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BackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) helps patients to obtain medical care meeting their values, goals and preferencesunder the circumstances of loss of decision-making ability. The surrogate decision maker (SDM) plays a key role as the main participantinvolved in the process of ACP. But there are no studies on the participation and role of SDMs in ACP process in China.ObjectiveTo investigate the participation in ACP of SDMs of patients with hematologic malignancies and its associated factors, providing a reference for the development of localized strategies for ACP implementation, and for the promotion of ACP in China.MethodsConvenient sampling was used to select the SDMs of 235 patients with hematologic malignancies recruited from Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences during October 2020 to March 2021. They were invited to compete a survey using the Chinese version of the 17-item Advance Care Planning Engagement Survey for Surrogate Decision Makers (C-ACP-SDM-17) , Chinese version of Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Family Member form (C-MUIS-FM) , Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) , and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) . The C-ACP-SDM-17 scores were compared by demographic factors of the SDMs. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation of C-ACP-SDM-17 score with C-MUIS-FM, SCSQ, and SSRS scores of SDMs. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors associated with the participation in ACP of SDMs.ResultsThe average total scores of the C-ACP-SDM-17, C-MUIS-FM, and SSRS of the SDMs were (52.23±13.57) , (66.43±12.54) and (40.33±6.78) , respectively. And the average scores of two subscales of SCSQ of the SDMs, active coping and passive coping, were (24.34±6.94) , and (9.87±4.25) , respectively. Male, having experience of involvement in end-of-life medical decision making, awareness of life-sustaining treatment, and knowing of ACP were associated with statistically higher C-ACP-SDM-17 score of SDMs (P

Aim: This study aimed to explore the level and influencing factors of fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted in 243 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from April 2016 to March 2017. The Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multi‐Dimensional Questionnaire, Arthritis Self‐Efficacy Scale‐8, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, physical function subscale of Short Form 36‐Item Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a self‐designed demographic and disease‐related information questionnaire were used to collect the data. Stepwise linear multiple regression was used to clarify the impact of statistically significant variables (P < 0.05) in the independent sample t test, one‐way ANOVA and correlation analysis on the level of fatigue. Results: Stepwise linear multiple regression analyses showed that disease activity, self‐efficacy, physical function, pain, depression, duration of morning stiffness and anxiety were major factors influencing fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which explained 59.5% of the total variance. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a moderate level of fatigue in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In clinical practice, nurses should explore individualized intervention programmes based on related predictors of fatigue to help patients relieve fatigue. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Fatigue is a common problem in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Little research has investigated what factors are associated with fatigue in patients with RA.Nurses need to understand the factors that potentially influence fatigue in patients with RA, in order to improve the quality of life. What this paper adds? Fatigue is moderate in Chinese patients with RA, which is lower than the results of western countries.Disease activity, self‐efficacy, physical function, pain, depression, duration of morning stiffness and anxiety are important factors affecting fatigue in patients with RA. The implications of this paper: Special attention should be paid to the RA patients with high level of fatigue.The findings of this study highlight the need to develop effective strategies to alleviate fatigue and eventually improve the quality of life in patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionThe primary goal for clinical healthcare professionals is to enhance the quality of life (QOL) of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to explore the correlation between social support, coping style, advance care planning (ACP) readiness, and QOL in patients with ALS. We also sought to analyze the mediating effect of coping style and ACP readiness between social support and QOL, and to provide insights for developing targeted interventions to improve patients’ QOL.A cross-sectional design was used, with participants recruited through convenience sampling in Tianjin, China. Statistical analysis included the t-test, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and mediating effect analysis.The study included 215 participants. The QOL of patients with ALS was at a medium level, with significant correlations between social support, coping style, ACP readiness, and QOL (all p < 0.01). The direct effect of social support on QOL was 0.403 (p = 0.018), accounting for 41.85% of the total effect. The total indirect effect of social support on QOL through coping style and ACP readiness was 0.560 (p < 0.001), accounting for 58.15% of the total effect. The chain mediating effect involving facing, avoiding, and ACP readiness accounted for 16.72%.Social support directly influenced QOL and had an indirect impact through coping style and ACP readiness. Healthcare professionals can improve the QOL of patients with ALS by enhancing social support, disease-coping ability, and ACP readiness in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that seriously affects patients' quality of life (QoL). Clinicians have used Kinesio Taping (KT) in the treatment of CNLBP patients, but evidence is still lacking on the benefits of KT for CNLBP., Objective: The study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the currently published randomized controlled trails (RCTs) to determine KT's efficacy for CNLBP patients., Design: The research team performed a literature search using five major electronic databases-PubMed, Embase, Web of science, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and OpenGrey-and included studies form inception to January 2018. The search used the keywords "kinesio tap*", "kinesio*", and "chronic low back pain (CLBP)" or "CNLBP"., Setting: The study took place in the 942 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army., Outcome Measures: The research team performed the meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software. The team selected studies that used pain intensity and disability as the primary outcome measures, and if the study used other outcomes, they had to be the secondary outcomes., Results: The systematic review included nine RCTs in the meta-analysis. KT can significantly reduce pain intensity between baseline and immediately postintervention (SMD = -0.47, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.02, P = .04) and between baseline and the short-term follow-up period (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.20, P = .03). However, no significant differences existed between KT's ability to relieve other symptoms of CNLBP-disability, trunk flexion range of motion (ROM), change in status, fear of movement, isometric endurance of the trunk muscles, or extension-when compared to either sham taping or KT as an adjunct to physical therapy., Conclusions: KT can have immediate and short-term positive effects on reducing pain intensity, but existing evidence doesn't support KT's superiority to other interventions in improving functions for individuals with CNLBP.

Hydatid disease caused by tapeworm is an increasing public health and socioeconomic concern. In order to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ) against tapeworm, PZQ-loaded hydrogenated castor oil solid lipid nanoparticle (PZQ-HCO-SLN) suspension was prepared by a hot homogenization and ultrasonication method. The stability of the suspension at 4°C and room temperature was evaluated by the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles and in-vitro release pattern of the suspension. Pharmacokinetics was studied after subcutaneous administration of the suspension in dogs. The therapeutic effect of the novel formulation was evaluated in dogs naturally infected with Echinococcus granulosus. The results showed that the drug recovery of the suspension was 97.59% ± 7.56%. Nanoparticle diameter, polydispersivity index, and zeta potential were 263.00 ± 11.15 nm, 0.34 ± 0.06, and -11.57 ± 1.12 mV, respectively and showed no significant changes after 4 months of storage at both 4°C and room temperature. The stored suspensions displayed similar in-vitro release patterns as that of the newly prepared one. SLNs increased the bioavailability of PZQ 5.67-fold and extended the mean residence time of the drug from 56.71 to 280.38 hours. Single subcutaneous administration of PZQ-HCO-SLN suspension obtained enhanced therapeutic efficacy against tapeworm in infected dogs. At the dose of 5 mg/kg, the stool-ova reduction and negative conversion rates and tapeworm removal rate of the suspension were 100%, while the native PZQ were 91.55%, 87.5%, and 66.7%. When the dose reduced to 0.5 mg/kg, the native drug showed no effect, but the suspension still got the same therapeutic efficacy as that of the 5 mg/kg native PZQ. These results demonstrate that the PZQ-HCO-SLN suspension is a promising formulation to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of PZQ.