The effect of post-match fatigue on physical performance in adolescent soccer players.

BACKGROUND: Soccer involves many physically challenging actions and engaging in such activities can induce a decline in performance due to physical fatigue which predisposes players to develop injuries. The present study aimed to examine the impact of post-match fatigue on functional performance and Inter-Limb Asymmetry Index (LSI) in adolescent soccer players. METHODS: Thirty-eight adolescent male soccer players (15-18 years) completed a battery of functional performance measures (Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, 10 m sprint, agility T-test, and Single leg hop for distance (SLHD) test). The data collection started prior to a soccer match and consisted of two testing sessions; two hours before the match, while the subsequent testing session was performed within two hours immediately following the match. RESULTS: The study results revealed a significant effect of post-match fatigue on change of direction abilities and SLHD (moderate effect size). However, no significant differences were observed in the 10 m sprint test and LSI (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Functional performance measures such as agility test and SLHD test can detect physical ability changes due to post-match fatigue in adolescent soccer players. The study findings offer insightful and practical information on the importance of employing field-based functional performance measures in monitoring players' recovery following a game.

The relationship between myofascial trigger points sensitivity, cervical postural abnormality, and clinical tension-type headache parameters.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Tension Type Headache (TTH). Abnormal cranio-cervical posture has been linked to various types of headaches. However, the correlation between MTrPs sensitivity, cervical postural alignment, and clinical measures of headache has not been extensively studied in patients with TTH. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between MTrPs sensitivity in cervical and pericranial muscles, cervical postural abnormality, and clinical headache parameters in patients with TTH. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of sex on the examined variables and their association with headache type (episodic vs chronic TTH). METHODS: A total of 72 patients with TTH of both sexes were enrolled in this study. Headache frequency and disability as clinical measures of headache, pressure pain threshold (PPT) of bilateral upper trapezius (UT) and suboccipital (SUB) muscles, cervical lordosis angle (CA), and anterior head translation (AHT) were measured. RESULTS: Pericranial MTrPs sensitivity did not demonstrate any correlation with clinical headache parameters or cervical postural abnormality. However, there was a significant correlation between the frequency of headaches and the level of disability (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). In addition, episodic TTH was more prevalent in females who exhibited greater AHT and MTrPs sensitivity of both bilateral UT and right SUB muscles than males. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation found between the frequency of headaches and the level of disability with measures of cervical posture alignment or MTrPs sensitivity in individuals with TTH.. Based on findings, Clinicians should consider sex differences when assessing patients with TTH.

Voltage-dependent anion channels: Key players in viral infection.

Viruses control the host cell by exploiting its molecular machinery to facilitate viral replication and propagation. Understanding different viral mechanisms and biochemical pathways is crucial for finding promising therapeutic solutions to viral infections. The mitochondrion is a vital organelle targeted by various types of viruses. More specifically, viruses interact with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), a porin protein found in the outer mitochondrial membrane. VDAC controls metabolite flux, regulates reactive oxygen species production, and promotes mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis by releasing pro-apoptotic proteins. Hence, a common pathogenic strategy used by many viruses seems to exploit natural pathways that VDAC regulates. This review aims to address the inhibition and enhancement roles of VDAC in viral pathogenesis and outlines multiple links and interactions between VDAC and viral proteins as potential antiviral targets.

Promoting weaning practices and growth of Egyptian infants by using communication for behavioral development approach.

BACKGROUND: Access to various affordable and nutritious foods is considered a challenging factor for households with limited resources affecting the proper weaning practices. In order to motivate communities to adhere to the right and proper weaning practices, the social aspect should be considered through close communication with the targeted communities. This study aimed to evaluate how impactful the use of the principles of Communication for Development (C4D) that respect parents' beliefs and their cultural norms is in improving the weaning practices and growth of infants in an Egyptian village. METHODS: An interventional three-phase study was conducted for three years. The intervention targeted 464 mothers of infants up to 2 years of age. C4D interventions encouraged each mother to provide her baby with nutritious and varied options through age-appropriate introduction and diversification of nutrient-rich complementary foods under the slogan " enjoy meals like a baby". The effectiveness of the approach was measured by five essential weaning practices: Introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods, Minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, Minimum acceptable diet, and consumption of iron-rich foods. RESULTS: There was marked and significant improvement in the awareness and of the majority of the weaning practices' indicators as a result of the interventions. This was noticed for the timely introduction of complementary foods which increased from 36.7% to 82.0%, the minimum meal frequency indicator (3-5) which increased from 25.3% to 67.3%, iron-rich or fortified food (68.0% to 82%) as well as a regular checkup for baby health at the health unit (71.3%). Indicators that were improved but failed to achieve the target were the "Minimum Dietary Diversity" (reached 32%) and the minimum acceptable diet (reached 22.0%). A significant effect on linear growth especially for females is evidenced by the remarkable decrease in wasting (from 31.5% to 11.1%) and obesity (from 12.0% to 0%) associated with a considerable decrease in underweight (from 40% to 16.7%). CONCLUSION: Targeting caregivers through the C4D approach have succeeded in providing them with the support required for the provision of adequate nutrition for their infants that had significantly marked improvement in growth indices of their infants.

Narrative role of vitamin D receptor with osteoporosis and obesity in a sample of Egyptian females: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is known as one of the cellular regulators for several metabolic pathways indicating its pivotal role in the pathological pathway of numerous diseases. Considering the high frequency of osteoporosis and obesity among women, the current study aimed to explore the prospective assembly of the most frequent two VDR loci, single nucleotide polymorphism SNPs rs731236 (TaqI) and rs7975232 (ApaI) with a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis (skeletal) and obesity (chronic non-skeletal disorders), in Egyptian women. This was a cross-sectional study, including 97 Egyptian females (25-65 years), randomly chosen, from all employees and workers of the National Research Centre, Egypt. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and molecular genetic analysis were done. RESULTS: The variation of ApaI genotype between the normal and osteoporotic groups denotes a remarkable association of the homozygote ApaI genotype with osteoporosis risk. Among the normal weight group, bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly associated with TaqI VDR gene polymorphism as the presence of the heterozygote genotype was accompanied with higher BMD while the homozygote one was detected with lower BMD. Also, TaqI VDR gene polymorphism was significantly associated with BMI when participants were divided according to the presence of osteoporosis; increased BMI was expressed in the non-osteoporotic women group carrying the homozygote genotype of Taq I VDR gene while the presence of the heterozygote genotype (TaqI) in the osteoporotic group was associated with increased BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The heterozygote TaqI genotype is protective against the osteoporosis phenotype and accompanied with increased BMI among osteoporotic women, while the homozygote ApaI genotype has a significant association with osteoporosis risk.

Validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire (IdFAI-Ar) in college-aged population.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this work are to culturally adapt the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaire (IdFAI) into Arabic language and to examine its psychometrics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: This research took place at Cairo University in Egypt. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty eight college-aged students participated in the translation and cultural adaptation, while another 86 college-aged students participated in the measurements (validity and reliability). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The original IdFAI was translated into Arabic language using standard guidelines. The Arabic version of the IdFAI (IdFAI-Ar) and the Arabic version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS-Ar) were applied to 86 college-aged students with and without functional ankle instability. The IdFAI-Ar was tested on two occasions with an interval of one week to investigate its psychometrics. RESULTS: The IdFAI-Ar had a moderate correlation with LEFS-Ar and a strong correlation with ankle status classification. The reliability and internal consistency were excellent. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.91, 0.80, and 0.99 respectively. CONCLUSION: The IdFAI-Ar has high validity and reliability. It can be used in clinical and research practices as a region-specific tool to discriminate between participants with and without functional ankle instability in the Arabic-speaking countries.

Association of some dietary ingredients, vitamin D, estrogen, and obesity polymorphic receptor genes with bone mineral density in a sample of obese Egyptian women.

BACKGROUND: Although many environmental factors play an important role in bone mass density (BMD) variation, genetic influences account for 60-85% of individual variance. The aim of this study was to find the interaction between some dietary ingredients, vitamin D, estrogen, and obesity polymorphic receptor genes, among a sample of obese Egyptian women. This was a cross sectional study included 97 women (aged 25-60 years). Data on anthropometry, dietary intake, BMD, biochemical, and genetic analyses were collected. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was high among women had dominant Taq1 vitamin D receptor gene while osteoporosis was less common among the homozygous Apa1 receptor gene women. Both genes in their two forms did not show any effect on serum vitamin D. Heterozygous types of osteoporotic women carried both genes revealed a slight but significant decrease in level of serum calcium. Xba1 estrogen receptor gene was identified only in a homozygous type while the heterozygous Pvu11 estrogen receptors gene has been identified among both osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic women, this gene was associated with higher BMI in both groups compared to the homozygous receptor gene. Mutant types of genotype FTOrs99 and FTOrs80 obesity receptors genes were less common (4.44%, 11%) among participants. Both of these genes were associated with the highest value of BMI and caloric daily intake, fat, and saturated fatty acid that were more prominent among osteoporotic women. CONCLUSION: There is significant association between vitamin D, estrogen, obesity receptors genes, special nutrients, and osteoporosis. Increased BMI, calories, and fat intake lead to rise of genetic predisposition and susceptibility to osteoporosis.

Transcriptional Analysis of Nuclear-Encoded Mitochondrial Genes in Eight Neurodegenerative Disorders: The Analysis of Seven Diseases in Reference to Friedreich's Ataxia.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are challenging to understand, diagnose, and treat. Revealing the genomic and transcriptomic changes in NDDs contributes greatly to the understanding of the diseases, their causes, and development. Moreover, it enables more precise genetic diagnosis and novel drug target identification that could potentially treat the diseases or at least ease the symptoms. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional changes of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial (NEM) genes in eight NDDs to specifically address the association of these genes with the diseases. Previous studies show strong links between defects in NEM genes and neurodegeneration, yet connecting specific genes with NDDs is not well studied. Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an NDD that cannot be treated effectively; therefore, we focused first on FRDA and compared the outcome with seven other NDDs, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. First, weighted correlation network analysis was performed on an FRDA RNA-Seq data set, focusing only on NEM genes. We then carried out differential gene expression analysis and pathway enrichment analysis to pinpoint differentially expressed genes that are potentially associated with one or more of the analyzed NDDs. Our findings propose a strong link between NEM genes and NDDs and suggest that our identified candidate genes can be potentially used as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Association Between Visceral Adipose Tissue and Estradiol with Bone Health among Obese Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) which is associated with a higher risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) shows adverse effects on bone health. Moreover, MS is associated with high concentrations of serum estradiol (E2), which is essential for bone, as it inhibits bone resorption. This study aimed to investigate the impact of visceral fat and serum E2 levels on bone health markers (vitamin D, C-terminal peptide, Ca and BMD) in obese women with and without MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 obese women, with and without MS. Waist Circumference (WC) was measured in cm. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was assessed by energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), VAT was evaluated using Body Composition Analyzer "Tanita". Serum E2, C-terminal peptide and vitamin D (Vit. D) were assessed using ELISA technique. Serum calcium (Ca), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (Tchol), High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) were also assessed. RESULTS: In women with MS, VAT showed significant positive correlations with Body Mass Index (BMI), WC and FBS. Whereas, in women without MS, VAT showed significant positive correlations with BMI, TG, age and significant negative correlation with E2. On the other hand, in women with MS, estradiol (E2) had significant negative correlation with age and significant positive correlations with BMD, BMI, FBS and body weight. While, in obese women without MS, it had significant negative correlations with Ca, VAT, age and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In obese women with MS, increased VAT, higher BMI, older age and low E2 levels have clinical significance and hence, they should be considered when predicting bone health risk.

Bone Health and its Relation to Energy Intake, Fat Mass and its Distribution.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis and obesity are two of the most important inter-related diseases worldwide. This study aimed to investigate impact of fat mass and its distribution on bone health in relation to energy intake among sample of Egyptian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 116 Egyptian women with age range 25-65 years old. They were classified according to the menopause into 2 groups: Pre-menopausal (n = 51) and post menopausal (n = 65). All participants have undergone anthropometric measurements, body composition, DEXA and laboratory investigations. RESULTS: Among overweight/obese women, pre-menopausal women had significant higher values of BMR and BMD at both lumbar spines, neck of femur and significant lower values of central obesity (waist/hip ratio, waist/height ratio, visceral fat) and C-terminal peptides than postmenopausal ones. Among pre and post-menopausal women, BMD at both sites had significant positive correlations with obesity markers (BMI, waist and hip circumferences), fat mass, BMR, in addition to fat distribution, visceral fat, leptin among pre-menopausal women and C-terminal peptide among postmenopausal women. Among pre-menopausal women, BMR significantly explained 56% of the variations in BMD at neck of femur, while at lumbar spines the best model was BMI, BMR and waist circumference, which significantly explain 33% of the variations in BMD. CONCLUSION: Bone health positively correlated with BMI, fat mass and its distribution and BMR, particularly at femur neck, among pre and post-menopausal Egyptian women. Overweight/obesity can be considered as a protective factor for bone health.

Inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 and p-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance by curcumin and vitamin D3 increases sensitivity to paclitaxel in breast cancer.

Treatment of breast cancer by paclitaxel (PAX) often encounters therapeutic failure most likely caused by innate/acquired resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and multidrug resistance complex (MDR-1 or P-glycoprotein) overexpression are main mechanisms implicated in chemoresistance. Increased aldehyde dehrogenase-1 (ALDH-1) was previously correlated with the stemness features of CSCs and hence is used as a marker for identification and CSCs targeting. The present study, therefore, aimed at investigating the effect of both curcumin (CUR) and vitamin D3 (D3) on MDR-1 and ALDH-1 expression and consequently the resistance to PAX both in vitro and in vivo. CUR was isolated from Turmeric rhizomes and identified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. For in vitro studies, the antiproliferative effect of PAX, CUR, 1,25(OH)2D3 (the active form of D3, also known as calcitriol) was determined, each alone and combined (PAX+CUR, PAX+1,25(OH)2D3, and PAX+CUR+1,25(OH)2D3) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Ehrlich ascites carcinoma solid tumor animal model was also used for in vivo studies. Combining CUR and/or 1,25(OH)2D3 to PAX showed synergistic cytotoxic interaction on MCF-7 cells. The apoptotic potential was also enhanced, as evidenced by a significant increase in caspase-7 and -9 as well as the pro-apoptotic Bax whereas a decrease in Bcl-2 levels was reported. Combining CUR and 1,25(OH)2D3 to PAX caused a downregulation in both MDR-1 and ALDH-1 gene expression in MCF-7 besides a decrease in their protein levels. In vivo, the triple therapy group (PAX+CUR+D3) showed the least tumor size. It also showed the lowest levels of MDR-1 and ALDH-1. PAX alone, however, showed increased levels of MDR-1 and ALDH-1 compared to control. Overall, the present study showed that PAX, as a monotherapy, demonstrated acquired resistance possibly by increasing MDR-1 expression and enriching CSCs population, as evidenced by increased ALDH-1. However, using CUR and D3 enhanced tumor response to PAX.

Identifying Opportunity for Online Education to Address HIV/HCV Knowledge Gaps in Health Professionals and Students in Egypt.

HCV prevalence rates in Egypt are high. While low, HIV prevalence rates may be underreported. Adequate solutions to address these public health challenges are lacking. Stigma, misperceptions, and lack of specialized skills to deal with infection are persistent impediments. To address these challenges, we propose a plan that incorporates the use of online education and hybrid formats to meet the needs in the field. Online education has been used with success elsewhere in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Given the difficult economic conditions in Egypt and physical challenges of traditional formats of education, we propose a plan, curricular elements, and education tracking process as a strategy to improve the knowledge capacity of health professionals and students.

Standard body mass index reference data of prepubescent diabetic Egyptian children.

BACKGROUND: Data on the growth of diabetic children is conflicting. The aim of this study was to create and validate acceptable body mass index (BMI)-standardized percentiles and curves applied to Egyptian prepubescent diabetic children. METHODS: The cross-sectional study comprised 822 prepubescent children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), whose ages ranged from 3 years to 10 years±6 months. An anthropometric assessment for each child was performed: body weight, height and BMI were calculated (weight [kg]/height [m2]), and glycated hemoglobin levels were determined. Means±standard deviations (SDs) and the smoothed percentiles of the BMI from age 3-10 years, by sex, for total, controlled and uncontrolled diabetic children were calculated. Comparisons of the 50th percentiles for the controlled and uncontrolled diabetic children, by sex, with those of the Egyptian and World Health Organization (WHO) growth curves were made. RESULTS: For controlled diabetic males and females, the 50th percentile BMI was higher than those of the Egyptian and WHO growth curves, while differences in BMI were recorded for uncontrolled diabetic males and females. For uncontrolled diabetic males, the BMI was lower than the standard Egyptian and WHO growth curves up to 5 years of age, after which it became higher than the standard WHO and lower than the standard Egyptian growth curves from 5 years up to 10 years of age. Contrary to that, the BMI of uncontrolled diabetic females was higher than the standard Egyptian and WHO growth curves up to 6.5 years, between the curves from 6.5 years up to 7.5 years and then became lower than both curves up to 10 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Children with T1DM should use their own BMI percentiles and never be compared with normal healthy children.

Effect of Wiihabilitation on strength ratio of ankle muscles in adults.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Wiihabilitation on the ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion strength ratio in adults. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-two healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to two equal groups (experimental and control). Participants in the experimental group received a Wiihabilitation training program for six weeks. Data were collected using a Biodex system 3 Isokinetic dynamometer. Peak torques of the dorsiflexors and plantar flexors were measured at an angular velocity of 60°/sec which in turn were used to derive the ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion strength ratio. [Results] The mean values of the ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion strength ratio decreased significantly between before and after the training in the experimental group, meanwhile there was no significant difference between before and after the training period in the control group . [Conclusion] Wiihabilitation has an impact on the ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion strength ratio, so it can be considered an effective training tool in terms of the ankle strength ratio. Thus, it could be recommended for both prevention and rehabilitation of ankle instability patients.

Influence of Parental and Some Demographic Characteristics on Overweight/Obesity Status among a Sample of Egyptian Children.

BACKGROUND: Overweight/obesity is a multi-factorial problem, which results from rapidly changing social, economic, and physical environments that have led to an energy imbalance. AIM: To identify the association between childhood overweight/obesity and some socio-demographic risk factors, as parental age, body mass index (BMI), education and occupation, family size and residence (urban/rural). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study included 154 children of both sexes; aged 5-18 years; with their parents; one of them was working at the National Research Centre and from their relatives and neighbours. Data was collected about the child birth weight, family size, parental ages, education, occupation and place of residence. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) of children and their parents were conducted. RESULTS: Obesity was detected among 19.5% of children (BMI > 95th percentile), 75.3% of their mothers and 49.6% of their fathers (BMI > 30 Kg/m^2). While overweight was present in 11.0% of the children (BMI > 85th- <95 percentile), 16.9% of their mothers and 36.5% of their fathers (BMI > 25-29.9 Kg/m^2). Child obesity was more prominent in urban than rural areas (21.3% versus 12.5%) and among housewives (22.8%) than among working mothers (16%, p < 0.016). Child overweight was more common in rural than urban areas (12.5% versus 10.7%) and among children with high father education (20%). Child BMI had significant positive correlations only with the child age, parental ages and BMIs, and family size. In spite of that, parental BMIs had significant positive correlations with each other and with family size, and significant negative correlations with maternal education and occupation and paternal education. CONCLUSION: Childhood obesity and overweight were more prominent in urban than rural areas, among children with non-working housewives mothers and highly educated fathers (college or above). Parental education and occupation had an indirect significant effect on child BMI through their significant effect on parental BMIs.