Digitally Immigrant Social Work Faculty: Technology Self-Efficacy and Practice Outcomes

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of a model for technology integration in social work education to meet the needs of graduate social workers in the field. Extant research has focused on the efficacy of online or blended learning, but not on social work educators\u27 technology literacy. The purpose of this study was to explore social work educators\u27 self efficacy related to technology use in curriculum and pedagogy. Digitally immigrant educators, defined as those over the age of 35, were studied since this group struggles in adjustment to technology, commonly used by younger students. The conceptual framework synthesized von Bertalanffy\u27s general systems theory and Bandura\u27s self-efficacy construct to understand the relationship between social work educators and technology. In this concurrent mixed methods and grounded theory study, participants (n = 396) provided quantitative responses about self-efficacy to the Computer Technology Integration Survey and answered additional questions about technology integration in the classroom. Findings from the correlational analysis revealed a model that connects positive self-efficacy to the number of digital tools used in the classroom, technology integration in pedagogy and curriculum, and teaching the concept of a \u27digital divide.\u27 Qualitative data from open-ended questions (n = 260) and 4 individual interviews were analyzed by thematic content analysis. Findings included issues that inhibit technology integration: personal motivation, time, and lack of institutional support. This study may contribute to positive social change by proposing a technology integration model for social work educators to use as an innovative strategy for preparing future professionals in the practice of social work

A qualitative study exploring the experiences and perspectives of patients with cancer attending a 12-week exercise program

Purpose: Physical activity is associated with a reduction in mortality and recurrence risks in patients with cancer. Despite the well-recognized benefits of exercise, patients’ adherence to an exercise program remains a challenge. The present study aimed to assess the experiences of patients with cancer participating in a 12-week exercise program. Methods: A total of 21 survivors participated in focus group discussions after the conclusion of the exercise intervention. Semi-structured interview questions were developed according to the theory of the Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and categorized into perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Results: Patients described a series of benefits achieved during the exercise program, from physical to psychological domains. Treatment-related side effects and logistic factors, including distance from the gym facility, were the most commonly reported barriers to adherence. Concerning cues to action, expected benefits from exercise were the most important reason to participate, while a patient-center program, supervised by skilled experts, highly stimulated patients to complete the program. Conclusion: Overall, patients with cancer reported a positive experience participating in a supervised exercise program. A variety of factors influencing participation and adherence were individuated. This study may help design and develop effective and sustainable programs addressing individuals’ needs

Co-infecção HIV/tuberculose: necessidade de uma vigilância mais efetiva

O agravamento da endemia tuberculosa tem induzido à reformulação dos programas antituberculose em inúmeros países. Entre as causas deste recrudescimento estão a imigração, a pobreza, a diminuição de recursos para os programas de controle e a associação HIV/Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Inúmeros estudos demonstram que um indivíduo infectado pelo HIV tem risco de adoecimento muito maior que a população geral mas, a despeito desta evidência, a busca sistemática por soropositivos entre os tuberculosos não é realizada. Discute-se a realização de teste anti-HIV rotineiramente por ocasião do diagnóstico de tuberculose, desde que mantido o sigilo da informação, com vistas a incrementar a descoberta de casos e fornecer maior subsídio à vigilância da co-infecção.The increasing endemicity of tuberculosis resulting from causes such as immigration, poverty, a declining public health infrastructure and co-infection by HIV/Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is leading to a change in tuberculosis control programmes. One of the main reasons for the resurgence of tuberculosis is HIV infection - the risk of tuberculosis is greater in HIV patients than in the majority of the population as can be seen from numerous research projects. The need for systematic testing for HIV infection in all tuberculosis patients by undertaking confidential HIV tests on admission to a tuberculosis programme is brought out. This measure would increase the number of cases diagnosed and provide data for better surveillance of the co-infection

Body composition as a modulator of response to immunotherapy in lung cancer: time to deal with it

[no abstract available

Monitoring anti-tuberculosis activities: graphic charts based on standard deviation units and ranking chart based on summary index

A monitorização de 30 indicadores epidemiológico-operacionais do programa antituberculose, executado por Unidades de Saúde, é uma tarefa complexa, quando realizada em função de normas técnicas. Os AA apresentam metodologia em uso no Japão, modificada e adaptada à realidade de São Paulo, onde foi testada em 62 unidades de Saúde que, em 1993, atenderam e notificaram 5.622 doentes acompanhados durante 14 meses. O método pressupõe, para cada indicador, distribuição gaussiana dos valores originais ou transformados matematicamente. O desempenho das Unidades em cada indicador foi comparado com a Média do conjunto, usando-se como medida a Unidade Desvio Padrão. Em 65% dos indicadores, não houve necessidade de reexpressão dos resultados e só um deles resistiu a todas as transformações tentadas. Definiu-se medida-síntese para a elaboração de Tabela de Classificação dividida em quatro setores pelos três quartis da distribuição. O desempenho do conjunto ficou aquém do esperado (a mediana foi negativa). Analisadas algumas Cartas Gráficas, a título de demonstração, foram identificadas atividades prioritárias para supervisão. A metodologia e suas modificações, bem como os resultados, foram discutidos, concluindo-se pela sua aplicabilidade. Conjugada à avaliação tradicional poderá ser de grande valia, inclusive para acompanhar a evolução do conjunto.Tuberculosis activities monitoring can be a difficult task when dealing with a list of 30 indices to be compared with norms. A new methodology of analysis based on the Evaluation Charts used in Japan, modified and adapted, was experimented in 62 Health Centres of the metropolitan area of São Paulo - Brazil. These Centres have notified 5.622 cases throughout 1993, whose data were monitored for 14 months. The methodology assumes a normal distribution of the indices in original value or some mathematical function on them. For each index the deviation from the mean of the whole was expressed by using the standard deviation as a single scale for all the items of the set used for construction of a Grafic Chart for every Health Centre. Reexpression of data was not necessary in about 65% of the indices. A summary index calculated for each one of the Health Centres was used for ranking them from top to bottom of the group (ranking chart). The group’s perfomance was less than predicted with a negative median value. A detailed analysis of 5 Grafic Charts was done having in mind to demonstrate the interpretation of the results. Conclusions: The experimental methodology is a feasible one; it could be a valuable tool regarding the supervision of Health Institutions engaged in the tuberculosis control programme

Exploring the role of respiratory microbiome in lung cancer: A systematic review

Giving the potential contribute in cancer initiation and progression, lung microbiota represents a promising topic in cancer research, although still unexplored. We performed a systematic literature search to identify clinical studies evaluating lung microbiota composition, its correlation with lung cancer patients’ clinico-pathological features and prognosis. Of the identified 370 studies, 21 were eligible and included. Although studies were heterogeneous, lung cancer resulted to be enriched in peculiar microbial communities, with differences in composition and diversity according to clinico-pathological parameters. Few studies explored how lung microbiota influences cancer outcome. In light of these findings and borrowing the suggestions coming from gut microbiota, we speculate that respiratory microbiome may influence pathogenesis, progression and outcome of lung cancer. Taking advantage of the experience of chronical lung diseases, prospective studies should be designed to evaluate lung microbiota changes throughout any phase of lung cancer course, particularly with the advent of immunotherapy as pivotal treatment

Lipoxin A4 and interleukin-8 levels in cystic fibrosis sputum after antibiotherapy

AbstractAntibiotics are largely prescribed for cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory exacerbations. Effects of antibiotics on the inflammatory profile of the patients have been shown but remain controversial. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is a lipid mediator, reported to play a central role in resolving airway inflammation. The aim of the study was to investigate the consequences of antibiotherapy on LXA4 and IL-8 levels in CF patients' airways.MethodsEighteen CF patients (7 females, median age 20, range 8 to 47 years) consecutively admitted at the CF center of Montpellier for antibiotics during pulmonary exacerbation, were enrolled. Before and after antibiotics, all patients underwent spirometry (FEV1 and FVC), bacterial cultures and cell counts in sputa. IL-8 and LXA4 concentrations were determined in sputum samples by the median of immunometric assays.ResultsAs previously reported, after antibiotics therapy, FEV1 and FVC significantly improved. While neutrophil cell counts and IL-8 levels decreased, the LXA4 levels significantly increased after antibiotics therapy and were inversely correlated with IL-8 levels.In conclusion, we reported a correlation between antibiotics treatments and inflammatory markers in CF sputum. Our data provide evidences for a novel effect of antibiotics increasing the concentration of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator LXA4