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Hypoxia and the Brain | Xtreme Everest May 10, 2020

Show notes

This special four part series explores the fascinating story of Xtreme Everest – the ground-breaking, research programme that has pursued a novel approach to scientific exploration. Over the last decade, this innovative team has performed large scale studies at high altitude to mimic some of the effects of critical illness. The objective is for their findings to be brought "from the mountainside to the bedside" so that the care for our sickest patients may be improved.

In this podcast, Chris Imray, describes the physiological changes within the brain when exposed to the hypoxic conditions of high altitude and how our understanding of this may change the management of patients.

Presented by Joff Lacey with his guest Chris Imray, a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and a Professor at Warwick Medical School. Chris is a passionate climber and has long been involved in altitude research. He was the deputy climbing leader for the 2007 Xtreme Everest expedition and was part of the summit team.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Mighty Mitochondria | Xtreme Everest May 09, 2020

Show notes

In this podcast, Andrew Murray, discusses the findings from his studies on Everest in which he has investigated novel mechanisms that control mitochondrial function under hypoxic conditions. It is hoped that his discoveries will facilitate major breakthroughs in tailoring medical interventions to improve the outcome of critical care patients.

Presented by Joff Lacey with his guest; Andrew Murray a reader in metabolic physiology at the University of Cambridge. Since 2005, Andrew has been a member of the Xtreme Everest research group, studying mitochondrial function in cardiac and skeletal muscle at high altitude.

Mental well being for the patient | TopMedTalk & MacMillan Cancer Special May 08, 2020

Show notes

TopMedTalk in Collaboration with MacMillan Cancer Support in the UK developed this podcast series to support patients during their cancer journey amidst the COVID 19 crisis.

"It's very normal to sit with some difficult thoughts and feelings" after a cancer diagnosis. Broadly there are two types of mindsets; anxiety, which can be helpful, an element of wanting to 'do something' and, on the other hand, low mood, a feeling of not wanting to do anything, this can be unhelpful if not addressed at a certain level. We should expect both of these mindsets the question is 'how does the latest scientific research show can we control them'? Your body and mind are not separate, one effects the other, this is why it is so important we look at mental health as part of an overall approach.

"You can do quite a lot of things [...] that put you into a better mood"; exercise, meditation, even simple breathing exercises. Spending time communicating with friends and family is another suggestion.

Recorded at the height of the COVID 19 crisis this podcast also reflects upon how this is applied in the context of a global pandemic; how important is it that people engage with online facilities and opportunities to maintain relationships? "In an odd way the relationships seem to intensify".

It's not about ignoring negative feelings though, anxiety and low mood are very common for people with a cancer diagnosis. Hear how it is important to allow yourself to reflect, part of understanding your mental health is about regaining control, we are allowed to let ourselves feel difficult thoughts as part of the process of monitoring and working with them.

This podcast also contains a reminder about the importance of goal setting in allowing people to regain control over their lives. Small, realistic and specific, short term goals are useful at this particular stage of life; "start with the thing you are most confident you are able to change [...] make a day and a time that you'll stick to".

Presented by Nick Margerrison with his guests Judit Varkonyi-Sepp psychologist, psychology lead for the Wesfit prehabilitation programme and Chloe Grimmett, behavioural scientist and lead for Wesfit prehabilitation.

For more information, in the UK, phone: 0808 808 00 00

Email: CancerPrehabilitation@macmillan.org.uk

Twitter: @macmillancancersupport

The Significance of the Microcirculation | Xtreme Everest May 07, 2020

Show notes

In this podcast, Dan Martin, explains the fascinating discoveries that his team have made about the microcirculation and how it may adapt to the challenge of hypoxia. Alterations to the microcirculation may be instrumental in the body's ability to cope under hypoxic conditions and could be become a target for interventions in critical illness.

Dan Martin is a reader in perioperative and critical care medicine at UCL and consultant in critical care at the Royal Free Hospital in London. He was the research lead for Xtreme Everest in 2007 and expedition lead in 2013.

Bring on the vaccine! | COVID 19 May 07, 2020

Show notes

This piece is a look at the fightback against COVID 19; the search is on for a safe and effective vaccine against coronavirus. A group of investigators in the UK are about to begin trialing a vaccine using a ChAdOx virus vector. This piece gets into the detail of the trial and how the vaccine might work.

Presented by Joff Lacey with his guest Professor Paul Heath, consultant in pediatric infectious diseases, at St George's Hospital in London. He co-leads the Pediatric Infectious Disease research group and is a director of the vaccines institute also at St George's.

TopMedTalk | The Ventilator Training Alliance App May 06, 2020

Show notes

"There's no advertisements popping up, non of that nonsense, this is just the data you need on the front lines to help save time and save lives"

This piece focuses on the Ventilator Training Alliance APP, developed to meet the need practitioners have to use and understand ventilation equipment which may be new or unfamiliar to them. Download the APP now and share it with all friends and colleagues who may find themselves in this situation.

The app is here: https://www.allego.com/ventilator-training-alliance/

Don't forget if you have any comments or questions, email us contact@topmedtalk.com

Presented by Desiree Chappell with Monty Mythen and Michelle Jones, Senior Director, Global Marketing, Patient Monitoring and Minimally Invasive Therapies, Medtronic, and their guests Pat Berges, Vice President of Global Commercial Capabilities, Medtronic and Ariel Mactavish, Vice President, General Manager of Respiratory Interventions, Medtronic.

Healthy eating and cancer | TopMedTalk & MacMillan Cancer Special May 06, 2020

Show notes

TopMedTalk in Collaboration with MacMillan Cancer Support in the UK developed this podcast series to support patients during their cancer journey amidst the COVID 19 crisis.

We know food gives us energy "but it also provides so much more". This podcast looks at the raw materials you'll need, when facing a cancer diagnosis, to get a better outcome; the vitamins, minerals and proteins, as well as the energy sources you're best using.

What is a balanced diet when you have cancer? "We're talking about eating well to stay well [...] we're not really looking for people to lose weight"; it's often important for people to try to maintain their weight during a cancer diagnosis, should you track your weight throughout your cancer journey?

Recorded at the height of the COVID 19 crisis this podcast also reflects upon how this information is applied in the context of a global pandemic. What foods can we store which also contain the vital building blocks of our body's natural defenses?

Presented by Nick Margerrison with his guest Clare Shaw, consultant Dietician at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

For more information, in the UK, phone: 0808 808 00 00

email: CancerPrehabilitation@macmillan.org.uk

Twitter: @macmillancancersupport

The Problem with Hypoxia – the inception of Xtreme Everest | Xtreme Everest May 05, 2020

Show notes

In this podcast, Denny Levett explains the complex and unpredictable nature of hypoxia, its prevalence in critical care and why there was the scientific demand to head to the world's highest mountain in search of answers to this clinical challenge.

Presented by Joff Lacey with his guest Denny Levett, a consultant in perioperative medicine and critical care at Southampton University Hospital and deputy research leader for the Xtreme Everest expedition in 2007.

Get active and feel good? | TopMedTalk & MacMillan Cancer Special May 04, 2020

Show notes

TopMedTalk in Collaboration with MacMillan Cancer Support in the UK developed this podcast series to support patients during their cancer journey amidst the COVID 19 crisis.

It's vital you remain active after a cancer diagnosis, why is this? Hear the fascinating story behind the discovery that activity not only reduces your overall levels of fatigue but also improves your chances of recuperation. "You have to pace yourself [...] listen to your body"; but any physical activity will help fight feelings of tiredness. In short, if you get active you feel good.

Also in this podcast, with direct reference to medical trials and studies, our guests give you the mechanism behind incredibly helpful changes caused by moderate exercise in cancer patients, evidence which has led medics to conclude that "exercise is real medicine".

"When we're talking about being active during cancer it's at any stage of the cancer journey: from prehabilitation through recovery". Prehabilitation is the process by which people prepare their bodies for a major obstacle such as an operation or chemotherapy. It's like rehabilitation but it takes place before the event.

Just as when you start your recovery after treatment you would expect to get your body back to full health, here you try to achieve the best possible physical health before you start. The key point is that the medicine of exercise can be useful from diagnosis right through to full recovery and beyond.

Again, with direct reference to the evidence, find out how incredible research into prehabilitation is changing the way we think about cancer and recovery.

Recorded specifically at the height of the COVID 19 crisis hear how this research is being applied in the context of a global pandemic. Group forms of exercise are not an option while social distancing restrictions are in place, can exercising with other people bring us special benefits? If so, can those benefits be matched if we use the internet to continue the social side of going to a gym or a class?

The YouTube link mentioned in this piece is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4YhGgVzlQXjhq6UYbX7idSDYcPX5PRy9

Presented by Nick Margerrison with the Professor of Clinical Exercise Science, Anna Campbell, MBE, of Edinburgh Napier University and the director of CAN Rehab and the Professor of Prehabilitation Medicine, Sandy Jack, a consultant clinician scientist from The University of Southampton and University of Southampton NHS Foundation Trust .

For more information, in the UK, phone: 0808 808 00 00

email: CancerPrehabilitation@macmillan.org.uk

Twitter: @macmillancancersupport

EBPOM 2019 | Malnutrition and functional capacity May 04, 2020

Show notes

This piece is taken from the free papers presentations given at EBPOM 2019. Malnutrition and functional capacity; what is the effect of multimodal prehabilitation? What can the six minute walk test really show us? Does nutritional status predict preoperative change in a six minute walk test in colorectal cancer patients following a prehabilitation programme?

Presented by Lauren Richer, Director, Nutritional Services, Keyto, Registered Dietician, Greene Family Medicine Clinic and Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.

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