Exercise, Aromatase Inhibitors, Quality Of Life, And Breast Cancer

Purpose: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 39 breast cancer survivors who were currently taking aromatase inhibitors and experiencing painful side effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of a 6-month exercise intervention on (1) endocrine-related quality of life and (2) overall quality of life. Methods: Eligible women completed self-administered questionnaires at baseline and 6 months including the FACT-B +ES to assess quality of life. The participants were randomized to either an exercise intervention group that met twice weekly with a personal trainer or usual care. T-tests and ÷2 analyses were used to assess differences in endocrine-related quality of life over the 6-month intervention period as well as overall quality of life. The subscales of the FACT-B were examined independently using t-tests. Results: The average baseline endocrine-related QOL score was 56.2 for all participants in the study. The average score did not differ by treatment group (p=0.81). Mean 6-month changes from baseline for exercisers for the full QOL endocrine subscale was +3.3 compared to usual care (+1.8). The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.32). A significant difference between the exercisers and usual care group for favorable changes in joint pain was observed (p-value = 0.014). A moderately significant effect was also seen for favorable changes on bloating in exercisers as compared to the usual care group (p-value = 0.055). Conclusion: In this study, aerobic exercise, such as treadmill walking, and strength training were associated with increases in endocrine-related quality of life. In particular, the intervention was associated with significant decreases in joint pain. These results are encouraging for post-menopausal women who are recommended to take AIs to improve their prognosis

Slaying the Assessment Dragon: One Department’s Efforts to Tame the Beast and Survive as the Knights in Shining Armor

Assessment looms large across our campuses as an instrument of evaluation, accountability, and development. Communication departments are called on to establish assessment programs for their graduate and undergraduate curriculum programs. Additionally, departments that offer courses in the general education programs are often the first departments approached for assessment of those courses as part of general education assessment. This case study describes the successes and challenges of a communication department’s experience in establishing and maintaining a general education assessment program of their Basic Oral Communication course. Preliminary data and analysis is included in reporting the outcome of these efforts

High Valent Metal-Oxo Corrolazines: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity

High-valent metal-oxo species are important intermediates in biological and synthetic systems and perform difficult oxidation reactions such as hydroxylation of unactivated C–H bonds. Due to the inherent instability of these intermediates, it remains challenging to study factors that control their reactivity. The corrolazine ligand, which is a modified porphyrinoid framework, is able to stabilize metal ions in high oxidation states. This has allowed for spectroscopic characterization and mechanistic study of high-valent metal-oxo complexes. This thesis is focused on the preparation and characterization of high-valent metal-oxo corrolazine complexes with an emphasis on reactivity in O–H or C–H bond cleavage reactions. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the importance of metal-oxo species in biology, valence tautomerism as a way to stabilize formally high oxidation states in oxo-metalloporphyrinoid complexes, Lewis acids as a way to control reactivity in biomimetic complexes, and a summary of previous work on the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of high-valent metal-oxo corrolazines. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis and characterization of two high-valent metal-oxo corrolazine complexes, MnV(O)(TBP8Cz) and CrV(O)(TBP8Cz). The H-atom abstraction reactivity of the two complexes were compared and the MnV(O) was found to be more reactive than the CrV(O) complex. The difference in H-atom abstraction reactivity was rationalized using thermodynamic arguments. The formation of a valence tautomer of MnV(O)(TBP8Cz) with the nonmetallic Lewis acid B(C6F5)3 to give MnIV(O–B(C6F5)3)(TBP8Cz•+) is described in Chapter 3. The reactivity of MnIV(O–B(C6F5)3)(TBP8Cz•+) with H-atom donor substrates was tested and compared to the ZnII adduct and the starting MnV(O) complex. In Chapter 4, the characterization of MnIV(O–LA)(TBP8Cz•+) complexes (LA = Zn(OTf)2 and B(C6F5)3) by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is described. An expanded reactivity study of MnIV(O–LA)(TBP8Cz•+) complexes (LA = TFA, Zn(OTf)2, B(C6F5)3, and HBArF) with C–H bonds was undertaken, and the reaction rates were found to be entirely dependent on the strength of the Lewis acids. In Chapter 5, a novel, electron-deficient high-valent manganese-arylimido corrolazine complex, MnV(NC6Cl3H2)(TBP8Cz), is synthesized and characterized. The electronic structure and corresponding reactivity of this compound could be controlled by the addition of either a weak acid (TFA) or strong acid (HBArF). In Chapter 6, the synthetic methodology of a new corrolazine ligand with para-isopropylphenyl substituents is described

School Athletic Field Assessment In Orange County

ReportA site analysis and survey will be conducted of athletic fields at 20 Orange County Schools to determine existing conditions. This information will be used to prepare site specific management plans including alternative pest management recommendations. Informational resource packets will be developed for participating managers. Potential sites for future workshops and demonstrations will be identified

Community Adaptation to Flooding in a Changing Climate: Municipal Officials’ Actions Decision-Making and Barriers

CaRDI Research & Policy Brief Issue 5