The health effects of Baduanjin exercise (a type of Qigong exercise) in breast cancer survivors: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise, which is a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise, in breast cancer survivors to assess its efficacy for physical and psychological rehabilitation. METHODS: The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighty-six subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 46) or control (n = 40) groups. The intervention group received Baduanjin exercise 3 days/week at hospital and another 4 days/week at home for 6 months, whereas the control group were requested to maintain their original physical activity. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI), heart rate variability, lung capacity, arm circumference, shoulder range of motion, step test index, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: After 6 months of intervention, heart rate variability and shoulder range of motion were significantly improved in the Baduanjin group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were also significant improvements in depression, QOL, and four QOL dimension scores (physical well-being, social well-being, functional well-being, and breast cancer subscale) (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the BMI, lung capacity, arm circumference, step test index, anxiety, and the emotional well-being QOL dimension scores. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that Baduanjin is an effective intervention for improving physical and psychological health outcomes among breast cancer survivors, which is worth recommending and implementing by oncology nurses for breast cancer survivors during their long rehabilitation journeys.

Characterization of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) cytosolic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in terms of molecular structure, genomic arrangement, stress-induced mRNA expression and antioxidant function.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are dedicated to scavenge and dismutate the superoxide anions in order to protect the cells from oxidative stress by establishing the redox homeostasis. In this study, we describe a cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD, the second SOD member from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus (Of-cCu/ZnSOD) at molecular, genomic structural-, transcriptional- and functional-levels. The determination of genomic arrangement of Of-cCu/ZnSOD by means of a BAC library revealed that its primary transcript is represented by five exons and encoded a peptide of 154 amino acids. In silico investigation of Of-cCu/ZnSOD indicated the presence of several family characteristics including two Cu/ZnSOD signatures, seven metal liganding residues and eight ß-sheets forming a ß-barrel topology. Alignment and modeling studies confirmed the conservation of Cu/ZnSOD at primary and tertiary levels. While invertebrate Cu/ZnSOD members mainly demonstrate a tetraexonic structure, the vertebrate members have acquired an additional intron in the third exon resulting in a quinquepartite arrangement with class-specific exon lengths. Although, teleost Cu/ZnSOD members resembled the mammalian orthologs in their genomic organization, they shared a proximal position with molluscan members in the phylogeny. The antioxidant (AO) activity of Of-cCu/ZnSOD was affirmed by a recombinant protein which was also used to examine the biophysical and biochemical properties. The pronounced activity was detected when the rOf-cCu/ZnSOD was expressed with the Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) supplementation. The optimum activities were observed at pH10 and 25°C, and KCN strongly inhibited the activity of the rOf-cCu/ZnSOD. Furthermore, a constitutive mRNA expression of Of-cCu/ZnSOD with higher levels in blood>liver>heart and brain was observed, which was consistent with the transcriptional profile of Of-mMnSOD, suggesting important physiological role(s). This idea was further strengthened by the temporal assessment of Of-cCu/ZnSOD transcripts in animals under pathological (bacteria- or viral-induced) and physiological (H2O2-induced oxidative) stress conditions using qPCR, in which it exhibited significantly up-regulated levels. Screening of Of-cCu/ZnSOD 5'-flanking region revealed the presence of several important transcription factor binding sites that potentially govern the Cu/ZnSOD expression. These findings conjointly contribute to expand our understanding regarding the piscine Cu/ZnSODs and; in particular, the AO enzyme network of rock bream.

Israeli and Chinese partners of women with breast cancer: a cross-cultural view of marital issues.

OBJECTIVE: Cultural nuances may influence the interface between the cancer experience and marital issues, specifically for the partner. Most of the literature has focused on the woman's narrative or couple's adjustment to cancer in general. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the marital relationship, sexuality, and marital adjustment of Israeli and Chinese husbands of women with breast cancer and the discussion of the health-care team concerning these issues. METHODS: A convenience sample of 50 Chinese and 50 Israeli men, ages of 28-79 years, completed components of the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale, the Locke Wallace Adjustment Scale, and a background questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of husbands were in their first marriage. The average time since diagnosis was 16.7 months. No significant difference was found between the two groups on issues of marital relationship. Significant differences were found between Israeli and Chinese husbands on sexual interest, pleasure, and performance (p<0.05). Israeli husbands reported a significantly higher level of marital adjustment as opposed to the Chinese husbands (p = 0.006). Marital adjustment for both groups was significantly related only to perceived quality of the relationship (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Significant cultural differences were found in sexuality variables with no differences discerned on marital relationship variables. Couple-based interventions for marital issues are a critical component of support for both partners. Culturally sensitive assessment and care of the spouse as well as the woman with breast cancer should be part of a holistic, comprehensive family care plan.

Clinical study of kangai injection plus FLAG regimen for refractory/relapsed acute leukemia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the kangai injection combination of fludarabine (Flud), cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (FLAG) in refractory/relapsed acute leukemia (AL) patients.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>From 2004 to 2010 in our hospital, the 49 cases of refractory/relapsed acute luekemia were randomly divided into treatment group (28 cases) and control group (21 cases). The control group were treated by kangai injection plus FLAG regimen, and the control group were treated by FLAG regimen.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The remission rate of treatment and total effective rate treatment group were 57.1% (16/28) and 71.4% (21/28), the control group were 52.3% (11/21) and 61.9% (13/21), there were no significant differences in the two groups. Duration of neutrophils less than 0.5 x 10(9)/L in treatment group was (14 +/- 6) day, control group was (23 +/- 3) day, Duration of platelet less than 25 x 10(9)/L in treatment group was (17 +/- 6) day, control group was (31 +/- 2) day, treatment group of III-IV degree of infection was 6.9% (1/28) and control group was 23.8% (5/21) between the two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). treatment group of III- IV degree of gastrointestinal; toxicity was 10.7% (3/28) and control group was 28. 5% (6/ 21).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Kangai injection plus FLAG regimen could increase the remission rate, shorten the period of bone marrow suppression, significantly reduced the incidence and degree of infection, play a important role in attenuated efficiency.</p>