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Abstract This study assessed patient satisfaction and its associated factors among male drug-using inmates utilizing a prison detention clinic in Taiwan. A cross-sectional design and structured questionnaire were employed to recruit 580 drug-using inmates into the study. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (PSQ-18), developed by the RAND Corporation, was used as the basis for the short scale of patient satisfaction, and the research data were analyzed using the SPSS for Windows 20.0 statistical software package. The results showed that the research subjects had low patient satisfaction in all the factors assessed compared with the scale’s general norms. Among the original seven satisfaction subscales in this study, the highest score was for the financial aspects, and the lowest was for the amount of time spent with doctors. This study also investigated satisfaction with medical lab exams and the pharmacy at the prison’s clinic, and the satisfaction scores were higher than the original seven subscales. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the final model indicated that the inmates undergoing observed rehabilitation (OR = 13.837, 95% CI = 2.736–69.983) were more likely satisfied with prison detention clinic c than those serving prison sentences. Those inmates with custodial deposits (high vs. low; OR = 1.813, 95% CI = 1.038–3.168), and meet their physical health needs (met vs. unmet; OR = 4.872, 95% CI = 2.054–11.560) had significant correlated with detention clinic care satisfactory level. Although there is only one study setting cannot give a generalizability for people who are incarcerated in Taiwan, this study highlights that the prison authorities should scrutinize factors associated with detention clinic care satisfaction, such as the type of inmate, economic status in the prison, self-reported health status, and their physical health needs, to increase the level of patient satisfaction.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the protective efficacy of Bacillus coagulans MF-06 as a potential alternative to antibiotics in mitigating intestinal mucosal damage in chicks infected with Salmonella pullorum. Methods: A total of 150 one-day-old SPF chicks were selected and randomly divided into five groups: control group (CK), probiotics group (EM), probiotics treatment group (PT), antibiotic treatment group (AT), Salmonella pullorum group (SI), CK, AT and SI groups were fed a basal diet, EM and PT groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1.0 × 108 CFU/g Bacillus coagulans ; PT, AT and SI groups were gavaged with 1.0 × 109 CFU/0.5 mL Salmonella pullorum at 7 days of age; AT group were fed with 0.375 g/kg neomycin sulfate in the basal diet from days 7–14. Results: Subsequently, the study evaluated alterations in growth performance, the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, cytokines associated with the Wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway, and gut microbiota composition. The results revealed that the administration of Bacillus coagulans MF-06 significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio of chicks (p < 0.05), and significantly increased the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake in chicks challenged with Salmonella Pullorum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Bacillus coagulans MF-06 treatment diminished the presence of Salmonella pullorum colonies in the intestinal tract. Additionally, the administration of Bacillus coagulans MF-06 restored levels of (Diamine oxidase) DAO and (D-lactic acid) D-LA levels, as well as the levels of tight junction protein, including TJP1 , CLDN1 , CLDN2 , Occludin , and MUC2 (p < 0.05). The study noted a significant decrease in cell apoptosis (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in the expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) (p < 0.05), which activated the Wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway. Analysis through 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the intake of Bacillus coagulans MF-06 led to a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Lachnoclostridium , Shuttleworthia , and unidentified-Eggerthellaceae (p < 0.05). Discussion: Collectively, the Bacillus coagulans MF-06 may provide a protective effect against Salmonella pullorum infection in chicks by enhancing growth performance, strengthening the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and stabilizing the gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with terminal illness often experience significant physical and mental suffering. This distress affects the patients themselves, as they endure the pain of their condition and their family members, who are affected by the patient's situation and medical decisions. Furthermore, exploring the patients' and their families' concepts of a "good death" is crucial for reflecting on the value of life and for planning treatment or care models (such as advance care planning). Therefore, understanding the issues is essential in improving palliative care and the overall quality of life. Aim: This study aimed to develop a clinical assessment tool for the self-assessment of patients with terminal cancer to determine whether they are approaching a good death. Methods: Our good death concept was developed through in-depth interviews with terminal cancer patients and qualitative analysis by experts in a research program. Three themes were analyzed: "living in dying (L)", "experiencing the existential self (E)", and "dying in living (D)." Therefore, the principal and co-principal investigators designed the primary LED Good Death Index (LED-GDI) based on three major themes and 15 subtopics of the LED Good Death concept. Results: A total of 144 participants completed the LED-GDI assessment. Cronbach's alpha for the LED-GDI was 0.854. We found that the LED-GDI allowed patients to assess whether they were approaching a good death. Conclusion: The philosophical concept of LED-GDI is particularly in line with Confucian culture in East Asia and emphasizes the importance of living well before death. Therefore, the most critical goal of clinical end-of-life care is to determine whether patients with terminal illness can achieve a good death and live until the last moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced PSCs (iPSCs), represent potentially unlimited cell sources for clinical applications. Previous studies have suggested that hPSCs may benefit from immune privilege and limited immunogenicity, as reflected by the reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex class-related molecules. Here we investigated the global immune-related gene expression profiles of human ESCs, hiPSCs and somatic cells and identified candidate immune-related genes that may alter their immunogenicity. The expression levels of global immune-related genes were determined by comparing undifferentiated and differentiated stem cells and three types of human somatic cells: dermal papilla cells, ovarian granulosa cells and foreskin fibroblast cells. We identified the differentially expressed genes CD24, GATA3, PROM1, THBS2, LY96, IFIT3, CXCR4, IL1R1, FGFR3, IDO1 and KDR, which overlapped with selected immune-related gene lists. In further analyses, mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTOR) signaling was investigated in the differentiated stem cells following treatment with rapamycin and lentiviral transduction with specific short-hairpin RNAs. We found that the inhibition of mTOR signal pathways significantly downregulated the immunogenicity of differentiated stem cells. We also tested the immune responses induced in differentiated stem cells by mixed lymphocyte reactions. We found that CD24- and GATA3-deficient differentiated stem cells including neural lineage cells had limited abilities to activate human lymphocytes. By analyzing the transcriptome signature of immune-related genes, we observed a tendency of the hPSCs to differentiate toward an immune cell phenotype. Taken together, these data identify candidate immune-related genes that might constitute valuable targets for clinical applications.

This study aimed to identify the key factors that may influence farmers’ support for organic farming, which is an eco-friendly approach that nourishes the productivity of agricultural and ecological systems. To explore farmers’ adoption of organic-agriculture-related behaviors and the factors that influence these behavioral intentions, this research developed a questionnaire based on Kaiser’s theory of ecological behavior. The participants were 152 farmers, who were recruited via stratified sampling from four major agricultural zones in the county. The results revealed that environmental knowledge, environmental value, and feelings of responsibility positively influenced farmers’ behavioral intentions toward organic agriculture. The positive influence of environmental knowledge on behavioral intentions was enhanced by farmers’ experience, age, and time spent in agriculture each week. However, the positive influences of environmental value and feelings of responsibility were not moderated by the three aforementioned variables. Appropriate promotional and educational measures should incorporate the real-life experiences of farmers to increase their environmental knowledge, environmental value, and feelings of responsibility toward organic agriculture, thereby effectively enhancing their willingness to adopt this type of agriculture.

Neuroinflammation is a key feature in the pathogenesis of entrapment neuropathies. Clinical trial evidence suggests that perineural injection of glucose in water at entrapment sites has therapeutic benefits beyond a mere mechanical effect. We previously demonstrated that 12.5–25 mM glucose restored normal metabolism in human SH-SYFY neuronal cells rendered metabolically inactive from TNF-α exposure, a common initiator of neuroinflammation, and reduced secondary elevation of inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we measured the effects of glucose treatment on cell survival, ROS activity, gene-related inflammation, and cell cycle regulation in the presence of neurogenic inflammation. We exposed SH-SY5Y cells to 10 ng/mL of TNF-α for 24 h to generate an inflammatory environment, followed by 24 h of exposure to 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mM glucose. Glucose exposure, particularly at 12.5 mM, preserved apoptotic SH-SY5Y cell survival following a neuroinflammatory insult. ROS production was substantially reduced, suggesting a ROS scavenging effect. Glucose treatment significantly increased levels of CREB, JNK, and p70S6K (p < 0.01), pointing to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions through components of the MAPK family and Akt pathways but appeared underpowered (n = 6) to reach significance for NF-κB, p38, ERK1/2, Akt, and STAT5 (p < 0.05). Cell regulation analysis indicated that glucose treatment recovered/restored function in cells arrested in the S or G2/M-phases. In summary, glucose exposure in vitro restores function in apoptotic nerves after TNF-α exposure via several mechanisms, including ROS scavenging and enhancement of MAPK family and Akt pathways. These findings suggest that glucose injection about entrapped peripheral nerves may have several favorable biochemical actions that enhance neuronal cell function.

Objective The aim of our study is to explore the associations between multiple types of workplace violence (WPV) and burnout risk, sleep problems, and leaving intention among nurses. Methods This cross-sectional survey recruited 1,742 nurses, and data on WPV experiences were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Work conditions, burnout risk scales, sleep quality, and leaving intentions were also evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of WPV with burnout risk, sleep quality, and leaving intentions, adjusting for demographic characteristics and work conditions. Results The study found that 66.7% of nurses reported experience of WPV, with 26.9% experiencing both physical and nonphysical forms. Those who experienced multiple types of WPV reported worse work conditions, higher burnout risk, poorer sleep quality, and a stronger leaving intention compared to those without such experiences. Adjusting for working conditions, logistic regression analysis showed that nurses who experienced multiple types of WPV had 2.12-fold higher odds of high personal burnout risk, 2.36-fold higher odds of high client-related burnout risk, 1.95-fold higher odds of poor sleep quality, and 1.80-fold higher odds of high leaving intention, compared to those without WPV experiences. Conclusions Strategies by hospital managers and policymakers to monitor and reduce workplace violence are vital for sustaining nurses' mental health, well-being, and preventing early attrition from the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]