Testing a model of successful aging in a cohort of masters swimmers

Geard, DE ORCiD: 0000-0002-4292-9278; Rebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993XDue to their high physical functioning, masters athletes are regularly proposed to exemplify successful aging. However, successful aging research on masters athletes has never been undertaken using a multidimensional successful aging model. To determine the best model for future successful aging research on masters athletes, we had masters swimmers (N = 169, M age = 57.4 years, 61% women) self-report subjective successful aging, and physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning. Using this data we tested one hypothesized and three alternative successful aging models. The hypothesized model fit the data best (-2LL = 2052.32, AIC = 1717) with physical (β = 0.31, SE = 0.11), psychological (β = 0.25, SE = 0.11), and social (β = 1.20, SE = 0.63) functioning factors significantly loading onto a higher order successful aging latent factor. Successful aging should be conceptualized as a multidimensional phenomenon in future masters athlete research. © 2018 Human Kinetics, Inc

Effects of a 12-Week Cycling Intervention on Successful Aging Measures in Mid-Aged Adults

Purpose: To compare the effect of 12-weeks of cycling training and competition versus recreational cycling on successful aging across physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning domains in mid-aged adults. Methods: Recreational cyclists were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 13, M age = 47.18 years) and comparison (n = 13, M age = 46.91 years) group. Analysis of Covariance was used on self-reported pre-post data to determine changes across time and differences between groups on outcomes. Results: The intervention group scored higher on the role limitation due to physical problems measure of physical functioning (p = .045) and the social activity measure of social functioning (p = .008) with large effect sizes (ηp2 > .14). The remaining physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning measures were not significantly different (p > .05) between groups with small to medium effect sizes (ηp2 > .01 to ≤ .06). Conclusion: Cycling training and competition promotes better physical and social functioning than recreational cycling. This finding indicates that an intervention that incorporates the training and competition aspects of sport may promote positive outcomes that are above and beyond those that can be gained from participation in recreational physical activity. Objective measurements on larger samples across a broader range of sports are required to confirm and extend these findings

Within- and between-person relationships between spontaneous self-affirmations, coping style, and wellbeing

Self-affirmations—responding to self-threatening information by reflecting on positive values or strengths—help to realign working self-concept and may support adaptive coping and wellbeing. Little research has been undertaken on spontaneous self-affirmations in response to everyday threats, and less has been undertaken on the relationships between spontaneous self-affirmations, coping, and wellbeing. This study aimed to test both within- and between-person relationships between spontaneous self-affirmations, coping, and wellbeing, controlling for threat intensity and other outcomes. A repeated survey assessment design was adopted to achieve these aims. Outcome measures included approach coping, avoidance coping, positive affect, negative affect, and eudaimonic wellbeing. It was found that spontaneous self-affirmations positively predicted approach coping and positive affect at both within- and between-person levels, and eudaimonic wellbeing at the between-person level. Overall, spontaneous self-affirmations were positively associated with approach coping and aspects of wellbeing

Physical activity screening to recruit inactive randomized controlled trial participants: how much is too much?

Citation: Vandelanotte, C., Stanton, R., Rebar, A. L., Van Itallie, A. K., Caperchione, C. M., Duncan, M. J., . . . Kolt, G. S. (2015). Physical activity screening to recruit inactive randomized controlled trial participants: how much is too much? Trials, 16, 3. doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0976-7Screening physical activity levels is common in trials to increase physical activity in inactive populations. Commonly applied single-item screening tools might not always be effective in identifying those who are inactive. We applied the more extensive Active Australia Survey to identify inactive people among those who had initially been misclassified as too active using a single-item measure. Those enrolled after the Active Australia Survey screening had significantly higher physical activity levels at subsequent baseline assessment. Thus, more extensive screening measures might result in the inclusion of participants who would otherwise be excluded, possibly introducing unwanted bias

Making the link between critical appraisal, thinking and analysis

Nursing has become an all-graduate profession; as such, student nurses must develop their skills of critical analysis. The need to develop critical analytical thinking has been identified as the single most important skill in undergraduate education and reaching the academic requirements of level six study. In degree-level healthcare programmes, students are frequently asked to complete a structured critical appraisal of research. This paper examines how critical appraisal activities can be an opportunity for students to develop transferable critical thinking skills. Critical appraisal teaches objectivity, reflection, logic and discipline, which encourage students to think critically in both theory and practice.N/

ADAM17-dependent proteolysis of L-selectin promotes early clonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells

L-selectin on T-cells is best known as an adhesion molecule that supports recruitment of blood-borne naïve and central memory cells into lymph nodes. Proteolytic shedding of the ectodomain is thought to redirect activated T-cells from lymph nodes to sites of infection. However, we have shown that activated T-cells re-express L-selectin before lymph node egress and use L-selectin to locate to virus-infected tissues. Therefore, we considered other roles for L-selectin proteolysis during T cell activation. In this study, we used T cells expressing cleavable or non-cleavable L-selectin and determined the impact of L-selectin proteolysis on T cell activation in virus-infected mice. We confirm an essential and non-redundant role for ADAM17 in TCR-induced proteolysis of L-selectin in mouse and human T cells and show that L-selectin cleavage does not regulate T cell activation measured by CD69 or TCR internalisation. Following virus infection of mice, L-selectin proteolysis promoted early clonal expansion of cytotoxic T cells resulting in an 8-fold increase over T cells unable to cleave L-selectin. T cells unable to cleave L-selectin showed delayed proliferation in vitro which correlated with lower CD25 expression. Based on these results, we propose that ADAM17-dependent proteolysis of L-selectin should be considered a regulator of T-cell activation at sites of immune activity

Quality, Features, and Presence of Behavior Change Techniques in Mobile Apps Designed to Improve Physical Activity in Pregnant Women: Systematic Search and Content Analysis

Background: Physical activity during pregnancy is associated with a variety of health benefits for the mother and her child. Despite the many health benefits of physical activity during pregnancy, few women participate in regular physical activity during pregnancy. ehealth platforms, such as the internet and mobile applications (apps), are now altering how women access information about their pregnancy and have become an important information source for pregnant women. Whilst the use of pregnancy-related apps has significantly increased among pregnant women, very little is known about their theoretical underpinnings, including their utilisation of behaviour change techniques. This is despite research suggesting the inclusion of behaviour change techniques in ehealth interventions can play an important role in improving, supporting and maintain healthy behaviours, including physical activity. Objective: To review physical activity apps designed for pregnant women with a focus on app content, quality and features, and the presence and efficacy of Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs). Methods: A systematic search in the Australian AppStore and GooglePlay stores using search terms relating to exercise and pregnancy. App features and quality was assessed using the 19-item Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and a taxonomy of BCTs was used to determine presence of BCTs (26 items). BCTs previously demonstrating efficacy in behaviour change during pregnancy were also identified from a review of the literature. Results: Nineteen exercise apps were deemed eligible for this review and accessed via GooglePlay (n=13) or AppStore (n=6). MARS Overall Quality scores showed moderate app quality (m=3.5, SD=0.52). Functionality was the highest scoring MARS domain (m=4.2, SD=0.5), followed by Aesthetics (m=3.7, SD=0.6) and Information Quality (m=3.16, SD=0.42). Engagement (m=3.01, SD=0.9), Subjective App Quality (m=2.54, SD=0.64) and Likelihood for Behavioural Impact (m=2.5, SD=0.6) were the lowest scoring MARS domains. All 19 apps were found to incorporate at least two BCTs (m=4.74, SD=2.51, range=2–10), with provide instructions (95%) and provide information on consequences (89%) being the most common BCTs. Eleven apps included BCTs that previously demonstrated efficacy for behaviour change during pregnancy, the most common of these being provide opportunities for social comparison (n=8) and prompt self-monitoring of behaviour (n=7). Conclusions: Apps to improve exercise in pregnant women were functional and aesthetically pleasing, with overall moderate quality. However, the incorporation of BCTs was low, with the prevalence of BCTs previously demonstrating efficacy in promoting and/or supporting physical activity during pregnancy scarce. Thus, it is unlikely that apps reviewed in this study will effectively promote and/or support the exercise behaviours among pregnant women. Clinical Trial: Not required.Additional co-authors: Michelle Mottola; Taniya S Nagpal; Lisa Vincze; Stephanie Schoepp

Genome editing in mitochondria corrects a pathogenic mtDNA mutation in vivo.

Mutations of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) underlie a substantial portion of mitochondrial disease burden. These disorders are currently incurable and effectively untreatable, with heterogeneous penetrance, presentation and prognosis. To address the lack of effective treatment for these disorders, we exploited a recently developed mouse model that recapitulates common molecular features of heteroplasmic mtDNA disease in cardiac tissue: the m.5024C>T tRNAAla mouse. Through application of a programmable nuclease therapy approach, using systemically administered, mitochondrially targeted zinc-finger nucleases (mtZFN) delivered by adeno-associated virus, we induced specific elimination of mutant mtDNA across the heart, coupled to a reversion of molecular and biochemical phenotypes. These findings constitute proof of principle that mtDNA heteroplasmy correction using programmable nucleases could provide a therapeutic route for heteroplasmic mitochondrial diseases of diverse genetic origin