Patterns of exercise and fatigue in physically active cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the prognostic value and the predictive accuracy of the PC-10 cell cycling marker with the largest tumor diameter, the mean of the largest nucleoli, and vascular patterns in posterior uveal melanoma. DESIGN: The study design was a case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Eyes enucleated for posterior uveal melanoma from patients who either died of metastatic melanoma or survived without signs of metastatic disease 10 years or more after surgery were studied. INTERVENTION: Three observers assessed the above prognostic indicators and standard histopathologic characteristics from microslides without access to survival data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Univariate and multivariate Cox models for survival were constructed, and a multiparameter prognostic index was calculated for each patient, based on covariates obtained from the final Cox model. The prognostic accuracy was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: The log PC-10 count, vascular networks, mean of the largest nucleoli, largest tumor diameter, age of patient, and prognostic index were independently associated with outcome. However, each of these indicators had no more than a poor-to-moderate predictive accuracy, and only the prognostic index was significantly better than the largest tumor diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The PC-10 count retains a prognostic value in uveal melanoma when adjusting for the effect of the mean of the largest nucleoli and diverse vascular patterns. A prognostic index combining two or more indicators may improve the predictive precision.     

Influence of topically and systemically active steroids on circulating leukocytes in Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVE: Budesonide, although only topically active, is effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease. This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacies of budesonide and prednisolone in relation to the activation status of circulating leukocytes. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with active Crohn's disease were randomized to treatment with either budesonide or 6-methylprednisolone. Clinical response was monitored by the Crohn's disease activity index, C-reactive protein, and orosomucoid. Expression of CD25 and CD71 on T cells and CD64 on neutrophils was determined by flow cytometry. The release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: After 2 wk of treatment a clinical response was observed in both groups, but it was more accentuated in patients treated with prednisolone. At baseline an upregulation of CD71 and CD64, but not CD25, was found in active patients. Prednisolone significantly decreased the expression of CD64 and the release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, but did not alter the expression of CD25 and CD71. Budesonide treatment failed to exert any effect on circulating leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The inability of budesonide to downregulate activated circulating leukocytes may contribute to the somewhat lower clinical efficacy of this topical steroid in the treatment of active Crohn's disease.     

Thermoregulatory effects of caffeine ingestion during submaximal exercise in men

BACKGROUND: The exclusive effect of caffeine ingestion on exercise thermoregulation is unclear; data indicate that caffeine may have a positive effect, a negative effect, or no effect. METHODS: Rectal (TRE) and mean skin (TSK) temperatures, skin heat conductance (HSK), and sweat rate (MSW) were measured during 30 min of rest and subsequent 70 min of submaximal cycle-ergometer exercise (67% VO2PEAK) in 11 aerobically conditioned men (mean +/- SD 29 +/- 6 yr, 49 +/- 6 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1) VO2PEAK) under two conditions: a caffeine (10 mg x kg(-1) ingestion (CI) session and a noncaffeine ingestion (NCI) control session. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in physiological or thermoregulatory parameters during exercise: X (+/-SE) end exercise levels for the NCI and CI sessions, respectively, were VO2 = 2.50 +/- 0.09 vs. 2.55 +/- 0.09 L x min(-1); heart rate = 145 +/- 7 vs. 145 +/- 5 bpm; HSK = 30 +/- 3 vs. 28 +/- 3 kcal x m(-2) x h(-1) x degrees C(-1); MSW = 393 +/- 35 vs. 378 +/- 36 g x m(-2) x h(-1); and TRE = 38.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 38.4 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Control TSK was lower than that for CI by 0.4 to 0.5 degrees C at rest and during exercise. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of a high level (10 mg x kg(-1) of caffeine has no effect on skin heat conductance, sweating, or the rate of increase and final level of rectal temperature during moderate, submaximal leg exercise.     

Greater rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity with age in physically active vs. sedentary healthy women

Using a meta-analytic approach, we recently reported that the rate of decline in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) with age in healthy women is greatest in the most physically active and smallest in the least active when expressed in milliliters per kilogram per minute per decade. We tested this hypothesis prospectively under well-controlled laboratory conditions by studying 156 healthy, nonobese women (age 20-75 yr): 84 endurance-trained runners (ET) and 72 sedentary subjects (S). ET were matched across the age range for age-adjusted 10-km running performance. Body mass was positively related with age in S but not in ET. Fat-free mass was not different with age in ET or S. Maximal respiratory exchange ratio and rating of perceived exertion were similar across age in ET and S, suggesting equivalent voluntary maximal efforts. There was a significant but modest decline in running mileage, frequency, and speed with advancing age in ET. VO2 max (ml . kg-1 . min-1) was inversely related to age (P < 0.001) in ET (r = -0.82) and S (r = -0.71) and was higher at any age in ET. Consistent with our meta-analysic findings, the absolute rate of decline in VO2 max was greater in ET (-5.7 ml . kg-1 . min-1 . decade-1) compared with S (-3.2 ml . kg-1 . min-1 . decade-1; P < 0. 01), but the relative (%) rate of decline was similar (-9.7 vs -9. 1%/decade; not significant). The greater absolute rate of decline in VO2 max in ET compared with S was not associated with a greater rate of decline in maximal heart rate (-5.6 vs. -6.2 beats . min-1 . decade-1), nor was it related to training factors. The present cross-sectional findings provide additional evidence that the absolute, but not the relative, rate of decline in maximal aerobic capacity with age may be greater in highly physically active women compared with their sedentary healthy peers. This difference does not appear to be related to age-associated changes in maximal heart rate, body composition, or training factors.     

Oxygen deficit and repayment in submaximal exercise

Oxygen deficit and repayment ratios were investigated at various work loads, intensities and durations. An active baseline was used (walking at 60 m/min) from which deficit and repayment values were calculated. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and core temperatures were measured in 30 males at baseline and during treadmill running (140 m/min) for randomly assigned durations (0.5 ...20 min). Measurements were also made during a 30-min recovery period at baseline work. Results indicated: 1) No difference in O2-repayment between steady-state work and work prior to steady state (P greater than 0.10). 2) O2-repayment was independent of work duration (P greater than 0.10). 3) When workload and intensity were controlled, O2-deficit was not significant factor in O2-repayment (P greater than 0.10). 4) Work intensity (work VO2/VO2 max) was the most significant factor in O2-repayment accounting for 69% of the variance (r equals 0.83, P less than 0.001). Small increments in core temperature and ventilation were not significant factors in O2-repayment. When a working baseline is used, the magnitude of O2-repayment after exercise is independent of the work duration or the attainment of steady state. The extent of O2-repayment after exercise is mainly dependent upon the physiological intensity of the work and the absolute workload (R=0.89, P less than 0.001).     

Eyewitness accounts of females and males.

In 2 experiments 125 male and 125 female college students looked at a series of slides depicting a wallet snatching (Exp I) or a fight (Exp II) and then took a multiple-choice test of accuracy for the details of that incident. One day later, they read a version of the incident that for some of them contained misleading information about certain objects in the scene. Finally, a test was administered to measure the extent to which the misleading information was incorporated into the S's recollections. Females were more accurate and more resistant to suggestion about female-oriented details, whereas males were more accurate and resistant to suggestion about male-oriented details. This result is related to the general tendency for accuracy on a specific item to lead to an improved ability to resist a suggestion about that specific item. Additional analyses indicated that overall accuracy was related neither to intelligence (as measured by a college entrance test) nor to specific abilities, such as verbal or spatial ability. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The contribution of adrenal and reproductive hormones to the opposing effects of stress on trace conditioning males versus females.

Exposure to an acute stressful experience facilitates classical conditioning in male rats but impairs conditioning in female rats (T. J. Shors, C. Lewczyk, M. Paczynski, P. R. Mathew, & J. Pickett, 1998; G. E. Wood & T. J. Shots, 1998). The authors report that these effects extend to performance on the hippocampal-dependent task of trace conditioning. The stress-induced impairment of conditioning in females was evident immediately, 24 hr and 48 hr after stress, depending on the stage of estrus. Moreover, the effect could be reactivated days later by reexposure to the stressful context. Corticosterone levels correlated with overall performance in males but not in females. Unlike the effect seen in males, adrenalectomy did not prevent the stress-induced effect on conditioning in females. These data indicate that exposure to the same experience can have opposite effects on learning in males versus females and that these opposing effects are mediated by differing hormonal systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physiological effects of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rate during incremental upper-body exercise

The aims of the present study were: first, to assess the interindividual variations of a spontaneously chosen crank rate (SCCR) in relation to the power developed during an incremental upper body exercise on an arm ergometer set at a constant power regime, and second, to compare heart rate (HR) responses, expired minute ventilation (V[E]) and oxygen consumption (VO2) when the pedal rates were chosen spontaneously (T[SCCR]) or set at +/- 10% of the freely chosen rates (T[+10%] and T[-10%], respectively). The mean pedal rate values were linearly related (P < 0.01) with the power developed during arm cranking (r = 0.96), although large variations of pedalling rate strategies were observed between subjects. Maximal power (MP) and time to exhaustion values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) during T(SCCR) than during T(+10%) and T(-10%). Peak VO2 values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T(+10%) than in T(SCCR) and T(-10%). The increase in HR, V(E), and VO2 mean values, in relation to the increase in the power developed, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) when the pedal rate was set at plus 10% of the SCCR (T[+/-10%]) than in the two other conditions. The findings of the present study suggest that the use of an electromagnetically braked ergometer, which automatically adjusts the resistance component to maintain a constant work rate, should be used in order to achieve the highest MP values during an incremental upper body exercise. A 10% increase of the SCCR should be used in order to provide the highest peak VO2 value.     

Effects of exercise on intraocular pressure in physically fit subjects

1. Several studies have shown that exercise reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in sedentary subjects, but the effects of exercise in physically fit subjects are not fully known. Accordingly, the present study was planned to investigate the effects of exercise on intraocular pressure in physically fit subjects after elimination of those factors that can affect intraocular pressure and have been neglected by previous studies. 2. Thirty-two sedentary males of the same age group were categorized equally into control and experimental groups. Intraocular pressures were measured during and after exercise with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. The experimental group took a supervised exercise programme of 3 months duration. Physical fitness was evaluated by the measurements of maximum oxygen uptake. Each subject was tested twice by the same exercise protocol at an interval of 3 months. 3. After 3 months, resting IOP values decreased by 0.31 +/- 0.11 (P < 0.05) and 1.37 +/- 0.15 mmHg (P < 0.001) in control and experimental groups, respectively. The acute decreases following the first exercise test were 4.18 +/- 0.41 and 4.38 +/- 0.47 mmHg, while after 3 months these values were 4.12 +/- 0.45 and 2.69 +/- 0.28 mmHg in control and experimental groups, respectively. After exercise conditioning, the mean recovery time was reduced by 43.03%. 4. The results are relevant to planning trials in glaucoma. Physical fitness reduces IOP and causes significant attenuation in the IOP response to physical exercise. It would seem reasonable at present not to discourage patients who have glaucoma from light exercise; perhaps, on the contrary, it should be encouraged.     

The enigma of androgyny: Differential implications for males and females?

A program of studies, comprising a total population of 1,404 college students, tested the hypothesis that psychological androgyny (i.e., a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics) permits greater behavioral flexibility and consequently leads to better adjustment. A variety of methods were used to compare androgynous with sex-typed and opposite sex-typed Ss (determined by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory) along several attitudinal, personality, and behavioral dimensions. Contrary to expectation a pattern of findings replicated across measures of attitudes toward women's issues, gender identification, neurosis, introversion–extraversion, locus of control, self-esteem, problems with alcohol, creativity, political awareness, confidence in one's own ability, helplessness, and sexual maturity indicated that flexibility and adjustment were generally associated with masculinity rather than androgyny for both males and females. Feminine Ss, independent of gender, would prefer to become more masculine were that possible. These results are interpreted as suggesting an alternative to S. L. Bem's theory of androgyny. Additional analyses indicated few differences between the additive and the original definitions of androgyny. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The motive to avoid success and its effect on performance in school-age males and females.

169 male and 168 female 5th-11th graders completed a TAT-like measure of motive to avoid success in a developmental replication of M. S. Horner's (1968) study of the motive to avoid success. Ss also performed a series of tasks in competitive and noncompetitive conditions. No sex differences or clear age trends in motive-to-avoid-success imagery were found; however, there were sex and grade differences in the reasons given for avoiding success. In general, Ss, regardless of motive-to-avoid-success status, performed better in noncompetitive than competitive conditions. Developmental data show a tendency for 9th- and 11th-grade females with motive to avoid success to perform better in noncompetitive conditions, while older females without motive to avoid success perform better in competitive conditions. Males in the 8th, 9th and 11th grades with motive to avoid success performed better in a competitive condition, while their peers without motive to avoid success performed better in a noncompetitive condition. Results question that the motive to avoid success is aroused in the same experimental situations, that is, affects performance similarly, for males and young females as for older females. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aerobic exercise capacity remains normal despite impaired endothelial function in the micro- and macrocirculation of physically active IDDM patients

The aim of the present study was to examine if diabetes in the absence of neuropathy affects the exercising capacity of IDDM patients, and whether regular, intense training has a beneficial effect on endothelial function. Five groups of subjects were studied: 23 healthy control subjects who exercised regularly (age 33 +/- 6 years), 23 nonneuropathic type 1 diabetic patients who exercised regularly (age 33 +/- 6 years, IDDM duration 11 +/- 8 years), 7 neuropathic type 1 diabetic patients who exercised regularly (age 36 +/- 7 years, IDDM duration 22 +/- 8 years), 18 healthy subjects who did not exercise regularly (age 34 +/- 7 years), and 5 nonneuropathic type 1 diabetic patients who did not exercise regularly (age 31 +/- 4 years, IDDM duration 20 +/- 3 years). All groups were matched for age, sex, and body weight. No differences existed in the energy expenditure per week in physical activity among the three exercising groups or between the two nonexercising groups. The maximal oxygen uptake was similar between control and diabetic nonneuropathic exercisers, and among diabetic neuropathic exercisers, control nonexercisers, and diabetic nonexercisers; however, a significant difference existed between the first two and the last three groups (P < 0.0001). A stepwise increase was found in the resting heart rate among the groups, ranging from the lowest in control exercisers to the highest in diabetic nonexercisers, but the maximal heart rate was lower only in diabetic neuropathic exercisers compared with all other groups (P < 0.05). Assessments of endothelial function in both macro- and microcirculation were performed in 12 control exercisers, 10 diabetic nonneuropathic exercisers, 5 diabetic neuropathic exercisers, 17 control nonexercisers, and 4 diabetic nonexercisers. When all diabetic patients were considered as one group and all control subjects as another, the microcirculation endothelial function in the diabetic group was reduced compared with the control subjects (91 +/- 49 vs. 122 +/- 41% flux increase over baseline; P < 0.05). In contrast, no differences existed among the three diabetic groups or between the two control groups. Similarly, in macrocirculation, a reduced response during reactive hyperemia was observed in the diabetic patients compared with control subjects (7.0 +/- 4.5 vs. 11.2 +/- 6.6% diameter increase; P < 0.05), whereas again no difference existed among the three diabetic groups or between the two control groups. These data suggest that diabetes per se does not affect aerobic exercise capacity (VO2max) in physically active individuals, but is reduced in the presence of neuropathy. In addition, regular exercise training involving the lower extremities does not improve the endothelial function in the micro- and macrocirculation of the nonexercised upper extremity in type 1 diabetic patients.     

Associations between breathing pattern during submaximal exercise and exercise capacity in patients with pulmonary emphysema

We sought to clarify the factors associated with exercise capacity in patients with pulmonary emphysema. Exercise capacities of 20 men with pulmonary emphysema were evaluated by bicycle ergometery, and the results were used to divide the subjects into two groups: high exercise capacity (n = 10) and low exercise capacity (n = 10). Pulmonary-function tests were done, emphysema scores were computed from CT scans, breathing pattern was recorded during submaximal exercise (up to 20 watts), and index of rapid shallow breathing was computed. Neither FEV1 nor airway resistance differed between the two groups, and patients with lower exercise capacity tended to have lower tidal volumes and higher values of the index of rapid shallow breathing during submaximal exercise. Functional residual capacity measured by body plethysmography and emphysema scores were inversely associated with exercise capacity. We speculate that among patients with pulmonary emphysema and a given degree of airway obstruction, a high functional residual capacity causes breathing during submaxinal exercise to be rapid and shallow, and that this rapid and shallow breathing makes ventilation inefficient, increases the work of breathing, and limits exercise capacity.     

Pharyngeal cross-sectional area and pharyngeal compliance in normal males and females

In the control of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) gait systems artificial sensors are used to provide the controller with feedback information. The sensors used range in complexity from simple heel or hand switches to tri-axial accelerometers. There are three basic problems connected with the selection of sensors: the type(s) of sensor(s) to be used, the number of sensors required and the optimum location of the sensor set. In general the choice of the sensor sets has been based on the availability of actual sensors and the experts understanding of where these sensors should be located. Using motion analysis data it is possible to construct an almost unlimited number of virtual sensors on any location of the body surface. Our aim was to develop this technique for construction of virtual sensors and compare these virtual sensors with their physical counterparts. Virtual goniometers, inclinometers, accelerometers and foot switches were constructed and compared with their physical counterparts. In addition visualisation tools were developed to aid in the choice of sensor location. There was a very good correlation between all the virtual and physical sensors. This technique gives flexibility to place virtual sensors almost anywhere on the body surface and also allows the construction of novel sensors.     

Fear of success in males and females: 1965 and 1971.

Replicated part of M. S. Horner's research (1965) on fear of success in college women and introduced 3 variations in the story cue used to measure fear of success. A sample of 245 male and female undergraduates at the same university was divided into 4 groups. All received the original instruments to measure achievement motives and fear of failure. Group 1 received the original fear of success cue. Each of the other groups had one aspect different: in Group 2 the setting was changed to a less masculine academic area; in Group 3 the achievement was communicated privately rather than publicly; in Group 4 the competitive aspect was minimized. None of the variations diminished fear of success. The frequency for females was the same as earlier, but for males it increased from 8% to 77%. For females, the most common theme was affiliative loss because of success; for males, it was questioning the value of the achievement. Achievement motive scores were lower in 1971 than in 1965. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Left ventricular function during exercise in athletes and in sedentary men

Galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of galactose. GALT activates the galactose-glucose interconversion and enables the synthesis of glucose-1-phosphate and UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal). UDP-Gal is the galactosyl donor for the incorporation of galactose into complex oligosaccharides, glycoproteins and glycolipids. The expression of GALT was characterized both in vivo and in vitro during late embryonic and postnatal development of the brain and peripheral nerve of the rat. Assays of GALT mRNA and protein showed that it is weakly expressed during late embryonic development with a second peak of expression concomitant with myelinogenesis. GALT was prominently expressed in myelinating Schwann cells in a rat dorsal root ganglia culture system. GALT deficiency in humans results in galactosemia, a disease characterized by long-term intellectual impairment, and probably dysmyelination. The developmentally regulated pattern of GALT expression during maturation of the nervous system may provide a molecular basis for these neurological complications which seriously compromise the outcome of many galactosemic patients.     

Effects of coca chewing on hormonal and metabolic responses during prolonged submaximal exercise

The effects of coca chewing on prolonged submaximal exercise responses were investigated in chronic coca chewers and compared with a group of nonchewers. At rest, coca chewing during a 1-h period was followed by a significant increase in blood glucose, free fatty acid, and norepinephrine concentrations and a significant reduction in insulin plasma level. During prolonged (1-h) submaximal (65-70% peak O2 uptake) exercise, chewers displayed a significantly greater adrenergic activation (as evidenced by a higher level of plasma epinephrine) and an increased use of fat (as evidenced by a lower respiratory exchange ratio). The gradual increase in oxygen uptake (O2 drift) commonly observed during prolonged exercise was blunted in coca chewers. This blunting in O2 drift is not related to coca-induced changes in ventilatory or lactate responses to exercise but could possible be related to an enhanced glucose utilization by chewers during the late phase of exercise. The present results provide experimental evidence of the physiological effects of coca chewing that could explain the better ability of coca users to sustain strenuous work for an extended period of time.     

Validation of the Rockport Fitness Walking Test in college males and females

The purposes of this study were (a) to validate the Rockport Fitness Walking Test (RFWT) in college students, and (b) to develop prediction equations on this college sample if the RFWT proved invalid. Subjects were administered a test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on a treadmill and the RFWT in a field testing environment. Comparisons were made between the measured VO2max and the VO2max predicted from the equations of Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister, et al. (1987). The Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister, et al. equations overpredicted VO2max by 16-18% in the males and by 22-23% in the females. The correlation coefficients between the measured and predicted VO2max values ranged from .39 to .59. Derivation of new prediction equations using the same variables as in the RFWT produced only one equation that had sufficient accuracy to recommend its use. It was concluded that the original RFWT overpredicts VO2max in college students and should not be used with this population.     

The effects of cocaine on mood and sleep in cocaine-dependent males.

The effects of cocaine use and withdrawal on mood and sleep were examined. Three cocaine-dependent men lived in an inpatient facility for approximately 4 weeks, which included an initial abstinence phase (8–10 days), a cocaine administration phase (5 days), and a 2nd abstinence phase (14–16 days). During the 2nd phase, cocaine was administered intranasally a few hours before bedtime. During the day, mood and daytime sleepiness were measured, and sleep was monitored each night. Cocaine produced typical changes in mood and blood pressure, and sleep was severely disrupted. Following Phase 2, there were no changes in mood that was indicative of an abstinence syndrome, although, initially, daytime sleepiness increased. After 2 weeks, sleep architecture remained different from age-matched controls. This study is the first to measure changes in sleep architecture polysomnographically following a period of controlled cocaine use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anaerobic and aerobic responses of males and females to rope skipping

Six male and six female subjects performed maximal bicycle ergometer work and skipped rope at selected rates. Measures included oxygen uptake (VO2), oxygen debt (VO2 debt), blood lactate, and heart rate (HR). Mean values for males for the maximum test and while skipping at 120, 140, and 160 turns . min-1 were, respectively: VO2-50.2, 38.3, 39.7, and 44.3 ml . kg-1 . min-1; HR-185, 166, 168, and 178 beats . min-1; VO2 debt--5.70, 3.65, 3.50, and 4.04 liter; and lactate--12.7, 7.4, 7.6, and 9.2 mM . 1(-1). For females: VO2--42.8, 39.8, 39.4, and 39.4 ml . kg-1 . min-1; HR--185, 181, 181, and 181 beats . min-1; VO2 debt--4.71, 4.27, 4.22, and 4.15 liter; and lactate--11.5, 11.5, 12.2, and 11.9 mM . l-1. No significant differences were found between treatments for females for any measure. Rope skipping placed high demands on both aerobic (females, 92% VO2max, males, 76-88%) and anaerobic capacities (females, 100-106% lactate values after maximum bicycle exercise; males, 58-72%). In males, who did not reach VO2max during rope skipping, it was verified that the VO2 requirement does not increase with skipping rate over a relatively wide range, but that extremely high rates do require more energy from both aerobic and anaerobic sources. Differences in tolerance of males and females to rope skipping were attributed to the lower aerobic power and higher body fat of females.