Sex-related differences in the load-velocity and load-power relationships of the decline bench press exercise.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the load-velocity and load-power relationships of the decline bench press exercise (DBPE) and to compare sex-related differences. Twelve young healthy men and women performed a progressive loading test for the determination of 1RM strength and individual load-velocity and load-power relationship in the DBPE. A very close relationship between mean propulsive velocity (MPV) and %1RM was observed (R2 = 0.94). This relationship improved when plotting data separately by sex (R2 = 0.96-97). Individual load-velocity profiles gave an R2 = 0.99 ± 0.01. The relationship between mean propulsive power (MPP) and %1RM was R2 = 0.23. When separating data by sex, R2 = 0.64-73 were obtained. Individual load-power profiles gave an R2 of 0.93 ± 0.07. Significant sex-related differences were found for MPV, with males having faster velocities than females from 30% to 40% 1RM (p = 0.01) and for MPP, with males having greater MPP (W) than females from 30% to 95% 1RM (p < 0.001). The results of this study show that a strong correlation exists between relative load and MPV/MPP in the DBPE, allowing the possibility of using one to predict the other with great precision, especially when a sex-specific equation is used.

Is Match Playing Time a Potential Tool for Managing Load in Women's Handball?

ABSTRACT: García-Sánchez, C, Navarro, RM, Nieto-Acevedo, R, and de la Rubia, A. Is match playing time a potential tool for managing load in women's handball? J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The aim of this study was to explore the external load experienced by female handball players according to the time played in official matches (≥40, <40, and ≤20 minutes) and in relation to playing positions (backs, pivots, and wings). Twenty-two female players from the Spanish second Division were monitored across 13 matches. Total distance covered, high-speed running distance (HSR), accelerations, decelerations, and PlayerLoad were collected in absolute and relative values using a local positioning system (WIMU PRO, Realtrack Systems SL, Almería, Spain). One-way ANOVA with partial eta-squared and Cohen's d were used to determine the differences between playing time groups and between playing positions. This study revealed that players with more match playing time had a higher absolute values in all external load variables (p < 0.001; very large effects), except in HSR where only wings showed higher values according to the time played (p < 0.001; very large effects). However, these differences between playing time groups disappear when the external load values were normalized according to the effective playing time (p > 0.05). In relation to playing positions, wings covered more HSR/minutes than the other playing positions regardless of the playing time (p < 0.05; large effects). In addition, backs performed more ACC/minutes than wings in the high playing time group and more than pivots in the low playing time group (p < 0.05, moderate effects). In addition, backs performed more DEC/minutes than wings in the low playing time group (p < 0.05, moderate effects). Therefore, handball coaches should consider the playing time as an effective tool to optimize the weekly load distribution.

[Chronic care for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome after discharge from an intensive care unitCuidados prolongados de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva]. / Cuidados crónicos en pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 tras el egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who have recently been discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) included in a chronic care program in Colombia. Methods: Descriptive case series study of a cohort of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who entered the Remeo® chronic care program between July 2020 and May 2021. Clinical features, complications, and treatments are described. Results: Among patients in the program discharged from an ICU, 122 cases of post-COVID-19 syndrome were identified. These patients continued in the program. The mean age was 66.9 years (CI 64-68); 62.29% were men, 88.9% (109) had a tracheostomy, 72.8% (90) had a gastrostomy, and 99% required supplemental oxygen. In the first four months, 9,518 interventions were carried out, including physical therapy (x̄:20.7), occupational therapy (x̄:10.9), respiratory therapy (x̄:41.4), and psychology (x̄:4.8). Conclusions: The chronic care program was an option for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome recently discharged from an ICU, with a view to minimizing ICU occupation rates and facilitating patients' return to their homes.

Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), acompanhados em um programa de cuidados prolongados na Colômbia. Métodos: Estudo descritivo de série de casos oriundos de uma coorte de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 admitidos no programa de cuidados prolongados Remeo® entre julho de 2020 e maio de 2021. Foram descritas as características clínicas desses pacientes, assim como complicações e tratamentos. Resultados: Foram identificados 122 casos de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 que foram acompanhados no programa após alta da UTI. A média de idade foi 66,9 anos (IC 64­68), 62,29% pertenciam ao sexo masculino, 88,9% (109) haviam sido submetidos a traqueostomia, 72,8% (90) a gastrostomia e 99% precisavam usar oxigênio suplementar. Ao todo, 9.518 intervenções foram realizadas nos 4 meses iniciais de acompanhamento no programa, incluindo fisioterapia (x̄ 20,7), terapia ocupacional (x̄ 10,9), terapia respiratória (x̄ 41,4) e atendimento psicológico (x̄ 4,8). Conclusões: O programa de cuidados prolongados ofereceu uma alternativa aos pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em UTI e teve o objetivo de reduzir a ocupação das UTIs e facilitar a transição do paciente da UTI para casa.

The utilisation of tools to facilitate cross-border communication during international food safety events, 1995-2020: a realist synthesis.

Efficient communication and coordination are needed between countries to prevent, detect and respond to international food safety events. While communication tools, networks and systems exist, current evidence suggests that they are only useful within particular contexts and several only target specific geographic areas. There is a need to unpack and explore the mechanisms of how and in what context such communication tools and their components are effective at facilitating international communication and coordination to keep food safe and mitigate the burden of foodborne disease around the world.A realist synthesis was undertaken to understand how and why certain processes and structures of communication tools, used during international food safety events, influence their utility and effectiveness according to different contextual factors. The focus of this review was explanatory and aimed to develop and refine theory regarding how contextual factors trigger specific processes and mechanisms to produce outcomes. Using the realist context-mechanism-outcome configuration of theory development, a range of sources was used to develop an initial programme theory, including the authors' experience, a scoping review of published papers and grey literature and input from an expert reference committee. Literature was then systematically located and synthesised from several databases with input from the expert reference committee to refine the programme theory.The programme theory developed indicates that when a country has interests in food import or export, has the technical infrastructure to detect and respond to food safety events, and is governed in accordance with regional and/or global laws and regulations relating to food control and global health security, then specific mechanisms will facilitate various outcomes. Mechanisms include trust, experience, support, awareness, understanding, a sense of community, standardisation and intersectoral collaboration. The outcomes include using communication tools to relay information abroad and the prevention of foodborne diseases, among others.Components of such communication tools may be adapted according to different contextual factors to promote, support and improve their use. Improving international coordination and communication during international food safety events is in the interest of global health security and can mitigate the global burden of foodborne disease.

Differential DNA methylation and gene expression during development of reproductive and vegetative organs in Ilex species.

Differential epigenetic (DNA cytosine methylation) and gene expression patterns were investigated in reproductive and vegetative organs from Ilex paraguariensis and I. dumosa, at distinct developmental stages. We aimed at contributing towards elucidating major molecular changes underlying the sexual differentiation processes which, in these dioecious species, are completely unknown. Simultaneously, as a first step towards the development of an early sexing system, we searched for promising molecular markers. This was assessed through Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism on cDNA (cDNA-AFLP) techniques, applying discriminant multivariate analyses, and bioinformatic characterization of differential fragments. A significant positive correlation was found between epigenetic and indirect 'genetic' information for both species, indicating influence of the genetic background on the epigenetic variation. Higher epigenetic than genetic diversities were estimated. Our outcomes showed up to 1.86 times more representation of mCG subepiloci than mCCG in all organs sampled. Along the maturing stages of floral buds, the frequency of mCG evidenced an incremental trend, whereas mCCG and unmethylated conditions showed opposite tendencies. Reproductive and vegetative samples tended to cluster apart based on epigenetic patterns; at gene expression level, organs exhibited clear-cut distinctive patterns, nonetheless profiles of young leaves and floral primordia resemble. Epigenetic and expression data allowed discrimination of I. dumosa´s samples according to the gender of the donor; more elusive patterns were observed for I. paraguariensis. In total, 102 differentially methylated and expressed fragments were characterized bioinformatically. Forty-three were annotated in various functional categories; four candidate markers were validated through qPCR, finding statistical differences among organs but not among sexes. The methylation condition of epilocus C13m33 appears as indicative of gender in both species. Thirty-three organ-specific and 34 gender-specific methylated markers were discriminated and deserve further research, particularly those expressed in leaves. Our study contributes concrete candidate markers with potential for practical application.

Molecular characterization of a novel cytorhabdovirus with a unique genomic organization infecting yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in Argentina.

The genome of a novel rhabdovirus was detected in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.). The newly identified virus, tentatively named "yerba mate virus A" (YmVA), has a genome of 14,961 nucleotides. Notably, eight open reading frames were identified in the antigenomic orientation of the negative-sense, single-stranded viral RNA, including two novel accessory genes, in the order 3'-N-P-3-4-M-G-L-8-5'. Sequence comparisons of the encoded proteins as well as phylogenetic analysis suggest that YmVA is a new member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae. YmVA's unique genomic organization and phylogenetic relationships indicate that this virus likely represents a distinct evolutionary lineage among the cytorhabdoviruses.

Transcript and metabolic adjustments triggered by drought in Ilex paraguariensis leaves.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Abscisic acid is involved in the drought response of Ilex paraguariensis. Acclimation includes root growth stimulation, stomatal closure, osmotic adjustment, photoprotection, and regulation of nonstructural carbohydrates and amino acid metabolisms. Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is cultivated in the subtropical region of South America, where the occurrence of drought episodes limit yield. To explore the mechanisms that allow I. paraguariensis to overcome dehydration, we investigated (1) how gene expression varied between water-stressed and non-stressed plants and (2) in what way the modulation of gene expression was linked to physiological status and metabolite composition. A total of 4920 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained through RNA-Seq after water deprivation. Drought induced the expression of several transcripts involved in the ABA-signalling pathway. Stomatal closure and leaf osmotic adjustments were promoted to minimize water loss, and these responses were accompanied by a high transcriptional remodeling of stress perception, signalling and transcriptional regulation, the photoprotective and antioxidant systems, and other stress-responsive genes. Simultaneously, significant changes in metabolite contents were detected. Glutamine, phenylalanine, isomaltose, fucose, and malate levels were shown to be positively correlated with dehydration. Principal component analysis showed differences in the metabolic profiles of control and stressed leaves. These results provide a comprehensive overview of how I. paraguariensis responds to dehydration at transcriptional and metabolomic levels and provide further characterization of the molecular mechanisms associated with drought response in perennial subtropical species.

Can Caffeine Change the Game? Effects of Acute Caffeine Intake on Specific Performance in Intermittent Sports During Competition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of oral caffeine intake to enhance several aspects of physical performance, such as aerobic endurance, strength, power, and muscle endurance performance, are well supported. However, how the physical performance benefits of caffeine supplementation are translated into better specific actions in intermittent sports during real or simulated competition has been the topic of fewer investigations, and their results need to be appropriately reviewed and meta-analyzed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of acute caffeine intake on specific actions in intermittent sports involving decision making and high-intensity efforts (eg, team, racket, and combat sports) during real or simulated competitions. METHODS: All studies included had blinded and crossover experimental designs, and we conducted a risk-of-bias analysis. In total, we included 24 studies. A meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) estimated by Hedges g and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Caffeine ingestion increased high-intensity sport-specific actions during competition, such as the number of sprints (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI, 0.23-0.74), body impacts (SMD: 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08-0.49), accelerations (SMD: 0.35; 95% CI, 0.06-0.63), decelerations (SMD: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.12-1.14), and high-intensity offensive efforts (SMD: 0.36; 95% CI, 0.11-0.61). Additionally, caffeine ingestion induced a higher positive or success rate of actions during real or simulated competition (SMD: 0.44; 95% CI, 0.19-0.69). CONCLUSION: The current meta-analysis provides evidence of caffeine supplementation in increasing high-intensity efforts and the success rate of sport-specific actions during real or simulated competition.

Hospitalization Causes and Epidemiological Characteristics Among Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Six-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to a high rate of complications requiring hospital admission for advanced management. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the main causes of hospitalization following the initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational and descriptive study utilized a non-probabilistic quota sampling method, reviewing a total of 423 medical records from General Regional Hospital 1 of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Querétaro. The study evaluated the frequency and causality of hospitalizations during a retrospective period from 2018 to 2023. RESULTS: There were 1,162 hospitalization events involving 423 patients; 71.63% of patients started RRT with peritoneal dialysis, while 26% began with hemodialysis. The leading cause of hospitalization was electrolyte imbalance (397; 34.17%), followed by peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis (351; 30.21%), change to hemodialysis (270; 23.24%), Tenckhoff catheter dysfunction (209; 17.99%), and fluid overload (205; 17.64%). The group with the highest number of events was renal-related complications, followed by infectious causes. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations in end-stage CKD patients often arise from the complex renal pathophysiology and complications related to acute and decompensated renal function. This condition refers to the kidneys' failure to maintain essential physiological functions despite ongoing treatment, leading to issues such as electrolyte imbalances, fluid overload, and uremic syndrome. To reduce morbidity and mortality, measures such as enhanced training in ambulatory dialysis, improved catheter care, and early infection detection are crucial. A comprehensive approach that addresses both acute issues and preventive strategies is essential for improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for these patients.

Home-Court Advantage is Greater for Teams Competing at Higher Playing Levels: An Exploratory Analysis of Spanish Male Basketball Leagues.

This study aimed to (i) compare the extent of home-court advantage (HA) and home win percentage (HW) between Spanish basketball leagues across different playing levels (i.e., leagues) and (ii) analyze the influence of team ability on HA and HW within each playing level. We gathered data for game locations and results from open online sources for all games in the First Division (ACB), Second Division (LEB Gold), and Third Division (LEB Silver) Spanish male basketball leagues between 2010-2023. The dataset included 12 seasons, 635 teams (215 First Division, 203, Second Division, and 217 Third Division), and 19,539 games (7075 First Division, 6344 Second Division, and 5520 Third Division). We calculated HA [(total home wins/total wins) * 100] and HW [(total home wins/total home games) * 100] for each team across each season. We performed Kruskal Wallis tests, calculated partial eta squared (ηp2), and performed Mann-Whitney U tests with rank biserial correlation (rb) effect sizes and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner pairwise comparisons to compare HA and HW between leagues and between team abilities (low, medium, and/or high) within each league. There was a significant effect for HA between leagues (p = .01) with post hoc comparisons revealing a higher HA for the First Division than for the Third Division (p = .01), but HW was not significantly different between leagues. In turn, variations in HA and HW between team abilities were consistent across playing levels, with HW significantly increasing in a progressive manner with higher team abilities (p < .001) and with HA significantly lower among high-level teams compared to lower-ability team clusters (p < .01). These findings emphasize the importance of considering playing level and team ability and interpreting HA and HW together to contextualize an apparent home advantage in Spanish basketball.