ABSTRACT Quality protein maize (QPM) (Zea mays L.) is primarily used for food in countries of tropical and sub-tropical regions where maize is the main source of protein. Although its cultivation in temperate regions is hampered by residues of exotic germplasm, it could be beneficial for use in livestock feeds as it was shown that substitution of standard maize with QPM can improve livestock characteristics and decrease dietary lysine supplementation. The aim of this study was to test 11 QPM hybrids obtained by crossing adapted QPM inbred lines for their performance in field trials in 2 yr at four locations, as well as to determine their relevant biochemical components. The main reason for rejecting nine QPM hybrids was low grain yield, standard hybrids had higher yields on average for 37.8%. Hybrid ZPQPM6 had good agronomic characteristics, but its biochemical components were nonsignificantly different from the standard hybrid. Only hybrid ZPQPM13 met necessary criteria, grain yield comparable with standard hybrids, high tryptophan content in different environments (average 0.083%) and hard endosperm (average score 1.87). Lysine content, measured after mercantile production, was 0.44%. Quality index, although below the QPM threshold (which is 0.80%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ZPQPM13 in comparison with standard hybrid, indicating improved nutritional quality of the protein. The results indicated that presence of exotic germplasm in these QPM hybrids is a consequential difficulty and that in their parental inbred lines at least one more backcross with temperate germplasm should be done to select better adapted QPM.

Given that a volleyball game requires a certain level of individual anthropological characteristics of young volleyball players to successfully act on situational conditions, and that interdisciplinary approach in the science study is the principal methodological orientation, subject of study in the field of sports is the anthropological status. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible differences in spinal lumbar and abdominal muscles isometric potential of prospective male and female. Sample included 42 subjects (15 male and 27 female subjects), male and female volleyball players, the cadet selection of Serbia, aged 14±0.5 years. Isometric muscle potential assessment was conducted using four standardized motor movement tasks, covering the following areas: static contraction of the flexors of the torso, static contraction of the extensors of the torso, static contraction of the left flexor of the torso, and static contraction of the right flexor of the torso. In addition to the descriptive statistics used, as basis statistics, the t-test for independent samples was used, to compare the mean values of parameters measured in two different groups of athletes volleyball players (girls boys). Descriptive indicators of the sample suggest greater values of deep spinal muscles isometric potential with boys in all study variables. Study results gained by the t-test of independent samples indicate that statistically significant difference exists between their mean results in variables of trunk flexor static contractions and trunk extensor static contractions, at the level 0.001. With other two variables, the values indicate that difference between genders is not significant but accidental. The results of this study regarding static contraction of the right and left lateral flexors of the torso show the lack of statistical significance between male and female cadet volleyball players.

Al considerar que un partido de voléibol requiere cierto nivel de características antropológicas individuales de los jóvenes jugadores de voléibol para actuar con éxito en condiciones situacionales, el enfoque interdisciplinario principal en el estudio de las ciencias del deporte es la orientación metodológica, como también lo es el estado antropológico de los jugadores. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las posibles diferencias en la columna lumbar y el potencial isométrico en los músculos abdominales masculinos y femeninos. En la muestra fueron incluidos 42 sujetos (15 varones y 27 mujeres) jugadores de voléibol masculino y femenino de la selección cadete de Serbia, de 14±0,5 años. Se realizó evaluación del potencial muscular utilizando cuatro tareas de movimiento de motor estandarizados en las siguientes áreas: la contracción estática de los flexores del torso, de contracción estática de los extensores del tronco, contracción estática del flexor izquierdo del torso, y la contracción estática del flexor derecho del torso. Además de las estadísticas descriptivas y las estadísticas de base utilizadas, se usó la prueba t para las muestras independientes para comparar los valores medios de los parámetros medidos en dos grupos diferentes de los deportistas - jugadores de voléibol (niñas - niños). Los indicadores descriptivos de la muestra sugieren mayores valores de potencial isométrico de los músculos espinales profundos en niños en todas las variables del estudio. Los resultados del estudio obtenidos por la prueba t de muestras independientes indicaron que existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los resultados medios en las variables de los flexores del tronco y en las contracciones estáticas de los extensores del tronco, en el nivel de 0,001. Con otras dos variables, los valores indicaron que la diferencia entre ambos sexos no es significativa pero es accidental. Los resultados de este estudio con respecto a la contracción estática del lado derecho y flexores laterales izquierdos del torso muestran la falta de significación estadística entre los jugadores masculinos y femeninos de voléibol.

As indicações para intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) continuam a evoluir devido ao contínuo desenvolvimento da tecnologia, critérios de seleção mais amplos para pacientes e lesões e novas evidências advindas de testes clínicos. Uma controvérsia considerável foi gerada pelos resultados principais do estudo COURAGE (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation), o qual não demonstrou diferenças no resultado em longo prazo para pacientes estáveis com doença coronariana, randomizados para uma estratégia inicial de ICP mais tratamento médico otimizado versus tratamento médico otimizado isolado. Em pacientes com angina estável crônica, o tratamento médico permanece sendo a pedra fundamental e deveria ser otimizado em todos os pacientes, enquanto os maiores objetivos alcançáveis da ICP são ter efeito sobre os sintomas, através de sua diminuição ou prevenção, reduzir a necessidade de procedimentos subsequentes e aliviar a isquemia. Em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) estável, entretanto, nenhuma redução na incidência de morte ou infarto do miocárdio foi observada e essas limitações da ICP nesse cenário clínico precisam ser enfatizadas. A mensagem do estudo COURAGE pode ser refinada com base nos recentes sub-estudos nuclear e angiográfico, de forma que os pacientes com isquemia residual significante, submetidos a tratamento médico otimizado, deveriam ser considerados para tratamento com ICP, já que estão associados com maior probabilidade de morte e infarto do miocárdio. Entretanto, esses achados precisam ser confirmados por avaliação prospectiva antes de sua mais ampla aceitação pela comunidade intervencionista.

The indications for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continue to evolve because of the steady improvement in technology, broadened patient and lesion selection criteria, and new evidence from clinical trials. Considerable controversy was generated by the main results from the Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial, in which no difference in long-term outcome was reported for stable patients with coronary disease randomized to an initial strategy of PCI plus optimal medical therapy versus optimal medical therapy alone. In patients with chronic stable angina, medical therapy remains the cornerstone and should be optimized for all patients, while the major achievable goals of PCI are to affect symptoms, either by decreasing or preventing them, reducing the need for subsequent procedures and relieving ischemia. In patients with stable coronary artery disease, however, no reduction in death or myocardial infarction has been observed, and these limitations of PCI in this clinical setting need to be emphasized. The message from the COURAGE trial may be refined based on recently presented nuclear and angiographic sub-studies, such that patients with substantial residual ischemia on optimal medical therapy should be considered for crossover PCI, as it is associated with greater likelihood of death and myocardial infarction. However, those findings need to be confirmed by prospective evaluation before being widely accepted by the interventional community.

Las indicaciones para intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) siguen evolucionando debido al desarrollo continuo de la tecnología, a criterios de selección más amplios para pacientes y lesiones y a nuevas evidencias advenidas de ensayos clínicos. Los resultados principales del estudio COURAGE (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation) generaron una controversia considerable, la que no reveló diferencias en el resultado a largo plazo para pacientes estables con enfermedad coronaria, randomizados para una estrategia inicial de ICP más tratamiento médico optimizado versus tratamiento médico optimizado aislado. En pacientes con angina estable crónica, el tratamiento médico sigue siendo la piedra fundamental y se debería optimizarlo en todos los pacientes; mientras que los mayores objetivos alcanzables de la ICP son producir efecto sobre los síntomas, a través de su disminución o prevención, reducir la necesidad de procedimientos subsecuentes y aliviar la isquemia. En pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria (EAC) estable, sin embargo, ninguna reducción en la incidencia de muerte o infarto de miocardio se observó, y han de enfatizarse esas limitaciones de la ICP en ese escenario clínico. El mensaje del estudio COURAGE se puede refinar con base en los recientes subestudios nuclear y angiográfico, de forma que los pacientes con isquemia residual significante, sometidos a tratamiento médico optimizado, se deberían tener en cuenta para tratamiento con ICP, ya que están asociados a una mayor probabilidad de muerte e infarto de miocardio. Sin embargo, esos hallazgos necesitan ser confirmados por evaluación prospectiva antes de su más amplia aceptación por la comunidad intervencionista.