Physical activity as a protective factor in relapse following smoking cessation in participants with a depressive disorder

The factors predicting smoking abstinence in depressive smokers, and the role of physical activity in precessation, were investigated. One hundred thirty-three smokers with current major depressive disorders (score ≥10 on the Depression subscale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were recruited from a large prospective cohort of smokers (n = 1,119). Over a maximum period of 3 years, regression modeling, adjusted for potential confounders, showed that physical activity was associated with relapse (relapse rate = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.34-0.85, p = .008). Also, antidepressants, anxiolytics, level of education, and number of attempts to quit were associated with relapse. The protective role of physical activity on relapse rate could be a modifiable factor in smoking cessation for smokers with depressive disorders.     

Micellar formulations of Crizotinib and Dasatinib in the management of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) defies the currently practiced management of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery and hence, it is associated with a high fatality rate with a median survival of 14.6 months. In our previous work investigating different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), we established that a combination of Crizotinib and Dasatinib exerted the most potent effect on different GBM cell lines. In this work, to improve targeted therapy at the site of the tumour and avoid systemic toxicity, we exploited the enhanced permeability and retention effect by designing micellar formulations of these two TKIs. Crizotinib and Dasatinib were successfully encapsulated in poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) micelles which were then evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, anti-proliferative effect, mode of cell death, efficacy in spheroid models, effect on cell signalling, antiangiogenic potential and in vivo anticancer activity. Our results showed that this combination had induced a potent anti-proliferative effect in four GBM cell lines grown as a monolayer and as a spheroid. The combination was also efficacious in in vitro models of angiogenesis and vascular mimicry. In vivo data showed the enhanced activity of the micellar TKIs compared to free drugs. In conclusion, we proved that micellar formulations of Crizotinib and Dasatinib carry promising in vitro and in vivo efficacy that warrant further investigation.     

Focal Therapy in Prostate Cancer: International Multidisciplinary Consensus on Trial Design

Background

Focal therapy has been introduced for the treatment of localised prostate cancer (PCa). To provide the necessary data for consistent assessment, all focal therapy trials should be performed according to uniform, systematic pre- and post-treatment evaluation with well-defined end points and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Objective

To obtain consensus on trial design for focal therapy in PCa.

Design, setting, and participants

A four-staged consensus project based on a modified Delphi process was conducted in which 48 experts in focal therapy of PCa participated. According to this formal consensus-building method, participants were asked to fill out an iterative sequence of questionnaires to collect data on trial design. Subsequently, a consensus meeting was held in which 13 panellists discussed acquired data, clarified the results, and defined the conclusions.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

A multidisciplinary board from oncologic centres worldwide reached consensus on patient selection, pretreatment assessment, evaluation of outcome, and follow-up.

Results and limitations

Inclusion criteria for candidates in focal therapy trials are patients with prostate-specific antigen <15 ng/ml, clinical stage T1c–T2a, Gleason score 3 + 3 or 3 + 4, life expectancy of >10 yr, and any prostate volume. The optimal biopsy strategy includes transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies to be taken between 6 mo and 12 mo after treatment. The primary objective should be focal ablation of clinically significant disease with negative biopsies at 12 mo after treatment as the primary end point.

Conclusions

This consensus report provides a standard for designing a feasible focal therapy trial.

Patient summary

A variety of ablative technologies have been introduced and applied in a focal manner for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). In this consensus report, an international panel of experts in the field of PCa determined pre- and post-treatment work-up for focal therapy research.     

Muscle Activation during Push-Ups with Different Suspension Training Systems

The purpose of this study was to analyze upper extremity and core muscle activation when performing push-ups with different suspension devices. Young fit male university students (n = 29) performed 3 push-ups each with 4 different suspension systems. Push-up speed was controlled using a metronome and testing order was randomized. Average amplitude of the electromyographic root mean square of Triceps Brachii, Upper Trapezius, Anterior Deltoid, Clavicular Pectoralis, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris, and Lumbar Erector Spinae was recorded. Electromyographic signals were normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Electromyographic data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance with a Bonferroni post hoc. Based upon global arithmetic mean of all muscles analyzed, the suspended push-up with a pulley system provided the greatest activity (37.76% of MVIC; p < 0.001). Individually, the suspended push-up with a pulley system also provided the greatest triceps brachii, upper trapezius, rectus femoris and erector lumbar spinae muscle activation. In contrast, more stable conditions seem more appropriate for pectoralis major and anterior deltoid muscles. Independent of the type of design, all suspension systems were especially effective training tools for reaching high levels of rectus abdominis activation.

Key Points

• Compared with standard push-ups on the floor, suspended push-ups increase core muscle activation.
• A one-anchor system with a pulley is the best option to increase TRICEP, TRAPS, LUMB and FEM muscle activity.
• More stable conditions such as the standard push-up or a parallel band system provide greater increases in DELT and PEC muscle activation.
• A suspended push-up is an effective method to achieve high muscle activity levels in the ABS.

Key words: EMG, unstable, core, trunk, exercise