Physical Fitness and Apolipoprotein E Genotype Influence Cortical Networking and Intelligence in Adolescents

Author(s):  
J. Park ◽  
Y. Kim ◽  
M. Woo

Aims: This study examined the interactive effect of physical fitness and Apolipoprotein e4 on intelligence and cortical networking in adolescents. Methods: Participants were middle school students consisting of 10 and 8 high- and low-fit e4 carriers (e4+), respectively, and 14 and 10 high- and low-fit non-carriers (e4−), respectively. Inter- and intra-hemispheric coherences were calculated to examine cortico-cortical communication during intelligence test. Results: Coherence in low-fit e4+ was lower than in high-fit e4+, while coherence in low-fit e4- was similar to or higher than in high-fit e4-. Conclusion: the presence of the e4 allele can decrease neural networking 50-60 years before Alzheimer’s disease onset: however, physical fitness may compensate for the negative impact of genotype. Moreover, the beneficial effects of physical fitness may differ depending on functional states of the adolescent brain according to the presence of the e4 allele.

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-562
Author(s):  
Alica Thissen ◽  
Frank M. Spinath ◽  
Nicolas Becker

Abstract. The cube construction task represents a novel format in the assessment of spatial ability through mental cube rotation tasks. Instead of selecting the correct answer from several response options, respondents construct their own response in a computerized test environment, leading to a higher demand for spatial ability. In the present study with a sample of 146 German high-school students, we tested an approach to manipulate the item difficulties in order to create items with a greater difficulty range. Furthermore, we compared the cube task in a distractor-free and a distractor-based version while the item stems were held identical. The average item difficulty of the distractor-free format was significantly higher than in the distractor-based format ( M = 0.27 vs. M = 0.46) and the distractor-free format showed a broader range of item difficulties (.02 ≤  pi ≤ .95 vs. .37 ≤  pi ≤ .63). The analyses of the test results also showed that the distractor-free format had a significantly higher correlation with a broad intelligence test ( r = .57 vs. r = .17). Reasons for the higher convergent validity of the distractor-free format (prevention of response elimination strategies and the broader range of item difficulties) and further research possibilities are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 809-827
Author(s):  
Park Jaebum ◽  
엄혜성 ◽  
김유겸 ◽  
Jooeun Ahn ◽  
MOON HYO YOUL

Author(s):  
I Putu Eka Jaya ◽  
Nyoman Mangku Karmaya ◽  
Made Jawi ◽  
Wayan Weta ◽  
Ida Bagus Ngurah ◽  
...  

Physical fitness is ability to perform the activity or activities without feeling tired excessively. Physical fitness associated with a person`s organs to carry out its tasks properly every day without experiencing significant fatigue. In a child’s mental retardation with a les mobile lifestyle that will affect his physical fitness. The purpose of this study to determine which type of gymnastic exercise better to the physical fitness on the students in Sekolah Dasar Luar Biasa Kuncup Bunga Denpasar.This research used experimental method using Randomized study Pre and Post Test Group Design. The subjects in this study were students in Sekolah Dasar Luar Biasa Kuncup Bunga Denpasar. There were 18 students which is divided into two groups: group-1 is senam penguins and group-2 is senam ria anak Indonesia. Data were obtained after a six-week training analyzed by paired t-test and unpaired t-test.The results of physical fitness test before training with Senam Penguins was 23.39 ± 1.69 and the test results after the training was 27.87 ± 3.28. the physical fitness test in group-2 before training with Senam Ria anak Indonesia was 22.69 ± 1.76 and the results after training was 24.64 ± 2.11. Paired t-test in both group before and after training showed significant differences after training in group-1 and group-2 with a value of p > 0.05 with an increase in physical fitness test results of (19.15) in group-1 and (8.64) in group-2. The percentage increase physical fitness test results of group-1 with senam penguins is higher than those in group-2 with senam ria anak Indonesia.So we can conclude that the training of senam penguin in Sekolah Dasar Luar Biasa Kuncup Bunga Denpasar improved the physical fitness test results higher than senam ria anak Indonesia.


Author(s):  
Shun-Fat Lau ◽  
Amy K. Y. Fu ◽  
Nancy Y. Ip

AbstractGenetic analyses have revealed the pivotal contribution of microglial dysfunctions to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Along AD progression, the accumulation of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) including beta-amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau continuously stimulates microglia, which results in their chronic activation. Chronically activated microglia secrete excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines, which further regulate microglial responses towards DAMPs. This has spurred longstanding interest in targeting cytokine-induced microglial responses for AD therapeutic development. However, the cytokine-induced microglial state transition is not comprehensively understood. Cytokines are assumed to induce microglial state transition from a resting state to an activated state. However, recent evidence indicate that this microglial state transition involves multiple sequential functional states. Moreover, the mechanisms by which different functional states within the cytokine-induced microglial state transition regulate AD pathology remain unclear. In this review, we summarize how different cytokine signaling pathways, including those of IL-33 (interleukin-33), NLRP3 inflammasome–IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-12/IL-23, regulate microglial functions in AD. Furthermore, we discuss how the modulation of these cytokine signaling pathways can result in beneficial outcomes in AD. Finally, we describe a stepwise functional state transition of microglia induced by cytokine signaling that can provide insights into the molecular basis of the beneficial effects of cytokine modulation in AD and potentially aid therapeutic development.


Author(s):  
Zi-Yu Liu ◽  
Zaffar Ahmed Shaikh ◽  
Farida Gazizova

A modern school deals with a generation of students who were born and grown up in a digital environment and require other teaching methods. Changes in the technological and social conditions of modern society need new professional skills, which are often called “21st century skills”. These skills should be devel-oped starting from the primary school, as they are psychological and behavioural, rather than practical. Game-based learning and gamification are effective means of such skills development. The use of video games in teaching practice is studied multifaceted, along with formats and requirements of educational game, methods for effectiveness assessment, and the effect of games on students. The controver-sial nature of game-based learning effect on students require deeper research, as the increase in motivation and learning efficiency cannot be disputed, as well as the negative impact of a long gaming on cognitive abilities, emotional state and social skills of students. The study tested both an increase in the motivation and attraction of school students for the learning process, and the impact on the prac-tical results of information assimilation. There was conducted a survey on the re-sults of the application of game training to determine the motivation and attraction of students. Likewise, we counted time, spent by the study and control group, for mastering the main educational material and the post-class study of game content and the educational material it presents. A comparative test was conducted on the results of educational material comprehension to determine the effectiveness of the methodology in mastering knowledge. The group, with game-based learning and gamification applied, showed an increase in motivation and attraction to learning, students paid additional efforts for assimilating the material studied, and also showed significantly higher learning outcomes compared to the control group.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-110

Dietitians of Canada recommends that an excise tax of at least 10–20% be applied to sugar-sweetened beverages sold in Canada given the negative impact of these products on the health of the population and the viability of taxation as a means to reduce consumption. For the greatest impact, taxation measures should be combined with other policy interventions such as increasing access to healthy foods while decreasing access to unhealthy foods in schools, daycares, and recreation facilities; restrictions on the marketing of foods and beverages to children; and effective, long-term educational initiatives. This position is based on a comprehensive review of the literature. The Canadian population is experiencing high rates of obesity and excess weight. There is moderate quality evidence linking consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to excess weight, obesity, and chronic disease onset in children and adults. Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages holds substantiated potential for decreasing its consumption. Based on economic models and results from recent taxation efforts, an excise tax can lead to a decline in sugar-sweetened beverage purchase and consumption. Taxation of up to 20% can lead to a consumption decrease by approximately 10% in the first year of its implementation, with a postulated 2.6% decrease in weight per person on average. Revenue generated from taxation can be used to fund other obesity reduction initiatives. A number of influential national organizations support a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.


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