Beyond mean-field description of the low-lying spectrum of 16O

Starting from constrained Skyrme-mean-field calculations, the low-energy excitation spectrum of 16O is calculated by configuration mixing of particle-number and angular-momentum projected mean-field states in the framework of the Generator Coordinate Method. Without any adjustable parameters, this approach gives a very good description of those states and their transition moments that can be described with our restriction to axially and reflection-symmetric shapes. The structure of low-lying 0+ states is analyzed in terms of self-consistent 0p-0h, 2p-2h, and 4p-4h Hartree-Fock states.Comment: 15 pages LATEX, 6 figures, 3 tables, revision of sections 4 and

The effect of an aerobic exercise bout 24 h prior to each doxorubicin treatment for breast cancer on markers of cardiotoxicity and treatment symptoms: A RCT

Purpose: In rodents, a single exercise bout performed 24 h prior to a single doxorubicin treatment provides cardio-protection. This study investigated whether performing this intervention prior to every doxorubicin treatment for breast cancer reduced subclinical cardiotoxicity and treatment symptoms. Methods: Twenty-four women with early stage breast cancer were randomly assigned to perform a 30-min, vigorous-intensity treadmill bout 24 h prior to each of four doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy treatments or to usual care. Established echocardiographic and circulating biomarkers of subclinical cardiotoxicity, as well as blood pressure and body weight were measured before the first and 7–14 days after the last treatment. The Rotterdam symptom checklist was used to assess patient-reported symptoms. Results: The exercise and usual care groups did not differ in the doxorubicin-related change in longitudinal strain, twist, or cardiac troponin. However, the four total exercise bouts prevented changes in hemodynamics (increased cardiac output, resting heart rate, decreased systemic vascular resistance, p < 0.01) and reduced body weight gain, prevalence of depressed mood, sore muscles, and low back pain after the last treatment (p < 0.05) relative to the usual care group. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions: An exercise bout performed 24 h prior to every doxorubicin treatment did not have an effect on markers of subclinical cardiotoxicity, but had a positive systemic effect on hemodynamics, musculoskeletal symptoms, mood, and body weight in women with breast cancer. A single exercise bout prior to chemotherapy treatments may be a simple clinical modality to reduce symptoms and weight gain among women with breast cancer