Valorization of Industrial Waste Graphite Fines into Graphene Oxide-based Nanohybrids.

The rapid growth of graphite market is highly coupled with the increasing demand for Li-ion grade graphite, the production of which results in significant losses of the graphitic material in the form of graphite fines. Herein, for the first time, we report an effective strategy to utilize industrial waste graphite fines through the development of graphene oxide-based nanohybrids as non-toxic and efficient antibacterial agents. To achieve this, graphene oxide (GO) was initially synthesized using industrial waste graphite fines as a graphitic precursor.

Effects of Two In-Season Short High-Intensity Interval Training Formats on Aerobic and Neuromuscular Performance in Young Soccer Players.

Supplementary high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs, focusing on different aspects of fitness, are commonly used in soccer practice. This study examined the impact of two different HIIT formats applied during the competitive season on aerobic and neuromuscular performance. Twenty-six young players from two youth amateur soccer teams (aged 18.

A Strategic Synthesis of Orange Waste-Derived Porous Carbon via a Freeze-Drying Method: Morphological Characterization and Cytocompatibility Evaluation.

Porous carbon materials from food waste have gained growing interest worldwide for multiple applications due to their natural abundance and the sustainability of the raw materials and the cost-effective synthetic processing. Herein, orange waste-derived porous carbon (OWPC) was developed through a freeze-drying method to prevent the demolition of the original biomass structure and then was pyrolyzed to create a large number of micro, meso and macro pores. The novelty of this work lies in the fact of using the macro-channels of the orange waste in order to create a macroporous network via the freeze-drying method which remains after the pyrolysis steps and creates space for the development of different types of porous in the micro and meso scale in a controlled way.

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Competition in Elite Rink Hockey: A Pilot Study.

Background: Monitoring training load and competition load is crucial for evaluating and improving athlete performance. This study proposes an applied approach to characterize and classify the training task specificity in relation to competition in a top-level rink hockey team, considering external and internal load from training tasks and competition.

Hypothesis: Training tasks and game demands have significant dose-response differences, and exercises can be classified successfully based on their physiological and biomechanical demands.

DEMIGOD: A Low-Cost Microcontroller-Based Closed-Loop System Integrating Nanoengineered Sweat-Based Glucose Monitoring and Controlled Transdermal Nanoemulsion Release of Hypoglycemic Treatment with a Software Application for Noninvasive Personalized Diabetes Care.

This study endeavored to design and develop an innovative closed-loop diagnostic and therapeutic system with the following objectives: (a) the noninvasive detection of glucose concentration in sweat utilizing nanonengineered screen-printed biosensors; (b) the management of measured data through a specialized computer system comprising both hardware and software components, thereby enabling the precise control of therapeutic responses via a patch-based nanomedicine delivery system. This initiative addresses the significant challenges inherent in the management of diabetes mellitus, including the imperative need for glucose-level monitoring to optimize glycemic control. Leveraging chronoamperometric results as a foundational dataset and the in vivo hypoglycemic activity of nanoemulsion formulations, this research underscores the efficacy and accuracy of glucose concentration estimation, decision-making mechanism responses, and transdermal hypoglycemic treatment effects, within the proposed system.

Graphene oxide and oxidized carbon nanodiscs as biomedical scaffolds for the targeted delivery of quercetin to cancer cells.

Targeting cancer cells without affecting normal cells poses a particular challenge. Nevertheless, the utilization of innovative nanomaterials in targeted cancer therapy has witnessed significant growth in recent years. In this study, we examined two layered carbon nanomaterials, graphene and carbon nanodiscs (CNDs), both of which possess extraordinary physicochemical and structural properties alongside their nano-scale dimensions, and explored their potential as nanocarriers for quercetin, a bioactive flavonoid known for its potent anticancer properties.

Does Total Playing Time Affect the Neuromuscular, Physiological, and Subjective Recovery of Futsal Players during a Congested Period?

The aims of this study were to analyze the effects of a congested period (three games in four days) on countermovement (CMJ) jump-landing metrics, heart rate variability (HRV), and total recovery quality (TQR) score in under-19 male futsal players, and to detect the differences between those who played for more minutes (HIGH) and less minutes (LOW). Fourteen youth futsal players (age: 17.5 ± 0.

SCS 6th Annual Meeting-EEVFA-11th International Congress of Biochemistry and Physiology of Exercise, Athens, Greece, 2023.

On behalf of the Strength and Conditioning Society (SCS) and the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Exercise Physiology (EEVFA), we are pleased to present the abstracts of the SCS 6th Annual Meeting and EEVFA-11th International Congress of Biochemistry and Physiology of Exercise. The event was held at the Hellenic Olympic Committee headquarters in Athens, Greece, on 19-22 October 2023, and comprised several invited sessions from international and national speakers on a variety of topics related to biochemistry and exercise physiology, strength and conditioning practices and their application to health, injury prevention and sports performance. These included strength training in high-performance sports, sport science and training-competition load management in elite environments, biochemistry and exercise physiology and prescription, nutrition and biomechanics, among others.

Carbon Nanodisks Decorated with Guanidinylated Hyperbranched Polyethyleneimine Derivatives as Efficient Antibacterial Agents.

Non-toxic carbon-based hybrid nanomaterials based on carbon nanodisks were synthesized and assessed as novel antibacterial agents. Specifically, acid-treated carbon nanodisks (oxCNDs), as a safe alternative material to graphene oxide, interacted through covalent and non-covalent bonding with guanidinylated hyperbranched polyethyleneimine derivatives (GPEI5K and GPEI25K), affording the oxCNDs@GPEI5K and oxCNDs@GPEI25K hybrids. Their physico-chemical characterization confirmed the successful and homogenous attachment of GPEIs on the surface of oxCNDs, which, due to the presence of guanidinium groups, offered them improved aqueous stability.

Exploring countermovement jump variables across competitive levels and playing positions in futsal.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to compare several countermovement jump (CMJ) kinetic variables between professional (PRO) and semi-professional (SEMI-PRO) futsal players and examine the differences amongst playing positions.

Methods: CMJ performance from 56 male futsal players (25.2 ± 4.

Eco-friendly spark-generated CoO nanoparticle-modified graphite screen-printed sensing surfaces for the determination of HO in energy drinks.

The modification of graphite screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) is reported using an eco-friendly and extremely fast method based on the direct cobalt pin electrode-to-SPE spark discharge at ambient conditions. This approach does not utilize any liquids or chemical templates, does not produce any waste, and allows the in-situ generation of CoO nanoparticles onto the electrode surface and the development of efficient electrocatalytic sensing surfaces for the determination of HO. Co-spark SPEs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), revealing the formation of surface confined CoO nanoparticles and the diverse oxidation states of cobalt species.

The effect of menthol rinsing before intermittent exercise on physiological, physical, and thermo-behavioral responses of male football referees in hot and humid environment.

Introduction: In the current experiment, we aimed to evaluate whether eliciting pre-exercise non-thermal cooling sensations would alter perceptual measures, and physical and physiological responses in football referees.

Methods: Nine highly trained male football referees undertook two 45-minute intermittent exercise protocols in hot and humid conditions (34.2 ± 0.

Effect of Highly Hydrophilic Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Macrophage Function and Survival.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have garnered significant attention in the medical sector due to their exceptional superparamagnetic properties and reliable tracking capabilities. In this study, we investigated the immunotoxicity of SPIONs with a modified surface to enhance hydrophilicity and prevent aggregate formation. The synthesized SPIONs exhibited a remarkably small size (~4 nm) and underwent surface modification using a novel "haircut" reaction strategy.

Interpreting match performance in elite futsal: considerations for normalizing variables using effective time.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the physical and individual technical-tactical performance of elite futsal players.

Methods: Thirteen National Team futsal players (27.4 ± 4.

Menthol mouth rinsing and performance in elite football referees in the heat: A study protocol for a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Within professional European competitions, matches can be played in extreme environmental temperatures, ranging from -5 °C to +30 °C in different countries. Furthermore, the World Cups are usually played in the summer months, when temperatures can exceed 35 °C, increasing physiological stress. Practical and cost-effective cooling strategies may be implemented to help players and referees to cope with exercising in the heat.

Effective playing time affects technical-tactical and physical parameters in football.

Effective playing time has been debated as a topic of major concern in football. Thus, the current experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of effective playing time on technical-tactical and physical match parameters in football. One hundred and seventy-nine male highly trained football players (aged 27.

Reliability of Maximal Strength and Peak Rate of Force Development in a Portable Nordic Hamstrings Exercise Device.

The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a very popular exercise used to improve eccentric strength and prevent injuries. The aim of this investigation was to assess the reliability of a portable dynamometer that measures maximal strength (MS) and rate of force development (RFD) during the NHE. Seventeen physically active participants (34.

Tyrosinase Magnetic Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates: Biocatalytic Study in Deep Eutectic Solvent Aqueous Solutions.

In the field of biocatalysis, the implementation of sustainable processes such as enzyme immobilization or employment of environmentally friendly solvents, like Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are of paramount importance. In this work, tyrosinase was extracted from fresh mushrooms and used in a carrier-free immobilization towards the preparation of both non-magnetic and magnetic cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs). The prepared biocatalyst was characterized and the biocatalytic and structural traits of free tyrosinase and tyrosinase magnetic CLEAs (mCLEAs) were evaluated in numerous DES aqueous solutions.

Does Green Exfoliation of Graphene Produce More Biocompatible Structures?

Graphene has been studied thoroughly for its use in biomedical applications over the last decades. A crucial factor for a material to be used in such applications is its biocompatibility. Various factors affect the biocompatibility and toxicity of graphene structures, including lateral size, number of layers, surface functionalization, and way of production.

Effects of Concurrent High-Intensity and Strength Training on Muscle Power and Aerobic Performance in Young Soccer Players during the Pre-Season.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate two different intervention programs applied during a 4-week pre-season period. Twenty-nine players participated in this study and were divided into two groups. One group (Ball, = 12, age: 17.

Oxidized-Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Non-Toxic Nanocarriers for Hydroxytyrosol Delivery in Cells.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess excellent physicochemical and structural properties alongside their nano dimensions, constituting a medical platform for the delivery of different therapeutic molecules and drug systems. Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a molecule with potent antioxidant properties that, however, is rapidly metabolized in the organism. HT immobilized on functionalized CNTs could improve its oral absorption and protect it against rapid degradation and elimination.