An Exploratory Study of the Effects of Aquatic Walking on Function and Muscle Activity in Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 2

This paper presents Part 2 of a study that investigated the effects of an 8-week (3x/week) underwater treadmill (UT) walking intervention on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) outcomes in 6 adults with KOA (62.7 ± 14.2 years). The Knee Outcome Survey (KOS) for activities of daily living and muscle activity during a 10-m walk and a 20 cm step down were measured before and after the intervention. The following KOS measures improved after the UT walking program (p \u3c 0.05; g \u3e 0.8): stiffness, swelling, weakness, walking, going up stairs, going downstairs, kneeling on the front of the knee, squatting, and sitting with the knee bent. Knee flexion excursion during stance of walking increased after the UT walking intervention (p = .01). Co-activation between the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius decreased during the 20 cm step down (p = .04). The findings of this study support using the WWE as a model for UT walking interventions in KOA

An Exploratory Study of Aquatic Walking on Symptoms and Functional Limitations in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1

This paper represents Part 1 of a study that explored the effects of an underwater treadmill (UT) walking program on pain and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 10-m walk were assessed in 6 adults (62.7 ±14.2 years) who participated in an 8-week (3x/wk) UT walking intervention based on the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Walking pace was self-selected, and walking duration of each session was increased from 10 to 45 minutes throughout the study. Knee pain and function were assessed pre-control (PRC), pre-intervention (PRI) and post-intervention (PST). NRS improved from PRC and PRI to PST (p = .03, d = .37). WOMAC subscale scores of pain, (d = .36); stiffness (d = .44); pain during daily activities (d = .41); and total scores (d = .42) improved (p \u3c .05) from PRC to PST. Self-selected walking speed increased concurrently with decreased knee pain (NRS) from PRI to PST. The results support the WWE as a model for an UT walking program for improving knee pain in KOA

Designing organometallic compounds for catalysis and therapy

Bioorganometallic chemistry is a rapidly developing area of research. In recent years organometallic compounds have provided a rich platform for the design of effective catalysts, e.g. for olefin metathesis and transfer hydrogenation. Electronic and steric effects are used to control both the thermodynamics and kinetics of ligand substitution and redox reactions of metal ions, especially Ru II. Can similar features be incorporated into the design of targeted organometallic drugs? Such complexes offer potential for novel mechanisms of drug action through incorporation of outer-sphere recognition of targets and controlled activation features based on ligand substitution as well as metal- and ligand-based redox processes. We focus here on η 6-arene, η 5-cyclopentadienyl sandwich and half-sandwich complexes of Fe II, Ru II, Os II and Ir III with promising activity towards cancer, malaria, and other conditions. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry

The behaviour of inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate in the presence of the major biological metal cations

The inositol phosphates are ubiquitous metabolites in eukaryotes, of which the most abundant are inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) and inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5)]. These two compounds, poorly understood functionally, have complicated complexation and solid formation behaviours with multivalent cations. For InsP6, we have previously described this chemistry and its biological implications (Veiga et al. in J Inorg Biochem 100:1800, 2006; Torres et al. in J Inorg Biochem 99:828, 2005). We now cover similar ground for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, describing its interactions in solution with Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, and its solid-formation equilibria with Ca2+ and Mg2+. Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 forms soluble complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry with all multivalent cations studied. The affinity for Fe3+ is similar to that of InsP6 and inositol 1,2,3-trisphosphate, indicating that the 1,2,3-trisphosphate motif, which Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 lacks, is not absolutely necessary for high-affinity Fe3+ complexation by inositol phosphates, even if it is necessary for their prevention of the Fenton reaction. With excess Ca2+ and Mg2+, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 also forms the polymetallic complexes [M4(H2L)] [where L is fully deprotonated Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5]. However, unlike InsP6, Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 is predicted not to be fully associated with Mg2+ under simulated cytosolic/nuclear conditions. The neutral Mg2+ and Ca2+ complexes have significant windows of solubility, but they precipitate as [Mg4(H2L)]·23H2O or [Ca4(H2L)]·16H2O whenever they exceed 135 and 56 μM in concentration, respectively. Nonetheless, the low stability of the [M4(H2L)] complexes means that the 1:1 species contribute to the overall solubility of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 even under significant Mg2+ or Ca2+ excesses. We summarize the solubility behaviour of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 in straightforward plots

Seroprevalence of 13 common pathogens in a rapidly growing U.S. minority population: Mexican Americans from San Antonio, TX

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infection risks vary among individuals and between populations. Here we present information on the seroprevalence of 13 common infectious agents in a San Antonio-based sample of Mexican Americans. Mexican Americans represent the largest and most rapidly growing minority population in the U.S., and they are also considered a health disparities population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed 1227 individuals for antibody titer to <it>Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Toxoplasma gondii</it>, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus-1, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), varicella zoster virus (VZV), adenovirus-36, hepatitis A virus, and influenza A and B. Seroprevalence was examined as a function of sex, age, household income, and education.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seroprevalence estimates ranged from 9% for <it>T. gondii</it> to 92% for VZV, and were similar in both sexes except for HSV-2, which was more prevalent in women. Many pathogens exhibited a significant seroprevalence change over the examined age range (15-94 years), with 7 pathogens increasing and HHV-6 decreasing with age. Socioeconomic status significantly correlated with serostatus for some pathogens.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings demonstrate substantial seroprevalence rates of these common infections in this sample of Mexican Americans from San Antonio, Texas that suffers from high rates of chronic diseases including obesity and type-2 diabetes.</p

IS LEG POWER DIFFERENT BETWEEN GROUPS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DISTINCTIVE SIT TO STAND TRANSITIONS?

Chase Sanders1, Vaughn Barry2, & Brandon Grubbs2 1University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas; 2Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee PURPOSE: This study investigates the relationship between leg power and sit-to-stand (STS) transitions in older adults. METHODS: After wearing an activity monitor for a week, independent living and assisted living older adults were grouped into terciles based on STS transitions. Leg power was measured via a linear transducer that can assess power associated with repeated standing movements. STS transitions were compared to leg power using a One-Way ANCOVA, controlling for age. Groups were delineated as follows: Low STS Group (n=12, M_age=79.83, M_transitions=34.35), Moderate STS Group (n=11, M_age=76.45, M_transitions=45.12), and High STS Group (n=10, M_age=77.70, M_transitions=65.49). RESULTS: While the Moderate STS Group exhibited a higher average leg power (M=5.63, SD=2.55) than the Low STS Group (M=4.20, SD=1.50) and High STS Group (M=4.05, SD=1.29), this difference was not significant, (F(2,29) = 2.64, p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: While no significant difference was found, the Moderate STS Group displayed a trend of higher leg power. Factors like assistive device use, living arrangements, and a potential ceiling effect in well-functioning older adults may influence these results. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand the relationship between leg power and STS transitions in aging populations

SELF REPORTED AEROBIC PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COMPARED WITH ACTIVPAL TECHNOLOGIES

Cameron D. Addie, Vaughn Barry, Brandon Grubbs, Sarah C. Martinez-Sepanski. Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN. BACKGROUND: Reducing sedentary time while maintaining regular physical activity is associated with improvement in health-related fitness components and decreased risk of chronic-related diseases. Currently the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend adults complete a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or a minimum of 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity, and/or a combination of moderate and vigorous intensity. Present wearable technology, such as the ActivPAL, has allowed individuals to monitor sedentary behavior, however most of the general population does not have access to wearable technology, making a physical activity questionnaire a more realistic approach for tracking physical activity. The purpose of this study was to compare moderate and vigorous self-reported physical activity guidelines compared to ActivPAL technology reports. METHODS: Forty-nine college students were recruited for this study (age: 23.02 ± 3.88y, height: 168.93 ± 9.75cm, mass: 78.02 ± 17.36kg, BMI: 27.34 ± 5.55kg/m^2). Participants were provided with ActiPAL activity monitors to wear for 7 days. The device was secured on the midline of the right thigh, one-third of the way down from the top of the thigh. After the 7-day wear period, the physical activity monitors were returned and participants completed a Physical Activity and Exercise Context Questionnaire. Two paired sample t-test were conducted to compare the means of total exercise minutes for moderate and vigorous activity between self-reported physical activity and ActiPAL data. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p\u3c.001) in total time self-reported moderate physical activity (563.53 ± 569.37 min) and ActivPAL moderate physical activity (236.55 ± 172.11 min). There was also significant difference (p\u3c.001) in total time self-reported vigorous physical activity (138.30 ± 195.32 min) and ActivPAL reported vigorous physical activity (11.58 ± 25.07 min). CONCLUSION: While self-reported physical activity is a more practical approach, individuals often misrepresent aerobic moderate activity and over-represent aerobic vigorous activity compared to ActivPAL. Practitioners should be cautious when asking college students to self-report time spent in moderate and vigorous aerobic physical activity. Future research studies should investigate the validity of the ActivPAL across all modes of aerobic activity

BMI IS A PREDICTOR ON SIT TO STAND POWER IN YOUNG ADULTS

Sebastian Daniel Ibarra, Cameron Addie, Vaughn Barry, Brandon Grubbs, Angela Bowman, Sarah C. Martinez-Sepanski. Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN. BACKGROUND: Sarcopenic obesity is the loss of muscle mass with aging with the combined influence of obesity. Sarcopenic obesity has become more prevalent in older adults and can increase an individual’s chance of mortality. Partaking in a physically active lifestyle at a young age to maintain muscle mass while decreasing fat mass is paramount. Evidence has shown that power preferred predictor for functional performance maintenance. The purpose of this study is to identify if BMI is an accurate predictor of peak power in young adults who met the minimum recommendations for the 2018 aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG). METHODS: Forty-nine college students were recruited for this study (age: 23.02 ± 3.88y, height: 168.93 ± 9.75cm, mass: 78.02 ± 17.36kg, BMI: 27.34 ± 5.55kg/m^2). Body mass was measured with a digital scale, while height was measured using a stadiometer to calculate BMI. The Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer was used to assess sit-to-stand peak power of the lower extremities. ActivPAL technology was used to obtain total time spent in moderate and/or vigorous physical activity during a 7-day wear period. An ANCOVA was ran to examine group differences of peak power based on meeting the 2018 PAG guidelines (\u3e150 mins) when controlling for BMI. RESULTS: BMI was a significant predictor on relative peak power [F (1, 45) = 6.49, p = .014]). Since BMI was a significant predictor, it was categorized based on the CDC guidelines into normal (n = 16, M = 15.686 W/kg), overweight (n = 20, M = 17.249 W/kg) and obese (n= 13, M = 13.260W/kg) to observe group differences on peak power. A one-way ANOVA revealed that overweight individuals had significantly greater power than obese individuals (p = 0.024). There were no significant differences seen between individuals with a normal BMI compared to overweight (p = .33) or obese (p= .183). CONCLUSION: BMI is a significant predictor of peak power in young adults. Overweight individuals have more peak power than those who are obese. This may be due to overweight individuals having more lean body mass compared to obese individuals. This suggests that young individuals who are obese have larger amounts of fat mass and less peak power. Thus, making obese young adults most susceptive to sarcopenic obesity in later stages of life and stresses the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle at a young age