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Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of agitated behavior in patients with cognition disorders and screen the related influencing factors based on need-driven dementia-compromised behavior (NDB) in dementia. Methods A total of 402 patients with cognition disorders admitted to Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2021 to June 2022 were selected. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to evaluate overall cognitive function. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality. Barthel Index (BI) was used to evaluate abilities of daily living. Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) was used to evaluate agitated behavior. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the influencing factors of agitated behavior in patients with cognition disorders. Results The incidence of agitated behavior in 402 patients was 59.70% (240/402), while mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was 59.38% (19/32) and dementia was 59.73% (221/370), including physical aggressive behavior 23.33% (56/ 240), physical non-aggressive behavior 37.92% (91/240), verbal aggressive behavior 13.75% (33/240) and verbal non-aggressive behavior 83.33% (200/240). Logistic regression analysis showed that divorce or widower (OR = 4.529, 95%CI: 1.416-14.483; P = 0.011), hallucination (OR = 10.483, 95%CI: 4.272-25.722; P = 0.001), delusion (OR = 2.287, 95%CI: 1.140-6.591; P = 0.002), the living environment was unstable (OR = 1.665, 95%CI: 1.024-2.708; P = 0.040), communication difficulties between caregivers and patients (OR = 1.817, 95%CI: 1.047-3.154; P = 0.034), sleep disorders (OR = 2.344, 95%CI: 1.142-4.810; P = 0.020) were risk factors for agitated behavior in patients with cognition disorders; hearing impairment was a protective factor (OR =-1.086, 95%CI: 0.132-0.864; P = 0.024). Conclusions The incidence of agitated behavior is higher in patients with cognition disorders, and the incidence of agitated behavior is more likely in patients with cognition disorders who are divorced or widowed, hallucinations, delusions, unstable living environment, communication difficulties between caregivers and patients, and sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy is the property of Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Practical Oncology Journal is the property of Journal of Practical Oncology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influence of role conflict, head nurses' super leadership and nursing organizational culture on organizational commitment among male nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 221 male nurses who had worked for more than six months in university hospitals, general hospitals, and clinics. Data were collected using structured, self-administered questionnaires on role conflict, head nurse super leadership, nursing organizational culture, and organizational commitment. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis, independent t-test, analysis of variance, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and regression analysis. Results: Organizational commitment had a significant positive correlation with head nurse super leadership, innovation-oriented culture, and relation-oriented culture; however, it had a significant negative correlation with role conflict and task-oriented culture. Among the general characteristics, the significant factors influencing organizational commitment among male nurses were number of beds and departments. Furthermore, among the main variables, innovation-oriented culture, task-oriented culture, role conflict, and head nurse super leadership influenced organizational commitment. Conclusion: To increase male nurses' organizational commitment, it is necessary to create an innovative organizational culture, reduce role conflicts, and improve head nurse super leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the influencing factors of long-term prognosis of patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) after surgery. Methods Total 121 patients with SCH admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2012 to September 2019 were included. The prognosis was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 12 months after surgery, and the risk factors related to dismal prognosis were screened by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results The age (P = 0.001), proportion of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤ 8 (P = 0.000), activated partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.003), random blood glucose level (P = 0.044) and ventilator assisted ventilation ratio (P = 0.015) of patients with poor prognosis (mRS score 4-6, n = 79) were higher than those of patients with good prognosis (mRS score 0-3, n = 42), while platelet count was lower than those of patients with good prognosis (P = 0.017). There was significant difference in surgery modes between 2 groups (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that older age (OR = 1.090, 95%CI: 1.032-1.151; P = 0.002), high serum D-dimer level (OR = 1.339, 95%CI: 1.034-1.735; P = 0.027), craniotomy hematoma removal (OR = 4.949, 95%CI: 1.310-18.691; P = 0.018) and hematoma puncture drainage (OR = 6.789, 95%CI: 1.249-36.912; P = 0.027) were the main risk factors for long-term dismal prognosis after surgery for SCH. Conclusions Older age, high serum D-dimer level and surgery modes are the risk factors for long-term dismal prognosis after surgery for SCH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice is the property of Journal of Clinical Nursing in Practice (Editorial Board, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and objective Autophagy related genes (ARGs) regulate lysosomal degradation to induce autophagy, and are involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers. The expression of ARGs in tumor tissues has a great prospect in predicting the survival of patients. The aim of this study was to construct a prognostic risk score model for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) based on ARGs. Methods 5,786 ARGs were obtained from Gene-Cards database. Gene expression profiles and clinical data of 395 LUAD patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. All ARGs expression data were extracted, and The ARGs differentially expressed were identified by R software. Survival analysis of differentially expressed ARGs was performed to screen for ARGs with prognostic value, and functional enrichment analysis was performed. The least absolute selection operator (LASSO) regression and Cox regression model were used to construct a prognostic risk scoring model for ARGs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to obtain the optimal cut-off value of risk score. According to the cut-off value, the patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. The area under curve (AUC) and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted to evaluate the model performance, which was verified in external data sets. Finally, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied to evaluate the independent prognostic value of the model, and its clinical relevance was analyzed. Results Survival analysis, Lasso regression and Cox regression analysis were used to construct a LUAD prognostic risk score model with five ARGs (ADAM12, CAMP, DKK1, STRIP2 and TFAP2A). The survival time of patients with low-risk score in this model was significantly better than that of patients with high-risk score (P<0.001). The model showed good prediction performance for LUAD in both the training set (AUCmax=0.78) and two external validation sets (AUCmax=0.88). Risk score was significantly associated with the prognosis of LUAD patients in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, suggested that risk score could be a potential independent prognostic factor for LUAD. Correlation analysis of clinical characteristic showed that high risk score was closely associated with high T stage, high tumor stage and poor prognosis. Conclusion We constructed a LUAD risk score model consisting of five ARGs, which can provide a reference for predicting the prognosis of LUAD patients, and may be used in combination with tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging for prognosis prediction of LUAD patients in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Supportive care is a primary method for treating dengue fever. Understanding the symptoms of dengue fever and its related nursing diagnosis is crucial for nurses as references for individual care. This research study was motivated by the few literature reviews available on this topic. Purpose: This study was developed to elucidate the symptoms experienced by hospitalized patients with dengue fever and to compare the consistency between symptoms and nursing diagnoses. Methods: A retrospective descriptive research method was employed. The data were collected from the electronic medical records of patients in the data pools of two regional hospitals in Kaohsiung City. A total of 105 patient records were acquired covering the period 2014-2016. IBM SPSS Statistics v22 was used to examine the descriptive statistics of patient attributes and symptoms of dengue fever using averages and percentages and the inferential statistics of symptoms, hospitalization days, and nursing diagnosis using the Chi-square test and Kappa consistency coefficient. Results: The average age of inpatients was 51.0 ± 27.3 years and the average length of hospital stays was 6.1 ± 3.6 days. The common symptoms were fever and headache. The consistency between nursing diagnosis and symptoms ranged up to 45.4%, including hyperthermia, acute pain, nausea, risk of ineffective gastrointestinal perfusion, and risk of bleeding. Inconsistency of nursing diagnosis was found to be 27.3%, including anxiety, deficient fluid volume, and risk of falls. The rate of undiagnosed symptoms was found to be 27.3%, including diarrhea, risk of infection, and impaired oral mucous membrane. Conclusions / Implications for Practice: The reasons for the inconsistency between symptoms and nursing diagnoses may relate to insufficient nursing knowledge of dengue fever and inadequate nursing diagnosis education resulting in insufficient clinical experience / poor judgment amongst nursing staff. The findings of this study suggest the need for continuity of education to make the use of a dengue-fever-symptom checklist more widespread in patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective There is a certain correlation between vitamin nutritional status and cancer patients. Studies have shown that vitamin deficiency increases the risk of cancer. The purpose of this study is to understand the vitamin D nutritional status of cancer patients and to provide scientific basis for further nutritional intervention. Methods Cancer patients who visited Shandong Cancer Hospital from July 2017 to June 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were carried out using SPSS 20.0. Results A total of 2,487 cancer patients were evaluable for this analysis. Mean 25(OH)D concentration was (12.70±6.82) ng/mL; the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D concentration less than 20.00 ng/mL] was of 92.20%. In univariate analysis, age, body mass index (BMI), season and types of cancer were associated with 25(OH)D concentrations. In the multivariate analysis, BMI (β=0.71), age (β=-0.56), season (β=-0.99 for winter; (β=-0.76 for autumn vs summer) and types of cancer (β=-1.17 for lung cancer; β=-1.45 for esophageal-gastric cancer; β=-1.05 for colorectal cancer vs other types of cancer) were independently and significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels (P<0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among cancer patients. Age, BMI, season and types of cancer may be associated with 25(OH)D levels, which indicate that monitoring of vitamin D level for cancer survivor should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective The detection of driver oncogenes of lung cancer is of great importance. There are various gene detection techniques nowadays which are different from each other. We carried out this study to investigate the specificity and sensitivity of assay panels based on an Amplification Refractory Mutation System-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) technique of Amplification Mutation Specific System (AMSS) in detection of lung cancer gene mutation. To estimate the applicable value of assay panels in clinical settings. Methods We collected cancer tissue specimens or fluid specimens from 309 patients. Mutation results were presented for those samples previously detected by ARMS-PCR. In comparison, we carried out AMSS-PCR using (epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR) assay panel and Six-Alliance assay panel as well as Sanger sequencing. Software SPSS 22.0 (SPSS IBM) was used for statistical analysis. Results The rates of consistency between the results by assay panels and Sanger sequencing or ARMS-PCR were 97.41% and 97.73%, respectively. Besides, EGFR assay panel had higher consistency rates with other detection methods than Six-Alliance assay panel. As for consistency test, the Kappa values of assay panels with Sanger sequencing, assay panels with ARMS-PCR, and ARMS-PCR with Sanger sequencing were 0.946, 0.953, and 0.913, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) area under curve (AUC) of assay panels was 0.976 referring to Sanger sequencing, and 0.975 as ARMS-PCR was referred to. Conclusion AMSS-PCR can make an optimal cancer gene mutation detection method for clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was done to identify the relationship between nurses' compliance with safety guidelines for the use of antineoplastic agents, observable symptoms, and stress from occupational exposure. Methods: The participants were 172 nurses from six general hospitals in a metropolitan area. They had administered antineoplastic agents at least three months prior to the study. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires, and then analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 for descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe method, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The average score on the guideline for safety compliance was 87.75 points out of a total of 100. The average score for observable symptoms of exposure to antineoplastic agents was 30.12 (28~56) points, and that for mean stress was 33.52 (15~60) points. Observable symptoms and stress from occupational exposure showed a statistically significant positive correlation (r=0.34, p<.001). Conclusion: To increase the degree of compliance with safety guidelines for antineoplastic agents, hospitals should lower the chance of exposure to antineoplastic agents, as well as minimize the observable symptoms and stress from occupational exposure. Periodic education and policy support are needed to improve compliance with safety guidelines for antineoplastic agent use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer is the property of Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and purpose Higher reperfusion rates have been established with endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). There are limited data on the comparative performance of mechanical thrombectomy devices. Methods A retrospective single-center analysis was undertaken of all consecutive patients who underwent thrombectomy using Merci, Penumbra or stent retrievers (SR) from September 2010 to November 2012. Baseline characteristics, rates of successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score 2b - 3), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), final infarct volume, 90-day mortality and independent functional outcomes at 90 days were compared across the three devices. Results Our cohort included 287 patients. There were mild imbalances in baseline characteristics with trends towards higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in patients in the Merci group (SR=18 vs Merci=21 vs Penumbra=19, p=0.06) and lower Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) in patients in the SR group (>7: SR=51% vs Merci=61% vs Penumbra=62%, p=0.12). On univariate analysis there were no differences in the rate of sICH (SR=7% vs Merci=7% vs Penumbra=6%, p=0.921) and infarct volume (SR=61.5 mL vs Merci=69.5 mL vs Penumbra=59.2 mL, p=0.621). Trends towards better functional outcomes were found with Penumbra and SR vs Merci (41% vs 36% vs 25%, respectively, p=0.079). Complete or near complete reperfusion (mTICI 2b - 3) was higher in the SR and Penumbra groups than in the Merci group (86% vs 78% vs 70%, respectively, p=0.027). Binary logistic regression showed that SR was an independent predictor of good functional outcome (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.018 to 5.048; p=0.045). Conclusions Although our initial data confirm the superiority of SR technology over the Merci device, there was no significant difference in near complete/complete reperfusion, final infarct volumes or clinical outcomes between SR and Penumbra thromboaspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional support, gastric residual volume, and nutritional status of the intensive care unit (ICU) patients on enteral feeding. Methods: A descriptive longitudinal design was used to collect 5 day data on enteral nutrition of 52 ICU patients in an university hospital. Nutritional support was calculated with actual caloric intake compared to individual caloric requirement. Residual volumes were measured prior to routine feedings, and the serum albumin levels and the total lymphocyte counts were checked to evaluate nutritional status. The data were analyzed using one group repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test, and Spearman’s bivariate correlation analysis. Results: The subjects received their first enteral feeding on the 5.75th day of ICU admission. The mean nutritional support rate was 49.1% of the requirement, however prescription rate and support rate were increased as time goes by. Gastric residual volumes were less than 10 cc in 95% cases. A significant negative correlation was found between nutritional support and nutritional status. Conclusion: The nutritional support for ICU patient was low compared to the requirement, and their nutritional status was worse than at the time of ICU admission. Further studies are necessary to develop nursing interventions for improving nutritional support for ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of resilience, depression, and self-esteem of hemodialysis(HD) patients, and to find out the factors influencing resilience. Methods: The subjects of this descriptive correlational study was 83 outpatients in H hospital in Seoul, Korea, who receive hemodialysis regularly. Data was analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: The resilience of HD patients were statistically different by gender, job, economical state, most supportive person, and recent condition. Self-esteem had positive correlation, while depression had moderate negative correlation with the resilience of HD patients. In regression analysis, depression had significant explanation power, which accounted for 25.4% of the resilience. Conclusion: The results of this study provide basic data for developing a resilience promoting program. Since health-related conditions of HD patients affect their levels of resilience, individualized assessment and management of complications are necessary. Also, as the resilience is related to family support, activating support groups for HD patients and their spouses would be helpful to promote their resilience [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer is the property of Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Uncertainty may limit communication and affect the ability of patients to adapt to their illness. A high level of uncertainty in patients concurrent with sudden hearing loss has been related to poor comprehension of communications and poor illness understanding. Currently, there is no any certain standard information sheet in the clinical setting. Purpose: This study evaluates the effect of a one-to-one oral instruction strategy combined with an information sheet firstly on the stimuli frame and then on uncertainty in patients suffering from idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Method: An experimental design was employed and 60 patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 28) or the control group (n = 32). A structured questionnaire that included the stimuli frame of uncertainty and the Mishel uncertainty illness scale was used to collect data. All samples received regular care following admission to the hospital and received the pretest within 24 hours after admission. The experimental group received the one-to-one oral instruction strategy combined with an information sheet immediately after the pretest. All participants completed the posttest three days later. Results: The health education program increased perceived understanding of illness in patients with the sudden hearing loss, and reduced their illness uncertainty. Perceived understanding of illness was negatively related to the level of illness uncertainty. The stimuli frame of uncertainty acted as a mediator between the intervention and the uncertainty. The intervention increased the level of cognition of the stimuli frame of uncertainty and then indirectly lowered the uncertainty level. Conclusions / Implications: These findings support the effectiveness of the individual health education strategy with the information sheet in delivering to patients critical information about their condition and treatment. Moreover, this intervention may effectively increase illness cognition and reduce uncertainty in patients with sudden hearing loss. Clinical nurse staffs may use the findings of this study to improve their health education efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clear directions and explanations from nurses related to health behaviors and discharge procedures have been shown to effectively reduce the risk of patient readmission. Nurses thus need to develop good communication skills in order to ensure that their communications help patients become better-informed and less anxious about discharge procedures. Purpose: This research evaluates the communication skills of nurses following two different education interventions. Methods: Experimental design principles for education interventions were followed in this research. Medical nurses certified at the N to N2 level in a municipal hospital in Taipei City were enrolled as participants (N = 78) and divided into an experimental group and control group using stratified purposive randomization. The experimental group received clinical scenario-based simulation education for communication. The control group received standard class-based education for communication. Both groups received a pre-test evaluation and an OSCE post-test evaluation. Results were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software. Results: Independent t-test results revealed significant increases in communication skills (t = 3.406, p < .05) in both groups, with the increase in the experimental group (M = 5.00, SD = 0.82) significantly greater than the increase in the control group (M = 4.11, SD = 1.41). However, the mean scores from the post-test standardized patient survey found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of communication skills. Conclusion: The results indicate that the clinical scenario-based simulation education intervention is more effective than traditional class-based education in enhancing the communication skills of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of prostate cancer has seen a gradual rise in Taiwan in recent years. Prostate-cancer patients typically suffer from symptoms of erectile dysfunction and a lower quality of life. Thus, understanding this issue is critical to providing appropriate nursing care to this population. Purpose: This study explored the relationships among patient demographic data, disease characteristics, and quality of life. Erectile function was used as the independent variable. Methods: Convenience sampling collected data from 200 patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. The research instruments used included a basic cancer information datasheet, the International Index of Erectile Function, and the EORTC Quality of Life Group prostate specific 25-item module. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 to test our hypothesis. Results: The mean age of participants was 73.2 years and 96.5% had clinical erectile dysfunction symptoms. Erectile function was used as the independent variable. Age, education level, cancer stage, and erectile function correlated with quality of life. Conclusions / Implications for Practice: The results of this study may help health professionals understand the association between erectile function and quality of life in prostate cancer patients. Healthcare professionals may then focus on providing patients with consultation platforms for sexual problems and make appropriate referrals to specialized departments or hospitals to provide better care. Healthcare professionals should focus on the specific needs of prostate cancer patients and provide individualized healthcare to improve the quality of life of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies of institutionalized chronic schizophrenia patients have developed intervention activities designed to improve social interaction, depressive mood, and quality of life. Few interventions have been designed to improve the cognitive functions and apathy in this patient population. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a physical and mental functional activation program (PMFAP) in improving the apathy, depressive mood, and cognitive functions of institutionalized chronic schizophrenia patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used purposive sampling to recruit chronic schizophrenia patients (N = 77) at two institutions in Taipei, northern Taiwan. The PMFAP was provided to 43 patients in the experimental group for 3 months (90 minutes per week). The 34 patients in the control group continued their regular daily activities. The completion rate for participants in this study was 62.3% (experimental group: 34; control group: 14). The SPSS 17.0 software package for Windows was used to conduct non-parametric statistical analyses. Residents with chronic schizophrenia in the experimental group earned statistically significant improvements in terms of the orientation (X2 = 8.78, p = .032) and the constructive ability (X2 = 10.13, p = .016) dimensions of cognitive function as well as depressive mood (X2 = 13.71, p < .001). A posttest comparison found significant differences between the two groups in terms of cognitive function (Z = 2.67, p = .010) and depressive mood (Z = -4.10, p = .010). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the PMFAP intervention program improves the cognitive functions and depressive mood of institutionalized chronic schizophrenia patients. Therefore, we suggest implementing this program with patients with chronic schizophrenia to both improve symptoms and delay degeneration. Future studies should extend the follow-up time to assess the efficacy of the intervention over longer time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective It has been proven that biomarkers play a key role in the individualized treatment of lung cancer. Correlations between expressions of TUBB3/STMN1 and gene mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) would be investigated and this may provide essential significance on prognosis and predictions of drug efficiency. Methods This study total enrolled 46 NSCLC patients. Tumor specimens were resected. The gene expressions of TUBB3, STMN1 were analyzed using branched DNA-liquidchip, and EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, PI3K gene mutations were detected by xTAG-liquidchip. Correlations between gene expressions and gene mutations were further analyzed by Spearman. Results Co-expressions between TUBB3 and STMN1 are strongly demonstrated, and high expression of TUBB3 always exists as well as high expression of STMN1 (P=0.006). Meanwhile mutation of EGFR E21 is negatively correlated with TUBB3, and wild type of EGFR E21 always exists together with high expression of TUBB3 (P=0.004,6), whereas mutation of KRAS E2 is positively associated with expression level of STMN1 (P=0.038,6). Conclusion Antimicrotubule drug resistance factors of TUBB3 and STMN1 may be related with mutations of EGFR signal pathway, suggesting that EGFR mutation and KRAS mutation may be important factors in regulation of TUBB3/ STMN1 expression, which provided basic references for chemotherapeutic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a health education program for preschoolers who have defected from North Korea with their mothers, and to evaluate the effects on health knowledge and behavior. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used with 58 preschoolers who were assigned to either the experimental or control group (29 for each group). The program was composed of five sessions in health education and contracts. To test the effectiveness of the intervention, health knowledge and behaviors, and total bacterial colony counts on hands were measured at one pretest and two post tests (1 week and 4 weeks after the intervention ended). Data were analyzed using the SAS program. Results: Health knowledge and behavior in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group. The effects of the intervention were evident even at 4 weeks after the intervention ended. Total bacterial colony counts in the experimental group decreased significantly at the 1 and 4 week posttest intervention compared to the control group. Conclusion: Results indicate that this program is effective in improving health knowledge and behavior in these children and therefore can be utilized to ensure efficient management their health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental conditions can easily affect the body temperature of newborns because their central nervous system, which helps maintain body temperature, has not yet fully developed. Monitoring changes in newborn body temperature can help prevent harm caused by abnormally high and low body temperatures. Taking rectal temperature readings is the most reliable way to obtain core temperature. However, because inserting a thermometer into a newborn's rectum may cause discomfort and present health risks, this temperature-taking approach is no longer used in clinical settings. The axillary temperature readings now used, including ear and back temperature, have not been empirically verified to accurately reflect core body temperature. Convenient-to-use electronic thermometers have replaced traditional mercury thermometers in the clinic. However, nearly all research done until recent years has employed mercury thermometers for temperature measurement, there is a paucity of research employing electronic thermometers. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships among five temperature measurement sites (including tympanic temperature, rectal temperature, axillary temperature, and back temperature) in newborns. Method: This study used a descriptive-correlation design, employed convenience sampling, and collected data from August 2010 to February 2011 at a registered postpartum nursing home in Taipei. Thirty-three babies aged from 1 to 28 days old were recruited. MT-200 electronic thermometers were utilized to take back, axillary, and rectal temperature readings and an IRT4520 ear thermometer was used to take ear temperature readings. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS18.0 statistical software for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, generalized estimation equations (GEE), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: We identified the least difference between right tympanic temperature and rectal temperature' a significant relationship between left tympanic temperature and rectal temperature, and axillary temperature as the most stable of the 5 body-temperature reading methods, with no outliers. There were no gender differences among the five body temperatures. Results revealed the ICC of the five temperature measurement sites to be low during both morning and evening measurements. Conclusions / Implications for Practice: Current research suggests that tympanic temperature can replace rectal temperature readings. Findings may provide a reference to clinical nursing staffs and parents to measure newborn body temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fever is a part of the body's natural defense mechanism against infectious disease. However, this concept has not been incorporated into antipyretic practices. Nurse and physician views on caring for febrile adults have been rarely explored. Purpose: This study investigated the association of level of practice and length of practical experience with physicians' and nurses' knowledge, beliefs and rationale on fever and antipyretic management. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to gather data from physicians and nurses. A total of 329 selfadministered, structured questionnaires were collected from 78 physicians and 251 nurses at a medical center in northern Taiwan from February to April 2012. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS), version 16.0. Results: Physician participants practicing at a more advanced level and with more experience reported higher fever cognitive and antipyretic management confidence. However, fever knowledge among physician participants did not relate to either practice or length of experience. Similarly, nursing participants practicing at a more advanced level and with more experience were also more confident in their cognitive and antipyretic fever management abilities and more knowledgeable and less anxious about fever response. They believed the purpose of antipyretic therapy to be reducing family member and patient anxiety and helping patients tolerate the metabolic burden of fever rather than preventing fever-induced brain/organ cell damage. We found the antipyretic management practices of less experienced physicians and nurses to be relatively more influenced by colleagues, patient family members, and patients. We also found that less-experienced physician and nurse participants, in particular, believed significantly more often than their more experienced physician and nurse colleagues that high fever would cause brain damage. Conclusion: Study results offer a reference for fever-related continuing education planning and guideline setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dyspnea is a debilitative condition that often affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Enhancing the efficacy of patient self-management strategies for dyspnea is thus a very important issue. Purpose: This study explores the correlation between the health locus of control and dyspnea self-management strategies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: Using a cross-section descriptive correlational approach, researchers enrolled a total of 200 COPD patients treated at a local teaching hospital in South Taiwan as participants. We used demographics and a post-physical-activity dyspnea survey forms to assess patient characteristics and the Multi-Dimensional Health Locus of Control and Dyspnea Self-Management Strategies scales to collect study data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0. Results: "Powerful others" earned the highest locus of control orientation score (28.05 ± 6.07) followed by internal locus of control (25.02 ± 9.01). "Chance" earned the lowest score (20.83 ± 9.78). We also found a positive correlation between internal locus of control and dyspnea self-management strategies (p = .001) and negative correlations between the "chance" and "powerful others" locus of control and dyspnea selfmanagement strategies (p = .001). Multiple linear regression analysis results showed the significant impact of internal locus control and "chance" on the frequency and effectiveness of using dyspnea self-management strategies. (p < .05) Conclusion: There is a correlation between health locus of control and dyspnea self-management strategies. Those with better internal loci of control were found to have better relative dyspnea self-management strategies. This conclusion may be applied in clinical practice to improve self-management effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) care helps critically ill patients survive life-threatening diseases. ICU patients in high-mortality risk categories can present huge mental and physical burdens for family decision makers (FDMs). Although FDMs do their best to make "right" treatment decisions for beloved family member, FDMs often end up suffering psychological and physical health problems themselves. Most FDMs suffer anxiety, and sleep disorders during their decision-making process. Purpose: This study investigated the association between ICU patient FDM characteristics and anxiety and sleep disturbance severity. This study also disclosed related predictors. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 200 critically ill patient FDMs at 13 ICUs in a teaching medical center in southern Taiwan. We used face-to-face interviews with all participants to complete the demographic sheet questionnaire, which included the State Anxiety Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 to test our hypothesis. Results: Two-thirds (66.5%) of FDMs interviewed had severe anxiety symptoms; 33.5% had mild to moderate anxiety symptoms; and most (87.5%) had sleep disorders. FDM age correlated positively with anxiety and sleep disorder severity. Care-recipient comorbidities, female gender, care-recipient being a spouse, having a relatively low education level, and having a relatively low monthly income were predictors of anxiety and sleep disorders in FDMs; anxiety correlated positively with sleep disorders; and FDM income was the most significant predictor of anxiety and sleep disorders which could explain 26.2% and 30.7% variances for anxiety and sleep disorder, respectively. Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings on factors significantly related to anxiety and sleep disorders in critically ill patient FDMs offer novel insight that can help healthcare professionals reduce FDM anxiety and sleep disorders. Improving FDM physical and psychological burdens can help build better rapport between FDMs and healthcare professionals and help FDMs make appropriate decisions for their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective It has been proven that CD147 was an extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer reportedly involved in the invasion and metastasis of malignancies. The aim of this study is to investigate CD147 and MMP-2 expression in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs and to analyze their clinical significance. Methods Tissue samples from 55 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs and their corresponding non-cancerous tissues were examined for CD147 and MMP-2 expression using immunohistochemistry. Results The positive expression rates of CD147 and MMP-2 in the squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma among the lung tissues were significantly higher than those in the corresponding normal lung tissues. Moreover, the CD147 and MMP-2 expression in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs were related to lymph node metastasis and TNM stages (P<0.05), but not to age, gender and histologic type (P>0.05). MMP-2 expression was highly correlated with CD147 expression. Conclusion CD147 and MMP-2 expression is correlated with the invasion and metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs and may be used as objective markers for predicting the behavior of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]