Effect of a 6-Week Preseason Training Protocol on Physiological and Muscle Damage Markers in High-Level Female and Male Basketball Players

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-week preseason functional and plyometric fitness training protocol, on physiological and biochemical markers of performance and exercise-induced muscle damage, and to compare the response of these markers between high-level female and male basketball players. The sample of the study consisted of 19 professional athletes (10 male; 9 female) competing in two different teams. The examined markers were body mass, BMI, fat percentage, speed, acceleration, explosiveness, vertical jumping ability, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The preseason training period improved speed, acceleration, explosiveness and vertical jumping ability (~1-8%) and led to significant fat percentage reductions in both groups equivalently. CK and LDH increased similarly in both groups, and the percentage increases were higher for CK compared to LDH. Further investigation and a larger sample size are required in order to determine an approach that is more capable of maximizing performance without causing any possible injuries that may be related to muscle damage.

Highly Reactive Diazenyl Radical Species Evidenced during Aryldiazonium Electroreduction

We report the experimental reassessment of the widely admitted concerted reduction mechanism for diazonium electroreduction. Ultrafast cyclic voltammetry was exploited to demonstrate the existence of a stepwise pathway, and real-time spectroelectrochemistry experiments allowed visualization of the spectral signature of an evolution product of the phenyldiazenyl radical intermediate. Unambiguous identification of the diazenyl species was achieved by radical trapping followed by X-ray structure resolution. The electrochemical generation of this transient under intermediate energetic conditions calls into question our comprehension of the layer structuration when surface modification is achieved via the diazonium electrografting technique as this azo-containing intermediate could be responsible for the systematic presence of azo bridges in nanometric films.

Pivot Step Jump: A New Test for Evaluating Jumping Ability in Young Basketball Players

Jumping ability in basketball is usually assessed using standardized vertical jump tests. However, they lack specificity and do not consider the player’s basketball skills. Several studies have suggested performing specific jump tests, which are tailored to the movement patterns and requirements of a basketball game. The pivot step jump test (PSJT) is a novel test designed to evaluate the specific jumping abilities of basketball players by combining a pivot step on one leg with a maximum bilateral vertical jump. This study had two aims: to determine the reliability and validity of the PSJT using typical jump tests as the criterion measure and to demonstrate the PSJT as a practical test to evaluate specific jumping ability in young male and female basketball players. Twenty female (EGA; 14.0 ± 0.7 years, 59.3 ± 7.9 kg, 162.1 ± 5.5 cm) and fifteen male (EGB; 14.0 ± 0.7 years, 58.1 ± 7.7 kg, 170.3 ± 6.4 cm) basketball players participated in the study. The test−retest reliability of the PSJT within sessions (intrasession reliability) and across sessions (intersession reliability) was assessed within EGA. For the evaluation of validity, EGB performed the PSJT and a series of criterion jumping tests. For EGA, no changes (p > 0.05) were found in PSJT performance between test sessions and excellent intra- and intersession reliability was observed (ICCs > 0.75). Correlation coefficients indicated high factorial validity between the jumping tests and PSJT (r = 0.71−0.91, p < 0.001). The PSJT appears to offer a valid assessment of jumping ability in basketball and is a practical test for assessing sport-specific jumping skills in young basketball players.

Controlling the Hydrophilicity of the Electrochemical Interface to Modulate the Oxygen-Atom Transfer in Electrocatalytic Epoxidation Reactions

The electrocatalytic epoxidation of alkenes at heterogeneous catalysts using water as the sole oxygen source is a promising safe route toward the sustainable synthesis of epoxides, which are essential building blocks in organic chemistry. However, the physicochemical parameters governing the oxygen-atom transfer to the alkene and the impact of the electrolyte structure on the epoxidation reaction are yet to be understood. Here, we study the electrocatalytic epoxidation of cyclooctene at the surface of gold in hybrid organic/aqueous mixtures using acetonitrile (ACN) solvent. Gold was selected, as in ACN/water electrolytes gold oxide is formed by reactivity with water at potentials less anodic than the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This unique property allows us to demonstrate that a sacrificial mechanism is responsible for cyclooctene epoxidation at metallic gold surfaces, proceeding through cyclooctene activation, while epoxidation at gold oxide shares similar reaction intermediates with the OER and proceeds via the activation of water. More importantly, we show that the hydrophilicity of the electrode/electrolyte interface can be tuned by changing the nature of the supporting salt cation, hence affecting the reaction selectivity. At low overpotential, hydrophilic interfaces formed using strong Lewis acid cations are found to favor gold passivation. Instead, hydrophobic interfaces created by the use of large organic cations favor the oxidation of cyclooctene and the formation of epoxide. Our study directly demonstrates how tuning the hydrophilicity of electrochemical interfaces can improve both the yield and selectivity of anodic reactions at the surface of heterogeneous catalysts.

Effect of Pre-Season Training on Physiological and Biochemical Indices in Basketball Players—A Systematic Review

The pre-season period in basketball includes all the physiological attributes that the players need to work on and develop, in order to sustain a full season workload. The monitoring of the effectiveness of pre-season training is based on a variety of biochemical and physiological indices; however, it is still unclear how pre-season training affects those markers. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of pre-season training on biochemical and physiological markers. A search was performed in five large scientific databases (Pubmed (Medline), Scopus, Science-Direct, Sport-Discus (EBSCO), Semantic Scholar) and produced 7081 results, which after removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulted in 28 published scientific articles being included in this review. The most important findings suggested that the majority of the studies used a 6- or an 8-week pre-season training protocol, because these protocols have shown significant positive effects over the years. In addition, the plyometric training protocols that were used by many studies have been found to be beneficial for basketball athletes for many physiological parameters. Furthermore, the evaluation of biochemical markers can be a very useful tool in monitoring and managing fatigue, which is an essential part of modifying the training process, in order to maximize performance.

Modulating alkene reactivity from oxygenation to halogenation via electrochemical O2 activation by Mn porphyrin

Oxidation of organic substrates is achieved in nature under mild conditions thanks to metalloenzymes but remains a challenge for chemists. Herein we show by UV-Vis spectroelectrochemistry that when MnIIITPPCl is electrochemically reduced to MnII in CH2Cl2 under O2, a MnIIO2˙ species is generated. Benzoic anhydride reacts with the latter triggering a catalytic current in cyclic voltammetry. Electrolysis on the catalytic wave in the presence of cyclooctene leads to its oxygenation or halogenation depending on the axial ligand present as reported here for the first time.

Electrocatalytic O2 Activation by Fe Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin in Acidic Organic Media. Evidence of High-Valent Fe Oxo Species

O₂ activation under mild conditions remains a weighty challenge for chemists. Herein we report a study of electrochemical O₂ reductive activation catalyzed by Fe^III(F₂₀TPP)Cl, by means of cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry in acidic solutions of N,N-dimethylformamide. Two parallel catalytic pathways have been evidenced occurring at different overpotentials. At high overpotential a classical electron-proton (EPT) pathway where protonation of Fe peroxo ultimately leads to the formation of high-valent Fe oxo species dominates. At low overpotential a proton-electron (PET) pathway involving a hydrosuperoxo species has been identified.

Probing the Activity of Iron Peroxo Porphyrin Intermediates in the Reaction Layer during the Electrochemical Reductive Activation of O2

Herein we report the first example of using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to quantitatively analyze O₂ reductive activation in organic media catalyzed by three different Fe porphyrins. For each porphyrin, SECM can provide in one single experiment the redox potential of various intermediates, the association constant of Fe^II with O₂ , and the pK_a of the Fe^III (OOH^- )/ Fe^III (OO^2- ) couple. The results obtained can contribute to a further understanding of the parameters controlling the catalytic efficiency of the Fe porphyrin towards O₂ activation and reduction.

Application of thermal microcautery in migraine management

Thermal microcautery is a novel minimally invasive intervention for migraine. We present a case series of twenty-one patients who underwent this technique. Nineteen patients reported improvement in migraine management. Of these four patients went on to complete remission and a further eleven patients reported over 50% improvement. In addition, the majority of patients noted reductions in intensity and duration of headache with a better response to medication. The efficacy of thermal microcautery generates a new hypothesis that attempts to explain how a neuromodulation technique may be helpful in the management of migraine.

Nodular Lesions on the Upper Trunk: An Uncommon Anatomical Site of Renal Tumor Metastases

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most frequent cancer of the kidney and it accounts for 3% of all solid malignancies. Although rare, cutaneous metastases can be an important manifestation of RCC. We present a case of a 56-year-old male with a history of RCC, followed by the development of cutaneous metastases 4 years later with an uncommon clinical presentation. RCC is the most common genitourinary cancer to metastasize to the skin and accounts for 6.8% of cutaneous metastases. These patients have a poor prognosis. It is essential for these patients to perform a complete periodic dermatologic examination for proper restaging and treatment.

Secukinumab shows significant efficacy in two patients with difficult-to-treat areas of psoriasis: a Greek experience

Psoriasis is one of the most frequently occurring chronic inflammatory skin diseases. There are some specialized regions of the body that are considered difficult to treat. Secukinumab is a human monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibody that blocks the interleukin 17A ligand and has been shown to be highly efficacious in treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis. We studied two Greek patients, one with scalp psoriasis and the other with palmoplantar psoriasis, both resistant to treatment. Patients were treated with secukinumab and efficacy and safety were recorded. The patient with severe, refractory palmoplantar psoriasis achieved complete clearance at the end of the 4-week treatment period with secukinumab. The patient with moderate to severe, chronic scalp psoriasis was successfully treated with secukinumab, obtaining complete clearance of symptoms and remission of disease after approximately 16 weeks. In both cases clinical response was maintained through week 52. Secukinumab has been shown to be highly efficacious in the treatment of psoriasis of specific anatomical sites with an acceptable safety profile.

Efficacy of the "pick and roll" offense in top level European basketball teams

Team offense in basketball games consists of a set of offensive actions carried out with the cooperation of two or more players. Of these actions, the most commonly used in the last decade is the on-ball screen called the “pick and roll.” The aim of this study was to analyze all of the pick and rolls conducted in the Euroleague championship from all of the 24 participating teams and to investigate the possible relationships between success in the pick and roll and overall success of the teams. For this purpose, 12,376 pick and rolls from 502 matches were analyzed and classified in categories according to the end result of the offensive possession. The results showed that the most effective type of pick and roll offense was when a shot was attempted after 2 passes from the pick and roll occurrence, followed by the screener’s shot when he rolled to the basket. Additionally, linear regression analysis confirmed that pick and roll effectiveness could predict the final classification of the teams. Conclusively, coaches of the high level European clubs should focus on training the players to the most efficient phases of the pick and roll offense, so that the chances of winning the championship to be maximized.

Changes in the lipid profile of elite basketball and soccer players after a match

The lipid profile of elite basketball and soccer athletes was evaluated and compared with that of inactive individuals. Total cholesterol (T-C), low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) concentration were measured in the morning and after a soccer or a basketball match. All parameters of lipid profile measured at a fasted and resting state, except HDL-C, were lower in the athletes compared with the controls (p < 0.01). The soccer match resulted in a greater decrease in TG (78.3 ± 6.7 to 70.7 ± 6.3, p < 0.01), T-C (179.3 ± 10.7 to 171.6 ± 9.6, p < 0.01), LDL-C (110.9 ± 8.9 to 103.5 ± 7.5, p < 0.01) compared with the basketball match that resulted only in a decrease in LDL-C (126.8 ± 9.5 to 117.3 ± 9.1, p < 0.01) and an increase in HDL-C that was similar to that observed after the soccer match (9-12%). These findings support the beneficial effects of basketball and soccer on cardiovascular health.