The active sites for propane dehydrogenation in Ga/H-ZSM-5 with moderate concentrations of tetrahedral aluminum in the lattice were identified to be Lewis–Brønsted acid pairs. With increasing ...availability, Ga+ and Brønsted acid site concentrations changed inversely, as protons of Brønsted acid sites were exchanged with Ga+. At a Ga/Al ratio of 1/2, the rate of propane dehydrogenation was 2 orders of magnitude higher than with the parent H-ZSM-5, highlighting the extraordinary activity of the Lewis–Brønsted acid pairs. Density functional theory calculations relate the high activity to a bifunctional mechanism that proceeds via heterolytic activation of the propane C–H bond followed by a monomolecular elimination of H2 and desorption of propene.
Quantum chemical calculations and simulated kinetics were used to examine the structure sensitivity of the oxygen evolution reaction on several surface terminations of Co3O4. Active sites consisting ...of two adjacent Co(IV) cations connected by bridging oxos were identified on both the (001) and (311) surfaces. Formation of the O–O bond proceeds on these sites by nucleophilic attack of water on a bridging oxo. It was found that the relative turnover frequencies for the different sites are highly dependent on the overpotential, with the dual-Co site on the (311) surface being most active at medium overpotentials (0.46−0.77 V), where O–O bond formation by water addition is rate limiting. A similar dual-Co site on the (001) surface is most active at low overpotentials (<0.46 V), where O2 release is rate limiting, and a single-Co site on the (110) surface is most active at overpotentials that are high enough (>0.77 V) to form a significant concentration of highly reactive terminal Co(V)O species. Two overpotential-dependent Sabatier relationships were identified based on the Brønsted basicity and redox potential of the active site, explaining the change in the active site with overpotential. The (311) dual-Co site that is most active in the medium overpotential range is consistent with recent experimental observations suggesting that a defect site is responsible for the observed oxygen evolution activity and that a modest concentration of superoxo intermediates is present on the surface. Importantly, we find that it is essential to consider the kinetics of the water addition and O2 release steps rather than only the thermodynamics.
To reduce the health burden of obesity, it is important to identify safe and practical treatments that are effective for weight loss while concurrently preventing weight regain. Diet-induced weight ...loss is usually followed by a concomitant increase in ghrelin secretion and feelings of hunger, which may compromise weight loss goals and increase the risk of weight regain. The aim of this review is to describe the status of knowledge regarding the impact of ketosis, induced by diet or exogenous ketones (ketone esters), on appetite and the potential mechanisms involved. Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been shown to prevent an increase in ghrelin secretion, otherwise seen with weight loss, as well as to reduce hunger and/or prevent hunger. However, the exact threshold of ketosis needed to induce appetite suppression, as well as the exact mechanisms that mediate such an effect, has yet to be elucidated. Use of exogenous ketones may provide an alternative to KDs, which have poor long-term adherence due to their restrictive nature. Ketone esters have been shown to have concentration-dependent effects on food intake and body weight in rodent models, with effects becoming apparent when 30% of total dietary energy comes from ketone esters (threshold effect). In humans, acute consumption of a ketone ester drink reduced feelings of hunger and increased satiety compared to a dextrose drink. With the emerging widespread acceptance of KDs and exogenous ketones in mainstream media and the diet culture, it is important to fully understand their role on appetite control and weight management and the potential mechanisms mediating this role.
The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an accepted treatment alternative for the management of end-stage heart failure. As we move toward implantation of LVADs in less severe cases of HF, ...scrutiny of functional capacity and quality of life becomes more important. Patients demonstrate improvements in exercise capacity after LVAD implantation, but the effect is less than predicted. Exercise training produces multiple beneficial effects in heart failure patients, which would be expected to improve quality of life. In this review, we describe factors that are thought to participate in the persistent exercise impairment in LVAD-supported patients, summarize current knowledge about the effect of exercise training in LVAD-supported patients, and suggest areas for future research.
Despite remarkable improvements in screening, diagnosis, and targeted therapies, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. It is increasingly clear that diet and ...lifestyle practices play a substantial role in cancer development and progression. As such, various dietary compositions have been proposed for reducing cancer risk and as potential adjuvant therapies. In this article, we critically assess the preclinical and human trials on the effects of the ketogenic diet (KD, i.e., high-fat, moderate-to-low protein, and very-low carbohydrate content) for cancer-related outcomes. The mechanisms underlying the hypothesized effects of KD, most notably the Warburg Effect, suggest that restricting carbohydrate content may impede cancer development and progression via several pathways (e.g., tumor metabolism, gene expression). Overall, although preclinical studies suggest that KD has antitumor effects, prolongs survival, and prevents cancer development, human clinical trials are equivocal. Because of the lack of high-quality clinical trials, the effects of KD on cancer and as an adjunctive therapy are essentially unknown. We propose a set of research recommendations for clinical studies examining the effects of KD on cancer development and progression.
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The cadets in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) consist of students from varied backgrounds. As part of collegiate ROTC programs, cadets must pass fitness ...tests and adhere to body composition standards in addition to completing their education. The previous fitness test of record was the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), but it was recently changed to the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to better test soldiers for combat capabilities. As part of the standardized scoring, the ACFT is no longer separated by sex or age as in the APFT, but rather by job duty. The purpose of this study was to characterize the modern ROTC cadet based on body composition measures and APFT and ACFT scores and then determine how those factors are related.
Materials and Methods
We calculated body mass index (BMI), fat mass, fat-free mass (FFM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and fat mass index (FMI) (n = 68, 42 males, 26 females). We used Pearson correlations to compare the scores to body composition assessments and Student’s t-tests to determine if there were differences between sexes. We hypothesized that those with higher FFM and FFMI will have a higher passing rate on the ACFT and that males would perform better on the ACFT because of having more FFM.
Results
We found that cadets, regardless of sex, were borderline overweight using BMI standards and that BMI did not correlate with any fitness tests. When comparing sexes, both males and females had high passing rates on the APFT, but females struggled to pass the ACFT mostly because of the leg tuck. We also found that ACFT scores were strongly correlated with FFM and FFMI, yet no body composition measures were correlated with APFT scores.
Conclusions
It is clear from our data that structured training programs and nutrition guidance are needed with an emphasis on changing body composition to increase lean mass and strength to increase the performance of ROTC cadets on the ACFT.
The aim of the current meta-analysis was to determine the effects of acute and chronic interval training (IT) on serum and plasma BDNF concentrations in healthy young adults. A literature search was ...performed using six databases until February 2020. The TESTEX scale was used to assess the quality of studies. Effect sizes (ES) were computed and two-tailed α values < 0.05 and non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity, inconsistency (I
), and small-study effects using the Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index were examined. Fifteen studies (n = 277 participants, age = 24 ± 3 years) were included. The overall effects of IT on circulating BDNF concentrations were moderate and significant (ES = 0.62, 95% CI 0.00, 1.24, heterogeneous (p < 0.001), highly inconsistent (I
= 90%), and with major asymmetry (LFK index = 2.76). The acute effect of IT on peripheral BDNF levels was large and significant (ES = 1.10, 95% CI 0.07, 2.14), heterogeneous (p < 0.001), highly inconsistent (I
= 92%), and with major asymmetry (LFK index = 3.34). The chronic effect of IT on circulating BDNF was large and significant (ES = 0.93, 95% CI 0.40, 1.46), heterogeneous (p < 0.001), with moderate inconsistency (I
= 70%), and minor asymmetry (LFK index = 1.21). Acute and chronic IT elicited a moderate increase in serum and plasma BDNF concentrations in a healthy young population.
Glycemic control is essential to reduce the risk of complications associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aerobic and resistance exercise performed alone or in ...combination improve glycemic control in both conditions. However, perceived lack of time and commitment are considered principal barriers to performing exercise regularly. High intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) can be performed in a fraction of the time required for continuous aerobic exercise. A substantial scientific evidence indicates that HIIT/SIT improve glycemic control to a similar or greater extent than aerobic exercise in populations without MetS or T2D. Likewise, growing evidence suggest that HIIT/SIT improve the glycemic control during MetS and T2D. The aim of this review is to discuss the effects of interval training protocols on peripheral markers of glucose metabolism in patients with MetS and T2D.
•Either form of interval training (HIIT or SIT) using a treadmill or cycle ergometer improves insulin sensitivity (IS) in skeletal muscle.•Interval training does not appear to modify the insulin sensitivity (IS) in liver during MetS and T2D.•Long-term interval training reduces HbA1c levels during MetS or T2D.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in developed countries around the world despite the documented success of lifestyle and pharmacological ...interventions. This illustrates the multifactorial nature of atherosclerosis and the use of novel inflammatory markers as an adjunct to risk factor reduction strategies. As evidence continues to accumulate that inflammation is involved in all stages of the development and progression of atherosclerosis, markers of inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) may provide additional information regarding the biological status of the atherosclerotic lesion. Recent investigations suggest that physical activity reduces CRP levels. Higher levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are consistently associated with 6-35% lower CRP levels. Longitudinal training studies that have demonstrated reductions in CRP concentrations range from 16% to 41%, an effect that may be independent of baseline levels of CRP, body composition or weight loss. The average change in CRP associated with physical activity appears to be at least as good, if not better, than currently prescribed pharmacological interventions in similar populations. The primary purpose of this review will be to present evidence from both cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations that physical activity lowers CRP levels in a dose-response manner. Finally, this review will examine factors such as body composition, sex, blood sample timing, diet and smoking, which may influence the CRP response to physical activity.
Calorie restriction (CR) decreases adiposity, but the magnitude and defense of weight loss is less than predicted due to reductions in total daily energy expenditure (TEE). The purpose of the current ...investigation was to determine whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would increase markers of sympathetic activation in white adipose tissue (WAT) and rescue CR-mediated reductions in EE to a greater extent than moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training (MIT). Thirty-two 5-wk-old male C57BL/6J mice were placed on ad libitum HFD for 11 wk, followed by randomization to one of four groups (
= 8/group) for an additional 15 wk:
) CON (remain on HFD),
) CR (25% lower energy intake),
) CR + HIIT (25% energy deficit created by 12.5% CR and 12.5% EE through HIIT), and
) CR + MIT (25% energy deficit created by 12.5% CR and 12.5% EE through MIT). Markers of adipose thermogenesis (
,
,
, and
) were unchanged in either exercise group in inguinal or epididymal WAT, whereas CR + HIIT decreased
expression in retroperitoneal WAT and brown adipose tissue. HIIT rescued CR-mediated reductions in lean body mass (LBM) and resting energy expenditure (REE), and both were associated with improvements in glucose/insulin tolerance. Improvements in glucose metabolism in the CR + HIIT group appear to be linked to a molecular signature that enhances glucose and lipid storage in skeletal muscle. Exercise performed at either moderate or high intensity does not increase markers of adipose thermogenesis when performed in the presence of CR but remodels skeletal muscle metabolic and thermogenic capacity.