Football is a team sport played worldwide and specific competition demands are needed since young categories. Several physiological and psychological aspects could influence the selection process, and adolescent investigations still be necessary. This retrospective study aims to compare anthropometric and performance features between selected and unselected adolescent footballers. The sample size was 78 players from U10 to U12 categories. Maturation, RAE, anthropometry, and physical performance (repeated sprint ability (RSA), 15-m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ) and Harre\'s test) were evaluated (mean ± SD). 33.3 % of players were selected (height = 144.06 ± 6.74 cm, weight = 35.38 ± 4.56 kg) and 66.7 % were unselected (height = 143.06 ± 8.34 cm, weight = 35.94 ± 6.24 kg). Selected U10 were leaner and got the peak of height velocity (APHV) earlier (p < 0.05) than unselected U10 players, while U11 selected were faster than unselected (p < 0.05). Also, the RSA test, APHV and the humeral width well discriminated among the selection (χ 2 (3) = 12; p < 0.01). Football field technicians involved in scouting need quantitative and qualitative information that could help to predict talented players. Although physical performance test results and body height led to decisions, further anthropometric features and maturation could provide relevant support.

The adult mammalian heart has extremely limited cardiac regenerative capacity. Most cardiomyocytes live in a state of permanent cell-cycle arrest and are unable to re-enter the cycle. Cardiomyocytes switch from cell proliferation to a maturation state during neonatal development. Although several signaling pathways are involved in this transition, the molecular mechanisms by which these inputs coordinately regulate cardiomyocyte maturation are not fully understood. Retinoic acid (RA) plays a pivotal role in development, morphogenesis, and regeneration. Despite the importance of RA signaling in embryo heart development, little is known about its function in the early postnatal period. We found that mRNA expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A2 (Aldh1a2), which encodes the key enzyme for synthesizing all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and is an important regulator for RA signaling, was transiently upregulated in neonatal mouse ventricles. Single-cell transcriptome analysis and immunohistochemistry revealed that Aldh1a2 expression was enriched in cardiac fibroblasts during the early postnatal period. Administration of ATRA inhibited cardiomyocyte proliferation in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and human cardiomyocytes. RNA-seq analysis indicated that cell proliferation-related genes were downregulated in prenatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes treated with ATRA, while cardiomyocyte maturation-related genes were upregulated. These findings suggest that RA signaling derived from cardiac fibroblasts is one of the key regulators of cardiomyocyte proliferation and maturation during neonatal heart development.

BACKGROUND: Within the follicular fluid, extracellular vesicles (EVs) guide oocyte growth through their cargo microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we investigated the role of EVs and their cargo miRNAs by linking the miRNAs found in EVs, derived from the fluid of an individual follicle, to the ability of its oocyte to become a blastocyst (competent) or not (non-competent).
METHODS: Bovine antral follicles were dissected, categorized as small (2-4 mm) or large (5-8 mm) and the corresponding oocytes were subjected to individual maturation, fertilization and embryo culture to the blastocyst stage. Follicular fluid was pooled in 4 groups (4 replicates) based on follicle size and competence of the corresponding oocyte to produce a blastocyst. Follicular fluid-derived EVs were isolated, characterized, and subjected to miRNA-sequencing (Illumina Miseq) to assess differential expression (DE) in the 4 groups. Functional validation of the effect of miR-34c on embryo development was performed by supplementation of mimics and inhibitors during in vitro maturation (IVM).
RESULTS: We identified 16 DE miRNAs linked to oocyte competence when follicular size was not considered. Within the large and small follicles, 46 DE miRNAs were driving blastocyst formation in each group. Comparison of EVs from competent small and large follicles revealed 90 DE miRNAs. Cell regulation, cell differentiation, cell cycle, and metabolic process regulation were the most enriched pathways targeted by the DE miRNAs from competent oocytes. We identified bta-miR-34c as the most abundant in follicular fluid containing competent oocytes. Supplementation of miR-34c mimic and inhibitor during IVM did not affect embryo development. However, blastocyst quality, as evidenced by higher cell numbers, was significantly improved following oocyte IVM in the presence of miR-34c mimics, while miR-34c inhibitors resulted in the opposite effect.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the regulatory effect of miRNAs from follicular fluid-derived EVs on oocyte competence acquisition, providing a further basis for understanding the significance of miRNAs in oocyte maturation and embryonic development. Up-regulation of miR-34c in EVs from follicular fluid containing competent oocytes and the positive impact of miR-34c mimics added during IVM on the resulting blastocysts indicate its pivotal role in oocyte competence.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are the final products of the Maillard reaction, formed through the interaction of carbohydrates and proteins. Reactive dicarbonyl compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO) serve as precursors for AGEs formation. Elevated levels of MGO/AGEs are observed in conditions like obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and diabetes, negatively impacting oocyte development. Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide, a gasotransmitter with anti-AGEs effects, is produced in a process influenced by vitamin B6. R-α-lipoic acid (ALA) inhibits protein glycation and AGEs formation while stimulating glutathione (GSH) production. Taurine mitigates oxidative stress and acts as an anti-glycation compound, preventing in vitro glycation and AGEs accumulation. This study aimed to explore the ameliorative effects of a micronutrient support (Taurine, ALA and B6: TAB) on mouse oocytes challenged with MGO. Our results indicate that MGO reduces oocyte developmental competence, while TAB supplementation improves maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst formation rates. TAB also restores cell lineage allocation, redox balance and mitigates mitochondrial dysfunction in MGO-challenged oocytes. Furthermore, cumulus cells express key enzymes in the transsulfuration pathway, and TAB enhances their mRNA expression. However, TAB does not rescue MGO-induced damage in denuded oocytes, emphasizing the supportive role of cumulus cells. Overall, these findings suggest that TAB interventions may have significant implications for addressing reproductive dysfunctions associated with elevated MGO/AGEs levels. This study highlights the potential of TAB supplementation in preserving the developmental competence of COCs exposed to MGO stress, providing insights into mitigating the impact of dicarbonyl stress on oocyte quality and reproductive outcomes.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are important regulators of oocyte maturation, playing a key role in modulating gene expression both in a temporal- and spatial-specific manner. These small non-coding RNAs are involved in important processes during oocyte maturation, acting as messengers between the oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells. Despite its significance, the bidirectional communication mechanism is still unknown. To test miRNA communication between oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells through the gap junctions the gap junctions were either blocked with carbenoxolone or not. MiRNA sequencing of oocytes at 1, 6, and 22 h of in vitro maturation was then performed. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, bta-miR-21-5p, a regulator of cumulus cell viability and oocyte maturation, was the only previously known miRNA. Furthermore, by labeling a bta-miR-21-5p mimic with FAM, crossing of this miRNA through the gap junctions within the cumulus-oocyte complex could be visualized and internalization in the oocyte was confirmed by RT-qPCR. In conclusion, this study provides, for the first time, evidence that miRNA communication within the bovine cumulus-oocyte complex is enabled through the gap junctional network.

The study investigates relative age effects (RAE) in German youth soccer (Youth Bundesliga A: January 2004 to December 2005 and B: January 2006 to December 2007; highest league in German youth soccer) and its persistence in third-division players. Data from the 2022-2023 season (120 teams, 3,174 players) were analyzed using chi-square tests. Significant RAE was found in the A-series (p < .001), B-series (p < .001), and third-division professionals (p < .001). Notably, RAE was prominent among younger players but less evident in older third-division players (p = .116), indicating a diminishing selection effect with age and professional tenure. Coaches and talent managers are advised to consider RAE and additional factors like player maturity in talent selection for more efficient talent management strategies, especially in youth academies.

Menarche is a significant pubertal event influencing girls\' participation in physical activity. As menarche is a sensitive matter, a non-invasive substitute is needed to help classify girls\' maturity status and provide physical literacy to them in this regard. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the classification agreement between self-reported age of menarche and calculated maturity offset in adolescent girls from South Africa by making use of various statistical methods. Fifty-eight girls, n = 13 pre- and n = 45 post-menarche (Status Quo method) aged 13.51 ± 3.51 years at baseline, were analyzed (2010-2012). Independent t-testing, cross-tabulation, Roc Curve statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the classification agreement between markers. All four statistical methods revealed the potential to categorize different maturity groups through the maturity offset equation, although the accuracy declined with increased age. A realized power of 0.92 was found for the group in the first year of the study, with a gradual and significant decline over time. Cross-tabs showed a significant moderate predictive effectiveness (Chi-square = 0.042) during T1, closer to PHV (13.51 years) although also declining significantly with increased age (T2, 14.51 years) beyond PHV (Chi-square = 0.459). Although positive results were found, caution must be used when using maturity offset equations in different homogenic populations due to their unique growth characteristics.

The aim of this study was to test a machine learning (ML) model to predict high-intensity actions and body impacts during youth football training. Sixty under-15, -17, and -19 sub-elite Portuguese football players were monitored over a 6-week period. External training load data were collected from the target variables of accelerations (ACCs), decelerations (DECs), and dynamic stress load (DSL) using an 18 Hz global positioning system (GPS). Additionally, we monitored the perceived exertion and biological characteristics using total quality recovery (TQR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session RPE (sRPE), chronological age, maturation offset (MO), and age at peak height velocity (APHV). The ML model was computed by a feature selection process with a linear regression forecast and bootstrap method. The predictive analysis revealed that the players\' MO demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness in predicting their DEC and ACC across different ranges of IQR. After predictive analysis, the following performance values were observed: DEC (x¯predicted = 41, β = 3.24, intercept = 37.0), lower IQR (IQRpredicted = 36.6, β = 3.24, intercept = 37.0), and upper IQR (IQRpredicted = 46 decelerations, β = 3.24, intercept = 37.0). The player\'s MO also demonstrated the ability to predict their upper IQR (IQRpredicted = 51, β = 3.8, intercept = 40.62), lower IQR (IQRpredicted = 40, β = 3.8, intercept = 40.62), and ACC (x¯predicted = 46 accelerations, β = 3.8, intercept = 40.62). The ML model showed poor performance in predicting the players\' ACC and DEC using MO (MSE = 2.47-4.76; RMSE = 1.57-2.18: R2 = -0.78-0.02). Maturational concerns are prevalent in football performance and should be regularly checked, as the current ML model treated MO as the sole variable for ACC, DEC, and DSL. Applying ML models to assess automated tracking data can be an effective strategy, particularly in the context of forecasting peak ACC, DEC, and bodily effects in sub-elite youth football training.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can invade all mammalian cells. It is well established that natural killer (NK) cells have critical protective roles in innate immunity during infections by intracellular pathogens. In the current study, we conducted an in vitro experiment to evaluate NK cell differentiation and activation from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB-MNCs) after infection with T. gondii tachyzoites.
METHODS: UCB-MNCs were infected by fresh tachyzoites of type I (RH) or type II (PTG) strains of T. gondii pre-expanded in mesenchymal stem cells for 2 weeks in a medium enriched with stem cell factor, Flt3, IL-2, and IL-15. Flow cytometry analysis and western blot analysis were performed to measure the CD57+, CD56+, and Granzyme A (GZMA).
RESULTS: Data revealed that incubation of UCB-MNCs with NK cell differentiation medium increased the CD57+, CD56+, and GZMA. UCB-MNCs cocultured with PTG tachyzoites showed a significant reduction of CD56+ and GZMA, but nonsignificant changes, in the levels of CD56+ compared to the control UCB-MNCs (p > .05). Noteworthy, 2-week culture of UCB-MNCs with type I (RH) tachyzoites significantly suppressed CD57+, CD56+, and GZMA, showing reduction of NK cell differentiation from cord blood cells.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that virulent T. gondii tachyzoites with cytopathic effects inhibit NK cell activation and eliminate innate immune responses during infection, and consequently enable the parasite to continue its survival in the host body.

The primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a quintessential hub of cognitive functions. Amidst its intricate neural architecture, the interplay of distinct neuronal subtypes, notably parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) interneurons (INs), emerge as a cornerstone in sculpting cortical circuitry and governing cognitive processes. While considerable strides have been made in elucidating the developmental trajectory of these neurons in rodent models, our understanding of their postmigration developmental dynamics in primates still needs to be studied. Disruptions to this developmental trajectory can compromise IN function, impairing signal gating and circuit modulation within cortical networks. This study examined the expression patterns of PV and SST, ion transporter KCC2, and ion channel subtypes Kv3.1b, and Nav1.1 - associated with morphophysiological stages of development in the postnatal marmoset monkey in different frontal cortical regions (granular areas 8aD, 8aV, 9, 46; agranular areas 11, 47L). Our results demonstrate that the maturation of PV+ INs extends into adolescence, characterized by discrete epochs associated with specific expression dynamics of ion channel subtypes. Interestingly, we observed a postnatal decrease in SST interneurons, contrasting with studies in rodents. This endeavor broadens our comprehension of primate cortical development and furnishes invaluable insights into the etiology and pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by perturbations in PV and SST IN function.