Lymphoma patients undergoing therapy must cope with the side-effects of the disease itself, therapy and associated immobility. Peripheral neuropathy (PNP), loss of balance control and weakness not ...only diminishes patients' quality of life (QOL), it can also affect planning and the dosage of therapy. Exercise may enable patients to reverse these declines, improving their performance level and QOL.
We carried out a randomized, controlled trial, assigning 61 lymphoma patients either to a control group (CG; N = 31) or to a 36-week intervention (IG; N = 30), consisting of sensorimotor-, endurance- and strength training twice a week. Primary end point was QOL; secondary end points included movement coordination, endurance, strength and therapy-induced side-effects.
Intergroup comparison revealed improved QOL- (ΔT1–T0; P = 0.03) and PNP-related deep sensitivity in the IG: 87.5% were able to reduce the symptom, compared with 0% in the CG (P < 0.001). Significant differences in the change of balance control could be found between the groups, with the IG improving while the CG steadily declined (monopedal static ΔT3–T0; P = 0.03; dynamic ΔT3–T0; P = 0.007; perturbed mono-ΔT3–T0; P = 0.009 and bipedal ΔT3–T0; P = 0.006), failed attempts (monopedal static ΔT3–T0; P = 0.02, dynamic ΔT3–T0; P < 0.001and perturbed ΔT3–T0; P = 0.006) and improved time to regain balance (ΔT3–T0; P = 0.04). Moreover, the change in the aerobic performance level (ΔT3–T0; P = 0.05) and additional amount of exercise carried out per week metabolic equivalent (MET); P = 0.02 differed significantly across groups.
Exercise, especially sensorimotor training, is a feasible and promising method to support cancer patients during therapy. It improves patients QOL, reduces restrictions from side-effects such as PNP and improves patients' balance control, physical performance level and mobility.
DRKS00003894.
Purpose
The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effect of different types of exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in order to elucidate the role of exercise in this patient ...group.
Methods
A systematic data search was performed using PubMed (December 2016). The review is focused on the rehabilitative aspect of BCRL and undertaken according to the PRISMA statement with Levels of Evidence (LoE) assessed.
Results
11 randomized controlled trials (9 with LoE 1a and 2 with LoE 1b) that included 458 women with breast cancer in aftercare were included. The different types of exercise consisted of aqua lymph training, swimming, resistance exercise, yoga, aerobic, and gravity-resistive exercise. Four of the studies measured a significant reduction in BCRL status based on arm volume and seven studies reported significant subjective improvements. No study showed adverse effects of exercise on BCRL.
Conclusion
The evidence indicates that exercise can improve subjective and objective parameters in BCRL patients, with dynamic, moderate, and high-frequency exercise appearing to provide the most positive effects.
A haematopoietic SCT (HSCT) can cause severe side effects, which may have a profound impact on a patient's life both physically and psychologically. Some studies have shown that physical activity has ...positive effects for inpatients after an HSCT. Therefore, the question arises whether a controlled exercise programme right from the beginning of the conditioning phase could help contribute to a patient's physical and psychological recovery. To evaluate the different effects of specific, moderate physical activities on the physical and psychological condition of HSCT patients we performed a controlled randomized study with 64 inpatients undergoing an allogeneic or autologous HSCT. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Although the training group took part in a specific programme of exercise therapy twice a day throughout the entire hospitalization phase, patients in the control group were offered the hospital's standard mobilization programme. The results of this study showed significant differences in favour of the training group regarding strength, endurance, lung function and quality of life. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Understanding and leveraging physicochemical processes at the pore scale are believed to be essential to future performance improvements of supercapacitors and capacitive desalination (CD) cells. ...Here, we report on a combination of electrochemical experiments and fully atomistic simulations to study the effect of pore size and surface charge density on the capacitance of graphitic nanoporous carbon electrodes. Specifically, we used cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study the effect of potential and pore size on the capacitance of nanoporous carbon foams. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the pore-size dependent accumulation of aqueous electrolytes in slit-shaped graphitic carbon pores of different widths (0.65 to 1.6 nm). Experimentally, we observe a pronounced increase of the capacitance of sub-nm pores as the applied potential window gets wider, from a few F g
−1
for narrow potential ranges (−0.3 to 0.3 V
vs.
Ag/AgCl) to ∼40 F g
−1
for wider potential windows (−0.9 V to 0.9 V
vs.
Ag/AgCl). By contrast, the capacitance of wider pores does not depend significantly on the applied potential window. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm that the penetration of ions into pores becomes more difficult with decreasing pore width and increasing strength of the hydration shell. Consistent with our experimental results, we observe a pore- and ion-size dependent threshold-like charging behavior when the pore width becomes comparable to the size of the hydrated ion (0.65 nm pores for Na
+
and 0.79 nm pores for Cl
−
ions). The observed pore-size and potential dependent accumulation of ions in slit-shaped carbon pores can be explained by the hydration structure of the ions entering the charged pores. The results are discussed in view of their effect on energy-storage and desalination efficiency.
Electrochemical experiments and atomistic simulations reveal the effects of pore size and pore surface charge density on the capacitance of graphitic nanocarbon electrodes.
Porous electrode capacitors are used extensively in systems which store energy, harvest mixing energy, or desalinate water. These electrodes can possess a hierarchical pore structure with larger ...macroscale pores allowing for facile ion and fluid transport, and smaller, nanometer-scale pores enabling significant ion storage. We here present a combined theoretical (linear circuit model) and experimental (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) study of porous carbon electrode capacitors which integrate nanoscale pores into a micron-scale porous network. Our experiments are performed on a set of custom-fabricated hierarchical carbon aerogel electrodes with varying pore structure, including electrodes with sub-nanometer (sub-nm) pores. Our combined theory and experimental approach allows us to demonstrate the utility of our model, perform detailed characterizations of our electrodes, study the effects of pore structure variations on impedance, and propose hierarchical electrode design and characterization guidelines. Further, we demonstrate that our approach is promising toward the detailed study of ion storage mechanisms in sub-nm pores.
•Novel framework for characterizing hierarchical and bimodal supercapacitor electrodes.•First detailed characterization of hierarchical carbon aerogel monolith electrode set.•Novel measurements and analysis of an HCAM electrode with sub-nanometer sized pores.
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the founding cells of the adult haematopoietic system, born during ontogeny from a specialized subset of endothelium, the haemogenic endothelium (HE) via an ...endothelial-to-haematopoietic transition (EHT). Although recently imaged in real time, the underlying mechanism of EHT is still poorly understood. We have generated a Runx1 +23 enhancer-reporter transgenic mouse (23GFP) for the prospective isolation of HE throughout embryonic development. Here we perform functional analysis of over 1,800 and transcriptional analysis of 268 single 23GFP(+) HE cells to explore the onset of EHT at the single-cell level. We show that initiation of the haematopoietic programme occurs in cells still embedded in the endothelial layer, and is accompanied by a previously unrecognized early loss of endothelial potential before HSCs emerge. Our data therefore provide important insights on the timeline of early haematopoietic commitment.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a prevalent and clinically relevant side effect of chemotherapy. The symptoms diminish patients’ quality of life and represent a decisive limiting ...factor for medical therapy. To date, effective treatment options are lacking. Specific exercise interventions have proven promising to target relevant symptoms. We conducted a prospective, four-armed, randomized, controlled trial, to evaluate the effects of sensorimotor training (SMT) and whole-body vibration training (WBV) on patients with CIPN. Participants (
N
= 40) were randomized to either one of two intervention groups (SMT
N
= 10 or WBV
N
= 10) or oncological control group (
N
= 10) and matched by gender and age with a healthy control (
N
= 10). The intervention groups exercised twice a week for 6 weeks. Primary endpoint was the reduction of CIPN-related symptoms (improve peripheral deep sensitivity, Achilles tendon reflex (ASR) and patellar tendon reflex (PSR), light-touch perception, sense of position, and lower leg strength). Secondary endpoints were nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, balance control, quality of life, and CIPN-related pain. Patients exercising improved sensory and associated motor symptoms. Significant intergroup differences were found for the tendon reflexes (ASR
P
= .017 and PSR
P
= .020), peripheral deep sensitivity (
P
= .010), and pain (
P
= .043). Furthermore, tendencies were found regarding the subjective improvement of symptoms (
P
= .075) and two subscales of the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire: pain (
P
= .054) and dyspnea (
P
= .054). The results for the SMT group were superior regarding the tendon reflexes, and a tendency regarding the subjective report of symptoms, while WBV was superior regarding pain. SMT and WBV behold a large potential to reduce CIPN-related symptoms and can be considered feasible and safe for patients with CIPN (compliance 97.5%, no adverse events).
Registration: DRKS00013027
Physical activity (PA) helps prevention and aftercare of sporadic breast cancer (BC), cardiopulmonary fitness (CPF) being an age-independent predictor of tumor-specific mortality. Therefore, we ...wanted to identify predictors of CPF (represented by peak oxygen uptake: VO
) in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers whose risk of developing BC is high. We used cross-sectional data from 68 BRCA1/2 germline mutation carrying women participating in the randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study LIBRE-1. Assessments included cardiopulmonary exercise testing, medical and lifestyle history plus socioeconomic status. Additionally, the participants completed a psychological questionnaire regarding their attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control and intention towards PA. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify predictors for participants reaching their age- and sex-adjusted VO
reference values. 22 participants (median age: 40 years, interquartile range (IQR) 33-46) were cancer-unaffected and 46 cancer-affected (median age: 44 years, IQR 35-50). The strongest predictor for reaching the reference VO
value was attitude towards PA (Odds Ratio 3.0; 95% Confidence Interval 1.3-8.4; p = 0.021). None of the other predictors showed a significant association. A positive attitude towards PA seems to be associated with VO
, which should be considered in developing therapeutic and preventive strategies.Trial registrations: NCT02087592; DRKS00005736.
Cancer patients with bone metastases have previously been excluded from participation in physical activity programmes due to concerns of skeletal fractures. Our aim was to provide initial information ...on the association between physical activity levels and physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. Between 2012 and 2015, 55 prostate cancer patients (mean age 69.7 ± 8.3; BMI 28.6 ± 4.0) with bone metastases (58.2% >2 regions affected) undertook assessments for self‐reported physical activity, physical and mental health outcomes (SF‐36), objective physical performance measures and body composition by DXA. Sixteen men (29%) met the current aerobic exercise guidelines for cancer survivors, while 39 (71%) reported lower aerobic exercise levels. Men not meeting aerobic exercise guidelines had lower physical functioning (p = .004), role functioning (physical and emotional) (p < .05), general health scores (p = .014) as well all lower measures of physical performance (p < .05). Lower levels of aerobic exercise are associated with reduced physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases. While previous research has focused primarily in those with non‐metastatic disease, our initial results suggest that higher levels of aerobic exercise may preserve physical and mental health outcomes in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.
Clinical Trial Registry: Trial Registration: ACTRN12611001158954
Preparation of a low‐density, high‐ surface‐area SnO2 aerogel (see Figure inset), comprised of interconnected, randomly oriented crystalline (rutile) SnO2 nanoparticles ∼3–5 nm in size is reported. ...X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy at the Sn M4,5 edge reveals that the electronic structure of the SnO2 aerogel is similar to that of tetragonal SnO, rather than SnO2 or β‐Sn, with additional Sn‐related electronic states close to the conduction band minimum.
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