Role of emotional control on anxiety and stress among cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The article aims to assess the role of stress and anxiety in relation to the level of emotional control among cancer patients. Currently cancer ranks second, after cardiovascular disease, as the most common cause of death. Moreover, it is predicted that in the coming years, cancer will become the leading cause of death worldwide. This is due to the extended lifespan of the population and also to the presence of carcinogenic factors in the surrounding environment. The emergence of cancer is a significant stressor that affects individuals in diverse ways, leading to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional consequences. In line with the adopted aim, emotional issues are the chosen area of exploration in this article. METHODS: The study included 102 patients. The differences between the patients' results according to various scales and the results produced by the validation group data were examined using one-sample t-tests. The relationships between the quantitative variables were determined using Spearman's rho coefficients, and the relationships between the quantitative and qualitative variables were verified using Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: The participants exhibited higher anxiety suppression levels than individuals in the normalization group. They sought emotional support more frequently than the average person in the population, turned to religion, engaged in other such activities, lived in denial more often, discontinued activities, and displayed a sense of humor less frequently. The more frequently they controlled their anger, the less they sought emotional and instrumental support, catharsis, and attempted to accept the situation and cease being active. Additionally, controlling anxiety, sadness, and depression coexisted with self-blame, denial, and compensatory actions. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients face intense anxiety. Emotional and instrumental support, along with the ability to express and manage emotions, are crucial for these patients, especially within the context of facing the challenge of cancer. Finding constructive ways to express strong and difficult emotions prevents their accumulation and reduces the need for emotional suppression. Preventive actions should be oriented toward supporting the emotional competencies of patients.

Vascular Access Perception and Quality of Life of Haemodialysis Patients.

Background: Patient quality of life is widely used as a non-clinical determinant of care. For patients undergoing hemodialysis, vascular access is vital to the delivery of hemodialysis and its function may affect not only the clinical outcome of treatment but also the overall quality of life of the patient, highlighting the need for increased efforts to improve the quality of hemodialysis vascular access care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between vascular access perception and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: A total of 202 patients with active hemodialysis vascular access were included in the study. Quality of life was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument (KDQOL™) questionnaire, while vascular access perception was evaluated using the Vascular Access Questionnaire (VAQ). Results: The study presented evidence on the influence of vascular access for hemodialysis patients on their quality of life. This impact is related to factors directly associated with vascular access, such as the type of access and the patient's subjective evaluation of the access. Conclusions: The perception of vascular access is one of the factors that determines the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. The quality of life of hemodialysis patients decreases as the number of vascular access-related problems increases.

The Occurrence of Stress, Illness Acceptance and the Quality of Life of Patients after Pacemaker Implantation.

Pacemaker implantation improves the quality of life of most patients, especially in the initial period after implantation. It is necessary to measure the long-term quality of life and factors that can affect it-stress and illness acceptance. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of stress and illness acceptance on the quality of life of patients after pacemaker implantation. To obtain final conclusions, we performed a survey on a group of 100 patients with implanted pacemakers. Our survey consists of standardized research tools to check the quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), perceived stress and ways to cope with it (PSS-10, mini-COPE) and acceptance of illness (AIS). The results of the study were summarized in a statistical analysis. At least a good quality of life was declared by more than half of the respondents [Me = 4; 95% PU (4, 4)]. The average result obtained by the respondents when converted to the STEN scale was six. The respondents were characterized by a moderate level of stress compared to the PSS-10 norms and it was related to the quality of life. Similar, statistically significant correlations were presented as mini-COPE and AIS results. Respondents were most likely to use acceptance strategies, active coping methods, when dealing with something else and planning. The rarest strategies were doing nothing and taking pharmaceuticals. The average score on the acceptance of illness scale was (M = 22.14; SD = 6.05), which is more than the result obtained by patients from the AIS normalization group. It shows that assessed patients after pacemaker implantation declare the general quality of life as good or higher. Additionally, this quality of life is closely related to stress levels, coping strategies and acceptance of illness, which shows us the importance of research in this area.

The Effect of Selected Factors on the Content of Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Macro-Elements in Raw Milk from Holstein-Friesian and Simmental Cows and Acid Curd Cheese (Tvarog).

The study was conducted to determine the content and retention of selected fat-soluble vitamins and minerals in curd cheese-tvarog made by a traditional method, taking into account the effect of the quality of the raw milk and the type of starter cultures used. The raw milk used to make the tvarog was obtained in various conditions, i.e., with and without the use of pasture forage (in a traditional and an intensive system), in two production seasons (spring/summer and autumn/winter), from two breeds raised in Poland (the Black-and-White variety of Polish Holstein-Friesian and Simmental). Two variants of starter cultures were used to make tvarog: Freeze-dried DVS starters (Flora Danica) and pure cultures of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria. The acidity and content of protein, fat, selected fat-soluble vitamins (A, D3, and E), and selected macro-elements (Ca and Mg) were determined in samples of bulk milk and cheese. Retention rates of individual nutrients from the milk to the cheese were calculated. A higher content of fat-soluble vitamins was found in milk obtained from Simmental cows kept in a traditional system in the spring/summer season, as well as in the tvarog produced from it. Vitamin retention rates from the raw material to the tvarog were above 90%. The mineral composition of the cheese was not associated with the quality of the milk used. Very low retention rates from milk to cheese were obtained for Ca and Mg (below 20%). Higher retention rates were obtained in the spring/summer season when culture variant 1 was used. However, the starter culture was not found to significantly influence the concentration or retention of vitamins in the experimental cheese.

Dronedarone (a multichannel blocker) enhances the anticonvulsant potency of lamotrigine, but not that of lacosamide, pregabalin and topiramate in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice.

Accumulating experimental evidence indicates that some recently licensed antiarrhythmic drugs, including dronedarone (a multichannel blocker) play a crucial role in initiation of seizures in both, in vivo and in vitro studies. Some of these antiarrhythmic drugs elevate the threshold for maximal electroconvulsions and enhance the anticonvulsant potency of classical antiepileptic drugs in preclinical studies. This study was aimed at determining the influence of dronedarone (an antiarrhythmic drug) on the anticonvulsant potency of four novel antiepileptic drugs (lacosamide, lamotrigine, pregabalin and topiramate) in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure model in mice. To exclude any potential pharmacokinetic contribution of dronedarone to the observed interactions, total brain concentrations of antiepileptic drugs were measured. Dronedarone (50 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant potency of lamotrigine, by reducing its ED50 value from 7.67 mg/kg to 4.19 mg/kg (P < 0.05), in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test in mice. On the contrary, dronedarone (50 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect the anticonvulsant properties of lacosamide, pregabalin or topiramate in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test in mice. Measurement of total brain concentrations of lamotrigine revealed that dronedarone did not significantly alter total brain concentrations of lamotrigine in experimental animals. Additionally, the combination of dronedarone with pregabalin significantly impaired motor coordination in animals subjected to the chimney test. In contrast, the combinations of other studied antiepileptic drugs with dronedarone had no negative influence on motor coordination in mice. It is advisable to combine dronedarone with lamotrigine to enhance the anticonvulsant potency of the latter drug. The combinations of dronedarone with lacosamide, pregabalin and topiramate resulted in neutral interactions in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test in mice. However, a special caution is advised to patients receiving both, pregabalin and dronedarone due to some possible adverse effects that might occur with respect to motor coordination.

Influence of dronedarone (a class III antiarrhythmic drug) on the anticonvulsant potency of four classical antiepileptic drugs in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice.

Increasing evidence indicates that some antiarrhythmic drugs play a pivotal role in seizures, not only in vivo studies on animals, but also in clinical trials. Some of these antiarrhythmic drugs potentiate or alleviate the anticonvulsant action of the classical antiepileptic drugs. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of dronedarone (DRO-a multichannel blocker belonging to the class III of antiarrhythmic drugs) on the anticonvulsant effects of four standard antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate) in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice. Potential acute adverse effects exerted by the antiepileptic drugs combined with DRO were evaluated in three behavioral tests (chimney, grip-strength and passive avoidance). To confirm the nature of interaction, total brain concentrations of antiepileptic drugs were measured. DRO (50 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduces the anticonvulsant potency of phenytoin (P < 0.05), having no impact on that of carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproate in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice. DRO (50 mg/kg) neither changed total brain concentrations of phenytoin in mice, nor affected normal behavior in experimental animals subjected to the chimney, grip-strength and passive avoidance tests. In conclusion, DRO should not be combined with phenytoin because it reduced the anticonvulsant effects of the latter drug in experimental animals. The combined administration of DRO with carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproate resulted in neutral interaction between these drugs in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice.

Ivabradine attenuates the anticonvulsant potency of lamotrigine, but not that of lacosamide, pregabalin and topiramate in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are involved not only in synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability under physiological conditions, but also in seizure activity. To determine the influence of ivabradine (an HCN channel inhibitor) on the anticonvulsant potency of four novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs: lacosamide, lamotrigine, pregabalin and topiramate) in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure (MES) model. Adult male albino Swiss mice were challenged with maximal electroconvulsions (electric current of 25mA delivered via auricular electrodes). Total brain concentrations of AEDs were measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography. Ivabradine (10mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the anticonvulsant potency of lamotrigine by elevating the ED50 value of the AED from 7.48 (6.15-9.11) to 10.07 (8.85-11.45) mg/kg (P<0.05) in the mouse MES model. In contrast, ivabradine (10mg/kg, i.p.) did not significantly affect the anticonvulsant potency of lacosamide, pregabalin or topiramate in the mouse MES model. Additionally, ivabradine had no impact on total brain concentrations of all the studied AEDs in mice. A special caution is advised when combining ivabradine with lamotrigine in epilepsy patients due to the possible pharmacodynamic reduction of the anticonvulsant action of the later drug. The combinations of ivabradine with lacosamide, pregabalin and topiramate seem to be pharmacodynamic and neutral from a preclinical viewpoint.

Influence of Ivabradine on the Anticonvulsant Action of Four Classical Antiepileptic Drugs Against Maximal Electroshock-Induced Seizures in Mice.

Although the role of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission is still unclear, it is postulated that the HCN channels may be involved in seizure activity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ivabradine (an HCN channel inhibitor) on the protective action of four classical antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate) against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Tonic seizures (maximal electroconvulsions) were evoked in adult male albino Swiss mice by an electric current (sine-wave, 25 mA, 0.2 s stimulus duration) delivered via auricular electrodes. Acute adverse-effect profiles of the combinations of ivabradine with classical antiepileptic drugs were measured in mice along with total brain antiepileptic drug concentrations. Results indicate that ivabradine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant activity of valproate and considerably reduced that of phenytoin in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model. Ivabradine (10 mg/kg) had no impact on the anticonvulsant potency of carbamazepine and phenobarbital in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test in mice. Ivabradine (10 mg/kg) significantly diminished total brain concentration of phenytoin and had no effect on total brain valproate concentration in mice. In conclusion, the enhanced anticonvulsant action of valproate by ivabradine in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model was pharmacodynamic in nature. A special attention is required when combining ivabradine with phenytoin due to a pharmacokinetic interaction and reduction of the anticonvulsant action of phenytoin in mice. The combinations of ivabradine with carbamazepine and phenobarbital were neutral from a preclinical viewpoint.

Biomarkers of alcohol misuse: recent advances and future prospects.

Alcohol abuse and dependence are highly prevalent in many cultures and contribute considerably to the global burden of health and social issues. The current inability to accurately characterise long-term drinking behaviours is a major obstacle to alcoholism diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop objective diagnostic tools to discern subjects with excessive alcohol use and alcoholism or to confirm abstinence. Research over past years has revealed several biochemical compounds with considerable potential for accurate reflection of alcohol intake. This review will address the issue of alcohol biomarker definition, the types of molecules used as so-called traditional biomarkers, and the compounds that can serve as novel biomarker candidates or components of biomarker panels.