SAQ training on sprint, change-of-direction speed, and agility in U-20 female football players.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) training on performance changes in linear sprint speed, change-of-direction (COD) speed, and reactive agility of U-20 female football players. Nineteen female football players randomly served as either experimental (n = 9) or control groups (n = 10). The players were tested for physical fitness tests: linear sprint speed including both short and long distances (5- and 10-m sprints without a ball and 20- and 30-m sprints with and without dribbling), COD speed (arrowhead agility test with and without dribbling a ball, Southeast Missouri [SEMO] agility test, and 22-m repeated slalom dribbling test), and reactive agility. Significant group × time interactions were observed for sprint over long distances and COD speed but not for short sprint and reactive agility performances. Paired t-tests revealed considerable improvements in all performances from the pre-test to post-test for the SAQ group, except for the arrowhead agility (left; p = .07). The control group only exhibited significant improvements in 10-m sprint performance after general football training. Eight weeks of SAQ training were effective at enhancing acceleration, maximum sprint speed, and agility performances amongst highly trained U-20 female football players.

Balancing Personal Privacy and Public Safety During COVID-19: The Case of South Korea.

There has been vigorous debate on how different countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. To secure public safety, South Korea actively used personal information at the risk of personal privacy whereas France encouraged voluntary cooperation at the risk of public safety. In this article, after a brief comparison of contextual differences with France, we focus on South Korea's approaches to epidemiological investigations. To evaluate the issues pertaining to personal privacy and public health, we examine the usage patterns of original data, de-identification data, and encrypted data. Our specific proposal discusses the COVID index, which considers collective infection, outbreak intensity, availability of medical infrastructure, and the death rate. Finally, we summarize the findings and lessons for future research and the policy implications.

Effects of Aging on Angiogenic and Muscle Growth-Related Factors in Naturally Aged Rat Skeletal Muscles.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the effects of aging on the expression of angiogenic and muscle protein synthesis factors, as well as the number of satellite cells affecting sarcopenia in naturally aged rat skeletal muscles. METHODS: We divided 16 Sprague-Dawley rats into young (12 weeks old, n=8) and old (24 months old, n=8) groups and compared muscle and body weight (BW) between them. We also analyzed the expression levels of angiogenic and muscle growth proteins in soleus (slow-twitch) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast-twitch) muscles by western blotting and assessed the number of skeletal muscle satellite cells and myonuclei and mean fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) using by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: EDL/BW was significantly lower in old rats than in young rats (p=0.002). The vascular endothelial growth factor level in soleus muscles was significantly lower in old rats than in young rats (p=0.001). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha and fetal liver kinase 1 levels in EDL muscles were lower in old rats than in young rats (p=0.001). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 levels were significantly lower in the soleus muscles of old rats than in those of young rats (p<0.01). Similarly, insulin growth factor-1, Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K levels were significantly lower in EDL muscles of old rats than in those of young rats (p<0.01). Additionally, myonuclei/fiber, Pax7/fiber, and mean fiber CSAs in both muscle types were significantly lower in old rats than in young rats (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Conclusion These data suggest different regulation of indices of angiogenic and muscle growth with aging in different muscle types.

Effects of Korean hand acupressure on opioid-related nausea and vomiting, and pain after caesarean delivery using spinal anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of Korean hand acupressure on opioid-related nausea and vomiting, and pain after caesarean delivery. METHODS: Fifty participants were randomly assigned to an acupressure group or a control group. Korean hand acupressure discs were applied for 24 h onto 12 acupressure points (K-9, F-4 for nausea and vomiting; M-3, M-4, L-4, H-2, H-3, H-7 for abdominal pain; and I-38, J-2 for back pain). Nausea and vomiting incidences, the opioid-related symptom distress scale scores, and pain scores were analysed using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, or the repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The acupressure group had lower incidences of nausea and vomiting, as well as significant improvements in the opioid-related symptom distress scores for nausea, vomiting, and pain. The acupressure group required fewer rescue antiemetics and analgesics. CONCLUSION: Korean hand acupressure can relieve nausea and vomiting, as well as pain after caesarean delivery.

Screening for salt-responsive proteins in two contrasting alfalfa cultivars using a comparative proteome approach.

A comparative proteomic approach was carried out between two contrasting alfalfa cultivars, nonomu (NM-801; salt tolerant) and vernal (VN; salt intolerant) in terms of salt tolerance. Seedlings were subjected to salt stress (50 and 100 mM NaCl) for three days. Several physiological parameters (leaf water, chlorophyll, root Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+)) and root proteome profile were analyzed. Comparison of physiological status revealed that NM-801 is more tolerant to salt than VN. Eighty three differentially expressed proteins were found on 2-DE maps, of which 50 were identified by MALDI-TOF or MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. These proteins were involved in ion homeostasis, protein turnover and signaling, protein folding, cell wall components, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, reactive oxygen species regulation and detoxification, and purine and fatty acid metabolism. The comparative proteome analysis showed that 33 salt-responsive proteins were significantly changed in both cultivars, while 17 (14 in VN and 3 in NM-801) were cultivar-specific. Peroxidase, protein disulfide-isomerase, NAD synthetase, and isoflavone reductase were up-regulated significantly only in NM-801 in all salt concentrations. In addition, we identified novel proteins including NAD synthetase and biotin carboxylase-3 that were not reported previously as salt-responsive. Taken together, these results provide new insights of salt stress tolerance in alfalfa.

Changes of bone metabolism based on the different interventions with exercise type or additional intake material in ovariectomized rats.

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at providing clear guidance on treatment and prevention of osteoporosis by comparing and analyzing some well-known methods out of drug and exercise therapies. METHODS: For this purpose, eight-week experiments (drug therapy and exercise therapy) were carried out by using rats whose menopause was induced by the removal of an ovary. In the treatment of the drug therapy, the effects of soy protein, one of the well-known alendronate and estrogen replacement therapy, were compared and analyzed. In the treatment of the exercise therapy, endurance exercise using a treadmill and resistance exercise through climbing a special cage were compared and analyzed. Based on these results, this study will be able to suggest the most appropriate way to deal with osteoporosis which requires long-term treatment. Sixty eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats had a week to adapt to the new environment. After that, they were randomly divided into four groups (Sham-Sedentary; SS, ovariectomized-control; OC, ovariectomized-soy protein; OS: ovariectomized-alendronate; OA, ovariectomized-endurance exercise; OE, ovariectomized-resistance exercise; OR) before having an operation for the removal of an ovary. After surgery, the rats convalesced for a week. Alendronate (0.4mg / kg of body weight) and isoflavones (200g / 1 kg of feed) were given to two groups respectively for eight weeks. The rats in the other two groups performed resistance exercise (climbing) and endurance exercise (20 m/min; 60min/day) five days a week for eight weeks. RESULTS: Ovariectomy increased the body weight and body fat like menopause did. Soy protein and alendronate intake for eight weeks had no effect on body weight but reduced the body fat increased by ovariectomy to the level of the SS group. The menopause induced by ovariectomy did not affect total bone density and bone mass as well as bone density in specific areas of the body. Soy protein and alendronate intake for eight weeks did not significantly affect them either. However, the eight-week treatment with soy protein and alendronate significantly reduced the level of osteocalcin in blood. Resistance exercise more noticeably increased body weight and bone mass than running on the low-intensity treadmill but serum osteocalcin levels were notably increased in both cases. CONCLUSION: These results show that soy protein which is natural produce and low-intensity, regular endurance exercise also have an effect on the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis caused by menopause.