Family function, self-efficacy, care hours per day, closeness and benefit finding among stroke caregivers in China: A moderated mediation model.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the moderated mediation mechanism of the relationships among family function, self-efficacy, care hours per day, closeness and benefit finding in family caregivers of patients with stroke in China. BACKGROUND: Benefit finding can provide a new means of resolving depression among family members caring for an ill loved one. However, current research has paid little attention to the benefit finding of family caregivers of stroke patients in China. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Three hundred fifty family caregivers of patients with stroke were recruited from community service centres and hospitals in Zhengzhou, China. The participants completed the family APGAR index, caregiver benefit finding scale and Chinese general self-efficacy scale during a study conducted in 2017. Descriptive analyses and a moderated mediation model were computed. Reporting adhered to the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: A total of 311 family caregivers completed this study. Closeness between family caregivers and patients with stroke moderated the relationship between family function and caregiver benefit finding. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between family function and caregiver benefit finding; moreover, care hours per day moderated the mediation. CONCLUSION: This study shows important factors associated with benefit finding in family caregivers of patients with stroke. This indicates elements that could help improve benefit finding intervention programmes for family caregivers of patients with stroke. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings in our study provide valuable information on benefit finding and indicate some interventions to improve the mental health of family caregivers of stroke patients.

Correlation of Interleukin-18 and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Perioperative Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Ankle Fracture.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we aimed to inspect the correlation of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), if any present, with the occurrence of perioperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients suffering from an ankle fracture (AF). METHODS: Sixty-seven AF patients with complicated DVT (DVT group) and 448 AF patients without DVT (non-DVT group) were enrolled in the present study. To begin with, hemorheological indexes were detected. Turbidimetric immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for the determination of the expressions of hs-CRP and IL-18, respectively. Coagulation method was used to detect prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen, and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for DVT occurrence in AF patients after operation. RESULTS: The results revealed that the DVT group presented an increased expression of hs-CRP and IL-18 1 day before operation and 1, 3, and 7 days after operation in comparison with the non-DVT group. The DVT group also had increased levels of PT, APTT, and prolonged TT and fibrinogen at 3 and 7 days after operation compared to the non-DVT group. After operation, it was observed that the patients in the DVT group had increased plasma viscosity, whole blood reduced viscosity, red blood cell (RBC) aggregation index, RBC deformation index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and declined erythrocrit. The independent risk factors for the occurrence of DVT were identified to be high-energy injury, TT, fibrinogen, hs-CRP, and IL-18 in AF patients after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results obtained from the study, it was concluded that AF patients with DVT have higher levels of IL-18 and hs-CRP expressions, which is associated with the occurrence and development of DVT. These results may be particularly useful for diagnosis and treatment on DVT occurrence in AF patients.

Regulation of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells by the lung progenitor niche in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell transplantation is a promising method for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have clinical potential for lung repair/regeneration. However, the rates of engraftment and differentiation are generally low following MSC therapy for lung injury. In previous studies, we constructed a pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A (SPA) suicide gene system, rAAV-SPA-TK, which induced apoptosis in alveolar epithelial type II (AT II) cells and vacated the AT II cell niche. We hypothesized that this system would increase the rates of MSC engraftment and repair in COPD rats. METHODS: The MSC engraftment rate and morphometric changes in lung tissue in vivo were investigated by in situ hybridization, hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR. The expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and relationship between HIF-1α and SDF-1 in a hypoxic cell model were analyzed by real-time PCR, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: rAAV-SPA-TK transfection increased the recruitment of MSCs but induced pulmonary fibrosis in COPD rats. HIF-1α and SDF-1 expression were enhanced after rAAV-SPA-TK transfection. Hypoxia increased the expression of HIF-1α and SDF-1 in the hypoxic cell model, and SDF-1 expression was augmented by HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Vacant AT II cell niches increase the homing and recruitment of MSCs to the lung in COPD rats. MSCs play an important role in lung repair and promote collagen fiber deposition after induction of secondary damage in AT II cells by rAAV-SPA-TK, which involves HIF-1α and SDF-1 signaling.

Establishment of surfactant-associated protein A suicide gene system and analysis of its activity.

Alveolar epithelial type II (AT II) cells are essential for lung development and remodeling, as they are precursors for type I cells and also produce other non-repair cells (fibroblasts). Progenitor cells are believed to possess capability of multi-potent transdifferentiation, which is closely related to the niche, suggesting the importance of establishment of a lung progenitor cell niche model. We hypothesized that pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A (SPA) suicide gene system would cause AT II cell to kill itself through apoptosis and leave its niche. In vitro, the recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors-SPA-thymidine kinase (rAAV-SPA-TK) system was established to get targeted apoptotic AT II cells. The apoptosis of AT II cells was detected by using MTT. The results showed that cloned SPA gene promoter had specific transcriptional activity in SPA high expression cells, and SPA high expression cells (H441) transfected with TK gene had higher sensitivity to ganciclovir (GCV) than SPA low expression cells (A549). In vivo, increased apoptosis of AT II cells induced by GCV in rAAV-SPA-TK system was observed by TUNEL. Finally, the successful packaging and application of rAAV-SPA-TK system provide experimental basis to get specific lung progenitor cell (AT II) niche in vitro and in vivo.

Mediation role of perceived social support between recurrence risk perception and health behaviour among patients with stroke in China: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether patients who had a stroke with high recurrence risk perception would have healthier behaviour and to explore whether perceived social support would function as a mediator. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted in a public tertiary hospital in China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 254 patients with stroke were invited to participate, and 250 patients with stroke completed questionnaires validly. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Questionnaires were administered offline to collect data, consisting of four parts: general demographics and scales related to recurrence risk perception, perceived social support, and health behaviour. A path analysis and correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Out of 250 patients with stroke, 78.4% had moderately low health behaviour. The majority (70.8%) of these patients were elderly. High recurrence risk perception and high perceived social support were significantly associated with better health behaviour (all p<0.001). Perceived social support mediated the relationship between recurrence risk perception and health behaviour after controlling for age, gender, education and monthly income in the regression model (95% CI 0.263 to 0.460) and the effect value was 0.360. It was also confirmed that perceived social support had the highest mediation effect with a proportion of mediation up to 59.31%. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence risk perception and perceived social support were influential factors in promoting health behaviour. Moreover, the impact of recurrence risk perception on health behaviour was partially mediated by perceived social support. Therefore, to enhance the sustainability of health behaviour, it is crucial to inform patients with stroke about the risk of recurrence. Patients with more perception of recurrence risk can improve their recovery confidence and thus perceive more social support.

Perspectives of cardiac rehabilitation in patients who had a stroke: a protocol for a qualitative study review.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke has a high incidence and disability rate, and its recurrence and readmission rates are rising, making it the second-leading cause of mortality in the globe. Cardiac rehabilitation is a well-known, evidence-based strategy that might serve as an additional preventative programme. Prior quantitative research has proven the positive results and high practicability of cardiac rehabilitation for patients who had a stroke, however, cardiac rehabilitation is not yet a routine component of stroke rehabilitation worldwide. It might be useful to conduct meta-integration of previous qualitative studies to understand if existing cardiac rehabilitation programme meets the needs of patients who had a stroke. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to combine systematically the perspectives on benefits, barriers and facilitating factors of cardiac rehabilitation in patients who had a stroke. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: There will be a search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases. In addition, grey literature from Google Scholar, OpenGrey, PyARXiv, bioRxiv and medRxiv will also be searched. Included studies will be qualitative studies or findings from mixed-method research involving patients who engage in CR after a stroke. Regardless of the publishing date and context, English-language articles will be reviewed. Two impartial reviewers will screen studies and extract data from the included studies. According to the Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Evaluation Criteria for qualitative research, the methodology of the included literature will be examined. For data synthesis, the pooling meta-integration approach and Noblit and Hare's seven steps of meta-ethnography will be used. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Because there will be no collection of primary data, this systematic review is exempt from the need that gets ethical approval. The findings of the review will be made public by publishing them in scholarly journals and presenting them at scientific conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023387534.

Perception of recurrent risk versus objective measured risk of ischemic stroke in first-ever stroke patients from a rural area in China: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Risk perception is critical to the formation of individual health prevention behaviors. A long-term accurate perception of stroke recurrent risks is imperative for stroke secondary prevention. This study aims to explore the level of recurrence risk perceptions and the influential factors of inaccuracy between perceived and objective risk in first-ever ischemic stroke patients from a rural area. METHODS: From May to November 2020, 284 first-ever ischemic stroke patients were conveniently recruited in a rural area of Henan Province, China. Perceived risk was measured based on self-reported using a numerical rating scale, whereas the objective risk was measured by the Essen Stroke Risk Score. Patients' perceived risk was compared with their objective risk and categorized as "Accurate," "Underestimated," and "Overestimated." The influencing factors of inaccuracy were further evaluated using multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: 46% of the participants underestimated their stroke risk, while 15.9% overestimated their risks. Patients who were younger (≤65 years), didn't worry about recurrent stroke, and had a low actual recurrent risk were more likely to underestimate their recurrent risk. Patients who were employed, had lower independence, and had greater anxiety were more likely to overestimate their recurrent risk. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants were unable to accurately perceive their own risk of stroke recurrence. Patients' age, working status, worry about recurrent stroke, actual recurrent risk, level of dependence, and anxiety played a role in perception inaccuracy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings could help healthcare providers gain a better understanding of the level and accuracy of recurrence risk perceptions among first-ever stroke patients in the rural area. Future counseling on the perceived risk of stroke recurrence and individual objective risk assessment could be conducted to help patients better understand their risk of recurrence. Individualized risk communication and multidisciplinary teamwork can be developed to improve the accuracy of recurrence risk perceptions and health behaviors.

Physio-psycho-social interaction mechanism in dyadic health of young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers: a longitudinal observational study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, stroke has become more common among young people. Stroke not only has a profound impact on patients' health but also incurs stress and health threats to their caregivers, especially spousal caregivers. Moreover, the health of stroke survivors and their caregivers is interdependent. To our knowledge, no study has explored dyadic health of young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers from physiological, psychological and social perspectives. Therefore, this proposed study aims to explore the mechanism of how physiological, psychological and social factors affect dyadic health of young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers. The findings of this study will provide implications for developing interventions to improve dyadic health of this growing population. METHODS AND ANALYSES: We will collect data from 57 dyads of young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers during hospitalisation and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after discharge. Questionnaires will be used to collect participants' demographic information, stress, depression, anxiety, benefit finding, social support, mutuality and quality of life. The following physiological reactions will be collected at baseline, including interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and salivary cortisol. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the ethics review committee of life sciences of Zhengzhou University (No. ZZUIRB2020-53). Prior to being enrolled in the study, participants will be given full and detailed information about the possible risks involved, the informed consent process, confidentiality, the study procedure and secure data storage. Participants will be guaranteed that they can withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason or leading to any consequences. Both oral and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The findings of this proposed study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.

Efficacy of virtual reality-based interventions for patients with breast cancer symptom and rehabilitation management: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based intervention on the symptoms and rehabilitation management in patients with breast cancer. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. STUDY SELECTION: We included all eligible randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies (published in English and Chinese). PARTICIPANTS: Patients with breast cancer (≥18 years) undergoing cancer treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Any intervention administered to improve the symptoms and rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer. The control group was given conventional care. OUTCOMES: All outcomes were as follows: pain, fatigue, anxiety, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and range of motion of upper limb in patients with breast cancer. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL and SinoMed, four electronic databases, covering the database establishment period to January 2022. REVIEW METHODS: Two reviewers independently extracted content and data consistent with the prespecified framework and assessed risk bias. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool data across trials. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager V.5.4. RESULTS: A total of eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this study. The combined effect size showed that VR was positive for improving patients' anxiety(standard mean differenc (SMD)=-2.07, 95% CI= (-3.81 to -0.34), I2=95%) and abduction of upper limbs (MD=15.54, 95% CI= (12.79 to 18.29), I2=0%), but fatigue (SMD=-0.92, 95% CI= (-4.47 to 2.62), I2=99%) was not. Qualitative analysis showed VR improved patients' depressive symptoms, pain and cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: VR technology has a good effect on symptoms and rehabilitation management of patients with breast cancer, but the quality of evidence is low, and the sample size is small. To date, there are few intervention studies, therefore, giving precise recommendation or conclusion is difficult. We have a favourable view of this, and more clinical studies are needed in the future to improve the credibility of the results.

Efficacy of escitalopram for poststroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Depression is very common after stroke, causing multiple sequelae. We aimed to explore the efficacy of escitalopram for poststroke depression (PSD). PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical trials. gov, Wan fang Data (Chinese), VIP (Chinese) and CNKI (Chinese) were retrieved from inception to May 2021. We recruited Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) which met the inclusion criteria in our study. The depression rating scores, the incidence of PSD, adverse events as well as functional outcomes were analyzed. 11 studies and 1374 participants were recruited in our work. The results were depicted: the reduction of depression rating scores was significant in the escitalopram groups and the standard mean difference (SMD) was - 1.25 (P < 0.001), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), - 1.82 to - 0.68; the risk ratio (RR) of the incidence of PSD was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.29 to 0.91; P = 0.007 < 0.05), which was significantly lower in the escitalopram groups; Escitalopram is safe for stroke patients; there was improvement of the motor function. However, in sensitivity analyses, the conclusions of the motor function and the incidence of drowsiness were altered. The study suggests that escitalopram has a potentially effective role compared with control groups and demonstrates escitalopram is safe. However, the results of the motor function and the incidence of drowsiness should be considered carefully and remain to be discussed in the future.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Related Factors in Survivors of Stroke in Rural China: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Stroke is a major health threat and the leading cause of mortality and disability in China. The aims of this study were to identify the possible influencing factors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its domain-specific contents in stroke patients in rural areas in China. Methods: A total of 1,709 stroke patients aged 36-79 years from the baseline data of Henan Rural Cohort study (n = 39,259) were included in the cross-sectional study. The Chinese version of the European Quality of Life Five Dimension (including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L) and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate HRQoL in stroke patients. Tobit regression models, generalized linear models and binary logistic regression models were constructed to determine potential influencing factors of the EQ-5D utility index, as well as influencing factors of each domain and VAS score. Results: The mean utility index and VAS scores of stroke patients were 0.885 (SD, 0.204), and 68.39 (SD, 17.31), respectively. Pain/discomfort (PD, 35.2%) and mobility (MO, 30.4%) were the most frequently reported issues. Regression models revealed that illiterate; a low monthly income; low physical activity intensity; and diabetes, anxiety, depression, or poor sleep quality were significantly associated with lower utility index and VAS scores among stroke patients. In addition, patients with stroke who were older, female, drinking, smoking, and consuming a high-fat diet, had a higher BMI, and lived with a stroke for a longer time, were also significantly associated with different dimensions of the EQ-5D. Conclusion: Patients with stroke in rural areas in China had a low HRQoL. Factors associated with the EQ-5D utility index as well as each domain and VAS score, need to be considered by health providers in rural areas. Patients with stroke in rural areas need to be included in national basic public medical services and managed systematically by medical institutions.

[Mechanisms of focal adhesion kinase in the proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth cells under hypoxia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) under hypoxia. METHODS: Cultured HPASMCs were passively transfected with FAK oligonucleotides (ODNS) and under normoxia or hypoxia condition. They were divided into four groups: normoxia without fibronectin (FN), normoxia with FN, hypoxia without FN, hypoxia with FN in vitro respectively. Cytoplasmic FAK, Grb2 and paxillin were observed simultaneously by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. In addition, the expressions of cytoplasmic FAK, Grb2 and paxillin were detected by immunocytochemical staining. RESULTS: Immunoprecipitation and Western blot demonstrated that cytoplasmic expressions of FAK, Grb2 and paxillin in HPASMCs increased in hypoxia with FN from 43.4 ± 1.4, 69.7 ± 1.9, 59.3 ± 1.6 to 35.7 ± 1.2, 48.7 ± 1.3, 33.2 ± 1.8 at 1.5 h (all P < 0.05), from 41.3 ± 1.3, 71.3 ± 1.5, 59.4 ± 1.8 to 41.3 ± 1.3, 50.2 ± 1.7, 38.9 ± 1.9 at 24 h respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Immunocytochemistry staining showed that the cytoplasmic expressions of FAK, Grb2 and paxillin were enhanced in hypoxia with FN versus normoxia with FN. There were significant differences. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia can induce the activation of cytoplasmic FAK, Grb2 and paxillin so as to regulate the migration, survival and proliferation of HPASMCs.

[The effect of cigarette smoke extract on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells sensitized by serum from bronchial asthmatic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) sensitized by serum from asthmatic patients and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: HASMCs were cultured from primary generation. Cells between passage 4 and 8 were used in the study. HASMCs were sensitized by 10% serum from asthmatic patients and were divided into an asthmatic serum group, an asthmatic serum + CSE group, an asthmatic serum + GW8510 (inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase-4) group and an asthmatic serum + CSE + GW8510 group. Non-asthmatic human serum treated HASMCs served as the control. The proliferation of HASMCs was examined by cell cycle analysis, MTT colorimetric assay and [(3)H] thymidine incorporation. The expression of cyclinD(1) was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS: The percentage of S + G(2)/M phase, the absorbance (A) value and the DNA synthesis value in asthmatic serum group were significantly increased compared with those of the control group (q = 6.25, 5.61, 6.82, respectively, all P < 0.01). The percentage of S + G(2)/M phase, the absorbance (A) value and DNA synthesis value in the asthmatic serum group were (21.4 ± 1.1)%, 0.392 ± 0.124 and 2669 ± 138, respectively. Their value in the asthmatic serum + CSE group were (33.3 ± 1.3)%, 0.612 ± 0.201 and 3552 ± 303, respectively, which were significantly increased compared with those of the asthmatic serum group (q = 5.67, 6.32, 5.56, respectively, all P < 0.01). Their value in the asthmatic serum + GW8510 group were (14.7 ± 1.4)%, 0.301 ± 0.097 and 1812 ± 109, respectively, which were significantly decreased compared with those of the asthmatic serum group (q = 6.02, 5.53, 5.79, respectively, all P < 0.01). The ratios of A value of cyclinD(1) mRNA and the expression of cyclinD(1) protein in the asthmatic serum group were 0.291 ± 0.112 and 0.186 ± 0.002, respectively. The ratios of A value in the asthmatic serum + CSE group were 0.521 ± 0.102 and 0.312 ± 0.002, respectively, which were significantly increased compared with those of the asthmatic serum group (q = 12.09, 9.26, respectively, all P < 0.01). The ratios of A value in the asthmatic serum + GW8510 group were 0.223 ± 0.038 and 0.150 ± 0.002, respectively, which were significantly decreased compared with those of the asthmatic serum group (q = 6.86, 5.60, respectively, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HASMCs sensitized by serum from asthmatic patients showed accelerated proliferation after intervention by CSE, with increased expression of cyclinD(1). CSE may increase the proliferation of HASMCs sensitized by serum from asthmatic patients via regulating cyclinD expression.

Unmet care needs of community-dwelling stroke survivors: a systematic review of quantitative studies.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding the unmet needs of community-dwelling stroke survivors is essential for further intervention. This systematic review was performed to summarise their unmet needs from a quantitative viewpoint. DESIGN: Systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of six databases was conducted from inception to February 2020: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SCOPUS and CBM. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed. Unmet needs were categorised, and a pooled analysis of the main outcomes was conducted. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included quantitative studies focused on the unmet needs of stroke survivors who live at homes rather than in any other institutionalised organisation. RESULTS: In total, 32 of 2660 studies were included, and 1980 unmet needs were identified. The prevalence of patients with unmet needs ranged from 15.08% to 97.59%, with a median of 67.20%; the median number of unmet needs per patient ranged from 2 to 8 (0-31). The prevalence of unmet needs was high at 6 months post-stroke (62.14%) and 2 years post-stroke (81.37%). After categorisation, the main concerns among these patients were revealed to be information support, physical function and mental health; a few studies reported unmet needs related to leisure exercise, return to work and so on. Additionally, differences in the measurement tools used across studies affect what unmet needs participants report. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient, accurate, individualised and dynamic information support is a priority among community-dwelling stroke survivors. Physical function and mental health are also the most significant concerns for re-achieving social participation. It is essential to design and disseminate standard, effective and time-saving tools to assess unmet needs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018112181.

Health-related quality of life and its related factors in coronary heart disease patients: results from the Henan Rural Cohort study.

The aims were to identify the possible influencing factors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its domain-specific scores in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). A total of 1247 patients with CHD from the Henan Rural Cohort Study (n = 39,259) were included in this study. The Chinese version of the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five level scale (EQ-5D-5L) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate HRQoL in patients with CHD. Tobit regression, generalized linear models and binary logistic regression were applied to determine the potential factors influencing the EQ-5D utility, as well as each domain, and the VAS. CHD patients had lower per capita monthly actual income, and higher rates of diabetes mellitus, stroke, anxiety and poor sleep quality, which significantly decreased EQ-5D index and VAS scores. In addition, sex, older age, education, not having a spouse, ever drinking alcohol, a high-fat diet, physical activity, hypertension and depression affected the various domain-specific EQ-5D scores in CHD patients. CHD patients in rural areas have a lower HRQoL. Factors associated with the EQ-5D index, including each domain, and the VAS need attention. CHD patients in rural areas need to be managed systematically.

Effects of mitochondrial potassium channel and membrane potential on hypoxic human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Chronic hypoxia induces proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs), leading to remodeling and pulmonary hypertension, but the mechanism remains unclear. The present study tested the roles of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)) and mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) on hPASMCs under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Our results demonstrated that diazoxide or hypoxia, alone or in combination, could depolarize DeltaPsi(m) through opening mitoK(ATP), release of cytochrome C, and overproduction of hydrogen peroxide by mitochondria, resulting in increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of hPASMCs. Five-hydroxydecanoate could partly reduce these hypoxia-dependent responses. These results suggest that the opening of mitoK(ATP) followed by a depolarization of DeltaPsi(m) might play an important role in hypoxic proliferation of hPASMCs through cytochrome C accumulation within the mitochondria or mitochondrial overproduction of hydrogen peroxide.

Up-regulation of cyclin D1 expression in asthma serum-sensitized human airway smooth muscle promotes proliferation via protein kinase C alpha.

Abnormal hypertrophy and hyperplasia of airway smooth muscle cells play an important role in airway remodeling in chronic asthma. The authors' previous studies have indicated that protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha) is involved in the proliferation of passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, the authors examined the possible role of the alpha isoform of PKC in the control of cyclin D1 expression, using HASMCs passively sensitized on human atopic asthmatic serum as a model system. Cultured HASMCs were passively sensitized with serum from atopic asthmatic patients. Cell proliferation was measured by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and an MTT assay. Cell cycle status was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression profiles of cyclin D1 were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Furthermore, the authors assessed the role of cyclin D1 in PKC alpha-induced HASMC proliferation by transfection with a recombinant cyclin D1 antisense construct. The activation of PKC alpha with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, up-regulated cyclin D1 expression and increased the proliferation of passively sensitized HASMCs. This effect was significantly decreased by specific inhibition of PKC alpha with Go6976. In addition, the authors showed that transfection with antisense cyclin D1 abolished PMA-induced G1/S progression and HASMC proliferation. These results demonstrate that PKC alpha promotes the proliferation of HASMCs sensitized with atopic asthmatic serum via up-regulation of cyclin D1 expression.

[Effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on the proliferation of passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells].

OBJECTIVE: Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell proliferation is a key feature of airway remodeling in asthma. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is one of the most important transduction pathways involved in the proliferation of ASM of asthmatic rats. However, its role in the human ASMCs proliferation remains unclear. METHODS: HASMCs were cultured in vitro and passively sensitized with 10% serum from asthmatic patients, and non-asthmatic human serum treated HASMCs served as the control. Then, HASMCs were transfected with ERK sense, antisense and mismatched oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). The proliferations of HASMCs were detected by flow cytometry analysis, MTT colorimetric assay, [³H] thymidine incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in immunofluorescence staining respectively. The apoptosis of HASMCs were detected by in situ end labeling and Annexin-V FITC PI double staining. The expressions of ERK mRNA, ERK protein and phosphorylation of ERK1/2(p-ERK1/2) protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: The percentage of S + G2/M phase, absorbance (A(490)) value, DNA synthesis value and the expression of PCNA protein in HASMCs passively sensitized with 10% serum from asthmatic patients were (22.48 ± 2.04)%, (0.507 ± 0.090), (3869 ± 396) cpm/106 cells, (11.25 ± 1.21), respectively. After treated with ERK oligodeoxynucleotides, these measurements were decreased to (14.21 ± 1.21)%, (0.271 ± 0.021), (2811 ± 182) cpm/106 cells and (5.25 ± 0.60), respectively (F = 65.594, 39.676, 61.111, 120.321, respectively, P < 0.05). The apoptotic index (13.96 ± 1.72) and the percentage of the early apoptotic cells (9.17 ± 0.47)% in HASMCs from group AODNs were significantly increased compared to those of chronic asthma group, which were (5.37 ± 0.05), (3.26 ± 0.04)%, respectively (F = 98.181, 65.444, respectively, P < 0.05). The expression of ERK mRNA (0.43 ± 0.06) and the activation ratio of ERK (63 ± 6)% in HASMCs from group AODNs were significantly decreased compared to those of chronic asthma group, which were (0.89 ± 0.09), (87 ± 8)%, respectively (F = 78.043, 87.288, respectively, P < 0.05). ERK antisense ODN inhibited the proliferation of HASMCs and induced the apoptosis of HASMCs, but the sense and the mismatched ones did not have these effects. CONCLUSIONS: ERK antisense ODN inhibited the proliferation and increased the apoptosis in cultured HASMCs passively sensitized with 10% serum from asthmatic patients. The result suggests that ERK signaling pathway may contribute to the proliferation and apoptosis of HASMCs in asthmatic patients.

Benefits finding among Chinese family caregivers of stroke survivors: a qualitative descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: The caregiving experience includes both caregiver burdens and benefits finding. However, the benefits obtained by family caregivers of stroke survivors in Chinese community dwellings are unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the benefits experienced by family caregivers of stroke survivors in Chinese community dwellings. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design was used, fulfilling the consolidated criteria for the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research reporting guidelines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 family caregivers of stroke survivors. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed. Thematic analysis was performed to analyse the interview transcripts. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Home interviews were conducted with family caregivers of stroke survivors in two communities in Zhengzhou, China. RESULTS: The family caregivers of stroke survivors experienced various benefits from caregiving. There were both internal benefits (increases in knowledge and skills, the development of positive attitudes, and the development of a sense of worthiness and achievement) and external benefits (family growth and gains in social support), which interact to create a healthy lifestyle. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a comprehensive perspective in understanding the benefits perceived by family caregivers of stroke survivors. This study provides insights into interventions focused on identifying benefits finding in six domains that may help reduce negative emotions and promote the mental health of caregivers.

Creating a Caregiver Benefit Finding Scale of Family Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: Development and Psychometric Evaluation.

In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the benefit finding of family caregivers due to the important role they play. Although some instruments measure benefit finding of caregivers, they do not comprehensively address it in terms specific to the family caregivers of stroke survivors, who require long-term, consistent care. This study is the first effort to develop a comprehensive Caregiver Benefit Finding Scale for the family caregivers of stroke survivors in a Chinese cultural setting. First, 50 items were extracted from a systematic literature review, and a semi-structured interview was conducted with 20 stroke family caregivers to develop the preliminary version of the scale (Version 1). Second, Delphi procedures with 20 experts were used to revise the first version and create Version 2 (37 items). Another six experts were recruited for content validation. Item content validity index (I-CVI) values ranged from 0.83 to 1.00, and the value of the scale CVI was 0.97. Third, 309 family caregivers completed the Version 2 questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Positive Aspects of Caregiving. Two weeks later, 35 family caregivers once again completed the questionnaires. An exploratory factor analysis produced four components (personal growth, health promotion, family growth, and self-sublimation) and 26 items for Version 3 (the cumulative proportion variance was 74.14%). Subsequently, 311 family caregivers completed Version 3. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the structure. The goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.921, adjusted GFI = 0.901, normal fit index = 0.951, incremental fit index = 0.990, comparative FI = 0.990, and the root mean square error of approximation = 0.02 were within the acceptable range. Criterion-related validity was equal to 0.803. The model-based internal consistency index was 0.845 and the values of the Cronbach'α coefficient of the four dimensions were 0.885-0.953. The split-half reliability was 0.92, and the test-retest reliability was 0.994. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the validity and reliability of the Caregiver Benefit Finding Scale. The scale can help researchers and clinicians to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of stroke family caregivers' positive experience. This understanding is necessary for future efforts to address issues in benefit finding by targeting the underlying mechanism and intervention.