The effect of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment of patients with breast cancer and their spouses: actor-partner independence model.

OBJECTIVE: With the increase in the prevalence rate and improvements in the survival of breast cancer patients, there is a growing interest in understanding the level of psychosocial adjustment in these patients. The study aimed to describe the illness perception and psychosocial adjustment levels of both breast cancer patients and their spouses, to use the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to clarify the actor-partner relationships between spouses, and to explore the impact of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment to the disease within the joint actions of both spouses. METHODS: A total of 216 female patients with breast cancer and their spouses participated in the study. They were selected from two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China from October 2022 to May 2023 using a convenience sampling method. The participants were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale to examine the relationship between illness perception and psychosocial adjustment. AMOS24.0 was used to test and analyze the actor-partner interdependence model. RESULTS: The illness perception score (57.75 ± 10.91) was slightly higher than that of the spouse (57.10 ± 11.00), and the psychosocial adjustment score (64.67 ± 6.33) was slightly lower than that of the spouse (64.76 ± 7.49). The results of the actor-partner interdependence model indicated that there was a couple partner between breast cancer patients and their spouses: the spouse's illness perception significantly affected the patient's psychosocial adjustment (ß = 0.095, p = 0.015); the patient's illness perception also significantly affected the spouse's psychosocial adjustment (ß = 0.106, p = 0.033). Among them, the patient's psychosocial adjustment was found to be related to the patient's illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (ß = 0.433, p = 0.009), the spouse's emotional illness representation (ß = 0.218, p = 0.037), and the spouse's illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (ß = 0.416, p = 0.007), while the spouse's psychosocial adjustment was only related to the spouse's illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (ß = 0.528, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients is affected by both their own and spouse's illness perception. Therefore, in the future, the healthcare staff can implement early psychological interventions for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and their spouses as a unit to promote the psychosocial adjustment of them.

Relationship between chronic disease resource utilization and quality of life in coronary heart disease patients: A latent profile analysis.

AIMS: This study aimed to identify different profiles of chronic disease resource utilization among patients with coronary heart disease in Tibet and explore the relationship between these profiles and quality of life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients with coronary heart disease who were treated in a tertiary hospital in Tibet and its cooperative points from January 2021 to July 2021 were selected as the study participants. All participants completed a general information questionnaire, the Chronic Disease Resource Utilization Questionnaire (CIRS) and the Health Status Survey Short Form (SF-36). Chronic disease resource utilization was profiled, and its relationship to quality of life was explored using hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 382 patients were enrolled in this study. Regarding chronic disease resource utilization, the participants were divided into three latent profiles: 'Poor utilization group' (n = 151), 'Effective utilization group' (n = 155) and 'Full utilization group' (n = 76). Different profiles of chronic disease resource utilization of patients were significantly associated with quality of life (R2 = .126, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers should identify patients with different profiles, define their utilization features of chronic disease resources and adopt targeted interventions to guide them in acquiring enough disease support resources to improve their quality of life. IMPLICATION: Understanding different resources using preferences of coronary heart disease patients can help healthcare providers and related sectors to provide other supports based on different profiles of patients, thus enhancing their quality of life. REPORTING METHOD: The study followed the STROBE guideline. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public involvement in the design of the study.

Self-efficacy and self-management mediate the association of health literacy and quality of life among patients with TB in Tibet, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between health literacy and quality of life in patients with TB in Tibet and explore the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management in the relationship between health literacy and quality of life. METHODS: We used a convenience sampling method to select 271 cases of patients with TB in Tibet to conduct a survey of their general information, health literacy, self-management, self-efficacy and quality of life, and to construct structural equation models. RESULTS: The total health literacy score of patients with TB in Tibet was 84.28±18.57, while the lowest score was for information acquisition ability (55.99±25.66). Scores for quality of life were generally lower than the norm (patients with chronic diseases from other cities in China) (p<0.01). Moreover, self-efficacy and self-management mediated the relationship between health literacy and quality of life (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In Tibet, patients with TB have a low level of health literacy and an average level of quality of life. Emphasis should be placed on improving information access literacy, role-physicals and role-emotional to improve overall quality of life. The mediating roles of self-efficacy and self-management between health literacy and quality of life may provide a basis for further interventions.

Design, synthesis, and SAR study of novel flavone 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with anti-inflammatory activities for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Inflammation is one of a major feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) which poses a threat to people's health in the world. It has been reported that antioxidation and anti-inflammation have significant effects on the treatment of PD. 1,2,4-oxadiazole and flavone derivatives have remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In order to find highly effective drugs for PD treatment, based on the remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole pharmacophore and the flavonoid pharmacophore, we designed and synthesized a novel series of 3-methyl-8-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives by pharmacophore combination, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory and antioxidation activities for PD treatment. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted by their inhibitory activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NO release in LPS-induced BV2 Microglia cells, and the optimal compound Flo8 exhibited the most potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Both in vivo and in vitro results showed that Flo8 inhibited neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting inflammatory and apoptotic signaling pathways. In vivo studies also showed that the compound Flo8 ameliorated motor and behavioral deficits and increased serum dopamine levels in MPTP-induced PD model mice. Taken together, this study demonstrated the compound Flo8 could be a promising agent for the treatment of PD.

'I'm still young it doesn't matter' - A qualitative study on the neglect of prodromal myocardial infarction symptoms among young- and middle-aged adults.

AIM: To explore why young- and middle-aged adults ignore prodromal myocardial infarction symptoms from a life course and sociocultural perspective. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: We applied purposeful sampling to recruit participants from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou from July to November 2021. Face-to-face interviews were performed. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis methods. RESULTS: Twenty-four young- and middle-aged adults diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction participated in this study. Analysis revealed three main themes: I'm still young, it will not happen to me; to be somebody and different roles, multiple pressures. Age-related self-confidence led to inappropriate perceptions and responses to prodromal symptoms among young- and middle-aged adults. These individuals strived to align their behaviours and attention with social expectations and self-expectations, underestimating the importance of perceiving the warning signs of acute myocardial infarction and seeking medical treatment. Pressure from social roles also prevented them from paying enough attention to prodromal symptoms. CONCLUSION: Targeted social support, public education and technologies should be provided to these individuals since they are pillars of the family and society. We also highlight how nurses can function these strategies appropriately. IMPACTS: This study contributes to a better understanding of the neglect of prodromal symptoms among young- and middle-aged adults. Its results enhance our understanding of the perception of and coping with prodromal symptoms among this population, which will help avoid the burden caused by acute myocardial infarction. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The patients involved in our study shared their experiences and insights to provide new perspectives regarding the neglect of prodromal myocardial infarction symptoms among young- and middle-aged adults.

Health literacy and quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease in Tibet, China: The mediating role of self-efficacy and self-management.

BACKGROUND: The disease burden of coronary heart disease patients in Tibet, China, ranks high in the country. Due to the local culture and environment, patients with coronary heart disease have increased risk factors for the disease, and their survival is worrisome. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and quality of life for patients with coronary heart disease in Tibet, China, and to explore the mediating roles of self-efficacy and self-management. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to July 2021 in Tibet. A total of 258 patients with coronary heart disease in Tibet participated. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess health literacy, self-efficacy, self-management, and quality of life. Pearson correlation analysis and the SPSS PROCESS macro were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The mean total score for the health literacy of patients with coronary heart disease in Tibet was 3.59 ± 0.80 points, showing the existence of a limited level of literacy. The quality of life was of an average level, with scores of 57.20 ± 21.70 points and 63.63 ± 20.66 points for physical and mental status, respectively. Self-efficacy and self-management mediated the relationship between health literacy and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy and self-management mediate the relationship between health literacy and quality of life. Targeted interventions for health literacy, self-efficacy, and self-management skills are important to improve the quality of life of Tibetan patients with coronary heart disease.

[Distribution Characteristics and Source Analysis of Water-soluble Ions in Particulate Matter Under Different Weather Processes in Nanjing].

From November 16 to 28 2018, water-soluble ions in particulate matter and some trace gases in Nanjing City were observed using the online gas composition and aerosol monitoring system MARGA ADI 2080. Combined with meteorological elements and sounding data, the distribution characteristics and day-night differences of pollutants and water-soluble ions during haze, fog, clear, and precipitation processes were analyzed. The results show that the average concentration of PM2.5 varied from 26.9µg·m-3 (precipitation) to 96.4µg·m-3 (haze) while total water-soluble ions varied between 23.7µg·m-3 (precipitation) and 89.7µg·m-3 (haze). The ranked order of ion concentrations was NO3- > NH4+ > SO42- > Cl- > K+ > Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ during haze and fog events, and NO3- > SO42- > NH4+ > Cl- > Ca2+ > K+ > Na+ > Mg2+ during clear weather and precipitation period. The diurnal distributions of water-soluble ions were quite different under the four conditions, although SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+(SNA) were ranked haze > fog > clear > precipitation for both day and night periods. According to the PMF source analysis, secondary sources were the main factors affecting haze; secondary sources, sea salt, and combustion sources were the main pollution sources to foggy conditions; and the removal effect of precipitation on coal-fired sources and secondary sources was more notable than during clear conditions.

[Change in Characteristics of Pollution Gas and Water-soluble Ions at Different Development Stages of Haze].

To explore the variation in characteristics of atmospheric pollutants at different stages of haze, the monitor for aerosols and gases in ambient air (MARGA) was used to observe the concentrations of precursor pollutants (NH3, HNO3, and SO2) and eight water-soluble ions in a regional haze in the Yangtze River Delta region from November 18 to December 07, 2018. Combined with environmental data (PM2.5, NO2, CO, and O3) and meteorological data, the causes of regional haze formation, diurnal variation characteristics of air pollutants, and distribution characteristics of air pollutants in different stages of haze were analyzed. The results showed that the Yangtze River Delta region was mainly controlled by a ridge of high pressure during the haze process and the weather situation was stable, which was conducive to the accumulation of air pollutants. On hazy days, the concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, NO3-, SO42-, NH4+, Cl-, and Na+ were (118.91±39.23), (61.62±26.34), (45.64±16.01), (18.80±8.02), (20.82±7.16), (3.02±2.25), and (0.23±0.22) µg·m-3, respectively, and these were 2.73, 1.63, 2.64, 1.94, 2.50, 2.05, and 2.56 times the levels found on clean days, respectively. The concentration of CO was (1.34±0.39) mg·m-3 on hazy days, which was 1.86 times that found on clean days. Diurnal variation characteristics of different air pollutants were different, as were the distribution characteristics of air pollutants at different haze stages. The concentrations of SO2 was the highest in the haze occurrence stage. The concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, NH3, CO, and SNA were highest in the haze development stage, and the concentrations of O3, Cl-, Na+, and K+ were highest in the haze dissipation stage. The relative contributions of SNA to PM2.5 in different stages of haze could reach 94%-96%, and their growth rate was largest in the development stage. The order of growth rate was NO3- > NH4+ > SO42-. SNA mainly existed in the form of NH4NO3 on clean days and in the occurrence and development stages, and (NH4)2SO4 in the dissipation stage. This haze process was mainly caused by the growth of NO3-, which was mainly generated by gas-phase homogeneous phase reaction, and NO3-contributes 51.06%, 51.85%, and 48.22%, respectively, to PM2.5 in the occurrence, development, and dissipation stages of haze.