Int J Med Sci
-
Observational Study
The Levels of Depression, Anxiety, Acceptance of Illness, and Medication Adherence in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis - Descriptive and Correlational Study.
Emotional functioning is one of the factors affecting medication adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Adherence to treatment is a very important element in the therapy of patients with MS and requires from them cooperation, positive emotional status and acceptance of illness. This study evaluated the role of depression, anxiety, and the acceptance of illness on adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMT) in MS. ⋯ It has to be concluded that anxiety and depression have a significant negative impact on medication adherence in MS patients. However, MS patients with an increased acceptance of their illness have a higher rate of adherence to DMT. The emotional state of a patient is an important factor that can both positively and negatively affect their adherence and their resulting prognosis.
-
Observational Study
A high triglyceride-glucose index is associated with left ventricular dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been reported to be a simple and reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the TyG index and echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular mass (LVM), left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and markers of peripheral artery disease, ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Methods: A total of 823 (483 males and 340 females) patients were enrolled from 2007 to 2011 at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. ⋯ Conclusions: A high TyG index was significantly associated with high LAD, low LVEF and low ABI. However, the TyG index was not significantly associated with inappropriate LVM or baPWV. The results suggest that the TyG index, as a simple indicator of insulin resistance, may reflect cardiac remodeling and dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
-
Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of saikosaponin-d (SSd) on autophagy activity and radiosensitivity of hepatoma cells, and to elucidate its related molecular mechanisms. Methods: The growth of SMMC-7721 and MHCC97L hepatoma cells were detected by clonal formation and survival fraction. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of apoptosis of hepatoma cells. ⋯ Transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy results also showed that the number of autophagosomes was significantly higher in the radiation and SSd co-treatment group than in the radiotherapy or SSd alone group; however, the effect of SSd on autophagy in hepatoma cells was decreased after adding MHY1485, siRNA-P53 or AMPK inhibitor (Compound C). Western blot analysis showed that after the addition of SSd, the phosphorylation of mTOR was significantly decreased by radiation, the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-II and Beclin-1 was increased, p62 was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP was enhanced; this effect of SSd was partially reversed after the addition of MHY1485, siRNA-P53 or Compound C. Conclusions: SSd increases radiation-induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells by promoting autophagy via inhibiting mTOR phosphorylation and providing a possible potential approach for radiosensitization therapy of liver cancer.
-
RNA binding protein (RBPs) dysregulation has been reported in various malignant tumors and plays a pivotal role in tumor carcinogenesis and progression. However, the underlying mechanisms in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are still unknown. In the present study, we performed a bioinformatics analysis using data from TCGA database to explore the expression and prognostic value of RBPs. ⋯ The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve was 0.728 in train-group and 0.688 in test-group, indicating a good prognostic model. More importantly, we established a nomogram based on the selected eight RBPs. The eight selected RBPS have predictive value for RCC patients, with potential applications in clinical decision-making and individualized treatment.
-
Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Remodeling of the scleral extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the development of glaucoma. The aim of this study was to identify the key genes and pathways for the ECM remodeling of sclera in glaucoma by bioinformatics analysis and to explore potential therapeutic agents for glaucoma management. ⋯ We found that 11 of the 13 selected genes could be targeted by 26 existing drugs. Conclusions: The results showed that VEGFA, TGFB1, TGFB2, TGFB3, IGF2, IGF1, EGF, FN1, KNG1, TIMP1, SERPINE1, THBS1, and VWF were potential key genes involved to scleral ECM remodeling. Furthermore, 26 drugs were identified as potential therapeutic agents for glaucoma treatment and management.