ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in osteoarthritis (OA). While the role of miR-149 in OA has not been fully understood yet. This study investigated the mechanism in which miR-149 inhibited vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) via depressing PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby alleviating OA. METHODS: A mouse OA model was constructed. The mice were injected with miR-149, VCAM-1- PI3K/AKT pathway-related sequences to figure their roles in OA. Inflammation and apoptosis were detected in the cartilage tissues of mice. MiR-149 and VCAM-1expression were detected. RESULTS: Decreased miR-149 and enhanced VCAM-1 existed in cartilage tissues of patients with OA. Elevated miR-149 or suppressed VCAM-1 limited inflammation and apoptosis in cartilage tissues of mice with OA, which was related to PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that up-regulated miR-149 alleviates OA via inhibition of VCAM-1 and PI3K/AKT pathway, which is helpful for OA treatment.
Subject(s)
MicroRNAs , Osteoarthritis , Animals , Mice , Apoptosis , Chondrocytes/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Inflammation/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Osteoarthritis/genetics , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/geneticsABSTRACT
Breast cancer is a major concern in women's health in the western world, and is now receiving more and more attention also in the East. In China, for example, where the incidence of breast cancer was very low, there has been a rapid increase of the disease since the last few years. This report describes how a collaborative nursing project between the Hadassah Medical Organization and the Tianjin Cancer Institute and Hospital was initiated, planned and implemented.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Cultural nuances may influence the interface between the cancer experience and marital issues, specifically for the partner. Most of the literature has focused on the woman's narrative or couple's adjustment to cancer in general. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the marital relationship, sexuality, and marital adjustment of Israeli and Chinese husbands of women with breast cancer and the discussion of the health-care team concerning these issues. METHODS: A convenience sample of 50 Chinese and 50 Israeli men, ages of 28-79 years, completed components of the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale, the Locke Wallace Adjustment Scale, and a background questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of husbands were in their first marriage. The average time since diagnosis was 16.7 months. No significant difference was found between the two groups on issues of marital relationship. Significant differences were found between Israeli and Chinese husbands on sexual interest, pleasure, and performance (p<0.05). Israeli husbands reported a significantly higher level of marital adjustment as opposed to the Chinese husbands (p = 0.006). Marital adjustment for both groups was significantly related only to perceived quality of the relationship (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Significant cultural differences were found in sexuality variables with no differences discerned on marital relationship variables. Couple-based interventions for marital issues are a critical component of support for both partners. Culturally sensitive assessment and care of the spouse as well as the woman with breast cancer should be part of a holistic, comprehensive family care plan.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Breast Neoplasms/ethnology , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Sexuality/ethnology , Spouses/ethnology , Adult , Aged , China , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Female , Humans , Israel , Male , Middle Aged , Spouses/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 Chinese cancer patients with multiple diagnoses to validate a Chinese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-C). Cronbach's coefficient alpha was 0.92 for fatigue severity items and 0.90 for fatigue interference items. Construct validity was explored by principal factor analysis and suggested a two-factor solution: fatigue severity and fatigue interference. Internal consistency reliability was excellent. Convergent validity was examined by correlating the BFI-C with 2 subscales and 2 component scores of the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (coefficients ranged between -0.44 and -0.71, P<0.001). Known-group validity was examined by comparing fatigue severity in patients having different scores on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale. Approximately 60% of patients experienced moderate to severe fatigue (4 or greater on the 0-10 scale of the BFI-C "fatigue worst" item). The BFI-C is a valid, reliable instrument to measure the severity and impact of cancer-related fatigue among Chinese patients.
