Differences in Hemodynamic, Hormonal and Heart Rate Variability Parameters in Complication-Free Pregnancies Compared to Individuals with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Preeclampsia : An Observational Retrospective Analysis

To investigate differences in hemodynamic, hormonal and heart rate variability parameters in women following complication-free pregnancies (healthy), preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) after giving childbirth. Data of 60 women (healthy: n = 29, age 32.7 ± 4.5 years, BMI 24.2 ± 4.3 kg/m(2); preeclampsia: n = 16, age 35.3 ± 4.4 years, 28.5 ± 6.4 kg/m(2); GDM, n = 15, age 32.3 ± 6.0 years, BMI 26.4 ± 6.2 kg/m(2)) were included. Two visits were conducted 16 and 48 weeks after giving childbirth. Hair samples were taken for analysis of cortisol and testosterone. ECG and blood pressure were recorded at each visit. Data were analyzed via RM-ANOVA and post-hoc testing (p ≤ 0.05). Heart rate increased from visit 1 to visit 2, whereas SDNN decreased (both p = 0.03). RMSSD showed an increased trend for groups (p = 0.06). Testosterone in the GDM group was significantly higher compared to the other groups (p = 0.002). Cortisol levels were significantly higher following post-hoc testing GDM was different compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.02). Hemodynamic changes from week 16 to week 48 did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). No differences between individuals with preeclampsia and healthy individuals were found for all hemodynamic parameters (p > 0.05). The study showed higher levels of chronic stress indicators in GDM measured via heart rate variability and cortisol compared to women with a history of preeclampsia and healthy women

Patient experiences of psychological therapy for depression: a qualitative metasynthesis

Background Globally, national guidelines for depression have prioritised evidence from randomised controlled trials and quantitative meta-analyses, omitting qualitative research concerning patient experience of treatments. A review of patient experience research can provide a comprehensive overview of this important form of evidence and thus enable the voices and subjectivities of those affected by depression to have an impact on the treatments and services they are offered. This review aims to seek a comprehensive understanding of patient experiences of psychological therapies for depression using a systematic and rigorous approach to review and synthesis of qualitative research. Method PsychINFO, PsychARTICLES, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched for published articles using a qualitative approach to examine experiences of psychological therapies for depression. All types of psychological therapy were included irrespective of model or modes of delivery (e.g. remote or in person; group or individual). Each article was assessed following guidance provided by the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme tool. Articles were entered in full into NVIVO and themes were extracted and synthesized following inductive thematic analysis. Results Thirty-seven studies, representing 671 patients were included. Three main themes are described; the role of therapy features and setting; therapy processes and how they impact on outcomes; and therapy outcomes (benefits and limitations). Subthemes are described within these themes and include discussion of what works and what’s unhelpful; issues integrating therapy with real life; patient preferences and individual difference; challenges of undertaking therapy; influence of the therapist; benefits of therapy; limits of therapy and what happens when therapy ends. Conclusions Findings point to the importance of common factors in psychotherapies; highlight the need to assess negative outcomes; and indicate the need for patients to be more involved in discussions and decisions about therapy, including tailoring therapy to individual needs and taking social and cultural contexts into account

Realising the European network of biodosimetry: RENEB-status quo

Creating a sustainable network in biological and retrospective dosimetry that involves a large number of experienced laboratories throughout the European Union (EU) will significantly improve the accident and emergency response capabilities in case of a large-scale radiological emergency. A well-organised cooperative action involving EU laboratories will offer the best chance for fast and trustworthy dose assessments that are urgently needed in an emergency situation. To this end, the EC supports the establishment of a European network in biological dosimetry (RENEB). The RENEB project started in January 2012 involving cooperation of 23 organisations from 16 European countries. The purpose of RENEB is to increase the biodosimetry capacities in case of large-scale radiological emergency scenarios. The progress of the project since its inception is presented, comprising the consolidation process of the network with its operational platform, intercomparison exercises, training activities, proceedings in quality assurance and horizon scanning for new methods and partners. Additionally, the benefit of the network for the radiation research community as a whole is addressed

Comparison of Radiosensitization by HDAC Inhibitors CUDC-101 and SAHA in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. New treatment options are urgently required to improve patient outcomes. One promising new class of anticancer drugs are synthetic histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) which modulate chromatin structure and gene expression by blocking histone deacetylation. In this study, we aimed at comparing the in vitro capacities of the HDACi SAHA and CUDC-101 to increase radiosensitivity of human pancreatic tumor cell lines. Therefore, three pancreatic cancer cell lines (Su.86.86, MIA Paca-2, T3M-4) were treated with SAHA (1.5-5 mu M) or CUDC-101 (0.25-3 mu M) and after 24 h irradiated. Cell proliferation, clonogenic survival and apoptosis was determined. Additionally, cell lysates were investigated for the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. CUDC-101 and SAHA increased the radiation sensitivity of pancreatic tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. This was evidenced by cell proliferation and clonogenic survival. Furthermore, enhanced radiation sensitivity after CUDC-101 or SAHA treatment was confirmed for Su.86.86 and T3M-4 cells in a 3-D microtissue approach. Increased amounts of subG1 cells and diminished full length PARP-1 suggest increased radiation-induced apoptosis after SAHA or CUDC-101 treatment. The comparison of both inhibitors in these assays manifested CUDC-101 as more potent radiosensitizer than SAHA. In line, western blot quantification of the apoptosis-inhibitory proteins XIAP and survivin showed a stronger down-regulation in response to CUDC-101 treatment than after SAHA application. These proteins may contribute to the synergy between HDAC inhibition and radiation response. In conclusion, these preclinical results suggest that treatment with the HDAC inhibitors CUDC-101 or SAHA can enhance radiation-induced cytotoxicity in human pancreatic cells. However, comparison of both inhibitors identified the multi target inhibitor CUDC-101 as more potent radiosensitizer than the HDAC inhibitor SAHA