Land- versus water-walking interventions in older adults: Effects on body composition

ObjectivesIncreasing physical activity is a priority worldwide, including for older adults who may have difficulty performing traditional forms of exercise, and for whom retention of muscle mass is an important consideration. Water-based exercise may provide an alternative if benefits are comparable. We compared the impact on body composition of 24-week water- versus land-walking interventions in healthy but inactive older adults.DesignRandomised, controlled trial.Methods72 participants (62.5 ± 6.8 yr) were randomised to a land-walking (LW), water-walking (WW) or control (C) group in a supervised centre-based program. The exercise groups trained 3 times/week at matched intensity (%HRR), increasing from 40–45% to 55–65% heart rate reserve (HRR). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip girths were recorded; dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provided fat and lean tissue masses. Participants were re-assessed 24 weeks after completion of the intervention.ResultsThere were no significant changes in body mass or BMI following either exercise protocol, however central adiposity was reduced in both exercise groups, and the WW group increased lower limb lean mass. These benefits did not persist over the follow-up period.ConclusionsExercise can confer beneficial effects on body composition which are not evident when examining weight or BMI. Both WW and LW improved body composition. Water walking can be recommended as an exercise strategy for this age group due to its beneficial effects on body composition which are similar to, or exceed, those associated with land-walking. For benefits to persist, it appears that exercise needs to be maintained.     

Effects of baru almond oil (Dipteryx alata Vog.) supplementation on body composition,inflammation, oxidative stress,lipid profile,and plasma fatty acids of hemodialysis patients: A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial

BackgroundThe consumption of nuts and edible seeds is associated with the improvement of the metabolic profile and reduction of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of its subproducts, such as oil, are still poorly studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the baru almond oil supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, body composition, lipid profile, and plasma fatty acids of hemodialysis patients.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind, 12-week placebo-controlled clinical study, hemodialysis patients were supplemented with 5 g of baru oil (BG, n = 17) or 5 g of mineral oil (placebo, BP, n = 12). Body composition, renal function, ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP), oxidative stress, plasma fatty acids, and lipid profile were analysed before and after the intervention.ResultsPatients were aged 50.5 ± 2.2 years and the average time of dialyses was 52,1 ± 42,6 months. The BG decreased us-CRP concentration compared to PG (-1.2 ± 0.2 vs. + 0.8 ± 0.2 mg / L,d = 0.88; p = 0.01). Baru almond oil supplementation was not effective in improving body composition, lipid profile, and oxidative stress.ConclusionBaru almond oil supplementation decreased us-CRP concentration in patients with chronic kidney disease under hemodialysis treatment.     

苓桂术甘汤中多糖结构组成及其抗氧化活性考察

目的:研究苓桂术甘汤中多糖的结构,包括单糖组成以及官能团检测,并对其抗氧化能力进行评估,为体外生物测定法运用于苓桂术甘汤的质量评价提供基础。方法:利用高效凝胶色谱对全方多糖分子量进行研究;进一步采用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)柱前衍生化法及红外光谱扫描分析全方多糖结构组成;采用1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)及羟基自由基测定全方粗多糖及精多糖的抗氧化能力。结果:全方多糖由单一峰组成,且相对分子质量为3 689 Da,主要由阿拉伯糖、甘露糖、葡萄糖、半乳糖、果糖组成,摩尔比为6. 85∶1. 00∶109. 21∶1. 04∶21. 82,其中葡萄糖和果糖为主要组成成分;红外结果显示聚糖结构中存在吡喃糖及糖醛酸,并且糖苷键存在2种立体异构(α-糖苷键及β-糖苷键);抗氧化研究发现全方多糖有一定清除DPPH自由基及羟基自由基的能力,粗多糖的活性优于精多糖。进一步采用LC-Q-TOF-MS对粗多糖中的其他成分进行定性分析,提示这与甘草中五环三萜类成分的吸附有关。结论:苓桂术甘汤中多糖及五环三萜类物质均是苓桂术甘汤抗氧化作用的物质基础,利用体外生物测定法测定抗氧化活性可作为全面控制苓桂术甘汤质量的评价指标。     

Negative influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on infant outcomes

BackgroundAccording to the INPES 2014 health barometer, the prevalence of smoking in pregnant women in France is the highest in Europe : 17.8% of expectant mothers who smoke continue to do so during pregnancy. Several epidemiological studies have confirmed multiple risks for tobacco-exposed infants (low birth weight; digestive, respiratory, neurological, and psychological disorders; obesity; type 1 diabetes).PurposeThis study compared a cohort of infants exposed to tobacco in utero (T + ) with those unexposed (T−). Birth weight, diet, presence of colic (ROME III criteria) and regurgitations (Vandenplas scale) were specifically analyzed.MethodsThis observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter survey was conducted in France by pediatricians and general practitioners from September 2016 to February 2017. Infants with a chronic pathology and those with parents under 18 years of age were excluded. The data were collected by the physician and by the mother through a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsA total of 452 physicians recruited 759 T+ and 741 T- infants in the study. The mean birth weight of T+ infants was significantly lower (3.1 ± 0.5 kg [WHO z-score -0.476 ± 1.081]) than that of T− infants (3.3 ± 0.5 kg [0.033 ± 0.965]; P < 0.001). At the time of leaving the maternity facility, 47.7% of T+ infants were breastfed by their mother compared with 70.1% of T− infants. The median reported duration of breastfeeding was 1 month vs. 2 months for T+ and T− infants, respectively. Colic was significantly more common in T+ than in T− infants: 25.6% vs. 12.3% according to the ROME III criteria, and 45.7% vs. 29.7% according to the doctor's opinion (P < 0.001 for both). In the T+ group, cases of regurgitation (63.6% vs. 56.5%; P = 0.005), respiratory disorder (6.3% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001), and bronchiolitis (6.5% vs. 3.0%; P = 0.001) were also more frequent.ConclusionThis study confirms that maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with health risks; exposed infants had significantly more digestive/respiratory symptoms and lower birth weight than unexposed infants. Preventive and educational actions need to be further strengthened in the face of this public health problem.     

Associations between the neighbourhood characteristics and body mass index,waist circumference,and waist-to-hip ratio: Findings from Alberta's Tomorrow Project

This study estimated the associations between neighbourhood characteristics and self-reported body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) risk categories among Canadian men and women. Using data from the Alberta's Tomorrow Project (n = 14,550), we estimated 3- and 4-way intersections, business destinations, population count, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within a 400 m radius of participant's home. Intersections, business destinations, and population count (z-scores) were summed to create a walkability score. Four-way intersections and walkability were negatively associated with overweight and obesity. Walkability was negatively associated with obesity. NDVI was negatively associated with high-risk WHR and population count and walkability positively associated with high-risk WHR. Among men, population count and walkability were negatively associated with obesity, and business destinations and walkability were negatively associated with overweight and obesity. Among women, NDVI was negatively associated with overweight (including obesity), obesity, and high-risk WC. Interventions promoting healthy weight could incorporate strategies that take into consideration local built environment characteristics.     

Mobile Brain/Body Imaging of cognitive-motor impairment in multiple sclerosis: Deriving EEG-based neuro-markers during a dual-task walking study

ObjectiveIndividuals with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) often present with cognitive and motor deficits, and thus the ability to perform tasks that rely on both domains may be particularly impaired. Yet, dual-task walking studies yield mixed results. Individual variance in the ability to cope with brain insult and mobilize additional brain resources may contribute to mixed findings.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we acquired event-related potentials (ERP) in individuals with MS and healthy controls (HCs) performing a Go/NoGo task while sitting (i.e., single task) or walking (i.e., dual-task) and looked at the relationship between task related modulation of the brain response and performance.ResultsOn the Go/NoGo task the MS group showed dual-task costs when walking, whereas HCs showed a dual-task benefit. Further, whereas the HC group showed modulation of the brain response as a function of task load, this was not the case in the MS group. Analysis for the pooled sample revealed a positive correlation between load-related ERP effects and dual-task performance.ConclusionsThese data suggest a neurophysiological marker of cognitive-motor dysfunction in MS.SignificanceUnderstanding neural processes underlying dual-task walking will help identify objective brain measurements of real-world issues and may improve assessment of MS.