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Activity Levels (activity + level)
Kinds of Activity Levels Selected AbstractsExercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Older Adults as a Function of Habitual Activity LevelJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2 2002Erwin P. Meijer PhD First page of article [source] Ethanol Decreases Rat Hepatic Arylsulfatase A Activity LevelsALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2006Smith Jean Background: Arylsulfatase A (ASA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of sulfatides, a glycosphingolipid found in many tissues, but predominantly in myelin and kidney. Arylsulfatase A is 1 member of a family of sulfatases that is activated by a required co- or posttranslational modification with the oxidation of cysteine to formylglycine. This conversion requires a novel oxygenase mechanism that can be inhibited by reactive oxygen species. Ethanol is known to cause an increase in reactive oxygen species in the liver. Because of its effect on the levels of hepatic reactive oxygen species, we hypothesized that ethanol would cause a specific decrease of rat hepatic ASA activity levels. Methods: Male Sprague,Dawley rats received ethanol-containing, Lieber,DeCarli liquid diets for 15 days, and control rats were pair-fed a liquid diet in which dextrose was isocalorically substituted for ethanol. Results: Arylsulfatase A activity levels decreased in livers of animals receiving alcohol compared with control animals. No significant changes in ASA activity levels were observed in the cerebral cortex and kidney. Furthermore, ethanol did not have any significant effect on hexosaminidase activity in any of the tissues examined. Conclusion: Ethanol caused a tissue-specific decrease in hepatic ASA activity levels, but not hexosaminidase activity levels. [source] Heart Rate and its Variability Change After the MenopauseEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000C. L. Brockbank Resting heart rate and heart rate variability of 33 postmenopausal women were compared with those of 50 premenopausal women of comparable activity level, none of whom had used hormone replacement therapy. Heart rate was measured as the mean of at least 600 consecutive R-R intervals obtained from electrocardiograph (ECG) records, and its variability as the standard deviation of these intervals. Activity levels were assessed by a scale modified from the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey (1992). There was a significant reduction in both mean R-R interval and the standard deviation in the postmenopausal women who had experienced their last menstrual period (LMP) 1 year or more prior to the observations being made, but no observable changes during the first year post menopause. [source] Effect of reduced total blood volume on left ventricular volumes and kinetics in type 2 diabetesACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010S. Lalande Abstract Aim:, Although impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is commonly observed in patients with type 2 diabetes, it remains unclear whether the impairment is caused by altered LV relaxation or changes in LV preload. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of LV function and LV loading conditions on stroke volume in men with type 2 diabetes. Methods:, Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed in eight men with type 2 diabetes and 11 non-diabetic men matched for age, weight and physical activity level. Total blood volume was determined with the Evans blue dye dilution technique. Results:, End-diastolic volume (EDV), the ratio of peak early to late mitral inflow velocity (E/A) and stroke volume were lower in men with type 2 diabetes than in non-diabetic individuals. Peak filling rate and peak ejection rate were not different between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals; however, men with type 2 diabetes had proportionally longer systolic duration than non-diabetic individuals. Heart rate was higher and total blood volume was lower in men with type 2 diabetes. The lower total blood volume was correlated with a lower EDV in men with type 2 diabetes. Conclusions:, Men with type 2 diabetes have an altered cardiac cycle and lower end-diastolic and stroke volume. A lower total blood volume and higher heart rate in men with type 2 diabetes suggest that changes in LV preload, independent of changes in LV relaxation or contractility, influence LV diastolic filling and stroke volume in this population. [source] Organ patterning in the adult stage: The role of Wnt/,-catenin signaling in liver zonation and beyondDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2010Rolf Gebhardt Abstract Wnt/,-catenin signaling has been found to play key roles in metabolic zonation of adult liver, regeneration, and hepatocellular carcinogenesis. In this review, recent progress in this field is summarized, in particular the rapidly growing knowledge about the various interactions of ,-catenin with many transcription factors involved in controlling metabolism. These interactions may provide the basis for understanding how the wide range of activities of Wnt/,-catenin signaling is differentially interpreted. Based on these results, a three-level mode for the molecular interpretation of ,-catenin activity gradients in liver is proposed favoring cell differentiation, metabolic zonation, and proliferation. While derangement of the combinatorial interplay of the various transcription factors with ,-catenin at the intermediary activity level may contribute to the development of metabolic diseases, extremely high activation of ,-catenin may eventually lead to initiation and progression of hepatocellular tumors. Developmental Dynamics 239:45,55, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Genetic variation and decreased risk for obesity in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities StudyDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2007M. L. Hart Sailors Aim:, To investigate the effects of variation in the leptin [LEP (19A>G)] and melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R (V103I)] genes on obesity-related traits in 13,405 African-American (AA) and white participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Methods:, We tested the association between the single-locus and multilocus genotypes and obesity-related measures [body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), waist,hip ratio, waist circumference and leptin levels], adjusted for age, physical activity level, smoking status, diabetic status, prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Results:, AA and white female carriers of the MC4R I103 allele exhibited significantly lower BW than non-carriers of this allele (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). AA female carriers of both the LEP A19 allele and the MC4R I103 allele were 63% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.18,0.78)] less likely to be obese, and white female carriers of the same two alleles were 46% [OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.32,0.91)] less likely to be obese, than non-carriers of the variant alleles. Female carriers of both the LEP A19 and MC4R I103 alleles had significantly lower BW (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05) and plasma leptin (p < 0.01) than the non-carriers of both the alleles. Carriers of the two variant alleles had lower BMI over the 9-year course of the ARIC study and significantly lower weight gain from age 25 years. No significant joint effect of these two variants was observed in males. Conclusion:, These results suggest that variation within the LEP and MC4R genes is associated with reduced risk for obesity in females. [source] Are symptoms of depression more common in diabetes?DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 11 2008Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study Abstract Aims To estimate the association between depressive symptoms and Type 2 diabetes, as well as previously undetected diabetes, in a large population-based sample in Germany and to determine associated variables. Methods We used baseline data on 4595 participants (age 45,75 years, 50.2% women) from the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, a population-based, prospective cohort study which started in 2000. Diabetes mellitus was assessed by self report (physician diagnosis or medication), undiagnosed diabetes based on blood glucose levels. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale short form (cut-off , 15 points). We fitted multiple logistic regression models. Results The prevalence of diagnosed and previously undetected diabetes was 9.3% (95% confidence interval 8.2,11.6) and 7.6% (6.6,8.8) in men and 6.0% (5.1,7.1) and 3.2% (2.5,4.0) in women, respectively. Compared with non-diabetic women, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was not significantly different in diabetic women (age-adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.48; 0.98,2.24) and women with undiagnosed diabetes (0.67; 0.33,1.36). In men, the prevalence of depressive symptoms tended to be lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic subjects (0.62; 0.35,1.09), but the depressive symptoms were significantly less frequent in men with undiagnosed diabetes (0.30; 0.13,0.70). The pattern remained after further adjustment. Significant associations with depressive symptoms were found for co-morbidities and living without a partner in both women and in men, and for body mass index and activity level in women only. Conclusions After adjustment for relevant covariates, the association between depressive symptoms and Type 2 diabetes was heterogenous in our population-based study. In subjects with undiagnosed diabetes, however, depressive symptoms were less frequent in men. Co-morbidities and psychosocial conditions are strongly associated with depressive symptoms. [source] Starling foraging success in relation to agricultural land-useECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2002Ola Olsson Changes in agricultural land-use have been suggested to contribute to the decline of several bird species through negative effects on their food supply during breeding. One important change in land-use has been loss of pastures, especially permanent pastures. In this study we investigated how different forms of agricultural land-use affected foraging success of a declining bird species, the European starling Sturnus vulgaris. We let caged starlings forage in different forms of agricultural fields and determined time spent foraging and foraging success. The starlings' activity level (time spent actively foraging) as well as the number of prey caught per time unit was strongly related to the abundance of prey in soil samples. Also the body mass change during the experiment was positively related to activity level and prey capture rate. We found consistent differences in foraging variables between habitats. In spring sown grain starlings were least active and found fewer prey items at a lower rate than in any other habitat. The other three habitats differed less, but in general mowed hay fields appeared slightly more valuable than the cultivated and natural pastures. We did not find any differences between natural and cultivated pastures in foraging variables. Thus, starling foraging success is higher in grass-covered fields than in cultivated fields, but the management of the grass-covered fields mattered less. The results are consistent with starlings having higher population densities and breeding success in areas with higher availability of pasture. We suggest that the physical structure of the habitat (sward height) and moisture may be additional variables that need to be taken into account to explain starling breeding density and success in the agricultural landscape. [source] Transcript and activity levels of different Pleurotus ostreatus peroxidases are differentially affected by Mn2+ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Roni Cohen The white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus produces both manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) and versatile peroxidase (VP) in non-manganese-amended peptone medium (PM). We studied the effect of Mn2+ supplementation on MnPs and VPs in P. ostreatus by analysing the enzymatic and transcript abundance profiles of the peroxidases, as well as the lignin mineralization rate. The fungus was grown in PM under solid-state conditions using perlite as an inert solid support. Mn2+ amendment resulted in a 1.7-fold increase in [14C]-lignin mineralization relative to unamended medium. Anion-exchange chromatography was used to resolve the fungal peroxidase's enzymatic activity profile. Five peaks (P1,P5) of VP and one peak (P6) of MnP activity were detected in unamended medium. In Mn2+ -amended medium, a reduction in the activity of the VPs was observed. On the other hand, a sharp increase in the MnP activity level of peak P6 was detected. The P6 isoenzyme was purified and showed manganese-dependent peroxidation of phenolic substrates. Internal sequence analysis of the purified enzyme revealed 100% identity with the deduced amino acid sequence of P. ostreatus MnP3 (GenBank AB016519). The effect of Mn2+ on the relative abundance of gene transcripts of three VPs and one MnP from P. ostreatus was monitored using reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction (RT,PCR) with oligonucleotide primer sets synthesized on the basis of non-conserved sequences of the different peroxidases. The reduction in VP gene transcript abundance and the increase in mnp3 transcript level were collinear with the changes observed in the enzyme activity profiles. These results indicate that the activity of peroxidases is regulated at the transcriptional level. We suggest that the expression of MnP and VP may be differentially regulated by the presence of Mn2+. [source] Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy: Efficacy and safety of the ketogenic dietEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2010Anastasia Dressler Summary Diabetes type 1 seems to be more prevalent in epilepsy, and low-carbohydrate diets improve glycemic control in diabetes type 2, but data on the use of the classic ketogenic diet (KD) in epilepsy and diabetes are scarce. We present 15 months of follow-up of a 3 years and 6 months old girl with diabetes type 1 (on the KD), right-sided hemiparesis, and focal epilepsy due to a malformation of cortical development. Although epileptiform activity on electroencephalography (EEG) persisted (especially during sleep), clinically overt seizures have not been reported since the KD. An improved activity level and significant developmental achievements were noticed. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels improved, and glycemic control was excellent, without severe side effects. Our experience indicates that diabetes does not preclude the use of the KD. [source] Pentylenetetrazol-induced Recurrent Seizures in Rat Pups: Time Course on Spatial Learning and Long-term EffectsEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2002Li-Tung Huang Summary: ,Purpose: Recurrent seizures in infants are associated with a high incidence of neurocognitive deficits. Animal models have suggested that the immature brain is less vulnerable to seizure-induced injury than is that in adult animals. We studied the effects of recurrent neonatal seizures on cognitive tasks performed when the animals were in adolescence and adulthood. Methods: Seizures were induced by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) for 5 consecutive days, starting from postnatal day 10 (P10). At P35 and P60, rats were tested for spatial memory by using the Morris water maze task. In adulthood, motor performance was examined by the Rotarod test, and activity level was assessed by the open field test. Seizure threshold was examined by inhalant flurothyl. To assess presence or absence of spontaneous seizures, rats were video recorded for 4 h/day for 10 consecutive days for the detection of spontaneous seizures. Finally, brains were examined for histologic evidence of injury with cresyl violet stain and Timm staining in the supragranular zone and CA3 pyramidal cell layers of the hippocampus. Results: PTZ-treated rats showed significant spatial deficits in the Morris water maze at both P35 and P60. There were no differences in seizure threshold, motor balance, or activity level during the open field test. Spontaneous seizures were not recorded in any rat. The cresyl violet stain showed no cell loss in either the control or experimental rats. PTZ-treated rats exhibited more Timm staining in the CA3 subfield. However, the control and experimental rats showed similar Timm staining within the supragranular zone. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that recurrent PTZ-induced seizures result in long-term cognitive deficits and morphologic changes in the developing brain. Furthermore, these cognitive deficits could be detected during pubescence. [source] Daily jaw muscle activity in freely moving rats measured with radio-telemetryEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2007Nobuhiko Kawai The jaw muscle activity of rats has been investigated for specific tasks. However, the daily jaw muscle use remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine daily jaw muscle activity, and its variability over time, in the rat (n = 12) by the use of radio-telemetry. A telemetric device was implanted for the continuous recording of masseter muscle and digastric muscle activity. Daily muscle use was characterized by calculating the total time that each muscle was active (duty time), the number of bursts, and the average length of bursts. All parameters were estimated for activities exceeding various levels (5,90%) of the day's peak activity. Daily muscle use remained constant for 4 wk. At the low-activity level, the duty time and burst number of the digastric muscle were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those of the masseter muscle, whereas the opposite was true at the high-activity level (P < 0.05). No significant intermuscular correlation was observed between the number of bursts of the masseter and digastric muscles, but the interindividual variation of both muscles changed, depending on the level of activation. These findings suggest that the masseter muscle and the digastric muscle show a differential active pattern, depending on the activity level. [source] Heart Rate and its Variability Change After the MenopauseEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000C. L. Brockbank Resting heart rate and heart rate variability of 33 postmenopausal women were compared with those of 50 premenopausal women of comparable activity level, none of whom had used hormone replacement therapy. Heart rate was measured as the mean of at least 600 consecutive R-R intervals obtained from electrocardiograph (ECG) records, and its variability as the standard deviation of these intervals. Activity levels were assessed by a scale modified from the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey (1992). There was a significant reduction in both mean R-R interval and the standard deviation in the postmenopausal women who had experienced their last menstrual period (LMP) 1 year or more prior to the observations being made, but no observable changes during the first year post menopause. [source] Delimiting morphologically identical varieties of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using lipoxygenase activitity levelFEDDES REPERTORIUM, Issue 3-4 2005M. S. Ayodele The occurrence of beany flavour resulting from lipoxygenase activity in soybeans was sufficiently manifested in all the 22 varieties of soybean investigated. There were significant differences in the level of lipoxygenase activity among varieties. A positive correlation was observed between lipoxygenase activity and beany flavour. Lipoxygenase activity level was found reliable in delimiting the varieties. A considerable degree of overlaps and associations were observed among the varietal grouping based on lip- oxygenase activity values. Such overlaps corroborate the reported closeness of plant morphological attributes of the varieties. Lipoxygenase activity was therefore, considered a reliable chemotaxonomic tool that could be useful for taxa delimitation, where there are very similar morphological attributes that may hinder easy delimitation. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Abgrenzung von morphologisch identischen Varietäten der Soyabohne [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] mittels aktiver Lipoxygenase Das Auftreten eines bohnenähnlichen Geruchs (soybean flavour) als Ergebnis der Lipoxygenase-Aktivität wurde in allen untersuchten 22 Sojabohnen-Sorten eindeutig nachgewiesen. Im Niveau der Lipoxygenase-Aktivität treten zwischen den einzelnen Sorten manifeste Unterschiede auf. Zwischen der Lipoxygenase-Aktivität und dem bohnenartigen Geruch wurde eine positive Korrelation beobachtet. Die Höhe der Lipoxygenase-Aktivität trennt die Sorten zuverlässig. Ein beträchtlicher Grad an Überschneidungen und von Gemeinsamkeiten wurde zwischen den auf Grund der Lipoxygenase-Aktivitätswerte gebildeten Sortengruppen gefunden. Die Überschneidungen bestätigen die Nähe der morphologischen Merkmale der Sorten. Die Lipoxygenase-Aktivität wird daher als eine verlässliche taxonomische Hilfe für die Trennung der Sippen angesehen, deren große morphologische Nähe eine leichte Trennung erschwert. [source] Competitive ability and the coexistence of anuran larvae in freshwater rock-poolsFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Anssi Laurila Summary 1I examined the competitive ability of larval common frogs (Rana temporaria) and common toads (Bufo bufo) in a laboratory experiment by manipulating the number and size of Rana and the number of Bufo. 2Bufo was the most active tadpole type, whereas small Rana was more active than large Rana. 3Especially at high food availability, the growth rate of large Rana at metamorphosis was reduced in the presence of small Rana, whereas that of small Rana was not affected by larger conspecifics. 4Both size classes of Rana were negatively affected by the presence of Bufo. Size at metamorphosis of Bufo was greater when large Rana was present. These results suggest that activity level is important in determining competitive ability. 5To study competition in the field, tadpoles of Bufo were introduced to small rock-pools that did not support Bufo naturally, but were with or without Rana. 6In the experimental pools, there were no interspecific effects on the growth rate of either species. However, the growth rate of Bufo was lower in the experimental pools than in pools inhabited naturally. Futher, survival of Bufo was low in small pools. Lower food availability or physical factors associated with small pools, rather than interspecific competition, may be the reason why Bufo avoids breeding in small rock-pools. [source] Abnormal social behaviors in mice lacking Fgf17GENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2008K. Scearce-Levie The fibroblast growth factor family of secreted signaling molecules is essential for patterning in the central nervous system. Fibroblast growth factor 17 (Fgf17) has been shown to contribute to regionalization of the rodent frontal cortex. To determine how Fgf17 signaling modulates behavior, both during development and in adulthood, we studied mice lacking one or two copies of the Fgf17 gene. Fgf17-deficient mice showed no abnormalities in overall physical growth, activity level, exploration, anxiety-like behaviors, motor co-ordination, motor learning, acoustic startle, prepulse inhibition, feeding, fear conditioning, aggression and olfactory exploration. However, they displayed striking deficits in several behaviors involving specific social interactions. Fgf17-deficient pups vocalized less than wild-type controls when separated from their mother and siblings. Elimination of Fgf17 also decreased the interaction of adult males with a novel ovariectomized female in a social recognition test and reduced the amount of time opposite-sex pairs spent engaged in prolonged, affiliative interactions during exploration of a novel environment. After social exploration of a novel environment, Fgf17-deficient mice showed less activation of the immediate-early gene Fos in the frontal cortex than wild-type controls. Our findings show that Fgf17 is required for several complex social behaviors and suggest that disturbances in Fgf17 signaling may contribute to neuropsychiatric diseases that affect such behaviors. [source] Guideline threshold limit values (TLVs) for discomfort in repetitive assembly workHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 5 2007L. O'Sullivan This study focused on two of the main occupational risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in light repetitive electronic assembly work, namely repetition and force. Present-day evaluation techniques are primarily posture based and show low sensitivity with regard to rating repetition and force. A simulated assembly task was conducted to investigate the interactions of risk factors and the suitability of hand activity level (HAL) and TLV values for electronics assembly work. Subjects completed the assembly task for three levels of repetition and force. For each treatment a subjective rating of discomfort was recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA identified repetition and force as highly significant factors in light electronic assembly work ( p < .001, p < .05, respectively). The task was also rated using HAL and normalized peak forces (NPF). This study questioned the ability of TLVs in rating discomfort and amendments to the TLVs are suggested. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 423,434, 2007. [source] Temperament at 7, 12, and 25 months in children at familial risk for ADHDINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2008Judith G. Auerbach Abstract As part of a longitudinal investigation of infants at familial risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mothers and fathers independently completed temperament ratings on their infants. In this paper, we examine the 7-, 12-, and 25-month temperament of 58 boys, 36 of whom were considered at familial risk for ADHD and 22 of whom were in the comparison group. Risk for ADHD was based on self-reported ADHD symptoms in the father. In addition, the influence of informant gender on temperament ratings was examined. The ADHD risk group received significantly higher scores for activity level and anger and lower scores for attentional shift, appropriate allocation of attention and inhibitory control. Their scores were also significantly lower on a composite measure of effortful control. Taken together, these findings offer support for the view of a link between early temperament and risk for ADHD. The only informant gender difference was for the activity level; mothers rated their sons as more active than did fathers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An observational measure of children's behavioural style: Evidence supporting a multi-method approach to studying temperamentINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2004Jennifer Karp Abstract This study demonstrates the potential utility of the Behavioural Style Observational System (BSOS) as a new observational measure of children's behavioural style. The BSOS is an objective, short and easy to use measure that can be readily adapted to a variety of home and laboratory situations. In the present study, 160 mother,child dyads from the Concordia Longitudinal Risk Project (CLRP) were observed during an 11-min behavioural sample. Videotaped interactions were coded using the BSOS for children's mood, activity level, vocal reactivity, approach to toys, mood consistency and adaptability. Comparisons between the BSOS observational ratings and mothers' ratings of the child on the EAS Temperament Survey (EAS) provided support for modest congruence between these two measurement systems, and revealed a differential predictive pattern of children's functioning. Specifically, the observation-based BSOS predicted children's cognitive performance and adaptive behaviour during testing, whereas the mother-rated EAS predicted maternal ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems. Both measures were found to independently predict mothers' ratings of parenting stress. Overall, the findings imply that neither observational measures nor maternal ratings alone are sufficient to understand children's behavioural style, and that comprehensive evaluations of children's temperament should optimally include both types of measures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A study on interaspecific biodiversity of eight groups of silkworm (Bombyx mori) by biochemical markersINSECT SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005KAYVAN ETEBARI Abstract The recognition of biodiversity in different races and lines of silkworm (Bombyx mori) is very useful for breeding programs and production of high efficiency hybrids. In this study eight groups of silkworm were selected including 103, 107, Xihang 1 and 2 of Japanese origin and 104, 110, Koming 1 and 2 of Chinese origin. The activity levels of three enzymes including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in haemolymph of fifth instar larva were measured. Moreover, the quantitative amount of total protein, cholesterol and glucose of haemolymph was evaluated. The data reveal that the activity level of measured macromolecules except for alkaline phosphatase were significantly different in all the groups. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering under UPGMA model separated line 104 from other groups. Two groups of Koming 1 and Xihang 1 had the most intergroup similarities. [source] Risk factors for prostate cancer incidence and progression in the health professionals follow-up studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2007Edward Giovannucci Abstract Risk factors for prostate cancer could differ for various sub-groups, such as for "aggressive" and "non-aggressive" cancers or by grade or stage. Determinants of mortality could differ from those for incidence. Using data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, we re-examined 10 factors (cigarette smoking history, physical activity, BMI, family history of prostate cancer, race, height, total energy consumption, and intakes of calcium, tomato sauce and ,-linolenic acid) using multivariable Cox regression in relation to multiple subcategories for prostate cancer risk. These were factors that we previously found to be predictors of prostate cancer incidence or advanced prostate cancer in this cohort, and that have some support in the literature. In this analysis, only 4 factors had a clear statistically significant association with overall incident prostate cancer: African,American race, positive family history, higher tomato sauce intake (inversely) and ,-linolenic acid intake. In contrast, for fatal prostate cancer, recent smoking history, taller height, higher BMI, family history, and high intakes of total energy, calcium and ,-linolenic acid were associated with a statistically significant increased risk. Higher vigorous physical activity level was associated with lower risk. In relation to these risk factors, advanced stage at diagnosis was a good surrogate for fatal prostate cancer, but high-grade (Gleason , 7 or Gleason , 8) was not. Only for high calcium intake was there a close correspondence for associations among high-grade cancer, advanced and fatal prostate cancer. Tomato sauce (inversely) and ,-linolenic acid (positively) intakes were strong predictors of advanced cancer among those with low-grade cancers at diagnosis. Although the proportion of advanced stage cancers was much lower after PSA screening began, risk factors for advanced stage prostate cancers were similar in the pre-PSA and PSA era. The complexity of the clinical and pathologic manifestations of prostate cancer must be considered in the design and interpretation of studies. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Using NIC to Describe the Role of the Nurse PractitionerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 2003Cindy S. Haugsdal PURPOSE To have nurse practitioners (NPs) identify the 20 most prevalent NIC interventions describing their nursing practice; to determine if the NIC is applicable to the NP role. METHODS The study used a descriptive survey design. NPs with prescriptive privileges in the state of Minnesota received a cover letter and survey that included a description of NIC and a list of the 486 intervention labels and their definitions from the NIC (3rd ed.). Each participant was asked to identify all interventions performed at least once per month in their practice and to provide basic demographic data, including identification of NP specialty. FINDINGS A total of 1,190 surveys were mailed with a return rate of 37%. NPs' average age was 45 years; the average number of years of NP practice was 9. Employment in a clinic represented the work setting of 72% of respondents followed by hospital practice (11%) and long-term care (10%). Specialty (certified) areas were family practice (27%), pediatrics (21%), adult (19%), women's health (16%), geriatrics (11%), psychiatric (5%), and oncology (1%). The educational level was primarily master's degree (73%). NPs identified an average of 120 interventions they performed at least once per month. These interventions reflected areas of patient education and support, as well as documentation and physician collaboration. The 20 most frequently selected interventions were reported by 71%, 90% of respondents. Four core interventions ,"documentation,""telephone consultation,""teaching: prescribed medication," and "emotional support", were used at least once per month by all specialties. DISCUSSION The level of consistency (70%) among responses validates the strong foundation that professional nursing, as described by NIC, provides NPs in their role. Four core interventions and the remaining 16 most frequently selected interventions that are more specific to each specialty practice indicates that NIC is comprehensive enough to meet the needs of a variety of NP practices. CONCLUSIONS NIC encompasses key areas of interventions (health screening, treatment and management, health promotion and education, psychosocial support, indirect activities) central to the role of NPs, but qualitative comments described the need for more language within NIC to characterize the NP role related to the prescribing of medications and treatments. Some respondents found the definitions to be unclear as to whether they were performing or ordering/prescribing the intervention. This lack of clarity could be addressed by further development of the NIC definitions and activities so the advanced role of the NP is more fully described. Development of documentation systems using the core interventions identified by the various NP specialties is needed. Using standardized nursing language for documentation will enable NPs to build clinical databases that reflect and describe the role. Future research needs to be focused by NP specialty and to go beyond the NIC definition and include analysis at the activity level. [source] High Oxidative Stress Is Correlated with Frailty in Elderly ChineseJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2009I-Chien Wu MD OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and frailty in elderly people. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community and hospital-based outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety participants aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Frailty status was determined according to the presence of weak handgrip strength, weight loss, slow walking speed, exhaustion, and low activity level and was classified as frail (,3 criteria), prefrail (1 or 2 criteria), or robust (0 criteria). An oxidative stress marker (serum 8-hydroxy-2,-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG), metabolic markers (body mass index, waist,hip ratio, serum lipids, glucose, and albumin), an inflammatory marker (serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP), demographic information, and comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, overweight or obesity, impaired fasting plasma glucose, renal insufficiency, and depression) were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 90 participants, 21 (23.3%) were frail, 56 (62.2%) were prefrail, and 13 (14.4%) were robust. Frail subjects had higher median (range) serum 8-OHdG (2.5 ng/mL (1.5,6.2 ng/mL) vs 2.3 ng/mL (0.5,8.1 ng/mL) and 1.0 ng/mL (0.5,5.3 ng/mL)) and serum hs-CRP (2.5 mg/L (0.3,32.1 mg/L) vs 1.8 mg/L (0.3,50.5 mg/L) and 1.7 mg/L (0.3,4.0 mg/L)) levels, lower mean±standard deviation serum albumin levels (4.1±0.4 g/dL vs 4.4±0.4 g/dL and 4.6±0.2 g/dL) and higher mean waist,hip ratios (0.96±0.11 vs 0.91±0.07 and 0.89±0.05)) than prefrail and robust subjects, respectively (P<.05 for all). In multivariable regression analysis, high serum 8-OHdG level was still significantly associated with frailty after adjusting for age, smoking status, comorbidities, waist,hip ratio, serum albumin level, and hs-CRP level. CONCLUSION: High oxidative stress, characterized by high serum 8-OHdG level, was independently associated with frailty in the selected sample of elderly Chinese. [source] Relationship Between Frailty and Cognitive Decline in Older Mexican AmericansJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 10 2008Rafael Samper-Ternent MD OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between frailty status and change in cognitive function over time in older Mexican Americans. DESIGN: Data used were from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly. SETTING: Five southwestern states: Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred seventy noninstitutionalized Mexican-American men and women aged 65 and older with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 21 or higher at baseline (1995/96). MEASUREMENTS: Frailty, defined as three or more of the following components: unintentional weight loss of more than 10 pounds, weakness (lowest 20% in grip strength), self-reported exhaustion, slow walking speed (lowest 20% in 16-foot walk time in seconds), and low physical activity level (lowest 20% on Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score). Information about sociodemographic factors, MMSE score, medical conditions (stroke, heart attack, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, and hypertension), depressive symptoms, and visual impairment was obtained. RESULTS: Of the 1,370 subjects, 684 (49.9%) were not frail, 626 (45.7%) were prefrail (1,2 components), and 60 (4.4%) were frail (,3 components) in 1995/96. Using general linear mixed models, it was found that frail subjects had greater cognitive decline over 10 years than not frail subjects (estimate=,0.67, standard error=0.13; P<.001). This association remained statistically significant after controlling for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Frail status in older Mexican Americans with MMSE scores of 21 or higher at baseline is an independent predictor of MMSE score decline over a 10-year period. Future research is needed to establish pathophysiological components that can clarify the relationship between frailty and cognitive decline. [source] Effectiveness of a Falls-and-Fracture Nurse Coordinator to Reduce Falls: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of At-Risk Older AdultsJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 8 2008(See editorial comments by Dr. Mary Tinetti on pp 156, 1565) OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of a community-based falls-and-fracture nurse coordinator and multifactorial intervention in reducing falls in older people. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Screening for previous falls in family practice followed by community-based intervention. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred twelve community-living people aged 75 and older who had fallen in the previous year. INTERVENTION: Home-based nurse assessment of falls-and-fracture risk factors and home hazards, referral to appropriate community interventions, and strength and balance exercise program. Control group received usual care and social visits. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was rate of falls over 12 months. Secondary outcomes were muscle strength and balance, falls efficacy, activities of daily living, self-reported physical activity level, and quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Questionnaire). RESULTS: Of the 3,434 older adults screened for falls, 312 (9%) from 19 family practices were enrolled and randomized. The average age was 81±5, and 69% (215/312) were women. The incidence rate ratio for falls for the intervention group compared with the control group was 0.96 (95% confidence interval=0.70,1.34). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This nurse-led intervention was not effective in reducing falls in older people who had fallen previously. Implementation and adherence to the fall-prevention measures was dependent on referral to other health professionals working in their usual clinical practice. This may have limited the effectiveness of the interventions. [source] Efficacy and Feasibility of a Novel Tri-Modal Robust Exercise Prescription in a Retirement Community: A Randomized, Controlled TrialJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007Michael K. Baker BAppSc OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility and efficacy of current guidelines for multimodal exercise programs in older adults. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Retirement village. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight subjects (14 men and 24 women) aged 76.6 ± 6.1. INTERVENTION: A wait list control or 10 weeks of supervised exercise consisting of high-intensity (80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)) progressive resistance training (PRT) 3 days per week, moderate-intensity (rating of perceived exertion 11 to 14/20) aerobic training 2 days per week, and progressive balance training 1 day per week. MEASUREMENTS: Blinded assessments of dynamic muscle strength (1RM), balance, 6-minute walk, gait velocity, chair stand, stair climb, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and habitual physical activity level. RESULTS: Higher baseline strength and psychological well-being were associated with better functional performance. Strength gains over 10 weeks averaged 39±31% in exercise, versus 21±24% in controls (P=.10), with greater improvements in hip flexion (P=.01), hip abduction (P=.02), and chest press (P=.04) in the exercise group. Strength adaptations were greatest in exercises in which the intended continuous progressive overload was achieved. Stair climb power (12.3±15%, P=.002) and chair stand time (,7.1±15%, P=.006) improved significantly and similarly in both groups. Reduction in depressive symptoms was significantly related to compliance (attendance rate r=,0.568, P=.009, PRT progression in loading r=,0.587, P=.02, and total volume of aerobic training r=,0.541, P=.01), as well as improvements in muscle strength (r=,0.498, P=.002). CONCLUSION: Robust physical and psychological adaptations to exercise are linked, although volumes and intensities of multiple exercise modalities sufficient to cause significant adaptation appear difficult to prescribe and adhere to simultaneously in older adults. [source] Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Well-Functioning Older Adults: Treadmill Validation of the Long Distance Corridor WalkJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2006Eleanor M. Simonsick PhD Objectives: To determine criterion validity of the 400-m walk component of the Long Distance Corridor Walk (LDCW) and develop equations for estimating peak oxygen consumption (VO2) from 400-m time and factors intrinsic to test performance (e.g., heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) response) in older adults. Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Setting: Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland. Participants: Healthy volunteers (56 men and 46 women) aged 60 to 91 participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging between August 1999 and July 2000. Measurements: The LDCW, consisting of a 2-minute walk followed immediately by a 400-m walk "done as quickly as possible" over a 20-m course was administered the day after maximal treadmill testing. HR and SBP were measured before testing and at the end of the 400-m walk. Weight, height, activity level, perceived effort, and stride length were also acquired. Results: Peak VO2 ranged from 12.2 to 31.1 mL oxygen/kg per minute, and 400-m time ranged from 2 minutes 52 seconds to 6 minutes 18 seconds. Correlation between 400-m time and peak VO2 was ,0.79. The estimating equation from linear regression included 400-m time (partial coefficient of determination (R2)=0.625), long versus short stride (partial R2=0.090), ending SBP (partial R2=0.019), and a correction factor for fast 400-m time (<240 seconds; partial R2=0.020) and explained 75.5% of the variance in peak VO2 (correlation coefficient=0.87). Conclusion: A 400-m walk performed as part of the LDCW provides a valid estimate of peak VO2 in older adults. Incorporating low-cost, safe assessments of fitness in clinical and research settings can identify early evidence of physical decline and individuals who may benefit from therapeutic interventions. [source] Plasma Hypertonicity: Another Marker of Frailty?JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 8 2004Jodi D. Stookey PhD Objectives: To determine whether plasma hypertonicity might be a marker of early frailty, this study tested the associations between plasma hypertonicity, incident disability, and mortality in nondisabled older adults. Design: Longitudinal, observational study. Setting: Community-based. Participants: Older adults (,70), who reported no disability and gave blood in the 1992 Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly survey (n=705), were re-interviewed in 1996 for functional status (n=561) and followed for all deaths up to January 1, 2000. Measurements: Plasma tonicity was estimated from plasma glucose, sodium, and potassium measures and used to classify subjects as normo- (285,294 mOsm/L) or hypertonic (,300 mOsm/L). Disability was defined as any impairment on the Rosow-Breslau, activity of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) scales. The relative risk (RR) of any new disability and relative hazard of death associated with hypertonicity were estimated using logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. All models were controlled for age, sex, race, weight status, current smoking, activity level, plasma blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, cognitive impairment, depression, and chronic disease status. To determine whether observed effects were attributable to plasma glucose alone, all models were repeated on a subsample of nondiabetic, normoglycemic subjects. Results: Plasma hypertonicity (observed in 15% of subjects) was associated with increased risk of new Rosow-Breslau (RR=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2,3.6), IADL (RR=2.3, 95% CI=1.2,4.3), and ADL (RR=2.7 95% CI=1.3,5.6) disability by 1996 and mortality by 2000 (RR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0,1.9). Results were similar for the normoglycemic subgroup (ADL: RR=2.9, 95% CI=1.0,8.0; IADL: RR=2.5, 95% CI=1.0,6.3; Rosow-Breslau: RR=1.8, 95% CI=0.8,3.9; mortality: RR=1.5, 95% CI=0.9,2.3). Conclusion: Plasma hypertonicity may be a marker of early frailty. It was prevalent in this sample of nondisabled community-dwelling older adults and predicted incident disability and mortality. Further research to identify its determinants and consequences may help inform interventions against frailty. [source] Normal Values of Balance Tests in Women Aged 20,80JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 8 2004Rosemary C. Isles B Phty Objectives: To determine normal values for four commonly used clinical functional balance tests from community-dwelling women aged 20 to 80 and to identify any significant decline due to aging. Design: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to provide normative values for four clinical balance tests across 6 decade cohorts. Setting: The Betty Byrne-Henderson Center for Women and Aging, Royal Womens' Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Participants: Four hundred fifty-six community-dwelling, independently ambulant women with no obvious neurological or musculoskeletal-related disability, aged 20 to 80, were randomly recruited from a large metropolitan region. Measurements: The clinical balance measures/tests were the Timed Up and Go test, step test, Functional Reach test, and lateral reach test. Multivariate analysis was used to test the effect for age, height, and activity level. Results: Normal data were produced for each test across each decade cohort. Gradual decline in balance performance was confirmed, with significant effect for age demonstrated. Conclusion: New normative data across the adult age decades are available for these clinical tests. Use of clinical balance tests could complement other balance tests and be used to screen women aged 40 to 60 whose performance is outside the normal values for age and to decrease later falls risk. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Application of soybean meal, soy protein concentrate and isolate differing in , -galactosides content to low- and high-fibre diets in growing turkeysJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5 2010Z. Zdu, czyk Summary The aim of this experiment was to investigate the physiological and growth response of young turkeys (up to 8 weeks of age) to dietary replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by soy protein concentrate (PC) or protein isolate (PI). This replacement resulted in a differentiated dietary concentration of , -galactosides of over 2.5% in the SBM diet, approximately 2% with a mixture SBM and PC, 1% with a PC diet and 0.1% with a PI diet. Each treatment was applied in two ways: with lower (3.5%) or higher (5.3%) dietary crude fibre content, made by supplementation with soybean hulls. The highest and lowest body weight of turkeys was recorded both after the first and second 4-week half of the study in the PC and PI-type diets respectively. A gradual withdrawal of , -galactosides from a diet was accompanied by a decline in ileal tissue mass, ileal viscosity and activity of endogenous maltase (the latter was found to be significant at 4 weeks of age). At the same time, two-way anova revealed that an elevated level of crude fibre (HF treatment) caused an increase in ileal tissue mass (p < 0.05 after 4 weeks of feeding) as well as a decrease in activity level of intestinal sucrase and maltase. The presence of raffinose family oligosaccharides in a diet, in contrast to dietary crude fibre level, significantly affected the caecal metabolism. The rate of bacterial production of short-chain fatty acids in the caeca was distinctly diminished by dietary withdrawal of , -galactosides. In conclusion, the soy protein concentrate, in contrast to the protein isolate preparation, exerted positive effects on the turkeys' growth and gastrointestinal tract physiology and should be considered as an effective SBM substitute. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||