Development of an Accelerometer-Linked Online Intervention System to Promote Physical Activity in Adolescents

Most adolescents do not achieve the recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), placing them at increased risk for a diverse array of chronic diseases in adulthood. There is a great need for scalable and effective interventions that can increase MVPA in adolescents. Here we report the results of a measurement validation study and a preliminary proof-of-concept experiment testing the impact of Zamzee, an accelerometer-linked online intervention system that combines proximal performance feedback and incentive motivation features to promote MVPA. In a calibration study that parametrically varied levels of physical activity in 31 12-14 year-old children, the Zamzee activity meter was shown to provide a valid measure of MVPA (sensitivity in detecting MVPA = 85.9%, specificity = 97.5%, and r = .94 correspondence with the benchmark RT3 accelerometer system; all p < .0001). In a subsequent randomized controlled multi-site experiment involving 182 middle school-aged children assessed for MVPA over 6 wks, intent-to-treat analyses found that those who received access to the Zamzee intervention had average MVPA levels 54% greater than those of a passive control group (p < 0.0001) and 68% greater than those of an active control group that received access to a commercially available active videogame (p < .0001). Zamzee’s effects on MVPA did not diminish significantly over the course of the 6-wk study period, and were statistically significant in both females and males, and in normal- vs. high-BMI subgroups. These results provide promising initial indications that combining the Zamzee activity meter with online proximal performance feedback and incentive motivation features can positively impact MVPA levels in adolescents.     

Preclinical Assessment of Adjunctive tPA and DNase for Peritoneal Dialysis Associated Peritonitis

A major complication of peritoneal dialysis is the development of peritonitis, which is associated with reduced technique and patient survival. The inflammatory response elicited by infection results in a fibrin and debris-rich environment within the peritoneal cavity, which may reduce the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents and predispose to recurrence or relapse of infection. Strategies to enhance responses to antimicrobial agents therefore have the potential to improve patient outcomes. This study presents pre-clinical data describing the compatibility of tPA and DNase in combination with antimicrobial agents used for the treatment of PD peritonitis. tPA and DNase were stable in standard dialysate solution and in the presence of antimicrobial agents, and were safe when given intraperitoneally in a mouse model with no evidence of local or systemic toxicity. Adjunctive tPA and DNase may have a role in the management of patients presenting with PD peritonitis.     

Catalysis by dienelactone hydrolase: A variation on the protease mechanism

Dienelactone hydrolase (DLH), an enzyme from the β-ketoadipate pathway, catalyzes the hydrolysis of dienelactone to maleylacetate. Our inhibitor binding studies suggest that its substrate, dienelactone, is held in the active site by hydrophobic interactions around the lactone ring and by the ion pairs between its carboxylate and Arg-81 and Arg-206. Like the cysteine/serine proteases, DLH has a catalytic triad (Cys-123, His-202, Asp-171) and its mechanism probably involves the formation of covalently bound acyl intermediate via a tetrahedral intermediate. Unlike the proteases, DLH seems to protonate the incipient leaving group only after the collapse of the first tetrahedral intermediate, rendering DLH incapable of hydrolyzing amide analogues of its ester substrate. In addition, the triad His probably does not protonate the leaving group (enolate) or deprotonate the water for deacylation; rather, the enolate anion abstracts a proton from water and, in doing so, supplies the hydroxyl for deacylation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Patterns of mobilization of calcium,magnesium, and phosphorus by embryonic yellow-headed blackbirds(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)

Summary Embryonic blackbirds(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) obtain most of their calcium from the eggshell (85 90%), but all of their phosphorus comes from reserves in the yolk (80–85%) and albumen (15–20%). Approximately equal amounts of magnesium are supplied by the eggshell, the yolk, and the albumen. Yolk is depleted of magnesium and phosphorus during embryogenesis, but excess calcium absorbed from the eggeshell is stored in the yolk. Consequently reserves of calcium in the yolk actually increase 8-fold during embryonic development. Our results reveal that altricial birds manifest patterns of mobilization and deposition of calcium and other elements similar to those described for precocial species. Evolution of altriciality from precocity evidently did not entail major changes in how embryonic birds meet the challenge of obtaining the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus required for development.     

Habitat patchiness affects distribution and microhabitat use of endangered Mira chub Squalius torgalensis (Actinopterygii,Cypriniformes)

We hypothesized that distribution and microhabitat use by imperilled chub Squalius torgalensis in the Torgal stream, Portugal, during low flows, were related to spatial patchiness in physical resources and shifts in ontogenetic preferences. We mapped fish abundance and sampled microhabitat use and availability via snorkelling. We used the coefficient of dispersion in abundance, and spatial autocorrelation analyses to characterize chub distribution, and Hurdle models to relate chub presence and abundance to habitat characteristics. We showed that chub displayed an aggregated distribution, apparently in association with patchily distributed and autocorrelated physical resources, such as debris, roots and aquatic vegetation. Microhabitat use generally was unrelated to velocity, and ontogenetic differences in microhabitat use were not substantial. Nevertheless, sometimes small chub preferred low-velocity patches with coarse substrata, debris and roots, whereas large chub preferred deeper patches with roots and aquatic vegetation. Results suggest that, in low flow conditions, chub respond to resource patchiness by congregating in favourable microhabitats, and that maintenance of mosaics of patches with variable substrata, cover and depth may be important for the persistence of fish in Mediterranean streams.