BACKGROUND: High prevalence rates of β2-agonist use among athletes in competitive sports makes it tempting to speculate that illegitimate use of β2-agonists boosts performance. However, data regarding the potential performance-enhancing effects of inhaled β2-agonists and its underlying molecular basis are scarce.
METHODS: In total, 24 competitive endurance athletes (12f/12m) participated in a clinical double-blinded balanced four-way block cross-over trial to investigate single versus combined effects of β2-agonists salbutamol (SAL) and formoterol (FOR), to evaluate the potential performance enhancement of SAL (1200 µg, Cyclocaps, Pb Pharma GmbH), FOR (36 µg, Sandoz, HEXAL AG) and SAL + FOR (1200 µg + 36 µg) compared to placebo (PLA, Gelatine capsules containing lactose monohydrate, Pharmacy of the University Hospital Ulm). Measurements included skeletal muscle gene and protein expression, endocrine regulation, urinary/serum β2-agonist concentrations, cardiac markers, cardiopulmonary and lung function testing and the 10-min time trial (TT) performance on a bicycle ergometer as outcome variables. Blood and urine samples were collected pre-, post-, 3 h post- and 24 h post-TT.
RESULTS: Mean power output during TT was not different between study arms. Treatment effects regarding lung function (p < 0.001), echocardiographic (left ventricular end-systolic volume p = 0.037; endocardial global longitudinal strain p < 0.001) and metabolic variables (e.g. NR4A2 and ATF3 pathway) were observed without any influence on performance. In female athletes, total serum β2-agonist concentrations for SAL and FOR were higher. Microarray muscle gene analysis showed a treatment effect for target genes in energy metabolism with strongest effect by SAL + FOR (NR4A2; p = 0.001). Of endocrine variables, follicle-stimulating hormone (3 h Post-Post-TT), luteinizing hormone (3 h Post-Pre-TT) and insulin (Post-Pre-TT) concentrations showed a treatment effect (all p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: No endurance performance-enhancing effect for SAL, FOR or SAL + FOR within the permitted dosages compared to PLA was found despite an acute effect on lung and cardiac function as well as endocrine and metabolic variables in healthy participants. The impact of combined β2-agonists on performance and sex-specific thresholds on the molecular and cardiac level and their potential long-term performance enhancing or health effects have still to be determined.
BACKGROUND: Registered at Eudra CT with the number: 2015-005598-19 (09.12.2015) and DRKS with number DRKS00010574 (16.11.2021, retrospectively registered).

The possibility of microbial life beyond Earth presents a fundamental question in astrobiology. Given the likelihood that any extra-terrestrial life will be microbial in nature, the development of sensitive and specific confirmatory tests is crucial for the identification of potential habitats for life. Here, we describe a novel methodology for the detection of microorganisms in Martian soil simulants through spiking and recovery experiments. Our approach employs miniaturised techniques that enable the rapid and sensitive assessment of microbial presence in soil samples. The results of our study suggest that this methodology could be a valuable tool for the identification of potential habitats for microbial life on Mars and other extraterrestrial bodies.

Electrophoresis-derived techniques for anti-SSA/Ro60 KDa (anti-SSA) antibodies detection have been progressively replaced by methods using non-native antigens. We aimed to compare the patients\' phenotypes and the occurrence of extraglandular manifestations in primary Sjögren\'s syndrome according to the method used to detect anti-SSA antibodies. Sera from patients with a diagnosis of pSS according to ACR/EULAR 2016 criteria between 2008 and 2017 were tested for anti-SSA antibodies using methods with non-native antigens (magnetic bead multiplex assay; line immunoassays) and one with native antigens (counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE)). The population was split into three groups according to anti-SSA antibodies status: absence (SSA-), presence in any method except for CIE (SSA+CIE-), and presence in CIE (SSA+CIE+). The patients in the SSA+CIE+ group (n = 70, 42.7%) were ten years younger and presented more immunological activity compared with both the SSA- (n = 80, 48.8%) and SSA+CIE- groups (n = 14, 8.5%). The SSA- and SSA+CIE- groups were poorly distinct. The presence of anti-SSA antibodies solely in CIE was significantly associated with the occurrence of extraglandular manifestations of pSS (HR = 4.45 (2.35-8.42)). Contrary to CIE, methods using non-native antigens to detect anti-SSA antibodies were unable to predict the occurrence of systemic expression of pSS.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a matched-pairs trial of three methods for detecting house infestation with triatominae bugs in a well-defined endemic rural area in the Argentine Chaco.
METHODS: The three methods included a simple double-sided adhesive tape (ST) installed near host resting sites; timed-manual collections with a dislodging aerosol (TMC, the reference method used by vector control programmes), and householders\' bug notifications (HN). Triatomine infestations were evaluated in 103 sites of 54 houses, including domiciles, kitchens and storerooms.
RESULTS: In domiciles where Triatoma infestans was collected, sensitivity of each single method decreased from 79% by ST and 77% by HN, to 57% by TMC, and increased to 92% when ST was combined with HN. In peridomestic kitchens and storerooms, TMC was relatively as sensitive as ST and significantly more sensitive than HN. On average, the number of bugs recovered by ST was 0.94 times that collected by TMC. The ST mainly collected early-instar nymphs whereas TMC yielded late (larger) stages. Triatomines caught by ST had significantly lower mean weight-to-length ratios and lower blood-feeding rates than those caught by TMC, suggesting the ST intercepted and trapped vectors seeking a blood meal host.
CONCLUSIONS: The ST may effectively replace TMC for detecting T. infestans in domiciles, and is especially apt for early detection of low-density domestic infestations in the frame of community-based surveillance or elimination programmes; decision making on whether an area should be targeted for full-coverage insecticide spraying, and to corroborate that extant conditions are compatible with the interruption of vector-borne transmission.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of visual inspection (VI), laser fluorescence (LF pen), fluorescence camera (FC), and alternating current impedance spectroscopy technique (ACIST) for detection of incipient occlusal caries lesions. Histology was used as the gold standard to determine the interexaminer reliability of the methods, among three examiners with different levels of experiences (Examiner 1: 5 years; examiner 2: 10 years; and examiner 3: 25 years).
METHODS: One hundred two molar teeth were selected. The occlusal surfaces of teeth were evaluated with VI, LF pen, FC, and ACIST devices independently by three examiners. Diagnostic performances of methods were evaluated with binormal receiver-operating characteristics analysis. Interexaminer agreement of detection methods was assessed using Cohen\'s kappa coefficient values (p < 0.001).
RESULTS: Incipient enamel lesions were determined more successfully with VI by all examiners. All detection methods were presented with statistically acceptable interexaminer agreement (p < 0.001). For D2 and D3 thresholds, FC for examiner 1, VI for examiner 2, and both VI and FC for examiner 3 demonstrated statistically high sensitivity and specificity (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that diagnostic performance of the methods was insufficient for detecting incipient occlusal caries lesions by itself. Performance can be improved by using them with VI as a traditional caries detection method.

OBJECTIVE: White spot lesions (WSL) are an important side-effect of orthodontic multi-bracket (MB) treatment. Standardized monitoring of such WSL may help in caries management.
METHODS: In this retrospective study the discriminatory power of caries assessment on routine digital oral photographs was compared to quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) imaging in monitoring WSL development after debonding of orthodontic appliances. Oral and QLF photographs captured directly after debond (T1) and 1 year thereafter (T2) of 51 subjects, treated with full MB orthodontic appliances were used. Oral photographs were assessed by use of The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) at both time points independently and by side-by-side comparison to assess visual transition (VT). QLF photographs were categorized based on integrated fluorescence loss at T1 and T2.
RESULTS: At T1 433 and 384 lesions on 918 buccal surfaces were detected using ICDAS and QLF, respectively. For both methods these numbers were reduced at T2. Changes within ICDAS scores were recorded by VT and showed mainly lesion improvement within ICDAS score 2.
CONCLUSIONS: The oral and QLF photographs both showed regression of WSL after debonding of MB orthodontic appliances. The VT evaluation was found to have higher discriminatory power in comparison to ICDAS.