The effect of different sports specialization on ankle joint mobility of young players

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of practicing different sports on ankle joint mobility (AJM) in young subjects. In 344 players of 5 different sports (soccer, classical ballet, gymnastics, volleyball and basketball), mean age 12.0±2.4 years, sex (male/female: 237/107), BMI 19.0±2.8 (Kg/m 2 ), AJM was evaluated by using an inclinometer while the trunk flexibility was evaluated by the Sit and Reach test. Compared to all other groups, soccer players showed a significant reduction of AJM (p<.005) that is already present in younger subjects and that tends to worsen with aging (p<.04). On the contrary, the young dancers of classic ballet showed a significant increase in the AJM (p<.002). Basketball, volleyball and gymnastics groups showed a similar AJM. The higher AJM showed by females compared to males (128.5±21.0° vs 144.6±18.5°; p<.001) was not significant when the group of soccer players and dancers were excluded from the calculation. All groups investigated did not show a different mobility between the two ankles or the dominant and non-dominant limb. The age of the subjects investigated was not correlated with AJM. The group of gymnasts showed a significant increase in trunk flexibility (p<.001) compared to all other groups. Sport practice can significantly modify AJM both by increasing and reducing it. Such process should be timely assessed in order to prevent these alterations along with the related possible negative effects in the short and long term

High fiber cakes from mediterranean multipurpose oilseeds as protein sources for ruminants

Fifteen oilseed cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp were characterized with regard to chemical composition, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) fractionation, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein. All the cakes presented low moisture, rather variable ether extract contents and medium to high levels of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The cakes significantly differed in terms of CNCPS partitioning and in vitro digestibility. Tobacco and hemp cakes presented high contents of slow degradable fractions of crude protein and carbohydrate joined to good post-ruminal protein digestibility. Cardoon cakes presented the highest rumen protein degradability. Based on crude protein content and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein, cakes of tobacco and hemp showed the better potential as alternative protein supplements for ruminants, while pomegranate appears to be the least suitable for ruminant feeding

In Silico Identification of MYB and bHLH Families Reveals Candidate Transcription Factors for Secondary Metabolic Pathways in Cannabis sativa L

Plant secondary metabolic pathways are finely regulated by the activity of transcription factors, among which members of the bHLH and MYB subfamilies play a main role. Cannabis sativa L. is a unique officinal plant species with over 600 synthesized phytochemicals having diverse scale-up industrial and pharmaceutical usage. Despite comprehensive knowledge of cannabinoids\u2019 metabolic pathways, very little is known about their regulation, while the literature on flavonoids\u2019 metabolic pathways is still scarce. In this study, we provide the first genome-wide analysis of bHLH and MYB families in C. sativa reference cultivar CBDRx and identification of candidate coding sequences for these transcription factors. Cannabis sativa bHLHs and MYBs were then classified into functional subfamilies through comparative phylogenetic analysis with A. thaliana transcription factors. Analyses of gene structure and motif distribution confirmed that CsbHLHs and CsMYBs belonging to the same evolutionary clade share common features at both gene and amino acidic level. Candidate regulatory genes for key metabolic pathways leading to flavonoid and cannabinoid synthesis in Cannabis were also retrieved. Furthermore, a candidate gene approach was used to identify structural enzyme-coding genes for flavonoid and cannabinoid synthesis. Taken as a whole, this work represents a valuable resource of candidate genes for further investigation of the C. sativa cannabinoid and flavonoid metabolic pathways for genomic studies and breeding programs

Physiological responses of processing tomato in organic and conventional Mediterranean cropping systems

Processing tomato is a globally important horticultural crop. It is generally grown in high-input conventional systems, and there is little knowledge regarding its physiological responses in organic cultivation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the influence of organic management on the physiological behavior of cultivars of processing tomato usually cultivated in conventional management in a Mediterranean area. The study was performed by means of: (1) field testing of a set of commercial cultivars for 2 years, in two systems, in one location in Southern Italy, and (2) crop physiological investigations during the growth cycle of processing tomato. Results of the two-year trials indicate that, under the organic cropping system, processing tomato showed, as 2 years average, higher intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) (+10.3%), transpiration (E) (+15.5%) and stomatal conductance (gs) (+16.5%). Average net assimilation (A) was similar in the two systems and differences were only observed depending on years. In contrast, average leaf area index (LAI) and water use efficiency (WUE) were lower in the organic cropping system ( 1242% and 1217.8%), as were average fruit (FDW) and total (TDW) dry weight ( 1237.5% and 1229%). In our conditions, LAI at the end of the cultivation was highly correlated with total and fruit dry weight. As differences in fruit and total dry weight of processing tomato cannot be explained by differences in net assimilation per leaf area unit, other reasons may be linked to the effects of the organic management on the crop as weeds and pathogens

Volatile Organic Compound and Fatty Acid Profile of Milk from Cows and Buffaloes Fed Mycorrhizal or Nonmycorrhizal Ensiled Forage

Seed inoculation of forage crops by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) generally results in higher profitability, but also modifies the chemical composition of silage in terms of increased biomass, protein, and dry matter. Raw milk aroma is affected by the type of feed. This work investigated the influence of ensiled forage obtained by seed inoculation with AMF on the volatile fractions and fatty acid composition of milk. Two experiments were carried out: in the first, buffaloes were fed maize silage, and in the second, cows were fed sorghum silage. The volatile fractions of milk were quantified by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME), combined with gas chromatography&#8211;mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and fatty acids by gas chromatography (GC). The ensiled forage obtained with AMF increased saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in both experiments. The volatile fraction in milk samples obtained from bovines fed mycorrhizal ensiled forage showed an increase of free fatty acids and ketones, responsible for cheesy and fruity odors. Aldehydes, responsible for green and grassy notes, increased only in the milk from buffaloes fed ensiled maize. Our results suggest that inoculation of maize and sorghum seed with AMF, combined with a low rate of fertilizers, leads to ensiled forage that could slightly affect the FA profile and odor quality of milk

Epigenetic chromatin modifiers in barley: IV. The study of barley Polycomb group (PcG) genes during seed development and in response to external ABA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epigenetic phenomena have been associated with the regulation of active and silent chromatin states achieved by modifications of chromatin structure through DNA methylation, and histone post-translational modifications. The latter is accomplished, in part, through the action of PcG (Polycomb group) protein complexes which methylate nucleosomal histone tails at specific sites, ultimately leading to chromatin compaction and gene silencing. Different PcG complex variants operating during different developmental stages have been described in plants. In particular, the so-called FIE/MEA/FIS2 complex governs the expression of genes important in embryo and endosperm development in <it>Arabidopsis</it>. In our effort to understand the epigenetic mechanisms regulating seed development in barley (<it>Hordeum vulgare</it>), an agronomically important monocot plant cultivated for its endosperm, we set out to characterize the genes encoding barley PcG proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Four barley <it>PcG </it>gene homologues, named <it>HvFIE</it>, <it>HvE(Z), HvSu(z)12a</it>, and <it>HvSu(z)12b </it>were identified and structurally and phylogenetically characterized. The corresponding genes <it>HvFIE</it>, <it>HvE(Z), HvSu(z)12a</it>, and <it>HvSu(z)12b </it>were mapped onto barley chromosomes 7H, 4H, 2H and 5H, respectively. Expression analysis of the <it>PcG </it>genes revealed significant differences in gene expression among tissues and seed developmental stages and between barley cultivars with varying seed size. Furthermore, <it>HvFIE </it>and <it>HvE(Z) </it>gene expression was responsive to the abiotic stress-related hormone abscisic acid (ABA) known to be involved in seed maturation, dormancy and germination.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study reports the first characterization of the <it>PcG </it>homologues, <it>HvFIE, HvE(Z)</it>, <it>HvSu(z)12a </it>and <it>HvSu(z)12b </it>in barley. All genes co-localized with known chromosomal regions responsible for malting quality related traits, suggesting that they might be used for developing molecular markers to be applied in marker assisted selection. The <it>PcG </it>differential expression pattern in different tissues and seed developmental stages as well as in two barley cultivars with different seed size is suggestive of a role for these genes in barley seed development. <it>HvFIE </it>and <it>HvE(Z) </it>were also found to be induced by the plant hormone ABA implying an association with ABA-mediated processes during seed development, germination and stress response.</p

Type 1 diabetes, sport practiced, and ankle joint mobility in young patients: What is the relationship?

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Nutrition in oncologic patients during antiblastic treatment.

Cancer may induce weight loss and cachexia, and cancer treatment may contribute to nutritional impairment. Here, we review the literature on the mechanisms of cancer cachexia and the pharmacological interventions both in use in clinical practice and currently under development. Based on this analysis, several nutritional proposals for cancer patients are suggested and the importance of good nutritional status in candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is highlighted

Left ventricular remodeling in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an overview of current knowledge

While most patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) show a relatively stable morphologic and clinical phenotype, in some others, progressive changes in the left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, cavity size, and function, defined, overall, as "LV remodeling", may occur. The interplay of multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms, from genetic background to myocardial ischemia and fibrosis, is implicated in this process. Different patterns of LV remodeling have been recognized and are associated with a specific impact on the clinical course and management of the disease. These findings underline the need for and the importance of serial multimodal clinical and instrumental evaluations to identify and further characterize the LV remodeling phenomenon. A more complete definition of the stages of the disease may present a chance to improve the management of HCM patients