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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study proposes a new method called "thermopixelgraphy" for analyzing thermal images (TI) through quantifying pixels classified as cold, neutral and hot. For this, we analyzed 30 professional male football players (27.2 ± 4.4 yrs., 69.8 ± 6.6 kg; of 9.8 ± 3.0% of body fat). Thermographic images were obtained in 13 games played in the Brazilian league. Images of the lower limbs (anterior and posterior) were obtained at three moments: M1 (24 h before); M2 (24 h after); M3 (48 h after the match). The total number of pixels in each image were quantified and classified as: (a) cold 28.0–31.0 °C; (b) neutral 31.1–33.0 °C and; (c) Hot 33.1–36.0 °C. The main results showed a higher frequency of pixels in the cold (mainly between 30 and 31 °C; n = 1551.9) and neutral zones (mainly between 32 and 33 °C; n = 2253.9) for the anterior view of the right lower limb at moment M1 and a higher frequency of pixels in the neutral (mainly between 32 and 33 °C; n = 2622.8) and hot zones (mainly between 33 and 34 °C; n = 2579.5) at moment M2 for the posterior view (M1: cold zone 30–31 °C; n = 1319.1; neutral zone 31–32 °C; n = 2835.8; M2: neutral zone 32–33 °C; n = 2939.5; and hot 33–34 °C; n = 3066.5). Similar results were observed for the left leg. In conclusion, "thermopixelgraphy" quantifies the number of pixels from TI and the image analysis process is faster, more accurate, encompasses all areas of the thigh and leg muscles, and does not require extensive prior experience from the evaluator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Classically, genetic association studies have attempted to assess genetic polymorphisms related to human physiology and physical performance. However, the heterogeneity of some findings drives the research to replicate, validate, and confirmation as essential aspects for ensuring their applicability in sports sciences. Genetic distance matrix and molecular variance analyses may offer an alternative approach to comparing athletes' genomes with those from public databases. Thus, we performed a complete sequencing of 44 genomes from male Brazilian first-division soccer players under 20 years of age (U20_BFDSC). The performance-related SNP genotypes were obtained from players and from the "1000 Genomes" database (European, African, American, East Asian, and South Asian). Surprisingly, U20_BFDSC performance-related genotypes had significantly larger FST levels (p < 0.00001) than African populations, although studies using ancestry markers have shown an important similarity between Brazilian and African populations (12–24%). U20_BFDSC were genetically similar to professional athletes, showing the intense genetic selection pressure likely to occur before this maturation stage. Our study highlighted that performance-related genes might undergo selective pressure due to physical performance and environmental, cognitive, and sociocultural factors. This replicative study suggests that molecular variance and Wright's statistics can yield novel conclusions in exercise science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goals scored are the most important performance indicator and may be a good tool to analyze game style predominance within different leagues. The aims of this study are to describe how goals are scored in the two major soccer leagues in the season of 2020/21, and to compare both leagues to watch possible differences in the offensive sequences that lead to goal-scoring. The aims of this study were: to evaluate goal scoring trends among two main soccer leagues and to compare the two leagues. A total of 1409 goals were observed using notational analysis. The total results show a dominance of positional play/fast attack (n = 38%), followed by set pieces as the second means to score (n = 32%) with corner kicks having a great impact (n = 36%) within set pieces goals. The most goals were scored by short possessions (n = 50%) with short passes number (n = 57%), with the recovery of the ball in the offensive third (n = 47%) and the huge dominance of finalization in central areas inside the box (n = 78%). Spanish La Liga scored more by positional play/fast attack, with most of the possessions starting in the medium third and using more the "central wing goal area" and "between wings left in the box" end zones when compared with English Premier League. The latter has more goals from counterattacks and corner kicks with very long possessions. Most of the possessions start in the offensive third and more goals are scored in "central wing between penalty and goal area" in comparison with Spanish La Liga. Coaches must be aware of the trends of the game and of the differences across leagues to prepare themselves when working in different countries to each specific characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Introduction: Soccer players face high demand for training and games. To facilitate their performance, many studies have investigated ergogenic supplements that can assist in the recovery and performance of players. The aim of this research was to assess whether caffeine supplementation can help soccer players' recovery and performance. (2) Methods: Professional players were given 210 mg of caffeine or placebo in seven games during the state championship, being offered placebo in three matches and caffeine in four matches, administered 30 min before the game, during the game, and after the game. Blood creatine kinase (CK) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured. Participants rated their perceived recuperation (RPR) and exertion (RPE) on scales developed by Laurent and Borg, respectively. The time that the player spent on the field was also evaluated. t-tests and Levene's test were used to analyze the results. In addition to mean differences, variations in the results were also analyzed. (3) Results: No significant differences were found in CK, HRV, RPR, RPE, or minutes on the field when comparing caffeine supplementation with the placebo. (4) Conclusion: Caffeine supplementation throughout the championship appears to have had no ergogenic effect on athlete performance and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) are characterized by intense pain and involuntary contractions of a single muscle or muscle group. While EAMCs may occur during and after exercise, their precise aetiology remains unknown. However, there are some potential risk factors, as the workload of physical training previously performed. The purpose of this case report was to evaluate the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations in a professional soccer player to verify the potential influence of recent training history on an extreme EAMC episode and subsequent muscle damage. Methods. A 21-year-old professional soccer player (body fat: 6.5%; body mass: 76 kg; height: 1.76 m) who experienced an extreme EAMC episode after the end of an official soccer match was monitored with session rating of perceived exertion before and after the EAMC episode and with post-match CK concentrations. Results. ACWR revealed several spikes on the days before the match, with the highest one observed on the match day. The CK concentrations recorded 35 and 53 hours after the EAMC episode were 262% and 182% higher, respectively, than the maximal CK concentrations recorded during the season (703 U/l). Conclusions. This case report illustrates, for the first time, how workload spikes, monitored with ACWR, preceded an extreme EAMC episode that was followed by an exacerbated muscle damage response. Some insights are provided in this case report for practitioners working in professional soccer to help them better manage similar cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: This study examined the effects of resistance training (RT) performed at 24 or 48h post-match on recovery in female soccer players. Methods: In a randomized cross-over design, 10 professional female soccer players undertook matches followed by three conditions: Control (no RT), RT-24h and RT-48h post-match. RT was a high-speed and low-load session, consisting of 3 sets of 6 repetitions of lower-body exercises at 50%1RM. During training, one exercise (half-squat) was performed on a force platform to determine mean and peak forces. Tests were undertaken pre, 24, 48 and 72h post-match including countermovement jump (CMJ), 20m sprint, C-reactive protein (CRP) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Effect size (ES) analyses compared the time-course of recovery. Results: Despite no significant differences between conditions, ES for changes from pre to 72h were larger for CMJ, 10 and 20m sprint time, and DOMS in RT48h (ES=0.38–2.13) than in RT24h (ES=0.08–0.66) and in Control (ES=0.09–0.36). No differences in forces of half-squat exercise existed between conditions (p>0.05; ES=0.05–0.06). Conclusion: The trend for suppressed recovery of speed, power and perceptual responses at 72h post-match suggests RT48h is less ideal in female soccer players, particularly during congested micro-cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of chronic immunosuppression on the course of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in recipients of solid organ transplantation (SOT) is still unsettled. Scarce data suggest that the course of CHIKV infection is generally benign in this population. In addition, the occurrence of severe atypical manifestations associated with CHIKV has not been well documented among SOT recipients. In this report, we describe a 64‐year‐old male liver transplant recipient who was admitted with fever, headache, arthralgia, left palpebral ptosis, mydriasis, and right hemiparesis. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal any alteration suggestive of acute infection. Nevertheless, CHIKV was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with a real‐time reverse transcriptase assay. Other PCR assays carried out in CSF were negative for HSV‐1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, dengue virus (DENV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). CHIKV viremia was also detected while PCR assays for ZIKV and DENV in the blood were negative. ZIKV viruria was simultaneously present in this case. All neurologic manifestations waned within 2 weeks after the onset. This report shows that chikungunya must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute neurologic disease in SOT recipients who live in or have recently traveled to endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Opinião Jurídica is the property of Revista Opiniao Juridica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Soccer match-load can be linked to recovery kinetic markers. However, match variability hinders the magnitude of relationship between parameters of interest. Therefore, we examined the correlation between 21 global positioning system accelerometry (GPS-A) parameters and changes in serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, muscle soreness (MS), and perceptive recovery quality (PRQ) assessed at baseline (1 h before) and post (0 minute, 2, 4, and 24 hours) a standardized 90-minute match-simulation in 20 university players. Global positioning system accelerometry (15 Hz) data were tested as manufacturer and configurable thresholds. Four GPS-A parameters showed moderate to very large correlations with CK changes at all time points (average speed [avgSP, r = 0.75 to r = 0.84]; running symmetry foot strikes [RSfst, r = 0.53-0.63]; running series [RunS, r = 0.53-0.61]; and acceleration distance [AccD ≥ 1.5 m·s-2; r = 0.46-0.61]). Sprint count (≥2 m·s-2), AccD ($2.5 m$s22) and speed exertion (SpEx) had a moderate to large correlation (r = 0.46-0.56) with CK changes from 2 to 24 hours. Changes in MS at 0 minute had large correlation with avgSP (r = 0.53) and moderate with deceleration distance (≥-2 and ≥-3 m·s-2; r = 0.47, r = 0.48, respectively). The PRQ changes had moderate inverse correlation with avgSP at 0 minute (r = 20.39) and SpEx at 2 h (r = -0.69). Our results suggest that during a simulated soccer protocol with a standard workload, only the avgSP has practical application for predicting CK changes over 24 hours, allowing for a decision-making toward a postgame recovery based on previously known CK cutoff points. Global positioning system accelerometry parameters and subjective variables did not demonstrate relevant correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Soccer Science / Revista Brasileira de Futebol is the property of Revista Brasileira de Futebol and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Quaestio Iuris (QI) is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Determine the time-course of recovery after a resistance training session (RT) in female soccer players. Ten Brazilian female professional soccer players undertook testing prior to and at immediately, 24 and 48 h post-RT. RT was a high-speed and low-load session, consisting of three sets of six repetitions of lower body exercises at 50%1RM. Tests included countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20 m sprint, with the best and mean efforts recorded. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), total quality recovery (TQR) and Brazilian Mood Scale (BRAMS) were collected. Repeated measures ANOVA with effect sizes (ES) assessed the time-course of recovery (α=0.05). Mean and best CMJ performance decreased immediately post-RT (p<0.05, ES=−0.49; −0.65, respectively), though no significant differences and trivial-small effects existed at 24h (p>0.05, ES=−0.15; −0.08) and 48h (p>0.05, ES=0.14; −0.21). No significant differences and trivial-small effects were evident at any time for mean or best 10m (p>0.05, ES=−0.18–0.26) or 20m (p>0.05, ES=−0.08–0.19) performance. DOMS, TQR, fatigue and vigor did not change following RT (p>0.05; ES=-0.51-0.48). Light-load, high-speed RT induces only small, immediate changes in CMJ, without prolonged suppression of recovery parameters. Such training seems feasible for inclusion in competitive micro-cycles at least 24h prior to the next match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to create a single subjective method to assess both internal training loads and subsequent fatigue. This new training-fatigue (dose-response) scale (TFS) was composed of two similar scales with the same properties, metrics and construction criteria. These two scales were designed to rate the perceived exertion (RPETFS) and perceived fatigue (RPFTFS) in professional soccer players. Twenty-two athletes participated to establish reliability, and 15 participated to establish validity. For reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were used. For criterion validity, the Spearman's correlation coefficient and linear regression analyses were applied. Associations between RPETFS and RPFTFS were verified by a chi square test, and a further factorial exploratory analysis was conducted. RPETFS and RPFTFS were found to be reliable (ICC 0.74 and 0.77, SEM 0.30 and 0.30, respectively) and valid. RPETFS was best explained by the internal load of the Banister training impulse (p < 0.001), while RPFTFS was best explained by the internal load of the Stagno training impulse (p < 0.001). An association was found between the scales (RPETFS and RPFTFS) in which training duration had a more substantial impact on these subjective perceptions than did training intensity (p < 0.01). RPETFS and RPFTFS scales are reliable and valid for monitoring training sessions in Brazilian professional soccer players. The simultaneous oscillations of the RPETFS and RPFTFS scores can be used by staff members to better plan weekly training programs based on dose-response ratings. Finally, training duration must be carefully controlled because it has a greater impact than intensity on subjective perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coelho, DB, Pimenta, EM, Rosse, IC, Veneroso, C, Pussieldi, GDA, Becker, LK, De Oliveira, EC, Carvalho, MRS, and Silami-Garcia, E. Alpha-actinin-3 R577X polymorphism influences muscle damage and hormonal responses after a soccer game. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2655-2664, 2019-The purpose of this study was to evaluate indicators of muscle damage and hormonal responses after soccer matches and its relation to alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene expression (XX vs. RR/RX), considering that the R allele produces alpha-actinin-3 and provides greater muscle strength and power. Thirty players (10 XX and 20 RR/RX) younger than 16 years were evaluated in this study. Blood samples were collected immediately before, after, 2, and 4 hours after the games to assess muscle damage (creatine kinase [CK] and alpha-actin) and hormonal responses (interleukin-6 [IL-6], cortisol, and testosterone). Postgame CK was higher as compared to the pregame values in both groups and it was also higher in the RR/RX (p < 0.05) than in the XX. The concentrations of alpha-actin and IL-6 were similar for both groups and did not change over time. Testosterone was increased after the game only in the RR/RX group (p < 0.05). Cortisol concentrations in group RR/RX were higher immediately after the game than before the game, and 2 and 4 hours after the game the concentration decreased (p < 0.05). The RR and RX individuals presented higher markers of muscle microtrauma and hormonal stress, probably because they performed more speed and power actions during the game, which is a self-regulated activity. From the different responses presented by RR/RX and XX genotypes, we conclude that the genotypic profile should be taken into account when planning training workloads and recovery of athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate a possible role of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in a Brazilian football player's career progression. 2 questions were formulated: 1. Does ACTN3 polymorphism affect the probability of an individual being a professional football player? 2. Does this polymorphism affect the progression of the athlete throughout his career? The study included 353 players from first division Brazilian football clubs in the following categories: under-14 (U-14), U-15, U-17, U-20, and professional (PRO). The control group (CON) was composed of 100 healthy non-athletes. The chi-squared test was used to assess differences between the allele and genotype frequencies. Comparing football categories, the XX genotype was less frequent among professional players than in the U-20 (p < 0.05) or the U-15 category (p < 0.05). The RX genotype also presented more frequently in the PRO category than the U-14 category (p < 0.05). Moreover, a trend towards a higher frequency of the RX genotype and a lower frequency of the XX genotype was observed in the professional category compared to U-20. These results suggest that the genotype in the ACTN3 polymorphism affects the probability of a football player progressing throughout his career and becoming professional, meaning that playing football selects against the ACTN3 XX genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse if the ability of elite Brazilian football athletes to perform repeated sprints, evaluated in real game situations, correlates with their previously determined VO2max. Methods: We analysed data from 10 male elite Brazilian football athletes, who had their movements monitored in the field through GPS devices, during 17 matches of official championships. For analysis of athletes' movements in the field, we considered a block of repeated sprints (BRS), activities characterised by at least 3 sprints with velocity ≥20 km/h separated by a maximum of 21 s between each sprint. Results: There was no correlation between the ability to perform BRS in real game situations and the previously determined VO2max of athletes (r = 0.5828; p = 0.0770). On the other side, there was a positive correlation between the performance of blocks of repeated sprints and the number of actions within the blocks (r = 0.6712; p = 0.0336), and a negative correlation between the performance of blocks of repeated sprints and the recovery time between one block and another (r = -0.9191; p = 0.0002). Conclusions: Repeated-sprint ability determined in the game in elite male Brazilian football players is not correlated with VO2max. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine whether two consecutive soccer matches would affect skin temperature ( t ) measured via infrared thermography (IRT) in under-20 (U-20) soccer athletes, as well as verify whether the t changes would be different between regions of interest. Methods: A cross sectional study. Ten under-20 soccer athletes [age 19.0 ± 1.0 years; height 181.3 ± 6.6 cm; body fat percentage (BF%) 9.0 ± 1.8%, body surface area 1.9 m and $$\dot{V}$$ O 56.4 ± 3.2 ml min kg]. Skin thermal responses obtained by IRT and creatine kinase concentration (CK) were evaluated in response to two soccer matches with 3 days of recovery between each match. Results: The t increased (≅1.0 °C) 24 h after the first match in all studied regions of interest (ROIs), returning to near pre-match values 48 h after the first match. However, after playing the second match, the t increased even more (≅1.5 °C) 24 h after in all the considered ROIs, not returning to pre-match values 48 h after. Regarding CK analysis, its course during the experiment was similar to t , with high values 24 h after (first match 763.8 ± 294.5 U/L; second match 784.1 ± 298.8 U/L) and recovering 48 h after (first match 526.4 ± 289.7 U/L; second match 672.2 ± 285.0 U/L) both matches. However, when the two matches are compared, CK showed a higher value 48 h after the second match in comparison to first match ( P = 0.002). The t and CK were moderately correlated in all ROIs analyzed, with higher correlation in the anterior right leg ( r = 0.425) and anterior left leg ( r = 0.428). Conclusion: The t of lower limbs as well as CK markedly change in response to two consecutive matches separated by an interval of 3 days. There is indication of the highest inflammatory response after the second match, which was preceded by just a 3-day recovery. In addition, a general increase was obtained in thighs and legs in anterior and posterior views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance is the property of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The prevalence of resistant hypertension is seemingly much lower than had been reported in early studies. Recent analyses suggest that <5 % of treated hypertensive patients remain uncontrolled if fully adherent to an optimized antihypertensive treatment. However, these patients do have increased cardiovascular risk and need effective therapeutic approaches. Drug development is a high-risk, complex, lengthy, and very expensive process. In this article, we discuss the factors that should be considered in the process of developing a new agent for treatment of resistant hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Ciência e Movimento: RBCM is the property of Revista Brasileira de Ciencia e Movimento and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance is the property of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, a method that combines image analysis techniques, such as segmentation and registration, is proposed for an advanced and progressive evaluation of thermograms. The method is applied for the prevention of muscle injury in high-performance athletes, in collaboration with a Brazilian professional soccer club. The goal is to produce information on spatio-temporal variations of thermograms favoring the investigation of the athletes' conditions along the competition. The proposed method improves on current practice by providing a means for automatically detecting adaptive body-shaped regions of interest, instead of the manual selection of simple shapes. Specifically, our approach combines the optimization features in Otsu's method with a correction factor and post-processing techniques, enhancing thermal-image segmentation when compared to other methods. Additional contributions resulting from the combination of the segmentation and registration steps of our approach are the progressive analyses of thermograms in a unique spatial coordinate system and the accurate extraction of measurements and isotherms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a major cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, and blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment substantially reduces the risk. This review compares the available clinical evidence from the BP-lowering and CV-outcome studies of telmisartan and perindopril, which are among the most intensively studied members of their respective classes. The PubMed database was searched for telmisartan and perindopril publications meeting the following criteria: 1) head-to-head comparison trials for BP lowering; and 2) CV-outcome studies (ie, ones with a CV event, mortality, or hospitalization outcome) in patients with CV risk factors but without heart failure. In comparative trials, telmisartan treatment resulted in significantly higher reduction in trough BP and mean ambulatory diastolic BP for the last 8 hours of the dosing interval compared with perindopril. In mainly placebo-controlled CV-outcome studies in patients with hypertension, CV benefits with perindopril were associated with large reductions in BP. There were no CV outcome studies with telmisartan in patients with hypertension. The beyond-BP-lowering CV-protective benefits of telmisartan were demonstrated in the active-controlled ONTARGET (ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial) trial, which included patients with controlled BP at baseline. In general, the trials discussed in this review reinforce the fact that perindopril and telmisartan are two long-acting antihypertensive drugs that reduce BP over 24 hours, and are the best-evidenced drugs in their class with proven CV protection. It is also clear that the benefits are not a "class effect", and vary between the different drugs within each class. Hence, the best approach for treatments tailored to individual patient needs should be evidence-based specific drugs, rather than a drug-class recommendation for achieving therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors of the article "Comparative review of the blood pressure-lowering and cardiovascular benefits of telmisartan and perindopril," in the 2014 issue is presented.

Hypertension is a major cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, and blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment substantially reduces the risk. This review compares the available clinical evidence from the BP-lowering and CV-outcome studies of telmisartan and perindopril, which are among the most intensively studied members of their respective classes. The PubMed database was searched for telmisartan and perindopril publications meeting the following criteria: 1) head-to-head comparison trials for BP lowering; and 2) CV-outcome studies (ie, ones with a CV event, mortality, or hospitalization outcome) in patients with CV risk factors but without heart failure. In comparative trials, telmisartan treatment resulted in significantly higher reduction in trough BP and mean ambulatory diastolic BP for the last 8 hours of the dosing interval compared with perindopril. In mainly placebo-controlled CV-outcome studies in patients with hypertension, CV benefits with perindopril were associated with large reductions in BP. There were no CV outcome studies with telmisartan in patients with hypertension. The beyond-BP-lowering CV-protective benefits of telmisartan were demonstrated in the active-controlled ONTARGET (ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial) trial, which included patients with controlled BP at baseline. In general, the trials discussed in this review reinforce the fact that perindopril and telmisartan are two long-acting antihypertensive drugs that reduce BP over 24 hours, and are the best-evidenced drugs in their class with proven CV protection. It is also clear that the benefits are not a "class effect", and vary between the different drugs within each class. Hence, the best approach for treatments tailored to individual patient needs should be evidence-based specific drugs, rather than a drug-class recommendation for achieving therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study which analyzes the performance capacity of soccer players with different genotype groups from Brazilian soccer first division teams. The study included the players with polymorphisms of the ACTN3 gene, and analyzed the effect of this gene on speed, jump and endurance of players.

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance is the property of Brazilian Journal of Kineanthropometry & Human Performance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hypertensive crisis (HC) stands out as a form of acute elevation of blood pressure (BP). It can manifest itself as hypertensive emergency (HE) or hypertensive urgency (HU), which is usually accompanied with levels of diastolic BP ≥120 mmHg. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism may influence manifestations of HC. Thus, this study evaluated the influence of ACE I/D polymorphism in individuals with HC. A total of 187 patients admitted with HC (HU [ n=69] and HE [ n=118]) and 75 normotensive individuals were included in the study. Peripheral blood was drawn for a biochemical and genetic analysis of the ACE I/D polymorphism by Polymerase Chain Reaction. HC group showed higher systolic BP, body mass index (BMI), glycemia, creatinine, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared with normotensive individuals. The use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers was more frequent in the HU group than in the HE group ( p=0.020). The II genotype was more predominant in normotensive and HU individuals than among HE individuals (18.7%, 11.6%, and 2.5%, respectively; p=0.004). Higher BMI and glycemia were associated with HC in the logistic regression model. ACE II genotype (odds ratio [OR] 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.51) and HDL cholesterol were protective for the development of HE. ACE II genotype was present in the HU group, compared with the HE group (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.88). This study shows an association between the low prevalence of ACE I/D polymorphism II genotype and a greater occurrence of HE in Brazilian individuals. The lower blockage of RAS, which was detected in the HE group, may interact with the low frequency of II genotype, conferring an increased risk for HE. The data shown in this study are consistent with a low prevalence of ACE insertions or deletions and occur more frequently in Brazilian patients with hypertensive emergencies than in controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common secondary form of arterial hypertension, with a particularly high prevalence among patients with resistant hypertension. Aldosterone has been found to be associated with cardiovascular toxicity. Prolonged aldosteronism leads to higher incidence of cardiac events, glomerular hyperfiltration, and potentially bone/metabolic sequels. The wider application of aldosterone/renin ratio as screening test has substantially contributed to increasing diagnosis of PA. Diagnosis of PA consists of two phases: screening and confirmatory testing. Adrenal imaging is often inaccurate for differentiation between an adenoma and hyperplasia, and adrenal venous sampling is essential for selecting the appropriate treatment modality. The etiologies of PA have two main subtypes: unilateral (aldosterone-producing adenoma) and bilateral (micro- or macronodular hyperplasia). Aldosterone-producing adenoma is typically managed with unilateral adrenalectomy, while bilateral adrenal hyperplasia is amenable to pharmacological approaches using mineralocorticoid antagonists. Short-term treatment outcome following surgery is determined by factors such as preoperative blood pressure level and hypertension duration, but evidence regarding long-term treatment outcome is still lacking. However, directed treatments comprising of unilateral adrenalectomy or mineralocorticoid antagonists still potentially reduce the toxicities of aldosterone. Utilizing a physician-centered approach, we intend to provide up-dated information on the etiology, diagnosis, and the management of PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that determined whether dietary salt and aldosterone are linked to severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with resistant hypertension. Ninety-seven patients were observed by overnight polysomnography. It is said that urinary sodium level was an independent forecaster of severity of OSA in patients with hyperaldosteronism. The study results support dietary salt restriction as a treatment strategy for minimization of OSA severity.

Genetic factors can interfere with sporting performance. The identification of genetic predisposition of soccer players brings important information to trainers and coaches for individual training loads adjustment. Different responses to eccentric training could be observed by the genotype referred to as α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) in biomarkers of muscle damage, hormones and inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to compare acute inflammatory responses, muscle damage and hormonal variations according to the eccentric training in soccer professional athletes with different genetic profiles of ACTN3 (XX, RX and RR). 37 soccer professional athletes (9 XX, 13 RX, 15 RR) were randomly divided into five stations associated to eccentric muscle contraction and plyometrics. Blood samples were taken from athletes pre-eccentric training, immediately after (post), 2- and 4-h post-eccentric training to determine hormone responses (cortisol and testosterone), muscle damage (CK and α-actin), and inflammatory responses (IL-6). After eccentric training, athletes XX presented higher levels for CK (4-h post), α-actin (post and 2-h post) and cortisol (post) compared to RR and RX athletes. However, RR and RX athletes presented higher levels of testosterone (post) and IL-6 (2 h post and 4 h post) compared to athletes XX. The main conclusion of this study is that professional soccer athletes homozygous to ACTN3XX gene are more susceptible to eccentric damage and present a higher catabolic state, demonstrated by metabolic, hormonal and immune responses post an eccentric training, in comparison to ACTN3RR and ACTN3RX groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympathetic nervous system activation of the heart, kidney and peripheral vasculature increases cardiac output, fluid retention and vascular resistance and plays an important role in acute and chronic BP elevation. Renal sympathetic denervation via a percutaneous radiofrequency catheter based approach is a safe and effective procedure that lowers BP in patients with resistant hypertension. Exploratory studies in patients with resistant hypertension and a variety of comorbidities, including insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea and the polycystic ovary syndrome, have shown benefit of renal denervation in attenuating the severity of the comorbid conditions, as well as reducing BP. However, more studies are needed to further address the long term effects of renal denervation and its safety and effectiveness in other disease states such as congestive heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistant hypertension, a complex multifactorial hypertensive disease, is triggered by genetic and environmental factors and involves multiple physiological pathways. Single genetic variants may not reveal significant associations with resistant hypertension because their effects may be dependent on gene-gene or gene-environment interactions. We examined the interaction of angiotensin I-converting enzyme ( ACE), angiotensinogen ( AGT), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( NOS3) polymorphisms with environmental factors (gender, age, body mass index, glycemia, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and urinary sodium excretion) in 70 resistant, 80 well-controlled hypertensive patients, and 70 normotensive controls. All subjects were genotyped for ACE insertion/deletion (rs1799752); AGT M235T (rs699), and NOS3 Glu298Asp (rs 1799983). Multifactorial associations were tested using two statistical methods: the traditional parametric method (adjusted logistic regression analysis) and gene-gene and gene-environment interactions evaluated by multifactor dimensionality reduction analyses. While adjusted logistic regression found no significant association between the studied polymorphisms and controlled or resistant hypertension, the multifactor dimensionality reduction analyses showed that carriers of the AGT 235T allele were at increased risk for resistant hypertension, especially if they were older than 50 years. The AGT 235T allele constituted an independent risk factor for resistant hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate if fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using a 1.0-mm fetoscope improves neonatal outcome. Method: Between January 2006 and December 2008, a controlled study was conducted at a single center in which FETO was proposed for fetuses with severe isolated CDH (lung-to-head ratio <1.0) and liver herniation to the thoracic cavity but no other detectable anomalies at diagnosis (<26 weeks). FETO was performed under maternal epidural and fetal intramuscular anesthesia, guided by ultrasonography and 1.0-mm fetoscope between 26 and 30 weeks. All cases submitted to FETO were delivered by ex utero intrapartum therapy procedure. Postnatal therapy was the same for both treated fetuses and controls. The primary outcome was neonatal survival (up to 28 days after birth). Results: A total of 35 women met the inclusion criteria, and in 17 of them, fetal intervention was intended. However, in 1 case, it was not possible to insert the balloon inside the fetal trachea because of placental bleeding. FETO was therefore successfully performed in 16 fetuses with severe CDH. Eighteen cases received no prenatal intervention and served as the control group. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Delivery occurred at 35.6 (range: 28-38) weeks in the FETO group and at 37.5 (range: 31-40) weeks (p = 0.18) among controls. Nine of 17 (52.9%) infants in the FETO group and 1 of 18 (5.6%) in the control group survived (p < 0.01). Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension was present in 8/17 (47.1%) infants from the FETO group and in 16/18 (88.9%) controls (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The present study shows that FETO using a 1.0-mm fetoscope is feasible and may improve neonatal outcome in severe CDH. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activity contributes to target-organ damage and increases cardiovascular risk by elevating blood pressure (BP) and through direct effects on the heart, kidneys, brain, and vascular endothelium. Pharmacologic blockade of RAAS effectively reduces BP and limits or reverses various forms of target-organ damage, including cardiac heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Direct renin inhibitors selectively inhibit human renin and have a therapeutic potential similar to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Aliskiren is the only orally active direct renin inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of hypertension and has been shown to have favorable effects on target-organ damage. It effectively reduces BP and has favorable effects on heart failure and proteinuria in diabetic patients. Additional outcome trials are needed to establish the role of this new class of antihypertensive medication in preventing cardiovascular outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:3–13. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Demographic factors are known to influence the prevalence of hypertension, and evidence suggests that they may also influence the response of patients with hypertension to blood pressure (BP)–lowering therapies. To determine the effect of demographic factors on the efficacy and safety of an olmesartan medoxomil (OM)–based treatment regimen, we performed a prespecified subgroup analysis of a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, titrate-to-goal study in patients with hypertension, stratifying patients into treatment groups according to age, sex, or race. After 12 weeks, OM–based therapy significantly reduced BP from baseline in blacks, non-blacks, men, women, and patients younger than 65 or 65 years and older compared with placebo, and enabled 51.9% to 79.5% of patients to achieve a BP goal of <140/90 mm Hg. The differences in BP-lowering efficacy of OM–based therapy between subgroups were not clinically significant, and treatment was generally well tolerated in all groups. This study demonstrates that an OM-based treatment algorithm is an effective and safe option for achieving recommended BP goal in patients with hypertension including blacks, non-blacks, men, women, and patients younger than 65 or 65 years and older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aldosterone excess or “escape” can occur after treatment with medications that block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or in undiagnosed primary aldosteronism. Spironolactone is thought to be an important addition to resistant hypertension (RH) treatment. In this study, resistant (RH) and controlled (CH) hypertensives and normotensive patients were submitted to echocardiography, flow-mediated vasodilation, carotid intima-media wall thickness studies, renin plasma activity, and aldosterone plasma levels and plasma and urinary sodium and potassium concentrations at baseline (pre-spironolactone phase). Subsequently, for only RH and CH groups, 25 mg/d spironolactone was added to preexisting treatments over 6 months. Afterwards, these parameters were reassessed (post-spironolactone phase). The RH and CH groups achieved reductions in blood pressure ( P<.001), decreases in left ventricular hypertrophy ( P <.001), improved diastolic function (Kappa index RH: 0.219 and Kappa index CH: 0.392) and increases in aldosterone concentrations ( P <.05). The RH group attained improved endothelium-dependent ( P <.001) and independent ( P=.007) function. Optimized RH treatment with spironolactone reduces blood pressure and improves endothelial and diastolic function and left ventricular hypertrophy despite the presence of aldosterone excess or escape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]