Temporal relationships between device-derived sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep in early childhood

Study Objectives Understanding the ideal composition of a child’s day requires a better understanding of the relations between wake behaviors (sedentary behavior [SB], physical activity [PA]) and sleep. Here we examine between- and within-person temporal associations between daytime wake behaviors and overnight sleep in early childhood, an important age when healthy behaviors are initiated and 24-hour behaviors are largely determined by caregivers. Methods Daily, repeated measures of wake behavior and overnight sleep were assessed via wrist-worn actigraphy (mean=9 days/nights) in 240 children (50.8±9.8 months). Multilevel models with lagged effects were used to examine the temporal associations between wake and overnight sleep measures and adjusted for daily nap duration, age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Results Between-person associations for sleep outcomes were negative between MVPA and total activity for sleep efficiency (SE). Between-person associations for wake outcomes were positive between sleep duration and light PA, and negative between SE and both MVPA and total PA. When children obtained higher SE relative to their individual average, they were more likely to engage in less SB and greater MVPA and total PA the next day. Conclusions Generally, days with greater activity or sleep were not associated with greater subsequent sleep or PA. Most subsequent behaviors were not influenced by children achieving higher activity or sleep relative to their individual average levels, although higher sleep efficiency was beneficially associated with next day wake behaviors. Future analyses with young children should consider within-person associations and could investigate lagged effects beyond one day.

Validity and Acceptability of Wearable Devices for Monitoring Step-Count and Activity Minutes Among People With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple wearable devices that purport to measure physical activity are widely available to consumers. While they may support increases in physical activity among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) by providing feedback on their performance, there is little information about the validity and acceptability of these devices. Providing devices that are perceived as inaccurate and difficult to use may have negative consequences for people with MS, rather than supporting participation in physical activity. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the validity and acceptability of commercially available devices for monitoring step-count and activity time among people with MS. Nineteen ambulatory adults with MS [mean (SD) age 52.1 (11.9) years] participated in the study. Step-count was assessed using five commercially available devices (Fitbit Alta, Fitbit Zip, Garmin Vivofit 4, Yamax Digi Walker SW200, and Letscom monitor) and an activPAL3μ while completing nine everyday activities. Step-count was also manually counted. Time in light activity, moderate-to-vigorous activity, and total activity were measured during activities using an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer. Of the 19 participants who completed the validity study, fifteen of these people also wore the five commercially available devices for three consecutive days each, and participated in a semi-structured interview regarding their perception of the acceptability of the monitors. Mean percentage error for step-count ranged from 12.1% for the Yamax SW200 to −112.3% for the Letscom. Mean step-count as manually determined differed to mean step-count measured by the Fitbit Alta (p = 0.002), Garmin vivofit 4 (p < 0.001), Letscom (p < 0.001) and the research standard device, the activPAL3μ (p < 0.001). However, 95% limits of agreement were smallest for the activPAL3μ and largest for the Fitbit Alta. Median percentage error for activity minutes was 52.9% for the Letscom and 100% for the Garmin Vivofit 4 and Fitbit Alta compared to minutes in total activity. Three inductive themes were generated from participant accounts: Interaction with device; The way the device looks and feels; Functionality. In conclusion, commercially available devices demonstrated poor criterion validity when measuring step-count and activity time in people with MS. This negatively affected the acceptability of devices, with perceived inaccuracies causing distrust and frustration. Additional considerations when designing devices for people with MS include an appropriately sized and lit display and ease of attaching and charging devices.

Insights into Asparaginase from Endophytic Fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae: Purification, Characterization and Antileukemic Activity

Endobiotic fungi are considered as a reservoir of numerous active metabolites. Asparaginase is used as an antileukemic drug specially to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The presented study aims to optimize the media conditions, purify, characterize, and test the antileukemic activity of the asparaginase induced from Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The culture medium was optimized using an experiment designed by The Taguchi model with an activity ranging from 10 to 175 IU/mL. Asparaginase was induced with an activity of 315 IU/mL. Asparaginase was purified with a specific activity of 468.03 U/mg and total activity of 84.4 IU/mL. The purified asparaginase showed an approximate size of 70 kDa. The purified asparaginase showed an optimum temperature of 37 °C and an optimum pH of 6. SDS reduced the activity of asparaginase to 0.65 U/mL while the used ionic surfactants enhanced the enzyme activity up to 151.92 IU/mL. The purified asparaginase showed a Km of 9.37 µM and Vmax of 127.00 µM/mL/min. The purified asparaginase showed an IC50 of 35.2 ± 0.7 IU/mL with leukemic M-NFS-60 cell lines and CC50 of 79.4 ± 1.9 IU/mL with the normal WI-38 cell line. The presented study suggests the use of endophytic fungi as a sustainable source for metabolites such as asparaginase, provides an opportunity to develop a facile, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and rapid synthesis of antileukemic drugs, which have the potential to be used as alternative and reliable sources for potent anticancer agents.

Non-Invasive Assessment of the Seasonal Stress Response to Veterinary Procedures and Transportation of Zoo-Housed Lesser Anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla)

Management procedures affect behavioural and physiological stress responses of wild mammals under human care. According to the Reactive Scope Model, normal values are presumed to exist within predictive and reactive ranges. First, stress parameters of zoo-housed adult Tamandua tetradactyla were evaluated in winter and summer (29 days each), determining the level of behaviour and/or physiological parameters needed to respond to predictable environmental changes. Secondly, the effects of veterinary procedures and transportation were studied in both seasons. Non-invasive methods were applied, assessing behaviour through videos and adrenocortical activity by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs). Lesser anteaters exhibited seasonality (summer > winter) in some behavioural parameters, such as nocturnal activities, as well as in the activity cycle (e.g., acrophase) and FGMs. A veterinary check elicited an increase in total activity (TA), natural behaviours and repetitive locomotion and affected the activity cycle, particularly in summer. Transport produced changes in TA, nocturnal and natural activity and some variables of the activity cycle, mostly during summer. Although the effects of routine management procedures were different from each other and presumably stressful, they elicited changes only at the behavioural level, which was greater during summer. The differences observed according to non-invasive methodologies highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in this context and suggest that it is unlikely that individual welfare was affected.

ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION UNDER EXPERIMENTAL SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE. POSSIBLE WAYS OF PHARMACOCORRECTION

Purpose of the article: to study the effect of acelysine and nimodipine on certain endothelial dysfunction indicators and to evaluate their therapeutic efficacy after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats. Materials and Methods: an experimental study was carried out using 50 Wistar rats of both sexes. Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage was modeled in animals. Three groups of animals were identified: a control group, a group of animals received a standard therapeutic dose of acelysine, and a group received a standard therapeutic dose of nimotop. Each group included 15 animals. There were also 5 intact animals. The animals were withdrawn from the experiment on days 4 and 7 after the motor and exploratory activity determination. Motor and exploratory activity determination was carried out following SAH with the “Open Field” technique. Determination of biochemical markers of endothelial dysfunction was performed in a rat brain homogenate. Results and discussion. It was found that modeling of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) led to the oxidative stress development development and the product of oxidative modification of proteins (nitrotyrosine (Ntz) on the 4th and especially on the 7th day of the experiment) increase in the brain tissues. Starting from the 4th day, we registered a compensatory increase in the activity of NO-synthase (NOS) - by 56%, followed by a decrease in its activity on the 7th day, by more than 33% against the intact group of animals. It was registered a compensatory increase in VEGF-A in rats with SAH modeling on the 4th day of the experiment and its further decrease on the 7th day. The established pathobiochemical changes in the brain tissue were accompanied by the cognitive deficit development in experimental animals, especially on the 7th day of the SAH. SAH led to a significant decrease in the total activity of animals by 2.63 times, a decrease in the distance traveled by animals by 1.89 times, the number of freezes increased by 1.86 times and the immobility of animals increased when moving from the periphery to the center and immobility in the center of the arena (anxiety, fear, disorientation), as well as a decrease in the distance traveled and the speed of movement in illuminated center of the arena 2 and 2.6 times, respectively. Experimental therapy with acelysine 15 mg/kg led to the normalization of biochemical indicators of endothelial dysfunction: concentration of nitrotyrosine, starting from the 4th day of the experiment, increased eNOS activity and VEGF-A concentration (by 75% and 64% on 7th day). The administration of namidopine led to less pronounced effects, statistically significant changes occurred only in relation to the VEGF-A concentration. Administration of namidopine resulted in only a slight increase in VEGF-A concentration. Acelysine and nimotope significantly increased the total activity of rats on the 7th day after SAH by 76.3% and 48.8%, respectively. In animals treated with acelysine, anxiety and fear decreased. The animals were less aggressive and more empathic - long-term grooming increased 3 times. The administration of nimotop in rats survived SAH had a less pronounced positive effect on behavior. Nimotop did not effect on indicators of general activity and did not increase the total distance traveled. Animals received nimtop were inactive by the 7th day of treatment. Conclusions: Experimental therapy with acelysine led to the normalization of biochemical parameters of endothelial dysfunction, namely nitrotyrosine concentration, starting from the 4th day of the experiment and increased eNOS activity and VEGF-A concentration. It should be noted that, in contrast to the rats of the control group, under prescription of acelysine, there was an increase in the concentration of eNOS and VEGF-A both on the 4th and 7th days of the experiment. The administration of namidopine led to less pronounced effects, statistically significant changes occurred only in relation to the VEGF-A concentration. The administration of acelysin to animals after SAH had a beneficial effect on the emotional status and behavior of animals, and also led to the normalization of their general activity and orientation-exploratory activity. The mechanism of edotheliotropic effect of acelysine, in our opinion, is associated with its antioxidant effects, modulating impact on endothelial NOS, as well as its property, indirectly, to influence on increase VEGF content. Nimotope therapy had no effect on the emotional status and behavior of the animals. The use of calcium channel blockers revealed such side effects as depression, drowsiness, diplopia, and disorientation

Activity of Total Alcohol Dehydrogenase, Alcohol Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in the Serum of Patients with Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and objectives: The aim of the current study was to assess the use of determinations of total alcohol dehydrogenase and the activity of its isoenzymes as well as aldehyde dehydrogenase in the serum of patients with alcohol liver disease. Materials and Methods: The testing was performed on the serum of 38 patients with alcoholic fatty liver (26 males and 12 females aged 31–75). The total activity of ADH was determined by the colorimetric method. The activity of ADH I and ADH II, as well as ALDH, was determined by the spectrofluorometric method using fluorogenic specific substrates. The activity of isoenzymes of other classes was determined by spectrophotometric methods using substrates. Results: A statistically significantly higher ADH I activity was noted in the serum of patients with alcoholic fatty liver (4.45 mIU/L) compared to the control group (2.04 mIU/L). A statistically significant increase in the activity was also noted for the class II alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme (29.21 mIU/L, control group: 15.56 mIU/L) and the total ADH (1.41 IU/L, control group: 0.63 IU/L). Conclusions: The obtained results imply the diagnostic usefulness of the determination of AHD total, ADH I, and ADH II activity in the serum of patients with alcoholic fatty liver.

Device-measured physical activity, adiposity and mortality: a harmonised meta-analysis of eight prospective cohort studies

BackgroundThe joint associations of total and intensity-specific physical activity with obesity in relation to all-cause mortality risk are unclear.MethodsWe included 34 492 adults (72% women, median age 62.1 years, 2034 deaths during follow-up) in a harmonised meta-analysis of eight population-based prospective cohort studies with mean follow-up ranging from 6.0 to 14.5 years. Standard body mass index categories were cross-classified with sample tertiles of device-measured total, light-to-vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time. In five cohorts with waist circumference available, high and low waist circumference was combined with tertiles of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.ResultsThere was an inverse dose–response relationship between higher levels of total and intensity-specific physical activity and mortality risk in those who were normal weight and overweight. In individuals with obesity, the inverse dose–response relationship was only observed for total physical activity. Similarly, lower levels of sedentary time were associated with lower mortality risk in normal weight and overweight individuals but there was no association between sedentary time and risk of mortality in those who were obese. Compared with the obese-low total physical activity reference, the HRs were 0.59 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.79) for normal weight-high total activity and 0.67 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.94) for obese-high total activity. In contrast, normal weight-low total physical activity was associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with the obese-low total physical activity reference (1.28; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.67).ConclusionsHigher levels of physical activity were associated with lower risk of mortality irrespective of weight status. Compared with obesity-low physical activity, there was no survival benefit of being normal weight if physical activity levels were low.

Spatial Behavior and Habitat Use of Two Sympatric Bat Species

Movement behavior and habitat use of the long-eared bat species Plecotus auritus and Plecotus austriacus were studied in the Havelland region in Brandenburg (Germany). Data collection included mist-netting, radiotelemetry, reconstruction of prey items, and monitoring of roosting sites. Body measurements confirm a high degree of phenotypic similarity between the two species. Total activity areas (100% Minimum Convex Polygons, MCPS) of Plecotus austriacus (2828.3 ± 1269.43 ha) were up to five-fold larger compared to Plecotus auritus (544.54 ± 295.89 ha). The activity areas of Plecotus austriacus contained up to 11 distinct core areas, and their mean total size (149.7 ± 0.07 ha) was approximately three-fold larger compared to core areas of Plecotus auritus (49.2 ± 25.6 ha). The mean distance between consecutive fixes per night was 12.72 ± 3.7 km for Plecotus austriacus and 4.23 ± 2.8 km for Plecotus auritus. While Plecotus austriacus was located most frequently over pastures (>40%) and meadows (>20%), P. auritus was located mostly within deciduous (>50%) and mixed forests (>30%) in close vicinity to its roosts. Roost site monitoring indicates that the activity of P. austriacus is delayed relative to P. auritus in spring and declined earlier in autumn. These phenological differences are probably related to the species’ respective diets. Levins’ measure of trophic niche breadth suggests that the prey spectrum for P. auritus is more diverse during spring (B = 2.86) and autumn (B = 2.82) compared to P. austriacus (spring: B = 1.7; autumn: B = 2.1). Our results give reason to consider these interspecific ecological variations and species-specific requirements of P. auritus and P. austriacus to develop adapted and improved conservation measures.

Daily Physical Activity Patterns: A Window on Cognitive Decline in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

Gradual disengagement from essential daily physical activity (PA) necessary for independent living could signal present or emerging mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We used BLSA data to examine whether PA patterns including: 1) total activity counts/day, 2) minutes/day spent active, and 3) activity fragmentation (reciprocal of the mean active bout length) differs between participants with adjudicated normal cognition (n=498) and MCI/AD diagnoses (n=32). Linear models were used and adjusted for demographics, APOE-e4 status, morbidity, and gait speed. Compared to those with normal cognition, those with MCI/AD had 3.0% higher activity fragmentation (SE=1.1%, p=0.006) but similar mean total activity counts/day (p=0.08) and minutes/day spent active (p=0.19). Results suggest that activity fragmentation may arise as a compensatory strategy in the absence of reduced activity in MCI and early AD and that activity monitoring may be potentially useful for detecting MCI and AD at an earlier stage.

Actigraphy-Based Associations Between Chronotype and Physical Activity in Older Adults

Chronotype is a measure of the time of day people prefer to be most active or to sleep. There is a known relationship between chronotype and engagement in physical activity in young and middle-aged adults, such that individuals with a morning chronotype engage in more physical activity compared to those with an evening chronotype. Our study aimed to replicate this finding in an older adult sample. Actigraphy can be used to measure both physical activity and sleep. Because of its ability to capture information about bedtime and arise time, actigraphy can serve as an objective measurement of chronotype. Participants were 159 older adults (ages 60-89, M = 74.73) who wore an ActiGraph GT9X on their non-dominant wrist for 7 days in a free-living environment. Chronotype was measured continuously using the midpoint of the ActiGraph-calculated sleep interval. We used multiple regression to determine the relationship between physical activity and chronotype adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index. Results suggest that while these variables explain a significant amount of variance in physical activity, R2 = 19.0%, F (4, 152) = 8.921, p < .001, there is no significant relationship between chronotype and total physical activity in our sample, ß= -.117, p = .114. These findings are inconsistent with what has been shown in younger samples and suggest that the relationship between chronotype and physical activity may change as one ages. Future research should consider whether particular physical activity intensities (vs. total activity) may have a relationship with chronotype in older adults.