Amyloids are aggregated proteins characterized by a specific cross-β-sheet structure and are typically associated with neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Recently, however, ...several nonpathological amyloids have been found in intracellular organelles of normal mammalian tissues suggesting that amyloid may also carry out biological functions. We previously have shown that the epididymal cystatin CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic), cst8, a reproductive-specific member of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors, forms amyloid in vitro suggesting that CRES amyloid may also form in vivo within the epididymal lumen. Here we show that amyloid structures containing CRES are a component of the normal mouse epididymal lumen without any apparent cytotoxic effects on spermatozoa and that these structures change along the length of the tubule. These studies suggest the presence of a functional amyloid structure that may carry out roles in sperm maturation or maintenance of the luminal milieu and which itself may undergo maturational changes along the epididymis. In contrast to previous examples of functional amyloid which were intracellular, our studies now show that nonpathological/functional amyloid can also be extracellular. The presence of an extracellular and nonpathological amyloid in the epididymis suggests that similar amyloid structures may be present in other organ systems and may carry out distinctive tissue-specific functions.
To assess the feasibility of the flipped classroom pedagogy in a clinical weight loss program and its impact on 6-month weight change.
Adults with overweight/obesity enrolled in a 6-month program ...with a structured diet (portion-controlled meals and fruits/vegetables) and exercise plan (≥150mins/week), plus weekly, 1-h group education sessions. Sessions used a flipped classroom approach: educational content was delivered beforehand via podcast/video and book readings and session time involved application-based activities (e.g., case studies, games). Satisfaction surveys were completed at 3 months. Weight change was assessed using paired t-tests (SAS 9.4, significance 0.05).
Eighteen participants completed 6 months (retention 94%). Participants maintained diet adherence and exercise at 3 months (∼84% diet adherence, ∼153mins exercise/week) and 6 months (∼83% diet adherence, ∼158mins exercise/week), as well as attendance to behavioral sessions (3 months: 77%; 6mo: 71%). Satisfaction surveys showed high program enjoyment (∼8.1/10). Mean weight change at 3 and 6 months was −6.5 ± 4.2% and − 9.3 ± 5.0% (both p < 0.01), respectively.
The flipped classroom pedagogy was feasible for delivery in a clinical weight loss program and supported significant 6-month weight loss.
This is the first evaluation of the flipped classroom in a clinical setting and supports the investigation of this pedagogy in weight management.
•Investigation of pedagogy in weight management education is virtually absent in the literature.•The flipped classroom pedagogy is hypothesized to be translatable to weight loss programs which rely on health education.•This pilot trial showed the feasibility of implementing the flipped classroom pedagogy in a clinical weight loss program.•The flipped classroom pedagogy supported adherence, attendance, and clinically significant weight loss.
Abstract only Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is an evidence-based dietary approach emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and olive oil. While it’s demonstrated efficacy in ...enhancing cardiometabolic health in adults, it’s received minimal evaluation in adolescents with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that higher consumption of MD foods was associated with better metabolic health in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2015-2020 (pre-COVID) in adolescents (12-19 years) with ≥ 2 valid 24-hour dietary recalls, complete fasting data for all components of the International Diabetes Foundations definition of MetS risk factors, and no known diabetes. Consumption of MD foods was evaluated using the validated, literature-based MD intake score (Medi-Lite, 0-16 score, excluding alcohol). MetS was evaluated using a continuous MetS score (cMetS) and separated into quartiles Q1, metabolically unhealthy (cMetS score 1.83 ± 1.64) vs. Q4, metabolically healthy (cMetS score -4.16 ± 0.89). Correlation of Medi-Lite scores with cMetS scores and quartile groups controlled for energy intake, age, sex, and BMI were assessed via Pearson correlation and odds ratios, respectively. Results: The primary analyses included 886 adolescents (~15 years, 49% female, 70% non-Hispanic, body mass index ~25 kg/m 2 ) with a mean cMetS score of -1.40 ± 2.39. In the total sample, overall consumption of the MD was low (mean score 6.95 ± 1.83) and cMetS scores were not associated with Medi-Lite scores (r = -0.05, p = 0.21). There was a significant between-group difference for Medi-Lite scores between quartiles (F = 1.69, p = 0.05). In the metabolically healthy group, there was a positive trend towards between cMetS score and Medi-Lite score (r = 0.15, p = 0.06). No correlation was found between cMetS and Medi-Lite scores in the metabolically unhealthy group (r = -0.04, p = 0.59). Metabolically healthy adolescents had higher odds of consuming the MD compared to metabolically unhealthy adolescents (OR 2.012, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.81, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, U.S. adolescents had an overall low consumption of MD foods. Metabolically healthy adolescents consumed more MD foods compared to metabolically unhealthy adolescents. Future research should evaluate a MD lifestyle intervention as a treatment option for adolescents with MetS.
The generation of force by actomyosin contraction is critical for a variety of cellular and developmental processes. Nonmuscle myosin II is the motor that drives actomyosin contraction, and its ...activity is largely regulated by phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain. During the formation of the Drosophila cellular blastoderm, actomyosin contraction drives constriction of microfilament rings, modified cytokinesis rings. Here, we find that Drak is necessary for most of the phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain during cellularization. We show that Drak is required for organization of myosin II within the microfilament rings. Proper actomyosin contraction of the microfilament rings during cellularization also requires Drak activity. Constitutive activation of myosin regulatory light chain bypasses the requirement for Drak, suggesting that actomyosin organization and contraction are mediated through Drak's regulation of myosin activity. Drak is also involved in the maintenance of furrow canal structure and lateral plasma membrane integrity during cellularization. Together, our observations suggest that Drak is the primary regulator of actomyosin dynamics during cellularization.
•The 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities presents the energy costs of 1114 PAs including inactivity, leisure, transportation, sports and conditioning, and in-home and occupational ...settings.•The 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities is the third update of the Compendium of Physical Activities, first published in 1993 and previously updated in 2000 and 2011.•A new website presents the 2024 Adult Compendium, previous versions, and supporting material (www.pacompendium.com).
The Compendium of Physical Activities was published in 1993 to improve the comparability of energy expenditure values assigned to self-reported physical activity (PA) across studies. The original version was updated in 2000, and again in 2011, and has been widely used to support PA research, practice, and public health guidelines.
This 2024 update was tailored for adults 19–59 years of age by removing data from those ≥60 years. Using a systematic review and supplementary searches, we identified new activities and their associated measured metabolic equivalent (MET) values (using indirect calorimetry) published since 2011. We replaced estimated METs with measured values when possible.
We screened 32,173 abstracts and 1507 full-text papers and extracted 2356 PA energy expenditure values from 701 papers. We added 303 new PAs and adjusted 176 existing MET values and descriptions to reflect the addition of new data and removal of METs for older adults. We added a Major Heading (Video Games). The 2024 Adult Compendium includes 1114 PAs (912 with measured and 202 with estimated values) across 22 Major Headings.
This comprehensive update and refinement led to the creation of The 2024 Adult Compendium, which has utility across research, public health, education, and healthcare domains, as well as in the development of consumer health technologies. The new website with the complete lists of PAs and supporting resources is available at https://pacompendium.com.
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•Age-related differences in physical activity (PA) energy expenditure are different in older adults than adults due to a combination of loss of fat-free mass, impairment of metabolic processes, and ...health deterioration. These factors reduce resting metabolism and increase PA energy expenditure.•The Older Adult Compendium of Physical Activities lists the energy expended in PA and sedentary behaviors tailored to adults ≥60 years.•The Older Adult Compendium of Physical Activities provides a guide to identifying the intensity of PAs for exercise classes, interventions, rehabilitation, and public health initiatives.
To describe the development of a Compendium for estimating the energy costs of activities in adults ≥60 years (OA Compendium).
Physical activities (PAs) and their metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values were obtained from a systematic search of studies published in 4 sport and exercise databases (PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost), and Scopus) and a review of articles included in the 2011 Adult Compendium that measured PA in older adults. MET values were computed as the oxygen cost (VO2, mL/kg/min) during PA divided by 2.7 mL/kg/min (MET60+) to account for the lower resting metabolic rate in older adults.
We identified 68 articles and extracted energy expenditure data on 427 PAs. From these, we derived 99 unique Specific Activity codes with corresponding MET60+ values for older adults. We developed a website to present the OA Compendium MET60+ values: https://pacompendium.com.
The OA Compendium uses data collected from adults ≥60 years for more accurate estimation of the energy cost of PAs in older adults. It is an accessible resource that will allow researchers, educators, and practitioners to find MET60+ values for older adults for use in PA research and practice.
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Conventional light and electron microscopy are the most widely used techniques for examining plant reproductive tissues; however, they are time-consuming or expensive. The anther is the male part of ...the plant reproductive system. Structural changes drive development, and any structural defect may lead to an increase in fertility or cause sterility; thus, quick detection of structural changes is crucial in reproductive biology. We optimized an existing low-temperature SEM alternative to examine the internal structure of hydrated, fresh-frozen anthers. In contrast with the original technique, our method does not require precooling adhesion (ethanol to fix the specimen), and the cryo-sectioning can be conducted at atmospheric pressure. In addition to enabling the differentiation between aerial and liquid-filled intercellular spaces, this method is expected to facilitate the detection of quick (during a day) developmental changes in plant reproductive tissues, which is a current challenge using conventional approaches.•This method allows the high-throughput imaging of fresh-frozen plant reproductive samples collected every 10 min, which is important for developmental studies.•The cryo-images of samples with thickness ranging from 0.2 to 3 mm can be well-preserved at 800X magnification.•This method does not require chemical processing, critical point drying, customized cryo-accessories, controlled temperature cold stages, or metal coating. This simplified method does not require highly skilled personnel, and it is suitable in most microscopy laboratories.
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There is limited information on the efficacy of weight management interventions in adolescents with Down Syndrome (DS).
To compare weight change and intervention compliance between adolescents with ...DS compared to adolescents with non-DS related intellectual disabilities (ID) who were enrolled in an 18-month weight management trial.
Participants were adolescents (13-21 years) with mild to moderate ID and overweight or obesity. Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 allocation to one of 3 intervention arms for an 18-month weight management trial: face-to-face/conventional diet (FTF/CD), remote delivery/conventional diet (RD/CD), or remote delivery/enhanced Stop Light Diet (RD/eSLD). Anthropometrics were assessed at baseline 6, 12, and 18 months by staff blinded to the intervention, and self-monitoring data was collected across the 18-month study. As an unpowered, post-hoc, secondary analysis, two-sample
-tests were used to compare the weight change across 6,12, and 18 mos. and compliance across 18 mos. between adolescents with and without DS randomized to each intervention arm.
Adolescents with ID (
= 110) were randomized to one of three intervention arms: FTF/CD (
= 36, DS = 17, other ID = 19), RD/CD (
= 39, DS = 21, other ID = 18) or RD/eSLD (
= 35, DS = 15, other ID = 20). Body weight at 18 months was obtained from 82%, 76% and 73% of participants with DS and 84%, 83% and 75% of participants with other ID randomized to the FTF/CD, RD/CD, and RD/eSLD arms, respectively Weight change across 18 months was -0.2 ± 8.8 kg (-0.5%), -0.3 ± 5.3 kg (-0.7%), and -2.6 ± 5.0 kg (-4.0%) in adolescents with DS randomized to the FTF/CD, RD/CD and RD/eSLD arms, respectively. There were no significant differences in change in body weight or BMI across 18 months between adolescents with DS or those with other ID in any of the 3 intervention arms (all
> 0.05). Additionally, there were no significant differences in intervention compliance between adolescents with and without DS across 18 mos. (all
> 0.05).
Adolescents with DS respond to a multi-component weight management intervention similar to those with others ID.
Background: Exercise is suggested for the reduction of cardiometabolic risk factors in adults independent of changes in diet. However, the volume of exercise needed in healthy young adults with ...overweight/obesity is unknown and has not been evaluated in a randomized efficacy trial. Methods: This secondary analysis examined changes in fasted lipid panels and body composition (DXA) in young adults (18-30 years, BMI 25-40 kg/m2) who completed the 10-month Midwest Exercise Trial-2. This efficacy trial randomized participants (2:2:1 ratio) to supervised exercise 5 sessions/week at an energy expenditure of either 400 or 600 kcal/session or non-exercise control and asked to maintain usual ad libitum diets. Changes in outcomes from baseline to 10 months (p<0.05) were evaluated using paired and independent t-tests. Results: Young adults (n = 69, age ~ 24 yrs., ~ 46% female) complied with the study protocol and completed all outcome assessments: 400 kcal/session (n=28), 600 kcal/session (n=27), control (n=14). The control group had no significant outcome changes from baseline to 10 months. The 400-kcal group had decreases in percent fat mass (-3.3 ± 4.2%, p <0.001), waist circumference (-1.4 ± 1.9 in., p < 0.001) and increases in percent fat-free mass (3.3 ± 3.3%, p < 0.001). The 600-kcal group had decreases in percent fat mass (-3.9 ± 3.8%, p < 0.0001), waist circumference (-1.7 ± 2.4 in., p < 0.001), glucose (-2.9 ± 6.9 mg/dL, p = 0.04), and increases in percent fat-free mass (3.9 ± 3.8%, p < 0.0001). Across all outcomes, there were no differences between the 400-kcal and 600-kcal groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In a sample of young adults with overweight/obesity, a prescribed 600 kcal versus 400 kcal energy expenditure during a 10-month exercise intervention and ad libitum diet did not provide additional impact on cardiometabolic risk factors.
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