Which cancer survivors are at risk for a physically inactive and sedentary lifestyle? Results from pooled accelerometer data of 1447 cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has beneficial effects on the health of cancer survivors. We aimed to investigate accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary time in cancer survivors, and describe activity profiles. Additionally, we identify demographic and clinical correlates of physical activity, sedentary time and activity profiles. METHODS: Accelerometer, questionnaire and clinical data from eight studies conducted in four countries (n = 1447) were pooled. We calculated sedentary time and time spent in physical activity at various intensities using Freedson cut-points. We used latent profile analysis to identify activity profiles, and multilevel linear regression analyses to identify demographic and clinical variables associated with accelerometer-assessed moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, the highly active and highly sedentary profile, adjusting for confounders identified using a directed acyclic graph. RESULTS: Participants spent on average 26 min (3%) in MVPA and 568 min (66%) sedentary per day. We identified six activity profiles. Older participants, smokers and participants with obesity had significantly lower MVPA and higher sedentary time. Furthermore, men had significantly higher MVPA and sedentary time than women and participants who reported less fatigue had higher MVPA time. The highly active profile included survivors with high education level and normal body mass index. Haematological cancer survivors were less likely to have a highly active profile compared to breast cancer survivors. The highly sedentary profile included older participants, males, participants who were not married, obese, smokers, and those < 12 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors engage in few minutes of MVPA and spend a large proportion of their day sedentary. Correlates of MVPA, sedentary time and activity profiles can be used to identify cancer survivors at risk for a sedentary and inactive lifestyle.

Antifungal activities of cytochalasins produced by Diaporthe miriciae, an endophytic fungus associated with tropical medicinal plants.

In the present study, we evaluated the antifungal potential of cytochalasins produced by Diaporthe taxa against phytopathogenic fungi. Using molecular methods, seven endophytic fungal strains from the medicinal plants Copaifera pubiflora and Melocactus ernestii were identified as Diaporthe miriciae, while two isolates were identified to the genus level (Diaporthe sp.). All crude extracts of Diaporthe species produced via solid-state fermentation were evaluated by 1H NMR analyses. Crude extracts of the isolates D. miriciae UFMGCB 6350, 7719, 7646, 7653, 7701, 7772, and 7770 and Diaporthe sp. UFMGCB 7696 and 7720 were demonstrated to produce highly functionalized compounds. The extracts of D. miriciae UFMGCB 7719 and 6350 were selected as representative Diaporthe samples and subjected to bioassay-directed fractionation to isolate cytochalasins H and J. Cytochalasins H and J were evaluated for activities against the fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum acutatum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomopsis obscurans, and Phomopsis viticola using microdilution broth assays. Cytochalasins H and J exhibited the most potent activities against the Phomopsis species tested. Our results showed that Diaporthe species were potential producers of different cytochalasins, which exhibit potential for controlling fungal diseases in planta and (or) maintaining antagonism.

Non-invasive assessment of ventriculo-arterial coupling using aortic wave intensity analysis combining central blood pressure and phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Wave intensity analysis (WIA) in the aorta offers important clinical and mechanistic insight into ventriculo-arterial coupling, but is difficult to measure non-invasively. We performed WIA by combining standard cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) flow-velocity and non-invasive central blood pressure (cBP) waveforms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and six healthy volunteers (age range 21-73 years, 47% male) underwent sequential phase contrast CMR (Siemens Aera 1.5 T, 1.97 × 1.77 mm2, 9.2 ms temporal resolution) and supra-systolic oscillometric cBP measurement (200 Hz). Velocity (U) and central pressure (P) waveforms were aligned using the waveform foot, and local wave speed was calculated both from the PU-loop (c) and the sum of squares method (cSS). These were compared with CMR transit time derived aortic arch pulse wave velocity (PWVtt). Associations were examined using multivariable regression. The peak intensity of the initial compression wave, backward compression wave, and forward decompression wave were 69.5 ± 28, -6.6 ± 4.2, and 6.2 ± 2.5 × 104 W/m2/cycle2, respectively; reflection index was 0.10 ± 0.06. PWVtt correlated with c or cSS (r = 0.60 and 0.68, respectively, P < 0.01 for both). Increasing age decade and female sex were independently associated with decreased forward compression wave (-8.6 and -20.7 W/m2/cycle2, respectively, P < 0.01) and greater wave reflection index (0.02 and 0.03, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This novel non-invasive technique permits straightforward measurement of wave intensity at scale. Local wave speed showed good agreement with PWVtt, and correlation was stronger using the cSS than the PU-loop. Ageing and female sex were associated with poorer ventriculo-arterial coupling in healthy individuals.

Patterns of use and tolerance of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies in older adults with metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding the tolerance of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies among elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We retrospectively reviewed our experience of treating elderly patients with mCRC with these agents between 2004 and 2011. METHODS: Patients with mCRC ≥ 65 years treated with anti-EGFR agents were included in this analysis. We recorded demographic and disease characteristics, treatment regimen and duration, KRAS status, and overall survival (OS). Toxicity evaluation included common hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities seen with these agents. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen patients were included, with a median age at treatment initiation of 73 years (range, 65-86 years), 59% of male sex, 82% with colon primary tumors, and 51% with metastatic disease at presentation. Median time on anti-EGFR treatment was 2.4 months. Older age at treatment initiation was associated with use of anti-EGFR antibody as monotherapy versus combination therapy (P = .0009). Worse performance status (PS) at treatment initiation was associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) (P = .013) and shorter treatment duration (P = .01). The incidence of hematologic/nonhematologic grade ≥ 3 was 36% and 15%, respectively. No association was found between age and presence of grade ≥ 3 toxicity. Longer treatment duration and better PS at treatment initiation were the only factors associated with higher incidence of grade 3 toxicity. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that anti-EGFR antibodies can be used in older patients with mCRC, with toxicity profiles similar to those reported in large phase III studies of younger patients. Advanced age was associated with receipt of anti-EGFR agents as monotherapy but did not impact treatment outcomes in this population.

Derivatization of benz[a]anthracene metabolites for detection by laser excited Shpol'skii spectrometry.

The polar metabolites of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are of significant oncological interest. In contrast to parent PACs, isomer selective detection of polar PACs by laser excited Shpol'skii spectrometry (LESS) is severely limited by excessively broadened spectra and rapid photodegradation in n-alkane solvents. To minimize these limitations a 10-min derivatization procedure was developed to produce corresponding methoxy compounds, that exhibit the Shpol'skii effect. By use of the extraction and permethylation procedure, the selective detection of a mixture of hydroxy-benz[a]anthracene isomers spiked at the low picogram level into urine and blood matrices was achieved. A detection limit for 1-hydroxybenz[a]anthracene was 0.6 part per trillion, or 12 fg (0.05 fmol) on a 20-microL sample.

Gas chromatographic-atmospheric pressure active nitrogen method for organomercury speciation in environmental samples.

Methods are presented for the determination of methylmercury in fish, water, urine, and sediments, and diorganomercury compounds in water. Two significant differences from previous methods are the use of methylene chloride extracting solvent which permits sample extracts to be concentrated to volumes as low as 0.1 mL, and use of a gas chromatograph interfaced to an atmospheric pressure active nitrogen (APAN) afterflow detector. Such a detector is very sensitive and selective for Hg at picogram levels. Thus, limits of detection were significantly enhanced.