Lower-extremity side-to-side strength asymmetry of professional soccer players according to playing position

Previous studies have utilized screening values of 10-15% of lower-extremity side-to-side strength asymmetry in soccer players with conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in screening values for side-to-side asymmetry in soccer players according to their playing position, as well as to compare the differences in strength asymmetry between particular playing positions. Seventy-nine Brazilian male professional soccer players (age 26.1±5.3 years; body mass 79.8±14.4 kg; body height 180.4±12.9 cm) were grouped into playing positions of: goalkeepers, side backs, central backs, central defending midfielders, central attacking midfielders, and forwards. They performed maximal knee extension and flexion concentric and knee flexion eccentric actions on their preferred and non-preferred legs at 1.047 rad·s-1. Forwards and goalkeepers had hamstrings concentric peak torque asymmetry (18.0±9.9%) and eccentric peak torque asymmetry (20.1±10.7%) significantly greater than 10% (p<.05). All other playing positions had values less than 15%. Our results indicate that the use of either 10 or 15% asymmetry cut off may result in different conclusions, which may affect decision-making regarding strength ratios. Furthermore, if 10% is used as a screening value, hamstrings strengthening programs based on bilateral equivalency should be prescribed for goalkeepers and forwards to reduce asymmetry

Implicating factors in the increase in cases of central precocious puberty (CPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience of a tertiary centre of pediatric endocrinology and review of the literature

Sexual development is a complex mechanism activated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Over the last one hundred years there has been a decline in the age at puberty onset in industrialised countries. Some Italian studies showed an increase in diagnoses of Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thus supposed that in this period there was an increased impact of factors that can influence pubertal development. Our retrospective monocentric study aimed to confirm the existence of this phenomenon and analysed possible related factors. We retrospectively evaluated clinical, laboratory, radiological and ultrasound (US) data of 154 girls referred to our Tertiary Centre of Paediatric Endocrinology from January 2019 to April 2021 for different forms of Precocious Puberty. We subdivided the cases into subgroups according to the final diagnosis: CPP, Early Puberty (EP), isolated thelarche and isolated pubarche. The observation period was subdivided into: Period 1, before lockdown (1 January 2019 - 8 March 2020) and Period 2, lockdown and the following months (9 March 2020 - 30 April 2021). Period 2 was further divided into "restrictive lockdown period" (Period 2.1) (March 2020 - 14 June 2020, in which the schools were closed) and "less restrictive lockdown period" (Period 2.2) (15 June 2020 - 30 April 2021). We analysed data regarding the use of electronic devices before and during lockdown in a group of girls with CPP diagnosed in Period 2 and we compared the data with that of a control group. Our data show an increase in the number of new diagnoses of CPP during lockdown and in the following months, compared with the previous period. We also detected a higher use of PCs and smartphones in girls with CPP diagnosed in Period 2, compared with the control group. The percentage of the presence of endometrial rhyme detected during the pelvic ultrasound was higher in girls with CPP in Period 2, compared with the previous period. Based on our data we assume there was an environmental effect on pubertal timing that calls our attention to factors such as food, use of electronic devices and stress. We will need further studies to better understand this data

Acute effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on peak torque and muscle imbalance

Background: The effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on muscle imbalance are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of PNF stretching on knee extension and flexion peak torque (PT), as well as the conventional and functional hamstrings to quadriceps (H:Q) ratios. Methods: Fifteen men (age = 22 ± 1 years; body mass = 76 ± 12 kg; height = 176 ± 7 cm) and fifteen women (age = 22 ± 2 years; body mass = 63 ± 8 kg; height = 161 ± 5 cm) performed concentric quadriceps and hamstrings, and eccentric hamstrings muscle actions at different angular velocities (60, 180, and 300 ◦ ·s −1 concentric; 60 and 180 ◦ ·s −1 eccentric) before and after a bout of PNF stretching, and a control condition. Results: Neither PNF or control conditions affected concentric PT or H:Q ratios (p \u3e 0.05), apart from knee extension at 60 ◦ ·s −1 in men (p = 0.001). However, there was a reduction in hamstrings eccentric PT in both control and PNF conditions for men and women (p = 0.003). Conclusions: PNF stretching of the hamstrings may not adversely affect the H:Q ratios, and consequently not negatively affect injury risk associated with muscular strength imbalances

Effects of different combinations of concentric and eccentric resistance training programs on traditional and alternative hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratios

Resistance training is often recommended for combined increases in traditional and alternative hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios in order to reduce knee strength imbalance and associated hamstrings and knee ligament injury risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentric and eccentric resistance training programs on traditional and alternative H:Q ratios. Forty male volunteers were assigned to one of 4 groups: concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON, n = 10), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC, n = 10), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC, n = 10), or no training (control (CNTRL), n = 10). Traditional conventional (CR) and functional (FR), alternative rate of torque development (RTD), muscle size (MS), and muscle activation (MA) H:Q ratios were measured before and after six weeks of unilateral nondominant knee extension–flexion resistance training performed on an isokinetic dynamometer. The ECC/ECC training significantly increased FR (pre = 0.75 ± 0.11; post = 0.85 ± 0.15), whereas the lack of training (CNTRL) decreased the RTD H:Q ratio (pre = 1.10 ± 0.67; post = 0.73 ± 0.33). There were no differences between groups for the other traditional and alternative ratios following resistance training protocols. These findings suggest eccentric exercise for quadriceps and hamstrings as the most beneficial training program for inducing increases in the traditional FR. However, different resistance training strategies may be needed to also elicit increases in the alternative RTD, MS, and MA H:Q ratios for fully restoring muscle balance and reducing potential hamstrings and knee ligament injury risk

Alternative methods of determining hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratios: A comprehensive review

The hamstrings-to-quadriceps muscle strength ratio calculated by peak torque has been used as an important tool to detect muscle imbalance, monitor knee joint stability, describe muscle strength properties and functionality, and for lower extremity injury prevention and rehabilitation. However, this ratio does not consider other neuromuscular variables that can also influence the antagonist to agonist muscle relationship, such as torque produced at multiple angles of range of motion, explosive strength, muscle size, muscle fatigue, or muscle activation. The aim of this study was to comprehensively review alternative methods of determining the hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio. These include ratios calculated by angle-specific torque, rate of torque development, muscle size, fatigue index, and muscle activation (measured by electromyography). Collectively, the literature demonstrates that utilizing alternative methods of determining the hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio can be functionally relevant for a better understanding of the neuromuscular mechanisms underpinning the interaction of strength between hamstrings and quadriceps. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend any of the alternative methods as sensitive clinical tools for predicting injury risk and monitoring knee joint integrity. Future longitudinal studies, along with injury incidence, are needed to further investigate all alternative methods of determining the hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio. These have potential to offer insight into how athletes and the general population should be trained for performance enhancement and injury reduction, and may be used along with traditional methods for a thorough assessment of an individual\u27s H:Q muscle balance

Chemical alterations and nickel phytoavailability in sewage sludge-amended soil

The alteration of soil chemicals and its influence on availability (DTPA extractant method) and phytoavailability (63Ni L-value, isotopic method) of Ni was studied in sewage sludge-amended soil at different pHs. The soil pHs were 4.3, 5.3 and 5.9 and the rates of sewage sludge (SS) 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 Mg ha-1. The chemical and physicochemical soil characteristics were altered by the SS rate and increased the Ni availability and phytoavailability. The isotopic method (63Ni L-value) was more efficient in predicting the Ni phytoavailability that the Ni-DTPA extractant in soil pHs 5.3 and 5.9.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Periodontal disease and inflammatory blood cytokines in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Periodontal disease has been associated with elevations of blood cytokines involved in atherosclerosis in systemically healthy individuals, but little is known about this association in stable cardiovascular patients. The aim of this study was to assess the association between periodontal disease (exposure) and blood cytokine levels (outcomes) in a target population of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Material and Methods This cross-sectional study included 91 patients with stable CAD who had been under optimized cardiovascular care. Blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were measured by Luminex technology. A full-mouth periodontal examination was conducted to record probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment (CA) loss. Multiple linear regression models, adjusting for gender, body mass index, oral hypoglycemic drugs, smoking, and occurre:nce of acute myocardial infarction were applied. Results CAD patients that experienced major events had higher concentrations of IFN-γ (median: 5.05 pg/mL vs. 3.01 pg/mL; p=0.01), IL-10 (median: 2.33 pg/mL vs. 1.01 pg/mL; p=0.03), and TNF-α (median: 9.17 pg/mL vs. 7.47 pg/mL; p=0.02). Higher numbers of teeth with at least 6 mm of CA loss (R2=0.07) and PD (R2=0.06) were significantly associated with higher IFN-γ log concentrations. Mean CA loss (R2=0.05) and PD (R2=0.06) were significantly related to IL-10 concentrations. Elevated concentrations of TNF-α were associated with higher mean CA loss (R2=0.07). Conclusion Periodontal disease is associated with increased systemic inflammation in stable cardiovascular patients. These findings provide additional evidence supporting the idea that periodontal disease can be a prognostic factor in cardiovascular patients

Whole brain radiation therapy in management of brain metastasis: results and prognostic factors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic factors associated with overall survival in patients with brain metastasis treated with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and estimate the potential improvement in survival for patients with brain metastases, stratified by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2000, 270 medical records of patients with diagnosis of brain metastasis, who received WBRT in the Hospital do Cancer Sao Paulo A.C. Camargo in the period, were analyzed. The surgery followed by WBRT was used in 15% of patients and 85 % of others patients were submitted at WBRT alone; in this cohort 134 patients (50%) received the fractionation schedule of 30 Gy in 10 fractions. The most common primary tumor type was breast (33%) followed by lung (29%), and solitary brain metastasis was present in 38.1% of patients. The prognostic factors evaluated for overall survival were: gender, age, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), number of lesions, localization of lesions, primary tumor site, surgery, chemotherapy, absence extracranial disease, RPA class and radiation doses and fractionation. RESULTS: The OS in 1, 2 and 3 years was 25, 1%, 10, 4% e 4, 3% respectively, and the median survival time was 4.6 months. The median survival time in months according to RPA class after WBRT was: 6.2 class I, 4.2 class II and 3.0 class III (p < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, the significant prognostic factors associated with better survival were: KPS higher than 70 (p < 0.0001), neurosurgery (p < 0.0001) and solitary brain metastasis (p = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, KPS higher than 70 (p < 0.001) and neurosurgery (p = 0.001) maintained positively associated with the survival. CONCLUSION: In this series, the patients with higher perform status, RPA class I, and treated with surgery followed by whole brain radiotherapy had better survival. This data suggest that patients with cancer and a single metastasis to the brain may be treated effectively with surgical resection plus radiotherapy. The different radiotherapy doses and fractionation schedules did not altered survival

Cell-Free Synthesis of the Mitochondrial ADP/ATP Carrier Protein of Neurospora crassa

ADP/ATP carrier protein was synthesized in heterologous cell-free systems programmed with Neurospora poly(A)-containing RNA and homologous cell-free systems from Neurospora. The apparent molecular weight of the product obtained in vitro was the same as that of the authentic mitochondrial protein. The primary translation product obtained in reticulocyte lysates starts with formylmethionine when formylated initiator methionyl-tRNA (fMet-tRNAfMet) was present. The product synthesized in vitro was released from the ribosomes into the postribosomal supernatant. The evidence presented indicates that the ADP/ATP carrier is synthesized as a polypeptide with the same molecular weight as the mature monomeric protein and does not carry an additional sequence

Utilização de fósforo do solo e do fertilizante por tomateiro

Phosphorus, despite its relatively low content in most crops is the most applied nutrient as mineral fertilizer and is an important fraction of the cost of agricultural production. Knowledge of the differences among plant varieties in relation to soil and fertilizer P uptake is fundamental for breeding improvement programs and management of phosphate fertilization. Differences in P uptake from soil and fertilizer (triple superphosphate), soil P availability through L and A values, and the physiologic, ecophysiologic and agronomic efficiencies of two commercial tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Will) varieties, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, were evaluated by the 32P technique. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using two soils, a dystrophic Dark Red Latosol and an eutrophic Red Yellow Latosol, and two P fertilizer application rates (0 and 31.1 mg kg-1). Plant responses were markedly different in the two different soils. There was a clear increase in dry matter production, L value, and P uptake from the soil due to fertilizer application, but not in the A values. Differences in dry matter production, P concentration and physiologic, ecophysiologic and agronomic efficiency between varieties differed more for the eutrophic Red Yellow Latosol. There was no difference between the two varieties in relation to the uptake of soil and fertilizer P, L and A values.O fósforo, embora seja o macronutriente em menor concentração na maioria das culturas, é o mais aplicado como fertilizante mineral, constituindo uma parcela significativa do custo de produção agrícola. O conhecimento das diferenças entre variedades de plantas em relação à absorção do fósforo do solo e do fertilizante torna-se de grande importância para programas de melhoramento e manejo da adubação fosfatada. Utilizando a técnica do traçador radioativo 32P, foram avaliadas as diferenças na absorção de fósforo proveniente do solo e do fertilizante (superfosfato triplo), na disponibilidade de P do solo pelos valores L e A e nas eficiências fisiológica, ecofisiológica e agronômica do nutriente pelas variedades comerciais de tomate (Licopersicum esculentum Will) Santa Clara e Santa Cruz. Conduziu-se um experimento em condições de casa de vegetação com dois solos (Latossolo Vermelho distrófico e Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo eutrófico) e dois níveis de P (0 e 31,1 mg kg-1). A resposta das plantas foi diferente nos dois solos e em concordância com suas características. Houve aumentos significativos, em ambos os solos, na produção de matéria seca, no valor L e na absorção de P do solo devido à aplicação do fertilizante mineral, mas não no valor A. Diferenças entre variedades quanto à produção de matéria seca, concentração de fósforo, eficiência fisiológica, ecofisiológica e agronômica foram mais marcadas no solo Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo eutrófico. Não houve diferenças entre as variedades na absorção de P do solo e do fertilizante, valores L e A