Objective: This review addresses the effect of overweight and obese weight status on pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Method: Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ...EMBASE, AMED and PubMed were searched for peer-reviewed studies in English reporting HRQOL and weight status in youth (<21 years), published before March 2008. Results: Twenty-eight articles were identified. Regression of HRQOL against body mass index (BMI) using pooled data from 13 studies utilizing the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory identified an inverse relationship between BMI and pediatric HRQOL (r=-0.7, P=0.008), with impairments in physical and social functioning consistently reported. HRQOL seemed to improve with weight loss, but randomized controlled trials were few and lacked long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Little is known about the factors associated with reduced HRQOL among overweight or obese youth, although gender, age and obesity-related co-morbidities may play a role. Few studies have examined the differences in HRQOL between community and treatment-seeking samples. Pooled regressions suggest pediatric self-reported HRQOL can be predicted from parent proxy reports, although parents of obese youths tend to perceive worse HRQOL than children do about themselves. Thus, future research should include both pediatric and parent proxy perspectives.
Catalytic hydrogen production from renewables is a promising method for providing energy carriers in the near future. Photocatalysts capable of promoting this reaction are often composed of noble ...metal nanoparticles deposited on a semiconductor. The most promising semiconductor at present is TiO₂. The successful design of these catalysts relies on a thorough understanding of the role of the noble metal particle size and the TiO₂ polymorph. Here we demonstrate that Au particles in the size range 3-30 nm on TiO₂ are very active in hydrogen production from ethanol. It was found that Au particles of similar size on anatase nanoparticles delivered a rate two orders of magnitude higher than that recorded for Au on rutile nanoparticles. Surprisingly, it was also found that Au particle size does not affect the photoreaction rate over the 3-12 nm range. The high hydrogen yield observed makes these catalysts promising materials for solar conversion.
Objective: Impaired endothelial function in obesity may reduce blood flow to sites of metabolism, contributing to impaired fat oxidation and insulin resistance. This study investigated the effects of ...cocoa flavanols and regular exercise, interventions known to improve endothelial function, on cardiometabolic function and body composition in obese individuals. Design: Overweight and obese adults were randomly assigned to high-flavanol cocoa (HF, 902 mg flavanols), HF and exercise, low-flavanol cocoa (LF, 36 mg flavanols), or LF and exercise for 12 weeks (exercise duration was 3 45 min per week at 75% of age-predicted maximum heart rate). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 0 and 12 weeks. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), supine blood pressure (BP) and fasting plasma insulin, and glucose levels were assessed at 0, 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Insulin sensitivity/resistance was determined using the modified homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2). Results: A total of 49 subjects (M=18; F=31) completed the intervention. Baseline averages were as follows: body mass index=33.5 kg/m2; BP=123/76 mm Hg; HOMA2=2.4; FMD=4.3%; rate of fat oxidation during exercise=0.34 g min-1; abdominal fat=45.7% of total abdominal mass. Compared to LF, HF increased FMD acutely (2 h post-dose) by 2.4% (P<0.01) and chronically (over 12 weeks; P<0.01) by 1.6% and reduced insulin resistance by 0.31% (P<0.05), diastolic BP by 1.6 mm Hg and mean arterial BP by 1.2 mm Hg (P<0.05), independent of exercise. Regular exercise increased fat oxidation during exercise by 0.10 g min-1 (P<0.01) and reduced abdominal fat by 0.92% (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although HF consumption was shown to improve endothelial function, it did not enhance the effects of exercise on body fat and fat metabolism in obese subjects. However, it may be useful for reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in this population.
Abstract Background and Aims Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD) is a biomarker of endothelial function and cardiovascular health. Impaired FMD is associated with several ...cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and obesity. Various food ingredients such as polyphenols have been shown to improve FMD. We investigated whether consuming resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine, can enhance FMD acutely and whether there is a dose-response relationship for this effect. Methods and Results 19 overweight/obese (BMI 25–35 kg m−2 ) men or post-menopausal women with untreated borderline hypertension (systolic BP: 130–160 mmHg or diastolic BP: 85–100 mmHg) consumed three doses of resveratrol (resVida™ 30, 90 and 270 mg) and a placebo at weekly intervals in a double-blind, randomized crossover comparison. One hour after consumption of the supplement, plasma resveratrol and FMD were measured. Data were analyzed by linear regression versus log10 dose of resveratrol. 14 men and 5 women (age 55 ± 2 years, BMI 28.7 ± 0.5 kg m−2 , BP 141 ± 2/89 ± 1 mmHg) completed this study. There was a significant dose effect of resveratrol on plasma resveratrol concentration ( P < 0.001) and on FMD ( P < 0.01), which increased from 4.1 ± 0.8% (placebo) to 7.7 ± 1.5% after 270 mg resveratrol. FMD was also linearly related to log10 plasma resveratrol concentration ( P < 0.01). Conclusion Acute resveratrol consumption increased plasma resveratrol concentrations and FMD in a dose-related manner. This effect may contribute to the purported cardiovascular health benefits of grapes and red wine.
Summary
Understanding the natural history of lateral femoral stress fractures helps to guide their management. Improvement in their radiographic characteristics is rare. Progression was generally ...sequential, most developing an incomplete fracture line before fracture displacement. Stopping bisphosphonates decreased the fracture rate, a feasible management option for lesions without incomplete fracture lines.
Introduction
Retrospective study evaluating the natural history of lateral femoral stress fractures (FSF) by serial radiography over a variable period of time in a cohort of patients treated for some time with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, whilst also identifying the fracture response in cases where bisphosphonates were discontinued.
Methods
The radiographs of 76 consecutive patients (92 femurs) with 161 FSF were reviewed to document their change over time. Femurs were classified into the following: A—normal, B—focal cortical thickening, C—dreaded black line and D—displaced fracture. Bisphosphonate history was recorded.
Results
66.5% FSF showed group stability between the first and last radiographs: group B (79.1%), group C (45.7%). 28.6% progressed, mostly following an ordered sequence starting from group A, progressing to B, then C, before culminating in D. Progression rate was as follows: A—100% (11/11), B—18.3% (21/115), C—40% (14/35). Regression in FSF was uncommon—5.6% (8/161). 34.8% (32/92) sustained displaced fractures. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed statistically significant difference between the groups; median survival (95% CI): A—4189 (-), B—3383.0 (-), C—1807 (0.0–3788.6) and progression to displaced fracture when bisphosphonate had been stopped for at least 6 months. The group without recent bisphosphonates had a lower group progression rate (17.1%, 12/70). Nevertheless, 10.9% (5/46) progressed to displaced fracture. This group also had the highest proportion of stable (77.1%, 54/70) and regressive lesions (5.7%, 4/70).
Conclusions
In FSF, there is natural progression from normal bone, to focal cortical thickening, to dreaded black line and eventually to displaced fracture. Most lesions persist, remaining static or progressing, especially if a dreaded black line is present and bisphosphonates are continued. Regression is uncommon and more frequent when bisphosphonates are discontinued. Despite stopping bisphosphonates, there remains a 10.9% risk of progression to displaced fracture.
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•Most liquid NMR samples in most experiments convect.•Horizontal temperature gradients cause convection with no critical lower limit.•Attempts at sample temperature control tend to ...increase, not decrease, convection.•Convection rates can be reduced by reducing sample tube inner diameter.•Sapphire tubes greatly reduce convection under normal conditions.
Many NMR experiments on liquids suffer if the sample convects. This is particularly true for applications, such as the measurement of diffusion, that rely on spatial labelling of spins. It is widely assumed that, in most well-conducted experiments with stable temperature regulation, samples do not convect. Unfortunately this is not the case. It is shown here that typical NMR samples show measurable convective flow for all but a very narrow range of temperatures; convection is seen both above and below this range, which can be as small as a degree or so for a mobile solvent such as chloroform. This convection is driven by both vertical and horizontal temperature gradients.
Measurements of convection velocity are presented for a range of samples, sample tubes, probes, and temperatures. Both decreasing sample tube inner diameter and changing sample tube material from glass to sapphire can slow convection markedly, with sapphire tubes being particularly effective. Such tubes are likely to be particularly helpful for accurate measurement of diffusion by NMR.
Converging evidence suggests a role for microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). Animal models of PD can serve as a platform to investigate the role of neuroinflammation in ...degeneration in PD. However, due to features of the previously available PD models, interpretations of the role of neuroinflammation as a contributor to or a consequence of neurodegeneration have remained elusive. In the present study, we investigated the temporal relationship of neuroinflammation in a model of synucleinopathy following intrastriatal injection of pre-formed alpha-synuclein fibrils (α-syn PFFS).
Male Fischer 344 rats (N = 114) received unilateral intrastriatal injections of α-syn PFFs, PBS, or rat serum albumin with cohorts euthanized at monthly intervals up to 6 months. Quantification of dopamine neurons, total neurons, phosphorylated α-syn (pS129) aggregates, major histocompatibility complex-II (MHC-II) antigen-presenting microglia, and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) immunoreactive microglial soma size was performed in the substantia nigra. In addition, the cortex and striatum were also examined for the presence of pS129 aggregates and MHC-II antigen-presenting microglia to compare the temporal patterns of pSyn accumulation and reactive microgliosis.
Intrastriatal injection of α-syn PFFs to rats resulted in widespread accumulation of phosphorylated α-syn inclusions in several areas that innervate the striatum followed by significant loss (~ 35%) of substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons within 5-6 months. The peak magnitudes of α-syn inclusion formation, MHC-II expression, and reactive microglial morphology were all observed in the SN 2 months following injection and 3 months prior to nigral dopamine neuron loss. Surprisingly, MHC-II immunoreactivity in α-syn PFF injected rats was relatively limited during the later interval of degeneration. Moreover, we observed a significant correlation between substantia nigra pSyn inclusion load and number of microglia expressing MHC-II. In addition, we observed a similar relationship between α-syn inclusion load and number of microglia expressing MHC-II in cortical regions, but not in the striatum.
Our results demonstrate that increases in microglia displaying a reactive morphology and MHC-II expression occur in the substantia nigra in close association with peak numbers of pSyn inclusions, months prior to nigral dopamine neuron degeneration, and suggest that reactive microglia may contribute to vulnerability of SNc neurons to degeneration. The rat α-syn PFF model provides an opportunity to examine the innate immune response to accumulation of pathological α-syn in the context of normal levels of endogenous α-syn and provides insight into the earliest neuroinflammatory events in PD.
Dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae are obligate endosymbionts of diverse marine invertebrates, including corals, and impact the capacity of their hosts to respond to climate change-driven ...ocean warming. Understanding the conditions under which increased genetic variation in Symbiodiniaceae arises via sexual recombination can support efforts to evolve thermal tolerance in these symbionts and ultimately mitigate coral bleaching, the breakdown of the coral-Symbiodiniaceae partnership under stress. However, direct observations of meiosis in Symbiodiniaceae have not been reported, despite various lines of indirect evidence that it occurs. We present the first cytological evidence of sex in Symbiodiniaceae based on nuclear DNA content and morphology using Image Flow Cytometry, Cell Sorting and Confocal Microscopy. We show the Symbiodiniaceae species, Cladocopium latusorum, undergoes gamete conjugation, zygote formation, and meiosis within a dominant reef-building coral in situ. On average, sex was detected in 1.5% of the cells analyzed (N = 10,000-40,000 cells observed per sample in a total of 20 samples obtained from 3 Pocillopora colonies). We hypothesize that meiosis follows a two-step process described in other dinoflagellates, in which diploid zygotes form dyads during meiosis I, and triads and tetrads as final products of meiosis II. This study sets the stage for investigating environmental triggers of Symbiodiniaceae sexuality and can accelerate the assisted evolution of a key coral symbiont in order to combat reef degradation.
Joint compliance can enable successful robot grasping despite uncertainties in target object location. Compliance also enhances manipulator robustness by minimizing contact forces in the event of ...unintended contacts or impacts. In this paper, we describe the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a novel compliant robotic grasper constructed using polymer-based shape deposition manufacturing. Joints are formed by elastomeric flexures, and actuator and sensor components are embedded in tough rigid polymers. The result is a robot gripper with the functionality of conventional metal prototypes for grasping in unstructured environments but with robustness properties that allow for large forces due to inadvertent contact.
Animal models that accurately recapitulate the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions, progressive neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal system and motor deficits can be useful tools for ...Parkinson's disease (PD) research. The preformed fibril (PFF) synucleinopathy model in rodents generally displays these PD-relevant features, however, the magnitude and predictability of these events is far from established. We therefore sought to optimize the magnitude of α-syn accumulation and nigrostriatal degeneration, and to understand the time course of both. Rats were injected unilaterally with different quantities of α-syn PFFs (8 or 16 μg of total protein) into striatal sites selected to concentrate α-syn inclusion formation in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Rats displayed an α-syn PFF quantity-dependent increase in the magnitude of ipsilateral SNpc inclusion formation at 2 months and bilateral loss of nigral dopamine neurons at 6 months. Unilateral 16 μg PFF injection also resulted in modest sensorimotor deficits in forelimb adjusting steps associated with degeneration at 6 months. Bilateral injection of 16 μg α-syn PFFs resulted in symmetric bilateral degeneration equivalent to the ipsilateral nigral degeneration observed following unilateral 16 μg PFF injection (~50% loss). Bilateral PFF injections additionally resulted in alterations in several gait analysis parameters. These α-syn PFF parameters can be applied to generate a reproducible synucleinopathy model in rats with which to study pathogenic mechanisms and vet potential disease-modifying therapies.
•Increasing the amount of alpha-synuclein preformed fibrils increases the magnitude of nigrostriatal neurodegeneration.•Loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra occurs bilaterally by 6 months post-injection.•Ipsilateral tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neuron loss precedes contralateral loss.•Bilateral intrastriatal injections of preformed fibrils does not increase degeneration compared to unilateral injections.
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