Gender differences in the proportion of Japanese parents meeting 24-h movement guidelines and associations with weight status.

OBJECTIVES: Parents' healthy behaviors are important for both their health and role models for their children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to the three recommendations associated with health in the Canadian 24-h movement or Japanese physical activity (PA) guidelines and their relationship with weight status (underweight or obesity) in Japanese parents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 425 mothers and 237 fathers. Meeting the 24-h movement guidelines was defined as: ≥150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (Canada) or at least 60 min/day of MVPA (Japan), ≤8 h/day of sedentary time which includes ≤3 h of recreational screen time, and 7 to 9 h/night of sleep. MVPA and sedentary time were accelerometer-determined while screen time and sleep duration were self-reported. RESULTS: The prevalence of mothers meeting all three recommendations was 30.6% using Canadian PA guidelines and 20.7% using Japanese PA guidelines, while that of fathers was 10.6% and 8.0%, respectively. Mothers not meeting the sedentary behavior recommendation had a lower odds ratio and those not meeting Japanese PA recommendations had a higher odds ratio for underweight compared to mothers meeting the recommendations, adjusted for age and area socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: The screen time recommendation and Japanese PA recommendation were associated with underweight in mothers. None of the recommendations was associated with weight status in fathers. Further research is needed to understand the relationships among movement behaviors and weight status, particularly among Japanese women, whose routine behaviors, such as household activities, may be misclassified by a questionnaire.

Rats show up to 72 h of significant retention for spatial memory in the radial maze.

This study explored long-term retention of spatial memory in rats using an eight-arm radial maze. Crystal and Babb (Learning and motivation, 39(4), 278-284, 2008) previously demonstrated that rats could retain spatial memory for up to 25 h in the radial maze. Notably, they found performance improved with 48-h intertrial intervals compared with 24-h intervals. Our study investigated the effects of extending intertrial intervals on long-term retention of spatial memory by reducing the potential for proactive interference. Each trial comprised a learning phase, during which subjects were required to sequentially visit four randomly selected arms, followed by a free-choice test that included all eight arms, conducted after increasing the retention and intertrial intervals. The retention intervals were systematically increased from 1 h to 24, 48, and, ultimately, 72 h, with corresponding intertrial intervals expanding from 24 to 48, 120, and 144 h. Performance significantly surpassed chance levels across all conditions, demonstrating that rats are capable of retaining spatial memory for up to 72 h.

Prevalence and Correlates of Adherence to the Global Total Physical Activity Guideline Based on Step Counting Among 3- to 4-Year-Olds: Evidence From SUNRISE Pilot Studies From 17 Countries.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence from globally diverse samples on the prevalence and correlates of meeting the global guideline of 180 minutes per day of total physical activity (TPA) among 3- to 4-year-olds. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 797 (49.2% girls) 3- to 4-year-olds from 17 middle- and high-income countries who participated in the pilot phases 1 and 2 of the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years. Daily step count was measured using thigh-worn activPAL accelerometers. Children wore the accelerometers for at least one 24-hour period. Children were categorized as meeting the TPA guideline based on achieving ≥11,500 steps per day. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the proportion of meeting the TPA guideline for the overall sample and each of the sociodemographic variables, and 95% CIs were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the sociodemographic correlates of meeting the TPA guideline. RESULTS: Mean daily step count was 10,295 steps per day (SD = 4084). Approximately one-third of the sample (30.9%, 95% CI, 27.6-34.2) met the TPA guideline. The proportion meeting the guideline was significantly lower among girls (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.70, 95% CI, 0.51-0.96) and 4-year-olds (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.34-0.75) and higher among rural residents (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI, 1.27-2.49) and those from lower middle-income countries (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI, 0.89-2.04). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a minority of children might meet the TPA guideline globally, and the risk of not meeting the guideline differed by sociodemographic indicators. These findings suggest the need for more surveillance of TPA in young children globally and, possibly, interventions to improve childhood health and development.

Proposal for structure revision of pinofuranoxin A through total syntheses of stereoisomers.

The relative configuration of the epoxide functionality in pinofuranoxin A (1), α-alkylidene-ß-hydroxy-γ-methyl-γ-butyrolactone with trans-epoxy side chain isolated by Evidente et al. in 2021, was revised by DFT-based spectral reinvestigations and stereo-controlled synthesis. The present investigation demonstrates the difficulty of the configurational elucidation of the stereogenic centers on the conformationally flexible acyclic side-chains. Sharpless's enantioselective epoxidations and dihydroxylations were quite effective in the reinvestigations of the configurations. As our syntheses made all diastereomers available, these would be quite effective in the next structure-biological activity relationship studies.

Exploring Physical Activity Levels in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease-A Preliminary Study.

Increased physical activity may prevent disease onset and severity in individuals with cardiovascular disease. However, studies evaluating physical activity in people with cardiovascular disease are limited. This prospective observational study aimed to objectively assess the level of physical activity in patients with cardiovascular disease and determine the actual extent of physical activity in their daily lives. Participants aged 20 years or older with cardiovascular disease at a cardiology clinic were included. Physical activity was measured using an activity meter with a three-axis acceleration sensor. Overall, 58 patients were included in the study. Household activities were found to be more frequent sources of physical activity. The step count was related to age and housework, while total physical activity and household activity were related to age and work. Locomotive activity was related to sex and housework. Total physical and household activities tended to decrease with age. These findings indicate the influence of work and household chores on physical activity and suggest that physical activity may be underestimated if household activity is not also assessed. These fundamental findings may provide clinical evidence to underpin physical activity for patients with cardiovascular disease.

The relationship between spino-pelvic-hip mobility and quality of life before and after total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can significantly improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with hip osteoarthritis. A relationship exists between activity levels and postoperative QOL, but its determinants are not well known. The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between hip, pelvis and lumbar spine mobility and alignment before and after THA with QOL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with hip arthrosis and an indication for THA were included prospectively between July 2019 and December 2020, and they underwent lateral radiographs in free-standing, extension, relaxed- and flexed-seated position. Spinopelvic and hip parameters were measured, as well as their changes between positions to assess hip, pelvis and lumbar spine mobility. Patients were also administered QOL questionnaires. Data were collected preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included; QOL significantly increased 6 months after THA (from 18 [10; 27] to 61 [48; 72], p < 0.001). QOL further increased by 10 points or more after 6 months in 18% of patients, while it decreased in 16%. The latter showed higher pelvic range of motion (between flexion and extension) than the former. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that QOL is significantly improved by THA, and that spinopelvic alignment and function can play a role. Future work should elucidate how to better predict postoperative QOL from preoperative patient characteristics to improve patient treatment and establish early postoperative physical therapy for patients who could benefit from postoperative improvement of activity-related QOL.

Fission Yeast PUF Proteins Puf3 and Puf4 Are Novel Regulators of PI4P5K Signaling.

Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (PI4P5K) is a highly conserved enzyme that generates phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) by phosphorylating phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P). Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe) its3-1 is a loss-of-function mutation in the essential its3+ gene that encodes a PI4P5K. Its3 regulates cell proliferation, cytokinesis, cell integrity, and membrane trafficking, but little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of Its3. To identify regulators of Its3, we performed a genetic screening utilizing the high-temperature sensitivity (TS) of its3-1 and identified puf3+ and puf4+, encoding Pumilio/PUF family RNA-binding proteins as multicopy suppressors of its3-1 cells. The deletions of the PUF domains in the puf3+ and puf4+ genes resulted in the reduced ability to suppress its3-1, suggesting that the suppression by Puf3 and Puf4 may involve their RNA-binding activities. The gene knockout of Puf4, but not that of Puf3, exacerbated the TS of its3-1. Interestingly, mutant Its3 expression levels both at mRNA and protein levels were lower than those of the wild-type (WT) Its3. Consistently, the overexpression of the mutant its3-1 gene suppressed the its3-1 phenotypes. Notably, Puf3 and Puf4 overexpression increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of both Its3 and Its3-1. Collectively, our genetic screening revealed a functional relationship between the Pumilio/PUF family RNA-binding proteins and PI4P5K.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among Children in Japan before and during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis.

This study examined changes in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), screen time, sleep, and executive function among Japanese preschoolers between COVID-19 pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, using cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Accelerometer data from 63 children aged 5-6 years were collected from three kindergartens in Tokyo, Japan, in late 2019 (pre-COVID-19). This was compared to the data of 49 children aged 5-6 years from the same kindergartens, collected in late 2020 (during COVID-19). Sixteen children in the pre-COVID-19 cohort also participated in the 2020 survey and provided data for the longitudinal analysis. The mean minutes of PA, SB, screen time, and sleep duration, as well as executive function, were compared between the pre- and during COVID-19 cohorts. After adjusting for school, sex, and accelerometer wear time, there were no significant differences in any of the measured outcomes between the two cohorts. However, the analysis of longitudinal data revealed significant increases in time spent in SB and on screens, and a decrease in light-intensity PA and sleep duration during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Results suggest that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, young children's activity levels and SB did not significantly differ from pre-pandemic levels. However, school-aged children's SB, light PA, and sleep time were affected, although this cannot be disentangled from the effects of the transition to school.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Crizanlizumab in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Crizanlizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against P-selectin for the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of this study was to investigate crizanlizumab population pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), as well as influential covariates. METHODS: A population PK model for crizanlizumab was developed from healthy volunteer and SCD patient data, using a two-compartment intravenous infusion model utilizing a target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) approach. The relationship between crizanlizumab concentration and ex vivo P-selectin inhibition was fitted to a non-linear sigmoidal Emax model. Covariate selection was performed in a stepwise manner. RESULTS: Crizanlizumab exhibits nonlinear pharmacokinetics in the wide dose range of 0.2-8 mg/kg body weight. The population pharmacokinetic base model incorporated body weight as covariate in the form of allometric scaling wherein the exponents were fixed to 0.8. SCD patients had higher baseline soluble P-selectin concentration, resulting in a higher estimated initial target concentration. The typical individual in the model is a 70 kg SCD patient with normal renal function and a baseline albumin of 43 g/L; CL was 0.012 L/h while Vss was 5.2 L. For the population PD model, none of the identified additional factors beyond PD assay and covariates, such as body weight at baseline nor patient type differences, led to relevant differences in P-selectin % inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Renal and hepatic impairments, concomitant hydroxyurea usage, and presence of anti-drug antibody are not expected to impact the exposure of crizanlizumab. The model allows for extrapolating the PK of crizanlizumab to pediatric population and evaluation of alternative regimens and route of administration. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER [DATE OF REGISTRATION]: SUSTAIN (CSEG101A2201 Phase 2), ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01895361 [10 July 2013]; CSEG101A2202 (Phase 2), ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03264989 [29 August 2017].

Report card grades on physical activity for children and adolescents from 18 Asian countries: Patterns, trends, gaps, and future recommendations.

Background: Physical inactivity is a persistent and worsening population health concern in Asia. Led by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, Global Matrix (GM) initiative provides an opportunity to explore how regional and cultural differences across 18 Asian countries relate to physical activity (PA) participation among children and adolescents. Objectives: To synthesize evidence from the GM2.0 to GM4.0 (2016-2022) in Asian countries. Methods: Report Card grades on behavioral/individual and sources of influence indicators were reported from 18 Asian countries. Letter grades were converted into numerical values for quantitative analyses. Based on this, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted to investigate patterns and trends. Qualitative evidence synthesis was performed based on Report Card grades and published papers to identify gaps and suggest future recommendations. Results: In total, 18 countries provided grades for at least one round of GM, 12 countries provided grades for at least two rounds, and seven countries provided grades for all three GMs. Of possible grades, 72.8%, 69.2%, and 76.9% of the grades were assigned from GM 2.0 to GM 4.0, respectively. In terms of the Report Card grades, there was a slight decrease in behavioral/individual indicators from "D+" in GM 2.0 to "D-" in GM 3.0 but this reverted to "D" in GM 4.0. For the sources of influence, a "C" grade was given in all three rounds of GM. Longitudinal observation of seven Asian countries that provided grades in all three rounds of GM revealed that grades are generally stable for all indicators with some country-specific fluctuations. In future GM initiatives and research, considerations should be made to provide more accurate and rich data and to better understand contextual challenges in evaluating certain indicators such as Active Transportation, Active Play, and Physical Fitness in particular. Further, macro level factors such as socioeconomic/cultural disparities and gender-specific barriers, ideology, or climate change should also be proactively considered in future research as these factors are becoming increasingly relevant to indicators of GM and United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Conclusions: Participation from Asian countries in GM has increased over the years, which demonstrates the region's enthusiasm, capacity, and support for global PA promotion efforts. The efforts to promote a physically active lifestyle among children and adolescents should be a collective interest and priority of the Asia region based on the gaps identified in this paper.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy of crizanlizumab in patients with sickle cell disease.

Crizanlizumab is an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody indicated to reduce the frequency/prevent recurrence of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) aged ≥16 years. This analysis of an ongoing phase 2, nonrandomized, open-label study reports the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety, and efficacy of crizanlizumab 5.0 mg/kg (N = 45) and 7.5 mg/kg (N = 12) in patients with SCD with a history of VOCs. The median treatment duration was 104.7 and 85.7 weeks in the 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg groups, respectively. For both doses, serum crizanlizumab concentrations rose to near maximum levels shortly after infusion, and near complete and sustained ex vivo P-selectin inhibition was observed. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 48.9% and 33.3% of patients in the 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg groups, respectively; only 1 event was deemed treatment-related (7.5 mg/kg group). No treatment-related serious AEs occurred. One infusion-related reaction was recorded (5.0 mg/kg, grade 2 "pain during infusion"), which resolved without treatment withdrawal. Infections occurred in 57.8% and 41.7% of patients in the 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg groups, respectively; none were drug-related. No treatment-related bleeding events were reported. No patients developed immunogenicity. The median (range) absolute reduction from baseline in the annualized rate of VOCs leading to a health care visit was -0.88 (-14.7 to 13.3) and -0.93 (-2.0 to 0.4) in the 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg groups, respectively. Results here demonstrate the PK/PD properties of crizanlizumab in patients with SCD and the potential sustained efficacy and long-term safety of the drug after >12 months' treatment. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03264989.

Sagittal alignment in patients with flexion contracture of the hip before and after total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: In hip osteoarthritis, hip flexion contracture can severely alter the patient's alignment, and, therefore, affect the patient's quality of life (QOL). Hip contracture is not well-studied, partly because of the difficulties of its diagnosis. The aim of this study was to propose a quantitative definition of hip flexion contracture, and to analyse sagittal alignment in these patients compared to non-contracture ones, before and 12 months after total hip arthroplasty (THA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with hip arthrosis and an indication for THA were included (N = 123). Sagittal full-body radiographs were acquired in free standing position and in extension. QOL questionnaires were administered before and after surgery. Spinopelvic parameters were measured, including the pelvic-femur angle (PFA). Patients with low pelvic incidence (< 45°) were included in the hip contracture group if PFA > 5°, or PFA > -5° when pelvic incidence ≥ 45°. RESULTS: 29% of patients were in the hip flexion contracture group, and they showed lower pelvic tilt than the no-contracture group (p < 0.001), larger lumbar lordosis (LL) and smaller PI-LL (p < 0.001), as well as a forward position of the head. 16% of patients still had hip contracture 12-months postop. Contracture patients showed higher QOL scores after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method to diagnose hip contracture group allowed to define a group of patients who showed a specific pattern of sagittal spinopelvic alignment. These patients improved their alignment and quality of life postoperatively, but their hip mobility was not always restored. Diagnosing these patients is a first step toward the development of more specific surgical approaches, aiming to improve their surgical outcome.

Activation of a Sweet Taste Receptor by Oleanane-Type Glycosides from Wisteria sinensis.

The phytochemical study of Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. (Fabaceae), commonly known as the Chinese Wisteria, led to the isolation of seven oleanane-type glycosides from an aqueous-ethanolic extract of the roots. Among the seven isolated saponins, two have never been reported before: 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-acetylolean-12-ene-3ß,16ß,22ß,30-tetrol, and 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosylwistariasapogenol A. Based on the close structures between the saponins from W. sinensis, and the glycyrrhizin from licorice, the stimulation of the sweet taste receptor TAS1R2/TAS1R3 by these glycosides was evaluated.

Recent Secular Trends in Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Internationally: Analyses of Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrices 1.0 to 4.0.

BACKGROUND: We examined recent global secular trends in 5 indicators of child and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behavior (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Active Transportation, and Sedentary Behavior) and 4 influences on these (Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government). METHODS: Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance letter grades (A+ to F) were assigned numbers from 15 to 2, with 0 assigned for missing/incomplete grades. Trends from Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrices 1.0 (2014) to 4.0 (2022) were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with level of economic development and gender inequity considered as potential moderators. RESULTS: Report card grades were generally relatively stable. Trends generally did not differ significantly by level of economic development (except for Active Transportation and Active Play), but gender inequality did significantly moderate trends for most of the indicators, with higher gender inequality associated with more adverse changes in grades. The number of "incomplete" grades decreased over time, but this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: While trends varied within and between countries, physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and the influences on these behaviors globally, were relatively stable over the past decade or so, albeit at undesirable levels.

Validity of low-cost measures for global surveillance of physical activity in pre-school children: The SUNRISE validation study.

OBJECTIVES: To validate parent-reported child habitual total physical activity against accelerometry and three existing step-count thresholds for classifying 3 h/day of total physical activity in pre-schoolers from 13 culturally and geographically diverse countries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional validation study. METHODS: We used data involving 3- and 4-year-olds from 13 middle- and high-income countries who participated in the SUNRISE study. We used Spearman's rank-order correlation, Bland-Altman plots, and Kappa statistics to validate parent-reported child habitual total physical activity against activPAL™-measured total physical activity over 3 days. Additionally, we used Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under the Curve analysis to validate existing step-count thresholds (Gabel, Vale, and De Craemer) using step-counts derived from activPAL™. RESULTS: Of the 352 pre-schoolers, 49.1 % were girls. There was a very weak but significant positive correlation and slight agreement between parent-reported total physical activity and accelerometer-measured total physical activity (r: 0.140; p = 0.009; Kappa: 0.030). Parents overestimated their child's total physical activity compared to accelerometry (mean bias: 69 min/day; standard deviation: 126; 95 % limits of agreement: -179, 316). Of the three step-count thresholds tested, the De Craemer threshold of 11,500 steps/day provided excellent classification of meeting the total physical activity guideline as measured by accelerometry (area under the ROC curve: 0.945; 95 % confidence interval: 0.928, 0.961; sensitivity: 100.0 %; specificity: 88.9 %). CONCLUSIONS: Parent reports may have limited validity for assessing pre-schoolers' level of total physical activity. Step-counting is a promising alternative - low-cost global surveillance initiatives could potentially use pedometers for assessing compliance with the physical activity guideline in early childhood.

Neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors moderate the association between physical activity and relative age effect: a cross-sectional survey study with Japanese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Relative age effect is defined as a phenomenon where children born early generally perform better than children born later in the same cohort. Physical activity is an important factor that might be influenced by the relative age effect. Socioeconomic factors (e.g., parent's income, education level) are also associated with the adolescent's physical activity. However, no existing study has examined whether socioeconomic factors moderate the relative age effect on the adolescent's physical activity. This study aims to clarify whether and how birth month and socioeconomic factors relate to organized sports and physical activity among adolescents in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey targeting 21,491 adolescents who live in a widespread neighborhood. We included 8102 adolescents (4087 males and 4015 females: mean age 13.1 ± 1.4) in the analysis. Based on the participants' birth months, we divided them into four groups (April to June, July to September, October to December, January to March). We asked participants to report their organized sports participation. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Japanese Early Adolescents, we identified their moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors (areal deprivation, average annual income, education level) were analyzed based on national surveys, such as the population census. We performed multilevel logistic and linear regression analysis for organized sports participation and MVPA, respectively. Moreover, a simple slope analysis was implemented if the interaction between birth month and socioeconomic factor was significant in the multilevel linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Among males, relatively younger adolescents (adolescents who were born later in the same grade) were less likely to participate in organized sports activites (OR=0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.97, p<0.05), while both males and females engaged in less MVPA (b=-0.54, b=-0.25, p< 0.01, respectively). We observed an interaction between birth month and socioeconomic factors. Among males in low-income neighborhoods, and females in more deprived neighborhoods, relatively younger adolescents engaged in less MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic factors moderate the relative age effect on adolescents' physical activity. The relative age effect on adolescents' physical activity might be more likely to appear among adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Results from the Japan 2022 report card on physical activity for children and youth.

Background/Objective: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic was held in 2021, although postponed due to the spread of COVID-19. This event might have an impact on physical activity (PA) of children and adolescents, but the national data on PA during the pandemic were not available. Therefore, the goal of the 2022 Japan Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth (The 2022 Japan Report Card) is to assess and track levels of health behaviors related to PA, and health outcomes in Japanese children and adolescents, and environments and government strategy for PA just before the pandemic. Methods: The 2022 Japan Report Card consists of health behaviors and outcomes (8 indicators), and influences on health behaviors (4 indicators). Nationally representative data were used to score the indicators. Results: The key five health behaviors and outcomes (Overall PA: B-; Organized Sport: B-; Active Transportation: A-; Physical fitness: B, Weight status: A) were favorable. Sedentary Behavior and Sleep received C- and D- grades, respectively. Active Play could not be graded (INC). In the influences domain, Family and Peers was graded as C-, while School (B+), Community and Environment (B), and Government (B) were favorable. Conclusions: The 2022 Japan Report Card shows that Japanese children and adolescents had favorable levels of overall PA, active transportation to and from school, and weight status, and there was a generally favorable environment for PA and health, though sedentary behavior and sleep were unfavorable. Future nationally representative surveys on active play are needed.

Secondary Metabolites in the Dendrobium heterocarpum Methanolic Extract and Their Impacts on Viability and Lipid Storage of 3T3-L1 Pre-Adipocytes.

Although many natural products have proven their potential to regulate obesity through the modulation of adipocyte biology, none of them has yet been approved for clinical use in obesity therapy. This work aims to isolate valuable secondary metabolites from an orchid species (Dendrobium heterocarpum) and evaluate their possible roles in the growth and differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Six compounds were isolated from the orchid's methanolic extracts and identified as amoenylin (1), methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (2), 3,4-dihydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxybibenzyl (3), dendrocandin B (4), dendrofalconerol A (5), and syringaresinol (6). Among these phytochemicals, compounds 2, 3, and 6 exhibited lower effects on the viability of 3T3-L1 cells, offering non-cytotoxic concentrations of ≲10 µM. Compared to others tested, compound 3 was responsible for the maximum reduction of lipid storage in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (IC50 = 6.30 ± 0.10 µM). A set of protein expression studies unveiled that compound 3 at non-cytotoxic doses could suppress the expression of some key transcription factors in adipocyte differentiation (i.e., PPARγ and C/EBPα). Furthermore, this compound could deactivate some proteins involved in the MAPK pathways (i.e., JNK, ERK, and p38). Our findings prove that D. heterocarpum is a promising source to explore bioactive molecules capable of modulating adipocytic growth and development, which can potentially be assessed and innovated further as pharmaceutical products to defeat obesity.

Fundamental movement skills in preschoolers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a serial cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have hindered the development of fundamental movement skills in preschoolers. This serial cross-sectional study compared fundamental movement skills by age group before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2020), among Japanese preschoolers aged 3-5 years. METHODS: Of the 22 preschools within Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, 21 (95.5%) and 17 (77.3%) participated in the 2019 and 2020 surveys, respectively. We analyzed 608 and 517 preschoolers in both surveys. Fundamental movement skills were objectively assessed with a 25 m run, standing long jump, and softball throw, based on the Japanese physical activity guidelines for preschoolers. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the fundamental movement skills data between periods. RESULTS: For the 25 m run, participants aged 5 years were faster before than during the pandemic (p = 0.018), while participants aged 3 and 4 years showed no significant differences. Participants aged 3-5 years showed no significant differences before and during the pandemic for the standing long jump (p ≥ 0.072). For the softball throw, all grades scored higher before than during the pandemic (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic impeded the development of fundamental motor skills, especially for object control skills. This highlights the need for interventions aimed at developing fundamental motor skills in preschoolers during and after the pandemic.

Oleanane-type glycosides isolated from the trunk barks of the Central African tree Millettia laurentii.

Seven previously undescribed oleanane-type glycosides were isolated from the trunk barks of a Central African tree named Millettia laurentii De Wild (Fabaceae). After the extraction from the barks, the isolation and purification of these compounds were achieved using various solid/liquid chromatographic methods. Their structures were established mainly by 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC, HMBC) and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), as 3-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosylechinocystic acid, 3-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosylechinocystic acid, 3-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosylechinocystic acid, 3-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)]-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosylechinocystic acid, 3-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)]-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosylechinocystic acid, 3-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyloleanolic acid, 3-O-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)]-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyloleanolic acid. In addition, the cytotoxicity of six glycosides among the isolated ones, was evaluated against 4 T1 cell line from a mouse mammary gland tissue, using MTS method.