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BACKGROUND Breast cancer patients may experience cognitive difficulties after chemotherapy. PURPOSE To investigate whether an exercise intervention can affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) in breast cancer patients and if CBF changes relate to memory function. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients with cognitive problems, and with relatively low physical activity levels were randomized to an exercise intervention (n=91) or control group (n=90). FIELDSTRENGTH/SEQUENCE A 3-T arterial spin labeling CBF scan was performed. ASSESSMENT The 6-month intervention consisted of (supervised) aerobic and strength training, 4x1 hour/week. Measurements at baseline (2-4 years post-diagnosis) and after six months included the arterial spin labeling CBF scan, from which we calculated gray matter CBF in the whole brain, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex. Furthermore, we measured physical fitness and memory functioning. STATISTICAL TESTS Multiple regression analyses with a two-sided alpha of 0.05 for all analyses. RESULTS We observed significant improvement in physical fitness (VO2peak) in the intervention group (n=53) compared to controls (n=51, B1.47, 95%CI:0.44; 2.50), nevertheless no intervention effects on CBF were found (e.g. whole brain: B0.98, 95%CI:-2.38; 4.34). Highly fatigued patients showed larger, but not significant, treatment effects. Additionally, change in physical fitness, from baseline to post-intervention, was positively associated with changes in CBF (e.g., whole brain: B0.75, 95%CI:0.07; 1.43). However, we observed no relation between CBF changes and change in memory performance. DATA CONCLUSION The exercise intervention did not affect CBF of cognitively affected breast cancer patients. However, a change in physical fitness was related to a change in CBF, but a change in CBF was not associated with memory functioning.

Item does not contain fulltext, BACKGROUND: Several conditions and diseases can result in speech problems that can have a negative impact on everyday functioning, referred to as communicative participation. Subjective problems with acquired speech problems are often assessed with the speech handicap index (SHI). To assess generic participation problems, the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (USER-P) questionnaire is frequently used. The English questionnaire Communicative Participation Item Bank-short form (CPIB short form) is a 10-item valid, reliable instrument that assesses communicative participation. In the absence of a Dutch equivalent, translation and validation of the CPIB short form was required. AIMS: To translate the CPIB short form into Dutch, and to determine its psychometric properties for the group of adults with speech problems resulting from a neurological aetiology or head and neck cancer. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Translation of the CPIB short form was performed following the instructions of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment for Cancer (EORTC). In a cross-sectional multi-centre study, participants completed the Dutch CPIB short form together with the SHI and USER-P, and the CPIB a second time after 2 weeks. We assessed internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the CPIB. Construct validity was assessed based on correlations with SHI, USER-P and speech assessments. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: In the validation study, 122 participants were included: 51 with dysarthria due to different neurological disorders, 48 with speech problems due to head and neck cancer treatment and 23 healthy controls. Internal consistency of the items was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.962), the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability was high 0.908 (95% CI = 0.870-0.935). Construct validity was supported by a strong correlation between the Dutch CPIB short form and the SHI total score (SHI total r(s) = 0.887) and a moderate correlation b

De verwoestende invloed van de mensheid op biodiversiteit en klimaat zijn overal om ons heen. Maar we hebben juist behoefte aan een positieve toekomstvisie. De oplossing voor deze problemen ligt in de ‘symbiotische stad’: de natuur moet terugkeren in de stad en er als vanzelfsprekend deel van uitmaken.

In recent years, the growing significance of soil in urban development has become evident. However, soil faces significant pressure, especially due to pressure from urbanisation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Despite available information on soil benefits, strategies to enhance soil health and quality in urban development remain limited. This article presents practical guidelines spanning the design, construction, and maintenance phases of urban development. These guidelines encompass comprehensive soil analysis, integrating soil systems, water buffering, water and air penetration, construction practices, nutrient cycling, underground preservation, and biodiversity promotion. The collective implementation of the strategies in this guideline will enhances urban soil health and optimise associated benefits.

De verwoestende invloed van de mensheid op biodiversiteit en klimaat zijn overal om ons heen. Maar we hebben juist behoefte aan een positieve toekomstvisie. De oplossing voor deze problemen ligt in de ‘symbiotische stad’: de natuur moet terugkeren in de stad en er als vanzelfsprekend deel van uitmaken.

The voice of nature is loudly heard. The consequences of our devastating impact on biodiversity and climate are all around us. We need a positive vision of the future,beyond the many doomsday scenarios of disappearing species, flooded coastal areas and excessive heat stress in summer. The solution to these problems lies in theSymbiotic City: nature should return to the city and be part of it as a matter of course.

Background: Physical exercise in cancer patients is a promising intervention to improve cognition and increase brain volume, including hippocampal volume. We investigated whether a 6-month exercise intervention primarily impacts total hippocampal volume and additionally hippocampal subfield volumes, cortical thickness and grey matter volume in previously physically inactive breast cancer patients. Furthermore, we evaluated associations with verbal memory. Methods: Chemotherapy-exposed breast cancer patients (stage I-III, 2–4 years post diagnosis) with cognitive problems were included and randomized in an exercise intervention (n = 70, age = 52.5 ± 9.0 years) or control group (n = 72, age = 53.2 ± 8.6 years). The intervention consisted of 2x1 hours/week of supervised aerobic and strength training and 2x1 hours/week Nordic or power walking. At baseline and at 6-month follow-up, volumetric brain measures were derived from 3D T1-weighted 3T magnetic resonance imaging scans, including hippocampal (subfield) volume (FreeSurfer), cortical thickness (CAT12), and grey matter volume (voxel-based morphometry CAT12). Physical fitness was measured with a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Memory functioning was measured with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R total recall) and Wordlist Learning of an online cognitive test battery, the Amsterdam Cognition Scan (ACS Wordlist Learning). An explorative analysis was conducted in highly fatigued patients (score of ≥ 39 on the symptom scale ‘fatigue’ of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire), as previous research in this dataset has shown that the intervention improved cognition only in these patients. Results: Multiple regression analyses and voxel-based morphometry revealed no significant intervention effects on brain volume, although at baseline increased physical fitness was significantly related to larger brain volume (e.g., total hippocampal volume: R = 0.32, B =

Advies, inspirerende voorbeelden - We leven in een tijdperk waarin de extreme gevolgen zichtbaar worden van de eeuwenlange invloed van mensen op onze planeet. Onze tijd kenmerkt zich door klimaatverandering, vervuiling en het snelle uitsterven van ontelbare soorten planten en dieren. Het is overal. Als we niets doen, is het te laat. Daarom moeten we nu bouwen aan een toekomst waar we afstand nemen van de vernietiging van de natuur en vervuiling van onze leefomgeving.

Background: Up to 60% of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy is confronted with cognitive problems, which can have a significant impact on daily activities and quality of life (QoL). We investigated whether exercise training improves cognition in chemotherapy-exposed breast cancer patients 2–4 years after diagnosis. Methods: Chemotherapy-exposed breast cancer patients, with both self-reported cognitive problems and lower than expected performance on neuropsychological tests, were randomized to an exercise or control group. The 6-month exercise intervention consisted of supervised aerobic and strength training (2 h/week), and Nordic/power walking (2 h/week). Our primary outcome was memory functioning (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised; HVLT-R). Secondary outcomes included online neuropsychological tests (Amsterdam Cognition Scan; ACS), self-reported cognition (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for multiple myeloma; MDASI-MM), physical fitness (relative maximum oxygen uptake; VO2peak), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), QoL (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire; EORTC QLQ C-30), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS), and anxiety (HADS). HVLT-R total recall was analyzed with a Fisher exact test for clinically relevant improvement (≥ 5 words). Other outcomes were analyzed using multiple regression analyses adjusted for baseline and stratification factors. Results: We randomized 181 patients to the exercise (n = 91) or control group (n = 90). Two-third of the patients attended ≥ 80% of the exercise sessions, and physical fitness significantly improved compared to control patients (B VO2peak 1.4 ml/min/kg, 95%CI:0.6;2.2). No difference in favor of the intervention group was seen on the primary outcome. Significant beneficial intervention effects were found for self-reported cognitive functioning [MDASI

Shared multi-use of ocean space is associated with overcoming severalcomplex technical, regulatory, financial, environmental and socio-economic problems.In achieving this goal, several stakeholders of relevance need to participate inthe design and implementation of multi-use platforms. This chapter (This work hasreceived funding from the European Union’s 7th Framework Program under grantagreement N 288710 and N 288192) reviews and discusses the participatoryapproaches employed in the MERMAID and TROPOS projects. The discussiondraws on the methods employed in each case, the objectives and obstacles encountered resulting in useful conclusions for participatory design.

The report ‘Circular Refugee Camps’ provides insight in the creative process which Wageningen University & Research together with its partners has gone through to develop new strategic cooperation and potential business cases to adapt, connect and boost circular solutions to improve living conditions and livelihood opportunities in and around refugee camps. The aim is to develop integrative solutions tailored to the specific context and builds upon a highly participatory approach together with Dutch and local stakeholders, supported by a programmatic approach and knowledge agenda., Het rapport ‘Circular Refugee Camps’ geeft inzicht in het creatieve proces dat Wageningen University & Research samen met partners in 2019 heeft doorlopen om tot nieuwe strategische samenwerkingen en potentiele businesscases te komen om circulaire oplossingen aan te passen, te verbinden en aan te jagen om de leefomstandigheden en mogelijkheden in en rondom vluchtelingenkampen te verbeteren. Het doel is om gezamenlijk integrale oplossingen te ontwikkelen die zijn aangepast aan de specifieke context en voortbouwen op een zeer participatieve aanpak samen met Nederlandse en lokale belanghebbenden, ondersteund door een programmatische aanpak en kennisagenda.