Promising results from the use of a korean drama to address knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on school bullying and mental health among Asian American college-aged students

The limited research on bullying, mental health (MH), and help-seeking for Asian American (ASA) college students is concerning due to the public health importance. Korean drama (K-Drama) television shows may be an innovative approach to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) on bullying. This study examined whether the KAB about school bullying improved after watching a K-Drama and asked participants about their perspectives of using a K-Drama as an intervention. A convenience sample of college students (n = 118) watched a K-Drama portraying school bullying and MH issues. Pre-/post-tests on KAB on bullying were conducted. Interviews (n = 16) were used to understand their experiences with K-Dramas. The mean age was 22.1 years (1.6 SD), 83.9% were female, and 77.1% were ASAs. Many reported experiences with anxiety (67.8%), depression (38.1%), and school bullying victim experience (40.8%). Post-test scores revealed significant differences in knowledge by most school bullying variables (e.g., victim; witness) and MH issues. There were varying significant findings in post-test scores in attitudes and behaviors by these variables. Participants reported that they “love” the drama, felt an emotional connection, and thought that K-Dramas can be an educational tool for ASAs. K-Dramas may be an effective population-level tool to improve health outcomes among ASAs

Efficacy and tolerability of trastuzumab emtansine in advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancer

© 2018, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press. All rights reserved. Introduction: The management of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer has changed dramatically with the introduction and widespread use of HER2-targeted therapies. There is, however, relatively limited real-world information about the effectiveness and safety of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in Hong Kong Chinese patients. We assessed the efficacy and toxicity profiles among local patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who had received T-DM1 therapy in the second-line setting and beyond. Methods: This retrospective study involved five local centres that provide service for over 80% of the breast cancer population in Hong Kong. The study period was from December 2013 to December 2015. Patients were included if they had recurrent or metastatic histologically confirmed HER2+ breast cancer who had progressed after at least one line of anti-HER2 therapy including trastuzumab. Patients were excluded if they received T-DM1 as first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. Patient charts including biochemical and haematological profiles were reviewed for background information, T-DM1 response, and toxicity data. Adverse events were documented during chemotherapy and 28 days after the last dose of medication. Results: Among 37 patients being included in this study, 28 (75.7%) had two or more lines of anti-HER2 agents and 26 (70.3%) had received two or more lines of palliative chemotherapy. Response assessment revealed that three (8.1%) patients had a complete response, eight (21.6%) a partial response, 11 (29.7%) a stable disease, and 12 (32.4%) a progressive disease; three patients could not be assessed. The median duration of response was 17.3 (95% confidence interval, 8.4-24.8) months. The clinical benefit rate (complete response + partial response + stable disease, ≥12 weeks) was 37.8% (95% confidence interval, 22.2%-53.5%). The median progression-free survival was 6.0 (95% confidence interval, 3.3-9.8) months and the median overall survival had not been reached by the data cut-off date. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities included thrombocytopaenia (13.5%), raised alanine transaminase (8.1%), anaemia (5.4%), and hypokalaemia (2.7%). No patient died as a result of toxicities. Conclusions: In patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer who have been heavily pretreated with anti-HER2 agents and cytotoxic chemotherapy, T-DM1 is well tolerated and provided a meaningful progression-free survival of 6 months and an overall survival that has not been reached. Further studies to identify appropriate patient subgroups are warranted.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Concepts of indirect calorimetry on metabolic disorders: a narrative review

Introdução: A calorimetria indireta continua sendo um padrão ouro na avaliação do gasto energético de repouso no campo clínico. Por meio de suas medições, é possível oferecer as necessidades energéticas de um paciente para maximizar os benefícios da terapia nutricional. No entanto, os conceitos e as bases metodológicas dos dados coletados podem ser dificultosos para serem interpretados pelos usuários na prática clínica. Objetivo: abordar os conceitos de gasto energético diário total e seus componentes, e, apresentar os aspectos metodológicos da calorimetria indireta que podem servir como guia no campo clínico. Método: Revisão bibliográfica narrativa, realizada pelas bases de dados eletrônicas Pubmed (US National Library of Medicine), SCOPUS e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). A pesquisa foi realizada no período entre 1905-2019, utilizando os seguintes identificadores em Descritores em Ciências da Saúde: Metabolismo Basal, Metabolismo Energético e Calorimetria Indireta. Foram selecionadas 55 pesquisas publicadas que apresentaram conteúdos relacionados aos objetivos deste estudo. Resultado: O gasto energético total diário (GETD) é composto por três componentes principais, tais como: atividade física (AF), efeito térmico dos alimentos (TEF) e taxa metabólica basal (TMB) e / ou gasto energético de repouso (GER). O GER é geralmente avaliado por calorimetria indireta, que também fornece informações sobre o coeficiente respiratório (CR) e oxidação de substratos, que pode variar de acordo com o metabolismo do paciente, como algum distúrbio metabólico, obesidade ou desnutrição. Portanto, o manejo adequado dos aspectos metodológicos da calorimetria indireta e sua posterior interpretação nos distúrbios metabólicos é fundamental para garantir a qualidade dos resultados. Conclusão: Os conceitos de gasto energético e as bases metodológicas da calorimetria indireta são relevantes para fornecer uma atenção individualizada aos pacientes com distúrbios metabólicos. As descrições desta revisão podem ser utilizadas como um guia prático, auxiliando a compreensão da aplicação correta da técnica de calorimetria indireta, em estudos relacionados ao gasto energético com ênfase nos distúrbios metabólicos.Introduction: Indirect calorimetry remains a gold standard in measuring resting energy expenditure in the clinical field. Through its measurements, it is possible to offers a patient’s energy needs to maximize nutritional therapy benefits. However, the concepts and methodological basis of collected data can be difficult to be interpreted by users in clinical practice. Objective: To address the concepts of total daily energy expenditure and its components and present the methodological aspects of indirect calorimetry that can guide the clinical field. Method: Narrative bibliographic review using the electronic Pubmed (US National Library of Medicine), SCOPUS, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) databases. The research was carried out in the period between 1905-2019, using the following identifiers in Health Sciences Descriptors: Basal Metabolism, Energy Metabolism and Indirect Calorimetry. We selected 55 researches published that presented contents related to the objectives of this study. Result: The total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is comprised of three main components, such as physical activity (PA), thermic effect of food (TEF) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) and/or resting energy expenditure (REE). The REE is generally evaluated by indirect calorimetry, which also provides information on the respiratory coefficient (RQ) or oxidation of substrates. Its result varies depending on the existence of some metabolic disorders such as obesity or malnutrition. Therefore, the proper management of the methodological aspects of indirect calorimetry and its subsequent interpretation in metabolic disorders is essential to guarantee the results’ quality. Conclusion: Energy expenditure concepts and the methodological basis of indirect calorimetry are relevant to providing individualized attention to patients with metabolic disorders. This review can be used as a practical guide, helping to understand the correct application of the indirect calorimetry technique in studies related to energy expenditure with an emphasis on metabolic disorders

The response of Agriotes obscurus click beetles to pheromone and its impact on the acquisition of a fungal pathogen

Wireworms, the larval stage of click beetles, are a pest of many root crops, and are a challenge to control due to their long, subterranean life style and tolerance to chemical insecticides. An alternative approach is to target the adults. Pheromones have primarily been used as aggregants in attract-and-kill pest management tactics. However, pheromones can also alter insect movement and social interactions in other ways. I investigated whether female sex pheromone can enhance the primary transmission of the fungal pathogen Metarhizium brunneum Petch in Agriotes obscurus L. click beetles. Using video tracking, I found sex pheromone increases beetle activity regardless of season, and different light and air movement conditions. Heightened activity resulted in 58% more male-to-male contacts in a small arena. Although beetles picked up significant numbers of spores from contact with conspecifics, and an environment contaminated by conspecifics, pheromone did not enhance the level of infection obtained through these pathways

Chinese American Women's Experiences with Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of postpartum depression (PPD) and mental health help-seeking behaviors among Chinese American women.Study design and methodsUsing a qualitative design, Chinese American women, who had given birth in the past year, participated in a semistructured interview (English or Mandarin). Depressive symptoms and mental health services questionnaires were also conducted.ResultsAll 15 participants were married and between 29 and 39 years of age. Content analysis revealed two main themes including culture-specific postpartum traditions and mental health help-seeking. Nine reported sadness or PPD symptoms, including three who scored above the cutoff of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS score ≥9) for risk of PPD and others who disclosed such information during the interview. Many women shared that they experienced postpartum depressive symptoms, but some did not believe depression was applicable to Chinese women.Clinical implicationsHealthcare professionals working with Chinese American women must be aware of culture-specific childbearing traditions to promote maternal-infant well-being outcomes

Promising Results from the Use of a Korean Drama to Address Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors on School Bullying and Mental Health among Asian American College-Aged Students

The limited research on bullying, mental health (MH), and help-seeking for Asian American (ASA) college students is concerning due to the public health importance. Korean drama (K-Drama) television shows may be an innovative approach to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) on bullying. This study examined whether the KAB about school bullying improved after watching a K-Drama and asked participants about their perspectives of using a K-Drama as an intervention. A convenience sample of college students (n = 118) watched a K-Drama portraying school bullying and MH issues. Pre-/post-tests on KAB on bullying were conducted. Interviews (n = 16) were used to understand their experiences with K-Dramas. The mean age was 22.1 years (1.6 SD), 83.9% were female, and 77.1% were ASAs. Many reported experiences with anxiety (67.8%), depression (38.1%), and school bullying victim experience (40.8%). Post-test scores revealed significant differences in knowledge by most school bullying variables (e.g., victim; witness) and MH issues. There were varying significant findings in post-test scores in attitudes and behaviors by these variables. Participants reported that they “love” the drama, felt an emotional connection, and thought that K-Dramas can be an educational tool for ASAs. K-Dramas may be an effective population-level tool to improve health outcomes among ASAs

Factors predicting patient satisfaction in women with advanced breast cancer: a prospective study

Abstract Background The present study (1) examined patient satisfaction with care over the first year following the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer and (2) tested if unmet health system and information needs, physical symptom distress, and psychological distress predicted patient satisfaction. Methods Prospective study of 213 Chinese women with advanced breast cancer assessed while awaiting or receiving initial chemotherapy (baseline), then again at 1.5-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-baseline. Health system and information unmet (HSI) needs, psychological distress, physical symptom distress, and patient satisfaction were assessed at baseline; patient satisfaction was reassessed at each follow-up assessment. Latent growth curve analysis assessed changes in patient satisfaction over the 12 months follow-up; hierarchical multiple regression analysis tested if baseline health system information needs, physical symptom distress, anxiety and depression predicted patient satisfaction at one-year post-baseline. Results The level of patient satisfaction was high and did not change significantly over time. Only HSI needs (β = − 0.27, p < 0.005) significantly associated with baseline patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction at one-year post-baseline was predicted by HSI needs (β = − 0.26, p < 0.005), Anxiety (β = 0.23, p < 0.05) and Depression (β = − 0.28, p < 0.005), adjusting for the effect of baseline patient satisfaction (β = 0.22, p < 0.005). Conclusions Unmet health information needs and greater depressive symptoms at initial treatment phased predicted subsequent poorer patient satisfaction. This highlights a need to reinforce the importance of patient-centered care model in managing advanced breast cancer

Prospective Randomized Phase II Study of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) vs. Conventional Fractionated Radiotherapy (CFRT) for Chinese Patients with Early-Stage Localized Prostate Cancer

Background: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has potential radiobiologic and economic advantages over conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) in localized prostate cancer (PC). This study aimed to compare the effects of these two distinct fractionations on patient-reported quality of life (PRQOL) and tolerability. Methods: In this prospective phase II study, patients with low- and intermediate-risk localized PC were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the SBRT (36.25 Gy/5 fractions/2 weeks) or CFRT (76 Gy/38 fractions/7.5 weeks) treatment groups. The primary endpoint of variation in PRQOL at 1 year was assessed by changes in the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire scores and analysed by z-tests and t-tests. Results: Sixty-four eligible Chinese men were treated (SBRT, n = 31; CFRT, n = 33) with a median follow-up of 2.3 years. At 1 year, 40.0%/46.9% of SBRT/CFRT patients had a &gt;5-point decrease in bowel score (p = 0.08/0.28), respectively, and 53.3%/46.9% had a &gt;2-point decrease in urinary score (p = 0.21/0.07). There were no significant differences in EPIC score changes between the arms at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, but SBRT was associated with significantly fewer grade &ge; 1 acute and 1-year late gastrointestinal toxicities (acute: 35% vs. 87%, p &lt; 0.0001; 1-year late: 64% vs. 84%, p = 0.03), and grade &ge; 2 acute genitourinary toxicities (3% vs. 24%, p = 0.04) compared with CFRT. Conclusion: SBRT offered similar PRQOL and less toxicity compared with CFRT in Chinese men with localized PC

Cortisol enhances structural maturation of the hypoplastic fetal lung in sheep

Although exogenous corticosteroids advance structural maturation of the fetal lung, they can adversely affect fetal lung and body growth. Our aim was to determine whether cortisol, at physiological doses, can enhance structural maturation of the hypoplastic fetal lung without affecting fetal lung growth. Fetal sheep were divided into four groups (n = 5 for each) and lung hypoplasia (LH) was induced in two groups. Increasing doses of cortisol (1.5–4.0 mg) were infused into one group of fetuses with LH and one group without LH; the other two groups received saline. LH retarded structural development, reduced tropoelastin mRNA levels, reduced hydroxyproline and elastin contents, and increased active matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels in the fetal lung. Cortisol infusions had no effect on fetal lung growth or body weights. In fetuses with LH, cortisol increased the percentage airspace, reduced the interalveolar wall thickness, increased alveolar number and reduced the increase in active MMP-2 levels. Thus, relatively low doses of cortisol can enhance structural maturation of the fetal lung without adversely affecting fetal lung growth. However, cortisol did not correct the abnormal deposition of elastin within the alveolar parenchyma associated with LH, indicating that secondary septal crest formation remained abnormal

Profiles of lipids, blood pressure and weight changes among premenopausal Chinese breast cancer patients after adjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract Background Adjuvant chemotherapy improves outcome of patients with early breast cancer. However, chemotherapy may be associated with long term toxicities. In this retrospective cohort study, the objectives were to determine body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and fasting lipids levels of young premenopausal Chinese breast cancer patients after adjuvant chemotherapy. Potential factors associated with these parameters were identified. Methods Eligibility criteria include premenopausal Chinese patients who were diagnosed to have stage I-III breast cancer within 3–10 years, age 2%; 52.1% were overweight/obese; 30.7% had hypertension. Abnormal total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol occurred in 34.3% and 56.1% respectively. On multivariate analyses, older age was associated with reduced risk while occurrence of CRA and having received taxane-containing regimens were associated with increased risk of weight gain. Oestrogen-receptor positivity was associated with reduced risk while overweight/obese statuses were associated with increased risk of hypertension. Use of tamoxifen was associated with reduced risk of abnormal LDL-cholesterol. Weight gain, overweight/obese, older age, progression to post/peri-menopausal status at study entry, having received corticosteroid premedication before adjuvant chemotherapy and having received taxane-containing adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with increased risk of dyslipidaemias. Conclusion Among young premenopausal Chinese breast cancer patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy, the current study has revealed that although there was only a median weight gain of 1.8 kg, there was a nearly 60% increase in abnormal BMI. Further, a significant proportion of patients were detected to have hypertension and dyslipidaemias. Interventional studies with lifestyle modifications are warranted