The Great Controversy of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment for Cardiovascular Risk Benefit: Advancing the Science Through Expert Consensus. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is on the rise, driven by various factors including more sensitive diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, enhanced technology through at-home testing enabling easy and cost-effective diagnosis, and a growing incidence of comorbid conditions such as obesity. Treating symptomatic patients with OSA syndrome to enhance quality of life remains a cornerstone approach. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding treatment to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, particularly in light of overall negative results from several randomized controlled trials (RCT) indicating no benefit of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on primary and secondary CVD events.

Assessing the Use of Virtual Pointers in Laparoscopic Surgery Training Activities.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has advanced significantly; however, effective communication within the surgical team remains challenging, particularly in training scenarios where misinterpretation of instructions can lead to errors. Virtual pointers, indicating the instructor's gaze through eye-tracking devices and overlaying it onto the screen using augmented reality (AR), can enhance understanding and reduce errors.

Methods: In a study involving 10 participants divided into experts and novices in laparoscopic surgery, various pointers (differing in shape, size and colour) were analysed in an AR environment using the HoloLens2 device.

Do concept maps prompt long-term memory in CLIL schoolchildren?

To address the learning disadvantages that students might face in a foreign language (L2) environment, this research explores the impact of concept mapping on enhancing long-term memory retention among Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) pupils. The research design is quasi-experimental and involves sixty Spanish primary education students non-randomly assigned from a Spanish-English semi-public bilingual school. The main hypothesis investigated is that concept maps serve as effective teaching instruments for enhancing long-term memory.

Effect of exercise interventions on oxygen uptake in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Although aerobic training leads to physiological improvements in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), measured by the VO2 peak, there is no evidence as to which type of physical exercise intervention is the most effective in improving the VO peak or max.

Objective: A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to determine the effects of different physical interventions on oxygen uptake in people with COPD.

Methods: A literature search was performed from database inception to February 2024.

Sexual health in menopausal women with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction in women is usually associated with the menopausal transition and menopause; however, there are factors that can also influence the sexual function of women in menopause. The aim of this study is to determine the association between pelvic floor disorders and sexual dysfunction in women in menopause.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Spain with menopausal women recruited by convenience sampling.

DLK1 and DLK2, two non-canonical ligands of NOTCH receptors, differentially modulate the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells.

Background: C3H10T1/2 is a mesenchymal cell line capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes. The differentiation of these cells into osteoblasts is modulated by various transcription factors, such as RUNX2. Additionally, several interconnected signaling pathways, including the NOTCH pathway, play a crucial role in modulating their differentiation into mature bone cells.

Traditional herders' perception of job satisfaction and integration into society: Another obstacle to the survival of pastoralism?

Pastoralism is gaining in recognition for its provision of a broad range of ecosystem services. However, in Western countries, especially in Europe, it has been in decline for decades and its future is uncertain. Professional satisfaction, social appreciation and community integration are key factors for the sustainability of any activity.

Defatted Flaxseed Flour as a New Ingredient for Foodstuffs: Comparative Analysis with Whole Flaxseeds and Updated Composition of Cold-Pressed Oil.

Background: Flaxseeds are functional foods popular in current diets. Cold-pressing is a solvent-free method to extract flaxseed oil, resulting in a by-product-defatted flour.

Objectives/methods: This study compared whole flaxseeds and defatted flour (proximate composition, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, amino acids, and protein quality) and updated the composition of cold-pressed oil (oxidative stability, peroxide value, UV absorbance, colour, fatty acids, vitamin E, total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity) to assess the nutritional relevance and potential for food applications of these samples.

Factors associated with the effectiveness of high-flow therapy in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: An observational study.

Backward: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely tested global health systems. Non-invasive respiratory support, especially combining high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and continuous positive airway pressure, has effectively treated COVID-19 induced Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and reduced mortality. However, HFNC alone is more comfortable, better tolerated, and less costly than non-invasive ventilation.

How Do Technical and Tactical Demands of Football Matches Affect the Physical Performance of Elite Football Referees? Exploring the Role of Experience.

Martinez-Torremocha, G, Alonso-Callejo, A, Garcia-Unanue, J, Gallardo, L, Sanchez-Sanchez, J, and Felipe, JL. How do technical and tactical demands of football matches impact the physical performance of elite football referees? Exploring the role of experience. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): e664-e669, 2024-This study aimed to analyze whether the physical demands on elite football referees during matches are influenced by both the physical intensity of the game and the technical-tactical context, to assess the impact of elite experience on the physical demands of referees, and to compare the physical performance of the referees with the performance of the players divided by positions in each match analyzed.

Isometric Force-Time Curve Assessment: Accuracy, Precision, and Repeatability of a Mobile Application and Portable and Lightweight Device.

Strength assessment is one of the main fields in sports performance, physical rehabilitation, physical activity, and health. We aimed to compare maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and paired voluntary isometric contractions (VICs) of knee extensors between an isokinetic dynamometer (BIODEX) and a portable and lightweight device (DINABANG). From 19 volunteers (age: 28.

Nanomaterials Toward CO Reduction and Conversion.

The increasing concentration of CO in the atmosphere is one of the main factors contributing to global climate change [...

Effects of Acute Hypoxic Exposure in Simulated Altitude in Healthy Adults on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The neurocognitive response following hypoxia has received special interest. However, it is necessary to understand the impact of acute hypoxic exposure induced by simulated altitude on cognitive performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of acute hypoxic exposure in simulated altitude in healthy adults on reaction time, response accuracy, memory, and attention.

Early Specialization and Progress of Finalist Swimmers in World Championships and Olympic Games.

The main objectives of this study were to analyze the effect of early specialization in swimming and to observe the general patterns of success of two different sport specialization models [Spanish (SPA) and United States of American (USA) swimmers] participating in World Championships (WCs) and Olympic Games (OGs) between the years 2006 and 2021 of all swimming strokes and distances. Descriptive analyses and contingency tables were examined for all the variables. Explanatory models of the z scores were estimated from age depending on the events' distances and strokes.

Migrant-sensitive healthcare in Europe: advancing health equity through accessibility, acceptability, quality, and trust.

The advancement of migrant-sensitive health care in Europe has been a topic of many initiatives and academics debates for over 20 years in Europe, yet with rather limited progress in terms of comprehensive and sustainable implementation. We argue that a human rights-based approach with clearly defined duties and responsibilities of governments, relevant public and private institutions as well as professionals is needed, in line with a sound understanding and thoughtful implementation and further development of concepts and standards for providing migrant sensitive care as an essential component of Universal Health Coverage. We suggest drawing particular attention to the interrelated features of accessibility, acceptability, quality, and trust to inform policies and practice.

A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion: Acceptability, Implementation, Equity.

This work provides a synthesis of the perceptions of people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and healthcare professionals about the acceptability, implementation, and equity of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). A qualitative evidence synthesis was carried out. Three online databases (Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched.