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Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external load and creatine-kinase (CK) response at the team level. This study aimed to build individualized CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players., Hypothesis: The CK response of youth soccer players can be categorized as being sensitive to micromovements (MM), high-velocity (HV) parameters, or the combination of both, measured during training sessions and matches., Study Design: Prospective cohort study., Level of Evidence: Level 4., Methods: A total of 25 U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were monitored during training sessions and matches using global positioning system (GPS) units. Individual CK values were measured every morning from whole blood. The data set consisted of 57 ± 17 individual datapoints per player. Individual prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external load and consecutive CK changes. Numerous models were built for each player using MM, HV parameters, or the combination of both. The performance of the models was described by the R 2 and the root mean square error (RMSE, U/l for CK values)., Results: The MM models were superior for 8 players ( R 2 = 0.68; RMSE = 113 U/l), followed by HV (8 players; R 2 = 0.69; RMSE = 88 U/l) and the combined models (2 players; R 2 = 0.64; RMSE = 141 U/l). For the remaining 7 players, the R 2 of the models was <0.5. The recovery time between efforts was more important in the HV model., Conclusion: Players could be categorized on sensitivity to MM, HV movements, or the combination of both., Clinical Relevance: These findings can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and to optimize weekly training periodization to maximize match performance.

Background: Previous studies have examined the training load relative to match load in club settings. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the external training load relative to match load in days before a subsequent international game and (2) examine the cumulative training load in relation to match load of U-17 national team field soccer players., Hypothesis: Volume and intensity load parameters will vary between trainings; the farthermost trainings have the highest load gradually decreasing toward the match., Study Design: Prospective cohort study., Level of Evidence: Level 4., Methods: External training load data were collected from 84 youth national team players using global positioning technology between 2016 and 2020. In the national team setting, training load data were obtained from 3 days before the actual match day (MD-3, MD-2, MD-1 days) and analyzed with regard to the number of days up to the game. Volume and intensity parameters were calculated as a percentage of the subsequent match load., Results: Significant differences were found between MD-1 and MD-2, as well as between MD-1 and MD-3 for most volume parameters ( P < 0.01; effect sizes [ESs] 0.68-0.99) and high-intensity distance ( P < 0.002; ES 0.67 and 0.73) and maximum velocity ( P < 0.002; ES 0.82) as intensity parameters. Most cumulative values were significantly different from total duration ( P < 0.001, common language ES 0.80-0.96)., Conclusion: The training volume gradually decreased as match day approached, with the highest volume occurring on MD-3. Intensity variables, such as maximum velocity, high-intensity accelerations, and meterage per minute were larger in MD-1 training relative to match load. Training volume was lowest in MD-1 trainings and highest in MD-3 trainings; intensity however varies between training days., Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study may help to understand the special preparational demands of international matches, highlighting the role of decreased training volume and increased intensity.

Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external training load and creatine kinase (CK) response after soccer matches in adults. This study aimed to build training- and match-specific CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players., Hypothesis: Training and match load will have different effects on the CK response of elite youth soccer players, and there will be position-specific differences in the most influential external and internal load parameters on the CK response., Study Design: Prospective cohort study., Level of Evidence: Level 4., Methods: Forty-one U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were measured over an 18-month period. Training and match load were monitored with global positioning system devices. Individual CK values were measured from whole blood every morning in training camps. The dataset consisted of 1563 data points. Clustered prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external/internal load and consecutive CK changes. Clusters were built based on the playing position and activity type. The performance of the linear regression models was described by the R 2 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE, U/L for CK values)., Results: The prediction models fitted similarly during games and training sessions ( R 2 = 0.38-0.88 vs 0.6-0.77), but there were large differences based on playing positions. In contrast, the accuracy of the models was better during training sessions (RMSE = 81-135 vs 79-209 U/L). Position-specific differences were also found in the external and internal load parameters, which best explained the CK changes., Conclusion: The relationship between external/internal load parameters and CK changes are position specific and might depend on the type of session (training or match). Morning CK values also contributed to the next day's CK values., Clinical Relevance: The relationship between position-specific external/internal load and CK changes can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and weekly training periodization with a view to optimize match performance.

Heating as a medical intervention in cancer treatment is an ancient approach, but effective deep heating techniques are lacking in modern practice. The use of electromagnetic interactions has enabled the development of more reliable local-regional hyperthermia (LRHT) techniques whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) techniques. Contrary to the relatively simple physical-physiological concepts behind hyperthermia, its development was not steady, and it has gone through periods of failures and renewals with mixed views on the benefits of heating seen in the medical community over the decades. In this review we study in detail the various techniques currently available and describe challenges and trends of oncological hyperthermia from a new perspective. Our aim is to describe what we believe to be a new and effective approach to oncologic hyperthermia, and a change in the paradigm of dosing. Physiological limits restrict the application of WBH which has moved toward the mild temperature range, targeting immune support. LRHT does not have a temperature limit in the tumor (which can be burned out in extreme conditions) but a trend has started toward milder temperatures with immune-oriented goals, developing toward immune modulation, and especially toward tumor-specific immune reactions by which LRHT seeks to target the malignancy systemically. The emerging research of bystander and abscopal effects, in both laboratory investigations and clinical applications, has been intensified. Our present review summarizes the methods and results, and discusses the trends of hyperthermia in oncology., (Copyright © 2020 Lee, Fiorentini, Szasz, Szigeti, Szasz and Minnaar.)

Black Aspergilli (Aspergillus section Nigri) are widely distributed in various habitats. They act as food spoilage organisms, human pathogens, and mycotoxin producers and are frequently encountered in indoor environments. Black Aspergilli, specifically A. niger, A. welwitschiae, and A. carbonarius, produce different ochratoxins and fumonisins. Ochratoxins are known to induce renal disorders following inhalation, which necessitates the determination of potential mycotoxin-producing species in our environment. This paper aimed to compare the diversity and species distribution of black Aspergilli in the indoor environments of six different countries using morphological and molecular methods. A total of 178 black Aspergillus isolates were identified from six countries. In contrast with results from previous studies, A. niger was not the only black Aspergillus detected in indoor air. Species distribution differed among countries, although the distribution in European countries (Croatia, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Turkey) with a temperate climate was considerably similar. The highest species diversity was observed in indoor samples from Thailand, while the lowest was found in Algeria. Potentially ochratoxin- and fumonisin-producing fungi were detected in the indoor air of all six countries. Further studies need to clarify the effect of these fungi and their mycotoxins on human and animal health.

Three groups of cockerels were fed with a control diet, with a diet contaminated with T-2 and HT-2 toxin (0.31 and 0.26 mg/kg) or with that containing a combination of T-2 and HT-2 toxin (0.32 and 0.25 mg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 0.38 mg/kg) for 21 days. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio did not differ significantly among the groups. Malondialdehyde concentration of the liver was lower in the group fed the diet contaminated with the combination of T-2 + HT-2 toxin and aflatoxin B1 as compared to the control group or the group fed T-2 + HT-2 toxins. Reduced glutathione (GSH) content of the liver was lower in the T-2 + HT-2 group than in the group fed a combination of T-2, HT-2 and aflatoxin. Reduced glutathione content of the heart was higher in the T-2 + HT-2 group than in the control group. Mycotoxin contamination had no effect on glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in comparison to the control, but significantly lower GSH-Px activity was found in the heart of chickens in the T-2 + HT-2 + AFB1 group than in the T-2 + HT-2 group. In this study, T-2 + HT-2 toxin and aflatoxin B1 contamination of the diets did not affect the production traits adversely and did not exert additive effects on lipid peroxidation and on the glutathione redox system.

1. Concentration-dependent effects of bimoclomol, the novel heat shock protein coinducer, on intracellular calcium transients and contractility were studied in Langendorff-perfused guinea-pig hearts loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator dye Fura-2. Bimoclomol had a biphasic effect on contractility: both peak left ventricular pressure and the rate of force development significantly increased at a concentration of 10 nM or higher. The maximal effect was observed between 0.1 and 1 microM, and the positive inotropic action disappeared by further increasing the concentration of bimoclomol. The drug increased systolic calcium concentration with a similar concentration-dependence. In contrast, diastolic calcium concentration increased monotonically in the presence of bimoclomol. Thus low concentrations of the drug (10 - 100 nM) increased, whereas high concentrations (10 microM) decreased the amplitude of intracellular calcium transients. 2. Effects of bimoclomol on action potential configuration was studied in isolated canine ventricular myocytes. Action potential duration was increased at low (10 nM), unaffected at intermediate (0.1 - 1 microM) and decreased at high (10 - 100 microM) concentrations of the drug. 3. In single canine sarcoplasmic calcium release channels (ryanodine receptor), incorporated into artificial lipid bilayer, bimoclomol significantly increased the open probability of the channel in the concentration range of 1 - 10 microM. The increased open probability was associated with increased mean open time. The effect of bimoclomol was again biphasic: the open probability decreased below the control level in the presence of 1 mM bimoclomol. 4. Bimoclomol (10 microM - 1 mM) had no significant effect on the rate of calcium uptake into sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles of the dog, indicating that in vivo calcium reuptake might not substantially be affected by the drug. 5. In conclusion, the positive inotropic action of bimoclomol is likely due to the activation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel in mammalian ventricular myocardium.

Objectives: In situations of [Ca2+]i-overload, arrhythmias are believed to be triggered by delayed afterdepolarizations, which are generated by a transient inward current ITI. This study was designed to examine [Ca2+]i-dependent membrane currents in the absence of the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger as possible contributors to ITI in human cardiac cells., Methods: The whole cell voltage clamp technique was used for electrophysiological measurements in human atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes. [Ca2+]i-measurements were performed using the fluorescent Ca(2+)-indicator fura-2. All solutions were Na(+)-free. Voltage-independent [Ca2+]i-transients were elicited by rapid caffeine applications., Results: In atrial myocytes, caffeine induced a transient membrane current in the absence of Na+ and K+. This current could be suppressed by internal EGTA (10 mM). Cl- did not contribute to this current. Experiments with different cations suggested non-selectivity for Cs+ and Li+, whereas N-methyl-D-glucamine appeared to be impermeable. Voltage ramps indicated a linear current-voltage relation in the range of +80 to -80 mV. Fluorescence measurements revealed a dissociation between the time courses of current and bulk [Ca2+]i-signal. In ventricular cardiomyocytes, caffeine failed to induce transient currents in 54 cells from 22 different patients with or without terminal heart failure., Conclusions: In human atrial cardiomyocytes, a [Ca2+]i-dependent nonspecific cation channel is expressed and may contribute to triggered arrhythmias in situations of [Ca2+]i-overload. No evidence could be found for the existence of a [Ca2+]i-dependent chloride current in atrial cells. In ventricular cells, neither a [Ca2+]i-dependent nonspecific cation channel nor a [Ca2+]i-dependent chloride channel seems to be expressed. Possible delayed afterdepolarizations in human ventricular myocardium might therefore be carried by the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger alone.