Running sprint force-velocity-power profile obtained with a low-cost and low frame rate acquisition video technique: reliability and concurrent validity.

The Force-velocity (F-v) and Power-velocity (P-v) relationships quantify athlete's horizontal force production capacities during sprinting. Efforts are underway to enhance ecological validity for practitioners and sports coaches. This study provides detailed data comparison of a low frames per second setup (30 Hz; FPSlow) with splits from a high FPS camera to derive F-v and P-v relationships. Sixty-six sprints performed by 11 university track and field athletes (6 male, 5 female) were evaluated. Data were recorded using FPSlow, photocells, and a high-speed camera (240 Hz; MySprint). In the FPSlow setup, bias was 0.17s, and Limits of agreement was 0.09s compared to photocells. ICC was 1.00, and the coefficient of variation (CV) was 1.0% [0.8-1.1%]. Time acquisition comparison between MySprint and FPSlow setups revealed high consistency (ICC = 0.99) and low CV (2.9% [2.8-3.1%]). F-v profile variables exhibited biases from trivial to small, with ICC ranging from moderate to nearly perfect. CV ranged from 2.7% to 11.8%, and improved using the average of three sprints (CV between 1.8% and 8.6%). The 'simple method' applied to data from the low FPS video setup yielded kinetic and kinematic parameters comparable to those obtained by the validated previous method and photocells.

The two alternative NADH:quinone oxidoreductases from Staphylococcus aureus: two players with different molecular and cellular roles.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that has emerged as a major public health threat due to the increased incidence of its drug resistance. S. aureus presents a remarkable capacity to adapt to different niches due to the plasticity of its energy metabolism. In this work, we investigated the energy metabolism of S. aureus, focusing on the alternative NADH:quinone oxidoreductases, NDH-2s. S. aureus presents two genes encoding NDH-2s (NDH-2A and NDH-2B) and lacks genes coding for Complex I, the canonical respiratory NADH:quinone oxidoreductase. This observation makes the action of NDH-2s crucial for the regeneration of NAD+ and, consequently, for the progression of metabolism. Our study involved the comprehensive biochemical characterization of NDH-2B and the exploration of the cellular roles of NDH-2A and NDH-2B, utilizing knockout mutants (Δndh-2a and Δndh-2b). We show that NDH-2B uses NADPH instead of NADH, does not establish a charge-transfer complex in the presence of NADPH, and its reduction by this substrate is the catalytic rate-limiting step. In the case of NDH-2B, the reduction of the flavin is inherently slow, and we suggest the establishment of a charge transfer complex between NADP+ and FADH2, as previously observed for NDH-2A, to slow down quinone reduction and, consequently, prevent the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, which is potentially unnecessary. Furthermore, we observed that the lack of NDH-2A or NDH-2B impacts cell growth, volume, and division differently. The absence of these enzymes results in distinct metabolic phenotypes, emphasizing the unique cellular roles of each NDH-2 in energy metabolism.IMPORTANCEStaphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen, posing a global challenge in clinical medicine due to the increased incidence of its drug resistance. For this reason, it is essential to explore and understand the mechanisms behind its resistance, as well as the fundamental biological features such as energy metabolism and the respective players that allow S. aureus to live and survive. Despite its prominence as a pathogen, the energy metabolism of S. aureus remains underexplored, with its respiratory enzymes often escaping thorough investigation. S. aureus bioenergetic plasticity is illustrated by its ability to use different respiratory enzymes, two of which are investigated in the present study. Understanding the metabolic adaptation strategies of S. aureus to bioenergetic challenges may pave the way for the design of therapeutic approaches that interfere with the ability of the pathogen to successfully adapt when it invades different niches within its host.

Chloroplast genome and nuclear loci data for 71 Medicago species.

We present a dataset containing nuclear and chloroplast sequences for 71 species in genus Medicago (Fabaceae), as well as for 8 species in genera Melilotus and Trigonella. Sequence data for a total of 130 samples was obtained with high-throughput sequencing of enriched genomic DNA libraries targeting 61 single-copy nuclear genes from across the Medicago truncatula genome. Chloroplast sequence reads were also generated, allowing for the recovery of chloroplast genome sequences for all 130 samples. A fully-resolved phylogenetic tree was inferred from the chloroplast dataset using maximum-likelihoood methods. More than 80% of accepted Medicago species are represented in this dataset, including three subspecies of Medicago sativa (alfalfa). These data can be further utilised for phylogenetic analyses in Medicago and related genera, but also for probe and primer design and plant breeding studies.

Monitoring Bar Velocity to Quantify Fatigue in Resistance Training.

We analyzed the effects of load magnitude and bar velocity variables on sensitivity to fatigue. Seventeen resistance-trained men (age=25.7±4.9 years; height=177.0±7.2 cm; body mass=77.7±12.3 kg; back-squat 1RM=145.0±33.9 kg; 1RM/body mass=1.86) participated in the study. Pre- and post-exercise changes in the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) and peak velocity (PV) in the back-squat at different intensities were compared with variations in the countermovement jump (CMJ). CMJ height decreased significantly from pre- to post-exercise (∆%=-7.5 to -10.4; p<0.01; ES=0.37 to 0.60). Bar velocity (MPV and PV) decreased across all loads (∆%=-4.0 to -12.5; p<0.01; ES=0.32 to 0.66). The decrease in performance was similar between the CMJ, MPV (40% and 80% 1RM; p=1.00), and PV (80% 1RM; p=1.00). The magnitude of reduction in CMJ performance was greater than MPV (60% 1RM; p=0.05) and PV (40% and 60% 1RM; p<0.01) at the post-exercise moment. Low systematic bias and acceptable levels of agreement were only found between CMJ and MPV at 40% and 80% 1RM (bias=0.35 to 1.59; ICC=0.51 to 0.71; CV=5.1% to 8.5%). These findings suggest that the back-squat at 40% or 80% 1RM using MPV provides optimal sensitivity to monitor fatigue through changes in bar velocity.

Caffeine, but Not Creatine, Improves Anaerobic Power Without Altering Anaerobic Capacity in Healthy Men During a Wingate Anaerobic Test.

There is a lack of evidence on the additional benefits of combining caffeine (CAF) and creatine (CRE) supplementation on anaerobic power and capacity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the effects of combined and isolated supplementation of CAF and CRE on anaerobic power and capacity. Twenty-four healthy men performed a baseline Wingate anaerobic test and were then allocated into a CRE (n = 12) or placebo (PLA; n = 12) group. The CRE group ingested 20 g/day of CRE for 8 days, while the PLA group ingested 20 g/day of maltodextrin for the same period. On the sixth and eighth days of the loading period, both groups performed a Wingate anaerobic test 1 hr after either CAF (5 mg/kg of body mass; CRE + CAF and PLA + CAF conditions) or PLA (5 mg/kg of body mass of cellulose; CRE + PLA and PLA + PLA conditions) ingestion. After the loading period, changes in body mass were greater (p < .05) in the CRE (+0.87 ± 0.23 kg) than in the PLA group (+0.13 ± 0.27 kg). In both groups, peak power was higher (p = .01) in the CAF (1,033.4 ± 209.3 W) than in the PLA trial (1,003.3 ± 204.4 W), but mean power was not different between PLA and CAF trials (p > .05). In conclusion, CAF, but not CRE ingestion, increases anaerobic power. Conversely, neither CRE nor CAF has an effect on anaerobic capacity.

Caffeine Mouth Rinse Plus Ingestion Improves the 10-Km Time Trial Compared to Caffeine Mouth Rinse Alone.

Background: The benefits of caffeine to physical performance have been extensively demonstrated, however, it has recently been speculated that there is an effect of the administration route on its effectiveness. Purpose: The current study investigated the effect of caffeine mouth rinse in isolation or combined with ingestion on performance in a 30-minute constant-load exercise followed by a 10-km cycling time trial. Methods: Ten physically active men performed a 30-minute constant-load exercise at 50% of the graded test Wmax, followed by a 10-km cycling time trial. Before and at the middle points of the constant-load exercise and 10-km cycling time trial, the following conditions were administered: PLA (cellulose ingestion plus mouth rinsing with magnesium sulfate), ING (5 mg.kg-1 of caffeine ingestion plus mouth rinsing with magnesium sulfate), MR (cellulose ingestion plus mouth rinsing with 1.2% caffeine), and COMB (5 mg.kg-1 of caffeine ingestion plus mouth rinsing with 1.2% caffeine). Results: During the 30-minute constant-load exercise, COMB presented a lower rating of perceived exertion (RPE) than MR (p = .04). For the 10-km time trial, the COMB was faster than MR (MR = 1363 ± 345 vs. COMB = 1291 ± 308s, Δ% = 5.57, p = .05). Mean power output was higher in COMB than PLA, ING, and MR (234 ± 15 vs. 169 ± 29, 148 ± 11, and 145 ± 12 W, respectively). There were no differences between conditions for heart rate and RPE during the 10-km time trial. Conclusion: In summary, caffeine mouth rinsing potentiated the effects of caffeine ingestion during the 10-km time trial compared to caffeine mouth rinsing alone.

Investigation of optimized observation periods for estimating a representative home range of free-roaming domestic dogs.

Free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD), as vectors of zoonotic diseases, are of high relevance for public health. Understanding roaming patterns of dogs can help to design disease control programs and disease transmission simulation models. Studies on GPS tracking of dogs report stark differences in recording periods. So far, there is no accepted number of days required to capture a representative home range (HR) of FRDD. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in HR size and shape over time of FRDD living in Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia and Uganda and identify the period required to capture stable HR values. Dogs were collared with GPS units, leading to a total of 46 datasets with, at least, 19 recorded days. For each animal and recorded day, HR sizes were estimated using the Biased Random Bridge method and percentages of daily change in size and shape calculated and taken as metrics. The analysis revealed that the required number of days differed substantially between individuals, isopleths, and countries, with the extended HR (95% isopleth value) requiring a longer recording period. To reach a stable HR size and shape values for 75% of the dogs, 26 and 21 days, respectively, were sufficient. However, certain dogs required more extended observational periods.

Environmental Planning and Non-Communicable Diseases: A Systematic Review on the Role of the Metabolomic Profile.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of death worldwide and have economic, psychological, and social impacts. Air pollution is the second, contributing to NCDs-related deaths. Metabolomics are a useful diagnostic and prognostic tool for NCDs, as they allow the identification of biomarkers linked to emerging pathologic processes. The aim of the present study was to review the scientific literature on the application of metabolomics profiling in NCDs and to discuss environmental planning actions to assist healthcare systems and public managers based on early metabolic diagnosis. The search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases with the following MeSH terms: "metabolomics" AND "noncommunicable diseases" AND "air pollution". Twenty-nine studies were eligible. Eleven involved NCDs prevention, eight addressed diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, systemic arterial hypertension, or metabolic syndrome. Six studies focused on obesity, two evaluated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, two studied cancer, and none addressed chronic respiratory diseases. The studies provided insights into the biological pathways associated with NCDs. Understanding the cost of delivering care where there will be a critical increase in NCDs prevalence is crucial to achieving universal health coverage and improving population health by allocating environmental planning and treatment resources.

Trabecular bone score (TBS) and bone mineral density (BMD) analysis by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy Brazilian children and adolescents: normative data.

Childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for healthy bone development throughout life. This study aims to establish normative data for trabecular bone score (TBS) and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy Brazilian children and adolescents. PURPOSE: To establish normative data for trabecular bone score (TBS) and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy Brazilian children and adolescents. METHODS: Healthy children and adolescents, aged 5 to 19 years, underwent medical interview, physical examination with anthropometric measurement, pubertal stage evaluation, and bone densitometry by DXA (Hologic QDR 4500). Boys and girls were divided into 2 age groups: 5-9 years old (children) and 10-19 years old (adolescents). BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured following standard procedures. TBS measurements were performed using the TBS Insight ® v3.0.3.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 349 volunteers were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Reference values were defined for each group of children and adolescents divided into 3-year age groups. Girls had lower values of TBS compared to boys (1.356 ± 0.116 and 1.380 ± 0.086 respectively, p = 0.029). For both boys and girls, BMC and spine BMD measurements were significantly higher in adolescent than in children (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0001; p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, respectively). TBS range increased as pubertal development progressed. In both girls and boys, a 1-year increase in age was associated to a 0.013 increase in TBS. Body mass was a significant determinant for TBS. In girls, a 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated to an average TBS increase of 0.008. CONCLUSION: Our findings reinforce the evidence that TBS varies according to age, sex, and pubertal stage in healthy children and adolescents. This study established reference values for TBS in healthy Brazilian children and adolescents which can be used as normative data for this population.

The protein family of pyruvate:quinone oxidoreductases: Amino acid sequence conservation and taxonomic distribution.

Pyruvate:quinone oxidoreductases (PQOs) catalyse the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetate and concomitant reduction of quinone to quinol with the release of CO2. They are thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) and flavin-adenine dinucleotide (FAD) containing enzymes, which interact with the membrane in a monotopic way. PQOs are considered as part of alternatives to most recognized pyruvate catabolizing pathways, and little is known about their taxonomic distribution and structural/functional relationship. In this bioinformatics work we tackled these gaps in PQO knowledge. We used the KEGG database to identify PQO coding genes, performed a multiple sequence analysis which allowed us to study the amino acid conservation on these enzymes, and looked at their possible cellular function. We observed that PQOS are enzymes exclusively present in prokaryotes with most of the sequences identified in bacteria. Regarding the amino acid sequence conservation, we found that 75 amino acid residues (out of 570, on average) have a conservation over 90 %, and that the most conserved regions in the protein are observed around the TPP and FAD binding sites. We systematized the presence of conserved features involved in Mg2+, TPP and FAD binding, as well as residues directly linked to the catalytic mechanism. We also established the presence of a new motif named "HEH lock", possibly involved in the dimerization process. The results here obtained for the PQO protein family contribute to a better understanding of the biochemistry of these respiratory enzymes.

Unveiling the membrane bound dihydroorotate: Quinone oxidoreductase from Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen and one of the most frequent causes for community acquired and nosocomial bacterial infections. Even so, its energy metabolism is still under explored and its respiratory enzymes have been vastly overlooked. In this work, we unveil the dihydroorotate:quinone oxidoreductase (DHOQO) from S. aureus, the first example of a DHOQO from a Gram-positive organism. This protein was shown to be a FMN containing menaquinone reducing enzyme, presenting a Michaelis-Menten behaviour towards the two substrates, which was inhibited by Brequinar, Leflunomide, Lapachol, HQNO, Atovaquone and TFFA with different degrees of effectiveness. Deletion of the DHOQO coding gene (Δdhoqo) led to lower bacterial growth rates, and effected in cell morphology and metabolism, most importantly in the pyrimidine biosynthesis, here systematized for S. aureus MW2 for the first time. This work unveils the existence of a functional DHOQO in the respiratory chain of the pathogenic bacterium S. aureus, enlarging the understanding of its energy metabolism.

Anestesia e Manejo da Dor Pós-Operatória Associada à Técnica de Monitorização Neurofisiológica em Oncopediatria: Relato de Caso / Anesthesia and Postoperative Pain Management Associated with the Neurophysiological Monitoring Technique in Pediatric Oncology: Case Repor / Anestesia y Manejo del Dolor Postoperatorio Asociado a la Técnica de Monitoreo Neurofisiológico en Oncología Pediátrica: Informe de Caso

neuroblastoma é o tumor maligno sólido extracraniano mais comum na infância. Entre seis e dez milhões de crianças são identificadas com essa doença por ano. O tratamento cirúrgico, que envolve a ressecabilidade tumoral, é fator decisivo na estratégia terapêutica desses pacientes, com evidente influência no prognóstico da doença. Relato do caso: Lactente submetido à anestesia geral e a bloqueio de nervo periférico para ressecção de neuroblastoma com monitorização neurofisiológica intraoperatória (MNIO). Como estratégia anestésica, foi realizado o bloqueio do plano do eretor da espinha (ESP Block) associado à técnica de analgesia multimodal visando ao controle da dor. A dor pós-operatória foi avaliada por meio da Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS). Conclusão:A MNIO, apesar de restringir as técnicas anestésicas, tem se firmado como uma importante ferramenta para monitorar as funções neurológicas durante as abordagens cirúrgicas com envolvimento do sistema nervoso central, com a finalidade de evitar danos permanentes de importantes estruturas. A interação e a comunicação de toda a equipe são de suma importância nos resultados pós-operatórios

Neuroblastoma is the most common non-central nervous system in childhood. From six to ten million children are identified with this disease annually. Surgical treatment, which involves tumor resectability, is a decisive factor in the therapeutic strategy of these patients, with clear influence on disease's prognosis. Case report: Nursling submitted to general anesthesia and peripheral nerve block for neuroblastoma surgical resection with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) and spinal erector plane block(ESP), associated with the multimodal analgesia technique for pain control. The postoperative pain was evaluated using the Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS). Conclusion: IONM has established itself as an important tool to monitor neurological functions during surgical approaches with involvement of the central nervous system, in order to avoid permanent damage to important structures. The interaction and communication of the entire team are of paramount importance in the postoperative results.

Neuroblastoma es el tumor maligno sólido extracraneano más común en la infancia. Entre seis y diez millones de niños son identificados con esta enfermedad por año. El tratamiento quirúrgico, que implica la resecabilidad tumoral, es un factor decisivo en la estrategia terapéutica de estos pacientes, con una influencia evidente en el pronóstico. Informe del caso: Lactante sometido a anestesia general y bloqueo nervioso periférico para resección de neuroblastoma con monitoreo neurofisiológico intraoperatorio (MNIO). Como estrategia anestésica, para resección del neuroblastoma, se realizó bloqueo del plano erector espinal (Bloqueo ESP), asociado a la técnica de analgesia multimodal para controlar el dolor. El dolor postoperatorio se evaluó mediante la Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS). Conclusión: La MNIO, a pesar de restringir las técnicas anestésicas, se ha posicionado como una importante herramienta para monitorear las funciones neurológicas durante los abordajes quirúrgicos que involucran al sistema nervioso central, con el fin de evitar daños permanentes a estructuras importantes. La interacción y la comunicación de todo el equipo son de suma importancia en los resultados posoperatorios

Micronuclei from misaligned chromosomes that satisfy the spindle assembly checkpoint in cancer cells.

Chromosome alignment to the spindle equator is a hallmark of mitosis thought to promote chromosome segregation fidelity in metazoans. Yet chromosome alignment is only indirectly supervised by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) as a byproduct of chromosome bi-orientation, and the consequences of defective chromosome alignment remain unclear. Here, we investigated how human cells respond to chromosome alignment defects of distinct molecular nature by following the fate of live HeLa cells after RNAi-mediated depletion of 125 proteins previously implicated in chromosome alignment. We confirmed chromosome alignment defects upon depletion of 108/125 proteins. Surprisingly, in all confirmed cases, depleted cells frequently entered anaphase after a delay with misaligned chromosomes. Using depletion of prototype proteins resulting in defective chromosome alignment, we show that misaligned chromosomes often satisfy the SAC and directly missegregate without lagging behind in anaphase. In-depth analysis of specific molecular perturbations that prevent proper kinetochore-microtubule attachments revealed that misaligned chromosomes that missegregate frequently result in micronuclei. Higher-resolution live-cell imaging indicated that, contrary to most anaphase lagging chromosomes that correct and reintegrate the main nuclei, misaligned chromosomes are a strong predictor of micronuclei formation in a cancer cell model of chromosomal instability, but not in non-transformed near-diploid cells. We provide evidence supporting that intrinsic differences in kinetochore-microtubule attachment stability on misaligned chromosomes account for this distinct outcome. Thus, misaligned chromosomes that satisfy the SAC may represent a previously overlooked mechanism driving chromosomal/genomic instability during cancer cell division, and we unveil genetic conditions predisposing for these events.

THE IMPLEMENTATION GAP IN EMERGING DISEASE RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE WILDLIFE TRADE.

The wildlife trade has been characterized as one of the biggest risk factors in the emergence of new infectious diseases. In the shadow of COVID-19, there is growing political and scientific urgency to manage this risk. Existing studies and experiences make it clear that something must be done but are less clear on how to get it done. It is a quite different task to accumulate evidence on the presence of pathogens, their locations in the supply chain, and their spillover to new hosts than to identify effective ways to prevent and mitigate emerging disease under real-world conditions. This study sought peer-reviewed evidence on the effectiveness, acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of risk reduction interventions for zoonotic and nonzoonotic disease emergence in the wildlife trade. An environmental scan triangulated information from a scoping review following a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for scoping review protocol, two narrative literature reviews, and key informant interviews of 26 international wildlife health experts. Existing literature has been inattentive to program implementation or evaluation studies. There was insufficient evidence to identify effective and sustainable risk management actions. Studies on the effects of social, epidemiologic, and ecologic context on intervention success was lacking, as was research using a complex systems perspective. The lack of systematic program evaluations or implementation studies leaves decision makers with insufficient evidence to select interventions likely to be acceptable, effective, and sustainable within and across the disparate context of the wildlife trade. This necessitates adaptive risk management and innovations in program implementation and evaluation to ensure evidence-based risk management.

Comparison of physiological responses of running on a nonmotorized and conventional motor-propelled treadmill at similar intensities.

This study aimed to test the agreement of the incremental test's physiological responses between tethered running on a nonmotorized treadmill (NMT) to matched relative intensities while running on a conventional motorized treadmill (MT). Using a within-subject crossover design, nine male recreational runners (age = 22 ± 5 years; height = 175 ± 6 cm; weight = 68.0 ± 16.6 kg) underwent two test sessions: one was an incremental intensity protocol on an MT; the other was on an instrumented NMT. Intensity thresholds at [Formula: see text]O2max, respiratory compensation point (iRCP), and lactate threshold (iLT) were registered for analysis, together with [Formula: see text]̇O2, [Formula: see text]̇E, ƒR, and blood lactate concentration ([Lac]). Comparisons were based on hypothesis testing (Student's T-test), effect sizes (Cohen's d), ICC, and Bland Altman analysis. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Attained [Formula: see text]O2max (MT = 52.2 ± 7.3 mL·kg-1·min-1 vs NMT = 50.1 ± 8.1 mL·kg-1·min-1) and [Formula: see text]̇O2 at iRCP (MT = 46.3 ± 7.2 mL·kg-1·min-1 vs NMT = 42.8 ± 9.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) were not different between ergometers (p = 0.15 and 0.13, respectively), with significant ICCs (0.84 and 0.70, respectively) and Pearson's correlations (r = 0.87 and 0.76, respectively). The [Lac] at iLT presented poor agreement between conditions. Significant correlations were found (r between 0.72 and 0.83) for relative power values of i[Formula: see text]O2max (6.56 ± 1.28 W·kg-1), iRCP (4.38 ± 1.50 W·kg-1), and iLT (4.15 ± 1.29 W·kg-1) related to their counterpart obtained on MT. Results show that running on an NMT offers a higher glycolytic demand under the same relative internal load as running on an MT but with a similar aerobic response and correlated intensity determination.

Effects of caffeine ingestion on cardiopulmonary responses during a maximal graded exercise test: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

While the effects of caffeine ingestion on endurance performance are well known, its effects on cardiopulmonary responses during a maximal graded exercise test have been less explored. This study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed studies investigating the effects of caffeine ingestion on cardiopulmonary responses during a maximal graded exercise test. A search was performed in four databases, and study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Data reported by the selected studies were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis, with selected moderator effects assessed via meta-regression. Twenty-one studies with good and excellent methodological quality were included in this review. Compared to placebo, caffeine increased peak minute ventilation (SMD = 0.33; p = 0.01) and time to exhaustion (SMD = 0.41; p = 0.01). However, meta-regression showed no moderating effects of dosage and timing of caffeine ingestion, stage length, or total length of GXT (all p > 0.05). Caffeine ingestion did not affect peak oxygen uptake (SMD = 0.13; p = 0.42), peak heart rate (SMD = 0.27; p = 0.07), peak blood lactate concentration (SMD = 0.60; p = 0.09), peak tidal volume (SMD = 0.10; p = 0.69), peak breathing frequency (SMD =0.20; p = 0.23), or peak power output (SMD = 0.22; p = 0.28). The results of this systematic review with meta-analysis suggest that caffeine increases time to exhaustion and peak minute ventilation among the cardiopulmonary variables assessed during GXT.

A low-latitude species pump: Peripheral isolation, parapatric speciation and mating-system evolution converge in a marine radiation.

Geologically recent radiations can shed light on speciation processes, but incomplete lineage sorting and introgressive gene flow render accurate evolutionary reconstruction and interpretation challenging. Independently evolving metapopulations of low dispersal taxa may provide an additional level of phylogeographic information, given sufficiently broad sampling and genome-wide sequencing. Evolution in the marine brown algal genus Fucus in the south-eastern North Atlantic was shaped by Quaternary climate-driven range shifts. Over this timescale, divergence and speciation occurred against a background of expansion-contraction cycles from multiple refugia, together with mating-system shifts from outcrossing (dioecy) to selfing hermaphroditism. We tested the hypothesis that peripheral isolation of range edge (dioecious) F. vesiculosus led to parapatric speciation and radiation of hermaphrodite lineages. Species tree methods using 876 single-copy nuclear genes and extensive geographic coverage produced conflicting topologies with respect to geographic clades of F. vesiculosus. All methods, however, revealed a new and early diverging hermaphrodite species, Fucus macroguiryi sp. nov. Both the multispecies coalescent and polymorphism-aware models (in contrast to concatenation) support sequential paraphyly in F. vesiculosus resulting from distinct evolutionary processes. Our results support (1) peripheral isolation of the southern F. vesiculosus clade prior to parapatric speciation and radiation of hermaphrodite lineages-a "low-latitude species pump". (2) Directional introgressive gene flow into F. vesiculosus around the present-day secondary contact zone (sympatric-allopatric boundary) between dioecious/hermaphrodite lineages as hermaphrodites expanded northwards, supported by concordance analysis and statistical tests of introgression. (3) Species boundaries in the extensive sympatric range are probably maintained by reproductive system (selfing in hermaphrodites) and reinforcement.

Population structure in Quercus suber L. revealed by nuclear microsatellite markers.

Quercus suber L. is a sclerophyllous tree species native to the western Mediterranean, a region that is considered highly vulnerable to increased temperatures and severe dry conditions due to environmental changes. Understanding the population structure and demographics of Q. suber is essential in order to anticipate whether populations at greater risk and the species as a whole have the genetic background and reproductive dynamics to enable rapid adaptation. The genetic diversity of Q. suber has been subject to different studies using both chloroplast and nuclear data, but population structure patterns remain unclear. Here, we perform genetic analyses on Q. suber using 13 nuclear microsatellite markers, and analysed 17 distinct locations across the entire range of the species. Structure analyses revealed that Q. suber may contain three major genetic clusters that likely result from isolation in refugia combined with posterior admixture and putative introgression from other Quercus species. Our results show a more complex structure scenario than previously inferred for Q. suber using nuclear markers and suggest that different southern populations contain high levels of genetic variation that may contribute to the resilience of Q. suber in a context of environmental change and adaptive pressure.

Comparison of parameters derived from a three-minute all-out test with classical benchmarks for running exercise.

This study aimed to compare four constructs from the three-minute all-out test (AO3)-end power (EP), the area above EP (WEP), maximum power (Pmax), and attained [Formula: see text]-to those derived from the classical CP model in tethered running. Seventeen male recreational runners underwent two experiments to test for reliability and agreement of AO3 parameters with those obtained from the classical CP model (Wꞌ and CP), a graded exercise test ([Formula: see text]) and a 30-second all-out test (AO30s; Pmax); all performed on a non-motorized treadmill (NMT). Significance levels were set at p<0.05. There were no significant differences between test-retest for Pmax (p = 0.51), WEP (p = 0.39), and EP (p = 0.64), showing generally close to zero bias. Further, retest ICC were high for Pmax and EP (ICC > 0.86) but moderate for WEP (ICC = 0.69). Pmax showed no difference between AO3 and AO30s (p = 0.18; CV% = 9.5%). EP and WEP disagreed largely with their classical critical power model counterparts (p = 0.05; CV%>32.7% and p = 0.23; CV%>39.7%, respectively), showing greater error than their test-retest reliability. [Formula: see text] from AO3 was not different (p = 0.13) and well related (CV% = 8.4; ICC = 0.87) to the incremental test [Formula: see text]. Under the studied conditions, the agreement of EP and WEP to CP and Wꞌ was not strong enough to assure their use interchangeably. Pmax and [Formula: see text] were closer to their criterion parameters.