p53 protein expression and risk factors in breast cancer – a retrospective study / Rashidah Shahruddin

Numerous studies showed that overexpression of p53 protein may be involved in a variety of human malignancies including breast cancer. In breast cancer patients, a mutated p53 gene that encodes the p53 protein is associated with a higher risk of carcinogenesis and this study examine the potential role of p53 status in breast cancer tissues, specifically its association to established risk factors race, age, age at menarche, hormonal factors and cancer grade. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique was used to detect overexpression characteristics of p53 protein and the immunohistochemical results were compared with established risk factors. Analysis conducted on 111 breast tissues showed 40% (44/111) positive p53 (+) protein and 60% (67/111) nonexpression p53 (-) respectively. Malay occupied nearly half the number of respondents for overexpressed and nonexpression of p53 (+,-) protein (n=53, 48%) followed by Chinese (n=30, 27%) and Indian (n=28, 25%) with no significant difference (p> 0.05). Overexpression of p53 (+) protein occurred in 37% (41/111) of the premenopausal age group above 40 years old and 3% (3/111) in the age group less than 40 years old (p> 0.05). The probability of p53 (+) protein being overexpressed in the age group less than 40 years old is 0.66 RR 0.665(CI :0.246- 1.796) times less likely compared to age group above 41 years old

Impact of open distance learning professionalism & empowerment courses on clinical nurse practice

Clinical nurse professionalism includes empowerment which is associated with increased nurse satisfaction and improved patient outcomes, both being elements of a healthy work environment. This study aims to compare the academic results of learners in open distance learning (ODL) professionalism course with the purported display of professional behaviour in clinical practice. In addition to demographic data, the survey included in quantifying information on nurses discerning qualities in displaying professionalism and empowerment in their daily nursing practice from their superiors and compared with the learner's academic results upon completion of the course. Data analysis using descriptive statistics involving 73 respondents (63%) from nurse supervisors who rated their nurses. Nurses moral principle is rated highest on acting honestly (65.8%), followed by acting justly (58.9%). On personal integrity, nurses can look after their own wellbeing (56.2%) and act under pressure (58.9%). Their expertise skills showed ability in working and acting independently and being autonomous (50.7%). Their power of making decisions is 52.1% in the clinical area. Nurses who are future-oriented can promote new ideas at the workplace (52.1%), and their sociability level is 50.7% in solving problems responsibly. The above professionalism and empowerment qualities showed a positive trend and relevancy with their academic performance. In conclusion, this study professed to show academic performance of nurses from the course is internalised and visible in their professional behaviour in the clinical area