Η επίδραση των παιχνιδιών μικρών αγωνιστικών χώρων στο αιματολογικό προφίλ νεαρών elite αθλητών της ποδοσφαίρισης

Σκοπός της συγκεκριμένης μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση των μεταβολών στις αιματολογικές παραμέτρους (ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια, αιμοπετάλια, λευκά αιμοσφαίρια και σίδηρος) που προκαλούνται κατά τη διάρκεια έξι παιχνιδιών μικρών αγωνιστικών χώρων (SSG’s) με τη σχέση 4 vs 4 + 2 ΤΦ, με στόχο να βοηθηθούν οι προπονητές στη διαδικασία καθοδήγησης της προπόνησης. Το δείγμα αποτελούνταν από 8 ποδοσφαιριστές επιπέδου ελίτ ομάδας Κ20 (n=8, ηλικίας 18.3±1 ετών) Ά κατηγορίας Super league Ελλάδος, οι οποίοι συμμετείχαν στην έρευνα. Εκτελέσθηκαν έξι παιχνίδια μικρών αγωνιστικών χώρων (SSG’s) με τη σχέση 4 vs 4 + 2 ΤΦ, διάρκειας τεσσάρων λεπτών με διάλειμμα ενδιάμεσα τριών λεπτών, σε γήπεδο με τεχνητό χλοοτάπητα, διαστάσεων 30x20μ. σε εξωτερικό χώρο. Στo πρώτο στάδιο της έρευνας πραγματοποιήθηκαν οι ανθρωπομετρικές μετρήσεις και αξιολογήθηκε η φυσική κατάσταση των ποδοσφαιριστών, ενώ στο δεύτερο στάδιο έγιναν αιμοληψίες, με τα δείγματα αίματος να συλλέγονται πριν και ακριβώς μετά από τα παιχνίδια μικρών αγωνιστικών χώρων. Κατά τη διάρκεια των παιχνιδιών και στα διαλείμματα πραγματοποιούνταν η μέτρηση της καρδιακής συχνότητας και του γαλακτικού οξέος. Όσον αφορά τη στατιστική ανάλυση των δεδομένων χρησιμοποιήσαμε περιγραφική στατιστική ανάλυση (μέσος όρος ,τυπική απόκλιση) για κάθε μια μεταβλητή ξεχωριστά, ενώ για τη σύγκριση τους χρησιμοποιήθηκε το t – test. Για τη σύγκριση της συχνότητας των κατανομών των διαφόρων μεταβλητών χρησιμοποιήθηκε ο δείκτης συσχέτισης του Pearson. Το επίπεδο σημαντικότητας ορίστηκε στο p<0.05. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας έδειξαν ότι μετά από την προπόνηση των παραπάνω παιχνιδιών οι παίκτες είχαν μ.ο. καρδιακής συχνότητας 182 bpm, ενώ το γαλακτικό στο αίμα κυμάνθηκε στα 8.28 mmol/kg/min. Παρατηρήθηκε ότι τα ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια μειώθηκαν σημαντικά (p<0.05), ενώ τα λευκά αιμοσφαίρια και τα αιμοπετάλια είχαν σημαντική αύξηση (p<0.05) σε σχέση με τη μέτρηση πριν την προπόνηση. Ο σίδηρος δεν είχε αξιόλογη μεταβολή. Από τα αποτελέσματα συμπεραίνεται ότι θα πρέπει οι προπονητές να αντιληφθούν την σημασία που έχουν οι αιματολογικές παράμετροι για την απόδοση των ποδοσφαιριστών και την υγεία τους, καθώς τα συμπεράσματα θα τους βοηθήσουν στον καλύτερο σχεδιασμό της προπόνησης σε προπονητικές μονάδες υψηλής έντασης.The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in haematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and iron) caused, during six SSG’s with the 4 vs 4 ratio to professional soccer athletes U20. The goal of this study was to assist coaches in the training planning process. The sample consisted of 8 U20 ELITE level players (n=8, 18.3 years old ± 1) of the Greek Superleague division who formed the experimental group. Six soccer small sided games were performed with ratio 4 vs 4 +2 goalkeepers. Each game had a duration of 4 minutes with a 3-minute interval between the games. The games were conducted in a pitch with artificial turf with dimensions 30x20m outdoors. In the first stage of the research the anthropometric measurements and physical condition tests were performed, while in the second stage blood samples were collected before and right after the games. Lactic acid and heart rate measurements were performed during the breaks of the games. Descriptive statistical analysis (average, standard deviation) was used for each variable individually while for the comparison between them t-test was used. In order to compare the frequency of distributions of the variables Pearson correlation index was used, while the significance level was set at (p<0.05). The results of the research showed that after training 4 vs 4 the players had a strong physiological fatigue (182 bpm heart rate and 8.28 mmol/kg/min lactic acid in blood). It was observed that red blood cells decreased significantly (p<0.05), while white blood cells and platelets had a significant increase (p<0.05) related with the measurement before the training and iron had no significant change. Coaches should perceive the importance of the hematological parameters for their athlete’s performance and health, taking them into account, as the conclusions of this research will help them to plan better the high intensity training sessions

Association between smoking cessation and alterations in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). A Follow-Up Study from a Greek Tobacco Cessation Clinic

Background: Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of several diseases such as malignancies, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking cessation is now supported by both behavioral counseling and medical pharmacotherapy and is the only effective approach for slowing down an accelerated decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Our study aims to examine changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after smoking cessation for smokers attending our smoking cessation clinic their correlation to smokers’ demographic characteristics.Methods: 114 smokers (48 males and 66 females), with a mean age of 48.36±10.49 years, were enrolled. They were classified in 4 groups, according to their age; 60 years (Group D) and underwent Spirometry on the 1st day of visit, one month (2nd visit) and, 3 months later (3rd visit).Findings: Statistically significant increase in FEV1 values at the 2nd and 3rd visit compared to the 1st visit was observed in smokers who quit smoking in Group Α, B and C (p<0.05). In addition, a statistically significant decrease in FEV1 values at the 2nd and 3rd visit compared to the 1st visit was noticed in smokers who continued smoking in Group B, C and D (p<0.05).Conclusion: Smoking cessation achieved through smoking cessation support led to the improvement of FEV1 values within 3 months. The greatest benefit was observed in smokers under the age of 60

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Interventions: A Triumph for Transcatheter Procedures?

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common valvular pathology, estimated to affect 1.6 million people in the United States alone. Even though guidelines recommend either medical therapy or surgical treatment for TR, the misconception of TR as a benign disease along with the high mortality rates of surgical intervention led to undertreating this disease and commonly describing it as a “forgotten” valve. Recently, the development of transcatheter interventions for TR show promising potential for use in the clinical setting. There are currently few approved and numerous tested percutaneously delivered devices, which can be categorized, based on their mechanism of action, to either valve repair or valve replacement procedures. Both procedures were tested in clinical trials and show an echocardiographic reduction in TR sustained for at least 1 year after the procedure, as well as symptom relief and functional improvement of the patients. Device selection should be personalized, taking into consideration the anatomy of each valve and the available options at each heart center. Moreover, appropriate patient selection and timing of the procedure are also crucial for the success of the procedure. In this review, we analyze the clinical trials available for all devices currently approved or tested, aiming to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent evidence in the field of transcatheter TR interventions

Exhaled nitric oxide and exhaled breath condensate pH as predictors of sputum cell counts in optimally treated asthmatic smokers

Background and objective: Smoking is thought to modify the pattern of airway inflammation. Induced sputum provides useful information on cellular phenotype in inflammatory airways disorders; however, it is time-consuming and difficult to implement in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether exhaled NO (FeNO) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH differed in asthmatic smokers compared with asthmatic non-smokers and healthy subjects, and to evaluate the performance of FeNO and EBC pH for predicting the cellular phenotype of induced sputum. Methods: Asthmatic smokers (n = 40) and nonsmoking asthmatic patients (n = 43) were recruited for the study. Healthy smoking (n = 30) or non-smoking (n = 30) subjects served as controls. FeNO and EBC pH were measured and all subjects underwent sputum induction for assessment of cell counts. Results: EBC pH was significantly lower in asthmatic smokers compared with non-smokers (P &lt; 0.01). FeNO levels were also significantly lower in asthmatic smokers compared with non-smokers (P &lt; 0.001). EBC pH was inversely associated with sputum eosinophils in both asthmatic smokers and non-smokers (P &lt; 0.001), whereas it was inversely associated with sputum neutrophils only in asthmatic smokers (P &lt; 0.001). FeNO was positively associated with sputum eosinophils both in asthmatic smokers and non-smokers (P &lt; 0.001) but was not associated with sputum neutrophils. In asthmatic smokers, FeNOwas a better predictor of sputum eosinophilia, whereas EBC pH was a better predictor of sputum neutrophilia. A combination of FeNO &lt;= 14 ppb together with EBC pH &gt; 7.20 predicted the paucigranulocytic induced sputum phenotype. Conclusions: EBC pH and FeNO levels were significantly lower in asthmatic smokers compared with nonsmokers. Combined specific cut-off levels for FeNO and EBC pH may predict the paucigranulocytic phenotype in asthmatic smokers

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura as a Cause of Type II Respiratory Failure.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura is a rare type of tumor originating from the mesenchyma of the pleura. It is traditionally a benign lesion. However, in some cases malignant features have been observed. The majority of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are noticed by accident on chest X-ray, while the main symptoms include cough, thoracic pain and dyspnea. When growing within the thoracic cavity, these tumors exert pressure on vital adjacent tissues and large vessels. In addition, these tumors can be accompanied with paraneoplastic syndromes that are completely resolved after tumor resection. Respiratory failure is a rare complication of this tumors, which is reported in a handful of cases. Herein, we report a rare case of a benign solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura in a 75-year-old woman complicated with type II respiratory failure

Firstcase of pneumonia-parapneumonic effusion due to Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Trichoderma longibrachiatum is a fungus belonging to the genus Trichoderma. Trichoderma long-ibrachiatum is not thought as a pathogenic for healthy individuals. However, it has the ability to produce toxic peptides and extracellular proteases and has been described to cause invasive infections in immunocompromised hosts. Trichoderma longibrachiatum has been reported as the causative microorganism of lung infections, skin infections, sinus infections, otitis, stomatitis endocarditis, pericarditis, gastrointestinal infections, mediastinitis and peritonitis. We report the first case of pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion in an old woman with diabetes mellitus due to Trichoderma longibrachiatum. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Rationale and Design of the ACS-BP Study: Prognostic Value of In-Hospital Blood Pressure and Indices of Atherosclerosis in Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is a leading risk factor for coronary artery disease and other major cardiovascular events. Objective: Blood pressure variability (BPV), ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) have been proposed as indices that can improve risk stratification for an adverse cardiac outcome. However, their utility in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is unclear. Methods: The AC S-BP study is a single-centre observational cohort study designed to investigate the prognostic role of haemodynamic load and arterial stiffness indices for cardio-renal outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). All consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute AMI with or without ST segment elevation were screened for inclusion in the study. Results and Discussion: Data from baseline clinical and laboratory parameters during their hospitalization were collected. The haemodynamic load of each patient was determined by clinical BP values as well as 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. The AASI was calculated from the raw 24-h BP data and ABI was measured after the third day of hospitalization using a certified device. Patients were followed-up for 12 months in order to collect data for hard cardiovascular and renal endpoints. Conclusion: The study results should clarify the role of these non-invasive tools in secondary risk stratification of such patients