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Lifestyle Strategies (lifestyle + strategy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%
Life Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Fitness versus fatness: Moving beyond weight loss in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Nathan A. Johnson
The rapid emergence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a cause of both liver-related morbidity and mortality and cardiometabolic risk has led to the search for effective lifestyle strategies to reduce liver fat. Lifestyle intervention comprising dietary restriction in conjunction with increased physical activity has shown clear hepatic benefits when weight loss approximating 3%-10% of body weight is achieved. Yet, the poor sustainability of weight loss challenges the current therapeutic focus on body weight and highlights the need for alternative strategies for NAFLD management. Epidemiologic data show an independent relationship between liver fat, physical activity, and fitness, and a growing body of longitudinal research demonstrates that increased physical activity participation per se significantly reduces hepatic steatosis and serum aminotransferases in individuals with NAFLD, independent of weight loss. Mechanistic insights to explain this interaction are outlined, and recommendations for the implementation of lifestyle intervention involving physical activity are discussed. In light of the often poor sustainability of weight loss strategies, and the viability of physical activity therapy, clinicians should assess physical fitness and physical activity habits, educate patients on the benefits of fitness outside of weight loss, and focus on behavior change which promotes physical activity adoption. (HEPATOLOGY 2010) [source]

Impact of apoE genotype on oxidative stress, inflammation and disease risk

MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 1 2008
Laia Jofre-Monseny
Abstract Although in developing countries an apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) genotype may offer an evolutionary advantage, as it has been shown to offer protection against certain infectious disease, in Westernised societies it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and represents a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, late-onset Alzheimer's disease and other chronic disorders. ApoE is an important modulator of many stages of lipoprotein metabolism and traditionally the increased risk was attributed to higher lipid levels in E4 carriers. However, more recent evidence demonstrates the multifunctional nature of the apoE protein and the fact that the impact of genotype on disease risk may be in large part due to an impact on oxidative status or the immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties of apoE. An increasing number of studies in cell lines, targeted replacement rodents and human volunteers indicate higher oxidative stress and a more pro-inflammatory state associated with the ,4 allele. The impact of genotype on the antioxidant and immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties of apoE is the focus of the current review. Furthermore, current information on the impact of environment (diet, exercise, smoking status, alcohol) on apoE genotype-phenotype associations are discussed with a view to identifying particular lifestyle strategies that could be adapted to counteract the ,at-risk' E4 genotype. [source]

Antecedents of domain-specific quality of life after colorectal cancer

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Suzanne K. Steginga
Abstract Objective: The present study prospectively assessed the influence of medical, socio-demographic, psychological, and lifestyle variables on physical, social/family, emotional, functional well-being and colorectal cancer-specific concerns in a population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors. Methods: Participants (n=1822) were assessed at 6 and 24 months post-diagnosis. Predictor variables assessed at 6 months included socio-demographic and medical variables, symptoms/side-effects, body mass index, physical activity, optimism, social support, and cancer threat appraisal. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed at 6 and 24 months post-diagnosis using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Colorectal (FACT-C). Results: For each QOL subscale and for the overall FACT-C scale, 6 month scores were the strongest predictor of QOL scores at 24 months post-diagnosis (e.g. ,=0.447, p < 0.001 for overall QOL). Socio-demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables, but not lifestyle variables, differentially predicted domain specific QOL. Only cancer threat appraisal was associated with all five QOL domains. Conclusion: Cancer threat appraisal presents as a potentially modifiable variable for interventions seeking to improve QOL. Symptom management and lifestyle strategies to ameliorate the effects of co-morbidities, disease stage and troublesome symptoms such as faecal incontinence on QOL should also be included. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Evolutionary and ecological implications of genome size in the North American endemic sagebrushes and allies (Artemisia, Asteraceae)

BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 3 2008
SÒNIA GARCIA
The genome size of 51 populations of 20 species of the North American endemic sagebrushes (subgenus Tridentatae), related species, and some hybrid taxa were assessed by flow cytometry, and were analysed in a phylogenetic framework. Results were similar for most Tridentatae species, with the exception of three taxonomically conflictive species: Artemisia bigelovii Gray, Artemisia pygmaea Gray, and Artemisia rigida Gray. Genome size homogeneity (together with the high morphological, chemical, and karyological affinities, as well as low DNA sequence divergence) could support a recent diversification process in this geographically restricted group, thought to be built upon a reticulate evolutionary framework. The Tridentatae and the other North American endemic Artemisia show a significantly higher genome size compared with the other subgenera. Our comparative analyses including genome size results, together with different kinds of ecological and morphological traits, suggest an evolutionary change in lifestyle strategy linked to genome expansion, in which junk or selfish DNA accumulation might be involved. Conversely, weed or invasive behaviour in Artemisia is coupled with lower genome sizes. Data for both homoploid and polyploid hybrids were also assessed. Genome sizes are close to the expected mean of parental species for homoploid hybrids, but are lower than expected in the allopolyploids, a phenomenon previously documented to be related with polyploidy. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 94, 631,649. [source]