The Relationship between Regular Sports Participation and Vigilance in Male and Female Adolescents

The present study investigated the relationship between regular sport participation (soccer) and vigilance performance. Two groups of male and female adolescents differentiated in terms of their sport participation (athletes, n = 39, and non-athletes, n = 36) took part in the study. In one session, participants performed the Leger Multi-stage fitness test to estimate their aerobic fitness level. In the other session, participants completed the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) to evaluate their vigilance performance. Perceived arousal prior to the task and motivation toward the task were also measured in the PVT session. The results revealed that athletes had better cardiovascular fitness and showed better performance in the PVT. However, correlation analyses did not show any significant relationship between cardiovascular fitness and performance in the PVT. Athletes showed larger scores in motivation and perceived arousal measures with respect to non-athletes, although, once again, these variables were not correlated with PVT performance. Gender differences were observed only in the Leger test, with males showing greater fitness level than females. The major outcome of this research points to a positive relationship between regular sport participation and vigilance during adolescence. This relationship did not seem to be influenced by gender, perceived arousal, motivation toward the task or cardiovascular fitness. We discuss our results in terms of the different hypotheses put forward in the literature to explain the relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning.     

Relationship between Serum Ferritin Levels and Dyslipidemia in Korean Adolescents

BackgroundFerritin is associated with various cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance in adults. We aimed to study the association between serum ferritin levels and dyslipidemia in adolescents, because dyslipidemia is considered an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor in the young.MethodsWe analyzed 1,879 subjects (1,026 boys and 853 girls) from the 2009–2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV. Subjects were categorized into quartiles according to their lipid parameters, which were classified according to age and gender. Those in the highest quartile groups for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations were diagnosed as having dyslipidemia. Those in the lowest quartile for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values were diagnosed with abnormal levels.ResultsIn boys, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride concentrations were significantly correlated with serum ferritin levels. In both boys and girls, serum ferritin levels were negatively associated with HDL-C values, even after adjusting for all covariates. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between serum ferritin levels and total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride concentrations in girls.ConclusionSerum ferritin levels were significantly associated with major dyslipidemia parameters, more prominently in boys than in girls, and this association represents a cardiometabolic risk factor.     

Relationship between menstruation status and work conditions in Japan

Background

Menstrual problems can significantly impact daily and work life. In reaction to a shrinking population, the Japanese government is encouraging more women to participate in the labor force. Actual success in achieving this aim, however, is limited. Specifically, participation in the workforce by women during their reproductive years is impacted by their health, which involves not only work conditions, but also traditional family circumstances. Therefore, it is important to further assess and gather more information about the health status of women who work during their reproductive years in Japan. Specifically, women’s health can be represented by menstruation status, which is a pivotal indicator. In this study, we assessed the association between short rest periods in work intervals and menstruation and other health status indicators among female workers in Japan.

Methods

Study participants were recruited from the alumnae of a university, which provided a uniform educational level. All 9864 female alumnae were asked to join the survey and 1630 (17%) accepted. The final sample of study participants (n = 505) were aged 23–43 years, had maintained the same job status for at least 1 year, and were not shift workers, had no maternal status, and did not lack any related information. The participants were divided into two groups according to interval time, with 11 h between end of work and resumption of daily work as a benchmark. This interval time was based on EU regulations and the goal set by the government of Japan. Health outcomes included: menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhoea symptoms, anxiety regarding health, and satisfaction in terms of health. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for health indexes in association with interval time by adjusting for confounding variables that included both psychosocial and biological factors.

Results

We compared the health status of women in the workforce with and without a sufficient interval time of 11 h/day. Workers who had a short interval time had a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety about health and dissatisfaction with their health. For menstruation status, only abnormal menstruation cycles were observed more often among workers in the short interval group than those of the long interval group. However, this association disappeared when biological confounding factors were adjusted in a multivariable regression model. Dysmenorrhea symptoms did not show a statistically significant association with short interval time.

Conclusions

This study found a significant association between a short interval time of less than 11 h/day and subjective health indicators and the menstrual health status of women in the workforce. Menstrual health was more affected by biological factors than social psychological factors. A long work time and short interval time could increase worker anxiety and dissatisfaction and may deteriorate the menstrual cycle.

     

The Relationship between Post-Traumatic Symptoms,Parenting Style,and Resilience among Adolescents in Liaoning,China: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundIn China, a growing number of adolescents have experienced traumatic events that have resulted in PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Post-traumatic symptoms are common psychological problems in adolescents who have experienced traumatic events. However, existing studies tend to focus on the factors influencing PTSD, such as the response styles and social support, and studies on the relationships between parenting style, resilience and post-traumatic symptoms are still rare.ObjectivesTo analyze the relationships between parenting style, resilience and post-traumatic symptoms among adolescents in China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to December 2013 in the Liaoning Province, China. N = 5765 adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years old) were ultimately chosen to participate. The Chinese version of the Essen Trauma Inventory for Kids and Juveniles (ETI-KJ), a modified version of the Parental Authority Questionnaire, and the Chinese Resilience Scale were used to estimate the post-traumatic symptoms, parenting style, and resilience, respectively. Pearson’s correlations, multiple linear regression analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) were applied to analyze the data.ResultsOf the adolescents, 39.76% (N = 2292) had been exposed to traumatic events during their lives. The prevalence of probable PTSD at the time of the interview (one-month-prevalence) was 12.65%. Parenting style and resilience were significantly associated with post-traumatic symptoms. According to the SEM, parenting style had a significant direct effect on resilience (0.70, P<0.01) and post-traumatic symptoms (-0.15, P<0.05), and resilience had a significant direct effect on the post-traumatic symptoms (-0.43, P<0.01). Furthermore, parenting style had a significant indirect effect (-0.43×0.70 = -0.30. P<0.01) on the post-traumatic symptoms through resilience. The SEM significantly explained 49% of the variance in resilience and 30% of the variance in post-traumatic symptoms.ConclusionsParenting style and resilience have significant effects on adolescents’ post-traumatic symptoms. Schools and social-related departments could share knowledge on the impact of parenting style with parents enabling them to improve their own parenting style and their children’s resilience and ability to respond effectively to traumatic events.     

雌、雄配子体间及雌配子体成员细胞间的通讯

被子植物的双受精是一个复杂而精密的调控过程.成功的受精依赖于配子体的正确发育以及雌配子体与雄配子体间的相互识别.研究表明,雌配子体自身成员细胞间存在广泛的胞间通讯.这种通讯不仅影响不同细胞的发育进程,也决定细胞的发育命运,从而保证雌配子体的正常发育.此外,雌配子体与雄配子体间存在胞间通讯,这种胞间通讯是雌配子体与雄配子体间相互识别的分子基础,精确调控了雄配子体准确进入珠孔、在雌配子体内适时停止伸长、尖端破裂并在特定位置释放精细胞等过程.本文概述了这些方面的最新进展,梳理胞间通讯的途径与信号,并展望了未来雌、雄配子体间及雌配子体成员细胞间通讯的研究方向与可能的应用前景.     

基于主成分分析法探讨人体测量学参数与青少年血糖关系的研究

目的:调查分析人体测量学参数包括体重指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)、臀围(HC)、腰围/臀围比(WHR)及腰围/身高比(WHtR)对南昌地区青少年空腹血糖的影响。方法:在南昌地区进行随机抽样检查731例12-18岁之间的青少年,测量身高、体重、BMI、WC、HC、WHR、WHtR和空腹血糖,用SAS软件进行统计分析。结果:男女性的五项人体测量学指标和空腹血糖间均呈显著正相关,相关系数为0.14-0.38;通过主成分分析得到四个主成分,多重回归分析结果表明联合四个主成分比单独使用其中任何一个更能解释空腹血糖的变异。结论:BMI、WC、HC、WHR、WHtR与男性和女性空腹血糖都有一定相关性,并且联合这五项测量学指标比单独使用其中任何一个能更精确预测空腹血糖。     

Relationship between Left Ventricle and Body Composition in Young Male and Female Athletes

Competitive sports induce gradual cardiac adaptations in young athletes. During growth, changes occur in their body composition. The purpose of this study is to provide the left ventricular parameters indexed for body composition during young athletes’ growth 220 young athletes (110 females and 110 males) aged from 8 to 19 years old were enrolled. An accurate body composition analysis and echocardiography were performed. The left ventricular parameters were then indexed to the body surface area formula with the data related to body composition (fat-free mass and body cellular mass). The left ventricular and body composition parameters increased continuously during growth and no differences between the sexes were found before puberty. Higher fat mass was found in females from 12 years old (Fat Mass Index: Female = 4.8 ± 1.8 kg/m², Male = 3.6 ± 0.9 kg/m²; p< 0.05). Cardiac differences started at 13 years old, with a greater left ventricular mass in males (Female = 110.9 ± 20.2 g, Male = 128.7 ± 23.7 g; p< 0.05). The indexing of the left ventricle to the body composition parameters increased the age of onset of these cardiological differences to 14 years old with fat-free mass (Female = 91.8 ± 18.7 g/m², Male = 105.0 ± 19.5 g/m²; p< 0.05), or to 15 years old with body cell mass (Female = 124.3 ± 17.9 g/m², Male = 145.8 ± 28.5 g/m²; p< 0.05). Differences between the sexes appear to start after puberty. The above indexing was used in order to normalize the differences between the sexes according to body composition. This study reports the reference values for age and gender of the left ventricular parameters indexed for metabolically active mass.     

Relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality in Japan: NIPPON DATA80

As body composition in Asian populations is largely different from Western populations, a healthy BMI could also differ between the two populations. Thus, further study is needed to determine whether a healthy BMI in Asians should be lower than Western populations, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). We investigated the relationship between BMI and mortality in a sample of 8,924 Japanese men and women without stroke or heart disease. During 19 years of follow-up, 1,718 deaths were observed. We found a U-shaped relationship between BMI and fatal events. Risk of total mortality was highest in participants with BMI <18.5 kg/m(2) and lowest in participants with BMI 23.0-24.9 kg/m(2). These findings persisted even after excluding the first 5 years of follow-up with a focus on healthy participants who never smoked, were aged <70 years, and had total cholesterol (TC) levels >or=4.1 mmol/l (N=3712). For both the full sample and healthy participants, all-cause mortality risk did not differ between BMI ranges 21.0-22.9 and 23.0-24.9 kg/m(2). Our findings do not support the recent WHO implications that BMIs <23.0 kg/m(2) is healthy for Asians. Therefore, further studies are needed to identify an optimal BMI range for Asia.     

Relationship between intraspecific variations and host insects of Ophiocordyceps nutans collected in Japan

To investigate the host specificity of Ophiocordyceps nutans against hemipteran insects in the wild, we determined the relationship between host species and rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) variation in O. nutans. The analyzed fungal specimens infected 16 host species belonging to four families of Hemiptera. The molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. nutans can be classified into two types corresponding to their host families. The genetic distance values between the two types were very remote (>0.084), and the strains of O. nutans that parasitized Halyomorpha halys and Plautia crossota stali, well-known insect pests, formed a subclade. The results suggest that O. nutans should have host specificity which can be valuable for developing biological control agents against specific hemipteran insects.     

大学生情绪智力与心理健康的关系

目的 了解大学生情绪智力与心理健康状况之间的关系,为大学生心理健康咨询与教育提供科学依据.方法 采用情绪智力量表(EIS)和症状自评量表(SCL-90),对整群随机抽取的太原市312名大学生进行问卷调查.结果 大学生人际敏感因子的城乡差异有统计学意义;SCL-90总分及各因子(除躯体化、焦虑、恐怖)的年级差异有统计学意义.大学生情绪智力总分与SCL-90总分及抑郁、恐怖、偏执、精神病性显著负相关,情绪自控能力与调控他人情绪能力与SCL-90总分及大部分因子显著负相关.除强迫、敌对外,不同情绪智力水平大学生SCL-90总分及各因子差异有统计学意义.情绪自控能力进入了大学生总体心理健康及各因子的回归模型中,情绪自控能力联合运用情绪能力能有效预测大学生总体心理健康及大部分因子.结论 自我调控能力和运用情绪能力是大学生心理健康的重要预测指标.     

Repeated Mating and Female Fecundity in the Simultaneously Hermaphroditic Land Snail Arianta arbustorum

Summary

To evaluate the influence of repeated mating on female fecundity in the simultaneously hermaphroditic, self-incompatible land snail Arianta arbus-torum, the number and size of clutches, egg size and hatching success of individuals from 3 populations were determined under conditions of isolation and grouping during one breeding season in a field cage experiment. Only adult snails which had mated and oviposited in the preceding year were used.

Sperm storage enabled isolated individuals to continue with the production of fertilized eggs. Snails kept singly or in groups differed neither in number of clutches laid nor in egg size. But isolated snails laid smaller clutches than did grouped snails. As a result isolated snails produced fewer eggs per breeding season. Hatching success varied greatly between populations and rearing conditions. In general, isolated snails had fewer hatchlings than grouped snails, indicating that individuals prevented from remating suffered a reduced fitness.     

圈养雌性马麝发情交配格局同行为发生频次的关系

于2004年8月～2005年1月,采用焦点取样连续记录法,对甘肃兴隆山自然保护区马麝繁育中心的雌性马麝Moschus sifanicus进行了行为取样.按雌麝的发情格局,将样本动物区分为正常发情和不发情个体,并对两类雌麝在非交配季节(6～10月)和交配季节(11 月～翌年1月)的行为格局分别进行了比较分析.结果 表明,正常发情和不发情雌麝的总体行为格局并无大的差异,但在非交配季节,正常发情雌麝的运动频次显著多于不发情雌麝,后者的摄食频次较多,此外,雌麝(仅为正常发情)在交配季节有蹭尾行为的表达,正常发情雌麝的蹭尾行为频次显著多于不发情雌麝(无此行为表达,频次为0值).本研究结果可为圈养雌麝的发情格局的预测及区分提供参考.     

Female Remating Behavior in a Lekking Moth

In polyandrous species, male reproductive success will at least partly be determined by males' success in sperm competition. To understand the potential for post‐mating sexual selection, it is therefore important to assess the extent of female remating. In the lekking moth Achroia grisella, male mating success is strongly determined by female choice based on the attractiveness of male ultrasonic songs. Although observations have indicated that some females will remate, only little is known about the level of sperm competition. In many species, females are more likely to remate if their first mating involved an already mated male than if the first male was virgin. Potentially, this is because mated males are less well able to provide an adequate sperm supply, nutrients, or substances inhibiting female remating. This phenomenon will effectively reduce the strength of pre‐copulatory sexual selection because attractive males with high mating success will be more susceptible to sperm competition. We therefore performed an experiment designed both to provide a more precise estimate of female remating probability and simultaneously to test the hypothesis that female remating is influenced by male mating history. Overall, approximately one of five females remated with a second male. Yet, although females mated to non‐virgin males were somewhat more prone to remate, the effect of male mating history was not significant. The results revealed, however, that heavier females were more likely to remate. Furthermore, we found that females' second copulations were longer, suggesting that, in accordance with theory, males may invest more sperm in situations with an elevated risk of sperm competition.     

Relationship between Number of Eggs,Brood Weight,and Female Body Weight in Crustacea

Relationships between number of eggs (N_g), brood weight (W_g), and body length (L) and weight (W) of females were studied for 16 orders and suborders of Crustacea. The study was based on the authors' observations in the inland waters of the European USSR, in the coastal regions of the fareastern and northern seas and data from V. V. KUZNETSOV (preserved in archives). An extensive literature was also used. The equations describing the relationships (N_g=f(L) and W_g=f(W) are calculated for some species and high taxons. On the average for the superclass (excluding the order Notostraca) the W_g/W ratio appeared to be 0.16. This ratio is markedly different for species of Notostraca. It is supposed that this difference is due to the high metabolic rate of Notostraca.     

雌性大熊猫发情行为观察与相关指标分析

本研究以2004年3月2004年5月以卧龙中国保护大熊猫研究中心的11只3.5～17岁、体重约在80～115kg的成年雌性大熊猫为研究对象,采用全事件记录法对雌性大熊猫的整个发情周期的行为和生殖系统外观变化进行详细记录,并于2004年3月9日～5月10日测定了8只雌性大熊猫尿中雌二醇浓度;统计分析了1991～2004年间的雌性大熊猫阴道上皮细胞角化率。结果表明,除了大熊猫帼帼在2004年1月28日开始有发情行为表现外,其他10只均在3～5月期间发情,发情行为无异常现象,其中5只完成了配种;尿中雌二醇浓度均在发情高潮期的当天或头天达到峰值,并于发情后期迅速降至发情前水平;阴道上皮细胞角化率变幅在39.0%～97.0%之间,也表现为在发情高潮期增加并达到最大值,此值介于75%～90%被认为是最佳配种时期。     

A Meta-Analysis of the Val158Met COMT Polymorphism and Violent Behavior in Schizophrenia

We conducted a meta-analysis of studies examining the association between the Val158Met COMT polymorphism and violence against others in schizophrenia. A systematic search current to November 1, 2011 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and the National Criminal Justice Reference Service and identified 15 studies comprising 2,370 individuals with schizophrenia for inclusion. Bivariate analyses of study sensitivities and specificities were conducted. This methodology allowed for the calculation of pooled diagnostic odds ratios (DOR). Evidence of a significant association between the presence of a Met allele and violence was found such that men''s violence risk increased by approximately 50% for those with at least one Met allele compared with homozygous Val individuals (DOR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.05–2.00; z = 2.37, p = 0.02). No significant association between the presence of a Met allele and violence was found for women or when outcome was restricted to homicide. We conclude that male schizophrenia patients who carry the low activity Met allele in the COMT gene are at a modestly elevated risk of violence. This finding has potential implications for the pharmacogenetics of violent behavior in schizophrenia.     

Relationship between sleep postures and sleep-disordered breathing parameters in people with Down syndrome in Japan

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - People with Down syndrome (DS) are prone to develop sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and they are reported to sleep in...