Cognitive functions and mental performance of team sports athletes

Objective: to study cognitive functions and mental performance of team sports athletes’ and persons who are not involved in sports. Materials and methods: The study has 141 participants (23,2 ± 1,7 years), 76 female (23,4 ± 1,8 years) and 64 male (23,0 ± 1,6 years). Group of team sports athletes (main group) consisted of 61 participants: 31 male (22,3 ± 1,3 years), 30 female (23,1 ± 2,1 years). Control group consisted of persons who were not involved in sports, and included 80 people, (23,6 ± 1.5 years):men - 34 (23,7 ± 1,5 years), women - 46 (23,6 ± 1,5 years). Diagnostics of mental health included psychophysical tests focused on memory, attention and mental productivity assessment. Results: athletes have demonstrated higher level of visual memory, volume and switching of attention, mental productivity and mental performance in comparison with persons who were not involved in sports. Male athletes had higher rates of visual memory, volume and switching attention, mental performance in comparison with men who were not involved in sports. Female athletes and women who are not involved in sports have similar level of aural, visual memory, attention but mental productivity and mental capacity are higher in the group of female athletes. Male athletes had higher level of volume and switching of attention, mental productivity and mental performance in comparison to female athletes. Men and women who are not involved in sports differ only in terms of visual memory upwards at women side. Conclusions: high rates of cognitive functions of athletes comparing with persons who are not involved in sports confirm positive impact physical activities on central nervous system. Findings may be used as baseline data for testing cognitive functions and mental performance of athletes in different time segments of sports activity

Heart rate variability in university students engaged in competitive sports at the beginning of a training season

Objective: to study heart rate variability in university students engaged in competitive sports at the beginning of a training season. Materials and Methods: the study summarizes the results of 141 participants. The study group consisted of 61 athletes (22.7±1.3 years), 31 men (22.3±1.3 years) and 30 women (23.1±2.1 years). The control group included 80 students not involved in sports (23.6±1.5 years), 34 men (23.7±1.5 years) and 46 women (23.6±1.5 years). Heart rate variability was assessed by a cardiointervalogramm registration in the background recording of rest for 5 minutes, as well as during an active orthostatic test. A spectral analysis of heart rate wave structure included registration HF, LF, VLF-components, LF/HF ration, and the total power of all waves – TP; complex indices were determined, namely the index of vegetative balance (AMO/SD index) and C30:15 coefficient. Results: we found higher level total spectrum power, parasympathetic activity and reactivity regulation in the study group. We revealed higher spectral indices, as well as C30:15 during active orthostatic tests in the group of athletes. HRV indices of male athletes are higher, both at rest and in orthostasis. HRV indices of female athletes significantly differed only in orthostasis, demonstrating a higher level of regulation. Conclusions: at the beginning of a training season, we found high level of regulatory indices in the functional state of competitive athletes, both male and female. A variety of significant differences in HRV in the studied groups can be used for a dynamic monitoring of changes in regulatory processes during the training cycle

Effect of additions of zinc stearate on the properties of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets

Zinc stearate additions have been used to increase the remanence of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets produced by the powder metallurgy without powder pressing. Zinc stearate acts as an internal lubricant, i.e., it decreases the friction forces between the particles and favors an increase in the degree of texture of the powders, which is induced by the magnetic field. It is shown that the density and the magnetic hysteresis characteristics of sintered magnets produced using additions of 0.15 wt % zinc stearate exceeds the corresponding values obtained for magnets produced without this addition at a filling density of powders in containers of more than 2.9 and 3.0 g/cm3 in dry and wet states, respectively. Using additions of zinc stearate in the amount of 0.15% with respect to the weight of the powder, magnets with a density of 7.55 g/cm3, B r = 14.02 kG, H c = 7.91 kOe, and (BH)max = 46.1 MG Oe have been produced. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Volitional self-regulation and emotional burnout of professional sambo-athletes who suffered from sports injuries

Objective: to study the level of volitional self-regulation and emotional burnout in male sambo-athletes who underwent sports injuries of various degrees of severity. Materials and methods: 60 male sambo-athletes were examined. They were divided into 3 groups of 20 people in each group based on types of sports injuries. Results: significantly (p=0.001) lower level of volitional self-regulation was found in the third group who underwent more injuries (total scale: Q1=6,0; Me=8,0; Q3=10,0; «perseverance»: Q1=5,0; Me=5,5; Q3=8,0; «self-control»: Q1=4,0; Me=4,5; Q3=5,0). More pronounced emotional burnout occured in athletes who had more injuries (Q1=64,5; Me=69,0; Q3=71,0; p=0,001). Inadequate emotional response and emotional and moral disorientation was leveled down with aggravation of the severity of injuries (Q1=25,0; Me=44,0; Q3=61,0; p=0,039). Adaptation systems strain is manifested by a marked emotional exhaustion and decrease in volitional self-regulation with an increase in the number of injuries. Conclusions: if incidence and severity of injuries increases in sambo-athletes the level of volitional self-regulation reduces and emotional burnout occurs, which is characterized by the stress of the system of psychological adaptation

DYNAMICS OF MORBIDITY OF POPULATION IN IRKUTSK BETWEEN DURING SOCIO-ECONOMIC REFORMS

This article presents an analysis of disease trends in selected age groups of the population of Irkutsk for the period of 1992-2009 and it is found that most of these trends are dependent on socio-economic factors. Built polynomial regression models revealed significant increase in morbidity of mental disorders in children, diseases of the nervous system and. the digestive system against opposing change prevalence of adolescent and. adult population for the analyzed period

Effectiveness of resort the drug Miidronate in order to the level of improve mental performance and to correct psychosomatic status of youth ice hockey league players

The relevance of the issue of scientific research is due to the high prevalence of cognitive impairment of the population, the high prevalence of MP among middle-aged people in the city of Perm. Studying the dynamics of cognitive functions and mental performance of athletes will allow to prevent development of the syndrome of overtraining and decrease of athletic performance. Materials and Methods: The study involved 25 professional athletes of the youth ice hockey league of the sports club "Molof, at the city of Perm. All participants of the study were male, the average age of the athletes was 18,52 ± 1,23 years. All athletes had a general clinical research, diagnosis of mental and emotional status, determining the level of mental health with the help of a battery of psychophysiological tests. Results: The average index increase was recorded after interfering, visual memory, volume, attention switch, mental productivity and interest.Актуальность темы научного исследования обусловлена высокой распространенностью когнитивных нарушений в популяции, высокой распространенность умеренных когнитивных расстройств у лиц зрелого возраста г. Перми. Изучение динамики когнитивных функций и умственной работоспособности у спортсменов позволит предупредить развитие синдрома перетренированное™ и снижения спортивной работоспособности. В исследовании приняли участие 25 профессиональных спортсменов молодежной лиги по хоккею с шайбой спортивного клуба «Молот», город Пермь. Все участники исследования были мужского пола, средний возраст спортсменов -18,52+1,23 лет. Всем спортсменам проводилось общее клинического исследование, диагностика психоэмоционального статуса, определение уровня умственной работоспособности с помощью батареи психофизиологических тестов. Результаты: регистрировалось повышение среднего показателя памяти после интерферирующей, зрительной памяти, объема и переключения внимания, а также психической продуктивности и интереса

Consequences of temperature fluctuations in observables measured in high energy collisions

We review the consequences of intrinsic, nonstatistical temperature fluctuations as seen in observables measured in high energy collisions. We do this from the point of view of nonextensive statistics and Tsallis distributions. Particular attention is paid to multiplicity fluctuations as a first consequence of temperature fluctuations, to the equivalence of temperature and volume fluctuations, to the generalized thermodynamic fluctuations relations allowing us to compare fluctuations observed in different parts of phase space, and to the problem of the relation between Tsallis entropy and Tsallis distributions. We also discuss the possible influence of conservation laws on these distributions and provide some examples of how one can get them without considering temperature fluctuations.Comment: Revised version of the invited contribution to The European Physical Journal A (Hadrons and Nuclei) topical issue about 'Relativistic Hydro- and Thermodynamics in Nuclear Physics' guest eds. Tamas S. Biro, Gergely G. Barnafoldi and Peter Va

Антиагрегантная и антикоагулянтная активность 7-О-гентиобиозида формононетина в условиях in vitro и in vivo

Aim. In experiments in vitro and in vivo it was investigated the effect of isoflavone 7-O-gentiobiozide formononetin (GBF) isolated from the roots of the plant Maackia аmurensis (Maackia amurensis Rupr. et Maxim.), on the processes of vascular-platelet and coagulation hemostasis.Materials and methods. In experiments using blood of healthy human plasma in concentrations of GBF 1,0–50,0 mM promoted dose-dependently ADP-induced weakening of platelet aggregation. Since the concentration of 10,0 mM GBF induced hypocoagulative changes in blood plasma, comparable with the effect of 0,2–0,5 IU/ml heparin. Revealed hypocoagulative effect was confirmed in the application thromboelastometry, showing pronounced hypocoagulation and a significant reduction in fibrin formation dynamics.Results. In chronic GBF oral administration to rats at a dose of 25 mg/kg was fixed almost a 10-fold reduction in ADP-induced platelet aggregation, with increased content of these cells in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, in these conditions, there was a pronounced effect of GBF’s hypocoagulation which was implemented in inhibiting reactions inner and outer tracks of blood clotting, reducing the rate of formation of fibrin and its mechanical density.Conclusion.Thus, in experiments in vitro and in vivo for the first time revealed the ability of isoflavone 7-O-gentiobiozideformononetin extracted from the roots Maackia amurensis, inhibit the processes of vascularplatelet and coagulation hemostasis. This fact is of great practical importance, because it opens the prospective of the development of a new drug that can reduce the risk of thrombosis in various cardiovascular diseases.Цель. В экспериментах in vitro и in vivo исследовать влияние изофлавоноида 7-О-гентиобиозида формононетина (ГБФ), выделенного из корней растения маакия амурская (Maackia amurensis Rupr. et Maxim.), на показатели сосудисто-тромбоцитарного и коагуляционного гемостаза.Материал и методы. В экспериментах in vitro использовалась плазма крови 19 практически здоровых добровольцев обоего пола в возрасте 23–34 года, не принимавших каких-либо лекарственных препаратов на протяжении как минимум 2 нед до забора крови. Изучение ГБФ проводилось с применением обедненной или обогащенной тромбоцитами плазмы, полученной в соответствии с имеющимися рекомендациями. В контрольных исследованиях применялась та же плазма, но с добавлением растворителя в конечных концентрациях 1,25– 2,5%. В качестве объекта сравнения в ходе изучения влияния ГБФ на коагуляционный гемостаз использовали гепаринизированную плазму крови человека с конечной концентрацией нефракционированного гепарина 0,2–0,5 МЕ/мл. Исследования in vivo выполнены на аутбредных крысах сток Wistar обоего пола массой 220–270 г. На протяжении всего периода наблюдения животные находились в условиях свободного доступа к воде и пище при нормальном чередовании светлого и темного времени суток. Для изучения влияния длительного введения ГБФ на показатели сосудисто-тромбоцитарного и коагуляционного гемостаза животные были разделены на четыре группы по 10–12 крыс в каждой. Первой и второй группам крыс на протяжении 10 сут перорально вводили ГБФ в виде крахмальной взвеси в дозе 25 мг/кг массы тела. Полученные результаты сравнивали с соответствующими показателями контрольных животных (третья и четвертая группы), которые в течение такого же периода времени получали эквиобъемные количества крахмальной слизи.Результаты. В опытах с использованием плазмы крови здоровых людей ГБФ в концентрациях 1,0–50,0 мМ способствовал дозозависимому ослаблению индуцируемой аденозиндифосфатом (АДФ) агрегации тромбоцитов. В концентрации 50,0 мМ ГБФ вызывал гипокоагуляционные сдвиги в плазме крови, сопоставимые с действием 0,2–0,5 МЕ/мл гепарина. Выявленный гипокоагуляционный эффект подтвердился при применении тромбоэластометрии, демонстрируя выраженную гипокоагуляцию и существенное снижение динамики фибринообразования. При хроническом энтеральном введении ГБФ крысам в дозе 25 мг/кг было зафиксировано почти 10-кратное снижение АДФ-индуцированной агрегации тромбоцитов на фоне увеличения содержания этих клеток в периферической крови. Кроме того, в этих условиях наблюдался выраженный гипоко-агуляционный эффект ГБФ, который реализовывался в торможении реакций внутреннего и внешнего путей свертываемости крови, снижении скорости образования фибрина и его механической плотности. Заключение. В экспериментах in vitro и in vivo впервые выявлена способность изофлавоноида 7-О-гентиобиозида формононетина, выделенного из корней маакии амурской, ингибировать показатели сосудисто-тромбоцитарного и коагуляционного гемостаза. Этот факт имеет важное практическое значение, поскольку открывает перспективу создания нового лекарственного средства, способного уменьшить вероятность возникновения тромбозов при различных сердечно-сосудистых заболеваниях

Cynomolgus Macaque as an Animal Model for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

BACKGROUND: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and 2003 affected global health and caused major economic disruption. Adequate animal models are required to study the underlying pathogenesis of SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection and to develop effective vaccines and therapeutics. We report the first findings of measurable clinical disease in nonhuman primates (NHPs) infected with SARS-CoV. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In order to characterize clinically relevant parameters of SARS-CoV infection in NHPs, we infected cynomolgus macaques with SARS-CoV in three groups: Group I was infected in the nares and bronchus, group II in the nares and conjunctiva, and group III intravenously. Nonhuman primates in groups I and II developed mild to moderate symptomatic illness. All NHPs demonstrated evidence of viral replication and developed neutralizing antibodies. Chest radiographs from several animals in groups I and II revealed unifocal or multifocal pneumonia that peaked between days 8 and 10 postinfection. Clinical laboratory tests were not significantly changed. Overall, inoculation by a mucosal route produced more prominent disease than did intravenous inoculation. Half of the group I animals were infected with a recombinant infectious clone SARS-CoV derived from the SARS-CoV Urbani strain. This infectious clone produced disease indistinguishable from wild-type Urbani strain. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV infection of cynomolgus macaques did not reproduce the severe illness seen in the majority of adult human cases of SARS; however, our results suggest similarities to the milder syndrome of SARS-CoV infection characteristically seen in young children