Label-Free and Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Dexamethasone Using a FRET Aptasensor Utilizing Cationic Conjugated Polymers.

Dexamethasone (Dex) is a widely used glucocorticoid in medical practice, with applications ranging from allergies and inflammation to cerebral edema and shock. Despite its therapeutic benefits, Dex is classified as a prohibited substance for athletes due to its potential performance-enhancing effects. Consequently, there is a critical need for a convenient and rapid detection platform to enable prompt and accurate testing of this drug. In this study, we propose a label-free Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) aptasensor platform for Dex detection utilizing conjugated polymers (CPs), cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs), and gene finder probes (GFs). The system operates by exploiting the electrostatic interactions between positively charged CCPs and negatively charged DNA, facilitating sensitive and specific Dex detection. The label-free FRET aptasensor platform demonstrated robust performance in detecting Dex, exhibiting high selectivity and sensitivity. The system effectively distinguished Dex from interfering molecules and achieved stable detection across a range of concentrations in a commonly used sports drink matrix. Overall, the label-free FRET Dex detection system offers a simple, cost-effective, and highly sensitive approach for detecting Dex in diverse sample matrices. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a promising tool for anti-doping efforts and other applications requiring rapid and accurate Dex detection.

Timing Matters: Time of Day Impacts the Ergogenic Effects of Caffeine-A Narrative Review.

Caffeine has attracted significant attention from researchers in the sports field due to its well-documented ergogenic effects across various athletic disciplines. As research on caffeine continues to progress, there has been a growing emphasis on evaluating caffeine dosage and administration methods. However, investigations into the optimal timing of caffeine intake remain limited. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to assess the ergogenic effects of caffeine administration at different times during the morning (06:00 to 10:00) and evening (16:00 to 21:00). The review findings suggest that circadian rhythms play a substantial role in influencing sports performance, potentially contributing to a decline in morning performance. Caffeine administration has demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating this phenomenon, resulting in ergogenic effects and performance enhancement, even comparable to nighttime levels. While the specific mechanisms by which caffeine regulates circadian rhythms and influences sports performance remain unclear, this review also explores the mechanisms underlying caffeine's ergogenic effects, including the adenosine receptor blockade, increased muscle calcium release, and modulation of catecholamines. Additionally, the narrative review underscores caffeine's indirect impact on circadian rhythms by enhancing responsiveness to light-induced phase shifts. Although the precise mechanisms through which caffeine improves morning performance declines via circadian rhythm regulation necessitate further investigations, it is noteworthy that the timing of caffeine administration significantly affects its ergogenic effects during exercise. This emphasizes the importance of considering caffeine intake timing in future research endeavors to optimize its ergogenic potential and elucidate its mechanisms.

A Meta-Analysis of the Influence on Inflammatory Factors in Type 2 Diabetes among Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients by Various Exercise Modalities.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various exercise modalities on inflammatory factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (MEPT2D), as lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and dietary modifications, are considered important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. For the study methodology, Pubmed, CNKI, EBSCO, Wanfang Data, and Web of Science were selected for the search. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) tool, and statistically analyzed using the RevMan 5.4.1 analysis software, which included 18 investigations involving 853 study subjects. Meta-analysis findings indicated that aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), combined training (CT), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) showed significant reductions in CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in MEPT2D. Among them, HIIT was superior to other training modalities in reducing TNF-α levels, while CT was superior to AT, RT, and HIIT in decreasing IL-6, IL-10, and CRP in MEPT2D. Meanwhile, RT had limited effects in reducing CRP and TNF-α levels in MEPT2D. However, HIIT had no significant effect on IL-6 and IL-10 in MEPT2D. In conclusion, long-term regular AT, RT, CT, and HIIT all contributed to the reduction of inflammatory status (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) in MEPT2D, while CT (for CRP, IL-6, and IL-10) and HIIT (for TNF-α) represent the best approaches to counteract the inflammatory response in MEPT2D.