Effect of hydroxytyrosol supplementation on mitochondrial biogenesis, aerobic capactiy, and endurance exercise performance in healthy men

textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroxytyrosol (HT) supplementation on markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, aerobic capacity, and endurance exercise performance in recreationally active men. Sixty-one (n = 61) subjects (21.46 ± 0.22 yrs, 179.46 ± 0.79 cm, 78.91 ± 1.19 kg) consumed either a high dose (HI) HT supplement (150 mg HT), a low dose (LO) HT supplement (50 mg HT), or a placebo (PLA) every day for 6 weeks. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis were obtained at baseline and after 6 weeks of supplement consumption and analyzed for markers of mitochondrial biogenesis: succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), citrate synthase (CS), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ɣ coactivator (PGC)-1α. Subjects completed exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer at baseline and after 3 and 6 weeks of supplement consumption to measure changes in maximal aerobic power (VO2MAX), lactate threshold, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), substrate utilization, and endurance exercise performance on a 20 km time trial course. The primary findings were that HT supplementation increased muscle oxidative enzyme activity suggesting increased oxidative capacity. HT also increased time trial performance at midpoint and endpoint and this corresponded with an improvement in lactate threshold and a lower RER for the LO HT treatment. Time trial performance was also improved at endpoint for PLA, however, unlike LO an HI HT, this was accompanied by a significant increase in rating of perceived exercise (RPE) and not associated with improvements in muscle oxidative capacity. Our results indicate that HT ranging from 50 to 150 mg/day for 6 weeks can improve muscle oxidative capacity and aerobic performance, and suggests that HT may be used chronically to improve mitochondrial function. HT may be used as an effective means to increase mitochondria to improve exercise performance, and limit diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and some cancers.Kinesiology and Health Educatio

WhatsApp Peer Groups to Support Youth Living with HIV: Motivations and Functions

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2020Young people age 10-24 are disproportionately affected by HIV. Social support has been identified as a factor that can improve HIV outcomes. Access to mobile devices is high worldwide making mobile health (mHealth) interventions a feasible way to provide social support to youth living with HIV (YLWH). This study aims to characterize the unmet needs of YLWH based on the perspectives of youth living with HIV, their caregivers, and healthcare workers (HCWs); to determine the perceived benefits of a WhatsApp group and how it meets the previously identified unmet needs; to observe the content of organically initiated WhatsApp support groups with the goal of comparing content in the groups to what youth, caregivers and HCWs reported. The primary needs of YLWH were related to companionship and emotional support. Youth reported that their current support systems primarily address informational and instrumental support. Participants most frequently identified that WhatsApp groups have the potential to offer companionship support to YLWH. Analysis of WhatsApp group messages are consistent with our findings from interviews, in that the primary type of support given in both groups was companionship support. In summary, WhatsApp groups for YLWH appear to be a way to fill the unmet need of companionship support that YLWH experience

Feasibility and impact of sit-stand workstations with and without exercise in office workers at risk of low back pain: a pilot comparative effectiveness trial

The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility and impact of sit-stand workstations plus advice, with or without exercise, on back pain and sitting time in office workers at risk of low back pain (LBP). Eligible participants (n = 29/169; 17% overall) were randomized to receive a sit-stand workstation and advice with (n = 16) or without (n = 13) progressive resistance exercise training for 4-weeks. Feasibility (recruitment, acceptability, adherence) and impact (LBP severity during a standardized standing task, workplace-sitting time) were assessed. Intervention acceptability (87.5% very satisfied) was good and adherence (60% completed all 12 exercise sessions) was satisfactory. Maximum LBP severity (mean difference of −1.3 (−2.0, −0.6) and workplace sitting time (82.7–99.3 min/8-hr workday reduction) were similarly reduced in both groups. The introduction of a sit-stand workstation with advice was feasible and achieved similar outcomes for LBP and workplace sitting time when administered with or without exercise

A Social Media Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Prevent Depression in Perinatal Youth: Stakeholder Interviews and Intervention Design

BackgroundAdolescents and young adults aged <25 years (youth) are at a higher risk of perinatal depression than older adults, and they experience elevated barriers to in-person care. Digital platforms such as social media offer an accessible avenue to deliver group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to perinatal youth. ObjectiveWe aim to develop the Interactive Maternal Group for Information and Emotional Support (IMAGINE) intervention, a facilitated social media group CBT intervention to prevent perinatal depression in youth in the United States, by adapting the Mothers and Babies (MB) course, an evidence-based in-person group CBT intervention. In this study, we report perspectives of youth and health care providers on perinatal youths’ mental health needs and document how they informed IMAGINE design. MethodsWe conducted 21 semistructured in-depth individual interviews with 10 pregnant or postpartum youths aged 14-24 years and 6 health care workers. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive and inductive approaches to characterize perceptions of challenges and facilitators of youth perinatal mental health. Using a human-centered design approach, stakeholder perspectives were incorporated into the IMAGINE design. We classified MB adaptations to develop IMAGINE according to the Framework for Modification and Adaptation, reporting the nature, timing, reason, and goal of the adaptations. ResultsYouth and health care workers described stigma associated with young pregnancy and parenting, social isolation, and lack of material resources as significant challenges to youth mental wellness. They identified nonjudgmental support, peer companionship, and access to step-by-step guidance as facilitators of youth mental wellness. They endorsed the use of a social media group to prevent perinatal depression and recommended that IMAGINE facilitate peer support, deliver content asynchronously to accommodate varied schedules, use a confidential platform, and facilitate the discussion of topics beyond the MB curriculum, such as navigating support resources or asking medical questions. IMAGINE was adapted from MB to accommodate stakeholder recommendations and facilitate the transition to web-based delivery. Content was tailored to be multimodal (text, images, and video), and the language was shortened and simplified. All content was designed for asynchronous engagement, and redundancy was added to accommodate intermittent access. The structure was loosened to allow the intervention facilitator to respond in real time to topics of interest for youth. A social media platform was selected that allows multiple conversation channels and conceals group member identity. All adaptations sought to preserve the fidelity of the MB core components. ConclusionsOur findings highlight the effect of stigmatization of young pregnancy and social determinants of health on youth perinatal mental health. Stakeholders supported the use of a social media group to create a supportive community and improve access to evidence-based depression prevention. This study demonstrates how a validated intervention can be tailored to this unique group

Responding to a surge in overdose deaths: perspectives from US syringe services programs

Abstract Background US overdose deaths have reached a record high. Syringe services programs (SSPs) play a critical role in addressing this crisis by providing multiple services to people who use drugs (PWUD) that help prevent overdose death. This study examined the perspectives of leadership and staff from a geographically diverse sample of US SSPs on factors contributing to the overdose surge, their organization’s response, and ongoing barriers to preventing overdose death. Methods From 2/11/2021 to 4/23/2021, we conducted semi-structured interviews with leadership and staff from 27 SSPs sampled from the North American Syringe Exchange Network directory. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using a Rapid Assessment Process. Results Respondents reported that increased intentional and unintentional fentanyl use (both alone and combined with other substances) was a major driver of the overdose surge. They also described how the COVID-19 pandemic increased solitary drug use and led to abrupt increases in use due to life disruptions and worsened mental health among PWUD. In response to this surge, SSPs have increased naloxone distribution, including providing more doses per person and expanding distribution to people using non-opioid drugs. They are also adapting overdose prevention education to increase awareness of fentanyl risks, including for people using non-opioid drugs. Some are distributing fentanyl test strips, though a few respondents expressed doubts about strips’ effectiveness in reducing overdose harms. Some SSPs are expanding education and naloxone training/distribution in the broader community, beyond PWUD and their friends/family. Respondents described several ongoing barriers to preventing overdose death, including not reaching certain groups at risk of overdose (PWUD who do not inject, PWUD experiencing homelessness, and PWUD of color), an inconsistent naloxone supply and lack of access to intranasal naloxone in particular, inadequate funding, underestimates of overdoses, legal/policy barriers, and community stigma. Conclusions SSPs remain essential in preventing overdose deaths amid record numbers likely driven by increased fentanyl use and COVID-19-related impacts. These findings can inform efforts to support SSPs in this work. In the face of ongoing barriers, support for SSPs—including increased resources, political support, and community partnership—is urgently needed to address the worsening overdose crisis

Combining Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Established and Emerging Targets and Strategies to Improve Outcomes in Melanoma

The immune system employs several checkpoint pathways to regulate responses, maintain homeostasis and prevent self-reactivity and autoimmunity. Tumor cells can hijack these protective mechanisms to enable immune escape, cancer survival and proliferation. Blocking antibodies, designed to interfere with checkpoint molecules CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 and counteract these immune suppressive mechanisms, have shown significant success in promoting immune responses against cancer and can result in tumor regression in many patients. While inhibitors to CTLA-4 and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis are well-established for the clinical management of melanoma, many patients do not respond or develop resistance to these interventions. Concerted efforts have focused on combinations of approved therapies aiming to further augment positive outcomes and survival. While CTLA-4 and PD-1 are the most-extensively researched targets, results from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials indicate that novel agents, specific for checkpoints such as A2AR, LAG-3, IDO and others, may further contribute to the improvement of patient outcomes, most likely in combinations with anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 blockade. This review discusses the rationale for, and results to date of, the development of inhibitory immune checkpoint blockade combination therapies in melanoma. The clinical potential of new pipeline therapeutics, and possible future therapy design and directions that hold promise to significantly improve clinical prognosis compared with monotherapy, are discussed