No abstract

The study tested the effect of aerobic exercise training on executive function in overweight children. Ninety-four sedentary, overweight but otherwise healthy children (mean age = 9.2 years, body mass index 85th percentile) were randomized to a low-dose (20 min/day exercise), high-dose (40 min/day exercise), or control condition. Exercise sessions met 5 days/week for 15 weeks. The Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), a standardized test of cognitive processes, was administered individually before and following intervention. Analysis of covariance on posttest scores revealed effects on executive function. Group differences emerged for the CAS Planning scale (p = .03). Planning scores for the high-dose group were significantly greater than those of the control group. Exercise may prove to be a simple, yet important, method of enhancing aspects of children's mental functioning that are central to cognitive and social development.

Naturally derived chemical compounds are the foundation of much of our pharmacopeia, especially in antiproliferative and anti-infective drug classes. Here, we report that a naturally derived molecule called carmaphycin B is a potent inhibitor against both the asexual and sexual blood stages of malaria infection. Using a combination of in silico molecular docking and in vitro directed evolution in a well-characterized drug-sensitive yeast model, we determined that these compounds target the β5 subunit of the proteasome. These studies were validated using in vitro inhibition assays with proteasomes isolated from Plasmodium falciparum. As carmaphycin B is toxic to mammalian cells, we synthesized a series of chemical analogs that reduce host cell toxicity while maintaining blood-stage and gametocytocidal antimalarial activity and proteasome inhibition. This study describes a promising new class of antimalarial compound based on the carmaphycin B scaffold, as well as several chemical structural features that serve to enhance antimalarial specificity.

The study tested the effect of aerobic exercise training on executive function in overweight children. Ninety-four sedentary, overweight but otherwise healthy children (mean age = 9.2 years, body mass index 85th percentile) were randomized to a low-dose (20 min/day exercise), high-dose (40 min/day exercise), or control condition. Exercise sessions met 5 days/week for 15 weeks. The Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), a standardized test of cognitive processes, was administered individually before and following intervention. Analysis of covariance on posttest scores revealed effects on executive function. Group differences emerged for the CAS Planning scale (p = .03). Planning scores for the high-dose group were significantly greater than those of the control group. Exercise may prove to be a simple, yet important, method of enhancing aspects of children's mental functioning that are central to cognitive and social development.

DAVIS, CATHERINE L., JOSEPH TKACZ, MATHEW GREGOSKI, COLLEEN A. BOYLE, AND GORDANA LOVREKOVIC. Aerobic exercise and snoring in overweight children: a randomized controlled trial. Obesity. 2006;14:1985-1991. Objective: To determine whether regular aerobic exercise improves symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in overweight children, as has been shown in adults. Research Methods and Procedures: Healthy but overweight (BMI Ն85th percentile) 7-to 11-year-old children were recruited from public schools for a randomized controlled trial of exercise effects on diabetes risk. One hundred children (53% black, 41% male) were randomly assigned to a control group (n ϭ 27), a low-dose exercise group (n ϭ 36), or a high-dose exercise group (n ϭ 37). Exercise groups underwent a 13 Ϯ 1.5 week after-school program that provided 20 or 40 minutes per day of aerobic exercise (average heart rate ϭ 164 beats per minute). Group changes were compared on BMI z-score and four Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire scales: Snoring, Sleepiness, Behavior, and a summary scale, Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders. Analyses were adjusted for age. Results: Both the high-dose and low-dose exercise groups improved more than the control group on the Snoring scale. The high-dose exercise group improved more than the lowdose exercise and control groups on the summary scale. No group differences were found for changes on Sleepiness, Behavior, or BMI z-score. At baseline, 25% screened positive for sleep-disordered breathing; half improved to a negative screen after intervention. Discussion: Regular vigorous exercise can improve snoring, a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing, in overweight children. Aerobic exercise programs may be valuable for prevention and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in overweight children.