Fraction F (Fraction F / Ateroid / Ateroid 200)

Effects of psychological skills training on self-control, perceived physical self-defense capacity, and mental toughness in elite female wrestlers: a randomized controlled trial.

Tutal Varol V, Demir Okan O, Şahin Oktay O, Albayrak Ahmet Yılmaz AY et al.

Self-control, self-defense self-efficacy, and mental resilience are fundamental psychological determinants of performance and competitive endurance in combat sports. However, scientific evidence on structured, evidence-based psychological intervention programs for professional female wrestlers remains limited. This study examined the effects of a psychological skills training (PST)-based intervention on self-control, self-defense self-efficacy, and mental resilience in professional female wrestlers. A randomized controlled pre-test-post-test design was employed. Thirty-six professional female wrestlers (aged 18-25) were randomly assigned to a PST group (n = 18) or a control group (CG; n = 18). The PST group completed an 8-week structured psychological intervention alongside regular training, while the CG continued routine training only. Self-control, self-defense self-efficacy, and mental resilience were assessed pre- and post-intervention using valid and reliable psychometric scales. Data were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA, with effect sizes calculated. Significant group × time interactions were observed across multiple outcomes. A highly significant interaction emerged for perceived physical self-defense capacity (SP; F(1,34) = 56.525, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.624) and for DP scores (F (1,34) = 9.360, p = 0.004, ηp2 = 0.216). Among self-control subscales, significant interactions were found for inhibition (F (1,34) = 8.172, p = 0.007, ηp2 = 0.194) and, more strongly, for initiation (F (1,34) = 14.157, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.294). For mental resilience, highly significant interactions were detected for confidence (F (1,34) = 59.976, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.638), control (F (1,34) = 32.486, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.489), and persistence (F (1,34) = 32.709, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.490). Overall, the intervention demonstrated medium-to-high effect sizes across psychological performance indicators. These findings suggest that PST may serve as a useful complementary approach for enhancing self-control, perceived physical self-defense capacity, and mental toughness in professional female wrestlers. However, results should not be interpreted as evidence of improved competitive wrestling performance, technical success, or objectively measured physical self-defense ability, as these outcomes were not directly assessed in this study.

Development of Versatile Nanoparticle System for Efficient Drug Delivery into Pulmonary Endothelium.

Mohammed Afzaal N AN, Deng Zicheng Z, Misra Arnab A, Orzabal Marcus M et al.

Drug delivery precisely to the pulmonary vasculature represents a formidable challenge. Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) is an urgent public health concern accounting for high mortality and long-term morbidity due to severe damage to lung endothelial cells (ECs). Advanced target-specific therapeutic interventions to protect lung vasculature in PARDS are in dire need. FOXF1 protein is a critical mediator of lung angiogenesis and vascular repair after injury. However, whether FOXF1 is a useful pharmacological target for PARDS is unknown. Herein, we developed a universal nanoparticle-based Lung Endothelial Drug Delivery (LEDD) system to deliver hydrophobic small-molecule compounds specifically to lung ECs but not to other cells or organs. Based on single-cell RNA sequencing, FOXF1 expression was decreased in lung ECs in the mouse PARDS model. We used LEDD nanoparticles to restore FOXF1 by delivering a novel FOXF1-activating compound, TanFe[F], which prevents FOXF1 protein degradation. LEDD-TanFe[F] treatment increased FOXF1 protein and its activity in lung ECs in vitro and in vivo. LEDD-TanFe[F] treatment was non-toxic, well-tolerated, and improved mice survival in the PARDS model. LEDD-TanFe[F] reduced endothelial permeability, improved vascular repair, and alveolarization in injured neonatal lungs. LEDD-supported drug delivery precisely to lung ECs is a promising therapeutic approach in PARDS.

Impact of a 12-week high-intensity interval training program on working memory in young adults with overweight or obesity.

Zhu Li-Na LN, Yuan Wei W, Gu Qi-Zheng QZ, Yang Qi-Ling QL et al.

To examine the association of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program with working-memory performance in young adults aged 18-25 years with overweight or obesity. A total of 120 young adults with overweight or obesity were randomly allocated to an HIIT group (n = 48) or a control group (n = 72). The HIIT group completed a 12-week structured program, whereas the control group maintained usual daily activities. Working-memory updating was assessed using 1-back and 2-back tasks. Post-test body weight and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were analysed using baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), whereas body mass index (BMI) was analysed using repeated-measures ANCOVA. Reaction-time outcomes were analysed using a 2 × 2 × 2 mixed repeated-measures ANCOVA, with group as the between-subject factor and time and cognitive load as within-subject factors. Because marked baseline imbalance was observed for accuracy, 1-back and 2-back accuracy were analysed separately using baseline-adjusted post-test ANCOVA. Exploratory partial correlation analyses examined associations between changes in VO2max and n-back performance separately within the HIIT and control groups. An additional exploratory linear regression model tested whether the association between VO2max improvement and 2-back reaction-time improvement differed between groups. Baseline-adjusted ANCOVA showed lower post-test body weight in the HIIT group than in the control group [F(1,115) = 110.07, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.256] and higher post-test VO2max [F(1,115) = 300.86, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.451]. Repeated-measures ANCOVA showed a significant group × time interaction for BMI [F(1,115) = 137.60, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.545]. For reaction time, the 2 × 2 × 2 mixed repeated-measures ANCOVA showed a significant group × time interaction [F(1,115) = 31.95, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.217] and a significant group × cognitive-load interaction [F(1,115) = 9.22, p = 0.003, partial η2 = 0.074], whereas the group × time × cognitive-load interaction was not significant [F(1,115) = 2.15, p = 0.145, partial η2 = 0.018]. After adjustment for baseline accuracy and other measured baseline covariates, no significant post-test group difference was observed in 1-back accuracy [F(1,114) = 0.91, p = 0.343] or 2-back accuracy [F(1,114) = 2.17, p = 0.143]. In exploratory analyses, VO2max improvement was associated with 2-back reaction-time improvement in the HIIT group (r = 0.391, p = 0.009) but not in the control group (r = -0.101, p = 0.411). However, the group × VO2max-improvement interaction did not reach conventional statistical significance (β = 388.57, 95% CI: -7.68 to 784.82, p = 0.055). Participation in the 12-week HIIT program was associated with lower adjusted post-test body weight, higher adjusted post-test VO2max, a greater reduction in BMI, and more favorable reaction-time performance averaged across n-back loads. No adjusted post-test between-group difference in accuracy was observed. The non-significant group × time × cognitive-load interaction does not support a cognitive-load-specific effect. Although the VO2max-2-back reaction-time association was observed in the HIIT group but not in the control group, the non-significant interaction model did not conclusively establish training specificity. Dietary intake, habitual physical activity, sedentary behavior, complete individual-level exercise intensity, and formal assessor blinding were not available; therefore, the observed differences cannot be attributed exclusively to HIIT.

Editorial for "Association of Cardiac MRI-Derived Epicardial Adipose Tissue Index With Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction".

Jia Han H, Zhu Yinsu Y