Periodic Estrogen Receptor-Beta Activation: A Novel Approach to Prevent Ischemic Brain Damage

In women, the risk for cerebral ischemia climbs rapidly after menopause. At menopause, production of ovarian hormones; i.e., progesterone and estrogen, slowly diminishes. Estrogen has been suggested to confer natural protection to premenopausal women from ischemic stroke and some of its debilitating consequences. This notion is also strongly supported by laboratory studies showing that a continuous chronic 17β-estradiol (E2; a potent estrogen) regimen protects brain from ischemic injury. However, concerns regarding the safety of the continuous intake of E2 were raised by the failed translation to the clinic. Recent studies demonstrated that repetitive periodic E2 pretreatments, in contrast to continuous E2 treatment, provided neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia in ovariectomized rats. Periodic E2 pretreatment protects hippocampal neurons through activation of estrogen receptor subtype beta (ER-β). Apart from neuroprotection, periodic activation of ER-β in ovariectomized rats significantly improves hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Difficulties in learning and memory loss are the major consequence of ischemic brain damage. Periodic ER-β agonist pretreatment may provide pharmacological access to a protective state against ischemic stroke and its debilitating consequences. The use of ER-β-selective agonists constitutes a safer target for future research than ER-α agonist or E2, inasmuch as it lacks the ability to stimulate the proliferation of breast or endometrial tissue. In this review, we highlight ER-β signaling as a guide for future translational research to reduce cognitive decline and cerebral ischemia incidents/impact in post-menopausal women, while avoiding the side effects produced by chronic E2 treatment

Development Of A University Campus Healthy Sleep Promotion Program

This article provides a preliminary evaluation of a campus sleep health program for undergraduate university students. In this study, 5 focus groups with 38 undergraduates assessed perceptions about sleep in relationship to college experiences. Additionally, 35 undergraduate students participated in campus sleep improvement workshops, and completed a brief self-report survey before and after the workshop. Results showed five themes emerged from focus groups: (a) Sleep and its impact on academics, (b) Understanding of the importance of sleep, (c) Procrastination and its impact on sleep, (d) Stress, and (e) Sleep and extracurricular/social activities. Based on self-report surveys, there was no improvement in perceived sleep importance, but perceived sleep confidence of undergraduate student-participants increased significantly after the workshop. The sleep health program for undergraduates showed promising results, and should be evaluated using a larger, more rigorous design in future studies

Longitudinal analysis of cardiovascular disease risk profile in neighbourhood poverty subgroups: 5-year results from an afterschool fitness programme in the USA

BackgroundThe WHO calls for affordable population-based prevention strategies for reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on morbidity and mortality; however, effective, sustainable and accessible community-based approaches for CVD prevention in at-risk youth have yet to be identified. We examined the effects of implementing a daily park-based afterschool fitness programme on youth CVD risk profiles over 5 years and across area poverty subgroups.MethodsThe study included 2264 youth (mean age 9.4 years, 54% male, 50% Hispanic, 47% non-Hispanic black, 70% high/very high area poverty) in Miami, Florida, USA. We used three-level repeated measures mixed models to determine the longitudinal effects of programme participation on modifiable CVD outcomes (2010–2016).ResultsDuration of programme participation was significantly associated with CVD risk profile improvements, including body mass index (BMI) z-score, diastolic/systolic blood pressure, skinfold thicknesses, waist–hip ratio, sit-ups, push-ups, Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) score, 400 m run time, probability of developing systolic/diastolic hypertension and overweight/obesity in high/very high poverty neighbourhoods (P<0.001). Diastolic blood pressure decreased 3.4 percentile points (95% CI −5.85 to −0.85), 8.1 percentile points (95% CI –11.98 to −4.26), 6.1 percentile points (95% CI −11.49 to −0.66), 7.6 percentile points (95% CI −15.33 to –0.15) and 11.4 percentile points (95% CI −25.32 to 2.61) for 1–5 years, respectively, in high/very high poverty areas. In contrast, significant improvements were found only for PACER score and waist–hip ratio in low/mid poverty areas.ConclusionThis analysis presents compelling evidence demonstrating that park-based afterschool programmes can successfully maintain or improve at-risk youth CVD profiles over multiple years

Sex differences in fitness outcomes among minority youth after participation in a park-based after-school program

This study aimed to describe sex differences in fitness outcomes after participation in Fit2Play, a park-based after-school health and wellness program. Youth who participated in Fit2Play for either 1, 2, or 3 school years between 2010 and 2016 (n = 2129, mean age 9.1 years, 52% Hispanic, 48% non-Hispanic black, 54% male) were tested via a comprehensive fitness battery at the beginning/end of the school year(s). Effects of length of Fit2Play participation on fitness outcomes were assessed via three-level repeated measures analysis stratified by sex and adjusted for child sociodemographics, weight category, area poverty, and year. Significant improvements for boys and girls were found in the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (P < .01 for girls, P < .001 for boys), 400 meter run tests (P < .001 for girls, P < .01 for boys), and push-ups (P < .01 for both), with dose-response trends for girls after up to 3 years of Fit2Play participation. From baseline to 1, 2, and 3 years of participation, girls demonstrated 8%, 14%, and 23% mean improvement in 400 meter run times versus 9%, 9%, and 17% for boys, respectively (P < .001 for all). Dose-response improvements were also found in girls for PACER scores and sit-ups. After-school physical activity programs can improve fitness in all youth, and particularly girls with increased years of participation. Further research should examine sex differences in the effects of park-/community-based programs to reduce sex disparities in fitness, particularly in light of the current youth obesity epidemic

Does transportation vulnerability explain the relationship between changes in exposure to segregation and youth cardiovascular health?

Transportation vulnerability (lack of community/personal access to transportation that in turn increases the risk for health or financial consequences in the event of hardship/disease/disasters) may be an important mechanistic factor linking residential segregation to youth cardiovascular health inequities. This natural experiment examined the impact of transportation vulnerability on the association between changes in exposure to residential segregation and cardiovascular health among minority youth (n = 2,129, mean age 9.1 years, 54% male; 52% Hispanic, 48% non-Hispanic black [NHB]; 49% high area poverty) over two years. Two-level generalized linear mixed models with random intercepts were fit to test the effects of transportation vulnerability on the association between changes in segregation and cardiovascular health (body mass index percentile (BMIP), sum of skinfold thicknesses, 400 m run time, systolic and diastolic blood pressure percentiles (SBPP and DBPP, respectively) over two school years and across gender. After adjusting for potential confounders (individual-level race/ethnicity, age, time, and park-area poverty), improvements in cardiovascular health were greatest for girls exposed to reduced segregation with high compared with low transportation vulnerability for all outcomes. Specifically, BMIP and SBPP decreased 29% (IRR 95% CI: 0.69, 0.73) and 13% (IRR 95% CI: 0.85, 0.90) vs. 10% (IRR 95% CI: 0.84, 0.96) and no significant change (IRR 95% CI: 0.88, 1.00), for high and low transportation vulnerability, respectively. Adjusted models showed the greatest improvements in cardiovascular health for boys exposed to reduced segregation and low compared with high transportation vulnerability for BMIP and skinfold thicknesses. Specifically, BMIP and skinfold thicknesses decreased 33% (IRR 95% CI: 0.73, 0.81) and 21% (IRR 95% CI: 0.74, 0.84) vs. increased 8% (IRR 95% CI: 1.05, 1.11) and no significant change (IRR 95% CI: 0.96, 1.03), for low and high transportation vulnerability, respectively. Policy interventions that promote transportation equity should be further studied as a means to reduce youth cardiovascular health disparities, particularly for girls living in areas with high racial/ethnic segregation. •Minority youth had more improved cardiovascular health in integrated areas.•Girls with high transportation vulnerability and reduced exposure to segregation had the most improved cardiovascular health.•Increasing transportation equity may promote youth cardiovascular health.•Policy targeting transportation systems may reduce health inequities related to residential segregation

Changes in cardiovascular health and physical fitness in ethnic youth with intellectual disabilities participating in a park‐based afterschool programme for two years

Youth with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be an unhealthy weight and less physically active than youth without intellectual disability. The effects of Fit2Play, a park-based afterschool programme on cardiovascular/fitness health outcomes among youth with intellectual disability, were prospectively assessed. Youth ages 6 to 22 with intellectual disability who participated in Fit2Play for either one or two school years between 2010 and 2016 (N = 297, mean age 14.1 years, 70% Hispanic, 20% non-Hispanic black, 72% male) were examined via a fitness battery at the beginning/end of the school year(s). Effects of length of Fit2Play participation on body mass index (BMI) %ile, skinfold thicknesses, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) %iles, fitness tests, and health and wellness knowledge) were evaluated via two-level repeated measures analysis adjusted for child gender, age, ethnicity and area-level poverty. Adjusted models showed that up to two years of Fit2Play participation was significantly associated with improved BMI %ile, skinfold thicknesses, SPB/DBP %iles and PACER scores (p < 0.05 for all). One and two years of programme participation was associated with a 6% [95% CI: 0.92, 0.96] and 10% [95% CI: 0.87, 0.93] reduction in SBP%ile, respectively (p < 0.001), and a 36% [95% CI: 1.28, 1.45] and 57% [95% CI: 1.44, 1.70] increase in PACER score laps, respectively, compared to baseline. Results here suggest that park-based, structured afterschool programmes with a focus on health and wellness can be a rich resource for this nation by offering both exclusive and immersion programmes for children with intellectual disability to foster cardiovascular health in all youth

Natural experiment examining the longitudinal association between change in residential segregation and youth cardiovascular health across race/ethnicity and gender in the USA

BackgroundIdentifying how racial/ethnic residential segregation and mobility may impact health can guide innovative strategies for reducing youth disparities.MethodsThis natural experiment examined the association between change in residential segregation and cardiovascular health outcomes across race/ethnicity and gender for youth (n=2250, mean age 9.1 years, 54% male; 51% Hispanic, 49% non-Hispanic black (NHB); 49% high area poverty) attending a multisite park-based afterschool fitness programme in Florida, USA. Two-level generalised linear mixed models with random intercepts for park effects were fit to test the change in segregation–cardiovascular health association over two school years.ResultsAfter covariate adjustment (individual-level gender, race/ethnicity, age, time and park-area poverty), greater improvements in cardiovascular health including body mass index percentile, sum of skinfold thicknesses, systolic/diastolic blood pressure percentiles and 400 m run time were found for youth who attended the program in a less segregated area compared with their home area (p<0.05 for all outcomes). NHB girls showed the greatest cardiovascular health improvements. Specifically, compared with the reference group (no change in segregation), skinfold thicknesses and systolic blood pressure percentiles decreased 17% (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 95% CI 0.81 to 0.86) and 16% (IRR 95% CI 0.82 to 0.87), respectively, versus 1% increase for both outcomes (IRR 95% CI 0.98 to 1.05) and (IRR 95% CI 0.98 to 1.05), respectively, for movement to less versus more segregated areas.ConclusionIn light of a continually expanding youth obesity epidemic, the global effort to reduce health inequities may be supported through Parks and Recreation Departments given potential to expand geographic mobility for low resource subgroups

Two-Year Changes in Neighborhood Juvenile Arrests After Implementation of a Park-Based Afterschool Mental Health Promotion Program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2015-2017

To examine the association of Fit2Lead, an afterschool park-based youth mental health promotion program, and neighborhood juvenile arrests (2015-2017) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We tracked juvenile (ages 12-17 years) arrest rates over 2 years of program implementation across zip codes matched by (1) park and (2) baseline sociodemographics and youth arrests. Fit2Lead mental and physical health, meditation, resilience, and life skills activities were offered in 12 high-need areas for youths (n = 501) aged 12 to 17 years. We tested the association of Fit2Lead implementation (binary variable) and change in juvenile arrest rates by zip code, adjusting for area-level gender, age, race/ethnicity, single-parent households, and poverty. Fit2Lead was offered in areas composed of 48% male youths, 60% Hispanics, 29% non-Hispanic Blacks, 33% single-parent households, and 33% of residents living in poverty. After covariate adjustment, zip codes with Fit2Lead implementation showed a significant mean reduction (  < .001) in youth arrests per 10 000 youths aged 12 to 17 years per year compared with zip codes without program implementation (b = -6.9; 95% confidence interval = -9.21, -4.65). Park-based programs may have the potential to promote mental health and resilience, and also to prevent violence among at-risk youths