Peak Height Velocity Research Articles

Hybridization alters red deer gut microbiome and metabolites.

The host genes play a crucial role in shaping the composition and structure of the gut microbiome. Red deer is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and its pilose antlers have good medicinal value. Hybridization can lead to heterosis, resulting in increased pilose antler production and growth performance in hybrid deer. However, the role of the gut microbiome in hybrid deer remains largely unknown. In this study, alpha and beta diversity analysis showed that hybridization altered the composition and structure of the gut microbiome of the offspring, with the composition and structure of the hybrid offspring being more similar to those of the paternal parents. Interestingly, the LefSe differential analysis showed that there were some significantly enriched gut microbiome in the paternal parents (such as g_Prevotellaceae UCG-003, f_Bacteroidales RF16 group; Ambiguous_taxa, etc.) and the maternal parents (including g_Alistipes, g_Anaerosporobacter, etc.), which remained significantly enriched in the hybrid offspring. Additionally, the hybrid offspring exhibited a significant advantage over the parental strains, particularly in taxa that can produce short-chain fatty acids, such as g_Prevotellaceae UCG-003, g_Roseburia, g_Succinivibrio, and g_Lachnospiraceae UCG-006. Similar to bacterial transmission, metagenomic analysis showed that some signaling pathways related to pilose antler growth ("Wnt signaling pathway," "PI3K Akt signaling pathway," "MAPK signaling pathway") were also enriched in hybrid red deer after hybridization. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis revealed that compared with the paternal and maternal parents, the hybrid offspring exhibited significant enrichment in metabolites related to "Steroid hormone biosynthesis," "Tryptophan metabolism," "Valine, leucine and isoleucine metabolism," and "Vitamin B metabolism." Notably, the metagenomic analysis also showed that these metabolic pathways were significantly enriched in hybrid deer. Finally, a correlation analysis between the gut microbiome and metabolites revealed a significant positive correlation between the enriched taxa in hybrid deer, including the Bacteroidales RF16 group, Prevotellaceae, and Succinivibrio, and metabolites, such as 7α-hydroxytestosterone, L-kynurenine, indole, L-isoleucine, and riboflavin. The study contributes valuable data toward understanding the role of the gut microbiome from red deer in hybridization and provides reference data for further screening potential probiotics and performing microbial-assisted breeding that promotes the growth of red deer pilose antlers and bodies, development, and immunity.

Longitudinal Meta-Analysis of Peak Height Velocity in Young Female Athletes.

Growth patterns and biological milestones in youth sports are key to interpreting the development of young athletes. However, there is no analysis of longitudinal meta-analysis describing the growth of young female athletes. This longitudinal meta-analysis estimated growth curves and age at peak height velocity (PHV) in young female athletes based on anthropometric data from longitudinal studies found in the literature. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, studies with repeated measurements in young female athletes were identified from searches of four databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus) without date restrictions through August 2023. We adapted our bias assessment criteria using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials as a reference. Bayesian multilevel modeling was used to perform a longitudinal meta-analysis to extract stature growth curves and age at PHV. Fourteen studies met our eligibility criteria. Twenty-one independent samples could be included in the analysis. Conditional on the data and models, the predicted mean age at PHV for female athletes was 11.18 years (90% CI: 8.62; 12.94). When studies were aggregated by sport in the models, the models could not capture sport-specific growth curves for stature and estimate a corresponding age at PHV. We provide the first longitudinal meta-analytic summary of pubertal growth and derive age at PHV in young female athletes. The meta-analysis predicted that age at PHV occurs at similar ages to those in the general pediatric population. The data pool was limited in sports and geographic distribution, emphasizing the need to promote longitudinal research in females across different youth sports contexts.

Which training load indicators are greater correlated with maturation and wellness variables in elite U14 soccer players?

BackgroundMonitoring of training load is done to improve physical performance and minimize the incidence of injuries. The study examined the correlation between accumulated training load parameters based on periods with maturity (i.e., maturity offset and peak height velocity -PHV- and wellness variables -e.g., stress and sleep quality-). The second aim was to analyze the multi-linear regression between the above indicators.MethodsTwenty elite young U14 soccer players (M = 13.26 ± 0.52 years, 95% CI [13.02, 13.51]) were evaluated over 26 weeks (early, mid, and end-season) to obtain stress, sleep quality, and measures of workload in the season (accumulated acute workload [AW], accumulated chronic workload [CW], accumulated acute: chronic workload ratio [ACWLR], accumulated training monotony [TM], accumulated training strain [TS]).ResultsThe analysis revealed a moderate, statistically significant negative correlation between sleep quality and training monotony (r = -0.461, p < 0.05). No significant correlations were observed between other variables (p > 0.05). In the multi-linear regression analysis, maturity, PHV, sleep, and stress collectively accounted for variances of 17% in AW, 17.1% in CW, 11% in ACWLR, 21.3% in TM, and 22.6% in TS. However, individual regression coefficients for these predictors were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), indicating limited predictive power.ConclusionThe study highlights the impact of sleep quality on training monotony, underscoring the importance of managing training load to mitigate the risks of overtraining. The non-significant regression coefficients suggest the complexity of predicting training outcomes based on the assessed variables. These insights emphasize the need for a holistic approach in training load management and athlete wellness monitoring.

Evaluating Agility in Pre-Adolescent Basketball: A Comparative Analysis of CODAT, IAT, and RAT

Background: In basketball, agility is essential, characterized by the ability to change direction swiftly and accelerate. Traditional tests like the Illinois Agility Test (IAT) and the Reactive Agility Test (RAT) may not fully capture the agility demands specific to basketball. Purpose: This study aimed to introduce the Change of Direction and Acceleration Test (CODAT), designed specifically for young basketball players. It evaluates CODAT’s effectiveness by comparing it with IAT and RAT through comprehensive analysis. Methods: We assessed 87 pre-adolescent male basketball players, aged 9 to 13 years, with an average biological age of 11.2 years and an average estimated Peak Height Velocity (PHV) of 12.5 ± 0.5 years, using CODAT, IAT, and RAT. We employed regression analysis and the Bland–Altman method to determine CODAT’s reliability and validity. Results: The findings indicate that CODAT offers superior reliability and validity in measuring basketball-specific agility. Consistent scores highlight its potential as an effective tool for agility assessment in basketball training and talent identification. Conclusions: CODAT represents a significant advancement in agility assessment for young basketball players, advocating for its integration into sports science practices to better address the specialized demands of basketball agility.

Correlation Between Understanding Body Movement Systems and Habits of Maintaining Bone Health in Elementary School Students

This research aims to determine the correlation between elementary school level students' understanding of the concept of movement systems in humans and their habits in maintaining bone health. Because maintaining bone health is something that must be paid attention to, especially in children at their growing age. Habits of maintaining bone health must be supported by elementary school level students' knowledge regarding the process of growth and development in the human body. This research uses a correlation analysis method, with the Product Moment correlation technique. The number of samples used in this research was 35 class VI students from 5 elementary schools in Banda Aceh City. The instruments used are test questions related to the movement system material in the chapter on how our bodies move, and also a student response questionnaire regarding their daily habits in maintaining bone health. The research results can be concluded that the correlation obtained through the Product Moment correlation test can determine the relationship between the two variables at 0.64 with strong criteria. So there is a strong correlation between the first variable, namely the level of understanding of students' concepts regarding how the body moves and the second variable, namely their habits of maintaining healthy bones. The results of the correlation coefficient obtained show changes in students' habits as they understand the concepts they gain.

Height growth of Mexican boys by geographic region: an evaluation based on nationally representative data of ENSANUT 2012 and 2018.

Existing research on human growth in Mexico is regionally focused, creating a gap in the understanding of growth patterns of children and adolescents at national level and regional variation. The objective of the present study was to characterize the height growth curve of the Mexican population by geographic area and to cluster the states of the Mexican Republic according to their somatic maturation characteristics, based on a national representative sample of boys. Data on age, height, socioeconomic level, and geographic area of 18,219 boys were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012 (ENSANUT) and ENSANUT 2018, carried out in 32 Mexican states. Both surveys had representative samples. Preece-Baines 1 model was applied to fit height growth curves. Biological parameters were estimated; principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed to group Mexican states based on these biological parameters. The estimated age at peak height velocity (PHV) was 12.3 years in the sample. Significant regional differences in the timing and tempo of PHV among Mexican boys were observed. Boys in the northern region experienced PHV at an earlier age and had a shorter duration of growth compared with boys in the central and southern regions. Boys in the central region had a longer duration of growth and a later age of PHV compared with the boys in the southern region. The cluster that included the southern states of the country showed estimated lower adult height and earlier somatic maturation. A lower height was found in the low and low-middle socioeconomic levels compared with the medium-high and high socioeconomic levels. Future research in Mexico should focus on longitudinal studies to analyse the timing and tempo of growth and maturation, considering the impacts of environmental and genetic factors. Public health strategies should account for geographic variations.

Effects of maternal calcium supplementation on offspring blood pressure and growth in childhood and adolescence in a population with a low-calcium intake: follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends calcium supplementation (1500–2000 mg/d) during pregnancy for women with a low-calcium intake. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether pregnancy calcium supplementation affects offspring blood pressure and growth in The Gambia where calcium intakes are low (300–400 mg/d). MethodsFollow-up of offspring born during a randomized controlled trial of pregnancy calcium supplementation (ISRCTN96502494, 1996–2000) in which mothers were randomly assigned to 1500 mg Ca/d (Ca) or placebo (P) from 20 wk pregnancy to delivery. Offspring were enrolled at age 3 y in studies where blood pressure and anthropometry were measured under standardized conditions at approximately 2-yearly intervals. Mean blood pressure and growth curves were fitted for females and males separately, using the longitudinal SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) mixed effects model. This generates 3 individual-specific random effects: size, timing, and intensity, reflecting differences in size, age at peak velocity, and peak velocity through puberty relative to the mean curve, respectively. ResultsFive hundred twenty-three singleton infants were born during the trial (maternal group assignment: Ca/P = 259/264). Four hundred ninety-one were enrolled as children (females: F-Ca/F-P = 122/129 and males: M-Ca/M-P = 119/121) and measured regularly from 3.0 y to mean age 18.4 y; 90% were measured on ≥8 occasions. SITAR revealed differences in the systolic blood pressure and height curves between pregnancy supplement groups in females, but not in males. F-Ca had lower systolic blood pressure than F-P at all ages (size = −2.1 ± SE 0.8 mmHg; P = 0.005) and lower peak height velocity (intensity = −2.9 ± SE 1.1%, P = 0.009). No significant pregnancy supplement effects were seen for other measures. ConclusionsThis study showed, in female offspring, that pregnancy calcium supplementation may lower systolic blood pressure and slow linear growth in childhood and adolescence, adding to evidence of offspring sexual dimorphism in responses to maternal supplementation. Further research is warranted on the long-term and intergenerational effects of antenatal supplementations.This trial was registered at ISRCTN Registry as ISRCTN96502494.

Repeated-sprint sets test: a new method for evaluating and forecasting fitness in elite young male soccer players

The objective of the current study was to explore the correlation between repeated sprint sets (RSS) ability and several physical attributes, including maximum sprint speed, maximal aerobic speed, maximal anaerobic speed, aerobic capacity, and explosive strength. Moreover, the aim was to assess the suitability of RSS as a comprehensive evaluation tool for physical qualities and to determine which physical field tests most accurately predict RSS in elite young male soccer players. A total of thirty-two young elite male soccer players (mean age 14.6 ± 0.3 years; predicted years from peak height velocity (PHV): − 0.4 ± 0.3; years in training: 3.7 ± 0.5) voluntarily participated in the study. The players participated in eight consecutive specific physical tests, with a minimum 72-h recovery between each session to minimize the impact of fatigue during the second trial. The participants completed the tests in the following order: RSS test, Vam-Eval test, a constant velocity test performed until exhaustion at 100% of vVO2max (tlim100), 20-m Multi-Stage Shuttle Run test (VMSRT), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), Maximal Anaerobic Shuttle Running Test (VMASRT), Maximal Sprinting Speed Test (20-m flying sprint), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and Standing Long Jump test (SLJ). The results of the study showed that there were very large negative correlations between tlim100 and SST (sum of sprint times), and large negative correlations between Yo-Yo IR1, Vam-Eval, and SST during RSS in young elite male soccer players (p < 0.05). Additionally, VMASRT and SLJ demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with SST (p < 0.05). In contrast, significant positive correlations were found between 20-m flying sprint and the SST (p < 0.05). According to the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, the primary predictors of SST, ranked by importance, were tlim100 and Yo-Yo IR1. These two predictors collectively accounted for 72% of the variance in players’ SST (p < 0.0001). Due to the importance of aerobic capacity and short repeated accelerations/sprint sets for overall competitive performance in soccer, in conclusion, our results suggest that elite young male soccer players should perform both high intensity interval training and aeorobic capactity exercises as part of soccer training if the primary outcome is to improve repeated sprint ability performance.

BIOMARKER «PEAK HEIGHT VELOCITY» AS THE INDICATOR OF SECULAR DYNAMICS OF PHYSICAL STATUS IN INTERGROUP STUDIES/COMPARISONS

Introduction. The goal of study is the estimation of «peak height velocity» (PHV) as the marker of secular trends in addition to secular dynamics of height (H). Material and methods. The study embraces the block of samples of scholars (6/7-17 years) from Russia and former USSR, examined through the vast historical period from 1920th till nowadays, literary data and personal archives of the authors. The main attention is paid to three urban agglomerations - Moscow, Nizhniy Novgorod, Minsk. The following number of parameters is determined for each sample: the age of maximal velocity of growth dynamics of average levels of H during adolescence (APHV), determined according to the empirical patterns of annual changes of average H levels and consequent smoothing by least square method - differentially for boys and girls; and delta between parameters of boys and girls; maximal quantitative level of growth changes in cm (IPHV), different for boys and girls as well, and delta between the parameters. Results. The difference of APHV between boys and girls for each population under study is about two years - boys have delayed PHV as compared to girls in any ecological niche. Secular dynamics of APHV has nonlinear character, doesn’t decrease progressively through the whole historical interval from 1920th to 2000th, despite of permanent increase of the level of anthropogenic stress in cities under analysis, the lowest APHV is fixed in 1980th. Correlations of APHV with absolute annual H values through the age interval 6/7-17 years is systematic and high enough for boys (correlation about 0,5, determination coefficient about 0,25) and accidental for girls, being revealed for only one annual age group among 12 analyzed. Correlations of IPHV with absolute values of H are maximal at 7 years and minimal at 17 years, the level of correlations is less for girls as compared to boys. Conclusion. PHV really marks the secular somatic dynamics along with H itself as genetic marker. Correlation of APHV with absolute annual levels of H through the interval 6/7-17 years is systematic and significant for boys and accidental for girls, which witness to genetic determination of growth tempo of boys. Correlation of IPHV with absolute values of H, having highest levels at 7 years, points to the fact that height at 7 years is a real trigger of PHV parameters.

Age at peak height velocity in Polish adolescents: Effect of socioeconomic factors.

Age at peak height velocity (APHV) is an indicator of maturity timing which is applicable to both sexes, and which is influenced by environmental factors. The objective of this study was to assess variation in APHV associated with several indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) in a longitudinal sample of Polish adolescents. The sample included 739 boys born in 1983 and followed annually from 12 to 16 years, and 597 girls born in 1985 and followed annually from 9 to 13 years. The height records were fitted with the SITAR model to estimate APHV. SES was estimated using principal component analysis of indicators of familial status based on parental education, family size, living conditions and household possessions. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance (one-way for general SES and three-way for parental education and family size) and Tukey post-hoc tests for unequal samples. General SES (p <.001) and family size (p < .05) significantly influenced APHV among boys, while only maternal education (p < .05) significantly influenced APHV among girls. Among youth from families of higher SES, as defined by the respective indicators, APHV was attained significantly earlier, on average, than in peers from families of lower SES. Overall, the results showed a sex-dependent effect of SES on APHV, and highlighted the influence of favorable socioeconomic conditions for optimal growth and maturation during adolescence.

Prenatal, newborn and childhood factors and the timing of puberty in boys and girls

BackgroundOur aim was to determine if prenatal factors, gestational age, birth weight and length, and childhood body mass index (BMI) are associated with the timing of puberty.MethodsOur population-based study comprised 4826 girls and 5112 boys born between 1997 and 2002. Multiple linear regression modeled the relationships between the maternal and child predictors and the age at peak height velocity (PHV).ResultsMaternal smoking throughout pregnancy was associated with earlier age at PHV (−1.8 months in girls, 95%CI = −3.2 to −0.3, p = 0.015 and −1.7 months in boys, 95%CI = −3.1 to −0.3, p = 0.016). Older gestational age predicted later age at PHV in boys. One SDS increase in birth weight led to 1.7 months later age at PHV in girls (95%CI = 1.2 to 2.2, p < 0.001) and 0.8 months in boys (95%CI = 0.2 to 1.3, p = 0.005). At the age of 9 years, each increment of BMI by 1 kg/m2 was associated with 1.7 months (95%CI = −1.9 to −1.6, p < 0.001) and 1.3 months (95%CI = −1.4 to −1.1, p < 0.001) earlier age at PHV in girls and boys, respectively.ConclusionsFetal exposure to smoking can potentially exert enduring effects on pubertal timing. Birth weight and childhood nutritional status are significant determinants of pubertal timing in both sexes.ImpactMaternal smoking was associated with earlier timing of puberty and greater birth weight with later timing of puberty in both girls and boys.Most previous studies have focused on girls and used surveys to assess pubertal development, but we studied both sexes and used the same objective measure (age at peak height velocity) for the timing of puberty.Our study increases knowledge especially regarding factors associated with the timing of puberty among boys.

THE REVENUE SOURCES OF AIZAWL MUNICIPAL CORPORATION: TAX AND NON-TAX

Municipal corporations generate revenue from various sources to fund their operations and provide services to residents. Municipal revenue sources are broadly divided into - Tax and Non-tax revenue. Tax revenue includes property taxes, which is the collected from property owners, based on the assessed value of their properties. Non-tax sources of municipal revenue typically refer to revenue streams that local governments collect apart from taxes, such as, use fees and charges, licences and permits, fees and penalties, grants and find transfers, investment income, etc. Like other municipalities in India, especially, smaller municipalities, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) is heavily dependent on fund transfers from higher governments such as, the central and state governments. This is basically due to the limited revenue sources available to the Corporation. The AMC received funds primarily, through state tax devolution from the state government as recommended by State Finance Commission. The revenue resources of Aizawl Municipal Corporation include Own Revenues, consisting of Tax Revenues (of which the property tax is a major source) and Non-Tax Revenues such as funds for local bodies, grants and devolution by the State Government, Grants from the Central Government and Finance Commissions and other receipts. Data shows that the contribution of own source revenue is very small, less than one-third of total revenue expenditure in 8 of the last 12 years. The financial resources of the Aizawl Municipal Corporation play a critical role as engines for the growth of local bodies in the state. KEYWORDS: Revenue sources of municipalities, Tax and non-tax revenue of municipal corporations, AMC

Closure of the neuro-central synchondrosis and other physes in foal cervical spines.

The neuro-central synchondrosis (NCS) is a physis responsible for the growth of the dorsal third of the vertebral body and neural arches. When the NCS of pigs is tethered to model scoliosis, stenosis also ensues. It is necessary to describe the NCS for future evaluation of its potential role in equine spinal cord compression and ataxia (wobbler syndrome). To describe the NCS, including when it and other physes closed in computed tomographic (CT) scans of the cervical spine of foals, due to its potential role in vertebral stenosis. Post-mortem cohort study. The cervical spine of 35 cases, comprising both sexes and miscellaneous breeds from 153 gestational days to 438 days old, was examined with CT and physes scored from 6: fully open to 0: fully closed. The dorsal physis, physis of the dens and mid-NCS were scored separately, whereas the cranial and caudal NCS portions were scored together with the respective cranial and caudal vertebral body physes. The NCS was a pair of thin physes located in a predominantly dorsal plane between the vertebral body and neural arches. The mid-NCS was closed in C1 from 115 days of age, and in C2-C7 from 38 days of age. The dorsal physis closed later than the NCS in C1, and earlier than the NCS in C2-C7. The dens physis was closed from 227 days of age. The cranial and caudal physes were closing, but not closed from different ages in the different vertebrae of the oldest cases. Hospital population. The NCS was a thin physis that contributed mainly to height-wise growth, but also width- and length-wise growth of the vertebral body and neural arches. The mid-NCS was closed in all cervical vertebrae from 115 days of age. The NCS warrants further investigation in the pathogenesis of vertebral stenosis.

Prediction of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in late childhood from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in early childhood.

Limited analyses based on national samples have assessed whether early attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms predict later internalizing and externalizing symptoms in youth and the influence of sex and pubertal timing on subsequent psychiatric symptoms. This study analyzed data (n = 2818) from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program national cohort. Analyses used data from early childhood (mean age = 5.3 years) utilizing parent-reported ADHD symptoms to predict rates of internalizing and externalizing symptoms from late childhood/adolescence (mean age = 11.9 years). Within a subsample age at peak height velocity (APHV) acted as a proxy to assess pubertal timing from early childhood (mean age = 5.4 years) to adolescence (mean age = 12.3 years). Early-childhood ADHD symptoms predicted later psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior, conduct problems, oppositional defiant disorder, and rule-breaking behavior. Earlier APHV was associated with increased Conduct Disorder symptoms from late childhood to adolescence for females only. A stronger relation between ADHD symptoms and later aggression was observed in females with earlier APHV, whereas this same pattern with aggression, conduct problems and depression was observed in males with later APHV. Clinicians should consider that both young girls and boys with elevated ADHD symptoms, particularly with off-set pubertal timing, may be at risk for later psychiatric symptoms.

Kelayakan Investasi Usaha Ayam Broiler Sistem Closed House Dan Open House Di Kabupaten Madiun

Animal protein is a protein that is good for the growth of the human body. Broiler chicken is one source of protein that is often consumed. Broiler production in Madiun Regency is not sufficient, so it is necessary to increase production through broiler farming. This study aims to identify the feasibility of broiler business investment. The location of the research was Madiun Regency and the research was conducted in May-June 2023. Respondents were taken by purposive sampling by taking 30 respondents from closed and open house systems. The non-financial feasibility analysis used market aspects, technical aspects, management and legal aspects, social, economic and cultural aspects, and environmental aspects. Based on non-financial aspects, the closed house system does not fulfill the environmental aspects and the location of the cage is too close to residential areas. Financial analysis using NPV, Net BC, IRR, PP and switching value sensitivity analysis. The results of the financial feasibility study with an interest rate of 6% and a business life of 10 years, the closed house and open house cage systems are feasible. The closed house has higher NPV, IRR, Net B/C and PP values than the open house, so the closed house system is more profitable than the open house. The results of the switching value sensitivity analysis of both types of cages have the most sensitive changes to the business in the form of decreased production, decreased prices and increased feed costs. Partnership system broiler farmers are unable to regulate selling prices and feed prices, so the only way to keep the business viable is to maintain the resulting production. Therefore, farmers must be able to master good production management and cage management to produce maximum broiler production.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Coumarin Analogs Targeted against SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV, an RNA virus, is contagious and displays a remarkable degree of adaptability, resulting in intricate disease presentations marked by frequent genetic mutations that can ultimately give rise to drug resistance. Targeting its viral replication cycle could be a potential therapeutic option to counter its viral growth in the human body leading to the severe infectious stage. The Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 is a promising target for therapeutic development as it is crucial for viral transcription and replication. The derivatives of β-diketone and coumarin have already been reported for their antiviral potential and, thus, are considered as a potential scaffold in the current study for the computational design of potential analogs for targeting the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2. In our study, we used novel diketone-hinged coumarin derivatives against the SARS-CoV-2 MPro to develop a broad-spectrum antiviral agent targeting SARS-CoV-2. Through an analysis of pharmacokinetics and docking studies, we identified a list of the top 10 compounds that demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 MPro virus. On the basis of the pharmacokinetics and docking analyses, the top 5 novel coumarin analogs were synthesized and characterized. The thermodynamic stability of compounds KS82 and KS94 was confirmed by their molecular dynamics, and the stability of the simulated system indicated their inhibitory nature. Molecules KS82 and KS94 were further evaluated for their anti-viral potential using Vero E6 cells followed by RT-PCR assay against SARS-CoV-2. The test compound KS82 was the most active with the potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells. These data indicate that KS82 prevents the attack of the virus and emerges as the primary candidate with promising antiviral properties.

On some methodical aspects of estimation of intergroup morphological variability in growth studies

The significance of growth activity peak in screening studies of children and adolescents as biomarker of chronobiological status of the population is the focus of present research. The broad spectrum of samples (N = 43), including different ethno-territorial groups of Russia and former USSR, examined throughout a wide historical period of second half of 20th — beginning of 21st century, was included in the analysis. The material source was data from literature and authors’ own databases. The following indicators of growth activity peak were calculated for each group: age (in years) of the maximal velocity of growth changes of the average level of height through the adolescence, estimated by empiric rows of annual changes of mean height with further smoothing by the least squares method — separately for boys and girls; its absolute value (cm) and chronological age (years). Intragroup sexual differences of these characteristics were considered as well. The subsequent statistical analysis (Statistica 10 package was used) revealed, that intergroup distribution of age at peak height velocity was not Gaussian and gravitated towards bimodality for both sexes. Herewith the least urbanized groups (rural Abkhazians and urban Mongolians) were excluded from analysis due to the specificity of the dynamic lines of height gains. The factor analysis established auton-omy of pubertal growth acceleration of male and female teenagers — the first factor describes growth activity for males, the second one — for females. The analysis of intergeneration dynamics of age at peak height velocity, on the example of Moscow boys and girls, established, that the used parameter might indicate occasional changes of quality of life of a population (for ex-ample, introduction of free school lunches during the NEP period), as well as more global changes (intensified urbanization throughout the 20th century). The results of the study suggest that the variability of the growth activity peak parameters indicate significant social/anthropogenic base of chronobiological status of the population and independent growth strategies of males and females, which allows considering it as valid and promising biomarker in population growth studies.

Are There Sensitive Periods for Skill Development in Male Adolescent Basketball Players?

Although spurts in physical capacities during adolescence are well known, little is known about the existence of such spurts in sport-specific skill development, especially during the period of rapid growth in stature. Our aims were to examine the timing, intensity, and sequence of basketball-specific skill spurts aligned with biological (years from peak height velocity (PHV)) rather than chronological age. We then defined putative sensitive periods (windows of optimal development) for each skill aligned to the adolescent growth spurt. Altogether, 160 adolescent male basketballers aged 11-15 yr were tested biannually over 3 consecutive years. The years from attainment of PHV was estimated, and six skill tests were aligned to each year from PHV in 3-month intervals. Skill velocities were estimated using a nonsmooth polynomial model. Maximal gains in slalom dribble occurred 12 months before PHV attainment (intensity, 0.18 m·s -1 ·yr -1 ), whereas in speed shot shooting (intensity, 9.91 pts·yr -1 ), passing (intensity, 19.13 pts·yr -1 ), and slalom sprint (intensity, 0.19 m·s -1 ·yr -1 ), these skill spurts were attained 6 months before PHV attainment. The mean gains in control dribble (intensity, 0.10 m·s -1 ·yr -1 ) and defensive movement (intensity, 0.12 m·s -1 ·yr -1 ) peaks coincided with attainment of PHV. We identified different sized windows for optimal development for each skill. Peak spurts in skill development, for most basketball skills, were attained at the same time as PHV. The multiple peaks observed within the defined windows of optimal development suggest that there is room for skill improvement even if gains might be greater earlier rather than later in practice. Our findings highlight the need to make coaches aware of where their players are relative to the attainment of PHV because different skills appear to develop differently relative to PHV. Such knowledge may help in designing more relevant training regimes that incorporate the athlete's current growth status so that skill development can be maximized.

Growth in height and its association with overweight and obesity in Mexican children: an evaluation based on a nationally representative sample (ENSANUT 2018).

Chronological age and height records (7,097 boys and 6,167 girls) were obtained from the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition database. Height growth curves were fitted using the Preece-Baines 1 (PB1) model and the LMS method. Age at peak height velocity (APHV) was 12.4 and 12.7 years for overweight-obese and normal-weight boys, respectively, and was 9.6 and 10.4 years for overweight-obese and normal-weight girls, respectively. Growth velocity was higher at the age of take-off (TO) in overweight-obese children than in normal-weight children (5.2 cm/year vs. 5 cm/year in boys and 6.1 cm/year vs. 5.6 cm/year in girls); nevertheless, the growth velocity at APHV was higher for normal-weight children than for overweight-obese children (7.4 cm/year vs. 6.6 cm/year in boys and 6.8 cm/year vs. 6.6 cm/year in girls, respectively). Distance curves developed in the present study and by the World Health Organization (WHO) using LMS showed similar values for L and S parameters and a higher M value compared with the WHO reference values. This study concluded that overweight-obese children had earlier APHV and lower PHV than normal-weight children. Furthermore, Mexican children and adolescents were shorter than the WHO growth reference by age and sex.

Effects of Dust Storm and Wildfire Events on Phytoplankton Growth and Carbon Sequestration in the Tasman Sea, Southeast Australia

Dust storms and wildfires occur frequently in south-eastern Australia. Their effects on the ecology, environment and population exposure have been the focus of many studies recently. Dust storms do not emit ground-sequestered carbon, but wildfires emit significant quantities of carbon into the atmosphere. However, both natural events promote phytoplankton growth in water bodies because carbon, and other trace elements such as iron, deposit on the surface water of oceans. Carbon dioxide is reabsorbed by phytoplankton via photosynthesis. The carbon balance cycle due to dust storms and wildfires is not well known. Recent studies on the carbon emission of the 2019–2020 summer wildfires in eastern Australia indicated that this megafire event emitted approximately 715 million tonnes of CO2 (195 Tg C) into the atmosphere from burned forest areas. This study focusses on the association of dust storms and wildfires in southeastern Australia with phytoplankton growth in the Tasman Sea due to the February 2019 dust storm event and the 2019–2020 Black Summer wildfires. Central Australia and western New South Wales were the sources of the dust storm emission (11 to 16 February 2019), and the Black Summer wildfires occurred along the coast of New South Wales and Victoria (from early November 2019 to early January 2020). The WRF-Chem model is used for dust storm simulation with the AFWA (Air Force Weather Agency of the US) dust emission version of the GOCART model, and the WRF-Chem model is used for wildfire simulation with FINN (Fire Emission Inventory from NCAR) emission data. The results show the similarities and differences in the deposition of particulate matter, phytoplankton growth and carbon reabsorption patterns in the Tasman Sea from these events. A higher rate of deposition of PM2.5 on the ocean surface corresponds to a higher rate of phytoplankton growth. Using the WRF-Chem model, during the 5-day dust storm event in February 2019, approximately ~1230 tons of total dust was predicted to have been deposited in the Tasman Sea, while ~132,000 tons of PM10 was deposited in the early stage of the wildfires from 1 to 8 November 2019.