Mental health, sleep and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a correlational study

Background: Co-morbid psychological impairments (depression and anxiety) are common in COPD and are often associated with increased disability, health care usage and morbidity. They also impair quality of life in COPD and are often not fully explored in the clinical management of COPD patients. Psychological distress may, however, contribute to sleep difficulties in all stages of disease severity. Both anxiety and depression have been shown to have a negative effect on the sleep and quality of life (QoL).Objectives: To study the correlation between depression, anxiety and sleep with quality of life in patients with COPD.Methodology: In a tertiary care hospital, this Observational study was conducted on 39 patients of age group 40-70 years, with spirometry confirmed COPD GOLD category I-IV and smokers with more than 5 years of disease who fulfilled were included  in the study. Quality of life was assessed using SGRQ-C, SF-12 and CAT. Depression, Anxiety and Sleep were assessed using PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PSQI questionnaires respectively. The correlation between quality of life scores and mental health scores were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results: Anxiety was significantly correlated with all the sub domains of SGRQ-C, PCS, MCS of SF-12 and the CAT score. (p value<0.001) Similarly, sleep was significantly correlated with all the three QoL Scales. (p value< 0.001) However, depression significantly correlated with all the subdomains of SGRQ-C and CAT except activity sub-domain of SGRQ-C and MCS of SF-12. (p value<0.001)Conclusion: Anxiety, Depression and Sleep moderately correlated with QoL scores in patients with COPD

Network slicing to enable scalability and flexibility in 5G mobile networks

We argue for network slicing as an efficient solution that addresses the diverse requirements of 5G mobile networks, thus provid-ing the necessary flexibility and scalability associated with future network implementations. We elaborate on the challenges that emerge when we design 5G networks based on network slicing. We focus on the architectural aspects associated with the coexistence of dedicated as well as shared slices in the network. In particular, we analyze the realization options of a flexible radio access network with focus on network slicing and their impact on the design of 5G mobile networks. In addition to the technical study, this paper provides an investigation of the revenue potential of network slicing, where the applications that originate from such concept and the profit capabilities from the network operator's perspective are put forward.This work has been performed in the framework of the H2020-ICT-2014-2 project 5G NORMA

In Vitro and In Vivo Germ Line Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Newborn Mouse Skin

We previously reported that fetal porcine skin-derived stem cells were capable of differentiation into oocyte-like cells (OLCs). Here we report that newborn mice skin-derived stem cells are also capable of differentiating into early OLCs. Using stem cells from mice that are transgenic for Oct4 germline distal enhancer-GFP, germ cells resulting from their differentiation are expected to be GFP+. After differentiation, some GFP+ OLCs reached 40–45 µM and expressed oocyte markers. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that ∼0.3% of the freshly isolated skin cells were GFP+. The GFP-positive cells increased to ∼7% after differentiation, suggesting that the GFP+ cells could be of in vivo origin, but are more likely induced upon being cultured in vitro. To study the in vivo germ cell potential of skin-derived cells, they were aggregated with newborn ovarian cells, and transplanted under the kidney capsule of ovariectomized mice. GFP+ oocytes were identified within a subpopulation of follicles in the resulting growth. Our finding that early oocytes can be differentiated from mice skin-derived cells in defined medium may offer a new in vitro model to study germ cell formation and oogenesis

Mental health, sleep and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a correlational study

Background: Co-morbid psychological impairments (depression and anxiety) are common in COPD and are often associated with increased disability, health care usage and morbidity. They also impair quality of life in COPD and are often not fully explored in the clinical management of COPD patients. Psychological distress may, however, contribute to sleep difficulties in all stages of disease severity. Both anxiety and depression have been shown to have a negative effect on the sleep and quality of life (QoL).Objectives: To study the correlation between depression, anxiety and sleep with quality of life in patients with COPD.Methodology: In a tertiary care hospital, this Observational study was conducted on 39 patients of age group 40-70 years, with spirometry confirmed COPD GOLD category I-IV and smokers with more than 5 years of disease who fulfilled were included  in the study. Quality of life was assessed using SGRQ-C, SF-12 and CAT. Depression, Anxiety and Sleep were assessed using PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PSQI questionnaires respectively. The correlation between quality of life scores and mental health scores were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results: Anxiety was significantly correlated with all the sub domains of SGRQ-C, PCS, MCS of SF-12 and the CAT score. (p value&lt;0.001) Similarly, sleep was significantly correlated with all the three QoL Scales. (p value&lt; 0.001) However, depression significantly correlated with all the subdomains of SGRQ-C and CAT except activity sub-domain of SGRQ-C and MCS of SF-12. (p value&lt;0.001)Conclusion: Anxiety, Depression and Sleep moderately correlated with QoL scores in patients with COPD