-
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Beach variants of popular sports like soccer and handball have grown in participation over the last decade. However, the characterization of the workload demands in... (Review)
Review
Beach variants of popular sports like soccer and handball have grown in participation over the last decade. However, the characterization of the workload demands in beach sports remains limited compared to their indoor equivalents. This systematic review aimed to: (1) characterize internal and external loads during beach invasion sports match-play; (2) identify technologies and metrics used for monitoring; (3) compare the demands of indoor sports; and (4) explore differences by competition level, age, sex, and beach sport. Fifteen studies ultimately met the inclusion criteria. The locomotive volumes averaged 929 ± 269 m (average) and 16.5 ± 3.3 km/h (peak) alongside 368 ± 103 accelerations and 8 ± 4 jumps per session. The impacts approached 700 per session. The heart rates reached 166-192 beats per minute (maximal) eliciting 60-95% intensity. The player load was 12.5 ± 2.9 to 125 ± 30 units. Males showed 10-15% higher external but equivalent internal loads versus females. Earlier studies relied solely on a time-motion analysis, while recent works integrate electronic performance and tracking systems, enabling a more holistic quantification. However, substantial metric intensity zone variability persists. Beach sports entail intermittent high-intensity activity with a lower-intensity recovery. Unstable surface likely explains the heightened internal strain despite moderately lower running volumes than indoor sports. The continued integration of technology together with the standardization of workload intensity zones is needed to inform a beach-specific training prescription.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Sports; Heart Rate; Athletic Performance; Bathing Beaches
PubMed: 38931522
DOI: 10.3390/s24123738 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Measuring pilot mental workload (MWL) is crucial for enhancing aviation safety. However, MWL is a multi-dimensional construct that could be affected by multiple factors.... (Review)
Review
Measuring pilot mental workload (MWL) is crucial for enhancing aviation safety. However, MWL is a multi-dimensional construct that could be affected by multiple factors. Particularly, in the context of a more automated cockpit setting, the traditional methods of assessing pilot MWL may face challenges. Heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as a potential tool for detecting pilot MWL during real-flight operations. This review aims to investigate the relationship between HRV and pilot MWL and to assess the performance of machine-learning-based MWL detection systems using HRV parameters. A total of 29 relevant papers were extracted from three databases for review based on rigorous eligibility criteria. We observed significant variability across the reviewed studies, including study designs and measurement methods, as well as machine-learning techniques. Inconsistent results were observed regarding the differences in HRV measures between pilots under varying levels of MWL. Furthermore, for studies that developed HRV-based MWL detection systems, we examined the diverse model settings and discovered that several advanced techniques could be used to address specific challenges. This review serves as a practical guide for researchers and practitioners who are interested in employing HRV indicators for evaluating MWL and wish to incorporate cutting-edge techniques into their MWL measurement approaches.
Topics: Humans; Heart Rate; Workload; Machine Learning; Pilots; Aviation
PubMed: 38931507
DOI: 10.3390/s24123723 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared to a low dose of caffeine (CAF) on cognitive and mood parameters, twenty participants completed a double-blind, crossover experiment where they ingested capsules containing the following: (1) 100 mg CAF, (2) 500 mg GUA containing 130 mg caffeine, or (3) placebo (PLA). Cognitive tests (Simon and 2N-Back Task) were performed at the baseline (pre-ingestion) and 60 min after ingestion. The response time for the cognitive tests and heart rate variability were unaffected ( > 0.05) by treatment, although 2N-Back was overall faster ( = 0.001) across time. The accuracy in the 2N-Back Task showed a significant interaction effect ( = 0.029) due to higher post-ingestion versus pre-ingestion levels ( = 0.033), but only with the PLA. The supplements also had no effect on cognitive measures following physical fatigue ( = 11). There was an interaction effect on perceived mental energy, where the pre-ingestion of GUA had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-ingestion ( = 0.006) and post-exercise ( = 0.018) levels. Neither the acute ingestion of GUA nor low dose of CAF influenced cognitive performance or provided consistent benefit on mood or mental workload through vagal modulation. Additional investigations are beneficial to determining the lowest effective dose for CAF or GUA to influence mood and/or cognitive performance.
Topics: Humans; Caffeine; Paullinia; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Cognition; Adult; Young Adult; Female; Heart Rate; Affect; Vagus Nerve; Plant Extracts; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 38931247
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121892 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024(Laxm.) is a leguminous plant with significant ecological benefits, but its embryonic development mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the flower bud...
(Laxm.) is a leguminous plant with significant ecological benefits, but its embryonic development mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the flower bud differentiation, megaspore and microspore formation, gametophyte development, and embryo and endosperm development in . Our aim was to elucidate the relationship between the external morphology and internal development processes of male and female floral organs during growth, as well as the reproductive factors influencing fruiting. The results indicated that although the pistil develops later than the stamen during flower bud differentiation, both organs mature synchronously before flowering. pollen exhibits three germination grooves, a reticulate outer wall, and papillary structures on the anther surface. In vivo pollination experiments revealed abnormal spiral growth of pollen tubes within the style and the occurrence of callus plugs, which may reduce the seed setting rate. The anther wall development follows the dicotyledonous type, with tetrads formed through microspore meiosis exhibiting both left-right symmetry and tetrahedral arrangements. has a single ovule, and the embryo sac develops in the monosporic polygonum type. After dormancy, the zygote undergoes multiple divisions, progressing through spherical, heart-shaped, and torpedo-shaped embryo stages, culminating in a mature embryo. A mature seed comprises cotyledons, hypocotyl, embryo, radicle, and seed coat. Phylogenetic tree analysis reveals a close genetic relationship between and other leguminous plants from the genera and . This study provides valuable insights into the regulation of flowering and hybrid breeding in leguminous plants and offers a new perspective on the development of floral organs and seed setting rates.
PubMed: 38931095
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121661 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024When animals perceive an acute stressor like a predator, they typically undergo a suite of physiological changes that function to improve survival during the encounter,...
When animals perceive an acute stressor like a predator, they typically undergo a suite of physiological changes that function to improve survival during the encounter, such as elevation in cardiac output, to supply more energy to muscles. If bodily energy is limited, such as by parasites or infections, these functions could become less efficient and lessen host survival. In the aquatic world of microorganisms, individuals can become colonized by other organisms on their surface (epibionts), which could sap energy from their host from their weight, or even compete with the host for food. Here, we tested if one epibiont (a ciliated protozoan, spp.) affects its hosts' ability to mount a physiological stress reaction. We collected wild daphnia () that had varying burdens of these on their bodies and exposed them to a simulated stressor (crushed daphnia, to simulate nearby predation) under a microscope while monitoring for changes in their heart rates in real time. Out of 121 daphnia, those with no epibionts showed no meaningful changes in their heart rate after exposure, but those with light or heavy burdens showed immediate elevations (within 5 min). Moreover, the heart rates of heavily burdened daphnia continued to rise for 1.5 h thereafter, to as much as 17% higher than at baseline. These patterns were unexpected, as they suggest that the ciliated epibionts act to elevate their hosts' physiological reaction, rather than dampen it, perhaps by churning the water column around the host, thereby enhancing the chemical alarm cue. The procedures used in this study may be useful for future investigations into the acute stress reactions of daphnia or other microorganisms.
PubMed: 38930601
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061219 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is widely used for characterizing the mechanical behavior of materials at high strain rates. One of the most challenging factors...
The Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is widely used for characterizing the mechanical behavior of materials at high strain rates. One of the most challenging factors is achieving constant strain rate (CSR) loading of the specimen at a certain strain rate. Obtaining the effective incident pulse based on the experimental material for achieving CSR loading remains unresolved. This research focuses on obtaining the proper incident pulse for achieving constant strain rate loading using the pulse-shaping technique. A parameterized objective incident model in terms of the strain rate and quasi-static (or dynamic stress-strain) behavior of the material is established utilizing the three-wave method. Experimental pulses that closely resemble the desired objective pulses can be generated by adjusting parameters such as the geometry of the shaper, the shaper material, striker velocities, and the length of the striker according to the pulse-shaping model. The model is applied to the design of the incident pulse for BC/2024Al composite material, and the dynamic stress-strain curves at different strain rates are obtained under CSRs. This model provides effective guidance for selecting an appropriate shaper and achieving CSR loading in SHPB tests.
PubMed: 38930300
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122931 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock excluding Impella and...
The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock excluding Impella and IABP use. The large Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was utilized to study any association between the use of ECMO in adults over the age of 18 and mortality and complications with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shocks. ICD-10 codes for ECMO and cardiogenic shock for the available years 2016-2020 were utilized. A total of 796,585 (age 66.5 ± 14.4) patients had a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock excluding Impella. Of these patients, 13,160 (age 53.7 ± 15.4) were treated with ECMO without IABP use. Total inpatient mortality without any device was 32.7%. It was 47.9% with ECMO. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for 47 variables such as age, gender, race, lactic acidosis, three-vessel intervention, left main myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, systolic heart failure, acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, chronic renal disease, etc., ECMO utilization remained highly associated with mortality (OR: 1.78, CI: 1.6-1.9, < 0.001). Evaluating teaching hospitals only revealed similar findings. Major complications were also high in the ECMO cohort. In patients with cardiogenic shock, the use of ECMO was associated with the high in-hospital mortality regardless of comorbid condition, high-risk futures, or type of hospital.
PubMed: 38930138
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123607 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024The sulfide-hydrogen sulfide brine balneotherapy (HSBB), including a combination of dissolved hydrogen sulfide (HS) gas, inorganic sulfur ions (S), and hydrosulfide...
The sulfide-hydrogen sulfide brine balneotherapy (HSBB), including a combination of dissolved hydrogen sulfide (HS) gas, inorganic sulfur ions (S), and hydrosulfide ions (HS), is one of the most important and most effective forms of spa treatment in patients with osteoarticular disorders (OADs). Some cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are often considered to be contraindications to HSBB since the presence of thiol groups may lead to an increased quantity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage the vascular endothelium, and endothelial dysfunction is considered to be the main cause of atherosclerosis. However, there are a number of literature reports suggesting this theory to be false. HS is a member of the endogenous gaseous transmitter family and, since it is a relatively recent addition, it has the least well-known biological properties. HS-NO interactions play an important role in oxidative stress in CVDs. The general objective of this study was to assess the cardiovascular safety of HSBB and analyze the effect of HSBB on selected cardiovascular risk markers. A total of 100 patients at the age of 76.3 (±7.5) years from the Włókniarz Sanatorium in Busko-Zdrój were initially included in the study. The following parameters were assessed: age, sex, height, body weight, body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, the diagnosis of OAD that was the indication for balneotherapy, creatinine (CREAT), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), lipid panel, C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), and fibrinogen (FIBR) and cardiovascular markers: (cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). A significant decrease in DBP and a trend towards SBP reduction were observed over the course of the study. A significant decrease was observed in CRP levels decreasing from 2.7 (±3.6) mg/L to 2.06 (±1.91) mg/L, whereas FIBR rose significantly from 2.95 (±0.59) g/L to 3.23 (±1.23) g/L. LDL-C levels decreased slightly, statistically significant, from 129.36 (±40.67) mg/dL to 123.74 (±36.14) mg/dL. HSBB did not affect the levels of evaluated cardiovascular biomarkers, namely NT-proBNP (137.41 (±176.52) pg/mL vs. 142.89 (±182.82) pg/mL; = 0.477) and cTnT (9.64 (±4.13) vs. 9.65 (±3.91) ng/L; = 0.948). A multiple regression analysis of pre-balneotherapy and post-balneotherapy values showed cTnT levels to be independently correlated only with CREAT levels and GFR values. None of the assessed parameters independently correlated with the NT-proBNP level. HSBB resulted in a statistically significant improvement in a subclinical pro-inflammatory state. HSBB has a beneficial effect in modifying key cardiovascular risk factors by reducing LDL-C levels and DBP values. HSBB has a neutral effect on cardiovascular ischemia/injury. Despite slightly elevated baseline levels of the biochemical marker of HF (NT-proBNP), HSBB causes no further increase in this marker. The use of HSBB in patients with OAD has either a neutral effect or a potentially beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, which may constitute grounds for further studies to verify the current cardiovascular contraindications for this form of therapy.
PubMed: 38930055
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123526 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: Dapagliflozin has shown efficacy in clinical trials in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, real-world data on its use and...
Safety and Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: Multicentre Retrospective Study on Echocardiographic Parameters and Biomarkers of Heart Congestion.
: Dapagliflozin has shown efficacy in clinical trials in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, real-world data on its use and outcomes in routine clinical practice are limited. We aimed to evaluate the utilisation and safety profile of dapagliflozin in a real-world population of HFrEF patients within the Marche region. : Nine cardiology departments within the Marche region retrospectively included HFrEF patients who were initiated on dapagliflozin therapy in an outpatient setting. Data on medical history, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, and laboratory tests were collected at baseline and after 6 months. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted at 1 and 3 months to assess adverse events. We defined the composite endpoint score as meeting at least 50% of four objective measures of improvement among: weight loss, NYHA decrease, ≥50% Natriuretic peptides (NP) decrease, and guideline/directed medical therapy (GDMT) up titration. : We included 95 HFrEF patients aged 66 ± 12 years, 82% were men, 48% had ischemic heart disease, and 20% had diabetes. At six months, glomerular filtration rate declined ( = 0.03) and natriuretic peptides levels decreased, on average, by 23% ( < 0.001). Echocardiographic measurements revealed a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure ( < 0.001) and E/e' ( < 0.001). In terms of drug therapy, furosemide dosage decreased ( = 0.001), and the percentage of the target dose achieved for angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors increased ( = 0.003). By multivariable Cox regression, after adjustment for age, sex, the presence of diabetes/prediabetes, and HF duration, higher baseline Hb concentrations (HR 1.347, 95% CI 1.038-1.746, = 0.025), and eGFR levels (HR 1.016, 95% CI 1.000-1.033, = 0.46). : In a real-life HFrEF population, dapagliflozin therapy is safe and well-tolerated, improves echocardiographic parameters and biomarkers of congestion, and can also facilitate the titration of drugs with a prognostic impact.
PubMed: 38930049
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123522 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Hydrotherapy, including the use of therapeutic showers and bathtubs, has been studied for its potential benefits in labor pain management. Previous research has...
Hydrotherapy, including the use of therapeutic showers and bathtubs, has been studied for its potential benefits in labor pain management. Previous research has indicated that hydrotherapy can alleviate pain, but comparative studies between therapeutic showers and bathtubs are scarce. : This study aims to compare the effects of therapeutic showers and bathtubs on pain perception, labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, and maternal and neonatal outcomes during labor. : A total of 124 pregnant women were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: those who used a therapeutic shower and those who used a bathtub during labor. Pain levels were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, types of delivery, maternal outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, perineal status, maternal hypotension, fever, and breastfeeding), and neonatal outcomes (APGAR scores, fetal heart rate, complications, and neonatal unit admissions) were recorded and analyzed. : Both the therapeutic shower and the bathtub effectively reduced pain perception, with the bathtub showing a greater reduction in VAS scores. The therapeutic shower group experienced a significantly shorter labor duration compared to the bathtub group. The majority of participants in both groups did not require epidural analgesia, with no significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in the types of delivery. Maternal outcomes indicated a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies in the therapeutic shower group. Neonatal outcomes, including APGAR scores and fetal heart rate, were similar between the groups, with no significant differences in complications or neonatal unit admissions. : Both therapeutic showers and bathtubs are effective for pain relief during labor, with the bathtub showing a higher reduction in pain intensity. The therapeutic shower is associated with a shorter labor duration and a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies. Both methods are safe for neonatal well-being, making hydrotherapy a viable non-pharmacological option for pain management in labor. However, the therapeutic shower may offer additional benefits in terms of labor duration and maternal outcomes.
PubMed: 38930046
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123517