Correlation of muscle strength, working memory, and activities of daily living in older adults.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between muscle strength, working memory, and activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults. Additionally, it seeks to clarify the pathways and effects of working memory in mediating the relationship between muscle strength and ADL. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 245 older adults individuals from nursing homes. We collected data on grip strength, the 30-s sit-to-stand test, the N-back task, and ADL. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, χ2 tests, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results: Grip strength significantly influenced ADL (effect size = -0.175, 95% CI: -0.226 to -0.124). Grip strength also had a significant direct effect on ADL (effect size = -0.114, 95% CI: -0.161 to -0.067). The 1-back task correct rate significantly mediated the relationship between grip strength and ADL (effect size = 0.054, 95% CI: -0.084 to -0.029). The 30-s sit-to-stand test significantly impacted ADL (effect size = -0.280, 95% CI: -0.358 to -0.203). It also had a significant direct effect on ADL (effect size = -0.095, 95% CI: -0.183 to -0.007). The 1-back task correct rate significantly mediated the relationship between the 30-s sit-to-stand test and ADL (effect size = -0.166, 95% CI: -0.236 to -0.106). Conclusion: There exists a strong correlation between muscle strength, working memory, and ADL. Increased muscle strength leads to better ADL performance and improved working memory tasks. Low cognitive load working memory tasks can mediate the relationship between muscle strength and ADL. Regular physical exercise can enhance muscle strength, slow down the decline of working memory, thereby maintaining or improving ADL in older adults.

Effect of physical exercise on postoperative shoulder mobility and upper limb function in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The shoulder pain and reduced range of motion caused by breast cancer seriously affect the quality of life of women. Such persistent impairments can escalate into chronic pain, diminished muscle strength, lymphedema, and compromised cardiorespiratory health potentially culminating in permanent disability. This systematic review aims to evaluate how physical exercise impacts shoulder mobility and upper limb function in breast cancer patients post-surgery, examining various aspects of exercise such as type, intensity, duration, frequency, and intervention timing to determine the influence on outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across seven databases up to April 16, 2024. Two reviewers independently assessed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on the effects of physical exercise on postoperative outcomes in breast cancer patients. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, with meta-analyses and publication bias tests performed via RevMan5.4, and evidence quality evaluated using GRADEPro. Effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Twenty studies (25 RCTs involving 2,171 patients) were included for both the systematic review and the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis confirmed that physical exercise significantly enhanced shoulder flexion (SMD =0.59; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.86; P<0.001) and abduction (SMD =1.01; 95% CI: 0.43, 1.60; P<0.001) in postoperative patients, and improved upper limb function (SMD =0.87; 95% CI: 0.48, 1.26; P<0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated that comprehensive exercise, particularly when performed ≤3 times a week or over 8-12 weeks, was most effective for improving shoulder flexion, while shorter durations (<8 weeks) and similar frequencies were optimal for abduction. Resistance exercises, especially when started early (<2 weeks post-surgery), showed significant benefits for upper limb function. Conclusions: The included studies were of moderate to high quality, though some lacked detailed reporting on blinding or allocation concealment. Analysis suggests that the timing of intervention initiation, along with exercise type and frequency, may contribute to observed variations in outcomes. Evidence quality assessments did not reveal significant issues with indirectness or imprecision, and no significant publication bias was detected. Given the low heterogeneity and absence of significant downgrade factors, intermediate evidence quality was assigned for upper limb function and shoulder abduction, with high quality for shoulder flexion. Physical exercise is notably effective in enhancing both upper limb function and shoulder mobility in breast cancer patients, with the timing and frequency of exercise interventions influencing these improvements. This provides valuable evidence for clinical rehabilitation strategies.

The prediction model of fall risk for the elderly based on gait analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Early screening and identification are crucial for fall prevention, and developing a new method to predict fall risk in the elderly can address the current lack of objectivity in assessment tools. METHODS: A total of 132 elderly individuals over 80 years old residing in some nursing homes in Shanghai were selected using a convenient sampling method. Fall history information was collected, and gait data during a 10-meter walk were recorded. Logistic regression was employed to establish the prediction model, and a nomogram was used to assess the importance of the indicators. The Bootstrap method was utilized for internal validation of the model, while the verification set was used for external validation. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess clinical benefits. RESULTS: The incidence of falls in the sample population was 36.4%. The Tinetti Gait and Balance Test (TGBT) score (OR = 0.832, 95% CI: 0.734,0.944), stride length (OR = 0.007, 95% CI: 0.000,0.104), difference in standing time (OR = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000,0.742), and mean stride time (OR = 0.992, 95% CI:0.984,1.000) were identified as significant factors. The area under the ROC curve was 0.878 (95% CI: 0.805, 0.952), with a sensitivity of 0.935 and specificity of 0.726. The Brier score was 0.135, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (χ2 = 10.650, P = 0.222) indicated a good fit and calibration of the model. CONCLUSION: The TGBT score, stride length, difference in standing time, and stride time are all protective factors associated with fall risk among the elderly. The developed risk prediction model demonstrates good discrimination and calibration, providing valuable insights for early screening and intervention in fall risk among older adults.

Effect of exercise on cravings levels in individuals with drug dependency: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of exercise-based interventions in reducing craving levels among individuals with drug dependency. METHODS: This study included randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of exercise on craving levels in individuals with drug dependence. We searched for relevant literature in PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, China Biomedicine, Wanfang, and VIP databases from their inception until July 2024. Two researchers independently reviewed the literature. The quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the GRADE profiler software was utilized to evaluate the strength of the evidence. A qualitative synthesis was performed to describe the findings. RESULTS: We included 26 studies involving a total of 1381 participants, with 787 in the experimental group and 594 in the control group. These studies were mainly conducted in China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and were published mostly after 2018. The participants had typically been dependent on drugs for more than 5 years. The review found that exercise interventions were feasible and well-accepted, and effectively reduced drug cravings. Among the 26 studies, 22 showed positive outcomes in reducing cravings. The type of exercise appears to be a crucial factor. Aerobic exercises were more effective than resistance exercises. Out of 18 studies that included aerobic exercises, 17 reported significant reductions in cravings. In contrast, among the 4 studies that included resistance exercises, 3 did not find a significant impact on cravings. CONCLUSION: Exercise is highly feasible and acceptable, significantly contributing to the reduction of drug cravings among individuals with drug dependency. The specific type of exercise appears to be a key determinant of the intervention's effectiveness. Aerobic exercises were more effective than resistance exercises. The evidence supporting these findings is of high quality, with an average score of 6.92 on the PEDro scale. OTHERS: The research was supported by the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Human Performance, with the project number 11DZ2261100. Registration details can be found on PROSPEO under the number CRD42024525700 at www.crd.york.ac.uk.

Investigation into Potential Allergenicity and Digestion-Resistant Linear Epitopes of Fish Skin Gelatin in Cell-Cultured Meat Scaffolds.

As a key component of cell-cultured fish, fish skin gelatin (FSG)-based cell scaffold provides support structures for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. However, there are potential allergenicity risks contained in FSG-based scaffolds. In this study, 3D edible scaffolds were prepared by phase separation method and showed a contact angle of less than 90°, which indicated that the scaffolds were favorable for cell adhesion. Besides, the swelling ratio was greater than 200%, implying a great potential to support cell growth. The sequence homology analysis indicated that FSG was prone to cross-reaction with collagen analogues. Additionally, a food allergic model was constructed and represented that mice gavaged with cod FSG exhibited higher levels of specific antibodies, mast cell degranulation, vascular permeability, and intestinal barrier impairment than those gavaged with pangasius and tilapias FSG. Its higher allergenicity might be attributed to a higher number of digestion-resistant linear epitopes. Moreover, the higher hydrolysis degree linked to the exposure of linear epitopes to promote the combination with IgE, which was also responsible for maintaining the higher allergenicity of cod FSG. This study clarifies allergenic risks in cell-cultured fish and further study will focus on the allergenicity reduction of FSG-based cell scaffolds.

A network meta-analysis of the effect of physical exercise on core symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorders.

Objective: To compare the effects of various sports exercise programs on the core symptoms of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP databases, Wanfang databases, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from their inception to February 2023 for randomized controlled trial that investigated the effect of sports exercise on the core symptoms of ASD. The overall risk of bias in the included literature was summarized using the revised Cochrane Randomized Trial Risk of Bias Tool (ROB2), and network meta-analysis was used to compare the intervention effects. Results: A total of 30 studies involving 1,375 participants were included. The results showed that sports exercise programs, including 8-12 weeks of ball sports (SMD = -5.35, 95%CI: -7.57, -3.23), horse riding (SMD = -3.71, 95%CI: -6.18, -1.13), 8-12 weeks of comprehensive sports exercise (SMD = -2.17, 95%CI: -3.99, -0.44), and more than 12 weeks of comprehensive sports exercise (SMD = -3.75, 95%CI: -6.33, -1.24), significantly improved social interaction disorders. Furthermore, 8-12 weeks of ball sports (SMD = -4.36, 95%CI: 2.04, 6.73) and more than 12 weeks of comprehensive sports exercise (SMD = 3.65, 95%CI: 1.40, 6.08) significantly improved repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Conclusion: Sports exercise can improve the core symptoms of ASD patients, and different symptoms show a selective response to different exercise elements. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023455806.

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of amides and cyclopropanols for the synthesis of γ-diketones.

A palladium catalytic method has been developed for the coupling of amides and cyclopropanols to γ-diketones, through simultaneous C-N and C-C activation. Heteroatom ligand exchange and heteroatom-to-carbon ligation mode switching enable the achievement of molecular cross-coupling in an amide N-atom structural context-dependent manner, avoiding any stoichiometric organometallic reagent or base.

Canonical correlation analysis of depression and anxiety symptoms among college students and their relationship with physical activity.

To explore the association between depression and anxiety symptoms among college students and the relationship between the two and physical activity. A cross-sectional study design was used to survey 1790 enrolled university students using the Depression Self-Rating Scale, Anxiety Self-Rating Scale and Physical Activity Rating Scale. 37.75% of male students and 39.73% of female students detected depressive symptoms, 17.65% of male students and 17.86% of female students detected anxiety symptoms, 11.89% of male students and 11.75% of female students detected both depressive and anxiety symptoms. Canonical correlation between depression and anxiety symptoms of college students were significant. The depression and anxiety score of college students in the high level group was significantly lower than that in the low and medium level groups, and no significant difference was found between the low and medium level groups. Affective disorder and anxious mood of male students correlated most closely with intensity, while somatic disorder, psychomotor disorder and depressive psychological disorder correlated most closely with duration. Affective disorder of female students correlated most closely with frequency, depressive psychological disorder and anxious mood correlated most closely with intensity, while premonition of misfortune and frequent urination correlated most closely with duration. Depression and anxiety symptoms of college students were closely related and co-occurrence was common. Students with high level of physical activity had milder symptoms. Different exercise interventions are recommended for different symptoms.

The effect of physical exercise on disordered social communication in individuals with autism Spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to systematically investigate the intervention effect of physical exercise on disordered social communication in patients with autism spectrum disorders. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis used the PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase electronic databases to conduct a systematic search of literature describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of physical exercise on disordered social communication in autistic patients from the first year of inclusion to 21 January 2023. Results: A total of 14 RCTs including 460 autistic patients were analyzed. A meta-analysis showed that physical exercise had a positive effect on social communication disorder (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.74, p < 0.05) in autistic patients. Subgroup analysis showed that exercise programs with multiple components (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.39, 1.06, P < 0.001), a moderate duration (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.08, P < 0.001), a moderate-high frequency (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.53, 1.14, P < 0.001), and a long duration (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.36, 1.18, P < 0.001) led to significant improvement. Conclusion: Physical exercise can improve disordered social communication in patients with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, early intervention, multi-component exercise, a moderate period, moderate and high frequency, long duration, and multi-participant programs were most effective. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ RecordID= CRD42023422482.

Rh(III)-catalyzed synthesis of amino-side-chained poly(phenylene vinylene) via C-H bond olefination.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed hydrazine-directed C-H olefination approach was developed for synthesizing amino-side-chained poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV). The creation of such a divergent portfolio of PPV candidates enabled the discovery of a mega Stokes shift, high fluorescence quantum yield, and solid-state fluorescence, highlighting the great prospects of our synthetic protocol as an innovative tool.

Effects of soybean oil on rheological characteristics of dough under high hydrostatic pressure.

In order to improve the stability of dough with soybean oil, this article explored the effect of soybean oil addition on the rheological characteristics of dough under high hydrostatic pressure. The results showed that, compared with the dough without soybean oil, the ß-sheet, disulfide bonds content, and gauche-gauche-gauche in the dough increased by 4.23%, 0.85 µmol/g, and 4.16%, respectively when the dough was added with 6% soybean oil, which improved the degree of cross-linking polymerization of gluten protein and the stability of gluten network. Meanwhile, the dough had the highest elastic modulus and the lowest maximum creep compliance (6.85 × 10-4 Pa-1 ), indicating that 6% soybean oil significantly increased the elasticity and hardness of the dough. The results of short-range ordered structure and paste properties showed that with the addition of soybean oil, the ordered structure and paste viscosity decreased with the increase of soybean oil.