Collaboration between distinct SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes directs enhancer selection and activation of macrophage inflammatory genes.

Macrophages elicit immune responses to pathogens through induction of inflammatory genes. Here, we examined the role of three variants of the SWI/SNF nucleosome remodeling complex-cBAF, ncBAF, and PBAF-in the macrophage response to bacterial endotoxin (lipid A). All three SWI/SNF variants were prebound in macrophages and retargeted to genomic sites undergoing changes in chromatin accessibility following stimulation. Cooperative binding of all three variants associated with de novo chromatin opening and latent enhancer activation. Isolated binding of ncBAF and PBAF, in contrast, associated with activation and repression of active enhancers, respectively. Chemical and genetic perturbations of variant-specific subunits revealed pathway-specific regulation in the activation of lipid A response genes, corresponding to requirement for cBAF and ncBAF in inflammatory and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) activation, respectively, consistent with differential engagement of SWI/SNF variants by signal-responsive transcription factors. Thus, functional diversity among SWI/SNF variants enables increased regulatory control of innate immune transcriptional programs, with potential for specific therapeutic targeting.

SEA Anemone-inspired Conducting Polymer Sensing Platform for Integrated Detection of Tumor Protein Marker and Circulating Tumor Cell.

Combining the detection of tumor protein markers with the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represents an ultra-promising approach for early tumor detection. However, current methodologies have not yet achieved the necessary low detection limits and efficient capture. Here, we introduced a novel polypyrrole nanotentacles sensing platform featuring anemone-like structures capable of simultaneously detecting protein biomarkers and capturing CTCs. The incorporation of nanotentacles significantly enhanced the electrode surface area, providing abundant active sites for antibody binding. This enhancement allowed detecting nucleus matrix protein22 (NMP22) and bladder tumor antigen (BTA) with 2.39 and 3.12 pg/mL detection limit, respectively. Furthermore, our developed sensing platform effectively captured MCF-7 cells in blood samples with a detection limit of fewer than 10 cells/mL, attributed to the synergistic multivalent binding facilitated by the specific recognition antibodies and the positive charge on the nanotentacles surface. This sensing platform demonstrated excellent detection capabilities and outstanding capture efficiency, offering a simple, accurate, and efficient strategy for early tumor detection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A rational designed multi-epitope vaccine elicited robust protective efficacy against Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infection.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has become a significant challenge in the field of infectious diseases, posing an urgent need for the development of highly protective vaccines against this pathogen. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we identified three immunogenic extracellular loops based on the structure of five candidate antigens using sera from K. pneumoniae infected mice. The sequences of these loops were linked to the C-terminal of an alpha-hemolysin mutant (mHla) from Staphylococcus aureus to generate a heptamer, termed mHla-EpiVac. In vivo studies confirmed that fusion with mHla significantly augmented the immunogenicity of EpiVac, and it elicited both humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, which could be further enhanced by formulation with aluminum adjuvant. Furthermore, immunization with mHla-EpiVac demonstrated enhanced protective efficacy against K. pneumoniae channeling compared to EpiVac alone, resulting in reduced bacterial burden, secretion of inflammatory factors, histopathology and lung injury. Moreover, mHla fusion facilitated antigen uptake by mouse bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) and provided sustained activation of these cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mHla-EpiVac is a promising vaccine candidate against K. pneumoniae, and further validate the potential of mHla as a versatile carrier protein and adjuvant for antigen design.

Novel material-oriented valorization of biogas can achieve more carbon reduction than traditional utilization by bioelectricity or biomethane.

Two novel biogas upgrading strategies that recover high-value chemicals or CO2 liquid fertilizer from biogas besides biomethane were evaluated from the view of global warming potential (GWP) through life cycle assessment in comparison with conventional approaches. Results show that the scenarios producing biomethane with nano calcium carbonate or CO2 liquid fertilizer from biogas present significantly lower GWP (-3.4 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas and -4.4 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas, respectively), compared to combined heat and power scenario (-2.4 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas) and biogas upgrading by high pressure water scrubbing scenario (-1.3 kgCO2-eq/Nm3-biogas). The carbon sequestration and utilization from CO2-rich water significantly enhanced carbon reduction in overall biogas management. Furthermore, considering cleaner electricity in the future, strategies focusing on managing biogas for materials will align more with climate change goals than energy-focused strategies. This study provides insight for decision-makers in developing roadmaps for carbon reduction pathways in biogas-relating sectors.

Engineering an Almost All-Waterborne System for Transparent yet Superhydrophobic Surfaces with High Liquid Impalement Resistance.

Realistically, green manufacturing of transparent superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) and high liquid impalement resistance for outdoor engineering are very necessary but pretty challenging. To address this, an almost all-waterborne system composed of synthesized partially open-cage fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane bearing a pair of -OH (poc-FPOSS-2OH), silica sol, and resin precursor is engineered. The transparent SHSs facilely formed by this system are featured with the exclusive presence of wrapped silica nanoparticle (SiNP) dendritic networks at solid-gas interfaces. The wrapped SiNP dendritic networks have a small aggregation size and low distribution depth, making SHSs highly transparent. The Si-O polymeric wrappers render mechanical flexibility to SiNP dendritic networks and thus enable transparent SHSs to resist high-speed water jet impinging with a Weber number of ≥19 800 in conjunction with the extremely low-surface-energy poc-FPOSS-2OH, which is the highest liquid impalement resistance so far among waterborne SHSs, and can rival the state-of-the-art solventborne SHSs.

Association of lifestyle habits and cardiovascular risk among sedentary adults.

This study aimed to analyze the association of lifestyle habits (physical activity, sleep habits, and eating habits) with cardiovascular risk (arterial stiffness and autonomic nervous system function) among sedentary adults. Sixty adults of sedentariness and physical activity were evaluated by accelerometers; sleep and eating habits were assessed by questionnaires; cardiovascular risks were assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index, flow mediated dilation, and heart rate variability; circulating biomarkers were also determined. Prolonged sitting (represented by longer maximum length of sedentary bouts, lower length of sedentary breaks, and more total time of sitting) were (P < .05) significantly associated with matrix metalloproteinases, neuropeptide Y, C-reactive protein, peptide Y, ghrelin, and leptin; significant associations (P < .05) were also observed of total time in physical activity with most circulating biomarkers except interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and adiponectin. Sleep habits, especially sleep efficiency, were (P < .05) significantly associated with PWV, ankle-brachial index, and circulating biomarkers. Eating habits (including emotional overeating and enjoyment of food) were (P < .05) significantly associated with PWVs and flow mediated dilation; satiety responsiveness and enjoyment of food were (P < .05) significantly associated with low-frequency spectral component expressed in normalized units, high frequency spectral component expressed in normalized units, and ratio between low-frequency/high frequency spectral component expressed in normalized units. The findings indicated that several lifestyle habits among sedentary adults were closely associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Sedentary people were encouraged to live with sufficient physical activity, good sleep, and healthy eating habits for decreasing arterial stiffness and balancing autonomic nervous function.

Association between early ambulation exercise and short-term postoperative recovery after open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a single center retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early ambulation in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery is recommended, however, the precise time interval after open surgery has never been specified. Current retrospective analysis was conducted aiming to clarify an accurate time interval. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of eligible patients was conducted using the databases of the Bone Surgery Department, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 2016 to 2021. Data pertaining to postoperative hospital stay length, expenses, incidence of complications were extracted and compared using Pearson's χ2 or Student's t-tests. A multivariate linear regression model was conducted to identify the relationship between length of hospital stay (LOS) and other outcomes of interest. A propensity analysis was conducted to minimize bias and to evaluate the reliability of results. RESULTS: A total of 303 patients met the criteria and were included for the data analysis. Multivariate linear regression results demonstrated that a high ASA grade (p = 0.016), increased blood loss (p = 0.003), cardiac disease (p < 0.001), occurrence of postoperative complications(p < 0.001) and longer ambulatory interval (p < 0.001) was significantly associated with an increased LOS. The cut-off analysis manifested that patients should start mobilization within 3 days after open TLIF surgery (B = 2.843, [1.395-4.292], p = 0.0001). Further comparative analysis indicated that patients who start ambulatory exercise within 3 days have shorter LOS (8.52 ± 3.28d vs 12.24 ± 5.88d, p < 0.001), total expenses ( 9398.12 ± 2790.82vs 10701.03 ± 2994.03 [USD], p = 0.002). Propensity analysis revealed such superiority was stable along with lower incidence of postoperative complications (2/61 vs 8/61, p = 0.0048). CONCLUSIONS: The current analysis suggested that ambulatory exercise within 3 days for patients who underwent open TLIF surgery was significantly associated with reduced LOS, total hospital expenses, and postoperative complications. Further causal relationship would be confirmed by future randomized controlled trials.

Aerobic exercises regulate the epididymal anion homeostasis of high-fat diet-induced obese rats through TRPA1-mediated Cl- and HCO3- secretion†.

Aerobic exercises could improve the sperm motility of obese individuals. However, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated, especially the possible involvement of the epididymis in which sperm acquire their fertilizing capacity. This study aims to investigate the benefit effect of aerobic exercises on the epididymal luminal milieu of obese rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed on a normal or high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks and then subjected to aerobic exercises for 12 weeks. We verified that TRPA1 was located in the epididymal epithelium. Notably, aerobic exercises reversed the downregulated TRPA1 in the epididymis of HFD-induced obese rats, thus improving sperm fertilizing capacity and Cl- concentration in epididymal milieu. Ussing chamber experiments showed that cinnamaldehyd (CIN), agonist of TRPA1, stimulated an increase of the short-circuit current (ISC) in rat cauda epididymal epithelium, which was subsequently abolished by removing the ambient Cl- and HCO3-. In vivo data revealed that aerobic exercises increased the CIN-stimulated Cl- secretion rate of epididymal epithelium in obese rats. Pharmacological experiments revealed that blocking cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) and Ca2+-activated Cl- channel (CaCC) suppressed the CIN-stimulated anion secretion. Moreover, CIN application in rat cauda epididymal epithelial cells elevated intracellular Ca2+ level, and thus activate CACC. Interfering with the PGHS2-PGE2-EP2/EP4-cAMP pathway suppressed CFTR-mediated anion secretion. This study demonstrates that TRPA1 activation can stimulate anion secretion via CFTR and CaCC, which potentially forming an appropriate microenvironment essential for sperm maturation, and aerobic exercises can reverse the downregulation of TRPA1 in the epididymal epithelium of obese rats.

The Truth of Unusual Deaths under Military Expansion: Evidence from the Stable Isotopes of a Human Skull Ditch in the Capital City of the Early Shang Dynasty.

The site of Zhengzhou Shang City (ca. 1509-1315 cal. BC) was the capital of the early Shang Dynasty in China. Archaeological excavations have unearthed a ditch containing approximately one hundred unusual dead human skulls in the rammed-earth foundations of the palace area. The identity and origin of the skulls have long been disputed. In this work, strontium, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were carried out on 11 human skulls and 1 tooth from the ditch, as well as on 11 human bones, 11 human teeth from the ordinary tombs and 10 pig teeth from the Zhengzhou Shang City site. We determined that, in Zhengzhou Shang City, the local strontium isotope ratio ranges from 0.711606 to 0.711884, and ordinary inhabitants consumed mainly C4 plants supplemented by C3 plants. Moreover, humans buried in the ditch have 87Sr/86Sr values from 0.711335 to 0.711741 and consumed only C4 plants. Combining the isotopic data with the archaeological and cultural context, it is concluded that the unusual human skulls in the ditch are most likely those of prisoners of war captured by the central forces conquering the Xiaomintun area of Anyang in the early Shang Dynasty. The results provide valuable insight into the history of violence and military warfare in the early Chinese dynasty.

Association of daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity with body fat among U.S. adults.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity lead to low energy expenditures. However, little is known about the joint impact of daily sitting time and physical activity on body fat distribution. We investigated the independent and joint associations of daily sitting time and physical activity with body fat among adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of U.S. nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 among adults aged 20 years or older. Daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) were self-reported using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body fat (total and trunk fat percentage) was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Among 10,808 adults, about 54.6% spent 6 h/day or more sitting; more than one-half reported no LTPA (inactive) or less than 150 min/week LTPA (insufficiently active) with only 43.3% reported 150 min/week or more LTPA (active) in the past week. After fully adjusting for sociodemographic data, lifestyle behaviors, and chronic conditions, prolonged sitting time and low levels of LTPA were associated with higher total and trunk fat percentages in both sexes. When stratifying by LTPA, the association between daily sitting time and body fat appeared to be stronger in those who were inactive/insufficiently active. In the joint analyses, inactive/insufficiently active adults who reported sitting more than 8 h/day had the highest total (female: 3.99% (95% confidence interval (95%CI):3.09%-4.88%); male: 3.79% (95%CI: 2.75%-4.82%)) and trunk body fat percentages (female: 4.21% (95%CI: 3.09%-5.32%); male: 4.07% (95%CI: 2.95%-5.19%)) when compared with those who were active and sitting less than 4 h/day. CONCLUSION: Prolonged daily sitting time was associated with increased body fat among U.S. adults. The higher body fat associated with 6 h/day sitting may not be offset by achieving recommended levels of physical activity.

Aerobic Exercise Prevents Arterial Stiffness and Attenuates Hyperexcitation of Sympathetic Nerves in Perivascular Adipose Tissue of Mice after Transverse Aortic Constriction.

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of exercise on preventing arterial stiffness and the potential role of sympathetic nerves within perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in pressure-overload-induced heart failure (HF) mice. Eight-week-old male mice were subjected to sham operation (SHAM), transverse aortic constriction-sedentary (TAC-SE), and transverse aortic constriction-exercise (TAC-EX) groups. Six weeks of aerobic exercise training was performed using a treadmill. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring the elastic modulus. The elastic and collagen fibers of the aorta and sympathetic nerve distribution in PVAT were observed. Circulating noradrenaline (NE), expressions of ß3-adrenergic receptor (ß3-AR), and adiponectin in PVAT were quantified. During the recovery of cardiac function by aerobic exercise, thoracic aortic collagen elastic modulus (CEM) and collagen fibers were significantly decreased (p < 0.05, TAC-SE vs. TAC-EX), and elastin elastic modulus (EEM) was significantly increased (p < 0.05, TAC-SE vs. TAC-EX). Circulating NE and sympathetic nerve distribution in PVAT were significantly decreased (p < 0.05, TAC-SE vs. TAC-EX). The expression of ß3-AR was significantly reduced (p < 0.05, TAC-SE vs. TAC-EX), and adiponectin was significantly increased (p < 0.05, TAC-SE vs. TAC-EX) in PVAT. Regular aerobic exercise can effectively prevent arterial stiffness and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in the developmental course of HF, during which sympathetic innervation and adiponectin within PVAT might be strongly implicated.

Baduanjin's impact on quality of life and sleep quality in breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to investigate the impact of Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese exercise, on quality of life and sleep quality in breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Methods: A total of 72 breast cancer survivors who had received AI treatment for more3 than 6 months were enrolled in the current study using non-probability consecutive sampling procedure. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a 12-week Baduanjin exercise program or to a wait-list control group. The Baduanjin exercise group performed two 90-min supervised sessions per week. The primary outcomes were changes in quality of life measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and in sleep quality evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: A total of 68 participants completed the trial (Baduanjin exercise group: n = 33; control group: n = 35). Baseline values for quality of life did not differ between groups. Both global quality of life and physical functioning scores increased significantly by 12.39 (P < 0.001) and 8.48 (P < 0.001) in the Baduanjin exercise group compared with those in the control. Overall PSQI score also decreased by 4.85 (P < 0.001) in the Baduanjin exercise group, whereas it increased by 0.34 in the control group. Conclusion: Baduanjin exercise training led to improvement in the quality of life and sleep quality of breast cancer patients undergoing AI therapy.

The Millet of the Matter: Archeobotanical Evidence for Farming Strategies of Western Han Dynasty Core Area Inhabitants.

Despite decades of investigation, consensus has yet to be reached on when and where wheat replaced millet as the primary crop in the core regions of early Imperial China. Previous studies have suggested that wheat cultivation likely became widespread prior to or during the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220). Here, we tested this hypothesis by applying archeobotanical tools to plant remains found in five pottery model granaries (cang) entombed in a newly excavated late Western Han burial at the Longzaocun cemetery in the Guanzhong Basin. This analysis allowed us to explore the extent of wheat expansion and agricultural strategies in the heartland of early dynastic China. Macro- and micro-botanical evidence shows that the Longzaocun residents consumed two kinds of crops: foxtail and common millet. Combining these findings with previous studies, we argue that millet-based multi-crop farming dominated the regional agricultural system during the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 8) and analyze the political and cultural motivations for the Han people's usage on millet crops from the burial concepts and fiscal systems. Echoing previous studies, we argue that millets remained the most valuable subsistence food for inhabitants of the Loess Basins in the Han core, and that wheat was not cultivated on a large scale in this area during the Western Han Dynasty.

Genomic Occupancy of the Bromodomain Protein Bdf3 Is Dynamic during Differentiation of African Trypanosomes from Bloodstream to Procyclic Forms.

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis, cycles between a mammalian host and a tsetse fly vector. The parasite undergoes huge changes in morphology and metabolism during adaptation to each host environment. These changes are reflected in the different transcriptomes of parasites living in each host. However, it remains unclear whether chromatin-interacting proteins help mediate these changes. Bromodomain proteins localize to transcription start sites in bloodstream parasites, but whether the localization of bromodomain proteins changes as parasites differentiate from bloodstream to insect stages remains unknown. To address this question, we performed cleavage under target and release using nuclease (CUT&RUN) against bromodomain protein 3 (Bdf3) in parasites differentiating from bloodstream to insect forms. We found that Bdf3 occupancy at most loci increased at 3 h following onset of differentiation and decreased thereafter. A number of sites with increased bromodomain protein occupancy lie proximal to genes with altered transcript levels during differentiation, such as procyclins, procyclin-associated genes, and invariant surface glycoproteins. Most Bdf3-occupied sites are observed throughout differentiation. However, one site appears de novo during differentiation and lies proximal to the procyclin gene locus housing genes essential for remodeling surface proteins following transition to the insect stage. These studies indicate that occupancy of chromatin-interacting proteins is dynamic during life cycle stage transitions and provide the groundwork for future studies on the effects of changes in bromodomain protein occupancy. Additionally, the adaptation of CUT&RUN for Trypanosoma brucei provides other researchers with an alternative to chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). IMPORTANCE The parasite Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Trypanosomiasis, which affects humans and cattle, is fatal if untreated. Existing drugs have significant side effects. Thus, these parasites impose a significant human and economic burden in sub-Saharan Africa, where trypanosomiasis is endemic. T. brucei cycles between the mammalian host and a tsetse fly vector, and parasites undergo huge changes in morphology and metabolism to adapt to different hosts. Here, we show that DNA-interacting bromodomain protein 3 (Bdf3) shows changes in occupancy at its binding sites as parasites transition from the bloodstream to the insect stage. Additionally, a new binding site appears near the locus responsible for remodeling of parasite surface proteins during transition to the insect stage. Understanding the mechanisms behind host adaptation is important for understanding the life cycle of the parasite.

Analysis of the Effect of Branched Chain Amino Acids on Muscle Health Information of Swimmers Based on Multisensor Fusion and Deep Learning.

Swimmers must fully mobilize the muscles of the whole body during exercise, and it is necessary to study the protection of swimmers from muscle damage. Now, muscle damage is increasing year by year, and more athletes are affected. Therefore, studying the causes of muscle injuries and exploring more effective treatments have become important research topics in the field of sports medicine. This study is mainly based on deep learning to analyze the protective effect of branched-chain amino acids on swimming athletes' muscle injury. Due to the complex and changeable environment and the interference of unknown factors, a single sensor cannot meet the needs of obtaining information. Therefore, people have developed the technology of multisensor information fusion to obtain enough information. Multisensor data fusion technology can synthesize the information of each sensor and then obtain more comprehensive and accurate decision-making information. This study is mainly based on multisensor fusion and deep learning to analyze the impact of branched chain amino acids on Swimmers' muscle health information. Finally, two experiments were designed in this article. The first experimental result showed that the pain level of the experimental group who took BCAA supplements was 19% lower than that of the control group that did not take the BCAA supplement within three days after exercise. The results of the second experiment show the following: after exercise, the creatine kinase activity value of the experimental group taking BCAA supplement was 4.38 ± 1.45, and the creatine kinase activity value of the control group taking placebo was 5.42 ± 2.12. It proves that BBCA can protect muscle damage by reducing the activity of creatine kinase.

Strategy toward fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane wrapping nanoparticles for superomniphobic surfaces.

For engineering implementation of an ultralow-surface-energy hierarchically micro/nanostructured topography for superomniphobic surfaces, a strategy involving the design of a partially open-cage fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane bearing an -OH pair (poc-F13POSS-2OH) and the subsequent wrapping of nanoparticles with poc-F13POSS-2OH as a result of weak-acid-triggered -OH protonation is developed. The poc-F13POSS-wrapped nanoparticle-based surfaces showed broad-spectrum superomniphobicity. This work has advanced the engineering of state-of-the-art superomniphobic solid surfaces/interfaces.

Association of sedentary patterns with body fat distribution among US children and adolescents: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Children and adolescents spend a substantial amount of time being sedentary. The impact of prolonged sedentary patterns on fat distribution has not been elucidated especially in the context of physical activity level. Our objective is to examine the independent and joint associations of prolonged sedentary patterns and physical activity level with fat distribution among children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This included US children (8-11 years) and adolescents (12-19 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. Sedentary patterns comprise accelerometer-measured average sedentary bout duration and self-reported time of sitting watching TV/videos. Fat distribution (trunk and total fat percentage) was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Among 810 children and 2062 adolescents, average sedentary bout duration was associated with greater total and trunk fat percentages only among male children, after adjusting for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level by accelerometer. Prolonged sitting watching TV/videos was associated with higher total and trunk fat percentages in male children and all adolescents, independent of levels of MVPA (all P for trend <0.05). Compared with ≤1 h/day, male children who spent ≥4 h/day sitting watching TV/videos had 4.43% higher trunk fat (95% CI, 1.69-7.17%), with similar associations for female (3.53%; 95% CI, 1.03-6.03%) and male adolescents (4.78%; 95% CI, 2.97-6.60%). About 13-17% children and adolescents spent <1 h on MVPA and ≥4 h sitting watching TV/videos per day. Compared with the most active group (MVPA ≥ 1 h/day and sitting watching TV/videos ≤1 h/day), trunk fat in this least active group was 6.21% higher in female children, 9.90% higher in male children, 6.84% higher in female adolescents, and 5.36% higher in male adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged time spent on sitting watching TV/videos was associated with fat accumulation among children and adolescents, independent of physical activity level.

Interconnected NiCo2O4 nanosheet arrays grown on carbon cloth as a host, adsorber and catalyst for sulfur species enabling high-performance Li-S batteries.

Li-S batteries are a promising next-generation electrochemical energy-storage system due to their high energy density, as well as the abundance and low cost of sulfur. However, the low conductivity of sulfur and Li2S/Li2S2, as well as the dissolution and shuttling of intermediate lithium polysulfides, is a great challenge for high-performance Li-S batteries. Herein, interconnected NiCo2O4 nanosheet arrays grown on carbon cloth (CC) are applied as the cathode (S/NiCo2O4/CC) in Li-S batteries for accommodating sulfur. The obtained cathode shows high conductivity, high dispersion of sulfur species and excellent polysulfide adsorption and catalytic properties. As a result, significantly higher specific capacity (1480 vs. 1048 mA h g-1 at 0.1C) and greatly enhanced rate performance (624 vs. 215 mA h g-1 at 2C) are obtained for the S/NiCo2O4/CC cathode in comparison to S/CC. Further, the S/NiCo2O4/CC cathode demonstrates a low capacity decay of 0.060% per cycle over 400 cycles at 0.5C.

Effects of exercise and diet intervention on appetite-regulating hormones associated with miRNAs in obese children.

AIMS: This study investigated the effects of exercise and diet intervention on appetite-regulating hormones and subjective appetite changes in obese children and examined expressions of specific key microRNAs (miRNA, miR). METHODS: 16 obese children were included in a training program consisting of exercise and diet intervention for 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention, fasting blood was collected to determine appetite-regulating hormones (leptin, ghrelin, and orexin) and miRNA (miR-103a-3p and miR-200a-3p) levels; eating behavior of the children was reported using the Children Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). RESULTS: The level of orexin was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while ghrelin was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) after 6 weeks. The scores of food responsiveness (FR) and enjoyment of food (EF) of the CEBQ were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after intervention. The changes of leptin and that of SR were significantly correlated (r = - 0.455, P < 0.05), and the correlation between the alterations of orexin and that of EF was moderate with significance (r = 0.625, P < 0.05). miR-103a-3p expression was not statistically changed, while miR-200a-3p was significantly inhibited after 6-week intervention (P < 0.05). The correlation between relative changes of miR-103a-3p and that of leptin and orexin were both with significant difference (r = 0.413, P < 0.05; r = 0.409, P < 0.05), whereas the alterations of miR-200a-3p were not correlative with hormones or appetite sensation. CONCLUSION: Exercise combined with diet intervention for 6 weeks was effective in regulating appetite sensations and hormones in obese children, and miR-103a-3p and miR-200a-3p might provide a foundation for target biomarkers of appetite trait in modulating the energy balance control by exercise and dietary intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control analytic study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03762629).