Dietary NO3- does not enhance endothelial dependent cutaneous vascular conductance in older women.

Prior work has yet to determine whether the reduction of dietary nitrate (NO3-) to NO, via the enterosalivary pathway, may modify cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) responses to local heating in older women. Changes occurring with the transition to menopause related to hormonal flux, increased adiposity, and/or decreased physical activity may further compound the negative influence of aging on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent CVC. Herein, we characterized changes in NO-dependent CVC following acute ingestion of 140 mL of NO3--rich beetroot juice in 24 older women (age: 65 ± 5 y, BMI: 31.2 ± 3.7 kg/m2). Red blood cell (RBC) flux was measured continuously via laser-Doppler flowmetry on the dorsal aspect of the forearm during local skin heating to 39 °C/44 °C before and 3 h after NO3- ingestion. NO-dependent changes in CVC were calculated as RBC flux/mean arterial blood pressure at 39 °C and normalized as a proportion of maximal CVC at 44 °C (%CVCmax). Changes (Δ) in fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) following NO3- ingestion were used an index of NO bioavailability. Despite increased FeNO (+81 ± 70 %, P < 0.001), %CVCmax at 39 °C was reduced (-16 ± 10 %, P < 0.001) following NO3- ingestion. A greater reduction in %CVCmax was weakly to moderately associated with higher body fat% (r = 0.45 [0.05-0.72], P = 0.029), central adiposity% (r = 0.50 [0.13-0.75], P = 0.012), neutrophil% (r = 0.42 [0.02-0.70], P = 0.041), and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.49 [0.11-0.75], P = 0.016). These findings demonstrate a single dose of dietary NO3- does not promote CVC responses to local heating in sedentary older women with overweight and obesity. Correlation with multiple biomarkers suggest systemic inflammation may be involved.

Functional Status, Mood State, and Physical Activity Among Women With Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome.

Objectives: While organ-specific pathophysiology has been well-described in SARS-CoV-2 infection, less is known about the attendant effects on functional status, mood state and leisure-time physical activity (PA) in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PASC). Methods: A case-control design was employed to recruit 32 women (n = 17 SARS-CoV-2; n = 15 controls) matched on age (54 ± 12 years) and body mass index (27 ± 6 kg/m2) that did not differ by smoking status or history of cardiopulmonary disease. Participants completed a series of assessments including Profile of Mood States (POMS), Modified Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ-M), and Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time PA. Results: Significant between-group differences were detected for the POMS total mood disturbance with sub-scale analyses revealing elevated tension, confusion, and lower vigor among SARS-CoV-2 participants (all p-values < 0.05). The number of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms (e.g., loss of taste/smell, muscle aches etc.) were associated (r = 0.620, p = 0.008) with confusion. SARS-CoV-2 participants exhibited poorer functional status (p = 0.008) and reduced leisure-time PA (p = 0.004) compared to controls. Conclusion: The sequela of persistent SARS-CoV-2 symptoms elicit clear disturbances in functional status, mood state, and leisure-time PA among women with PASC. Ongoing symptom presentation affects recovery time-course and PA participation.

Why obesity and psychological stress matter in recovery of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2.

Numerous elements of the COVID-19 pandemic have proven challenging to overcome. We now recognize a perplexing characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 features mixed, unresolving symptoms that can last 4 weeks or longer after initial diagnosis, termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Full recovery can thus become a protracted ordeal as conservative estimates indicate 20% of SARS-CoV-2 cases will develop PASC, with women at increased risk. Emerging evidence suggests latent virus reactivation including cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and/or varicella zoster virus may perpetuate the burden of PASC. This is problematic because immune dysfunction is linked to obesity and psychological stress, both of which disproportionately affect socioeconomically disadvantaged people and racial/ethnic minorities. Applying a patient-centered approach in which the principal factors guiding decision-making are based on the needs and abilities of the individual is essential. Still, the independent and combined influence of obesity and psychological stress on immune function necessitates due consideration in the context of PASC recovery.

Functional status, mood state, and physical activity among women with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: While organ-specific pathophysiology has been well-described in SARS-CoV-2 infection, less is known about the attendant effects on functional status, mood state and leisure-time physical activity (PA) in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS: A case-control design was employed to recruit 32 women ( n = 17 SARS-CoV-2; n = 15 controls) matched on age (54 ± 12 years), body mass index (27 ± 6 kg/m 2 ), smoking status, and history of cardiopulmonary disease. Participants completed a series of assessments including the Modified Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ-M), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time PA. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 participants exhibited poorer functional status ( p = 0.008) and reduced leisure-time PA ( p = 0.004) compared to controls. Significant between-group differences were also detected for the POMS total mood disturbance with sub-scale analyses revealing elevated tension, confusion, and lower vigor among SARS-CoV-2 participants (all p -values < 0.05). The number of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms (e.g., loss of taste / smell, muscle aches etc.) were associated ( r = 0.620, p = 0.008) with confusion. CONCLUSION: The sequela of persistent SARS-CoV-2 symptoms elicit clear disturbances in functional status, mood state, and leisure-time PA among women with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Moving beyond inclusion: Methodological considerations for the menstrual cycle and menopause in research evaluating effects of dietary nitrate on vascular function.

Recent reports have acknowledged the underrepresentation of women in the field of dietary nitrate (NO3-) research. Undoubtedly, greater participation from women is warranted to clarify potential sex differences in the responses to dietary NO3- interventions. However, careful consideration for the effects of sex hormones - principally 17ß-estradiol - on endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and dietary NO3- reductase capacity is necessary for improved interpretation and reproducibility of such investigations. From available literature, we present a narrative review describing how hormonal variations across the menstrual cycle, as well as with menopause, may impact NO biosynthesis catalyzed by NO synthase enzymes and NO3- reduction via the enterosalivary pathway. In doing so, we address methodological considerations related to the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use relevant for the inclusion of premenopausal women along with factors to consider when testing postmenopausal women. Adherence to such methodological practices may explicate the utility of dietary NO3- supplementation as a means to improve vascular function among women across the lifespan.

Exercise load monitoring: integrated approaches to advance the individualisation of exercise oncology.

Whether slowing disease progression or combatting the ills of advancing age, the extensive utility of exercise training has contributed to the outright declaration by the American College of Sports Medicine that 'exercise is medicine'. Consistent with general framework of adaptation, the advantages of exercise training are indiscriminate-benefitting even the most susceptible clinical populations. Still, the benefit of exercise training presupposes healthy adaptation wherein progressive overload matches sufficient recovery. Indeed, a difference exists between healthy adaptation and non-functional over-reaching (ie, when internal/external load exceeds recovery capacity)-a difference that may be blurred by cancer treatment and/or comorbidity. Recent advances in smartwatches make them ideally suited to non-invasively monitor the physiological stresses to exercise training. Resolving whether individuals are successfully adapting to exercise training via load monitoring bears clinical and practical relevance. While behaviour-change research aims to identify positive constructs of exercise adherence, further attention is needed to uncover how to optimise exercise prescription among cancer populations. Herein, we briefly discuss the constituents of exercise load monitoring, present examples of internal and external load and consider how such practices can be applied to cancer populations.

Considerations for Obesity, Vitamin D, and Physical Activity Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As the biomedical community races to disentangle the unknowns associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for causing coronavirus disease, the link between diminished immune function and individuals with obesity raises important questions about the possibility for greater viral pathogenicity in this population. Increased adiposity may undermine the pulmonary microenvironment wherein viral pathogenesis and immune cell trafficking could contribute to a maladaptive cycle of local inflammation and secondary injury. A further challenge to those with obesity during the current pandemic may involve vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. In the interest of personal and public health, we caution decision- and policy makers alike not to pin all hope on a proverbial "silver bullet." Until further breakthroughs emerge, we should remember that modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity should not be marginalized. Decades of empirical evidence support both as key factors promoting health and wellness.