Do Elite Basketball Players Maintain Peak External Demands throughout the Entire Game?

Consideration of workload intensity and peak demands across different periods of basketball games contributes to understanding the external physical requirements of elite basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the average intensity and peak demands encountered by players throughout game quarters. PlayerLoad per minute and PlayerLoad at three different time samples (30 s, 1 min, and 3 min) were used as workload metrics. A total of 14 professional elite male basketball players were monitored during 30 official games to investigate this. A linear mixed model and Cohen's d were employed to identify significant differences and quantify the effect sizes among game quarters. The results showed a significant, moderate effect in PlayerLoad per minute between Q1 vs. Q4, and a small effect between Q2 and Q3 vs. Q4. Furthermore, a small to moderate decline was observed in external peak values for PlayerLoad across game quarters. Specifically,, a significant decrease was found for the 3 min time window between Q1 and other quarters. The findings from the present study suggest that professional basketball players tend to experience fatigue or reduced physical output as the game progresses.

Defects in G-Actin Incorporation into Filaments in Myoblasts Derived from Dysferlinopathy Patients Are Restored by Dysferlin C2 Domains.

Dysferlin is a transmembrane C-2 domain-containing protein involved in vesicle trafficking and membrane remodeling in skeletal muscle cells. However, the mechanism by which dysferlin regulates these cellular processes remains unclear. Since actin dynamics is critical for vesicle trafficking and membrane remodeling, we studied the role of dysferlin in Ca2+-induced G-actin incorporation into filaments in four different immortalized myoblast cell lines (DYSF2, DYSF3, AB320, and ER) derived from patients harboring mutations in the dysferlin gene. As compared with immortalized myoblasts obtained from a control subject, dysferlin expression and G-actin incorporation were significantly decreased in myoblasts from dysferlinopathy patients. Stable knockdown of dysferlin with specific shRNA in control myoblasts also significantly reduced G-actin incorporation. The impaired G-actin incorporation was restored by the expression of full-length dysferlin as well as dysferlin N-terminal or C-terminal regions, both of which contain three C2 domains. DYSF3 myoblasts also exhibited altered distribution of annexin A2, a dysferlin partner involved in actin remodeling. However, dysferlin N-terminal and C-terminal regions appeared to not fully restore such annexin A2 mislocation. Then, our results suggest that dysferlin regulates actin remodeling by a mechanism that does to not involve annexin A2.

Sonophotocatalytic removal of organic dyes in real water environments using reusable BiSI@PVDF-HFP nanocomposite membranes.

Focusing on the uncontrolled discharge of organic dyes, a known threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems, this work employs a dual-functional catalyst approach, by immobilizing a synthesized bismuth sulfur iodide (BiSI) into a poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) polymeric matrix for multifunctional water remediation. The resulting BiSI@PVDF nanocomposite membrane (NCM), with 20 wt% filler content, maintains a highly porous structure without compromising morphology or thermal properties. Demonstrating efficiency in natural pH conditions, the NCM removes nearly all Rhodamine B (RhB) within 1 h, using a combined sonophotocatalytic process. Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models describe the remediation process, achieving a maximum removal capacity (Qmax) of 72.2 mg/g. In addition, the combined sonophotocatalysis achieved a degradation rate ten and five times higher (0.026 min-1) than photocatalysis (0.002 min-1) and sonocatalysis (0.010 min-1). Furthermore, the NCM exhibits notable reusability over five cycles without efficiency losses and efficiencies always higher than 90%, highlighting its potential for real water matrices. The study underscores the suitability of BiSI@PVDF as a dual-functional catalyst for organic dye degradation, showcasing synergistic adsorption, photocatalysis, and sonocatalysis for water remediation.

Prophylactic treatment with the c-Abl inhibitor, neurotinib, diminishes neuronal damage and the convulsive state in pilocarpine-induced mice.

The molecular mechanisms underlying seizure generation remain elusive, yet they are crucial for developing effective treatments for epilepsy. The current study shows that inhibiting c-Abl tyrosine kinase prevents apoptosis, reduces dendritic spine loss, and maintains N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) phosphorylated in in vitro models of excitotoxicity. Pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in mice promotes c-Abl phosphorylation, and disrupting c-Abl activity leads to fewer seizures, increases latency toward SE, and improved animal survival. Currently, clinically used c-Abl inhibitors are non-selective and have poor brain penetration. The allosteric c-Abl inhibitor, neurotinib, used here has favorable potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and vastly improved brain penetration. Neurotinib-administered mice have fewer seizures and improved survival following pilocarpine-SE induction. Our findings reveal c-Abl kinase activation as a key factor in ictogenesis and highlight the impact of its inhibition in preventing the insurgence of epileptic-like seizures in rodents and humans.

Wastewater Treatment of Real Effluents by Microfiltration Using Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) Membranes.

Over the last decades, the growing contamination of wastewater, mainly caused by industrial processes, improper sewage, natural calamities, and a variety of anthropogenic activities, has caused an increase in water-borne diseases. Notably, industrial applications require careful consideration as they pose significant threats to human health and ecosystem biodiversity due to the production of persistent and complex contaminants. The present work reports on the development, characterization, and application of a poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) porous membrane for the remediation of a wide range of contaminants from wastewater withdrawn from industrial applications. The PVDF-HFP membrane showed a micrometric porous structure with thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability and a hydrophobic nature, leading to high permeability. The prepared membranes exhibited simultaneous activity on the removal of organic matter (total suspended and dissolved solids, TSS, and TDS, respectively), the mitigation of salinity in 50%, and the effective removal of some inorganic anions and heavy metals, achieving efficiencies around 60% for nickel, cadmium, and lead. The membrane proved to be a suitable approach for wastewater treatment, as it showed potential for the simultaneous remediation of a wide range of contaminants. Thus, the as-prepared PVDF-HFP membrane and the designed membrane reactor represent an efficient, straightforward, and low-cost alternative as a pretreatment step for continuous treatment processes for simultaneous organic and inorganic contaminants' remediation in real industrial effluent sources.

Solar Photocatalytic Membranes: An Experimental and Artificial Neural Network Modeling Approach for Niflumic Acid Degradation.

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), such as pharmaceuticals, in water sources is one of the main concerns nowadays due to their hazardous properties causing severe effects on human health and ecosystem biodiversity. Niflumic acid (NFA) is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, and it is known for its non-biodegradability and resistance to chemical and biological degradation processes. In this work, a 10 wt.% TiO2/PVDF-TrFE nanocomposite membrane (NCM) was prepared by the solvent casting technique, fully characterized, and implemented on an up-scaled photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). The photocatalytic activity of the NCM was evaluated on NFA degradation under different experimental conditions, including NFA concentration, pH of the media, irradiation time and intensity. The NCM demonstrated a remarkable photocatalytic efficiency on NFA degradation, as efficiency of 91% was achieved after 6 h under solar irradiation at neutral pH. The NCM proved effective in long-term use, with maximum efficiency losses of 7%. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was designed to model NFA's photocatalytic degradation behavior, demonstrating a good agreement between experimental and predicted data, with an R2 of 0.98. The relative significance of each experimental condition was evaluated, and the irradiation time proved to be the most significant parameter affecting the NFA degradation efficiency. The designed ANN model provides a reliable framework l for modeling the photocatalytic activity of TiO2/PVDF-TrFE and related NCM.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized 9-Methyldecalins Using a Diphenylprolinol-Silyl-Ether-Mediated Domino Michael/Aldol Reaction.

Substituted 9-methyldecalin derivatives containing an all carbon quaternary chiral center were synthesized with excellent enantioselectivity via an organocatalyst-mediated domino reaction. The first reaction is a diphenylprolinol silyl ether-mediated Michael reaction, and the second reaction is an intramolecular aldol reaction. The enantiomerically pure catalyst is involved in both reactions.

Reusable Ag@TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Membranes for Solar Degradation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern.

Two significant limitations of using TiO2 nanoparticles for water treatment applications are reduced photocatalytic activity under visible radiation and difficulty recovering the particles after use. In this study, round-shaped Ag@TiO2 nanocomposites with a ≈21 nm diameter and a bandgap energy of 2.8 eV were synthesised by a deposition-precipitation method. These nanocomposites were immobilised into a porous poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrix and well-distributed within the pores. The photocatalytic activity of Ag@TiO2/PVDF-HFP against metronidazole (MNZ) under solar radiation was evaluated. Further, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was applied to predict the effect of four independent variables, including initial pollutant concentration, pH, light irradiation intensity, and reaction time, on the photocatalytic performance of the composite membrane on MNZ degradation. The 10% Ag@TiO2/PVDF-HFP composite membrane showed a maximum removal efficiency of 100% after 5 h under solar radiation. After three use cycles, this efficiency remained practically constant, demonstrating the membranes' reusability and suitability for water remediation applications.

Differences in External Load Variables Between Playing Positions in Elite Basketball Match-Play.

The purpose of this study was to describe the specific demands and structure of interrelationships of external load variables in order to generate a position-related time motion profile in elite basketball. Seventeen professional players from three different playing positions (6 guards, 4 forwards, and 7 centers) were analyzed in five friendly games. Player load per minute (PLmin) was used as an indicator of intensity to compare positions. Furthermore, high and total external variables of jumping (hJUMP and tJUMP), acceleration (hACC and tACC), deceleration (hDEC and tDEC) and change of direction (hCOD and tCOD), respectively, were used for the principal component analysis (PCA). The Kaiser criterion (eigenvalue > 1) was applied, and the Varimax rotation mode was used to extract multiple principal components. PCA showed that all positions had three or four principal components, but the configuration of each factor was different: tCOD, hCOD, hDEC and hJUMP for guards, hCOD, tCOD, tACC and hDEC for forwards, and tJUMP, hJUMP, hDEC and tACC for centers were specifically demanded in match-play. For guards and forwards, a significant correlation was found between COD variables, while for centers tCOD and PLmin had the strongest correlation. When monitoring the external load via tri-axial accelerometers in basketball match-play, each playing position showed specific physical demands. Therefore, these variables must be prioritized in load monitoring programs.

Differences in Weekly Load Distribution Over Two Euroleague Seasons with a Different Head Coach.

The weekly training management and competition loads are important aspects to optimize the performance of professional basketball players. The objectives of the study were (a) to describe the weekly external load (EL), as well as the internal response (IR), of elite basketball players over two consecutive seasons with a different head coach and (b) to compare weekly loads of different competitive densities. The data were collected from 27 elite players from the same team competing in the Spanish first division league (ACB) and EuroLeague during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. EL was measured using microsensor technology to determine PlayerLoad values, expressed in arbitrary units (AU). Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was used for IR quantification. Comparisons between the two seasons and of weeks with different competitive densities were made. The inter-week load variability was moderate-high for both seasons. The highest EL values were measured during the weeks with three games (W3) (W3 > W0 > W2 > W1), while the most demanding week for players' IR was observed during weeks with no competition (W0). Additionally, higher EL (d = 0.31) and IR (d = 0.37) values were observed in season 2018-2019 compared to 2017-2018. The results obtained in this study contributed new data on the internal and external load required by professional basketball players in weeks with different number of games and showed that different coaching strategies may demand a different external and internal workload in consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the results highlighted the need to carry out an adequate load management program.

Polymer-Based Membranes for Oily Wastewater Remediation.

The compounds found in industrial wastewater typically show high toxicity, and in this way, they have become a primary environmental concern. Several techniques have been applied in industrial effluent remediation. In spite of the efforts, these techniques are yet to be ineffective to treat oily wastewater before it can be discharged safely to the environment. Membrane technology is an attractive approach to treat oily wastewater. This is dedicated to the immobilisation of TiO2 nanoparticles on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) porous matrix by solvent casting. Membranes with interconnected pores with an average diameter of 60 µm and a contact angle of 97°, decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles, are obtained. The degradation of oily wastewater demonstrated the high photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposite membranes: Under sunlight irradiation for seven hours, colourless water was obtained.

Physiology and training of a world-champion paratriathlete.

Paratriathlon will debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, but research documenting the physiological attributes and training practices of elite paratriathletes is lacking. This case study reports on the physiology and training of a long-distance worldchampion male paratriathlete (below-the-knee amputee) over 19 mo. His body mass and skinfolds declined respectively by ~4 kg and 30% in 2 mo and remained relatively constant thereafter. His swim test velocity increased by 4.4% over 6 mo but declined back to baseline thereafter. His absolute and relative cycling maximal aerobic power improved progressively by 21.8% and 32.6%, respectively. His power output at the individual lactate threshold (ILT) improved by 39.5% and 51.6%, and his power output at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA), by 59.7% and 73.4%. His maximal running aerobic velocity improved by 12.8%, and his velocity at ILT and OBLA increased by 38.9% and 44.9%, respectively. Over 84 wk he performed 813 training sessions (248 swim, 229 bike, 216 run, 120 strength), ie, 10 ± 3 sessions/week (mean ± SD). Swim, bike, and run volumes were 709 km (8 ± 3 km/wk), 519 h (6 ± 4 h/wk), and 164 h (2 ± 1 h/wk), respectively. Training at intensities below ILT, between ILT and OBLA, and above OBLA for swim were 82% ± 3%, 14% ± 1%, 4.4% ± 0.4%; for bike, 91% ± 3%, 6.2% ± 0.5%, 3.3% ± 0.3%; and for run, 88% ± 1%, 8.0% ± 0.3%, 3.5% ± 0.1%. The training volume for each discipline was lower than previously reported for competitive able-bodied Olympic-distance triathletes. He won the long-distance world championship in 8 h 14 min 47 s, nearly 30 min faster than his nearest competitor.

Acute mountain sickness impact among travelers to Cusco, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of travelers are visiting high altitude locations in the Andes. The epidemiology of acute mountain sickness (AMS) among tourists to high altitude in South America is not well understood. METHODS: A cross-sectional study to evaluate the epidemiology, pre-travel preparation, and impact of AMS among travelers to Cusco, Peru (3,400 m) was performed at Cusco's International Airport during June 2010. Foreign travelers, 18 years or older, staying 15 days or less, departing Cusco were invited to participate. Demographic, itinerary, and behavioral data were collected. The Lake Louise Clinical score (LLCS) was used to assess AMS symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 991 travelers participated, median age 32 years (interquartile range 25-49), 55.5% female, 86.7% tourists, mostly from the United States (48.2%) and England (8.1%). Most (76.7%) flew from sea level to Cusco and 30.5% visited high altitude in the previous 2 months. Only 29.1% received AMS advice from a physician, 19% recalled advice on acetazolamide. Coca leaf products (62.8%) were used more often than acetazolamide (16.6%) for prevention. AMS was reported by 48.5% and 17.1% had severe AMS. One in five travelers with AMS altered their travel plans. Travelers older than 60 years, with recent high altitude exposure, who visited lower cities in their itinerary, or used acetazolamide were less likely to have AMS. Using coca leaf products was associated with increased AMS frequency. CONCLUSIONS: AMS was common and adversely impacted plans of one in five travelers. Acetazolamide was associated with decreased AMS but was prescribed infrequently. Other preventive measures were not associated with a decrease in AMS in this population. Pre-travel preparation was suboptimal.

Intención de los alumnos de internado estomatológico de realizar la tesis universitaria / Intention of dental internship students to make a university thesis

Objetivo. Determinar el porcentaje de alumnos de internado estomatológico que tienen intención de realizar o no una tesis universitaria. Material y métodos. Se realizó en 139 alumnos de internado estomatológico de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de San Martín de Porres (FO-USMP) en Lima, Perú año 2011, un cuestionario evaluando en tres dimensiones: actitudinal, académico e institucional. Resultados. La intención de los alumnos de internado estomatológico de la FO-USMP de realizar una tesis universitaria fue de 54,68%. No se encontró diferencias significativas en la intención de realizar tesis con el sexo y edad del estudiante (p=0,892) (p=0,904). Según las dimensiones estudiadas el carácter actitudinal es favorable (61%), seguida del carácter institucional y el académico. Por otro lado, un 81,29% conoce en teoría el método científico, sin embargo un 69,78% no consideran que sea suficiente para el desarrollo de una tesis. Por tal motivo, la promoción de talleres de investigación 90,65%, y cursos de elaboración de tesis 89,93% obtuvieron los mayores porcentajes. Conclusiones. Más de la mitad de estudiantes tienen intención de realizar una tesis, el carácter académico es la dimensión que requiere mayor atención y el carácter actitudinal los que obtuvieron mayor aceptación. El sexo del estudiante no influye en la toma de decisión para la realización de la tesis.

Objective. To determine the percentage of dental internship students who has the intention of make or not a university thesis. Material and methods. 139 dental intership students of San Martin de Porres University in Lima, Peru 2011 were polled through a questionnaire which evaluated three dimensions: attitudinal, academic and institutional. Results. The intention of dental intership students of the FO-USMP to make a university thesis is 54,68%. No significant differences were found in the intention to make the thesis in students sex and age (p=0,892) (p=0,904). According to the dimensions studied the attitudinal character is favorable (61%),followed by institutional and academic. On the other hand, an 81,29% know the scientific method in theory, but a 69,78% did not consider it sufficient for the development of a thesis, for this reason, the promotion of research workshops 90,65% and production of thesis courses 89,93% obtained the highest percentages. Conclusions. Over half of students intend to make a thesis, academic is the dimension that requires further attention and attitudinal character wich obtained wide acceptance. Sex had no influence on the decision of making thesis.

Gripe aviar h5n1: h1n1: ¿la nueva pandemia del siglo? / Avian influenza h5n1: h1n1: the new pandemy of the century?

Las pandemias de gripe se han caracterizado hasta ahora por la adaptación en humanos de un virus que contiene determinantes antigénicos derivados de cepas de virus propios de aves para los cuales no existe inmunidad en humanos. La ausencia de vacunas y de fármacos eficaces contra una posible epidemia provoca una gran expectativa en cuanto a la repercusión que una pandemia de tales magnitudes tendrá sobre la humanidad no sólo en el aspecto económico sino sobre la tasa de mortalidad tan elevada que podría producirse. Este artículo va dirigido al personal de salud, tanto profesionales como estudiantes, con el fin de informarlos y prevenirlos frente a una nueva pandemia de influenza.

The influenza pandemies are characterized by the adaptation in humans of viruses that only affect the avian population. This is because there is not immunity by humans in front of these new serotypes of influenza. The absence of vaccines and efficient drugs against a possible pandemy, provoke huge expectations according to the repercussion of this kind of pandemy in the humanity, not only in the economical aspect but in a possible mortality rate that could be produced. This article is aimed at the professional and students of the health area. Its objective is to inform and prevent them in the case they need to face a new pandemy of influenza.

Fibroma aponeurótico calcificante de localización cefálica

Se describe el caso de un neonato que presenta una masa de tejidos blandos a nivel craneal, por lo que se establece un diagnóstico inicial de encefalocele. Luego de estudios de RX, U.S. y T.C. se descarta la sospecha diagnóstica y posteriormente se realiza intervención quirúrgica para extracción de dicha masa. El análisis histopatológico de la lesión refiere que se trata de un fibroma aponeurótico Calcificante Juvenil. En vista de que la aparición de este tumor es muy raro en cuanto a su frecuencia y mucho más en una localización cefálica, y en neonatos reportamos este caso.