A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled feasibility trial of flavonoid-rich cocoa for fatigue in people with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis

The impact of flavonoids on fatigue has not been investigated in Relapsing and Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Objective: To determine the feasibility and estimate the potential effect of flavonoid-rich cocoa on fatigue and fatigability in RRMS. Methods: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled feasibility study in people recently diagnosed with RRMS and fatigue, throughout the Thames Valley (ISRCTN: 69897291). During a six week intervention participants consumed a high or low flavonoid cocoa beverage daily. Fatigue and fatigability were measured at three visits (weeks 0, 3 and 6). Feasibility and fidelity were assessed through recruitment and retention, adherence and a process evaluation. Results: 40 pwMS (10 men, 30 women, age 44 ± 10 yrs) were randomised and allocated to high (n=19) or low (n=21) flavonoid groups and included in analysis. Missing data was 75%. There was a small effect on fatigue (Neuro-QoL: effect size {ES} 0.04; confidence interval {CI} -0.40-0.48) and a moderate effect on fatigability (six-minute walk test: ES 0.45; CI -0.18 - 1.07). There were seven adverse events (four control, three intervention), only one of which was possibly related and it was resolved. Conclusion: A flavonoid beverage demonstrates the potential to improve fatigue and fatigability in RRMS

Smad4-expression is decreased in breast cancer tissues: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Although transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) typically inhibits proliferation of epithelial cells, consistent with a tumor suppressor activity, it paradoxically also exhibits pro-metastatic activity in the later stages of carcinogenesis. Since tumors often display altered TGF-β signaling, particularly involving the Smad-pathway, we investigated the role of Smad4-expression in breast cancer. METHODS: Smad4 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 197 samples of primary breast cancer obtained between 1986 and 1998. The prognostic value of Smad4-expression was analyzed. RESULTS: Smad4 expression was found to be reduced in lobular and ductal breast carcinoma as compared to surrounding uninvolved lobular and ductal breast epithelia (p < 0.001, n = 50). Smad4-expression correlated positively with expression of TGF-β-receptor I (p < 0.001, n = 197) and TGF-β-receptor II (p < 0.001, n = 197), but showed no significant correlation with tumor size, metastases, nodal status, histological grade, histological type, or estrogen receptor expression. While not achieving statistical significance, there was a trend towards longer survival times in patients with Smad4 negative tumors. CONCLUSION: According to the suggested role of Smad4 as a tumor suppressor we observed that expression of Smad4 is lower in human breast cancer than in surrounding breast epithelium. However, we also observed a trend towards longer survival times in Smad4-negative patients, indicating the complex role of TGF-β signaling in tumor progression

An examination of factors that perpetuate fast fashion and consumer feelings regarding fast fashion

Fast fashion is a term used to describe trendy apparel created with a short cycle time and planned obsolescence. Consumers view such items as disposable due to poor garment quality and low price points. Although consumers are aware of the environmental impact of apparel consumption, the popularity of fast fashion persists. Manufacturers and retailers push fast fashion into consumer markets, yet research has not focused on consumers', specifically future professionals in the apparel industry, feelings about fast fashion and its impact on the environment. Therefore, the present research addresses this gap in existing research. The purpose of the study was to identify factors that perpetuate fast fashion as well as to investigate the constructs and feelings consumers associate with the fast fashion cycle. Furthermore, this research sought to determine if consumers of fast fashion perceived the limited lifespan of their clothing as problematic. In-depth interviews were conducted using a moderately structured questionnaire. Thirteen female undergraduate students majoring in design and/or merchandising management participated. During the interviews, participants displayed five fast fashion items they no longer wear and discussed why they stopped wearing them, as well as how they feel about no longer being able to wear them. Participants also discussed how they feel about fast fashion, as well as how they feel fast fashion impacts society and the environment. The first objective was to understand what factors prompt consumers to stop wearing fast fashion apparel. Communicative failure of the garments, including quality issues, fit issues and style-related meaning conflict, as well as boredom prompted participants to stop wearing the fast fashion items. The second objective was to understand how these factors change consumers' feelings about fast fashion apparel items they no longer wear. Quality issues and fit issues changed how participants felt about the items; these findings were explained within the context of Symbolic Interaction Theory. The third objective was to learn how consumers feel about the limited lifespan of fast fashion apparel. Feelings ranged from neutral to negative. Participants often noted that the low price of the apparel justified the limited lifespan. When asked how fast fashion impacts society, feelings ranged from positive to negative. Social implications included the promotion of consumerism, stimulation of the economy, fashion accessibility to all levels of income, ethics, and environmental impact. Based on findings, a model was developed to describe why consumers purchase fast fashion, why consumers stop wearing fast fashion, consumers’ perceptions of social implications, and consumers’ coping strategies and justification for fast fashion

The Turn-back-and-look-behaviour: honeybee versus robot

The Turn-back-and-look-behaviour: honeybee versus robo

A Common Frame of Reference for Learned and Communicated Vectors in Honeybee Navigation

Menzel R, Kirbach A, Haas W-D, et al. A Common Frame of Reference for Learned and Communicated Vectors in Honeybee Navigation. Current Biology. 2011;21(8):645-650.Humans draw maps when communicating about places or verbally describe routes between locations. Honeybees communicate places by encoding distance and direction in their waggle dances. Controversy exists not only about the structure of spatial memory but also about the efficiency of dance communication. Some of these uncertainties were resolved by studies in which recruits' flights were monitored using harmonic radar. We asked whether the two sources of vector information—the previously learned flight vector to a food source and the communicated vector—are represented in a common frame of spatial reference. We found that recruits redirect their outbound flights and perform novel shortcut flights between the communicated and learned locations in both directions. Guidance by beacons at the respective locations or by the panorama of the horizon was excluded. These findings indicate a spatial reference based on either large-scale vector integration or a common geocentric map-like spatial memory. Both models predict a memory structure that stores the spatial layout in such a way that decisions are made according to estimated distances and directions. The models differ with respect to the role of landmarks and the time of learning of spatial relations