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This study sought to determine the effects of hyperbaric pressure on heart rate modulation, by analyzing potential changes in heart rate variability (HRV). Ten divers were exposed to pressures of 1, 2, 3, and 4 atmospheres absolute (ATA). The test was performed in a hyperbaric chamber. Heart rate (HR) was recorded in supine subjects for 10 minutes per atmosphere. HRV was analyzed in the frequency mode (fast-Fourier transform and continuous wavelet transform). Results confirmed bradycardia as pressure increased. The drop in HR attained statistical significance after 2, 3, and 4 ATA. Signal energy (normalized TP values) rose progressively, becoming significant at 2 ATA. High frequency and low frequency displayed similar behavior in both cases. Although frequency band peaks did not yield clear results, continuous wave transform analysis showed that the frequency spectrum tended to shift into the high-frequency range as pressure increased. In summary, increased pressure prompted increased bradycardia, and HRV shifted into high-frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drug-resistant epilepsy has a cumulative incidence between 14 and 20% of patients with epilepsy. It is associated with more comorbidities and with higher healthcare expenditure and impact on quality of life., Patients and Methods: A retrospective longitudinal descriptive study was performed covering the period from 01/01/2010 to 02/28/2024. All patients with epilepsy seen in the Pediatric Neurology unit of our center were collected and a review of medical records was carried out to collect the characteristics and evolution during the study period. The classification and definitions used were those established by the International League Against Epilepsy., Results: A total of 325 patients with epilepsy were identified, with a cumulative incidence of DRE of 29%. The most frequent etiology was structural both in all patients with epilepsy (22%), and in drug-resistant epilepsy (36%). A statistically significant association was established between refractoriness and genetic and structural causes, and between having status epilepticus and the development of drug-resistant epilepsy. Seventy-nine percent of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy developed epileptic encephalopathy. The most commonly used antiseizure drug was valproic acid (90%), 19% received a ketogenic diet and 4.2% received epilepsy surgery., Conclusions: In our setting the incidence of drug-resistant epilepsy is high, more so than previously described. Genetic and structural etiologies are associated with a higher incidence. Having suffered status epilepticus is associated with refractoriness. A higher incidence was observed in patients with defined electroclinical syndromes, probably influenced by epileptic and developmental encephalopathies.

Introduction: Background: predicting weight loss outcomes from information collected from subjects before they start a weight management program is an objective strongly pursued by scientists who study energy balance. Objective: to develop and validate two prognostic models for the estimation of final body weight after a six-month intervention period. Material and methods: the present work was developed following the TRIPOD standard to report prognostic multivariable prediction models. A multivariable linear regression analysis was applied to 70 % of participants to identify the most relevant variables and develop the best prognostic model for body weight estimation. Then, 30 % of the remaining sample was used to validate the model. The study involved a 6-month intervention based on 25-30 % caloric restriction and exercise. A total of 239 volunteers who had participated in the PRONAF study, aged 18 to 50 years, with overweight or obesity (body mass index: 25-34.9 kg/m2), were enrolled. Body composition was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and by hand-to-foot bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analysis. Results: prognostic models were developed and validated with a high correlation (0.954 and 0.951 for DXA and BIA, respectively), with the paired t-tests showing no significant differences between estimated and measured body weights. The mean difference, standard error, and 95 % confidence interval of the DXA model were 0.067 ± 0.547 (-1.036-1.170), and those of the BIA model were -0.105 ± 0.511 (-1.134-0.924). Conclusions: the models developed in this work make it possible to calculate the final BW of any participant engaged in an intervention like the one employed in this study based only on baseline body composition variables.

Background : The increase in exercise levels in the last few years among professional and recreational female athletes has led to an increased scientific interest about sports health and performance in the female athlete population. The purpose of the IronFEMME Study described in this protocol article is to determine the influence of different hormonal profiles on iron metabolism in response to endurance exercise, and the main markers of muscle damage in response to resistance exercise; both in eumenorrheic, oral contraceptive (OC) users and postmenopausal well-trained women. Methods : This project is an observational controlled randomized counterbalanced study. One hundered and four (104) active and healthy women were selected to participate in the IronFEMME Study, 57 of which were eumenorrheic, 31 OC users and 16 postmenopausal. The project consisted of two sections carried out at the same time: iron metabolism (study I) and muscle damage (study II). For the study I, the exercise protocol consisted of an interval running test (eight bouts of 3 min at 85% of the maximal aerobic speed), whereas the study II protocol was an eccentric-based resistance exercise protocol (10 sets of 10 repetitions of plate-loaded barbell parallel back squats at 60% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) with 2 min of recovery between sets). In both studies, eumenorrheic participants were evaluated at three specific moments of the menstrual cycle: early-follicular phase, late-follicular phase and mid-luteal phase; OC users performed the trial at two moments: withdrawal phase and active pill phase. Lastly, postmenopausal women were only tested once, since their hormonal status does not fluctuate. The three-step method was used to verify the menstrual cycle phase: calendar counting, blood test confirmation, and urine-based ovulation kits. Blood samples were obtained to measure sex hormones, iron metabolism parameters, and muscle damage related markers. Discussion : IronFEMME Study has been designed to increase the knowledge regarding the influence of sex hormones on some aspects of the exercise-related female physiology. Iron metabolism and exercise-induced muscle damage will be studied considering the different reproductive status present throughout well-trained females' lifespan.

Background: Permanent hypoparathyroidism (PH) is the most frequent long-term complication after total thyroidectomy. PH is related to many short-term and long-term complications, including clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia due to overtreatment, hyperphosphatemia, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric symptoms, decrease in renal function and infectious complications. The aim of this study was to identify the most frequent effects of PH and its associated risk factors., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a single institutional series of patients who developed PH after total thyroidectomy between 2000 and 2016. PH was defined as hypoparathormonemia (≤12 pg/mL) or the need for calcium/vitamin D supplementation to achieve normal calcium levels for more than 12 months. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed based on the natural scaling of each included variable., Results: Thirty-nine patients fulfilled the criteria for PH. Mean ± SD age was 46.26 ± 13.4 years; 6 (15.4%) were males and 33 (84.6%) females. Mean follow-up was 6.13 ± 3.25 years. Mean calcium carbonate supplementation doses per day were 18.95 ± 17.5 g and 21.4 ± 19.3 g at 1 year and last follow-up, respectively. Hypocalcemic crisis was the most common complication (66.7%), followed by neuropsychiatric (38.5%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (33.3%). Ten patients showed a decrease in renal function (eGFR drop ≥25%) and 4 developed chronic kidney disease. The amount of calcium supplementation was the most relevant related risk factor., Conclusions: PH is associated with multiple complications, including renal function impairment, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric and infectious complications. Lower calcium supplementation doses are related to lower complications rates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the menstrual cycle and its underlying hormonal fluctuations affect muscle damage and inflammation in well-trained females following an eccentric exercise. Nineteen eumenorrheic women performed an eccentric squat-based exercise in the early follicular phase, late follicular phase and mid-luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Sex hormones and blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation -creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin-6, tumoral necrosis factor-, and C reactive protein- were analyzed in each phase. No effect of menstrual cycle phase was observed ( p > 0.05), while an interaction for interleukin-6 was shown ( p = 0.047). Accordingly, a moderate effect size [0.68 (0.53)-0.84 (0.74)], indicated that interleukin-6 values 2 h post-trial (2.07 1.26 pg/mL) were likely to be higher than baseline (1.59 0.33 pg/mL), 24 h (1.50 0.01 pg/mL) and 48 h (1.54 0.13 pg/mL) in the mid-luteal phase. Blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation were not affected by the menstrual cycle in well-trained women. The eccentric exercise barely triggered muscle damage and hence, no inflammation was observed, possibly due to participants training status. The mid-luteal phase was the only phase reflecting a possible inflammatory response in terms of interleukin-6, although further factors than sex hormones seem to be responsible for this finding., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

In the original version of the article, the last three column headings in Table 3 were mislabeled. The original article has been corrected. Following is the corrected table.

Background: Total thyroidectomy is the most common surgical procedure for the treatment of thyroid diseases. Postoperative hypocalcemia/hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia and permanent hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy in order to identify potential risk factors and to evaluate the impact of parathyroid autotransplantation., Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1018 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at our institution between 2000 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed to analyze patient features, clinical presentation, management and postoperative complications. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed based on the natural scaling of each included variable. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05., Results: Mean ± SD age was 46.79 ± 15.9 years; 112 (11.7%) were males and 844 (88.3%) females. A total of 642 (67.2%) patients underwent surgery for malignant disease. The rate of postoperative hypocalcemia, transient, protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism was 32.8%, 14.43%, 18.4% and 3.9%, respectively. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly associated with the number of parathyroid glands remaining in situ (4 glands: 2.5%, 3 glands: 3.8%, 1-2 glands: 13.3%; p ˂ 0.0001) [OR for 1-2 glands in situ = 5.32, CI 95% 2.61-10.82]. Other risk factors related to permanent hypoparathyroidism were obesity (OR 3.56, CI 95% 1.79-7.07), concomitant level VI lymph node dissection (OR 3.04, CI 95% 1.46-6.37) and incidental parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation (OR 3.6, CI 95% 1.85-7.02)., Conclusions: Identification and in situ preservation of at least three parathyroid glands were associated with a lower rate of postoperative hypocalcemia (30.4%) and permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism (2.79%).

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to test the effect of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 - ) ingestion on performance during a simulated competition on a Bicycle Motocross (BMX) track., Design: Double-blind cross-over study., Methods: Twelve elite male BMX cyclists (age: 19.2±3.4 years; height: 174.2±5.3cm; body mass: 72.4±8.4kg) ingested either NaHCO3- (0.3g.kg -1 body weight) or placebo 90min prior to exercise. The cyclists completed three races in a BMX Olympic track interspersed with 15min of recovery. Blood samples were collected to assess the blood acid-base status. Performance, cardiorespiratory, heart rate variability (HRV) as well as subjective variables were assessed., Results: The main effect of condition (NaHCO 3 - vs. placebo) was observed in pH, bicarbonate concentration and base excess (p<0.05), with a significant blood alkalosis. No changes were found in time, peak velocity and time to peak velocity for condition (p>0.05). The HRV analysis showed a significant effect of NaHCO 3 - ingestion, expressed by the rMSSD30 (root mean square of the successive differences) (p<0.001). There was no effect of condition on oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, or pulmonary ventilation (p>0.05). Finally, there was no effect of condition for any subjective scale (p>0.05)., Conclusions: We present here the first field condition study to investigate the effect of bicarbonate ingestion over performance in BMX discipline. The results showed that NaHCO 3 - -induced alkalosis did not improve performance in a simulated BMX competition in elite BMX cyclists, although future studies should consider the effects of NaHCO3- on autonomic function as a component of recovery., (Copyright © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Soil organic matter (SOM) underlies numerous soil processes and functions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy detects infrared-active organic bonds that constitute the organic component of soils. However, the relatively low organic matter content of soils (commonly < 5% by mass) and absorbance overlap of mineral and organic functional groups in the mid-infrared (MIR) region (4,000-400 cm -1 ) engenders substantial interference by dominant mineral absorbances, challenging or even preventing interpretation of spectra for SOM characterization. Spectral subtractions, a post-hoc mathematical treatment of spectra, can reduce mineral interference and enhance resolution of spectral regions corresponding to organic functional groups by mathematically removing mineral absorbances. This requires a mineral-enriched reference spectrum, which can be empirically obtained for a given soil sample by removing SOM. The mineral-enriched reference spectrum is subtracted from the original (untreated) spectrum of the soil sample to produce a spectrum representing SOM absorbances. Common SOM removal methods include high-temperature combustion ('ashing') and chemical oxidation. Selection of the SOM removal method carries two considerations: (1) the amount of SOM removed, and (2) absorbance artifacts in the mineral reference spectrum and thus the resulting subtraction spectrum. These potential issues can, and should, be identified and quantified in order to avoid fallacious or biased interpretations of spectra for organic functional group composition of SOM. Following SOM removal, the resulting mineral-enriched sample is used to collect a mineral reference spectrum. Several strategies exist to perform subtractions depending on the experimental goals and sample characteristics, most notably the determination of the subtraction factor. The resulting subtraction spectrum requires careful interpretation based on the aforementioned methodology. For many soil and other environmental samples containing substantial mineral components, subtractions have strong potential to improve FTIR spectroscopic characterization of organic matter composition.

Background: apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism is a genetic determinant of lipid and lipoprotein levels and the risk for coronary heart disease., Objective: to evaluate the impact of ApoE2allele in lipid plasma levels and the influence of a healthy hypocaloric diet plus a controlled physical activity on the lipid profile, we performed a study in a cohort of overweight and obese healthy subjects (Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 34.9 kg·m-2)., Methods: one hundred eighty participants (96 women), aged 18-50 years participated in a 22 weeks weight loss intervention based on same dietary treatment and different controlled exercise programs. All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (25-30% less energy intake than the daily energy expenditure). Blood samples were obtained for lipids measurements at the beginning and end of the study., Results: after intervention, men of the E2 group showed the greatest decreases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) values (p = 0.039; p = 0.001; p = 0.001; respectively). For high-density lipoprotein (HDL), E2 group had significant differences compared with E4 at pre- (p = 0.020) and post-intervention values (p = 0.024)., Conclusion: our results show great changes in men carrying ApoE2, mainly in TG and TC concentrations after treatment with hypocaloric diet and controlled exercise. Therefore, adding supervised training to nutritional intervention seems to be a good alternative for the reinforcement of the effect of the treatment.

Context: While a number of studies have researched road-cycling performance, few have attempted to investigate the physiological response in field conditions., Purpose: To describe the physiological and performance profile of an uphill time trial (TT) frequently used in cycling competitions., Methods: Fourteen elite road cyclists (mean ± SD age 25 ± 6 y, height 174 ± 4.2 cm, body mass 64.4 ± 6.1 kg, fat mass 7.48% ± 2.82%) performed a graded exercise test to exhaustion to determine maximal parameters. They then completed a field-based uphill TT in a 9.2-km first-category mountain pass with a 7.1% slope. Oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), power output, heart rate (HR), lactate concentration, and perceived-exertion variables were measured throughout the field-based test., Results: During the uphill TT, mean power output and velocity were 302 ± 7 W (4.2 ± 0.1 W/kg) and 18.7 ± 1.6 km/h, respectively. Mean VO 2 and HR were 61.6 ± 2.0 mL · kg -1  · min -1 and 178 ± 2 beats/min, respectively. Values were significantly affected by the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and final kilometers (P < .05). Lactate concentration and perceived exertion were 10.87 ± 1.12 mmol/L and 19.1 ± 0.1, respectively, at the end of the test, being significantly different from baseline measures., Conclusion: The studied uphill TT is performed at 90% of maximum HR and VO 2 and 70% of maximum power output. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study assessing cardiorespiratory parameters combined with measures of performance, perceived exertion, and biochemical variables during a field-based uphill TT in elite cyclists.

Chemical oxidations are routinely employed in soil science to study soil organic matter (SOM), and their interpretation could be improved by characterizing oxidation effects on SOM composition with spectroscopy. We investigated the effects of routinely employed oxidants on SOM composition in a Mollic Xerofluvent representative of intensively managed agricultural soils in the California Central Valley. Soil samples were subjected to oxidation by potassium permanganate (KMnO 4 ), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Additionally, non-oxidized and oxidized soils were treated with hydrofluoric acid (HF) to evaluate reduction of the mineral component to improve spectroscopy of oxidation effects. Oxidized non-HF and HF-treated soils were characterized by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), 13 C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry (py-MBMS), and for particle size distribution (PSD) using laser diffractometry (LD). Across the range of soil organic carbon (OC) removed by oxidations (14-72%), aliphatic C-H stretch at 3000-2800 cm -1 (DRIFTS) decreased with OC removal, and this trend was enhanced by HF treatment due to significant demineralization in this soil (70%). Analysis by NMR spectroscopy was feasible only after HF treatment, and did not reveal trends between OC removal and C functional groups. Pyrolysis-MBMS did not detect differences among oxidations, even after HF treatment of soils. Hydrofluoric acid entailed OC loss (13-39%), and for H 2 O 2 oxidized soils increased C:N and substantially decreased mean particle size. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using HF to improve characterizations of SOM composition following oxidations as practiced in soil science, in particular for DRIFTS. Since OC removal by oxidants, mineral removal by HF, and the interaction of oxidants and HF observed for this soil may differ for soils with different mineralogies, future work should examine additional soil and land use types to optimize characterizations of oxidation effects on SOM composition.

The aim was to determine whether the midpoint between ventilatory thresholds (MPVT) corresponds to maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). Twelve amateur cyclists (21.0 ± 2.6 years old; 72.2 ± 9.0 kg; 179.8 ± 7.5 cm) performed an incremental test (25 W·min -1 ) until exhaustion and several constant load tests of 30 minutes to determine MLSS, on different occasions. Using MLSS determination as the reference method, the agreement with five other parameters (MPVT; first and second ventilatory thresholds: VT1 and VT2; respiratory exchange ratio equal to 1: RER = 1.00; and Maximum) was analysed by the Bland-Altman method. The difference between workload at MLSS and VT1, VT2, RER=1.00 and Maximum was 31.1 ± 20.0, -86.0 ± 18.3, -63.6 ± 26.3 and -192.3 ± 48.6 W, respectively. MLSS was underestimated from VT1 and overestimated from VT2, RER = 1.00 and Maximum. The smallest difference (-27.5 ± 15.1 W) between workload at MLSS and MPVT was in better agreement than other analysed parameters of intensity in cycling. The main finding is that MPVT approached the workload at MLSS in amateur cyclists, and can be used to estimate maximal steady state., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests The authors declared no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this manuscript.

Purpose: To determine whether the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a predictor of peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH)., Methods: A total of 157 patients treated for IPAH completed a 6MWT in accordance with American Thoracic Society standards. Heart rate, pulse oximetry, and Borg rating of perceived exertion were determined at baseline and posttest. A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed on a cycle ergometer using a ramp protocol. Participants were stratified post hoc by age into 3 groups: children (n = 26), adolescents (n = 49), and adults (n = 82). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to predict peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 from the 6MWT., Results: The regression equation generated for the children was the only model to strongly predict peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 (r = 0.87; P < .001). Similar models for adolescent (r = 0.59; P < .001) and adult groups (r = 0.68; P < .001) did not achieve the same level of correlation., Conclusion: Six-Minute Walk Test was able to accurately predict peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 in children (6-12 years) with IPAH; however, the model was weaker for predicting peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 in older populations. These findings suggest that 6MWT may be as valid a test for predicting peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 in children with IPAH as CPET measured peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2. In older IPAH populations, CPET is the only reliable method for the evaluation of peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2.

The β-2 and β-3 adrenergic receptors (ADRB2 and ADRB3) are thought to play a role in energy expenditure and lipolysis. However, the effects of the ADRB2 glutamine (Gln) 27 glutamic acid (glutamate) (Glu) and ADRB3 tryptophan (Trp) 64 arginine (Arg) polymorphisms on weight loss remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these polymorphisms on changes in weight and body composition during a controlled weight-loss program. One hundred seventy-three healthy overweight and obese participants (91 women, 82 men) aged 18-50 years participated in a 22-week-long intervention based on a hypocaloric diet and exercise. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: strength, endurance, strength and endurance combined, and physical activity recommendations only. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body composition variables were assessed before and after the intervention. Genetic analysis was carried out according to standard protocols. No effect of the ADRB2 gene was shown on final weight, BMI, or body composition, although in the supervised male group, Glu27 carriers tended to have greater weight (p = 0.019, 2.5 kg) and BMI (p = 0.019, 0.88 kg/m(2)) reductions than did noncarriers. There seems to be an individual effect of the ADRB3 polymorphism on fat mass (p = 0.004) and fat percentage (p = 0.036), in addition to an interaction with exercise for fat mass (p = 0.038). After the intervention, carriers of the Arg64 allele had a greater fat mass and fat percentage than did noncarriers (p = 0.004, 2.8 kg). In conclusion, the ADRB2 Gln27Glu and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms may influence weight loss and body composition, although the current evidence is weak; however, further studies are necessary to clarify their roles.

Background: The main concern of the people who follow a weight loss program is the body weight loss, independently of the body composition. The aim of this study was to create a mathematical model able to discriminate the body weight change based on initial body composition variables., Methods: The study included 239 overweight and obese participants (18-50 years; Body Mass Index (BMI)>25 and <34.9 kg/m2). Participants performed an endrance, strength or a combined endurance and strength training three times per week, or followed the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity guidelines for body weight loss, during twenty-four weeks while having 25-30% caloric restriction. Two multivariate discriminant models were performed taking into account the groups below and above the mean body weight change., Results: The discriminant models obtained could discriminate the body weight change with a 65-70% of correct classification. BW, fat-free mass (FFM), and fat mass (FM) were shown to be the most discriminant variables for the discriminant models., Conclusions: People having higher FM and FFM at the beginning of an intervention will lose a greater amount of weight until the end of it.

The amount of Rhizoctonia solani in the soil and how much must be present to cause disease in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is relatively unknown. This is mostly because of the usually low inoculum densities found naturally in soil and the low sensitivity of traditional serial dilution assays. We investigated the usefulness of Fourier transform mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic properties in identifying the artificial colonization of barley grains with R. solani AG 2-2 IIIB and in detecting R. solani populations in plant tissues and inoculants. The objectives of this study were to compare the ability of traditional plating assays to NIR and MIR spectroscopies to identify R. solani in different-size fractions of colonized ground barley (used as an artificial inoculum) and to differentiate colonized from non-inoculated barley. We found that NIR and MIR spectroscopies were sensitive in resolving different barley particle sizes, with particles that were <0.25 and 0.25-0.5 mm having different spectral properties than coarser particles. Moreover, we found that barley colonized with R. solani had different MIR spectral properties than the non-inoculated samples for the larger fractions (0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.0, and >2.0 mm) of the ground barley. This colonization was confirmed using traditional plating assays. Comparisons with the spectra from pure fungal cultures and non-inoculated barley suggest that the MIR spectrum of colonized barley is different because of the consumption of C substrates by the fungus rather than because of the presence of fungal bands in the spectra of the colonized samples. We found that MIR was better than NIR spectroscopy in differentiating the colonized from the control samples.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different physical activity programs, in combination with a hypocaloric diet, on anthropometric variables and body composition in obese subjects. Ninety-six obese (men: n = 48; women: n = 48; age range: 18-50 yr) participated in a supervised 22-wk program. They were randomized into four groups: strength training (S; n = 24), endurance training (E; n = 26), combined strength + endurance training (SE; n = 24), and physical activity recommendations (C; n = 22). In addition, all groups followed the same hypocaloric diet. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, dietetic and physical activity variables were assessed using validated questionnaires. Anthropometric variables were recorded along with body composition variables measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry techniques. At the end of the intervention, significant improvements were seen within groups in terms of body weight (S: -9.21 ± 0.83 kg; E: -10.55 ± 0.80 kg; SE: -9.88 ± 0.85 kg; C: -8.69 ± 0.89 kg), and total fat mass (S: -5.24 ± 0.55%; E: -5.35 ± 0.55%; SE: -4.85 ± 0.56%; C: -4.89 ± 0.59%). No differences were seen between groups at this time in terms of any other anthropometric or body composition variables examined. All groups increased their total physical activity in metabolic equivalents (MET) per week during the intervention, but with no difference between groups (S: 976 ± 367 MET-min/wk; E: 954 ± 355 MET-min/wk; SE: 1 329 ± 345 MET-min/wk; C: 763 ± 410 MET-min/wk). This study shows that, when combined with a hypocaloric diet, exercise training and adherence to physical activity recommendations are equally effective at reducing body weight and modifying body composition in the treatment of obesity (Clinical Trials Gov. number: NCT01116856)., (Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.)

In order to properly determine the value of charring crop residues, the C use efficiency and effects on crop performance of biochar needs to be compared to the un-charred crop residues. In this study we compared the addition of corn stalks to soil, with equivalent additions of charred (300 °C and 500 °C) corn residues. Two experiments were conducted: a long term laboratory mineralization, and a growth chamber trial with proso millet plants. In the laboratory, we measured soil mineral N dynamics, C use efficiency, and soil organic matter (SOM) chemical changes via infrared spectroscopy. The 300 °C biochar decreased plant biomass relative to a nothing added control. The 500°C biochar had little to no effect on plant biomass. With incubation we measured lower soil NO3 content in the corn stalk treatment than in the biochar-amended soils, suggesting that the millet growth reduction in the stalk treatment was mainly driven by N limitation, whereas other factors contributed to the biomass yield reductions in the biochar treatments. Corn stalks had a C sequestration use efficiency of up to 0.26, but charring enhanced C sequestration to values that ranged from 0.64 to 1.0. Infrared spectroscopy of the soils as they mineralized showed that absorbance at 3400, 2925-2850, 1737 cm-1, and 1656 cm-1 decreased during the incubation and can be regarded as labile SOM, corn residue, or biochar bands. Absorbances near 1600, 1500-1420, and 1345 cm-1 represented the more refractory SOM moieties. Our results show that adding crop residue biochar to soil is a sound C sequestration technology compared to letting the crop residues decompose in the field. This is because the resistance to decomposition of the chars after soil amendment offsets any C losses during charring of the crop residues.

Aim: During postexercise recovery, heart rate (HR) initially falls rapidly, followed by a period of slower decrease, until resting values are reached. The aim of the present work was to examine the differences in the recovery heart rate (RHR) between athletes engaged in static and dynamic sports., Methods: The study subjects were 294 federated sportsmen competing at the national and international level in sports classified using the criteria of Mitchell et al. as either prevalently static (N.=89) or prevalently dynamic (N.=205). Within the dynamic group, the subjects who practised the most dynamic sports were assigned to further subgroups: triathlon (N.=20), long distance running (N.=58), cycling (N.=28) and swimming (N.=12). All athletes were subjected to a maximum exertion stress test and their HR recorded at 1, 2, 3 and 4 min (RHR1,2,3,4) into the HR recovery period. The following indices of recovery (IR) were then calculated: IR1=(HRpeak-RHR1,2,3,4)/(HRmax-HRrest)*100, IR2=(HRpeak-RHR1,2,3,4)/(HRmax/HRpeak), and IR3=HRpeak-RHR1,2,3,4. The differences in the RHR and IR for the static and dynamic groups were examined using two way ANOVA., Results: The RHR at minutes 2 (138.7±15.2 vs. 134.8±14.4 beats·min⁻¹) and 3 (128.5±15.2 vs. 123.3±14.4 beats·min⁻¹) were significantly higher for the static group (Group S) than the dynamic group (Group D), respectively. Significant differences were seen between Group D and S with respect to IR1 at minutes 1 (26.4±8.7 vs. 24.8±8.4%), 2 (43.8±8.1 vs. 41.5±7.8%), 3 (52.1±8.3 vs. 49.1±8%) and 4 (56.8±8.6 vs. 55.4±7.4%) of recovery. For IR2, significant differences were seen between the same groups at minutes 2 (59.7±12.5 vs. 55.9±10.8 beats·min⁻¹) and 3 (71.0±13.5 vs. 66.1±11.4 beats·min⁻¹) of recovery. Finally, for IR3, the only significant difference between Group D and S was recorded at minute 3 of recovery (72.2±12.5 vs. 66.2±11.5 beats·min⁻¹)., Conclusion: This work provides information on RHR of a large population of elite Spanish athletes, and shows marked differences in the way that HR recovers in dynamic and static sports.

The anaerobic threshold (AT) has been one of the most studied of all physiological variables. Many authors have proposed the use of several markers to determine the moment at with the AT is reached. The present work discusses the physiological responses made to exercise - the measurement of which indicates the point at which the AT is reached - and how these responses might be controlled by the central nervous system. The detection of the AT having been reached is a sign for the central nervous system (CNS) to respond via an increase in efferent activity via the peripheral nervous system (PNS). An increase in CNS and PNS activities are related to changes in ventilation, cardiovascular function, and gland and muscle function. The directing action of the central command (CC) allows for the coordination of the autonomous and motor systems, suggesting that the AT can be identified in the many ways: changes in lactate, ventilation, plasma catecholamines, heart rate (HR), salivary amylase and muscular electrical activity. This change in response could be indicative that the organism would face failure if the exercise load continued to increase. To avoid this, the CC manages the efferent signals that show the organism that it is running out of homeostatic potential.

The objective of this work was to evaluate how sex, age, and the kind of treatment followed affect weight loss in overweight men and women, as well as to develop an explanation for the evolution of weight-loss dynamics. The study consisted of 119 overweight participants (18-50 years old, body mass index >25 and <29.9 kg·m(-2)), who were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment programs, namely, strength training (n = 30), endurance training (n = 30), a combination of strength training and endurance training (n = 30), and a careful treatment including diet and physical recommendations (n = 29). Each of the training groups exercised 3 times per week for 24 weeks, and their daily diet was restricted to a specific protocol during the testing period and controlled carefully. Body weight changes in the participants were evaluated every 15 days. Based on this study, we developed and validated different sets of equations to accurately capture the weight-loss dynamics. There were no significant differences in terms of global body weight changes from the statistical viewpoint, either regarding the carried out treatment or the individuals' ages. However, significant differences in weight-loss tendency were found depending on participant sex. We concluded that the effectiveness of different possible treatments for weight loss varies by sex and, based on our experimental observations, a quadratic function provides the most accurate model for capturing specific weight-loss dynamics. This trial is registered at Clinical Trials Gov.: number NCT01116856.

Background: At present, scientific consensus exists on the multifactorial etiopatogenia of obesity. Both professionals and researchers agree that treatment must also have a multifactorial approach, including diet, physical activity, pharmacology and/or surgical treatment. These two last ones should be reserved for those cases of morbid obesities or in case of failure of the previous ones. The aim of the PRONAF study is to determine what type of exercise combined with caloric restriction is the most appropriate to be included in overweigth and obesity intervention programs, and the aim of this paper is to describe the design and the evaluation methods used to carry out the PRONAF study., Methods/design: One-hundred nineteen overweight (46 males) and 120 obese (61 males) subjects aged 18-50 years were randomly assigned to a strength training group, an endurance training group, a combined strength + endurance training group or a diet and physical activity recommendations group. The intervention period was 22 weeks (in all cases 3 times/wk of training for 22 weeks and 2 weeks for pre and post evaluation). All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet (25-30% less energy intake than the daily energy expenditure estimated by accelerometry). 29-34% of the total energy intake came from fat, 14-20% from protein, and 50-55% from carbohydrates. The mayor outcome variables assesed were, biochemical and inflamatory markers, body composition, energy balance, physical fitness, nutritional habits, genetic profile and quality of life. 180 (75.3%) subjects finished the study, with a dropout rate of 24.7%. Dropout reasons included: personal reasons 17 (28.8%), low adherence to exercise 3 (5.1%), low adherence to diet 6 (10.2%), job change 6 (10.2%), and lost interest 27 (45.8%)., Discussion: Feasibility of the study has been proven, with a low dropout rate which corresponds to the estimated sample size. Transfer of knowledge is foreseen as a spin-off, in order that overweight and obese subjects can benefit from the results. The aim is to transfer it to sports centres. Effectiveness on individual health-related parameter in order to determine the most effective training programme will be analysed in forthcoming publications., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01116856.

This study investigated the changes in cardiorespiratory response and running performance of 9 male "Talent Identification" (TID) and 6 male Senior Elite (SE) Spanish National Squad triathletes during a specific cycle-run (C-R) test. The TID and SE triathletes (initial age 15.2 ± 0.7 vs. 23.8 ± 5.6 years, p = 0.03; V(O2)max 77.0 ± 5.6 vs. 77.8 ± 3.6 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1), nonsignificant) underwent 3 tests through the competitive period and the preparatory period, respectively, of 2 consecutive seasons: test 1 was an incremental cycle test to determine the ventilatory threshold (Th(vent)); test 2 (C-R) was 30-minute constant load cycling at the Th(vent) power output followed by a 3-km time-trial run; and test 3 (isolated control run [R]) was an isolated 3-km time-trial control run, in randomized counterbalanced order. In both seasons, the time required to complete the C-R 3-km run was greater than for R in TID (11:09 ± 00:24 vs. 10:45 ± 00:16 min:ss, p < 0.01 and 10:24 ± 00:22 vs. 10:04 ± 00:14, p = 0.006, for season 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, respectively) and SE (10:15 ± 00:19 vs. 09:45 ± 00:30, p < 0.001 and 09:51 ± 00:26 vs. 09:46 ± 00:06, p = 0.02 for season 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, respectively). Compared with the first season, the completion of the time-trial run was faster in the second season (6.6%, p < 0.01 and 6.4%, p < 0.01, for C-R and R tests, respectively) only in TID. Changes in post cycling run performance were accompanied by changes in pacing strategy, but there were only slight or nonsignificant changes in the cardiorespiratory response. Thus, the negative effect of cycling on performance may persist, independently of the period, over 2 consecutive seasons in TID and SE triathletes; however, improvements over time suggests that monitoring running pacing strategy after cycling may be a useful tool to control performance and training adaptations in TID.

Little is known about the microbial communities carried in wind-eroded sediments from various soil types and land management systems. The novel technique of pyrosequencing promises to expand our understanding of the microbial diversity of soils and eroded sediments because it can sequence 10 to 100 times more DNA fragments than previous techniques, providing enhanced exploration into what microbes are being lost from soil due to wind erosion. Our study evaluated the bacterial diversity of two types of wind-eroded sediments collected from three different organic-rich soils in Michigan using a portable field wind tunnel. The wind-eroded sediments evaluated were a coarse sized fraction with 66% of particles >106 μm (coarse eroded sediment) and a finer eroded sediment with 72% of particles <106 μm. Our findings suggested that (i) bacteria carried in the coarser sediment and fine dust were effective fingerprints of the source soil, although their distribution may vary depending on the soil characteristics because certain bacteria may be more protected in soil surfaces than others; (ii) coarser wind-eroded sediment showed higher bacterial diversity than fine dust in two of the three soils evaluated; and (iii) certain bacteria were more predominant in fine dust (, , and ) than coarse sediment ( and ), revealing different locations and niches of bacteria in soil, which, depending on wind erosion processes, can have important implications on the soil sustainability and functioning. Infrared spectroscopy showed that wind erosion preferentially removes particular kinds of C from the soil that are lost via fine dust. Our study shows that eroded sediments remove the active labile organic soil particulates containing key microorganisms involved in soil biogeochemical processes, which can have a negative impact on the quality and functioning of the source soil., (Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.)

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on consecutive "all out" sprint tests, analyzing the acid-base status and its influence on performance and perceived effort. Ten elite bicycle motocross (BMX) riders (20.7 ± 1.4 years, training experience 8-12 years) participated in this study which consisted of two trials. Each trial consisted of three consecutive Wingate tests (WTs) separated by 15 min recovery. Ninety minutes prior to exercise subjects ingested either NaHCO(3) (-) (0.3 g kg(-1) body weight) or placebo. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of blood acid-base status: bicarbonate concentration ([HCO(3) (-)]), pH, base excess (BE) and blood lactate concentration ([La(-)]). Performance variables of peak power (PP), mean power (MP), time to peak power and fatigue index were calculated for each sprint. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in acid-base variables [pH before WT1: 7.47 ± 0.05 vs. 7.41 ± 0.03; [HCO(3) (-)] before WT1: 29.08 ± 2.27 vs. 22.85 ± 0.24 mmol L(-1) (bicarbonate vs. placebo conditions, respectively)], but there were not significant differences in performance variables between trials [PP WT1: 1,610 ± 373 vs. 1,599 ± 370 W; PP WT2: 1,548 ± 460 vs. 1,570 ± 428 W; PP WT3: 1,463 ± 361 vs. 1,519 ± 364 W. MP WT1: 809 ± 113 vs. 812 ± 108 W; MP WT2: 799 ± 135 vs. 799 ± 124 W; MP WT3: 762 ± 165 vs. 782 ± 118 W (bicarbonate vs. placebo conditions, respectively)]. Rating of perceived effort (RPE) was not influenced nor ratings of perceived readiness. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion modified significantly the blood acid-base balance, although the induced alkalosis did not improve the Wingate test performance, RPE and perceived readiness across three consecutive WTs in elite BMX cyclists.

The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables predict excellence in middle- and long-distance runners. Forty middle-distance runners (age 23 ± 4 years, body mass 67.2 ± 5.9 kg, stature 1.80 ± 0.05 m, VO(2max) 65.9 ± 4.5 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) and 32 long-distance runners (age 25 ± 4 years, body mass 59.8 ± 5.1 kg, stature 1.73 ± 0.06 m, VO(2max) 71.6 ± 5.0 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) competing at international standard performed an incremental running test to exhaustion. Expired gas analysis was performed breath-by-breath and maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and two ventilatory thresholds (VT(1) and VT(2)) were calculated. Long-distance runners presented a higher VO(2max) than middle-distance runners when expressed relative to body mass (P < 0.001, d = 1.18, 95% CI [0.68, 1.68]). At the intensities corresponding to VT(1) and VT(2), long-distance runners showed higher values for VO(2) expressed relative to body mass or %VO(2max), speed and oxygen cost of running (P < 0.05). When oxygen uptake was adjusted for body mass, differences between groups were consistent. Logistic binary regression analysis showed that VO(2max) (expressed as l · min(-1) and ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)), VO(2VT2) (expressed as ml · kg(-0.94) · min(-1)), and speed at VT(2) (v(VT2)) categorized long-distance runners. In addition, the multivariate model correctly classified 84.7% of the athletes. Thus, VO(2max), VO(2VT2), and v(VT2) discriminate between elite middle-distance and long-distance runners.

Aims: We assessed the changes in cardiac morphology between elite endurance-trained runners (n = 42) and elite sprinters (n = 34) over a 5-year period. In addition, we studied the relationship between heart size and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max)., Methods: At the beginning of 5 consecutive seasons, all athletes underwent an incremental running test to determine VO2 max and a color-coded pulsed Doppler examination to determine baseline echocardiographic variables. We hypothesized that cardiac morphology had reached its upper limit in elite athletes, and showed only minor changes during 5 years of regular training., Results: Although all echocardiographic variables remained stable in nearly all sprinters studied, in the endurance runners (who presented higher cardiac cavity dimensions compared with sprinters), variations in heart morphology became evident from the third season, and were within established physiological limits., Conclusion: Only 6 (17%) endurance runners and 3 (9%) sprinters showed a left ventricular internal diameter of > 60 mm (the threshold pathological value) at end diastole at some point during the observational period. Moreover, no statistically significant association was detected between changes in VO2 max and changes in heart size. After 5 years of intense training, the changes of the echocardiographic variables examined remained different between endurance runners and sprinters.

Aim: To analyze the evolution of respiratory pattern variables (some of which are representative of central respiratory regulation) in a group of highly trained cyclists through a training season., Material and Methods: Ten elite cyclists performed three maximal effort tests on a cicloergometer at November (preparatory period), February (precompetitive period) and June (competitive period). These three moments determine the start and end of two main training periods, during which training volume and intensity was monitored. Load (W), heart rate (HR), and oxygen uptake (VO2) was determined at the ventilatory thresholds and the maximum VO2. The relationship between tidal volume and inspiratory time (V(T)/t(I)) was studied in three zones: V(T)/t(I) under 2; 2) V(T)/t(I) between 2 and 4; and 3) V(T)/t(I) over 4., Results: Volume and intensity of training significantly increased in the second period of training, but the ventilatory thresholds and VO2 did not perform after the second visit to the laboratory. V(T) did not change in any of the studied zones during the season. The only differences observed were for t(I), between the first and second visit to the lab, for the first zone determined. The V(T)/t(I) relation did not change through the season., Conclusion: There are no differences due to training in the measured variables in highly trained subjects. Changes in VO(2) and ventilatory thresholds after the first visit can not be attributed to the studied variables of the respiratory pattern of the subjects.

Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 (MCT1) mediates the transport of the main fraction of lactate across the sarcolemma. A common polymorphic MCT1 variant has been identified, but its role in high intensity exercise performance has not been defined. We investigated the influence of MCT1 A1470T polymorphism (rs1049434) on lactate accumulation after high intensity circuit training. Ten men aged 20-26 performed three controlled circuit training (CWT) sessions at 60%, 70%, and 80% of the 15 repetition maximum (15RM), in non-consecutive days. CWT included three sets of a circuit of eight exercises, obtaining lactate measurements immediately after each set had been completed. Two independent variables were analysed: MTC1 genotypes according to the presence or absence of the A1470T polymorphism, and the intensity of circuit training. Genotype distributions were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, being 30% wild-type, 50% heterozygotes, and 20% mutated homozygotes. Mean lactate concentration at 80% of 15RM were significantly higher than the mean lactate values at the other intensities (p<0.01). Significant differences between genetic groups were found in the lactate accumulation slope at 80% of 15RM (p=0.02) and in the maximal lactate concentration reached by all subjects in the study (L(max)) (p=0.03). The carriers of the A1470T polymorphism in the MTC1 gene seem to exhibit a worse lactate transport capability into the less active muscle cells for oxidation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if possible, with the resources available in Ethiopia, to make significant associations between racing performance and laboratory physiological test results in elite young African runners., Methods: Twenty-four young Ethiopian runners (12 males and 12 females) attended the physiology laboratory of the Addis Ababa University, where skin fold thickness, basic resting pulmonary function and heart rate (HR) during an incremental treadmill exercise test were recorded a week before or a week after two official 800 and 1500 meter races. Performance was rated according to the scoring procedures of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF): male runners (1041, CV=4.1%), female (1051, CV=2.8%)., Results: The sum of four skin folds was significantly correlated with male (r=-0.80, P<0.01) and female IAAF score (r= -0.78, P<0.01). IAAF score was also related to forced vital capacity (male: r=0.70, P<0.05; female: r=0.85, P<0.01) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (male: r=0.63, P<0.05; female: r=0.80, P<0.01). For both sexes, HR at a fixed submaximal exercise workload was significantly associated with IAAF score. In both male and female runners, the more significant association was observed for a treadmill slope of 7.5% (r=-0.93, P<0.01; r= -0.95, P<0.01, respectively)., Conclusions: These results show that basic physiological measures are useful in measuring fitness and in predicting middle-distance running performance in a homogeneous group of elite young male and female Ethiopian runners.

The objective of this study was to develop Fourier transformed mid-infrared (MidIR) and near-infrared (NIR) calibrations for acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total nitrogen in triticale, peas, and triticale/pea mixtures. Heterogeneous calibration-validation combinations were also tested for calibration quality. The forage samples were collected from forage plots grown following millet or wheat. Other factors included population density, forage mixtures, and nitrogen fertilizer rate. Total N always achieved a better validation R(2) than ADF and NDF, regardless of the sample set or spectral range. The ADF and NDF could not be predicted well with heterogeneous calibration/validation sets, with the exception of ADF predicted by the pea/triticale mixture in the MidIR. Using whole sample sets resulted in better predictive calibrations for the fiber analytes for both the MidIR and the NIR. This study shows that MidIR compares well with NIR for the development of ADF and total N calibrations in forages. The NIR and MidIR are both useful as quick methods for measuring total N, and they show promise for measuring ADF and total N in forage samples, but performance with NDF was less satisfactory.

We investigated the Fourier-transformed mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic properties of mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) carrot roots with the goal of finding infrared markers for colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The roots were cultured with or without the AM fungus Glomus intraradices under laboratory conditions. A total of 50 M and NM samples were produced after pooling subsamples. The roots were dried, ground, and scanned separately for the NIR and MIR analyses. The root samples were analyzed for fatty acid composition in order to confirm mycorrhizal infection and to determine the presence of fatty acid markers. Besides the roots, fatty acid standards, pure cultures of saprophytic fungi, and chitin were also scanned in order to identify spectral bands likely to be found in M samples. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to illustrate spectral differences between the M and NM root samples. The NIR analysis achieved good resolution with the raw spectral data and no pretreatment was needed to obtain good resolution in the PCA analysis of the NIR data. Standard normal variate and detrending pretreatment improved the resolution between M and NM in the MIR range. The PCA loadings and/or the spectral subtraction of selected samples showed that M roots are characterized by absorbances at or close to 400 cm(-1), 1100-1170 cm(-1), 1690 cm(-1), 2928 cm(-1), and 5032 cm(-1). The NM samples had characteristic absorbances at or near 1734 cm(-1), 3500 cm(-1), 4000 cm(-1), 4389 cm(-1), and 4730 cm(-1). Some of the bands that differentiate M from NM roots are prominent in the spectra of pure fungal cultures, chitin, and fatty acids. Our results show that mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal root tissues can be differentiated via MIR and NIR spectra with the advantage that the same samples can then be used for other analyses.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse the activities of a goalkeeper during a match and to identify the distances covered at different velocities between the first and second halves., Methods: Sixty-two goalkeepers belonging to 28 teams in the English Premier League were monitored over 109 matches using the Prozone(R) system. All values are averages and standard deviations. Pearson product moment correlation was used to examine selected bivariate correlation. To analyze the differences in averages, the paired Student t-test was used. The analyses were performed using SPSS (v.13.0; SPSS, Inc. Chicago, IL). The significance level was set at P<0.05., Results: Mean total distance covered by the goalkeeper during the match was 5 611+/-613 m. There were no differences between distances covered in the first and second halves. The distance covered at high-intensity was 56+/-34 m, while the distance covered sprinting was 11+/-12 m. The average number of high speed actions was 10+/-6, with a total range between 0 and 40. The goalkeeper walked during 73% of the match, while spending just 2% moving at high-intensity., Conclusion: The goalkeeper's physical activity was not as great as that of the field players, but the high-intensity actions carried out will be very decisive in the final result of the match.

We tested a new portable metabolic system, the Jaeger Oxycon Mobile (OM) at a range of running speeds. Six subjects carried out, in random order, two incremental tests on a treadmill, one of them using the OM, and the other using the Jaeger Oxycon Pro (OP). There are systematic errors in the measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) with the OM. Production of CO2 (VCO2) tends to be overestimated by the OM, although the differences are not significant. Ventilation (VE) showed very similar values in both analyzers. Data of VO2 and RER were corrected with a regression equation which minimised the differences among the devices. The portable metabolic system OM makes systematic errors in measurements of VO2 and RER which can be adjusted with a regression analysis to obtain data comparable to those obtained by fixed systems. Key pointsPortable metabolic systems are frequently used to explore various physiological ventilatory variables in field tests.There are systematic errors in the measurements of oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) with the Jaeger Oxycon Mobile (OM) portable metabolic systemProduction of CO2 (VCO2) tends to be overestimated by the OMData of VO2 and RER can be corrected with a regression equationThe portable metabolic system OM makes systematic errors in measurements of VO2 and RER which can be adjusted with a regression analysis to obtain data comparable to those obtained by fixed systems.

Introduction: Few works have approached the study of the tidal volume/inspiratory time (V(T)/ t(I)) relationship during long and constant load exercise in treadmill. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship V(T)/ t(I) to an intensity corresponding to the mean point among the two ventilatory thresholds., Material and Methods: Twenty-four males have participated, carrying out two tests in treadmill: (1) maximal incremental test and (2) a 30 minutes constant load test at the intensity corresponding to the mean point among the two ventilatory thresholds. The respiratory parameters, acid-base parameters and lactate concentration was analysed during the constant load test., Results: The breakpoint of relationship V(T)/ t(I) during the maximum test was reached at V(T) 2886 (465) mL, tI 0.57 (0.10) s and oxygen uptake (VO2) 4606 (532.9) mL/min. During the effort at constant load the relationships V(T)/ t(I), and tI/ tTOT (inspiratory time/total time) were significantly lower to those corresponding to the breakpoint of Hering-Breuer (PHB). Although the lactate concentration was superior to 4 mmol/L, the parameters of the acid-base state stayed inside the limits that allowed to conclude the whole test., Conclusions: A value of the relationship V(T)/ t(I) is adopted below the PHB, determinated with a maximum test, during an effort of 30 minutes at an intensity corresponding to the mean point among the two ventilatory thresholds. Both, carbon dioxide pressure end tidal values (Pet CO2) and the acid-base state, stay stable and below the values corresponding to the PHB.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate physiological parameters as a control tool for the monitoring of training in a group of elite cyclists during one season of training., Methods: The study is divided into two periods (winter or ''volume'' mesocycle and spring or ''intensity'' mesocycle) between the tests that they carried out in the laboratory, consisting of a ramp test to exhaustion (work load increases 25 W X min(-1)) and a maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) test on a cycle ergometer. Macronutrients and hematological variables were recorded during the test periods as were the volume and the intensity of training sessions during the whole period of the study., Results: The physiological data were similar to those previously reported for professional cyclists (approximately 450 Watts, approximately 78 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and the values for the MLSS also agree with previous studies (approximately 250 Watts). Subjects improved the first ventilatory threshold (VT(1)) (approximately 52% to approximately 60% VO(2max)) and the second ventilatory threshold (VT(2)) (approximately 82% to approximately 87% VO(2max)) after the first period of training even though its low intensity focused on the performance of VT(1) (77% training in ''zone 1'', under VT(1)). The MLSS improved after the first period (approximately 225 to approximately 250 Watts) and remained high in the second (approximately 255 Watts). High levels of creatine kinase (approximately 230 U x L(-1)) and urea (37 mg x L(-1)) were found, also a decrease in hemoglobin values (approximately 15.4 to approximately 14.7g x dL(-1))., Conclusion: The high level reached by the subjects after the first period of training suggests that two effort tests could be enough to plan training. On the other hand, the decrease in some red blood cell and nutrition parameters suggests that there should be greater control over them during the season.

Objective: There is some debate about the participation of the Hering-Breuer reflex during exercise in human beings. This study aimed to investigate breathing pattern response during an incremental exercise test with a cycle ergometer. Participation of the Hering-Breuer reflex in the control of breathing was to be indirectly investigated by analyzing the ratio of tidal volume (VT) to inspiratory time (tI)., Subjects and Methods: The 9 active subjects who participated the study followed an incremental protocol on a cycle ergometer until peak criteria were reached. During exercise, VT/ti can be described in 2 phases, separated by activation of the Hering-Breuer reflex (inspiratory off-switch threshold). In phase 1, ventilation increases because VT increases, resulting in a slight decrease in tI, whereas, in phase 2, increased ventilation is due to both an increase in VT and a decrease in tI., Results: The mean (SD) inspiratory off-switch threshold was 84.6% (6.3%) when expressed relative to peak VT (mean, 3065 [566.8] mL) and 48% (7.2%) relative to the forced vital capacity measured by resting spirometry. The inspiratory off-switch threshold correlated positively (r=0.93) with the second ventilatory threshold, or respiratory compensation point., Conclusions: The inspiratory off-switch threshold and VT/ti are directly related to one another. The inspiratory off-switch threshold was related to the second ventilatory threshold, suggesting that the Hering-Breuer reflex participates in control of the breathing pattern during exercise. Activation of the reflex could contribute by signaling the respiratory centers to change the breathing pattern.

Spring and summer tillage are usually followed by irrigation before planting crops in California's summer-dry Mediterranean-type climate. Tillage treatments such as rototillage or disking are known to disturb the soil structure to different extents, but little is known about how the intensity of a tillage event and subsequent irrigation affect the microbial biomass, respiration, CO2 efflux, and mineral N of agricultural soils. We carried out an experiment with a Yolo silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic Mollic Xerofluvent) with two tilled treatments (rototillage and disked and rolled) and a nontilled control. The soil was subsequently sampled throughout a 17-d period. Nine days after tillage, all treatments were lightly sprinkler-irrigated to bring the soil water potential above -10 kPa. After tillage, the soil ammonium and nitrate content increased rapidly relative to the control with highest increases in the disked soil. Mineral N remained higher in the tilled treatments after irrigation. Rototillage and disking increased the CO2 efflux of the soil within 24 h of the disturbance. The increase was higher in the disked soil, which was more than three times the CO2 efflux of the control soil at 0.25 h after tillage. This effect may be due to degassing of dissolved CO2 since microbial respiration did not increase in tilled soils. Irrigation increased the CO2 efflux of all treatments but this was most pronounced in the control soil, which had an order of magnitude increase in CO2 efflux after irrigation. An ancillary experiment carried out under similar conditions but with more frequent sampling showed that increases in CO2 efflux after irrigation were accompanied by increases in soil respiration. This study shows that different tillage implements affect CO2 efflux, nitrate accumulation, and microbial activity, and thus have different effects on soil and atmospheric environmental quality.

The purpose of our investigation was to analyse the breathing patterns of professional cyclists during incremental exercise from submaximal to maximal intensities. A group of 11 elite amateur male road cyclists [E, mean age 23 (SD 2) years, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) 73.8 (SD 5.0) ml kg(-1) min(-1)] and 14 professional male road cyclists [P, mean age 26 (SD 2) years, (VO2peak) 73.2 (SD 6.6) ml kg(-1) min(-1)] participated in this study. Each of the subjects performed an exercise test on a cycle ergometer following a ramp protocol (exercise intensity increases of 25 W x min(-1)) until the subject was exhausted. For each subject, the following parameters were recorded during the tests: oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), breathing frequency (fb), ventilatory equivalents for oxygen (VE x VO2(-1)) and carbon dioxide (VE x VCO2(-1)), end-tidal partial pressure of oxygen and partial pressure of carbon dioxide, inspiratory (tI) and expiratory (tE) times, inspiratory duty cycle (tI/tTOT, where tTOT is the time for one respiratory cycle), and mean inspiratory flow rate (VT/tI). Mean values of VE were significantly higher in E at 300, 350 and 400 W (P < 0.05, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively); fb was also higher in E in most moderate-to-maximal intensities. On the other hand, VT showed a different pattern in both groups at near-to maximal intensities, since no plateau was observed in P. The response of tI and tE was also different. Finally, VT/tI and tI/tTOT showed a similar response in both P and E. It was concluded that the breathing pattern of the two groups differed mainly in two aspects: in the professional cyclists, VE increased at any exercise intensity as a result of increases in both VT and fb, with no evidence of tachypnoeic shift, and tE was prolonged in this group at high exercise intensities. In contrast, neither the central drive nor the timing component of respiration seem to have been significantly altered by the training demands of professional cycling.

Six cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis were seen over a 6-year period. The disease, its diagnosis and treatment are described by analyzing three representative cases.