Physical performance changes in season are associated with GPS data in soccer players.

This study investigated the associations between preseason and in-season performance with external workload in professional soccer players. Twenty-one players completed hamstring strength, countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery tests before (preseason) and after 8 weeks (in-season). External workload (total distance, high-intensity running distance, number of sprints, and power plays) was quantified during this period, and used to divide the average above and below subgroups outcome by outcome for further analyses. Significance was accepted when P≤0.05. Hamstring strength declined from pre- to in-season [-6%; p=0.014; effect size (ES): -0.41], while Yo-Yo performance improved (46%; p=0.001; ES: 1.31). When divided by high-intensity running distance, only the below-average subgroup improved CMJ performance (5%; p=0.030). For minutes played, the above-average subgroup improved Yo-Yo performance (41%; p<0.001), but not the below-average subgroup. Furthermore, playing time correlated with improved Yo-Yo performance (p=0.040; r=0.534). Improved 20-m sprint performance associated with more sprints performed (p=0.045; r=-0.453). Physical capabilities changed over a competitive season and were related to, and differentiated by, external workload. Because hamstring strength decreased and CMJ only improved in players exposed to less high-intensity external load, practitioners should individualize approaches to counteract these conditions when high external workload is performed over the season.

Biological Activities of Species of the Genus Clusia L (Clusiaceae): A General Approach.

The genus Clusia L. is highly diverse in Central and South America, comprising about 300 species, including trees and shrubs, hemiepiphytes, epiphytes, and lianas. This genus deserves attention due to its wide range of biological activities. Clusia belongs to the Clusiaceae family, chemically characterized by the presence of xanthones, benzophenones, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, and other substances with bioactive activity already described. This review aims to highlight the biological activity associated to extracts and isolated substances from species of the Clusia genus, including anti-HIV, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antinociceptive, antitumor, leishmanicidal, modulator of inflammatory processes, neutralization of toxic effects caused by snake bites, and others. This review gathered information on biological activities associated with different types of extracts and isolated substances of the genus Clusia, traditional use, chemical profile, and biological properties of plants of the genus, published in the last 23 years (1998 to 2021) and that can provide support for future research. The paper aims to provide an overview of existing knowledge about the biological properties of the genus Clusia plant species.

Differences of ventilatory muscle recruitment and work of breathing in COPD and interstitial lung disease during exercise: a comprehensive evaluation.

Introduction: COPD and interstitial lung disease (ILD) are significant chronic respiratory disorders, impacting quality of life. Respiratory muscle roles and differences remain not entirely clear. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the degree of recruitment of the respiratory muscles and the work of breathing in COPD and ILD during exercise. Methods: We compared the sensory-mechanical relationships in COPD, ILD and healthy controls (n=20 each). They performed pulmonary function, noninvasive and invasive respiratory muscle strength, surface electromyography and work-of-breathing assessments. Results: COPD and ILD did not show lower static muscle strength compared to controls, but did show poor performance in the exercise test with increased transdiaphragmatic pressure (P di). In ILD, there was a higher increase in oesophageal pressure and a lower gastric pressure (P ga) on inspiration; in COPD, there was a significant increase in P ga on inspiration. In ILD, there is greater recruitment of accessory inspiratory muscles, whereas in COPD, there is marked use of both inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The neuromechanical inefficiency (increased neural respiratory drive without the corresponding tidal volume) was found in both diseases. In COPD, there is a considerable increase in elastic work to overcome intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) and expiratory work of breathing, whereas in ILD, non-PEEPi elastic work of breathing is the highest part of the total work of breathing. Conclusions: Early and increased activity of the respiratory muscles and work-of-breathing components significantly contribute to dyspnoea, exercise intolerance and neuromechanical inefficiency of ventilation in COPD and ILD. The mechanisms of P di generation were different between diseases.

Racial Differences in Accuracy of Predictive Models for High-Flow Nasal Cannula Failure in COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate machine learning (ML) models to predict high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) failure in COVID-19, compare their performance to the respiratory rate-oxygenation (ROX) index, and evaluate model accuracy by self-reported race. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Four Emory University Hospitals in Atlanta, GA. PATIENTS: Adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 2020 and April 2022 who received HFNC therapy within 24 hours of ICU admission were included. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Four types of supervised ML models were developed for predicting HFNC failure (defined as intubation or death within 7 d of HFNC initiation), using routine clinical variables from the first 24 hours of ICU admission. Models were trained on the first 60% (n = 594) of admissions and validated on the latter 40% (n = 390) of admissions to simulate prospective implementation. Among 984 patients included, 317 patients (32.2%) developed HFNC failure. eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) model had the highest area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUROC) for predicting HFNC failure (0.707), and was the only model with significantly better performance than the ROX index (AUROC 0.616). XGB model had significantly worse performance in Black patients compared with White patients (AUROC 0.663 vs. 0.808, p = 0.02). Racial differences in the XGB model were reduced and no longer statistically significant when restricted to patients with nonmissing arterial blood gas data, and when XGB model was developed to predict mortality (rather than the composite outcome of failure, which could be influenced by biased clinical decisions for intubation). CONCLUSIONS: Our XGB model had better discrimination for predicting HFNC failure in COVID-19 than the ROX index, but had racial differences in accuracy of predictions. Further studies are needed to understand and mitigate potential sources of biases in clinical ML models and to improve their equitability.

Postoperative Complications and Mobilization Following Major Abdominal Surgery With Versus Without Fitness Tracker-based Feedback (EXPELLIARMUS): A Student-led Multicenter Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of the CHIR-Net SIGMA Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether daily postoperative step goals and feedback through a fitness tracker (FT) reduce the rate of postoperative complications after surgery. BACKGROUND: Early and enhanced postoperative mobilization has been advocated to reduce postoperative complications, but it is unknown whether FT alone can reduce morbidity. METHODS: EXPELLIARMUS was performed at 11 University Hospitals across Germany by the student-led clinical trial network SIGMA. Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were enrolled, equipped with an FT, and randomly assigned to the experimental (visible screen) or control intervention (blackened screen). The experimental group received daily step goals and feedback through the FT. The primary end point was postoperative morbidity within 30 days using the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). All trial visits were performed by medical students in the hospital with the opportunity to consult a surgeon-facilitator who also obtained informed consent. After discharge, medical students performed the 30-day postoperative visit through telephone and electronic questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 347 patients were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. The mean age of patients was 58 years, and 71% underwent surgery for malignant disease, with the most frequent indications being pancreatic, colorectal, and hepatobiliary malignancies. Roughly one-third of patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. No imputation for the primary end point was necessary as data completeness was 100%. There was no significant difference in the CCI between the 2 groups in the intention-to-treat analysis (mean±SD CCI experimental group: 23±24 vs. control: 22±22; 95% CI: -6.1, 3.7; P=0.628). All secondary outcomes, including quality of recovery, 6-minute walking test, length of hospital stay, and step count until postoperative day 7 were comparable between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Daily step goals combined with FT-based feedback had no effect on postoperative morbidity. The EXPELLIARMUS shows that medical students can successfully conduct randomized controlled trials in surgery.

Candida spp. isolated from recreational coastal waters of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil: Focus on antifungal resistance and virulence attributes.

The use of recreational waters is a widespread activity worldwide, and one of the risks associated with this practice is the exposure of bathers to microorganisms that may arise due to pollution caused by inadequate infrastructure and sanitation. In the present work, we isolated Candida spp. (n = 24) from five recreational beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to evaluate their susceptibility to antifungals, the production of virulence attributes and the in vivo virulence using Tenebrio molitor larvae as a model. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 gene sequencing identified thirteen isolates (54.1 %) as C. tropicalis, seven (29.1 %) as C. krusei (Pichia kudriavzevii), one (4.2 %) as C. rugosa (Diutina rugosa), one (4.2 %) as C. mesorugosa (Diutina mesorugosa), one (4.2 %) as C. utilis (Cyberlindnera jadinii) and one (4.2 %) as C. parapsilosis. C. tropicalis isolates showed resistance to azoles and susceptibility to amphotericin B, flucytosine and caspofungin. C. krusei isolates were resistant to fluconazole, caspofungin and itraconazole, with 42.8 % resistance to flucytosine, besides susceptibility to voriconazole and amphotericin B. The remaining species were susceptible to all tested antifungals. All Candida isolates adhered to abiotic surfaces and formed biofilm on polystyrene, albeit to varying degrees, and produced aspartic protease and hemolytic activity, which are considered fungal virulence attributes. C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. utilis isolates produced phytase, while the only esterase producer was C. tropicalis. Regarding resistance to osmotic stress, all isolates of C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. mesorugosa grew up to 7.5 % NaCl; the remaining isolates grew up to 1.87-3.75 % NaCl. The mortality caused by fungal challenges in T. molitor larvae was variable, with C. tropicalis, C. utilis and C. parapsilosis being more virulent than C. krusei and C. rugosa complex. Collectively, the presence of these yeasts, particularly the virulent and resistant isolates, in recreational waters can pose a significant health risk to bathers.

Surgery for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Following Induction Chemotherapy: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of surgery in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) following induction chemotherapy is increasing. However, most series do not report on the total cohort of patients undergoing surgical exploration; therefore, this single-center study investigates outcomes among all consecutive patients with LAPC who underwent surgical exploration. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis including all consecutive patients with LAPC (Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group criteria) who underwent surgical exploration with curative intent (January 2014-June 2023) after induction therapy. Primary outcomes were resection rate and overall survival (OS) from the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Overall, 127 patients underwent surgical exploration for LAPC, whereby 100 patients (78.7%) underwent resection and 27 patients (21.3%) underwent a non-therapeutic laparotomy due to the extent of vascular involvement (n = 11, 8.7%) or occult metastases (n = 16, 12.6%). The overall in-hospital/30-day mortality rate was 0.8% and major morbidity was 31.3% (in patients after resection: 1.0% and 33.3%, respectively). The overall 90-day mortality rate was 5.5%, which included 3.1% mortality due to disease progression. Resection was associated with longer median OS {29 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 26-43) vs. 17 months (95% CI 11-26); p < 0.001} compared with patients undergoing non-therapeutic laparotomy, with corresponding 5-year OS rates of 28.4% and 7.7%. In Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, only pancreatic body/tail tumors independently predicted OS (hazard ratio 1.788 [95% CI 1.042-3.068]). CONCLUSION: This single-center series found a resection rate of 78.7% in patients with LAPC selected for surgical exploration, with a low risk of mortality and morbidity in all explored patients and a 5-year OS rate after resection of 28.4%.

Unveiling the antifungal mechanisms of CTP, a new copper(II)-theophylline/1,10-phenanthroline complex, on drug-resistant non-albicans Candida species.

Candida species undeniably rank as the most prevalent opportunistic human fungal pathogens worldwide, with Candida albicans as the predominant representative. However, the emergence of non-albicans Candida species (NACs) has marked a significant shift, accompanied by rising incidence rates and concerning trends of antifungal resistance. The search for new strategies to combat antifungal-resistant Candida strains is of paramount importance. Recently, our research group reported the anti-Candida activity of a coordination compound containing copper(II) complexed with theophylline (theo) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), known as "CTP" - Cu(theo)2phen(H2O).5H2O. In the present work, we investigated the mechanisms of action of CTP against six medically relevant, antifungal-resistant NACs, including C. auris, C. glabrata, C. haemulonii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. CTP demonstrated significant efficacy in inhibiting mitochondrial dehydrogenases, leading to heightened intracellular reactive oxygen species production. CTP treatment resulted in substantial damage to the plasma membrane, as evidenced by the passive incorporation of propidium iodide, and induced DNA fragmentation as revealed by the TUNEL assay. Scanning electron microscopy images of post-CTP treatment NACs further illustrated profound alterations in the fungal surface morphology, including invaginations, cavitations and lysis. These surface modifications significantly impacted the ability of Candida cells to adhere to a polystyrene surface and to form robust biofilm structures. Moreover, CTP was effective in disassembling mature biofilms formed by these NACs. In conclusion, CTP represents a promising avenue for the development of novel antifungals with innovative mechanisms of action against clinically relevant NACs that are resistant to antifungals commonly used in clinical settings.

DESCRIPTION OF ESOPHAGOSTOMY TUBE PLACEMENT IN TWO GIANT ANTEATER (MYRMECOPHAGA TRIDACTYLA) CADAVERS.

Feeding of managed populations of giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is challenging in injured patients that present with anorexia. This report describes an approach for esophagostomy tube placement in this species. Cadavers of two adult giant anteaters were used for technique development. The animal was positioned in dorsal recumbency, and a guide feeding tube was inserted orally into the esophagus. A ventral midline incision in the midcervical region was made to access the esophagus and to protect submandibular salivary glands. The cervical musculature was dissected and retracted laterally to the right, the vagosympathetic nerve trunk was identified and preserved, and the esophagus was incised over the guide tube. The guide tube was removed to facilitate placement of the definitive tube, which was premeasured from its insertion point in the midcervical area to the level of the seventh-ninth intercostal space. The tube was secured to the cervical skin on the left side with a finger-trap suture.

Candida parapsilosis: heterogeneous and strain-specific expression of secreted aspartic proteases (Sapp1 and Sapp2).

The increasing prevalence of Candida parapsilosis as a causative agent of fungal infections underscores the need to comprehensively understand its virulence factors. Secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) play a significant role in adhesion events, promoting biofilm formation, causing tissue damage and evading the host immune response. The present study investigates the production dynamics of Sapp1 and Sapp2 across 10 clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis using various approaches. Each fungal isolate demonstrated the capability to utilize bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the sole nitrogen source, as evidenced by its degradation in cell-free culture medium, forming low molecular mass polypeptides. Interestingly, the degradation of different proteinaceous substrates, such as BSA, human serum albumin (HSA), gelatin and hemoglobin, was typically isolate-dependent. Notably, higher proteolysis of HSA compared to BSA, gelatin and hemoglobin was observed. A quantitative assay revealed that the cleavage of a peptide fluorogenic substrate (cathepsin D) was isolate-specific, ranging from 44.15 to 270.61 FAU, with a mean proteolysis of 150.7 FAU. The presence of both Sapp1 and Sapp2 antigens on the cell surface of these fungal isolates was confirmed through immunological detection employing specific anti-Sapp1 and anti-Sapp2 antibodies. The surface levels of Sapp1 were consistently higher, up to fourfold, compared to Sapp2. Similarly, higher levels of Sapp1 than Sapp2 were detected in fungal secretions. This study provides insights into the dynamic expression and regulation of Sapps in C. parapsilosis, highlighting a known virulence factor that is considered a potential target for drug development against this increasingly prominent pathogen.

The fungal pathogen Candida parapsilosis can secrete aspartic proteases (Sapps) as part of its arsenal of virulence factors. We demonstrated that Sapps were able to cleave key host proteins, and the production of Sapp1 and Sapp2 antigens was typically dependent on the fungal isolate when grown in both planktonic- and biofilm-forming cells.

A deep intronic variant in MME causes autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy through aberrant splicing.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function variants in MME (membrane metalloendopeptidase) are a known cause of recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy (CMT). A deep intronic variant, MME c.1188+428A>G (NM_000902.5), was identified through whole genome sequencing (WGS) of two Australian families with recessive inheritance of axonal CMT using the seqr platform. MME c.1188+428A>G was detected in a homozygous state in Family 1, and in a compound heterozygous state with a known pathogenic MME variant (c.467del; p.Pro156Leufs*14) in Family 2. AIMS: We aimed to determine the pathogenicity of the MME c.1188+428A>G variant through segregation and splicing analysis. METHODS: The splicing impact of the deep intronic MME variant c.1188+428A>G was assessed using an in vitro exon-trapping assay. RESULTS: The exon-trapping assay demonstrated that the MME c.1188+428A>G variant created a novel splice donor site resulting in the inclusion of an 83 bp pseudoexon between MME exons 12 and 13. The incorporation of the pseudoexon into MME transcript is predicted to lead to a coding frameshift and premature termination codon (PTC) in MME exon 14 (p.Ala397ProfsTer47). This PTC is likely to result in nonsense mediated decay (NMD) of MME transcript leading to a pathogenic loss-of-function. INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a pathogenic deep intronic MME variant causing CMT. This is of significance as deep intronic variants are missed using whole exome sequencing screening methods. Individuals with CMT should be reassessed for deep intronic variants, with splicing impacts being considered in relation to the potential pathogenicity of variants.

Prevalence of STEC virulence markers and Salmonella as a function of abiotic factors in agricultural water in the southeastern United States.

Fresh produce can be contaminated by enteric pathogens throughout crop production, including through contact with contaminated agricultural water. The most common outbreaks and recalls in fresh produce are due to contamination by Salmonella enterica and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Thus, the objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of markers for STEC (wzy, hly, fliC, eaeA, rfbE, stx-I, stx-II) and Salmonella (invA) in surface water sources (n = 8) from produce farms in Southwest Georgia and to determine correlations among the prevalence of virulence markers for STEC, water nutrient profile, and environmental factors. Water samples (500 mL) from eight irrigation ponds were collected from February to December 2021 (n = 88). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen for Salmonella and STEC genes, and Salmonella samples were confirmed by culture-based methods. Positive samples for Salmonella were further serotyped. Particularly, Salmonella was detected in 6/88 (6.81%) water samples from all ponds, and the following 4 serotypes were detected: Saintpaul 3/6 (50%), Montevideo 1/6 (16.66%), Mississippi 1/6 (16.66%), and Bareilly 1/6 (16.66%). Salmonella isolates were only found in the summer months (May-Aug.). The most prevalent STEC genes were hly 77/88 (87.50%) and stx-I 75/88 (85.22%), followed by fliC 54/88 (61.63%), stx-II 41/88 (46.59%), rfbE 31/88 (35.22%), and eaeA 28/88 (31.81%). The wzy gene was not detected in any of the samples. Based on a logistic regression analysis, the odds of codetection for STEC virulence markers (stx-I, stx-II, and eaeA) were negatively correlated with calcium and relative humidity (p < 0.05). A conditional forest analysis was performed to assess predictive performance (AUC = 0.921), and the top predictors included humidity, nitrate, calcium, and solar radiation. Overall, information from this research adds to a growing body of knowledge regarding the risk that surface water sources pose to produce grown in subtropical environmental conditions and emphasizes the importance of understanding the use of abiotic factors as a holistic approach to understanding the microbial quality of water.

Mapping the landscape of histomorphological cancer phenotypes using self-supervised learning on unannotated pathology slides.

Cancer diagnosis and management depend upon the extraction of complex information from microscopy images by pathologists, which requires time-consuming expert interpretation prone to human bias. Supervised deep learning approaches have proven powerful, but are inherently limited by the cost and quality of annotations used for training. Therefore, we present Histomorphological Phenotype Learning, a self-supervised methodology requiring no labels and operating via the automatic discovery of discriminatory features in image tiles. Tiles are grouped into morphologically similar clusters which constitute an atlas of histomorphological phenotypes (HP-Atlas), revealing trajectories from benign to malignant tissue via inflammatory and reactive phenotypes. These clusters have distinct features which can be identified using orthogonal methods, linking histologic, molecular and clinical phenotypes. Applied to lung cancer, we show that they align closely with patient survival, with histopathologically recognised tumor types and growth patterns, and with transcriptomic measures of immunophenotype. These properties are maintained in a multi-cancer study.

Diseases Involving the Lung Peribronchovascular Region: A CT Imaging Pathologic Classification.

TOPIC IMPORTANCE: Chest CT imaging holds a major role in the diagnosis of lung diseases, many of which affect the peribronchovascular region. Identification and categorization of peribronchovascular abnormalities on CT imaging can assist in formulating a differential diagnosis and directing further diagnostic evaluation. REVIEW FINDINGS: The peribronchovascular region of the lung encompasses the pulmonary arteries, airways, and lung interstitium. Understanding disease processes associated with structures of the peribronchovascular region and their appearances on CT imaging aids in prompt diagnosis. This article reviews current knowledge in anatomic and pathologic features of the lung interstitium composed of intercommunicating prelymphatic spaces, lymphatics, collagen bundles, lymph nodes, and bronchial arteries; diffuse lung diseases that present in a peribronchovascular distribution; and an approach to classifying diseases according to patterns of imaging presentations. Lung peribronchovascular diseases can appear on CT imaging as diffuse thickening, fibrosis, masses or masslike consolidation, ground-glass or air space consolidation, and cysts, acknowledging some disease may have multiple presentations. SUMMARY: A category approach to peribronchovascular diseases on CT imaging can be integrated with clinical features as part of a multidisciplinary approach for disease diagnosis.

Multiple events determine the distribution of fishes' early life stages in the Abrolhos Bank, Southwestern Atlantic.

Fluctuations in reef fish settlement and recruitment significantly impact local population dynamics and adult population size. We use light traps to evaluate reef fish settlement in inshore and offshore reefs in the Abrolhos Bank, in addition to the spatio-temporal distribution patterns, and environmental variables' influence. Data were collected from inshore and offshore reefs, and statistical analyses, including GLMs, PERMANOVA and nMDS, aimed to understand spatial-temporal species distribution patterns and the relationship between environmental variables. Results indicate greater species abundance and diversity offshore, influenced by winds, tides, and distance from shore, explaining 50% of larval patterns and highlighting the importance of spatial-temporal variations in early-life reef fish assemblages. However, several factors, including habitat type, quality, complexity, seascape configuration, and MPA location, may influence these patterns. Additionally, we provide evidence that commercially important species like Lutjanids use Abrolhos reef areas as nursery grounds.

Polymeric Fibers with High Strength and High Toughness at Extreme Temperatures.

Developing strong and simultaneously tough polymeric materials with excellent thermal stability and mechanical performance even under extreme temperatures is truly a challenge. In a disruptive progress, continuous polymeric yarns are developed with a combination of high tensile strength of (1145 ± 44) MPa and ultrahigh toughness of (350 ± 24) J g-1 and high thermomechanical properties from -196 to 200 °C. The comprehensive thermomechanical performance of this yarn surpasses that of previously developed polymeric materials and dragline spider silks. The results demonstrate that the molecular structure of polyimide (PI) with the incorporation of flexible-rigid macromolecular, hierarchically spiral-oriented fibers, and high glass transition temperature (248 °C) are keys for the yarn's notable comprehensive performance in thermomechanical properties. The materials are ideal for technical components exposed to high thermomechanical loadings, such as those encountered in spacecraft or automotive engineering for safety-critical applications.

Mechanical Properties and Failure Mode of Proximal Screw Fixation Technique Using Locking Compression Plate for Proximal Interphalangeal Arthrodesis in Horses: An Ex Vivo Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the mechanical properties and failure mode of an ex vivo model of proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in horses with different methods of proximal screw fixation using a locking compression plate. STUDY DESIGN: Pastern joint arthrodesis with a 3-hole 4.5-mm narrow locking compression plate was performed on 20 forelimbs of equine cadavers, randomized into four groups based on the fixation method and type of proximal screw used: unicortical cortex, bicortical cortex, unicortical locking, bicortical locking. Single-cycle axial compression testing was conducted until failure. The frequency of implant plastic deformation was recorded. Bone failure analysis was performed through computed tomography examinations and fractal analysis. RESULTS: There were no differences in the analysed mechanical variables and fractal dimension among the groups. Transarticular screws showed a higher frequency of deformation (75%) regardless of the group. Both unicortical locking and bicortical locking groups deformed the plate more frequently. CONCLUSION: The type of screw used in the proximal hole of the locking compression plate and its method of anchoring in the proximal phalanx do not affect the mechanical properties of pastern arthrodesis in equine cadavers subjected to single-cycle axial compression tests until failure.

The Use of a Just Noticeable Difference Approach to Improve Perceptual Acuity Ability in Male Runners.

We were interested in micro-variations in an athlete's psychophysical state that separate peak exertion from physiological collapse. Thus, we measured perceptual acuity in runners using a classic psychophysical approach, the just noticeable difference (JND) on two standard stimuli runs at treadmill speed corresponding to 70%VO2max and 80%VO2max. Thirty-four male runners (M age = 35.26, SD = 7.33 years) first performed a maximal treadmill test to determine the speed of a standard exercise bout for the JND trials. The JND trials consisted of four 5-minute running bouts on a treadmill with 5-minute rests between bouts. For bouts 1 and 3, participants ran at the standard stimuli pace, but for bouts 2 and 4, they adjusted their speeds to achieve a level of exertion at a JND above/below the SS. They achieved differences in the final 30 seconds of the VO2 between each JND bout and the previous standard stimuli at just above (JND-A) and just below (JND-B) the JND perceived exertions. We used a Generalized Linear Model analysis to compare the JND-A and JND-B within and between ventilatory threshold groups (lower/higher) in absolute and relative VO2 and in terms of the total JND magnitude. The magnitude of JND-A was greater than that of JND-B at 70%VO2max and 80%VO2max in absolute units (70%VO2 Δ = 2.62; SE = 0.37; p < .001; 80%VO2 Δ = 1.67; SE = 0.44; p = .002) and in relative units (70%VO2max Δ = 4.70; SE = 0.66; p < .001; 80%VO2max Δ = 2.96; SE = 0.80; p = .002). The total magnitude was greater in the 70%VO2max trial than 80%VO2max in absolute units (70%VO2 M = 3.78, SE = 0.31 mL·kg-1·min-1; 80%VO2 M = 2.62, SE = 0.37 mL·kg-1·min-1; p = .020) and in relative units (70%VO2max M = 6.57, SE = 0.53%VO2max; 80%VO2max M = 4.71, SE = 0.64%VO2max; p = .030). The JND range narrowed when physiologic demand increased, for both physical (speed) and psychological (RPE) variables.