Dietary non-tocopherol antioxidants present in extra virgin olive oil increase the resistance of low density lipoproteins to oxidation in rabbits

Consumption of a range of dietary antioxidants may be beneficial in protecting low density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidative modification, as studies have demonstrated that antioxidants other than vitamin E may also function against oxidation of LDL in vitro. In the present study, the effect of polyphenol antioxidants on the susceptibility of LDL to copper-mediated oxidation was investigated after feeding semi-purified diets to 3 groups of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. All diets comprised 40% energy as fat with 17% energy as oleic acid. Dietary fatty acid compositions were identical. Oils with different polyphenol contents were used to provide the dietary source of oleic acid — refined olive oil, extra virgin olive oil and Trisun high oleic sunflower seed oil. Polyphenolic compounds (hydroxytyrosol and p-tyrosol) could only be detected in the extra virgin olive oil. Vitamin E was equalised in all diets. LDL oxidizability in vitro was determined by continuously monitoring the copper-induced formation of conjugated dienes after 6 weeks of experimental diet feeding. The lag phase before demonstrable oxidation occurred was significantly increased in the high polyphenol, extra virgin olive oil group (P < 0.05) when compared with combined results from the low polyphenol group (refined olive oil and Trisun), even though the LDL vitamin E concentration in the high polyphenol group was significantly lower. The rate of conjugated diene formation was not influenced by the presence of dietary polyphenols. Results demonstrate that antioxidants, possibly phenolic compounds which are present only in extra virgin olive oil, may contribute to the endogenous antioxidant capacity of LDL, resulting in an increased resistance to oxidation as determined in vitro.     

Patient-reported outcomes for patients undergoing radical cystectomy: a prospective case–control study

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to measure patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BC) before the diagnosis of BC was known, thus before cystectomy, and until 1 year postcystectomy. The differences in outcomes between a health status (HS) and quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were examined.

Methods

From July 2007 to July 2010, 598 patients with primary hematuria were enrolled in this prospective, multi-centre case–control (CC) study. Patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC; N?=?18) were compared with patients with other causes of hematuria (CC, N?=?20). Measurement points were before diagnosis as well as 3, 6 and 12 months postcystectomy. Questionnaires used were the WHOQOL-BREF, SF-12, International Index of Erectile Function, and 10-item STAI-Trait scale.

Results

Prediagnosis patients who later appeared to have BC had the same QoL compared to CC patients. The prediagnosis physical component scale of HS and sexual function were significantly lower for RC vs. CC patients. RC patients had a better prediagnostic QoL and HS than postcystectomy at all time points.

Conclusions

This is the first case–control study with a baseline measurement of PROs before the diagnosis of BC was known. It shows lower physical health and sexual function for RC vs. CC before diagnosis is known. Until 1 year postcystectomy, QoL does not return to baseline level. Future studies including comorbidity and smoking history are needed to examine the generalizability of our results.     

Exercise Capacity, Muscle Strength, and Fatigue in Sarcoidosis: A Follow-Up Study

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of exercise intolerance, reduced muscle strength, and fatigue and the changes in these parameters in individual patients during a 2-year follow-up study.

Methods

Ninety sarcoidosis patients (62 males and 28 females; mean age: 46.0 ± 10.2 years) participated in a 2-year follow-up study. At the baseline and follow-up measurements, patients performed a 6-min walk test and elbow flexor muscle strength, quadriceps peak torque, and hamstrings peak torque tests. Maximal inspiratory pressure was recorded. All patients completed the Fatigue Assessment Scale.

Results

Both at baseline and follow-up, a substantial proportion of the patients showed a reduced 6-minute walk test (41.6 and 34.8 %, respectively), elbow flexor muscle strength (6.7 and 14.6 %), quadriceps peak torque (21.3 and 18 %), hamstrings peak torque (13.5 and 12.4 %), and maximal inspiratory pressure (45.9 and 48.6 %). The majority of the patients reported fatigue (86 and 77 %). These physical impairments remained stable during the follow-up period. The prevalence of these physical impairments in patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis <2 years before inclusion in this study was similar to that in patients with a longer history of the disease.

Conclusions

Exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, and fatigue are frequent problems in symptomatic sarcoidosis patients with a stable and persistent character. This study highlights that beyond medical treatment a rehabilitation program should be considered as adjunct therapy in the multidisciplinary management of sarcoidosis patients even though the achieved benefit needs future studies.     

Feasibility of a nurse‐led in‐home cognitive behavioral program to manage concerns about falls in frail older people: A process evaluation

Concerns about falls and related avoidance of activities are common problems among older people living in the community. In this study we examined the feasibility and acceptability of AMB‐Home (the Dutch in‐home version of A Matter of Balance), a nurse‐led in‐home cognitive behavioral program developed for frail community‐living older people with concerns about falls and related activity avoidance. The multicomponent program consisted of seven individual sessions, including three home visits and four telephone contacts. Data were collected from eight nurses and 194 participants. Generally, the program was considered acceptable and feasible by both the nurses and the participants. When AMB‐Home turns out to be effective, the implementation of a fine‐tuned version of this in‐home program in regular health care, would be a natural next step. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36:257–270, 2013     

Alterations in excitation-contraction coupling in chronically ischemic or hibernating myocardium

In coronary artery disease, areas subtended by a severely stenotic artery or by collateral vessels can develop chronic contractile dysfunction in the absence of necrosis. This dysfunction is thought to be adaptive to the reduced flow reserve and can be reversible upon revascularization, hence the term ‘hibernating’ myocardium. In the present report, the underlying cellular mechanisms were studied in a pig with severe stenosis in the left circumflex coronary artery, resulting in hibernation in the distal myocardium.     

Dual X-ray absorptiometry for alveolar bone: precision of periimplant mineral measurements ex vivo

The precision of measurements of minor mineral changes in alveolar bone mineral content (ABMC) and alveolar bone mineral density (ABMD) on implant surfaces was determined in small regions (0.03±0.005 cm² using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Dog hemimandibles with alveolar processes containing 17 implants were studied ex vivo. The precision was expressed as the coefficient of variation in percent (c.v. %) The ultra-high resolution protocol was applied to the mesial, distal and apical subregions of each implant. The line spacing was 0.0254 cm and the point resolution was 0.0127 cm. The mean c.v. (%)±s.d. for the ABMC in the mesial, distal and apical regions were 0.42±0.I7,0.47±0.21 and 0.48±0.18, respectively. For the ABMD these values were 0.42±0.16,0.47±0.19 0.47±0.19 and 0.48±0.16. For each region approximately 68% of the 17 c.v. values were distributed within 1 s.d. from the mean c.v. These results indicate that measurements are highly reproducible (better than 0.48%) and that there are no differences in precision between several peri-implant regions. Changes as small as 0.85% in ABMC and ABMD in small areas adjacent to implant surfaces are measurable with a confidence level of 95%. Therefore the DXA technique will be expedient for our research evaluating the efficacy of the ceramic hydroxyapatite implant releasing agents affecting or inducing alveolar bone- and root cementum-like materials on its surface.