Characteristics of the Morphofunctional Development of 7- to 14-Year-Old Boys with Different Types of Adaptive Response

The parameters of physical development, the cardiorespiratory system, and the physical working capacity were studied in 275 boys aged 7–14 years. The type of adaptive response—sprinter or stayer—was assessed from the adaptive response of the neuromuscular apparatus to physical exercise. The morphofunctional development of children and adolescents was shown to be correlated with the type of adaptive response. The significant differences in many anthropometric and functional indicators revealed between boys of different types provide a background for optimizing the physical and sporting activity of schoolchildren.     

Age-related Features of Circadian Dynamics of Velocity of Reaction to Visual Stimuli in 8- to 14-Year-Old Boys

Studying individual circadian psychophysiological rhythms in children and adolescents, the authors showed that different rhythmological indices, such as fluctuation amplitude, mean level, and rhythm phase, change with age in different manners. Changes in one or more of these indices reflect a complex stagewise process of the formation of functions in human ontogeny. Additionally, a mismatch between individual and social (school load) rhythms may result in desynchronosis.     

Characterization of the Phenotype of 14- to 15-Year-Old Altaian Adolescents

The specific morphofunctional and psychophysiological features of Altaian and Russian adolescents living under the conditions of Gornyi Altai were studied. The comparative assessment of the morphological and psychophysiological parameters of the bodies of the adolescents allowed their individual typological variability depending on their nationality to be revealed.     

Electrophysiological Correlates of Attentional Disorders in 12- to 13-Year-Old Adolescents

The EEG was recorded in 12- to 13-year-old adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During the EEG recording, the subjects performed an attention test. Pairs of tone stimuli in the combinations low–low and low–high were presented in random order with equal probabilities with intervals of 2.3 s. Subjects had to press a button as soon as possible in response to low–low tone pair presentation (a go trial) and not to press the button when a pair consisting of low and high tones was presented (a no-go trial). On the basis of the results of the test performance (the numbers of omissions and false alarms), the subjects were divided into three groups characterized by the degree of severity of the attentional disorder. The evoked potentials in go and no-go trials were detected individually for the subject groups and each derivation. The components N1, N2, P2, P3-go, and P3-no-go were identified in the evoked potentials. These components had different latencies and were differently localized over the head surface. Only the amplitudes of P3-go and P3-no-go in the subjects were statistically significantly correlated with the severity of the attentional disorder.     

Identification of 14-3-3 Family in Common Bean and Their Response to Abiotic Stress

14-3-3s are a class of conserved regulatory proteins ubiquitously found in eukaryotes, which play important roles in a variety of cellular processes including response to diverse stresses. Although much has been learned about 14-3-3s in several plant species, it remains unknown in common bean. In this study, 9 common bean 14-3-3s (PvGF14s) were identified by exhaustive data mining against the publicly available common bean genomic database. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that each predicted PvGF14 was clustered with two GmSGF14 paralogs from soybean. Both epsilon-like and non-epsilon classes of PvGF14s were found in common bean, and the PvGF14s belonging to each class exhibited similar gene structure. Among 9 PvGF14s, only 8 are transcribed in common bean. Expression patterns of PvGF14s varied depending on tissue type, developmental stage and exposure of plants to stress. A protein-protein interaction study revealed that PvGF14a forms dimer with itself and with other PvGF14 isoforms. This study provides a first comprehensive look at common bean 14-3-3 proteins, a family of proteins with diverse functions in many cellular processes, especially in response to stresses.     

Reflection of Anxiety in the Characteristics of Evoked EEG Potentials in 10- to 11-Year-Old Children

We studied the peculiarities of the amplitude/time parameters of evoked EEG potentials (EPs) and event-related potentials (ERPs) in 10- to 11-year-old children characterized by low and high anxiety levels. The latter levels were estimated using the scale of the manifest anxiety test of Prikhozhan and projective techniques (“House–Tree–Person,” HTP, and the Lüscher color test). For children with a high anxiety level, the amplitudes of the following EP components and ERPs were lower than those in low-anxiety children of the same age: P1 (predominantly in the occipital region of the left hemisphere), P2 (in the right occipital region), and Р300 wave (in different loci of both hemispheres). In high-anxiety children, we also more frequently observed increased amplitudes of the N2 component in the left parietal and right occipital regions. High-anxiety individuals were characterized by longer latencies of component P1 (mostly in the right frontal and left central regions) and, at the same time, shorter latencies of component N1 (in the parietal and occipital regions of the left hemisphere and also in the right temporal region). Thus, we found that the amplitude/time characteristics of a few EP components and ERPs in children with high anxiety levels differ statistically significantly from the parameters of corresponding EPs/ERPs in individuals of the same age but with low anxiety levels.     

不同年代梭梭同化枝解剖结构特征及其对土壤条件的响应

叶片是植物与外界环境进行能量、水气交换的主要器官,对环境变化较敏感且可塑性较大.该研究以民勤不同年代梭梭同化枝为研究对象,采用石蜡切片法,分析不同年代梭梭同化枝解剖结构变异特点及其与土壤条件的关系,旨在探讨梭梭同化枝在干旱环境的生态适应机制.结果表明:(1)除角质层和导管孔径,不同年代梭梭同化枝解剖结构指标差异显著(P...     

Functional State of 11- to 12-Year-Old Schoolchildren under Conditions of Intense Academic Load Assessed by Heart Rate Variability

The functional state of sixth-grade children was estimated on the basis of heart rhythm variability data. It was found that the heart rate variability was closely correlated with learning progress during both intensive and nonintensive methods of education. The highest adaptation tension was observed in children with good learning progress during intensive methods of education.     

Modulation of 14-3-3/Phosphotarget Interaction by Physiological Concentrations of Phosphate and Glycerophosphates

Molecular mechanisms governing selective binding of a huge number of various phosphorylated protein partners to 14-3-3 remain obscure. Phosphate can bind to 14-3-3 and therefore being present at high intracellular concentration, which undergoes significant changes under physiological conditions, phosphate can theoretically regulate interaction of 14-3-3 with phosphorylated targets. In order to check this hypothesis we analyzed effect of phosphate and other natural abundant anions on interaction of 14-3-3 with phosphorylated human small heat shock protein HspB6 (Hsp20) participating in regulation of different intracellular processes. Inorganic phosphate, glycerol-1-phosphate and glycerol-2-phosphate at physiologically relevant concentrations (5-15 mM) significantly destabilized complexes formed by 14-3-3ζ and phosphorylated HspB6 (pHspB6), presumably, via direct interaction with the substrate-binding site of 14-3-3. Phosphate also destabilized complexes between pHspB6 and 14-3-3γ or the monomeric mutant form of 14-3-3ζ. Inorganic sulfate and pyrophosphate were less effective in modulation of 14-3-3 interaction with its target protein. The inhibitory effect of all anions on pHspB6/14-3-3 interaction was concentration-dependent. It is hypothesized that physiological changes in phosphate anions concentration can modulate affinity and specificity of interaction of 14-3-3 with its multiple targets and therefore the actual phosphointeractome of 14-3-3.     

Associations between Family-Related Factors,Breakfast Consumption and BMI among 10- to 12-Year-Old European Children: The Cross-Sectional ENERGY-Study

Objective

To investigate associations of family-related factors with children’s breakfast consumption and BMI-z-score and to examine whether children’s breakfast consumption mediates associations between family-related factors and children’s BMI-z-score.

Subjects

Ten- to twelve-year-old children (n = 6374; mean age = 11.6±0.7 years, 53.2% girls, mean BMI-z-score = 0.4±1.2) and one of their parents (n = 6374; mean age = 41.4±5.3 years, 82.7% female, mean BMI = 24.5±4.2 kg/m²) were recruited from schools in eight European countries (Belgium, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland). The children self-reported their breakfast frequency per week. The body weight and height of the children were objectively measured. The parents responded to items on family factors related to breakfast (automaticity, availability, encouragement, paying attention, permissiveness, negotiating, communicating health beliefs, parental self-efficacy to address children’s nagging, praising, and family breakfast frequency). Mediation analyses were performed using multi-level regression analyses (child-school-country).

Results

Three of the eleven family-related variables were significantly associated with children’s BMI-z-score. The family breakfast frequency was negatively associated with the BMI-z-score; permissiveness concerning skipping breakfast and negotiating about breakfast were positively associated with the BMI-z-score. Children’s breakfast consumption was found to be a mediator of the two associations. All family-related variables except for negotiating, praising and communicating health beliefs, were significantly associated with children’s breakfast consumption.

Conclusions

Future breakfast promotion and obesity prevention interventions should focus on family-related factors including the physical home environment and parenting practices. Nevertheless, more longitudinal research and intervention studies to support these findings between family-related factors and both children’s breakfast consumption and BMI-z-score are needed.     

Speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players

The aims of this study were (a) to identify and compare the speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players and (b) to investigate relations between speed and agility for both age groups of basketball players, to help coaches to improve their work. Sixty-four players aged 12 (M = 11.98 years, SD = 0.311) and 54 players aged 14 (M = 14.092 years, SD = 0.275) were tested. Three agility tests: agility t-test, zigzag agility drill, and agility run 4 × 15 m and 3 speed tests: 20-m run, 30-m run, and 50-m run were applied. Fourteen-year-old players achieved significantly better results in all speed and agility tests compared with 12-year-old players. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.81, p = 0.001) showed that 12-year-old players have the same ability in the 30- and 50-m runs. The other correlation coefficient (r = 0.59, p = 0.001) indicated that 20- and 30-m runs had inherently different qualities. The correlation coefficients between agility tests were <0.71, and therefore, each test in this group represents a specific task. In 14-year-old players, the correlation coefficients between the speed test results were <0.71. In contrast, the correlation coefficients between the agility tests were >0.71, which means that all the 3 tests represent the same quality. During the speed training of 12-year-old players, it is advisable to focus on shorter running distances, up to 30 m. During the agility training of the same players, it is useful to apply exercises with various complexities. In speed training of the 14-year-old players, the 30- and 50-m runs should be applied, and agility training should include more specific basketball movements and activities.     

Formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in DNA treated with fecapentaene-12 and -14

Fecapentaene-12 and -14, direct-acting mutagens in human feces, were found to hydroxylate the C-8 position of guanine residues in DNA in vitro. Fecapentaene-12 or -14 was incubated with 0.5 mg of calf thymus DNA in 1 ml of reaction mixture at pH 7.4 for 2 h at 37 degrees C in the dark, and then 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) was analyzed. In these conditions 8-OH-dG was formed dose-dependently at levels of 1.1-4.6 residues/10(4) dG with concentrations of 0.5-3.0 mM of fecapentaene-12. Similar results were obtained with fecapentaene-14. The amount of 8-OH-dG in untreated DNA was 0.2-0.3 residue/10(4) dG.     

Formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in DNA treated with fecapentaene- 12 and -14

Fecapentaene-12 and -14, direct-acting mutagens in human feces, were found to hydroxylate the C-8 position of guanine residues in DNA in vitro. Fecapentaene-12 or -14 was incubated with 0.5 mg of calf thymus DNA in 1 ml of reaction mixture at pH 7.4 for 2 h at 37°C in the dark, and then 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) was analyzed. In these conditions 8-OH-dG was formed dose-dependently at levels of 1.1–4.6 residues/10⁴ dG with concentrations of 0.5–3.0 mM of fecapentaene-12. Similar results were obtained with fecapentaene-14. The amount of 8-OH-dG in untreated DNA was 0.2–0.3 residue/10⁴ dG.     

Investigation of the Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Bifidobacteria at the Late Stages of Their Development

An investigation of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of the Bifidobacterium bifidumno. 1, B. adolescentisMC-42, and B. adolescentis94-BIM strains showed that bifidobacteria with a higher growth rate produced greater amounts of the end fermentation products, acetate and lactate. The growth of the strains in batch cultures was found to be inhibited by acidic fermentation products. The growth of B. bifidumno. 1 in a batch mode lasted 100 h at a population density of 10⁶CFU/ml and the growth of B. adolescentisMC-42 and 94-BIM lasted 96–120 h at population densities from 10⁴to 10⁷CFU/ml. Analysis of the bifidobacterial populations by light and electron microscopy showed that they represent conglomerates of cells with a lysed cytoplasm in the cell center and an intact cytoplasm in the apical parts of the cells. The maximum production of extracellular and cell-bound proteinases was observed in the logarithmic growth phase. By the 120th h of cultivation, the metabolic activity of cells, the production of proteinases, and the protein content of bifidobacterial cultures considerably decreased. In the first, second, and third subcultures of 96-h-old bifidobacterial cells on fresh nutrient media, the population density of bifidobacteria and their normal physiological and biochemical characteristics were restored after 48 to 72 h of cultivation.     

芋螺多肽及其突变体对小鼠吗啡身体依赖发展的抑制作用

目的:评价N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(NMDA)受体抑制剂芋螺多肽Con-G、Con-T及其突变体对小鼠吗啡身体依赖发展的抑制作用。方法:每天8:30和16:30在小鼠皮下注射吗啡30mg/kg,连续3d,形成吗啡身体依赖模型;第1d和第3d16:30给完吗啡30min后,侧脑室给予15nmol/kg的Con-G、Con-T或其突变体;第4d8:30注射纳洛酮催促戒断,测定小鼠10min内的跳跃次数。结果:Con-G突变体中,Con-G[S16Y]抑制小鼠吗啡身体依赖发展的活性显著提高,Con-G[Q6A]活性与Con-G相似,Con-G[N8A]和Con-G[γ14A]无活性,Con-G[γ10K]活性较弱。Con-T突变体中,Con-T[M8I]、Con-T[M8A]抑制小鼠吗啡身体依赖发展及急性戒断活性活性最强,Con-T[R13A]、Con-T[γ14A]、Con-T[M8F]及Con-T[M8N]有明显活性,Con-T[L9A]和Con-T[γ10A]活性低。结论:一些Con-G及Con-T突变体对小鼠吗啡身体依赖发展具有很强的活性,活性强弱与其对NMDA受体NR2B的活性及选择性相关。