Use of a Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in patients with thoracic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cachexia-anorexia syndrome impacts on patients' physical independence and quality of life. New treatments are required and need to be evaluated using acceptable and reliable outcome measures, e.g. the assessment of muscle function. The aims of this study were to: (i) examine the acceptability and reliability of the Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in people with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma; (ii) compare muscle function in this group with healthy volunteers and; (iii) explore changes in muscle function over one month.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The test consisted of 25 repetitions of isokinetic knee flexion and extension at maximal effort while seated on a Cybex NORM dynamometer. Strength and endurance for the quadriceps and hamstrings were assessed as peak torque and total work and an endurance ratio respectively. Thirteen patients and 26 volunteers completed the test on three separate visits. Acceptability was assessed by questionnaire, reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and tests of difference compared outcomes between and within groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All subjects found the test acceptable. Peak torque and work done were reliable measures (ICC >0.80), but the endurance ratio was not. Muscle function did not differ significantly between the patient and a matched volunteer group or in either group when repeated after one month.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For patients with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma, the Cybex NORM dynamometer provides an acceptable and reliable method of assessing muscle strength and work done. Muscle function appears to be relatively well preserved in this group and it appears feasible to explore interventions which aim to maintain or even improve this.</p

Medroxyprogesterone acetate inhibits interleukin 6 secretion from KPL-4 human breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo: a possible mechanism of the anticachectic effect

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine. Recent reports suggest that circulating IL-6 secreted from tumour cells plays an important role in cancer-induced cachexia. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) has been used as an endocrine therapeutic agent for patients with breast cancer. It has been suggested that MPA decreases serum IL-6 levels and preserves the bodyweight of patients with advanced breast cancer. However, the mechanisms of action responsible for the anticachectic effect of MPA have not been elucidated. Therefore, the effects of MPA on IL-6 secretion were studied both in vitro and in vivo using a human breast cancer cell line, KPL-4, which secretes IL-6 into medium and induces cachexia when injected into female nude mice. MPA (10–1000 nM) dose-dependently decreased basal IL-6 secretion into medium, and also suppressed tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α)-induced IL-6 secretion. Both basal and TNF-α-induced IL-6 mRNA levels were dose-dependently lowered by MPA. Moreover, intramuscular injections of MPA (100 mg kg−1 twice a week) into nude mice bearing KPL-4 transplanted tumours significantly decreased serum IL-6 levels without affecting tumour growth and preserved the bodyweight of recipient mice. These findings suggest that suppression of IL-6 secretion from tumour cells, at least in part, causes the anticachectic effect of MPA. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Mice lacking the Cβ subunit of PKA are resistant to angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>PKA is a ubiquitous, multi-subunit cellular kinase that regulates a number of different physiological responses in response to cAMP, including metabolism, cell division, and cardiac function. Numerous studies have implicated altered PKA signaling in cardiac dysfunction. Recently, it has been shown that mice lacking the catalytic β subunit of PKA (PKA Cβ) are protected from age-related problems such as weight gain and enlarged livers, and we hypothesized that these mice might also be resistant to cardiomyopathy.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Angiotensin II (ang II) induced hypertension in both PKA Cβ null mice and their WT littermates. However, PKA Cβ null mice were resistant to a number of ang II-induced, cardiopathological effects observed in the WT mice, including hypertrophy, decreased diastolic performance, and enlarged left atria.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Cβ subunit of PKA plays an important role in angiotensin-induced cardiac dysfunction. The Cβ null mouse highlights the potential of the PKA Cβ subunit as a pharmaceutical target for hypertrophic cardiac disease.</p

Insecticide selectivity for Doru lineare (Dermaptera: Forficulidae).

ABSTRACT - This study aimed at assessing selectivity of insecticides to adults of Doru lineare. The tests were performed under controlled environmental conditions. Insecticides tested (g a.i. ha-1) were: flubendiamide (72); chlorantraniliprole (30); chlorantraniliprole (15) + lambda-cyhalothrin (7.5); lambda-cyhalothrin (7.5); chlorpyriphos (480); and control (distilled water). Treatments were sprayed over arenas made up with glass plates (area 169 cm2), imprisoning the insect with PVC rings. The top of the rings was protected with a fine fabric (tulle) where adult insects were sprayed with insecticides using a Potter Tower. Insect survival was assessed at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after exposing adults to the treatments. Flubendiamide and chlorantraniliprole were classified as harmless (class 1) to D. lineare and therefore apropriated to be used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs since they can be sprayed preserving natural biological control. Chlorpyriphos, lambda-cyhalothrin and the mixture of chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin were harmful (class 4), moderately harmful (class 3), and slightly harmful (class 2), respectively. Non-selective products should also be tested in semi-field and field conditions to evaluate its persistence. Whenever possible, noxious and persistent insecticides should be replaced for more selective ones. RESUMO - Este trabalho avaliou a seletividade de inseticidas a adultos de Doru lineare. Os testes foram conduzidos em condições controladas. Os inseticidas testados (g i.a. ha-1) foram: flubendiamida (72); clorantraniliprole (30); clorantraniliprole (15) + lambda-cialotrina (7,5); lambda-cialotrina (7,5); clorpirifós (480); e controle (água destilada). Os tratamentos foram aplicados em arenas compostas de placas de vidro (área 169 cm2 ), aprisionando o inseto com anéis de PVC. A extremidade superior do anel foi protegida com tecido fino (tule), onde os adultos receberam aplicação tópica dos inseticidas através de Torre de Potter. A sobrevivência dos insetos foi avaliada 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas após a exposição dos adultos aos tratamentos. Flubendiamida e clorantraniliprole foram classificados como inócuo (classe 1) a D. lineare e, portanto, são apropriados para uso em programas de Manejo Integrado de Pragas (MIP) porque podem ser aplicados preservando o controle biológico natural. Clorpirifós, lambda-cialotrina e clorantraniprole + lambdacialotrina foram nocivo (classe 4), moderadamente nocivo (classe 3) e levemente nociva (classe 2), respectivamente. Produtos não seletivos precisam ser também testados em semi-campo e campo para avaliar a persistência. Inseticidas nocivos e persistentes devem, sempre que possível, ser substituídos por outros mais seletivos.201