The effects of separate and combined dietary weight loss and exercise on fasting ghrelin concentrations in overweight and obese women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Compensatory metabolic changes that accompany weight loss, for example, increased ghrelin, contribute to weight regain and difficulty in long-term weight loss maintenance; however, the separate effects of long-term caloric restriction and exercise on total circulating ghrelin in humans are unknown. DESIGN: A 12-month randomized controlled trial comparing: i) dietary weight loss with a 10% weight loss goal ('diet'; n = 118); ii) moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise for 45 min/day, 5 days/week ('exercise'; n = 117); iii) dietary weight loss and exercise ('diet + exercise'; n = 117); or iv) no-lifestyle-change control (n = 87). PARTICIPANTS: 439 overweight or obese postmenopausal women (50-75 y). MEASUREMENTS: Fasting total serum ghrelin was measured by radioimmunoassay at baseline and 12 months. Fasting serum leptin, adiponectin and insulin were also measured. RESULTS: Fasting total ghrelin significantly increased in the diet + exercise arm (+7·4%, P = 0·008) but not in either the diet (+6·5%, P = 0·07) or exercise (+1·0%, P = 0·53) arms compared with control. Greater weight loss was associated with increased ghrelin concentrations, regardless of intervention. Neither baseline ghrelin nor body composition modified the intervention effects on changes in total ghrelin. The 12-month change in total ghrelin was inversely associated with changes in leptin, insulin and insulin resistance, and positively associated with change in adiponectin. CONCLUSIONS: Greater weight loss, achieved through a reduced calorie diet or exercise, is associated with increased total ghrelin concentrations in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.

Genetic variation in UGT genes modify the associations of NSAIDs with risk of colorectal cancer: colon cancer family registry.

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with reduced risk of colorectal neoplasia. Previous studies have reported that polymorphisms in NSAID-metabolizing enzymes central to NSAID metabolism including UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 may modify this protective effect. We investigated whether 35 functionally relevant polymorphisms within CYP2C9 and UGT genes were associated with colorectal cancer risk or modified the protective effect of NSAIDs on colorectal cancer susceptibility, using 1,584 colorectal cancer cases and 2,516 unaffected sibling controls from the Colon Cancer Family Registry. A three-SNP genotype in UGT1A6 (G-A-A; Ala7-Thr181-Arg184) and the Asp85 variant in UGT2B15 increased the risk of colorectal cancer (OR 3.87; 95% CI 1.04-14.45 and OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.10-1.63, respectively). We observed interactions between UGT1A3 Thr78Thr (A>G) and NSAID use (P-interaction = 0.02), a three-SNP genotype within UGT2B4 and ibuprofen use (P-interaction = 0.0018), as well as UGT2B15 Tyr85Asp (T>G) and aspirin use (P-interaction = 0.01). The interaction with the UGT2B4 and the UGT2B15 polymorphisms were noteworthy at the 25% FDR level. This study highlights the need for further pharmacogenetic studies to identify individuals who might benefit from NSAID use as part of developing effective strategies for prevention of colorectal neoplasia. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Genetic variation in the lipoxygenase pathway and risk of colorectal neoplasia.

Arachidonate lipoxygenase (ALOX) enzymes metabolize arachidonic acid to generate potent inflammatory mediators and play an important role in inflammation-associated diseases. We investigated associations between colorectal cancer risk and polymorphisms in ALOX5, FLAP, ALOX12, and ALOX15, and their interactions with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. We genotyped fifty tagSNPs, one candidate SNP, and two functional promoter variable nucleotide tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in three US population-based case-control studies of colon cancer (1,424 cases/1,780 controls), rectal cancer (583 cases/775 controls), and colorectal adenomas (485 cases/578 controls). Individuals with variant genotypes of the ALOX5 VNTR had a decreased risk of rectal cancer, with the strongest association seen for individuals with one or more alleles of >5 repeats (wild type = 5, OR>5/≥5 = 0.42, 95% CI 0.20-0.92; P = 0.01). Four SNPs in FLAP (rs17239025), ALOX12 (rs2073438), and ALOX15 (rs4796535 and rs2619112) were associated with rectal cancer risk at P ≤ 0.05. One SNP in FLAP (rs12429692) was associated with adenoma risk. A false discovery rate (FDR) was applied to account for false positives due to multiple testing; the ALOX15 associations were noteworthy at 25% FDR. Colorectal neoplasia risk appeared to be modified by NSAID use in individuals with variant alleles in FLAP and ALOX15. One noteworthy interaction (25% FDR) was observed for rectal cancer. Genetic variability in ALOXs may affect risk of colorectal neoplasia, particularly for rectal cancer. Additionally, genetic variability in FLAP and ALOX15 may modify the protective effect of NSAID use against colorectal neoplasia.

Chlorella filled poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blend bio-composites compatible with additive manufacturing processes: Fluorescent and anti-counterfeiting QR codes applications.

Anti-counterfeiting in 3D printing has gained significant attention, however, current approaches often fall short of fully capitalizing on the inherent advantages of personalized manufacturing with this technology. Herein, we propose an embedded anti-counterfeiting scheme for additive manufacturing, accompanied by a novel fluorescent encrypted quick response (QR) method. This approach involves the development of a 3D printing filament utilizing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) bio-composites as the primary filament matrix, with varying quantities of Chlorella powder incorporated. The resulting filament has a good thermal stability near 200 °C and exhibits a distinctive red fluorescence under ultraviolet light, with the emission peak at 677 nm when excited by 415 nm blue light. Fluorescence imaging analysis confirms that the red fluorescence in 3D printed devices containing Chlorella is a result of the chlorophyll and its derivatives fluorescence effect. The fluorescent encrypted QR codes are inconspicuous in daylight but become easily discernible under ultraviolet light. In the cases of recognizable QR codes, the ∆Eab* values all exceed 35, and the LC/LB values deviate significantly from 1. This research delves into the fluorescence characteristics of Chlorella and highlights its applicability in 3D printing, specifically within the realm of product anti-counterfeiting, presenting a groundbreaking approach.

Application of 3D printing technology for green synthesis of Fe2O3 using ABS/TPU/chlorella skeletons for methyl orange removal.

Photocatalysis is widely acknowledged as an efficient and environmentally friendly method for treating dye-contaminated wastewater. However, the utilization of powdered photocatalysts presents significant challenges, including issues related to recyclability and the potential for secondary pollution. Herein, a novel technique based on 3D printing for the synthesizing of iron oxide (Fe2O3) involving chlorella was presented. Initially, chlorella powders were immobilized within acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate plastics using melt extrusion technology. Subsequently, these composite materials were transformed into ABS/TPU/chlorella skeletons (ATCh40), through fused deposition molding (FDM) technology. The integration of Fe2O3 onto the ATCh40 (ATCh40-Fe2O3) skeletons was accomplished by subjecting them to controlled heating in an oil bath. A comprehensive characterization of the synthesized materials confirms the successful growth of Fe2O3 on the surface of 3D skeletons. This strategy effectively addresses the immobilization challenges associated with powdered photocatalysts. In photocatalytic degradation experiments targeting methyl orange (MO), the ATCh40-Fe2O3 skeletons exhibited a remarkable MO removal rate of 91% within 240 min. Under conditions where the pH of MO solution was maintained at 3, and the ATCh40-Fe2O3 skeletons were subjected to a heat treatment in a 150 °C blast drying oven for 2 hours, the degradation rate of MO remained substantial, achieving 90% removal after 6 cycles. In contrast, when the same synthetic procedure was applied to ABS/TPU (AT) skeletons, the resulting product was identified as α-FeOOH. The MO removal rate by the AT-α-FeOOH skeletons was considerably lower, reaching only 49% after 240 min. This research provided a practical approach for the construction of photocatalytic devices through the use of 3D printing technology.

Recycled PET/PA6 Fibers from Waste Textile with Improved Hydrophilicity by In-Situ Reaction-Induced Capacity Enhancement.

Due to the increasing amounts of textile waste, textile to textile recycling is of prime concern. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) represents the most extensively used type of chemical fiber. Its spinnability suffers from impurities and degradation in the processing, which limits its recycling to new fibers. Here, recycled polyester is blended with a small amount of recycled nylon, and the regenerated fibers, which demonstrated good mechanical properties, were obtained via a melt spinning machine. The mechanical properties, thermal properties, rheological properties, and chemical structure of the modified recycled fibers were investigated. It was found that when compared with rPET-T fibers, the elongation at break of rPET-Ax fibers increased to 17.48%, and the strength at break decreased to 3.79 cN/dtex. The compatibility of PET and PA6 copolymer were enhanced by copolymers produced by in-situ reaction in the processing. Meanwhile, the existence of PA6 increases the crystallization temperature and improves the hydrophilicity of the fibers. This study realized the high-value recycling of waste PET fabric to new fibers, which opens a door for the large utilization of waste textiles.

IκBKß and NFκB1, NSAID use and risk of colorectal cancer in the Colon Cancer Family Registry.

The NFκB-signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and inflammation. Activation of the pathway is implicated in the etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC). NSAIDs may reduce CRC risk partially through a nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB)-dependent pathway. In this study, we investigated associations between 34 NFκB1 and 8 IκBKß tagSNPs and CRC risk and examined interactions with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. Using conditional logistic regression, we investigated these associations among 1584 incident CRC cases and 2516 sibling controls from the Colon Cancer Family Registry. Three IκBKß SNPs were associated with a statistically significant lower colorectal or colon cancer risk: rs9694958 (A>G intron 5) (colorectal: OR(hzv) = 0.26(0.07-0.99), P(trend) = 0.048, P(adj) = 0.25), rs10958713 (A>C intron 19) (colon: OR(hzv) = 0.62(0.42-0.92), P(trend) = 0.005, P(adj) = 0.03) and rs5029748 (C>A intron 2) (colon: OR(het) = 0.72(0.56-0.91), P(trend) = 0.01, P(adj) = 0.08). We replicated trends associated with NFκB1 and IκBKß variants identified in a previous study (rs4648110 (T>A intron 22), rs13117745 (G>A intron 5) and rs3747811 (T>A intron 1)). IκBKß's rs6474387 (C>T intron 20) and rs11986055 (A>C intron 2) showed substantially lower colon cancer risk among current NSAID users (P(interaction) = 0.01 and P(interaction) = 0.045, respectively), whereas NFκB1's rs230490 (G>A 5' (outside UTR)) and rs997476 (C>A 3' (outside UTR)) showed higher CRC risk among current NSAID users (P(interaction) = 0.01 and P(interaction) = 0.03, respectively). These findings suggest that variants in NFκB1 and IκBKß are associated with CRC risk and NSAIDs may function partially through an NFκB-dependent pathway. The SNPs identified here should be considered for future functional studies and may be useful in designing a pharmacogenetic approach to preventive NSAID use.

Associations of insulin-like growth factor and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 with mortality in women with breast cancer.

Elevated circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a breast epithelial cell mitogen, is associated with breast cancer development. However, its association with breast cancer survival is not established. Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 are controlled via binding proteins, including IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3), that may modulate the association of IGF-1 with breast-cancer outcomes. We measured IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations in serum from 600 women enrolled in the health, eating, activity, and lifestyle (HEAL) study, a multiethnic, prospective cohort study of women diagnosed with stage I-IIIA breast cancer. We evaluated the association between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3, and as a ratio, modeled using quintile cut-points, with risk of breast cancer-specific (n = 42 deaths) and all-cause mortality (n = 87 deaths) using Cox proportional hazards models. In models adjusted for body mass index, ethnicity, tamoxifen use at time of blood draw, treatment received at diagnosis and IGFBP-3, women in the highest quintile of IGF-1 level had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 3.10, 95% CI 1.21-7.93, p = 0.02), although no dose-response association was evident. The IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio, an indicator of free IGF-I levels, was significantly associated with increasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.25-6.36 p(trend) = 0.01, upper vs. lower quintile) in a fully adjusted model. In conclusion, high serum levels of IGF-1 and the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in women with breast cancer. These results need to be confirmed in larger breast cancer survivor cohorts.

A study of caloric restriction versus standard diet in overweight men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Obese men have an increased risk of prostate cancer (PCa)-specific mortality. Potential mechanisms include insulin and related proteins. We investigate whether a short-term caloric restriction diet in overweight/obese men with newly diagnosed PCa can lead to measurable changes in patient anthropometrics and insulin-related proteins. METHODS: Overweight and obese PCa patients choosing active surveillance or radical prostatectomy were randomized to a 6-week, caloric-restricted diet or to continue their current diet. Changes from baseline to end of study in anthropometrics, dietary constituents and serum proteins (insulin, c-peptide, IGF-1, adiponectin, IGF-BP3) were compared between the intervention and control groups using a Generalized Estimating Equation model. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were randomized to the intervention (N = 10) or control (N = 9) group. Men in the intervention group had a 1.7% (3.7 lbs) mean decline in weight versus 1.0% (2.0 lbs) in controls (P < 0.05), and a reduced intake of calories, total and saturated fat, protein and starch (all P < 0.1 compared to controls). There was a significant difference (P = 0.002) in mean serum IGFBP-3 between the intervention (+2.8%) and control group (-6.9%). Other biomarkers changed with the diet intervention to a degree similar to previous weight loss studies but were not statistically significant compared with controls. CONCLUSION: In this small pilot study, a 6-week caloric restricted diet in men with newly diagnosed PCa produced changes in weight, diet and serum proteins possibly related to prognosis. These results support larger-scale trials testing longer-term weight loss effects on potential PCa progression biomarkers.

Glutathione peroxidase tagSNPs: associations with rectal cancer but not with colon cancer.

Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are selenium-dependent enzymes that reduce and, thus, detoxify hydrogen peroxide and a wide variety of lipid hydroperoxides. We investigated tagSNPs in GPX1-4 in relation to colorectal neoplasia in three independent study populations capturing the range of colorectal carcinogenesis from adenoma to cancer. A linkage-disequilibrium (LD)-based tagSNP selection algorithm (r(2) ≥ 0.90, MAF ≥ 4%) identified 21 tagSNPs. We used an identical Illumina platform to genotype GPX SNPs in three population-based case-control studies of colon cancer (1,424 cases/1,780 controls), rectal cancer (583 cases/775 controls), and colorectal adenomas (485 cases/578 controls). For gene-level associations, we conducted principal component analysis (PCA); multiple logistic regression was used for single SNPs. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and study center and restricted to non-Hispanic white participants. Analyses of cancer endpoints were stratified by molecular subtypes. Without correction for multiple testing, one polymorphism in GPX2 and three polymorphisms in GPX3 were associated with a significant risk reduction for rectal cancer at α = 0.05, specifically for rectal cancers with TP53 mutations. The associations regarding the three polymorphisms in GPX3 remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The PCA confirmed an overall association of GPX3 with rectal cancer (P = 0.03). No other statistically significant associations were observed. Our data provide preliminary evidence that genetic variability in GPX3 contributes to risk of rectal cancer but not of colon cancer and thus provide additional support for differences in underlying pathogenetic mechanisms for colon and rectal cancer.

Dietary and physical activity behaviours related to obesity-specific quality of life and work productivity: baseline results from a worksite trial.

Obesity is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (QOL) and reduced productivity; less is known about the effect of dietary factors. The present study investigated how dietary behaviours, physical activity and BMI relate to weight-specific QOL and work productivity. The study was conducted in thirty-one small blue-collar and service industry worksites in Seattle. Participants were 747 employees (33·5 % non-White). Measures included self-reported servings of fruits and vegetables, dietary behaviours such as fast food consumption, Godin free-time physical activity scores, measured height and weight, Obesity and Weight-Loss QOL (OWLQOL) scores, and Work Limitations Questionnaire scores. Baseline data were analysed using linear mixed models separately for men (n 348) and women (n 399), since sex modified the effects. BMI was negatively associated with OWLQOL in both women (P < 0·001) and men (P < 0·001). The linear effect estimate for OWLQOL scores associated with a one-category increase in BMI was 30 (95 % CI 25, 44) % for women and 14 (95 % CI 10, 17) % for men. BMI was positively associated with productivity loss only in women (exp(slope) = 1·46, 95 % CI 1·02, 2·11, P = 0·04). Eating while doing another activity was negatively associated with OWLQOL scores in men (P = 0·0006, independent of BMI) and with productivity in women (P = 0·04, although the effect diminished when adjusting for BMI). Fast-food meals were associated with decreased productivity in men (P = 0·038, independent of BMI). The results suggest that obesogenic dietary behaviours and higher BMI are associated with decreased QOL and productivity to different degrees in women and men.

Degradable polymeric nanomaterials with a high solid content and multiple morphologies by polymerization-induced self-assembly.

The preparation of degradable polymeric nanomaterials with a high solid content and multiple morphologies is highly desirable but still challenging. Here, the RAFT dispersion polymerization of styrene and 5,6-benzo-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane was demonstrated to achieve various morphologies, including spheres, vesicles, worms, and large compound vesicles, with a high solid content through polymerization-induced self-assembly, which opens up a new avenue for the preparation of degradable polymeric nanomaterials.

3D printed cylindrical capsules as a Chlorella pyrenoidosa immobilization device for removal of lead ions contamination.

Immobilization is considered as a promising strategy toward the practical applications of powdered adsorbent. Herein, three dimensional (3D) printing cylindrical capsules with cross-linked PVA hydrogels membrane in encapsulate Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Cp) were utilized for removal of lead ions. The chemical compositions, hydrogels performance and morphologies of the membranes were determined by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cross-linking degree, swelling degree, membrane flux and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is found that PVA cross-linking structure is successfully synthesized on the surface of capsule body and cap due to the presence of PVA in the filament. The lead ions adsorption capacity related to initial concentration of 50 mg/L in 48 h is reached 75.61%, revealing a good removal ability. The self-floating 3D printed capsules device also shows an excellent recovering property. After 7 runs of adsorption experiment, the lead ions adsorption ratio remains 78.56%, which will bring a broad prospect in wastewater treatment, chemical slow release along with sample preparation and separation.

Selective Decomposition of Waste Rubber from the Shoe Industry by the Combination of Thermal Process and Mechanical Grinding.

A major challenge in waste rubber (WR) industry is achieving a high sol fraction and high molecular weight of recycled rubber at the same time. Herein, the WR from the shoe industry was thermo-mechanically ground via the torque rheometer. The effect of grinding temperature and filling rate were systematically investigated. The particle size distribution, structure evolution, and morphology of the recycled rubber were explored by laser particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), sol fraction analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicate that the thermo-mechanical method could reduce the particle size of WR. Moreover, the particle size distribution of WR after being ground can be described by Rosin's equation. The oxidation reaction occurs during thermal-mechanical grinding. With the increase of the grinding temperature and filling rate, the sol fraction of the recycled WR increases. It is also found that a high sol fraction (43.7%) and high molecular weight (35,284 g/mol) of reclaimed rubber could be achieved at 80 °C with a filling rate of 85%. Moreover, the obtained recycled rubber compound with SBR show a similar vulcanization characteristics to pure SBR. Our selective decomposition of waste rubber strategy opens up a new way for upgrading WR in shoe industry.

Polymorphisms in WNT6 and WNT10A and colorectal adenoma risk.

The WNT/ß-catenin signaling pathway upregulates transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation and cancer progression; it has been implicated in colorectal adenoma formation. To date, no studies have examined polymorphisms in WNT genes or WNT gene-environment interactions in relation to adenoma risk. Within a colonoscopy-based case-control study of 628 adenoma cases and 516 polyp-free controls, we analyzed two tagSNPs in WNT6 (rs6747776 G > C, rs6754599 G > C) and WNT10A (rs7349332 G > A, rs10177996 A > G). The WNT6 rs6747776 homozygous minor allele (CC) was associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.03-7.31). We observed a statistically significant interaction between WNT6 rs6747776 and the proportion of calories from total fat (P-int = 0.02), where the highest risk was observed among those with minor alleles and lowest fat intake. We also detected a marginally significant (0.05 < P ≤ 0.10) interaction with fish intake (P-int = 0.09). Additionally, a marginally significant interaction was observed between proportion of calories from saturated fat and the WNT10A rs7349332 polymorphism. Our results suggest that genetic variability in the WNT pathway may play a role in colorectal adenoma formation or may partly mediate the increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with fat intake.

Dietary weight loss and exercise interventions effects on quality of life in overweight/obese postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although lifestyle interventions targeting multiple lifestyle behaviors are more effective in preventing unhealthy weight gain and chronic diseases than intervening on a single behavior, few studies have compared individual and combined effects of diet and/or exercise interventions on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In addition, the mechanisms of how these lifestyle interventions affect HRQOL are unknown. The primary aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of dietary weight loss and/or exercise interventions on HRQOL and psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, stress, social support). The secondary aim was to investigate predictors of changes in HRQOL. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial. Overweight/obese postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to 12 months of dietary weight loss (n = 118), moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (225 minutes/week, n = 117), combined diet and exercise (n = 117), or control (n = 87). Demographic, health and anthropometric information, aerobic fitness, HRQOL (SF-36), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression [Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)-18], anxiety (BSI-18) and social support (Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey) were assessed at baseline and 12 months. The 12-month changes in HRQOL and psychosocial factors were compared using analysis of covariance, adjusting for baseline scores. Multiple regression was used to assess predictors of changes in HRQOL. RESULTS: Twelve-month changes in HRQOL and psychosocial factors differed by intervention group. The combined diet + exercise group improved 4 aspects of HRQOL (physical functioning, role-physical, vitality, and mental health), and stress (p ≤ 0.01 vs. controls). The diet group increased vitality score (p < 0.01 vs. control), while HRQOL did not change differently in the exercise group compared with controls. However, regardless of intervention group, weight loss predicted increased physical functioning, role-physical, vitality, and mental health, while increased aerobic fitness predicted improved physical functioning. Positive changes in depression, stress, and social support were independently associated with increased HRQOL, after adjusting for changes in weight and aerobic fitness. CONCLUSIONS: A combined diet and exercise intervention has positive effects on HRQOL and psychological health, which may be greater than that from exercise or diet alone. Improvements in weight, aerobic fitness and psychosocial factors may mediate intervention effects on HRQOL.

Effects of 12-month exercise on health-related quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated exercise effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and exercise self-efficacy, and tested effect modification by baseline body mass index (BMI) and gender. METHODS: Middle-aged women (n=100) and men (n=102) were randomly assigned to either exercise (360 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise) or control in Seattle, WA, from 2001 to 2004. Demographics, anthropometrics, exercise self-efficacy (5-item self-efficacy questionnaire) and HRQOL (SF-36) were assessed at baseline and 12 months. Analysis of covariance adjusting for baseline scores was used to compare HRQOL and exercise self-efficacy scores between the exercise and control groups. RESULTS: At 12 months, exercisers demonstrated higher exercise self-efficacy than controls (percent change from baseline: -6.5% vs. -15.0%, p < 0.01), without differences in HRQOL. Baseline BMI category and gender did not modify these effects. In exploratory analyses comparing exercisers and controls within subgroups defined by gender and BMI, 12-month HRQOL scores [role-physical (+7.0% vs. -13.1%), vitality (+15.6% vs. -4.2%), social functioning (+10.0% vs. -3.5%), and mental health (+6.8% vs. -2.9%)] were higher only among overweight male exercisers (p < 0.05, vs. control). CONCLUSION: Three hundred and sixty minutes per week of exercise, recommended for weight maintenance, did not have negative effects on exercise self-efficacy or HRQOL. This level of exercise may increase HRQOL among overweight men.

Endowing Acceptable Mechanical Properties of Segregated Conductive Polymer Composites with Enhanced Filler-Matrix Interfacial Interactions by Incorporating High Specific Surface Area Nanosized Carbon Black.

Tuning the high properties of segregated conductive polymer materials (CPCs) by incorporating nanoscale carbon fillers has drawn increasing attention in the industry and academy fields, although weak interfacial interaction of matrix-filler is a daunting challenge for high-loading CPCs. Herein, we present a facile and efficient strategy for preparing the segregated conducting ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)-based composites with acceptable mechanical properties. The interfacial interactions, mechanical properties, electrical properties and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of the UHMWPE/conducting carbon black (CCB) composites were investigated. The morphological and Raman mapping results showed that UHMWPE/high specific surface area CCB (h-CCB) composites demonstrate an obviously interfacial transition layer and strongly interfacial adhesion, as compared to UHMWPE/low specific surface area CCB (l-CCB) composites. Consequently, the high-loading UHMWPE/h-CCB composite (beyond 10 wt% CCB dosage) exhibits higher strength and elongation at break than the UHMWPE/l-CCB composite. Moreover, due to the formation of a densely stacked h-CCB network under the enhanced filler-matrix interfacial interactions, UHMWPE/h-CCB composite possesses a higher EMI SE than those of UHMWPE/l-CCB composites. The electrical conductivity and EMI SE value of the UHMWPE/h-CCB composite increase sharply with the increasing content of h-CCB. The EMI SE of UHMWPE/h-CCB composite with 10 wt% h-CCB is 22.3 dB at X-band, as four times that of the UHMWPE/l-CCB composite with same l-CCB dosage (5.6 dB). This work will help to manufacture a low-cost and high-performance EMI shielding material for modern electronic systems.

Efficient Removal of Organic Contaminants from Aqueous Solution by Highly Compressible Reusable Three-Dimensional Printing Sponges.

Adsorption is considered to be one of the most effective and economically viable technologies for removing contaminants from the environment. However, the disadvantages of its high-cost complicated process and difficulty in efficient recycling limit its practical application. Herein, a thermoplastic elastomer-polyvinyl alcohol composite (LAY-FOMM 60) sponge three-dimensional structure (3D printing sponge) was fabricated by the fused filament fabrication combined with water erosion technique. The size and shape of the resultant sponge were tailored, and the batch of adsorption/desorption experiments of Rhodamine B (RhB) onto the sponge was performed. The results show that the adsorption of RhB on the 3D printing sponge was mainly via physical adsorption, and pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models exhibited good correlation with the adsorption kinetic and isotherm data, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption is an endothermic and spontaneous process. It is worth to note that the adsorption/desorption efficiency can be raised by compression. This results in high efficiency and low cost for adsorption/desorption process and benefit for regeneration of the adsorbent. The adsorption capacity was maintained over 85% of the initial capacity after being used for five cycles. The approach provides a simple strategy for manufacturing customizable porous adsorbent materials that meet various water treatment requirements.

Construction of TiO2-Eggshell for Efficient Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride: Sunlight Induced In-Situ Formation of Carbonate Radical.

Photocatalytic degradation of an antibiotic by utilizing inexhaustible solar energy represents an ideal solution for tackling global environment issues. The target generation of active oxidative species is highly desirable for the photocatalytic pollutants degradation. Herein, aiming at the molecular structure of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), we construct sunlight-activated high-efficient catalysts of TiO2-eggshell (TE). The composite ingeniously utilizes the photoactive function of TiO2 and the composition of eggshell, which can produce oxidative ·CO3- species that are especially active for the degradation of aromatic compounds containing phenol or aniline structures. Through the synergistic oxidation of the··CO3- with the traditional holes (h+), superoxide radicals (·O2-) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) involved in the photocatalytic process, the optimal TE photocatalyst degrades 92.0% TC in 30 min under solar light, which is higher than TiO2 and eggshell. The photocatalytic degradation pathway of TC over TE has been proposed. The response surface methodology is processed by varying four independent parameters (TC concentration, pH, catalyst dosage and reaction time) on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) to optimize the experimental conditions. It is anticipated that the present work can facilitate the development of novel photocatalysts for selective oxidation based on ·CO3-.