Publications

Workshop E: Physical Activity and Health

No abstract is provided for this article.

Associations of Neighborhood Walkability with Sedentary Time in Nigerian Older Adults

Previous studies have investigated the potential role of neighborhood walkability in reducing sedentary behavior. However, the majority of this research has been conducted in adults and Western developed countries. The purpose of the present study was to examine associations of neighborhood environmental attributes with sedentary time among older adults in Nigeria. Data from 353 randomly-selected community-dwelling older adults (60 years and above) in Maiduguri, Nigeria were analyzed. Perceived attributes of neighborhood environments and self-reported sedentary time were assessed using Nigerian-validated and reliable measures. Outcomes were weekly minutes of total sedentary time, minutes of sitting on a typical weekday, and minutes of sitting on a typical weekend day. In multivariate regression analyses, higher walkability index, proximity to destinations, access to services, traffic safety, and safety from crime were associated with less total sedentary time and sedentary time on both a weekday and a weekend day. Moderation analysis showed that only in men was higher walking infrastructure and safety found to be associated with less sedentary time, and higher street connectivity was associated with more sedentary time. The findings suggest that improving neighborhood walkability may be a mechanism for reducing sedentary time among older adults in Nigeria.

Television??s Influence on Children??s Diet and Physical Activity

Understanding the impact of TV on children's diet and physical activity is important for developing strategies to prevent obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Determining parents' perceptions of television's influence on children's dietary intake and physical activity may provide useful information on this important topic. A questionnaire was developed to assess viewing habits and child requests for food and sport items advertised on TV. It was administered to 66 mothers of children, ages 3–8. Foods that children requested because they had seen them on TV paralleled the frequencies with which these foods were advertised on TV. Weekly viewing hours correlated significantly with (a) reported requests by children and purchases by parents of foods influenced by TV, and (b) children's caloric intake. Children's requests for sport items and physical activities were not significantly correlated with the number of hours of TV viewing. It appears from these data that parents perceive that television influences family purchasing patterns through the mechanism of their children's requests.

Multiple benefits of physical activity during the Coronavirus pandemic

No abstract is provided for this article.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-REPORT AND PARENTAL PROXY REPORT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS

1155 The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between a self-report and proxy report of physical activity (PA) in adolescent children in grades 7-12. The subjects were students enrolled in the public school system in Amherst, MA. On separate occasions not more than one month apart, a parent and child filled out similar questionnaires pertaining to the child's physical activity. Spearman correlations between the responses from each questionnaire were calculated to examine the association between child and parent estimates of PA. A total of 531 children with a mean age of 14 ± 1.6 had complete information on both questionnaires. The sample was 45.4% male, 77.02% white, and the mother was the proxy for 76.65% of the children. The table presents the Spearman correlations between responses given by the child and the child's parent.TableParental proxy reports of physical activity are significantly associated with the child's estimate of this activity; r2 = 8 - 49%. This association increased as intensity increased.

Metallothionein Gene Expression Is Regulated by Serum Factors and Activators of Protein Kinase C

The exact physiological role of metallothionein (MT) is not clear. It has been suggested that these low-molecular-weight, highly inducible, heavy-metal-binding proteins serve in the regulation of intracellular Zn metabolism. Among the Zn-requiring systems are several enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair. Therefore, during periods of active DNA synthesis there is likely to be an increased demand for Zn, which could be met by elevated MT synthesis. For that reason, we examined whether stimulation of cellular proliferation leads to increased expression of MT. We report here that treatment of cultured mammalian cells with serum growth factors and activators of protein kinase C, all of which are known to have growth stimulatory activity, led to induction of MT mRNA. One of the required steps in the signal transduction pathways triggered by these agents, ending in MT induction, appears to be the activation of protein kinase C.

Cardiovascular Risk Factor Assessment of Medical Students as an Educational Tool

For three consecutive years, beginning in 1986, we evaluated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors of medical students as part of the teaching program in a Preventive Cardiology Academic Award. Entering students in three consecutive classes were screened on the first day of orientation to medical school. The first year, we evaluated 108 students (71 men and 37 women), the second year, 99 students (75 men, 24 women), and the third year 108 students (67 men and 41 women). During the single four-hour period, we obtained data on personal and family history of CVD risk factors, type A behavior, knowledge of CVD, attitudes toward CVD prevention, measures of depression and anger, blood pressure, blood pressure reactivity, physical activity, and diet. Blood was drawn for lipid analysis. Height and weight were measured, and a physical fitness step test was administered. Pulmonary function was measured during the third year. We used a four-tiered approach to preventive cardiology education. During the assessment session, abnormalities, such as elevated blood pressure or abnormal pulse, were discussed with the student. In the second tier, the data were analyzed and returned to all students during teaching sessions, enabling them to compare their levels with the class and the national averages. For the third tier, students with high-risk values, defined as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level ≥150 mg/dL, a total cholesterol or triglyceride level ≥200 mg/dL, or blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, were seen by faculty physicians who suggested remedial interventions in separate sessions. For the fourth tier, core epidemiology lectures have used these data to illustrate principles of epidemiological research. We conclude that a risk factor screening program for medical students is feasible and can be conducted at a relatively low cost. The transfer of information to students in tiers constitutes a major teaching opportunity. Data obtained during the screening can stimulate early intervention for students with emergent risk factors. For other students, individualized data make preventive cardiology concepts more relevant, thus reinforcing the teaching value of the assessment.

City planning and population health: a global challenge: urban design, transport, and health 1

No abstract is provided for this article.

International Physical Activity and Built Environment Study of adolescents: IPEN Adolescent design, protocol and measures

Only international studies can provide the full variability of built environments and accurately estimate effect sizes of relations between contrasting environments and health-related outcomes. The aims of the International Physical Activity and Environment Study of Adolescents (IPEN Adolescent) are to estimate the strength, shape and generalisability of associations of the community environment (geographic information systems (GIS)-based and self-reported) with physical activity and sedentary behaviour (accelerometer-measured and self-reported) and weight status (normal/overweight/obese).The IPEN Adolescent observational, cross-sectional, multicountry study involves recruiting adolescent participants (ages 11-19 years) and one parent/guardian from neighbourhoods selected to ensure wide variations in walkability and socioeconomic status using common protocols and measures. Fifteen geographically, economically and culturally diverse countries, from six continents, participated: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong SAR, India, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and USA. Countries provided survey and accelerometer data (15 countries), GIS data (11), global positioning system data (10), and pedestrian environment audit data (8). A sample of n=6950 (52.6% female; mean age=14.5, SD=1.7) adolescents provided survey data, n=4852 had 4 or more 8+ hours valid days of accelerometer data, and n=5473 had GIS measures. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured by waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers and self-reports, and body mass index was used to categorise weight status.Ethical approval was received from each study site's Institutional Review Board for their in-country studies. Informed assent by adolescents and consent by parents was obtained for all participants. No personally identifiable information was transferred to the IPEN coordinating centre for pooled datasets. Results will be communicated through standard scientific channels and findings used to advance the science of environmental correlates of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and weight status, with the ultimate goal to stimulate and guide actions to create more activity-supportive environments internationally.

Agreement Between Proxy and Youth Reported Potential Correlates of Physial Activity

1787 Frequently adults are asked to report the physical activity of children and potential correlates of physical activity. Since adults are not with the child during the entire day, there may be error in the reported responses. During the Amherst Health and Activity Study, data were collected about children in grades 7–12 from both the child and their parents. PURPOSE: To determine the agreement between parent reported and child's self reported correlates of physical activity. Also to ascertain if the relationship between child's report of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and parent and child reported correlates are equivalent. METHODS: Participants were 531 youth, 47% were males and 78% were white. 96 % of the adults were the child's parent. Students in 7th to 9th grade were 12.9 (0.9) years and students in grades 10–12 were 15.6 (0.9) years old. Agreement between adult and child responses to questions included number of sport teams, classes and lessons, family influences, peer influences, diet, athletic coordination, availability of parks and gyms, enjoyment of PE and physical activity were assessed by intra-class corrlelations (ICC). Pearson correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between potential correlates and child reported MVPA. RESULTS: ICCs ranged from 0.48 for family influences to 0.78 for athletic coordination. Parent and child agreement was higher in older children and in females. ICC between child and adult report of child's MVPA was 0.56. Pearson correlations between physical activity correlates and MVPA ranged from 0.06 to 0.27 for child reported and 0.07 to 0.33 for adult report. Significant differences occurred only for report of athletic coordination and family influences (p<0.05). But both pairs were in the same direction and were significantly related to MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between adult and child reported correlates of physical activity ranged from moderate to substantial. Also, the relationship between child reported MVPA and child and adult reported correlates of physical activity were very similar. Therefore adult family members provide useful data for their children in grades 7–12.

Supplementary Figures 1-4 from Macrophage Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Suppresses T-Cell Function and Promotes Tumor Progression

Supplementary Figures 1-4 from Macrophage Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Suppresses T-Cell Function and Promotes Tumor Progression

Abstract A38: Steatohepatitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: Evidence of a keratin-based disease.

Background: Steatohepatitis (SH) and SH-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are of considerable clinical significance. SH is morphologically characterized by steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and cytoplasmic protein aggregates termed Mallory-Denk bodies (MDBs). MDBs are generally composed of misfolded keratin (K) 8, 18 and in part p62 and ubiquitin. It is well established that K aggregates are critical for MDB formation, thus Ks are associated with SH which is one of the main preconditions for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims: In this study we aimed to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms of relative K8 excess over K18 on hepatocarcinogenesis in mice and its functional and clinical implication in human alcoholic and non-alcoholic SH (ASH/NASH)-induced liver cancer. Methods: 18 month-old krt18-deficient (krt18-/-129P2/OlaHsd background) mice were investigated for the incidence of SH and SH-induced liver tumors by radiology, macroscopy, histology, immunohistochemistry, gene expression, lipidome analysis, and immunoblotting. Results: Aged krt18-/- mice developed the entire morphological spectrum of SH whereas aged wild-type (wt) mice showed simple steatosis. Aminotransaminase levels were also elevated in aged krt18-/- mice. Interestingly, 64% of male and 25% of female 18 month-old krt18-/- mice developed liver tumors revealing morphological and genetic features of HCC whereas 45% of male and 16% of female krt18+/- mice and 42% of wt mice developed HCC. Conclusion: Aged krt18-/- mice represent a novel spontaneous SH and SH associated HCC model with significant gender differences revealing features related to human HCC. Therefore, variations of hepatocellular K18 seem to have an effect on the susceptibility regarding SH and SH-induced HCC. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):A38. Citation Format: Anita Kuldeep Mehta, Kira Bettermann, Eva M. Lederer, Christina Ernst, Sonja M. Kessler, Kensuke Kojima, Xintong Chen, Yujin Hoshida, Bryan C. Fuchs, Vendula Svendova, Michael G. Schimek, Monika Mach, Michael R. Speicher, Tatjana Stojakovic, Thomas M. Magin, Pavel Strnad, Michael Trauner, Alexandra K. Kiemer, Snorri S. Thorgeirsson, Michael Karin, Josep M. Llovet, Kurt Zatloukal, Helmut Denk, Carolin Lackner, Johannes Haybaeck. Steatohepatitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: Evidence of a keratin-based disease. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A38.

Peering into the aftermath: JAKi rips STAT3 in cancer

Oncogenic and transcriptional cooperation with Ha-Ras requires phosphorylation of c-Jun on serines 63 and 73

A multivariate study of determinants of vigorous exercise in a community sample

The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between several social learning theory variables and self-reported vigorous exercise and to consider the implications for exercise promotion. A random sample of adults in San Diego, California, was surveyed by mail. The 2,053 respondents (response rate, 43.4%) overrepresented Caucasian, affluent, and well-educated groups. A model of 24 variables accounted for 0.27 of the variance in exercise, and results strongly supported social learning theory. The strongest correlates were self-efficacy (i.e., confidence in the ability to exercise in specific situations), perceived barriers to exercise, modeling, dietary habits, support from friends, and age. Smoking was inversely associated with exercise in men only. We encourage researchers to conduct intervention trials to test the hypotheses generated in this study.

Results of a Multi-level Intervention to Prevent and Control Childhood Obesity among Latino Children: The Aventuras Para Niños Study

Community-based interventions are needed to reduce the burden of childhood obesity.

Industrial yeasts display tandem gene iteration at the CUP1 region.

The gene copy number at the CUP1 locus and the resistance level to external copper was directly correlated in five wild-type commercial Saccharomyces strains. An increased copy number of the CUP1 gene leads to increased accumulation of chelatin mRNA, which codes for a low-molecular-weight, copper-binding protein. The enhanced production of this rapidly inducible protein mediates resistance of the cell to copper. Industrial yeasts exhibit homologies to the amplified copper resistance repeat unit found in laboratory strains. However, the extent of tandem iteration is strain dependent, and the repetitious unit is either 1.7 or 1.5 kilobases in length compared with the 2.0-kilobase unit in laboratory strains. Strain 522 (Montrachet) contains two chromosome VIII segments distinguishable by their numbers of repeat units (2 and 11) and the size of the units (1.5 and 1.7 kilobases). Distillers yeast 513 carries a 1.5-kilobase repeat unit on each homologous chromosome, although they contain nine and five iterations, respectively.

Physical Activity Intervention Studies

In this review, our first purpose is to provide an overview of existing physical activity intervention research, focusing on subpopulations and intervention modalities. Our reviews within each area are not exhaustive or quantitative, as each area has been reviewed in more depth in numerous other reports. Instead, our goal is to provide a single document that provides a qualitative overview of intervention research that emphasizes selected topics of particular importance for improving the population-wide impact of interventions. Therefore, in synthesizing this vast literature, we begin with existing reviews of physical activity research in each area and incorporate in our discussions recent reports of well-designed individual physical activity intervention studies that expand the existing research base and/or target new areas of research. Our second purpose is to offer new ideas and recommendations to improve the state of the science within each area and, where possible, to propose ideas to help bridge the gaps between these existing categories of research.