Reliability and validity of a global question on self-reported chronic morbidity

Aim

A global question on chronic morbidity is included in many national health interview surveys. According to a recent EU Commission regulation, information on this item should be collected in all EU member states. However, little is known about the reliability and validity of such a question.

Subject and methods

The reliability of a global question on chronic morbidity was investigated among persons who participated in 2001 in both the Belgian health interview survey (HIS) and the national population census (n?=?2,871) by using kappa statistics and logistic regression. In addition, data from the HIS 2001 and 2004 (n?=?21,376) were used to study estimates and determinants of the sensitivity of this global chronic morbidity measure among people with specific chronic diseases.

Results

In terms of reliability, the kappa statistic showed only moderate agreement (0.559; 95 % CI 0.523–0.594). Additionally, the sensitivity of the global question on chronic morbidity ranged from 49.9 to 87.2 %, depending on the type of disease. A much higher sensitivity was observed among people who rated their health status to be moderate to bad (adjusted OR 3.85; 95 % CI 3.17–4.69).

Conclusion

Self-reported chronic morbidity, measured by a single and global question, is a reasonably reliable instrument to measure ill health. The global instrument provides useful information on the burden of disease, because it takes into account the relevance of the diseases for the people themselves.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity against tumor cells of pincer N-heterocyclic ligands and their transition metal complexes

The complexes: [CoL₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [FeL₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [NiL₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [MnLCl₂] (4), with L = diethyl-1,1′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate), were synthesized and fully characterized. Structural analysis revealed two distinct patterns influenced by the counter ions where L acts as a tridentate chelating ligand. The in vitro antitumor activity of L and L′ (diethyl 2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-diylbis(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3,1-diyl)) diacetate) as well as their metal complexes, was tested by the measurement of their cytostatic and cytotoxic properties towards the blood cancer mastocytoma cell line P815. We have also investigated their interactions with the antioxidant enzyme system. As a result, [MnL′Cl₂] (1′) exhibited the strongest activity compared to reference cis-platin with no cytotoxicity towards normal cells PBMCs (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells). On the other hand, the antioxidant enzyme activity showed that the efficiency of metal complex 1′ against P815 tumor cells was via the rise in the SOD activity and inhibition of CAT enzyme activity. This proof of concept study allows disclosure of a new class of molecules in cancer therapeutics.

The complexes: [CoL₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [FeL₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [NiL₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [MnLCl₂] (4), with L = diethyl-1,1′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate), were synthesized and fully characterized.     

Metabolism and Health Effects of Rare Sugars in a CACO-2/HepG2 Coculture Model

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide and is impacted by an unhealthy diet with excessive calories, although the role of sugars in NAFLD etiology remains largely unexplored. Rare sugars are natural sugars with alternative monomers and glycosidic bonds, which have attracted attention as sugar replacers due to developments in enzyme engineering and hence an increased availability. We studied the impact of (rare) sugars on energy production, liver cell physiology and gene expression in human intestinal colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells, hepatoma G2 (HepG2) liver cells and a coculture model with these cells. Fat accumulation was investigated in the presence of an oleic/palmitic acid mixture. Glucose, fructose and galactose, but not mannose, l-arabinose, xylose and ribose enhanced hepatic fat accumulation in a HepG2 monoculture. In the coculture model, there was a non-significant trend (p = 0.08) towards higher (20–55% increased) median fat accumulation with maltose, kojibiose and nigerose. In this coculture model, cellular energy production was increased by glucose, maltose, kojibiose and nigerose, but not by trehalose. Furthermore, glucose, fructose and l-arabinose affected gene expression in a sugar-specific way in coculture HepG2 cells. These findings indicate that sugars provide structure-specific effects on cellular energy production, hepatic fat accumulation and gene expression, suggesting a health potential for trehalose and l-arabinose, as well as a differential impact of sugars beyond the distinction of conventional and rare sugars.     

持续性躯体形式疼痛障碍患者压力应对特征的调查与分析

目的:研究持续性躯体形式疼痛障碍患者的压力应对特征,探索其病理、心理发病机制.方法:根据中国精神障碍分类及诊断标准第3版(Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of MentalDisorders-3,CCMD-3)诊断标准选择53例患者纳入实验组,依据分层抽样原则选择正常对照组53例,分别用防御方式问卷、领悟社会支持量表、多伦多述情障碍量表测量.结果:实验组使用不成熟型防御方式的频率高于对照组,述情障碍高于对照组,成熟型防御方式的使用频率、领悟社会支持能力低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义.结论:持续性躯体形式疼痛障碍患者遇到心理压力时不能及时有效发泄情绪,较多地应用躯体化、抱怨、幻想等不成熟的防御机制,并且不能充分领悟和利用社会支持系统,导致内心冲突加重并进入“情绪恶劣—疼痛加重—应对无效”的恶性循环状态,症状迁延难愈.