Excess iodine exposure:An emerging area of concern for male reproductive physiology in the post-salt iodization era

To prevent iodine deficiency disorders,the universal salt iodization programme has been introduced all over the globe,including environmentally iodine sufficient regions irrespective of their iodine status.As a result,iodine-induced thyroid dysfunctions namely hyperthyroidism,hypothyroidism,autoimmune thyroid diseases,endemic goiter and even thyroid cancer including infertility,still births,abortions and embryo toxicity have emerged as a major public health problem.In other words,the consequence of iodine deficiency and excess is almost‘U’-shaped.Hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency affects reproductive functions of organisms;however,such undesirable effects of iodine overload on male gonadal physiology together with hormonal profiles are yet to be adequately explored.The discovery of iodide transporter in the testis justifies an independent role of iodine in male reproductive function,which is not entirely known.Recent studies on human subjects and animal models are now revealing further perceptions into the effect of excess iodine on male infertility with euthyroid status.Excess iodine exposure has been linked with deterioration of structural and functional changes of testis leading to compromised spermatogenesis by affecting various cellular and molecular signaling pathways culminating into disrupted the blood-testis barrier and cytoskeleton.This review provides an update and summarizes various novel insights of excess iodine exposure on reproduction by establishing the independent role of iodine on male reproductive endocrinology,which might help in formulating future strategies to prevent iodine-induced male infertility,an emerging global concern,especially in the post-salt iodization era.

Excess iodine supplementation aggravates the toxic effects induced by perchlorate on the male reproductive system in rats

Objective:To investigate the toxicity of excess iodine and perchlorate co-exposure on male reproductive system in rats.Methods:Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups.Group 1 received no treatment and served as the control group.Group 2 received perchlorate alone(130 mg/kg body weight),and group 3 received perchlorate(130 mg/kg body weight)plus excess iodine(0.7 mg potassium iodine/100 g body weight)for 45 days.Urinary perchlorate and iodine excretion pattern,testicular iodine concentration,serum testosterone levels,epididymal sperm count,key enzymes of steroidogenic pathway,reactive oxygen and nitrogen species including total antioxidant profiles in testis with electron microscopic ultrastructure analysis of spermatozoa were evaluated.Results:Co-exposure of perchlorate and excess iodine reduced their excretion pattern,reflecting accumulation with reactive oxygen species generation.It was accompanied by higher lipid peroxidation level with imbalance in the pro-/antioxidant status,inhibiting the activities ofΔ^(5)3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(HSD)and 17β-HSD rate limiting enzyme activities,and causing reduced synthesis of testosterone,parallel to reduction in testicular and accessory sex organs weight,epididymal sperm-count with deformed ultrastructure of sperm.Perchlorate alone was not a reproductive toxicant;however,in combination with excess-iodine,acute effects were noticed,resulting in a severe deterioration of testicular and spermatozoal structure and function.Conclusions:This study provides a novel insight on the augmentation of the relatively moderate repro-toxic effects of perchlorate to a more severe form in presence of excess iodine on male reproductive physiology,which justifies further investigations.

Comparing Coordination Abilities of 10-11 Years Old Girls Practicing Basketball and Rhythmic Gymnastic

The words---coordination, coordination abilities and coordination training are getting more and more popular among the coaches in different sports. The rhythm makes the movement logical, easy and correct done. The purpose of this study is to determine any difference between the coordination abilities of 10-11 years old gifts practicing basketball and rhythmic gymnastics. In that study, we have tested 40 girls at the age of 10-11 years practicing basketball and rhythmic gymnastic. We have tested them by 7 coordination tests. The results from the tests have been calculated in math-statistic methods and we have used descriptive statistic and t-test by Student with guaranteed probability Pt 〉 95 %. Ten-eleven old girls practicing rhythmic gymnastic have advantage against the girls practicing basketball in all 7 tests examining coordination abilities. The girls practicing rhythmic gymnastic, guaranteed by statistic, have better results in the balance and rhythmic abilities than the girls practicing basketball game. That statement is showing us that at this age the rhythmic gymnastic or elements from rhythmic gymnastic should be used for developing balance and rhythmic ability, which are very important for the basketball game.

Optimization of Performance in Top-Level Athletes during the Kumite in Sport Karate

This text represents a research that by individual treatment explores the influence and effect of the so-called advanced karate training （combined training program for development of physical and mental skills） in strengthening the person＇s tolerance to difficult and stressful situations. The aim of the research was to achieve optimal performance by the athletes during the kumite1 in karate. The research involved initial, control and final experiment, where the karate practitioners were focused on the training model given （group; n = 13） and working in a group with additional individual intensive sessions provided for each participant. All athletes were male contestants aged 26.4 - 6.8. The aim of the research was to explore how their performance can be influenced using psychological techniques during karate trainings, or how not to fall into one of the four undesirable states of mind called Shikai2. Results confirmed that the model of combined physical and mental training for athletes improves their physical skills and optimizes performance during competitions.

Physical Activity and Health-Promoting Lifestyle of Student Nurses in Malaysia

Studies have indicated that lack of regular physical exercise and not adhering to a health-promot- ing lifestyle among student nurses are barriers to their encouraging patients to exercise. On the other hand, nurses who personally embrace physical activity are more likely to encourage their patients to improve their health through physical activity or diet. As a result, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among student nurses is important because this has a crucial role in their subsequently encouraging healthy lifestyles among their patients. The aims of this study were to determine the physical activity levels and health-promoting lifestyles among student nurses in Malaysia, and to investigate whether there was a correlation between the physical activity levels of student nurses and their lifestyle habits. Further investigation was also carried out to correlate lifestyle habits with physical activity during weekdays and at the weekends. This study involved 189 student nurses who were pursuing Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees in local government universities. The Yamax Digi-Walker pedometer was used to measure physical activity, while the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) II questionnaire was used to assess the health-pro- moting lifestyles of the participants. The HPLP II consisted of six sub-scales which included health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. According to the results on physical activity, the student nurses had a mean of 8275.97 ± 2210.174 steps per day and were thus categorised as somewhat active. Additionally, the student nurses were found to be more active during weekends (M = 8389.75, SD = 2689.12) as compared to weekdays (M = 8230.46, SD = 2353.97). According to previous studies, both step counts are classified in the “somewhat active” category. Overall, the results for HPLP II showed that student nurses students in Malaysia had a positive health-promoting lifestyle with a score of 2.58 ± 0.34 on a 4-point Likert scale. The highest score was reported in spiritual growth, with a score of 2.92 ± 0.43. Meanwhile, physical activity was observed to be the lowest, with a score of 1.74 ± 0.39. The results found no correlation between physical activity and overall health-promoting lifestyle among student nurses in Malaysia (r = 0.06, n = 189, p < 0.37). However, there was a significant relationship between physical activity (measured by the pedometer) and physical activity habit (measured through the questionnaire) among the student nurses (r = 0.24, n = 189, p < 0.01). According to the findings, when the participants indicated in the questionnaire that they were active physically, the pedometer readings also showed a corresponding similarity in terms of their daily physical activities.

Innovative Models of Teaching in Training of Adolescents Chess Players

The development of computer technologies, specialized software and Interact deepens the connection between them and the chess. Its relatedness increases both on educational and training and on competitive level. The contemporary training of adolescents players has very unified character and a comprehensive innovation methodology would be applicable to players, who are different at strength and age. Increasing the massiveness in junior chess implies a higher quality of coaching work, related to the use of IT innovation and modem software chess products. HYPOTHESIS： The use of computer innovation would increase the effectiveness of the educational and training process in chess. OBJECTIVE： To prove the improvement of the effectiveness of the educational and training process through the development and testing of innovative education model for adolescents players with predominantly using of specialized chess software analytical module and web-based learning. METHODOLOGY： Pedagogical experiment, expert evaluation, questionnaire survey, sports pedagogical testing and mathematical and statistical methods. CONCLUSION： The experimental methodology for the training of adolescents players by using specialized chess software, internet and web-based forms of training leads to higher efficiency of the training sessions and higher results, compared to traditional ones.

Differences inthe Level of Social Status of Male and Female Folk Dancers

The research was conducted in order to determine differences in the social status structure of male and female performers of folk dances. For the purpose of determining the social status structure of male and female dancers, 103 male and 145 female dancers aged 18-28 actively engaged in folk dancing were tested. For the assessment of social status, only one model that allows for true scientific approach to studying the structure of stratification dimensions has been made so far. The model was constructed by Saksida and later served as a basis for many studies conducted by other authors as well （Saksida, Caserman, Petrovic, Momirovic, and Hosek）. Designed as a phenomenological model, it has undergone several changes over time, but it is still suitable for studying social change. The INST2 questionnaire modified by Boli, Popovic, Hosek, Momirovic, and Savic （SSMIN） was applied in this study. All the data obtained in this research were processed at the Multidisciplinary Research Center of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Pristina, through the system of data processing programs designed by D. Popovic and K Momirovic. To determine differences between the groups, a method of discriminant analysis was applied.

ACTN3 and AMPD1 Polymorphism and Genotype Combinations in Bulgarian Athletes Performing Wingate Test

The aim of the study was to investigate ACTN3 （ct-actinin-3） and AMPD1 （adenosine monophosphate deaminase） polymorphism and genotype combinations in Bulgarian athletes competing in various sports and the relation to peak power output. A mixed group of athletes （n = 52） competing at national and international level and a matching genetic control group （n = 109） of volunteers were recruited. Participants were genotyped for ACTN3 and AMPD1 by polymerase chain reaction. There were no significant differences in ACTN3 genotype distribution between athletes performing Wingate test （38% RR, 46% RX, 16% XX） and controls （41.2% RR, 46% RX, 12.8% XX）. AMPD1 distribution was （73% CC, 27% CT, 0% TT） and in controls （73.2% CC, 25% CT, 1.8% TT）. Athletes performing Wingate test showed equal 33% frequency of RR/CC and RX/CC combination, and 12% RX/CT. Significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） peak power output （11.10 W kg1） was found in athletes with RX/CT combination compared to other combinations （range： 8.83-9.71 W kg-1） and in R-power （RR ＋ RX） and C-power （CC ＋ CT） dominant models （9.91 W kgl）. Mean power was higher （P 〈 0.05） in RX/CT combination （8.93 W kg-1） compared to RR/CC （7.75 W kg-1） and RR/CT （7.95 W kgl）. In conclusion, the low frequency of T AMPD1 allele in Bulgarian athletes might indicate that this mutant allele is related to the physical performance. The prevalence of R ACTN3 and C AMPD1 alleles suggests that they could contribute to anaerobic performance. Higher peak power in Wingate test is associated with RX/CT genotype combination and R- and C-power dominant models.