Sleep Beliefs, Subjective Sleep Quality and Diurnal Preference – Findings from Depressed Patients

This study evaluated the relationship between dysfunctional sleep beliefs, circadian typology and self-reported sleep quality and insomnia. We assessed these parameters both in healthy controls and patients with depression. One hundred eighty six subjects were assessed and completed measures of sleep beliefs, sleep disturbance, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms and circadian typology. We found that sleep beliefs are slightly linked with the subjective sleep quality, but with neither the diurnal preference, nor the self-reported insomnia

Effect of Curcumin on Oxidative Stress in a Model of Turpentine Induced Acute Experimental Inflammation

Curcumin, a natural phenolic compound is an anti-tumor agent with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The aim of this research was to evaluate oxidative stress levels, the antioxidant activity and Curcumin concentrations by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in an acute experimental inflammation induced by Turpentine oil (intramuscular 0.6 mg kg-1 body weight) and to compare a prophylactic versus a therapeutic regimen of Curcumin (oral suspension of 150 mg Curcumin kg-1 rat weight). Sixteen adult male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: Control, Group I (Curcumin only), Group II (Curcumin administration, then induced inflammation after 1 hour) and Group III (induced inflammation then Curcumin administration after 2 hours). Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring serum malondialdehide and carbonylated proteins, while systemic and local total antioxidant capacity was determined by ABTS. Local tissue changes (muscle, kidney, liver) were analysed using histopathology. Results showed that acute inflammation significantly increased lipid peroxidation in Groups II and III compared to Control and Group I. A significantly reduced total antioxidant capacity (ATBS) was present in serum and kidney in Group II, also in muscle and kidney in Group III. ABTS levels were significantly increased only in the liver tissue of the animals in Groups II and III with induced inflammation as compared to Group I. This study proved the potential of Curcumin in reducing oxidative stress in both prophylactic and therapeutic regimens

Thrombocytopenia in end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis B or C

Objectives. We evaluated platelet counts in end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis. Materials and Methods. We studied 70 patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis and compared them to a control group of 45 patients without hepatitis. Results. The presence of viral hepatitis was associated with a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia. Correlations between age, C-reactive protein, liver stiffness measurement, and platelet count were observed. C-reactive protein levels \u3e 10 mg/dl were associated with a lower risk of thrombocytopenia in patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis, yet age \u3e 60 years, dialysis vintage \u3e 10 years, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels \u3e 20 IU/L, albumin levels \u3c 3.5 g/dl, and fibrosis stage ≥ 3 were not related. Conclusions. Chronic viral hepatitis leads to a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts in these patients begin to decrease significantly once liver fibrosis reaches stage III

Thrombocytopenia in end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis B or C

Objectives. We evaluated platelet counts in end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis. Materials and Methods. We studied 70 patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis and compared them to a control group of 45 patients without hepatitis. Results. The presence of viral hepatitis was associated with a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia. Correlations between age, C-reactive protein, liver stiffness measurement, and platelet count were observed. C-reactive protein levels \u3e 10 mg/dl were associated with a lower risk of thrombocytopenia in patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis, yet age \u3e 60 years, dialysis vintage \u3e 10 years, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels \u3e 20 IU/L, albumin levels \u3c 3.5 g/dl, and fibrosis stage ≥ 3 were not related. Conclusions. Chronic viral hepatitis leads to a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts in these patients begin to decrease significantly once liver fibrosis reaches stage III

Thrombocytopenia in end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis B or C

Objectives. We evaluated platelet counts in end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis. Materials and Methods. We studied 70 patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis and compared them to a control group of 45 patients without hepatitis. Results. The presence of viral hepatitis was associated with a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia. Correlations between age, C-reactive protein, liver stiffness measurement, and platelet count were observed. C-reactive protein levels > 10 mg/dl were associated with a lower risk of thrombocytopenia in patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic viral hepatitis, yet age > 60 years, dialysis vintage > 10 years, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels > 20 IU/L, albumin levels < 3.5 g/dl, and fibrosis stage ≥ 3 were not related. Conclusions. Chronic viral hepatitis leads to a higher prevalence of thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts in these patients begin to decrease significantly once liver fibrosis reaches stage III

Sleep Beliefs, Subjective Sleep Quality and Diurnal Preference – Findings from Depressed Patients

This study evaluated the relationship between dysfunctional sleep beliefs, circadian typology and self-reported sleep quality and insomnia. We assessed these parameters both in healthy controls and patients with depression. One hundred eighty six subjects were assessed and completed measures of sleep beliefs, sleep disturbance, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms and circadian typology. We found that sleep beliefs are slightly linked with the subjective sleep quality, but with neither the diurnal preference, nor the self-reported insomnia

Sleep Beliefs, Subjective Sleep Quality and Diurnal Preference – Findings from Depressed Patients

This study evaluated the relationship between dysfunctional sleep beliefs, circadian typology and self-reported sleep quality and insomnia. We assessed these parameters both in healthy controls and patients with depression. One hundred eighty six subjects were assessed and completed measures of sleep beliefs, sleep disturbance, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms and circadian typology. We found that sleep beliefs are slightly linked with the subjective sleep quality, but with neither the diurnal preference, nor the self-reported insomnia

Psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the composite scale of morningness in healthy adults

Morningness/eveningness is an attribute of human beings reflecting whether they are alert and prefer to be active early or late in the day. This paper aimed to introduce and preliminarily validate the Romanian translation of the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), as well as to set the cut-off points. Healthy, voluntary and unpaid students and adults (N=205), aged between 18 and 69, completed the questionnaire. Results showed that men scored higher than women, and the total score tended to increase with age. Cut-off scores were determined for three age groups: under 30, above 45 and intermediate. Internal validity was 0.875 and two components were extracted from the thirteen items. The questionnaire showed comparable psychometric properties to the existing versions in other languages

Psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the composite scale of morningness in healthy adults

Morningness/eveningness is an attribute of human beings reflecting whether they are alert and prefer to be active early or late in the day. This paper aimed to introduce and preliminarily validate the Romanian translation of the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), as well as to set the cut-off points. Healthy, voluntary and unpaid students and adults (N=205), aged between 18 and 69, completed the questionnaire. Results showed that men scored higher than women, and the total score tended to increase with age. Cut-off scores were determined for three age groups: under 30, above 45 and intermediate. Internal validity was 0.875 and two components were extracted from the thirteen items. The questionnaire showed comparable psychometric properties to the existing versions in other languages

Psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the composite scale of morningness in healthy adults

Morningness/eveningness is an attribute of human beings reflecting whether they are alert and prefer to be active early or late in the day. This paper aimed to introduce and preliminarily validate the Romanian translation of the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), as well as to set the cut-off points. Healthy, voluntary and unpaid students and adults (N=205), aged between 18 and 69, completed the questionnaire. Results showed that men scored higher than women, and the total score tended to increase with age. Cut-off scores were determined for three age groups: under 30, above 45 and intermediate. Internal validity was 0.875 and two components were extracted from the thirteen items. The questionnaire showed comparable psychometric properties to the existing versions in other languages