Draft genome sequence of a spa non-typeable Staphylococcus aureus USA300 isolate causing complicated bacteremia.

Spa-typing is a major genetic tool used to distinguish between Staphylococcus aureus strains. Interestingly, although rare, ~1%-2 of isolates are considered Spa-non-typeable . Herein, we present the draft genome sequence of just such a strain, S. aureus TGH1097, a USA300 isolate from a complex bacteremia infection.

Acute Effects of Oral Caffeine Intake on Human Global-Flash mfERG Responses: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked, Balanced Crossover Study.

Purpose: To determine the acute effect of caffeine intake on the retinal responses as measured with a global-flash multifocal electroretinogram (gfmERG) protocol at different contrast levels. Methods: Twenty-four young adults (age = 23.3 ± 2.4 years) participated in this placebo-controlled, double-masked, balanced crossover study. On two different days, participants orally ingested caffeine (300 mg) or placebo, and retinal responses were recorded 90 minutes later using a gfmERG at three contrast levels (95%, 50%, and 29%). The amplitude response density and peak time of the direct and induced components (direct component [DC] and induced component [IC], respectively) were extracted for five different eccentricities (1.3°, 5.0°, 9.6°, 15.2°, and 21.9°). Axial length, spherical equivalent refraction, habitual caffeine intake, and body weight were considered as continuous covariates. Results: Increased IC amplitude response density was found after caffeine ingestion in comparison to placebo (P = 0.021, ƞp2 = 0.23), specifically for the 95% and 50% stimulus contrasts (P = 0.024 and 0.018, respectively). This effect of caffeine on IC amplitude response density was independent of the retinal eccentricity (P = 0.556). Caffeine had no effect on DC amplitude response density or DC and IC peak times. Conclusions: Our results show that oral caffeine intake increases the inner electro-retinal activity in young adults when viewing stimuli of high- (95%) to medium-contrast (50%). Given the increasing evidence that the inner retinal function is involved in the emmetropization process, these results may suggest that caffeine or its derivatives could potentially play a role in the mechanisms involved in eye growth.

Effects of Phenylcapsaicin on Intraocular and Ocular Perfusion Pressure During a 30-Min Cycling Task: A Placebo-Controlled, Triple-Blind, Balanced Crossover Study.

The main objective of this placebo-controlled, triple-blind, balanced crossover study was to assess the acute effects of phenylcapsaicin (PC) intake (2.5 mg) on intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), and heart rate (HR) during a 30-min cycling task performed at 15% of the individual maximal power. Twenty-two healthy young adults performed the cycling task 45 min after ingesting PC or placebo. IOP was measured with a rebound tonometer before exercise, during cycling (every 6 min), and after 5 and 10 min of recovery. OPP was assessed before and after exercise. HR was monitored throughout the cycling task. We found an acute increase of IOP levels related to PC consumption while cycling (mean difference = 1.91 ± 2.24 mmHg; p = .007, ηp2=.30), whereas no differences were observed for OPP levels between the PC and placebo conditions (mean difference = 1.33 ± 8.70 mmHg; p = .608). Mean HR values were higher after PC in comparison with placebo intake (mean difference = 3.11 ± 15.87 bpm, p = .019, ηp2=.24), whereas maximum HR did not differ between both experimental conditions (p = .199). These findings suggest that PC intake before exercise should be avoided when reducing IOP levels is desired (e.g., glaucoma patients or those at risk). Future studies should determine the effects of different ergogenic aids on IOP and OPP levels with other exercise configurations and in the long term.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Health Markers and Performance Outcomes among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on health markers and performance outcomes among diabetic and nondiabetic patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-seven patients with PCI and CABG, who attended phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation, were included in the study. Patient data were separated by cardiac diagnosis, (PCI and CABG), diabetes category (diabetic and nondiabetic), number of sessions attended (12-24 or 25-36), and time (pre- to post-test). The Duke Activity Score Index and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 questionnaires and measurements for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and, if diabetic, A1c and fasting blood glucose, were taken at baseline and upon completion of the program. RESULTS: High-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.004), Duke Activity Score Index questionnaire (p < 0.001), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (p < 0.001), and A1c (p = 0.003) significantly improved from pre- to post-testing. Total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001) for the 25-36 nondiabetic PCI group significantly decreased. Triglycerides decreased for all 12-24 session groups (p = 0.015). Fasting blood glucose significantly decreased (p = 0.037) for the 12-24 PCI group with diabetes. No significant interactions were found for systolic blood pressure and body weight. CONCLUSION: Cardiac rehabilitation resulted in significant improvements in the lipid panel, diastolic blood pressure, and questionnaire results, regardless of the number of sessions attended. However, no significant benefits for systolic blood pressure were observed.

Orbicularis oculi muscle activity during computer reading under different degrees of artificially-induced aniseikonia.

Background: Aniseikonia is a binocular vision disorder that has been associated with asthenopic symptoms. However, asthenopia has been evaluated with subjective tests that make difficult to determine the level of aniseikonia. This study aims to objectively evaluate the impact of induced aniseikonia at different levels on visual fatigue by measuring the orbicularis oculi muscle activity in the dominant and non-dominant eyes while performing a reading task. Methods: Twenty-four collegiate students (24.00 ± 3.86 years) participated in this study. Participants read a passage for 7 minutes under four degrees of aniseikonia (0%, 3%, 5% and 10%) at 50 cm. Orbicularis oculi muscle activity of the dominant and non-dominant eye was recorded by surface electromyography. In addition, visual discomfort was assessed after each task by completing a questionnaire. Results: Orbicularis oculi muscle activity increased under induced aniseikonia (i.e., greater values for the 10% condition in comparison to 0%, and 3% conditions (p = 0.034 and p = 0.023, respectively)). No statistically significant differences were observed in orbicularis oculi muscle activity for the time on task and between the dominant and non-dominant eyes. Additionally, higher levels of subjective visual discomfort were observed for lower degrees of induced aniseikonia. Conclusion: Induced aniseikonia increases visual fatigue at high aniseikonia degrees as measured by the orbicularis oculi muscle activity, and at low degrees as measured with subjective questionnaires. These findings may be of relevance to better understand the visual symptomatology of aniseikonia.

Higher order aberrations according to spherical, and astigmatic refractive errors in children.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study present novel insights into the impact of spherical and astigmatic refractive errors on overall, corneal and internal aberrations and may provide a clear understanding of the emmetropisation process and the development of visual function. BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the association between overall, corneal and internal higher-order aberrations and the spherical and astigmatic components (magnitude and angle) of refractive error in a large sample of children. METHODS: A total of 311 children aged 7 - 8 years old were classified based on spherical equivalent refraction (myopic, emmetropic and hyperopic); magnitude of astigmatism (none, low and moderate); and angle of astigmatism (with-the-rule, against-the-rule and oblique). Refractive error and overall, corneal and internal higher-order aberrations were measured using the OPD-Scan III workstation. RESULTS: Regarding spherical equivalent refraction, myopic eyes had greater root mean square (RMS) overall higher-order values, total spherical, tetrafoil and secondary astigmatism aberrations, and internal higher-order, total spherical and tetrafoil aberrations in comparison to emmetropic eyes. The magnitude of astigmatism was positively associated with all overall RMS aberrations and with internal higher order, coma, total coma, total spherical and tetrafoil aberrations. Eyes with with-the-rule astigmatism showed higher RMS values of coma and total coma compared to eyes with against-the-rule and oblique astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS: Higher-order aberrations are dependent on the spherical as well as astigmatic components of refractive error. These findings enhance the current understanding of the emmetropisation process and visual function development.

Gaze behaviour during multiple object tracking is dependent on binocular vision integrity.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the critical importance of binocular vision integrity in daily activities, there exists limited understanding of how alterations in binocular vision integrity impact gaze behaviour during dynamic, complex psychomotor skills. This study aimed to measure how alterations in binocular vision integrity, created by Bangerter filters (BF), affect gaze behaviour during multiple object tracking (MOT). METHODS: During the experiment, 22 volunteers completed the MOT task under three different visual conditions. The first condition involved natural binocular viewing, while the second and third conditions used 0.4 and 0.2 neutral density BF, respectively, resulting in monocular blur in the sensorially dominant eye. During the MOT task, participants were instructed to track three of eight balls for 10 s, and the speed was adjusted using a staircase procedure. Throughout the task, the following gaze parameters were recorded: fixation duration, saccade duration, amplitude and frequency as well as blink rate. RESULTS: During MOT execution, participants employed three gaze strategies regardless of viewing conditions: saccadic movements were predominant, followed by maintaining fixation on a central location throughout the trial and to a lesser extent, smooth pursuit eye movements. There was a significant effect of manipulating viewing conditions on the MOT scores (p = 0.046, η2 = 0.09). As the viewing conditions became more difficult, we observed a decrease in fixation duration (p = 0.004, η2 = 0.16) and blink rate (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.20) and an increase in saccadic amplitude (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the notion that perceptual-cognitive skills depend on the integrity of binocular vision, underscoring the sensitivity of gaze behaviours to any impairment of binocular function.

Diurnal Variation in Accommodation, Binocular Vergence, and Pupil Size.

SIGNIFICANCE: Our results show significant diurnal variations in accommodative function and the magnitude of the phoria. Therefore, when comparing visual measures in clinical or laboratory settings, performing the visual examination at the same time of day (±1 hour) is encouraged. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accommodation, binocular vergence, and pupil behavior on three different times during the day. METHODS: Twenty collegiate students (22.8 ± 2.1 years) participated in this study. Participants visited the laboratory on three different days at 2-hourly intervals (morning, 9:00 to 11:00 am ; afternoon, 2:00 to 4:00 pm ; evening, 7:00 to 9:00 pm ). The binocular vergence and accommodative function were measured using clinical optometric procedures, and the accommodative response and pupil function were evaluated in binocular conditions using the WAM-5500 autorefractometer. RESULTS: The accommodative amplitude for the right and left eyes showed statistically significant differences for the time interval ( P = .001 and P = .02, respectively), revealing higher accommodative amplitude in the morning and afternoon in comparison with the evening. Participants were more esophoric when assessed in the morning in comparison with the evening at far and near ( P = .02 and P = .01, respectively) and when assessed in the afternoon in comparison with the evening at far distance ( P = .02). The magnitude of accommodative response was higher in the morning, and it decreased throughout the day at 500 ( P < .001), 40 ( P = .05), and 20 cm ( P < .001). No statistically significant differences were obtained for any other variable. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows small diurnal variations in some accommodative and binocular vergence parameters, but no effects were observed for the pupil response. These outcomes are of special relevance for eye care specialists when performing repeated accommodative or binocular vergence measures. However, the diurnal variations were modest and may not influence a routine orthoptic examination.

Effect of manipulating the vergence/accommodation and image size mismatches of the ±2D flipper test on the frequency and precision of accommodative facility.

PURPOSE: The ±2.00 D accommodative facility test presents several limitations, including the lack of objective information and inherent characteristics such as vergence/accommodative conflict, change in apparent size of the image, subjective criteria for judging blur and motor reaction time. By using free-space viewing conditions and an open-field autorefractor to monitor the refractive state, we examined the impact of manipulating these factors on the qualitative and quantitative assessment of accommodative facility. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy young adults (24.5 ± 4.5 years) took part in this study. Participants performed three accommodative facility tests (adapted flipper, 4D free-space viewing and 2.5D free-space viewing) under both monocular and binocular conditions in random order. A binocular open-field autorefractor was used to assess the accommodative response continuously, and these data were used to characterise accommodative facility quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the three testing methods both quantitatively (p < 0.001) and qualitatively (p = 0.02). For the same accommodative demand, a lower number of cycles was obtained for the adapted flipper condition in comparison with the 4D free-space viewing test (corrected p-value < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.78). However, this comparison did not reach statistical significance for qualitative measures of accommodative facility (corrected p-value = 0.82, Cohen's d 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that the qualitative assessment of accommodative facility is not influenced by the inherent limitations of the ±2.00 D flipper test. The use of qualitative outcomes by incorporating an open-field autorefractor allows examiners to increase the validity of the accommodative facility test in both clinical and research settings.

Influence of the body positions adopted for resistance training on intraocular pressure: a comparison between the supine and seated positions.

OBJECTIVES: A variety of factors are known to mediate on the intraocular pressure (IOP) response to resistance training. However, the influence of the body position adopted during resistance training on IOP remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the IOP response to the bench press exercise at three levels of intensity when performed in supine and seated positions. METHODS: Twenty-three physically active healthy young adults (10 men and 13 women) performed 6 sets of 10 repetitions against the 10-RM (repetition maximum) load during the bench press exercise against three levels of intensity (high intensity: 10-RM load; medium intensity: 50% of the 10-RM load; and control: no external load) and while adopting two different body positions (supine and seated). A rebound tonometer was employed to measure IOP in baseline conditions (after 60 s in the corresponding body position), after each of the 10 repetitions, and after 10 s of recovery. RESULTS: The body position adopted during the execution of the bench press exercise significantly affected the changes in IOP (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.83), with the seated position providing lower increases in IOP levels compared to the supine position. There was an association between IOP and exercise intensity, with greater IOP values in the more physically demanding conditions (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: The use of seated positions, instead of supine positions, for the execution of resistance training should be prioritized for maintaining more stable IOP levels. This set of findings incorporates novel insights into the mediating factors on the IOP response to resistance training. In future studies, the inclusion of glaucoma patients would allow to assess the generalizability of these findings.

Less is more: optimal recording time for measuring the steady-state accommodative response.

Clinical Relevance Background: Steady-state accommodation is frequently evaluated with open-field autorefractors; however there is no consensus regarding the optimal test duration. Our results allow us to standardise the procedure followed for the assessment of the steady-state accommodative response in clinical and laboratory settings and may be of great relevance in time-constrained situations. BACKGROUND: The present study aims to determine the optimal recording time to assess the magnitude and variability of the accommodative response with a binocular open-field autorefractor. METHODS: The steady-state accommodative response of 84 healthy undergraduate students was dynamically measured using the Grand Seiko WAM-5500 autorefractor at 500 cm, 40 cm and 20 cm for 90 s while participants maintained focus on a stationary target. We examined the reliability and level of agreement between four time intervals (the first 10-s, 30-s, 60-s and 90-s) at three accommodative demands (0.2D, 2.5D and 5D). RESULTS: The magnitude of accommodation showed an excellent level of reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]> 0.90) for the comparisons between the 90-s, 60-s and 30-s time intervals at the three viewing distances tested. However, when including the 10-s interval, there was a moderate reduction of the reliability indices and an increase of the mean difference between two time intervals (intra-class correlation [ICC] ranging from 0.89 to 0.97; and ESs ranging from 0.16 to 0.42). For the variability of accommodation, we observed an excellent reliability for the comparisons of the 90-s and 60-s measures at the three accommodative demands (ICC: 0.95-0.96), whereas for the rest of comparisons we observed from moderate to good levels of reliability. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that of 30-s and 60-s are enough to accurately assess the magnitude and variability of the accommodative response with the WAM-5500 autorefractor, respectively.

Effect of wearing different types of face masks during dynamic and isometric resistance training on intraocular pressure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of face masks has demonstrated to be an effective strategy to prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Wearing face masks, mainly Filtering Face Piece 2 (FFP2) masks, during exercise practice has demonstrated to affect several physiological measures. BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at assessing the intraocular pressure (IOP) behaviour during the execution of the dynamic and isometric biceps-curl exercise with a surgical and FFP2 face mask. METHODS: Twenty two physically active young adults performed sets of 10 repetitions against the 10-RM (repetition maximum) load and 1-minute isometric effort against a load 15% lower than the 10-RM load with the FFP2 and surgical mask and without any mask. A total of six exercise sets (3 experimental conditions [FFP2, surgical and control] × 2 exercise modalities) were performed. A rebound tonometer was used to measure IOP before, during (10 measurements), and after (30-seconds of passive recovery) each training set. RESULTS: At rest, there were not statistically significant IOP differences (p = 0.222). During dynamic exercise, there was a progressive IOP rise (p < 0.001), and a higher IOP response with the FFP2 than without the mask (corrected p-value = 0.003). For the isometric exercise, there was a greater IOP response as a function of accumulated effort (p < 0.001), which was dependent of the face mask used (FFP2> surgical>control; corrected p-values< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The FFP2 masks cause a heightened IOP response during the execution of dynamic and isometric biceps-curl exercise, suggesting that, when possible, glaucoma patients should limit the use of FFP2 masks during resistance training.

Dynamics of the accommodative response and facility with dual-focus soft contact lenses for myopia control.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of using dual-focus soft contact lenses for myopia control on the dynamics of the accommodative response and facility. METHODS: 24 young adult myopes were fitted with dual-focus soft contact lenses for myopia control (MiSight®) and single-vision soft contact lenses (Proclear®). The WAM-5500 open-field autorefractor was used to measure the dynamics of the accommodative response (magnitude and variability) in binocular conditions, with accommodative data being gathered from the dominant eye, at three viewing distances (500 cm, 40 cm, and 20 cm) during 90 s. Also, the binocular accommodative facility was assessed with the WAM-5500 autorefractor. All participants performed the same experimental protocol with the dual-focus (MiSight) and single-vision (Proclear) soft contact lenses, with both experimental sessions being carried in two different days and following a counterbalanced order. RESULTS: This study showed greater lags of accommodation with the MiSight than the Proclear lenses at near distances (40 cm: 1.27 ± 0.77 vs. 0.68 ± 0.37 D, corrected p-value = 0.002, Cohen-d = 0.90; and 20 cm: 1.47 ± 0.84 vs. 1.01 ± 0.52 D, corrected p-value = 0.007, Cohen-d = 0.75), whereas a higher variability of accommodation was observed with the dual-focus than the single-vision lenses at 500 cm (0.53 ± 0.11 vs. 0.23 ± 0.10 D), 40 cm (0.82 ± 0.31 vs. 0.68 ± 0.37 D), and 20 cm (1.50 ± 0.56 vs. 1.15 ± 0.39 D) (corrected p-value < 0.001 in all cases, and Cohen-ds = 0.67-2.33). Also, a worse quantitative (27.75 ± 8.79 vs. 34.29 ± 10.08 cycles per minute, p = 0.029, Cohen-d = 0.48) and qualitative (23.68 ± 7.12 vs. 28.43 ± 7.97 score, p = 0.039, Cohen-d = 0.45) performance was observed with the MiSight when compared to the Proclear lenses. CONCLUSIONS: The use of dual-focus soft contact lenses for myopia control alters the dynamics of accommodative response and facility in the short-term. Although this optical design has demonstrated its effectiveness for myopia control, eye care specialists should be aware of the acute effects of these lenses on accommodation performance.

Blue-blocking filters do not alleviate signs and symptoms of digital eye strain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is some controversy about the utility of prescribing blue-blocking filters to mitigate digital eye strain. We found that using commercially available blue-blocking filters was ineffective in reducing orbicularis oculi muscle activity and visual symptomatology during a 30-min reading task from a computer screen. BACKGROUND: There are some claims that blue-blocking (B-B) filters may be effective in reducing symptoms and signs of digital eye strain. However, recent studies have suggested that there is no sufficient evidence to support their use. This study assessed the short-term effects of a commercially available, B-B filter on orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle activity and symptoms of digital eye strain during the execution of a 30-min reading tas. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy young adults (22.9 ± 3.2 years of age) performed two reading tasks from a computer screen with or without a B-B filter on two different days. OO muscle activity was recorded by surface electromyography 4-5, 9-10, 14-15, 19-20, 24-25 and 29-30 min into the trial. Participants reported their perceived levels of visual discomfort and activation before and after completing the reading task. RESULTS: A Bayesian analysis favoured the null hypothesis that there was no change in OO muscle activity with or without using the B-B filter (Bayes Factor01 [BF01] = 7.08). Regarding symptomatology, the analysis favoured the time model that reading increased visual fatigue and discomfort but reduced activation levels (BF01 < 0.33 in all cases). However, our data did not support the alternative model that using B-B filter affected these visual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The B-B filter did not alter OO muscle activity or visual symptomatology significantly during the execution of a 30-min reading task in asymptomatic subjects. These findings support the idea that B-B filters do not attenuate signs and symptoms of digital eye strain.

Impact of dual-focus soft contact lens wear on near work-induced transient myopia.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dual-focus soft contact lenses are effective in slowing myopia progression; however, their influence on near work-induced transient myopia (NITM) remains unknown. When performing a 5-min near task at 20 cm, we observed that dual-focus soft contact lens wear induced greater lags of accommodation and a lower initial NITM than single-vision soft contact lenses, which provides relevant information for better understanding the impact of using this optical design on the accommodative function. BACKGROUND: NITM has been proposed as a myogenic factor, although it is a matter of debate by the scientific community. The main objective of this study was to assess the short-term effect of wearing dual-focus soft contact lenses for myopia control on the steady-state accommodative response and NITM. METHODS: Twenty-four young myope adults wore, on two different days, dual-focus and single-vision soft contact lenses, while the accommodative response was dynamically measured with an open-field autorefractor during the execution of the NITM task. The shift and the time required to recover baseline levels in the refractive state after performing the 5-min near task (20 cm) were the main dependent variables. RESULTS: We found a lower magnitude of accommodation during the execution of the near task with the dual-focus in comparison to the single-vision soft contact lenses (p < 0.001). There was a lower initial NITM with the dual-focus when compared to the single-vision lenses (corrected p-value = 0.003, Cohen's d = 0.68), but no statistically significant differences were observed for decay duration (p = 0.984). CONCLUSIONS: Dual-focus soft contact lens wear causes a reduced accommodative response during a near task, and an initial small myopic shift at distance after a 5-min period of near viewing. The current findings may help to understand the mechanisms involved in myopia control with this optical strategy.

Acute Intraocular Pressure Responses to Resistance Training in Combination With Blood Flow Restriction.

Objective: To determine the effect of blood flow restriction (BFR) applied to the legs at different pressures (40% and 60%) on intraocular pressure (IOP) during the execution of ten repetitions maximum (10RM) in the half-squat exercise. Methods: Quasi-experimental, prospective study with 17 healthy physically active subjects (9 males and 8 females; 24.1 ± 4.2 years). Two sessions were conducted. The 10RM load was determined in the first session. The second session consisted of 10RM under three BFR conditions (no-BFR, 40%-BFR, and 60%-BFR) that were applied in random order. IOP was measured before each condition, immediately after each repetition, and after 1 minute of passive recovery. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (restriction type [no-BFR, 40%-BFR, and 60%-BFR] x measurement point [basal, repetitions 1-10, and recovery]) was applied on the IOP measurements. Results: A significant main effect of the BFR condition (p = .022, ƞp2 = 0.21) was observed due to the significantly higher mean IOP values for the 60%-BFR (19.0 ± 0.7 mmHg) compared to the no-BFR (18.0 ± 0.8 mmHg; p = .048, dunb = 1.30). Non-significant differences with a large effect size were reached between 60%-BFR and 40%-BFR (18.1 ± 0.8 mmHg; p = .081, dunb = 1.16) and between no-BFR and 40%-BFR (p = .686, dunb = 0.18). IOP increased approximately 3-4 mmHg from baseline to the last repetition. Conclusions: Low-pressure BFR (40%-BFR) in combination with moderate-load (10RM load) resistance exercise could be an effective and safe strength training strategy while avoiding IOP peaks associated with heavy-load resistance exercises. These findings incorporate novel insights into the most effective exercise strategies in individuals who need to maintain stable IOP levels (e.g., glaucoma patients).

Validation of a Novel Reaction Time Test Specific for Military Personnel.

A military-specific reaction time (RT) test was developed to explore its reliability and sensitivity to discriminate between military personnel and sport science students. Fifteen male professional Spanish soldiers and 16 male sport science students completed two RT test modalities: military-specific and nonspecific RT tests. For each RT test modality, both the Simple (i.e., one stimulus, one response) and the Go, No-Go RT (i.e., true, and false stimuli, one response) were tested. The military-specific RT test consisted of a video presented through virtual reality glasses of a forest environment in which soldiers would appear from behind different bushes (stimuli) and the response consisted of pressing the button of a gun-shaped mouse (when they saw a soldier pointing a rifle at them). Both Simple and Go, No-Go RT reached acceptable reliability in both populations (coefficient of variation ≤ 9.64%). Military personnel presented a lower RT than sport science students during the military-specific RT test (p ≤ .001), while no differences were obtained during the nonspecific RT test. RT values were not significantly correlated between the military-specific and nonspecific RT tests (r ≤ .02). These findings collectively suggest that the novel military-specific RT test is an ecologically valid alternative to evaluate the information processing abilities of military personnel.

Saturación venosa central: ¿marcador pronóstico en neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2? / Central venous oxygen saturation: prognostic marker in severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2? / Saturação venosa central: marcador prognóstico na pneumonia grave de SARS-CoV-2?

Resumen: Introducción: la saturación venosa central de oxígeno (SvcO2) traduce oxigenación tisular a través de la relación entre el consumo y la disponibilidad de oxígeno. La neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2 impacta en la morbimortalidad, por lo que identificar pacientes con riesgo de progresión de la enfermedad a través de marcadores séricos como la SvcO2 sería imperativo. Objetivo: identificar si la SvcO2 es un marcador pronóstico en la neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo, analítico. Se clasificó la población de acuerdo al valor de la SvcO2: Grupo 1: SvcO2 < 70%. Grupo 2: SvcO2 70-80%. Grupo 3: SvcO2 > 80%. Se registraron las variables de estudio así como el desenlace clínico durante su estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI): mejoría o defunción. Resultados: se reclutaron 115 pacientes, el grupo 1 incluyó 31 pacientes, el grupo 2 y 3 incluyeron 52 y 32 pacientes respectivamente. El sexo masculino fue el más afectado con 71 pacientes (61.7%). La media de edad fue de 65 años. La mortalidad fue de 51.6, 42.3 y 68.8% en el grupo 1, 2 y 3 respectivamente (p ≥ 0.05). El grupo de SvcO2 de 70-80% presentó una relación inversa con mortalidad con un exponente B -0.185, OR de 0.83 (IC 95% 0.33-2.00) p = 0.69, mientras que el grupo 3 presentó un exponente B de 1 con OR de 2.93 (IC 95% 0.97-8.8) p = 0.05. Conclusión: la SvcO2 > 80% en pacientes con neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2 puede ser un factor de pronóstico para el desenlace fatal independiente de la PaO2/FiO2.

Abstract: Introduction: central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) translates tissue oxygenation through the relationship between oxygen consumption and availability. Severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia impacts morbidity and mortality, so identifying patients at risk of disease progression through serum markers such as ScvO2 would be imperative. Objective: to identify whether ScvO2 is a prognostic marker in severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Material and methods: retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive, analytical study. The population was classified according to the value of ScvO2: Group 1: ScvO2 < 70%. Group 2: ScvO2 70-80%. Group 3: ScvO2 > 80%. The study variables were recorded, as well as the clinical outcome during their stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU): improvement or death. Results: 115 patients were recruited, group 1 included 31 patients, group 2 and 3 included 52 and 32 patients respectively. Male sex was the most affected with 71 patients (61.7%). The median age was 65 years. Mortality was 51.6%, 42.3% and 68.8% for group 1, 2 and 3 respectively p ≥ 0.05. The ScvO2 group of 70-80% presented an inverse relationship with mortality with an exponent B -0.185, OR of 0.83 (95% CI 0.33-2.00) p = 0.69 while group 3 presented an exponent B of 1 with OR of 2.93 (95% CI 0.97-8.8) p = 0.05. Conclusion: ScvO2 > 80% in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia may be a prognostic factor for fatal outcome independent of PaO2/FiO2.

Resumo: Introdução: a saturação venosa central de oxigênio (SvcO2) traduz a oxigenação tecidual por meio da relação entre consumo e disponibilidade de oxigênio. A pneumonia grave por SARS-CoV-2 afeta a morbidade e a mortalidade, portanto, seria imperativo identificar pacientes com risco de progressão da doença por meio de marcadores séricos, como SvcO2. Objetivo: identificar se a SvcO2 é um marcador prognóstico na pneumonia grave por SARS-CoV-2. Material e métodos: estudo retrospectivo, longitudinal, descritivo, analítico. A população foi classificada de acordo com o valor de SvcO2: grupo 1: SvcO2 < 70%. Grupo 2: SvcO2 70-80%. Grupo 3: SvcO2 > 80%. As variáveis do estudo foram registradas, assim como o desfecho clínico durante a internação na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI): melhora ou óbito. Resultados: foram recrutados 115 pacientes, o grupo 1 incluiu 31 pacientes, os grupos 2 e 3 incluíram 52 e 32 pacientes, respectivamente. O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido com 71 pacientes (61.7%). A média de idade foi de 65 anos. A mortalidade foi de 51.6%, 42.3% e 68.8% para os grupos 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente p ≥ 0.05. O grupo SvcO2 de 70-80% apresentou relação inversa com mortalidade com expoente B -0.185 OR de 0.83 (IC 95% 0.33-2.00) p = 0.69 enquanto o grupo 3 apresentou expoente B de 1 com OR de 2.93 (IC 95% 0.97-8.8) p = 0.05. Conclusão: SvcO2 > 80% em pacientes com pneumonia grave por SARS-CoV-2 pode ser um fator prognóstico para desfecho fatal independente de PaO2/FiO2.