Reallocating time spent in physical activity intensities: Longitudinal associations with physical fitness (DADOS study)

ObjectivesFirstly, to investigate the longitudinal associations between accelerometer-derived physical activity (PA) intensities and physical fitness (PF) at 24-month follow-up in adolescents. Secondly, to examine how substituting time spent in low or moderate PA intensities with vigorous PA at baseline was related to PF at 24-month follow-up.DesignLongitudinal observational studyMethodThe DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) study is a 3-year longitudinal research project carried out between years 2015–2017. The analyses included 189 adolescents (91 girls) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years at baseline. PA was assessed by a wrist-worn GENEActiv triaxial accelerometer and expressed as minutes/day of light, moderate and vigorous PA. Cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and motor fitness were assessed by field tests and a global fitness z-score was calculated as the mean of the z-scores values of each fitness test. Association between PA intensities and PF were determined using linear regression. Isotemporal analyses estimating the association of reallocating PA intensities with PF were performed.ResultsBaseline vigorous PA was positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and global fitness score at follow-up in boys (β = 0.234;p = 0.002, β = 0.340;p < 0.001) and girls (β = 0.184;p = 0.043, β = 0.213;p = 0.004). In boys, baseline vigorous PA was also positively associated with musculoskeletal and motor fitness (β = 0.139;p = 0.035, β = 0.195;p = 0.021). The substitution of 10 min/day of light PA or moderate PA with 10 min/day of vigorous PA at baseline was positively associated with all PF components and global fitness score in boys (p < 0.001), and with global fitness score girls (p < 0.05).ConclusionThese findings highlight the need of promoting vigorous PA due to its specific influence on adolescent's PF.     

Changes in physical activity,sedentary behaviour and sleep across the transition from primary to secondary school: A systematic review

ObjectivesTo describe how children’s time spent in the 24-h movement behaviours of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep change, individually and collectively, across the transition from primary to secondary school.DesignSystematic review.MethodsSix electronic databases were searched from January 1990 to May 2019. Eligibility criteria included longitudinal studies reporting time spent in PA, SB and/or sleep, with baseline assessments conducted during the last two years of primary school and at least one follow-up during the first two years of secondary school. For studies reporting only SB, this review considered those published from November 2015 onwards to update a previous systematic review.ResultsThe present review identified six articles that reported changes in PA (n = 5) or PA and SB concurrently (n = 1). Most articles had a high risk of bias (n = 4/6). There was limited but consistent evidence of a change in PA over the school transition period; in particular a decrease in total daily PA and during specific time periods (i.e., in-school, after-school and leisure time). A concurrent but opposite change was observed in SB. No studies were identified that assessed changes in sleep, or all three movement behaviours concurrently.ConclusionsFurther research exploring concurrent changes in all movement behaviours (PA, SB and sleep) and associated factors is warranted to inform future behavioural interventions and policies for promoting an optimal 24 h movement behaviour pattern during this critical developmental period.     

Association of active school commuting with physical activity and sedentary behaviour among adolescents: A global perspective from 80 countries

ObjectivesTo examine associations of active school commuting (ASC) with time spent in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) among adolescents.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsGlobal School-based Student Health Survey data from 277,833 adolescents aged 11–17 years (48.9% girls), collected during 2007–2016, were analysed. Adolescents were asked how many days per week they walked or bicycled to and from school, were physically active, and how much time they spent sitting on a typical day. ASC was defined as ≥3 days/week, meeting PA recommendations as ≥60 min/day, high SB as leisure-time sitting ≥3 h/day. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the association estimates.ResultsAdolescents who used ASC ≥ 3 days/week had over double the odds of meeting PA recommendations (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 2.01–2.12), after adjusting for a set of covariates. Adolescents who reported ASC ≥ 3 days/week had 17% lower odds of reporting high SB (0.83, 0.81?0.85). The estimated OR of ASC and PA was 2.57 (2.31–2.86) in low-income and 1.84 (1.75–1.94) in high-income countries. Adolescents with ASC ≥ 3 days/week had 22% lower odds of reporting high SB in African and Eastern Mediterranean regions (0.78, 0.73?0.84 and 0.75?0.82, respectively). Country-wise estimates of the associations are presented.ConclusionsASC is strongly and positively associated with PA recommendations and moderately with lower SB in adolescents. These estimates vary across WHO regions and by country’s income. Promoting ASC has the potential to promote active lifestyle among adolescents around the globe.     

Comparison of Actical and activPAL measures of sedentary behaviour in preschool children

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the convergent validity of the Actical and activPAL to measure sedentary behaviour (SB) and non-SB in preschoolers in a free-living environment.DesignA convenience sample of 49 preschoolers (22 boys; 4.0 ± 0.5 years) from six early childhood centres in Auckland, New Zealand were included in data analysis.MethodsParticipants wore a hip-mounted Actical and a thigh-mounted activPAL accelerometer simultaneously during centre attendance for one day and data were collected in 15 s epochs. Bland–Altman tests were used to assess differences in group mean minutes and percentage of time in (non-)SB between both monitors. Agreement between binary coded (SB vs. non-SB) 15 s-by-15 s Actical and activPAL data was evaluated by calculating percentage agreement and κ statistic.ResultsThe monitors were worn on average for 294.8 ± 46.3 min resulting in a total of 57,780 15 s epochs. Bland–Altman tests suggested a small group mean difference in (non-)SB (1.3 min; 0.1%) and a wide prediction interval (121.3 min; 39.2%). No obvious systematic bias was observed in the Bland–Altman plot. Percentage agreement between the 15 s-by-15 s Actical and activPAL data of all participants was 73.0% (inter-child range: 36.8–93.8%). The κ statistic showed moderate agreement with a value of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.45–0.47).ConclusionsAlthough the group mean estimate of (non-)SB was similar between the Actical and activPAL, the output of both monitors cannot be considered convergent as meaningful random disagreement was found between both monitors.     

Are children’s perceptions of neighbourhood social environments associated with their walking and physical activity?

This study aimed to examine cross-sectional associations between neighbourhood social environmental factors and physical activity (PA) among Australian primary school children. Baseline data from a large-scale trial among 957 children (48% boys) aged 9–12 years were utilised. Children self-reported their perceptions of the neighbourhood social environment including social networks (e.g. there are lots of other children around to play with), and social capital (e.g. there are lots of people in my area I could go to if I need help). Children also self-reported their weekly walking frequency and PA from which average daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was calculated. Linear regression analyses examined these associations. Boys performed 17 min/day more MVPA than girls (p < 0.01), and girls performed one extra trip/week than boys (p < 0.001). Children’s perceptions of social capital (p < 0.0001) and social networks (p < 0.01) were both positively associated with MVPA and social capital was positively associated with walking frequency (p < 0.05). These associations were not moderated by the child’s sex. These findings suggest that children who had positive perceptions of neighbourhood social capital and social networks in the neighbourhood, tended to be more physically active. Longitudinal and experimental studies are required to further test the influence of these factors among children.     

‘Maths on the move’: Effectiveness of physically-active lessons for learning maths and increasing physical activity in primary school students

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the benefit of physically-active lessons for learning maths multiplication-tables. The impact of the intervention on general numeracy, physical activity (PA), aerobic fitness, body mass index (BMI) and school-day moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was also assessed.DesignRandomised controlled cross-over trial.MethodYear 3 students (n = 172, mean age 8.4 ± 0.3 years, 48% male) were recruited from 10 classes across two urban primary schools. Participants were randomly assigned to a seated classroom (Classroom) group or physically-active lessons in the playground (Playground) and crossed over to the alternative condition in the subsequent school term. The 6-week intervention comprised 3 × 30 min sessions/week. Multiplication-tables (teacher-designed test) and general maths (standardised test) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Aerobic fitness was assessed via the shuttle-run. Pre- to post-intervention change scores were compared for analysis and effect sizes (ES) calculated. Total PA and MVPA were assessed with accelerometers in a subset of participants.ResultsMultiplication scores improved significantly more in Playground than Classroom groups (ES = 0.23; p = 0.045), while no significant differences were observed in general numeracy (ES = 0.05; p = 0.66). Total PA and MVPA were substantially higher during Playground than Classroom lessons (ES: total PA = 7.4, MVPA = 6.5; p < 0.001) but there were no differences in PA/MVPA between the groups throughout the rest of the school day. Aerobic fitness improved more in Playground than Classroom groups (ES = 0.3; p < 0.001) while the change in BMI was not different between groups (p = 0.39).ConclusionsPhysically-active lessons may benefit the learning of maths multiplication-tables while favourably contributing to school-day PA/MVPA.     

Drivers of adolescent adiposity: Evidence from the Australian LOOK study

ObjectivesTo contribute to our understanding of the drivers of body composition during adolescence we sought to employ valid and reliable measures to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between percentage body fat (%BF) and physical activity (PA), moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA), sedentary time (ST), total energy, sugar and fat intake.DesignLongitudinal cohort study.MethodsWe measured 556 (289 male) participants at age 12.4 (SD 0.4) years, and 269 (123 males) at 16.3 (SD 0.4) years, for %BF (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry); habitual PA, MVPA, ST (accelerometry); and dietary intake (‘multi-pass’ weekday and weekend 24-h recall). Accounting for likely under-reporting of energy intake (Goldberg cut-off), general linear mixed modelling was used to generate relationships with %BF.ResultsCross-sectional analyses indicated that 10 min more MVPA per day was associated with 0.6 lower %BF (95%CI 0.4–0.9, p < 0.001), and 10 min less ST/day with 0.07 lower %BF (95%CI 0.00–0.15, p < 0.001), independently of PA. In contrast, %BF was unrelated to total energy (p = 0.4), sugar intake (p = 0.2) or fat intake (p = 0.9). Longitudinal analysis showed that if PA was increased by 3% (10,000 counts/day) over the 4 years, then %BF was reduced by 0.08 (95%CI 0.05–0.12, p = 0.06).ConclusionsThe independent relationships of %BF with PA and ST, but absence of relationships with energy, sugar or fat intake, suggest that general community campaigns in a developed country directed at reducing adolescent obesity through modifications to energy intake and output would benefit from a more concerted focus on the latter.     

Feasibility and effect of a physical activity counselling session with or without provision of an activity tracker on maintenance of physical activity in women with breast cancer — A randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesThe SAFE-Maintain study sought to evaluate the effect and acceptability of a physical activity counselling (PAC) session, versus a PAC session plus provision of a Fitbit (Charge HR®; PAC + F), on maintenance of physical activity levels 12 weeks following participation in a supervised exercise intervention.DesignFifty-two women with stage II + breast cancer who had recently (within the previous 7 days) completed a 12-week supervised exercise program were randomised to the PAC or PAC + F group.MethodsPhysical activity levels, including weekly minutes of total physical activity (min/week), daily step count (steps/day), and weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA, min/week), were assessed using the Active Australia survey and Actigraph® GT3X+ accelerometers. Self-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12-week follow-up, while objectively-measured outcomes were only available at 12-week follow-up.ResultsCompared with the PAC group, the PAC + F group had higher self-reported MVPA and self-reported total activity (between-group mean difference: 78.2 [95% CI = −8.3, 164.9] min/week, p < 0.01, and 171.9 [95% CI = 46.1, 297.8] min/week, p < 0.01, respectively) at 12-week follow-up. Higher objectively-assessed MVPA (p = 0.03) and steps/day (p = 0.07) at 12-week follow-up was also observed in the PAC + F group compared with the PAC group. Most (>80%) of the PAC + F group reported high levels of Fitbit use and considered the device to be beneficial for physical activity maintenance.ConclusionsFindings suggest that activity trackers show promise as an effective, feasible and acceptable approach to support physical activity maintenance following completion of a supervised exercise intervention.Trial registrationProspectively registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR, Trial registration number: ACTRN12616000954426).     

Sedentary behavior: Different types of operationalization influence outcome measures

IntroductionSedentary behavior (SB) influences health status independently of physical activity. The formal definition of SB is: “any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 METs while in a sitting or reclining posture”. However, measuring SB mostly does not include both the intensity and postural component. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of type of operationalization of SB on total sedentary time and the pattern of SB.Methods53 healthy subjects were measured 24 h with a multi-sensor activity monitor that provides a valid one-second detection of body postures and movements and a calculated intensity measure. The SB outcome measures were: total sedentary time; number of sedentary bouts; mean bout length; fragmentation; and W-index. All outcomes were calculated for three types of operationalization of SB: 1) waking time in lying and sitting posture and below the sedentary intensity threshold (<0.016 g comparable with Actigraph <150 counts, COMBI); 2) waking time in lying and sitting posture (POST); 3) waking time below the sedentary intensity threshold (<0.016 g, INT). Outcome measures based on these three operationalizations were compared with repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsTotal sedentary time was significantly different (p < 0.001) between all three conditions: 505.8 (113.85) min (COMBI), 593.2 (112.09) min (POST), and 565.5 (108.54) min (INT). Significant differences were also found for other outcome measures.ConclusionOur study shows that type of operationalization significantly affects SB outcome measures. Therefore, if SB is defined according to the formal definition, measurements must include both the intensity and postural component.     

Energy efficiency and pulmonary artery flow after balloon pulmonary angioplasty for inoperable,chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Analysis by phase-contrast MRI

PurposeThe aims of this study were to propose a new quantitative method for pulmonary artery (PA) flow energetics using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI), and to investigate how balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) impacts energetics in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Materials and methodsPC-MRI at 3-Teslar and with a flow sensitive gradient echo was used to examine energetics prior to and following BPA for 24 CTEPH patients. Stroke volume (m; ml) and mean velocity (V; mm/s) for the main pulmonary artery (PA), right PA, and left PA were calculated from a time-flow curve derived from PC-MRI. Based on the Bernoulli principle, PA energy was identified as 1/2 mV² (μj/kg), and energy loss was defined as the following equation “energy loss = main PA energy − (rt. PA energy + lt. PA energy)”.ResultsRight PA energy was significantly greater post-BPA than pre-BPA (61 ± 55 vs. 32 ± 40 μj/kg). There was no difference in main PA and left PA energies. Energy loss was significantly decreased post-BPA (18 ± 97 μj/kg) than pre-BPA (79 ± 125 μj/kg). An optimal cutoff of left PA energy of 45 μj/kg pre-BPA can be used to predict patients with mPAP ≥ 30 mmHg after BPA, with an area under the curve of 0.91, 78% sensitivity, and 92% specificity.ConclusionAnalysis of PA energetics using phase-contrast MRI demonstrates that BPA improves energy loss in CTEPH. In addition, BPA responses can be predicted by PA energy status pre-treatment.     

The impact of a teacher-led structured physical activity session on preschoolers’ sedentary and physical activity levels

ObjectivesThe purpose of this observational study was to examine differences in preschoolers’ sedentary time and physical activity (PA) participation between preschool-attending weekdays with and without a teacher-led structured PA session.DesignA sample of 200 preschoolers (5.3 ± 0.4 y; 113 boys) from 26 preschools in Flanders, Belgium were included in data analysis.MethodsParticipants wore a GT1M ActiGraph accelerometer on one preschool-attending weekday with and on one preschool-attending weekday without the provision of a teacher-led structured PA session. Preschoolers’ sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the time in preschool (08:00–16:00 h) and after preschool (16:00–20:00 h) were estimated. To assess differences in the outcome measures between both days, multi-level linear regression models were conducted.ResultsDuring the time at preschool, lower sedentary levels (β = 13.0 min; SE = 1.6; p < 0.001) and higher light PA (β = 2.9 min; SE = 0.7 p < 0.001) and MVPA levels (β = 10.1 min; SE = 1.1; p < 0.001) were prevalent on days with a structured PA session compared to days without a structured PA session in both boys and girls. After preschool, no differences were found between both days in sedentary time (β = 0.7; SE = 1.4; p > 0.05), light PA (β = 0.3; SE = 0.5; p > 0.05), and MVPA (β = 0.3; SE = 0.9; p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that no compensatory changes were found after preschool for the structured PA session during the preschool hours. Therefore, a teacher-led structured PA session integrated in the preschool curriculum is a promising mean to decrease sedentary time and to increase PA in preschool-aged boys and girls.     

Performance of computed tomography-derived pulmonary vasculature metrics in the diagnosis and haemodynamic assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

BackgroundFew studies have addressed the value of combining computed tomography-derived pulmonary vasculature metrics for the diagnosis and haemodynamic evaluation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Materials and methodsWe measured three computed tomography parameters for the pulmonary artery, peripheral vessels, and pulmonary veins: the ratio of the diameter of the pulmonary artery to the aorta (PA/Ao), the cross-sectional area of small pulmonary vessels <5 mm² as a percentage of total lung area (%CSA_<5), and the diameter of the right inferior pulmonary vein (PVD). The measured quantities were compared between patients with PAH (n = 45) and control subjects (n = 56), and their diagnostic performance and associations with PAH-related clinical indices, including right heart catheterization measurements, were examined.ResultsPA/Ao and %CSA_<5 were significantly higher in patients with PAH than in controls. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for ability to diagnose PAH showed a high area under the curve (AUC) for PA/Ao (0.95) and modest AUCs for %CSA_<5 (0.75) and PVD (0.56). PA/Ao correlated positively with mean pulmonary arterial pressure and PVD correlated negatively with pulmonary vascular resistance. The %CSA_<5 correlated negatively with mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and positively with cardiac index. Notably, the PA/Ao and PVD values divided by %CSA_<5 correlated better with right heart catheterization indices than the non-divided values.ConclusionPA/Ao, %CSA_<5, and PVD are useful non-invasive pulmonary vasculature metrics, both alone and in combination, for diagnosis and haemodynamic assessment of PAH.     

Can anthropometry and physical fitness testing explain physical activity levels in children and adolescents with obesity?

ObjectivesAs time with patients and resources are increasingly limited, it is important to determine if clinical tests can provide further insight into real-world behaviors linked to clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine which aspects of anthropometry and physical fitness testing are associated with physical activity (PA) levels among youth with obesity.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodAnthropometry [height, waist circumference, bodyweight, fat percentage], physical fitness [muscular endurance (partial curl-ups), flexibility (sit-and-reach), lower-body power (long-jump), upper-body strength (grip), speed/agility (5 × 5-m shuttle), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂-max)], and PA [light (LPA), moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA), MVPA] was assessed in 203 youth with obesity.ResultsThe sample was stratified by age <12 yrs (children); 12 yrs (adolescents) and sex. Stepwise regression evaluated associations between PA with anthropometry and physical fitness. Children (57% male) and adolescents (45% male) had a BMI Z-score of 3.5(SD:0.94) and 3.1(SD:0.76) respectively. Long-jump explained 19.5% [(Standardized) Beta = 0.44; p = 0.001] of variance in VPA for childhood girls and 12.6% (Beta = 0.35; p = 0.025) of variance in MPA for adolescent boys. 5 × 5-m shuttle explained 8.4% (Beta = −0.29; p = 0.042) of variance in MVPA for childhood girls. Body mass explained 6.3% (Beta = −0.25; p = 0.007) of variance in LPA in childhood boys. Fat percentage explained 9.8% (Beta = 0.31; p = 0.03) of variance in MPA in adolescent girls.ConclusionsIn conclusion, tests of lower body power, body mass and fat percentage provide limited information concerning PA levels in youth with obesity. Activity monitoring should be considered in addition to clinical assessments to more fully understand youth health.     

Can the intensity of physical activity be accurately measured in older adults using questionnaires?

ObjectivesThis study assessed the accuracy of two questionnaires for measuring the duration of physical activity (PA) by intensity compared to an objective measure in older adults.DesignCross-sectional observationMethodsA total of 169 (female = 43.8%) participants aged 73–78 years (mean: 75.1 y; SD: 1.3) wore a SenseWear™ Armband (SWA) for seven-days and reported the duration of PA by intensity with a Physical Activity Recall (PAR) questionnaire and the Active Australia Survey (AAS). In addition, the duration of moderate-to-vigorous-PA (MVPA) and overall active time, weighted for intensity (Total PA; MET: min/week) was assessed. Univariate general linear models were used to compare the questionnaire and SWA measures of PA while controlling for age, sex and education.ResultsThe PAR was associated with SWA moderate intensity PA (b = 0.19; 95% CI 0.03–0.35), MVPA (b = 0.19; 95% CI 0.02–0.37) and Total PA (b = 0.33; 95% CI 0.11–0.55). Although significant correlations were present, the models explained a small proportion of the variance in the SWA variables. The AAS was not associated with the SWA for any PA outcome. There was also significant under-reporting of PA duration for both questionnaires in comparison to the SWA.ConclusionsThe PAR questionnaire may be suitable for determining the effect of greater levels of PA on health outcomes. However, neither questionnaire can be considered valid in determining the duration of PA divided by intensity. In addition, questionnaire and objectively measured PA are not equivalent and absolute measures of PA derived from questionnaires should be interpreted with caution.     

Longitudinal changes in domains of physical activity during childhood and adolescence: A systematic review

ObjectivesPhysical activity (PA) participation is prone to decline during adolescence. An understanding of the domains of PA that are susceptible to decline may support a more targeted approach to PA and health promotion. The aim of this study was to review longitudinal trends in participation in four PA domains during childhood and adolescence: organized PA, non-organized PA, active transport and active chores.DesignSystematic review.Methods5517 research articles were sourced from five electronic databases (covering January 1997–April 2018). Eligibility criteria included repeated measurements of at least one PA domain among the same participants (5–18 years of age).Results23 studies were included, cumulatively reporting data from 27,231 participants. Few studies had a low risk of bias (n = 6). Most studies of active transport reported an increase in participation during childhood, no change in the transition to adolescence, and no change or decline during adolescence. Most studies of organized PA reported an increase during childhood, an increasing or stable pattern in the transition to adolescence, and no change or decline during adolescence. Non-organized PA participation tended to remain stable among adolescent girls and decline among adolescent boys. Active chores increased during the transition to adolescence and then stabilized.ConclusionsPotential strategies for PA promotion among youth may include targeting non-organized PA among adolescent boys or organized PA among late adolescent boys and girls. However, there is a continuing need for high-quality, longitudinal studies of participation in PA domains, particularly non-organized PA and active chores.PROSPERO Registration: CRD42017076888.     

Concurrent validity of the ActiGraph GT3X+ and activPAL for assessing sedentary behaviour in 2–3-year-old children under free-living conditions

ObjectivesActiGraph accelerometer cut-points are commonly used to classify sedentary behaviour (SB) in young children. However, they vary from 5counts/5 s to 301counts/15 s, resulting in different estimates and inconsistent findings. The aim was to examine the concurrent validity of ActiGraph GT3X + cut-points against the activPAL for measuring SB in 2–3-year-olds during free-living conditions.DesignObservational validation-study.MethodsSixty children were fitted with the activPAL and ActiGraph simultaneously for at least 2 h. Nine ActiGraph cut-points ranging from 60 to 1488 counts per minute were used to derive SB. Bland & Altman plots and equivalent tests were performed to assess agreement between methods.ResultsEstimates of SB according to the different ActiGraph cut-points were not within the activPAL ±10% equivalent interval (-4.05; 4.05%). The ActiGraph cut-points that showed the lower bias were 48counts/15 s (equivalence lower limit: p =  0.597; equivalence upper limit: p < 0.001; bias: -4.46%; limits of agreement [LoA]: -21.07 to 30.00%) and 5counts/5s (equivalence lower limit: p < 0.001; equivalence upper limit: p =  0.737; bias: -5.11%; LoA: 30.43 to 20.20%). For the 25counts/15s, 37counts/15s and 48counts/15s ActiGraph cut-points, the upper limits were within the equivalent interval (p < 0.001) but not the lower limits (p > 0.05). When using the 5counts/5s and 181counts/15s ActiGraph cut-points, lower limits were within the equivalent interval (p < 0.001) but not the upper limits (p > 0.05). Confidence intervals of the remaining ActiGraph cut-points lie outside the equivalent interval.ConclusionsAlthough none of the ActiGraph cut-points provided estimates of SB that were equivalent to activPAL; estimates from 48counts/15 s and 5counts/5 s displayed the smallest mean bias (˜5%).     

Sleep,sedentary activity,physical activity,and cognitive function among older adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014

ObjectivesWe aimed to estimate the association of sleep, sedentary activity and physical activity with cognitive function among older adults, with consideration of the competing nature between variables of activity status.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsA total of 3086 older adults (60 years or older) in the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure self-reported time for sedentary activity, walking/bicycling and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Cognitive function was examined using the CERAD Word Learning subtest (memory), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (executive function/processing speed), and Animal Fluency Test (language). Sleep duration was obtained via interview. Isotemporal substitution models using multivariable linear regression were applied to examine the associations of replacing sleep, sedentary activity, walking/bicycling, MVPA with each other and cognitive function, stratified by sleep duration per night (≤7 h, >7 h).ResultsAmong participants with sleep duration ≤7 h/night, replacing 30 min/day of sedentary activity with 30 min/day of MVPA or 30 min/day was associated with better cognition. Among participants with sleep duration >7 h/night, replacing 30 min/day of sleep with 30 min/day of sedentary activity, walking/bicycling, or MVPA was associated with better cognition.ConclusionsReplacing sedentary activities with MVPA was associated with favorable cognitive function among older adults sleeping no longer than 7 h/night, and replacing excessive sleep with sedentary or physical activities was associated with favorable cognition. Future research is expected to examine the associations of replacing different activity status on long-term cognitive outcomes in longitudinal studies.     

Prostate cancer diagnosis: Efficacy of a simple electromagnetic MRI-TRUS fusion method to target biopsies

ObjectiveTo assess that transrectal ultrasound guidance (TRUS) targeted biopsies (TB) aimed with an easy to use electronic real-time fusion registration device have a higher rate of prostate cancer (PC) detection than standard biopsies (SB).Material and methodsThis prospective study included 130 patients referred for TRUS biopsies after suspicious MRI. They underwent 16-core SB and 2 to 3 cores in each MRI suspicious area, using a fusion software. We noted SB and TB positivity for PC and Gleason score (GS). We used the McNemar test to compare SB and TB, with a statistical significance p < 0.05.ResultsAmong 130 patients, 68.5% had PC. Additional time due to the fusion registration was 3.3 min. One hundred fifteen patients (88.4%) had pathological findings on the histological analysis (prostate cancer n = 89, others n = 26). TB diagnosed PC in 75 patients with negative SB. Positivity rate for PC was significantly higher for TB than SB (p = 0.03). Among highly suspicious MRI lesions, detection rate of histological abnormalities using SB and TB was 96% with 79.7% of PC. Most PC that TB diagnosed alone were clinically significant (86.3%).ConclusionTRUS biopsies performed with a simple MRI and US electronic fusion is an unrestrainedly method to increase PC diagnosis.     

Compliance with the 24-Hour movement guidelines for the early years: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with executive function and psychosocial health in preschool children

ObjectiveTo examine whether meeting the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines was associated with cognitive and psychosocial health in preschoolers.DesignProspective observational study.MethodsCross-sectional (n = 247) and 12-month longitudinal (n = 185) data from the PATH-ABC study were examined. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry. Parents reported children’s screen time and sleep. Children were categorised at baseline as meeting: i) none/one guideline, ii) two guidelines, or iii) 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. Associations with executive functions and psychosocial health were examined using linear regression, adjusting for covariates and preschool clustering. Longitudinal associations were additionally adjusted for baseline levels of development.ResultsHigh proportions of children met the physical activity (94.3%) and sleep (89.9%) guidelines, 17.8% and 17.4% met screen time and 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, respectively. Cross-sectionally, children meeting both sleep and physical activity guidelines displayed better phonological working memory (p = 0.026) and shifting (p =  0.034) scores compared to children who did not. Meeting two (p = 0.037) and three (p = 0.017) guidelines were associated with better phonological working memory and shifting scores, respectively (vs. meeting 0/1 guideline). Longitudinally, children meeting the physical activity guideline at baseline displayed better shifting performance 12-months later compared to those who did not (p < 0.002). No associations with remaining cognitive outcomes, and no associations with psychosocial outcomes were evident.ConclusionsNull associations suggest that meeting the recommendations may not be adequate for broad cognitive and psychosocial health outcomes in preschoolers. However, supporting preschool children to meet the physical activity and sleep guidelines, may be beneficial for aspects of cognitive health.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of [11C]SB366791: A new PET-radioligand for in vivo imaging of the TRPV1 receptor

IntroductionThe transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) receptor, a non-selective cation channel, is known for its key role in pain nociception and neurogenic inflammation. TRPV1 expression has been demonstrated in diverse tissues and an essential role for TRPV1 in various disorders has been suggested. A TRPV1-specific PET-radioligand can serve as a useful tool for further in vivo research in animals and directly in humans. In this study, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a carbon-11 labelled analogue of N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-chlorocinnamide (SB366791) which was reported as a specific high-affinity antagonist for TRPV1.MethodsThe new tracer was evaluated with respect to log D and biodistribution in control, pretreated and TRPV1^?/? mice. The percentage of radiometabolites of [¹¹C]SB366791 was determined in mouse plasma and brain.Results[¹¹C] SB366791 was obtained in good yield (69% ± 11%; isolated amounts 3034–5032 MBq) and high specific activity (390 ± 215 GBq/μmol). The tracer was efficiently cleared from blood and all major organs via hepatobiliary and renal pathways. Initial brain uptake was high (1.6% ID) and wash-out from brain was rapid. The retention of [¹¹C] SB366791 in the trigeminal nerve of control mice was prominent. The in vitro binding affinity of SB366791 was determined to be 280 ± 56 nM and 780 ± 140 nM for human and rat TRPV1, respectively.Conclusions[¹¹C] SB366791 has favourable biodistribution characteristics in mice. However the obtained low binding affinity for TRPV1 may not be sufficient to use the current compound as PET tracer.