Women with breast cancer are at risk of being overweight/obese which may consequently increase mortality. Intuitive eating is an adaptive eating behavior which might be beneficial for weight ...outcomes. The present study validated the Persian Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) among overweight/obese Iranian females with breast cancer. Women who were overweight/obese with breast cancer (n = 762; mean ± SD age = 55.1 ± 5.7 years) completed the following questionnaires: IES-2, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-6), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form-12 (SF-12), Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis were applied to examine the psychometric properties of the IES-2. Associations between IES-2 score and other scale scores were assessed. CFA and Rasch analysis suggested that the Persian IES-2 had robust psychometric properties and all IES-2 items were meaningful in their embedded domains. The four-factor structure of the Persian IES-2 was confirmed. Concurrent validity was supported by the positive correlations between the IES-2 score and scores on the GSE-6, SF-12 mental component, and BAS-2. Negative correlations were found between the IES-2 score and the HADS (anxiety and depression subscales), WBIS, and EAT-26. The present study demonstrated that the Persian IES-2 is a well-designed instrument and is applicable for women who are overweight/obese with breast cancer.
Drug-drug interaction (DDI) occurs when the pharmacological effect of a drug is altered due to concomitant administration with other drugs
DDIs still remain a serious issue; thus, we conducted this ...retrospective study to evaluate DDIs prevalence in our care center.
All admitted patients with any kind of malignancies that received at least two medications from oncology and non-oncology classifications during six months were enrolled in this study. All relevant data including, patients' demographic information, diagnosis, hospitalization duration, and all administered medication during hospitalization were recorded. The DDI was assessed by using the latest version of Lexi-interact.
Each patient received a mean number of 11.6±4.7 medications. The number of non-oncology drugs demonstrated a remarkable correlation with the number of interactions (P<0.001). Whereas, the number of oncology drugs does not have any relation with the number of interactions (P=0.64). Among the 763 detected DDIs during this study, the incidence of major, moderate and minor interactions were 31.2%, 61.4%, and 7.3%, respectively.
Our results highlighted the clinical significance of DDIs, considering that 104 (92%) patients had at least one DDI. The main reason that could have potentially contributed to this outcome is the complicated nature of cancer treatment and clinical management. We believe that using computer software to collect all prescribed and OTC collaboration of clinical pharmacists with oncologists can reduce the potential interactions prior to drug administration.
Background. Despite the promising results of autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in patients with lymphoma, infectious complications limit its positive outcomes. This study evaluated the ...incidence and associated factors of febrile neutropenia (FN) following BMT in patients with lymphoma.
Materials and methods. The study consecutively included 147 patients with lymphoma who were candidates for BMT. Clinical and laboratory results were recorded, and after BMT, the occurrence of FN was investigated through the daily evaluation of neutrophil count and body temperature.
Results. On average, FN occurred in 91 patients (61.9%) after 12.77 ± 2.45 days after BMT. Lower fluid balance was associated with a higher risk of FN (lowest adjusted odds ratio OR at day -2 = 0.602, 95% confidence interval CI = 0.299 – 0.870, p-value = 0.007). The higher uric acid level was associated with a higher risk of FN (highest adjusted OR at day -10 = 1.617, 95% CI = 1.328 – 1.963, p-value = 0.035). LDH was also positively correlated with FN (highest adjusted OR at day 0 = 1.501, 95% CI = 1.198 – 2.104, p-value = 0.004).
Conclusions. Adequate hydration of the patients is of paramount importance for preventing FN in patients who receive BMT. Furthermore, uric acid and LDH could be considered in future studies for the risk stratification of FN.
The present study examined the mediating role of anxiety, depression, sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep quality in the association between problematic social media use and quality of life (QoL) among ...patients with cancer. This cross-sectional survey study recruited 288 patients with cancer to respond to measures on anxiety, depression, sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, problematic social media use, and QoL. Structural Equation Modeling was used for the mediation analysis. There were significant relationships between all of the variables used in the study. It was revealed that problematic social media use did not directly influence the QoL of patients with cancer except via anxiety, depression, sleepiness, and insomnia. Sleep quality did not mediate the association between problematic social media use and QoL. Healthcare workers managing cancer should pay attention to the mental health needs of their patients even as they treat their cancer so as to improve their quality of life. Future studies may examine other variables that affect the QoL of patients with cancer as well as other mediating and moderating variables.
Insoluble fibronectin as an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein has the potential to promote proliferation, differentiation, and migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, there is limited ...information about the effects of fibronectin various concentrations on bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) function and differentiation.
In this experimental study, using a gel injection device, BMMSCs were encapsulated in sodium alginate microcapsules containing 1.25% alginate, 1% gelatin, and fibronectin (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 μg/ml). MTT assay was used to examine the proliferation of BMMSCs. Also, BMMSCs apoptosis were analyzed using Annexin-V/PI staining and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test was conducted to assess BMMSCs osteogenic differentiation potential. Finally, mRNA expression levels of the SP7, osteocalcin (OCN), Twist Family BHLH Transcription Factor 1 (Twist1), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ
(PPARγ
), Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), and Zinc Finger and BTB Domain Containing 16 (ZBTB16), following exposure with fibronectin 0.1 μg/ml.
According to results, fibronectin had the potential to promote proliferation rates of the BMMSCs, in particular at 0.1 and 0.2 μg/ml concentrations. we showed that the fibronectin was not able to modify apoptosis rates of the BMMSCs. ALP test results approved the notable potential of the fibronectin, to trigger osteogenic differentiation of the BMMSCs. Also, RT-PCR results indicated that fibronectin 0.1 μg/ml could augment osteogenic differentiation of cultured BMMSCs through targeting of OCN, SP7, Twist1, CDK1, and ZBTB16, strongly or slightly.
Results showed that fibronectin can improve proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs without any effect on these cells' survival.
In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship of cardiac and hepatic T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) values as a gold standard for detecting iron overload with serum ferritin level, heart ...function, and liver enzymes as alternative diagnostic methods.
A total 58 patients with beta-thalassemia major who were all transfusion dependent were evaluated for the study. T2* MRI of heart and liver, echocardiography, serum ferritin level, and liver enzymes measurement were performed. The relationship between T2* MRI findings and other assessments were examined. Cardiac and hepatic T2* findings were categorized as normal, mild, moderate, and severe iron overload.
22% and 11% of the patients were suffering from severe iron overload in heart and liver, respectively. The echocardiographic findings were not significantly different among different iron load categories in heart or liver. ALT level was significantly higher in patient with severe iron overload than those with normal iron load in heart (
=0.005). Also, AST level was significantly lower in normal iron load group than mild, moderate, and severe iron load groups in liver (
<0.05). The serum ferritin level was significantly inversely correlated with cardiac T2* values (r = -0.34,
=0.035) and hepatic T2* values (r = -0.52,
=0.001).
Cardiac and hepatic T2* MRI indicated significant correlation with serum ferritin level.
Objectives: Gynecologic cancers are common in women. One of the most important challenging risk factors for many cancers is lifestyle, which can affect health. This study was therefore conducted to ...determine the status of health-promoting lifestyle and its predictors in women under the chemotherapy for reproductive system cancers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 on 151 patients. They were undergoing chemotherapy for gynecologic cancers in oncology wards of Alzahra and Shahid Ghazi hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. The participants were selected through convenience sampling method. The sociodemographic questionnaire and healthpromoting lifestyle profle II (HPLP-II) were completed. The data were analyzed using the independent t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate linear regression. Results: Mean (standard deviation, SD) total score of women’s health-promoting lifestyle was 2.30 (0.38) in the score range 1-4. The highest mean (SD) score pertained to nutrition subscale (2.50±0.49), and the lowest mean (SD) score pertained to physical activity subscale (2.10±0.50). The predictors of lifestyle included age, income level, number of pregnancies, marital problems, number of children, and family history of gynecologic cancers. Conclusions: The data analysis showed that the mean score of the health-promoting lifestyle was average. It appears necessary to use health education and promotion programs emphasizing the health-promoting behaviors and their determinants.
To assist weight control among women with breast cancer, improving their food attitudes may be an effective method. Therefore, the present study validated a short instrument assessing food attitudes ...(i.e., the Short Form of the Food-Life Questionnaire FLQ-SF) among Iranian women with breast cancer who are overweight.
Women with breast cancer who were overweight (n = 493; mean ± standard deviation age = 52.3 ± 10.7 years) participated in the study. All of them completed the FLQ-SF, questions designed using the theory of planned behavior (TPB; including subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention), and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Both classical test theory and Rasch models were used to examine the psychometric properties of the FLQ-SF. More specifically, the factorial structure of the FLQ-SF was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the item fit was examined using the Rasch model, and the concurrent validity was evaluated using the correlation between the FLQ-SF, TPB elements, and FFQ.
CFA results confirmed the Persian FLQ-SF has a five-factor structure. Rasch models indicated that all the FLQ-SF items fit in the construct of food attitudes. Significant correlations between FLQ-SF and other instruments (TPB elements and FFQ) supported the concurrent validity of the FLQ-SF.
The psychometric findings of the present study demonstrated that Persian FLQ-SF is a reliable and valid instrument. Therefore, the Persian FLQ-SF can be applied to assess food attitudes among Iranian women with breast cancer who are overweight.
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) and the 9-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire-Physician version (SDM-Q-Doc) ...using comprehensive and thorough psychometric methods in an oncology setting.
Cancer survivors (n=1783; 928 52.05% males) and physicians (n=154; 12178.58% males) participated in this study. Each cancer survivor completed the SDM-Q-9. Physicians completed the SDM-Q-Doc for each of their cancer patient. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch model were used to test the psychometric properties of SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc.
SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc demonstrated unidimensional structure in CFA and Rasch model. In addition, the measurement invariance was supported for both SDM-Q-9 and SDM-QDoc across sex using the multigroup CFA. Rash analysis indicates no differential item functioning(DIF)across sex for all the SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc items. SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc were moderately correlated (r=0.41; P<0.001).
SDM-Q-9 and SDM-Q-Doc are valid instruments to assess shared decision making in the oncology setting.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by activation of T and polyclonal B lymphocytes. IL-18 was originally identified as a factor which enhances IFN-γ ...production and is a potent inducer of the inflammatory mediators by T cells, causing severe inflammatory disorders in SLE.
This study aimed to evaluate the association of plasma interlukine-18 (IL-18) concentration and severity of lupus nephritis (LN) and disease activity in SLE patients.
In this cross-sectional study, 113 patients with SLE and 50 healthy individuals were examined. Serum level of IL-18 was measured. The severity and activity of the disease was determined by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. The severity of kidney involvement was studied by renal biopsy, serum creatinine and 24 hours urine protein level.
The mean level of serum IL-18 was significantly higher in the patients than controls (577.67 ± 649.95 versus 60.48 ± 19.53 pg/ml; P < 0.001). In SLE patients with active disease level of serum IL-18 was significantly higher than chronic disease (622.77 ± 716.54 versus 182 ± 184.37 pg/ml; P < 0.001). The serum level of IL-18 was significantly higher in stage IV (P < 0.001) and V (P < 0.001) of patients with LN, than other stages.
The current study showed that the serum IL-18 is significantly higher in the patients than controls and it significantly correlated with sever renal involvement and disease activity in SLE patients.
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