Biological Research For Nursing

Frank, Mayu O.

doi: 10.1177/1099800416642571pmid: 27067611

Introduction:As the U.S. population ages, the incidence of chronic disease will rise. Chronic diseases have been linked to chronic inflammation. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in relation to inflammation.Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched. Inclusion criteria were noninterventional studies on acute and chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and infection published in English after 2000, conducted in humans using the fluorescence method of quantifying DNA. Of the 442 articles retrieved, 83 were identified for full-text review and 13 remained after application of inclusion criteria.Results:Of the reviewed studies, three involved acute inflammation, six involved chronic inflammation, and four involved infection. Healthy controls with interpretable results were included in six studies, three of which used the Quant-iT high-sensitivity DNA kit and found cfDNA quantities near 800 ng/ml, while the other three used other fluorescence methods and found quantities below 100 ng/ml. All 13 studies compared groups, and all but 1 found statistically significant differences between them. Among studies using the Quant-iT reagent, levels were higher in infection than in chronic inflammation. Among studies that used other reagents, levels increased from chronic to acute inflammation to severe infection. CfDNA levels were associated with mortality and with clinical outcomes in acute inflammation and infection. Most studies assessed cfDNA’s correlation with other inflammation biomarkers and found inconclusive results.Conclusion:There appears to be an association between inflammation and cfDNA. Further research is necessary before cfDNA can be used clinically as a measure of inflammation.

Díaz-Rodríguez, Lourdes; Fernández-Pérez, Antonio Manuel; Galiano-Castillo, Noelia; Cantarero-Villanueva, Irene; Fernández-Lao, Carolina; Martín-Martín, L. M.; Arroyo-Morales, Manuel

doi: 10.1177/1099800416643182pmid: 27067612

Considerable scientific evidence has been published on the effectiveness of massage in different conditions, but it remains unclear whether this effectiveness is modulated by the profile of patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 21-min myofascial therapy protocol on stress responders and nonresponders stressed in the laboratory with a cold pressor test. Dependent variables included heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and salivary markers such as flow rate, cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and α-amylase activity. A controlled, repeated measures, single-blind trial was conducted in 30 Caucasian students with a mean (SD) age of 20.70 (4.50) years. We found no significant between-group differences in descriptive characteristics or in any preintervention outcome measure. Analysis of covariance revealed significant increases in HRV index (F = 0.18, p = .01), salivary flow rate (F = 0.16, p = .02), and salivary IgA concentration (F = 4.36, p = .04) and significant decreases in the low-frequency domain (F = 0.18, p = .04) and LF–high-frequency ratio (F = 0.18, p = .01) in the stress responder group in comparison to the nonresponder group. In conclusion, a better response to massage was observed in stress responders than in nonresponders across various HRV parameters and salivary measures.

Darrah, Rebecca; Nelson, Rebecca; Damato, Elizabeth G.; Decker, Michael; Matthews, Anne; Hodges, Craig A.

doi: 10.1177/1099800416643585pmid: 27081158

Introduction:Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex disease that includes both pulmonary and gastrointestinal challenges, resulting in decreased weight. Pulmonary symptoms of CF are extremely variable. Greater body mass at an early age is associated with improved pulmonary function, but it is unknown at what age weight becomes predictive of pulmonary disease severity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between birth weight and pulmonary function in CF.Methods:Birth weight and pulmonary data were obtained. Linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between these two variables. A one-tailed t-test was used to compare birth weights between CF patients and the national average.Results:Birth weight was significantly lower in babies with CF and correlated with pulmonary disease at ages 6 and 10 years but not with age at which Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization was observed.Discussion:These data suggest that CF growth deficiency has prenatal origins. Early nutritional intervention for babies with CF and a low birth weight is warranted to maximize pulmonary potential.

Moore, Ida M. (Ki); Merkle, Carrie J.; Byrne, Howard; Ross, Adam; Hawkins, Ashley M.; Ameli, Sara S.; Montgomery, David W.

doi: 10.1177/1099800416644780pmid: 27142250

Central nervous system (CNS)-directed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, used to prevent disease recurrence in the brain, is essential for survival. Systemic and intrathecal methotrexate, commonly used for CNS-directed treatment, have been associated with cognitive problems during and after treatment. The cortex, hippocampus, and caudate putamen, important brain regions for learning and memory, may be involved in methotrexate-induced brain injury. Objectives of this study were to (1) quantify neuronal degeneration in selected regions of the cortex, hippocampus, and caudate putamen and (2) measure changes in the expression of genes with known roles in oxidant defense, apoptosis/inflammation, and protection from injury. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered 2 or 4 mg/kg of methotrexate diluted in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) or aCSF only into the left cerebral lateral ventricle. Gene expression changes were measured using customized reverse transcription (RT)2 polymerase chain reaction arrays. The greatest percentage of degenerating neurons in methotrexate-treated animals was in the medial region of the cortex; percentage of degenerating neurons in the dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 3 regions of the hippocampus was also greater in rats treated with methotrexate compared to perfusion and vehicle controls. There was a greater percentage of degenerating neurons in the inferior cortex of control versus methotrexate-treated animals. Eight genes involved in protection from injury, oxidant defense, and apoptosis/inflammation were significantly downregulated in different brain regions of methotrexate-treated rats. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate methotrexate-induced injury in selected brain regions and gene expression changes using a rat model of intraventricular drug administration.

Rodgers, Cheryl; Sanborn, Chelse; Taylor, Olga; Gundy, Patricia; Pasvogel, Alice; Moore, Ida M. (Ki); Hockenberry, Marilyn J.

doi: 10.1177/1099800416647794pmid: 27179013

Fatigue is a frequent and distressing symptom in children undergoing leukemia treatment; however, little is known about factors influencing this symptom. Antioxidants such as glutathione can decrease symptom severity in adult oncology patients, but no study has evaluated antioxidants’ effects on symptoms in pediatric oncology patients. This study describes fatigue patterns and associations of fatigue with antioxidants represented by reduced glutathione (GSH) and the reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio among children receiving leukemia treatment. A repeated measures design assessed fatigue and antioxidants among 38 children from two large U.S. cancer centers. Fatigue was assessed among school-age children and by parent proxy among young children. Antioxidants (GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio) were assessed from cerebrospinal fluid at four phases during leukemia treatment. Young children had a steady decline of fatigue from the end of induction treatment through the continuation phase of treatment, but no significant changes were noted among the school-age children. Mean antioxidant scores varied slightly over time; however, the GSH/GSSG ratios in these children were significantly lower than the normal ratio. Mean GSH/GSSG ratios significantly correlated to fatigue scores of the school-age children during early phases of treatment. Children with low mean GSH/GSSG ratios demonstrated oxidative stress. The low ratios noted early in therapy were significantly correlated with higher fatigue scores during induction and postinduction treatment phases. This finding suggests that increased oxidative stress during the more intensive phases of therapy may explain the experience of fatigue children report.

Taylor, Jacquelyn Y.; Wright, Michelle L.; Crusto, Cindy A.; Sun, Yan V.

doi: 10.1177/1099800416645399pmid: 27118148

The Intergenerational Impact of Genetic and Psychological Factors on Blood Pressure (InterGEN) study aims to delineate the independent and interaction effects of genomic (genetic and epigenetic) and psychological–environmental (maternally perceived racial discrimination, mental health, and parenting behavior) factors on blood pressure (BP) among African American mother–child dyads over time. The purpose of this article is to describe the two-step genetic and epigenetic approach that will be executed to explore Gene × Environment interactions on BP using a longitudinal cohort design. Procedure for the single collection of DNA at Time 1 includes the use of the Oragene 500-format saliva sample collection tube, which provides enough DNA for both the Illumina Multi-Ethnic Genotyping and 850K EPIC methylation analyses. BP readings, height, weight, percentage of body fat, and percentage of body water will be measured on all participants every 6 months for 2 years for a total of 4 time points. Genomic data analyses to be completed include multivariate modeling, assessment of population admixture and structure, and extended analyses including Bonferroni correction, false discovery rate methods, Monte Carlo approach, EIGENSTRAT methods, and so on, to determine relationships among both main and interaction effects of genetic, epigenetic, and psychological environmental factors on BP.

Amini, Maryam; Djazayery, Abolghassem; Majdzadeh, Reza; Taghdisi, Mohammad-Hossein; Sadrzadeh-Yeganeh, Haleh; Abdollahi, Zahra; Hosseinpour-Niazi, Nasrin; Chamari, Maryam; Nourmohammadi, Mahdieh

doi: 10.1177/1099800416654261pmid: 27358261

González-Jiménez, Emilio; Schmidt-RioValle, Jacqueline; Montero-Alonso, Miguel A.; Padez, Cristina; García-García, Carmen J.; Perona, Javier S.

doi: 10.1177/1099800416648207pmid: 27194780

Background:Insulin resistance plays a determinant role in the development of metabolic syndrome in adolescents. The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of factors commonly associated with insulin resistance in a sample of adolescents.Methods:This cross-sectional study included 976 adolescents from southeast Spain. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed, and insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).Results:Subjects with abnormal HOMA-IR values had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), body fat content, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure (BP) than those with normal values. Furthermore, levels of glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, homocysteine, nonesterified fatty acids, and ceruloplasmin were higher in subjects with abnormal HOMA-IR values. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the highest odds ratio (OR) for BMI and that combinations of BMI with body fat content or systolic BP can increase the risk of insulin resistance 7-fold.Discussion:Anthropometric indicators have different levels of influence on the risk of insulin resistance in adolescents, and a combination of two of these indicators is enough to increase the risk 7-fold. Since the highest OR was observed for BMI, the greatest effort should be directed to reducing this parameter in adolescents. An adequate understanding by nursing personnel of factors associated with insulin resistance is a key factor in the prevention of this pathophysiological condition and its complications in adolescents.

Wu, Tzu-Ting; Chen, I-Ju; Cho, Shu-Ling; Chiou, Ai-Fu

doi: 10.1177/1099800416655882pmid: 27340227

Background:Poor health-promoting behaviors increase the risk of chronic disease and disability in older adults. Nevertheless, the predictors of health-promoting behaviors and their relationship with metabolic syndrome have been poorly characterized in older Taiwanese adults.Objective:To explore the determinants of health-promoting behaviors in community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan and the relationship of health-promoting behaviors with metabolic syndrome.Methods:A cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 200 community residents aged 60 years and over was recruited from two large communities in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Data collection included physical examination and a structured questionnaire including measures of health status, health-promoting behaviors, self-efficacy, social support, and metabolic syndrome.Results:Metabolic syndrome was found in 60% of older Taiwanese adults. These participants had higher scores in interpersonal relationships but lower scores in physical activity. Half of the health-promoting behaviors were explained by behavior-specific cognitions and affect, and 44% of behavior-specific cognitions and affect was explained by the health status of the older adult.Conclusions:Physical activity should be promoted in older Taiwanese adults. Positive behavior-specific cognitions and affect and better health status might impact the health-promoting behaviors of these adults.

Yang, Chiu-Yueh; Lo, Su-Chen; Peng, Ying-Chieh

doi: 10.1177/1099800416653184pmid: 27268516

Background:Atypical antipsychotic medications increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases in people with schizophrenia.Aim:To explore the prevalence of MetS and the predictors associated with the number of MetS components in people with chronic schizophrenia.Methods:We recruited 357 participants from 10 rehabilitation wards in northern Taiwan. The Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), and modified Baecke physical activity questionnaire were used to evaluate the participants. MetS prevalence was calculated using the modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asians.Results:The prevalence of MetS in this sample was 37.8%. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that the HPLP-exercise score (odds ratio [OR] = 0.411, p = .002) and depressive symptoms (OR = 0.949, p = .040) were protective factors for ≥4 MetS components. The leisure physical activity level (OR = .536, p = .024) was a protective factor for three MetS components. Body mass index ≥24 kg/m2 was the strongest risk factor for two MetS components (OR = 8.057, p < .001), three MetS components (OR = 11.287, p < .001), and ≥four MetS components (OR = 15.621, p < .001). Additionally, participants’ age >40 (OR = 3.638, p = .012) was a risk factor for ≥four MetS components.Conclusion:In this study, the prevalence of MetS was higher than that reported for patients utilizing community-based services in Taiwan. The important risk factors for MetS were being overweight and older than 40. The protective factors for MetS were a high HPLP-exercise score and leisure-based physical activities.