Four new diterpenoids with the briarane skeleton, (-)-4-deacetyljunceellolide D (2), (+)-11alpha, 20alpha-epoxyjunceellolide D (3), (-)-11alpha, 20alpha-epoxy-4-deacetyljunceellolide D (4), and (-)-11alpha, 20alpha-epoxy-4-deacetoxyjunceellolide D (5), (+)-junceellolide A (6) [the antipodal derivative of the known (-)-junceellolide A], along with three known briaranes, (-)-junceellolide D (1), (-)-junceellin (7), and (-)-praelolide (8), were isolated from the Indonesian gorgonian Junceella fragilis. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive NMR studies and by comparison with the spectral data from other briarane compounds. The absolute configurations for four of the compounds were determined by the modified Mosher method and by unambiguous chemical interconversions.

To be able to value the relative age effect in the male and female World Championships played between 2005 and 2010 in the U17 categories (athletes 17 years or younger), U19 (athletes 19 or younger) and U21 (athletes 21 years or younger) a sample of 954 players has been selected. The variables registered were their dates of birth, the category of the competition, gender, height and official statistics of each player obtained from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). A clear relative age effect was found (in both male and female categories) fading with age, being higher in the U17 category, slightly less but also significant in the U19, and no significant effect found in U21. This effect persists when the different specific positions were analysed in the male categories, being clearer in the positions that require more physical strength. In female categories the results do not back the existence of the relative age effect. Also, differences were found in height in the male category with regard to the players' year-quarter of birth, but its interpretation is not consistent with the relative age effect. In the female category no differences were found in height. Finally, the performance difference of the players in the male and female categories hardly varies with regard to the year-quarter of birth.

Home advantage has been studied in different sports, establishing its existence and its possible causes. This article analyzes the home advantage in soccer leagues of UEFA countries in the first part of the 21st century. The sample of 52 countries monitored during a period of 10 years allows us to study 520 leagues and 111,030 matches of the highest level in each country associated with UEFA. Home advantage exists and is significant in 32 of the 52 UEFA countries, where it equals 55.6%. A decrease can be observed in the tendency towards home advantage between the years 2000 and 2010. Values between 55 and 56 were observed for home advantage in the top ten leagues in Europe. It has also been observed that home advantage depends on the level of the league evaluated using UEFA’s 2010/11 Country coefficients. The home advantage is calculated taking into account the teams’ position and the points obtained in each of the leagues. A direct relationship was observed with the number of points gained and an inverse relationship was observed with the team position.

Background: The inclusion of skateboarding in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games reinforces this activity as a sport. As the number of skateboarders around the world and the difficulty of skateboarding maneuvers continue to increase, the number of skateboarding injuries may also rise. Thus, there is a need for more comprehensive investigations into the practice habits and injuries of skateboarders. Purpose: To describe the sports habits and skateboarding injuries of a sample of skateboarders in Spain. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A web-based survey was shared among skateboarders in Spain. The survey collected data related to sports habits, skateboarding practice habits, and injury history. Comparisons between subgroups of sex, age, and experience were also conducted. Results: The survey was completed by 197 participants (89.3% male) with a mean age of 24.4 ± 7.1 years and a mean experience of 9.7 ± 7.2 years. Most respondents (87.8%) reported not participating in any type of skateboarding-specific physical training program. Only 27.4% took part in skateboarding competitions, with a larger number of respondents younger than 18 years participating in competitive events. The mean number of sessions per week was 3.3 ± 1.7, and the mean length of sessions was 3.3 ± 1.5 hours. The majority of participants (87.8%) reported having suffered injuries (n = 323) as a result of skateboarding, mainly affecting the lower limbs (69.7%). The most common injury type was a ligament sprain (39.6%), especially of the ankle (39.3%). This injury was also reported as the most likely to recur (70.1%). A large number of injuries (54.2%) were considered severe (ie, >21 days to recover). Most injuries occurred while skateboarding gaps or stairs, including any type of a jump that involved a difference in height between the take-off and landing surfaces (25.7%). Female participants accounted for a larger number of ligament sprains than expected, and experienced skateboarders were more likely to suffer more severe injuries and head/trunk injuries. Conclusion: Respondents to this survey were mainly young male adults who practiced skateboarding recreationally. Respondents of different sexes, ages, and experiences demonstrated different habits and injury patterns. The greater number of severe injuries highlights the need for injury surveillance in skateboarding to inform better prevention and rehabilitation practices.

Background: The possibility of using a bone-tendon quadriceps tendon graft and platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection to enhance healing capability, to solve the defect created by stump retraction in chronic Achilles tendon ruptures was studied in a series of 8 patients.Methods: A series of 8 patients studied prospectively and followed for more than 24 months is presented.Results were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and evaluating pain, level of activity, footwear restrictions, and satisfaction. Statistical analysis was done by the sign test for matched pairs and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Alpha error was set at 0.05.Results: Preoperatively, patients showed an average AOFAS score of 77.25 (range, 67-88). After surgery, AOFAS score showed a marked improvement in all the cases, with an average of 95.6 (range, 87-100).Improvement in AOFAS score results was statistically significant, both for sign test for matched pairs (P=0.008) and for Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P=0.012). All of the patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure, and would undergo it again.Conclusions: Autologous quadriceps tendon graft (in bone-tendon configuration) has proved as a simple technique that offers good results to patients with tissue defects in the Achilles tendon.