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The Winam Gulf (Kenya) is frequently impaired by cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) due to inadequate wastewater treatment and excess agricultural nutrient input. While phytoplankton in Lake Victoria have been characterized using morphological criteria, our aim is to identify potential toxin‐producing cyanobacteria using molecular approaches. The Gulf was sampled over two successive summer seasons, and 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed. Additionally, key genes involved in production of cyanotoxins were examined by quantitative PCR. Bacterial communities were spatially variable, forming distinct clusters in line with regions of the Gulf. Taxa associated with diazotrophy were dominant near Homa Bay. On the eastern side, samples exhibited elevated cyrA abundances, indicating genetic capability of cylindrospermopsin synthesis. Indeed, near the Nyando River mouth in 2022, cyrA exceeded 10 million copies L−1 where there were more than 6000 Cylindrospermopsis spp. cells mL−1. In contrast, the southwestern region had elevated mcyE gene (microcystin synthesis) detections near Homa Bay where Microcystis and Dolichospermum spp. were observed. These findings show that within a relatively small embayment, composition and toxin synthesis potential of cHABs can vary dramatically. This underscores the need for multifaceted management approaches and frequent cyanotoxin monitoring to reduce human health impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 23-year-old male competitive athlete performed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer with a concurrent cognitive test on an iPad 6 days before and 19 weeks after a nonhospitalized COVID-19 illness. Results indicated reductions in time to exhaustion (−3.25 min), peak oxygen consumption (–1.68 mL/kg/min), and accuracy (–8%) during peak exertion despite his return to prior levels of activity. Reductions in functional or cognitive performance in competitive athletes may elicit noticeable differences in athletic performance; therefore, fitness specialists should consider the assessment of both cognitive function as well as aerobic capacity in athletes following COVID-19, regardless of severity, to facilitate safe and effective return to activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 56-year-old man with end-stage heart failure performed a 4-week, symptom-limited, progressive inpatient cardiac prehabilitation program while confined to the cardiovascular intensive care unit awaiting heart transplantation. Mobility was limited by an acute gout flare and multiple central venous access lines. He received a tailored prescription of intermittent boxing, supervised hallway ambulation, stair training, and golfing on a putting green on four consecutive weekdays and was encouraged to mobilize with nursing on the remaining days. The patient progressed and by the last week demonstrated increased activity tolerance. He had a successful transplant after 40 days in the intensive care unit and was discharged with stamina sufficient to participate in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, demonstrating the value, safety, and feasibility of an individualized inpatient cardiac prehabilitation program for patients with advanced cardiac disease medically confined to the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearing a cloth face mask has been shown to impair exercise performance; it is essential to understand the impact wearing a cloth face mask may have on cognitive performance. Participants completed two maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests on a cycle ergometer (with and without a cloth face mask) with a concurrent cognitive task. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion, shortness of breath, accuracy, and reaction time were measured at rest, during each exercise stage, and following a 4-minute recovery period. The final sample included 35 adults (age = 26.1 ± 5.8 years; 12 female/23 male). Wearing a cloth face mask was associated with significant decreases in exercise duration (-2:00 ± 3:40 min, P  = 0.003), peak measures of maximal oxygen uptake (-818.9 ± 473.3 mL/min, -19.0 ± 48 mL·min -1 ·kg -1 , P  < 0.001), respiratory exchange ratio (-0.04 ± 0.08, P  = 0.005), minute ventilation (-36.9 ± 18 L/min), oxygen pulse (-3.9 ± 2.3, P  < 0.001), heart rate (-7.9 ± 12.6 bpm, P  < 0.001), oxygen saturation (-1.5 ± 2.8%, P  = 0.004), and blood lactate (-1.7 ± 2.5 mmol/L, P  < 0.001). While wearing a cloth face mask significantly impaired exercise performance during maximal exercise testing, cognitive performance was unaffected in this selected group of young, active adults., Competing Interests: This study was funded by the BSW Foundation. The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Baylor University Medical Center.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum rate-pressure product of cardiac rehabilitation participants after myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, or both during high-intensity resistance training (HI-RT) using continuous blood pressure monitoring. Thirty-four individuals exercised on the leg press machine while being monitored with a continuous blood pressure monitor. The maximum rate-pressure product was significantly lower than the established safety threshold of 36,000 ( P < 0.001), with a mean of 17,369 and standard deviation of 6634. Only 2% of observations had a value ≥36,000. These results suggest that cardiac rehabilitation patients can perform HI-RT while keeping their rate-pressure products under the safety threshold of 36,000 after myocardial infarction/percutaneous coronary intervention. Performance of HI-RT exercises contributes to return to precardiac event occupations, and continuous blood pressure monitoring may be an effective tool in evaluating the safety of HI-RT in this patient population., (Copyright © 2020 Baylor University Medical Center.)