Under-Fuelling for the Work Required? Assessment of Dietary Practices and Physical Loading of Adolescent Female Soccer Players during an Intensive International Training and Game Schedule

Previous studies demonstrate that “under-fuelling” (i.e., reduced carbohydrate (CHO) and energy intake (EI) in relation to recommended guidelines) is prevalent within adult female soccer players, the consequence of which may have acute performance and chronic health implications. However, the dietary practices of adolescent female soccer players, a population who may be particularly at risk for the negative aspects of low energy availability (LEA), are not well documented. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify EI and CHO intake, physical loading and estimated energy availability (EA) in elite national team adolescent female soccer players (n = twenty-three; age, 17.9 ± 0.5 years) during a 10-day training and game schedule comprising two match days on day six (MDa) and nine (MDb). The players self-reported their EI via the remote food photography method, whilst the physical loading and associated exercise energy expenditure were assessed via GPS technology. The relative CHO intake was significantly greater (all p 6 g·kg−1) for intensive training and game schedules. These data provide further evidence for the requirement to create and deliver targeted player and stakeholder education and behaviour change interventions (especially for younger athletes) that aim to promote increased daily CHO intake in female soccer players

What is the evidence for interactions between filaggrin null mutations and environmental exposures in the aetiology of atopic dermatitis? A systematic review

Background Epidemiological studies indicate that gene–environment interactions play a role in atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives To review the evidence for gene–environment interactions in AD aetiology, focusing on filaggrin (FLG) loss-of-function mutations. Methods A systematic search from inception to September 2018 in Embase, MEDLINE and BIOSIS was performed. Search terms included all synonyms for AD and filaggrin/FLG; any genetic or epidemiological study design using any statistical methods were included. Quality assessment using criteria modified from guidance (ROBINS-I and Human Genome Epidemiology Network) for nonrandomized and genetic studies was completed, including consideration of power. Heterogeneity of study design and analyses precluded the use of meta-analysis. Results Of 1817 papers identified, 12 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria required and performed formal interaction testing. There was some evidence for FLG–environment interactions in six of the studies (P-value for interaction ≤ 005), including early-life cat ownership, older siblings, water hardness, phthalate exposure, higher urinary phthalate metabolite levels (which all increased AD risk additional to FLG null genotype) and prolonged breastfeeding (which decreased AD risk in the context of FLG null genotype). Major limitations of published studies were the low numbers of individuals (ranging from five to 94) with AD and FLG loss-of-function mutations and exposure to specific environmental factors, and variation in exposure definitions. Conclusions Evidence on FLG–environment interactions in AD aetiology is limited. However, many of the studies lacked large enough sample sizes to assess these interactions fully. Further research is needed with larger sample sizes and clearly defined exposure assessment

What is the evidence for interactions between filaggrin null mutations and environmental exposures in the aetiology of atopic dermatitis? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies indicate that gene-environment interactions play a role in atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence for gene-environment interactions in AD aetiology, focusing on filaggrin (FLG) loss-of-function mutations. METHODS: A systematic search from inception to September 2018 in Embase, MEDLINE and BIOSIS was performed. Search terms included all synonyms for AD and filaggrin/FLG; any genetic or epidemiological study design using any statistical methods were included. Quality assessment using criteria modified from guidance (ROBINS-I and Human Genome Epidemiology Network) for nonrandomized and genetic studies was completed, including consideration of power. Heterogeneity of study design and analyses precluded the use of meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of 1817 papers identified, 12 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria required and performed formal interaction testing. There was some evidence for FLG-environment interactions in six of the studies (P-value for interaction ≤ 0·05), including early-life cat ownership, older siblings, water hardness, phthalate exposure, higher urinary phthalate metabolite levels (which all increased AD risk additional to FLG null genotype) and prolonged breastfeeding (which decreased AD risk in the context of FLG null genotype). Major limitations of published studies were the low numbers of individuals (ranging from five to 94) with AD and FLG loss-of-function mutations and exposure to specific environmental factors, and variation in exposure definitions. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence on FLG-environment interactions in AD aetiology is limited. However, many of the studies lacked large enough sample sizes to assess these interactions fully. Further research is needed with larger sample sizes and clearly defined exposure assessment. Linked Comment: Park and Seo. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:411

Normalising the conversation: a qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support within elite female soccer

Purpose: This qualitative study explores player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support in elite female soccer. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 47 participants including players (n = 12), parents (n = 9), coaches (n = 9), sport scientists (n = 7), nutritionists (n = 5) and medical staff (n = 5). Results: Via thematic analysis, data demonstrate that elite female soccer players experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms primarily at the onset of and during menses (as also perceived by stakeholders), with most participants perceiving these symptoms to impact performance. Nonetheless, menstrual health support is perceived as minimal and although players have their menstrual status tracked, they report little understanding as to why or how this information is used. This confusion was also present among stakeholders, often as a result of uncertainty about the evidence supporting the need for menstrual health support. The perceived lack of support may also be reflective of a culture where conversations about the menstrual cycle are not normalised. Overall, this may result in failure to identify and treat menstrual irregularities despite non-coaching staff members perceiving them to be common amongst players. Conclusion: These data support the need for individualised support based on the lived experiences of individual players and support staff. Furthermore, our research identifies the need for organisational, stakeholder, and player centred education programmes (led by experts in female athlete health) that create an environment where players receive personalised menstrual health support

Carbohydrate fear, skinfold targets and body image issues: a qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of the nutrition culture within elite female soccer

Purpose: This qualitative study explores player and stakeholder perceptions of the role of nutrition in supporting player development and performance in elite female soccer. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (36 ± 18 mins in length) were conducted with 47 participants, including players (n = 12), parents (n = 9), coaches (n = 9), sport scientists (n = 7), nutritionists (n = 5) and medical staff (n = 5). Via thematic analysis, data provided an insight into the nutrition culture within elite women’s soccer. Results and conclusions: Data demonstrate that considerable confusion and misconceptions exist amongst players and stakeholders regarding the theoretical underpinning and practical application of meeting energy requirements. As such, it is perceived that players ‘under-fuel’, which is likely caused by misunderstandings about the impact of carbohydrate intake on body composition, a fear of weight gain and the associated impacts upon body image. The ‘carbohydrate fear’ that is experienced by players is exacerbated by external pressures arising from social media, key stakeholders (e.g., coaches) and the skinfold culture surrounding measurement of body composition. Such cultural issues are amplified by the lack of full-time professionally accredited nutritionists overseeing the provision of nutrition support. Indeed, the infrastructure supporting the women’s game (e.g. staffing resource, on-site food provision, player education programmes, etc.) was considered incomparable to the men’s game. When taken together, our data provide a platform for which to develop organisational, stakeholder and player centred education and behaviour change interventions that strive to promote a positive performance nutrition culture within the women’s game

Normalising the conversation: a qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support within elite female soccer

Purpose: This qualitative study explores player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support in elite female soccer. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 47 participants including players (n = 12), parents (n = 9), coaches (n = 9), sport scientists (n = 7), nutritionists (n = 5) and medical staff (n = 5). Results: Via thematic analysis, data demonstrate that elite female soccer players experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms primarily at the onset of and during menses (as also perceived by stakeholders), with most participants perceiving these symptoms to impact performance. Nonetheless, menstrual health support is perceived as minimal and although players have their menstrual status tracked, they report little understanding as to why or how this information is used. This confusion was also present among stakeholders, often as a result of uncertainty about the evidence supporting the need for menstrual health support. The perceived lack of support may also be reflective of a culture where conversations about the menstrual cycle are not normalised. Overall, this may result in failure to identify and treat menstrual irregularities despite non-coaching staff members perceiving them to be common amongst players. Conclusion: These data support the need for individualised support based on the lived experiences of individual players and support staff. Furthermore, our research identifies the need for organisational, stakeholder, and player centred education programmes (led by experts in female athlete health) that create an environment where players receive personalised menstrual health support

Impact of STROBE Statement Publication on Quality of Observational Study Reporting: Interrupted Time Series versus Before-After Analysis

Background:In uncontrolled before-after studies, CONSORT was shown to improve the reporting of randomised trials. Before-after studies ignore underlying secular trends and may overestimate the impact of interventions. Our aim was to assess the impact of the 2007 STROBE statement publication on the quality of observational study reporting, using both uncontrolled before-after analyses and interrupted time series.Methods:For this quasi-experimental study, original articles reporting cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies published between 2004 and 2010 in the four dermatological journals having the highest 5-year impact factors (≥4) were selected. We compared the proportions of STROBE items (STROBE score) adequately reported in each article during three periods, two pre STROBE period (2004-2005 and 2006-2007) and one post STROBE period (2008-2010). Segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series was also performed.Results:Of the 456 included articles, 187 (41%) reported cohort studies, 166 (36.4%) cross-sectional studies, and 103 (22.6%) case-control studies. The median STROBE score was 57% (range, 18%-98%). Before-after analysis evidenced significant STROBE score increases between the two pre-STROBE periods and between the earliest pre-STROBE period and the post-STROBE period (median score2004-0548% versus median score2008-1058%, p<0.001) but not between the immediate pre-STROBE period and the post-STROBE period (median score2006-0758% versus median score2008-1058%, p = 0.42). In the pre STROBE period, the six-monthly mean STROBE score increased significantly, by 1.19% per six-month period (absolute increase 95%CI, 0.26% to 2.11%, p = 0.016). By segmented analysis, no significant changes in STROBE score trends occurred (-0.40%; 95%CI, -2.20 to 1.41; p = 0.64) in the post STROBE statement publication.Interpretation:The quality of reports increased over time but was not affected by STROBE. Our findings raise concerns about the relevance of uncontrolled before-after analysis for estimating the impact of guidelines

Application of the rainbow trout derived intestinal cell line (RTgutGC) for ecotoxicological studies: molecular and cellular responses following exposure to copper.

There is an acknowledged need for in vitro fish intestinal model to help understand dietary exposure to chemicals in the aquatic environment. The presence and use of such models is however largely restrictive due to technical difficulties in the culturing of enterocytes in general and the availability of appropriate established cell lines in particular. In this study, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) intestinal derived cell line (RTgutGC) was used as a surrogate for the "gut sac" method. To facilitate comparison, RTgutGC cells were grown as monolayers (double-seeded) on permeable Transwell supports leading to a two-compartment intestinal model consisting of polarised epithelium. This two-compartment model divides the system into an upper apical (lumen) and a lower basolateral (portal blood) compartment. In our studies, these cells stained weakly for mucosubstances, expressed the tight junction protein ZO-1 in addition to E-cadherin and revealed the presence of polarised epithelium in addition to microvilli protrusions. The cells also revealed a comparable transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) to the in vivo situation. Importantly, the cell line tolerated apical saline (1:1 ratio) thus mimicking the intact organ to allow assessment of uptake of compounds across the intestine. Following an exposure over 72 h, our study demonstrated that the RTgutGC cell line under sub-lethal concentrations of copper sulphate (Cu) and modified saline solutions demonstrated uptake of the metal with saturation levels comparable to short term ex situ gut sac preparations. Gene expression analysis revealed no significant influence of pH or time on mRNA expression levels of key stress related genes (i.e. CYP3A, GST, mtA, Pgp and SOD) in the Transwell model. However, significant positive correlations were found between all genes investigated suggesting a co-operative relationship amongst the genes studied. When the outlined characteristics of the cell line are combined with the division of compartments, the RTgutGC double seeded model represents a potential animal replacement model for ecotoxicological studies. Overall, this model could be used to study the effects and predict aquatic gastrointestinal permeability of metals and other environmentally relevant contaminants in a cost effective and high throughput manner

Task-related enhancement in corticomotor excitability during haptic sensing with the contra- or ipsilateral hand in young and senior adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Haptic sensing with the fingers represents a unique class of manipulative actions, engaging motor, somatosensory and associative areas of the cortex while requiring only minimal forces and relatively simple movement patterns. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we investigated task-related changes in motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude associated with unimanual haptic sensing in two related experiments. In Experiment I, we contrasted changes in the excitability of the hemisphere controlling the task hand in young and old adults under two trial conditions, i.e. when participants either touched a fine grating (<it>smooth trials</it>) or touched a coarse grating to detect its groove orientation (<it>grating trials</it>). In Experiment II, the same contrast between tasks was performed but with TMS applied over the hemisphere controlling the resting hand, while also addressing hemispheric (right vs. left) and age differences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In Experiment I, a main effect of <it>trial type </it>on MEP amplitude was detected (p = 0.001), MEPs in the task hand being ~50% larger during grating than smooth trials. No interaction with age was detected. Similar results were found for Experiment II, <it>trial type </it>having a large effect on MEP amplitude in the resting hand (p < 0.001) owing to selective increase in MEP size (~2.6 times greater) for grating trials. No interactions with age or side (right vs. left) were detected.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, these results indicate that adding a haptic component to a simple unilateral finger action can elicit robust corticomotor facilitation not only in the working hemisphere but also in the opposite hemisphere. The fact that this facilitation seems well preserved with age, when task difficulty is adjusted, has some potential clinical implications.</p