Study of coronary risk factors related to physical activity in 15 171 men.

Physical activity, both at work and during leisure, was assessed in 15 171 men aged 25-74 years. Heavy leisure activity was associated with lower mean serum cholesterol levels and blood pressure. In men under 60 years the same negative association was also noted between leisure activity and relative weight and cigarette smoking. Different degrees of physical activity at work were not associated with any differences in these risk factors, nor did the level of exercise at work seem to influence the negative association between leisure activity and risk factors. Heavy leisure activity in young and middle-aged men is associated with lower levels of certain coronary risk factors and, therefore, a lower risk of coronary heart disease. The often-reported reduction in coronary morbidity and mortality with physical exercise may not be the direct effect of the exercise itself.     

The human body response to factors related to solar activity variations

The effect of nonstationary solar processes on human organism was studied. Daily measurements of electrical conductivity of 22 biologically active points on human skin, arterial pressure, and pulse frequency of 30 persons were performed, and their subjective sensations were registered. A comparative analysis of the data and variations in environment parameters, such as local A-index, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and indices of cosmic rays indicated a coincidence of their main periods. The conclusion is made that the reaction of the human organism on abrupt solar disturbances is biphasic and that there is a semiannual wave of synchronization of work of internal organs. The results are confirmed by simultaneous measurements in different cities.     

Daily physical activity levels in preadolescent boys related to VO2max and lactate threshold

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity levels in eleven 9-10 year old boys with reference to aerobic power or lactate threshold (LT). Daily physical activity levels were evaluated from a HR monitoring system for 12 h on three different days. VO2max, VO2-HR relationship and LT were determined by the progressive treadmill test. LT was 36.7 +/- 3.1 ml X kg-1 X min-1 and 71.0 +/- 6.6% VO2max. Mean total time of activities with HR above the level corresponding to 60% VO2max (T-60%) and that above LT (T-LT) were 34 +/- 7 and 18 +/- 7 min, respectively. VO2max (ml X kg-1 X min-1) correlated significantly with T-60% (p less than 0.01), while no significant relationship was found with LT in ml X kg-1 X min-1. In conclusion, longer daily physical activities at moderate to higher intensity for preadolescent children seem to increase VO2max rather than LT.     

Evidence for altered basal ganglia-brainstem connections in cervical dystonia

Background

There has been increasing interest in the interaction of the basal ganglia with the cerebellum and the brainstem in motor control and movement disorders. In addition, it has been suggested that these subcortical connections with the basal ganglia may help to coordinate a network of regions involved in mediating posture and stabilization. While studies in animal models support a role for this circuitry in the pathophysiology of the movement disorder dystonia, thus far, there is only indirect evidence for this in humans with dystonia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the current study we investigated probabilistic diffusion tractography in DYT1-negative patients with cervical dystonia and matched healthy control subjects, with the goal of showing that patients exhibit altered microstructure in the connectivity between the pallidum and brainstem. The brainstem regions investigated included nuclei that are known to exhibit strong connections with the cerebellum. We observed large clusters of tractography differences in patients relative to healthy controls, between the pallidum and the brainstem. Tractography was decreased in the left hemisphere and increased in the right hemisphere in patients, suggesting a potential basis for the left/right white matter asymmetry we previously observed in focal dystonia patients.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings support the hypothesis that connections between the basal ganglia and brainstem play a role in the pathophysiology of dystonia.     

持续性军事职业活动对平衡能力的影响*

目的:评定持续性军事职业活动对平衡能力的影响及视觉系统在其中的作用,为精准军事运动训练提供依据。方法:54名健康男性受试者,年龄(20.28±3.72)岁;身高(173.21±5.67)cm;体重(64.29±5.12) kg,在36 h的时间内完成多项军事科目,记录全程运动负荷(随机抽取11人),军事活动结束后进行睁眼平衡能力测试(54人)和闭眼平衡能力测试(随机抽取27人)。结果:内部负荷,与安静状态相比,军事职业活动中的心率(HR)、运动后的过氧消耗(EPOC)和运动冲量(TRIMP)值均显著增加(P＜0.05);平衡能力,与睁眼安静值相比,军事职业活动后睁眼状态下整体、前后和左右方向的重心动摇距离和速度均显著增加(P＜0.05),而整体、前后和左右动摇面积,前后和左右方向的最大动摇径,以及运动椭圆面积无显著变化(P＞0.05);与闭眼安静值相比,军事活动后闭眼状态下平衡能力所有指标均显著增加(P＜0.05)。结果表明视觉可控制持续性军事职业活动后人体重心动摇的幅度和面积。结论:长时间军事职业活动会损害人体的平衡能力,持续性的军事职业活动后,闭眼状态下平衡能力的破坏程度较睁眼状态大,表现为重心动摇幅度和范围的增加,表明视觉系统在控制姿态稳定方面起一定作用。     

Between-monitor differences in step counts are related to body size: implications for objective physical activity measurement

Background

The quantification of the relationships between walking and health requires that walking is measured accurately. We correlated different measures of step accumulation to body size, overall physical activity level, and glucose regulation.

Methods

Participants were 25 men and 25 women American Indians without diabetes (Age: 20-34 years) in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. We assessed steps/day during 7 days of free living, simultaneously with three different monitors (Accusplit-AX120, MTI-ActiGraph, and Dynastream-AMP). We assessed total physical activity during free-living with doubly labeled water combined with resting metabolic rate measured by expired gas indirect calorimetry. Glucose tolerance was determined during an oral glucose tolerance test.

Findings

Based on observed counts in the laboratory, the AMP was the most accurate device, followed by the MTI and the AX120, respectively. The estimated energy cost of 1000 steps per day was lower in the AX120 than the MTI or AMP. The correlation between AX120-assessed steps/day and waist circumference was significantly higher than the correlation between AMP steps and waist circumference. The difference in steps per day between the AX120 and both the AMP and the MTI were significantly related to waist circumference.

Interpretation

Between-monitor differences in step counts influence the observed relationship between walking and obesity-related traits.     

Exploring the relationship between entheseal changes and physical activity: A multivariate study

Analyses of entheseal changes (EC) in identified skeletal samples employ a common research strategy based on the comparison between occupations grouped on the basis of shared biomechanical and/or social characteristics. Results from this approach are often ambiguous, with some studies that point to differences in EC between occupational samples and others failing to provide evidence of behavioral effects on EC. Here we investigate patterns of EC among documented occupations by means of a multivariate analysis of robusticity scores in nine postcranial entheses from a large (N = 372) contemporary skeletal sample including specimens from one Italian and two Portuguese identified collections. Data on entheseal robusticity, analyzed by pooled sides as well by separated sides and levels of asymmetry, are converted in binary scores and then analyzed through nonlinear principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results of these analyses are then used for the classification of occupations. Differences between occupational classes are tested by MANOVA and pairwise Hotelling's test. Results evidence three classes which separate occupations related to farming, physically demanding but generalized occupation, and physically undemanding occupations, with the more consistent differences between the first and the last classes. Our results are consistent with differences in biomechanical behavior between the occupations included in each class, and point to the physical and social specificity of farming activities. On the other hand, our study exemplifies the usefulness of alternative analytical protocols for the investigation of EC, and the value of research designs devoid of a priori assumptions for the test of biocultural hypotheses. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:215–223, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Damage to DNA in cervical epithelium related to smoking tobacco.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether tobacco smoking causes increased DNA modification (adducts) in human cervical epithelium. DESIGN--Comparison of DNA adducts measured by the technique of postlabelling with phosphorus-32 in normal ectocervical epithelium of smokers and non-smokers. A questionnaire on smoking habit and a urinary cotinine assay were used to identify smokers and non-smokers. SETTING--Cytology unit in large teaching hospital. SUBJECTS--39 women (11 current smokers, seven former smokers, and 21 who had never smoked) undergoing gynaecological treatment (colposcopy or hysterectomy). Nineteen members of staff who did not smoke as controls. INTERVENTIONS--Biopsy of normal ectocervical epithelium. Urine sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Measurement of DNA adducts in cervical epithelial tissue of smokers and non-smokers. Smoking habit derived from results of questionnaire and urinary cotinine:creatinine ratio. Proportion of adducts in women with abnormal and normal results of cervical smear test. RESULTS--DNA samples from smokers (identified from questionnaire) had significantly higher median proportions of DNA adducts that non-smokers (4.62 (95% confidence interval 4.04 to 7.74) v 3.47 (2.84 to 4.78) adducts/10(8) nucleotides; p = 0.048). Exclusion of women whose urinary cotinine:creatinine ratio did not confirm their self reported smoking habit (smoker or non-smoker) increased this difference (4.7 (3.85 to 8.08) v 3.52 (2.32 to 4.95) adducts/10(8) nucleotides; p = 0.03). Women who had abnormal results of cervical smear tests had significantly higher proportions of adducts than those with normal results (4.7 (3.90 to 8.13) v 3.47 (3.06 to 5.36) adducts/10(8) nucleotides; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS--Tobacco smoking by women leads to increased modification of DNA in cervical epithelium, suggesting biochemical evidence consistent with smoking as a cause of cervical cancer.     

Insemination factors related to timed AI in cattle

Six-day-old bovine ova/embryos were recovered non-surgically and used as biomonitors to evaluate time of artificial insemination. These embryos/ova provided information regarding fertilization status and embryo quality, as well as quantitative and qualitative data regarding associated accessory sperm. Both sperm access to the ovum (addressed by accessory sperm) and fertilization status/embryo quality were important in addressing pregnancy rate for specific intervals from the onset of estrus to insemination. Based on these biomonitors, early insemination failed to achieve optimum pregnancy rate due to inadequate access of sperm to the ovum (i.e., low fertilization rate, manifested by low accessory sperm numbers). However, embryo quality was high in early inseminations, which favors pregnancy. Late insemination failed to achieve optimum pregnancy rate (due to reduced embryo quality), however, sperm access to the ovum was highest. Thus, the selection of an insemination time to achieve optimum pregnancy rate appeared to be a compromise between the two extreme intervals. For timed-AI programs, consideration of the time of ovulation (and its variability) becomes important, in addition to conventional considerations, such as semen handling, site of insemination, and bull selection.     

Is decline in stature related to physical activity? – The Case of farmers in Punjab State of North India

Stature is a quantitative measure of physique and indicative of physical growth and development of an individual. It also provides insight into various features of a population including nutrition, health and genetics. The present hypothesis states that the drastic decrease in physical activity over a long period of time may result in decrease in stature of individuals. A case of farmers in Punjab State of north India has been discussed where following a drastic decrease in physical activity, a decline in stature has been observed.     

Delayed onset of electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis relative to the vastus lateralis may be related to physical activity levels in females with patellofemoral pain

The aims of this study were to examine group differences in muscle activation onset of the vastus medialis (VM) in relation to the vastus lateralis (VL) and pain level during stair ascent in females with patellofemoral pain (PFP) who maintain high and moderate levels of physical activity; to determine the association between physical activity level and muscle activation onset. Forty-three females with PFP and thirty-eight pain-free females were recruited and divided into four groups based on their level of physical activity: females with PFP (n = 26) and pain-free females (n = 26) who practiced a moderate level of physical activity and females with PFP (n = 17) and pain-free females (n = 12) who practiced an intense amount of physical activity. Participants were asked to ascend a seven-step staircase and the VM and VL activation onset was determined. Females with PFP who practiced high level of physical activity demonstrated delayed onset of VM (4.06 ms) compared to healthy females (−14.4 ms). Conversely, females with PFP who practiced moderate level of physical activity did not present VM delay (−2.48 ms) in comparison to healthy females (−9.89 ms). Furthermore, physical activity significantly correlated to the muscle activation onset difference (p = 0.005; R = 0.60). These findings may explain why controversial results regarding VM and VL muscle activation onset have been found.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers

Summary Angiogenesis is essential for development, growth and advancement of solid tumors. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is recognized as an angiogenic factor in various tumors. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of COX-2 expression related to angiogenesis in uterine cervical cancers. There was a significant correlation between microvessel counts and COX-2 levels in uterine cervical cancers. COX-2 localized in the cancer cells, but not in the stromal cells of uterine cervical cancer tissues. COX-2 levels increased with advancement, and the prognosis of the 30 patients with high COX-2 expression in uterine cervical cancers was poor (60%), while the 24-month survival rate of the other 30 patients with low COX-2 expression was 90%. Furthermore, COX-2 levels significantly correlated with VEGF levels in uterine cervical cancers. VEGF associated with COX-2 might work on angiogenesis in advancement. Therefore, long-term administration of COX-2 inhibitors might be effective on the suppression of regrowth or recurrence after intensive treatment for advanced uterine cervical cancers.     

Aging and factors related to running economy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship that age has on factors affecting running economy (RE) in competitive distance runners. Fifty-one male and female subelite distance runners (Young [Y]: 18-39 years [n = 18]; Master [M]: 40-59 years [n = 22]; and Older [O]: 60-older [n = 11]) were measured for RE, step rate, lactate threshold (LT), VO2max, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, power, and body composition. An RE test was conducted at 4 different velocities (161, 188, 215, and 241 m·min(-1)), with subjects running for 5 minutes at each velocity. The steady-state VO2max during the last minute of each stage was recorded and plotted vs. speed, and a regression equation was formulated. A 1 × 3 analysis of variance revealed no differences in the slopes of the RE regression lines among age groups (y = 0.1827x - 0.2974; R2 = 0.9511 [Y]; y = 0.1988x - 1.0416; R2 = 0.9697 [M]; y = 0.1727x + 3.0252; R2 = 0.9618 [O]). The VO2max was significantly lower in the O group compared to in the Y and M groups (Y = 64.1 ± 3.2; M = 56.8 ± 2.7; O = 44.4 ± 1.7 mlO2·kg(-1)·min(-1)). The maximal heart rate and velocity @ LT were significantly different among all age groups (Y = 197 ± 4; M = 183 ± 2; O = 170 ± 6 b·min(-1) and Y = 289.7 ± 27.0; M = 251.5 ± 32.9; O = 212.3 ± 24.6 m·min(-1), respectively). The VO2max @ LT was significantly lower in the O group compared to in the Y and M groups (Y = 50.3 ± 2.0; M = 48.8 ± 2.9; O = 34.9 ± 3.2 mlO2·kg(-1)·min(-1)). The O group was significantly lower than in the Y and M groups in flexibility, power, and upper body strength. Multiple regression analyses showed that strength and power were significantly related to running velocity. The results from this cross-sectional analysis suggest that age-related declines in running performance are associated with declines in maximal and submaximal cardiorespiratory variables and declines in strength and power, not because of declines in running economy.