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•First time that microplastics were found in a baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).•Diversity of polymer types and particle shapes found, with a size of 1mm–17cm.•Potential relation ...between microplastic concentration in organism and foraging area.
Marine filter feeders are exposed to microplastic because of their selection of small particles as food source. Baleen whales feed by filtering small particles from large water volumes. Macroplastic was found in baleen whales before. This study is the first to show the presence of microplastic in intestines of a baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Contents of its gastrointestinal tract were sieved, dissolved in 10% potassium hydroxide and washed. From the remaining dried material, potential synthetic polymer particles were selected based on density and appearance, and analysed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Several polymer types (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon) were found, in varying particle shapes: sheets, fragments and threads with a size of 1mm to 17cm. This diversity in polymer types and particle shapes, can be interpreted as a representation of the varying characteristics of marine plastic and the unselective way of ingestion by M. novaeangliae.
The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity of selected field tests as indicators of match-related physical performance. During the competitive season, eighteen professional soccer ...players (age 26.2 +/- 4.5 yrs, mass 80.8 +/- 7.8 kg, and height 181.9 +/- 3.7 cm) completed an incremental running field test to exhaustion, a vertical-jump and a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test. Match physical performance was quantified during official matches using a video-computerized, semi-automatic, match analysis image recognition system, (ProZone, Leeds, UK). The selected measures of match physical performance were: total distance covered (TD), high intensity running (HIR: > 14.4 km . h (-1)), very high intensity running (VHIR:> 19.8 km . h (-1)), sprinting (> 25.2 km . h (-1)) and top running speed. Significant correlations were found between peak speed reached during the incremental field test and TD (r = 0.58, R (2) = 0.34; p < 0.05), HIR (r = 0.65, R (2) = 0.42; p < 0.01) and VHIR (r = 0.64, R (2) = 0.41; p < 0.01). Significant correlations were also found between RSA mean time and VHIR (r = - 0.60, R (2) = 0.36; p < 0.01) and sprinting distance (r = - 0.65, R (2) = 0.42; p < 0.01). Significant differences were found between the best and worst group as defined by the median split technique for peak speed (TD = 12 011 +/- 747 m vs. 10 712 +/- 669, HIR = 3192 +/- 482 m vs. 2314 +/- 347 m, and VHIR = 1014 +/- 120 vs. 779 +/- 122 m, respectively; p < 0.05) and RSA mean time (VHIR = 974 +/- 162 m vs. 819 +/- 144 m, and sprinting = 235 +/- 56 vs. 164 +/- 58 m, respectively; p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study gives empirical support to the construct validity of RSA and incremental running tests as measures of match-related physical performance in top-level professional soccer players.
Sprint vs. interval training in football Ferrari Bravo, D; Impellizzeri, F M; Rampinini, E ...
International journal of sports medicine,
08/2008, Letnik:
29, Številka:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of high-intensity aerobic interval and repeated-sprint ability (RSA) training on aerobic and anaerobic physiological variables in male football ...players. Forty-two participants were randomly assigned to either the interval training group (ITG, 4 x 4 min running at 90 - 95 % of HRmax; n = 21) or repeated-sprint training group (RSG, 3 x 6 maximal shuttle sprints of 40 m; n = 21). The following outcomes were measured at baseline and after 7 weeks of training: maximum oxygen uptake, respiratory compensation point, football-specific endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, YYIRT), 10-m sprint time, jump height and power, and RSA. Significant group x time interaction was found for YYIRT (p = 0.003) with RSG showing greater improvement (from 1917 +/- 439 to 2455 +/- 488 m) than ITG (from 1846 +/- 329 to 2077 +/- 300 m). Similarly, a significant interaction was found in RSA mean time (p = 0.006) with only the RSG group showing an improvement after training (from 7.53 +/- 0.21 to 7.37 +/- 0.17 s). No other group x time interactions were found. Significant pre-post changes were found for absolute and relative maximum oxygen uptake and respiratory compensation point (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the RSA training protocol used in this study can be an effective training strategy for inducing aerobic and football-specific training adaptations.
Glaucoma is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness globally and for which intraocular pressure is the only modifiable risk factor. ...Although neuroprotective therapies have been suggested to have therapeutic potential, drug delivery for the treatment of ocular disorders such as glaucoma remains an unmet clinical need, further complicated by poor patient compliance with topically applied treatments. In the present study we describe the development of multi-loaded PLGA-microspheres (MSs) incorporating three recognised neuroprotective agents (dexamethasone (DX), melatonin (MEL) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)) in a single formulation (DMQ-MSs) to create a novel sustained-release intraocular drug delivery system (IODDS) for the treatment of glaucoma. MSs were spherical, with a mean particle size of 29.04 ± 1.89 μm rendering them suitable for intravitreal injection using conventional 25G–32G needles. >62% incorporation efficiency was achieved for the three drug cargo and MSs were able to co-deliver the encapsulated active compounds in a sustained manner over 30-days with low burst release. In vitro studies showed DMQ-MSs to be neuroprotective in a glutamate-induced cytotoxicity model (IC50 10.00 ± 0.94 mM versus 6.89 ± 0.82 mM in absence of DMQ-MSs) in R28 cell line. In vivo efficacy studies were performed using a well-established rodent model of chronic ocular hypertension (OHT), comparing single intravitreal injections of microspheres of DMQ-MSs to their equivalent individual single-drug loaded MSs mixture (MSsmix), empty MSs, no-treatment OHT only and naïve groups. Twenty one days after OHT induction, DMQ-MSs showed a significantly neuroprotective effect on RGCs compared to OHT only controls. No such protective effect was observed in empty MSs and single-drug MSs treated groups. This work suggests that multi-loaded PLGA MSs present a novel therapeutic approach in the management of retinal neurodegeneration conditions such as glaucoma.
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Compulsory admission procedures of patients with mental disorders vary between countries in Europe. The Ethics Committee of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) launched a survey on involuntary ...admission procedures of patients with mental disorders in 40 countries to gather information from all National Psychiatric Associations that are members of the EPA to develop recommendations for improving involuntary admission processes and promote voluntary care.
The survey focused on legislation of involuntary admissions and key actors involved in the admission procedure as well as most common reasons for involuntary admissions.
We analyzed the survey categorical data in themes, which highlight that both medical and legal actors are involved in involuntary admission procedures.
We conclude that legal reasons for compulsory admission should be reworded in order to remove stigmatization of the patient, that raising awareness about involuntary admission procedures and patient rights with both patients and family advocacy groups is paramount, that communication about procedures should be widely available in lay-language for the general population, and that training sessions and guidance should be available for legal and medical practitioners. Finally, people working in the field need to be constantly aware about the ethical challenges surrounding compulsory admissions.
Objectives
To identify clinical, angiographic and hemodynamic predictors of discordance between instantaneous wave‐free ratio (iFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR).
Background
The iFR was found to ...be non‐inferior to the gold‐standard FFR for guiding coronary revascularization, although it is discordant with FFR in 20% of cases. A better understanding of the causes of discordance may enhance application of these indices.
Methods
Both FFR and iFR were measured in the prospective multicenter CONTRAST study. Clinical, angiographic and hemodynamic variables were compared between patients with concordant values of FFR and iFR (cutoff ≤0.80 and ≤0.89, respectively).
Results
Out of the 587 patients included, in 466 patients (79.4%) FFR and iFR agreed: both negative, n = 244 (41.6%), or positive, n = 222 (37.8%). Compared with FFR, iFR was negative discordant (FFR+/iFR‐) in 69 (11.8%) patients and positive discordant (FFR‐/iFR+) in 52 (8.9%) patients. On multivariate regression, stenosis location (left main or proximal left anterior descending) (OR: 3.301.68;6.47), more severe stenosis (OR: 1.771.35;2.30), younger age (OR: 0.930.90;0.97), and slower heart rate (OR: 0.590.42;0.75) were predictors of a negative discordant iFR. Absence of a beta‐blocker (OR: 0.410.22;0.78), older age (OR: 1.041.00;1.07), and less severe stenosis (OR: 0.690.53;0.89) were predictors of a positive discordant iFR.
Conclusions
During iFR acquisition, stenosis location, stenosis degree, heart rate, age and use of beta blockers influence concordance with FFR and should be taken into account when interpreting iFR.
Condensed
iFR‐guided revascularization is non‐inferior to FFR at 1 year, despite being discordant with FFR in 20% of cases. In 587 patients, we studied predictive factors for this discordance. Stenosis location involving the left main or proximal left anterior descending coronary, more severe stenosis, younger age and slower heart rate were significant predictors of a negative discordant iFR (FFR+/iFR‐). Lack of use of a beta‐blocker, older age, and less severe stenosis were significant predictors of a positive discordant iFR (FFR‐/iFR+). Clinical, angiographic and hemodynamic conditions during iFR acquisition influence concordance with FFR and must be taken into account when interpreting iFR.
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet derivatives (APD), specifically platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), combined with autogenous iliac crest ...bone grafts in secondary alveoloplasty for patients with cleft lip and palate. Electronic databases, relevant journals, and reference lists of included studies were searched until July 2022. Best-evidence synthesis was performed to draw conclusions. After the search strategies, 12 randomized controlled trials were included that provided data on six outcomes: newly formed bone, mean bone loss in height and width, bone density, functionality, and postoperative complications. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. The pooled results suggest that there is uncertainty as to whether the combination of APDs with autogenous iliac crest bone grafts improves the percentage of newly formed bone, as the certainty of the evidence was assessed as very low. It may slightly improve the functionality of patients (with low certainty of the evidence) and probably slightly reduces the incidence of postoperative complications (with moderate certainty of evidence). Further randomized clinical trials with standardized methodologies are required to validate these findings.
Validity of a repeated-sprint test for football Impellizzeri, F M; Rampinini, E; Castagna, C ...
International journal of sports medicine,
11/2008, Letnik:
29, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Three studies involving 108 football players were conducted to examine the reliability of a repeated-shuttle-sprint ability (RSSA) test and its ability to differentiate between players of various ...competitive levels and playing positions. Study 1: Short-term reliability was determined in 22 professional players completing the RSSA test (6 x 40-m sprints with 20 s of recovery between sprints) on two separate occasions. Study 2: Long-term reliability (seasonal changes) was examined in 31 professional players completing the RSSA test four times (during the preseason period, at the start, middle and end of the competitive season). Study 3: 108 players were divided and compared according to competitive level or playing position. Standard error of measurement values expressed as coefficient of variation for RSSA mean time and best time were 0.8 and 1.3 % (short-term reliability) and 0.9 and 1.2 % (long-term reliability), respectively. The smallest worthwhile changes were 0.5 % for both mean and best time. Professional players showed better RSSA performance than amateur players, and defenders displayed the lowest RSSA performance. In conclusion, the RSSA test showed adequate construct validity but only RSSA mean time showed sufficient reliability to detect large training-induced changes but not small important differences.
For centuries humans have been fascinated by the natural beauty of horses in motion and their different gaits. Gait classification (GC) is commonly performed through visual assessment and reliable, ...automated methods for real-time objective GC in horses are warranted. In this study, we used a full body network of wireless, high sampling-rate sensors combined with machine learning to fully automatically classify gait. Using data from 120 horses of four different domestic breeds, equipped with seven motion sensors, we included 7576 strides from eight different gaits. GC was trained using several machine-learning approaches, both from feature-extracted data and from raw sensor data. Our best GC model achieved 97% accuracy. Our technique facilitated accurate, GC that enables in-depth biomechanical studies and allows for highly accurate phenotyping of gait for genetic research and breeding. Our approach lends itself for potential use in other quadrupedal species without the need for developing gait/animal specific algorithms.
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