Ratings of European and South American Football Leagues Based on Glicko-2 with Modifications

One of the key problems in the field of soccer analytics is predicting how a player performance changes when transitioning from one league to another. One potential solution to address this issue lies in the evaluation of the respective league strength. This article endeavors to compute club ratings of the first and second European and South American leagues. In order to calculate these ratings, the authors have designed the Glicko-2 rating system-based approach, which overcomes some Glicko-2 limitations. Particularly, the authors took into consideration the probability of the draw, the home-field advantage, and the property of teams to become stronger or weaker following their league transitions. Furthermore, authors have constructed a predictive model for forecasting match results based on the number of goals scored in previous matches. The metrics utilized in the analysis reveal that the Glicko-2 based approach exhibits a marginally superior level of accuracy when compared to the commonly used Poisson regression-based approach. In addition, Glicko-2 based ratings offer greater interpretability and can find application in various analytics tasks, such as predicting soccer player metrics for forthcoming seasons or the detailed analysis of a player performance in preceding matches. The implementation of the approach is available on github.com/andreyshelopugin/GlickoSoccer

Peppers and their constituents against obesity

Phytotherapy can be an efficient tool for prevention and treatment of disorders including obesity. The purpose of this nar- rative review is to summarize the available knowledge concerning the positive effects of peppers (Capsicum spp.) and their alkaloid capsaicin on human health, in particular on fat and obesity. Search for literature was performed in Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases between the year 2000 and 2023. Words used to search were pepper, Capsicum, capsaicin, review, obesity, fat, weight loss and mechanisms. The available data demonstrate that both pepper extract and capsaicin can positively influence human health and treat several disorders. Moreover, they can reduce fat storage affecting brain centres responsible for the sensation of hunger, nutrient uptake by gastrointestinal tract, state of adipocytes, increase in carbohydrate and fat oxidation, metabolism and thermogenesis and other mechanisms. Therefore, despite some possible limitations, these substances could be useful for treatment of obesity

The effect of yucca on proliferation, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis of porcine ovarian granulosa cells

Yucca shidigera is a medicinal plant native to Mexico. Is a plant widely used in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailmentary disorders, but its action on reproductive processes and possible mechanisms of such action remains unknown. Yucca schidigera extract contains a number of steroidal saponins that, because of their biological activity, have attracted attention from the food industry for many years. Yucca extract is used as a natural feed additive with positive effect to microflora, digestion, metabolism and to improve animal muscle growth. Its extract has been used as a foodstuff and folk medicine to treat a wide variety of diseases for many years. Nevertheless, it remaines unknown, whether consumption of yucca can affect reproductive system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of yucca on basic ovarian cell functions - proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with and without yucca extract (added at doses 0; 1; 10 and 100 μg.mL-1 of medium). Markers of proliferation (% of PCNA-positive cells) and apoptosis (% cells containing bax) were analysed by immunocytochemistry. Release of steroid hormones (progesterone and testosterone) was measured by EIA. It was observed, that addition of yucca inhibited proliferation (expression of PCNA), increased apoptosis (expression of bax), stimulated progesterone and inhibited testosterone release. The ability of yucca to reduce ovarian cell proliferation, to promote ovarian cell apoptosis and affect steroidogenesis demonstrates the direct influence of yucca on female gonads. Furthermore, our observations suggest the multiple sites of action (proliferation, apoptosis, steroidogenesis) of yucca on porcine ovarian cell functions. It is not to be excluded, that consumption of yucca can suppress female reproductive functions

How to Keep University Active during COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from Slovakia

This article was published with the support of the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-17-0158. This paper was supported also by Scientific Grant Agency VEGA project No 1/0880/21 "Transformation of the Nitra Region in Changing Socioeconomic Conditions with Special Focus to the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemics".Conceptualization, M.P., A.S., R.K. and L.P.; methodology, M.P., A.S. and R.K.; validation, M.P., A.S. and L.P.; formal analysis, A.S.; investigation, M.P. and R.K.; resources, L.P. and J.G.M.; data curation, A.S., M.P. and R.K.; writing—original draft preparation, M.P., A.S., R.K., L.P. and J.G.M.; writing—review and editing, R.K.; visualization, L.P.; and supervision, A.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.The paper outlines the adverse consequences and challenges induced by COVID-19 pandemic for the whole world and for universities in particular. The example of Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra illustrates the difficulties and challenges caused by the pandemic in relation to the two main activities arising from the university mission-teaching and research. It presents some particular aspects of the university activities adversely affected by COVID-19 and shares the measures to minimize the resulted damages. Furthermore, it demonstrates that, despite complications induced by COVID-19, teaching, research, and international cooperation have been successfully continued.Slovak Research and Development Agency APVV-17-0158Vedecka grantova agentura MSVVaS SR a SAV (VEGA) 1/0880/2

Abatement of the Stimulatory Effect of Copper Nanoparticles Supported on Titania on Ovarian Cell Functions by Some Plants and Phytochemicals

The application of nanoparticles has experienced a vertiginous growth, but their interaction with food and medicinal plants in organisms, especially in the control of reproduction, remains unresolved. We examined the influence of copper nanoparticles supported on titania (CuNPs/TiO2), plant extracts (buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)), phytochemicals (rutin and apigenin), and their combination with CuNPs/TiO2 on ovarian cell functions, using cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability, proliferation (PCNA accumulation), apoptosis (accumulation of bax), and hormones release (progesterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol) were analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and ELISA, respectively. CuNPs/TiO2 increased cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and testosterone but not progesterone release, and reduced the 17β-estradiol output. Plant extracts and components have similar stimulatory action on ovarian cell functions as CuNPs/TiO2, but abated the majority of the CuNPs/TiO2 effects. This study concludes that (1) CuNPs/TiO2 can directly stimulate ovarian cell functions, promoting ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, turnover, viability, and steroid hormones release; (2) the plants buckwheat and vitex, as well as rutin and apigenin, can promote some of these ovarian functions too; and (3) these plant additives mitigate the CuNPs/TiO2’s activity, something that must be considered when applied together.This research was funded by the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV; project no. APVV-15-0296), the Slovak Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Slovak Academy of Science (VEGA; project no. VEGA 1/0392/17), the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU; project no. CTQ2017-88171-P), the Generalitat Valenciana (GV; project no. AICO/2017/007) and the Universidad de Alicante (grant no. VIGROB-285/19)

Сopper nanoparticles supported on charcoal and betacellulin – Two novel stimulators of ovarian granulosa cell functions and their functional interrelationships

The present experiments are aimed to examine the effect of copper nanoparticles supported on charcoal (CuNPs/ C), growth factor betacellulin (BTC) and their interrelationships in the control of ovarian cell functions. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured in the presence of CuNPs/C (0, 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml), BTC (100 ng/ml) and the combination of both, CuNPs/C + BTC. Markers of cell proliferation (BrDU incorporation), of the S-phase (PCNA) and G-phase cyclin B1) of the cell cycle, markers of extrinsic (nuclear DNA fragmentation) and cytoplasmic/mitochondrial apoptosis (bax and caspase 3), and the release of progesterone and estradiol were assessed by BrDU test, TUNEL, quantitative immunocytochemistry and ELISA. Both CuNPs/C and BTC, when added alone, increased the expression of all the markers of cell proliferation, reduced the expression of all apoptosis markers and stimulated progesterone and estradiol release. Moreover, BTC was able to promote the CuNPs/C action on the accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1, bax and estradiol output. These observations demonstrate the stimulatory action of both CuNPs/C and BTC on ovarian cell functions, as well as the ability of BTC to promote the action of CuNPs/C on ovarian cell functions.This research was financially supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport of the Slovak Republic (VEGA) (project no. VEGA 1/0680/22), by the King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Researchers Supporting Project no. RSP2023R17) and by the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain (GV; grant no. CIAICO/2022/017)

Sex-related variation in compact bone microstructure of the femoral diaphysis in juvenile rabbits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While gross morphological changes in the skeleton between males and females are well know, differences between sexes in the histomorphology are less known. It is important to have knowledge on the bone structure of rabbits, as this is a widely used species in biomedical research. A study was performed to evaluate the association between sex and the compact bone morphology of the femoral diaphysis in juvenile rabbits.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventeen clinically healthy 2–3 month-old rabbits (9 females, 8 males) were included in the study. The rabbits were euthanized and the right femur was sampled for analysis. 70–80 microns thick bone sections of the femoral diaphysis were prepared using standard histological equipment. The qualitative histological characteristics were determined according to internationally accepted classification systems while the quantitative parameters were assessed using the software Scion Image. Areas, perimeters, minimum and maximum diameters of primary osteons' vascular canals, Haversian canals and secondary osteons were measured. Additionally, blood plasma concentrations of progesterone, corticosterone, IGF-I, testosterone and estradiol were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Qualitative histological characteristics were similar for both sexes. However, variations of certain quantitative histological characteristics were identified. Measured parameters of the primary osteons' vascular canals were higher in males than for females. On the other hand, females had significant higher values of secondary osteons parameters. Differences in Haversian canals parameters were only significant for minimum diameter.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study demonstrated that quantitative histological characteristics of compact bone tissue of the femoral diaphysis in juvenile rabbits were sex dependent. The variations may be associated with different growth and modeling of the femur through influence by sex-specific steroids, mechanical loads, genetic factors and a multitude of other sources. The results can be applied in experimental studies focusing on comparison of the skeletal biology of the sexes.</p

Nodal-Dependent Mesendoderm Specification Requires the Combinatorial Activities of FoxH1 and Eomesodermin

Vertebrate mesendoderm specification requires the Nodal signaling pathway and its transcriptional effector FoxH1. However, loss of FoxH1 in several species does not reliably cause the full range of loss-of-Nodal phenotypes, indicating that Nodal signals through additional transcription factors during early development. We investigated the FoxH1-dependent and -independent roles of Nodal signaling during mesendoderm patterning using a novel recessive zebrafish FoxH1 mutation called midway, which produces a C-terminally truncated FoxH1 protein lacking the Smad-interaction domain but retaining DNA–binding capability. Using a combination of gel shift assays, Nodal overexpression experiments, and genetic epistasis analyses, we demonstrate that midway more accurately represents a complete loss of FoxH1-dependent Nodal signaling than the existing zebrafish FoxH1 mutant schmalspur. Maternal-zygotic midway mutants lack notochords, in agreement with FoxH1 loss in other organisms, but retain near wild-type expression of markers of endoderm and various nonaxial mesoderm fates, including paraxial and intermediate mesoderm and blood precursors. We found that the activity of the T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin accounts for specification of these tissues in midway embryos. Inhibition of Eomesodermin in midway mutants severely reduces the specification of these tissues and effectively phenocopies the defects seen upon complete loss of Nodal signaling. Our results indicate that the specific combinations of transcription factors available for signal transduction play critical and separable roles in determining Nodal pathway output during mesendoderm patterning. Our findings also offer novel insights into the co-evolution of the Nodal signaling pathway, the notochord specification program, and the chordate branch of the deuterostome family of animals

The Role and Application of Sirtuins and mTOR Signaling in the Control of Ovarian Functions

The present short review demonstrates the involvement of sirtuins (SIRTs) in the control of ovarian functions at various regulatory levels. External and endocrine factors can affect female reproduction via SIRTs-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) system, which, via hormones and growth factors, can in turn regulate basic ovarian functions (proliferation, apoptosis, secretory activity of ovarian cells, their response to upstream hormonal regulators, ovarian folliculo- and oogenesis, and fecundity). SIRTs and SIRTs-related signaling molecules and drugs regulating mTOR can be used for characterization, prediction, and regulation of ovarian functions, as well as for diagnostics and treatment of ovarian disorders