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Context: The hip adductor and abductor muscles play vital roles as stabilizers in the lower-extremity. Their activation during soccer-specific actions is essential, but local muscular fatigue can hinder athletic performance and increase the risk of injury., Design: This study aimed to observe the variations in frontal plane hip strength in female college soccer players before and after a high-workload soccer-specific training session. Furthermore, the study sought to compare the relative changes in hip strength with the internal and external load measures obtained during that session., Methods: Twenty female college soccer players participated in a retrospective observational study. Isometric hip adductor and abductor strength were measured before and after a training session in the college spring season. Measurements were taken with a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET 2) while the players were supine. Global positioning system sensors (Catapult Vector S7), commonly worn by players during training sessions and competitive matches, were used to measure external and internal loads. Statistical analyses were performed using paired samples t test to assess hip adductor and abductor strength changes before and after the training session. Spearman rank was used to identify correlation coefficients between global positioning system data and isometric hip strength., Results: The findings revealed significant decreases in the strength of the right hip adduction (P = .012, -7% relative change), right abduction (P = .009, -7.6% relative change), and left abduction (P = .016, -4.9% relative change) after the training session. Furthermore, relative decreases in hip isometric adduction and abduction strength are related to the distance covered at high speeds., Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that hip isometric adduction and abduction strength tend to decrease after exposure to high workloads during soccer-specific training.

Pesticides and mycotoxins, prominent chemical hazards in the food chain, are commonly found in plant-based foods, contributing to their pervasive presence in the human body, as evidenced by biomonitoring programs. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about their co-occurrence patterns. While intervention studies have demonstrated that organic diets can significantly reduce pesticide levels, their impact on mycotoxin exposure has been overlooked. To address this gap, this study pursued two objectives: first, to characterize the simultaneous presence of mycotoxins and pesticides in human urine samples by means of the control of the biomarkers of exposure, and second, to investigate the influence of consuming organic foods on these co-exposure patterns. A pilot study involving 20 healthy volunteers was conducted, with participants consuming either exclusively organic or conventional foods during a 24-h diet intervention in autumn 2021 and spring 2022 to account for seasonal variability. Participants provided detailed 24-h dietary records, and their first-morning urine samples were collected, minimally treated and analysed using LC-Q-ToF-MS by means of a multitargeted method in order to detect the presence of these residues. Results indicated that among the 52 screened compounds, four mycotoxins and seven pesticides were detected in over 25% of the samples. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and the non-specific pesticide metabolite diethylphosphate (DEP) exhibited the highest frequency rates (100%) and concentration levels. Correlations were observed between urine levels of mycotoxins (DON, ochratoxin alpha [OTα], and enniatin B [ENNB]) and organophosphate pesticide metabolites DEP and 2-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (DEAMPY). The pilot intervention study suggested a reduction in ENNB and OTα levels and an increase in β-zearalenol levels in urine after a short-term replacement with organic food. However, caution is advised due to the study's small sample size and short duration, emphasizing the need for further research to enhance understanding of the human chemical exposome and refine chemical risk assessment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is a challenging disease, especially for patients with immunologically "cold" tumors devoid of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We found that HGSC exhibits among the highest levels of MYCN expression and transcriptional signature across human cancers, which is strongly linked to diminished features of antitumor immunity. N-MYC repressed basal and induced IFN type I signaling in HGSC cell lines, leading to decreased chemokine expression and T cell chemoattraction. N-MYC inhibited the induction of IFN type I by suppressing tumor cell-intrinsic STING signaling via reduced STING oligomerization, and by blunting RIG-I-like receptor signaling through inhibition of MAVS aggregation and localization in the mitochondria. Single-cell RNA sequencing of human clinical HGSC samples revealed a strong negative association between cancer cell-intrinsic MYCN transcriptional program and type I IFN signaling. Thus, N-MYC inhibits tumor cell-intrinsic innate immune signaling in HGSC, making it a compelling target for immunotherapy of cold tumors.

Abstract: Beausejour, JP, Guinto, G, Artrip, C, Corvalan, A, Mesa, MF, Lebron, MA, and Stock, MS. Successful powerlifting in a unilateral, transtibial amputee: A descriptive case series. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e243-e252, 2024-There are no reports in the literature of powerlifting success after amputation. We had the unique opportunity to characterize functional outcomes, strength, muscle contractility and size, and corticospinal excitability in an accomplished, competitive powerlifter (best competition squat = 205.0 kg, deadlift = 262.7 kg) with a unilateral, transtibial amputation relative to amputee controls. Four men (age range = 23-49 years) with unilateral, lower-limb amputation (3 transtibial, 1 transfemoral) participated in 1 laboratory visit. We assessed 10-m gait speed, the timed up and go (TUG) test, 5-time sit-to-stand performance (5TSTS), contractile properties of the vastus lateralis (VL) and medial gastrocnemius by tensiomyography, and VL cross-sectional area (CSA) by ultrasonography. Unilateral assessments for the intact limb included isokinetic knee extension and flexion torque and power and transcranial magnetic stimulation derived corticospinal excitability. An interview with the powerlifter provided contextual perspective. Compared with the control subjects, the powerlifter performed the 5TSTS faster (6.8%), exhibited faster VL contraction times (intact limb = 12.2%; residual limb = 23.9%), and showed larger VL CSA for the intact limb (46.7%). The powerlifter exhibited greater knee extension and flexion peak torque and mean power, particularly at 180°·s -1 , as well as greater corticospinal excitability for the intact VL (65.6%) and tibialis anterior (79.6%). By contrast, the control subjects were faster in the TUG (18.3%) and comfortable (13.0%) and fast (21.4%) in the 10-m walk test. The major themes of our interview included needing to modify lifting mechanics, persistence, and remarkable pain tolerance. Our findings highlight the impressive neuromuscular adaptations that are attainable after lower-limb amputation., (Copyright © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Antarctic notothenioid fishes show wide adaptive morphological radiation, linked to habitat preferences and food composition. However, direct comparisons of phenotypic variability and feeding habits are still lacking, particularly in stages inhabiting nearshore areas. To assess these relationships, we collected juveniles and adults of the most common benthic species inhabiting shallow waters off the South Shetland Islands within a similar size range, the plunderfish Harpagifer antarcticus, the black rockcod Notothenia coriiceps, and the marbled rockcod Notothenia rossii. Individual size ranges varied from 44.0 to 98.9 mm standard length (LS) (H. antarcticus), from 95.8 to 109.3 mm LS (N. coriiceps), and from 63.0 to 113.0 mm LS (N. rossii). Notothenioid fish showed different morphospace variability, being larger for H. antarcticus than the other Notothenia species and associated with the position of the posterior end of the operculum, along with the location and relative size of the eye. The evolutionary allometry was low, but the static allometry was much higher, especially for H. antarcticus and N. rossii. The diet was mainly carnivorous, consisting of amphipods and euphausiids. Macroalgae were scarce or totally absent in the gut contents of all species. Only H. antarcticus showed an increase in the prey number and ingested prey volume with fish size. Finally, there was a significant covariation between shape changes and LS in all species (allometric effects), however, not with prey composition, probably due to the small size range or ontogenetic stage and the relative similarity (or lack of contrast) in the benthic environment that they utilized., (© 2023 Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)

Humans are exposed to an increasing number of contaminants, with diet being one of the most important exposure routes. In this framework, human biomonitoring is considered the gold standard for evaluating human exposure to chemicals. Pesticides and mycotoxins are chemicals of special concern due to their health implications. They constitute the predominant border rejection notifications for food and feed in Europe and the USA. However, current biomonitoring studies are focused on a limited number of compounds and do not evaluate mycotoxins and pesticides together. In this study, an analytical method has been developed for the determination of 30 pesticides and 23 mycotoxins of concern in urine samples. A salting-out liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) procedure was optimized achieving recoveries between 70 and 120% for almost all the compounds and limits as lower as when QuEChERS was applied. The compounds were then determined by liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Different chromatographic conditions and analytical columns were tested, selecting a Hypersild gold aQ column as the best option. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of 45 urine samples, in which organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides (detection rates (DR) of 82% and 42%, respectively) and ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol (DR of 51% and 33%, respectively) were the most detected compounds. The proposed analytical method involves the simultaneous determination of a diverse set of pesticides and mycotoxins, including their most relevant metabolites, in human urine. It serves as an essential tool for biomonitoring the presence of highly prevalent contaminants in modern society., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends lung cancer screening for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but data is lacking regarding results of screening in this high-risk population. The main goal of the present work is to explore if lung cancer screening with Low Dose Chest Tomography (LDCT) in people with COPD, allows lung cancer (LC) diagnosis in early stages with survival compatible with curative state., Methods: This is a post hoc exploratory analysis. Pamplona International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (P-IELCAP) participants with a GOLD defined obstructive pattern (post bronchodilator FEV 1 /FVC<0.70) were selected for analysis. The characteristics of those who developed LC and their survival are described. A Cox proportional analysis explored the factors associated with LC diagnosis., Results: Eight hundred and sixty-five patients (77% male, 93% in spirometric GOLD stage 1+2) were followed for 102±63 months. LC prevalence was 2.6% at baseline, with an annual LC diagnosis rate of 0.68%. Early-stage tumors predominated (74%) with a median survival (25-75th percentiles) of 139 (76-185) months. Cumulative tobacco exposure, FEV 1 %, and emphysema were the main predictors of an LC diagnosis. Eight (11%) patients with COPD had a second LC, most of them in early stage (92%), and 6 (8%) had recurrence. Median survival (25-75th percentiles) in these patients was 168 (108-191) months., Conclusions: Lung cancer screening of selected high-risk participants with COPD allowed the LC diagnosis in early stages with survival compatible with curative state., (Copyright © 2024 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Despite the abundance of registered clinical trials worldwide, the availability of effective drugs for obesity treatment is limited due to their associated side effects. Thus, there is growing interest in therapies that stimulate energy expenditure in white adipose tissue. Recently, we demonstrated that the delivery of a miR-21 mimic using JetPEI effectively inhibits weight gain in an obese mouse model by promoting metabolism, browning, and thermogenesis, suggesting the potential of miR-21 mimic as a treatment for obesity. Despite these promising results, the implementation of more advanced delivery system techniques for miR-21 mimic would greatly enhance the advancement of safe and efficient treatment approaches for individuals with obesity in the future. Our objective is to explore whether a new delivery system based on gold nanoparticles and Gemini surfactants (Au@16-ph-16) can replicate the favorable effects of the miR-21 mimic on weight gain, browning, and thermogenesis. We found that dosages as low as 0.2 μg miR-21 mimic /animal significantly inhibited weight gain and induced browning and thermogenic parameters. This was evidenced by the upregulation of specific genes and proteins associated with these processes, as well as the biogenesis of beige adipocytes and mitochondria. Significant increases in miR-21 levels were observed in adipose tissue but not in other tissue types. Our data indicates that Au@16-ph-16 could serve as an effective delivery system for miRNA mimics, suggesting its potential suitability for the development of future clinical treatments against obesity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been linked to dyslipidemia. Under acute exposure to PCBs, it has been observed that the secretion of bile acids (BAs) can be impacted, limiting (indirectly) lipid absorption in the gut. In this context, two non-targeted metabolomics studies on pig serum have recently suggested that BA concentrations may fluctuate under exposure to current non-dioxin-like (NDL)-PCB levels in food, reflecting the acute effects of such chronic exposure. The objective of this research is to implement a targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for BA analysis in order to validate the findings of previous metabolomics studies, in which BA levels in serum samples from pigs exposed to environmental doses of NDL-PCBs were highlighted to be affected. The proposed LC-MS method involves the use of a C18-pentafluorophenyl LC column, which is not usually selected for the separation of BAs, but shows better performance for the separation of isomers than typical C18 columns. This LC-MS method shows excellent analytical performance such as low limits of detection (LODs) (≤1 ng/mL for most BAs) and good linearity (R 2  > 0.994), while no matrix effect was observed. A total of 13 BAs have been quantified, while further BA isomers could be detected and semi-quantified. The application of this targeted LC-MS method confirmed previous findings, suggesting that exposure to low doses of NDL-PCBs decreases the concentration of BAs (i.e., glycochenodeoxycholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid) while the effect on the precursors (cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid) is less pronounced., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We aimed to analyze whether the expression of inflammatory and antiviral genes in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected infants' peripheral blood is associated with bronchiolitis progression., Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 117 infants between 2015 and 2023. The expression levels of nine genes were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Infants were classified according to their clinical evolution during hospital admission: (i) non-progression (n = 74), when the RSV bronchiolitis severity remained stable or improved; (ii) unfavorable progression (n = 43), when the RSV bronchiolitis severity increased. The association analysis was performed by logistic regression, adjusted by age, gender, prematurity, and RSV bronchiolitis severity in the emergency room., Results: Infants were 57.3% male, and the median age of the study population was 61 days. Thirty-five infants (30.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit after hospital admission. Univariate logistic models showed that tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL5) gene expression at baseline were inversely associated with unfavorable progression, which was confirmed by multivariate analyses: TNFα (adjusted odds ratio = 0.8 [95% confidence interval = 0.64-0.99], P-value = 0.038) and CCL5 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.76 [95% confidence interval = 0.62-0.93], P-value = 0.007)., Conclusions: An inadequate immune response to RSV, characterized by reduced gene expression levels of CCL5 and TNFα in peripheral blood, was associated with an unfavorable progression of RSV bronchiolitis., Competing Interests: Declarations of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)