Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Exposure to air pollution has become a serious environmental issue affecting children’s health and health-related behavior in China. Previous studies have focused on the associations between air pollution and physical activity among adults; however, few have examined the relationship between air pollution and health-related behavior among children, which are particularly susceptible population subgroups. The present study aims to examine the impact of air pollution on daily physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) among children in China. Methods PA and SB data were collected by actiGraph accelerometers for eight consecutive days. PA and SB data from 206 children were matched to daily air pollution obtained from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China, including the average daily air quality index (AQI), PM 2.5 (µg/m³), and PM 10 (µg/m³). Associations were estimated using linear individual fixed-effect regressions. Results A 10-unit increase in daily AQI was associated with a reduction in daily PA by 5.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -8.79, -3.08) minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and 229.82 (95% CI = -345.35, -114.28) walking steps and an increase in daily SB by 15.77 (95% CI = 9.01, 22.53) minutes. A 10 µg/m³ increase in air pollution concentration in daily PM 2.5 was associated with a reduction in daily PA by 7.51 (95% CI = -11.04, -3.97) minutes of MVPA, 295.69 (95% CI = -438.46, -152.92) walking steps and an increase in daily SB by 21.12 (95% CI = 12.77, 29.47) minutes. A 10 µg/m³ increase in air pollution concentration in daily PM 10 was associated with a reduction in daily PA by 13.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -15.98, -10.37) minutes of MVPA, 518.34 (95% CI = -631.77, -404.91) walking steps and an increase in daily SB by 19.87 (95% CI = 13.10, 26.64) minutes. Conclusion Air pollution may discourage physical activity and increase sedentary behavior among children. Policy interventions are needed to reduce air pollution and develop strategies to decrease risks to children’s health.

Low light (LL) is one of the main limiting factors that negatively affect tomato growth and yield. Techniques of chemical regulation are effective horticultural methods to improve stress resistance. Strigolactones (SLs), newly discovered phytohormones, are considered as important regulators of physiological responses. We investigated the effects of foliage spray of GR24, a synthesized SLs, on tomato seedlings grown under LL stress conditions. The results showed that application of GR24 effectively mitigated the inhibition of plant growth and increased the fresh and dry weight of tomato plants under LL. Additionally, GR24 also increased the chlorophyll content (Chl and Chl ), the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), the photochemical efficiency of photosystem (PS) II (Fv/Fm), and the effective quantum yield of PSII and I [Y(II) and Y(I)], but decreased the excitation pressure of PSII (1-qP), the non-regulatory quantum yield of energy dissipation [Y(NO)] and the donor side limitation of PSI [Y(ND)] under LL. Moreover, application of GR24 to LL-stressed tomato leaves increased the electron transport rate of PSII and PSI [ETR(II) and ETR(I)], the ratio of the quantum yield of cyclic electron flow (CEF) to Y(II) [Y(CEF)/Y(II)], the oxidized plastoquinone (PQ) pool size and the non-photochemical quenching. Besides, GR24 application increased the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, but it reduced malonaldehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H O ) content in LL-stressed plants. These results suggest that exogenous application of GR24 enhances plant tolerance to LL by promoting plant utilization of light energy to alleviate the photosystem injuries induced by excess light energy and ROS, and enhancing photosynthesis efficiency to improve plant growth.

Background In the background of an aging population, the risk of cognitive impairment in the older population is prominent. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may be beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults, and the purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of neighborhood built environments on cognitive function in older adults. Methods Keywords and references were searched in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies examining the relationship between the built environment and cognitive function in older adults were included. The neighborhood built environment as an independent variable was classified according to seven aspects: density, design, diversity, destination accessibility, public transportation distance, blue/green space, and built environment quality. The cognitive function as the dependent variable was classified according to overall cognitive function, domain-specific cognitive function, and incidence of dementia. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the National Institutes of Health's Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Tool. Results A total of 56 studies were included that met the inclusion criteria, including 31 cross-sectional studies, 23 longitudinal studies, 1 cross-sectional study design combined with a case-control design, and 1 longitudinal study design combined with a case-control design. Most of the studies reviewed indicate that the built environment factors that were positively associated with cognitive function in older adults were population density, street connectivity, walkability, number of public transportation stops around the residence, land use mix, neighborhood resources, green space, and quality of the neighborhood built environment. Built environment factors that were negatively associated with cognitive function in older adults were street integration, distance from residence to main road. The relationship between residential density, destination accessibility, and blue space with cognitive function in older adults needs to be further explored. Conclusion Preliminary evidence suggests an association between the neighborhood built environment and cognitive function in older adults. The causal relationship between the built environment and cognitive function can be further explored in the future using standardized and combined subjective and objective assessment methods, and longitudinal or quasi-experimental study designs. For public health interventions on the cognitive health of older adults, it is recommended that relevant authorities include the neighborhood built environment in their intervention programs.

Background Air pollution poses a significant health risk to the human population, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, potentially discouraging their engagement in physical activity. However, there is a lack of sufficient objective and longitudinal data in current research on how air pollution affects physical activity among older adults. With these gaps, we aimed to explore the relationship between air pollution and objective measurement-based physical activity among older adults by engaging in a longitudinal study design. Methods A total of 184 older adults were recruited from three cities with varying levels of air quality. Mean daily minutes of physical activity were measured with 7 consecutive days of accelerometer monitoring (ActiGraph GT3X-BT). Corresponding air pollution data including daily PM 2.5 (µg/m 3 ), PM 10 (µg/m 3 ) and air quality index (AQI) were sourced from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre at monitor locations close to older adults’ addresses. Associations between air quality and physical activity were estimated using a fixed effect model, adjusting for average daytime temperature, rain, age and weight. Results AQI and PM 2.5 were observed to exhibit significant, inverse, and linear associations with mean daily walk steps, minutes of light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the single variable models. A one-level increase in AQI corresponded to a decline in 550.04 steps (95% [CI] = -858.97, -241.10; p  < 0.001), 10.43 min (95% [CI] = -17.07, -3.79; p  < 0.001), 4.03 min (95% [CI] = -7.48, -0.59; p  < 0.001) and 4.16 min (95% [CI] = -7.77, -0.56; p  < 0.001) in daily walking steps, LPA, MPA, and MVPA, respectively. A one-level increase in PM 2.5 correlated with a decline in daily walk steps, LPA, MPA and MVPA by 361.85 steps (95% [CI] = -516.53, -207.16; p  < 0.001), 8.97 min (95% [CI] = -12.28, -5.66; p  < 0.001), 3.73 min (95% [CI] = -5.46, -2.01; p  < 0.001,) and 3.79 min (95% [CI] = -5.59, -1.98; p  < 0.001), respectively. However, PM 10 displayed a significant negative association exclusively with LPA, with one-level increase in PM 10 resulting in a 3.7-minute reduction in LPA (95% [CI] = -6.81, -0.59, p  < 0.05). Conclusion Air pollution demonstrates an inverse association with physical activity levels among older adults, potentially discouraging their engagement in physical activity. Different air quality indicators may exert varying impacts on physical activity. Future studies are warranted to enhance policy interventions aimed at reducing air pollution and promoting physical activity.

Background Physical health (PH), including muscle strength, endurance, and the ability to perform daily physical tasks, gradually declines with increasing age, leading to disability and an increased disease burden. Both the urban community environment (UCE) and physical activity (PA) were linked to PH. Methods A total of 625 participants aged 55 years and older from Haidian and Chaoyang Districts in Beijing, China, were included in the study from September to December 2023.PH was assessed by a combined score of four tests, including BMI, chronic disease, depression and self-rated health.The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A), Center for Epidemiological Survey-Depression Scale (CES-D), Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE) and Social Support Rate Score (SSRS) were collected. The analysis was carried out with SPSS v.20 and Amos 24, and the results were validated via structural equation modeling (SEM). Results The urban community environment was positively associated with the health level of older adults. Specifically, the standardized path coefficients indicate that the influence of the built environment (0.72–0.88) was greater than that of the social environment (0.43–0.55) and personal attributes (0.22–0.37) on older adults’ health. Physical activity demonstrated both a mediating effect and an indirect effect, highlighting its significant value as a mediating variable. Conclusions The urban community environment has a positive impact on promoting the physical health of older adults, with the influence of the built environment being greater than that of the social environment and personal attributes on their physical health. Physical activity acts as a mediator between the urban community environment and the physical health of older adults.

Background WRKY proteins are a large family of transcriptional regulators in higher plant. They are involved in many biological processes, such as plant development, metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Prior to the present study, only one full-length cucumber WRKY protein had been reported. The recent publication of the draft genome sequence of cucumber allowed us to conduct a genome-wide search for cucumber WRKY proteins, and to compare these positively identified proteins with their homologs in model plants, such as Arabidopsis . Results We identified a total of 55 WRKY genes in the cucumber genome. According to structural features of their encoded proteins, the cucumber WRKY ( CsWRKY ) genes were classified into three groups (group 1-3). Analysis of expression profiles of CsWRKY genes indicated that 48 WRKY genes display differential expression either in their transcript abundance or in their expression patterns under normal growth conditions, and 23 WRKY genes were differentially expressed in response to at least one abiotic stresses (cold, drought or salinity). The expression profile of stress-inducible CsWRKY genes were correlated with those of their putative Arabidopsis WRKY (AtWRKY) orthologs, except for the group 3 WRKY genes. Interestingly, duplicated group 3 AtWRKY genes appear to have been under positive selection pressure during evolution. In contrast, there was no evidence of recent gene duplication or positive selection pressure among CsWRKY group 3 genes, which may have led to the expressional divergence of group 3 orthologs. Conclusions Fifty-five WRKY genes were identified in cucumber and the structure of their encoded proteins, their expression, and their evolution were examined. Considering that there has been extensive expansion of group 3 WRKY genes in angiosperms, the occurrence of different evolutionary events could explain the functional divergence of these genes.

Background Prenatal yoga uniquely integrates moderate aerobic activity with mindfulness‑based stress reduction, diaphragmatic breathing, and targeted pelvic‑floor conditioning. This study aimed to investigate whether yoga could influence the rates of cesarean section, episiotomy, perineal laceration, vaginal midwifery, preterm birth, and total labor time during delivery compared to standard nursing care. Method Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, OVID, Scopus, PubMed, China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wiley, BMJ, JAMA, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, VIP database, Wanfang database, CNKI, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, using a combination of keywords related to “prenatal yoga,” “pregnancy yoga,” “yoga birth RCT,” “pregnant woman yoga,” and pregnancy outcomes from database inception until December 2023. Bias assessment followed the Cochrane Handbook guidelines. The random-effects model calculated relative risk or mean differences with confidence intervals. Randomized controlled trials comparing yoga practice with general nursing exclusively during labor were included. Primary outcomes were rates of cesarean section, episiotomy, perineal laceration, vaginal midwifery, and preterm birth. Secondary outcomes included total labor time during delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Results The meta-analysis included 14 randomized controlled trials with 3637 women. The control group received general nursing, while the experimental group underwent yoga classes and practice in addition to general nursing. The risk of bias was generally low. The rates of cesarean section (RR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.54, P  < 0.01), vaginal delivery (RR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.47, 0.93, P  = 0.02), premature birth (RR = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.15, 0.56, P  < 0.01), and perineal laceration (RR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.25, 0.69, P  < 0.0007) in the experimental group were lower than in the control group. Additionally, the total labor time for the experimental group was shorter than for the control group [MD=-2.10, 95%CI: -2.42, -1.79, P  < 0.0001]. Conclusions Combining yoga practice with general nursing contributes to lower cesarean rates, shortened delivery times, reduced perineal lacerations, episiotomies, and preterm births.

Background Air pollution has become a substantial environmental issue affecting human health and health-related behavior in China. Physical activity is widely accepted as a method to promote health and well-being and is potentially influenced by air pollution. Previous population-based studies have focused on the impact of air pollution on physical activity in the U.S. using a cross-sectional survey method; however, few have examined the impact on middle income countries such as China using follow-up data. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) air pollution on physical activity among freshmen students living in Beijing by use of follow-up data. Methods We conducted 4 follow-up health surveys on 3445 freshmen students from Tsinghua University from 2012 to 2013 and 2480 freshmen completed all 4 surveys. Linear individual fixed-effect regressions were performed based on repeated-measure physical activity-related health behaviors and ambient PM 2.5 concentrations among the follow-up participants. Results An increase in ambient PM 2.5 concentration by one standard deviation (44.72 μg/m 3 ) was associated with a reduction in 22.32 weekly minutes of vigorous physical activity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 24.88–19.77), a reduction in 10.63 weekly minutes of moderate physical activity (95% CI = 14.61–6.64), a reduction in 32.45 weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (95% CI = 37.63–27.28), and a reduction in 226.14 weekly physical activity MET-minute scores (95% CI = 256.06–196.21). The impact of ambient PM 2.5 concentration on weekly total minutes of moderate physical activity tended to be greater among males than among females. Conclusions Ambient PM 2.5 air pollution significantly discouraged physical activity among Chinese freshmen students living in Beijing. Future studies are warranted to replicate study findings in other Chinese cities and universities, and policy interventions are urgently needed to reduce air pollution levels in China.

Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of urban green spaces on health, the association between street-level greenery and domain-specific physical activity (PA) among older adults remains underexplored. This study employed Baidu Street View imagery and deep learning techniques to objectively evaluate street greenery exposure and its relationship with various types of PA among older adults in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1326 older adults (aged 60 years and above) residing in Beijing, China. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to assess participants’ PA levels. Street greenery was measured within a 500 m buffer around each participant’s residence using Baidu Street View images and deep learning algorithms. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and multilevel linear regression models. Correlation analyses revealed that street greenery within a 500 m buffer of participants’ residences was significantly and positively associated with transportation PA among older adults ( p  < 0.05), particularly with bicycling ( p  < 0.01). After adjusting for individual characteristics, annual household income, and other potential confounders, multilevel linear regression analysis indicated that street greenery remained a significant positive predictor of transportation PA (β = 0.08, p  < 0.01). No significant associations were found between street greenery and either leisure PA or household PA ( p  > 0.05). Street greenery around residential areas is significantly associated with transportation PA among older adults in China. Urban green space planning should prioritize enhancing street greenery and creating safe, pleasant walking and cycling environments to support active aging in high-density cities.

Drink driving is an infamous factor in road crashes and fatalities. Alcohol testing is a major countermeasure, and random breath tests (RBTs) deter tested drivers and passersby (observers who are not tested). We propose a genetic algorithm (GA)-based RBT scheduling optimisation method to achieve maximal deterrence of drink driving. The RBT schedule denotes the daily plan of where, when, and for how long tests should occur in the road network. The test results (positive and negative) and observing drivers are considered in the fitness function. The limited testing resource capacity is modeled by a number of constraints that consider the total duration of tests, the minimum and maximum duration of a single test site, and the total number of test sites during the day. Clustering of the alcohol-related crash data is used to estimate the matrix for drink driving on the scheduled day. The crash data and traffic flow data from Victoria, Australia are analysed and used to describe sober/drink driving. A detailed synthetic example is developed and a significant improvement with 150% more positive results and 59% more overall tests is observed using the proposed scheduling optimisation method.