Effect of physical exercise on muscle mass and strength in cancer patients during treatment--a systematic review.

Cancer treatment and its side effects may cause muscle wasting. Physical exercise has the potential to increase muscle mass and strength and to improve physical function in cancer patients undergoing treatment. A systematic review was conducted to study the effect of physical exercise (aerobic, resistance or a combination of both) on muscle mass and strength in cancer patients with different type and stage of cancer disease. Electronic searches were performed up to January 11th 2012, identifying 16 randomised controlled trials for final data synthesis. The studies demonstrated that aerobic and resistance exercise improves upper and lower body muscle strength more than usual care. Few studies have assessed the effect of exercise on muscle mass. Most studies were performed in patients with early stage breast or prostate cancer. Evidence on the effect of physical exercise on muscle strength and mass in cancer patients with advanced disease is lacking. More exercise studies in patients with advanced cancer and at risk of cancer cachexia are warranted.

Microsatellite standardization and evaluation of genotyping error in a large multi-partner research programme for conservation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Microsatellite genotyping is a common DNA characterization technique in population, ecological and evolutionary genetics research. Since different alleles are sized relative to internal size-standards, different laboratories must calibrate and standardize allelic designations when exchanging data. This interchange of microsatellite data can often prove problematic. Here, 16 microsatellite loci were calibrated and standardized for the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, across 12 laboratories. Although inconsistencies were observed, particularly due to differences between migration of DNA fragments and actual allelic size ('size shifts'), inter-laboratory calibration was successful. Standardization also allowed an assessment of the degree and partitioning of genotyping error. Notably, the global allelic error rate was reduced from 0.05 ± 0.01 prior to calibration to 0.01 ± 0.002 post-calibration. Most errors were found to occur during analysis (i.e. when size-calling alleles; the mean proportion of all errors that were analytical errors across loci was 0.58 after calibration). No evidence was found of an association between the degree of error and allelic size range of a locus, number of alleles, nor repeat type, nor was there evidence that genotyping errors were more prevalent when a laboratory analyzed samples outside of the usual geographic area they encounter. The microsatellite calibration between laboratories presented here will be especially important for genetic assignment of marine-caught Atlantic salmon, enabling analysis of marine mortality, a major factor in the observed declines of this highly valued species.

Altered composition of HDL3 in FH subjects causing a HDL subfraction with less atheroprotective function.

BACKGROUND: Subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are associated with increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, onset of clinically manifested CAD varies widely among subjects with heterozygous FH. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether FH subjects with an identical mutation in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene have a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)3 that is characterized by a less atheroprotective functions than that of healthy controls and within subgroups of FH. DESIGN: Twenty-two adults <75 years of age with FH and 17 healthy sex- and age-matched controls were included. HDL3 was isolated and the composition was characterized from each subject, and its ability to suppress tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha stimulated expression of ICAM-1 on HUVEC was investigated. In addition, plasma level of soluble sICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was measured. RESULTS: Compared to controls, FH subjects had lower content of phospholipids in their HDL3 subfraction and a higher serum ICAM-1 level. No differences in sVCAM-1 were observed. HDL3 isolated from FH with body mass index(BMI)>25 and from FH subjects with premature CAD contained higher content of triglycerides compared to the HDL3 from FH subjects with BMI<25 and without CAD, respectively. Most important, when testing the function of HDL3 in the two FH subgroups characterized by elevated BMI and premature CAD, lower inhibition of ICAM-1 expression on HUVEC was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The altered composition of HDL3 from FH subjects with BMI>25 and FH subjects with premature CAD may be responsible for a HDL3 subfraction with less protective properties assessed as inhibition of ICAM-1 expression on HUVEC consequently leading to more proatherogenic endothelial surface.

Lifetime success and interactions of farm salmon invading a native population.

Farm Atlantic salmon escape and invade rivers throughout the North Atlantic annually, which has generated growing concern about their impacts on native salmon populations. A large-scale experiment was therefore undertaken in order to quantify the lifetime success and interactions of farm salmon invading a Norwegian river. Sexually mature farm and native salmon were genetically screened, radio tagged and released into the River Imsa where no other salmon had been allowed to ascend. The farm fishes were competitively and reproductively inferior, achieving less than one-third the breeding success of the native fishes. Moreover, this inferiority was sex biased, being more pronounced in farm males than females, resulting in the principal route of gene flow involving native males mating with farm females. There were also indications of selection against farm genotypes during early survival but not thereafter. However, evidence of resource competition and competitive displacement existed as the productivity of the native population was depressed by more than 30%. Ultimately, the lifetime reproductive success (adult to adult) of the farm fishes was 16% that of the native salmon. Our results indicate that such annual invasions have the potential for impacting on population productivity, disrupting local adaptations and reducing the genetic diversity of wild salmon populations.

Pharmacokinetics of transperitoneal insulin transport.

Seven type I insulin-dependent diabetic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment were selected for this study. Each patient participated in three different 6-hour 'single-dwell' studies on 3 consecutive days. A mean dose of 33 +/- 1.3 U Insulin Actrapid Human was given intraperitoneally each day. The procedures for intraperitoneal insulin administration were: (1) with 1,000 ml Ringer lactate; (2) with 1,000 ml 3.86% glucose-containing dialysate, and (3) into an empty peritoneal cavity. The calculation of the intraperitoneal volume was done with a single injection indicator dilution technique in which 100 kBq radioiodinated serum albumin (RISA) was added into the fluid prior to instillation. Free insulin and glucose were analyzed at 16 time intervals in blood and in dialysate during each dwell. After drainage the peritoneal cavity was rinsed with 1,000 ml Ringer lactate followed by two consecutive 5-hour exchanges with 2,000 ml glucose-containing dialysate. Recovery of insulin and RISA was measured in rinsing fluid and in sampled dialysate during the 6-hour dwell. The kinetic calculations made for insulin were disappearance rate (mU/min) from the peritoneal cavity, and appearance rate in circulating blood. After drainage and rinsing, 66.0 +/- 10 and 71.8 +/- 9.8% of the insulin instilled had disappeared after 6 h from the glucose fluid and from the Ringer solution respectively and did not differ significantly. However, the estimated disappearance rate from the peritoneal cavity was significantly higher in Ringer than in glucose from the time interval 120 to 360 min. A high and peak-shaped insulin concentration in the plasma was found following insulin injection into an empty peritoneal cavity, and was significantly higher than when insulin was dissolved in a 1,000-ml fluid volume. However, a higher blood concentration was also found when Ringer was instilled than when a hyperosmolal glucose solution was instilled. A high first-pass elimination in the liver is suggested. In conclusion, fluid volume and also the osmolality of the solution in the peritoneal cavity decreases the transport rate, but not the bioavailability of insulin given intraperitoneally. Both a high peak shape and a continuous insulin appearance in blood can be achieved. It is suggested that there is a high first-pass elimination of insulin during absorption from the peritoneal cavity. However, the values are uncertain and extended investigations must be done.

Generation and removal of anaphylatoxins during hemofiltration with five different membranes.

The generation of anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) during hemofiltration with polysulfone (F60), acrylonitrile (AN69 HF), polyamid (FH77), polyacrylonitrile (PAN200) and cellulose-acetate (Duo-Flux) membranes were investigated. The 'net' production of C3a in the blood compartment during the treatment was 3,028 micrograms (Duo-Flux), 1,845 micrograms (FH77), 270 micrograms (F60), -2,388 micrograms (AN69 HF) and -5,189 micrograms (PAN200), the latter two negative values reflecting a high adsorption of C3a to the membrane material. Corresponding values for C5a were 185 micrograms (AN69 HF), 108 micrograms (F60), 83 micrograms (PAN200), 6 micrograms (FH77) and -133 micrograms (Duo-Flux). The sieving coefficient remained stable for C5a throughout the treatment, while it fell significantly for C3a with the F60 membrane (0.44-0.25) and increased significantly for the FH77 membrane (0.14-0.33). The cellulose-acetate membrane device produced the most pronounced drop in white blood cell counts and the acrylonitrile membrane the least. The Duo-Flux device was significantly less biocompatible than the other membranes investigated, while little differences were found between AN69 HF, F60, FH77 and PAN200. When hemodialysis is compared with hemofiltration employing the same membranes, the latter appears to be a more biocompatible treatment modality partly due to convective removal of activated complement from the blood compartment into the filtrate.

Removal, generation and adsorption of beta-2-microglobulin during hemofiltration with five different membranes.

Removal of beta 2-microglobulin (B2MG) from uremic plasma during hemofiltration in 5 patients using polysulfone (F60), acrylonitrile (AN69), polyamid (FH77), polyacrylonitrile (PAN200) and cellulose-acetate (Duo-Flux) membranes was investigated. The reduction in plasma concentration of B2MG (corrected for hemoconcentration during treatment) was greatest for the F60 hemofilter (61%, sieving coefficient 0.55 at end of treatment) and the AN69 (48%, sieving coefficient 0.45 at end of treatment, while the PAN200 membrane showed no reduction in plasma concentration of B2MG during treatment. Mass balance for B2MG showed that there was a continued net adsorption of B2MG in the AN69 membrane (about 120 mg) throughout the treatment, while insignificant amount of B2MG was absorbed by the F60 membrane. The results with the PAN200 showed a 'negative adsorption', indicating release of B2MG from cells into the plasma as blood passed through this filter. Comparison of reduction in plasma concentrations, sieving coefficients, plasma clearances and filter mass balances showed that the question of B2MG removal during hemofiltration is a complex issue where adsorption to the membrane, 'shedding' from blood cells, membrane pore size and possibly also 'redistribution' of B2MG in the body must be considered.

Biocompatibility aspects of cellophane, cellulose acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone and polycarbonate hemodialyzers.

The biocompatibility of cuprammonium rayon (Cu), cellulose acetate, polysulfone (Ps) and polyacrylonitrile hollow-fiber dialyzers and a polycarbonate-polyether flat plate dialyzer has been investigated. The Cu dialyzer resulted in more complement activation and a greater degree of leukopenia than the others, while the Ps hollow-fiber dialyzer appeared to be the most biocompatible of the membrane equipment in this study. These results were confirmed by in vitro evaluations and microscopic examinations of the different dialyzers.