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Background: Postmenopausal women frequently encounter a range of symptoms, including fatigue, diminished physical strength, reduced energy levels, vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, and vaginal atrophy, all of which adversely affect their overall quality of life. Engaging in physical activity and structured exercise may effectively alleviate these symptoms and enhance overall well-being. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and quality of life in postmenopausal Greek women. Methods: This cross-sectional clinical study included 219 postmenopausal women. Women with natural menopause for at least 12 consecutive months were enrolled in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. The female participants were asked to fill out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, and waist circumference measurements. Results: A total of 219 postmenopausal women with an age of 61.4 ± 6.1 years and body mass index (BMI) of 25.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2 were studied. Out of the total postmenopausal women studied, 64.8% were physically active. The mean value of MET-min/week was M = 1383.46 ± 1030.12. Physical activity among postmenopausal Greek women showed a strong correlation of PA with quality of life (r = 0.5; p ≤ 0.001) and age (r = 0.55; p ≤ 0.001) and a medium correlation with the HADS (r = 0.4; p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: There was a 64.8% prevalence of physically active postmenopausal Greek women. The findings underscore the significance of fostering physical activity and quality of life among postmenopausal women to formulate efficacious therapeutic interventions. The results demonstrate a correlation between physical activity and the age of female participants, quality of life, and the HADS and can be used to improve postmenopausal women's physical activity levels, which is recommended as a strategy for improving the quality of life in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the feasibility of an exercise-diet intervention in sedentary, overweight breast cancer patients, we conducted a pilot 8-week intervention. Recruitment letters and interest surveys were sent to 99 stage 1 or 2 breast cancer patients, ages 25-75 years, who were identified through two Seattle breast surgery practices and the University of Washington Breast Clinic. Ten patients were eligible and interested and were enrolled in the intervention, which consisted of thrice-weekly monitored aerobic exercise sessions and a low-fat (20% of calories from fat) diet. Nine patients completed the program; all adhered well to the intervention and data collection protocol. The patients, ages 40-74 years, lost, on average, 2.6 pounds of body weight, 3.4 cm in waist circumference, 4.6 cm in hip circumference, 2.3% body fat, 3.3 systolic blood pressure points, 0.67 diastolic blood pressure points, and 4.0 pulse beats/min, and they gained an average of 2.3% lean mass. Slight, nonsignificant decreases were observed in serum concentration of total and free estradiol, estrone sulfate, total testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone. These pilot data indicate that breast cancer patients are highly motivated to join and adhere to an intense exercise-diet intervention and can experience significant measurable changes in anthropometric and fat mass measures.

Third-generation Al–Li alloys are high-performance materials that are very attractive for aircraft and aerospace applications due to their relatively low density, high specific strength, and stiffness. To study the effect of heat treatments on the electrochemical behavior of two high-performance aluminum-lithium alloys, in this work the electrochemical noise technique was used to evaluate the corrosion behavior of AA2099 and AA2055 alloys under three conditions of different heat treatments, an annealing treatment (T0), a second treatment in solid solution, followed by rapid cooling (quenching) and subsequent artificial aging (T6), and a third treatment in solid solution, tempering, cold deformation, and maturation artificial (T8). The time series obtained from the electrochemical noise tests were visually analyzed, as well as the statistical parameters such as localization index (LI), bias, and kurtosis. Analysis in the frequency domain was also performed by means of power spectral density (PSD) signals. In general, it was observed that the distribution of precipitates on the surface of the alloys considerably affects the corrosion performance, as well as the concentration of Cl-1 ions in the test electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholecystostomy retains a place in the general surgical armamentarium. In this series of 115 patients undergoing cholecystostomy between 1967 and 1977, 68 percent had acute cholecystitis, whereas in the remaining patients biliary drainage was undertaken as part of another procedure. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6 percent for the group with acute cholecystitis and 37 percent for the other patients. Forty-five patients subsequently had elective cholecystectomy, 29 of these for radiographically documented retained calculi. Thirty-four patients without retained calculi remained asymptomatic for more than 1 year. On the basis of this experience and the literature cited, we recommend that subsequent to cholecystostomy, cholecystectomy be performed if the patient is in good general health and has a long life expectancy. Conversely,in the aged, ill patient without evidence of retained stones, cholecystostomy may be a lifesaving and curative procedure and the only one needed.

The isolation of pancreatic islets from collagenase-digested Wistar rat pancreas was shown by the sedimentation method at a unit gravity using Percoll solution with a density of 1.041 g/ml. The density of digested exocrine tissues was in the range of 1.013-1.041 g/ml, while that of purely isolated islets was in the narrow range of 1.066-1.075 g/ml. More than a hundred islets were obtained freely from each rat pancreas without any gross contamination of digested exocrine tissues. A significant increase was observed in glucose-stimulated insulin release from islet isolated with Percoll in the same pattern as that without Percoll. In addition to the well preserved morphology and function of pancreatic islets isolated by Percoll, the simplicity of the technique strongly commends the usefullness of this method.

Purpose: To explore positive changes in women's beliefs, emotions, and behaviors following their struggles with postpartum psychosis., Study Design and Methods: This is a descriptive qualitative study of women who experienced posttraumatic growth after postpartum psychosis. We recruited participants from postings on three Facebook groups. Participants sent their stories of posttraumatic growth after postpartum psychosis via email attachment. We used the following five domains from Tedeschi and Calhoun's (2004) posttraumatic growth model to guide our deductive content analysis: Relating to Others, Personal Strength, Appreciation of Life, New Possibilities, and Spiritual and Existential Change ., Results: Thirteen women participated. Relating to Others was the posttraumatic growth domain most often described by the participants followed in order of frequency by Personal Strength, Appreciation of Life, New Possibilities , and Spiritual and Existential Change . Partners and family members' support was instrumental in recovery from postpartum psychosis., Clinical Implications: When considering the total sample, participants experienced all five domains of posttraumatic growth after postpartum psychosis though not every individual experienced growth in all five domains. Interventions can be tailored to meet the needs of women depending on which phase of recovery from postpartum psychosis women are in, acute, early recovery, or advanced recovery. Advanced recovery is the most appropriate phase to discuss the possibility of posttraumatic growth with women. Such discussion should be done with caution and sensitivity as not all women experience positive growth, and it can be harmful to frame this in a way that indicates or encourages expectation., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Exercise has been shown to improve physical and psychological conditions during cancer therapy, but mechanisms remain poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to report the results of cancer-related biomarkers and metabolomics outcomes from the PASAPAS feasibility study. Methods: In the PASAPAS randomized controlled trial, 61 women beginning adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer were randomized in a 6-month program of weekly aerobic exercises associated with nutritional counseling versus usual care with nutritional counseling. In the present analysis of 58 women for whom blood samples were available, first, circulating levels of biomarkers (ie, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, estradiol, adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α) were measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Changes in biomarkers were compared between exercisers (n = 40) and controls (n = 18) using mixed-effect models. Second, serum metabolites were studied using an untargeted 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and orthogonal partial least squares analyses were performed to discriminate exercisers and controls at baseline and at 6 months. Results: Over the 6-month intervention, no statistically significant differences were observed between exercisers and controls regarding changes in biomarkers and metabolomic profiles. Conclusion: The present analysis of the PASAPAS feasibility trial did not reveal any improvement in circulating biomarkers nor identified metabolic signatures in exercisers versus controls during adjuvant breast cancer treatment. Larger studies preferably in women with poor physical activity level to avoid ceiling effect, testing different doses and types of exercise on additional biological pathways, could allow to clarify the mechanisms mediating beneficial effects of physical exercise during cancer treatment. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01331772. Registered 8 April 2011, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01331772?term=pasapas&rank=1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The localized deformation behavior during tensile straining (0 to 9 pct) and its effect on the corrosion properties of two third-generation Al-Li alloys (2099 and 2196) were investigated. Both electron backscatter diffraction and 2D micro-digital image correlation were used to examine site-specific effects of orientation and microstrain evolution during tensile straining. After straining, in situ tapping mode atomic force microscopy was used to study galvanic corrosion as it occurred in artificial seawater (3.5 pct NaCl). Regions of high microstrain corroded preferentially, and large, recrystallized grains in mostly unrecrystallized microstructures were highly detrimental to corrosion properties. Recommendations for improved thermomechanical processing and/or alloying to promote corrosion resistance of 2XXX series Al-Li alloys were considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the corrosion mechanisms of the AA2024-T3 and the AA2098-T351 were investigated and compared using various electrochemical techniques in 0.005 mol L−1 NaCl solution. The severe type of corrosion in the AA2098-T351 was intragranular attack (IGA) although trenching and pitting related to the constituent particles were seen. On the other hand, the AA2024-T3 exhibited severe localised corrosion associated with micrometric constituent particles, and its propagation was via grain boundaries leading to intergranular corrosion (IGC). Electrochemical techniques showed that the corrosion reaction in both alloys was controlled by diffusion. The non-uniform current distribution in both alloys showed that EIS was not a proper technique for comparing the corrosion resistance of the alloys. However, local electrochemical techniques were useful for the evaluation of the corrosion resistance of the alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Localized corrosion in crevice of SUS316 stainless steel after immersion in 288C high-purity water with a dissolved oxygen concentration of 32 ppm for 100 h was analyzed. Two different types of localized corrosion were initiated at grain boundaries and inclusions. The former was initiated on at grain boundaries and oxide grown into a grain matrix. The oxidized area showed a duplex structure consisting of microcrystalline FeCr2O4 and island-shaped residual metals. The latter was initiated at inclusions containing Ca and S and microcrystalline FeCr2O4 grown into a metal matrix. These instances of localized corrosion, which occurred selectively in an oxygen-depleted area, indicated the formation of a macroscopic corrosion cell with the corroded area as the anode and the surrounding oxygenated area as the cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various forms of exercise have been shown to prevent, restore, or ameliorate a variety of brain disorders including dementias, Parkinson’s disease, chronic stress, thyroid disorders, and sleep deprivation, some of which are discussed here. In this review, the effects on brain function of various forms of exercise and exercise mimetics in humans and animal experiments are compared and discussed. Possible mechanisms of the beneficial effects of exercise including the role of neurotrophic factors and others are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Located hundreds of kilometres offshore of continental mainland Asia, the extremely high level of land vertebrate endemism in the East Asian Island Arc provides an excellent opportunity to test hypotheses regarding biogeographic processes and speciation. In this study, we aim to test alternative explanations for lineage diversification (vicariance versus dispersal models), and further develop a temporal framework for diversification in our focal taxon, which is consistent with the known age of these islands. We achieve these tests by investigating the historical biogeography of the Okinawa tree lizard ( Japalura polygonata), one of the few widely-distributed reptiles across this archipelago. Location The East Asian Island Arc: (1) Central Ryukyu (Amami and Okinawa groups); (2) Southern Ryukyu (Miyako and Yaeyama groups); (3) Taiwan and adjacent islands. Methods A total of 246 tissues were sampled from 10 localities in the Ryukyu archipelago and 17 localities in Taiwan, covering the entire distributional range of this species, including all subspecies. DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b, 16S ribosomal RNA, nuclear BACH-1 and RAG-1 genes (total: 4,684 bp) were obtained from these samples. We used maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods to infer phylogeny and divergence time, and used a model-fitting method of biogeographical inference to estimate ancestral range evolution. Results Multiple lines of evidence combine to identify a general pattern of dispersal-mediated diversification northward through the archipelago, following initial dispersal from Taiwan. These included (1) a phylogenetic estimate, revealing a sequential, south-to-north branching pattern; (2) ancestral range estimation, inferring multiple overseas dispersals and subsequent colonization of new landmasses; and (3) a reduction in genetic variation observed in successively-diverging lineages, decreasing from Taiwan northward, towards more remote islands. These results provide strong statistical support for an interpretation of successive bouts of dispersal via the powerful, well-documented, south-to-north Kuroshio Current. Estimation of divergence times suggests that most clades in southern Ryukyu and Taiwan diverged early, giving rise to lineages that have remained isolated, and that more recently-diverged lineages then colonized northward to subsequently occupy the landmasses of the Central Ryukyu archipelago. Main conclusions Our general inference of biogeographic history in Japalura polygonata suggested that this species originated on Taiwan and the Yaeyama group, and arrived at its current distribution in Miyako, Okinawa, Toku and Amami islands by a series of stepping-stone dispersals, which we report for the first time for a terrestrial vertebrate endemic to this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: To gain more insight into the optimal strategy to achieve weight loss and weight loss maintenance in overweight and obese cancer survivors after completion of initial treatment, this systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the literature on intervention effects on weight, to describe intervention components used in effective interventions, to identify and synthesize behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and to assess the frequency with which these BCTs were used in effective interventions.Methods: Six databases were searched for original research articles describing weight changes in adult overweight cancer survivors after participation in a lifestyle intervention initiated after completion of initial treatment. Two researchers independently screened the retrieved papers and extracted BCTs using the BCT Taxonomy version 1.Results: Thirty-two papers describing 27 interventions were included. Interventions that were evaluated with a robust study design (n = 8) generally showed <5% weight loss and did not evaluate effects at ≥12 months after intervention completion. Effective interventions promoted both diet and physical activity and used the BCTs 'goal setting (behaviour)', 'action planning', 'social support (unspecified)' and 'instruction on how to perform the behaviour'.Conclusions: The results of this first review on intervention components of effective interventions could be used to inform intervention development and showed a need for future publications to report long-term effects, a detailed intervention description and an extensive process evaluation.Implications For Cancer Survivors: This study contributed to increasing knowledge on the optimal strategy to achieve weight loss, which is recommended for overweight cancer survivors to improve health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For patients with acute cholecystitis managed with percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC), the optimal duration of post-procedural antibiotic therapy is unknown. Our objective was to compare short versus long courses of antibiotics with the hypothesis that patients with persistent signs of systemic inflammation 72 h following PC would receive prolonged antibiotic therapy and that antibiotic duration would not affect outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 81 patients who underwent PC for acute cholecystitis at two hospitals during a 41-month period ending November 2014. Patients who received short (≤7 day) courses of post-procedural antibiotics were compared to patients who received long (>7 day) courses. Treatment response to PC was evaluated by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Logistic and linear regressions were used to evaluate associations between antibiotic duration and outcomes. Results: Patients who received short ( n = 30) and long courses ( n = 51) of antibiotics had similar age, comorbidities, severity of cholecystitis, pre-procedural vital signs, treatment response, and culture results. There were no differences in recurrent cholecystitis (13 vs. 12%), requirement for open/converted to open cholecystectomy (23 vs. 22%), or 1-year mortality (20 vs. 18%). On logistic and linear regressions, antibiotic duration as a continuous variable was not predictive of any salient outcomes. Conclusions: Patients who received short and long courses of post-PC antibiotics had similar baseline characteristics and outcomes. Antibiotic duration did not predict recurrent cholecystitis, interval open cholecystectomy, or mortality. These findings suggest that antibiotics may be safely discontinued within one week of uncomplicated PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cyanide-bridged [Co3Fe2] cluster with trigonal bipyramidal geometry shows solvent-driven reversible on/off switching of its thermally induced electron-transfer-coupled spin transition (ETCST) behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Obesity is prevalent in breast cancer survivors and is a significant risk factor for recurrence and mortality. Weight management interventions for survivors have been diverse in design (in-person vs. phone-based, group vs. individual) and yielded varying weight loss results. Given these issues, participants themselves may provide insight into treatment-based factors that contributed to their weight loss outcomes. Here, we report qualitative results from interviews with survivors in a group phone-based weight loss intervention, with the objective of identifying mechanisms that facilitated or hindered adherence and weight loss. We explored interest in paying for continued treatment as an indicator of dissemination potential.Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 186 rural, obese breast cancer survivors upon completion of a 6-month weight loss intervention that produced clinically meaningful weight loss (>5 %) in 91 % of participants. A thematic analysis of the interview data was performed.Results: Five themes were identified as impacting adherence and success: (1) accountability; (2) importance of the group, with varying levels of connectedness; (3) dietary convenience; (4) difficulty maintaining intervention components that required more effort; and (5) importance of internal motivation to attributions of physical activity success or failure. Most were interested in paying to continue the program if it were extended beyond the study.Conclusions: Key intervention components that participants attributed to their success included supportive group processes and convenience. Results highlight the group phone-based approach as a potential venue for disseminating an effective weight loss program for breast cancer survivors.Trial Registration: NCT01441011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correlation has been revealed between the localised corrosion susceptibility and the grain stored energy in AA2099-T8 aluminium alloy, with grains of higher stored energy being relatively more susceptible to corrosion attack. The grains of high stored energy contain increased crystallographic defects, which could consequently decrease their corrosion resistance. Additionally, since crystallographic defects are preferential sites for the precipitation of T1 (Al2CuLi) phase, it is suggested that grains of high stored energy could also contain increased volume fraction of T1 phase after aging, which might further increase corrosion susceptibility due to the electrochemically high activity of lithium rich T1 phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the role of hydrogen sulfide (HS) in regulating Na uptake in larval zebrafish, Danio rerio. Waterborne treatment of larvae at 4 days post-fertilization (dpf) with NaS or GYY-4137 (chemicals known to generate HS) significantly reduced Na uptake. Exposure of larvae to water enriched with NaCl (1 mM NaCl) caused a pronounced reduction in Na uptake which was prevented by pharmacological inhibition of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) or cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), two key enzymes involved in the endogenous synthesis of HS. Furthermore, translational gene knockdown of CSE and CBSb significantly increased the basal rate of Na uptake. Waterborne treatment with NaS significantly decreased whole-body acid excretion and reduced Na uptake in larval zebrafish preexposed to acidic (pH 4.0) water (a condition shown to promote Na uptake via Na-H-exchanger 3b, NHE3b). However, NaS did not affect Na uptake in larvae depleted of NHE3b-containing ionocytes (HR cells) after knockdown of transcription factor glial cell missing 2 (gcm2) in which Na uptake occurs predominantly via Na-Cl co-transporter (NCC)-containing cells. These observations suggest that Na uptake via NHE3b, but not NCC, is regulated by HS. Whole-mount immunohistochemistry demonstrated that ionocytes expressing NHE3b also express CSE. These data suggests a physiologically relevant role of HS as a mechanism to lower Na uptake in zebrafish larvae, probably through its inhibitory action on NHE3b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-solid phase interconversionwas observed in an organic conductor based on a hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) TTF (tetrathiafulvalene) molecular unit, in which the π-stacked molecular arrangement and physical properties were dynamically changed with unexpected transformation of the H-bond unit between the planar and bent forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has been associated with poor health outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Thus, weight loss is recommended for overweight and obese survivors. We systematically reviewed studies (published up to July 2013) that evaluated behaviourally based, weight loss interventions in women with breast cancer exclusively. Completed randomized trials, single-arm trials and ongoing trials were reviewed. Within-group and between-group differences for weight loss were extracted, as was data on secondary outcomes, i.e. clinical biomarkers, patient-reported outcomes, adverse events. Ten completed randomized trials, four single-arm trials and five ongoing trials were identified. Statistically significant within-group weight loss was observed over periods of 2 to 18 months in 13 of the 14 trials, with six randomized and two single-arm trials observing mean weight loss ≥5%. Clinical biomarkers, psychosocial and patient-reported outcomes were measured in a small number of studies. No serious adverse events were reported. Only two trials assessed maintenance of intervention effects after the end-of-intervention and none reported on cost-effectiveness. The studies included in this review suggest that weight loss is feasible to achieve and is safe in women following treatment for breast cancer. Future studies should assess (and be powered for) a range of biomarker and patient-reported outcomes, and be designed to inform translation into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Considering the fact that, due to recent evidence, many women no longer prefer hormone replacement therapy, it is especially important to develop intervention options to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Although there is conflicting evidence concerning effectiveness, there is an indication that physical activity and weight control may be useful for alleviating symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity and body mass index on menopausal symptoms among menopausal women in Turkey. Methods 305 women between the ages of 45 and 60 who visited the health center for various reasons were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Menopausal women, who visited one of five family physicians working in the same area, were included in the analyses. The Menopause Rating Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a generic medical and sociodemographic information questionnaire were used. Results Women who were physically active had lower total menopausal (p < 0.001), somatovegetative (p = 0.004), psychological (p = 0.002), and urogenital (p < 0.001) symptom scores than women who were less active. No differences in vasomotor symptoms were recorded related to physical activity level; significant differences were found for most menopausal symptoms, including sleep (p = 0.009) and sexual (p = 0.043) problems, joint and muscular discomfort (p < 0.001) and vaginal dryness (p = 0.016). BMI was not associated with total menopausal symptoms and with the subscales, excluding depressive mood (p = 0.009). A significant increasing trend in the rate of depressive mood was observed from normal through overweight to obese participants. The mean scores of the total menopausal symptoms were lower among the participants who were well educated, currently working and without chronic diseases. Conclusions Physical activity may play an important role in alleviating menopausal symptoms. As part of preventive medicine, primary care physicians should also stress lifestyle changes, including physical activity, to manage menopausal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy restriction from a low-calorie diet and increased energy expenditure induced by physical activity (PA) could promote weight loss/maintenance and be important determinants of breast cancer (BC) prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess participation and adherence of overweight and obese BC survivors to a lifestyle intervention and to demonstrate the capacity of this intervention to induce weight loss and nutritional changes. This single-arm pre-post study, which involved one-hourly weekly diet sessions delivered by a dietician and 75-min bi-weekly PA sessions of moderate-to-high intensity led by PA monitors, was offered to overweight and obese BC survivors shortly after treatment. Before and after the intervention, anthropometry, dietary information, quality of life (QoL) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were collected. A total of 112 BC survivors were invited to participate: 42 of them started the intervention and 37 completed it. Participants attended more than 90 % of the sessions offered and showed a significant weight loss of 5.6 ± 2.0 kg, as well as significant decreases in body mass index, fat mass and waist circumference. Significant decreases in total energy (−25 %), fat (−35 %), saturated fat (−37 %) and carbohydrate (−21 %) intakes were observed while QoL and CRF showed significant increases. This feasibility study demonstrated the success of a short-term diet and PA intervention to induce weight loss and promote healthful changes in BC survivors. Assessing the long-term effects of these changes, and in particular their possible impact of BC prognosis, and designing interventions reaching a wider number of BC survivors are still issues to be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menopause is associated with various physiological symptoms which can be related to the most common health problems in menopausal women and a decrease in their quality of life. Determinants of experiencing menopausal symptoms are complex because they include reproductive, environmental, lifestyle and social factors. The aim of this study is to assess whether selected reproductive, lifestyle and health factors are associated with the occurence of hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations, dizzy spells and/or pins and needles in the hands and feet . A total of 346 women aged between 39 and 59 years living in Slovakia were recruited for this cross-sectional survey. Data on menopausal symptoms and potential confounders were collected by questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis revealed an independent effect of peri-/postmenopausal status and depressed mood on the manifestation of hot flushes. Analysis results for night sweats were significant for age, depressed mood and current smoking at p<0.05 while, of all input parameters, only age and depressed mood were significant predictors of palpitations. Logistic regression also revealed the effect of sport and depressed mood on dizzy spells. Depressed women, (B=0.677) and those who did not participate in sporting activities (B= -0.969) suffered more often from dizzy spells. Pins and needles in hands and feet were influenced by peri-/postmenopausal status (B=1.036), by higher numbers of pregnancy (B=0.260) and depressed mood (B=0.505). Potentially modifiable factors, such as current smoking, lack of sport, depressed mood and the number of pregnancies can predispose a woman to a higher prevalence of some of these physiological menopausal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are an estimated 13.7 million cancer survivors in the United States. Persistent and late effects of cancer therapy have contributed to an increased risk for co-morbid illness and higher all-cause mortality. Physical exercise is a targeted rehabilitative intervention following cancer therapy and a health promotion risk reduction intervention for patients as they transition into survivorship. This chapter provides a brief overview of the research on exercise and cancer survivor outcomes with a specific focus on randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effects of exercise on body composition and bone health. There were 17 RCT trials that were identified with body composition outcomes. There was no change in weight in 16/17 trials, 4 reported decreases in percent fat mass and 2 reported increases in lean mass. Eight exercise trials were identified with bone outcomes, two of which had pharmacologic comparison arms. These trials demonstrated preservation of bone in the intervention group compared with loss in the usual care or placebo control group. The majority of trials were with breast cancer survivors, the largest survivor group. Many are overweight or obese at diagnosis; weight gain continues to increase after therapy; and treatment is associated with bone loss. The findings of the 25 trials reviewed suggest that exercise maintains weight and bone mass in a high risk population. However, differences in design, measurement of body composition and bone mass and lack of targeted exercise to the specific outcomes warrants additional research to improve the quality of life for survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are an estimated 13.7 million cancer survivors in the United States. Persistent and late effects of cancer therapy have contributed to an increased risk for co-morbid illness and higher all-cause mortality. Physical exercise is a targeted rehabilitative intervention following cancer therapy and a health promotion risk reduction intervention for patients as they transition into survivorship. This chapter provides a brief overview of the research on exercise and cancer survivor outcomes with a specific focus on randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effects of exercise on body composition and bone health. There were 17 RCT trials that were identified with body composition outcomes. There was no change in weight in 16/17 trials, 4 reported decreases in percent fat mass and 2 reported increases in lean mass. Eight exercise trials were identified with bone outcomes, two of which had pharmacologic comparison arms. These trials demonstrated preservation of bone in the intervention group compared with loss in the usual care or placebo control group. The majority of trials were with breast cancer survivors, the largest survivor group. Many are overweight or obese at diagnosis; weight gain continues to increase after therapy; and treatment is associated with bone loss. The findings of the 25 trials reviewed suggest that exercise maintains weight and bone mass in a high risk population. However, differences in design, measurement of body composition and bone mass and lack of targeted exercise to the specific outcomes warrants additional research to improve the quality of life for survivors. The population of 13.7 million cancer survivors today is expected to grow to more than 18.0 million by 2020 (deMoor et al., 2013; Mariotto, Yabroff, Shao, Feuer, & Brown, 2011). Unfortunately, persistent and late effects of cancer treatment infl uence the quality of life for those survivors and contribute to morbidity and mortality (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2006). There is a recognized need for a comprehensive rehabilitation model of survivorship care that includes symptom management, prevention and management of long-term and late effects, and health promotion (Alfano, Ganz, Rowland, & Hahn, 2012). Physical exercise is a targeted rehabilitative intervention in the posttreatment phase and a health promotion, risk reduction intervention for patients as they transition into survivorship (Courneya & Friedenreich, 2007). With advances in cancer treatment and prolonged survival, all-cause mortality has increased over cancer-specific mortality in some survivor populations such as breast cancer (Chapman et al., 2008; Patnaik, Byers, DiGuiseppi, Denberg, & Dabelea, 2011). Overweight, obesity (especially central adiposity), sedentary behaviors, bone loss in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance significantly increase the risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Exercise can reduce or modify preexisting as well as treatment-related comorbid risk factors that may lead to increased morbidity and mortality (Alfano et al., 2012; Knobf & Coviello, 2011; Ligibel, 2012). The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of the research on exercise and cancer survivor outcomes with a specific focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of exercise to optimize body composition and bone health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies associate obesity and physical inactivity with adverse breast cancer outcome. Whether weight loss/maintenance or increase in physical activity after diagnosis can improve breast cancer outcome is not established. While alcohol use increases breast cancer risk, the role of alcohol in altering breast cancer outcome is not established. Only two full-scale randomized clinical trials have evaluated lifestyle change in early-stage, resected breast cancer and they provide mixed results. Despite strong preclinical evidence and identified potential mediating factors, only one full-scale lifestyle intervention trial is currently ongoing, SUCCESS-C, which will evaluate a program of weight reduction and increased physical activity in an adjuvant setting. On the basisi of current evidence, weight loss/maintenance and physical activity increase/maintenance can reasonably be recommended for breast cancer patients with early-stage disease. However, the strength of the recommendation awaits definitive randomized clinical trial evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stress corrosion cracking(SCC) behaviour of 7A52 aluminum alloy in air and in 3.5% NaCl solution was researched by slow strain rate test(SSRT) and SEM-EDS. The SCC susceptibility was estimated with the loss of the reduction in area. The experimental results indicate that the SCC susceptibility of 7A52 aluminum alloy in 3.5% chloride solution is the highest at strain rate of 1×10 s. The lowest one is under the condition of 1×10 s. Stress concentration and anode dissolving around Al-Fe-Mn intermetallics initiate micropores which will result in microcracks. The existence of intermetallics in the microstructure may play an important role in understanding the SCC initiation mechanisms of 7A52 aluminum alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the controversial indications, complications and evolving roles of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) and related therapies. Presented are a series of questions regarding the treatment of acute cholecystitis that are expected to be answered for the recommendation of PC over surgical alternatives. Given as well are the reasons behind the failure to address the questions and to establish precise guidelines for the application of PC in actual clinical practice.

Given the negative effects of a breast cancer diagnosis and its treatments on body weight and bone mass, we investigated the effects of a 6-month randomized controlled aerobic exercise intervention vs. usual care on body composition in breast cancer survivors. Secondary aims were to examine the effects stratified by important prognostic and physiologic variables. Seventy-five physically inactive postmenopausal breast cancer survivors were recruited through the Yale–New Haven Hospital Tumor Registry and randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 37) or usual care (n = 38) group. The exercise group participated in 150 min/week of supervised gym- and home-based moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. The usual care group was instructed to maintain their current physical activity level. Body composition was assessed at baseline and 6-months through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) by one radiologist blinded to the intervention group of the participants. On an average, exercisers increased moderate-intensity aerobic exercise by 129 min/week over and above baseline levels compared with 45 min/week among usual care participants (P < 0.001). Exercisers experienced decreases in percent body fat (P = 0.0022) and increases in lean mass (P = 0.047) compared with increases in body fat and decreases in lean mass in usual care participants. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also maintained among exercisers compared with a loss among usual care participants (P = 0.043). In summary, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, produces favorable changes in body composition that may improve breast cancer prognosis.Obesity (2009) 17 8, 1534–1541. doi:10.1038/oby.2009.18 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Overweight or obesity is an established negative prognostic factor in breast cancer. Co-morbidities associated with obesity, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), may negatively impact quality of life and survival in this population. Our purpose was to determine the effect of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for weight loss through exercise and diet modification on risk factors for recurrence of breast cancer, and risks for CVD associated with obesity. Eighty-five overweight or obese breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to a once weekly, 16-week intervention or wait-list control group. The intervention incorporated elements of CBT for obesity, addressing a reduction in energy intake, as well exercise, with a goal of an average of 1 h a day of moderate to vigorous activity. Body weight, total and regional body fat (by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), waist and hip circumference, and blood lipids were assessed at baseline and following 16 weeks of intervention. Results: Seventy six women (89.4%) completed the intervention. Independent t-test to evaluate group differences at 16 weeks showed significant differences in weight, body mass index, percent fat, trunk fat, leg fat, as well as waist and hip circumference between intervention and control groups (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also significantly reduced following the intervention. These results indicate that 16 weeks of a CBT program for weight management may reduce obesity and CVD risk in overweight breast cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]