Effect of pre-competition weight loss on onautonomic regulation and functional state qualified powerlifters

Background and purpose of the study.Pre-competition weight loss is a common practice among powerlifters to compete in lower weight categories. However its impact on autonomic regulation and functional status in female powerlifters remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rapid weight loss on HRV in qualified female powerlifters, focusing on changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. The hypothesis was that pre-competition weight loss would lead to a decrease in HRV, an increase in sympathetic activity, and a decrease in parasympathetic regulation, indicating physiological stress. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 31 qualified female powerlifters (candidates for master of sports). HRV was measured before and after a 5-10-day weight loss period using a portable cardiomonitor. Key HRV parameters were analyzed, including SDNN, rMSSD, LF, HF, and the LF/HF ratio. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test in Statistica 11.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results. Significant decreases in SDNN (p 0.05). Conclusions. Pre-competition weight loss in skilled female powerlifters results in significant changes in HRV, characterized by increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic regulation. These changes indicate physiological stress and potential risks to cardiovascular health. The results highlight the need for individualized weight management strategies to minimize negative impacts on autonomic regulation and overall health

Efficacy and Safety of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Prefusion F Protein Vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) in Older Adults Over 2 RSV Seasons

Background. The adjuvanted RSV prefusion F protein–based vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) was efficacious against RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (RSV-LRTD) in ≥60-years-olds over 1 RSV season. We evaluated efficacy and safety of 1 RSVPreF3 OA dose and of 2 RSVPreF3 OA doses given 1 year apart against RSV-LRTD over 2 RSV seasons post–dose 1. Methods. In this phase 3, blinded trial, ≥60-year-olds were randomized (1:1) to receive RSVPreF3 OA or placebo pre–season 1. RSVPreF3 OA recipients were re-randomized (1:1) to receive a second RSVPreF3 OA dose (RSV_revaccination group) or placebo (RSV_1dose group) pre–season 2; participants who received placebo pre–season 1 received placebo pre–season 2 (placebo group). Efficacy of both vaccine regimens against RSV-LRTD was evaluated over 2 seasons combined (confirmatory secondary objective, success criterion: lower limits of 2-sided CIs around efficacy estimates >20%). Results. The efficacy analysis comprised 24 967 participants (RSV_1dose: 6227; RSV_revaccination: 6242; placebo: 12 498). Median efficacy follow-up was 17.8 months. Efficacy over 2 seasons of 1 RSVPreF3 OA dose was 67.2% (97.5% CI: 48.2–80.0%) against RSV-LRTD and 78.8% (95% CI: 52.6–92.0%) against severe RSV-LRTD. Efficacy over 2 seasons of a first dose followed by revaccination was 67.1% (97.5% CI: 48.1–80.0%) against RSV-LRTD and 78.8% (95% CI: 52.5–92.0%) against severe RSV-LRTD. Reactogenicity/safety of the revaccination dose were similar to dose 1. Conclusions. One RSVPreF3 OA dose was efficacious against RSV-LRTD over 2 RSV seasons in ≥60-year-olds. Revaccination 1 year post–dose 1 was well tolerated but did not seem to provide additional efficacy benefit in the overall study population. Clinical Trials Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04886596

The respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein vaccine attenuates the severity of respiratory syncytial virus‐associated disease in breakthrough infections in adults ≥60 years of age

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious pathogen causing acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Symptoms range from mild upper respiratory tract infections to potentially life-threatening lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD). In adults ≥60 years old, vaccine efficacy of a candidate vaccine for older adults (RSVPreF3 OA) was 71.7% against RSV-ARI and 82.6% against RSV-LRTD (AReSVi-006/NCT04886596). We present the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from the same trial at the end of the first RSV season in the northern hemisphere (April 2022). Methods: In this phase 3 trial, adults aged ≥60 years were randomized (1:1) to receive one dose of RSVPreF3 OA vaccine or placebo. PROs were assessed using InFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO), Short Form-12 (SF-12), and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaires. Peak FLU-PRO Chest/Respiratory scores during the first 7 days from ARI episode onset were compared using a Wilcoxon test. Least squares mean (LSMean) of SF-12 physical functioning (PF) and EQ-5D health utility scores were estimated using mixed effects models. Results: In the RSVPreF3 OA group (N = 12,466), 27 first RSV-ARI episodes were observed versus 95 in the Placebo group (N = 12,494). Median peak FLU-PRO Chest/Respiratory scores were lower in RSVPreF3 OA (1.07) versus Placebo group (1.86); p = 0.0258. LSMean group differences for the PF and EQ-5D health utility score were 7.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −9.86, 23.85; p = 0.4125) and 0.0786 (95% CI: −0.0340, 0.1913; p = 0.1695). Conclusions: The RSVPreF3 OA vaccine, in addition to preventing infection, attenuated the severity of RSV-associated symptoms in breakthrough infections, with trends of reduced impact on PF and health utility

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine Is Efficacious in Older Adults With Underlying Medical Conditions

Background Older adults with chronic cardiorespiratory or endocrine/metabolic conditions are at increased risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related acute respiratory illness (RSV-ARI) and severe respiratory disease. In an ongoing, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicountry, phase 3 trial in &amp; GE;60-year-old participants, an AS01E-adjuvanted RSV prefusion F protein-based vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) was efficacious against RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (RSV-LRTD), severe RSV-LRTD, and RSV-ARI. We evaluated efficacy and immunogenicity among participants with coexisting cardiorespiratory or endocrine/metabolic conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV disease ("conditions of interest").Methods Medically stable &amp; GE;60-year-old participants received 1 dose of RSVPreF3 OA or placebo. Efficacy against first RSV-LRTD and RSV-ARI episodes was assessed in subgroups with/without coexisting cardiorespiratory or endocrine/metabolic conditions of interest. Immunogenicity was analyzed post hoc in these subgroups.Results In total, 12 467 participants received RSVPreF3 OA and 12 499 received placebo. Of these, 39.6% (RSVPreF3 OA) and 38.9% (placebo) had &amp; GE;1 coexisting condition of interest. The median efficacy follow-up was 6.7 months. Efficacy against RSV-LRTD was high in participants with &amp; GE;1 condition of interest (94.6%), &amp; GE;1 cardiorespiratory (92.1%), &amp; GE;1 endocrine/metabolic (100%), and &amp; GE;2 conditions of interest (92.0%). Efficacy against RSV-ARI was 81.0% in participants with &amp; GE;1 condition of interest (88.1% for cardiorespiratory, 79.4% for endocrine/metabolic conditions) and 88.0% in participants with &amp; GE;2 conditions of interest. Postvaccination neutralizing titers were at least as high in participants with &amp; GE;1 condition of interest as in those without.Conclusions RSVPreF3 OA was efficacious against RSV-LRTD and RSV-ARI in older adults with coexisting medical conditions associated with an increased risk of severe RSV disease.Clinical Trials Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04886596.Graphical Abstrac

Relatório de estágio em farmácia comunitária

Relatório de estágio realizado no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, apresentado à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbr

Improving the Methods of Assessing the Quality of Aircrew Piloting Technique

The article presents aircraft flight data in the landing approach mode, which was obtained on an integrated flight simulator and in actual flight conditions, processed by various probabilistic-statistical methods. These data were used to assess the quality of flight crew piloting techniques. We have reviewed the methods based on the Neyman–Pearson criterion, and the optimal Bayesian criterion is considered. When using them, we revealed the presence of a deterministic sinusoidal component in the flight parameters. We also used the method of analyzing autocorrelation functions and the method of analyzing the spectra of flight parameters of normalized and unnormalized autocorrelation functions. In a comparative analysis of these methods, we have shown that the most informative approach is the analysis of the spectra of flight parameters of normalized and unnormalized autocorrelation functions. This paper shows that the successful completion of the landing stage largely depends on the accuracy of the aircraft entry to the glidepath intercept point.</jats:p

Model characteristics of sensory-motor reactions and perceptions of specific wrestlers of different styles of confrontation

Purpose: to develop model characteristics of sensory-motor reactions and perceptions of specific wrestlers of different styles of conducting fight. Material &amp; Methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, modern competitive activity, generalization of best practices, psycho-physiological research methods, methods of mathematical statistics. The investigations, which were attended by 46 athletes engaged in different kinds of wrestling (freestyle, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, sambo) with expertise from 1 to discharge the master of sports of international class, different ages (from 18 to 35 years). Results: based on the test results determined pedagogical level of psychomotor reactions and perceptions of specific wrestlers basic styles of conducting fight. Conclusions: it determined that the level of development of those or other psychomotor reactions and specific perceptions of athletes has a certain relationship with the typical style of the match

Model characteristics of sensory-motor reactions and perceptions of specific wrestlers of different styles of confrontation

Purpose: to develop a model characteristics of sensory-motor reactions and perceptions of specific wrestlers of different styles of conducting fight. Material & Methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, modern competitive activity, generalization of best practices, psycho-physiological research methods, methods of mathematical statistics. The investigations, which were attended by 46 athletes engaged in different kinds of wrestling (freestyle, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, sambo) with expertise from 1 to discharge the master of sports of international class, different ages (from 18 to 35 years). Results: based on the test results determined pedagogical level of psychomotor reactions and perceptions of specific wrestlers basic styles of conducting fight. Conclusions: it determined that the level of development of those or other psychomotor reactions and specific perceptions of athletes has a certain relationship with the typical style of the match