Increased Distance of Shooting on Basketball Jump Shot

The present study analyzed the effect of increased distance on basketball jump shot outcome and performance. Ten male expert basketball players were filmed and a number of kinematic variables analyzed during jump shot that were performed from three conditions to represent close, intermediate and far distances (2.8, 4.6, and 6.4m, respectively). Shot accuracy decreased from 59% (close) to 37% (far), in function of the task constraints (p < 0.05). Ball release height decreased (p < 0.05) from 2.46 m (close) to 2.38m (intermediate) and to 2.33m (long). Release angle also decreased (p < 0.05) when shot was performed from close (78.92°) in comparison to intermediate distances (65.60°). While, ball release velocity increased (p < 0.05) from 4.39 m/s (close) to 5.75 m·s^-1 (intermediate) to 6.89 m·s^-1 (far). These changes in ball release height, angle and velocity, related to movement performance adaptations were suggested as the main factors that influence jump shot accuracy when distance is augmented.

Key points

• The increased distance leads to greater spatial con-straint over shot movement that demands an adapta-tion of the movement for the regulation of the accu-racy and the impulse generation to release the ball.
• The reduction in balls release height and release angle, in addition to the increase in balls release ve-locity, were suggested as the main factors that de-creased shot accuracy with the distance increased.
• Players should look for release angles of shooting that provide an optimal balls release velocity to im-prove accuracy.

Key words: Jump shot, distance of shooting, basketball, motor control, biomechanics     

Neonatal Myocardial Infarction: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Myocardial infarction in a neonate is rare. We describe the case of a full‐term male who presented with respiratory distress. A chest radiograph demonstrated cardiomegaly. An electrocardiogram revealed ST segment changes suggestive of ischemia. Cardiac enzymes were elevated and an echocardiogram revealed a regional wall motion abnormality. Cardiac catheterization was performed demonstrating occlusion of the ramus intermedius branch of the left main coronary artery. The patient decompensated, requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The infant was able to be decannulated from ECMO support in 5 days and was ultimately discharged on hospital day 25. We review this case as well as the literature on neonatal myocardial infarction.     

Healthy eating index in southern brazilian older adults and its association with socioeconomic,behavioral and health characteristics

Objective  

The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with the diet quality of brazilian older adults.     

Renal sympathetic denervation therapy in the real world: results from the Heidelberg registry

Introduction

Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) is a novel treatment option in patients with treatment-resistant arterial hypertension. A subset of recently published randomized and non-randomized trials indicates that RDN leads to sustained lowering of blood pressure (BP) under controlled study conditions. However, registry data that allow evaluation of safety and efficacy in a real-world setting are largely missing.

Methods

Sixty-three consecutive patients with treatment-resistant hypertension underwent RDN with the radiofrequency-based Symplicity? catheter. As part of our prospective registry, treatment efficacy and safety were monitored after 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

At 6 months follow-up, office systolic BP significantly improved by 19 + 23 mmHg as compared to baseline, while diastolic BP values reduced by 6 + 13 mmHg (p < 0.05). One year after RDN, office BP levels further improved (26 + 25 mmHg in systolic BP and 9 + 13 mmHg in diastolic BP, respectively), even though 19 patients had reduced the number and/or dosage of antihypertensive agents. The response rate, defined as reduction of office systolic BP of ≥10 mmHg, was 73 % after 6 months. Baseline BP was the only significant predictor of blood pressure response, whereas no correlation was found between the number of ablation points and the individual changes in office blood pressure. Interestingly, patients with challenging renal anatomy profited somewhat less from the procedure than those with “normal” renal anatomy. Procedure related adverse events occurred in three patients (4.7 %) and were limited to vascular access complications.

Conclusions

RDN with the Symplicity? system is safe and effective in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension also in a real-world setting.     

Preserved prognostic value of preinterventional troponin T levels despite successful TAVI in patients with severe aortic stenosis

Background

Elevated concentrations of troponin T have prognostic impact in patients with various cardiovascular diseases including those with severe aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has improved prognosis for patients without a surgical option. Whether this affects the prognostic value of preinterventional troponin T remains unclear.

Methods

We therefore conducted a prospective study in 198 consecutive patients with subsequent, successful transfemoral TAVI and analyzed cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels with a new generation, high-sensitive troponin T assay before and after TAVI, as well as their prognostic value after 12 months.

Results

Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) showed significant elevation of preinterventional cTnT levels. Postinterventional cTnT levels significantly rose further about sevenfold after transfemoral TAVI and peaked at day three until they steadily declined thereafter. Baseline renal function (P = 0.011), the duration of intraprocedural rapid pacing (P = 0.0012), and baseline cTnT (P = 0.0001) values predicted the magnitude of postinterventional cTnT elevations. Interestingly, Kaplan–Meier curve analysis revealed, that although cTnT levels were not predictive for short-term mortality, preinterventional as well as postinterventional peak cTnT showed prognostic value for 1-year mortality, regardless of successful TAVI.

Conclusions

Pre- and postinterventional hscTnT levels signal adverse 1-year mortality in patients with severe AS independent of successful aortic valve replacement.