There is no clear evidence that vitamin D effectively improves physical capacity in high-level athletes. The aim of this study was to confirm that vitamin D supplementation of soccer players during eight-week high-intensity training would have a significant effect on their aerobic capacity. The subjects were divided into two groups: the experimental one that was supplemented with vitamin D (SG, n = 20), and the placebo group (PG, n = 16), not supplemented with vitamin D. All the players were subjected to the same soccer training described as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The data of the vitamin D level, PWC170, lactate threshold (LT) were collected just before and after the intervention. A significant increase in vitamin D concentration (119%) was observed in the supplemented group, while the non-supplemented group showed a decrease of 8.4%. The studied subjects improved VO2max results by 20% in the SG, and by 13% in the PG. The improvement in velocity at the LT was similar in both groups. Results of this study show that vitamin D can have a positive, though moderate, effect on aerobic performance in players subjected to high-intensity training in the form of small-sided games for 8 weeks.

A novel hybrid hydroxyapatite (HAP) matrix, covalently coated with rarely applied, hardly degradable keratin and effectively modified by gentamicin immobilized in mixed-type mode (via interactions of diverse strength), was created. This hybrid showed a remarkably high drug immobilization yield and the most sustainable antibiotic release among all tested composites. It was also able to inhibit bacterial growth, both in surrounding liquid and on matrix surface, much longer (for at least 121 days of experiment) than analogous gelatin-modified and nonmodified matrices. Gentamicin-keratin-coated-HAP granules were nontoxic to human osteoblasts and enabled their proliferation with a rate similar as noncoated HAP. Presence of keratin on HAP granules seemed to slightly enhance the osteoblast proliferation. The results indicate that newly created HAP hybrid with covalently immobilized keratin and gentamicin--nontoxic and osteoblast-friendly--is a promising biomaterial of significantly prolonged antibacterial activity.

Ultra-marathon (UM) running is an extreme endurance exercise. However, the mechanisms triggered with its practice remain unclear. While it is documented that strenuous physical activity activates immune responses and vitamin D plays a role in immune system suppression, data on the relationship between vitamin D status and cytokine profile in athletic populations are limited. To analyse the relative mRNA expression levels of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, TNF-α), COX-2, vitamin D receptor and abundance of selected inflammatory microRNAs (Hsa-miR-21, -miR-146a, -miR-150, -miR-155, -miR-222, -miR-223) before and after a 100 km race in amateur runners in the presence or absence of vitamin D supplementation. Twenty runners aged 36-40years were divided into two groups: with and without vitamin D3 supplementation (10,000units daily). Blood samples were collected before and 12 h after the UM. The mRNA expression levels of selected cytokines, COX-2 and VDR in peripheral blood and abundance of serum exosomal miRNAs were investigated using q-RT-PCR. After UM, the significant up-regulation of TNF-α and hsa-miR-155 and downregulation of IL-1β were observed in the group with vitamin D supplementation. In its absence, hsa-miR-155 and -miR-223 were significantly up-regulated. Additionally, a reverse correlation was observed between IL-6 expression level and abundance of hsa-miR-155 and -miR-223 in both groups. No statistical differences were noted when the other miRNAs and genes were examined in the groups and at the time points. The UM-induced mRNA expression pattern of proinflammatory cytokines could be influenced by vitamin D supplementation and/or miRNA.

The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) at 70% of full arterial occlusion pressure on strength-endurance performance during the bench press exercise. The study included 14 strength-trained male subjects (age = 25.6 ± 4.1 years; body mass = 81.7 ± 10.8 kg; bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM) = 130.0 ± 22.1 kg), experienced in resistance training (3.9 ± 2.4 years). During the experimental sessions in a randomized crossover design, the subjects performed three sets of the bench press at 80% 1RM performed to failure with two different conditions: without BFR (CON); and with BFR (BFR). Friedman’s test showed significant differences between BFR and CON conditions for the number of repetitions performed (p < 0.001); for peak bar velocity (p < 0.001) and for mean bar velocity (p < 0.001). The pairwise comparisons showed a significant decrease for peak bar velocity and mean bar velocity in individual Set 1 for BFR when compared to CON conditions (p = 0.01 for both). The two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant main effect for the time under tension (p = 0.02). A post-hoc comparisons for the main effect showed a significant increase in time under tension for BFR when compared to CON (p = 0.02). The results of the presented study indicate that BFR used during strength-endurance exercise generally does not decrease the level of endurance performance, while it causes a drop in bar velocity.

The Kensey dynamic angioplasty catheter is a new device for recanalization of peripheral arterial occlusions. Twelve patients with segmental occlusions who were not considered candidates for conventional bypass surgery because of cardiovascular risk factors were studied. Four of the patients were treated in the operating room. Two had excellent primary results in limb salvage situations, and recanalization of an occluded femoropopliteal bypass graft was successful in another. Bilateral iliac recanalizations in the fourth patient were locally successful but did not prevent the patient's death from advanced ischemic disease. Eight patients were treated percutaneously. Initial recanalization was successful in seven. Four had early reocclusions and required amputation below the knee. One suffered distal embolization after recanalization of a 6-cm popliteal segment and underwent above-the-knee amputation. Long-term follow-up (7-18 months) in the other three patients with successful primary recanalizations has confirmed patency of the recanalized segments.