Effect of Walking Exercise on Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Metabolic Syndrome Markers, and High-molecular-weight Adiponectin in Obese Middle-aged Women.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a 24-week exercise intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic syndrome markers, and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin among obese middle-aged women. [Subjects] The subjects were 14 obese middle-aged women. [Methods] The exercise program involved walking at 50-60% of the maximum oxygen consumption, 3 times a week, for 24 weeks. Body composition analysis, blood pressure measurements, and blood analysis were performed before the exercise program and at weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24. [Results] The results showed that after 24 weeks in the exercise program, the obesity indices and metabolic risk factors, namely, weight, body fat, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides decreased significantly, whereas HDLC, a metabolic improvement factor, increased significantly. Additionally, VO2max increased significantly, together with the level of total and HMW adiponectins. Correlation analysis of the changes in measured variables (∆ score) during resulting from the 24-week exercise program showed that body fat had a significant negative correlation and VO2max had a significant positive correlation with HMW adiponectin. [Conclusion] Among obese middle-aged women, regular exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness and HMW adiponectin expression and therefore can be effective in the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Soft, Long-Lived, Bioresorbable Electronic Surgical Mesh with Wireless Pressure Monitor and On-Demand Drug Delivery.

Current research in the area of surgical mesh implants is somewhat limited to traditional designs and synthesis of various mesh materials, whereas meshes with multiple functions may be an effective approach to address long-standing challenges including postoperative complications. Herein, a bioresorbable electronic surgical mesh is presented that offers high mechanical strength over extended timeframes, wireless post-operative pressure monitoring, and on-demand drug delivery for the restoration of tissue structure and function. The study of materials and mesh layouts provides a wide range of tunability of mechanical and biochemical properties. Dissolvable dielectric composite with porous structure in a pyramidal shape enhances sensitivity of a wireless capacitive pressure sensor, and resistive microheaters integrated with inductive coils provide thermo-responsive drug delivery system for an antibacterial agent. In vivo evaluations demonstrate reliable, long-lived operation, and effective treatment for abdominal hernia defects, by clear evidence of suppressed complications such as adhesion formation and infections.

Highly Elastic, Bioresorbable Polymeric Materials for Stretchable, Transient Electronic Systems.

Substrates or encapsulants in soft and stretchable formats are key components for transient, bioresorbable electronic systems; however, elastomeric polymers with desired mechanical and biochemical properties are very limited compared to non-transient counterparts. Here, we introduce a bioresorbable elastomer, poly(glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PGCL), that contains excellent material properties including high elongation-at-break (< 1300%), resilience and toughness, and tunable dissolution behaviors. Exploitation of PGCLs as polymer matrices, in combination with conducing polymers, yields stretchable, conductive composites for degradable interconnects, sensors, and actuators, which can reliably function under external strains. Integration of device components with wireless modules demonstrates elastic, transient electronic suture system with on-demand drug delivery for rapid recovery of post-surgical wounds in soft, time-dynamic tissues.

Micropatterned Elastomeric Composites for Encapsulation of Transient Electronics.

Although biodegradable, transient electronic devices must dissolve or decompose via environmental factors, an effective waterproofing or encapsulation system is essential for reliable, durable operation for a desired period of time. Existing protection approaches use multiple or alternate layers of electrically inactive organic/inorganic elements combined with polymers; however, their high mechanical stiffness is not suitable for soft, time-dynamic biological tissues/skins/organs. Here, we introduce a stretchable, bioresorbable encapsulant using nanoparticle-incorporated elastomeric composites with modifications of surface morphology. Nature-inspired micropatterns reduce the diffusion area for water molecules, and embedded nanoparticles impede water permeation, which synergistically enhances the water-barrier performance. Empirical and theoretical evaluations validate the encapsulation mechanisms under strains. Demonstration of a soft, degradable shield with an optical component under a biological solution highlights the potential applicability of the proposed encapsulation strategy.

Ultra-stretchable and biodegradable elastomers for soft, transient electronics.

As rubber-like elastomers have led to scientific breakthroughs in soft, stretchable characteristics-based wearable, implantable electronic devices or relevant research fields, developments of degradable elastomers with comparable mechanical properties could bring similar technological innovations in transient, bioresorbable electronics or expansion into unexplored areas. Here, we introduce ultra-stretchable, biodegradable elastomers capable of stretching up to ~1600% with outstanding properties in toughness, tear-tolerance, and storage stability, all of which are validated by comprehensive mechanical and biochemical studies. The facile formation of thin films enables the integration of almost any type of electronic device with tunable, suitable adhesive strengths. Conductive elastomers tolerant/sensitive to mechanical deformations highlight possibilities for versatile monitoring/sensing components, particularly the strain-tolerant composites retain high levels of conductivities even under tensile strains of ~550%. Demonstrations of soft electronic grippers and transient, suture-free cardiac jackets could be the cornerstone for sophisticated, multifunctional biodegradable electronics in the fields of soft robots and biomedical implants.

Wireless, Fully Implantable and Expandable Electronic System for Bidirectional Electrical Neuromodulation of the Urinary Bladder.

Current standard clinical options for patients with detrusor underactivity (DUA) or underactive bladder─the inability to release urine naturally─include the use of medications, voiding techniques, and intermittent catheterization, for which the patient inserts a tube directly into the urethra to eliminate urine. Although those are life-saving techniques, there are still unfavorable side effects, including urinary tract infection (UTI), urethritis, irritation, and discomfort. Here, we report a wireless, fully implantable, and expandable electronic complex that enables elaborate management of abnormal bladder function via seamless integrations with the urinary bladder. Such electronics can not only record multiple physiological parameters simultaneously but also provide direct electrical stimulation based on a feedback control system. Uniform distribution of multiple stimulation electrodes via mesh-type geometry realizes low-impedance characteristics, which improves voiding/urination efficiency at the desired times. In vivo evaluations using live, free-moving animal models demonstrate system-level functionality.

Zebra-inspired stretchable, biodegradable radiation modulator for all-day sustainable energy harvesters.

Recent advances in passive radiative cooling systems describe a variety of strategies to enhance cooling efficiency, while the integration of such technology with a bioinspired design using biodegradable materials can offer a research opportunity to generate energy in a sustainable manner, favorable for the temperature/climate system of the planet. Here, we introduce stretchable and ecoresorbable radiative cooling/heating systems engineered with zebra stripe-like patterns that enable the generation of a large in-plane temperature gradient for thermoelectric generation. A comprehensive study of materials with theoretical evaluations validates the ability to accomplish the target performances even under external mechanical strains, while all systems eventually disappear under physiological conditions. Use of the zebra print for selective radiative heating demonstrates an unexpected level of temperature difference compared to use of radiative cooling emitters alone, which enables producing energy through resorbable silicon-based thermoelectric devices. The overall result suggests the potential of scalable, ecofriendly renewable energy systems.

Treadmill exercise ameliorates dopaminergic neuronal loss through suppressing microglial activation in Parkinson's disease mice.

AIMS: Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons. We investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on dopaminergic neuronal loss and microglial activation using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/P)-induced Parkinson's disease mice. MAIN METHODS: Parkinson's disease was induced in mice by injection of MPTP/P. The mice in the exercise groups were put on a treadmill to run for 30min/day, five times per week for four weeks. Motor balance and coordination was measured using rota-rod test. Expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated NH(2)-terminal kinase (p-JNK), phosphorylated p-38 (p-p38), CD200, and CD200 receptor were determined by western blotting. Expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and CD11b were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. KEY FINDINGS: Parkinson's disease mice displayed poor motor balance and coordination with loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. iNOS expression was enhanced via up-regulation of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (p-MAPKs) signaling, such as p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p-38 in the Parkinson's disease mice. Microglial activation was also observed in the Parkinson's disease mice, showing increased CD11b expression with suppressed CD200 and CD200 receptor expressions. Treadmill exercise prevented the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, and ameliorated the motor balance and coordination dysfunction in the Parkinson's disease mice. Treadmill exercise suppressed iNOS expression via down-regulation of MAPKs and also inhibited microglial activation in the Parkinson's disease mice. SIGNIFICANCE: Treadmill exercise prevented dopaminergic neuronal loss by inhibiting brain inflammation through suppression of microglial activation in the Parkinson's disease mice.