The growth promotion in endophyte symbiotic plants does not penalise the resistance to herbivores and bacterial microbiota.

A trade-off between growth and defence against biotic stresses is common in plants. Fungal endophytes of the genus Epichloë may relieve this trade-off in their host grasses since they can simultaneously induce plant growth and produce antiherbivore alkaloids that circumvent the need for host defence. The Epichloë ability to decouple the growth-defence trade-off was evaluated by subjecting ryegrass with and without Epichloë endophytes to an exogenous treatment with gibberellin (GA) followed by a challenge with Rhopalosiphum padi aphids. In agreement with the endophyte-mediated trade-off decoupling hypothesis, the GA-derived promotion of plant growth increased the susceptibility to aphids in endophyte-free plants but did not affect the insect resistance in endophyte-symbiotic plants. In line with the unaltered insect resistance, the GA treatment did not reduce the concentration of Epichloë-derived alkaloids. The Epichloë mycelial biomass was transiently increased by the GA treatment but at the expense of hyphal integrity. The response of the phyllosphere bacterial microbiota to both GA treatment and Epichloë was also evaluated. Only Epichloë, and not the GA treatment, altered the composition of the phyllosphere microbiota and the abundance of certain bacterial taxa. Our findings clearly demonstrate that Epichloë does indeed relieve the plant growth-defence trade-off.

Salivary Biomarkers for Oral Cancer Detection: An Exploratory Systematic Review.

Different efforts have been made to find better and less invasive methods for the diagnosis and prediction of oral cancer, such as the study of saliva as a source of biomarkers. The aim of this study was to perform a scoping review about salivary molecules that have been assessed as possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A search was conducted using EBSCO, PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science. The research question was as follows: which molecules present in saliva have utility to be used as biomarkers for the early detection of oral cancer? Sixty-two studies were included. Over 100 molecules were assessed. Most of the markers were oriented towards the early diagnosis of OSCC and were classified based on their ability for detecting OSCC and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), OSCC outcome prediction, and the prediction of the malignant transformation of OPMDs. TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 IL-8, LDH, and MMP-9 were the most studied, with almost all studies reporting high sensitivity and specificity values. TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 IL-8, LDH, and MMP-9 are the most promising salivary biomarkers. However, more studies with larger cohorts are needed before translating the use of these biomarkers to clinical settings.

Anti-herbivory defences delivered by Epichloë fungal endophytes: a quantitative review of alkaloid concentration variation among hosts and plant parts.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the subfamily Poöideae (Poaceae), certain grass species possess anti-herbivore alkaloids synthesized by fungal endophytes that belong to the genus Epichloë (Clavicipitaceae). The protective role of these symbiotic endophytes can vary, depending on alkaloid concentrations within specific plant-endophyte associations and plant parts. METHODS: We conducted a literature review to identify articles containing alkaloid concentration data for various plant parts in six important pasture species, Lolium arundinaceum, Lolium perenne, Lolium pratense, Lolium multiflorum|Lolium rigidum and Festuca rubra, associated with their common endophytes. We considered the alkaloids lolines (1-aminopyrrolizidines), peramine (pyrrolopyrazines), ergovaline (ergot alkaloids) and lolitrem B (indole-diterpenes). While all these alkaloids have shown bioactivity against insect herbivores, ergovaline and lolitrem B are harmful for mammals. KEY RESULTS: Loline alkaloid levels were higher in the perennial grasses L. pratense and L. arundinaceum compared to the annual species L. multiflorum and L. rigidum, and higher in reproductive tissues than in vegetative structures. This is probably due to the greater biomass accumulation in perennial species that can result in higher endophyte mycelial biomass. Peramine concentrations were higher in L. perenne than in L. arundinaceum and not affected by plant part. This can be attributed to the high within-plant mobility of peramine. Ergovaline and lolitrem B, both hydrophobic compounds, were associated with plant parts where fungal mycelium is usually present, and their concentrations were higher in plant reproductive tissues. Only loline alkaloid data were sufficient for below-ground tissue analyses and concentrations were lower than in above-ground parts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a comprehensive synthesis of fungal alkaloid variation across host grasses and plant parts, essential for understanding the endophyte-conferred defence extent. The patterns can be understood by considering endophyte growth within the plant and alkaloid mobility. Our study identifies research gaps, including the limited documentation of alkaloid presence in roots and the need to investigate the influence of different environmental conditions.

The Effects of a Physical Activity Intervention on Adiposity, Physical Fitness and Motor Competence: A School-Based, Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Evidence suggests that early physical activity interventions are a means of preventing childhood obesity and are more effective when delivered in a school setting and based on the ecological model. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the effect of a multicomponent intervention based on the ecological model on adiposity, physical fitness and motor competence in children aged 4 to 5 years. METHODS: This study is a non-randomized controlled trial involving 173 children from Chile. The intervention was based on an ecological model and consisted of a physical activity program with three simultaneous parts, affecting intra- and interpersonal dimensions. The adiposity index, body mass index and waist circumference were measured. For physical fitness, muscle strength in the lower part, speed/agility and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured. Motor competence was assessed using catching, aiming and dynamic and static balance tests. RESULTS: After the intervention, there was no reduction in adiposity indices; in the intervention group, body mass index increased significantly with a high effect size. The intervention group showed significant differences in physical fitness in the components of muscle strength in the lower part (p = 0.000) and speed/agility (p = 0.002). For motor competence, the intervention group showed significant improvements in most components. CONCLUSIONS: The multicomponent intervention did not reduce adiposity indices; however, it caused significant improvements in the physical fitness and motor competence components, so it seems prudent to continue implementing it, given the benefits that adequate levels of motor competence and physical fitness bring to children's health, both in the short and long term.

Rendimiento en los Juegos Panamericanos de Santiago 2023: Predicción mediante método de suavización exponencial simple

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar el desempeño deportivo de la delegación chilena en los Juegos Panamericanos celebrados entre los años 1951 y 2023, haciendo uso de datos retrospectivos y proyectivos a través de series temporales de tiempo. Para esto se empleó un diseño cuantitativo, no experimental y longitudinal de tendencias y un método de suavización exponencial simple, que utiliza promedios históricos y que permite realizar una predicción o comportamiento futuro basado en una media ponderada de los valores actuales y de los pasados. A partir de los resultados obtenidos, fue posible concluir que, en las últimas décadas, la ubicación de Chile en el ranking de los Juegos Panamericanos se ha estabilizado en torno a un onceavo lugar, posición pronosticada para Santiago 2023. Manteniéndose condiciones similares, el desempeño deportivo general y específico no tendría un quiebre exponencial de la tendencia y los resultados no resultan favorables, específicamente en lo que respecta a la obtención de medallas de oro y la posición general de la delegación.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the sports performance of the Chilean delegation in the Pan American Games held between 1951 and 2023, using retrospective and projective data through time series. For this purpose, a quantitative, non-experimental and longitudinal design of trends and a simple exponential smoothing method was used, which uses historical averages and allows a prediction or future behavior based on a weighted average of current and past values. From the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that, in recent decades, Chile's position in the Pan American Games ranking has stabilized around eleventh place, a position predicted for Santiago 2023. Maintaining similar conditions, the general and specific sporting performance would not have an exponential break in the trend and the results are not favorable, specifically in terms of obtaining gold medals and the overall position of the delegation.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o desempenho esportivo da delegação chilena nos Jogos Pan-Americanos realizados entre 1951 e 2023, usando dados retrospectivos e projetivos por meio de séries temporais. Para isso, foi utilizado um desenho quantitativo, não experimental e longitudinal de tendências e um método de suavização exponencial simples, que utiliza médias históricas e permite uma previsão do comportamento futuro com base em uma média ponderada dos valores atuais e passados. Com base nos resultados obtidos, foi possível concluir que, nas últimas décadas, a posição do Chile no ranking dos Jogos Pan-Americanos se estabilizou em torno do 11º lugar, posição prevista para Santiago 2023. Mantendo-se condições semelhantes, o desempenho esportivo geral e específico não teria uma quebra exponencial na tendência e os resultados não são favoráveis, especificamente em termos de conquista de medalhas de ouro e posição geral da delegação.

Intensity of a Physical Exercise Programme Executed through Immersive Virtual Reality.

Evidence suggests that moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is necessary for health benefits. Immersive virtual reality is a technology that uses images, sounds, and tactile sensations from a simulated world to encourage healthy behaviours and physical activity. The aims of this research are (1) to determine the duration and intensity of physical activity performed through immersive virtual reality; (2) to determine differences in physical activity intensity according to gender. METHODS: A nonprobabilistic convenience sample composed of 39 university students of physical education pedagogy, who performed, through immersive virtual reality, a physical activity programme composed of three levels that progressively increased in complexity. Physical activity intensity was measured using accelerometers. RESULTS: Of the three levels, the most complex was not the one that produced the most minutes of MVPA. The three levels added up to 08:53 min of MVPA. No significant differences were found when comparing them by sex. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that an exercise programme delivered through immersive virtual reality generates MVPA levels, with no major differences between sexes. Further research is needed to confirm the contribution of immersive virtual reality to physical activity.

Aproximación a la calidad percibida de un servicio deportivo universitario. Un estudio de caso

La población joven y adulta de Chile presenta altos niveles de inactividad física y sedentarismo, lo que coincide con los rangos etarios de los estudiantes universitarios. En este sentido, es escasa la evidencia científica que ha estudiado la calidad de los servicios deportivos que entregan las instituciones de educación superior, tanto a nivel latinoamericano, como chileno. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad del servicio de la Unidad de Deportes y Recreación de la Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción de Chile, mediante la percepción que manifiestan los estudiantes que asisten a los talleres deportivos y de actividad física. Se aplicó el cuestionario SERVPERF que mide cinco dimensiones: elementos tangibles, fiabilidad, capacidad de respuesta, seguridad y empatía, según el grado de satisfacción de los usuarios. La investigación tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo y de tipo descriptivo. La muestra fue de 70 participantes (55 mujeres y 15 hombres). En general, los resultados mostraron una buena percepción y evaluación de todas las dimensiones del cuestionario. La dimensión seguridad fue la mejor valorada y la dimensión Elementos tangibles fue la que mostró una más baja evaluación.

A população jovem e adulta do Chile apresenta altos níveis de inatividade física e estilos de vida sedentários, o que coincide com as faixas etárias dos estudantes universitários. Nesse sentido, há poucas evidências científicas que tenham estudado a qualidade dos serviços esportivos prestados pelas instituições de ensino superior, tanto na América Latina quanto no Chile. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade do serviço prestado pela Unidade de Esportes e Recreação da Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, no Chile, por meio da percepção dos alunos que participam das oficinas de esportes e atividades físicas. Foi aplicado o questionário SERVPERF, que mede cinco dimensões: elementos tangíveis, confiabilidade, capacidade de resposta, segurança e empatia, de acordo com o grau de satisfação do usuário. A pesquisa teve uma abordagem quantitativa e descritiva. A amostra foi composta por 70 participantes (55 mulheres e 15 homens). Em geral, os resultados mostraram uma boa percepção e avaliação de todas as dimensões do questionário. A dimensão Segurança foi a mais bem avaliada e a dimensão Elementos tangíveis apresentou a avaliação mais baixa.

The young and adult population of Chile presents high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle, which coincides with the age ranges of university students. In this sense, there is little scientific evidence that has studied the quality of sports services provided by higher education institutions, both at the Latin American and Chilean levels. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of the service of the Sports and Recreation Unit of the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción de Chile, through the perception expressed by students who attend sports and physical activity workshops. The SERVPERF questionnaire was applied, which measures five dimensions: tangible elements, reliability, response capacity, security and empathy, according to the degree of user satisfaction. The research had a quantitative and descriptive approach. The sample consisted of 70 participants (55 women and 15 men). In general, the results showed a good perception and evaluation of all the dimensions of the questionnaire. The security dimension was the best valued and the tangible elements dimension was the one that showed the lowest evaluation.

The Association between Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Physical Fitness with Body Mass Index and Sleep Time in Chilean Girls and Boys: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the school population has undergone behavioral changes that have affected their health and adult life. The current educational scenario presents high levels of sedentary behavior, physical inactivity, low physical fitness, high levels of obesity, and non-compliance with sleep recommendations. In Chile, the scientific evidence on associations between these behaviors is incipient. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between sedentary behavior, physical activity, and physical fitness with BMI and minutes of sleep in Chilean children aged 10 to 11 years. METHODS: A non-probabilistic convenience sample of 222 schoolchildren aged 10 to 11 years. The variables measured were body composition (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run test), lower and upper muscular strength (long jump test and handgrip dynamometry), speed (4 × 10 m running), and flexibility (sit and reach test). Physical activity and sleep were measured by accelerometers. RESULTS: Of the participants, 60.4% and 90.6% did not comply with sleep and physical activity recommendations, respectively. Physical fitness was higher in boys in all components. The results of the linear regression show that in girls, moderate-vigorous-intensity physical activity, lower- and upper-body muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance were associated with BMI and sleep. In boys, light-intensity physical activity and upper-body muscular strength were associated with both variables. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity intensity, strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with BMI and sleep; however, physical activity intensity and associated physical fitness components differed by gender.

Physical Activity in Immersive Virtual Reality: A Scoping Review.

Physical activity has benefits for health, but many adolescents are inactive. However, video games such as Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) have grown in popularity as a leisure activity among young people, allowing them to manipulate objects in virtual environments increasing the practice of physical activity. The evidence indicates that the interest in physical activity through IVR is greater than in traditional methods, and different experiences have been reported. However, few studies indicate the sample evaluated, the effects found, or the IVR instruments used. Due to this, is the aim of this study is to identify the publications referring to IVR and physical activity, characterize them, and present the obtained main findings. For this, the guidelines described in the PRISMA-ScR for scoping reviews were applied. After the use of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight articles were included. Results show evidence regarding physiological outcomes, perceptual variables, interest and enjoyment, and psychological effects regarding physical activity through IVR. Additionally, the use of different devices and their prescriptions are explored. It is concluded that there is interest from the scientific community for the practice of physical activity through IVR, as well as for its application for the maintenance of active habits. This is important as it positions IVR as a method that can be a more experiential and effective way to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Effects of physical activity interventions on anthropometric indicators and health indices in Chilean children and adolescents: A protocol for systematic review and/or meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity interventions have been a proven effective means of preventing or treating overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. The results of these interventions in many cases are based on the determination of the effect they produce on anthropometric evaluations, which allow the calculation of health indices. However, the effects of physical activity interventions on anthropometric assessments in Chilean children and adolescents have not been systematized. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis that synthesizes the available evidence on the effect of physical activity interventions on anthropometric indicators and health indices in Chilean children and adolescents and identifies the field-based methods and health indices most used for body composition estimation. METHODS: This protocol was performed according to the PRISMA declaration. MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo databases will be systematically searched. Eligible studies will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and pre-post studies. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is designed to provide up-to-date evidence that could significantly assist public health policy makers and implementers of physical activity interventions through evidence-based guidance and recommendations.

Global Change Factors Influence Plant-Epichloë Associations.

There is an increasing interest in determining the influence of global change on plant-microorganism interactions. We review the results of experiments that evaluated the effects of the global change factors carbon dioxide, ozone, temperature, drought, flooding, and salinity on plant symbioses with beneficial Epichloë endophytes. The factors affected the performance of both plants and endophytes as well as the frequency of plants symbiotic with the fungus. Elevated carbon dioxide levels and low temperatures differentially influenced the growth of plants and endophytes, which could compromise the symbioses. Furthermore, we summarise the plant stage in which the effects of the factors were quantified (vegetative, reproductive, or progeny). The factors ozone and drought were studied at all plant stages, but flooding and carbon dioxide were studied in just a few of them. While only studied in response to ozone and drought, evidence showed that the effects of these factors on symbiotic plants persisted trans-generationally. We also identified the putative mechanisms that would explain the effects of the factors on plant-endophyte associations. These mechanisms included the increased contents of reactive oxygen species and defence-related phytohormones, reduced photosynthesis, and altered levels of plant primary metabolites. Finally, we describe the counteracting mechanisms by which endophytes would mitigate the detrimental effects of the factors on plants. In presence of the factors, endophytes increased the contents of antioxidants, reduced the levels of defence-related phytohormones, and enhanced the plant uptake of nutrients and photosynthesis levels. Knowledge gaps regarding the effects of global change on plant-endophyte associations were identified and discussed.

Activating Specific Handball's Defensive Motor Behaviors in Young Female Players: A Non-Linear Approach.

Traditional models to train and teach young players in team sports assume that athletes learn as linear systems. However, an actual methodology called Non-Linear Pedagogy (NLP) accounts for the fact that the players and the team are complex dynamic systems. Experiences in handball under this methodology are scarce; due to this, an observational study has been conducted with a follow-up, idiographic and multidimensional design, in which 14 female school handball players belonging to four different local teams in Santiago, Chile (age = 15.55 + 0.51) agreed to participate in three special handball training sessions with the use of the NLP methodology where three different constraints were used. Descriptive analysis with the Chi-squared test showed a total of 252 observations where most of the variables were dependent on the constraints (p ≤ 0.001). Frequency showed that mainly "Defense in Line of progression" and "Proximal contact" were the most activated variables, followed by "Harassment" and "Deterrence" for all constraints. However, only constraint 2 highly activated two collective motor behaviors, while the rest only did it with individual motor behaviors. It is concluded that the constraints used in training seem to be effective in activating a group of defensive handball motor behaviors, specifically those that are basic for female school handball players.

Analysis of the public financial investment in elite sport in chile / Análise da contribuição financeira para o esporte de elite no chile / Análisis de la contribución financiera al deporte de élite en chile

Abstract Funding is one of the most controversial areas when analyzing the likelihood of performance in elite sports. In order to establish the level of funding available in this area, it was necessary to establish certain conceptual margins with respect to elite sport and to determine the different sectors of sport that fit the proposed conceptual definition. Using a non-experimental descriptive method, based on empirical research in sports sciences and a meta-analysis strategy secondary information available on various websites of public services of Chile, together with yearbooks and information requested from entities linked to elite sport, Secondary information was collected that allowed knowing the different lines of funding from each of the factors and sub-factors of pillar 1 of the SPLISS model, proposed by De Bosscher et al. (2006) for the achievement of elite sport achievement that was part of the study. In conclusion, it can be established that a permanent increase in funding does not guarantee performance in elite sports.

Resumo O financiamento é uma das áreas mais controversas ao analisar a probabilidade de desempenho no esporte de elite. Para estabelecer o nível de financiamento disponível nesta área, foi necessário estabelecer certas margens conceituais a respeito do esporte de elite e determinar os diferentes setores do esporte que se encaixam na definição conceitual proposta. Utilizou-se um método descritivo não experimental, baseado em pesquisa empírica em ciências do esporte e uma estratégia de meta-análise, informações secundárias disponíveis em vários sites de serviços públicos do Estado do Chile, juntamente com anuários e informações solicitadas de entidades ligadas ao esporte de elite. Foram coletadas informações secundárias que permitiram conhecer as diferentes linhas de financiamento de cada um dos fatores e subfatores do pilar 1 do modelo SPLISS, proposto por De Bosscher et al. (2006) para a ocorrência de realizações esportivas de elite que fizeram parte do estudo. Em conclusão, pode-se estabelecer que um aumento permanente no financiamento não garante o desempenho no esporte de elite.

Resumen El financiamiento es uno de los aspectos más controvertidos a la hora de analizar la probabilidad de rendimiento en el deporte de élite. Para establecer el nivel de financiación disponible, fue necesario establecer ciertos márgenes conceptuales con respecto al deporte de élite y determinar los diferentes sectores del deporte que se ajustan a la definición conceptual propuesta. Se utilizó un método descriptivo no experimental basado en la investigación empírica en ciencias del deporte. Se empleó una estrategia de meta-análisis y se obtuvo información secundaria disponible en los sitios web de servicios públicos chilenos, además de anuarios e información solicitada a entidades vinculadas al deporte de élite. Esta información secundaria permitió conocer las diferentes líneas de financiamiento de cada uno de los factores y subfactores del pilar 1 del modelo SPLISS, propuesto por De Bosscher et al. (2006) para la consecución del deporte de élite que formaron parte del estudio. En conclusión, se puede establecer que un aumento permanente en la financiación no garantiza el rendimiento en el deporte de elite.

Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Muscle Oxygenation during Vascular Occlusion Testing in Trained Healthy Adult Males.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may have an additional effect on cardiovascular autonomic modulation, which could improve the metabolism and vascular function of the muscles. AIM: To determine the effects of IMT on vascular and metabolic muscle changes and their relationship to changes in physical performance. METHODS: Physically active men were randomly placed into an experimental (IMTG; n = 8) or IMT placebo group (IMTPG; n = 6). For IMT, resistance load was set at 50% and 15% of the maximum dynamic inspiratory strength (S-Index), respectively. Only the IMTG's weekly load was increased by 5%. In addition, both groups carried out the same concurrent training. Besides the S-Index, a 1.5-mile running test, spirometry, and deoxyhemoglobin (HHbAUC during occlusion) and reperfusion tissue saturation index (TSIMB and TSIMP: time from minimum to baseline and to peak, respectively) in a vascular occlusion test were measured before and after the 4-week training program. In addition, resting heart rate and blood pressure were registered. RESULTS: IMTG improved compared to IMTPG in the S-Index (Δ = 28.23 ± 26.6 cmH2O), maximal inspiratory flow (MIF: Δ = 0.91 ± 0.6 L/s), maximum oxygen uptake (Δ = 4.48 ± 1.1 mL/kg/min), 1.5-mile run time (Δ = -0.81 ± 0.2 s), TSIMB (Δ = -3.38 ± 3.1 s) and TSIMP (Δ = -5.88 ± 3.7 s) with p < 0.05. ΔVO2max correlated with S-Index (r = 0.619) and MIF (r = 0.583) with p < 0.05. Both ΔTSIMB and TSIMP correlated with ΔHHbAUC (r = 0.516 and 0.596, respectively) and with Δ1.5-mile run time (r = 0.669 and 0.686, respectively) with p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: IMT improves vascular function, which is related to additional improvements in physical performance.

Mediterranean Diet Interventions for Depressive Symptoms in Adults with Depressive Disorders: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The associations between Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and depression levels have been synthesized from observational studies. However, a systematic review with meta-analysis including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this relationship in adults with depressive disorders remains lacking. This protocol was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Protocols statement. MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases will be systematically searched to identify studies published from database inception up to 30 September 2022. The inclusion criteria will comprise RCTs reporting pre-post changes in depression status (symptoms or remission) after a MD intervention compared to a control condition in adults over 18 years with depressive disorders. Pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals will be calculated using the DerSimonian random-effects model. This study protocol determines the methodological approach for the systematic review and meta-analysis that will summarize the available evidence on the efficacy of MD interventions on depressive symptoms in adults with depressive disorders. The findings from this review may have implications for public mental health programs. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation, and infographics. No ethical approval will be required since only published data will be used. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022341895.

Effectiveness of Teaching Mini Handball through Non-Linear Pedagogy in Different Socioeconomic Contexts: A Pilot Study.

Mini handball is among the sports included as part of school physical education in Chile to improve children's motor skills and to motivate their adherence to a healthy and active lifestyle in response to concerns about this country's high level of childhood obesity. To this end, non-linear pedagogy (NLP) has been used to develop motor skills through mini handball in the school context. However, socioeconomic differences that influence the development of children's motor skills have not been considered to determine whether the methodology applies to everyone. The aim of the present observational study is to describe and compare the effectiveness of the previously applied NLP methodology in two contrasting socioeconomic contexts to determine whether it helps to develop motor skills through mini handball in both school contexts. The Levine test was used to determine the homogeneity of the variances (p < 0.05), as the distribution of the data was not normal. The Kruskal-Wallis H statistical test was used to analyse within-group data. Additionally, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied for comparisons between groups. The results show significant improvements in the acquisition of the expected motor skills specific to mini handball. Additionally, a shortening of the gap was evidenced between the groups during the training process, with no significant differences at the end of the progression. Therefore, the investigated NLP is equally as effective for schoolchildren in two opposite socioeconomic contexts.

Effectiveness of a physical activity intervention on the overweight and obesity of Chilean schoolchildren.

INTRODUCTION: Physical fitness is considered a measure that integrates most of the functions of the human organism that are involved in physical activity. Motor competence is important due to its observed implications in the physical, mental and social development of children and adolescents. These assessments require the existence of updated reference values that allow the categorization of individuals and groups according to levels of physical fitness and motor competence. This paper describes the study protocol to Effectiveness of a Physical Activity Intervention on the Overweight and Obesity of Chilean Schoolchildren, and in this way determine, through the calculation of a representative sample, reference values for physical fitness and motor competence in children aged 4 to 6 years in the region of La Araucanía, Chile. METHODS: children in pre-basic education in transition grades I and II (4 and 5 years old), and those in the first year of basic education (6 years old) will be invited to participate. The sample will be probabilistic. The measures of a randomized controlled trial (registered in ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04194580) will be used. CONCLUSION: the lack of reference values for physical condition and motor competence for children between 6 and 4 years of age in the Araucanía region highlights the need to establish values, which will contribute to improving the health of children of the age group to be worked on.

Environmental interference of plant-microbe interactions.

Environmental stresses can compromise the interactions of plants with beneficial microbes. In the present review, experimental results showing that stresses negatively affect the abundance and/or functionality of plant beneficial microbes are summarized. It is proposed that the environmental interference of these plant-microbe interactions is explained by the stress-mediated induction of plant signalling pathways associated with defence hormones and reactive oxygen species. These plant responses are recognized to regulate beneficial microbes within plants. The direct negative effect of stresses on microbes may also contribute to the environmental regulation of these plant mutualisms. It is also posited that, in stress situations, beneficial microbes harbour mechanisms that contribute to maintain the mutualistic associations. Beneficial microbes produce effector proteins and increase the antioxidant levels in plants that counteract the detrimental effects of plant stress responses on them. In addition, they deliver specific stress-protective mechanisms that assist to their plant hosts to mitigate the negative effects of stresses. Our study contributes to understanding how environmental stresses affect plant-microbe interactions and highlights why beneficial microbes can still deliver benefits to plants in stressful environments.

Factors controlling the effects of mutualistic bacteria on plants associated with fungi.

Plants interacting with mutualistic fungi (MF) or antagonistic fungi (AF) can form associations with bacteria. We assessed whether the performance gain conferred by mutualistic bacteria to fungal-associated plants is affected by the interaction between symbiont traits, type of bacterial-protective traits against AF and abiotic/biotic stresses. Results showed that (A) performance gain conferred by bacteria to MF-associated plants was greater when symbionts promoted distinct rather than similar plant functions, (B) bacterial-based alleviation of the AF's negative effect on plants was independent of the type of protective trait, (C) bacteria promoted a greater performance of symbiotic plants in presence of biotic, but not abiotic, stress compared to stress-free situations. The plant performance gain was not affected by any fungal-bacterial trait combination but optimised when bacteria conferred resistance traits in biotic stress situations. The effects of bacteria on fungal-associated plants were controlled by the interaction between the symbionts' functional traits and the relationship between bacterial traits and abiotic/biotic stresses.