Comparison of performance and anthropometric parameters in paediatric competitive athletes during COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVES: In 2020, measures against the spread of COVID-19 were adopted, including nationwide school closures, restrictions on the free movement of persons and leisure time sports activities. The aim was to assess the impact of COVID-19-associated restrictions on the performance of paediatric and adolescent competitive athletes by comparing basic anthropometric and performance parameters. METHODS: The sample comprised 389 participants (115 girls, 274 boys). All participants were examined during regular preventive sports health checks from September to November 2019 and a year later. At the initial examination, the mean age of the entire sample was 12.2 ± 2.7 years (median 12.0, minimum 7.0; maximum 17.0). The examination consisted of a complete medical history and physical examination including maximal exercise testing on a leg cycle ergometer. RESULTS: In the entire sample, as well as in the boy and girl subgroups, body height, weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, and power output significantly increased according to a percentile graph for boys and girls in 2020. A reduction in power output (W/kg) was found. By 2020, W/kg dropped in 56.4% of the youngest participants (7-13 years), 75% of those aged 14-16 years and 64.9% of the oldest individuals (16-17 years). The percentage of the youngest children with power output reductions was statistically significantly lower than the percentages of the other age subgroups (p = 0.007). There were no significant differences in results between genders. CONCLUSIONS: Performance and anthropometric parameters worsened especially among older children. This should be reflected when planning epidemic measures in case of any similar situation in the future.

Lycopene improves the distorted ratio between AA/DHA in the seminal plasma of infertile males and increases the likelihood of successful pregnancy.

AIMS: Male infertility has been associated with imbalance in the polyunsaturated fatty acids arachidonic acid/docosahexaenoic acid (AA/DHA) ratio. This study aimed to assess whether use of the potent antioxidant, lycopene, would affect this imbalance in seminal plasma and to test whether modulation of the AA/DHA ratio correlates with male fertility. METHODS: The study included 44 males from infertile couples who were treated with lycopene for three months before scheduled IVF treatment. The control group was 13 fertile males who were also treated with lycopene for three months. AA and DHA levels were measured in seminal plasma before and after treatment. The outcome of IVF treatment after lycopene use in of males from infertile couples was recorded. RESULTS: The subjects were subdivided into 21 normozoospermic males from couples with idiopathic infertility and 23 males with semen abnormalities. Prior to the treatment with lycopene, the AA/DHA ratios in both subgroups of patients were significantly higher than in fertile controls and improved following treatment with lycopene. Improvement was more marked in the normospermic males. Seven spontaneous pregnancies (16%) occurred before the scheduled IVF treatment and 15 couples (42%) achieved pregnancy after IVF. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of treatment with lycopene led to a significant improvement in the AA/DHA ratio in seminal plasma of males from infertile couples and facilitated the spontaneous as well as IVF conception.

Evaluation of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in a group of obese Czech children.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a group of Czech obese children, to evaluate the incidence of insulin resistance according to HOMA-IR in this group, and to consider the diagnostic value of HOMA-IR in early MS detection in obese children using the logistic regression models for analyzing the relations between HOMA IR and MS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Anthropometric and laboratory examinations were performed in a group of 274 obese children aged 10-17 years. RESULTS: MS was established in 102 subjects (37%). The presence of insulin resistance according to HOMA-IR >3.16 was ascertained in 53% of the subjects. HOMA-IR limit was exceeded by 70% in the MS (+) group and by 43% in children in the MS (-) (p<0.0001) category. CONCLUSION: The relatively high incidence of insulin resistance in obese children without MS questions the prevailing diagnostic criteria of, perhaps, falsely excluding some cases of, MS.

Dehiscent scar in the lower uterine segment after Caesarean section and IVF infertility treatment: a case report.

AIMS: Caesarean section is the most common obstetric operation associated with short and long term risks, one of which is uterine scar dehiscence. In this case report we describe four cases of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF+ET) treatment where the embryo was transferred into the uterus with known scar dehiscence in the lower uterine segment after a previous Caesarean section (SC). METHODS: All transfers of embryos were ultrasound guided directly into the middle of uterine cavity. All resulting pregnancies continued without problems related to the dehiscent scar and babies were delivered in the third trimester by elective/emergency SC. RESULTS: Our cases suggest that IVF+ET can be offered as an infertility treatment option despite a dehiscent scar in the lower uterine segment after previous SC.

Relationship between reactive oxygen species production in human semen and sperm DNA damage assessed by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay.

AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to find possible relationship between ROS production measured by chemiluminescence and flow cytometry in human semen and sperm DNA damage estimated by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. METHODS: Study included 39 men from infertile couples and 23 fertile volunteers who served as a control group. Aliquot of neat semen was used for ROS detection by chemiluminescence. Aliquot of sperm suspension in phosphate buffered saline was used for the detection of ROS by flow cytometry. Another aliquot of sperm suspension was used for SCSA to measure DNA fragmentation index and High DNA stainability. RESULTS: DNA fragmentation index correlated negatively with sperm morphology and motility. High DNA stainability correlated positively with ROS production and negatively with sperm morphology and concentration. Although there were similar trends of rising DNA fragmentation index and ROS production among the three groups of men, the relationship did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Higher values of DNA fragmentation index and high DNA stainability may also reflect developmental and/or environmental problems and not only oxidative stress.

Clinical anatomy aspects of functional 3D training -- case study.

INTRODUCTION: Functional 3D training originating in rehabilitation and physiotherapy routines, is modelled on the basis of a patient's functional impairment and muscle function test results. 3-D functional rehabilitation comprises two key components. The first is three-dimensional movements of the body and the second is restoration of function, The aim of 3D training is not only to improve physical fitness and muscular coordination, it is recommended for all age groups regardless of health status. The aim of this review is to highlight the main principles, roles and methods of 3D functional training from a clinically-anatomical perspective and its application in clinical practice. Second, we present a case study of 3d training in an obese boy. METHODS: Database search using the lemmatization method and data bases: Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, UpToDate, PubMed and Google Scholar for the years 2005-2011. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Functional 3D training is an effective method for, among others, strengthening the postural muscles of the human body, increasing articular stability, strengthening the ligaments and stability of muscle groups,especially the back muscles and for improving lung capacity. The method of functional training is of considerable significance in activating the pelvic floor muscles and the pelvic-trochanteric muscles for gynegymnastics and incontinence prevention. It has application in the prevention of falls in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and, as shown below, in the therapy of obesity.

A randomized controlled trial of lycopene treatment on soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products in seminal and blood plasma of normospermic men.

PROBLEM: The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of antioxidant lycopene on soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) levels in blood and seminal plasma in normospermic males. METHODS: Study included 15 fertile volunteers and 13 normospermic male partners from infertile relationships. The treatment was 12-week administration of 20 mg of lycopene or placebo followed by crossover and treatment for a further 12 weeks. The ELISA kit Quantikine(®) was used to determine sRAGE levels. RESULTS: Lycopene administration decreased sRAGE levels in seminal plasma in fertile volunteers (controls) as well as in male partners in the infertile relationships group (P=0.008 and P=0.012, respectively). No significant effect of lycopene on sRAGE in blood plasma was found in either group, but seminal plasma sRAGE was significantly suppressed. CONCLUSION: Lycopene decreased sRAGE in seminal, but not in blood plasma. This may be because of selective local uptake of lycopene in the male reproductive tract, namely in prostate. Decreased sRAGE may be caused by lycopene suppression of oxidative stressors and explain in part the putative improvement in fertility reported after lycopene treatment.