The insulin-like growth factor system is modulated by exercise in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abbreviations: CI, Confidence interval; ELISA, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IGF, Insulin-like growth factors; IGFBP, Insulin-like growth factor binding protein; MD, Mean difference; PEDro, Physiotherapy evidence database; RCT, Randomized controlled trials; SD, Standard deviation.Background: Insulin-like growth factors (IGF´s) play a crucial role in controlling cancer cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Exercise has been postulated as an effective intervention in improving cancerrelated outcomes and survival, although its effects on IGF´s are not well understood. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of exercise in modulating IGF´s system in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Databases of PuMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials. gov, SPORTDiscus, LILACS and Scopus were systematically searched up to November 2014. Effect estimates were calculated through a random-effects model of meta-analysis according to the DerSimonian and Laird method. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 test. Risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the PEDro score. Results: Five randomized controlled trials (n = 235) were included. Most women were post-menopausal. Highquality and low risk of bias were found (mean PEDro score = 6.2 ± 1). Exercise resulted in significant improvements on IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-I, IGFBP-3, Insulin and Insulin resistance (P < 0.05). Non-significant differences were found for Glucose. Aerobic exercise improved IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and Insulin. No evidence of publication bias was detected by Egger´s test (p = 0.12). Conclusions: Exercise improved IGF´s in breast cancer survivors. These findings provide novel insight regarding the molecular effects of exercise on tumoral microenvironment, apoptosis and survival in breast cancer survivors

Changes in physical activity during the retirement transition: a series of novel n-of-1 natural experiments.

BACKGROUND: Existing evidence about the impact of retirement on physical activity (PA) has primarily focused on the average change in PA level after retirement in group-based studies. It is unclear whether findings regarding the direction of PA change after retirement from group-based studies apply to individuals. This study aimed to explore changes in PA, PA determinants and their inter-relationships during the retirement transition at the individual level. METHODS: A series of n-of-1 natural experiments were conducted with seven individuals who were aged 55-76 years and approaching retirement. PA was measured by tri-axial accelerometry. Twice-daily self-report and ecological momentary assessments of evidence- and theory-based determinants of PA (e.g. sleep length/quality, happiness, tiredness, stress, time pressure, pain, intention, perceived behavioural control, priority, goal conflict and goal facilitation) were collected via a questionnaire for a period of between 3 and 7 months, which included time before and after the participant's retirement date. A personalised PA determinant was also identified by each participant and measured daily for the duration of the study. Dynamic regression models for discrete time binary data were used to analyse data for each individual participant. RESULTS: Two participants showed a statistically significant increase in the probability of engaging in PA bouts after retirement and two participants showed a significant time trend for a decrease and increase in PA bouts over time during the pre- to post-retirement period, respectively. There was no statistically significant change in PA after retirement for the remaining participants. Most of the daily questionnaire variables were significantly associated with PA for one or more participants but there were no consistent pattern of PA predictors across participants. For some participants, the relationship between questionnaire variables and PA changed from pre- to post-retirement. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study demonstrate the impact of retirement on individual PA trajectories. Using n-of-1 methods can provide information about unique patterns and determinants of individual behaviour over time, which has been obscured in previous research. N-of-1 methods can be used as a tool to inform personalised PA interventions for individuals within the retirement transition

Validation of a dried blood spot ceftriaxone assay in Papua New Guinean children with severe bacterial infections

© 2018 American Society for Microbiology. Dried blood spot (DBS) antibiotic assays can facilitate pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in situations where venous blood sampling is logistically and/or ethically challenging. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the validity of a DBS ceftriaxone assay in a PK study of children with severe illness from Papua New Guinea (PNG), a setting in which health care resources are limited and anemia is common. Using a previously validated liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay, serial plasma and DBS ceftriaxone concentrations were measured in PNG children aged 5 to 10 years with acute bacterial meningitis or severe pneumonia. The concentration-time data were incorporated into population PK models. Ten children were recruited with an admission hematocrit of 0.22 to 0.52. Raw data demonstrated good correlation between plasma and DBS concentrations (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient [rs] =0.94 [95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 0.97], P &lt; 0.0001). A marked systematic hematocrit bias was observed, with lower hematocrits resulting in underestimation of DBS-predicted plasma concentration. After adjustment for red cell partitioning and hematocrit bias, a population PK model comparing plasma and DBS-predicted plasma concentrations did not differ in terms of key PK parameters, including clearance, volume of distribution, and residual variability. The performance of the ceftriaxone DBS assay is robust and provides reassurance that this platform can be used as a surrogate for plasma concentrations to provide valid PK and PK/pharmacodynamic studies of severely unwell children hospitalized in a resource-limited setting. It highlights the importance of hematocrit bias in validation studies of DBS assays

Oral health of female prisoners in HMP Holloway: implications for oral health promotion in UK prisons

Objectives This study describes the oral health status and associated risk factors in a sample of female prisoners and compares their oral health to that of the female population from the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey. Method A random sample of prisoners was selected from HMP Holloway, London. Structured interviews were carried out to collect information on oral health behaviours and oral health related quality of life. Clinical examinations using the Adult Dental Health Survey criteria assessed the oral health needs of prisoners. Results The mean age of female prisoners (n = 103) was 30.9 ± 9.6 years. The prevalence of oral diseases was high. Seventy-five percent had decayed or unsound teeth. The mean DMFT was 12.3 ± 7.5. Compared to the general female population, prisoners had more decayed and fewer filled teeth. Sixty-six percent had periodontal pockets of 4 mm or more. A large proportion (73%) reported at least one oral impact on daily performances. Prisoners were more likely than the general female population to engage in oral health damaging behaviours such as high sugar intake and smoking. Conclusion This survey has demonstrated the poor state of oral health and identified considerable levels of unmet dental treatment needs in HMP Holloway. Urgent action is required to address this major public health problem