Intensity Duration Research Articles

Peak Kinematic and Mechanical Demands According to Playing Positions in Professional Male Soccer: Composition Analysis and Characteristics of Locomotor Activities

ABSTRACT This study examined the most demanding passages (MDP) of composite kinematic and mechanical activities in professional soccer according to positions. Global positioning system data were collected from 39 male soccer players across two seasons. Kinematic and mechanical MDP were identified by composite MDPk (maximal distance covered across moderate- and high-speed running and sprinting thresholds) and MDPm (maximal magnitude of high-intensity acceleration and deceleration efforts) criterion variables across 5 min moving average periods. Linear mixed models assessed the intensity, number of efforts, and duration of specific locomotor activities of each MDP by position. The kinematic MDP showed higher intensity, effort count, and relative duration of MDPk activities than mechanical MDP (p ≤ 0.001; ES: 0.7-1.7). Conversely, MDPm activities had greater magnitude, efforts, and relative duration in mechanical MDP (ES: 1.9-2.0). Similar constituent variable compositions were observed between peak periods. The MDPk comprised ~60 ± 16% moderate-speed running, ~30 ± 11% high-speed running, and ~14 ± 8% sprinting distances; MDPm included ~35 ± 23% and ~65 ± 23% high-intensity accelerations and decelerations. Positional differences revealed central defenders had lower, while full-backs and wide-midfielders had higher, MDP values. Findings from this study highlight the multidimensional characteristics of composite peak kinematic and mechanical periods in professional soccer. The differential contribution of low- and high-intensity locomotor activities during such periods, in terms of magnitude, number of efforts, and duration, should be considered by practitioners. Such insight can inform effective position-specific training prescription as well as bespoke recovery strategies based on the MDP observed during match play.

Elderly vulnerability to temperature-related mortality risks in China.

The elderly face elevated mortality risk due to rising temperature. Previous assessments of temperature-related mortality, however, lack a comprehensive analysis of distinct impacts of temperature change across different timescales and characteristics. Using a longitudinal survey of 27,233 elderly Chinese citizens from 2005 to 2018, we establish connections between rising temperatures, temperature variability, and extreme heat with increased mortality risk, assessed through four annual metrics that combine temperature and humidity. The intensity and prolonged duration of extreme heat are found to have the greatest impact on mortality risk. Furthermore, by identifying heterogeneous impacts based on location, sex, age, obesity, income, and diet, we reveal the pathways through which temperature metrics are likely to influence mortality risk. Our study highlights the compound effects of rising temperatures for elderly populations, and it could be expanded to other countries and regions experiencing similar challenges due to an aging population experiencing warming conditions.

Corrigendum: Water Practice and Technology, 1 November 2024; 19 (11), 4378–4389: Utilizing statistical distribution tests to develop rainfall intensity–duration–frequency curves for enhanced hydrological analysis in Kirkuk city, Iraq. Ameer Hashim Hussein, Mustafa Najdat Kasim, https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2024.258

Corrigendum: <i>Water Practice and Technology</i>, 1 November 2024; 19 (11), 4378–4389: Utilizing statistical distribution tests to develop rainfall intensity–duration–frequency curves for enhanced hydrological analysis in Kirkuk city, Iraq. Ameer Hashim Hussein, Mustafa Najdat Kasim, https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2024.258

Next-Generation Drought Intensity–Duration–Frequency Curves for Early Warning Systems in Ethiopia’s Pastoral Region

The pastoral areas of Ethiopia are facing a recurrent drought crisis that significantly affects the availability of water resources for communities dependent on livestock. Despite the urgent need for effective drought early warning systems, Ethiopia’s pastoral areas have limited capacities to monitor variations in the intensity–duration–frequency of droughts. This study intends to drive drought intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves that account for climate-model uncertainty and spatial variability, with the goal of enhancing water resources management in Borana, Ethiopia. To achieve this, the study employed quantile delta mapping to bias-correct outputs from five climate models. A novel multi-model ensemble approach, known as spatiotemporal reliability ensemble averaging, was utilized to combine climate-model outputs, exploiting the strengths of each model while discounting their weaknesses. The Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPEI) was used to quantify meteorological (3-month SPEI), agricultural (6-month SPEI), and hydrological (12-month SPEI) droughts. Overall, the analysis of historical (1990–2014) and projected (2025–2049, 2050–2074, and 2075–2099) periods revealed that climate change significantly exacerbates drought conditions across all three systems, with changes in drought being more pronounced than changes in mean precipitation. A prevailing rise in droughts’ IDF features is linked to an anticipated decline in precipitation and an increase in temperature. From the derived drought IDF curves, projections for 2025–2049 and 2050–2074 indicate a significant rise in hydrological drought occurrences, while the historical and 2075–2099 periods demonstrate greater vulnerability in meteorological and agricultural systems. While the frequency of hydrological droughts is projected to decrease between 2075 and 2099 as their duration increases, the periods from 2025 to 2049 and from 2050 to 2074 are expected to experience more intense hydrological droughts. Generally, the findings underscore the critical need for timely interventions to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with drought, particularly in areas like Borana that depend heavily on water resources availability.

Spatial Dependence of Extreme Rainfall and Development of Intensity–Duration–Frequency Curves Using Max-Stable Process Models

Spatial Dependence of Extreme Rainfall and Development of Intensity–Duration–Frequency Curves Using Max-Stable Process Models

The role of exercise intensity and duration on cardiac angiogenesis

Abstract Numerous studies showed the exercise intensity and exercise duration involved in the pathways of angiogenesis biomarkers expression. The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the effects of different exercise intensities and exercise duration in cardiac angiogenesis regulation between healthy animal studies and human studies. The research databases used in this systematic review, including MEDLINE and Cochrane Library, within the last 6 years from 2018 to 2023 and published in English. Before the study selection, the study duplication was detected by Zotero Reference Manager® and then removed. The related studies examined and selected with rayyan.ai® website using a ‘blind-on’ mode to ensure eligibility. The eligible studies were assessed by the SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool and Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. A total of 16 studies were included, consisting of 5 animal studies or in vivo or experimental studies and 11 human studies or clinical trials. The studies then grouped in 3 durations of exercise, that was short-term, long-term term-intermittent, and long-term-continuous exercise. The most significant duration and intensity were found in long-term-continuous exercise and moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. Further research needs to explain the other factors of exercise that influence cardiac angiogenesis, such as the frequency and the type of exercise both in humans and animals to determine the most effective exercise program for a healthy population, as a potential prevention from the cardiovascular disease.

Aerobic exercise to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aerobic exercise has been confirmed to alleviate primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in adolescents and young women. However, the effect of the aerobic exercise type and dosage on PD alleviation was unclear. This research aims to assess the effect of aerobic exercise on PD and investigate the dose-response relationships. Systematic literature searches of Web of Science, Embass, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycNET, CINAHL, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and other Complimentary Medicine Database. PICOS standards were adopted in this research: participants were nonathlete women with PD; intervention was aerobic exercise of at least one menstruation cycle; comparator was any comparator; outcomes were pain intensity or pain duration; and study type was randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the research. Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted for pain intensity and pain duration, with prespecified subgroup analyses based on aerobic exercise components. The strength of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024533544). The study identified 16 eligible studies, with 15 involving adolescents, totaling 918 participants aged 15 to 43, with an average age of 21.26 ± 13.15. The results confirmed that aerobic exercise can alleviate PD's pain intensity (standard mean difference (SMD) = -1.728 (p = 0.00), 95% CI [-2.26 to -1.31]) and pain duration (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -12.53 h, p = 0.01, 95% CI: -21.38 to -3.68). However, the heterogeneity of these two results was high. Subgroup analysis showed that Pilates (SMD = -3.17, 95% CI [-4.26 to -2.07]), low intensity (SMD = -1.64, 95% CI [-2.10 to -1.19]), 31-45 min duration (SMD = -3.05, 95% CI [-5.36 to -0.75]), ≤2 times per week frequency (SMD = -2.24, 95% CI [-3.36 to -1.12]), and a period cycle of 2 menstrual cycles (SMD = -2.21, 95% CI [-3.13 to -1.28]) had the maximum effect size. Aerobic exercise was able to alleviate pain intensity and pain duration in adolescents and young women with PD. Moderate-quality evidence indicates that Pilates, low intensity, 46-60 min, ≤two times per week, or two menstrual cycles showed more efficiency in alleviating PD. Due to the limited data, future research should prioritize conducting randomized controlled trials of aerobic exercise interventions in younger age groups to develop personalized treatment strategies for adolescents.

Rainfall Intensity–Duration–Frequency Curves Dataset for Brazil

This is a database containing rainfall intensity–duration–frequency equations (IDF equations) for 6550 pluviographic and pluviometric stations in Brazil. The database was compiled from 370 different publications and contains the following information: station identification, geographic position, size and period of the rainfall series used, parameters of the IDF equations, and literature references. The database is available on Mendeley Data (DOI: 10.17632/378bdcmnc8.1) in the form of spreadsheets and vector files. Since the launch of the Pluvio 2.1 software in 2006, which included 549 IDF equations obtained in the country, this is the largest and most accessible database of IDF equations in Brazil. The data provided may be useful, among other purposes, for designing hydraulic structures, controlling water erosion, planning land use, and water resource planning and management.

Anillin tunes contractility and regulates barrier function during Rho flare-mediated tight junction remodeling.

To preserve barrier function, cell-cell junctions must dynamically remodel during cell shape changes. We have previously described a rapid tight junction repair pathway characterized by local, transient activation of RhoA, termed "Rho flares", which repair leaks in tight junctions via promoting local actomyosin-mediated junction remodeling. In this pathway, junction elongation is a mechanical trigger that initiates RhoA activation through an influx of intracellular calcium and recruitment of p115RhoGEF. However, mechanisms that tune the level of RhoA activation and Myosin II contractility during the process remain uncharacterized. Here, we show that the scaffolding protein Anillin localizes to Rho flares and regulates RhoA activity and actomyosin contraction at flares. Knocking down Anillin results in Rho flares with increased intensity but shorter duration. These changes in active RhoA dynamics weaken downstream F-actin and Myosin II accumulation at the site of Rho flares, resulting in decreased junction contraction. Consequently, tight junction breaks are not reinforced following Rho flares. We show that Anillin-driven RhoA regulation is necessary for successfully repairing tight junction leaks and protecting junctions from repeated barrier damage. Together, these results uncover a novel regulatory role for Anillin during tight junction repair and barrier function maintenance. [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text].

An Explanatory Mixed-methods Study of "ICU net benefit": Triage and Trajectory for Sepsis and Acute Respiratory Failure.

Patients with sepsis and/or acute respiratory failure are at high risk for death or long hospital stays, yet limited evidence exists to guide triage to intensive care units (ICUs) or general medical wards for the majority of these patients who do not initially require life support. To identify factors that influence how hospitals triage patients with capacity-sensitive conditions and those factors that may account for observed ICU relative to ward, or ward relative to ICU, benefits for such patients. We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. As part of a 27-hospital, two-health system retrospective cohort study, we calculated hospital-specific measurements of ICU net benefit for patients with sepsis and/or acute respiratory failure. Hospitals among the highest ICU net benefit and lowest ICU net benefit (or highest ward net benefit) from each study health system were selected for in-depth qualitative study. At each hospital interviews were conducted with emergency department (ED), ward, and ICU clinicians and administrators. Interview transcripts were analyzed using flexible coding and the framework method. Interviews were conducted with 118 respondents (46 physicians, 43 nurses, 5 advanced practice providers, and 24 administrators) from four hospitals. Respondents across hospitals agreed that the prediction of patient trajectory is central to triage decisions, but there was variation in opinion across work locations about optimal pre-triage ED interventions in terms of intensity, repetition, clinical reassessment, and observation duration. The main difference observed between high and low ICU net benefit hospitals related to the way respondents working in the ICU and ward described their responses to patients who experience rapid clinical deviations from triage-expected trajectories including sustained lack of critical care needs after admission to the ICU and acute critical care needs after admission to the ward. Hospitals with low ICU net benefit (or high ward net benefit) had particularly robust and proactive rapid response and clinical decompensation surveillance practices for ward-admitted patients. Particularly proactive rapid response programs that deliver on-location critical care may quantitatively increase ward net benefit by bringing ICU benefits without ICU-associated harms to ward patients who become critically ill.

Effects of physical exercise on anxiety depression and emotion regulation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of physical exercise interventions on anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including Embase, Web of Science (WOS), PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, VIP Information, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), from their inception up to July 2024. The search aimed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the impact of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation in children diagnosed with ADHD. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was employed to assess the quality of the literature, while the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (ROB-2) was used to evaluate the overall risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) profiler method was utilized to further assess the quality of evidence. Meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias testing were performed using Stata 18.0 software. Effect sizes were calculated using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The analysis included 18 RCTs, encompassing 830 participants. Physical exercise exhibited a significant positive effect on anxiety (SMD = -0.58, p < 0.05), depression (SMD = -0.57, p < 0.05), and emotional regulation (SMD = 1.03, p < 0.05) in children diagnosed with ADHD. Subgroup analysis revealed that exercise programs with monotypic and mixed modalities, short duration, high frequencies, medium duration, and moderate intensities were the most efficacious in ameliorating anxiety symptoms. The mixed exercise program, when conducted for short duration, with low frequencies, medium duration, and moderate intensity was the most effective in alleviating depression symptoms. Exercise programs featuring mixed modalities, longer duration, moderate to high frequencies, shorter duration, and low intensity yielded the most significant improvements in emotional regulation. Research demonstrates that physical exercise mitigates anxiety and depression and improves emotional regulation in children with ADHD. A dose-response relationship is evident, correlating with the type, duration, intensity, frequency, and overall exercise duration. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO identifier (CRD42024571577).

Right vertical axillary incision vs. median sternotomy for congenital ventricular septal defect repair in children: a propensity score-matched study.

To retrospectively assess the outcomes of open-heart repair for ventricular septal defect in children using a right vertical axillary incision compared to median sternotomy. From January 2022 to May 2023, children who underwent open-heart surgery for the repair of congenital ventricular septal defect in our department were selected for a propensity score-matched study. The propensity score matching method was utilized to pair children in the right vertical axillary incision group with those undergoing surgery via median sternotomy at a 1:1 ratio, based on age and weight. There were 35 cases in each group. In the right vertical axillary incision group, the median age was 15 (7-40) months and the median weight was 8 (7-12) kg. In the median sternotomy group, the median age was 7 (3-37) months and the median weight was 7 (5-14) kg. The age (Z = -1.871, p = 0.061) and weight (Z = -1.462, p = 0.144) of the two groups showed no significant differences. The right vertical axillary incision group exhibited a significantly shorter incision length compared to the median sternotomy group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the median postoperative drainage was lower in the right vertical axillary incision group than in the median sternotomy group (p = 0.044), indicating statistical significance. No significant differences were observed between the groups concerning operation time (p = 0.565), bypass time (p = 0.855), cross-clamp time (p = 0.204), oxygenation index one hour post-surgery (p = 0.651), pleural effusion at 12 h post-surgery (p = 0.470), abnormal postoperative electrocardiogram (p = 0.452), cardiac intensive care unit duration (p = 0.211), or length of hospital stay (p = 0.095). The hospitalized children were followed up for 3 months to 1 year, during which there were no fatalities or complications. Open-heart repair of congenital ventricular septal defect through a right vertical axillary incision is a safe and effective surgical technique that minimizes surgical trauma and enhances aesthetic outcomes.

Local abnormal white matter microstructure in the spinothalamic tract in people with chronic neck and shoulder pain.

To investigate differences in the microstructure of the spinothalamic tract (STT) white matter in people with chronic neck and shoulder pain (CNSP) using diffusion tensor imaging, and to assess its correlation with pain intensity and duration of the pain. A 3.0T MRI scanner was used to perform diffusion tensor imaging scans on 31 people with CNSP and 24 healthy controls (HCs), employing the Automatic Fiber Segmentation and Quantification (AFQ) method to extract the STT and quantitatively analyze the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), reflecting the microstructural integrity of nerve fibers. Correlations of these differences with duration of pain and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed. No significant differences in the mean FA or MD values of the bilateral STT were observed between people with CNSP and HCs (p > 0.05), as indicated by the two-sample t test. Further point-by-point comparison along 100 equidistant nodes within the STT pathway revealed significant reductions in FA values in the left (segments 12-18, 81-89) and right (segments 9-19, 76-80) STT in the CNSP group compared to HCs; significant increases in MD values were observed in the left (segments 1-13, 26-30, 71-91) and right (segments 8-17, 76-91) STT (p < 0.05, FWE corrected). Partial correlation analysis indicates that in people with CNSP, the FA values of the STT in regions with damaged white matter structure show a negative correlation with VAS scores and duration of pain, whereas MD values show a positive correlation with VAS scores and duration of pain. This study found that people with CNSP exhibit white matter microstructural abnormalities in the specific segments of STT. These abnormalities are associated with the patient's pain intensity and disease duration. The findings offer a new neuroimaging perspective on the pathophysiological basis of chronic pain in the ascending conduction process and its potential role in developing targeted intervention strategies. However, due to the limited sample size and the lack of statistical significance when analyzing the entire spinothalamic tract, these conclusions should be interpreted with caution. Further research with larger cohorts is necessary to validate these results.

An umbrella review of physical-activity therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults: insights on intervention intensity and duration.

Data about the impact of varying physical-activity therapy (PAT) intensities and the ideal duration of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on older adults is inadequate. In this umbrella review, we seek to comprehensively synthesize and analyze findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the optimal PAT intensity for lowering FOF and the duration of CBT interventions for effectively lowering FOF. The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched up to April 2024. AMSTAR 2 was applied to assess the methodological and reporting quality. The quality of evidence for each intervention's effect was evaluated using GRADE guidelines. A further meta-analysis of the primary studies was conducted to evaluate the effects of PAT intensity and CBT duration. In the 18 included studies, 12 were PAT interventions, 3 were multifactorial, and 3 were CBT interventions. The umbrella review found that PAT and CBT interventions can effectively manage FOF. Comparable improvements were reported with low- and moderate-intensity PAT intervention (p < 0.0001); Significant improvements were observed with CBT immediately post-intervention, in the short-term (<6 months), and in the long-term (≥6 months) (p < 0.0001). Our study revealed that a comprehensive intervention strategy combining low or moderate PAT with CBT interventions is more effective than isolated approaches, as it addresses the multifaceted nature of fear and fall risk. Future research should continue to track the long-term effects of synergistic interventions to optimize fall prevention strategies for older populations. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero Identifier CRD42024557893.

Physical climate risk: Stock price reactions to the historically most extreme European and United States heat waves since 1979.

Climate change has heightened the need to understand physical climate risks, such as the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves, for informed financial decision-making. This study investigates the financial implications of extreme heat waves on stock returns in Europe and the United States. Accordingly, the study combines meteorological and stock market data by integrating methodologies from both climate science and finance. The authors use meteorological data to ascertain the five strongest heat waves since 1979 in Europe and the United States, respectively, and event study analyses to capture their effects on stock prices across firms with varying levels of environmental performance. The findings reveal a marked increase in the frequency of heat waves in the 21st century, reflecting global warming trends, and that European heat waves generally have a higher intensity and longer duration than those in the United States. This study provides evidence that extreme heat waves reduce stock values in both regions, with portfolio declines of up to 3.1%. However, there are marked transnational differences in investor reactions. Stocks listed in the United States appear more affected by the most recent heat waves compared to those further in the past, whereas the effect on European stock prices is more closely tied to event intensity and duration. For the United States sample only, the analysis reveals a mitigating effect of high corporate environmental performance against heat risk. This study introduces an innovative interdisciplinary methodology, merging meteorological precision with financial analytics to provide deeper insights into climate-related risks.

Classification of urban underlying surfaces in Beijing and its impact on summer high temperature and heat wave event

AbstractWith analysis of local climate zone (LCZ) classification, approximately 52.0% of underlying surfaces in Beijing are covered by buildings with LCZ 5 (open midrise) accounting for the highest proportion, and LCZ D (low plants) is the most distributed among natural surface types. Compared to natural underlying surfaces, building underlying surfaces have higher values in the high temperature (HT) and heat wave (HW) days, HW intensity, and maximum HW duration. In recent decades, HT days on building underlying surfaces in Beijing start earlier and end later than those on natural underlying surfaces. Building underlying surfaces make greater contribution to urban heat island intensity of apparent temperature than to that of temperature, yet it is opposite for natural underlying surfaces.

Impact of high intensity and long duration exercise in genetic arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy

Impact of high intensity and long duration exercise in genetic arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy

The effectiveness of social training in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a systematic review and transfer analysis

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impaired social communication and interactions, as well as constrained and repetitive manifestations of interests and behaviors. Various interventions at cognitive and behavioral levels aim to address impaired social communication and interaction in individuals with ASD. This study systematically explores the transferability of social training in individuals with ASD, guided by the conceptual model known as the FIELD framework (Function, Implement, Ecology, Level, and Durability). Employing the PRISMA methodology, 52 original experiments were included in the study. The transfer analysis, formulated as a conceptual meta-analysis based on the effect sizes, underscores the significant impact of variables including age, severity of autism, intervention tools, intervention intensity, intervention context, and intervention duration on the transferability of social training in individuals with ASD. The transfer of skills was particularly conspicuous among younger individuals, especially in face-to-face interventions, in contrast to digital alternatives. Moreover, cognitive interventions exhibited superior transferability compared to behavioral interventions, especially when administered with a higher intervention dose.

Sulfamethizole Attenuates Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures in Mice via mTOR Inhibition.

Epilepsy affects at least 1% of the global population of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Data obtained from previous studies suggest the role of mTOR signaling in epileptogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that mTOR inhibitor sulfamethizole might produce antiepileptic effects in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling seizures in mice. For induction of kindling, mice were administered 40 mg/kg PTZ on alternate days for 13 days. The severity of kindling was analyzed using a seizure intensity score. Rotarod performance, actophotometer, and chimney tests were performed to check muscle coordination and locomotor functions. mTOR and IL-6 levels were measured in the brain homogenate. Histological analyses were done using hematoxylin-eosin and cresyl violet stains. Sulfamethizole was administered daily at 10 and 50 mg/kg doses. PTZ administration resulted in kindling seizures in the PTZ-veh group. In addition, mice from the PTZ-veh group showed decreased fall time in rotarod performance, reduced locomotor activity, and failed chimney tests. mTOR and IL-6 levels were also increased in the brain, along with neuronal degeneration and a decreased layer of neuronal cells in the hippocampus. Treatment with sulfamethizole at 50 mg/kg significantly ameliorated seizure intensity score, seizure latency and duration, muscle coordination, and locomotor functions compared to the PTZ-veh group. It also downregulated brain mTOR and IL-6 expression significantly. In conclusion, sulfamethizole showed antiepileptic activity against PTZ-induced kindling seizure in mice via mTOR inhibition.

Multi-Secular Trend of Drought Indices in Padua, Italy

The aim of this work is to investigate drought variability in Padua, northern Italy, over a nearly 300-year period, from 1725 to 2023. Two well-established and widely used indices are calculated, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). They are compatible with a data series starting in the early instrumental period, as both can be estimated using only temperature and precipitation data. The Padua daily precipitation and temperature series from the early 18th century, which were recovered and homogenized with current observations, are used as datasets. The standard approach to estimate SPI and SPEI based on gamma and log-logistic probability distribution functions, respectively, is questioned, assessing the fitting performance of different distributions applied to monthly precipitation data. The best-performing distributions are identified for each index and accumulation period at annual and monthly scales, and their normality is evaluated. In general, they detect more extreme drought events than the standard functions. Moreover, the main statistical values of SPI are very similar, regardless of the approach type, as opposed to SPEI. The difference between SPI and SPEI time series calculated with the best-fit approach has increased since the mid-20th century, in particular in spring and summer, and can be related to ongoing global warming, which SPEI takes into account. The innovative trend analysis applied to SPEI12 indicates a general increasing trend in droughts, while for SPI12, it is significant only for severe events. Summer and fall are the most affected seasons. The critical drought intensity–duration–frequency curves provide an easily understandable relationship between the intensity, duration and frequency of the most severe droughts and allow for the calculation of return periods for the critical events of a certain duration. Moreover, the longest and most severe droughts over the 1725–2023 period are identified.