Whether near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a convenient and accurate method of determining first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT₁ and VT₂) using raw data remains unknown. This study investigated the reliability and validity of VT₁ and VT₂ determined by NIRS skeletal muscle hemodynamic raw data via a polynomial regression model. A total of 100 male students were recruited and performed maximal cycling exercises while their cardiopulmonary and NIRS muscle hemodynamic data were measured. The criterion validity of VT_1VET and VT_2VET were determined using a traditional V-slope and ventilatory efficiency. Statistical significance was set at α = . 05. There was high reproducibility of VT_1NIRS and VT_2NIRS determined by a NIRS polynomial regression model during exercise (VT_1NIRS, r = 0.94; VT_2NIRS, r = 0.93). There were high correlations of VT_1VET vs VT_1NIRS (r = 0.93, p < .05) and VT_2VET vs VT_2NIRS (r = 0.94, p < .05). The oxygen consumption (VO₂) between VT_1VET and VT_1NIRS or VT_2VET and VT_2NIRS was not significantly different. NIRS raw data are reliable and valid for determining VT₁ and VT₂ in healthy males using a polynomial regression model. Skeletal muscle raw oxygenation and deoxygenation status reflects more realistic causes and timing of VT₁ and VT₂.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of preventable cardiovascular disease, but the metabolic changes from prediabetes to diabetes have not been fully clarified. This study implemented a metabolomics profiling platform to investigate the variations of metabolites and to elucidate their global profiling from metabolic syndrome to DM. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 44) were divided into four groups. Three groups were separately fed with a normal diet, a high-fructose diet (HF), or a high-fat (HL) diet while one group was treated with streptozotocin. The HF and HL diet were meant to induce insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which known to induce DM. Results: The most significant metabolic variations in the DM group’s urine samples were the reduced release of citric acid cycle intermediates, the increase in acylcarnitines, and the decrease in urea excretion, all of which indicated energy metabolism abnormalities and mitochondrial dysfunction. Overall, the metabolic analysis revealed tryptophan metabolic pathway variations in the prediabetic phase, even though the mitochondrial function remains unaffected. Conclusion: This study show that widespread methylations and impaired tryptophan metabolism occur in metabolic syndrome and are then followed by a decline in citric acid cycle intermediates, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes.

Local food is a tourism product with a distinct identity for a location. Tourists' emotional attachment to a destination is increased by their attachment to the authenticity and quality of tourism services. The purpose of this study was to look into the impact of food authenticity, meal quality, and service quality on tourist satisfaction. A total of 425 replies were gathered from visitors who visited Bali and sampled the culinary products while visiting various Bali sites. The questionnaire survey was conducted on 2021/2/1–2021/4/20, a period during COVID-19, and further applied the multiple regression model for the survey with strong validity and reliability. The findings revealed that meal and service quality have a considerable impact on tourist satisfaction, whereas food authenticity has a significant effect on tourist satisfaction. Both practically and conceptually, the investigation contributes to providing particular feedback regarding the observed factors.

Background: This study examines the hierarchical determinants of change-of-direction (COD) ability in adolescent athletes to assess whether sprint performance functions as a potential intermediate variable of the relationship between explosive power and COD performance. Methods: The study recruited 86 high school athlete participants. Explosive power was assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ). Sprint performance was evaluated using 10 m and 20 m sprint tests. COD performance was assessed using the 505 pre-planned COD test. Body composition was also recorded. Results: Correlation analyses indicates that 20 m sprint time was positively associated with COD performance (r = 0.67–0.82), whereas CMJ performance was significantly and negatively associated with COD performance (r = −0.65 to −0.68). Multiple regression analysis explained 63.6% of the variance in COD performance; sprint performance emerged as the strongest predictor. Indirect effect analysis showed that the effect of explosive power on COD performance is consistent with an indirect pathway by sprint performance. Structural equation modeling supported a hierarchical model: Explosive power was associated with sprint performance, which in turn was associated with COD ability. Conclusions: The findings suggest that improvements in COD performance among adolescent athletes may depend on enhancing explosive power while optimizing acceleration and speed-transfer capacity. These findings provide practical implications for athlete selection and training program design in youth sports.

Distinguishing dementia severity is a major challenge in community-based geriatric assessment. Even though cognitive and motor impairments are related to d