Morphological, biochemical and physiological responses of Indian cress (Tropaeolum majus) to elevated UV-B radiation

Background and Purpose: UV-B radiation is an important environmental factor for many plants with remarkable influence on defence-related secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Possible consequences of UV-B radiation on plants have been widely reported, but its effect on secondary plant metabolites in ornamental and medicinal plants is poorly understood. The aim of the present research was to establish whether it is feasible to cultivate Tropaeolum majus under conditions of enhanced UV-B radiation to alter the content of total phenolic compounds in leaves and flowers and whether UV-B treatment affect plant physiological response. Material and Method: An outdoor study was conducted to examine the effect of different levels of UV-B radiation on the morphological (specific leaf area and length of internodes and petiole), biochemical (photosynthetic pigments, UV absorbing compounds) and physiological characteristics (photosynthesis, photochemical yield of PSII, transpiration rate, water use efficiency) of the widely cultivated annual herb Indian cress ( T. majus L.). Results and Conclusions: Enhanced UV-B radiation induced increased synthesis of total phenolic compounds in leaves, but not in flowers. Photosynthesis and photochemical yield of PSII were mostly unaffected by UV-B. Transpiration rate was higher at elevated UV-B levels in the beginning and peak of the season. Specific leaf area and length of internodes and petiole were unaffected. UV-B treated specimens of T. majus possessed enhanced amounts of total phenolic compounds, which are important for utilisation of T. majus herbs for human health. Enhanced UV-B treatment affected flowering of T. majus at the end of the growing season, which may have an important negative implication for success of this species in elevated UV-B radiation environments

Quality of life of women after ovarian cancer treatment

Uvod: Za rakom jajčnikov zbolevajo večinoma ženske po petdesetem letu starosti, prizadene lahko tudi mlajše ženske. Bolezen pogosto ostane neopažena, dokler se ne razširi v medenico in trebuh. Zdravljenje je odvisno od tega, kako daleč se je rak razširil in splošnega zdravstvenega stanja ženske. Glavni načini zdravljenja so operacija za odstranitev čim več rakavega tkiva in kemoterapija, običajno po operaciji za ubijanje preostalih rakavih celic, vendar se občasno uporablja pred operacijo za zmanjšanje raka. Preživetje žensk z rakom jajčnikov se izboljšuje, vendar v petih letih po diagnozi še vedno umre več kot polovica žensk. Nekateri neželeni učinki zdravljenja lahko vztrajajo še dolgo po zdravljenju in vplivajo na kakovost življenja. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je predstaviti vpliv bolezni na kakovost življenja žensk po zdravljenju raka jajčnikov, raziskati, kako ženske po zdravljenju ocenjujejo kakovost življenja, ugotoviti, kakšne so potrebe žensk in proučiti vlogo medicinske sestre pri nudenju podporne skrbi. Metode dela: V diplomskem delu je bila uporabljena deskriptivna metoda raziskovalnega dela s pregledom literature. Za iskanje literature smo uporabili portal Digitalne knjižnice Univerze v Ljubljani (DiKUL). Iskali smo v podatkovnih bazah CINAHL, MedLine in ScienceDirect. Iskanje recenzirane, v angleškem jeziku objavljene literature je potekalo od januarja do marca 2020. Rezultati: Ženske z rakom jajčnikov imajo zaradi pozno odkrite, napredovale bolezni obsežnejši operativni poseg, zato lahko imajo slabšo kakovost življenja. Po kemoterapiji se razvijejo skupine simptomov, povezane z zdravljenjem. Pozno ali neučinkovito lajšanje simptomov znižuje, z zdravjem povezano, kakovost življenja. Bolezen se pogosto ponovi, strah pred ponovitvijo bolezni in smrtjo je prisoten pri ženskah vseh starosti. Svetovanje medicinskih sester zmanjša simptome distresa. Ženske z rakom jajčnikov imajo določene potrebe, ki jih je potrebno zadovoljiti, da se zmanjša njihov vpliv na življenje. Starost žensk pomembno vpliva na potrebe in skrbi, zato jo je potrebno upoštevati pri izdelavi individualnega načrta oskrbe po zdravljenju. Razprava in zaključek: Zdravljenje raka jajčnikov pušča posledice na telesnem, psihološkem in socialnem področju delovanja. Vse to vpliva na kakovost življenja. Ženske z rakom jajčnikov čutijo večje breme simptomov po zdravljenju kot drugi bolniki, ki so se zdravili zaradi raka. Za medicinsko sestro je pomembno, da razume potrebe žensk in njihovih laičnih negovalcev. Podporni sistemi imajo odločilno vlogo pri izkušnjah žensk z boleznijo po diagnozi, med zdravljenjem in po zdravljenju. Medicinska sestra lahko pomaga ženskam pri iskanju njihove lastne moči za spopadanje s strahom ali podpira preživele ženske, da razmislijo o drugih virih podpore.Introduction: Ovarian cancer mainly affects women over the age of 50, and can also affect younger women. The disease often goes unnoticed until it spreads to the pelvis and abdomen. Treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread and the woman\u27s general health. The main treatments are surgery to remove as much cancer tissue as possible and chemotherapy, usually after surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells, but it is occasionally used before surgery to reduce the cancer. Survival of women with ovarian cancer is improving, but more than half of women still die within five years of diagnosis. Some side effects of treatment may persist long after treatment and affect quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work is to present the impact of the disease on women\u27s quality of life after ovarian cancer treatment, to explore how women assess quality of life after treatment, to identify women\u27s needs, and to study the role of nurses in providing supportive care. Methods: In the diploma work, a descriptive method of research work with literature review was used. We used the portal of the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana (DiKUL) to search for literature. We searched CINAHL, MedLine, and ScienceDirect databases. The search for peer-reviewed literature published in English took place from January to March 2020. Results: Women with ovarian cancer have more extensive surgery due to late-detected, advanced disease, so they may have a poorer quality of life. After chemotherapy, groups of treatment-related symptoms develop. Late or ineffective relief of symptoms lowers health-related quality of life. The disease often recurs. Fear of recurrence of disease and death is present in women of all ages. Nursing counseling reduces the symptoms of distress. Women with ovarian cancer have certain needs that need to be met to reduce their impact on life. The age of women has a significant impact on needs and concerns, and should be considered when designing an individual post-treatment care plan. Discussion and conclusion: The treatment of ovarian cancer leaves consequences on the physical, psychological and social areas of action. All this affects the quality of life. Women with ovarian cancer feel a greater burden of symptoms after treatment than other patients who have been treated for cancer. It is important for the nurse to understand the needs of women and their caregivers. Support systems play a crucial role in women’s experience of the disease after diagnosis, during treatment, and after treatment. A nurse can help women find their own strength to deal with fear or support survivors to consider other sources of support