Associations between OPA1, MFN1, and MFN2 polymorphisms and primary open angle glaucoma in Polish participants of European ancestry

BACKGROUND

Glaucomatous optic nerve damage is caused by selective death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Another condition with underlying loss of RGCs is autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). Majority of ADOA patients have mutations in OPA1, gene responsible for mitochondrial fusion final steps. Clinical resemblance between the two diseases make genes involved in mitochondrial fusion good candidates as glaucoma genes. In this study, we investigated if selected polymorphisms of OPA1, MFN1, and MFN2 were associated with glaucoma in Polish population.

METHODS

Four OPA1 (rs166850, rs10451941, rs7624750, rs9851685), one MFN1 (rs2111534), and two MFN2 (rs873458, rs2295281) single nucleotide polymorphisms were investigated in 304 primary open angle glaucoma patients (204 with normal tension glaucoma, 100 with high-tension glaucoma) and 258 control subjects using RT-PCR method.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in genotype frequencies of rs9851685 and rs2111534 polymorphisms between glaucoma patients and control subjects. Several genotype combinations comprising SNPs at OPA1 and MFN1 were significantly differently distributed in a three-way comparison between controls, patients with NTG and patients with HTG. None of the studied MFN2 polymorphisms was significantly associated with HTG or NTG.

CONCLUSIONS

In studied population, genotype CC and allele C of rs9851685 OPA1 polymorphism are NTG risk factors, whereas TT genotype and T allele of this polymorphism are protective factors against NTG. Genotype GA of rs2111534 MFN1 polymorphism is an HTG risk factor and AA genotype of this polymorphism is a protective factor against HTG. Several OPA1 and MFN2 genotype combinations are significantly associated with either increased or decreased risk of glaucoma in this population.

Postoperative depression in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) - a review of the literature

<b>Introduction:</b> Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world. The lives of patients with vascular defects can be saved by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, it is associated with an increased risk of developing depression after surgery. <br><b>Meterial and Methods:</b> The aim of the study is to present the results of the latest research on postoperative depression after CABG, including studies describing the course of the disease, its consequences for the patient's prognosis and treatment. The publications available on the PubMed platform published after 2011 were reviewed. <br><b>Results:</b> Depression before and after CABG affects 30-40% of patients, mostly women. Established after surgery and untreated, it persists for many years. The level of anxiety in patients decreases systematically after surgery. Indicators that may correlate with the patient's postoperative depression, including cortisol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidative stress biomarkers, are being investigated. The occurrence of depression in patients after CABG has a number of negative consequences. Those include: weaker response to treatment, greater chance of relapse, and increased readmission frequency and mortality. Treatment of patients with this disorder involves the use of antidepressants (most often SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and/or various types of psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) at the forefront. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Depression following CABG decreases the quality of life and worsens patient prognosis. It is necessary to detect this condition early after surgery and to apply treatment, taking into account the cardiological disorders of the patient.

The relationship between COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores and Distress Thermometer (DT) results in COPD patients

INTRODUCTION

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a condition that affects over 2 million adults in Poland. In recent years, increasing attention has been focused on improving the quality of life of patients with COPD, which includes alleviating their physical discomfort and relates to their mental health. It is therefore critically important to evaluate research tools that can accurately assess the relationship between the physical and mental health of patients with this disease.

OBJECTIVE

This aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Distress Thermometer and Problem List results in COPD patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The research evaluated 70 patients with COPD as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) criteria. Demographic data was obtained at baseline. Disease-specific quality of life was assessed using the CAT score, while overall distress was determined using the Distress Thermometer (DT) scale and a modified Problem List. The relationship between the CAT scores and the results of the Distress Thermometer and Problem List was statistically compared. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee, and all patients provided written informed consent.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD age was 69.6±9.05 (range 47-90) years. The average distress level was 4.09±1.95. A significant relationship was established between the CAT score and the results of the Distress Thermometer Scale (p<0.001); patients with higher CAT scores showed the highest level of distress.

CONCLUSIONS

CAT was shown to be a simple, fast and clear measurement of disease-specific quality of life and was correlated with levels of distress in patients with COPD. Every patient with COPD should be evaluated using a scale such as the DT to measure their level of psychological distress.

Postoperative depression in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) - a review of the literature

&lt;b&gt;Introduction:&lt;/b&gt; Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world. The lives of patients with vascular defects can be saved by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, it is associated with an increased risk of developing depression after surgery. &lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Meterial and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; The aim of the study is to present the results of the latest research on postoperative depression after CABG, including studies describing the course of the disease, its consequences for the patient's prognosis and treatment. The publications available on the PubMed platform published after 2011 were reviewed. &lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Depression before and after CABG affects 30-40% of patients, mostly women. Established after surgery and untreated, it persists for many years. The level of anxiety in patients decreases systematically after surgery. Indicators that may correlate with the patient's postoperative depression, including cortisol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidative stress biomarkers, are being investigated. The occurrence of depression in patients after CABG has a number of negative consequences. Those include: weaker response to treatment, greater chance of relapse, and increased readmission frequency and mortality. Treatment of patients with this disorder involves the use of antidepressants (most often SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and/or various types of psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) at the forefront. &lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; Depression following CABG decreases the quality of life and worsens patient prognosis. It is necessary to detect this condition early after surgery and to apply treatment, taking into account the cardiological disorders of the patient.

Is post-traumatic growth possible in the parents of former patients of neonatal intensive care units?

INTRODUCTION

The birth of a sick child, as well as the infant's subsequent hospitalization in an neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), is undoubtedly stressful for the parents of the infant. Most studies conducted in groups of parents of such children focus on the assessment of the negative changes in their functioning due to such stress. The authors were interested in positive changes in the psychological functioning of parents that may occur after traumatic experiences. These changes are referred to as post-traumatic growth (PTG).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine whether parents experience post-traumatic growth and to determine the predictors of PTG in fathers and mothers, depending on the coping strategy adopted.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 82 parents, whose children were previously hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit. The methods used included the following standardized psychological tests: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the COPE Inventory. Socio-demographic and medical data were also collected.

RESULTS

Analysis of the data proved that the illness and hospitalization of a child are significantly associated with the occurrence of post-traumatic growth in parents. PTG in mothers is higher than in fathers. Predictors of PTG in fathers include the use of strategies aimed at seeking emotional support and positive reinterpretation and growth, while in the group of mothers, seeking emotional support, religious coping and planning were the coping strategies used.

CONCLUSIONS

Research on post-traumatic growth should be expanded. Knowledge of the predictors of positive growth in a difficult situation can contribute to the widespread implementation of primary and secondary prevention of post-traumatic stress symptoms as well as increase positive changes in individuals who have experienced traumatic events.

Peritraumatic distress among emergency medical system employees: A proposed cut-off for the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory

INTRODUCTION

Emergency medical system (EMS) workers are exposed to traumatic events that may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to explore and discuss the relationship between peritraumatic distress (PD) and elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in EMS employees.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study including 100 EMS employees was conducted. Demographic and occupational data were collected for each subject. The Polish version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to evaluate PTSS and the Polish version of the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) was used to determine the level of PD experienced during and immediately after a traumatic event.

RESULTS

The highest scores indicative of distress were obtained on the negative emotions subscale, and the lowest on the loss of control and arousal (LCA) subscales. A strong positive correlation was found between the severity of PD and PTSS. Among the PDI subscales, the severity of PTSS was most strongly correlated with LCA, and had the weakest correlation with sense of threat. The optimal PDI cut-off score for predicting elevated PTSS was 19.

CONCLUSIONS

PD is strongly related to elevated PTSS and serves as a useful tool for screening EMS workers at risk of developing PTSD. Individuals with PDI scores of 19 or higher are good candidates for specialist consultations aimed at detecting and treating elevated PTSS.

The quality of life of farmers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Introduction and objective. COPD is a medical state characterized by chronically poor airflow, and typically worsens over time. Farmers have an increased risk of COPD because of being exposed to ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, inorganic dust, and organic dust. The quality of life of the ill depends on biomedical as well as psychosocial factors, the impact of which has not been a frequent subject of studies among COPD patients. The aim of the study was to indicate the factors that have negative and positive influence on the quality of life of farmers suffering from COPD. Materials and method. The study was conducted among 84 farmers treated for COPD in the Department of Pneumology, Oncology and Allergology of the Medical University in Lublin, Poland. The differences between the farmers concerned: severity of the disease, level of education and income, frequency of smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, kinds of support they receive from their families, and the level of depression and anxiety experienced by the patients. Results. The study revealed that most patients suffered from depressive and anxiety disorders, and the level of depression higher among the patients who smoked more. Lack of family support had significant influence on exacerbation of the patient's depressive and anxiety symptoms. Patients who had recently experienced a critical situation presented with more severe COPD symptoms, lower quality of life and a higher level of depression. Higher income of the patients had positive influence on their quality of life. Farmers addicted to alcohol suffered from a higher level of anxiety.

The effect of pre-emptive analgesia on the level of postoperative pain in women undergoing surgery for breast neoplasm

AIM OF THE STUDY

Dynamic development of research on pain has resulted in the formulation of the concept of pre-emptive analgesia, which involves administration of analgesics before the first pain-producing stimulus appears. It is meant to prevent increased sensitivity to pain in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to assess the possibilities of modifying the intensity of postoperative pain evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) in patients after surgical treatment for breast neoplasm offered by pre-emptive analgesia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The intensity of postoperative pain was measured immediately after the surgery as well as 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours later in 100 women who had undergone surgery for breast tumour. The correlation between experienced pain and the type of analgesic administered pre-emptively, including metamizole, tramadol, ketoprofen, and placebo was examined. The effect of other correlates such as the extensiveness of surgery, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate on the level of experienced pain as well as the usefulness of physiological parameters for its assessment were also analysed.

RESULTS

The conducted study demonstrated the effectiveness of tramadol (p = 0.004) and ketoprofen (p = 0.039) administered half an hour before the beginning of surgery, but there was no similar effect in the case of metamizole (p = 1.0). A positive correlation was observed between the level of experienced pain and blood pressure values (p < 0.001). Heart rate does not seem to be significantly linked with the intensity of experienced pain (p = 0.157).

Towards elucidating the energy of the first excited singlet state of xanthophyll cycle pigments by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The first excited singlet state (S(1)) of carotenoids (also termed 2A(g)(-)) plays a key role in photosynthetic excitation energy transfer due to its close proximity to the S(1) (Q(y)) level of chlorophylls. The determination of carotenoid 2A(g)(-) energies by optical techniques is difficult; transitions from the ground state (S(0), 1A(g)(-)) to the 2A(g)(-) state are forbidden ("optically dark") due to parity (g <-- //--> g) as well as pseudo-parity selection rules (- <-- //--> -). Of particular interest are S(1) energies of the so-called xanthophyll-cycle pigments (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin) due to their involvement in photoprotection in plants. Previous determinations of S(1) energies of violaxanthin and zeaxanthin by different spectroscopic techniques vary considerably. Here we present an alternative approach towards elucidation of the optically dark states of xanthophylls by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). The indication of at least one pi* energy level (about 0.5 eV below the lowest 1B(u)(+) vibronic sublevel) has been found for zeaxanthin. Present limitations and future improvements of NEXAFS to study optically dark states of carotenoids are discussed. NEXAFS combined with simultaneous optical pumping will further aid the investigation of these otherwise hardly accessible states.