Socioeconomic inequalities in distance to and participation in a community-based running and walking activity : a longitudinal ecological study of parkrun 2010 to 2019

Objectives To conduct a longitudinal ecological analysis of the distance to and participation in free weekly outdoor physical activity events (parkrun) in England from 2010 to 2019, and related socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities, to inform policies to support participation in physically active community events. Methods We calculate distance to the nearest parkrun event for each English Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA) each month from January 2010 to December 2019. We then report the trends in distance to and participation in parkrun by Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile. We also report trends in the Relative Index of Inequality (RII) by deprivation for participation and distance to nearest event. We go on to investigate trends in LSOA level determinants (e.g. deprivation and ethnic density) of parkrun participation between 2010 and 2019, using multivariable Poisson regression models. Results Mean distance to the nearest parkrun event decreased from 34.1 km in 2010, to 4.6 km in 2019. Throughout the period, parkrun events tended to be situated closer to deprived areas compared to less deprived areas. Participation rates increased superlinearly (greater than linear increase) from 2010 to 2013 before slowing to linear growth. Participation over the period exhibits a clear socioeconomic gradient, with people from deprived areas having consistently lower participation rates over the period. parkrun participation rates became more equal between 2010 and 2013 (RII improved from 189 to 39), before stabilising at an RII between 32.9 and 39.6 from 2014 to 2019. The results of the Poisson regression model validate this finding; the coefficients on IMD score initially increased from −0.050 in 2010 to −0.038 in 2013, and then remained relatively stable to 2019 (−0.035). Conclusions Over the past 10 years, geodesic distance to the nearest parkrun decreased from a mean of 34 km to 5 km. In 2010, there was equality between the least and most deprived areas but by 2017 the distance of the most deprived areas was 29% that of the least deprived. Participation was shown to have increased over the past 10 years which can be split into two distinct phases: from 2010 to 2013 participation increased super-linearly and inequality in participation fell dramatically; from 2013 to 2019 participation increased linearly, and inequality in participation remained stable. Despite parkrun's ambitions of creating inclusive events and engaging with deprived communities, the socioeconomic gradient in participation rates remained high and stable since 2013. Gaining a better understanding of the reasons why parkrun grew so quickly may be useful for other physical activity movements, while further analysis of the relatively lower participation rates in areas with higher socioeconomic deprivation is important for developing initiatives to encourage physical activity in these communities

3D-printed micro lens-in-lens for in vivo multimodal microendoscopy

Published online: March 1, 2022Multimodal microendoscopes enable co-located structural and molecular measurements in vivo, thus providing useful insights into the pathological changes associated with disease. However, different optical imaging modalities often have conflicting optical requirements for optimal lens design. For example, a high numerical aperture (NA) lens is needed to realize high-sensitivity fluorescence measurements. In contrast, optical coherence tomography (OCT) demands a low NA to achieve a large depth of focus. These competing requirements present a significant challenge in the design and fabrication of miniaturized imaging probes that are capable of supporting high-quality multiple modalities simultaneously. An optical design is demonstrated which uses two-photon 3D printing to create a miniaturized lens that is simultaneously optimized for these conflicting imaging modalities. The lens-in-lens design contains distinct but connected optical surfaces that separately address the needs of both fluorescence and OCT imaging within a lens of 330 µm diameter. This design shows an improvement in fluorescence sensitivity of >10x in contrast to more conventional fiber-optic design approaches. This lens-in-lens is then integrated into an intravascular catheter probe with a diameter of 520 µm. The first simultaneous intravascular OCT and fluorescence imaging of a mouse artery in vivo is reported.Jiawen Li, Simon Thiele, Rodney W. Kirk, Bryden C. Quirk, Ayla Hoogendoorn, Yung Chih Chen, Karlheinz Peter, Stephen J. Nicholls, Johan W. Verjans, Peter J. Psaltis, Christina Bursill, Alois M. Herkommer, Harald Giessen, and Robert A. McLaughli

Low Concentration Analysis of Silver Nanoparticles in Consumer Spray Products

The lack of regulations regarding the manufacture of nanoparticle-containing products has enabled the release of many consumer products into the market with uncorroborated claims. Silver nanoparticles are commonly used in consumer goods, particularly in medical and household products. This study was designed to evaluate the aerosol exposure of silver nanoparticles from two consumer spray products currently on the market that claim to contain silver nanoparticles for antibacterial purposes. The study relies on our current understanding of various sampling and analytical methods to effectively evaluate aerosolized nanoparticles, particularly at low concentrations. To characterize low-concentration nanoparticles, various sophisticated sampling methods, including a NanoScan scanning mobility particle sizer, an optical particle sizer, an impinger, and diffusion samplers, were utilized to quantify, collect, and analyze the chemical compositions of the aerosolized products. Our results show that while both products aerosolize silver particles when sprayed, the emitted nanoparticles contain a low concentration of silver and vary in size and overall chemical composition. Further investigation of silver nanoparticle commercial spray products is needed to assess exposure risk and inform health professionals, industrial hygienists, and the general public regarding disparities in product marketing claims and nanoparticle aerosol exposure

Better psychological health is associated with weight stability in women with eating disorders

To explore the associations between changes in weight, eating disorder psychopathology and psychological distress in a community sample of women with eating disorders over two years. METHOD: One hundred and twenty two women identified with disordered eating in a baseline population survey agreed to participate in a follow-up study, of whom 87 (71%), mean age 28±6.2, completed the two-year follow-up. Body mass index, eating disorder psychopathology, psychological distress, and demographic details were assessed at both time points. RESULTS: Over the two years there was a mean weight gain of 1.76 kg (SD=7.03), 11 (13%) women lost ≥5 kg, 25 (29%) gained ≥5 kg, and 49 (58%) remained weight stable (i.e., within 5 kg of baseline weight). Comparisons between those who had lost, gained and remained weight stable showed few significant differences, however, women who remained weight stable were the least psychologically distressed at baseline and those who lost weight had the greatest reduction in shape concern. Body mass index at baseline, and change in level of binge eating episodes were not associated with weight change. CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating behaviours have little influence on weight change over two years in community women with disordered eating. Low levels of psychological distress at baseline may promote weight stability. Concerns about shape are likely to increase with increased weight

Women with bulimic eating disorders: when do they receive treatment for an eating problem?

Variables associated with the use of health services were examined in a prospective, community-based study of women with bulimic-type eating disorders who did (n = 33) or did not (n = 58) receive treatment for an eating problem during a 12-month follow-up period. Participants who received treatment for an eating problem differed from those who did not in several respects, including higher body weight, higher levels of eating disorder psychopathology, general psychological distress, and impairment in role functioning, deficits in specific aspects of coping style, greater awareness of an eating problem, and greater likelihood of prior treatment for a problem with weight. However, the variables most strongly associated with treatment seeking were greater perceived impairment in role functioning specifically associated with an eating problem and greater perceived inability to suppress emotional difficulties. These were the only variables that were significantly associated with treatment seeking in multivariable analysis. The findings suggest that individuals’ recognition of the adverse effects of eating-disordered behavior on quality of life may need to be addressed in prevention and early intervention programs for eating disorders