Neuromuscular adaptations to different modes of combined strength and endurance training

The present study investigated neuromuscular adaptations between same-session combined strength and endurance training with 2 loading orders and different day combined training over 24 weeks. 56 subjects were divided into different day (DD) combined strength and endurance training (4-6 d·wk(-1)) and same-session combined training: endurance preceding strength (E+S) or vice versa (S+E) (2-3 d·wk(-1)). Dynamic and isometric strength, EMG, voluntary activation, muscle cross-sectional area and endurance performance were measured. All groups increased dynamic one-repetition maximum (p<0.001; DD 13±7%, E+S 12±9% and S+E 17±12%) and isometric force (p<0.05-0.01), muscle cross-sectional area (p<0.001) and maximal power output during cycling (p<0.001). DD and S+E increased voluntary activation during training (p<0.05-0.01). In E+S no increase in voluntary activation was detected after 12 or 24 weeks. E+S also showed unchanged and S+E increased maximum EMG after 24 weeks during maximal isometric muscle actions. A high correlation (p<0.001, r=0.83) between the individual changes in voluntary activation and maximal knee extension force was found for E+S during weeks 13-24. Neural adaptations showed indications of being compromised and highly individual relating to changes in isometric strength when E+S-training was performed, while gains in one-repetition maximum, endurance performance and hypertrophy did not differ between the training modes.

Association of serum levels of the growth factor GP88 with disease progression in breast cancer patients

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Background: The autocrine growth factor GP88 is an important player in breast cancer. GP88 is expressed in human BC tumors in correlation with their tumorigenicity. Increased GP88 expression was associated with anti-estrogen therapy resistance in ER+ cells and Herceptin resistance in Her-2 overexpressing breast tumors. Inhibition of GP88 expression inhibited tumor incidence and growth in nude mice. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that GP88 is expressed in invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) and that high GP88 expression correlated with increased recurrence and mortality. Since GP88 is found in serum, we hypothesized that GP88 was elevated in the sera of breast cancer patients compared to healthy individuals and that GP88 serum level increases with disease progression. Methods: An IRB approved prospective study was established at the University of Maryland Breast Clinic to determine the serum level of GP88 in breast cancer patients (BC pts). Approximately 5 ml of blood was drawn every three months. GP88 serum concentration was determined in triplicate by human GP88 enzyme immunoassay. 190 BC pts were accrued. Sera from healthy volunteers (HV) were obtained to establish GP88 baseline. BC patient characteristics: Caucasian- 91, African American-92, Asian-6; median age, 51 (range 29- 86), stage I - 48, II - 52, III - 26, IV - 63. Results: Median serum GP88 level was 28.7 ng/ml (range 16.6–38.2) in HV, 40.7 ng/ml (range 6.4–100) in early stage (stage 1 -3) BC pts (p- value = 0.007) and 45.3 ng/ml (range 9.8 to 158.4) in stage 4 BC patients (p- value= 0.0007). Statistically significant increase in serum GP88 level was found in early stages as well as in metastatic disease when compared to HV. In addition, patients that were initially diagnosed with early stage disease but recurred showed a 5 to 10 fold increase in their GP88 serum levels. Conclusions: GP88 serum level is significantly higher in the sera of BC than HV subjects. Moreover, GP88 serum level increased in association with disease recurrence and progression. This study identifies GP88 as a measurable biomarker for disease progression not only at the tissue but also at the serum level. These results are also interesting since GP88 is also a therapeutic target of malignant progression of breast carcinoma.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Association of participation in a nutritional program for the elderly with nutritional status

The nutritional status of 547 participants of the Title VII Nutrition Program for the Elderly was assessed by anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary means. The nutriture for vitamins A and C was positively associated with frequency of participation in the program using biochemical and dietary methods of assessment. A significant smaller percentage of persons who participated in the program on a regular basis had inadequate intakes of riboflavin and thiamin. Fewer persons had anemia and low serum iron concentrations than was reported in an earlier baseline study. However, in this group of persons frequency of participation was not associated with anemia or serum iron-concentrations. Participation in the program was not significantly related to the dietary intake of energy, saturated fat, and cholesterol or to the incidence of obesity when assessed using triceps skinfold thickness, ponderal index, body mass index, and percentage of desirable weight. It can be concluded that the Title VII Nutrition Program for the Elderly is associated with improvement in the nutritional status of the participants.

The association of obesity with socioeconomic factors in Missouri

The prevalence of obesity and underweight was estimated for residents of Missouri more than 9 years old on the basis of age, sex, household income, educational attainment, and population density from the results of a survey conducted in 1973. The incidence of overweight was greatest among children 10 to 16 years old and the least for adults 17 to 35 years old. Four percent of the girls 10 to 16 were greater than 159% of average weight for height. Among women greater than 59 years old the incidence of overweight and underweight were high. The proportion of adult women who were overweight as defined by average weight for height and body mass index (W/H2) was inversely related to household income and education. The same was true for adult men in relation to income but the reverse results were observed for education. A larger proportion of urban men were overweight as defined by body mass index compared to rural men. The incidence of obesity among males of all ages and females greater than 59 years old appeared to be related to residence in specific types of communities.

Nutritional status of elderly residents in Missouri

Nutritional assessment of white persons over 59 who participated in the 1973 Missouri Nutrition Survey was based upon biochemical measurements, dietary intakes using food frequency histories, anthropometric measurements, and a dental examination. There were three major nutritionally related problems: poor dental health, obesity, and anemia. The mean for DMF, periodental index, and oral hygiene index for males was 20.5, 4.9, and 3.9, respectively; for females, 17.6, 3.6, and 2.5. Over one-half of both sexes were edentulous. Of the women 59% were greater than 119% of desirable weight compared to 22% of the men. Using guidelines from the Ten-State Nutrition Survey, the following percentages of men had low blood levels: 20, hemoglobin and serum iron; 2, plasma vitamin A; 6, plasma carotene; 1, serum vitamin C; and 0, serum albumin. The percent of women with low biochemical levels were: 11, hemoglobin; 10, serum iron; 7, plasma vitamin A; 1, serum vitamin C; and 2, serum albumin. None of the subjects had low or deficient levels of erythrocyte glutathione reductase. One-half of the women compared to one-fifth of the men had consumed diets with one or more nutrients below 67% of the 1974 Recommended Dietary Allowances.

Title VII--Nutrition Program for the Elderly. I. Contribution to one day's dietary intake

Food records kept by 466 individuals participating in the federally funded Nutrition Program for the Elderly show that those eating at the meal site on the day of the food record consumed more energy, protein, and calcium than non-participants and participants who did not eat there on the day of the record. Dietary ratings, which included eight nutrients and energy, indicated they also had better overall diets than non-participants. Non-participants consumed more iron than participants. The daily intake of all nutrients, except calcium, of those eating at the meal site reflected what was offered. Between 40 and 50 per cent of the total daily intake was consumed at the meal center. Women consumed a significantly greater proportion of their daily intake of most nutrients from the food provided by program than the men. The desirability of providing a high proportion of the recommended allowances for protein and other nutrients through the meal program menus is emphasized. The results of the study demonstrated the importance of nutritionists in administrative roles at the state and area levels in determining the effectiveness of a meal program, since food intake reflected menu planning.

Nutritional status of main food preparers and of nutrition education assistants

The dietary habits and nutritional status of nutrition education assistants (NEAS) in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in Missouri were compared with a representative population of Missouri main food preparers (MFPs) from the same regions of the state. Dietary histories indicated that the NEAs tended to have better habits than the MFPs. Using biochemical parameters for determining status for iron, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin, the differences between the two groups were not as great as for the dietary intakes. However, almost half of the MFPs were taking at least one vitamin or mineral supplement compared with 17 per cent of the NEAs. A low dietary intake, coupled with some anemia, probably relating to a low iron intake, was a major nutritional problem for both groups of subjects. Low plasma vitamin A values were also observed among a large proportion of both groups, and obesity was a widespread problem for both groups.