Assessing health diagnosis disclosure decisions in relationships: testing the disclosure decision-making model

Illness affects millions of Americans each year, and the disclosure of health conditions can facilitate access to social support, in addition to other physical and physiological benefits. This article tests the Disclosure Decision-Making Model (DD-MM; Greene, 2009 ) to predict factors that influence the likelihood of disclosing (and past disclosure of) nonvisible physical or mental health-related information. One hundred eighty-seven (n?=?187) people were recruited for a study to report on both disclosing and not disclosing a nonvisible health condition. Measured variables included information assessment, relational quality, anticipated reactions (support, relational consequences), confidence in response, disclosure efficacy, and disclosure (likelihood of disclosure and depth of disclosure). Structural equation modeling results supported many of the proposed hypotheses, with a great deal of similarity across models. Specifically, assessing information predicted efficacy, and to some extent relational outcomes. Closeness was related to response overall and to efficacy in one model. Response predicted outcome overall and likelihood of disclosure in one model. Finally, efficacy predicted likelihood of disclosure and depth of disclosure. The article discusses the implications of the findings for understanding information, relationship assessments, and efficacy in disclosing health diagnoses.     

Design, synthesis and evaluation of N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG)-PEG-doxorubicin targeted conjugates for anticancer delivery

Efficacy of anticancer drug is limited by the severe adverse effects induced by drug; therefore the crux is in designing delivery systems targeted only to cancer cells. Toward this objectives, we propose, synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug conjugates consisting N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) as a targeting moiety. Multicomponent system proposed here is characterized by (1)H NMR, UV spectroscopy, and HPLC. The multicomponent system is evaluated for in vitro cellular kinetics and anticancer activity using MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Molecular modeling study demonstrated sterically stabilized conformations of polymeric conjugates. Interestingly, PEG-DOX conjugate with NAG ligand showed significantly higher cytotoxicity compared to drug conjugate with DOX. In addition, the polymer drug conjugate with NAG and DOX showed enhanced internalization and retention effect in cancer cells, compared to free DOX. Thus, with enhanced internalization and targeting ability of PEG conjugate of NAG-DOX has implication in targeted anticancer therapy.     

Comparison of alternate-day atorvastatin treatment to daily treatment in maintaining LDL-cholesterol targets in patients with variable coronary risk profile

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitory activity of atorvastatin lasts upto 20-30 hours. This study aimed at comparing the maintenance of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) goal by the alternate-day therapy to daily treatment. This randomized, open-label trial included 300 patients of dyslipidemia or coronary artery disease on stable doses of atorvastatin. These patients met their respective NCEP-ATPIII cholesterol goals and were randomized to receive the same doses of atorvastatin every day (QD) or every other day (QOD) in a 1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. The efficacy criteria were (1) proportion of patients maintaining the low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal, (2) comparison of changes in the total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels from baseline. The proportions of patients maintaining their LDL-C goals in QD and QOD groups at 6 weeks were 83.9% (60.3-97.5) versus 70.9% (59.3-82.5) (P < 0.01) and at 12 weeks were 84.6% (70.9-98.3) versus 73.8% (63.8-83.8) (P < 0.05). Per-protocol analysis showed 95.5% (80.0-111.0) versus 79.1% (66.2-92.0) (P < 0.001) patients at 6 weeks and 91.9% (82.0-106.8) versus 77.4% (64.8-90) (P < 0.05) patients at 12 weeks had maintained their LDL-C goals in the QD and QOD groups. A significant increase was observed in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride at 6 and 12 weeks compared with baseline values in the QOD group. Alternate-day treatment of atorvastatin was inferior to daily treatment in maintaining the NCEP-ATPIII goal.     

Experimental evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of simvastatin and atorvastatin

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of atorvastatin and simvastatin in different experimental models in mice and rats.

Materials and Methods:

Analgesic activity of simvastatin and atorvastatin was assessed in tail flick model in rats (n = 6), where it was compared with aspirin and tramadol and in acetic acid induced writhing in mice (n = 6), where it was compared with aspirin. Anti-inflammatory activity of statins was evaluated using carrageenin induced paw edema and formalin induced arthritis in rats.

Results:

In the tail flick method, analgesic effect of tramadol was significantly more than the other drugs except at two observation times, when it was comparable to simvastatin and atorvastatin. Effect of simvastatin was found to be comparable to aspirin. In acetic acid induced writhing method, analgesic activity of simvastatin was comparable to that of aspirin while that of atorvastatin was significantly less. In carrageenin induced paw edema in rats, both simvastatin and atorvastatin showed anti-inflammatory activity which was comparable to aspirin. Both the statins exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (P < 0.01) in formalin induced arthritis model though less than aspirin (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study if substantiated by further experimental and clinical research suggest that simvastatin and atorvastatin may play an adjuvant role, which may be particularly beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, especially when there is coexisting dyslipidemia.KEY WORDS: Formalin induced arthritis, paw edema, statins, tail-flick method, writhing     

Protective Role of Curcumin against N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-Induced Toxicity in Rats

The present investigation was aimed at studying the possible role of curcumin against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced toxicity in albino rats. Administration of NDEA to rats at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml in drinking water ad libitum for 21 days produced toxicity in them, which was evident from histopathological changes in the rat livers, and increased levels of blood serum enzyme markers, i.e. aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, the levels of oxidative stress markers like lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl (PCC), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity were elevated and the total glutathione (GSH) content was reduced in the livers. The administration of curcumin to rats at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg/ml in drinking water along with 0.1 mg/ml of NDEA for 21 days effectively suppressed NDEA-induced toxicity and also resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the levels of blood serum enzyme markers (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH). Moreover, LPO, PCC, and GST activity were reduced and the GSH level was increased upon the administration of curcumin along with NDEA. The results obtained for the comet assay in rat hepatocytes and blood lymphocytes showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the mean tail length. The micronucleus assay performed on rat hepatocytes also showed a dose-dependent reduction in the frequency of micronucleated cells along with curcumin administration. These results suggest that curcumin has a protective role against NDEA-induced toxicity in albino rats.     

Ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis, Delhi, India

Decreased susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis isolates to ciprofloxacin emerged from an outbreak in Delhi, India. Results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the meningococcal isolates to ciprofloxacin and further sequencing of DNA gyrase A quinolone-resistance-determining region confirmed the emergence of ciprofloxacin resistance in the outbreak.     

Pneumatization of the intraorbital optic nerve after severe head trauma

Radiological evidence of pneumatization of the intraorbital optic nerve sheath following severe head trauma in an adult is reported. A young man was admitted to the emergency department following a high-speed motorcycle accident with unconsciousness, forehead laceration, and multiple fractures of the skull and extremities. On admission, the pupils were dilated and fixed. Computed tomography revealed right subdural hematoma with midline shift, brain stem hemorrhage, contusion of the left temporal lobe, multiple facial bone fractures, cerebral edema with intracerebral air, and meningeal pneumatization of the optic nerve sheaths bilaterally. This case demonstrates that after severe head trauma, air may extend in the optic nerve sheath, which could be a marker of severe optic nerve injury.     

Role of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract on dietary supplementation in the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson＇s disease

AIM： To evaluate the effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract on the dietary supplementation in the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson＇s disease. METHOD： The effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract was studied on the transgenic Drosophila model of flies expressing normal human alpha synuclein（h-αs） in the neurons. O. sanctum extract at final concentrations of 0.042 8 × 10-4, 0.87 × 10-4, and 1.85 × 10-4 g·mL-1 of diet were established and the flies were allowed to feed for 21 days. The climbing assay and lipid peroxidation were taken as parameters for the study. RESULTS： The supplementation of O. sanctum extract showed a dose-dependent significant delay in the loss of climbing ability and reduction in oxidative stress in the brain of PD model flies. CONCLUSION： The results of the present study showed that the O. sanctum extract is potent in reducing the PD symptoms in transgenic Drosophila model.     

Occupational titles as risk factors for Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: Job title or employment sector may be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: In a case-control study, in four European centres, lifetime occupational histories were coded using modified International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) and Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). We employed multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, gender, smoking and family history of PD. RESULTS: A total of 649 cases and 1587 controls were recruited. Scottish data showed a non-significant increased risk for agriculture (DOT: OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.81-2.16; ISIC: OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.84-2.02) and reduced risk for 'transport and communication' (ISIC: OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97). Subsequent four-centre analyses showed reduced risk for processing occupations (DOT: OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.5-0.95). An association with pesticide exposure, found using detailed exposure assessment, was not apparent using job classification. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to retrospective exposure assessment, job or industrial sector is a weak indicator of toxic exposures such that true associations may be missed.