BackgroundThe majority of cancer patients experience dramatic weight loss, due to cachexia and consisting of skeletal muscle and fat tissue wasting. Cachexia is a negative prognostic factor, interferes with therapy and worsens the patients' quality of life by affecting muscle function. Mice bearing ectopically-implanted C26 colon carcinoma are widely used as an experimental model of cancer cachexia. As part of the search for novel clinical and basic research applications for this experimental model, we characterized novel cellular and molecular features of C26-bearing mice.MethodsA fragment of C26 tumor was subcutaneously grafted in isogenic BALB/c mice. The mass growth and proliferation rate of the tumor were analyzed. Histological and cytofluorometric analyses were used to assess cell death, ploidy and differentiation of the tumor cells. The main features of skeletal muscle atrophy, which were highlighted by immunohistochemical and electron microscopy analyses, correlated with biochemical alterations. Muscle force and resistance to fatigue were measured and analyzed as major functional deficits of the cachectic musculature.ResultsWe found that the C26 tumor, ectopically implanted in mice, is an undifferentiated carcinoma, which should be referred to as such and not as adenocarcinoma, a common misconception. The C26 tumor displays aneuploidy and histological features typical of transformed cells, incorporates BrdU and induces severe weight loss in the host, which is largely caused by muscle wasting. The latter appears to be due to proteasome-mediated protein degradation, which disrupts the sarcomeric structure and muscle fiber-extracellular matrix interactions. A pivotal functional deficit of cachectic muscle consists in increased fatigability, while the reported loss of tetanic force is not statistically significant following normalization for decreased muscle fiber size.ConclusionsWe conclude, on the basis of the definition of cachexia, that ectopically-implanted C26 carcinoma represents a well standardized experimental model for research on cancer cachexia. We wish to point out that scientists using the C26 model to study cancer and those using the same model to study cachexia may be unaware of each other's works because they use different keywords; we present strategies to eliminate this gap and discuss the benefits of such an exchange of knowledge.

Analyzing physical fitness data of athletes competing in the last 4 winter Paralympic Games, normative values are provided. The specific components that are highly developed in the BP are considered relevant for successful performance.

Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) are South American ("New World") primates. They are commonly used for medical and behavioral research and are also targets of species rescue programs. Therefore, veterinary medical evaluation of these monkeys occurs commonly.Abdominal ultrasound is a widely used, inexpensive, safe, noninvasive method for anatomical evaluation of the abdominal organs.In Capuchin monkeys, previous studies of abdominal ultrasound determined the normal anatomy and physiology, but not all organs were evaluated. In one study, 1 abdominal ultrasonography was found useful in assessing anatomic morphology and physiology of the female reproductive tract. In another study, 2 investigators examined multiple abdominal organs of ten monkeys, but failed to provide all data.In a third study, 3 investigators examined ten monkeys only to standardize the gastric wall morphology (thickening and stratigraphy).Therefore, we sought to determine the normal ultrasonographic appearance and measurements of all the abdominal organs and structures of interest that can be routinely detected by ultrasound examination. | MATERIAL S AND ME THODSTwelve monkeys were enrolled (seven females and five males). The animals were housed at National Research Centre (CNR) where they are involved in behavioral studies. The animals, aging from 6 and 19 years and weighing from 1.18 to 3.78 kg, were considered healthy on the basis of history, Abstract Background: Previous ultrasonographic studies of Sapajus apella to determine the normal anatomy and physiology are incomplete. The aim of this study was to determine normal ultrasonographic appearance and measurements of all abdominal organs and structures of interest. Methods: Twelve adult monkeys were recruited considered healthy on the basis of history, physical examination, and general blood work. To avoid additional anesthesia, the ultrasonographic examinations were performed during routine screening, annually scheduled by the Unit of Cognitive Primatology & Primate Center, CNR-Rome, where the animals were housed. Ultrasound data were processed offline by two experienced ultrasonographers.Results: Topography, morphology and echostructure were described for almost all organs and descriptive statistics were provided.

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Symposium Lessons Learned on the Road to Vancouver (Olympic and Paralympic Friday 3:15PM-5:15PM Andrew Pipe,FACSM,University of Ottawa\ud Sports Medicine Issues Committee) Heart Institute\ud Randall L.Wilber,FACSM,United States Olympic\ud Committee\ud Jos de Koning,FACSM,University of Amsterdam\ud Donald McKenzie,University of British Columbia\ud Mark Aubry,Ottawa Sport Medicine Centre\ud Marco Bernardi,University of Rom