A water-based training program that include perturbation exercises to improve stepping responses in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled cross-over trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gait and balance impairments may increase the risk of falls, the leading cause of accidental death in the elderly population. Fall-related injuries constitute a serious public health problem associated with high costs for society as well as human suffering. A rapid step is the most important protective postural strategy, acting to recover equilibrium and prevent a fall from initiating. It can arise from large perturbations, but also frequently as a consequence of volitional movements. We propose to use a novel water-based training program which includes specific perturbation exercises that will target the stepping responses that could potentially have a profound effect in reducing risk of falling. We describe the water-based balance training program and a study protocol to evaluate its efficacy (Trial registration number #NCT00708136).</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The proposed water-based training program involves use of unpredictable, multi-directional perturbations in a group setting to evoke compensatory and volitional stepping responses. Perturbations are made by pushing slightly the subjects and by water turbulence, in 24 training sessions conducted over 12 weeks. Concurrent cognitive tasks during movement tasks are included. Principles of physical training and exercise including awareness, continuity, motivation, overload, periodicity, progression and specificity were used in the development of this novel program. Specific goals are to increase the speed of stepping responses and improve the postural control mechanism and physical functioning. A prospective, randomized, cross-over trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis will be performed to evaluate the efficacy of the water-based training program. A total of 36 community-dwelling adults (age 65–88) with no recent history of instability or falling will be assigned to either the perturbation-based training or a control group (no training). Voluntary step reaction times and postural stability using stabiliogram diffusion analysis will be tested before and after the 12 weeks of training.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will determine whether a water-based balance training program that includes perturbation exercises, in a group setting, can improve speed of voluntary stepping responses and improve balance control. Results will help guide the development of more cost-effective interventions that can prevent the occurrence of falls in the elderly.</p

Bortezomib-Induced Proinflammatory Macrophages Contribute to Multiple Myeloma Cell Aggressiveness

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a chronic progressive malignancy of plasma cells. Although treatment with the novel proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, significantly improves patient survival, some patients fail to respond due to the development of de novo resistance. Previous studies revealed that chemotherapy induces pro-tumorigenic host-mediated effects which could explain tumor re-growth and metastasis(Gingis-Velitski, Loven et al. 2011, Katz, Shaked 2014). Here we show that plasma from bortezomib-treated mice significantly increases migration, viability and proliferation of human MM cells in vitro, compared to plasma from control untreated mice. Comparable results were demonstrated with plasma obtained from patients with MM treated with bortezomib. Additionally, bortezomib induces the mobilization of pro-angiogenic bone marrow cells. Mice treated with bortezomib and subsequently intravenously injected with MM cells succumb to MM aggressiveness earlier than mice treated with the vehicle control(Figure 1). We show that pro-inflammatory macrophages contribute to MM cell aggressiveness in response to bortezomib treatment, in part by secreting interleukin-16(IL-16). Blocking IL-16 in conditioned medium obtained from bortezomib-treated macrophages generated reduced viability of MM cells in vitro. Accordingly, co-inoculation of MM cells with pro-inflammatory macrophages from bortezomib-treated mice accelerates MM disease progression. Taken together, our results suggest that, in addition to the known effective anti-tumor activity of bortezomib, this drug can induce host-driven pro-tumorigenic effects that may promote MM aggressiveness. Figure 1. Host response to bortezomib promotes MM aggressiveness in mice. Eight week old CB.17 SCID mice were injected intravenously with 1mg/kg bortezomib or vehicle (veh). Four and 24 hours later mice were inoculated through the tail vein with 5x106 CAG-luciferase+ cells (n=6-7mice/group). Tumor growth and expansion was assessed by IVIS imaging system. Figure 1. Host response to bortezomib promotes MM aggressiveness in mice. Eight week old CB.17 SCID mice were injected intravenously with 1mg/kg bortezomib or vehicle (veh). Four and 24 hours later mice were inoculated through the tail vein with 5x106 CAG-luciferase+ cells (n=6-7mice/group). Tumor growth and expansion was assessed by IVIS imaging system. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. </jats:sec