Comparing different accelerometer cut-points for sedentary time in children

Actigraph accelerometers are hypothesized to be valid measurements for assessing children\u27s sedentary time. However, there is considerable variation in accelerometer cut-points used. Therefore, we compared the most common accelerometer sedentary cut-points of children performing sedentary behaviors. Actigraph Actitrainer uniaxial accelerometers were used to measure children\u27s activity intensity (29 children, 5-11 years old) during different activities, namely playing computer games, nonelectronic sedentary games, watching television and playing outdoors. A structured protocol was the criterion for assessing the validity of four common cut-points (100, 300, 800, 1100 counts/minute). The median counts during all sedentary behaviors were below the lowest comparison cut-point of 100 cpm. The 75th percentile values for the sedentary behaviors were always below the cut-point of 300 cpm. Our results suggest that the cut-point of <100 cpm is the most appropriate

Effectiveness of intervention strategies exclusively targeting reductions in children’s sedentary time: a systematic review of the literature

Methodological quality assessment of included studies. (DOCX 57 kb

Морфологічне дослідження впливу мелатоніну на стан слизової оболонки шлунка щурів в умовах експериментальної гастральної виразки

Введение серотонина вызывает в слизистой оболочке желудка животных острые деструктивные изменения преимущественно в виде эрозий и язв различного размера и численности, которые сопровождаются уменьшением содержания нейтральных мукополисахаридов в цитоплазме клеток поверхностно-ямочного эпителия. Введение мелатонина при гастральной язве уменьшает деструктивные изменения в слизистой оболочке желудка и восстанавливает состояние защитного слизистого барьера.Введение серотонина вызывает в слизистой оболочке желудка животных острые деструктивные изменения преимущественно в виде эрозий и язв различного размера и численности, которые сопровождаются уменьшением содержания нейтральных мукополисахаридов в цитоплазме клеток поверхностно-ямочного эпителия. Введение мелатонина при гастральной язве уменьшает деструктивные изменения в слизистой оболочке желудка и восстанавливает состояние защитного слизистого барьера.The introduction of serotonin is in the gastric mucosa of animals’ acute destructive changes mainly in the form of erosions and ulcers of various sizes and numbers, which are accompanied by a decrease in the amount of neutral mucopolysaccharides in the cytoplasm of the cell surface patching of the epithelium. The administration of melatonin in the gastric ulcer reduces the destructive changes in the gastric mucosa and restores the state of the protective mucus barrier

Determinants of physical activity and exercise in healthy older adults: A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The health benefits of regular physical activity and exercise have been widely acknowledged. Unfortunately, a decline in physical activity is observed in older adults. Knowledge of the determinants of physical activity (unstructured activity incorporated in daily life) and exercise (structured, planned and repetitive activities) is needed to effectively promote an active lifestyle. Our aim was to systematically review determinants of physical activity and exercise participation among healthy older adults, considering the methodological quality of the included studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline and PsycINFO/OVID for peer reviewed manuscripts published in English from 1990 onwards. We included manuscripts that met the following criteria: 1) population: community dwelling healthy older adults, aged 55 and over; 2) reporting determinants of physical activity or exercise. The outcome measure was qualified as physical activity, exercise, or combination of the two, measured objectively or using self-report. The methodological quality of the selected studies was examined and a best evidence synthesis was applied to assess the association of the determinants with physical activity or exercise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-four manuscripts reporting on 30 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which two were of high methodological quality. Physical activity was reported in four manuscripts, exercise was reported in sixteen and a combination of the two was reported in fourteen manuscripts. Three manuscripts used objective measures, twenty-two manuscripts used self-report measures and nine manuscripts combined a self-report measure with an objective measure. Due to lack of high quality studies and often only one manuscript reporting on a particular determinant, we concluded "insufficient evidence" for most associations between determinants and physical activity or exercise.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Because physical activity was reported in four manuscripts only, the determinants of physical activity particularly need further study. Recommendations for future research include the use of objective measures of physical activity or exercise as well as valid and reliable measures of determinants.</p

Reliability and validity of the Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents (AQuAA)

BACKGROUND: Accurate measures of physical activity are highly needed. We evaluated the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the self-report Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents (AQuAA). The AQuAA is a commonly used questionnaire in Dutch youth. METHODS: In the test-retest reliability study, 53 adolescents and 58 adults completed the AQuAA twice, with an interval of two weeks. In the validity study, 33 adolescents and 47 adults wore an accelerometer (Actigraph) during two weeks, and subsequently completed the AQuAA. RESULTS: In adolescents the test-retest reliability was fair to moderate (intraclass correlations (ICCs) ranging from 0.30 to 0.59). In adults the test-retest reliability was fair to moderate for the time spent on sedentary, light and moderate intensity activities (ICCs ranging from 0.49 to 0.60), but poor for time spent on vigorous activities (ICC = -0.005). The correlations between the AQuAA and Actigraph were low and nonsignificant. Compared with the Actigraph, time spent on all physical activities was significantly higher according to the questionnaire (except for light intensity activities in adolescents), while time spent on sedentary behaviours was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Reliability of the AQuAA is fair to moderate. The validity of the AQuAA compared to an accelerometer is poor. Both adolescents and adults underestimate the time spent on sedentary behaviours and overestimate the time spent on physical activitie

Return to work experiences of patients treated with stem cell transplantation for a hematologic malignancy

Purpose This qualitative study aimed to identify hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors’ (1) work perceptions; (2) barriers to and facilitators of return to work (RTW); and (3) possible solutions to improve RTW. Method Fifteen patients treated with HSCT 1–5 years ago participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analyzed following the steps of thematic content analyses. Results RTW was often characterized as a complex and prolonged trajectory, and it was frequently incomplete in working hours, tasks, and/or responsibilities. Work perceptions varied between patients; most valued work as positive, but some also reported a decline in work capacity and/or in importance. Perceived barriers included the duration and side effects of cancer treatment, the presence of comorbidity and poor health before diagnosis, having difficulties commuting and doing household tasks. Perceived facilitators were financial incentives, keeping in touch with the workplace, support of other patients and family, and looking after one’s health. Proposed solutions to improve RTW included discussing RTW at the hospital, enhanced employer support, improved accessibility of rehabilitation programs, and more information about the consequences of being sick-listed. Conclusions Many HSCT survivors value work as important and they are motivated to RTW. Insight in work perceptions, RTW barriers, and solutions might help researchers, healthcare professionals, and employers to develop and/or tailor individualized multidisciplinary care to facilitate RTW

Return to work experiences of patients treated with stem cell transplantation for a hematologic malignancy

Purpose This qualitative study aimed to identify hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors’ (1) work perceptions; (2) barriers to and facilitators of return to work (RTW); and (3) possible solutions to improve RTW. Method Fifteen patients treated with HSCT 1–5 years ago participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analyzed following the steps of thematic content analyses. Results RTW was often characterized as a complex and prolonged trajectory, and it was frequently incomplete in working hours, tasks, and/or responsibilities. Work perceptions varied between patients; most valued work as positive, but some also reported a decline in work capacity and/or in importance. Perceived barriers included the duration and side effects of cancer treatment, the presence of comorbidity and poor health before diagnosis, having difficulties commuting and doing household tasks. Perceived facilitators were financial incentives, keeping in touch with the workplace, support of other patients and family, and looking after one’s health. Proposed solutions to improve RTW included discussing RTW at the hospital, enhanced employer support, improved accessibility of rehabilitation programs, and more information about the consequences of being sick-listed. Conclusions Many HSCT survivors value work as important and they are motivated to RTW. Insight in work perceptions, RTW barriers, and solutions might help researchers, healthcare professionals, and employers to develop and/or tailor individualized multidisciplinary care to facilitate RTW

Reduction in sugar-sweetened beverages is not associated with more water or diet drinks

Objective The Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers (DOiT) is a school-based randomised controlled trial that was effective in decreasing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents. The present study examined, using mediation analysis, whether this decrease in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages could be explained by an increase in the consumption of water or diet drinks.Design Participants completed a questionnaire about their beverage consumption at baseline and at 8 months (immediately post-intervention), 12- and 20-month follow-ups. A series of multi-level linear regression analyses were performed to examine water and diet drink consumption as potential mediators of the intervention effect on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.Setting Eighteen Dutch secondary schools.Subjects A total of 747 adolescents (mean age: 12&middot;7 years).Results In addition to the DoiT intervention effect of a reduction in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages at 8 months (&minus;284 ml/d; 95 % CI &minus;420, &minus;148) and 12 months (&minus;260 ml/d; 95 % CI &minus;360, &minus;160), there was also a significant reduction in diet drinks at 8 months (&minus;52 ml/d; 95 % CI &minus;89, &minus;16). There was no significant difference in water consumption at any follow-up. The decrease in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption could not be explained by an increase in water or diet drink consumption at any time point.Conclusions Interventions aimed at reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption may be effective without changing consumption of other beverages. Reducing sugar-sweetened beverages was, however, a main message of the DOiT intervention. It is possible that a concomitant promotion of water may have resulted in a greater increase in water intake and replacement of sugar-sweetened beverages with water.<br /