Objectives
Although muscle flexibility is considered to be a risk factor for hamstring‐and‐lower back injuries (HLB‐injuries) in male soccer players, it is unclear whether this is true for elite ...female soccer players.
Design
Prospective observational cohort study.
Method
One hundred fourteen elite female soccer players were monitored during the 2014‐2015 soccer season. Hamstring‐and‐lower‐back flexibility (HLB‐flexibility) was assessed using the sit‐and‐reach test (SRT) and soccer exposure and soccer‐related injuries were registered. Poisson regression was used to study the association between HLB‐flexibility and HLB‐injuries with adjustment for possible confounders.
Results
Of the 114 players, 46 (40%) reported an HLB‐injury (60 hamstring injuries and 20 lower back injuries) during the season, accounting for 22% of all injuries reported. No significant association was found between HLB‐flexibility and HLB‐injuries (P = .534). Also, after correction for potential confounders (age, weight, height, match exposure, and training exposure), HLB‐flexibility was not found to be associated with HLB‐injuries ((1.027 (0.989‐1.066) (RR 95% CI)), P = .164 unadjusted, and 1.022 (0.987‐1.059), P = .217 adjusted). Match exposure was significantly associated with HLB‐injuries. When the number of match hours increased by 1, the number of HLB‐injuries increased by a factor 1.051.
Conclusion
HLB‐flexibility does not influence the occurrence of HLB‐injuries in elite female soccer players.
Gene signatures derived from cancer stem cells (CSCs) predict tumor recurrence for many forms of cancer. Here, we derived a gene signature for colorectal CSCs defined by high Wnt signaling activity, ...which in agreement with previous observations predicts poor prognosis. Surprisingly, however, we found that elevated expression of Wnt targets was actually associated with good prognosis, while patient tumors with low expression of Wnt target genes segregated with immature stem cell signatures. We discovered that several Wnt target genes, including
ASCL2 and
LGR5, become silenced by CpG island methylation during progression of tumorigenesis, and that their re-expression was associated with reduced tumor growth. Taken together, our data show that promoter methylation of Wnt target genes is a strong predictor for recurrence of colorectal cancer, and suggest that CSC gene signatures, rather than reflecting CSC numbers, may reflect differentiation status of the malignant tissue.
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► Wnt target genes, including stem cell markers, inversely correlate with prognosis ► Progression of CRC is associated with methylation of Wnt target genes ► Adherence to CSC signatures reflects an immature clonal trait, not CSC numbers ► Wnt target methylation is a strong prognostic marker
Successful treatment options for cancer result in more young long-term survivors prone for long-term complications. Carotid artery vasculopathy is a potential long-term complication after ...radiotherapy of the neck, resulting in cerebrovascular events and probably deficits in cognitive and motor functioning. Better insight into the underlying pathofysiology of radiotherapy induced carotid artery vasculopathy is needed for prognostic purposes and to develop preventive strategies.
The current study is a prospective cohort study on the long-term cerebral and vascular complications after radiotherapy of the neck, in 103 patients treated for head and neck cancer, included in our study database between 2002 and 2008. Baseline protocol (before radiotherapy) included screening for cerebrovascular risk factors and intima media thickness measurement of carotid arteries by ultrasonography. Follow-up assessment more than 5 years after radiotherapy included screening of cerebrovascular risk factors, cerebrovascular events, neurological examination with gait and balance tests, extensive neuropsychological examination, self-report questionnaires, ultrasonography of the carotid arteries with measurement of intima media thickness and elastography, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and magnetic resonance angiography of the carotid arteries.
The current study adds to the understanding of the causes and consequences of long-term cerebral and vascular changes after radiotherapy of the neck. These data will be helpful to develop a protocol for diagnostic and preventive strategies for long-term neurological complications in future head and neck cancer patients with anticipated radiotherapy treatment.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
Long-term cancer treatment complications become more prevalent as survival improves. Little is known about the psychological complications in long-term survivors of head and neck cancer ...(HNC). We investigated cognitive functioning and its relation with depression, fatigue, cognitive complaints, and brain lesions on MRI.
Methods
This study is part of a multicentre, prospective cohort study of 65 patients treated for HNC. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was combined with validated questionnaires on subjective memory complaints, depression, and fatigue after a median of 7 years follow-up. Results were compared with age- and education-adjusted normative data. Further, we evaluated cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH), brain volume, and infarctions on MRI.
Results
HNC patients had worse cognitive performance in two of the five assessed cognitive domains: episodic memory (z = −0.48, P = .003) and speed of information processing (z = −0.47, P < 0.001). Patients with fatigue performed worse than patients without fatigue on verbal fluency (mean difference in z-score 0.52, P = .02) and speed of information processing (0.49, P = .04). Patients with subjective memory complaints had a worse episodic memory performance (mean difference in z-score −0.96; P = .02). Patients with cerebral infarction(s) on MRI performed worse on fluency (mean difference in z-score 0.74, P = .005). A lower cognitive performance was not associated with depression, WMH or brain volume.
Conclusion
Long-term HNC survivors showed worse cognitive functioning 7 years after treatment. Cognitive function was associated with subjective complaints and fatigue, but not with depressive symptoms. Cerebral infarctions on MRI were correlated with cognitive function, whereas WMH, and brain volume were not.
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