The effect of the three platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms AA, AB and BB on the induction of the early growth response genes c-fos, egr-1 and c-myc mRNA in vascular smooth muscle cells from rat was compared with their respective mitogenic potency. The three PDGF isoforms strongly stimulated the induction to a similar extent. In contrast, PDGF-AB and -BB provoked a marked DNA synthesis whereas PDGF-AA exerted only a poor mitogenic effect in smooth muscle cells. PDGF-AA-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation was not detectable in comparison with the strong effect elicited by PDGF-AB or -BB and correlated with its low mitogenicity but not with the almost equal induction of the early response genes. It is discussed that no or only very low receptor phosphorylation is required to link receptor activation to the induction of c-fos, egr-1 or c-myc. Furthermore the induction of the investigated gene does not seem to be sufficient for an optimal mitogenic response.
The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the early growth response gene‐1 (Egr‐1) mRNA, on the Egr‐1 protein and on the phosphoinositide PI turnover signalling system was investigated in the presence and absence of EXP3174, a potent non‐peptide Ang II receptor antagonist. Ang II induced an accumulation of 3.4 kb Egr‐1 mRNA and the 80 kDa Egr‐1 protein, with a maximum at 30 min and 60 min, respectively. EXP3174 blocked the Ang II‐induced increase of inositolphosphates, Egr‐1 mRNA and the Egr‐1 protein, suggesting the involvement of the PI signalling system by the expression of the Egr‐1 gene.
Background
Long-term support of stroke patients living at home is often delivered by family caregivers (FC). We identified characteristics of stroke patients being associated with receiving care by a FC 3-months (3 M) after stroke, assessed positive and negative experiences and individual burden of FC caring for stroke patients and determined factors associated with caregiving experiences and burden of FC 3 M after stroke.
Methods
Data were collected within TRANSIT-Stroke, a regional telemedical stroke-network comprising 12 hospitals in Germany. Patients with stroke/TIA providing informed consent were followed up 3 M after the index event. The postal patient-questionnaire was accompanied by an anonymous questionnaire for FC comprising information on positive and negative experiences of FC as well as on burden of caregiving operationalized by the Caregiver Reaction Assessment and a self-rated burden-scale, respectively. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed.
Results
Between 01/2016 and 06/2019, 3532 patients provided baseline and 3 M-follow-up- data and 1044 FC responded to questionnaires regarding positive and negative caregiving experiences and caregiving burden. 74.4% of FC were older than 55 years, 70.1% were women and 67.5% were spouses. Older age, diabetes and lower Barthel-Index in patients were significantly associated with a higher probability of receiving care by a FC at 3 M. Positive experiences of FC comprised the importance (81.5%) and the privilege (70.0%) of caring for their relative; negative experiences of FC included financial difficulties associated with caregiving (20.4%). Median overall self-rated burden was 30 (IQR: 0–50; range 0–100). Older age of stroke patients was associated with a lower caregiver burden, whereas younger age of FC led to higher burden. More than half of the stroke patients in whom a FC questionnaire was completed did self-report that they are not being cared by a FC. This stroke patient group tended to be younger, more often male with less severe stroke and less comorbidities who lived more often with a partner.
Conclusions
The majority of caregivers wanted to care for their relatives but experienced burden at the same time. Elderly patients, patients with a lower Barthel Index at discharge and diabetes are at higher risk of needing care by a family caregiver.
Trial registration
The study was registered at “German Clinical Trial Register”: DRKS00011696. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011696
Naturschutzgerechte Landnutzungsformen sowie gemeinsame Initiativen mit Land‐, Forst‐ und Wasserwirtschaft sind mehr denn je gefragt. “FasziNatur”, die Gemeinschaftsausstellung der Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) und des Bundesamtes für Naturschutz (BfN) zeigt hierfür beispielhafte Ansätze. Der Titel verdeutlicht die Ausstellungsziele, denn “Faszination” und “Natur” sind zwei Begriffe, die untrennbar zusammengehören.
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