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Purpose: To describe the self-reported menstrual health, symptomatology, and perceived effects of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance for national and international Australian football (soccer) players. Methods: Players from national and domestic teams were invited to complete an online questionnaire regarding menstrual health, use of hormonal contraceptives (HCs), negative symptomatology, and perceived disruption of the menstrual cycle to performance. Descriptive statistics and binomial regressions with odds ratios (OR) were used to report the relationship of menstrual-related variables with perceived performance disruption. Results: A total of 199 players (20.9 [5.1] y) completed the questionnaire, with 18% of players reporting using HCs. One primary amenorrhea case was detected, and 26% of players reported menarche at age ≥15 years. For non-HC users, the prevalence of secondary amenorrhea was 2%, oligomenorrhea was 19%, and heavy menstrual bleeding was 11%. Ninety-seven percent of players reported experiencing physical or affective menstrual symptoms (5 [1.3] per player), and 40% of all players reported that menstrual symptoms impacted their ability to work, study, train, or compete. Furthermore, 40% of players perceived their training or performance to be disrupted by the menstrual cycle. Increasing number of menstrual symptoms (OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.28–1.62; P <.001), heavy menstrual bleeding (OR = 12.73; 95% CI, 3.4–82.8; P <.001), and pelvic pain (OR = 3.40; 95% CI, 1.7–7.2; P <.001) increased the likelihood of perceiving the menstrual cycle to disrupt performance. Conclusion: Heavy menstrual bleeding and HC use were low among this cohort of national and international footballers, whereas amenorrhea and oligomenorrhoea were comparable with other football populations. Nearly all players reported menstrual symptoms, and increased symptomatology was associated with greater perceived effects on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of menstrual cycle phases and symptoms on match running performance in football (soccer) players. Twenty‐one nonhormonal contraceptive using football players from four professional teams were monitored for up to four menstrual cycles during a domestic league season. Menstrual phases, classified as early‐follicular phase (EFP), mid‐late follicular phase (MFP), and luteal phase (LP), were determined by self‐reporting of menstruation and urinary hormone tests (luteinizing hormone and pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide). On match day, players completed a menstrual symptom severity questionnaire. In repeated matches, players wore 10 Hz Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices to measure relative (/min) total distance, high‐speed running distance, very high‐speed distance, peak speed, acceleration count, and deceleration count. Linear mixed models were performed for each GPS measure to determine the relationship with phase or symptoms. Data for 7 and 10 players were included for menstrual phase and menstrual symptoms analyses, respectively. A significantly higher total distance was reported during MFP compared to EFP (Δ 5.1 m min−1; p = 0.04) and LP (Δ 5.8 m min−1; p = 0.007). Significantly greater high‐speed running was reported during MFP compared to EFP (Δ 1.2 m min−1; p = 0.012) and LP (Δ 1.1 m min−1; p = 0.007). No significant effect of menstrual phase was found for any other GPS measures (p > 0.05). Accelerations declined with increasing symptom severity (p = 0.021, estimate = −0.01count.min−1). Menstrual symptom severity did not affect any other GPS measures (p > 0.05). In conclusion, greater total distance and high‐speed running occurred during the MFP. Additionally, accelerations minimally decreased with increasing menstrual symptom severity. Large intra‐ and inter‐variability existed, suggesting individualized monitoring and management of menstrual effects on performance would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare, life-shortening, multiorgan disease, the treatment of which has seen significant increases in the life expectancy of those with CF. Many advances in CF care are thanks to the dedicated and active participation of people with CF as research participants. Unfortunately, most CF research teams still do not fully partner with people with CF or their caregivers. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the interest, knowledge gaps, and desired format for patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) training in the CF community. MethodsWe surveyed patients, caregivers, researchers, research staff, and diverse health care providers via list servers and social media outreach about their knowledge of, experience with, and preferences for PCOR training components. We followed the survey with 3 small-group discussion sessions with 22 participants who completed the survey to establish consensus and prioritize key learning components of a PCOR training program. We summarized results using descriptive statistics. ResultsA total of 170 participants completed the survey (patients/caregivers: 96/170, 56.5%; researchers/health care providers: 74/170, 43.5%). Among providers, 26% (19/74) were physicians/advanced practice providers, 20% (15/74) were nurses, and 54% (40/74) were from other disciplines. Among all participants, 86.5% (147/170) expressed interest in learning about PCOR, although training topics and training format differed between the patient/caregiver and researcher/health care provider groups. Before participating in PCOR, patients/caregivers wanted to understand more about expectations of them as partners on PCOR research teams (82/96, 85%). Meanwhile, researchers/health care providers desired information on how to include outcomes important to patients/caregivers (55/74, 74%) and the quality and impact of PCOR research (52/74, 70% and 51/74, 69%, respectively). Patients/caregivers were most interested in learning about the time commitment as a PCOR team member (75/96, 78%). Researchers/health care providers wanted to receive training about how to establish trust (47/74, 64%) and maintain confidentiality (47/74, 64%) when including patient or caregiver partners on the PCOR team. During follow-up discussions, participants emphasized the importance of addressing the traditional patient/caregiver and researchers/health care provider hierarchy by teaching about transparency, appreciation, creating a common language between the groups, and providing specific training on “how” to do PCOR. ConclusionsOur findings suggest CF community members are interested in PCOR. A high-quality training program would fill a current deficit in methodological research. This assessment identified the topics and formats desired and can be used to develop targeted training to enhance meaningful PCOR in CF.

Ataxin-2 (ATXN2) is a gene implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia type II (SCA2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsonism. The encoded protein is a therapeutic target for ALS and related conditions. ATXN2 (or Atx2 in insects) can function in translational activation, translational repression, mRNA stability and in the assembly of mRNP-granules, a process mediated by intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). Previous work has shown that the LSm (Like-Sm) domain of Atx2, which can help stimulate mRNA translation, antagonizes mRNP-granule assembly. Here we advance these findings through a series of experiments on Drosophila and human Ataxin-2 proteins. Results of Targets of RNA Binding Proteins Identified by Editing (TRIBE), co-localization and immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that a polyA-binding protein (PABP) interacting, PAM2 motif of Ataxin-2 may be a major determinant of the mRNA and protein content of Ataxin-2 mRNP granules. Transgenic Experiments with transgenic Drosophila indicate that while the Atx2-LSm domain may protect against neurodegeneration, structured PAM2- and unstructured IDR- interactions both support Atx2-induced cytotoxicity. Taken together, the data lead to a proposal for how Ataxin-2 interactions are remodelled during translational control and how structured and non-structured interactions contribute differently to the specificity and efficiency of RNP granule condensation as well as to neurodegeneration. Author summary: Mutations in genes that promote protein aggregation are primarily associated with neurodegenerative diseases. RNA-binding proteins, crucial for gene regulation and cellular stress response, are also major constituents of protein aggregate-rich mRNP granules. Recent studies aim to understand the molecular mechanisms governing the formation of stress granules identified Intrinsically Disordered Regions (IDRs) within mRNP granule proteins as a key factor that facilitates the formation of amyloid-like structures. A deeper understanding of stress granule dynamics holds promise for elucidating neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. Ataxin-2, is an RNA-binding protein implicated in neurodegenerative disorders like spinocerebellar ataxia type II, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinsonism. Reducing the levels of Ataxin-2 levels or deleting its IDR prevents RNP aggregation and offers neuroprotection in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. We show that deleting the structured LSm domain of Ataxin-2, which impedes granule assembly, enhances cytotoxicity. Moreover, specific molecular interactions involving Ataxin-2 PAM2 motif binding to polyA-binding protein is crucial for recruiting mRNAs and other proteins into RNP granules. These interactions not only shape granule composition but also influence disease progression. Our findings propose a model illustrating the dynamic remodeling of Ataxin-2 interactions, emphasizing the distinct roles of structured and unstructured domains in governing mRNP-granule condensation and neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]