Search Results (232)

Patients with preload-dependent conditions are at high risk of hemodynamic instability from both hypovolemia and hypervolemia. In hypovolemic states, the presence of third spacing may be misleading and obscure true intravascular volume status. Therefore, management of critically ill patients should be guided by a thorough understanding of physiology and pathophysiology to appropriately address hemodynamic derangements. Overreliance on rigid protocols and protocol-driven care without adequate clinical judgment may, in some cases, adversely affect patient outcomes. Herein, we present a case of hypovolemia-induced hypotension in the setting of third spacing and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Full article

Despite the widespread use of periodized resistance training by athletes, the acute physiological and performance responses when athletes transition between mesocycles with differing workload volumes remain poorly understood. This study examined the acute effect of increasing resistance training workload volume on muscle damage markers and field-specific performance in heavy resistance-trained youth athletes. Eighteen male, rugby league players (age 17.4 ± 0.8 years; body mass 80.2 ± 13.7 kg; height 1.8 ± 0.1 m) completed a four-week mesocycle to develop maximal strength (70–100% of one repetition maximum [1RM]). Muscle damage (i.e., delayed onset muscle soreness [DOMS] and creatine kinase [CK]) and performance measures (i.e., drop jump, plyometric push-up, 40 m sprint and repeated agility) were assessed prior to and at 24 h (T24) and 48 h (T48) following the last session of the strength mesocycle (Week 5). A hypertrophy session (35–70% of 1RM) was then included in Week 6 with data collected prior to and at T24 and T48. Compared with the strength (Week 5) modality, the hypertrophy (Week 6) modality resulted in greater DOMS (41.6 ± 22.7%; effect size [ES] = 0.97–1.12) and modestly higher CK (26.7 ± 47.8%; ES = 0.6). Larger declines in field-specific performance measures were also shown during the HYP modality than STR modality for 20 m sprint performance (−2.1 ± 4.3%; ES = 0.7) and agility performance (−1.1 ± 4.2%; ES = 0.6). There were more modest reductions in drop jump performance (−4.1 ± 7.2%; ES = 0.7) during the HYP modality than in the STR modality, although caution should be given as two separate force plate systems were combined due to technical difficulties. Increasing workload volume was associated with greater muscle damage and modest differences in selected field-specific performance measures following several weeks of maximal strength training. These findings provide preliminary insight into the acute responses to increases in resistance training workload volume. Coaches should monitor athletes’ acute responses during fluctuations in workload volume and consider strategies to help maintain training quality in youth athletes. Full article

Eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) muscle training produce distinct physiological responses, with potential implications for musculoskeletal, metabolic, and cardiovascular health. Therefore, our objective is to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of ECC and CON training on strength, hypertrophy, metabolic function, and cardiovascular health across diverse adult populations. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024627600). The review included eight randomized controlled trials, pooling data from a total of 441 participants. For strength-related outcomes, six studies (n = 322) were included; for hypertrophy, four studies (n = 210); and for cardiovascular measures, three studies (n = 154). Studies were assessed using the TESTEX scale. Standardized mean differences and random-effects models were applied (p ≤ 0.05). Results indicated that ECC training consistently produced moderate to large improvements in muscle strength (pooled ES = 0.95; I² = 78.6%) and hypertrophy (pooled ES = 0.60; I² = 62.3%), particularly in populations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and older adults. The rate of force development (RFD) showed large effect sizes for ECC (RFD50: ES = 0.97; RFD100: ES = 0.95) but minimal change for CON (RFD50: ES = 0.04; RFD100: ES = 0.10). Both ECC and CON showed minimal effects on cardiovascular outcomes (heart rate and blood pressure: pooled ES range = −0.16 to 0.00; I² = 41.8%) and limited tendon remodeling (ES = −0.18). In conclusion, ECC exercise demonstrates superior benefits for improving muscular strength, hypertrophy, and power across varied populations, particularly those with clinical conditions such as COPD. Its impact on cardiovascular health and tendon properties, however, appears limited. These findings support the integration of ECC modalities into targeted rehabilitation and performance programs. Full article

Postnatal corticosteroids are frequently administered to extremely preterm infants to support respiratory management, yet their effects on the immature cardiovascular system are complex and underexplored. As the second installment in a series on physiology-informed steroid use, this narrative review focuses on the cardiovascular consequences of systemic corticosteroid therapy in preterm neonates. We examine how corticosteroids influence key aspects of cardiovascular physiology, including ductal closure, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, myocardial remodeling, and autonomic regulation. Attention is given to the hemodynamic transition of early postnatal life and how steroid exposure may interact with patency of the ductus arteriosus and vascular development. The potential for corticosteroids to contribute to reactive myocardial hypertrophy, systemic hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension is also reviewed in the context of both short- and long-term outcomes. Emerging diagnostic and monitoring tools are discussed for their potential to guide individualized therapy. These include targeted neonatal echocardiography (TnECHO) to assess cardiac function and structure, electrocardiography (ECG) for rhythm and conduction abnormalities, heart rate variability analysis for autonomic function, and circulating biomarkers to evaluate myocardial stress and inflammation. Together, these tools may inform tailored steroid timing and dosing, especially in the research context, while monitoring for signs of cardiovascular side effects in real time. By synthesizing mechanistic insights with evolving clinical evidence, this review highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how corticosteroids affect the developing cardiovascular system. It underscores the importance of integrating cardiovascular monitoring into routine care to optimize therapeutic benefit while minimizing unintended harm. Alongside companion reviews addressing respiratory and growth impacts, this installment contributes to a broader framework for individualized, physiology-driven steroid use in extremely preterm infants. Full article

Polyester microfibers (MF) are widespread in aquatic environments and increasingly recognized as an emerging factor affecting fish physiology. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intestinal accumulation of MF on gut tissue and cellular alterations, as well as on the HPG axis and oocyte maturation in adult female zebrafish. Adult female zebrafish were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of MF (1000 and 3000 particles/L) for 14 days to examine endocrine-regulated physiological and reproductive responses. For comparative reference, a bisphenol A (BPA) exposure group was included to contextualize endocrine-related responses. MF exposure resulted in intestinal accumulation. Gene expression analyses showed increased expression of vtg1 and esr2a, along with decreased expression of gnrh3, fshβ, lhβ, cyp17, and cyp19a1, indicating altered regulation of the HPG axis and steroidogenic pathways. Ovarian histology revealed alterations in oocyte development, especially at the higher MF concentration, indicating that MF can affect endocrine-regulated physiology and reproduction in fish. Together, these findings provide new evidence that intestinal accumulation of microfibers, along with associated histological and transcriptional alterations, elicits estrogen-responsive physiological patterns that influence HPG axis regulation and oocyte maturation in fish. Full article

Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is essential for mobility, metabolic homeostasis, and clinical outcomes across a wide spectrum of physiological and pathological conditions. While muscle atrophy and hypertrophy have traditionally been interpreted through upstream anabolic–catabolic signaling and proteolytic pathways, accumulating evidence indicates that ribosome biogenesis and translational control represent rate-limiting determinants of muscle plasticity. However, this regulatory layer remains insufficiently integrated into current models of muscle adaptation and disease. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in ribosomal RNA transcription, ribosomal protein dynamics, and translational regulation in skeletal muscle, with particular emphasis on signaling networks governed by mTORC1, c-Myc, AMPK, and FOXO. We highlight ribosome biogenesis as a central hub linking mechanical loading, nutrient availability, inflammatory stress, and metabolic status to protein synthesis capacity. Evidence from human and animal studies demonstrates that impaired ribosome production and translational efficiency precede and predict muscle atrophy in disuse, aging, cancer cachexia, and chronic disease, whereas ribosome expansion is a prerequisite for sustained hypertrophy. Beyond quantitative regulation, we discuss the emerging concept of ribosome heterogeneity as a qualitative layer of translational control that may enable selective mRNA translation during muscle growth, stress adaptation, and degeneration. We further examine ribosome–mitochondria crosstalk as a critical but underexplored mechanism coordinating anabolic capacity with cellular energetics. Finally, we outline therapeutic implications, highlighting exercise, nutritional strategies, and indirect pharmacological interventions that preserve ribosomal competence, and propose ribosome-based biomarkers as promising tools for precision management of muscle-wasting disorders. Collectively, this review positions ribosome biology as a translationally relevant framework bridging molecular mechanisms with therapeutic perspectives in skeletal muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. Full article

The application of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offers a sustainable alternative for improving cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) health and productivity. This study evaluated the relative growth rate (RGR) of cacao fruits under four field treatments for 30 days: PGPB alone, PGPB plus the pathogen Moniliophthora roreri, the pathogen alone, and an untreated control. Fruits inoculated only with M. roreri exhibited the highest RGR (0.0055 ± 0.002 day⁻¹), significantly higher than the control (0.0030 ± 0.001 day⁻¹; $p\le 0.05$). The combined treatment (PGPB + pathogen) showed intermediate values (0.0050 ± 0.0018 day⁻¹), while PGPB alone presented the lowest RGR (0.0037 ± 0.0014 day⁻¹). These results indicate that pathogen inoculation may lead to transient fruit hypertrophy, while bacterial inoculation alone or in combination moderates this effect. The observed variability among treatments likely reflects the influence of uncontrolled environmental factors (e.g., humidity, temperature, and soil heterogeneity) and natural pathogen presence in the field, which may have masked or modulated the physiological effects of PGPB during the short 30-day observation period. Overall, this work highlights the complexity of plant–microbe–pathogen interactions under field conditions and underscores the need for longer-term, multi-season trials to validate the effectiveness of PGPB-based strategies in cacao agroecosystems. Full article

The increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders poses a major global health challenge. In the present study, purple sweet potato Tainung No. 73 was fermented using Lactobacillus amylovorus OFMLa-73 and Levilactobacillus brevis OFMLb-143 to enrich the specific bioactive metabolite indolelactic acid. Furthermore, supplementation with fermented sweet potato (FSPE) ethanol extract resulted in a significant reduction in body weight gain, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hepatic lipid accumulation, while also improving serum lipid profiles in high-fat diet-induced obesity mice. These physiological improvements were associated with the downregulated expression of adipogenic and inflammatory genes in both liver and adipose tissues. Furthermore, lipidomic analysis revealed that FSPE modulated key lipid species, including ceramides and acylcarnitines, which are implicated in metabolic dysfunction. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that lactic acid fermentation enhanced purple sweet potato’s functional potential, positioning FSPE as a promising candidate for dietary intervention in obesity management. Full article

Systemic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a modifier of neurodegenerative outcomes in the central nervous system; however, its impact on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and retinal microglial responses following optic nerve (ON) injury in vivo remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated how systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation influences retinal microglial activation and RGC vulnerability under physiological conditions and after traumatic ON damage. In adult female rats, systemic LPS administration by intraperitoneal injection induced rapid and robust microglial activation, characterized by process retraction and soma hypertrophy within hours and promoting microglial proliferation at later stages but without causing RGC loss in intact retinas. Following ON crush, systemic inflammation did not affect early RGC degeneration but significantly exacerbated neuronal loss during the late acute phase. This increased vulnerability was accompanied by a marked rise in microglial density and a pronounced redistribution of microglia toward the central retina and the ON head, a region of heightened anatomical and metabolic susceptibility. Together, these findings demonstrate that, in rats, systemic inflammation alone is insufficient to induce RGC degeneration but acts as a potent priming factor that amplifies neurodegeneration in the context of axonal injury. The temporal and spatial specificity of microglial responses underscores their context-dependent role in retinal pathology and identifies systemic inflammatory status as a critical determinant of retinal outcome after trauma. Targeted, time-dependent modulation of microglial activation may therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy for optic neuropathies. Full article

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) represents an important noninvasive screening tool for heart disease in preparticipation screening of competitive athletes. However, interpretation of pediatric ECG based on age-specific reference values remains challenging, due to considerable variation among studies, influenced by population characteristics and documentation methodology. The variability of normal values in key pediatric ECG features regarding left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), QTc prolongation and pre-excitation detection seem to have a significant impact on the efficacy of pediatric ECG as a preparticipation screening tool. Aims and Scope of the Study: This review aims to compare contemporary pediatric ECG reference ranges for key ECG features relevant to LVH, QTc, PR and QRS duration and highlight physiological and methodological sources of observed variability. Methods: A review of the current literature was conducted using common biomedical databases for studies reporting certain quantitative ECG reference values in healthy children from infancy through adolescence regarding the above selected key features. Reported values were summarized descriptively, with emphasis on developmental trends and methodological differences among studies affecting ECG values. Results: Across 16 pediatric studies, ECG parameters demonstrated consistent age-dependent developmental patterns, despite variability in absolute values. R-wave amplitudes in left precordial leads increased from infancy through early childhood and remained stable in older children, whereas S-wave amplitudes in right precordial leads showed greater variation between studies. PR intervals and QRS duration increased progressively with age across all datasets, while QTc values remained relatively stable throughout childhood and adolescence, with minimal sex-related differences. Variability in reported reference ranges was most pronounced for amplitude-based—compared to interval duration—parameters, and was influenced by differences in population characteristics, ECG acquisition techniques, and measurement methodology. Conclusions: This review summarizes contemporary ECG reference data in healthy children for the early detection of LVH, pre-excitation and QT prolongation, which are the main objectives of ECG screening in young athletes. Full article

Trimeric intracellular cation channel A (TRIC-A) provides counter-ion support for sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release, yet its physiological role in the intact heart under stress remains poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that TRIC-A is essential for maintaining balanced SR Ca²⁺ release, mitochondrial integrity, and cardiac resilience during β-adrenergic stimulation. Tric-a^−/− cardiomyocytes exhibited Ca²⁺ transients evoked by electrical stimuli and exaggerated isoproterenol (ISO)-evoked Ca²⁺ release, consistent with SR Ca²⁺ overload. These defects were accompanied by selective upregulation of protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) (S2808) and phospholamban (PLB) (S16). Acute ISO challenge induced mitochondrial swelling, cristae disruption, and Evans Blue Dye uptake, and elevated circulating troponin T in Tric-a^−/− hearts, hallmarks of necrosis-like cell death. Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake inhibition with Ru360 markedly reduced membrane injury, establishing mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload as the proximal trigger of cardiac cell death. With sustained β-adrenergic stimulation by ISO, Tric-a^−/− hearts developed extensive interstitial and perivascular fibrosis without exaggerated hypertrophy. Cardiac fibroblasts lacked TRIC-A expression and displayed normal Ca²⁺ signaling and activation, indicating that fibrosis arises secondarily from cardiomyocyte injury rather than fibroblast-intrinsic abnormalities. These findings identify TRIC-A as a critical regulator of SR-mitochondrial Ca²⁺ coupling and a key molecular safeguard that protects the heart from catecholamine-induced injury and maladaptive remodeling. Full article

The integration of omics technologies, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, has transformed sports science, particularly soccer, by providing new opportunities to optimize player performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance recovery. This systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and structured using the PICOS/PECOS framework. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to August 2025. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed original research involving professional or elite soccer players that applied at least one omics approach to outcomes related to performance, health, recovery, or injury prevention. Reviews, conference abstracts, editorials, and studies not involving soccer or omics technologies were excluded. A total of 139 studies met the inclusion criteria. Across the included studies, a total of 19,449 participants were analyzed. Genomic investigations identified numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning key biological pathways. Cardiovascular and vascular genes (e.g., ACE, AGT, NOS3, VEGF, ADRA2A, ADRB1–3) were associated with endurance, cardiovascular regulation, and recovery. Genes related to muscle structure, metabolism, and hypertrophy (e.g., ACTN3, CKM, MLCK, TRIM63, TTN-AS1, HIF1A, MSTN, MCT1, AMPD1) were linked to sprint performance, metabolic efficiency, and muscle injury susceptibility. Neurotransmission-related genes (BDNF, COMT, DRD1–3, DBH, SLC6A4, HTR2A, APOE) influenced motivation, fatigue, cognitive performance, and brain injury recovery. Connective tissue and extracellular matrix genes (COL1A1, COL1A2, COL2A1, COL5A1, COL12A1, COL22A1, ELN, EMILIN1, TNC, MMP3, GEFT, LIF, HGF) were implicated in ligament, tendon, and muscle injury risk. Energy metabolism and mitochondrial function genes (PPARA, PPARG, PPARD, PPARGC1A, UCP1–3, FTO, TFAM) shaped endurance capacity, substrate utilization, and body composition. Oxidative stress and detoxification pathways (GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, NRF2) influenced recovery and resilience, while bone-related variants (VDR, P2RX7, RANK/RANKL/OPG) were associated with bone density and remodeling. Beyond genomics, proteomics identified markers of muscle damage and repair, metabolomics characterized fatigue- and energy-related signatures, and microbiomics revealed links between gut microbial diversity, recovery, and physiological resilience. Evidence from omics research in soccer supports the potential for individualized approaches to training, nutrition, recovery, and injury prevention. By integrating genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics data, clubs and sports practitioners may design precision strategies tailored to each player’s biological profile. Future research should expand on multi-omics integration, explore gene–environment interactions, and improve representation across sexes, age groups, and competitive levels to advance precision sports medicine in soccer. Full article

Muscle regeneration following injury reveals a striking paradox: the same phenomenon, fiber branching, can serve as both a beneficial adaptation in healthy muscle and a pathological hallmark in disease. In healthy muscle, branched fibers emerge as an adaptive response to extreme mechanical loading, redistributing stress, enhancing hypertrophy, and protecting against injury. Conversely, in conditions such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, excessive and complex branching contributes to mechanical weakness, increased susceptibility to damage, and progressive functional decline. This review explores the dichotomy of fiber branching in muscle physiology, synthesizing current research on its molecular and cellular mechanisms. By understanding the paradoxical nature of fiber branching, we aim to uncover new perspectives for therapeutic strategies that balance its adaptive and pathological roles to improve outcomes for muscle diseases. Full article

Background: The anabolic window hypothesis suggests a limited post-exercise period for optimal nutrient uptake and utilization. Prior research indicates that miRNAs in extracellular vesicles (EVs) may regulate post-exercise adaptation by influencing protein synthesis. This study aimed to examine the effects of resistance exercise (RE) on physiological parameters and the expression and function of miRNAs transported in EVs. Methods: Twenty resistance-trained male participants (22 ± 2 years) completed a five-week RE program designed for hypertrophy. They consumed maltodextrin and whey protein based on assigned nutrient timing: immediately post-exercise (AE), three hours post-exercise (AE3), or no intake (CTRL). Body composition and knee extensor strength were assessed. Small EVs were isolated and then validated via three methods. Nanoparticle tracking analysis determined EV concentration and size, followed by pooled miRNA profiling and signaling pathway analysis. Results: Skeletal muscle mass significantly increased in AE (p = 0.001, g = 2) and AE3 (p = 0.028, g = 1), and it was higher in AE compared to CTRL (p = 0.013, η² = 0.41), while knee extensor strength improved only in AE (p = 0.032, g = 0.9). Body fat percentage significantly decreased in all groups, AE (p = 0.005, g = 1.5), AE3 (p = 0.024, g = 1), and CTRL (p = 0.005, g = 1.7). Vesicle concentration significantly increased in the AE group (p = 0.043, r = 0.7), while it decreased in the CTRL group (p = 0.046, r = 0.8). Distinct miRNA expression profiles emerged post-intervention: 20 miRNAs were upregulated in AE, while 13 in AE3 and 15 in CTRL were downregulated. Conclusions: Nutrient timing influences training adaptation but is not more critical than total macronutrient intake. Changes in EV-transported miRNAs may regulate anabolic processes via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR and FoxO pathways through PTEN regulation. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial degenerative joint disease in which aberrant mechanical cues act in concert with metabolic dysregulation and chronic low-grade inflammation, with chondrocyte hypertrophy representing a key pathological event driving cartilage degeneration. Alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) properties—including mechanical loading, stiffness and viscoelasticity, topological organization, and surface chemistry—regulate hypertrophic differentiation and matrix degradation in a zone-, stage-, and scale-dependent manner. Microscale measurements often reveal localized stiffening in superficial zones during early OA, whereas bulk tissue testing can show softening or heterogeneous changes in deeper zones or advanced stages, highlighting the context-dependent nature of ECM mechanics. These biophysical signals are sensed by integrin-based adhesion complexes, primary cilia, mechanosensitive ion channels (TRP/Piezo), and the actin cytoskeleton–nucleus continuum, and are transduced into intracellular pathways with zone- and stage-specific effects, governing chondrocyte fate under physiological and osteoarthritic conditions. Mechanism-based anti-hypertrophic strategies include biomimetic scaffold design for focal defects, dynamic mechanical stimulation targeting early OA, and multimodal approaches integrating mechanical cues with biochemical factors, gene modulation, drug delivery, or cell-based therapies. Collectively, this review provides an integrated mechanobiological framework for understanding cartilage degeneration and highlights emerging opportunities for disease-modifying interventions targeting chondrocyte hypertrophy. Full article