Reliability of isokinetic strength and aerobic power testing for patients with chronic heart failure

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of testing skeletal muscle strength and peak aerobic power in a clinical population of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODS: Thirty-three patients with CHF (New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class 2.3 ± 0.5; left ventricular ejection fraction 27% ± 7%; age 65 ± 9 years; 28:5 male-female ratio) underwent two identical series of tests (T1 and T2), 1 week apart, for strength and endurance of the muscle groups responsible for knee extension/flexion and elbow extension/flexion. The patients also underwent two graded exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer to measure peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak). Three months later, 18 of the patients underwent a third test (T3) for each of the measures. Means were compared using MANOVA with repeated measures for strength and endurance, and ANOVA with repeated measures for VO_2peak.

RESULTS: Combining data for all four movement patterns, the expression of strength increased from T1 to T2 by 12% ± 25% (P < .001; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.89). Correspondingly, endurance increased by 13% ± 23% (P = .004; ICC = 0.87). Peak oxygen consumption was not significantly different (16.2 ± 0.8 and 16.1 ± 0.8 mL·kg^-1·min^-1 for T1 and T2, respectively;P = .686; ICC = 0.91). There were no significant differences between T2 and T3 for strength (2% ± 17%;P = .736; ICC = 0.92) or muscle endurance (-1% ± 15%;P = .812; ICC = 0.96), but VO_2peak decreased from 16.7 ± 1.2 to 14.9 ± 0.9 mL·kg^-1·min^-1 (-10% ± 18%;P = .021; ICC = 0.89).

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that in a population of patients with CHF, a familiarization trial for skeletal muscle strength testing is necessary. Although familiarization is not required for assessing oxygen consumption as a single measurement, VO_2peak declined markedly in the 3-month period for which these patients were followed. Internal consistency within patients was high for the second and third strength trials and the first and second tests of VO_2peak.

Moderate-intensity resistance exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure improves strength, endurance, heart rate variability, and forearm blood flow

Thirty-nine CHF patients (New York Heart Association Functional Class = 2.3±0.5; left ventricular ejection fraction 28%±7%; age 65±11 years; 33:6 male:female) underwent 2 identical series of tests, 1 week apart, for strength and endurance of the knee and elbow extensors and flexors, VO_2peak, HRV, FBF at rest, and FBF activated by forearm exercise or limb ischemia. Patients were then randomized to 3 months of resistance training (EX, n = 19), consisting of mainly isokinetic (hydraulic) ergometry, interspersed with rest intervals, or continuance with usual care (CON, n = 20), after which they underwent repeat endpoint testing. Combining all 4 movement patterns, strength increased for EX by 21±30% (mean±SD, P<.01) after training, whereas endurance improved 21±21% (P<.01). Corresponding data for CON remained almost unchanged (strength P<.005, endurance P<.003 EX versus CON). VO_2peak improved in EX by 11±15% (P<.01), whereas it decreased by 10±18% (P<.05) in CON (P<.001 EX versus CON). The ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency spectral power fell after resistance training in EX by 44±53% (P<.01), but was unchanged in CON (P<.05 EX versus CON). FBF increased at rest by 20±32% (P<.01), and when stimulated by submaximal exercise (24±32%, P<.01) or limb ischemia (26±45%, P<.01) in EX, but not in CON (P<.01 EX versus CON).

Comparative genomics and transcriptomics of lactation

Lactation is an important characteristic of mammalian reproduction sometimes referred to as the quintessence of mammals. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics experiments are allowing a more in-depth molecular analysis of the evolution of lactation throughout the mammalian kingdom and these recent results are reviewed here. Milk cell and mammary gland gene expression analysis with sequencing methodology have started to reveal conserved or specific milk protein and components of the lactation system of monotreme, marsupial and eutherian lineages. These experiments have confirmed the ancient origin of the complex lactation system and provided useful insight into the function of specific milk proteins in the control of the lactation programme or the role of milk in the regulation of growth and development of the young beyond simple nutritive aspects.

Insulin, a key regulator of hormone responsive milk protein synthesis during lactogenesis in murine mammary explants

Murine milk protein gene expression requires insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin; however, the role of insulin is not well understood. This study, therefore, examined the requirement of insulin for milk protein synthesis. Mammary explants were cultured in various combinations of the lactogenic hormones and global changes in gene expression analysed using Affymetrix microarray. The expression of 164 genes was responsive to insulin, and 18 were involved in protein synthesis at the level of transcription and posttranscription, as well as amino acid uptake and metabolism. The folate receptor gene was increased by fivefold, highlighting a potentially important role for the hormone in folate metabolism, a process that is emerging to be central for protein synthesis. Interestingly, gene expression of two milk protein transcription factors, Stat5a and Elf5, previously identified as key components of prolactin signalling, both showed an essential requirement for insulin. Subsequent experiments in HCll cells confirmed that Stat5a and Elf5 gene expression could be induced in the absence of prolactin but in the presence of insulin. Whereas prolactin plays an essential role in phosphorylating and activating Stat5a, gene expression is only induced when insulin is present. This indicates insulin plays a crucial role in the transcription of the milk protein genes.

Lactation related gene expression data

RNA sequencing and gene expression data related to lactation (mammary gland, milk and their sub compartments) obtained in a number of species (buffalo, mice, human, seal, wallaby, platypus).

An exploration of the motivation to attend for spectators of the Lexmark Indy 300 champ car event, Gold Coast

The perceptions of spectators (N = 36) at the Lexmark Indy 300 Champ Car event were assessed via qualitative methods to evaluate their internal and external motivations to attend. The most common reason to attend was the atmosphere that the event created, and entertainment. Other reasons included the race, enjoying the company of friends, and group affiliation. The characteristics of the majority of attendees were predominantly male, 26 to 35 years old, from Queensland, who earned around AUD$50,000 to $75,000 per annum. The findings of the study have implications for sport marketers who wish to communicate to these individuals.

The postgraduate mentoring program at Deakin University and international student transition

This study adds to the literature as it examines the experiences that international postgraduate (IP) students have with a peer-mentoring program at an Australian University. To analyse transition and peer mentoring thirty-four (34) semi-structured interviews with IP students from Indian, Chinese and other national cohorts were conducted. The study found that transitioning IP students who had a mentor, benefitted as it provided a variety of support mechanisms so that IP students could transition to the next stage. Transition was important for mentors who were able to develop greater self-confidence, graduate attributes and other employability skills.

Transition of international postgraduate students : friends and societies

The study examines the experiences of international postgraduate (IP) student’s transition at a university, and adds to the literature as it focuses on student-based support for transition where mostly past research has focused on university-based support. The study utilises social support theory (House, 1981) and Illeris’ (2002) concepts on learning to explain why students transition. A qualitative methodology was used where 48 students were interviewed. It was found that IP students experienced negative transition experiences in the beginning, but adjusted as time went on. Involvement in the student society was beneficial for transition, as it gave students the opportunity to make friends, and these friends, in turn, give students social support, which assists with their learning and transition.

Moving beyond the restrictions : the evaluation of the Alice Springs alcohol management plan

There have been a number of evaluations of alcohol management in the Alice Springs region. Interestingly, an evaluation in 1975 emphasised the need for government and other agencies to view the issues holistically and to address them accordingly. The outcomes of this evaluation point to a similar situation with comparable recommendations.

The situation in Alice Springs is unique in some respects but has parallel characteristics to other towns and communities in Australia. Alice Springs is an important regional supply, service-orientated, and tourism town. Its people have diverse backgrounds and appear as durable as the environment they live in. Associated with this is a hard drinking culture that permeates the community with a range of issues regardless of one’s cultural background.

The research group found a community that in many ways is ruptured and fragmented when it comes to the ways and means of how such challenges can be confronted. This situation is exemplified by the perception that alcohol problems are confined to a minority of drinkers that seemingly pervades the dialogue surrounding drinking and its effects in the town.

Nevertheless, a positive outcome of such discourse is the fact that people do care about their community and are very keen to live in a town where there are more responsible attitudes toward drinking. There is some way to go; the first thing that everyone needs to accept is that it is a community problem. Non-Indigenous and Indigenous individuals, groups and organisations all have a responsibility therefore in addressing the challenges and working toward better solutions. Government have an important role of course, however the acceptance by the community that it is a community problem is paramount.

Some of the community and government initiatives are having a positive effect on drinking in the town. However, some of the initiatives, such as certain restrictions, can and should not be considered, on their own, as long-term solutions. Other processes need to be implemented, oversighted and managed in an effective manner. An important component of such processes is data that is well managed, available, and appropriate for those agencies involved.