Citations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the components of intimidation in ice hockey and to determine their effects on players, coaches, and referees. In a pilot test, hockey coaches (N = 17) from three levels of participation were invited to an informal, exploratory symposium to assess their opinions on the role of intimidation in ice hockey. The following themes emerged: a) coaches' behavior and expectations, b) observable behavior, c) player's perceived role, and d) sociological factors. A preliminary intimidation model was developed. A survey including 80 open- ended questionnaires designed to stimulate discussion on the definition of intimidation, methods used to intimidate, and factors perceived as intimidating, was distributed to players (N = 66), coaches (N = 8), and referees (N = 6). The data were analyzed using qualitative methods [1,2] and intimidation was defined. Results support a theoretical model, which serves as a point of departure for future research and visually depicts the components of intimidation and their interactions.

Abstract Background: We evaluated the sensitivity, precision, and concordance of 4 assays designed to detect aspirin responsiveness or resistance. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy laboratory volunteers took 80 mg aspirin for 7 days, and a subset of volunteers took 325 mg aspirin for an additional 7 days. We measured platelet function by light transmission aggregometry with arachidonic acid, PFA-100, and VerifyNow. PFA-100 and VerifyNow assays were performed in duplicate to assess method imprecision. Some volunteers had samples taken within 2–4 h of the final dose of aspirin and again within 20–24 h of the final dose. We measured urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 at baseline and after 80 or 325 mg aspirin. Results: No volunteers were nonresponsive to aspirin therapy as measured by the PFA-100. One of 29 participants demonstrated lack of response to aspirin as measured by VerifyNow and urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2; 2 of 29 demonstrated lack of response as measured by light transmission aggregometry. Imprecision was <10% for the PFA-100 and VerifyNow. Concordance was high (>90%) between all assays. Neither aspirin dose (80 vs 325 mg) nor timing between final dose of aspirin and blood draw (2–4 vs 20–24 h) affected any of the assays. Conclusions: Light transmission aggregometry, PFA-100, VerifyNow, and urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 are all sensitive to the effects of aspirin in healthy individuals. Variables such as aspirin dose, timing between final dose of aspirin and blood collection, and imprecision do not affect the ability of the assays to detect aspirin effect on platelet function.

The primary purpose of this investigation was to quantify the effects of fitness media exposure on psychological affect utilizing the Solomon 4-group design. Volunteers were counterbalanced and randomly assigned to 30 minutes of viewing either a fitness or control magazine. State anxiety (STAI), tension, depression, anger vigor, fatigue, confusion, and global mood (POMS) were measured. Results indicate that pre-test sensitization was not a significant factor when testing the psychological factors in this investigation. Additionally, the outcomes associated with viewing ultra-fit images in popular media are not a benign experience and merit further examination.

OBJECTIVE—Measurement of plasma C2 glucose enrichment is cumbersome. Therefore, the plasma C5 glucose–to–2H2O rather than the plasma C5-to-C2 glucose ratio commonly has been used to measure gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. The validity of this approach is unknown. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Ten nondiabetic and 10 diabetic subjects ingested 2H2O the evening before study. The following morning, insulin was infused at a rate of 0.6 mU · kg−1 · min−1 and glucose was clamped at ∼5.3 mmol/l for 5 h. Plasma C5 glucose, C2 glucose, and 2H2O enrichments were measured hourly from 2 h onward. RESULTS—Plasma C2 glucose and plasma 2H2O enrichment were equal in both groups before the clamp, resulting in equivalent estimates of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. In contrast, plasma C2 glucose and plasma C5 glucose enrichments fell throughout the clamp, whereas plasma 2H2O enrichment remained unchanged. Since the C5 glucose concentration and, hence, the C5 glucose–to–2H2O ratio is influenced by both gluconeogenesis and glucose clearance, whereas the C5-to-C2 glucose ratio is only influenced by gluconeogenesis, the C5 glucose–to–2H2O ratio overestimated (P < 0.01) gluconeogenesis during the clamp. This resulted in biologically implausible negative (i.e., calculated rates of gluconeogenesis exceeding total endogenous glucose production) rates of glycogenolysis in both the nondiabetic and diabetic subjects. CONCLUSIONS—Plasma C5 glucose–to–2H2O ratio does not provide an accurate assessment of gluconeogenesis in nondiabetic or diabetic subjects during a traditional (i.e., 2–3 h) hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. The conclusions of studies that have used this approach need to be reevaluated.

Objective: Muscle activity with and without the use of commercially available patient assistive devices during bed rising and lowering was quantified. Background: Limited research is available in understanding or evaluating the physical benefits of assistive devices for patient use following major abdominal surgery. Methods: Twenty healthy participants (9 men, 11 women) took part in a laboratory study to test the effects of device configuration (five levels) and bed elevation angle (0° and 30°) on mean and peak upper and lower rectus abdominis and external oblique concentric and eccentric muscle activity. Results: Reduced muscle activity was associated with the use of an assistive device, as compared with manual bed rising (unassisted). Positioning the devices at a higher anchor height and/or increasing the bed elevation angle further reduced muscle activity. Objective and subjective differences between the two assistive devices evaluated in the study were found. Conclusion: These results suggest that self-assistive devices may speed recovery because of reduced loads on damaged tissues. Application: Potential applications of this research include the assessment of other commercially available lift aids or comparisons of self-assistive lift aids with hospital-housed lift aids used to speed recovery rates.

Abstract Metaplastic breast carcinoma, a rare tumor composed of adenocarcinomatous and nonglandular growth patterns, is characterized by a propensity for distant metastases and resistance to standard anticancer therapies. We sought confirmation that this tumor is a basal-like breast cancer, expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and stem cell factor receptor (KIT). EGFR activating mutations and high copy number (associated with response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib) and KIT activating mutations (associated with imatinib sensitivity) were then investigated. Seventy-seven metaplastic cases were identified (1976-2006); 38 with tumor blocks available underwent pathologic confirmation before EGFR and KIT immunohistochemical analyses. A tissue microarray of malignant glandular and metaplastic elements was constructed and analyzed immunohistochemically for cytokeratin 5/6, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and p63, and by fluorescence in situ hybridization for EGFR and HER-2/neu. DNA isolated from individual elements was assessed for EGFR and KIT activating mutations. All assessable cases were negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and (except one) HER2. The majority were positive for cytokeratin 5/6 (58%), p63 (59%), and EGFR overexpression (66%); 24% were KIT positive. No EGFR or KIT activating mutations were present; 26% of the primary metaplastic breast carcinomas were fluorescence in situ hybridization-positive, displaying high EGFR copy number secondary to aneusomy (22%) and amplification (4%). We report here that metaplastic breast carcinoma is a basal-like breast cancer lacking EGFR and KIT activating mutations but exhibiting high EGFR copy number (primarily via aneusomy), suggesting that EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors should be evaluated in this molecular subset of breast carcinomas. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(4):944–51]

Abstract Purpose: Because neurotransmitter dopamine inhibits vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–induced angiogenesis and as anti-VEGF agents act synergistically with anticancer drugs, we therefore investigated whether dopamine can increase the efficacies of these drugs. Experimental Design: The effect of dopamine was investigated in human breast cancer–(MCF-7) and colon (HT29) cancer–bearing mice. Experimental groups received either dopamine or doxorubicin or dopamine plus doxorubicin in MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice, and either dopamine or 5-fluorouracil or dopamine plus 5-fluorouracil in HT29-bearing mice. Thereafter, tumor growth, angiogenesis, tumor cell apoptosis, life span, and the effect of dopamine on the growth and survival of tumor cells in vitro were determined. Finally, the effects of dopamine on tumor vascular permeability; on VEGF receptor-2, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation; and also on the proliferation and migration of tumor endothelial cells were investigated. Results: Dopamine, in combination with anticancer drugs, significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the life span when compared with treatment with dopamine or anticancer drugs alone. Dopamine had no direct effects on the growth and survival of tumor cells. The antiangiogenic action of dopamine was mediated by inhibiting proliferation and migration of tumor endothelial cells through suppression of VEGF receptor-2, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. Conclusion: Our study shows that dopamine significantly enhances the efficacies of commonly used anticancer drugs and also indicates that an inexpensive drug like dopamine, which is being extensively used in the clinics, might have a role as an antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of breast and colon cancer.