Small Bowel Obstruction by a Phytobezoar in a Patient With Previous Antrectomy and Billroth II Reconstruction.

A phytobezoar is a conglomerate of improperly digested fruit and vegetable debris, and its development is associated, amongst other factors, with previous gastric surgery. Most phytobezoars remain asymptomatic and are incidentally found during imaging or interventional procedures. However, in some patients, they can cause small bowel obstruction, which can subsequently lead to severe complications. Although the clinical findings are similar to other causes of intestinal obstruction, there are some particular diagnostic and treatment features more specific to phytobezoars. We present a case of an 85-year-old man with a history of previous antrectomy and Billroth II reconstruction who came to the emergency department with bilateral aspiration pneumonia and intestinal obstruction due to a bezoar. The CT scan showed bilateral inferior lobe pulmonary consolidation, as well as a marked dilation of the small bowel with gas-fluid levels and a transition to normal caliber in the terminal ileum, where an oval mottled-appearing mass suggesting a bezoar was present. An urgent laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis, and an enterotomy with removal of the bezoar was performed. Phytobezoars must be considered as a cause of intestinal obstruction, particularly when patients have a history of previous gastric surgery. Its radiological findings, particularly in CT scans, are specific and should be appreciated to establish the diagnosis promptly. The treatment of small bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar requires surgery most of the time, and the surgeon must bear in mind the need to look for the existence of other bezoars in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent reoccurrence.

Maternal effect senescence via reduced DNA repair ability in the three-spined stickleback.

Maternal effect senescence, a decline in offspring viability with maternal age, has been documented across diverse animals, but its mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we test maternal effect senescence and explore its possible molecular mechanisms in a fish. We compared the levels of maternal mRNA transcripts of DNA repair genes and mtDNA copies in eggs and the levels of DNA damage in somatic and germline tissues between young and old female sticklebacks. We also tested, in an in vitro fertilization experiment, whether maternal age and sperm DNA damage level interactively influence the expression of DNA repair genes in early embryos. Old females transferred less mRNA transcripts of DNA repair genes into their eggs than did young females, but maternal age did not influence egg mtDNA density. Despite a higher level of oxidative DNA damage in the skeletal muscle, old females had a similar level of damage in the gonad to young females, suggesting the prioritization for germline maintenance during ageing. The embryos of both old and young mothers increased the expression of DNA repair genes in response to an increased level of oxidative DNA damage in sperm used for their fertilization. The offspring of old mothers showed higher rates of hatching, morphological deformity and post-hatching mortality and had smaller body size at maturity. These results suggest that maternal effect senescence may be mediated by reduced capacity of eggs to detect and repair DNA damages, especially prior to the embryonic genomic activation.

Model-Driven Engineering Techniques and Tools for Machine Learning-Enabled IoT Applications: A Scoping Review.

This paper reviews the literature on model-driven engineering (MDE) tools and languages for the internet of things (IoT). Due to the abundance of big data in the IoT, data analytics and machine learning (DAML) techniques play a key role in providing smart IoT applications. In particular, since a significant portion of the IoT data is sequential time series data, such as sensor data, time series analysis techniques are required. Therefore, IoT modeling languages and tools are expected to support DAML methods, including time series analysis techniques, out of the box. In this paper, we study and classify prior work in the literature through the mentioned lens and following the scoping review approach. Hence, the key underlying research questions are what MDE approaches, tools, and languages have been proposed and which ones have supported DAML techniques at the modeling level and in the scope of smart IoT services.

Mesenteric Schwannoma, Intestinal Malrotation and Ileal Diverticulum: A Unique Association.

Mesenteric schwannomas are rare benign tumors that arise in the mesentery. Ileal diverticula and intestinal malrotation in adults are rare findings, since they are usually asymptomatic. We present the case of an 86-year-old man, without any known previously known medical conditions, who was admitted in the emergency department with recurrent abdominal distension and intense pain. The radiological study suggested an intestinal malrotation. An exploratory laparotomy confirmed the intestinal malrotation with intermesenteric bands, as well as a mesenteric mass adjacent to an ileal diverticulum. Following a segmental enterectomy, the histology of the mass reported a mesenteric schwannoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such association. We therefore present this report to showcase the diagnostic and therapeutical challenges in managing these conditions.

Os schwanomas mesentéricos são tumores benignos raros com origem nas células de Schwann do mesentério. Divertículos ileais e má-rotação intestinal em adultos são também achados raros, por serem geralmente assintomáticos. Neste artigo apresentamos o caso de um homem de 86 anos, sem antecedentes conhecidos, que recorre à urgência por um quadro de dor abdominal e distensão. O estudo imagiológico sugeria uma má rotação intestinal, pelo que se realizou uma laparotomia exploradora, onde se verificaram várias bandas intermesentéricas, bem como uma massa mesentérica adjacente a um divertículo ileal. Foi realizada lise de bandas e uma enterectomia segmentar. A avaliação anatomo-patológica mostrou tratar-se de um schwanoma mesentérico. Tanto quanto é do nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro relato de um caso com esta associação tripla, e tem como objetivo reforçar os desafios diagnósticos e terapêuticos na abordagem destas patologias.

Increased Prevalence of Unstable HLA-C Variants in HIV-1 Rapid-Progressor Patients.

HIV-1 infection in the absence of treatment results in progression toward AIDS. Host genetic factors play a role in HIV-1 pathogenesis, but complete knowledge is not yet available. Since less-expressed HLA-C variants are associated with poor HIV-1 control and unstable HLA-C variants are associated with higher HIV-1 infectivity, we investigated whether there was a correlation between the different stages of HIV-1 progression and the presence of specific HLA-C allotypes. HLA-C genotyping was performed using allele-specific PCR by analyzing a treatment-naïve cohort of 96 HIV-1-infected patients from multicentric cohorts in the USA, Canada, and Brazil. HIV-1-positive subjects were classified according to their different disease progression status as progressors (Ps, n = 48), long-term non-progressors (LTNPs, n = 37), and elite controllers (ECs, n = 11). HLA-C variants were classified as stable or unstable according to their binding stability to ß2-microglobulin/peptide complex. Our results showed a significant correlation between rapid progression to AIDS and the presence of two or one unstable HLA-C variants (p-value: 0.0078, p-value: 0.0143, respectively). These findings strongly suggest a link between unstable HLA-C variants both at genotype and at allele levels and rapid progression to AIDS. This work provides further insights into the impact of host genetic factors on AIDS progression.

Determination of the internal dose due to the intake of 226Ra and 210Pb in drinking water from deep wells in the Metropolitan Region of Recife-Brazil.

The Metropolitan Region of Recife, the capital of the state of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil, has a high demographic density and developed under a region of marine phosphorus with high concentrations of phosphate that naturally contains uranium ore, producing ionizing radiation from descendants of the radioisotope 238U where 226Ra and 210Pb are of great importance in verifying the probable harmful effects on human health due to environmental radioactivity. The supply of drinking water is the responsibility of the state-owned company COMPESA which uses wells of great depth to complete the supply of drinking water for the entire population. COMPESA and the RAE Group of the Federal University of Pernambuco developed a joint project to assess the concentrations of 226Ra and 210Pb and estimate the equivalent and effective doses caused by ingesting these radiation sources. According to the above, this research aimed to evaluate concentrations of 226Ra and 210Pb in drinking water samples from 110 deep wells in Recife. The activities of 226Ra and 210Pb ranged from 1.4 ± 0.3 to 119.3 ± 12.9 and from 25.6 ± 3.3 to 563.2 ± 45.6 mBq.L-1, with arithmetic means of 48.1 ± 3.8 and 231.1 ± 20 mBq.L-1, respectively. The equivalent doses average in bone tissue due to 226Ra and 210Pb were 0.45 ± 0.04 and 3.9 ± 0.37 mSv.y-1, and the annual average effective doses were 0.01 ± 0.00 and 0.13 ± 0.01 mSv.y-1, respectively.

Risk survey for the population of Recife and neighboring cities due to the occurrence of radium in groundwater.

The Metropolitan Region of Recife and its surroundings are heavily exploited to capture water for public supply through tubular wells. However, a survey of the levels of natural radionuclides from these sources had never been carried out, even though part of this region contains a phosphate deposit that has a high concentration of natural uranium. In this context, this research aimed to identify 228Ra and 226Ra levels in groundwater in the coastal region of Pernambuco, Brazil. About 110 points (wells) of drinking water for public supply were identified and studies were carried out to estimate the level of ingestion and subsequent risk due to the presence of this radionuclide. The average concentration of combined radium was 104 mBq.L-1. For 228Ra an effective dose of 0.46, 0.11, 0.12 and 0.0276 mSv.y-1 for infants, children aged 1 and 10 and adults, respectively, were obtained. Although doses above those recommended by WHO were found, the equivalent dose and the induction of bone sarcoma did not indicate a risk to the population. Groundwater with higher dose values is influenced by local geology.

Egg corticosterone can stimulate telomerase activity and promote longer telomeres during embryo development.

It is often assumed that the transfer of maternal glucocorticoids (GCs; e.g., corticosterone or cortisol) to offspring is an inevitable cost associated with adverse or stressful conditions experienced by mothers. However, recent evidence indicates that maternal GCs may adaptively programme particular physiological and molecular pathways during development to enhance offspring fitness. In this context, an important mechanism through which maternal GCs may lastingly affect offspring phenotypic quality and survival is via effects on embryo telomerase activity and so on offspring postnatal telomere length. Here, using a field experimental design for which we manipulated the corticosterone content in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) eggs, we show that embryos from corticosterone-injected eggs not only had a higher telomerase activity but also longer telomeres just after hatching. A complementary analysis further revealed that gull hatchlings with longer telomeres had a higher survival probability during the period when most of the chick mortality occurs. Given the important role that telomere length and its restoring mechanisms have on ageing trajectories and disease risk, our findings provide a new mechanistic link by which mothers may presumably shape offspring life-history trajectories and phenotype.

Wilkie's Syndrome: An Unexpected Finding.

Wilkie's syndrome is a rare pathology caused by extrinsic compression of the third part of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) at its origin. The symptoms are variable and non-specific consisting of postprandial abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, early satiety, anorexia, and weight loss. A contrast-enhanced CT scan is the standard imaging modality. Surgery is reserved for severe cases or those unresponsive to pharmacological treatment. We present a case of a 66-year-old woman with a history of prolonged postprandial abdominal pain, nausea, and substantial weight loss (30 kg in four months). Laboratory tests revealed acute renal failure with hypokalemia due to severe dehydration. She underwent an abdominal-pelvic CT scan that showed enlargement of the second and third parts of the duodenum, without an identifiable cause, followed by an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy that showed a dilated duodenum until D2 and inability of progression to D3, without mucosal abnormalities. Her MRI revealed considerable gastric and proximal duodenum distension with compression of D3 by the SMA. The patient underwent a laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy with intra-operative findings consistent with the diagnosis. The procedure and the postoperative period were uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the ninth postoperative day. Gastrografin study made at day six postop showed normal progression of the oral contrast. At the outpatient reevaluation one month postop, she remained asymptomatic and with progressive weight gain. Wilkie's syndrome is a rare form of intestinal obstruction, which is commonly disregarded. Its non-specific symptoms make it a challenging diagnosis and imply a high clinical suspicion. Among the different surgical options, duodenojejunostomy presents the best outcomes.

Redox-regulation and life-history trade-offs: scavenging mitochondrial ROS improves growth in a wild bird.

It has been proposed that animals usually restrain their growth because fast growth leads to an increased production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), which can damage mitochondrial DNA and promote mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we explicitly test whether this occurs in a wild bird by supplementing chicks with a mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger, mitoubiquinone (mitoQ), and examining growth rates and mtDNA damage. In the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis, mitoQ supplementation increased the early growth rate of chicks but did not reduce mtDNA damage. The level of mtDNA damage was negatively correlated with chick mass, but this relationship was not affected by the mitoQ treatment. We also found that chick growth was positively correlated with both mtDNA copy number and the mitochondrial enzymatic activity of citrate synthase, suggesting a link between mitochondrial content and growth. Additionally, we found that MitoQ supplementation increased mitochondrial content (in males), altered the relationship between mtDNA copy number and damage, and downregulated some transcriptional pathways related to cell rejuvenation, suggesting that scavenging mtROS during development enhanced growth rates but at the expense of cellular turnover. Our study confirms the central role of mitochondria modulating life-history trade-offs during development by other mechanisms than mtROS-inflicted damage.

Composition, antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic activity of Eugenia uniflora L. chemotype-oils from the Amazon.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Oils and extracts of Eugenia uniflora have been reported as antimicrobial, antifungal, antinociceptive, antiprotozoal, antioxidant and cytotoxic. AIM OF THE STUDY: The oils of five specimens (E1 to E5) that occur in the Brazilian Amazon were extracted, analyzed for their chemical composition, and submitted to antioxidant and cytotoxic assays. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Oils were hydrodistilled, analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and submitted to PCA and HCA analyses. The antioxidant activity of the oils was evaluated by the DPPH radical scavenging and the ß-carotene/linoleic acid assays. Antiproliferative effects of the oils and curzerene were tested against colon (HCT-116), gastric (AGP-01), and melanoma (SKMEL-19) human cancer cell lines and a normal human fibroblast cell line (MRC-5), using MTT assay. RESULTS: Oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as curzerene, selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-2-one, selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-2-one epoxide, germacrene B, caryophyllene oxide, and (E)-caryophyllene were predominant in the oils. PCA and HCA analyses classified the oils samples into four chemotypes. TEAC values of chemotype II (E3 oil, 228.3 ±â€¯19.2 mg TE/mL) and chemotype III (E4 oil, 217.0 ±â€¯23.3 mg TE/mL) displayed significant antioxidant activities. The oils E2 and E4 showed cytotoxic activity against all cell lines tested HCT-116 (IC50 E2:16.26 µg/mL; IC50 E4:9.28 µg/mL), AGP-01, (IC50 E2:12.60 µg/mL; IC50 E4:8.73 µg/mL), SKMEL-19 (IC50 E2:12.20 µg/mL; IC50 E4:15.42 µg/mL), and MRC-5 (IC50 E2:10.27 µg/mL; IC50 E4:14.95 µg/mL). Curzerene showed the more significant activity against melanoma cells (SKMEL-19, IC50:5.17 µM), induced apoptosis at 5.0 µM and 10.0 µM compared to DMSO, exhibiting a decrease in the cell migration at 5.0 µM and 10.0 µM, after 30 h of treatment. CONCLUSION: The curzerene chemotype oil and E. uniflora oils can be indicated as drug candidates for anticancer activity of the lung, colon, stomach, and melanoma, with a real prospect to their subsequent phytotherapeutic development.

INVESTIGATION OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AS A POSSIBLE DRIVER OF CANCER INCIDENCE IN PARAÍBA, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.

An increase of health problems has been reported in the city of Triunfo, Paraíba, NE Brazil. This pattern has been attributed to environmental radiation since there are uranium deposits in the neighboring municipalities. The present study aimed to carry a radiometric survey in Triunfo to determine effective dose from external outdoor radiation exposure. The results were obtained through 'in situ' measurements using a gamma spectrometry system. The results ranged from 0.06 to 0.38 mSv/y, mean of 0.20 mSv/y. Due to the low value of the effective dose rate, we concluded that the area is characterized by low background radiation. Therefore, natural radioactivity is probably not directly influencing the increase in cancer incidence in the region. However, there is a need for complementary studies in this area to evaluate the dose from potential exposure to ingested and inhaled natural radionuclides from natural radioactivity in soil, rocks, vegetation and water.

Thermal conditions during early life influence seasonal maternal strategies in the three-spined stickleback.

BACKGROUND: Conditions experienced by a female during early life may affect her reproductive strategies and maternal investment later in life. This effect of early environmental conditions is a potentially important mechanism by which animals can compensate for the negative impacts of climate change. In this study, we experimentally tested whether three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) change their maternal strategy according to environmental temperatures experienced earlier in life. We studied maternal investment from a life-history perspective because females are expected to adjust their reproductive strategy in relation to their current and future reproductive returns as well as offspring fitness. RESULTS: F1 families were reared in control and elevated winter temperatures and their reproductive trajectories were studied when returned to common conditions. Females that had experienced the warm winter treatment (n = 141) had a lower fecundity and reduced breeding and total lifespan compared to the control individuals (n = 159). Whereas the control females tended to produce their heaviest and largest clutches in their first reproductive attempt, the warm-acclimated females invested less in their first clutch, but then produced increasingly heavy clutches over the course of the breeding season. Egg mass increased with clutch number at a similar rate in the two groups. The warm-acclimated females increased the investment of carotenoids in the first and last clutches of the season. Thus, any transgenerational effects of the maternal thermal environment on offspring phenotype may be mediated by the allocation of antioxidants into eggs but not by egg size. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that conditions experienced by females during juvenile life have a profound effect on life-time maternal reproductive strategies. The temperature-induced changes in maternal strategy may be due to constraints imposed by the higher energetic costs of a warm environment, but it is possible that they allow the offspring to compensate for higher energetic costs and damage when they face the same thermal stress as did their mothers.

Influence of terrestrial radionuclides on environmental gamma exposure in a uranium deposit in Paraíba, Brazil.

One of the main natural uranium deposits in Brazil is located in the municipality of Espinharas, in the State of Paraíba. This area may present high levels of natural radioactivity due to the presence of these radionuclides. Since this is a populated area, there is need for a radioecological dosimetry assessment to investigate the possible risks to the population. Based on this problem, the objective of this study was to estimate the environmental effective dose outdoors in inhabited areas influenced by the uranium deposit, using the specific activities of equivalent uranium, equivalent thorium and 40K and conversion factors. The environmental assessment was carried using gamma spectroscopy in sixty-two points within the municipality, with a high-resolution gamma spectrometer with HPGe semiconductor detector and Be window. The results obtained ranged from 0.01 to 19.11 mSv y-1, with an average of 2.64 mSv y-1. These levels are, on average, 23 times higher than UNSCEAR reference levels and up to 273 times the reference value of the earth's crust for primordial radionuclides. Therefore, given the high radioactivity levels found, we conclude that there is need for further investigation to evaluate the levels of radioactivity in indoor environments, which will reflect more closely the risks of the local population.

Implementation of a perioperative management protocol for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial results after the implementation of perioperative protocol in patients over 60 years of age undergoing surgical treatment for femur fractures. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients older than 60 years who were hospitalized with femur fracture. They were operated under spinal anesthesia and analgesia by lumbar plexus blockade. Data evaluation was performed before arrival in the operating room during surgery, in the post-anesthesia recovery room and in the ward the next morning of the operation. RESULTS: 105 patients underwent various types of surgical corrections of the femur. The hospital stay ranged from three to 86 days. Fasting ranged from 9h15min to 19h30mn. Hypotension occurred in 5.7%. The duration of motor blockade ranged from 1h45min to 5h30imn. Maltodextrin feeding ranged from 50min to 3h45min and the time spent in the post-anesthetic care unit ranged from 50 minutes to 4 hours. Onset of oral intake in the ward ranged from 4hto 8h15min. The duration of anesthesia ranged from 14 to 33 hours. No patient required a urinary catheter, nor was transferred to the ICU. All patients were able to be discharged on the first postoperative day. CONCLUSION: The use of a protocol to accelerate the postoperative period may reduce the fasting time, length of hospital stay and provide faster i discharge n elderly patients with femur fractures.

Comparative analysis between maximum oxygen uptake and anthropometric profile in soccer players and referees

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the VO2max and anthropometric profile of referees and professional soccer players. The population was composed by professional soccer players and referees, credited by Paranaense Soccer Federation (FPF). The sample was composed by 10 referees from FPF panel and 24 players from a team that operate in highest level of Paranaense championship, all male. Leger test (comes and goes) was used for field measurement of VO2max. Anthropometric variables analyzed were: age, weight, height, and four skinfolds: subscapular, triceps, suprailiac and calf. Regarding anthropometric parameters, the referees had a mean age of 33.7 ± 3.1 years, height 177.9 ± 9.1 cm, weight 82.8 ± 12.8 kg and body fat of 15.5 ± 3.7%. The players had a mean age of 24.1 ± 3.4 years, weight of 78.1 ± 8.1 kg, height 178.2 ± 7.4 cm and body fat of 10.8 ± 2.6%. Functional evaluation showed that the average VO2max from referees and players were 50.0 ± 1.3 and 56.7 ± 5.8 ml.kg-1min-1, respectively. There is significant difference between the age (p = 0.0001), body fat percentage (p = 0.0002) and VO2max (p = 0.0011). It can be concluded that the referees are older and have a VO2max less than the players. This coupled with higher body fat percentage of the referees is a factor that impairs their performance during the games

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar y comparar el VO2max. y el perfil antropométrico de árbitros y jugadores profesionales de futbol. La población de este estudio fue integrada por jugadores y árbitros profesionales filiales de la Federación Paranaense de Futbol (FPF). La muestra se compone de 10 árbitros del cuadro de arbitraje de la FPF y 24 jugadores de un equipo de primera división de futbol Paranaense, todos ellos de sexo masculino. Para la medición del VO2 max. se utilizó la prueba de campo de Leger. Las variables antropométricas estudiadas fueron: edad, peso corporal, altura y cuatro pliegues cutáneos (subescapular, triceps, suprailiaco y pantorrilla). Con relación a la evaluación antropométrica, los árbitros de la Federación Paranaense registraron una edad promedio de: 33,7 ± 3,1 años, altura de: 177,9 ± 9,1 cm, peso corporal: 82,8 ± 12,8 kg y grasa corporal de: 15,5 ± 3,7%. Mientras que los jugadores registraron una edad media de: 24,1 ± 3,4 años, peso corporal de: 78,1 ± 8,1 kg, altura de: 178,2 ± 7,4 cm y la grasa corporal de: 10,8 ± 2,6%. La evaluación funcional mostro que el VO2max. Promedio de los árbitros Paranaenses fue de: 50,0 ± 1,3 ml.kg-1 min-1 y los jugadores de: 56,7 ± 5,8 ml.kg-1 min-1. Los resultados han expresado que existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la edad (p = 0,0001), el porcentaje de grasa corporal (p = 0,0002) y el VO2max. (P = 0,0011). Después de analizar los datos de este estudio se puede concluir que los árbitros son: de mayor edad, tienen un VO2max. menor que de los jugadores y un porcentaje de grasa corporal superior en relación a los jugadores. Esta diferencia puede eventualmente poner en peligro el rendimiento del árbitro durante un partido de futbol

Clinical strategies to accelerate recovery after surgery orthopedic femur in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hip fracture is increasing with the continued aging of the population. The aim of this study was to compare the results after implementing the project accelerated post-operative recovery after surgery femur in patients aged over 60 years. METHODS: Patients were observed during two distinct periods: Before implantation and after the implementation of the project Acerto. Patients underwent spinal anesthesia with post-operative analgesia by lumbar plexus block. Data evaluation was carried out in four stages of the study in both groups: Before arrival to the operating room during surgery, post-anesthesia care unit and on the ward in the morning of day 1 post-operatively. RESULTS: The project implementation significantly reduces the length of stay, the number of suspension of surgery, duration of fasting, the incidence of hunger and thirst and the reintroduction of oral feeding. Oral feeding 2-4 h before surgery with dextrinomaltose not attended with nausea and vomiting. All patients were able to discharge on day 1 post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of clinical measures of accelerating patient recovery decreased length of stay, the number of suspensions of surgery, the time of fasting, the time of oral food reintroduction, high earlier and faster return to family life, working as humanization of treatment to the elderly.

Perfil antropométrico y aptitud física de arbitros del fútbol profesional chileno / Anthropometric profile and physical fitness of the professional Referees Chilean soccer

EL objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el estado el perfil antropométrico y la aptitud física en arbitros de primera categoría, participantes del fútbol profesional chileno, durante la temporada 2007. La muestra fue constituida por 11 arbitros principales, todos de sexo masculino. El promedio de edad fue de 34,54 + 4,76 años, estatura 1,74 + 0,05 m, masa corporal 76,95 + 5,75 kg. Las variables de masa corporal, estatura, grosor de pliegues cutáneos, circunferencias corporales y diámetros óseos, fueron medidos con la finalidad de estimar la composición corporal y determinar el somatotipo de los arbitros. Para determinar la composición corporal se utilizaron: 7 pliegues cutáneos, 7 circunferencias corporales y 4 diámetros óseos. Para evaluar las variables relacionadas con la aptitud física se utilizó la nueva batería de tests físicos de la FIFA, que determina evaluar al arbitro en primera instancia en cuanto a su capacidad anaeróbica al ejecutar carreras rápidas (6x40m) y a su vez medir su capacidad de potencia aérobica en la segunda prueba. Con respecto a los datos de composición corporal, los resultados indicaron que el porcentaje de grasa fue de 15,44 + 2,81 por ciento, con un somatotipo promedio de 3,81 - 5,67 -1,57, clasificados en meso-endomorfo y un 25,14 + 1,18 kg/m² de IMC. Los resultados relacionados a la aptitud física mostraron que los arbitros chilenos cubrieron, en promedio, 5,32 + 0,02 segundos el test anaeróbico, mientras que en el segundo, todos cubrieron cómodamente la distancia de 4.000 m. La mayor acumulación de grasa en arbitros profesionales puede ser una limitante del rendimiento físico durante el partido, lo cual puede ser controlada a través de programas de alimentos y entrenamiento físico.

The objective of the current study was to analyses the state of the anthropometric profile and physical ability of referees of first category participants of professional Chilean during the 2007 soccer Season. The sample was formed by 11 main referees, all male sex. The age was 34.54 + 4.76 years old, height 1.74 + 0.05 m, body mass 76.95 +/-5.75kg and 25.14+ 1.18kg/m2of body mass index (BMI). The variables of body mass, height, skinfolds, body girth and bone diameters were collected with the aim of estimating the body composition and determining the somatotype of the referees. The new group of physical tests from FIFA determines to evaluate the referee first about his fitness to run quickly (6 ¥ 40 m) with a break of one minute and also to measure his ability of aerobic resistance in the second test. Regarding to the data of body composition the result indicate that the fat percentage is 15.44 +/- 2.81 percent with an average somatotype of 3.81 - 5.67 - 1.57 classified in meso-endomorphic. The results show that the Chilean referees covered in average 5.32 +/- 0.02 the first test, meanwhile the second test all the referees covered easily distance of 4.000 m. The higher body fat in the professional referees can be a limitation of the physical performance during the game that could be controlled by advisement and fitness programs.

Energy expenditure and intensity of physical activity in soccer referees during match-play.

The aim of this study was to determine the caloric expenditure and the intensity of physical activities performed by official soccer referees during a match expressed in Metabolic Equivalent (METs). The physical activity of referees accredited by CBF (Brazilian Confederation of Soccer) was video-recorded during twenty-nine official games of Paraná Championship (Brasil), Series A and B of the 2005/2006. Computerized video analysis was used to determine the time spent in 6 locomotor activities (standing still, walking, jogging, backwards running, running and sprint). The frequency and duration of each activity were recorded and these data were utilized to calculate the distance covered by the referee. Energy expenditure values were estimated, utilizing specific equations, from the time players spent in each motor activity. The referees observed in this study had a mean age of 38.9 ± 3.8 years, body mass of 86.1 ± 7.1 kg, stature of 1.80 ± 0.07 m and a body mass index of 26.5 ± 0.6 kg·m(-2). During match-play, referees covered an average distance of 9155.4 ± 70.3 meters (8411 - 9765), with a mean energy expenditure of 734.7 ± 65 kcal. This energy expenditure was significantly reduced in the second half: 359.9 ± 6.3 vs 374.7 ± 6.6 kcal (p = 0.006), and averaged to be moderate energy intensity (5 METs) with predominant utilization of the aerobic energy system. In total, during 67% of match-play the intensity was equal or lower than 3.8 METs and in 33% it was higher than 9.8 METs. The pattern of movement observed in the present study confirms that soccer refereeing may be considered as a highly intermittent exercise mode. The high to low-intensity activity ratio may be defined as 1:7.1. In conclusion, referees officiating in professional soccer matches in Brazil should perform a physical conditioning regime that provides the stamina required at this level and consume appropriate and adequate nutrition to meet the energetic demands for match-play. Key pointsIn order to elaborate a diet that sufficiently restores the athlete's energy expenditure during training and/or competition, the first step would be to measure energy expenditure during activity.We observed that during officials matches soccer referees perform physical aerobic activities of low and moderate intensity, and present a significant decline in energy expenditure between the first and second half.The pattern of movement observed in the present report confirms that soccer referees, like players undertake intermittent type exercise.Nutritional habits of soccer referees must be adapted to their daily physical activities, short training periods and moderate energy intensity physical activity, on average, during match refereeing.