Texas Tech University

To examine the effect of hydration status on neuromuscular performance before and after intermittent exercise in the heat. Eleven male soccer players (age, 20 ± 2 years; height, 179.0 ± 7.9 cm; body mass, 74.9 ± 10.3 kg; maximal oxygen consumption, 62.4 ± 11.5 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 ) performed a familiarization trial involving ultrasound (cross-sectional area and muscle thickness), landing error scoring system, and isometric knee extensions (rate of torque development [RTD]; time intervals of 0-30 ms [RTD 30], 0-50 ms [RTD 50], 0-100 ms [RTD 100], and 0-200 ms [RTD 200] from contraction onset). After this, participants completed 45-min of intermittent exercise in the heat (33ºC, 30% relative humidity) as part of familiarization. Experimental trials replicated the same protocol of pre and post neuromuscular testing separated by two 45-minute intermittent exercise bouts in the heat. Two experimental trials (euhydrated [EUH] and hypohydrated [HYP]) were randomly assigned; EUH maintained euhydration throughout the trial; HYP performed a 24-h fluid restriction before the trial. Before and after exercise, urine specific gravity, urine osmolality, and body mass loss were measured. A linear mixed effect model with Tukey post hoc was utilized to assess differences between trials. Cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris was smaller in HYP pre (13.3 ± 2.4 cm 2 ) compared with EUH pre (14.0 ± 2.6 cm 2 ), and in HYP post (12.7 ± 2.4 cm 2 ) compared with EUH post (14.0 ± 2.6 cm 2 ) ( P < 0.05). Independent of time, muscle thickness was also smaller in HYP (2.27 ± 0.2 cm) compared with EUH (2.45 ± 0.2 cm, P < 0.05). Furthermore, landing error scoring system scores were higher in HYP (4.1 ± 2.0) compared with EUH (2.9 ± 2.0, P < 0.05). RTD 30, 50, and 100 were all lower in HYP (326 ± 138 Nm·s -1 ; 441 ± 207 Nm·s -1 ; 648 ± 302 Nm·s -1 ) compared with EUH (427 ± 175 Nm·s -1 ; 584 ± 282 Nm·s -1 ; 796 ± 392 Nm·s -1 , P < 0.05), respectively. Additionally, urine specific gravity, urine osmolality, and body mass loss were all higher in HYP compared with EUH (P < 0.05). Hypohydration can negatively impact neuromuscular performance before and after intermittent exercise in the heat.

A single course of antenatal corticosteroids is standard for women at risk of preterm birth, including those with ruptured membranes. The benefit of repeat courses in the setting of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of repeat versus single course of corticosteroid in women with PPROM. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases from inception to September 17, 2025, with no language restrictions, using the terms related to PPROM and corticosteroids. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials enrolling women with PPROM and comparing repeat with single course were included. Studies without PPROM or comparator group were excluded. Screening and quality assessment were performed by two authors, with a third author participation in case of disagreements. Statistical analysis used Review Manager 5.4 and R studio 4.5.0, with risk ratio (RR), random effects, Cochran Q test and I-squared statistics, and sensitivity analysis. This study was registered with PROSPERO (identifier: CRD420251069007). Six studies comprising 2,434 patients were included. Sensitivity analysis showed that repeat course of corticosteroids increased the risk of endometritis compared to a single course (RR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.43). In the subgroup analysis the mixed hours corticosteroid favored the outcome of chorioamnionitis (RR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.12 to 2.36; p = 0.001) with no overall subgroup difference. No difference was observed for the outcomes of respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Repeat corticosteroid courses in PPROM may increase maternal infections morbidity without clear neonatal benefit. Further large, well-designed randomized trials are needed to clarify safety. · Repeat course of corticosteroid might increase maternal infections morbidity.. · A cautious approach due to potential increase in maternal morbidity related to repeat corticoid use.. · No significant neonatal benefit was observed with repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids..

Purpose: Kidney cancer mortality in the United States exhibits persistent racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities, yet regional patterning of these disparities over time remains incompletely characterized. We conducted a retrospective analysis using national mortality data to examine differences in kidney cancer mortality between U.S. Mexico border and non-border regions from 2000 through 2020.Materials and Methods: Death records were obtained from CDC WONDER, and kidney cancer deaths were identified using ICD 10 code C64 as the underlying cause of death. We evaluated C64 to C65 in sensitivity analyses, including C65 separately. We compared demographics, age adjusted mortality rates, and temporal trends by border residence. Multivariable logistic regression assessed demographic patterning of deaths across regions, and Joinpoint regression evaluated changes in age adjusted mortality trends over time.Results: A total of 279,117 kidney cancer related deaths were recorded nationally. Hispanic decedents were disproportionately represented among border state deaths (22.9% vs 2.8% in non-border states). Border states accounted for 67.4% of Hispanic C64 deaths. Age distribution and racial composition of decedents differed between border and non-border regions (all p&lt;0.001). In multivariable analyses, Hispanic ethnicity was strongly associated with border state residence among decedents, independent of age and race. Joinpoint regression identified multiple periods of change in mortality trends, with statistically significant increases in non-border regions and less precise segment estimates in border regions.Conclusion: Kidney cancer deaths among Hispanic decedents show substantial geographic concentration in U.S. Mexico border states. These findings support surveillance strategies and interventions that incorporate geographic context in efforts to reduce kidney cancer mortality disparities.

Fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology has firmly established itself as a critical infrastructure for the modern digital economy, attracting extensive research interest from both industry and academia, with a specific focus on its opportunities and challenges [...]

ABSTRACT Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are attracting increasing attention for applications in energy, environment, and biomedicine. Among all MNP synthesis methods, ball milling is a cost‐effective route for producing large quantities of MNPs at low cost. This work aims to investigate the magnetic hyperthermia performance of MNPs synthesized through a mechanochemical ball milling approach. Herein, we first varied the milling conditions and thoroughly characterized the physical properties of the produced MNPs; later, their hyperthermia performance was studied under different alternating magnetic fields (AMF). We report that the MNPs, after ball milling for up to 55 h at 200 rpm, show a higher magnetite phase with an average hydrodynamic size of ∼270 nm and irregular morphology. These MNPs were subjected to clinically safe AMF (30 mT, 101.5 kHz), yielding a maximum temperature rise of ∼50°C, including in the SKOV3 cancer cell medium. Additionally, to enable controlled heating and avoid unintended damage to healthy tissues, we applied pulsed AMFs, achieving a temperature of ∼30°C. Lastly, the cellular uptake, colloidal stability, and biocompatibility tests were conducted on suspensions. This study reports a straightforward, cost‐effective, large‐scale synthesis route for MNPs and highlights their effective hyperthermia performance, showcasing their potential for future safer tumor treatment.

ABSTRACT Economists have long studied how parental behavior shapes within‐family inequality, yet empirical findings remain mixed. Using twins data from China and Sweden, we examine the predominant mechanisms reported in the literature. Parents in both countries invest similarly during childhood. Inter vivos transfers, however, differ: Chinese parents reinforce income inequality, whereas Swedish parents distribute wealth equally; the reinforcing pattern reflects exchange motives. Bequests are divided equally in both countries. Parental education plays a key role: less educated parents reinforce income inequality, whereas more educated parents transfer wealth equally. Cross‐country differences in parental education may thus help explain the mixed findings.