1,993 publications from this institution
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Land-use and transport policies contribute to worldwide epidemics of injuries and non-communicable diseases through traffic exposure, noise, air pollution, social isolation, low physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. Motorised transport is a major cause of the greenhouse gas emissions that are threatening human health. Urban and transport planning and urban design policies in many cities do not reflect the accumulating evidence that, if policies would take health effects into account, they could benefit a wide range of common health problems. Enhanced research translation to increase the influence of health research on urban and transport planning decisions could address many global health problems. This paper illustrates the potential for such change by presenting conceptual models and case studies of research translation applied to urban and transport planning and urban design. The primary recommendation of this paper is for cities to actively pursue compact and mixed-use urban designs that encourage a transport modal shift away from private motor vehicles towards walking, cycling, and public transport. This Series concludes by urging a systematic approach to city design to enhance health and sustainability through active transport and a move towards new urban mobility. Such an approach promises to be a powerful strategy for improvements in population health on a permanent basis.
ABSTRACT NF‐κB is a dimeric transcription factor that is involved in the regulation of a large number of genes that control various aspects of the immune and inflammatory response. It is activated by a variety of stimuli ranging from cytokines, to various forms of radiation, to oxidative stress (such as exposure to H 2 O 2 ). Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the signal transduction pathway leading to NF‐κB activation by cytokines and will provide insights for the mechanism by which NF‐κB is regulated by oxidative stress. An important question that is yet to be answered is whether reactive oxygen species play a physiological role in NF‐κB activation.—Li, N., Karin, M. Is NF‐κB the sensor of oxidative stress? FASEB J. 13, 1137–1143 (1999)
Objective To evaluate ecological model predictions of cross-level interactions among psychosocial and environmental correlates of physical activity in 719 community-dwelling older adults in the Baltimore, Maryland and Seattle, Washington areas during 2005–2008. Method Walkability, access to parks and recreation facilities and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) minutes per week (min/week) were measured objectively. Neighborhood aesthetics, walking facilities, social support, self-efficacy, barriers and transportation and leisure walking min/week were self-reported. Results Walkability interacted with social support in explaining total MVPA (B=13.71) and with social support (B=7.90), self-efficacy (B=7.66) and barriers (B=−8.26) in explaining walking for transportation. Aesthetics interacted with barriers in explaining total MVPA (B=−12.20) and walking facilities interacted with self-efficacy in explaining walking for leisure (B=−10.88; Ps<.05). Summarizing across the interactions, living in a supportive environment (vs. unsupportive) was related to 30–59 more min/week of physical activity for participants with more positive psychosocial attributes, but only 0–28 more min/week for participants with less positive psychosocial attributes. Conclusion Results supported synergistic interactions between built environment and psychosocial factors in explaining physical activity among older adults. Findings suggest multilevel interventions may be most effective in increasing physical activity.
It has been established that cancer can be promoted and/or exacerbated by inflammation and infections. Indeed, chronic inflammation orchestrates a tumor-supporting microenvironment that is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process. The mechanisms that link infection, innate immunity, inflammation, and cancer are being unraveled at a fast pace. Important components in this linkage are the cytokines produced by activated innate immune cells that stimulate tumor growth and progression. In addition, soluble mediators produced by cancer cells recruit and activate inflammatory cells, which further stimulate tumor progression. However, inflammatory cells also produce cytokines that can limit tumor growth. Here we provide an overview of the current understanding of the role of inflammation-induced cytokines in tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.
Division of Biology and Moores Cancer Center University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0322 La Jolla, California 92093
No abstract is provided for this article.
PURPOSE: This study examined differences in physical activity, weight status and neighborhood environment walkability and income between dog owners and non-owners. METHODS: Participants aged 20 to 64 years (N = 2199, 52% male, 74% white, M age = 45) were recruited from 32 neighborhoods in the Seattle, WA and Baltimore, MD regions. Neighborhoods (i.e. a cluster of census block groups) represented high or low income (census data) and high or low walkability (using a GIS-based index). Dog ownership and minutes of dog walking were self-reported. Overall physical activity was measured by 7 days of accelerometry and self-reported time spent walking per day for leisure from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Covariates included ethnicity, age, highest level of household education, and sex. RESULTS: About 28% of the sample were dog owners. Dog owners were more likely to live in high vs. low income (32% vs. 24%, p < .001) and low vs. high walkable neighborhoods (32% vs. 24%, p < .001). Dog owners reported more leisure walking per day (M = 29.1 minutes) than non-owners (M = 17.8, p < .001). There were no differences in accelerometer counts between dog owners and non-owners. Dog walkers spent an average of 25 minutes/week walking the dog, and 27% met physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week with dog walking. However, 30% of owners spent no time walking their dogs. Dog owners living in high vs. low walkable areas spent more time walking their dogs (adj M = 37.4 vs. 19.07, p < .001). Dog owners were divided into those who walked their dogs (> 0 min/week) and those who did not. Dog walkers had lower BMIs than non-dog walkers (M = 26.6 vs. 28.0, p = .003), greater leisure time walking (M = 40.4 vs. 8.5, p < .001), and greater total accelerometer counts/day (M = 313,160 vs. 282,962, p = .009). Dog walkers were more likely to live in high walkable areas than non-dog walkers (47% vs. 32%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Dog ownership was associated with higher levels of self-reported leisure time physical activity. Dog walkers had lower BMIs and accelerometer scores that were 11% higher than those of dog owners who did not walk their dogs. Encouraging dog walking among owners who do not regularly walk them could promote improved health. More dog walking appears to be a health benefit of living in walkable neighborhoods.
PURPOSE Recent studies have shown the relation of the built environment to physical activity levels. Urban planning and transportation studies demonstrate “walkability” factors, such as residential density, land use mix, and street connectivity, are associated with active transportation. Health researchers have reported connections between active recreation and environmental factors such as access to activity related facilities. This study aimed to investigate the association of environmental factors from both fields with physical activity for multiple purposes METHODS Adults (n=1285) were randomly recruited from neighborhoods in Seattle, WA that varied on walkability and income. Perceived environment was assessed with the validated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Survey. Self-reported minutes during the past week of walking and cycling for transportation and total leisure time activity (walking for recreation and moderate and vigorous leisure time activities) were assessed separately with the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Separate linear regression models investigated the relationship between different built environment characteristics and active recreation or transportation, adjusting for age, gender and education. RESULTS The strongest associations with walking and biking for transportation were with perceived land use mix—access (beta=.26, p <.001), residential density (beta=.23, p <.001), street connectivity (beta=.23, p <.001) and land use mix—diversity (beta=.22, p <.001).The strongest associations with leisure time physical activity were perceived availability of recreation facilities (beta=.15, p <.001), neighborhood aesthetics (beta=.12, p <.001), land use mix–diversity (beta=.10, p <.001) and availability of local conveniences such as stores (beta=.10, p <.001). CONCLUSIONS Different characteristics of the built environment seem to facilitate physical activity for different purposes. Thus, a variety of policy changes may be needed to increase physical activity across several domains. Researchers from multiple fields need to collaborate on studies of the built environment and physical activity.
