Increase in peak oxygen uptake and Andersen test performance in children from age six to ten: The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)

The increased prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors among children because of lack of physical activity is concerning. The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project was set up to combine learning activities and physical activity, thus reducing sedentariness during school time. The current study aimed to measure and describe the longitudinal and cross-sectional development of oxygen uptake and running performance in children at ages six and ten. The validity of the Andersen Test in predicting V̇O2peak in these age groups was also evaluated. Eighty-six children (53 boys, 33 girls) with complete datasets at ages 6 and 10 years were included in the longitudinal study, while 192 children (106 boys, 86 girls) were included in the cross-sectional analysis because they missed data from 1 year. Oxygen uptake was measured using a metabolic analyser and maximal treadmill running, while the distance covered during the AT determined running performance. Body mass, height, and waist-to-height ratios were recorded. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association between oxygen uptake and running performance. The cross-sectional results did not differ from the longitudinal data for anthropometrical data, oxygen uptake and running performance. Height, body mass and waist-to-height ratio did not differ between the sexes at ages six or ten. Boys had significantly higher peak oxygen uptake than girls at 6 years of age, irrespective of how oxygen uptake was expressed. Allometric scaling of oxygen uptake revealed differences between sexes at both ages. Longitudinal running performance increased in both sexes from 6 to 10 years. Boys ran significantly longer only at age ten. The association between oxygen uptake and running performance varied according to how the oxygen uptake was expressed and with sex and age. Ten-year-old girls had the highest correlations in the longitudinal investigation, from r 2 = 0.48 (fV̇O2peak) to 0.65 (rV̇O2peak) between AT and V̇O2peak. The AT was found to be as valid as the 20-m shuttle run test in estimating peak oxygen uptake, with a random measurement error of approximately 11% of mean values.publishedVersio

Increase in peak oxygen uptake and Andersen test performance in children from age six to ten: The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)

The increased prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors among children because of lack of physical activity is concerning. The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project was set up to combine learning activities and physical activity, thus reducing sedentariness during school time. The current study aimed to measure and describe the longitudinal and cross-sectional development of oxygen uptake and running performance in children at ages six and ten. The validity of the Andersen Test in predicting V̇O2peak in these age groups was also evaluated. Eighty-six children (53 boys, 33 girls) with complete datasets at ages 6 and 10 years were included in the longitudinal study, while 192 children (106 boys, 86 girls) were included in the cross-sectional analysis because they missed data from 1 year. Oxygen uptake was measured using a metabolic analyser and maximal treadmill running, while the distance covered during the AT determined running performance. Body mass, height, and waist-to-height ratios were recorded. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association between oxygen uptake and running performance. The cross-sectional results did not differ from the longitudinal data for anthropometrical data, oxygen uptake and running performance. Height, body mass and waist-to-height ratio did not differ between the sexes at ages six or ten. Boys had significantly higher peak oxygen uptake than girls at 6 years of age, irrespective of how oxygen uptake was expressed. Allometric scaling of oxygen uptake revealed differences between sexes at both ages. Longitudinal running performance increased in both sexes from 6 to 10 years. Boys ran significantly longer only at age ten. The association between oxygen uptake and running performance varied according to how the oxygen uptake was expressed and with sex and age. Ten-year-old girls had the highest correlations in the longitudinal investigation, from r 2 = 0.48 (fV̇O2peak) to 0.65 (rV̇O2peak) between AT and V̇O2peak. The AT was found to be as valid as the 20-m shuttle run test in estimating peak oxygen uptake, with a random measurement error of approximately 11% of mean values.publishedVersio

Hematology reference intervals in 6-12-year-old children: the health-oriented pedagogical project (HOPP)

Reference intervals are essential for correct interpretation of laboratory test results, supporting clinicians in distinguishing between healthy and sick individuals. The present study aims to establish pediatric reference intervals for hematological parameters based on a large population of healthy schoolchildren. Blood samples were obtained from 1351 children 6–12 years of age participating in the Health-Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP). Reference intervals for hematological parameters were estimated by the nonparametric method following the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines. Reference intervals were estimated as 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles with corresponding 90% confidence intervals. While hematocrit and MCV required age and sex partitioning, hemoglobin and erythrocytes were partitioned for age. The remaining parameters, MCH, MCHC, platelets and white blood cell counts did not require partitioning. While red blood cell parameters exhibited an increasing trend with age, there was a slight decrease in leukocytes, lymphocytes, basophils and platelets with age. The remaining parameters were stable across our age span.publishedVersio

Hematology reference intervals in 6-12-year-old children: the health-oriented pedagogical project (HOPP)

Reference intervals are essential for correct interpretation of laboratory test results, supporting clinicians in distinguishing between healthy and sick individuals. The present study aims to establish pediatric reference intervals for hematological parameters based on a large population of healthy schoolchildren. Blood samples were obtained from 1351 children 6–12 years of age participating in the Health-Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP). Reference intervals for hematological parameters were estimated by the nonparametric method following the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines. Reference intervals were estimated as 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles with corresponding 90% confidence intervals. While hematocrit and MCV required age and sex partitioning, hemoglobin and erythrocytes were partitioned for age. The remaining parameters, MCH, MCHC, platelets and white blood cell counts did not require partitioning. While red blood cell parameters exhibited an increasing trend with age, there was a slight decrease in leukocytes, lymphocytes, basophils and platelets with age. The remaining parameters were stable across our age span.publishedVersio

Selection for tameness modulates the expression of heme related genes in silver foxes

BACKGROUND: The genetic and molecular mechanisms of tameness are largely unknown. A line of silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) selected for non-aggressive behavior has been used in Russia since the 1960's to study the effect of domestication. We have previously compared descendants of these selected (S) animals with a group of non-selected (NS) silver foxes kept under identical conditions, and showed that changes in the brain transcriptome between the two groups are small. Unexpectedly, many of the genes showing evidence of differential expression between groups were related to hemoproteins. RESULTS: In this study, we use quantitative RT-PCR to demonstrate that the activity of heme related genes differ between S and NS foxes in three regions of the brain. Furthermore, our analyses also indicate that changes in mRNA levels of heme related genes can be well described by an additive polygenic effect. We also show that the difference in genetic background between the two lines of foxes is limited, as estimated by mitochondrial DNA divergence. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that selection for tameness can modify the expression of heme related genes in canid brain regions known to modulate emotions and behavior. The possible involvement of heme related genes in behavior is surprising. It is possible that hemoglobin modulates the behavior of canids by interaction with CO and NO signaling. Another possibility is that hemorphins, known to be produced after enzymatic cleavage of hemoglobin, are responsible for behavioral alterations. Thus, we hypothesize that hemoglobin metabolism can be a functionally relevant aspect of the domestic phenotype in foxes selected for tameness

An expression tag toolbox for microbial production of membrane bound plant cytochromes P450

Membrane-associated Cytochromes P450 (P450s) are one of the most important enzyme families for biosynthesis of plant-derived medicinal compounds. However, the hydrophobic nature of P450s makes their use in robust cell factories a challenge. Here we explore a small library of N-terminal expression tag chimeras of the model plant P450 CYP79A1 in different Escherichia coli strains. Using a high-throughput screening platform based on C-terminal GFP fusions, we identify several highly expressing and robustly performing chimeric designs. Analysis of long-term cultures by flow cytometry showed homogeneous populations for some of the conditions. Three chimeric designs were chosen for a more complex combinatorial assembly of a multigene pathway consisting of two P450s and a redox partner. Cells expressing these recombinant enzymes catalysed the conversion of the substrate to highly different ratios of the intermediate and the final product of the pathway. Finally, the effect of a robustly performing expression tag was explored with a library of 49 different P450s from medicinal plants and nearly half of these were improved in expression by more than 2-fold. The developed toolbox serves as platform to tune P450 performance in microbial cells, thereby facilitating recombinant production of complex plant P450-derived biochemicals

Single-centre, non-randomised clinical trial at a tertiary care centre to investigate 1-year changes in social experiences and biomarkers of well-being after bariatric surgery in individuals with severe obesity: protocol for the Bariatric Surgery and Social Experiences (BaSES) study

Introduction Obesity is linked to increased loneliness and less enjoyment of social interactions. While bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment targeting severe obesity, there is limited understanding as to whether patients experience social interactions differently after surgery. The Bariatric Surgery and Social Experiences study is designed to assess potential changes in how much patients enjoy and engage in daily social interactions 1 year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Methods and analysis Single-centre, non-randomised clinical trial carried out at the Department of Endocrinology, Obesity and Nutrition at Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway. Eligible patients (N=113) will undergo either RYGB, SG or single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass. The primary outcome measure is change in the social experience score (assessed with a questionnaire) from a presurgery to a follow-up assessment 1 year after RYGB and SG. The respective changes after SASI bypass will be assessed and considered exploratory. Ethics and dissemination The most recent protocol version of this study was reviewed and approved by the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics South East Norway (REK sør-øst A) on 29 August 2022 (ref: 238406). The results will be disseminated to academic and health professional audiences and the public via publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conferences.publishedVersio

Increasing the permeability of Escherichia coli using MAC13243

The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria is a permeability barrier that prevents the efficient uptake of molecules with large scaffolds. As a consequence, a number of antibiotic classes are ineffective against gram-negative strains. Herein we carried out a high throughput screen for small molecules that make the outer membrane of Escherichia coli more permeable. We identified MAC13243, an inhibitor of the periplasmic chaperone LolA that traffics lipoproteins from the inner to the outer membrane. We observed that cells were (1) more permeable to the fluorescent probe 1-N-phenylnapthylamine, and (2) more susceptible to large-scaffold antibiotics when sub-inhibitory concentrations of MAC13243 were used. To exclude the possibility that the permeability was caused by an off-target effect, we genetically reconstructed the MAC13243-phenotype by depleting LolA levels using the CRISPRi system