This study showed that combination of strength, balance, agility and jumping training prevented functional decline and bone fragility in home-dwelling elderly women. The finding supports the idea ...that it is possible to maintain good physical functioning by multi-component exercise program and thus postpone the age-related functional problems.
This 1-year randomized, controlled exercise intervention trial assessed the effects of two different training programs and their combination on physical functioning and bone in home-dwelling elderly women.
One hundred and forty-nine healthy women aged 70-78 years were randomly assigned into: group 1-resistance training (RES), group 2-balance-jumping training (BAL), group 3-combination of resistance and balance-jumping training (COMB), and group 4-controls (CON). Self-rated physical functioning, leg extensor force, dynamic balance, and bone mass and structure were measured.
Self-rated physical functioning improved in the COMB group, but was reduced in the CON group; the mean inter-group difference was 10% (95% CI: 0-22%). Mean increase in the leg extensor force was higher in the RES (14%; 4-25%) and COMB (13%; 3-25%) compared with the CON groups. Dynamic balance improved in the BAL (6%; 1-11%) and in the COMB (8%; 3-12%) groups. There were no inter-group differences in BMC at the proximal femur. In those COMB women who trained at least twice a week, the tibial shaft structure weakened 2% (0-4%) less than those in the CON group.
Strength, balance, agility, and jumping training (especially in combination) prevented functional decline in home-dwelling elderly women. In addition, positive effects seen in the structure of the loaded tibia indicated that exercise may also play a role in preventing bone fragility.
We present ten years of R-band monitoring data of 31 northern blazars which were either detected at very high-energy (VHE) gamma rays or listed as potential VHE gamma-ray emitters. The data comprise ...11 820 photometric data points in the R-band obtained in 2002–2012. We analyzed the light curves by determining their power spectral density (PSD) slopes assuming a power-law dependence with a single slope β and a Gaussian probability density function (PDF). We used the multiple fragments variance function (MFVF) combined with a forward-casting approach and likelihood analysis to determine the slopes and perform extensive simulations to estimate the uncertainties of the derived slopes. We also looked for periodic variations via Fourier analysis and quantified the false alarm probability through a large number of simulations. Comparing the obtained PSD slopes to values in the literature, we find the slopes in the radio band to be steeper than those in the optical and gamma rays. Our periodicity search yielded one target, Mrk 421, with a significant (p < 5%) period. Finding one significant period among 31 targets is consistent with the expected false alarm rate, but the period found in Mrk 421 is very strong and deserves further consideration.
The effects of maternal cigarette smoking on the transcriptome of human full‐term placentas were investigated by a microarray analysis. QPCR was performed for a selected set of metabolizing genes. ...Differentially expressed genes were selected by fold change (±1.5‐fold) and analysis of variance (P<0.05) between the control and smoker groups. The expression of 174 probe sets was affected significantly. Chronic cigarette smoking induced the expression of CYP1A1. A trend toward a decrease in the expression of several steroid hormone‐metabolizing enzymes, including CYP19A1, was detected. The expression of phase II enzymes was not altered, and no enriched categories were observed among the regulated genes, except for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)‐CYP1A1. The unaltered expression of phase II enzymes may result in an increase in the levels of active metabolites and elevated oxidative chemical stress in the placenta and the fetus. On the basis of our results, it seems that cigarette smoke acts as a hormone disrupter in the placenta.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2008); 83, 4 542–550. doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100376
To study differences in physical activity between normal-weight and obese children, as well as parent-child associations of obesity and physical activity.
Cross-sectional study.
129 obese children ...(67 girls and 62 boys), 142 normal-weight controls (81 boys and 61 girls), and mothers (n = 245) and fathers (n = 222) of the children.
Physical activity was assessed by a 3-day physical activity record (children and parents), by a questionnaire (children), and by one question on habitual physical activity (parents). The data were analysed by stepwise linear and logistic regressions. Obesity was assessed from relative weight (children) and BMI (parents).
Parent inactivity was a strong and positive predictor of child inactivity (beta-coefficients 0.25 and 0.16, P<0.001, for mother and father inactivity, respectively). Scores of parent activity were somewhat weaker predictors of child vigorous activity hours and total physical activity level (beta-coefficients 0.13-0.25, P = 0.003-0.08). Child obesity was negatively associated with child habitual physical activity (odds ratio 0.88, P<0.001). In addition, parent obesity (body mass index > or =30 kg/m2) was another strong predictor of child obesity (odds ratio 2.38-3.50, P<0.002).
The present study underscores the parents' role in childhood activity patterns and obesity. A novel finding was that the parent-child relationship of inactivity appeared to be stronger than that of vigorous activity. Hence, parents who want to reduce their children's inactivity may have to pay attention to their own lifestyle.
► Chloropicrin (trichloronitromethane) is used as a pesticide but the mechanism of effect is not known. ► Human eyes are one of the target organs of chloropicrin exposure. ► Chloropicrin causes ...perturbation of ER-functions.
Chloropicrin is an aliphatic volatile nitrate compound that is mainly used as a pesticide. It has several toxic effects in animals and can cause irritating and other health problems in exposed humans. Since the mode of chloropicrin action is poorly understood, the aim of this study was to investigate molecular responses underlying chloropicrin toxicity. We used human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) as a model cell type because the eyes are one of the main target organs affected by chloropicrin exposure. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that exposure to a chloropicrin concentration that decreased cell viability by 50%, evoked the formation of numerous electron-lucent, non-autophagy vacuoles in the cytoplasm with dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Lower concentrations led to the appearance of more electron-dense vacuoles, which contained cytoplasmic material and were surrounded by a membrane resembling autophagy vacuoles. According to immunoblotting analyses chloropicrin increased the amount of the ER-stress related proteins, Bip (about 3-fold compared to the controls), IRE1α (2.5-fold) and Gadd 153/Chop (2.5-fold), evidence for accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER. This property was further confirmed by the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (2–2.5-fold), induction of heme oxygenase-1 (about 6-fold), and increase in the level of the tumour suppressor protein p53 (2-fold). Thus, the cytotoxicity of chloropicrin in the retinal pigment epithelium is postulated to be associated with oxidative stress and perturbation of the ER functions, which are possibly among the mechanisms involved in oculotoxicity of chloropicrin.
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-month trial we evaluated effects of weight- bearing jumping exercise and oral alendronate, alone or in combination, on the mass and structure ...of bone, risk factors for falling (muscle strength and power, postural sway, and dynamic balance), and cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women. A total of 164 healthy, sedentary, early postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: (1) 5 mg of alendronate daily plus progressive jumping exercise, (2) 5 mg alendronate, (3) placebo plus progressive jumping exercise, or (4) placebo. The primary endpoint was 12-month change in bone mass and geometry (measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral computed tomography at several axial and limb sites) and physical performance; the secondary endpoint was change in biochemical markers of bone turnover. The jumping exercise was conducted an average 1.6 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SD) times a week. Alendronate daily was effective in increasing bone mass at the lumbar spine (alendronate vs placebo 3.5%; 95% CI, 2.2-4.9%) and femoral neck (1.3%; 95% CI, 0.2-2.4%) but did not affect other bone sites. Exercise alone had no effect on bone mass at the lumbar spine or femoral neck; it had neither an additive nor an interactive effect with alendronate at these bone sites. However, at the distal tibia the mean increase of 3.6% (0.3-7.1%) in the section modulus (that is, bone strength) and 3.7% (0.1-7.3%) increase in the ratio of cortical bone to total bone area were statistically significant in the exercise group compared to the nonexercise group, indicating exercise-induced thickening of the bone cortex. Bone turnover was reduced in alendronate groups only. Alendronate had no effect on physical performance while the jumping exercise improved leg extensor power, dynamic balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness. As conclusion Alendronate is effective in increasing bone mass at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, while exercise is effective in increasing the mechanical properties of bone at some of the most loaded bone sites, as well as improving the participants' muscular performance and dynamic balance. Together alendronate and exercise may effectively decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures.
•Low ASRGL1 expression intensity correlates with poor survival in endometrial cancer.•ASRGL1 enhances prognostication when adjusted for stage and uterine factors.•When adjusted for additional ...biomarkers, ASRGL1 does not improve prognostication.
Prognostic stratification of endometrial cancer involves the assessment of stage, uterine risk factors, and molecular classification. This process can be further refined through annotation of prognostic biomarkers, notably L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) and hormonal receptors. Loss of asparaginase-like protein 1 (ASRGL1) has been shown to correlate with poor outcome in endometrial cancer. Our objective was to assess prognostication of endometrial cancer by ASRGL1 in conjunction with other available methodologies.
This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent primary treatment at a single tertiary center. Tumors were molecularly classified by the Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer. Expression of ASRGL1, L1CAM, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor was determined by immunohistochemistry. ASRGL1 expression intensity was scored into four classes.
In a cohort of 775 patients, monitored for a median time of 81 months, ASRGL1 expression intensity was related to improved disease-specific survival in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Low expression levels were associated with stage II–IV disease and presence of uterine factors, i.e. high grade, lymphovascular space invasion, and deep myometrial invasion (P < 0.001 for all). Among the molecular subgroups, low expression was most prevalent in p53 abnormal carcinomas (P < 0.001). Low ASRGL1 was associated with positive L1CAM expression and negative estrogen and progesterone receptor expression (P < 0.001 for all). After adjustment for stage and uterine factors, strong ASRGL1 staining intensity was associated with a lower risk for cancer-related deaths (hazard ratio 0.56, 95 % confidence interval 0.32–0.97; P = 0.038). ASRGL1 was not associated with the outcome when adjusted for stage, molecular subgroups, L1CAM, and hormonal receptors. When analyzed separately within the different molecular subgroups, ASRGL1 showed an association with disease-specific survival specifically in “no specific molecular profile” subtype carcinomas (P < 0.001). However, this association became nonsignificant upon controlling for confounders.
Low ASRGL1 expression intensity correlates with poor survival in endometrial cancer. ASRGL1 contributes to more accurate prognostication when controlled for stage and uterine factors. However, when adjusted for stage and other biomarkers, including molecular subgroups, ASRGL1 does not improve prognostic stratification.
The purpose of this randomized cross-over study was to investigate the effects of a 4-min long, 2-mm vertically-vibrating vibration-exercise on muscle performance and body balance in healthy ...subjects. Sixteen volunteers (eight men and women aged 18-35 years) underwent both the 4-min vibration- and sham-interventions in a randomized order on different days. Performance- and balance-tests (stability platform, grip strength, extension strength of lower extremities, tandem-walk, vertical jump and shuttle-run) were done 10 minutes before (baseline) and 2 and 60 minutes after the intervention. In addition, the effect of vibration on the surface electromyography (EMG) of soleus, vastus lateralis, gluteus medius, and paravertebralis muscles was investigated during the vibration. The 4-min vibration-loading did not induce any statistically significant change in the performance- or balance-tests at the 2- or 60-min tests. Interestingly, however, the mean power frequency of the EMG in the vastus lateralis and gluteus medius muscles decreased during the vibration-intervention, indicating muscle fatigue, particularly in the hip region. It was concluded that a 4-min long, 2-mm vertically-vibrating vibration-stimulus did not induce changes in the performance and balance tests. Future studies should focus on evaluating the effects of different kinds of vibration-regimens, as well as the long-term effects of vibration-training, on body balance and muscle performance, and, as a broader objective, on bone.
Chronic pain is a frequent cause of suffering and disability that negatively affects patients' quality of life. There is growing evidence that disparities in the treatment of pain occur because of ...differences in race.
To determine whether race plays a role in treatment decisions involving patients with chronic nonmalignant pain in a primary care population.
A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients with chronic nonmalignant pain and their treating physicians at 12 academic medical centers. We enrolled 463 patients with nonmalignant pain persisting for more than 3 consecutive months and the primary care physicians participating in their care.
Analysis of the 397 black and white patients showed that blacks had significantly higher pain scores (6.7 on a scale of 0 to 10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.4 to 7.0) compared with whites (5.6, 95% CI 5.3 to 5.9); however, white patients were more likely to be taking opioid analgesics compared with blacks (45.7% vs 32.2%, P<.006). Even after controlling for potentially confounding variables, white patients were significantly more likely (odds ratio (OR) 2.67, 95% CI 1.71 to 4.15) to be taking opioid analgesics than black patients. There were no differences by race in the use of other treatment modalities such as physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories or in the use of specialty referral.
Equal treatment by race occurs in nonopioid-related therapies, but white patients are more likely than black patients to be treated with opioids. Further studies are needed to better explain this racial difference and define its effect on patient outcomes.
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