Effects of 12 weeks of water aerobics on body composition in those affected by breast cancer.

Exercise may prevent changes in body composition and provide an effective means of improving the side effects of treatment without causing lymphedema. PURPOSE: Test the effectiveness of a 12-week water aerobics program on body composition and lymphedema risk in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Body composition analysis was completed at weeks 0, 6, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Ten females completed all testing. Baseline subject characteristics were as follows: age (59.40 ± 8.22 years), weight (169.91 ± 41.70 lbs), body fat percent (%BF) (40.15 ± 9.84%), body fat mass (BFM) (71.27 ± 31.50 lbs), lean body mass (LBM) (98.66 ± 13.24 lbs), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) (53.17 ± 8.09 lbs), intracellular water (ICW) (44.24 ± 6.18 lbs), and extracellular water (ECW) (28.91 ± 3.62 lbs). One-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences over time as determined for weight (F(2.27) = 0.002, P = 0.96), %BF (F(2.27) = 0.004, P = 0.97), BFM (F(2.27) = 0.001, P = 0.97), LBM (F(2.27) = 0.013, P = 0.95), SMM (F(2.27) = 0.027, P = 0.91), ICW (F(2.27) = 0.021, P = 0.93), and ECW (F(2.27) = 0.01, P = 0.94) across the 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: A water aerobics program for 12 weeks was not enough to observe changes in body composition nor did it increase the risk for lymphedema and may be a safe exercise method for breast cancer survivors.

Characterization of rhesus macaque B-lymphoblastoid cell lines infected with simian type D retrovirus.

A simian type D retrovirus designated SRV induces a fatal immunosuppressive disease in rhesus macaques. This syndrome shows many clinical similarities to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. To investigate the mechanisms of immune dysfunction in SRV infection, we have focused on the interactions of SRV serotype 1 (SRV-1) with macaque B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL). Procedures were optimized for establishing B-LCL by immortalization of macaque B lymphocytes with rhesus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These cell lines express B-cell surface markers, secrete immunoglobulins of the IgG or IgM isotypes, and release EBV which transforms monkey B cells. In vitro cultures of B-LCL supported replication of SRV-1. Several B-LCL infected with SRV-1 showed downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression whereas levels of MHC class I antigen remained unchanged. Infection of B-LCL with SRV-1 did not alter the level of secreted immunoglobulin. Rhesus EBV was also used to obtain B-LCL from macaques infected with SRV-1; these cell lines were found to release infectious SRV-1. Investigations on the interactions of SRV-1 with B cells will be useful for elucidating mechanisms involved in the immunopathogenesis of primate retroviruses.

Prevalence of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis Leidy) in coyotes from five northern California counties.

Prevalence rates of heartworm in coyotes was estimated for five northern California counties by examining hearts of coyotes obtained from federal or private trappers. Prevalence rates range from 8.3-27.3%, but the proportion of infected coyotes can vary between two regions of the same county. In general, it seems that higher infection rates are found in the foothill regions of the Coastal Range and Sierra Nevada, decreasing towards the floor of the Sacramento Valley as well as at higher elevations. The use of coyotes as sentinel animals for detecting natural foci of transmission is postulated.