Anaerobic threshold is widely used for diagnosis of swimming aerobic endurance but the precise incremental protocols step duration for its assessment is controversial. A physiological and biomechanical comparison between intermittent incremental protocols with different step lengths and a maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) test was conducted. 17 swimmers performed 7×200, 300 and 400 m (30 s and 24 h rest between steps and protocols) in front crawl until exhaustion and an MLSS test. The blood lactate concentration values ([La-]) at individual anaerobic threshold were 2.1±0.1, 2.2±0.2 and 1.8±0.1 mmol.l - 1 in the 200, 300 and 400 m protocols (with significant differences between 300 and 400 m tests), and 2.9±1.2 mmol.l - 1 at MLSS (higher than the incremental protocols); all these values are much lower than the traditional 4 mmol.l - 1 value. The velocities at individual anaerobic threshold obtained in incremental protocols were similar (and highly related) to the MLSS, being considerably lower than the velocity at 4 mmol.l - 1. Stroke rate increased and stroke length decreased throughout the different incremental protocols. It was concluded that it is valid to use intermittent incremental protocols of 200 and 300 m lengths to assess the swimming velocity corresponding to individual anaerobic threshold, the progressive protocols tend to underestimate the [La-] at anaerobic threshold assessed by the MLSS test, and swimmers increase velocity through stroke rate increases.

Late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been associated with BK virus (BKV). Antiviral drugs are of limited efficacy and the optimal treatment for HC has not yet been established. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) may benefit these patients. We, therefore, retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of HBO therapy in 16 patients with HC after allogeneic HSCT. All 16 patients had macroscopic hematuria and BKV infection. Patients received 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber at 2.1 atmospheres for 90 min, 5 days per week, with a median 13 treatments (range, 4 --84). Fifteen patients (94%) showed complete resolution of hematuria. Median urinary DNA BKV titers declined after HBO (Po0.05). Patients started on HBO earlier after diagnosis of HC responded sooner (Po0.05). HBO was generally well tolerated and proved to be a reliable option for this difficult to manage condition.

Objective Skin health and beauty are a cornerstone of general well‐being in humans. Anti‐ageing cosmetics are used to provide a healthy and youthful appearance. Among the different cosmetic actives, antioxidants are incorporated in anti‐ageing products due to their beneficial effects in preventing and minimizing the signs of skin ageing. This work aims to understand how anti‐ageing formulations changed in the past 7 years regarding pure antioxidants composition. Methods Data were collected from anti‐ageing formulations commercialized in main stores and pharmacies in the Portuguese market. The study started on 2011 and was updated with products launched or whose composition has been renewed on 2013, 2015 or 2018. Results Ascorbic acid and tocopherol and their derivatives were consistently the most used antioxidants in anti‐ageing formulations; followed by niacinamide and retinyl palmitate. Seven ascorbic acid derivatives are currently used in anti‐ageing formulations while only three tocopherol derivatives were identified in this study. Several combinations of antioxidants were routinely found, mainly tocopherol (or tocopherol derivatives) with other antioxidants and tocopherol with tocopherol derivatives. We have not identified emerging antioxidants with great impact in anti‐ageing formulations even though niacinamide and retinyl palmitate exhibited over 10% more usage in 2018. Conclusion This insight is relevant to the cosmetic industry providing a better understanding of the scientific‐based formulation of modern cosmetics and supports the need for innovative antioxidants in anti‐ageing cosmetics.

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The assessment of blood lactate concentration is considered essential for the physiological diagnosis of swimming performance. But for a more detailed and complete analysis of a swimmer's strengths and weaknesses, it is also important to examine his or her technical characteristics. However, few studies have combined physiological and technical evaluation in child swimmers. The aim of the present study was to assess the metabolic anaerobic threshold (blood lactate concentration and corresponding swimming velocity) of 10-to 11-year-old swimmers (n015) using an individualized intermittent incremental protocol. Comparison was made with the traditionally used 4 mmol × l (1 lactate threshold. In addition, stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index were measured throughout the experimental protocol for assessment of the anaerobic threshold. Each swimmer performed a front crawl 5 )200 m test, in which the swimming velocity was controlled by an acoustic signal each 50 m. Blood samples were collected from the ear lobe (Lactate Pro, Arkay, Inc., Kyoto, Japan), at rest and after each step. Stroke rate was registered by a Seiko base 3 chronofrequencemeter; stroke length, stroke index, and velocity were calculated at the end of each 200 m. The individual anaerobic threshold occurred at 2.3 mmol × l (1 (s 00.59), and the corresponding velocity was 1.026 m × s (1 (s 00.053), much lower than the traditionally used 4 mmol × l (1 value (or even 3.5 mmol × l (1 ). The velocity corresponding to 4 mmol × l (1 and 3.5 mmol × l (1 was 1.081 m × s (1 (s 00.056) and 1.067 m × s (1 (s00.055), respectively. Stroke rate increased and stroke length decreased throughout the incremental protocol (i.e. with increasing velocity). The stroke index showed a tendency to increase throughout the protocol, with a significant difference from the first to the second step. The velocity corresponding to 4 mmol × l (1 (and 3.5 mmol × l (1 ) does not represent the metabolic individual anaerobic threshold in trained swimmers, independently of their age, and agegroup swimmers prefer to increase their velocity through an increase in stroke rate. Thus, given the importance of developing swimming technique in age-group swimmers, coaches should implement the lengthening of swimmers' stroke cycles in their training practice routines, so that they limit the effects of reduced stroke length when velocity increases.