{"title":"The importance of matrix metalloproteinases in the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients","authors":"E. Costru-Tasnic, Mihail Gavriliuc, E. Manole","doi":"10.52418/moldovan-med-j.64-3.21.09","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52418/moldovan-med-j.64-3.21.09","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Numerous studies were performed to assess the risk of clinical deterioration of acute ischemic stroke patients, including the risk of haemorrhagic transformation. The complexity of cerebral ischemia pathology raised the possibility of a multitude of candidate-molecules to be studied as stroke biomarkers. The blood brain barrier integrity biomarkers have shown promising results both in fundamental and clinical studies. Matrix metalloproteinases have been extensively analysed and gave encouraging results for predicting unfavourable neurological outcome, including the risk for haemorrhagic transformation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 plays a crucial role in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier following focal cerebral ischemic stroke. Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels are responsible for the degradation of tight junction proteins, basal lamina and neuronal injury after ischemia, and may contribute to infarction and hemorrhagic volume. The review provides an overview of matrix metalloproteinases’ role in the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke patients, regarding the stroke outcome and the risk of haemorrhagic transformation. Conclusions: Matrix metalloproteinases, especially gelatinases, are extensively studied for their predictive value in ischemic stroke evolution. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 correlate with stroke severity and haemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke, but large validation studies are needed for practical translation. Future studies should focus on developing a biomarker panel for predicting outcomes in stroke patients.","PeriodicalId":32733,"journal":{"name":"The Moldovan Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42479590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Smoking as a method of coping for medical workers","authors":"Lilia Grati","doi":"10.52418/moldovan-med-j.64-3.21.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.52418/moldovan-med-j.64-3.21.03","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This article analyzes the professional stress at healthcare professionals (HCP), related to their job. Health care providers can serve as role models in promoting healthy lifestyles; however, HCP commitment to help individuals to quit smoking may be influenced by their own smoking behavior. Material and methods: In order to determine the level of perceptual stress, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) was applied, PSQ developed by Levenstein et al. In order to determine the level of addiction to smoking, the Fagerstorm nicotine addiction test was applied. The research was attended by 210 subjects from 5 medical institutions: doctors, nurses, and resident doctors. Confidentiality is maintained. Results: The doctors accumulated 32% on the scale of severe dependence, 8% moderate dependence and only 9% mild dependence, after calculating the score and interpreting the data. The resident doctors have accumulated the maximum score on the scale of mild dependence, 7% moderate dependence and only 3% severe dependence, which speaks of the fact that they are the youngest category of medical workers at the beginning of their careers and still do not have good defense mechanisms. The nurses, who represent 9% of the entire group of subjects, accumulated 0% on the scale of severe dependence, 8% moderate dependence and 1% mild dependence. Conclusions: Comparative data on smoking dependence levels in doctors of 32% according to the perceived stress level 71% confirm this. Stressed health workers are more likely to smoke, have different social problems and are males. The results of research have shown that the prevalence of smokers among health care professionals is high (51%), implying the ineffectiveness of the current government anti-tobacco strategy. Introducing new pillar – Harm Reduction in National Antismoking Action Plan, along with prevention, cessation and protection from second-hand smoking, can improve current smoking situation in general. It would be helpful to implement training programs about Tobacco Harm Reduction for healthcare workers to improve their ability in smoking cessation counselling techniques to provide active support to their patients.","PeriodicalId":32733,"journal":{"name":"The Moldovan Medical Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44873493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}