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Exogenous and endogenous advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of renal disease. This is a one-month controlled dietary counseling trial that restricts nutritional AGEs in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis (n = 22 participants in the intervention and n = 20 participants in the control group). Haematological, biochemical markers, the soluble form of the receptor for AGEs (sRAGE), and carboxymethyl lysine (CML) were measured at baseline and at follow-up. Mononuclear cells were isolated and the protein expression of RAGE and the inflammatory marker COX-2 was measured using Western immunoblotting. The intervention group presented a lower increase in CML compared to the control group (12.39% median change in the intervention vs. 69.34% in the control group, p = 0.013), while RAGE (% mean change −56.54 in the intervention vs. 46.51 in the control group, p < 0.001) and COX-2 (% mean change −37.76 in the intervention vs. 0.27 in the control group, p < 0.001) were reduced compared to the control group. sRAGE was reduced in both groups. In addition, HbA1c (at two months), total cholesterol, and triglycerides were reduced in the intervention versus the control group. The adoption of healthy cooking methods deserves further research as a possible way of modulating inflammatory markers in patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Cardiovascular diseases are common complications after chemotherapy due to the effect of the drug on lipid levels. This study aimed to explore the changes in lipid profiles in patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy. Methods: In this prospective study, 50 patients with breast cancer participated. Three biochemical–lipid hematological tests were performed: total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C), and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) before initiation (pre-chemotherapy), at the start (first follow-up), and at the completion (second follow-up) of the first cycle of chemotherapy. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistical Software (version 22.0). Results: Mean TC values increased significantly at second follow-up. TGs values decreased significantly from first to second follow-up. HDL-C was significantly lower at first follow-up compared with pre-chemotherapy and was similar to the pre-chemotherapy levels at second follow-up. LDL-C values were significantly higher at second follow-up compared with pre-chemotherapy measurement. Significantly positive correlations of BMI with pre-chemotherapy LDL-C, first follow-up TC, first follow-up LDL-C, second follow-up TC, and second follow-up LDL-C were found. Conclusions: There is a statistically significant increase in the levels of TC and LDL-C in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. This study was not registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented strain on health professionals and it is still a chronic stressor that continues to be in development, with unknown long-term psychological consequences. Aim: To assess insomnia and fatigue in nursing staff almost two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in relation to sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted from mid-November to mid-December 2021. The sample consisted of nursing staff (registered nurses and nursing assistants), from five tertiary public hospitals in Athens, who completed the questionnaire of socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Results: The sample consisted of 404 participants (335 females and 69 males) with a mean age of 42.88±10.90 years and with 17.96±12 years of work. 61.4% of participants experienced insomnia and 60.4% experienced fatigue. Regarding gender, women were found to present higher levels of insomnia and fatigue (t-test, p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). High positive correlations were shown between the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Fatigue Rating Scale and its subscales (Pearson's r, p<0.001). Age presented a negative correlation with the Physical Fatigue Subscale (Pearson's r, p<0.05). Working in rotating shifts, having a chronic health problem, non-compliance of 11hour resting period between two shifts, and not being satisfied with work were found to correlate with higher levels of insomnia and fatigue (t-test, p<0.05). Additionally, clinical nurses showed higher levels of fatigue (t-test, p<0.05). Working in the wards of patients with Covid-19 was not found to relate with the levels of insomnia and fatigue (t-test, p>0.05). Education level and marital status (number of family members) were not found relate with levels of insomnia and fatigue (Anova, p>0.05). Conclusions: Nursing staff appear to continue experiencing high levels of insomnia and fatigue, especially female. Occupational characteristics, such as shift work, not taking 11 hours of rest between shifts, job dissatisfaction and the presence of a chronic health condition, were found to correlate with higher levels of insomnia and fatigue, while clinical nurses appeared to have higher levels of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) face complex challenges and need appropriate information to help them cope with the physical and psychological demands of their treatment and experience greater health related quality of life (HRQoL). This study investigated the impact of a specially designed booklet about HSCT, on patients' satisfaction from information, overall emotional distress and HRQoL. Method and Material: A total of 127 HSCT patients were randomly assigned to receive standard verbal information (control group, n=63) or the additional printed information (intervention group, n=64). Patients' satisfaction was assessed at two time-points; at admission to the transplant unit and at discharge. Emotional distress and HRQoL were also evaluated at 3 and 6 months post-HSCT. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results: Patients' characteristics were similar in the two arms. The experimental group reported highest levels of satisfaction when compared with patients attending standard verbal approach (p<0.004). No significant differences between groups were noted, regarding patients' desired attitude about the amount of perceived information. Overall, 65% of patients wanted all the available information. Most participants considered that the booklet was easy to read and helpful in recalling medical instructions. High levels of satisfaction were strongly correlated with reduction in anxiety levels and improvement in overall HRQoL, at discharge from the transplant unit. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate printed materials can be a beneficial and practical method for patients to gain comprehensible information for HSCT. However, further well-designed, longitudinal multicenter randomized trials are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this intervention study was to investigate how changes of sleep habits affect hematological and biochemical markers in healthy adults. Methods: Five groups of 10 participants (50 in total) were involved. One group was considered the control group while the others were asked to modify their sleeping habits in terms of bedtime (sleep at 10 pm), lighting, rock or relaxing music. Blood markers were studied at the beginning and at the end of seven consecutive days. Results: This survey showed an increase in Potassium (p=0,006) and Creatine Kinase (p=0,023) in the group of participants that changed their bedtime habits. Alkaline Phosphatase (p=0.039) increased in those who slept with the presence of light. Lymphocytes (p=0.008), Glucose (p<0.001) and CRP (p=0.013) decreased after the end of this intervention. Sleeping with relaxing music led to a decrease in Albumin (p: 0.018) and CRP (p<0.001) while sleeping with to rock music increased levels of Triglycerides (p=0.004), Bilirubin (p=0.020) and Phosphorus (p=0.023) and decreased Uric Acid (p=0.019), Lactate Dehydrogenase (p=0.013) and Creatine Kinase (p=0.044). From the participants who changed their bedtime habits the 50% reported wakefulness and morning fatigue, nightmares, drowsiness and lack of appetite. All the participants who slept with light reported intermittent sleep, difficulty in waking up and morning fatigue. The participants who fell asleep listening to relaxing or rock music reported intermittent sleep, nervousness and appetite changes. Conclusion: Negative factors that affect the quality of sleep can affect the biochemical and hematological markers and contribute to the outbreak or deterioration of illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]