Maternal mental health may be considered a determining factor influencing fetal and child development. An essential factor with potentially negative consequences for a child's psychophysiological ...development is the presence of maternal distress during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The review is organized and presented to explore and describe the effects of anxiety, stress, and depression in pregnancy and the postpartum period on adverse child developmental outcomes. The neurobiology of maternal distress and the transmission mechanisms at the molecular level to the fetus and child are noted. In addition, the paper discusses the findings of longitudinal studies in which early child development is monitored concerning the presence of maternal distress in pregnancy and the postpartum period. This topic gained importance in the COVID-19 pandemic context, during which a higher frequency of maternal psychological disorders was observed. The need for further interdisciplinary research on the relationship between maternal mental health and fetal/child development was highlighted, especially on the biological mechanisms underlying the transmission of maternal distress to the (unborn) child, to achieve positive developmental outcomes and improve maternal and child well-being.
Milutinović, A, Jakovljević, V, Dabović, M, Faude, O, Radovanović, D, and Stojanović, E. Isokinetic muscle strength in elite soccer players 3 months and 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament ...reconstruction. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): e297-e304, 2023-The aim of this study was to evaluate interlimb symmetry in quadriceps and hamstring peak torque of elite soccer players at 3 months (stage 1) and 6 months (stage 2) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Eight male professional soccer players competing at the highest level across different European countries, who had undergone ACL reconstruction, participated in this study. All patients underwent a supervised physiotherapy program after surgery. Data analyses included the use of separate two-way repeated-measures analyses of variance and effect sizes. Although knee extensor and flexor strength of the non-injured limb was found to be relatively unaltered ( g = -0.10 to 0.00) between stage 1 and stage 2, comparisons across time points revealed moderate improvements in quadriceps peak torque ( p = 0.01, g = 0.52), hamstring peak torque ( p = 0.07, g = 0.51), and hamstring:quadriceps (H/Q) ratio ( p = 0.03, g = -0.68) of the injured leg, as well as small-large improvements in the quadriceps ( p = 0.004, g = 1.24) and hamstring limb symmetry index (LSI) ( p = 0.056, g = 0.41). A time-dependent moderate-large asymmetry observed at stage 1 between the injured and noninjured leg in quadriceps peak torque ( p < 0.001, g = -1.83), hamstring peak torque ( p = 0.157, g = -0.67), and the H:Q ratio ( p = 0.06, g = 1.01), as well as between the hamstring and quadriceps LSI ( p = 0.03, g = -0.74) was eliminated at stage 2 ( g = -0.31 to 0.42). Our findings indicate the importance of supervised and comprehensive therapy, as well as strength screening to assist in recovery aimed at optimizing identified strength deficits following ACL reconstruction.
There is a plethora of evidence to suggest that Galectin-3 plays an important role in normal functions of mammalian cells, as well as in different pathogenic conditions. This review highlights recent ...data published by researchers, including our own team, on roles of Galectin-3 in the nervous system. Here, we discuss the roles of Galectin-3 in brain development, its roles in glial cells, as well as the interactions of glial cells with other neural and invading cells in pathological conditions. Galectin-3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. On the other hand, there is also evidence of the protective role of Galectin-3 due to its anti-apoptotic effect in target cells. Interestingly, genetic deletion of Galectin-3 affects behavioral patterns in maturing and adult mice. The results reviewed in this paper and recent development of highly specific inhibitors suggests that Galectin-3 may be an important therapeutic target in pathological conditions including the disorders of the central nervous system.
The two new heterometallic Ru(II)-tpy/ferrocene complexes Ru(tpy)Cl2(mtefc) (1) and Ru(tpy)Cl2(mtpfc) (2) (where tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, mtefc = (2-(methylthio)ethyl)ferrocene, and ...mtpfc = (3-(methylthio)propyl)ferrocene) have been synthesized and then characterized through elemental analysis, followed by various spectroscopic (IR, UV–vis, 1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometric techniques (MALDI TOF and ESI Q-TOF MS). UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and viscometry were employed to study the interactions of the complexes 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA. Both 1 and 2 expelled ethidium bromide (EB) from the EB/DNA complex (K sv = (1.5–1.8) × 104 M–1), which suggested that the complexes intercalated into the double helix of DNA. Both complexes strongly quenched the fluorescence of tryptophan residues in serum albumin through both static and dynamic quenching. Molecular docking confirmed the intercalative mode of complex interaction with DNA. The docking results implied that 1 and 2 interacted with hydrophobic residues of albumin, particularly with those lying in the proximity of Tyr 160. We here demonstrate the high cytotoxic potential of complexes 1 and 2 against the breast cancer cells that originated either from humans (MDA-MB-231) or from mice (4T1), with apoptosis being the main mechanism of complex-induced cell death. It is worth noting that both complexes promoted activation of innate and acquired antitumor immunity, which contributed to the reduced growth and progression of mammary carcinoma in vivo.
Objective
To quantify the incidence rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and ankle sprains according to player sex, playing level, and exposure setting (training vs. games) in basketball ...players.
Methods
PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect were searched. Only studies reporting the number of ACL injuries and/or ankle sprains alongside the number of athlete‐exposures (training sessions and/or games) in basketball players were included.
Results
Thirty studies (17 reporting ACL injuries and 16 reporting ankle sprains) were included in the meta‐analysis. Higher (p < 0.05) ACL injury incidence rates per 1000 athlete‐exposures were recorded in females (female: 0.20 95% confidence intervals 0.16–0.25; male: 0.07 0.05–0.08; female‐to‐male ratio: 3.33 3.10–3.57), in players competing at higher playing levels (amateur: 0.06 0.04–0.09; intermediate: 0.16 0.13–0.20; elite: 0.25 0.14–0.64), and in games (games: female, 0.27 0.21–0.32; male, 0.06 0.03–0.08; training: female, 0.03 0.02–0.05; male: 0.01 0.00–0.02; game‐to‐training ratio: 7.90 4.88–12.91). Higher (p < 0.05) ankle sprain incidence rates per 1000 athlete‐exposures were observed in males (female: 0.82 0.61–1.03; male: 0.90 0.61–1.19; female‐to‐male ratio: 0.91 0.83–0.99), in players competing at higher playing levels (amateur: 0.54 0.51–0.57; intermediate: 1.12 1.00–1.24; elite: 1.87 1.29–2.46), and in games (games: 2.51 1.85–3.16; training: 0.80 0.52–0.80; game‐to‐training ratio: 2.77 2.35–3.26).
Conclusion
According to player sex, ACL injury incidence rate is higher in females, while ankle sprain incidence rate is greater in males. ACL injury and ankle sprain incidence rates are greater in players competing at higher playing levels and during games compared to training.
This study was undertaken to (1) describe the cardiac structure and function and (2) to quantify the relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D and echocardiographic parameters in female ...basketball players.
A cross-sectional experimental design.
Controlled laboratory setting.
Professional, female basketball players (n = 18).
25(OH)D and echocardiographic screening at the midpoint of the in-season phase, over a 2-week period in late Fall.
25(OH)D and echocardiographic parameters.
A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was observed in the female players examined (77.8%), with most also displaying eccentric cardiac hypertrophy (77.8%). Nonsignificant, moderate correlations were found between 25(OH)D and structural echocardiographic parameters, including left atrium diameter (r = 0.34, P = 0.16), left ventricular (LV) end-systolic diameter (r = -0.46, P = 0.06), posterior wall thickness (r = 0.36, P = 0.14), LV mass (r = 0.30, P = 0.23), and LV index (r = 0.33, P = 0.18). Significant, large correlations were found between 25(OH)D and echocardiographic parameters indicative of systolic function, including LV ejection fraction (r = 0.59, P = 0.01), fractional shortening (r = 0.59, P = 0.01), and peak systolic mitral tissue velocity (r = 0.51, P = 0.003). Similarly, a significant, large correlation was found between 25(OH)D and diastolic function as indicated by mitral valve inflow deceleration time (r = 0.51, P = 0.03).
Our findings suggest the importance of female basketball players maintaining 25(OH)D concentration, given its possible physiological benefits on cardiac structure and function.
To assess the effects of a novel multicomponent neuromuscular warm-up program on lower-extremity injury incidence in basketball players competing at the regional level.
A cluster randomized ...controlled experimental design was adopted to compare injury incidence between players exposed to the injury prevention warm-up program and those exposed to a typical warm-up program across an entire basketball season. Four teams consisting of 57 players (male: n = 42; female: n = 15) were allocated to the intervention group (age: 21.6 ± 2.5 years; height: 186.2 ± 8.8 cm; body mass: 80.0 ± 10.4 kg) and four teams consisting of 55 players (male: n = 43; female: n = 12) were allocated to the control group (age: 21.6 ± 2.6 years; height: 186.9 ± 9.1 cm; body mass: 81.5 ± 10.9 kg). The novel warm-up combined running exercises with active stretching, plyometrics, balance, strength, and agility drills. Coaching and medical staff provided details on injury incidence each week. Data analyses included the use of poisson regression analyses and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
The intervention group experienced a significantly lower ankle sprain incidence rate (IRR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.98, p = 0.02) and a tendency toward a lower knee injury incidence rate (IRR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.03, 1.78, p = 0.07) compared to the control group. Considering only non-contact lower-extremity injuries of any type, the intervention group experienced a significantly lower incidence rate compared to the control group (IRR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.98, p < 0.001).
This multi-team study demonstrated a novel multicomponent warm-up program resulted in less lower-extremity injuries, particularly ankle sprains and knee injuries, compared to a typical warm-up program in regional-level male and female basketball players.
Cardioplegia is a pharmacological approach essential for the protection of the heart from ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Over the years, numerous cardioplegic solutions have been developed, with ...each cardioplegic approach having its advantages and disadvantages. Cardioplegic solutions can be divided into crystalloid and blood cardioplegic solutions, and an experienced surgeon chooses the type of solution based on the individual needs of patients in order to provide optimal heart protection. Importantly, the pediatric immature myocardium is structurally, physiologically, and metabolically different from the adult heart, and consequently its needs to achieve cardioplegic arrest strongly differ. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide a summary of the cardioplegic solutions available to pediatric patients with a special focus on emphasizing differences in heart injury after various cardioplegic solutions, the dosing strategies, and regimens.
The PubMed database was searched using the terms cardioplegia, I-R, and pediatric population, and studies that investigated the influence of cardioplegic strategies on markers of cardiac muscle damage were further analyzed in this review.
A large body of evidence suggested more prominent benefits achieved with blood compared to those with crystalloid cardioplegia in pediatric myocardium preservation. However, standardized and uniform protocols have not been established so far, and an experienced surgeon chooses the type of cardioplegia solution based on the individual needs of patients, while the severity of myocardial damage strongly depends on the type and duration of the surgical procedure, overall patient condition, and presence of comorbidities, etc.
The influence of homeostatically regulated physiological processes, including cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), on the response to physical stressors such as acclimatisation and marching, remains ...understudied. We aimed to investigate the effects of summer and winter acclimatisation and marching on cortisol levels and blood lactate, to gain insight into the role of these physiological processes in the stress response.
Two groups of young Europeans, classified as poor (PCF; n=9) and good physical condition (GCF; n=21), based on a VO2MAX threshold of 40 mL O2/ kg/min, underwent 2-h March (6-7 km/h) in winter (5˚C) and summer (32˚C). Commercial tests, UniCel DxI Access Cortisol assay and EKF Biosen Clinic/GP assay were used for cortisol and lactate blood measurements (morning samples and those taken immediately after marches), respectively.
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