Metallothioneins (MTs) are encoded by a multigene family in man. We have isolated those genes and analyzed the structure of some of them. The MT-II variant is encoded by a single functional gene: MT-IIA. The MT-IIB gene is a processed pseudogene derived from a reverse transcript of MT-II mRNA. On the other hand, the MT-I class of variants are encoded by a large number of genes, arranged in tandem. The MT-IIA and the MT-IA genes show a differential response to glucocorticoid hormones and heavy metals, yet they are both expressed in primary human fibroblasts and in HeLa cells. Expression of both of those genes, in high level after transfer on bovine papilloma virus vectors, leads to increased resistance of the host cells to cadmium-induced toxicity.
Background Neighborhood built environments (BE) include combinations of co-existing stimuli influencing physical activity (PA). Dealing with numerous environmental variables and complexity presents a significant challenge. The current analysis explored whether a range of reported BE features associated with adults' physical activity produced distinct multivariate patterns, and tested whether adults' PA and body mass differed by BE profiles. Methods Participants (20–65years, 48.2% female, 26% ethnic minority) were recruited between 2002 and 2005 from 32 neighborhoods from Seattle-King County, WA (N =1287) and Baltimore, MD–Washington, DC regions (N =912). Independent Latent Profile Analyses were conducted in each region with 11 environmental variables from the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. Validity of the neighborhood profiles was examined by their relationship to PA (accelerometer-derived moderate-to-vigorous minutes/day, self-reported minutes/week of walking for transportation and leisure) and self-reported BMI using ANCOVA models. Results Neighborhood profiles for Seattle and Baltimore regions were visually similar, suggesting generalizability. High-walkable recreationally-dense neighborhoods differed significantly from other neighborhood types by as much as 13 MVPA minutes/day, almost 60 minutes/week of walking for transportation, and 75min/week of leisure-time activity. Neighborhood profiles also differed significantly for BMI. Discussion These findings could help identify optimal patterns of environmental attributes that facilitate physical activity and improve weight status.
Background: This study adapted the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES) to the Nigerian context and assessed the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the Nigerian version (PANES-N). Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of experts adapted the original PANES to reflect the built and social environment of Nigeria. The adapted PANES was subjected to cognitive testing and test retest reliability in a diverse sample of Nigerian adults (N = 132) from different neighborhood types. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) was used to assess test-retest reliability, and construct validity was investigated with Analysis of Covariance for differences in environmental attributes between neighborhoods. Results: Four of the 17 items on the original PANES were significantly modified, 3 were removed and 2 new items were incorporated into the final version of adapted PANES-N. Test-retest reliability was substantial to almost perfect (ICC = 0.62–1.00) for all items on the PANES-N, and residents of neighborhoods in the inner city reported higher residential density, land use mix and safety, but lower pedestrian facilities and aesthetics than did residents of government reserved area/new layout neighborhoods. Conclusion: The PANES-N appears promising for assessing environmental perceptions related to physical activity in Nigeria, but further testing is required to assess its applicability across Africa.
Physical environments are the least studied potential determinants of physical activity. The aims of this study are to investigate sex and age differences in perceived environmental variables, and to study the relationship of environmental variables with physical activity. For 3 age groups, a random sample in Ghent, Belgium, was drawn. 2390 respondents participated: 980 16–25 years olds, 750 35–45 year olds and 660 50–65 year olds. Environmental variables included safety of the neighborhood, difficulty to walk or jog in the neighborhood, knowledge of exercise facilities in the region, and convenience of the facilities. A structured interview assessed leisure time physical activity over one year. Energy expenditure in low, moderate and vigorous activities for the past year were calculated. Knowledge about where facilities can be found declined with age. This decline was not found for perceived convenience of the listed facilities. Males in youngest group were able to locate more facilities (t = 4.83, P < 0.001), and females in the youngest group reported higher convenience (t = 2.82, P < 0.005). Perceived safety to walk alone during the day in the respondents' neighborhoods was high, with a mean of about 3 at a 4-point scale. However, women of all ages perceived their neighborhoods as less safe than men. Respondents of all age groups found it easy to walk or jog in their neighborhood, nothing few problems with dogs, traffic, lack of sidewalks, etc. (mean score above 3 on a 4-point scale). Significant correlations were found between the knowledge about the perceived convenience of facilities, and physical activity of almost all intensities in all three age groups (r between .08 and .32). Correlations with safety of the neighborhood were low but significant for physical activity of low and high intensity in the youngest age group (r = 0.11 and .08), and for physical activity of high intensity and walking in the oldest age group (r = .09). The perceived difficulty to walk or jog in the neighborhood was significantly related to walking and cycling in older adults (r = .10 and .11). Further research is needed to identify other environmental characteristics that may influence physical activity.
In this essay, the prevalence, negative health implications, and clinical management of geriatric anxiety are reviewed. Despite disproportionately high rates of anxiety amongst the elderly, little research effort has been directed at this problem. An interactive model of geriatric anxiety is proposed, whereby physical disease and anxiety processes enter into reciprocal stimulation as a function of 1) diminished capacity to withstand stress, and 2) hypervigilance of stress symptomatology. To date, pharmacotherapy has been virtually the sole approach to managing geriatric anxiety, although special hazards accrue to the elderly when anxiolytics are used. Potentially useful psychological treatments including relaxation, cognitive restructuring, activity structuring, and prevention are outlined. It is concluded that the potential human and financial rewards of increased understanding and control or geriatric anxiety are substantial.
This chapter reports that street connectivity is positively correlated with physical activity for adults but negatively linked with physical activity for children. It also discusses a paradigm shift toward interdisciplinary research on environments with the goal of identifying promising built environmental and policy changes that could produce widespread and permanent changes in physical activity in multiple settings. Then, the past, present, and future of research on built environments and physical activity are explored. There is a consistent association between urban design, land use, and physical activity. Using public transit appears to contribute to overall physical activity. With few exceptions, built environment–physical activity associations have generalized across youth, adults, and older adults. Current and future generations of environment research would benefit from population-wide policies and environments designed to increase rates of physical activity and prevent sedentary behavior and obesity.
The effect of item format, item order, and aided recall instructions on walking scores were studied among 231 female university students under 8 experimental conditions: 2 aided recall by 4 item order conditions. Validity evidence was obtained from correlations between self-report measures of walking and a 1-week log of walking behavior. Four walking item response formats were studied: frequency by duration, closed versus open-ended, estimated total walking time, and a 4-part walking item. Mean walking, as assessed by log, was 453 min/week; self-report scores ranged from 58 to 246 min/week. Validity correlations with the walking log ranged from .31 to .61. Aided recall instructions yielded higher means and validities, but order of item presentation had no effect. The highest validity was found for the 4-part walking item that assessed time walking to and from school or work, during breaks, for errands, and for exercise. Differences in item format and recall instructions affect the validity of self-reports of walking.
The effects of cardiovascular risk reduction are typically assessed by self-reported behavior change and physiological outcomes. There is a need to enhance
53 The validity and reliability of the CSA accelerometer was assessed in 60 young adults (30 men and 30 women, age 23.4 ± 2.9 yr, mean ± SD) during treadmill walking and jogging at 3.2, 6.4 and 9.7 km·hr-1 at 0% grade and at 6.4 km·hr-1 at 5% grade. Energy expenditure, measured by indirect calorimetry with open circuit spirometry (Sensormedics, Vmax 29), served as the criterion measure. Subjects wore four CSAs, one on the wrist and ankle, and one on each hip inserted into a pouch and secured by a waist strap. Intersession reliability was determined in 10 men and 10 women. Intraclass correlation coefficients for intersession reliability ranged from 0.37-0.68 for the wrist and ankle, and 0.57-0.83 for the hip. Interinstrument reliability ranged from R=0.55-0.72, with no significant differences between the right and left hip (paired t-test, p>0.05). However, significant differences in CSA counts were found between the hip, ankle and wrist at each velocity. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the CSA was sensitive to changes in speed at all sites (p<.001). Paired t-tests comparing mean CSA counts at 0% vs. 5% grade demonstrated no significant differences for the ankle or wrist, but significant differences for the hip (4772 @ 0% vs. 5000 @ 5%, p=.002), however, the mean difference was very small, indicating poor sensitivity to changes in grade. Regression analysis of VO2 vs CSA counts yielded the following adjusted R2 values: ankle, 0.37; wrist, 0.80, hip, 0.86. These data indicate that site selection for the CSA is an important consideration for assessing walking and jogging. When worn on the hip, it has moderate to high reliability and validity. With limitations, it can be used to estimate energy expenditure in large-scale studies.
