An exercise intervention for women undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer : feasibility and preliminary outcomes

Exercise interventions during adjuvant cancer treatment have been shown to increase functional capacity, relieve fatigue and distress and in one recent study, assist chemotherapy completion. These studies have been limited to breast, prostate or mixed cancer groups and it is not yet known if a similar intervention is even feasible among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Women undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer commonly have extensive pelvic surgery followed by high intensity chemotherapy. It is hypothesized that women with ovarian cancer may benefit most from a customised exercise intervention during chemotherapy treatment. This could reduce the number and severity of chemotherapy-related side-effects and optimize treatment adherence. Hence, the aim of the research was to assess feasibility and acceptability of a walking intervention in women with ovarian cancer whilst undergoing chemotherapy, as well as pre-post intervention changes in a range of physical and psychological outcomes. Newly diagnosed women with ovarian cancer were recruited from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), to participate in a walking program throughout chemotherapy. The study used a one group pre- post-intervention test design. Baseline (conducted following surgery but prior to the first or second chemotherapy cycles) and follow-up (conducted three weeks after the last chemotherapy dose was received) assessments were performed. To accommodate changes in side-effects associated with treatment, specific weekly walking targets with respect to frequency, intensity and duration, were individualised for each participant. To assess feasibility, adherence and compliance with prescribed walking sessions, withdrawals and adverse events were recorded. Physical and psychological outcomes assessed included functional capacity, body composition, anxiety and depression, symptoms experienced during treatment and quality of life. Chemotherapy completion data was also documented and self-reported program helpfulness was assessed using a questionnaire post intervention. Forty-two women were invited to participate. Nine women were recruited, all of whom completed the program. There were no adverse events associated with participating in the intervention and all women reported that the walking program was helpful during their neo-adjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Adherence and compliance to the walking prescription was high. On average, women achieved at least two of their three individual weekly prescription targets 83% of the time (range 42% to 94%). Positive changes were found in functional capacity and quality of life, in addition to reductions in the number and intensity of treatment-associated symptoms over the course of the intervention period. Functional capacity increased for all nine women from baseline to follow-up assessment, with improvements ranging from 10% to 51%. Quality of life improvements were also noted, especially in the physical well-being scale (baseline: median 18; follow-up: median 23). Treatment symptoms reduced in presence and severity, specifically, in constipation, pain and fatigue, post intervention. These positive yet preliminary results suggest that a walking intervention for women receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is safe, feasible and acceptable. Importantly, women perceived the program to be helpful and rewarding, despite being conducted during a time typically associated with elevated distress and treatment symptoms that are often severe enough to alter or cease chemotherapy prescription

Monitoring Greater Sage Grouse Populations and Habitat Use in the Southeast Montana Sage-Grouse Core Area

Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) core areas support Montana’s highest densities of sage grouse, and are deemed vitally important to sage grouse conservation long term. The Southeast Montana Sage Grouse Core Area (SEMT SGCA) consists of large expanses of intact sagebrush-steppe habitat and is important for connectivity among populations in Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. Relatively little development has occurred in the area, but there is potential for energy development to have large-scale impacts on the area in the near future. Little was known about sage-grouse use of the area during critical periods outside of the breeding season or factors underlying local sage-grouse population dynamics. Therefore, we radio collared 94 sage grouse hens between 2009-2011 to quantify movements, habitat use, and population vital rates. Overall, hen locations tended to be within the SEMT SGCA during spring-summer and expanded to adjacent areas of Wyoming and South Dakota during winter. Wide annual fluctuations in weather conditions drove annual variation in population demographic rates, habitat conditions, and habitat use. Apparent nest success (34-68%) and average chick production per hen that began the breeding season (0.72-1.12 chicks/hen) varied among years with extreme to mild weather. Annual hen survival varied from a low of 46 percent under extreme winter conditions to > 60 percent under milder weather. Vegetation characteristics at nest, brood-rearing, and winter locations will be presented. Results from this project will aid in land use planning, prioritization of conservation efforts, and provide information to assess the effects of future land use change. The project is conducted by MFWP and funded by the BLM

Filling the gaps in physician communication. The role of the Internet among primary care patients

BACKGROUND: Millions of people use the Internet as a source for health information yet little is understood about how the use of the Internet for health information is related to the doctor-patient relationship. OBJECTIVE: We conducted the present study to understand the association between one’s interest in using the Internet for general and quality-oriented health information and attitudes about one’s communications with health care provider(s). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Four community-based primary care practices in Rhode Island. MEASUREMENTS: A single self-administered survey included items to measure: interest in using the Internet to look for general and quality-oriented information and a patient’s perceptions of the degree to which their doctors over the previous year have: 1) given them information and 2) engaged them in the decision-making process. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients completed the survey. Among patients without Internet access, interest in using the Internet for health related activities was less among patients who felt that their doctor gave less information: Odds ratio 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.98) and greater among patients who felt that their doctor engaged them more in decision making: Odds ratio 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1-1.6). Among patients with Internet access, we found no relationship between interest in using the Internet for health related activities and measures of patient-physician communication or patient-physician decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Interest in using the Internet for health information is greater for those who 1) felt their doctors provided less information and 2) felt their doctors engaged them more in the decision-making process, but this is true only for those without access to the Internet

Rio high for Johnathan: shooter qualifies for olympics after bagging 1Om air pistol gold

Background and objective Previous research suggests that measures of cognitive process may be confounded by the inclusion of items that also assess cognitive content. The primary aims of this content review were to: (1) identify the domains of cognitive processes assessed by measures used in pain research; and (2) determine if pain‐specific cognitive process measures with adequate psychometric properties exist. Databases and data treatment PsychInfo, CINAHL, PsycArticles, MEDLINE, and Academic Search Complete databases were searched to identify the measures of cognitive process used in pain research. Identified measures were double coded and the measure's items were rated as: (1) cognitive content; (2) cognitive process; (3) behavioural/social; and/or (4) emotional coping/responses to pain. Results A total of 319 scales were identified; of these, 29 were coded as providing an un‐confounded assessment of cognitive process, and 12 were pain‐specific. The cognitive process domains assessed in these measures are Absorption, Dissociation, Reappraisal, Distraction/Suppression, Acceptance, Rumination, Non‐Judgment, and Enhancement. Pain‐specific, un‐confounded measures were identified for: Dissociation, Reappraisal, Distraction/Suppression, and Acceptance. Psychometric properties of all 319 scales are reported in supplementary material. Conclusions To understand the importance of cognitive processes in influencing pain outcomes as well as explaining the efficacy of pain treatments, valid and pain‐specific cognitive process measures that are not confounded with non‐process domains (e.g., cognitive content) are needed. The findings of this content review suggest that future research focused on developing cognitive process measures is critical in order to advance our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie effective pain treatment. Significance Many cognitive process measures used in pain research contain a ‘mix’ of items that assess cognitive process, cognitive content, and behavioural/emotional responses. Databases searched: PsychInfo, CINAHL, PsycArticles, MEDLINE and Academic Search Complete. This review describes the domains assessed by measures assessing cognitive processes in pain research, as well as the strengths and limitations of these measures

Seroprevalence of Kaposi Sarcoma–associated Herpesvirus and Other Serologic Markers in the Brazilian Amazon

To determine the presence of Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other serologic markers, we tested serum specimens of 339 Amerindians, 181 rural non-Amerindians, and 1,133 urban blood donors (13 Amerindians) in the Brazilian Amazon. High KSHV seroprevalence in children and inverse association with herpes simplex virus type 2 indicates predominant nonsexual transmission among Amerindians

Data Management Strategy to Improve Global Use of Ocean Acidification Data and Information

International audienceOcean acidification (OA) refers to the general decrease in pH of the global ocean as a result of absorbing anthropogenic CO2 emitted in the atmosphere since preindustrial times (Sabine et al., 2004). There is, however, considerable variability in ocean acidification, and many careful measurements need to be made and compared in order to obtain scientifically valid information for the assessment of patterns, trends, and impacts over a range of spatial and temporal scales, and to understand the processes involved. A single country or institution cannot undertake measurements of worldwide coastal and open ocean OA changes; therefore, international cooperation is needed to achieve that goal. The OA data that have been, and are being, collected represent a significant public investment. To this end, it is critically important that researchers (and others) around the world are easily able to find and use reliable OA information that range from observing data (from time-series moorings, process studies, and research cruises), to biological response experiments (e.g., mesocosm), data products, and model output. [...

Maize genetic variability and modifications on the experimental plan

Resultados experimentais seguros exigem um plano experimental apropriado, obtido através da utilização de adequado tamanho e forma de parcelas, número de repetições e de amostras. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes bases genéticas de milho, híbrido simples (DAS 9560), duplo (AG 6018), triplo (AG 303) e variedade cultivada (Pampa), sobre a estimativa do tamanho de parcela experimental e do número de repetições. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e amostragem nas parcelas. As parcelas experimentais foram constituídas por oito fileiras com 12 metros de comprimento, formando 96 unidades básicas. O tamanho de parcela e o número de repetições foram estimados por meio dos métodos de Lessman & Atkins e de Hatheway. O tamanho ótimo de parcela variou entre 4,5 m2 (híbrido simples) e 7,2 m2 (híbrido duplo). A heterogeneidade do solo e a variabilidade genética influenciam no tamanho ótimo de parcela e número de repetições necessárias.An adequate experimental plan is necessary to get high quality data. Experimental plan ensures correct plot size and shape as well as adequate number of replications and samples. The objective of this work was to verify if maize genetic variability could interfere in the size of experimental plots and number of replications. Single (DAS 9560), double (AG 6018) and triple (AG 303) crosses and the open pollinated variety (Pampa) were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plot samples comprised experimental plots with eight rows of 12 m with 96 basic units. Lessman & Atkins and Hatheway methods were used to estimate optimum plot size and replication number. The best plot size varied from 4.5 m2 (simple hybrid) to 7.2 m2 (double hybrid). Soil heterogeneity and genetic variability change plot size and number of replications requested

Response To The Pandemic: Housing For Health In The Va Tent Community

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an innovative approach to providing integrated primary care services was initiated in the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (Figure 1). The Care, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services, a unique street medicine program, was placed within an encampment that is supported by the West Los Angeles VA health care services including onsite provision of 24/7 security, stability of tent sites, 3 meals a day, unlimited water, hygiene stations, face masks, showers and housing placement services.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/170780/1/AFM-348-21_PP.pdfDescription of AFM-348-21_PP.pdf : Main ArticleSEL

Ciliary tip actin dynamics regulate photoreceptor outer segment integrity

As signalling organelles, cilia regulate their G protein-coupled receptor content by ectocytosis, a process requiring localised actin dynamics to alter membrane shape. Photoreceptor outer segments comprise an expanse of folded membranes (discs) at the tip of highly-specialised connecting cilia, into which photosensitive GPCRs are concentrated. Discs are shed and remade daily. Defects in this process, due to mutations, cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Whilst fundamental for vision, the mechanism of photoreceptor disc generation is poorly understood. Here, we show membrane deformation required for disc genesis is driven by dynamic actin changes in a process akin to ectocytosis. We show RPGR, a leading RP gene, regulates actin-binding protein activity central to this process. Actin dynamics, required for disc formation, are perturbed in Rpgr mouse models, leading to aborted membrane shedding as ectosome-like vesicles, photoreceptor death and visual loss. Actin manipulation partially rescues this, suggesting the pathway could be targeted therapeutically. These findings help define how actin-mediated dynamics control outer segment turnover

Interleukin-17A expression in patients presenting with nasal polyposis

Sinonasal polyposis (SNP) is a chronic inflammatory pathology of the nasal/paranasal cavities which affects from 1%-4% of the population. Although polyps seem to be a manifestation of chronic inflammation of nasal/paranasal sinus mucosa in both allergic and non-allergic subjects, the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis remains unknown. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a key inflammatory cytokine in many disorders. Little attention has been paid to the role of IL-17A in chronic inflammatory disorders.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of IL-17A in the SNP and verify if this expression is a marker of good or bad prognosis.METHOD:Prospective study with 25 patients presenting with SNP were subjected to the immunohistochemistry technique. After a skin prick test, all patients were divided into atopic and nonatopic groups, and asthmatic or non-asthmatic.RESULTS:The IL-17A expression was observed in both atopic and nonatopic patients. The numbers of IL-17A positive cells were greater in nasal polyps of atopic patients than nonatopic (p = 0.0128).CONCLUSION:These results indicate that IL-17A may play an important role in the pathology of SNP. Considering the inflammatory properties of IL-17A, this study suggests that it could increase susceptibility to atopy and asthma.Polipose nasossinusal (PNS) é uma afecção inflamatória crônica das cavidades nasais/paranasais que afeta 1%-4% da população. Pólipos parecem ser uma manifestação inflamatória crônica da mucosa do seio nasal/paranasal em indivíduos alérgicos e não alérgicos; porém, a patogênese da PNS permanece desconhecida. A interleucina-17A (IL-17A) é uma citocina chave em muitas doenças inflamatórias. Pouca atenção tem sido dada ao papel da IL-17A em distúrbios inflamatórios crônicos.OBJETIVO:Investigar a expressão da IL-17A na PNS e verificar se ela é um marcador de bom ou mau prognóstico.MÉTODO:Estudo prospectivo de 25 pacientes com PNS foram submetidas à técnica de imuno-histoquímica. Após realizarem teste cutâneo, todos os pacientes foram divididos em grupos atópicos e não atópicos e classificados em asmáticos ou não asmáticos.RESULTADOS:A expressão de IL-17A foi observada nos pacientes atópicos e não atópicos; porém, o número de células positivas com IL-17A foi maior nos pólipos nasais de pacientes atópicos que nos não atópicos (p = 0,0128).CONCLUSÃO:Os resultados indicam que a IL-17A pode desempenhar papel importante na patologia da PNS. Considerando as propriedades inflamatórias da IL-17A, este estudo sugere que a IL-17A pode aumentar a susceptibilidade a atopia e asma.Universidade Federal de GoiasUniversidade Estadual de GoiasPontificia Universidade Catolica de GoiasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL