The effects of drinking and sports on popularity of overweight adolescents: implications for public policy

Aim

In this paper, we explore the influence of alcohol consumption and sports participation on popularity of overweight adolescent males and females of different races and ethnicities.

Subjects and methods

Using data collected in 1994 and 1996 from a large nationally representative survey of adolescent friendship networks, we estimate models accounting for school-level fixed effects, and a wide range of individual-level controls to ascertain the causal effect of these behaviors on change in popularity.

Results

We find that sports participation leads to increase in the number of friends among overweight white males. Additionally, overweight white females and males experience a significant gain in popularity by engaging in alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

These results underscore the importance of promoting sports and physical activity not only to objectively reverse the childhood obesity trend but also as a way to achieve popularity that is superior to alcohol consumption.     

Is miR‐34a a Well‐equipped Swordsman to Conquer Temple of Molecular Oncology?

Overwhelmingly increasing advancements in miRNA biology have opened new avenues for pharmaceutical companies to initiate studies on designing effective, safe, and therapeutically active candidates using miRNA mimetics and miRNA inhibitors. In accordance with this approach, development of miravirsen and SPC3649, an LNA‐based (locked nucleic acid) antisense molecule against miR‐122, to treat hepatitis C has sparked interest in identifying most efficient microRNAs for journey from bench‐top toward pharmaceutical industry and breakthroughs in delivery technology will pave the way to ‘final frontier’. MRX34, a liposome‐formulated mimic of miR‐34 for treatment of metastatic cancer with liver involvement and unresectable primary liver cancer, has also entered in clinical trial. There is a successive increase in the research work related to miR‐34 biology and miRNA regulation of modulators of intracellular signaling cascades. We partition this review into how miR‐34a is regulated by different proteins and how Wnt‐ and TGF‐induced intracellular signaling cascades are modulated by miR‐34a. In this review, we bring to limelight how miR‐34a regulates its target genes to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation as evidenced by in vitro and in vivo analysis. We also discuss miR‐34 regulation of PDGFR and c‐MET and recent advancements in nanotechnologically delivered miR‐34a. Spotlight is also set on modulation of chemotherapeutic sensitivity by miR‐34a in cancer cells using reconstruction studies. Clinical trial of miR‐34 is indicative of its tremendous potential, and continuous cutting research will prove to be effective in efficiently translating laboratory findings into clinically effective therapeutics.     

Regulation of cerebral cholesterol metabolism in Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that manifests as a progressive loss of memory and deterioration of higher cognitive functions. Alzheimer disease is characterized by accumulation in the brain of the β-amyloid peptide generated by β- and γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein. Epidemiological studies have linked elevated plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in midlife with AD development. Cholesterol-fed animal models exhibit neuropathologic features of AD including accumulation of β-amyloid peptide. Specific isoforms of the cholesterol transporter apolipoprotein E are associated with susceptibility to AD. Although multiple lines of evidence indicate a role for cholesterol in AD, the exact impact and mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. This review summarizes the current state of our knowledge of the influence of cholesterol and lipid pathways in AD pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo.     

Hybrid compound based on diethylenetriaminecopper(ii) cations and scarce V-monosubstituted β-octamolybdate as water oxidation catalyst

Herein, we report on a new hybrid compound (NH₄){[Cu(dien)(H₂O)₂]₂[β-VMo₇O₂₆]}·1.5H₂O (1), where dien = diethylenetriamine, containing an extremely rare mixed-metal pseudo-octamolybdate cluster. An ex situ EPR spectroscopy provided insights into the formation of paramagnetic species in reaction mixture and in solution of 1. The magneto-structural correlations revealed weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the [Cu(dien)]²⁺ cations transmitted by intermolecular pathways. The cyclic voltammetry showed the one-electron process associated with the Cu³⁺/Cu²⁺ oxidation followed by the multi-electron catalytic wave due to water oxidation with a faradaic yield of 86%. The title compound was thus employed in homogeneous water oxidation catalysis using tris(bipyridine)ruthenium photosensitizer. At pH 8.0, efficiency of the catalytic system attained 0.19 turnovers per second supported by the relatively mild water oxidation overpotential of 0.54 V.

A new hybrid compound (NH₄){[Cu(dien)(H₂O)₂]₂[β-VMo₇O₂₆]}·1.5H₂O was employed in homogeneous water oxidation catalysis. At pH 8.0, its efficiency attains 0.19 turnovers per second, supported by the relatively mild water oxidation overpotential of 0.54 V.