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The article discusses the annual survey conducted by ACSM on fitness trends, emphasizing the evolving landscape shaped by consumer needs and external factors like the global pandemic. It highlights the shifts in trends over recent years, including the impact of COVID-19 on preferences such as online training and home exercise, while introducing potential trends for 2024 that reflect a return to in-person fitness.

The small GTPase RAP1 is critical for platelet activation and thrombus formation. RAP1 activity in platelets is controlled by the GEF CalDAG-GEFI and an unknown regulator that operates downstream of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor, P2Y12, a target of antithrombotic therapy. Here, we provide evidence that the GAP, RASA3, inhibits platelet activation and provides a link between P2Y12 and activation of the RAP1 signaling pathway. In mice, reduced expression of RASA3 led to premature platelet activation and markedly reduced the life span of circulating platelets. The increased platelet turnover and the resulting thrombocytopenia were reversed by concomitant deletion of the gene encoding CalDAG-GEFI. Rasa3 mutant platelets were hyperresponsive to agonist stimulation, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, activation of Rasa3 mutant platelets occurred independently of ADP feedback signaling and was insensitive to inhibitors of P2Y12 or PI3 kinase. Together, our results indicate that RASA3 ensures that circulating platelets remain quiescent by restraining CalDAG- GEFI/RAP1 signaling and suggest that P2Y12 signaling is required to inhibit RASA3 and enable sustained RAP1-dependent platelet activation and thrombus formation at sites of vascular injury. These findings provide insight into the antithrombotic effect of P2Y12 inhibitors and may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of platelet-related disorders., Introduction Mammalian platelets are small anucleated blood cells specialized to continuously monitor and preserve the integrity of the cardiovascular system (hemostasis) (1-3). Once released from megakaryocytes, they circulate for 10 [...]

The incorporation of multiple p-carborane cages within an aliphatic polyester dendrimer was accomplished through the preparation of a bifuntional carborane synthon. A p-carbonate derivative having an acid and protected alcohol functionality was found to efficiently couple to peripheral hydroxyl groups of low-generation dendrimers under standard esterification conditions.

Objectives This study examined the effect of dietary patterns and engagement in cognitive stimulating lifestyle (CSL) behaviors on the trajectory of global cognition, executive function (EF), and verbal episodic memory (VEM). Methods Western and prudent dietary patterns were empirically derived using food frequency questionnaire responses from 350 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.7 years) participating in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging. CSL was represented by a binary composite indicator based on education, occupational complexity, and social engagement. Global cognition, EF, and VEM were assessed prospectively. Results Primary effect models revealed an association between higher Western dietary pattern score and a greater rate of decline in global cognition and EF. Higher Western dietary pattern adherence was also associated with poorer baseline VEM. Primary effect models also revealed that CSL was independently associated with baseline global cognition and EF. Effect modification models suggested an interactive effect between Western dietary pattern and CLS on global cognition only. No associations were found for prudent dietary pattern score. Discussion Contributing to existing research supporting the negative impact of consuming an unhealthy diet on cognitive function, the current study suggests increased vulnerability among older adults who do not engage in a CSL. These findings can inform the development of lifestyle intervention programs that target brain health in later adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Consumption of a prudent dietary pattern rich in healthy nutrients is associated with enhanced cognitive performance in older adulthood, while a Western dietary pattern low in healthy nutrients is associated with poor age-related cognitive function. Sex differences exist in dietary intake among older adults; however, there is a paucity of research examining the relationship between sex-specific dietary patterns and cognitive function in later life.Methods: The current study aimed to investigate sex differences in the relationship between sex-specific dietary pattern adherence and global cognitive function at baseline and over a 3-year follow-up in 1268 community-dwelling older adults (Mage = 74 years, n = 664 women, n = 612 men) from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge). A 78-item Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to estimate dietary intake over the previous year. Sex-specific dietary pattern scores were derived using principal component analysis. Global cognition was assessed using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS).Results: Adjusted linear mixed effects models indicated that a healthy, prudent dietary pattern was not associated with baseline cognitive performance in men or women. No relationship was found between Western dietary pattern adherence and baseline cognitive function in women. Among men, adherence to an unhealthy, Western dietary pattern was associated with poorer baseline cognitive function (β = - 0.652, p = 0.02, 95% CI [- 1.22, - 0.65]). No association was found between prudent or Western dietary patterns and cognitive change over time in men or women.Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of conducting sex-based analyses in aging research and suggest that the relationship between dietary pattern adherence and cognitive function in late life may be sex-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a new design, which employs the tunable bifunctional silyl ether cross-linkers for the formation of acid-sensitive biomaterials. These obtained compounds are shown to be extremely beneficial for drug delivery, general surgery and other biomedical applications.

A series of aliphatic polyester dendrons are prepared with a core p-toluenesulfonyl (TSe) ester as an easily removable protecting group that can be replaced with a variety of nucleophiles. The distribution of the radiolabeled dendrimers is analyzed in healthy adult Copenhagen rats by using dynamic small-animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the labeled dendrimers are eliminated from the bloodstream via the kidneys with negligible nonspecific binding to organs or tissues.