Depressive and Anxiety Disorders of Parents of Children with Cancer.

Every year in Poland there are approximately 1200 new cases of malignant tumours in children and adolescents. Leukaemia, CNS tumours, and lymphomas are the most frequently diagnosed cancers. Coping with a child's illness is challenging, which is why many parents suffer from anxiety, depression disorders, and even PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The aim of this study is to assess the anxiety and depression levels of carers of children with cancer. METHOD: The study participants were 101 carers of children suffering from cancer. The study was conducted using standardized questionnaires: the Zung ccale, HADS scale, and Karnofsky scale, and three questionnaires designed by the author. RESULTS: According to the results of the Karnofsky scale, carers' anxiety and depression levels were negatively affected by their children's poor performance. The younger age of children significantly correlated with the severity of depression in their parents. HADS and Zung scale anxiety levels were observed to have statistically significant effect on the severity of depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving a diagnosis of childhood cancer contributes to the incidence of depression and anxiety disorders among carers. Carers' anxiety and depression levels were strongly associated with their child's age and their child's performance.

Determinants Affecting the Rationing of Nursing Care and Professional Burnout among Oncology Nurses.

Rationing of nursing care (RNC) is characterized by the omission of any aspect of the required patient care, resulting in incomplete or delayed nursing activities. Oncology nurses are exposed to a very high psychological burden, which can lead to the development of professional burnout syndrome (PBS). The level of PBS might be related to life and job satisfaction. This study aimed to identify determinants affecting RNC and reveal the relationship between RNC, life and job satisfaction, and the PBS levels among oncology nurses. The sample was a hundred oncology nurses from four hospitals in Poland with a mean age of 43.26 ± 10.69 years. The study was conducted from March 2019 to February 2020. The self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire and validated scales determining missed nursing care, job and life satisfaction, and life orientation were used: Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care-Revised (BERNCA-R), Satisfaction with Job Scale (SWJS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The mean BERNCA score was 1.55 ± 0.15, which indicates the frequency of RNC was between "never" and "rarely". The mean SWJS score was 11.71 ± 5.97, which showed that nurses were "dissatisfied" and "rather dissatisfied" with their job. A low SWLS score was reported by 59% of nurses, which means that more than half of the respondents described their life satisfaction as low. In LOT-R, 66% of nurses reported pessimistic and 31% neutral life orientation. The mean overall MBI score was 49.27 ± 19.76 points (EE = 63.56 ± 25.37, DEP = 37.2 ± 24.95, and lack of PA = 47.05 ± 22.04), which means that half of the nurses perceived burnout and half did not. Additionally, the higher the job satisfaction (SWJS), the more frequent the RNC (BERNCA) (p < 0.05). The greater the EE, the stronger the sense of lack of PA, and the higher the PBS (MBI) level, the less frequent the RNC (BERNCA). In conclusion, there is a phenomenon of omission of some aspects of care among oncology nurses, but it is not frequent and concerns areas not directly related to therapeutic tasks, but requiring effort and not resulting in quick noticeable effects. It depends only little on life satisfaction and more on job satisfaction and PBS level. The results may indicate the professionalism of Polish nurses, their responsibility towards their patients' life and health, and the sense of mission that enables them to perform their duties regardless of the external and internal difficulties. The presence of the PBS phenomenon in oncology nurses highlights the need for continued research in this area.

Screening Papaveraceae as Novel Antibiofilm Natural-Based Agents.

The antimicrobial properties of herbs from Papaveraceae have been used in medicine for centuries. Nevertheless, mutual relationships between the individual bioactive substances contained in these plants remain poorly elucidated. In this work, phytochemical composition of extracts from the aerial and underground parts of five Papaveraceae species (Chelidonium majus L., Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. and Körte, C. cheilanthifolia Hemsl., C. pumila (Host) Rchb., and Fumaria vaillantii Loisel.) were examined using LC-ESI-MS/MS with a triple quadrupole analyzer. Large differences in the quality and quantity of all analyzed compounds were observed between species of different genera and also within one genus. Two groups of metabolites predominated in the phytochemical profiles. These were isoquinoline alkaloids and, in smaller amounts, non-phenolic carboxylic acids and phenolic compounds. In aerial and underground parts, 22 and 20 compounds were detected, respectively. These included: seven isoquinoline alkaloids: protopine, allocryptopine, coptisine, berberine, chelidonine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine; five of their derivatives as well as non-alkaloids: malic acid, trans-aconitic acid, quinic acid, salicylic acid, trans-caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol; and vanillin. The aerial parts were much richer in phenolic compounds regardless of the plant species. Characterized extracts were studied for their antimicrobial potential against planktonic and biofilm-producing cells of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. The impact of the extracts on cellular metabolic activity and biofilm biomass production was evaluated. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the extracts introduced to the polymeric carrier made of bacterial cellulose was assessed. Extracts of C. cheilanthifolia were found to be the most effective against all tested human pathogens. Multiple regression tests indicated a high antimicrobial impact of quercetin in extracts of aerial parts against planktonic cells of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans, and no direct correlation between the composition of other bioactive substances and the results of antimicrobial activity were found. Conclusively, further investigations are required to identify the relations between recognized and unrecognized compounds within extracts and their biological properties.

Quality of life assessment in advanced cancer patients treated at home, an inpatient unit, and a day care center.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients treated at home, at an in-patient palliative care unit (PCU), and at a day care center (DCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: QoL was assessed in advanced cancer patients at baseline and after 7 days of symptomatic treatment using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL), the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients completed the study, with 51 patients treated at home, 51 patients treated at the PCU, and 27 patients at DCC. In the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL, improvement in functional and symptom scales was observed except in physical functioning and fatigue levels; patients at DCC had a better physical functioning, global QoL, appetite, and fatigue levels. In the ESAS, improvement in all items was found except for drowsiness levels, which was stable in patients treated at DCC and deteriorated in home and PCU patients. Higher activity, better appetite and well-being, and less drowsiness were observed in patients treated at DCC. KPS was better in DCC patients compared to those treated at home and at the PCU; the latter group deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: QoL improved in all patient groups, with better results in DCC patients and similar scores in those staying at home and at the PCU. Along with clinical assessment, baseline age, KPS, physical and emotional functioning may be considered when assigning patients to care at a DCC, PCU, or at home.

Quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer treated at home and at a palliative care unit.

BACKGROUND: To assess quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 78 patients cared at home and at a palliative care unit (PCU) with 2 QOL assessments was conducted. RESULTS: Fifty patients completed the study. In the EORTC QLQ-C30 role, cognitive, social functioning, global QOL, fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and appetite deteriorated; nausea/vomiting improved; dyspnea was more intense in the case of in-home patients. In the EORTC QLQ-LC13 hemoptysis improved; pain in other parts was more intense in the PCU patients. Pain (Visual Analogue scale) was more intense in the PCU patients; the level of activity (Karnofsky) decreased in the case of patients treated at home. CONCLUSIONS: QOL deteriorated with few differences between home and the PCU patients.