The Effects of Exercise Prescription on Aerobic Performance and Quality of Life During the Course of Lymphoma Chemotherapy: Results of a Prospective Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study is designed to investigate the physical, psychological and quality of life (QoL) effects of a 16 week supervised and structured intensive aerobic and strength training during the first line chemotherapy of lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This pre-post study with two groups enrolled ≥18 years of age lymphoma patients scheduled for the first line chemotherapy. Eligible patients were assigned upon patients' preference either to control group (Group C) involving simple counselling, or intervention group (Group I) involving supervised intensive training. Baseline, interim and final evaluations were performed per protocol. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to investigate the effect of intervention. RESULTS: The mean age of 47 enrolled patients was 44 [standard deviation (SD) ± 17] and 27 (57.4%) of them were male. Patients in Group C (n = 19) and Group I (n = 28) had similar baseline characteristics. Tmax was significantly higher in Group I (P = .03) without a significant change during the study course (P = .98). Significant increases were observed in the power of some muscle groups, irrespective of the intervention type. The mean adherence rates were 83.0% (SD ± 22.0) and 54.0% (SD ± 23.0); the discontinuation rates were 10.7% (n = 3) and 42.9% (n = 12), at interim and final evaluations, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both supervised and structured schemes and simple counselling, prevent further muscle wasting and lead to modest improvements in aerobic performance and muscle strength during lymphoma chemotherapy. These results do not translate into a significant improvement in QoL measures. Non-adherence and discontinuation are important issues to be solved.

TiO2 thin films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis as photocatalytic material for air purification.

In this study, we showed that the TiO2 thin films deposited onto window glass are practicable for air purification and self-cleaning applications. TiO2 films were deposited onto window glass by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. Different deposition temperatures were used in the range of 250-450°C. The structural, morphological, optical properties and surface chemical composition were investigated to understand probable factors affecting photocatalytic performance and wettability of the TiO2 thin films. The TiO2 thin films were smooth, compacted and adhered adequately on the substrate with a thickness in the range of 100-240 nm. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that all the TiO2 thin films consisted of anatase phase structure with the mean crystallite size in the range of 13-35 nm. The optical measurements showed that the deposited films were highly transparent (approx. 85%). The wettability test results showed that the TiO2 thin films sprayed at 350°C and 450°C and annealed at 500°C for 1 h were superhydrophilic. The photocatalytic activity of the films was tested for the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in multi-section plug-flow reactor. The TiO2 film deposited at 350°C exhibited the highest amount of conversion of MTBE, approximately 80%.