4 hours 1.2 µg/mL; 24 hours 0.8 µg/mL) compared with men receiving TDF/FTC (4 hours 17 µg/mL, P < 0.001; 24 hours 7 µg/mL, P = 0.001). Urine TFV concentrations remained reduced among men receiving TAF/FTC/COBI/EVG compared with men receiving TDF/FTC after daily dosing. EVG was not consistently measurable in urine., Conclusions: High urine FTC and TFV concentrations could provide an indication of adherence to daily oral dosing with TDF or TAF-based regimens used for treatment and prevention.

Animals lacking the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (nos2(-/-)) are less susceptible to Mycobacterium avium strain 25291 and lack nitric oxide-mediated immunomodulation of CD4(+) T cells. Here we show that the absence of nos2 results in increased accumulation of neutrophils and both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells within the M. avium containing granuloma. Examination of the T-cell phenotype in M. avium infected mice demonstrated that CD4(+)CD44(hi) effector T cells expressing the Th1 transcriptional regulator T-bet (T-bet(+)) were specifically reduced by the presence of nitric oxide. Importantly, the T-bet(+) effector population could be separated into CD69(hi) and CD69(lo) populations, with the CD69(lo) population only able to accumulate during chronic infection within infected nos2(-/-) mice. Transcriptomic comparison between CD4(+)CD44(hi)CD69(hi) and CD4(+)CD44(hi)CD69(lo) populations revealed that CD4(+)CD44(hi)CD69(lo) cells had higher expression of the integrin itgb1/itga4 (VLA-4, CD49d/CD29). Inhibition of Nos2 activity allowed increased accumulation of the CD4(+) CD44(hi)T-bet(+)CD69(lo) population in WT mice as well as increased expression of VLA-4. These data support the hypothesis that effector T cells in mycobacterial granulomata are not a uniform effector population but exist in distinct subsets with differential susceptibility to the regulatory effects of nitric oxide., (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)