3M Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film or topical corticosteroid (mometasone furoate) for protection against radiation dermatitis: A clinical trial

Background/PurposeEvidence on the prevention of radiation dermatitis is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film and topical corticosteroids on irradiated skin.MethodsThirty-nine postoperative breast cancer patients were randomized into three groups for intraindividual comparison (skin to be irradiated was divided into 2 parts): (1) 3M No Sting Barrier Film versus no treatment; (2) corticosteroid versus no treatment; and (3) corticosteroid versus 3M No Sting Barrier Film. The primary end points monitored were the time to first occurrence of grade 1 pruritus, pain score of 3 and grade 2 radiation dermatitis. The secondary end points studied were the incidence of grade 3 radiation dermatitis and total pain scores. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software version 10.ResultsSkin given the 3M barrier film experienced a later occurrence of pruritus compared to both corticosteroids and untreated, although this was statistically insignificant. Corticosteroids delayed the time to occurrence of grade 2 dermatitis compared to both untreated skin and 3M barrier film, (mean day of onset = corticosteroid: 52 vs. untreated: 43, p = 0.092; corticosteroid: 53.4 vs. 3M barrier film: 44.5, p = 0.002, t test). Skin given corticosteroids had the lowest incidence of grade 3 dermatitis among all three conditions, although the differences were statistically insignificant. No statistically significant differences were noted in total pain scores.ConclusionThe 3M barrier film may be helpful against dermatitis associated pruritus. Corticosteroids may delay the time of onset of severe skin reactions and also reduce the incidence of severe radiation dermatitis

Changes in quality of life among elderly patients with hip fracture in Taiwan

To examine the longitudinal change in health related quality of life (HRQoL) during 1 year following hospital discharge in elderly subjects, 110 hip fractured subjects (age, mean±SD: 79.3±7.4 years) were enrolled in a prospective study. Face-to-face interviews with the patients were conducted, using Short Form 36 (SF-36) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after they were discharged from the hospital. The GEE approach was employed to evaluate changes in the variables of interest among different time points. Subjects in this study appeared to have lower scores in most dimensions of SF-36, with physical function and role limitation being the lowest due to physical problems (mean±SD=10.97±16.19; 6.32±20.60) during the 1st month after hospital discharge, compared to community dwelling subjects (mean±SD=77.5±20.5; 63.8±45.30). Most of the dimensions of SF-36, except general health (6th month versus 3rd month=57.56±21.90 versus 61.75±23.46, P >0.05) improved significantly from the 1st month to the 3rd month (range of means of improved scores from 12.81 to 30.76, P <0.01). After the 3rd month after discharge, physical functions kept improving significantly until 6 months after hospital discharge (3rd month versus 6th month=25.18±23.66 versus 40.30±25.94, P <0.05). Role limitation due to physical problems reached a plateau between the 3rd and 6th month, and then again improved significantly during the 6th month and the 1st year after hospital discharge (6th month versus 1st year=17.69±31.78 versus 32.22±44.47, P <0.05). The rest of the dimensions of SF-36 remained stable from the 3rd month to 1 year after discharge. These results indicated that different aspects of SF-36 recovered differently for the hip fractured patients in Taiwan. Similar studies may be helpful for health-care providers in other countries with Chinese populations to develop specific intervention programs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45907/1/198_2003_Article_1533.pd

Albizia julibrissin Ameliorates Memory Loss Induced by Insomnia in Drosophila

In clinical practice in Taiwan, Albizia julibrissin is the most prescribed Chinese herbal medicine for insomnia. Short-term insomnia and hypnotic use both attenuate cognitive functions, especially learning memory. In previous studies, A. julibrissin exhibits sedative activity, antidepressant-like effects, and protection of learning and memory against amnesia. However, whether A. julibrissin ameliorates memory loss caused by short-term sleep deprivation is not clear. We utilized the sleep-deprived Drosophila model and olfactory associative learning-memory assay to test the effects of A. julibrissin on sleep-deprivation induced memory loss. We found that A. julibrissin ameliorated 3-hour memory but not 1-hour memory or instant learning. The findings might be applied to an anticipated short-term sleep disturbance

The Long-Term Care Experiences and Care Needs of Parents Caring for Children With Adrenoleukodystrophy

[[abstract]]背景：腎上腺腦白質退化症病童從發病至死亡過程，需要仰賴長期照顧，然現階段研究結果缺乏不同階段疾病歷程的照護經驗與需求之探討。目的：瞭解父母親照顧腎上腺腦白質退化症病童的長期照護經驗及需求。方法：採質性研究法，以立意取樣方式進行收案。運用半結構式深入訪談共訪7位父母親，以Colaizz法分析資料。結果：整體照護經驗可分為三階段：「發病初期到確立診斷期」、「生理功能快速惡化期」、「長期臥床到死亡期」，其長期照護經驗涵蓋5個主題：從混亂與無助到被迫接收、自責愧疚與擔憂、激發父母的韌性、把握當下面對未來、陪伴孩子無痛苦的走完人生。而照護需求則分別為三個主題：整合資源即時醫治、快速獲得訊息與支持，以及建立符合個人需求的長期照護。結論／實務應用：本文呈現腎上腺腦白質退化症病童父母親的長期照護經驗與需求。提供個別化的照顧與護理指導、電話諮詢，同時結合兒童罕見疾病個案管理師與兒童安寧共同照護團隊，適時給予居家安寧緩和療護，以協助父母親因應照護病童的需求。 Background: Children suffering from adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) requires life-long care. Little is known about the care needs of parents of ALD children at different stages of their disease. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the long-term care experiences and care needs of parents caring for their ALD children. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study with 7 in-depth interviews was conducted with parents. Results: The results of these care experiences were distinguished into three phases: ＂pathogenesis to diagnosis＂, ＂rapid deterioration of physiological functions＂, and ＂bedridden until the death＂. The long-term care experiences revealed five themes, including ＂chaos and helplessness to seek medical attention then being forced to accept＂, ＂self-accusation and guilt＂, ＂strengthening parents' toughness＂, ＂seizing the moment and facing the future＂, and ＂accompanying children through life without pain＂. Within the three phases, the care needs comprised the three themes of ＂integrating resources and providing immediate care＂, ＂obtaining information and support regarding ALD rapidly＂, and ＂establishing individualized long-term care＂. Conclusion/Implication for Practice: This study revealed the long-term care experiences and care needs of the parents of ALD children. Providing individualized care, nursing instruction, and telephone consultation as well as connecting case managers with the hospice-care team will help facilitate and meet the care needs of these parents

Excavatolide B Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis through the Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells of macrophage/monocyte lineage, and cell differentiation with the upregulation of osteoclast-related proteins is believed to play a major role in the destruction of the joints in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), can be overexpressed in RA and lead to osteoclastogenesis. In a previous study, we found that cultured-type soft coral-derived excavatolide B (Exc-B) exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we thus aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of Exc-B in in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that Exc-B inhibits LPS-induced multinucleated cell and actin ring formation, as well as TRAP, MMP-9, and cathepsin K expression. Additionally, Exc-B significantly attenuated the characteristics of RA in adjuvant (AIA) and type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. Moreover, Exc-B improved histopathological features, and reduced the number of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells in the in vivo AIA and CIA models. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Exc-B attenuated the protein expression of cathepsin K, MMP-2, MMP-9, CD11b, and NFATc1 in ankle tissues of AIA and CIA rats. Level of interleukin-17A and macrophage colony-stimulating factor were also decreased by Exc-B. These findings strongly suggest that Exc-B could be of potential use as a therapeutic agent by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation in arthritis. Moreover, this study also illustrates the use of the anti-inflammatory marine compound, Exc-B, as a potential therapeutic strategy for RA

Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in lung tissues of ferrets at 3 days post challenge (DPC) with wild-type influenza H7N9 viruses.

<p>Top panel is H&E staining with 100-fold magnification (100×), middle panel is IHC staining with 100×, and bottom panel is IHC staining with 400×. Tissue with brown color indicates viral antigen detected by a mouse anti-NP monoclonal antibody in IHC staining.</p