Impact of Cognitive Function and Cancer Coping on Quality of Life among Women with Post-chemotherapy Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify effects of cognitive function and cancer coping on quality of life among women with breast cancer treated with antineoplastic agents. METHODS: The study was correlational research and participants were 145 women with breast cancer who had received antineoplastic agents. Data were collected from October to November, 2015 via online replies. Cognitive function was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function Version-3 (FACT-Cog), cancer coping, with the Korean Cancer Coping Questionnaire (K-CCQ), and quality of life with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Version-4 (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, ANCOVA, Bonferroni test, partial correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS 21. RESULTS: Cognitive functions, total individual coping, and interpersonal coping explained 42% of quality of life. Cognitive function (β=.35, p<.001) was the best predictor of quality of life, followed by total individual coping (β=.34, p<.001), and interpersonal coping (β=.26, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Results indicate that cognitive function and cancer coping are meaningful factors for quality of life among breast cancer survivors. Therefore when developing intervention programs for these women, content on cognitive function and coping skills as well as coping resources should be included

Binding Mode Identification for 7-keto-8-Aminopelargonic Acid Synthase (AtKAPAS) Inhibitors

In this study, we determined the 3D structure of Arabidopsis thaliana KAPAS by homology modeling. We then investigated the binding mode of compounds obtained from the in-house library using computational docking methods. From the flexible docking study, we achieved high dock scores for the active compounds denoted in this study as compound 3 and compound 4. Thus, we highlight the flexibility of specific residues, Lys 312 and Phe 172, when used in active sites

Comparison of professionalism and job satisfaction between Korean midwives in birthing centers and midwives in hospitals

Purpose Midwives working in hospitals (MWH) have limited roles in managing and assisting births independently. To find ways to successfully integrate midwifery into care systems, exploring midwives’ work-related perceptions might be the first step. The purpose of this study was to compare professionalism and job satisfaction between Korean midwives working in birthing centers (MWBC) and MWH. Methods A descriptive comparative design was used, querying 19 MWBC and 53 MWH in Korea. Data were accrued from October to November 2017 using the Professionalism Inventory Scale and the Job Satisfaction Scale. Results Age, marital status, monthly income, length of career as a midwife, and length of career in the current workplace were significantly different between MWBC and MWH. The level of professionalism among MWBC showed significant differences by position at the birthing center (t=16.19, p=.001). Professionalism and job satisfaction among MWH showed significant differences depending on perceived professional performance (F=9.95, p<.001 and F=11.04, p<.001, respectively). Levels of professionalism and job satisfaction were higher for MWBC than for MWH. Conclusion Educational programs designed to enhance professionalism and expand the role of MWH are suggested. Also, policy changes that clearly define job roles and improvement of the legal system is required, so MWH in Korea can effectively perform their midwifery work and be properly reimbursed

Effects of LGBT Nursing Education Using Simulation

PURPOSE: As health care needs for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) are becoming increasingly important, it has become imperative for the nurses to be attentive towards their health problems and provide nursing care with an open-minded attitude. Due to limited opportunity to provide direct nursing care to LGBT patients, it is hypothesized that simulation would provide good opportunity for students to experience LGBT nursing care in a safe environment. This study was conducted to develop and apply simulation of LGBT nursing care to ultimately provide unbiased nursing care for LGBT population and prepare basic data for LGBT nursing education. METHODS: This study was a single-group pre-post experimental design study for 57 senior nursing students based on the comparison of existing LGBT knowledge, general attitude towards LGBT, and nursing attitude towards LGBT before and after simulation. The scenario content included discussion of coming out issue, providing sexual health information, and supportive nursing care for LGBT population. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed rank. RESULTS: Simulation education-led to a significant increase in LGBT knowledge and nursing attitude. However, there was no change in the general attitude towards LGBT. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that LGBT education using simulation may be effective for nursing students and nurses from the point of concern for LGBT population. It is hypothesized that future LGBT educational programs might need more detailed information from both care recipients and nurses. Finally, LGBT education needs to be included in the nursing education curriculum

Factors influencing pregnancy stress in pregnant women in Korea: a cross-sectional study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between maternal knowledge and social support on pregnancy stress among pregnant women in Korea. Methods The participants in this study were 148 pregnant women in Korea, recruited from online communities on pregnancy and/or childbirth, from June 2019 to April 2020. The collected data were analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Results Participants were at average 18.25±8.28 weeks gestation, 56% were in the second trimester, 31% had one or more health issues in the current pregnancy (e.g., hyperemesis gravidarum), and 76% were first-time mothers. Participants had moderate levels of pregnancy stress (mean, 23.09±7.11 points out of 48) and maternal knowledge (mean, 14.42±4.67 points out of 21), whereas social support was somewhat high (mean 45.88±7.81 points out of 60). Pregnancy stress was weakly negatively correlated with social support (r=–.37, p<.001). Main source of pregnancy information (β=–.21, p=.011), marital satisfaction (β=–.18, p=.036), and social support (β=–.19, p=.038) were identified as significant factors affecting pregnancy stress, and these variables had an explanatory power of 22.7% for pregnancy stress. Conclusion Based on these findings, nurses should assess pregnancy-related stress during pregnancy and consider main source of pregnancy information and marital satisfaction when providing education or counseling. Moreover, strategies to reduce pregnancy stress through social support are needed to improve the quality of life for pregnant women

Portulaca oleracea Ameliorates Diabetic Vascular Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in db/db Mice

Type 2 diabetes is associated with significantly accelerated rates of micro- and macrovascular complications such as diabetic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. (AP), an edible plant used as a folk medicine, on diabetic vascular complications. The db/db mice were treated with AP (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 10 weeks, and AP treatment markedly lowered blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, plasma level of LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, AP significantly increased plasma level of HDL-cholesterol and insulin level. The impairment of ACh- and SNP-induced vascular relaxation of aortic rings were ameliorated by AP treatment in diabetic db/db mice. This study also showed that overexpression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, MMP-2, and ET-1 were observed in aortic tissues of untreated db/db mice, which were significantly suppressed by treatment with AP. We also found that the insulin immunoreactivity of the pancreatic islets remarkably increased in AP treated db/db mice compared with untreated db/db mice. Taken together, AP suppresses hyperglycemia and diabetic vascular inflammation, and prevents the development of diabetic endothelial dysfunction for the development of diabetes and its vascular complications

Metal work-function-dependent barrier height of Ni contacts with metal-embedded nanoparticles to 4H-SiC

Metal, typically gold [Au], nanoparticles [NPs] embedded in a capping metal contact layer onto silicon carbide [SiC] are considered to have practical applications in changing the barrier height of the original contacts. Here, we demonstrate the use of silver [Ag] NPs to effectively lower the barrier height of the electrical contacts to 4H-SiC. It has been shown that the barrier height of the fabricated SiC diode structures (Ni with embedded Ag-NPs) has significantly reduced by 0.11 eV and 0.18 eV with respect to the samples with Au-NPs and the reference samples, respectively. The experimental results have also been compared with both an analytic model based on Tung's theory and physics-based two-dimensional numerical simulations

Technology-based self-management interventions for women with breast cancer: a systematic review

Purpose Since technology-based interventions can facilitate convenient access to healthcare for women with breast cancer, it is crucial to understand innovative approaches to maintaining the effectiveness of these interventions. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of technology-based self-management interventions for women with breast cancer in six countries. We analyzed the characteristics of these interventions and examined their diverse health outcomes. Methods Six databases were systematically searched to extract research articles using the keywords “breast cancer,” “technology,” and “self-management.” The search was carried out up until June 12, 2023. From the 1,288 studies retrieved from the database search, 10 eligible papers were identified based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two authors independently extracted and compared the data from these articles, resolving any discrepancies through discussion. Results Most of the 10 studies utilized web- or mobile-based technology, and one used artificial intelligence-based technology. Among the 12 health-related outcome variables, quality of life and symptom distress were the most frequently mentioned, appearing in six articles. Furthermore, an analysis of the intervention programs revealed a variety of common constructs and the involvement of managers in the self-management intervention. Conclusion Incorporating key components such as self-management planning, diary keeping, and communication support in technology-based interventions could significantly improve the self-management process for breast cancer survivors. The practical application of technology has the potential to empower women diagnosed with breast cancer and improve their overall quality of life, by providing timely and sustainable interventions, and by leveraging available resources and tools