[Background] Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4/A-FABP/aP2), a lipid chaperone, is expressed in both adipocytes and macrophages. Recent studies have shown secretion of FABP4 from adipocytes and association of elevated serum FABP4 level with obesity, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the role of FABP4 in essential hypertension. [Methods] First, using blood samples in 296 subjects on no medication of our cohort, the Tanno-Sobetsu study cohort, correlation between serum FABP4 level and blood pressure was examined. Second, we next examined difference between serum FABP4 concentrations in 18 normotensives (NT) and 30 non-treated essential hypertensives (EHT). The EHT were divided into 18 insulin-sensitive EHT (EHT-S) and 12 insulin-resistant EHT (EHT-R) based on their insulin sensitivity index, the M value, determined by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. We lastly determined FABP4 levels in 30 young normotensive men with or without a family history of hyper...

Abstract 12916: Elevation of Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 is Predisposed by Family History of Hypertension and Contributes to Blood Pressure Elevation

Little information is available on the effect of soil-improving cropping systems (SICS) on crop productivity on low fertility sandy soils although they are increasingly being used in agriculture in many regions of the world due to the growing demand for food. The study aimed at quantifying the effect of four soil-improving cropping systems applied on sandy soil on cereal productivity (yield of grain and straw and plant height) in a 4-year field experiment conducted in Poland with spring cereal crops: oat (2017), wheat (2018), wheat (2019), and oat (2020). The experiment included the control (C) and the following SICS: liming (L), leguminous catch crops for green manure (LU), farmyard manure (M), and farmyard manure + liming + leguminous catch crops for green manure together (M + L + LU). To quantify the effect of the SICS, classic statistics and the Bland–Altman method were used. It was shown that all yield trait components significantly increased in the last study year (2020) under SICS with M and M + L + LU. All yield trait components were significantly lower in the dry years (2018–2019) than in the wet years (2017 and 2020). The relatively large rainfall quantity in May during intensive growth at shooting and the scarce precipitation during later growth in the dry year 2019 resulted in a significantly greater straw yield compared to the other dry year 2018. The values of Bland–Altman bias (mean difference between the particular SICS and the control) varied (in kg m−2) from −0.002 for LU in 2019 to 0.128 for M and 0.132 for M + L + LU in 2020. The highest limits of agreement (LoA) were in general noted for all yield trait components (the least even yield) in the most productive SICS including M and M + L + LU in the wet year 2020. The Bland–Altman ratio (BAR) values indicate that quantification of the effects of all soil-improving practices was most uncertain in the dry year 2018 for the grain yield and in the wet year 2020 for the straw yield and much less uncertain for the plant height in all SICS and study years. The results of this study provide helpful information about the effect of the SICS on the different yield trait components depending on the period of their application and weather conditions prevailing during the growing season.

Quantifying Cereal Productivity on Sandy Soil in Response to Some Soil-Improving Cropping Systems

The Square Stepping Exercise (SSE) is an exercise training program incorporating cognitive and physical exercise components, which was originally developed for older adults to reduce falling risks. SSE's potential in delaying cognitive decline in older adults seems to be promising. However, there is scarce research on the SSE program with young adults. Furthermore, the outbreak of coronavirus disease has imposed people to change their lifestyle and behaviors, including exercise behaviors. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of a home-based online SSE trial on cognitive and social functions in sedentary young adults. A total of 18 young adults (6 males, 12 females) participated in the present study. They completed two exercise conditions (SSE and active control exercise), consisting of 3 sessions per week, over 2 weeks. A 2 times (pre vs. post) × 2 conditions (SSE vs. active control) repeated-measures ANCOVA was conducted on the score of the Modified Card Sorting Task with age and education year as covariates. A one-way repeated-measures MANOVA was performed on the subscale scores of the Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire to examine the effects of the exercise conditions (SSE vs. active control) on group cohesion. SSE was found effective to improve executive function such as abstract reasoning, mental flexibility, and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, participants' perceptions of social interaction with their group, and closeness and bonding existing in their group were significantly higher in the SSE condition than the active control condition. In the present study, SSE was conducted online and found to be effective to enhance executive function and group cohesion in sedentary young adults. These novel approach and findings are the strengths of the present study. People aged 60 years and over are more vulnerable to the coronavirus and at higher risk of developing serious illness. Given the coronavirus pandemic circumstances, it is worthwhile to explore the possibility of the online SSE approach to older adults in future research.

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Acute effects of Square Stepping Exercise on cognitive and social functions in sedentary young adults: a home-based online trial

Effects of Square-Stepping Exercise on physical function, cognitive function,and subjective health in community-dwelling Japanese older female

Effects of square-stepping exercise on motor and cognitive function in older adults - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

スクエアステップエクササイズが身体･認知機能に及ぼす影響 ～後期高齢者への効果検証～

Circulating Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 Concentration Increases with an Acute Maximal Exercise Independently of Exercise Training Status

[Purpose] Square-stepping exercise is recommended for elderly people, as it has a positive effect on cognitive and physical functions; however, few studies have examined the exercise intensity of square-stepping exercise. Therefore, we aimed to examine the exercise intensity of square-stepping exercise in community-dwelling late elderly females. [Participants and Methods] Study 1: The participants, constituting 12 community-dwelling late elderly females (age: 78.7 ± 3.8 years), performed the three target step patterns. Exhaled gas, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion using the Borg Scale were measured during square-stepping exercise. Study 2: Participants were 57 community-dwelling elderly females (81.2 ± 4.3 years old). The exercise intensity, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion using the Borg Scale during square-stepping exercise were measured. [Results] Study 1: The average METs of the 3 target step patterns was 3.6 ± 0.7, and the %heart rate reserve and rating of perceived exertion were 54.3 ± 20.0% and 11.4 ± 1.9%, respectively. Study 2: The average METs during the square-stepping exercise program was 2.1 ± 0.2, and the %heart rate reserve and rating of perceived exertion were 19.6 ± 10.2% and 11.3 ± 1.4%, respectively. [Conclusion] Square-stepping exercise was confirmed to be a low to moderate intensity exercise program and is expected to improve health and physical fitness.

/pdf/the-exercise-intensity-of-square-stepping-exercise-in-5fn8xo2mkk.pdf

The exercise intensity of square-stepping exercise in community-dwelling late elderly females.

Circulating fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is a marker for various diseases It would be highly useful to have simple and less invasive techniques for the assessment of FABP4 concentrations in the clinical research setting The purpose of the present study was to assess the concordance of circulating FABP4 concentrations in venous and capillary blood both at rest and immediately after acute exercise in healthy young males Thirty-eight healthy young male adults aged from 19 to 25 years (mean age, 208 ± 12 years) were recruited Paired blood samples were taken from the cubital vein (venous) and fingertip (capillary) blood at rest (resting state) and immediately after incremental exercise (exercising state) Blood samples were analyzed to determine the circulating FABP4 concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Pearson’s correlation coefficients for circulating FABP4 concentrations between venous and capillary blood samples indicated a strong positive correlation in both the resting and exercising state (resting state: r = 0982, exercising state: r = 0989, both p < 0001) The mean FABP4 concentration was similar between venous and capillary blood in the resting state (p = 0178), whereas it was significantly higher in capillary blood than in venous blood in the exercising state (p < 0001) Furthermore, Bland–Altman plots showed a non-significant bias (− 007 ± 061 ng/mL, p = 0453) in the resting state, whereas a significant bias (− 045 ± 061 ng/mL, p < 0001) was observed in the exercising state These results indicate that capillary blood sampling can slightly overestimate circulating FABP4 concentrations under a physiologically dynamic state However, the association between the venous and capillary blood in terms of FABP4 concentration was very strong, suggesting that capillary blood sampling can detect changes in FABP4 concentration in both physiologically steady and dynamic states

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Differences in circulating fatty acid-binding protein 4 concentration in the venous and capillary blood immediately after acute exercise.

[Purpose] The Square Touch Exercise, an upper extremity exercise program incorporating cognitive tasks that can be performed in a seated position, was designed to maintain, and improve the cognitive function of older people. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Square Touch Exercise on cerebral hemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex of older females. [Participants and Methods] Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure cerebral hemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex of 15 older females. The Square Touch Exercise tasks consisted of a control and two Square Touch tasks. Cerebral hemodynamic indices at rest and during each task were compared. [Results] Oxyhemoglobin was significantly higher in the right prefrontal cortex during the high-difficulty task than during the control task, and total hemoglobin was significantly higher during the resting, control, and low-difficulty tasks. [Conclusion] These results indicate that the brain is activated during the Square Touch Exercise program, which may positively affect cognitive function. 

Ryota Uchida

Papers

スクエアステップエクササイズが身体･認知機能に及ぼす影響～後期高齢者への効果検証～

Circulating Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 Concentration Increases with an Acute Maximal Exercise Independently of Exercise Training Status

The exercise intensity of square-stepping exercise in community-dwelling late elderly females.

Differences in circulating fatty acid-binding protein 4 concentration in the venous and capillary blood immediately after acute exercise.

Effect of a Seated Upper Extremity Exercise Program with Cognitive Task on the Cerebral Hemodynamics of Older Females

Ryota Uchida

Papers

スクエアステップエクササイズが身体･認知機能に及ぼす影響 ～後期高齢者への効果検証～

Circulating Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 Concentration Increases with an Acute Maximal Exercise Independently of Exercise Training Status

The exercise intensity of square-stepping exercise in community-dwelling late elderly females.

Differences in circulating fatty acid-binding protein 4 concentration in the venous and capillary blood immediately after acute exercise.

Effect of a Seated Upper Extremity Exercise Program with Cognitive Task on the Cerebral Hemodynamics of Older Females

スクエアステップエクササイズが身体･認知機能に及ぼす影響～後期高齢者への効果検証～