Are the cardiovascular side effects of bevacizumab caused by autonomic nervous system toxicity?

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 429-429
Author(s):  
Zardasht Oqab ◽  
William McIntyre ◽  
Nazik Hammad ◽  
James Joseph Biagi ◽  
Geoffrey Seaborn ◽  
...  

429 Background: Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor, has demonstrated activity against several malignancies. Reported adverse effects include hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and heart failure. Animal models have suggested ANS toxicity as the mechanism. This pilot study investigates the effects of bevacizumab on short and long-term ANS function using a pre-post intervention design protocol. We report on the acute effects herein. Methods: Patients were recruited among those starting bevacizumab for colon cancer. A 10-minute ECG was recorded prior to, during, and following a first dose and analysed for heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of ANS dysfunction. The HRV values were compared using paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. Plasma hormones were drawn before and after infusion and compared using paired t-tests. Results: Nine patients without a cardiac history were tested. Mean age was 63 years and 5 were male. All were in sinus rhythm with normal systolic function by echo. The Table reports changes in HRV indices and plasma hormones. Conclusions: Acute administration of bevacizumab produced a statistically significant decrease in plasma aldosterone and was associated with a trend towards decreases in plasma norepinephrine and the low/high frequency domain ratio of HRV. These changes may be signs of an early ANS imbalance. Both a larger patient series and longer follow-up are planned to characterize the effects of bevacizumab on the ANS. [Table: see text]

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3541
Author(s):  
Corinne Labyak ◽  
Leslie Kaplan ◽  
Tammie Johnson ◽  
Meghan Moholland

The study’s purpose was to evaluate an intervention to reduce fruit and vegetable food neophobia and influence attitudes and behaviors among children using a four-month, non-experimental, before-and-after intervention. Participants were children aged 5–11 years in an intervention school (IS) and a control school (CS). Children were offered fruit or vegetable samples weekly utilizing school-specific psychosocial and educational practices to encourage participation. The outcomes of interest included attitudes measured using a written survey-based food neophobia scale (FNS), behavioral observations, and an oral survey. The post-intervention IS FNS score was significantly lower compared to pre-intervention (p = 0.04). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant overall effect of time (p = 0.006). School type-time interaction was not significant (p = 0.57). Pre-intervention observational data showed the proportions finishing and taking another fruit and vegetable sample were higher in the CS (p < 0.001 for both). Post-intervention, the proportions taking the vegetable (p = 0.007) and the fruit (p < 0.001) were higher in the IS. The percentage tasting the vegetable was higher in the CS (p = 0.009). Offering samples of produce in school lunchrooms may reduce food neophobia. This intervention is an inexpensive program that volunteers can quickly implement.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2171
Author(s):  
Jae-Woo Lee ◽  
Yonghwan Kim ◽  
Taisun Hyun ◽  
Seunghye Song ◽  
Woojung Yang ◽  
...  

We aimed to investigate if a home meal replacement (HMR), designed with a low ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid ratio, improves cardiometabolic parameters, including metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese individuals. We conducted a monocentric, controlled, randomized crossover trial. The HMR contains higher protein and fat content, lower carbohydrate content, and a lower ω6FA/ω3FA ratio than the regular diet. Sixty-four participants were randomized into two groups and switched to the other group following a 4-week intervention. While subjects in the HMR group were provided three HMRs daily, those in the control group were requested to maintain their regular dietary pattern. We conducted paired t-tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and McNemar tests before and after the intervention. Body mass index (BMI) and weight were lower in the HMR group after adjusting for age, sex, and total energy intake and significantly changed in the between-group differences. The waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, triglyceride–glucose index, and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were reduced in the HMR group (all p < 0.05). The percentage of subjects with MetS significantly decreased from 39.1% at baseline to 28.1% post-intervention (p = 0.035). Using the HMR for 4 weeks reduced the BMI, weight, and MetS prevalence in individuals with obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04552574).


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-615
Author(s):  
Kiran D Kanwar ◽  
Mark D Mann

Several golf swing movements have been correlated with the production of club speed in skilled golfers. However, less skilled golfers, such as senior golfers, may not be capable of many of those movements. One golf swing—Minimalist Golf Swing—reduces the downswing range of motion through which a golfer’s body must move to reach the impact positions seen in skilled golfers. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the MGS could improve senior golfers’ ball flight and consistency, and increase their motivation to play golf. Twenty-two seniors (16 males, 6 females), aged 54–81, participated in an 11-session study comprising pretest, intervention, and posttest sessions. During the test sessions, participants hit 20 shots with each of their own 6-iron and driver clubs. Ball movement immediately after impact was measured using a camera-based ball launch monitor. Participants’ motivation to play golf before and after the intervention was assessed using the Sports Motivation Scale II. A mixed effects model was used for the statistical analysis of this repeated measures study, in which participants served as their own controls. Statistically significant per-session results were an increase in the ball’s speed (6-iron and driver) and trajectory (6-iron), and a change in direction (both clubs) from left to slightly right (for right handed golfers). Consistency of ball flight, total motivation and intrinsic motivation increased slightly post-intervention, while amotivation decreased, none significantly. Therefore, some senior golfers can improve ball flight, consistency, and motivation to play golf after six MGS training sessions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Lamadrid ◽  
Danielle K Williams ◽  
Marcus W Kilpatrick ◽  
Paula C Bickford ◽  
Cyndy Sanberg

Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness of a commercially-available nutraceutical product on levels of exercise-related energy, fatigue, and exertion before and after 4 weeks of supplementation. Primary ingredients within the product include a proprietary blend of blueberry extract, green tea extract, L-carnosine, and Vitamin D3 (NT-020) and rhodiola rosea, a plant that purports to boost energy.Methods: Twenty-seven participants (12 female, 15 male, mean BMI = 23) completed baseline assessment of aerobic fitness (mean VO2 peak = 40 mL x kg-1 x min-1) before being randomized into a placebo or supplement condition for four weeks. All participants were involved in regular physical activity three or more days per week. Assessment of energy, fatigue, and perceived exertion responses during and immediately following moderately intense cycle ergometry exercise was conducted before and after the 4-week ingestion period during which participants were instructed to maintain existing exercise activities.Results: Data were analyzed by way of repeated measures ANOVA and dependent t-tests to determine the presence of significant differences across time and between the supplement and placebo conditions. Participants receiving the supplement reported: greater levels of energy and lower levels of fatigue during the initial moments after completing the exercise trial (p < 0.05), greater levels of energy at the midpoint of the exercise trial (p < 0.05) but not at the end of the exercise session (p > 0.05), and lower perceived exertion at four of the six measurement points during exercise (p < 0.05). No differences were observed from pre to post intervention within the placebo condition (p > 0.05).Conclusions: Findings indicate that a commercially available supplement marketed to boost energy and reduce fatigue can deliver the purported benefits at least in part. Related findings that supplementation for a 4-week period can allow for equal work at a lower rating of perceived exertion provides further, though limited support that this product may have efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Con Stough ◽  
Andrew Scholey ◽  
Gertrude Gentile-Rapinett ◽  
Jeroen Schimdt ◽  
Antinette Goh ◽  
...  

The effect of carbohydrates and sucrose on cognitive performance in children has been the subject of several trials. Some studies have found both positive and negative effects of glucose and carbohydrates on cognitive function in school children. These studies are important in terms of designing functional foods that can assist children in learning throughout the day, and in particular, within a school-educational context. In this study we conducted a 4-way repeated measures within subject crossover randomized controlled trial in which we compared an acute administration of malt, sucrose, milk and water in 58 Malaysian children aged 10-12 years on performance on a battery of cognitive and mood measures before and after exercise. Results indicated that there was a beneficial effect of malt on attention suggesting the importance of carbohydrates to alleviate attentional changes due to exercise in children.Keywords: Malt, Sucrose, Attention, Children


2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110231
Author(s):  
Kishoree Sangarapillai ◽  
Benjamin M. Norman ◽  
Quincy J. Almeida

Background. Exercise is increasingly becoming recognized as an important adjunct to medications in the clinical management of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Boxing and sensory exercise have shown immediate benefits, but whether they continue beyond program completion is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of boxing and sensory training on motor symptoms of PD, and whether these benefits remain upon completion of the intervention. Methods. In this 20-week double-blinded randomized controlled trial, 40 participants with idiopathic PD were randomized into 2 treatment groups, (n = 20) boxing or (n = 20) sensory exercise. Participants completed 10 weeks of intervention. Motor symptoms were assessed at (week 0, 10, and 20) using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted. Results. A significant interaction effect between groups and time were observed F(1, 39) = 4.566, P = .036, where the sensory group improved in comparison to the boxing group. Post hoc analysis revealed that in comparison to boxing, the effects of exercise did not wear off at washout (week 20) P < .006. Conclusion. Future rehabilitation research should incorporate similar measures to explore whether effects of exercise wear off post intervention.


Author(s):  
Nuno Batalha ◽  
Jose A. Parraca ◽  
Daniel A. Marinho ◽  
Ana Conceição ◽  
Hugo Louro ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a standardized water training session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance in age group swimmers, in order to understand whether a muscle-strengthening workout immediately after the water training is appropriate. A repeated measures design was implemented with two measurements performed before and after a standardized swim session. 127 participants were assembled in male (n = 72; age: 16.28 ± 1.55 years, height: 174.15 ± 7.89 cm, weight: 63.97 ± 6.51 kg) and female (n = 55; age: 15.29 ± 1.28 years, height: 163.03 ± 7.19 cm, weight: 52.72 ± 5.48 kg) cohorts. The isometric torque of the shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators, as well as the ER/IR ratios, were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Paired sample t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were used (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found on the shoulder rotators strength or balance in males after training. Females exhibited unchanged strength values after practice, but there was a considerable decrease in the shoulder rotators balance of the non-dominant limb (p < 0.01 d = 0.366). This indicates that a single practice seems not to affect the shoulders strength and balance of adolescent swimmers, but this can be a gender specific phenomenon. While muscle-strengthening workout after the water session may be appropriate for males, it can be questionable regarding females. Swimming coaches should regularly assess shoulder strength levels in order to individually identify swimmers who may or may not be able to practice muscle strengthening after the water training.


Author(s):  
Lidia Borghi ◽  
Elaine C. Meyer ◽  
Elena Vegni ◽  
Roberta Oteri ◽  
Paolo Almagioni ◽  
...  

To describe the experience of the Italian Program to Enhance Relations and Communication Skills (PERCS-Italy) for difficult healthcare conversations. PERCS-Italy has been offered in two different hospitals in Milan since 2008. Each workshop lasts 5 h, enrolls 10–15 interdisciplinary participants, and is organized around simulations and debriefing of two difficult conversations. Before and after the workshops, participants rate their preparation, communication, relational skills, confidence, and anxiety on 5-point Likert scales. Usefulness, quality, and recommendation of the program are also assessed. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, repeated-measures ANOVA, and Chi-square were performed. A total of 72 workshops have been offered, involving 830 interdisciplinary participants. Participants reported improvements in all the dimensions (p < 0.001) without differences across the two hospitals. Nurses and other professionals reported a greater improvement in preparation, communication skills, and confidence, compared to physicians and psychosocial professionals. Usefulness, quality, and recommendation of PERCS programs were highly rated, without differences by discipline. PERCS-Italy proved to be adaptable to different hospital settings, public and private. After the workshops, clinicians reported improvements in self-reported competencies when facing difficult conversations. PERCS-Italy’s sustainability is based on the flexible format combined with a solid learner-centered approach. Future directions include implementation of booster sessions to maintain learning and the assessment of behavioral changes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anette Johansson ◽  
Marie Ernsth Bravell ◽  
Eleonor I. Fransson ◽  
Sofi Fristedt

Abstract Background Home rehabilitation is a growing rehabilitation service in many countries, but scientific knowledge of its components and outcomes is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate; 1) which changes in functioning and self-rated health could be identified in relation to a home rehabilitation program in a population of community-dwelling citizens, and 2) how socio-demographic factors, health conditions and home rehabilitation interventions were associated to change in functioning and self-rated health after the home rehabilitation program. Method The sample consisted of participants in a municipal home rehabilitation project in Sweden and consisted of 165 community-dwelling citizens. General Linear Models (ANOVA repeated measures) was used for identifying changes in rehabilitation outcomes. Logistic regressions analysis was used to investigate associations between rehabilitation outcomes and potential factors associated to outcome. Result Overall improvements in functioning and self-rated health were found after the home rehabilitation program. Higher frequencies of training sessions with occupational therapists, length of home rehabilitation, and orthopaedic conditions of upper extremities and spine as the main health condition, were associated with rehabilitation outcomes. Conclusion The result indicates that the duration of home rehabilitation interventions and intensity of occupational therapy, as well as the main medical condition may have an impact on the outcomes of home rehabilitation and needs to be considered when planning such programs. However, more research is needed to guide practice and policymaking.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S362-S363
Author(s):  
Gaurav Agnihotri ◽  
Alan E Gross ◽  
Minji Seok ◽  
Cheng Yu Yen ◽  
Farah Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although it is recommended that an OPAT program should be managed by a formal OPAT team that supports the treating physician, many OPAT programs face challenges in obtaining necessary program staff (i.e nurses or pharmacists) due to limited data examining the impact of a dedicated OPAT team on patient outcomes. Our objective was to compare OPAT-related readmission rates among patients receiving OPAT before and after the implementation of a strengthened OPAT program. Methods This retrospective quasi-experiment compared adult patients discharged on intravenous (IV) antibiotics from the University of Illinois Hospital before and after implementation of programmatic changes to strengthen the OPAT program. Data from our previous study were used as the pre-intervention group (1/1/2012 to 8/1/2013), where only individual infectious disease (ID) physicians coordinated OPAT. Post-intervention (10/1/2017 to 1/1/2019), a dedicated OPAT nurse provided full time support to the treating ID physicians through care coordination, utilization of protocols for lab monitoring and management, and enhanced documentation. Factors associated with readmission for OPAT-related problems at a significance level of p&lt; 0.1 in univariate analysis were eligible for testing in a forward stepwise multinomial logistic regression to identify independent predictors of readmission. Results Demographics, antimicrobial indications, and OPAT administration location of the 428 patients pre- and post-intervention are listed in Table 1. After implementation of the strengthened OPAT program, the readmission rate due to OPAT-related complications decreased from 17.8% (13/73) to 6.5% (23/355) (p=0.001). OPAT-related readmission reasons included: infection recurrence/progression (56%), adverse drug reaction (28%), or line-associated issues (17%). Independent predictors of hospital readmission due to OPAT-related problems are listed in Table 2. Table 1. OPAT Patient Demographics and Factors Pre- and Post-intervention Table 2. Factors independently associated with hospital readmission in OPAT patients Conclusion An OPAT program with dedicated staff at a large academic tertiary care hospital was independently associated with decreased risk for readmission, which provides critical evidence to substantiate additional resources being dedicated to OPAT by health systems in the future. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document