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We aimed to investigate the effects of fish oil (FO) supplementation to pregnant women on the maternal and fetal fatty acid profile in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids (PL) and to identify the best compartment for the assessment of fatty acid status. A multi-centre, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted. Healthy pregnant women from three European centres were randomly assigned to receive from week 20 of gestation until delivery a daily dietary supplement with either FO (500 mg DHA+150 mg EPA), 400 μg 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, both or placebo. Fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte PL were determined in maternal blood (week 20, week 30 of pregnancy and delivery) and in cord blood (delivery). FO supplementation increased DHA levels in maternal and cord plasma and erythrocyte PL. Higher percentage changes were observed in erythrocyte PL than in plasma PL. There were significant correlations between plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid levels in maternal and cord blood. Significant correlations between maternal and cord fatty acid levels at delivery in plasma and erythrocytes were also observed; however, correlation coefficients were higher for erythrocyte phophatidylethanolamine. FO supplementation increases maternal and fetal DHA status. Both plasma and erythrocytes appear to be suitable to evaluate the fatty acid status of mothers but erythrocytes seem to be a more reliable marker in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to analyse whether a tactical training program based on a constructivist model can improve decision making related to keeping control of the ball for a men's senior basketball team composed of ten players. The dependent variables were: player distribution around the ball, and achieving support on both sides of the ball at an effective passing distance. Data collection was made through observational analysis utilizing a previously validated tool. A pretest-posttest design without a control group was used. Results demonstrated an improvement in decision making after the posttest for both the number of support players near the player with the ball, as it increased from 85% in the pretest to 100% in the posttest, and the number of collective or team actions around the player with the ball (from 5% to 76.5%) with highly significant differences. The primary conclusion is that a training program for teaching team tactics based on a constructivist model has a positive influence on players' capability to facilitate the pass to their teammates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postnatal nutrition is essential for growth and neurodevelopment. We analyzed the influence of a new enriched-infant formula with bioactive compounds on growth, neurodevelopment, and visual function (VF) in healthy infants during their first 18 months of life. A total of 170 infants were randomized in the COGNIS randomized clinical trial (RCT) to receive a standard infant formula (SF = 85) or a new experimental infant formula supplemented with functional nutrients (EF = 85). As a control, 50 breastfed infants (BF) were enrolled. Growth patterns were evaluated up to 18 months of life; neurodevelopment was assessed by general movements at 2, 3, and 4 months; VF was measured by cortical visual evoked potentials at 3 and 12 months. No differences in growth and neurodevelopment were found between groups. Regarding VF, SF and EF infants presented prolonged latencies and lower amplitudes in the P100 wave than BF infants. In the EF group, a higher percentage of infants presented response at 7½'of arc at 12 months compared to 3 months of age; a similar proportion of BF and EF infants presented responses at 7½'of arc at 12 months of age. Early nutritional intervention with bioactive compounds could narrow the gap in growth and neurodevelopment between breastfed and formula-fed infants., Competing Interests: Roser De-Castellar and María Rodríguez Palmero are employees of Ordesa Laboratories, S.L.