Ειδική αλματική ικανότητα νεαρών καλαθοσφαιριστριών

Εισαγωγή: Η Καλαθοσφαίριση απαιτεί υψηλή φυσική κατάσταση, είναι ένα ‘άθλημα με συνεχή εναλλαγή φάσεων απ’ την άμυνα προς την επίθεση και αντίστροφα. Η μείωση των χρονικών επιθέσεων στα 24’’, αναγκάζει τις αθλήτριες να είναι σ’ ένα συνεχές transition, κάτι που αποδεικνύει ότι το άθλημα απαιτεί υψηλή αναερόβια ικανότητα. Οι ταχύτητες μικρών αποστάσεων, τα πλάγια βήματα, και τα συνεχή άλματα είναι μέσα στο παιχνίδι. Η αλτική ικανότητα θεωρείται σημαντικό στοιχείο στην εξέλιξη των αθλητριών της καλαθοσφαίρισης τόσο σε άμυνα, όσο και στην επίθεση. Σκοπός: Είναι να μελετήσουμε την βιβλιογραφία προηγούμενων ερευνών στην ειδική αλτική ικανότητα και να προτείνουμε test και μετρήσεις, για νεαρές αθλήτριες της καλαθοσφαίρισης, με προσομοιώσεις πάνω στις βασικές κινήσεις της καλαθοσφαίρισης. Μεθοδολογία: Στην παρούσα έρευνα έλαβαν μέρος 14 παίκτριες καλαθοσφαίρισης, ηλικίας 13-14 χρονών, από ομάδες της Αττικής, οι οποίες αγωνίζονται στην κατηγορία των κορασίδων. Έγιναν μετρήσεις σωματομετρικών και έγιναν 2 μετρήσεις ειδικής αλματικής ικανότητας (μέγιστο κάθετο άλμα με φόρα 3 διασκελισμών με απογείωση με τα δύο πόδια, μέγιστο κάθετο άλμα με φόρα δύο διασκελισμών με απογείωση την μία φορά με το κυρίαρχο πόδι και την δέυτερη με το μη κυρίαρχο. Αποτελέσματα: Οι υπέρβαρες καλαθοσφαιρίστριες, σε σχέση με την ηλικία τους, είχαν μικρότερη αλτική ικανότητα. Ο BMI και το ύψος του άλματος είτε η απογείωση ήταν με 2 πόδια είτε με το 1 πόδι κυρίαρχο ή μη κυρίαρχο, είχαν αρνητική συσχέτιση. Συμπεράσματα: Οι προπονητές των ομάδων καλαθοσφαίρισης των κορασίδων, θα πρέπει μέσα στο εβδομαδιαίο προπονητικό τους πλάνο, να περιέχουν στοιχεία γενικής αλτικής ικανότητας, που θα καταλήγουν στην ειδική αλματική ικανότητα. Αυτό θα πρέπει να υπάρχει στον ετήσιο προγραμματισμό των προπονητών, και θα πρέπει να δουλεύουν περισσότερο στην off-season και την προαγωνιστική περίοδο για να βελτιώνουν αρχικά την γενική και έπειτα την ειδική φυσική κατάσταση των αθλητριών της καλαθοσφαίρισης. Επίσης, θα πρέπει να συνεχίσουν να γίνονται έρευνες τέτοιου είδους, που θα καλυτερέψουν τους αθλητές ατομικά και τις ομάδες στην συνέχεια.Όχ

Evolution of Minimally Invasive and Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing: An Overview

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has become a common supplementary diagnοstic/testing tοol for in vitro fertilization (ΙVF) cycles due to a significant increase in cases of PGT fοr mοnogenic cοnditions (ΡGT-M) and de novο aneuplοidies (ΡGT-A) over the last ten years. This tendency is mostly attributable to the advancement and application of novel cytogenetic and molecular techniques in clinical practice that are capable of providing an efficient evaluation of the embryonic chromosomal complement and leading to better IVF/ICSI results. Although PGT is widely used, it requires invasive biopsy of the blastocyst, which may harm the embryo. Non-invasive approaches, like cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, have lower risks but have drawbacks in consistency and sensitivity. This review discusses new developments and opportunities in the field of preimplantation genetic testing, enhancing the overall effectiveness and accessibility of preimplantation testing in the framework of developments in genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and the integration of artificial intelligence in the interpretation of genetic data

Biological and Clinical Significance of Mosaicism in Human Preimplantation Embryos

Applications and indications of assisted reproduction technology are expanding, but every new approach is under scrutiny and thorough consideration. Recently, groups of assisted reproduction experts have presented data that support the clinical use of mosaic preimplantation embryos at the blastocyst stage, previously excluded from transfer. In the light of published contemporary studies, with or without clinical outcomes, there is growing evidence that mosaic embryos have the capacity for further in utero development and live birth. Our in-depth discussion will enable readers to better comprehend current developments. This expansion into the spectrum of ART practices requires further evidence and further theoretical documentation, basic research, and ethical support. Therefore, if strict criteria for selecting competent mosaic preimplantation embryos for further transfer, implantation, fetal growth, and healthy birth are applied, fewer embryos will be excluded, and more live births will be achieved. Our review aims to discuss the recent literature on the transfer of mosaic preimplantation embryos. It also highlights controversies as far as the clinical utilization of preimplantation embryos concerns. Finally, it provides the appropriate background to elucidate and highlight cellular and genetic aspects of this novel direction

Cancer Associated PRDM9: Implications for Linking Genomic Instability and Meiotic Recombination

The PR domain-containing 9 or PRDM9 is a gene recognized for its fundamental role in meiosis, a process essential for forming reproductive cells. Recent findings have implicated alterations in the PRDM9, particularly its zinc finger motifs, in the onset and progression of cancer. This association is manifested through genomic instability and the misregulation of genes critical to cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. In our comprehensive study, we harnessed advanced bioinformatic mining tools to delve deep into the intricate relationship between PRDM9F and cancer. We analyzed 136,752 breakpoints and found an undeniable association between specific PRDM9 motifs and the occurrence of double-strand breaks, a phenomenon evidenced in every cancer profile examined. Utilizing R statistical querying and the Regioner package, 55 unique sequence variations of PRDM9 were statistically correlated with cancer, from a pool of 1024 variations. A robust analysis using the Enrichr tool revealed prominent associations with various cancer types. Moreover, connections were noted with specific phenotypic conditions and molecular functions, underlining the pervasive influence of PRDM9 variations in the biological spectrum. The Reactome tool identified 25 significant pathways associated with cancer, offering insights into the mechanistic underpinnings linking PRDM9 to cancer progression. This detailed analysis not only confirms the pivotal role of PRDM9 in cancer development, but also unveils a complex network of biological processes influenced by its variations. The insights gained lay a solid foundation for future research aimed at deciphering the mechanistic pathways of PRDM9, offering prospects for targeted interventions and innovative therapeutic approaches in cancer management

Sperm Mitochondrial Content and Mitochondrial DNA to Nuclear DNA Ratio Are Associated with Body Mass Index and Progressive Motility

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a risk factor in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. According to the energy requirements, oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain work together to produce ATP in sufficient quantities in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. Abnormal mitochondrial activity causes fat accumulation and insulin resistance as cells require a balance between the production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the mitochondria and the dissipation of the proton gradient to reduce damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aims to explore the relationship between the mitochondrial content of sperm and the ratio of mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA in relation to body mass index (BMI) and how it may affect the progressive motility of sperm cell. Understanding the relationships between these important variables will help us better understand the possible mechanisms that could connect sperm motility and quality to BMI, as well as further our understanding of male fertility and reproductive health. Methods: Data were collected from 100 men who underwent IVF/ICSI at the University Hospital of Ioannina’s IVF Unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. The body mass index (BMI) of the males tested was used to classify them as normal weight; overweight; and obese. Evaluations included sperm morphology; sperm count; sperm motility; and participant history. Results: In the group of men with normal BMI, both BMI and progressive motility displayed a statistically significant association (p p p = 0.034) and not with BMI (p = 0.24). Conclusions: We found that in all three groups, BMI and progressive motility exhibited comparable relationships with mitochondrial DNA expression and the mtDNA/nDNA ratio. However, only in the normal group and in the obese group, the relative mitochondrial DNA copy number showed a positive association with BMI and progressive motility