Adolescents' physical activity habits--results from a national health survey.

BACKGROUND: The MABAT Youth National Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted in Israel by the Ministry of Health and the Center for Disease Control. This article presents results of physical activity (PA) habits in Israel, in relation to recommendations by world health organizations. METHODS: Participants were 6274 adolescents, grades 7-12, enrolled in a cross-sectional, representative, school-based survey. Sufficient level of PA was defined as any moderate and vigorous level of PA that adds up daily to 60 min/day. Light PA was considered to be an insufficient level of PA. RESULTS: Only 10.5% of the participants reported performing sufficient PA. Large gender differences were found, with 17.7% of boys versus only 4.6% of girls meeting the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the need to develop programmes for school children in Israel to promote PA. Such programmes have been initiated in many countries that have a large percentage of adolescents with a sedentary lifestyle.

The presence of statocysts and statoliths in social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespinae).

Static sense organs composed of a hollow statocyst surrounded by sensory hairs and containing aggregate bodies (statoliths) have been detected in various species of Vespinae. On the frons in the groove traversing its center (the frontal groove) there is a deep pit and around it a membrane enclosing a cyst-like sac. In Vespa orientalis there are silicon (Si) and calcium (Ca)-containing aggregates inside the pit arranged in morula-like fashion, and in V. crabro, there are similar aggregates arranged in an ear-like shape. In general this sensillar organ resembles the statocyst located on the bases of the antennules in decapod crustaceans.

Capacitance in ant cuticle is frequency dependent: a statistical model.

The capacitance and the electric resistance of the cuticle of the ant Cataglyphis bicolor nigra Andr é (Hymenoptera, Formicinae ) were measured. The measurements were done at the frequencies 100 Hz and 1000 Hz and at a temperature range of 27.5-45 degrees C. Inverse correlation was observed between the capacitance and the frequency, so that at the higher frequency the capacitance was lower. Thus, in some instances, at 1000 Hz the capacitance ranged between 0.49 and 2. 16nF , while at 100 Hz it ranged between 5.74 and 19. 39nF at the measured temperature range. A similar inverse correlation was detected also between the resistance and the frequency. At 1000 Hz, the resistance values in some specimens ranged between 0.166 and 0.278 M omega whereas at 100 Hz they varied between 0.342 and 0.883 M omega. At both frequencies measured there was a temperature-dependence of the capacitance and of the electric resistance. With increase in temperature there was increase in the capacitance and a decrease in the resistance. Invariably, the trend of cuticular behavior was similar under cooling as under warming, but the values differed, creating a gap (hysteresis). Under cooling the resistance values were higher and the reverse was true for the capacitance. A statistical model is offered which graphically describes the behavior of the ant cuticle (resistance and capacitance) under changes in temperature and frequency. X-ray analysis of the cuticle revealed the presence of Ca as the most prominent element. Additional elements, but less prominent were P, S and K. It also contains Fe and Zn. The finding of a correlation between the capacitance and the frequency might lead to the following conclusions: that the measured system contains polarized substances; that the measured value in each case represents a resultant of values obtained from the measurement of more than one electrical circle (and probably more than one network of electrical circles); and that possibly a combination of (a) and (b) prevails. Presumably these changes in the capacitance and resistance at different temperatures and frequencies indicate that the ant cuticle is capable of responding to changes in the physical ambience , thus promoting proper ant spatial orientation and the pursuant behavior.

Temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of social wasp cuticle: a comparative study.

Resistance to electricity by social wasp cuticle is temperature dependent within the range of 1--40 degrees C. This was measured on the species Vespa orientalis (the Oriental hornet), Vespa crabro (the European hornet) and the wasp Dolichovespula saxonica. The resistance at first decreases with increased temperature, reaching a nadir which differs according to species, and then rises again up to 40 degrees C, the highest temperature tested. It is suggested that the cuticular changes in resistivity at different temperatures reflect the wasp's mechanism for detecting and regulating the temperature in their normal environment.

Mediterranean diet and functional indicators among older adults in non-Mediterranean and Mediterranean countries.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Mediterranean diet (MEDDIET) has been shown to be related to longevity. This study aimed to determine the association between adherence to MEDDIET and physical function of older adults in the United-States and Israel. METHODS: Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 and from the Israeli National Health and Nutrition Survey (MABAT ZAHAV) 2005-2006 were used. Participants with nutritional and functional data were included. Adherence to the MEDDIET was assessed by a 9-unit score (MDS). RESULTS: Among 2791 NHANES and 1786 MABAT ZAHAV participants, mean age=71.2 y and 74.9 y, 20% and 27% had low MDS (0-2), 66% and 62% had a medium score (3-5), and 14% and 11% had a high score (6-9), respectively. Higher MDS was associated with higher education and better lifestyle behaviors. Cognitive and physical functions were significantly better in NHANES and MABAT ZAHAV among the highest MDS. In NHANES, MDS (high vs. low) was associated with faster walking speed after adjusting for confounders in a logistic regression model [Odds Ratio (OR)=0.71, P=0.034, Cl 95% 0.511-0.974]. When cognitive function was added, the association was attenuated (OR=0.75, P=0.093, Cl 95% 0.540-1.049). In MABAT ZAHAV, in a logistic regression model adjusted among other to cognitive function, MDS (high vs. low) was associated with fewer disabilities (OR=0.51, P=0.029, Cl 95% 0.276-0.934). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the MEDDIET is associated with better health characteristics and better functioning. Further cohort and intervention studies may shed light on temporal and causal relationships between MEDDIET and these parameters.

Pigment granules in the tegumental yellow strips of social wasps: a scanning electron microscopic study.

In social wasps the yellow pigment assumes the shape of quasi-cylindrical granules 0.6...0.8 microm long and 0.3...0.4 microm in diameter. These are mostly concentrated around the bases of the funnel-like cuticular sheath containing the cellular elements of the sense organ. Feeding colchicine to the wasps induces degeneration of the granules but the addition of xanthines to their diet render them refractory to the destructive action of colchicine. Changes in the size and shape of the granules with age and following continuous illumination are described.

Theophylline induces diapause-like state in social wasps.

Feeding of theophylline to hornet workers from their moment of eclosion during the summer results in the following effects on the hornets: loss of appetite for proteins, inhibited ovarial development, no cell-building activity, negative phototaxis, gradual slow-down of spontaneous motor activity, difficulty in flight and orientation, and an overall behavior pattern reminiscent of hornet queens in nature when they are in a state of winter diapause. These findings suggest that theophylline exerts anti-juvenile-hormone-like effects on hornets and raise the possibility of utilizing theophylline baits to suppress pest hornet populations.