Factors predicting treatment compliance among hypertensive patients in an urban area

In chronicle diseases such as hypertension which requires permanent drug use and regular control, the maladjustment with the treatment is one of the most significant obstacles for ensuring an efficient blood pressure. This study aimed to measure compliance with antihypertensive therapy in a group of patients in an urban area and to identify variables associated with compliance. This study is a cross-sectional research which is conducted to the patients diagnosed as having hypertension and over 40 years old (total 535 hypertensive patient) who were registered at Izmir, Konak Emine Bagcier Health Care Center at the date of January 1st 2014 (total 3594 patient). Sample, when the prevalence is taken as 31%, is composed of 300 hypertensive patients who have a power to represent the population with a deviation of 5%. Sample units are individuals. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire form. In the questionnaire, the socio-demographic features of the patients, their attitudes, knowledge and behaviours towards hypertension disease and Antihypertensive treatment Adjustment Questionnaire were questioned. According to the 8-question questionnaire scale of Morisky, while 74% of the patients was moderately compatible, 22.7%was determined to be incompatible for the treatment. Following the search, no relation was found between age, marital status, business-education status and socioeconomic level and conformity. It was stated that treatment conformity of the people who had true and wide information about hypertension and who were informed by the doctor, who showed the behaviors of quitting cigarette, limiting salt and fat and who had a regular sleep pattern was better. It was pointed out that the greatest obstacle for regular monitoring was resulted from organizational problems about being unable to reach the treatment. Although it was not thought that diseases of the many patients were not in control, patients whose diagnosis and treatments were regulated in the second step were more compatible. Perception of the patient that her/his hypertension is under control is one of the leading factor for drug compliance/medical treatment adherence. Major element to improve the compliance is experiencing regular physician visits. In other words, regular control of a physician is essential. Finally, adoption of health promoting habits such as cessation of smoking is associated to medical treatment adherence. Medical treatment adherence may also be regarded as a part of health promotion. [Med-Science 2017; 6(3.000): 447-56

Synthesis and the effect of a novel benzoxazole compound on breast cancer cell line

Breast cancer today is the most frequent cancer among women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among women. The aim of this study was to synthesize a new benzoxazole derivative, scan it for anti-cancer potential by MTT test using different breast cancer cell lines, and examine its effects on NF-κB and apopitosis-related proteins (APAF-1, cytochrome C, caspase-3, bcl-2) by the western blot method. newly-synthesized benzoxazole compound was applied to breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB, MCF-7) and its cytotoxicity was measured quantitatively by MTT test. Later, the level of its effects on NF-κB and apopitosis-related proteins (APAF-1, cytochrome C, caspase-3, bcl-2) were examined by the western blot method. In our study, the structure of the synthesized new 5-[4-chlorobutanamido]-2-(p-methylphenyl)benzoxazole was proved by elemental analysis, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy analysis methods. When the toxic effects of the application of the compound on the cell lines was examined by MTT, it had a greater toxic effect on MCF-7 when compared with MDA-MB, and IC50 levels were lower. When the protein was examined in immunohistochemistry with regard to VEGF, eNOS and TUNEL, it was observed that it caused a reduction in VEGF and an increase in eNOS and TUNEL. In the assay of the proteins by western blot, when benzoxazole compound was added to the MDA and MCF-7 cell line, there was no difference from the control group in Apaf-1 and BCL-2 levels, but a reduction was observed in caspase and Nfkβ levels compared with the control group. When the compound was added to the MDA-MB cell line, an increase was shown in the Cytochrome C level compared to the control group, but no difference was seen in the MCF-7 cell line. It is felt that this synthesized new benzoxazole compound increases apopitosis by reducing the activation of Nfkβ, and in this way has shown an effect of inhibiting tumor growth in cancer treatment. In addition, it is felt that this can provide hope in cancer treatment by the improved phase studies. [Med-Science 2019; 8(1.000): 186-91

Morphological Changes and Vascular Reactivity of Rat Thoracic Aorta Twelve Months After Pinealectomy

WOS: 000277987300025Objective: Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, has been suggested to protect against development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. In this study, the effects of long-term melatonin deficiency for twelve months after pinealectomy on the alpha-adrenergic-contractions induced by phenylephrine, endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine and the morphological changes in the rat thoracic aorta were studied. Material and Metods: Rats were pinealectomized twelve months before the beginning of the vasomotor studies. Rings of arteries were mounted in isolated tissue baths for the measurements of isometric contractile force. The contractile responses to phenylephrine and endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine in the vessels were evaluated. Endothelial function was evaluated by vascular relaxation to acetylcholine. Histological examinations demonstrated the alterations of tunica media in the vessels of pinealectomized rats. Results: Thick and thin areas were observed in the transverse sections of vessels and the ratio of the widest media thickness to the narrowest was found significantly increased in pinealectomized group (2.85 +/- 056) when compared to the control group (1.65 +/- 0.10). In addition, alpha-smooth muscle actin and elastic lamellae staining of the media were attenuated in pinealectomized rats. Although contractile responses of vessels to phenylephrine in pinealectomized rats were lower than control group, significant difference was found for only one concentration (3x 10-8 mol l-1) of phenylephrine. There was no difference between the relaxation responses to acetylcholine in pinealectomized and control groups. Conclusion: These results show that long-term melatonin deficiency may cause some morphological changes in the tunics media of vessels. However, the function of endothelium and vascular responsiveness to proportional to-adrenergic stimulus seem to be mostly protected.Inonu UniversityInonu University [P-01/33]This study was supported by a grant from The Scientific Research Fund of Inonu University (P-01/33). We thank Prof Dr. Saim Yologlu for statistical analysis

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Potential Treatment Approach for Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Ozdemir, Alper Tunga/0000-0002-7708-077XWOS: 000581897300001PubMed: 33089453The etiopathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is not fully elucidated, and almost 30-40% of patients are resistant to treatments; therefore, there is still a need for the development of new and effective treatments. This study aimed to develop experimental cellular therapy for CSU patients resistant to current treatment options. Autologous adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were administered to 10 refractory CSU patients who were then followed up for six months. the efficacy of treatment was evaluated according to the weekly urticaria activity scores (UAS7) and drug use scores (DUS7). To observe the effect of treatment on immune cells, CD4(+) T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the serum IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17a, IL-21, IL-22, TGF-beta 1, PGE2, IDO and anti-Fc epsilon RI levels were measured using the Luminex and ELISA methods. the values obtained were compared with 10 control refractory CSU patients and five healthy controls. We found that the T cell subsets and inflammatory molecules were not affected by MSC treatment during the follow-up period. in control patients, a significant decrease was detected only at the Th2 subset, TGF-beta 1, PGE2, IDO and anti-Fc epsilon RI levels on the 14th day of treatment. the UAS7 and DUS7 values of the MSC-treated patients significantly decreased during the follow-up period, but in control patients, a significant but temporary decrease was seen. According to our findings, unlike conventional treatment, MSC therapy resulted in longer and more effective recovery. Our data indicate that MSCs may be an alternative and effective approach for treatment-resistant CSU patients.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [215 S 612]The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) financially supported this study with reference number 215 S 612

Anticancer effects of a newly-synthesized benzoxazole-derived 5-amino-2- [P-bromophenyl]-benzoxazole in breast cancer cell lines

We investigated the anticancer potential of 5-amino-2-[p-bromophenyl]-benzoxazole [BB] which is a new benzoxazole derivative in different breast cancer cell lines. BB was applied to estrogen receptor positive [ER+] MCF-7 and receptor negative [ER-] MDA-MB cell lines and its effects were determined by histopathological examinations, viability test [MTT], immunocytochemistry assays [Tunnel, VEGF and eNOS]. Moreover, its effects on apoptozis-related proteins such as Apaf-1, cytochrome C, caspase-3, bcl-2 and NF-κB were examined by western blot. Histopathological examinations showed that BB killed many cells for both cancer cell line while the cells lost their adhesion in MCF-7 and lost their adhesion and epiteloid morphology in MDA-MB. MTT analyses demonstrated that BB caused a clear dose depended toxic effect for both cell types. BB application resulted in an increase labeled apoptotic cells after Tunnel staining which was more obvious for MDA-MB compared to that of MCF-7. VEGF staining was decreased after BB application in both cell lines. The decrease of VEGF staining was clearer for MDA-MB compared to that of MCF-7. The status of oxidative stress was shown by eNOS immunocytochemistry which was increase after BB application in both cell lines. The levels of Apaf-1 and bcl-2 were found to be similar while caspase 9 and NF-κB levels were decreased compared to the control group after BB application for both cell lines. On the other hand, cytochrome C levels were slightly increased in MCF-7 cells while this increase was found very obvious in MDA-MB cell lines in BB groups. In conclusion, BB which is a new benzoxazole derivative have shown significant anticancer effects by increasing apoptosis and decreasing angiogenesis in MCF-7 or MDA-MB breast cancer cell lines. These effects of BB seem to be more prominent for [ER-] MDA-MB cell lines which mimic more aggressive type of breast cancer. These results suggest that BB may be useful to treat [ER-] breast cancers and may be added to treatment protocols. [Med-Science 2022; 11(2.000): 825-30

Commonly used intravenous anesthetics decrease bladder contractility: An in vitro study of the effects of propofol, ketamine, and midazolam on the rat bladder

Aim : This study was designed to test the hypothesis that propofol, ketamine, and midazolam could alter the contractile activity of detrusor smooth muscle. Materials and Methods : Four detrusor muscle strips isolated from each rat bladder (n = 12) were placed in 4 tissue baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution. The carbachol (10 -8 to 10 -4 mol/L)-induced contractile responses as well as 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Hz electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked contractile responses of the detrusor muscles were recorded using isometric contraction measurements. After obtaining basal responses, the in vitro effects of propofol, ketamine, midazolam (10−5 to 10−3 mol/L), and saline on the contractile responses of the detrusor muscle strips were recorded and evaluated. Results : All the 3 drugs reduced the carbachol-induced and/or EFS-evoked contractile responses of rat detrusor smooth muscles in different degrees. Midazolam (10−4 to 10−3 mol/L) caused a significant decrease in the contractile responses elicited by either EFS or carbachol (P=0.000-0.013). Propofol (10−3 mol/L) caused a decrease only in EFS-evoked contractile responses (P=0.001-0.004) and ketamine (10−3 mol/L) caused a decrease only in carbachol-induced contractile responses (P=0.001-0.034). Conclusion : We evaluated the effects of the 3 different intravenous anesthetics on detrusor contractile responses in vitro and found that there are possible interactions between anesthetic agents and detrusor contractile activity. The depressant effects of midazolam on the contractile activity were found to be more significant than ketamine and propofol. Despite the necessity of further studies, it could be a piece of wise advice to clinicians to keep the probable alterations due to intravenous anesthetics in mind, while evaluating the results of urodynamic studies in children under sedation