Improving Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Function of Korean Firefighters: A Kinect-Based Mixed Reality Device Exercise Intervention Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study addresses declining physical fitness among Korean firefighters due to a low exercise participation rate caused by the absence of exercise instructors. The research explores Virtual Mate (VM), a Kinect-based mixed reality device, as a potential solution, but its capacity to replace training instructors in enhancing physical fitness remains uncertain. METHODS: Twenty Korean male firefighters were divided into two groups: the exercise group received an 8-week intervention using VM, while the control group maintained regular physical activity. Cardiopulmonary function and muscle function were measured. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, the exercise group demonstrated a significant improvement in VO 2peak . Furthermore, there were notable enhancements in the strength and endurance of most knee, shoulder, and trunk flexors and extensors. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating VM into an exercise program can effectively improve cardiorespiratory and muscular function in Korean firefighters.

An Artificial Intelligence Exercise Coaching Mobile App: Development and Randomized Controlled Trial to Verify Its Effectiveness in Posture Correction.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient physical activity due to social distancing and suppressed outdoor activities increases vulnerability to diseases like cardiovascular diseases, sarcopenia, and severe COVID-19. While bodyweight exercises, such as squats, effectively boost physical activity, incorrect postures risk abnormal muscle activation joint strain, leading to ineffective sessions or even injuries. Avoiding incorrect postures is challenging for novices without expert guidance. Existing solutions for remote coaching and computer-assisted posture correction often prove costly or inefficient. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use deep neural networks to develop a personal workout assistant that offers feedback on squat postures using only mobile devices-smartphones and tablets. Deep learning mimicked experts' visual assessments of proper exercise postures. The effectiveness of the mobile app was evaluated by comparing it with exercise videos, a popular at-home workout choice. METHODS: Twenty participants were recruited without squat exercise experience and divided into an experimental group (EXP) with 10 individuals aged 21.90 (SD 2.18) years and a mean BMI of 20.75 (SD 2.11) and a control group (CTL) with 10 individuals aged 22.60 (SD 1.95) years and a mean BMI of 18.72 (SD 1.23) using randomized controlled trials. A data set with over 20,000 squat videos annotated by experts was created and a deep learning model was trained using pose estimation and video classification to analyze the workout postures. Subsequently, a mobile workout assistant app, Home Alone Exercise, was developed, and a 2-week interventional study, in which the EXP used the app while the CTL only followed workout videos, showed how the app helps people improve squat exercise. RESULTS: The EXP significantly improved their squat postures evaluated by the app after 2 weeks (Pre: 0.20 vs Mid: 4.20 vs Post: 8.00, P=.001), whereas the CTL (without the app) showed no significant change in squat posture (Pre: 0.70 vs Mid: 1.30 vs Post: 3.80, P=.13). Significant differences were observed in the left (Pre: 75.06 vs Mid: 76.24 vs Post: 63.13, P=.02) and right (Pre: 71.99 vs Mid: 76.68 vs Post: 62.82, P=.03) knee joint angles in the EXP before and after exercise, with no significant effect found for the CTL in the left (Pre: 73.27 vs Mid: 74.05 vs Post: 70.70, P=.68) and right (Pre: 70.82 vs Mid: 74.02 vs Post: 70.23, P=.61) knee joint angles. CONCLUSIONS: EXP participants trained with the app experienced faster improvement and learned more nuanced details of the squat exercise. The proposed mobile app, offering cost-effective self-discovery feedback, effectively taught users about squat exercises without expensive in-person trainer sessions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service KCT0008178 (retrospectively registered); https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/24006.

Distribution of nephrons in the head kidney of three species of Sebastes (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae).

Nephrons are generally not distributed in the head kidney of teleost. Nonetheless, in this study, the nephron structure was identified in the head kidney of three species of Sebastes (Sebastes inermis, Sebastes schlegelii and Sebastes thompsoni). The kidney is Y shaped, with the development in the head kidney. The nephron structure was confirmed in the head kidney and body kidney. In addition, the nephron consisted of renal corpuscles and tubules, and the renal corpuscle consisted of the Bowman's capsule and glomerulus. Histologically, previous studies reported that the nephron structure is similar to that of other marine teleost. The renal tubule is a simple columnar epithelial layer with microvilli and cilia on the free surface, which is observed as a brush border. The Rrk (relative area ratio of kidney to body surface) was 5.14%, 7.58% and 5.17% in S. inermis, S. schlegelii and S. thompsoni, respectively. The Gar (glomerular area ratio of the head kidney) was higher in the central area than in the peripheral area, and species, which showed significant difference (P < 0.05), were in the following order: S. thompsoni (1.60%) > S. schlegelii (0.90%) > S. inermis (0.66%).

The Effects of Exergaming on Attention in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing evidence showing the effects of exercise and cognitive trainings on enhancing attention, little is known about the combined effects of exergame on attention in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Exergame, a form of exercise using a video game, has both cognitive stimulation and physical activity components and has been shown to improve cognitive function in children. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exergaming on attention and to compare the effect induced by exergaming with the effect of aerobic exercise on attention in children with ADHD. METHODS: In all, 30 children with ADHD, aged 8-12 years, were randomly divided into an exergaming group (EXG; n=16) or a bicycle exercise group (BEG; n=14). Before and after the 4-week intervention, the Frankfurter Aufmerksamkeits-Inventar (FAIR; Frankfurt Attention Inventory) test was administrated, and event-related potentials during the Go/No-go task was measured to assess attention. RESULTS: After intervention, both the EXG and BEG had significantly increased selective attention and continuous attention (all P<.001), as well as self-control on the FAIR test (EXG: P=.02 and BEG: P=.005). Similarly, both the EXG and BEG had significantly reduced response time on the Go/No-go test (all P<.001). For the Go response, the N2 amplitude (frontocentral maximal negativity) was significantly increased in Fz (midfrontal line) in the EXG (P=.003) but was not changed in the BEG (P=.97). Importantly, the N2 amplitude in Fz was significantly greater in the EXG compared to the BEG (Go: P=.001 and No-go: P=.008). CONCLUSIONS: Exergaming has the comparable effects to bicycle exercise to enhance attention in children with ADHD, suggesting that exergaming can be used as an alternative treatment for children with ADHD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service KCT0008239; https://tinyurl.com/57e4jtnb.

Does whey protein supplementation during resistance exercise have additional benefits for decreasing hepatic fat content?

BACKGROUND: Exercise and diet have positive effects on hepatic fat reduction, and protein supplementation is known to lower hepatic fat accumulation. However, the effect of a combination of exercise and whey protein supplementation (WPS) on hepatic fat content (HFC) is unknown. METHODS: We investigated the effect of WPS on HFC during resistance exercise and diet control intervention for four weeks. A total of 34 sedentary males participated and were randomly assigned to two groups: a protein supplement group (PSG, n = 18) and a control group (CG, n = 16). The PSG took 60 g of WPS per day, and the CG took 60 g of an isocaloric placebo per day. All participants were fed a calorie-controlled diet throughout the study period, with their daily caloric intake determined by their resting metabolic rate and physical activity level. Both groups performed resistance exercises supervised by experts at 60-70% of their maximum efforts for 60 min/day, 6 days/week for 4 weeks. HFC was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) after an 8 h fast, at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Liver enzymes and lipid profile were also analyzed after an 8 h fast and pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The CAP was significantly reduced after 4 weeks of intervention in both groups (PSG, p < .001; CG, p = .002). However, there was no significant interaction between the group and changes in CAP. Interestingly, when comparing the pre- and mid-tests, both groups also had significantly reduced CAP (PSG, p = .027; CG, p = .028), but there was a significant difference in the amount of change in CAP between the two groups (PSG, -47.2 ± 25.4 dB/m; CG, -19.5 ± 15.1 dB/m; p = .042). For liver enzymes, there was a significant interaction between the two groups and a change in aspartate transaminase (AST) (p = .038). However, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly decreased only in the PSG group (p = .002). In lipids, both groups showed significantly decreased total cholesterol (p < .001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < .001) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that WPS may not enhance the overall effects of resistance exercise on HFC and lipid profiles. However, in part, WPS may have a beneficial effect on liver enzymatic changes and rapid response to resistance exercise-induced HFC reduction.

The Effects of Exergaming on Executive and Physical Functions in Older Adults With Dementia: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing interest in the effects of exergaming on cognitive function, little is known about its effects on older adults with dementia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this is to investigate the effects of exergaming on executive and physical functions in older adults with dementia compared to regular aerobic exercise. METHODS: In total, 24 older adults with moderate dementia participated in the study. Participants were randomized into either the exergame group (EXG, n=13, 54%) or the aerobic exercise group (AEG, n=11, 46%). For 12 weeks, EXG engaged in a running-based exergame and AEG performed a cycling exercise. At baseline and postintervention, participants underwent the Ericksen flanker test (accuracy % and response time [RT]) while recording event-related potentials (ERPs) that included the N2 and P3b potentials. Participants also underwent the senior fitness test (SFT) and the body composition test pre- and postintervention. Repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to assess the effects of time (pre- vs postintervention), group (EXG vs AEG), and group×time interactions. RESULTS: Compared to AEG, EXG demonstrated greater improvements in the SFT (F1.22=7.434, P=.01), reduction in body fat (F1.22=6.476, P=.02), and increase in skeletal mass (F1.22=4.525, P=.05), fat-free mass (F1.22=6.103, P=.02), and muscle mass (F1.22=6.636, P=.02). Although there was a significantly shorter RT in EXG postintervention (congruent P=.03, 95% CI 13.581-260.419, incongruent P=.04, 95% CI 14.621-408.917), no changes occurred in AEG. EXG also yielded a shorter N2 latency for central (Cz) cortices during both congruent conditions compared to AEG (F1.22=4.281, P=.05). Lastly, EXG presented a significantly increased P3b amplitude compared to AEG during the Ericksen flanker test (congruent: frontal [Fz] F1.22=6.546, P=.02; Cz F1.22=5.963, P=.23; parietal [Pz] F1.22=4.302, P=.05; incongruent: Fz F1.22=8.302, P=.01; Cz F1.22=15.199, P=.001; Pz F1.22=13.774, P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exergaming may be associated with greater improvements in brain neuronal activity and enhanced executive function task performance than regular aerobic exercise. Exergaming characterized by both aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation can be used as an effective intervention to improve cognitive and physical functions in older adults with dementia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service KCT0008238; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/24170.

Effects of Whey Protein Supplement on 4-Week Resistance Exercise-Induced Improvements in Muscle Mass and Isokinetic Muscular Function under Dietary Control.

(1) The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation under dietary control on improvements in muscle mass and function following resistance exercise training. (2) Thirty-two men were randomly assigned to a whey protein supplementation group taking whey protein isolate (PSG, n = 17) and a placebo group (CON, n = 15). Participants were provided with three meals per day corresponding to the estimated individual daily energy intake. The supervised resistance exercise program was conducted 60 min per day, six days per week, for four weeks. (3) Post-intervention, there was a significant interaction between groups in terms of muscle mass increase (p = 0.033, η2 = 0.14), with a greater increase in the PSG. There were also significant interactions between the groups and increases in peak torque of the dominant knee flexors (p = 0.048, η2 = 0.12), dominant shoulder extensors, and non-dominant shoulder extensors (p = 0.028, η2 = 0.15; p = 0.015, η2 = 0.18), and the total work of the dominant knee and shoulder extensors (p = 0.012, η2 = 0.19; p = 0.013, η2 = 0.19), with greater increases in the PSG. (4) These results suggest that whey protein supplementation enhances resistance exercise-induced increase in muscle mass and overall muscular strength and endurance, independent of dietary influence.

Development of the Korean Firefighter Performance Battery: Job-Related Physical Fitness Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The Candidate Physical Capability Test (CPAT) has been used in many countries to assess the fitness levels of firefighters, but it requires a special facility with a space of at least 900 square m 2 and expensive equipment. Because it can be difficult to have both money and space at smaller gas stations, we have developed the Korean Firefighter Performance Battery (KFPB). METHODS: To verify the validity and reliability of the developed KFPB, this study consists of three parts, a validation test, reliability test, and evaluation criterion. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the KFPB met all of the criteria as a valid evaluation. Furthermore, the KFPB seems to compensate for the shortcomings of CPAT. CONCLUSIONS: In locations where the CPAT is difficult to administer, the KFPB is expected to be used as a firefighting job-related physical fitness evaluation.

Fluctuation Theorem for Information Thermodynamics of Quantum Correlated Systems.

We establish a fluctuation theorem for an open quantum bipartite system that explicitly manifests the role played by quantum correlation. Generally quantum correlations may substantially modify the universality of classical thermodynamic relations in composite systems. Our fluctuation theorem finds a non-equilibrium parameter of genuinely quantum nature that sheds light on the emerging quantum information thermodynamics. Specifically we show that the statistics of quantum correlation fluctuation obtained in a time-reversed process can provide a useful insight into addressing work and heat in the resulting thermodynamic evolution. We illustrate these quantum thermodynamic relations by two examples of quantum correlated systems.

Light and electron microscopy studies of siphon and siphonal sheath formation in the infaunal bivalve Tresus keenae (Bivalvia: Mactridae).

To understand the habitat ecology of Tresus keenae, an infaunal bivalve, the microanatomical structure of the siphon and the method of siphonal sheath formation were described. The diameter of the incurrent siphon was approximately 1.2 times greater than that of the excurrent siphon. Several irregular tentacles developed inside the distal end of the siphon. The tentacles in the incurrent siphon were approximately twice as long as those in the excurrent siphon. The siphon consisted of six tissue layers, which, from the outside inward, were the siphonal sheath, matrix, outer epithelial layer, connective tissue layer, muscular layer, and inner epithelial layer. The siphonal sheath was composed of an outer cuticle and dense microfilament layer and had vertical ducts. The matrix showed a loose microfilament layer. The outer epithelial layer was simple consisting of ciliated columnar epithelia and secretory cells. There were two types of secretory cells: arenophilic cells and proteinous granular cells. These were all unicellular glands, with cytoplasmic projections developing on the free surface and microstructural features of the cytoplasm showing secretory activity. Histochemical analysis indicated that the secretory granules of the secretory cells, the dense microfilament layer, and the matrix were composed of neutral carboxylated mucopolysaccharides. From these characteristics, it was concluded that the siphonal sheath was formed via the transportation of substances secreted by secretory cells of the outer epithelial layer to the outside through the duct. The hemolymph sinus developed in the connective tissue layer. The muscular layer had alternating longitudinal and circular muscle layers. The inner epithelial layer was simple and consisted of ciliated columnar epithelial cells and secretory cells. Secretory cells are goblet-like cells and contain acidic carboxylated substances. The siphonal sheath was identified starting at approximately 3.5 mm in shell length before the infaunal stage; as it grew, the siphonal sheath thickened, reflecting the infaunal habitat.

Differences in salient beliefs associated with voluntary exercise training among South Korean firefighters before and after COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Participating in voluntary exercise training is important to meet occupational requirements as well as firefighters' health and safety. The purpose of this study is to identify salient beliefs associated with voluntary exercise training among firefighters in the pandemic era by comparing outcomes with those from a previous elicitation study, which was carried out before the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: A total of 57 firefighters are recruited to participate in an elicitation study. Participants are requested to respond to six open-ended questions related to voluntary exercise training. Content analysis is used to create categories that combine similar factors in each belief. Beliefs mentioned by more than 30% of participants are used for comparison with the results of the previous research. RESULTS: "Improves my physical ability" (n = 44) and "cause injury" (n = 17) are identified as behavioral beliefs in the present study, whereas "makes me tired" and "takes too much time" were also elicited in Lee's study. Normative beliefs are "family members" (n = 45) and "colleagues" (n = 27) and these results are consistent with those in Lee's study. "Lack of time" (n = 28), "exercise facilities" (n = 19), and "COVID-19" (n = 19) are elicited as control beliefs in the present study, whereas "physical condition" (n = 21) and "exercise partners" (n = 14) were elicited as other control beliefs, and "COVID-19" was not mentioned in Lee's study. CONCLUSION: This study can contribute valuable information about salient beliefs associated with exercise training behavior among firefighters, particularly under pandemic conditions. Future researchers should develop tailored exercise training programs for firefighters based on current elicited beliefs.

Process and Outcome Evaluations of Interventions to Promote Voluntary Exercise Training Among South Korean Firefighters.

The main aim of the present study is to evaluate reach, dose, fidelity, and outcomes of the interventions for promoting voluntary exercise training among South Korean firefighters. Four interventions for promoting voluntary exercise training among firefighters (i.e., virtual reality exercise system intervention, poster intervention, monitor intervention, and wearable health device intervention) were performed in a fire station located in Seoul, South Korea. To evaluate reach and dose received related to each intervention, participants were asked to answer several simple questions. Three process evaluators completed a 20-item survey to share their impressions related to the quality of intervention delivery. Paired t test was used to examine mean changes in primary (i.e., mean minutes of exercise training per week) and secondary outcomes (i.e., beliefs and intention) between pre- and postinterventions. More than 60% of participants experienced monitor and wearable health device interventions. Process evaluators tend not to agree with a statement saying that the number of the virtual reality exercise equipment was appropriate. Among firefighters who participated in exercise training less than 150 min per week at 1-month follow-up, mean minutes of exercise training per week increased by 67.95 min after interventions. Future studies need to examine whether the monitor and wearable health device interventions effectively increase exercise training participation among firefighters in other fire stations located in Seoul, South Korea.

Resistance Band Exercise Training Prevents the Progression of Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Postmenopausal Women.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is classified as a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and postmenopausal women are specifically at an increased risk for MetS, in part due to the hormonal and metabolic changes that occur at the menopause transition. It is crucial to combat the components of MetS with appropriate lifestyle interventions in this population, such as exercise. This study aimed to examine the effects of a resistance band exercise training program in obese postmenopausal women with MetS. A total 35 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to either a control group (CON, n = 17) or a resistance band exercise training group (EX, n = 18). Participants in the EX group trained 3days/week. Levels of blood glucose, insulin, homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipid profile, anthropometrics, and blood pressure (BP) were measured at baseline and after the exercise intervention. There were significant group by time interactions (p < 0.05) for blood glucose (Δ-4.5 mg/dl), insulin (Δ -1.3 µU/ml), HOMA-IR (Δ -0.6), triglycerides (Δ -9.4 mg/dl), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(Δ -10.8 mg/dl), systolic BP(Δ -3.4 mmHg), body fat percentage (Δ -3.0 %), and waist circumference (Δ -3.4 cm), which significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and lean body mass (Δ 0.7 kg) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Δ 5.1 mg/dl), which significantly increased (p < 0.05) after EX compared to no change in CON. The present study indicates that resistance band exercise training may be an effective therapeutic intervention to combat the components of MetS in this population, potentially reducing the risk for the development of CVD.

Residual Tensile Properties and Explosive Spalling of High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites Exposed to Thermal Damage.

This study examined the effect of adding synthetic fibers, that is, polypropylene (PP) and nylon (Ny), on explosive spalling and residual tensile mechanical properties of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCCs). Three different matrix strengths (100 MPa, 140 MPa, and 180 MPa), four different volume contents of the synthetic fibers (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%), and three different exposure time (1 h, 2 h, and 3 h) based on the Internatinoal Organization for Standardization (ISO) fire curve were adopted as variables for this experiment. The experimental results revealed that the addition of synthetic fibers improved the resistance to explosive spalling induced by high-temperature, especially when PP and Ny were mixed together. For a higher matrix strength, greater volume content of the synthetic fibers was required to prevent explosive spalling, and higher residual strengths were obtained after the fire tests. An increase in the volume fraction of the synthetic fibers clearly prevented explosive spalling but did not affect the residual tensile strength. In the case of a higher matrix strength, a reduction in the strength ratio was observed with increased exposure time.

Effects of Acute Visual Stimulation Exercise on Attention Processes: An ERP Study.

BACKGROUNDS: It remains to be determined whether visual stimuli during exercise differentially influence the attention process. The purpose of the present study was to examine if different color stimuli during aerobic exercise are associated with different attention processes. METHODS: 22 college students completed a four 30-min running session during the presentation of different color stimuli (blue, green, red, and yellow) and without color stimulus on separate visits. The Kanizsa triangle task was administrated before and immediately after exercise to assess the attention process. Behavioral performance (accuracy and response time (RT)) and event-related potential (P2, N2b and P3a) were recorded during the test. RESULTS: Valid/invalid cue RT during the Kaniza test performance was significantly faster following the presentation of color stimuli during treadmill exercise compared to the seated rest. During exercise, these changes were larger after green and yellow stimuli than red in invalid cue RT. P2, N2b and P3a amplitudes of green were significantly larger than the other colors for both valid and invalid cues. Red color showed the lowest P2 and P3a amplitudes for both valid and invalid cues among colors. CONCLUSION: The distinctive neurocognitive changes during aerobic exercise suggest different effects of color stimuli on visual search attention, attention capture, attentional orienting and processing speed. This study will be a first step to understand the optimal environmental setting during exercise for subsequent improvements in the attention process.

Quantum Photovoltaic Cells Driven by Photon Pulses.

We investigate the quantum thermodynamics of two quantum systems, a two-level system and a four-level quantum photocell, each driven by photon pulses as a quantum heat engine. We set these systems to be in thermal contact only with a cold reservoir while the heat (energy) source, conventionally given from a hot thermal reservoir, is supplied by a sequence of photon pulses. The dynamics of each system is governed by a coherent interaction due to photon pulses in terms of the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian together with the system-bath interaction described by the Lindblad master equation. We calculate the thermodynamic quantities for the two-level system and the quantum photocell including the change in system energy, the power delivered by photon pulses, the power output to an external load, the heat dissipated to a cold bath, and the entropy production. We thereby demonstrate how a quantum photocell in the cold bath can operate as a continuum quantum heat engine with a sequence of photon pulses continuously applied. We specifically introduce the power efficiency of the quantum photocell in terms of the ratio of output power delivered to an external load with current and voltage to the input power delivered by the photon pulse. Our study indicates a possibility that a quantum system driven by external fields can act as an efficient quantum heat engine under non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

Regular moderate aerobic exercise improves high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via monoacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 pathway suppression.

PURPOSE: Monoacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (MGAT1) is reported to play a key role in the development of diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, this study investigated the effect of exercise on suppression of the MGAT1 pathway in NAFLD tissue of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an HFD containing 45% fat for 6 weeks. Upon confirmation that NAFLD had been induced in the obese animals, they were divided into HFD-fed groups provided with exercise (HFD + EXE) or without exercise (HFD) and a group given dietary adjustment (DA) only, for a further 6 weeks of intervention treatment. The 6-week regular moderate aerobic exercise consisted of an accommodation phase with increasing exercise. Lipid accumulation in the liver tissue was determined by Oil Red O staining. The MGAT1 and liver lipogenic gene mRNA levels were measured by qPCR, and their protein levels by western blot assay. RESULTS: Oil Red O staining showed that NAFLD was successfully induced by HFD-fed. The gene expression of MGAT1 was significantly lower in HFD + EXE than HFD. However, there was no significant difference between HFD + EXE and DA. The protein expression of MGAT1 was significantly lower in HFD + EXE than both HFD and DA. Messenger RNA and protein expression of other lipogenic genes were not different among groups. These data indicate that exercise suppresses MGAT1 pathway regardless of HFD feeding; in part, this effect could be greater than DA. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that exercise can improve NAFLD, which is probably due to suppression of MGAT1 pathway.

The Effects of Number of Fire Dispatches and Other Situational Factors on Voluntary Exercise Training Among Korean Firefighters: A Multilevel Logistic Regression Analysis.

According to previous research, participation in exercise training (ET) by South Korean firefighters varies with shift type, and the effect of shift type is greater in large cities than in small towns. However, shift types differ among regions, depending on the number of dispatches. Therefore, the present study examined the impact of the number of fire dispatches and other situational factors on ET. A series of multilevel logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the data collected from South Korean firefighters (N = 5219) in 2017. According to the firefighters, participation in ET is higher among those who have someone to instruct their ET (Coefficient (Coef) = 0.057, SE = 0.017, p < 0.001) and who can do ET while on duty (Coef = 0.048, SE = 0.014, p < 0.001). The number of fire dispatches had a significant effect on participation in ET (Coef = -0.000, SE = 0.000, p < 0.01), meaning that the firefighters' participation in ET varies with the number of fire dispatches in each region. Our main findings indicate that the number of fire dispatches is a key factor affecting ET participation among firefighters, and the other situational factors also play a role. Therefore, ET programs that firefighters can participate in between calls should be established.

High-intensity exercise improves cognitive function and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in obese mice maintained on high-fat diet.

We wanted to find the intensity of exercise that could increase brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and improve spatial learning and memory without dietary control. C57BL/6 mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induce obesity. Obesity-induced mice were exercised on a treadmill for 8 weeks at various exercise in-tensities: HFD-control (n=7), HFD-low-intensity exercise (HFD-LIE, n= 7, 12 m/min for 75 min), HFD-middle intensity exercise (HFD-MIE, n=7, 15 m/min for 60 min) and HFD-high-intensity exercise (HFD-HIE, n=7, 18 m/min for 50 min). One week before sacrificing mice, the Morris wa-ter maze test was performed, and the hippocampus was immediately removed after sacrifice. The expression levels of BDNF (encoded by the gene Bdnf) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the hippo-campus were analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction and western blot. In the last probe test of the Morris water maze test, occupancy in the target quadrant was sig-nificantly higher in the HFD-HIE group (P<0.05) than in the other groups. In addition, mRNA expression from the Bdnf promoter region was found to be significantly higher in the HFD-HIE group than in the other groups (P<0.001). Although there were some differences in the levels of signifi-cance, the expression levels of both BDNF and TrkB were significantly higher in the HFD-HIE group than in the other groups. Therefore, rela-tively high-intensity aerobic exercise can resist the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on the brain without dietary control.

Information fluctuation theorem for an open quantum bipartite system.

We study an arbitrary nonequilibrium dynamics of a quantum bipartite system coupled to a reservoir. For its characterization, we present a fluctuation theorem (FT) that explicitly addresses the quantum correlation of subsystems during the thermodynamic evolution. To our aim, we designate the local and the global states altogether in the time-forward and the time-reversed transition probabilities. In view of the two-point measurement scheme, only the global states are subject to measurements whereas the local states are used only as an augmented information on the composite system. We specifically derive a FT in such a form that relates the entropy production of local systems in the time-forward transition to the change of quantum correlation in the time-reversed transition. This also leads to a useful thermodynamic inequality and we illustrate its advantage by an example of an isothermal process on Werner states.