Inside pass predicts ball possession effectiveness in NBA basketball

The aims of this study were to analyse the effects of using inside pass on ball possession effectiveness and to identify game performance indicators to predict inside pass success in the National Basketball Association (NBA), considering situational variables. A total of 4207 closed ball possessions (± 10 points difference) where recorded from 25 matches of the 2010 NBA Playoffs series. Ball possessions were classified whether including inside pass (n=808) or not (n=3399). Predictive analysis of use and effectiveness was made through a series of binomial logistic regressions and Classification tree analysis (CHAID). Results indicate that ball possessions including inside pass were more effective and longer in duration, finding a greater use in top-4 NBA teams regardless the game period. Additionally, inside pass effectiveness was influenced by: the receiver attitude, reception distance, and defensive help. Particularly, the analysis of combined performance indicators disclosed relevant information on attack effectiveness, suggesting players to adopt a dynamic attitude in the weak side before getting the ball, while their teammates are developing individual and collective actions to create free space and enhance inside game options and effectiveness. Current findings shed some light on specific knowledge concerning tactical behaviours in NBA basketball, contributing in the design of specific programmes to increase inside game options and players’ decision- making according to specific game constraints

Shooting strategies and effectiveness after offensive rebound and its impact on game result in Euroleague basketball teams

Offensive rebound dominance has been widely shown as a key factor to success in basketball, since provide an extra attack. However, knowledge on how these second-options may results more effective is scarce. Thus, we aimed to discover the influence of shooting after offensive rebound on effectiveness, comparing differences between winners and losers. The sample consisted of 3010 shot attempts from Euroleague-Top-16. Variables pertaining to shooting effectiveness, shooting zone, and game result were registered through systematic observation. Statistical analyses included series of binomial logistic regression analyses. Results showed that shooting effectiveness increases by 67% when shooting after offensive rebound (OR= 1.67; p< 0.01). Additionally, winning teams were more effective after offensive rebound compared to losers (OR= 1.43; p= 0.03). Particularly, winners significantly scored more from the outside than defeated (OR= 3.40; p< 0.01), not finding differences in the inside (p= 0.62). In general, findings point out important advantages of shooting after offensive rebound, showing differences between winners and losers tactics. Thus, it is suggested developing specific tactical behaviours after offensive rebound situations to increase scoring opportunities and winning chances.

Inside game ball transitions according to player’s specific positions in NBA basketball

The purposes of this study were to identify players’ relationships and detecting ball transitions patterns according to their specic position when using inside pass, in the National Basketball Association (NBA) competition. In total, 808 inside passes (ball possession score dierences below 10 points) from 25 matches (NBA Playos, 2011) were analysed through systematic observation. A decision tree analysis (Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) was used to identify ball transitions patterns regarding specific players’ position (roots) and passer-receiver interactions (predictors). We detected strong pass and reception sequences of movements according to players’ specific position, especially when including interactions between perimeter and post players. Game conditions such as reception zone, pass distance, reception attitude, and defensive helps were also inuenced by players’ position. Current results point out the outside-inside coordination as an essential key to success in the NBA. It is recommended developing game dynamics focused in taking advantage of the high and low-post positions, as well as performing supporting actions in the weak side to enhance inside pass options. ese ndings may have implications in basketball training and competition process, contributing in a better understanding of collective strategies which leads to an accurate designing of practices task focused on increasing inside game options and players’ decision-making according to specific competition constraints.

Inside Game Effectiveness in Nba Basketball: Analysis of Collective Interactions

The inside game constitutes an essential aspect of modern basketball, particularly in the National Basketball Association (NBA), in where the best players of the world compete. The purpose of this study was to identify players’ dynamics that increase game performance when using inside pass in the NBA, considering game contextual effects. The sample included 808 inside passes from 25 randomly selected matches of the 2011 NBA Playoffs series. A series of logistic regression analyses were used to analyse passers and receivers’ actions and their effectiveness during inside passes, both isolated and combined. Main results revealed that the interactions combining passer’s previous actions (dribbling or faking) with receiver’s cuts towards the basket achieved the highest offensive effectiveness. Performing screens in favour to the receiver was an effective alternative to increase inside passing options since it reduces the defensive pressure. Furthermore, player’s actions prior to passing the ball were even more successful if combined and synchronized with the receivers’ displacements, especially cutting to the basket. This information allows a better understanding of basketball collective strategies, contributing to the design of precise practice tasks and so improving the training process

A CADM3 variant causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with marked upper limb involvement

The CADM family of proteins consists of four neuronal specific adhesion molecules (CADM1, CADM2, CADM3 and CADM4) that mediate the direct contact and interaction between axons and glia. In the peripheral nerve, axon-Schwann cell interaction is essential for the structural organization of myelinated fibres and is primarily mediated by the binding of CADM3, expressed in axons, to CADM4, expressed by myelinating Schwann cells. We have identified—by whole exome sequencing—three unrelated families, including one de novo patient, with axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT2) sharing the same private variant in CADM3, Tyr172Cys. This variant is absent in 230 000 control chromosomes from gnomAD and predicted to be pathogenic. Most CADM3 patients share a similar phenotype consisting of autosomal dominant CMT2 with marked upper limb involvement. High resolution mass spectrometry analysis detected a newly created disulphide bond in the mutant CADM3 potentially modifying the native protein conformation. Our data support a retention of the mutant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and reduced cell surface expression in vitro. Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy imaging revealed decreased co-localization of the mutant with CADM4 at intercellular contact sites. Mice carrying the corresponding human mutation (Cadm3Y170C) showed reduced expression of the mutant protein in axons. Cadm3Y170C mice showed normal nerve conduction and myelin morphology, but exhibited abnormal axonal organization, including abnormal distribution of Kv1.2 channels and Caspr along myelinated axons. Our findings indicate the involvement of abnormal axon-glia interaction as a disease-causing mechanism in CMT patients with CADM3 mutations. A correction has been published: Brain, Volume 144, Issue 7, July 2021, Page e64, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awab18

The Snail repressor recruits EZH2 to specific genomic sites through the enrollment of the lncRNA HOTAIR in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

The transcription factor Snail is a master regulator of cellular identity and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) directly repressing a broad repertoire of epithelial genes. How chromatin modifiers instrumental to its activity are recruited to Snail-specific binding sites is unclear. Here we report that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR (for HOX Transcript Antisense Intergenic RNA) mediates a physical interaction between Snail and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), an enzymatic subunit of the polycomb-repressive complex 2 and the main writer of chromatin-repressive marks. The Snail-repressive activity, here monitored on genes with a pivotal function in epithelial and hepatic morphogenesis, differentiation and cell-type identity, depends on the formation of a tripartite Snail/HOTAIR/EZH2 complex. These results demonstrate an lncRNA-mediated mechanism by which a transcriptional factor conveys a general chromatin modifier to specific genes, thereby allowing the execution of hepatocyte transdifferentiation; moreover, they highlight HOTAIR as a crucial player in the Snail-mediated EMT.Oncogene advance online publication, 25 July 2016; doi:10.1038/onc.2016.260

Biallelic mutations in SORD cause a common and potentially treatable hereditary neuropathy with implications for diabetes

Here we report biallelic mutations in the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene (SORD) as the most frequent recessive form of hereditary neuropathy. We identified 45 individuals from 38 families across multiple ancestries carrying the nonsense c.757delG (p.Ala253GlnfsTer27) variant in SORD, in either a homozygous or compound heterozygous state. SORD is an enzyme that converts sorbitol into fructose in the two-step polyol pathway previously implicated in diabetic neuropathy. In patient-derived fibroblasts, we found a complete loss of SORD protein and increased intracellular sorbitol. Furthermore, the serum fasting sorbitol levels in patients were dramatically increased. In Drosophila, loss of SORD orthologs caused synaptic degeneration and progressive motor impairment. Reducing the polyol influx by treatment with aldose reductase inhibitors normalized intracellular sorbitol levels in patient-derived fibroblasts and in Drosophila, and also dramatically ameliorated motor and eye phenotypes. Together, these findings establish a novel and potentially treatable cause of neuropathy and may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes