Dendrimers as anti-inflammatory agents

Dendrimers constitute an intriguing class of macromolecules which find applications in a variety of areas including biology. These hyperbranched macromolecules with tailored backbone and surface groups have been extensively investigated as nanocarriers for gene and drug delivery, by molecular encapsulation or covalent conjugation. Dendrimers have provided an excellent platform to develop multivalent and multifunctional nanoconjugates incorporating a variety of functional groups including drugs which are known to be anti-inflammatory agents. Recently, dendrimers have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties themselves. This unexpected and intriguing discovery has provided an additional impetus in designing novel active pharmaceutical agents. In this review, we highlight some of the recent developments in the field of dendrimers as nanoscale anti-inflammatory agents

Comparative analysis of the use of space in 7-a-side and 8-a-side soccer: How to determine minimum sample size in observational methodology

In 2011-2012, the Spanish Soccer Federation changed the format of junior championship matches played between regional-level teams in Spain from a 7-a-side to an 8-a-side format. Soon afterwards, the regional federations followed in their footsteps by adapting their competition formats accordingly. Taking the use of space as a functional indicator of the quality of play in U-10 soccer, the present study examines the relative suitability of the 7-a-side and 8-a-side formats for developing the skills of young players. Of 9 hypothesis contrasts relating to the zone in which a move initiated in the attacking team's goal area ended, only one was significant (p < .05) in the standard analysis, even though the contingency tables suggested there were genuine differences between the two formats studied. Consequently, the statistical software program GPower was used to determine the minimum sample size necessary to detect significant differences for four levels of statistical power: 95%, 90%, 85%, and 80%. Given the difficulty of organizing a new round of data collection, we simulated an increase in sample size while maintaining the characteristics of the original data (frequencies, variability, and distribution). The results obtained through the original sampling were then compared with those from the simulation. © 2015 Edições Desafio Singular

Optimization of game formats in U-10 soccer using logistic regression analysis

Small-sided games provide young soccer players with better opportunities to develop their skills and progress as individual and team players. There is, however, little evidence on the effectiveness of different game formats in different age groups, and furthermore, these formats can vary between and even within countries. The Royal Spanish Soccer Association replaced the traditional grassroots 7-a-side format (F-7) with the 8-a-side format (F-8) in the 2011-12 season and the country's regional federations gradually followed suit. The aim of this observational methodology study was to investigate which of these formats best suited the learning needs of U-10 players transitioning from 5-a-side futsal. We built a multiple logistic regression model to predict the success of offensive moves depending on the game format and the area of the pitch in which the move was initiated. Success was defined as a shot at the goal. We also built two simple logistic regression models to evaluate how the game format influenced the acquisition of technical-tactical skills. It was found that the probability of a shot at the goal was higher in F-7 than in F-8 for moves initiated in the Creation Sector-Own Half (0.08 vs 0.07) and the Creation Sector-Opponent's Half (0.18 vs 0.16). The probability was the same (0.04) in the Safety Sector. Children also had more opportunities to control the ball and pass or take a shot in the F-7 format (0.24 vs 0.20), and these were also more likely to be successful in this format (0.28 vs 0.19). © 2016 Editorial Committee of Journal of Human Kinetics

Adapting football to the child: an application of the logistic regression model in observational mewthodology.

Logistic regression is included into the analysis techniques which are valid for observationalmethodology. However, its presence at the heart of thismethodology, and more specifically in physical activity and sports studies, is scarce. With a view to highlighting the possibilities this technique offers within the scope of observational methodology applied to physical activity and sports, an application of the logistic regression model is presented. The model is applied in the context of an observational design which aims to determine, from the analysis of use of the playing area, which football discipline (7 a side football, 9 a side football or 11 a side football) is best adapted to the child"s possibilities. A multiple logistic regression model can provide an effective prognosis regarding the probability of a move being successful (reaching the opposing goal area) depending on the sector in which the move commenced and the football discipline which is being played

Ultrasound analysis of the eye of chick embryos exposed to low-frequency magnetic fields.

Ultrasonography was used to measure different ocular parameters in chick embryos exposed to low-frequency (50Hz) magnetic fields with flow intensities of 1 µT, 0.1 mT, 0.5 mT, or 1 mT throughout their incubation. In comparison with unexposed control embryos, a significant reduction was observed in corneal thickness and in the anteroposterior diameter of the lens at 21 days of incubation (hatching) during exposure to the highest intensities (0.5 mT and 1 mT). By contrast, there was an increase in the antero posterior diameter of the anterior eye chamber in embryos exposed to the lower magnetic field intensities (1 µT and 0.1 mT). The anteroposterior diameter of the eye was smaller at 21 days of incubation in all the embryos exposed to magnetic fields as compared with the controls. The antero posterior diameter of the lens was significantly smaller in embryos exposed to intensities of 0.5 mT and 1 mT in comparison with the controls

Virological outcome among HIV infected patients transferred from pediatric care to adult units in Madrid, Spain (1997–2017)

The aim of this transversal study was to describe the virological and immunological features of HIV-infected youths transferred from pediatric to adult care units since 1997 vs. the non-transferred patients from the Madrid Cohort of HIV-infected children and adolescents in Spain. We included 106 non-transferred and 184 transferred patients under clinical follow-up in 17 public hospitals in Madrid by the end of December 2017. Virological and immunological outcomes were compared in transferred vs. non-transferred patients. ART drug resistance mutations and HIV-variants were analyzed in all subjects with available resistance pol genotypes and/or genotypic resistance profiles. Among the study cohort, 133 (72.3%) of 184 transferred and 75 (70.7%) of 106 non-transferred patients had available resistance genotypes. Most (88.9%) of transferred had ART experience at sampling. A third (33.3%) had had a triple-class experience. Acquired drug resistance (ADR) prevalence was significantly higher in pretreated transferred than non-transferred patients (71.8% vs. 44%; p = 0.0009), mainly to NRTI (72.8% vs. 31.1%; p < 0.0001) and PI (29.1% vs. 12%; p = 0.0262). HIV-1 non-B variants were less frequent in transferred vs. non-transferred (6.9% vs. 32%; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the frequent resistant genotypes found in transferred youths justifies the reinforcement of HIV resistance monitoring after the transition to avoid future therapeutic failures