Walking net O rises with advancing age in older women: where to go from here?

Purpose: Walking net O tends to increase with advancing age; however, factors contributing to this relationship have not been widely described. The implications of such findings could inform targeted strategies to promote independent mobility in older adults. Herein, we evaluated the relationship between net O and age at two submaximal workloads while exploring potential moderators of this relationship.

Enhancement of Muscle Shortening Torque Preloaded with Muscle Lengthening is Joint-Specific.

Our cross-sectional study aimed to investigate joint specificity of concentric muscle torque enhancement after a maximum eccentric contraction for the knee versus ankle joints across two different movement velocities (120°/s and 180°/s). After a familiarization session, 22 healthy young adults randomly performed concentric (CONC) and maximum eccentric preloaded concentric (EccCONC) muscle strength tests of the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors of the non-dominant leg on an isokinetic strength testing device. We calculated the ratio between EccCONC and CONC (EccCONC/CONC) for all the conditions as the marker of concentric muscle torque enhancement.

Impact of early time-restricted eating on diet quality, meal frequency, appetite, and eating behaviors: A randomized trial.

Objective: Time-restricted eating (TRE) can reduce body weight, but it is unclear how it influences dietary patterns and behavior. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of TRE on diet quality, appetite, and several eating behaviors.

Methods: Adults with obesity were randomized to early TRE plus energy restriction (eTRE + ER; 8-hour eating window from 7:00 a.

Early time-restricted eating affects weight, metabolic health, mood, and sleep in adherent completers: A secondary analysis.

Objective: Data are mixed on whether intermittent fasting improves weight loss and cardiometabolic health. Here, the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) in participants who consistently adhered ≥5 d/wk every week were analyzed.

Methods: Ninety patients aged 25 to 75 years old with obesity were randomized to early TRE (eTRE; 8-hour eating window from 07:00 to 15:00) or a control schedule (≥12-hour window) for 14 weeks.

Effectiveness of Early Time-Restricted Eating for Weight Loss, Fat Loss, and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: It is unclear how effective intermittent fasting is for losing weight and body fat, and the effects may depend on the timing of the eating window. This randomized trial compared time-restricted eating (TRE) with eating over a period of 12 or more hours while matching weight-loss counseling across groups.

Objective: To determine whether practicing TRE by eating early in the day (eTRE) is more effective for weight loss, fat loss, and cardiometabolic health than eating over a period of 12 or more hours.

Serum syndecan-4 correlates with blood pressure and cardiovascular parameters but not proinflammatory markers in healthy older women.

Aging is accompanied by a low-grade proinflammatory status that plays a role in age-related vascular alterations. Syndecan-4 (SDC4) is a key component of the endothelial glycocalyx, and its extracellular domain can be shed by matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). In vitro studies demonstrated that MMP-9-mediated shedding of SDC4 is induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) in human endothelial cells.

Respiration mask waveguide optimisation for maximised speech intelligibility.

Both the scarcity and environmental impact of disposable face masks, as in the COVID-19 pandemic, have instigated the recent development of reusable masks. Such face masks reduce transmission of infectious agents and particulates, but often impact a user's ability to be understood when materials, such as silicone or hard polymers, are used. In this work, we present a numerical optimisation approach to optimise waveguide topology, where a waveguide is used to transmit and direct sound from the interior of the mask volume to the outside air.

Comparisons of abdominal wall reconstruction for ventral hernia repairs, open versus robotic.

The surgical complexities of our current population have pushed the technological limits of healthcare, urging for minimally invasive approaches. For ventral hernias, in particular, robotic assisted laparoscopic repairs have been met with conflict. Cost and longer operative times are among the arguments against robotic surgery, although thorough evaluation of patient outcomes could potentially advocate for use of this tool.

Circulating Levels of the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Syndecan-4 Positively Associate with Blood Pressure in Healthy Premenopausal Women.

Syndecans (SDCs) are transmembrane proteins that are present on most cell types where they play a role in multiple physiological processes, including cell-matrix adhesion and inflammation. Growing evidence suggests that elevated levels of both shed SDC1 and SDC4 are associated with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, but their relationships with cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals are unknown. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of SDC4 and SDC1 were associated with body composition, hemodynamic parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations, and urinary noradrenaline and dopamine levels in healthy women (17 African American and 20 European American) between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.

Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Increases Stretch- Shortening Cycle Potentiation and Walking Economy in Postmenopausal Women.

Purpose: Secondary analyses were performed to test whether combined aerobic and resistance training altered walking economy (i.e., net oxygen uptake) and/or stretch-shortening cycle potentiation (SSCP).

Sarcopenia and Its Implications for Metabolic Health.

Sarcopenia not only affects the ability to lead an active lifestyle but also contributes to increased obesity, reduced quality of life, osteoporosis, and metabolic health, in part due to reduced locomotion economy and ease. On the other hand, increased obesity, decreased quality of life, and reduced metabolic health also contribute to sarcopenia. The purpose of this mini-review is to discuss the implications sarcopenia has for the development of obesity and comorbidities that occur with aging.

Regional differences in an established population of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish ( and ) in south Florida.

About nine years ago (circa 2009), Indo-Pacific lionfishes ( and ) invaded the south Florida coral reef ecosystem. During the intervening period of time, there has been substantial research on their biology, life history, demography, and habitat preferences; however, little is known concerning their regional population status and trends in the region. Here, we use a large-scale fisheries independent reef fish visual survey to investigate lionfish population status among three south Florida regions: Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys, and southeast Florida.

Exercise training and/or diet on reduction of intra-abdominal adipose tissue and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Background/objectives: To test the effects of weight loss with and without exercise training (aerobic or resistance) on intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Additionally, CVD risk factors was evaluated before and after weight loss using previously established IAAT cut-points.

Subjects/methods: One hundred twenty-two overweight premenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) diet only (Diet); (2) diet and aerobic training (Diet + AT); or (3) diet and resistance training (Diet + RT); until a BMI of < 25 kg/m was reached.

Spatiotemporal microRNA profile in peripheral nerve regeneration: miR-138 targets vimentin and inhibits Schwann cell migration and proliferation.

While the peripheral nervous system has regenerative ability, restoration of sufficient function remains a challenge. Vimentin has been shown to be localized in axonal growth fronts and associated with nerve regeneration, including myelination, neuroplasticity, kinase signaling in nerve axoplasm, and cell migration; however, the mechanisms regulating its expression within Schwann cell (SC) remain unexplored. The aim of this study was to profile the spatial and temporal expression profile of microRNA (miRNA) in a regenerating rat sciatic nerve after transection, and explore the potential role of miR-138-5p targeting vimentin in SC proliferation and migration.

Racial Differences in Relative Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss During Diet-Induced Weight Loss in Women.

Objective: It is unclear whether there are race-specific differences in the maintenance of skeletal muscle during energy restriction. Changes in relative skeletal muscle index (RSMI; limb lean tissue divided by height squared) were compared following (1) diet alone, (2) diet + aerobic training, or (3) diet + resistance training.

Methods: Overweight, sedentary African American (AA; n = 72) and European American (EA; n = 68) women were provided an 800-kcal/d diet to reduce BMI < 25 kg/m .

Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha associates with Myocardial Oxygen Demand and Exercise Tolerance in Postmenopausal Women.

The functional implications of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a marker of oxidative stress, on hemodynamic parameters at rest and during physical exertion are unclear. The aims of this investigation were to examine the independent associations of TNF-α on myocardial oxygen demand at rest and during submaximal exercise, while also evaluating the association of TNF-α on exercise tolerance. Forty, postmenopausal women, provided blood samples and completed a modified-Balke protocol to measure maximal oxygen uptake (VO).

Physiological Effort in Submaximal Fitness Tests Predicts Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Men with Prostate Cancer in a Weight Loss Trial.

Background: Obesity and weight gain after the diagnosis of prostate cancer are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence and mortality; individualized plans to help prostate cancer survivors maintain or lose weight may be beneficial for recurrence risk reduction. Herein, we explore whether gains in cardiovascular fitness predict successful weight loss in men participating in a weight loss trial (NCT01886677).

Methods: Forty men were randomized to receive twice-weekly in-person and telephone-based guidance on calorie-restricted diets and aerobic exercise to promote ~0.

Effects of Calorie Restriction in Obese Older Adults: The CROSSROADS Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We lack a comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits of calorie restriction in older adults at high risk for cardiometabolic disease. Calorie restriction may reduce visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but also have negative effects on lean mass and quality of life.

Methods: We conducted a 52-week, randomized controlled trial involving 164 older adults with obesity taking at least one medication for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes.

Calorie restriction in overweight seniors: response of older adults to a dieting study: the CROSSROADS randomized controlled clinical trial.

We conducted a study designed to evaluate whether the benefits of intentional weight loss exceed the potential risks in a group of community-dwelling obese older adults who were at increased risk for cardiometabolic disease. The CROSSROADS trial used a prospective randomized controlled design to compare the effects of changes in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on body composition and adipose tissue deposition (Specific Aim #1: To compare the effects of changes in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on body composition, namely visceral adipose tissue), cardiometabolic disease risk (Specific Aim #2: To compare the effects of a change in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on cardiometabolic disease risk), and functional status and quality of life (Specific Aim #3: To compare the effects of a change in diet composition alone or combined with weight loss with an exercise only control intervention on functional status and quality of life). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Exercise Only (Control) Intervention, Exercise + Diet Quality + Weight Maintenance Intervention, or Exercise + Diet Quality + Weight Loss Intervention.

Laparoscopy for small bowel obstruction in children--an update.

Introduction: We evaluated the current role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in children with small bowel obstruction (SBO) at our institution.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing MIS for acute SBO was performed from 2008 to 2013. The study population was compared with a historical control including patients from 2001 to 2008.

Emergency Department Pneumonia Patients Who do not Meet the Six-Hour Criteria for Antibiotic Administration: Do They Have a Different Clinical Presentation?

Background: The Joint Commission (JC) has set a quality of care standard for emergency department (ED) patients diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) that states that they are to receive antibiotics within six hours of presentation to the ED. Hospitals have been able to demonstrate that the majority of patients meet these criteria, yet there are still many who do not. Previously published studies have reported that there are several issues that contribute to prolonged times to antibiotic administration including ED crowding and atypical clinical presentations.

Frequency of combined resistance and aerobic training in older women.

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal frequency of combined aerobic and resistance training for improving muscular strength (MS), cardiovascular fitness (CF), and functional tasks (FTs) in women older than 60 years. Sixty-three women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 exercise training groups. Group 1 performed 1 resistance exercise training (RET) and 1 aerobic exercise training (AET) session per week (AET/RET 1 × wk); group 2 performed 2 RET and 2 AET sessions per week (AET/RET 2 × wk); and group 3 performed 3 RET and 3 AET sessions per week (AET/RET 3 × wk).