Psychiatric understanding and treatment of patients with amputations

Amputation changes the lives of patients and their families. Consequently, the patient must adapt to altered body function and image. During this adaptation process, psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, can occur. The psychological difficulties of patients with amputation are often accepted as normal responses that are often poorly recognized by patients, family members, and their primary physicians. Psychological problems can interfere with rehabilitation and cause additional psychosocial problems. Therefore, their early detection and treatment are important. A multidisciplinary team approach, including mental health professionals, is ideal for comprehensive and biopsychosocial management. Mental health professionals could help patients set realistic goals and use adaptive coping styles. Psychiatric approaches should consider the physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and spiritual functions and social support systems before and after amputation. The abilities and limitations of physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functions should also be considered. To improve the patient’s adaptation, psychological interventions such as short-term psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, and group psychotherapy can be helpful

A Concept Analysis of Cultural Nursing Competence

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of cultural nursing competence. METHODS: Cultural nursing competence was analyzed using Rodgers' evolutionary concept development method. A literature search using the keywords "cultural nursing competence", "intercultural nursing competence", "cultural nursing", "cultural health nursing", and "cultural competence" was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and RISS on material published before 2015. Database and bibliographic searches yielded 35 records. RESULTS: Cultural nursing competence comprised cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains. The critical attributes of the concept were sensitivity, equality, and activity. The analysis identified the following dimensions: awareness, openness, and coherence. The consequences of cultural nursing competence were personal satisfaction and social justice. The definition contained competence on both an individual and social level. CONCLUSION: Cultural competency enhances quality of care by narrowing health disparities and increasing client satisfaction. The concept analysis of cultural nursing competence may offer an acceptable framework which can be used to develop psychometric tools of this concept and provide guidelines in nursing practice

Discovery and Genetic Characterization of Novel Paramyxoviruses Related to the Genus Henipavirus in Crocidura Species in the Republic of Korea

Paramyxoviruses, negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, pose a critical threat to human public health. Currently, 78 species, 17 genera, and 4 subfamilies of paramyxoviruses are harbored by multiple natural reservoirs, including rodents, bats, birds, reptiles, and fish. Henipaviruses are critical zoonotic pathogens that cause severe acute respiratory distress and neurological diseases in humans. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 115 Crocidura species individuals were examined for the prevalence of paramyxovirus infections. Paramyxovirus RNA was observed in 26 (22.6%) shrews collected at five trapping sites, Republic of Korea. Herein, we report two genetically distinct novel paramyxoviruses (genus: Henipavirus): Gamak virus (GAKV) and Daeryong virus (DARV) isolated from C. lasiura and C. shantungensis, respectively. Two GAKVs and one DARV were nearly completely sequenced using next-generation sequencing. GAKV and DARV contain six genes (30 -N-P-M-F-G-L-50 ) with genome sizes of 18,460 nucleotides and 19,471 nucleotides, respectively. The phylogenetic inference demonstrated that GAKV and DARV form independent genetic lineages of Henipavirus in Crocidura species. GAKV-infected human lung epithelial cells elicited the induction of type I/III interferons, interferon-stimulated genes, and proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, this study contributes further understandings of the molecular prevalence, genetic characteristics and diversity, and zoonotic potential of novel paramyxoviruses in shrews

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Protective Effects of Silibinin on Helicobacter pylori-induced Gastritis: NF-kappa B and STAT3 as Potential Targets

More than half of the world's populations are considered to be infected by Helicobacter pylori. It causes a chronic inflammation of the stomach, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer and cancer. Silibinin, a polyphenolic flavonoid derived from milk thistle, has been known for its hepatoprotective effects, and recent studies have revealed its chemopreventive potential. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of silibinin in human gastric cancer MKN-1 cells and in the stomach of C57BL/6 mice infected by H. pylori. Pretreatment with silibinin attenuated the up-regulation of COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in H. pylori-infected MKN-1 cells and mouse stomach. In addition, the elevated translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappa B and STAT3 induced by H. pylori infection were inhibited by silibinin treatment. Moreover, H. pylori infection in combination with high salt diet resulted in dysplasia and hyperplasia in mouse stomach, and these pathological manifestations were substantially mitigated by silibinin administration. Taken together, these findings suggest that silibinin exerts anti-inflammatory effects against H. pylori infection through suppression of NF-kappa B and STAT3 and subsequently, expression of COX-2 and iNOS.

Heat Treatment Improves UV Photoprotective Effects of Licorice in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

External stimulation of the skin by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces oxidative stress or inflammation, causing skin aging and skin cancer. Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) has been used as a medicinal plant for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and hepatoprotective properties. The present study analyzed the effects of thermal processing on the bioactivities of licorice. Heat-treated licorice (HL) extracts had better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than non-treated licorice (NL) extract. HL extracts also had higher total phenol contents than NL extract. In particular, contents of isoliquiritigenin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance of licorice, increased in proportion to the skin-protection effects of HL extracts. Heat treatment increased the contents of phenolic compounds such as isoliquiritigenin in licorice extract, which improved the UV photoprotective effect of licorice in human dermal fibroblasts