A pre-season comparison of aerobic fitness and flexibility of younger and older professional soccer players.

Aerobic fitness and flexibility generally present age-related decreases, yet the influence of age on these variables in soccer players is still unknown. We obtained oxygen consumption (VO(2)) and heart rate (HR) at 12 km · h (- 1), anaerobic threshold and maximum intensities, and athletes' flexibility profiles using Flexitest (FLX). Pre-season data (2005-2011) from the 2 extreme age terciles (n=54) - YOUNGER (17-22 years old) and OLDER (27-36 years old) - of a group of 162 players from an elite Brazilian soccer club were compared. The effects of aging were also assessed by contrasting VO(2), HR and FLX linear regressions - slope and intercept - vs. age-predicted and reference values. The results were similar between the YOUNGER and OLDER terciles for VO(2max), at 62.7 ± 6.1 vs. 63.2 ± 6.2 mL · kg (- 1) · min (- 1), respectively (p=0.67), effect size (ES)=0.08, and for FLX, at 43 ± 5.9 vs. 41 ± 6.0, respectively (p=0.11, ES=0.34); the YOUNGER tercile exhibited higher values for HRmax than the OLDER tercile, at 194 ± 8.1 vs. 189 ± 8.8 b · min (- 1), (p<0.01, ES=0.59). Players in the OLDER tercile did not present an age-predicted decrease in VO(2max), whereas HRmax and FLX diminished with age as predicted. We conclude that, at least for these variables, younger and older players were effectively identical in their pre-season levels of conditioning.

Stability of relative oxygen pulse curve during repeated maximal cardiopulmonary testing in professional soccer players.

During cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), stroke volume can be indirectly assessed by O(2) pulse profile. However, for a valid interpretation, the stability of this variable over time should be known. The objective was to analyze the stability of the O(2) pulse curve relative to body mass in elite athletes. VO(2), heart rate (HR), and relative O(2) pulse were compared at every 10% of the running time in two maximal CPETs, from 2005 to 2010, of 49 soccer players. Maximal values of VO(2) (63.4 ± 0.9 vs 63.5 ± 0.9 mL O(2)•kg(-1)•min(-1)), HR (190 ± 1 vs188 ± 1 bpm) and relative O(2) pulse (32.9 ± 0.6 vs 32.6 ± 0.6 mL O(2)•beat(-1)•kg(-1)) were similar for the two CPETs (P > 0.05), while the final treadmill velocity increased from 18.5 ± 0.9 to 18.9 ± 1.0 km/h (P < 0.01). Relative O(2) pulse increased linearly and similarly in both evaluations (r(2) = 0.64 and 0.63) up to 90% of the running time. Between 90 and 100% of the running time, the values were less stable, with up to 50% of the players showing a tendency to a plateau in the relative O(2) pulse. In young healthy men in good to excellent aerobic condition, the morphology of the relative O(2) pulse curve is consistent up to close to the peak effort for a CPET repeated within a 1-year period. No increase in relative O(2)pulse at peak effort could represent a physiologic stroke volume limitation in these athletes.

Stability of relative oxygen pulse curve during repeated maximal cardiopulmonary testing in professional soccer players

During cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), stroke volume can be indirectly assessed by O2 pulse profile. However, for a valid interpretation, the stability of this variable over time should be known. The objective was to analyze the stability of the O2 pulse curve relative to body mass in elite athletes. VO2, heart rate (HR), and relative O2 pulse were compared at every 10 percent of the running time in two maximal CPETs, from 2005 to 2010, of 49 soccer players. Maximal values of VO2 (63.4 ± 0.9 vs 63.5 ± 0.9 mL O2•kg-1•min-1), HR (190 ± 1 vs188 ± 1 bpm) and relative O2 pulse (32.9 ± 0.6 vs 32.6 ± 0.6 mL O2•beat-1•kg-1) were similar for the two CPETs (P > 0.05), while the final treadmill velocity increased from 18.5 ± 0.9 to 18.9 ± 1.0 km/h (P < 0.01). Relative O2 pulse increased linearly and similarly in both evaluations (r² = 0.64 and 0.63) up to 90 percent of the running time. Between 90 and 100 percent of the running time, the values were less stable, with up to 50 percent of the players showing a tendency to a plateau in the relative O2 pulse. In young healthy men in good to excellent aerobic condition, the morphology of the relative O2 pulse curve is consistent up to close to the peak effort for a CPET repeated within a 1-year period. No increase in relative O2pulse at peak effort could represent a physiologic stroke volume limitation in these athletes.

[The biological effects of the CO2 laser studied in experimental intestinal resections]. / Studio degli effetti biologici del laser CO2 nelle resezioni intestinali sperimentali.

An histological and E.M. study has been performed on rat's intestinal tract resection to evaluate CO2 laser effects. Necrotic effect of laser is evident up to 120 micron. While the intestinal tissue results normal at 480 micron from resection line. Muscular and fibrous components appear more resistant to damage while E.M. presents a new organization of its components forming a new compact and continue tissue. This new organization may be involved in the protection of the subepithelial spaces, and may have an important role in intestinal anastomosis scar process.

Synthesis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of pidotimod, its enantiomer, diastereomers and carboxamido derivatives.

A new compound with a peptide-like structure, (R)-3-[(S)-(5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl]-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, its enantiomer, diastereomers and carboxamido derivatives were synthesized and tested for immunostimulant activity. Synthesis, preliminary, pharmacological data and structure-activity relationships are reported. (R)-3-[(S)-(5-Oxo-2-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl]-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (Ib, Pidotimod, PGT/1A, CAS 121808-62-6) was selected for further research.

[A histological and ultrastructural study of the effects of the argon laser scalpel on the kidney]. / Studio istologico ed ultrastrutturale degli effetti del bisturi laser ad argon sul rene.

The authors carried an histological and ultrastructural study on rat kidney following polar excision by argon laser. The involvement of the remainder portion of the kidney was evaluated analysing the depth of the damage induced by the laser radiation. Restitution ad integrum was found below 360 micron thickness with a different involvement of the various kidney components. Glomeruli showed a deep damage caused by intravascular photocoagulation. On the contrary, tubular and extracellular damage was less serious and the damaged area extended for only 240 micron from the section, probably for a lack of absorbance of the argon radiation by clear and water-rich tissues.

[Synthesis of gallic acid derivatives with L-thiazolidin-4-carboxylic acid and study on their antiradical and antitoxic activity]. / Sintesi di derivati dell'acido gallico con l'acido L-tiazolidin-4-carbossilico e studio della loro attività antiradicalica ed antitossica.

The authors report the synthesis of three new derivatives of gallic acid with L-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The new compounds were tested for radical scavenger activity against doxorubicin toxicity in mice and for antitoxic activity against acetaldehyde and formaldehyde toxicities in rats. Unlike the utilized standards, the new compounds show no activity.

[3-substituted 1,2-benzisoxazole and their neuroleptic activity]. / 1,2-benzisossazoli 3-sostituiti e loro attività neurolettica.

The authors report the synthesis of two new derivatives of 3-substituted 1,2-benzisoxazole. The new molecules (P-1368, P-1370), evaluated in many pharmacological C.N.S. tests, show interesting neuroleptic activity but inferior to those of haloperidol and chlorpromazine.