Publications by authors named "Amy Kirkham"
Digital Intervention for behaviouR changE and Chronic disease prevenTION (DIRECTION): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a web-based platform integrating nutrition, physical activity, and mindfulness for individuals with obesity.
Methods
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Excess body weight and other lifestyle factors like diet, inactivity, and stress are linked to chronic diseases, but can be modified through digital interventions.
- The DIRECTION study tests the effectiveness of adding healthcare guidance and peer support to an online wellness platform compared to self-guided use among individuals considered obese.
- Over 16 weeks, the experimental group participates in daily platform use and weekly support sessions, with outcomes focused on weight loss, dietary habits, physical activity, and changes in health-related behaviors.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 40 predictive equations for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) in women with breast cancer, comparing these predictions to measurements taken by indirect calorimetry.
- The analysis included data from 90 participants (24% survivors, 61.1% early-stage cancer), revealing that none of the equations provided accurate REE estimates both at the group and individual levels, with significant biases observed.
- These findings highlight the importance of using precise methods for calculating energy needs in women with breast cancer, as inaccuracies can impact treatment and recovery by influencing energy intake.
Article Synopsis
- This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR)-modeled intervention for breast cancer patients in reducing cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy.
- Results showed no significant differences in heart function measures between the CR intervention group and usual care group after 52 weeks; both groups experienced some adverse cardiac changes over time.
- However, the CR intervention did lead to significant reductions in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, suggesting some benefits in cardiovascular risk management.
Papillomaviruses (family Papillomaviridae) are non-enveloped, circular, double-stranded DNA viruses known to infect squamous and mucosal epithelial cells. In the family Papillomaviridae there are 53 genera and 133 viral species whose members infect a variety of mammalian, avian, reptilian, and fish species. Within the Antarctic context, papillomaviruses (PVs) have been identified in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae, 2 PVs), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, 7 PVs), and emerald notothen (Trematomus bernacchii, 1 PV) in McMurdo Sound and Ross Island in eastern Antarctica.
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- Exercise intolerance is frequently experienced by survivors of breast cancer.
- This exercise intolerance stems from issues with the heart, blood vessels, and skeletal muscles.
- To tackle these issues, comprehensive rehabilitation strategies or medication may be required.
Article Synopsis
- The final chapter reviews the current state of cardiovascular care for women in Canada, outlining existing challenges and opportunities.
- It highlights 12 actionable recommendations aimed at closing knowledge gaps and addressing disparities in care.
- The ultimate goal is to improve heart health outcomes for women across the country.
The Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance ATLAS on the Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Women - Chapter 8: Knowledge Gaps and Status of Existing Research Programs in Canada.
CJC Open
February 2024
Article Synopsis
- Significant gaps in knowledge about women's heart health exist, particularly in areas like epidemiology, management, and education, largely because heart disease has historically been viewed as a male issue.
- Globally, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet research often overlooks sex and gender differences, resulting in insufficient data on how treatments impact female patients.
- To address these gaps, a comprehensive approach is needed, involving enhanced education, improved policy changes, and a focus on evidence-based research specific to women's cardiovascular health in Canada.
Background: T1 mapping of the liver is confounded by the presence of fat. Multiparametric T1 mapping combines fat-water separation with T1-weighting to enable imaging of water-specific T1 (T1), proton density fat fraction (PDFF), and T2* values. However, normative T1 values in the liver and its dependence on age/sex is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobial rhodopsins are photoreceptor proteins that convert light into biological signals or energy. Proteins of the xanthorhodopsin family are common in eukaryotic photosynthetic plankton including diatoms. However, their biological role in these organisms remains elusive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith significant improvements in the understanding of cancer biology, improved detection, and the use of novel adjuvant therapies, each year more Canadians are surviving a cancer diagnosis. Despite their effectiveness these therapies often result in short- and long-term deleterious effects to major organ systems, particularly cardiovascular. Cardio-oncology is an emerging field of study with the aim to improve cardiovascular health across the oncology disease spectrum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multimodal program considered to be the standard of care for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The primary goals of CR are managing CVD risk factors and improving quality of life. Exercise is the cornerstone, but nutrition education delivered by registered dietitians (RDs) is a core component of CR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnelloviruses are highly prevalent in diverse mammals, including humans, but so far have not been linked to any disease and are considered to be part of the 'healthy virome'. These viruses have small circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) genomes and encode several proteins with no detectable sequence similarity to proteins of other known viruses. Thus, anelloviruses are the only family of eukaryotic ssDNA viruses currently not included in the realm .
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- The study examined the relationship between phase angle (PhA) and health-related physical fitness in older breast cancer survivors who underwent chemotherapy.
- PhA was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and the research involved 22 women aged 60+ who also participated in cardiopulmonary exercise tests and MRI scans.
- Results indicated that higher PhA correlates with improved cardiorespiratory fitness, greater skeletal muscle volume, and lower myosteatosis, suggesting better overall muscle health in this population.
Article Synopsis
- This study analyzed the effects of an 8-week time-restricted eating (TRE) intervention on body composition in women over 60 who had completed chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.
- Results showed significant reductions in body weight and total fat mass, while most participants exhibited low phase angles indicating poorer cell health and hydration issues.
- The findings suggest that TRE can lead to improved body composition metrics in obese participants, highlighting the usefulness of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) for assessing these changes.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated a telephone-based time-restricted eating (TRE) intervention targeting breast cancer survivors aged 60+, focusing on its implementation and initial effects on metabolic health.
- Participants followed an 8-week TRE schedule, showing high adherence and acceptable costs, but no significant improvements in metabolic markers or body composition were observed overall.
- The findings suggest that while the intervention is feasible and acceptable, a longer duration may be necessary for better metabolic outcomes, along with guidance on protein intake.
Rationale and design of IMPACT-women: a randomised controlled trial of the effect of time-restricted eating, healthy eating and reduced sedentary behaviour on metabolic health during chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.
Br J Nutr
September 2023
Article Synopsis
- Metabolic issues and excess fat gain can occur during breast cancer treatment, impacting patient health.
- A study aims to assess a combination of time-restricted eating, healthy eating, and reduced sedentary behavior during chemotherapy on visceral fat and other health risks in early-stage breast cancer patients.
- The trial involves 130 women and compares a multimodal intervention delivered by dietitians to standard care, with outcomes measured through MRI, blood tests, and blood pressure assessments at key points.
Article Synopsis
- Women with breast cancer (BC) experience reduced exercise tolerance and fatigue, similar to those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), impacting their physical function and quality of life.
- The review examines how issues in oxygen transport, particularly through cardiac, vascular, and skeletal muscle functions, contribute to exercise intolerance in BC survivors.
- It suggests that chemotherapy and unhealthy lifestyle choices may heighten the risk of developing HFpEF in women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer.
Article Synopsis
- The breast cancer mortality rate has decreased by 49% since 1986, leading to a rising number of survivors who need ongoing care.
- In Canada, it was projected that by 2022, approximately 318,429 women, or 85.9% of those diagnosed between 2007 and 2021, would be breast cancer survivors, making up about 2.1% of the female population, with higher prevalence among older age groups.
- The analysis revealed significant excess healthcare costs due to heart failure hospitalizations related to breast cancer, estimated at $16.5 million CAD, highlighting the need for improved survivorship care to address health complications and societal impacts.
Cardiometabolic health impacts of time-restricted eating: implications for type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care
November 2022
Article Synopsis
- Time-restricted eating (TRE) involves limiting food intake to a specific window of 4 to 10 hours, which has shown potential health benefits but lacks extensive research on its effects on chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
- Recent studies indicate that TRE is manageable for participants, particularly those with obesity or metabolic issues, and preliminary findings suggest improvements in glucose regulation, body fat, blood pressure, and overall quality of life.
- More comprehensive research is necessary to determine the optimal TRE guidelines tailored for specific chronic conditions, as existing studies primarily focus on broader populations.
The profound impacts that maternal provisioning of finite energy resources has on offspring survival have been extensively studied across mammals. This study shows that in addition to calories, high hemoprotein concentrations in diving mammals necessitates exceptional female-to-pup iron transfer. Numerous indices of iron mobilization (ferritin, serum iron, total-iron-binding-capacity, transferrin saturation) were significantly elevated during lactation in adult female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), but not in skip-breeders.
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- The study examines the effects of cardiotoxic chemotherapy on skeletal muscle in breast cancer patients, specifically looking at muscle fat, metabolism, and oxygen consumption.
- Thirty-four patients were monitored using advanced imaging techniques at multiple stages of chemotherapy, revealing declines in physical strength and changes in muscle blood flow and oxygen extraction.
- Results showed adaptations in smaller muscle exercises during chemotherapy but insufficient energy maintenance during larger muscle activities, indicating altered muscle metabolism and elevated fat in muscle tissue.
Article Synopsis
- The commentary discusses the difficulties faced in conducting clinical trials, particularly those focusing on exercise interventions for older adults suffering from advanced cancer.
- It emphasizes the unique obstacles that arise when integrating exercise into treatment plans for this vulnerable population.
- The text also reflects on the findings of the study by Mikkelsen et al., providing insights and perspectives on their relevance to the challenges mentioned.