Mindfulness-based intervention for nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The review aimed to synthesize and evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on different outcomes because there are few studies that translate knowledge on mindfulness practice for staff nurses

Implementing Distress Screening and Hospital Management of Oncology Patients with Distress

Of the nearly 2 million new cancer cases projected to occur in the United States in 2022, up to 65% of patients may be hospitalized in the first year of their diagnosis. Hospitalized oncology patients have been documented to experience psychological distress during their hospitalization related to physical and emotional challenges related to their disease. In ***, a tertiary hospital located in ***, Oregon, hospitalized cancer patients with hematologic malignancies and aggressive or advanced solid cancers have verbalized distress, including depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation, and fatigue during prolonged hospital stays. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), distress in cancer patients is exceedingly common. It is associated with significant reductions in a patient\u27s emotional and physical well-being, decreased quality of life, longer hospital length of stays, higher likelihood of hospital readmissions, and increased healthcare costs. Evidence-based oncology literature suggests that multidisciplinary palliative interventions that emphasize patient education and mental, physical, and psychological strategies effectively combat patient distress in the hospital. Observational and translational studies suggest that nurses who are educated in identifying patient distress contribute to better referral rates to psychosocial oncology services and play critical roles in patient decision-making and intervention implementation. Furthermore, ***’s Distress Management Policy and national cancer associations specify that all new cancer patients have access to psychosocial distress screening at their first new patient visit, which may occur in the inpatient setting for the population specified above. This scholarly project aimed to assess *** inpatient oncology nurses\u27 knowledge regarding distress in the oncology population and to design an educational intervention that supports nurses\u27 ability to identify distress, improve distress screening, and intervene in the hospital setting. This project integrated the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) distress thermometer into inpatient patient care areas and presented the opportunity to screen for distress during the patient’s initial hospital stay. Furthermore, this project utilized institution- approved strategies and educational resources to address multiple facets of what contributes to patients’ distress. Finally, this project assessed the impact of the offered distress education on oncology nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding distress. The topics and resources covered in the distress education included the definition of oncological distress, the rationale for distress screening, the national guidelines for distress screening and management, the distress screening policy of ***, the NCCN distress thermometer and problem list, a compendium of printed and electronic cancer, and distress related outpatient resources, and nursing interventions to address patients in distress. One hour of continuing nursing education was offered for completing this education. At the completion of this scholarly project, oncology nurses reported increased efficacy in identifying distress, increased intention in using the NCCN distress thermometer and discussing distress with their patients, and increased confidence in discussing distress and distress-related interventions. During the five-month implementation period of this project, there was a notable increase in distress screening during the patient\u27s hospitalization and increased referral rates to outpatient oncology social workers before hospital discharge

Craniosynostosis: a radiographic review

Craniosynostosis is a common pediatric condition defined by the premature fusion of cranial sutures and is known to cause visually distinct cranial abnormalities. Because imaging (particularly CT with 3D reconstruction) is integral to the accurate diagnosis of craniosynostosis, this study aims to outline the radiographic presentation of this condition and better characterize the impact of craniosynostosis within the local population

Exploring the connection between tightness-looseness, sexual health, and well-being: A mixed-methods approach

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis thesis is an exploration of the multifaceted realm of sexual attitudes, sexual health, and sex education, with a central focus on their relationship with mindset (tightness-looseness). Across four studies, we delve into the attitudes and intentions toward infidelity (chapter 2), perceived psychological benefits of comprehensive sex education (chapter 3), exploration of tightness-looseness and sexual health-related policies within a ‘loose’ nation (chapter 4), and examination of outcomes associated with tightness-looseness within a gamified sexual health training program (chapter 5). Our results suggest that discernible patterns emerge within a framework of tightness-looseness concerning sexual health outcomes, both when considered as a regional factor and as an individual difference factor. Specifically, on the regional level, ‘looser’ states tended to implement policies that ensured inclusive approaches to sex education and were more likely to have legislation protecting access to contraceptive care (i.e., abortion), compared to tighter states. On the individual level, people with a looser mindset tended to express more positive attitudes and greater intentions toward infidelity, compared to tighter mindsets. Likewise, looser mindsets tended to score lower on sexual-related guilt and higher on sexual-related comfort in comparison to tighter mindsets. Notably, individuals with a tighter mindset showcased greater confidence in sexual self-efficacy. Our findings indicate that the tightness-looseness framework plays a significant role in shaping patterns related to sexual attitudes and experiences, as well as outcomes related to sexual health. In addition to mindset, our participants emphasized that comprehensive sex education brings a range of positive mental health and well-being benefits. This includes contributing to the normalization and destigmatization of sexual experiences and gender-expansive identities, fostering increased feelings of psychological safety, awareness, and informed decision-making. Taken together, this thesis contributes to the growing body of literature exploring the complex intersections of mindset, sexual attitudes, and health outcomes. Specifically, we investigate sexual attitudes and intentions toward infidelity, the psychological benefits of sex education, regional trends in sexual health-related policies, and individual-level outcomes when engaging in a sexual health training program. Furthermore, and to our knowledge, this thesis is the first of its kind to evaluate the use of the tightness-looseness framework as an explanatory model for sexual behaviors, experiences, attitudes, and policies. Implications, contributions, and advancements to the field of sexual health are discussed, as well as directions for future researchers

VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES OF FILIPINO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (SHS) LEARNERS: AN EXPLORATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS

Vocabulary learning strategies vary across context and cultural background. This paper examines and explores the  structure of vocabulary learning strategies of senior high school students in the Philippine where English is considered as a second language. A total of 341 senior high school (SHS) learners from twenty-five different institutions in the northeastern part of Luzon, Philippines participated in the online survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using Maximum Likelihood and Promax techniques and reliability analysis using Cronbach Alpha were conducted to ensure its validity and internal consistency. From 15, the questionnaire was trimmed to seven vocabulary learning strategies namely: Cognitive Strategies, Word Listing, Word Encoding, Note-taking, Self-Initiation, Visual-Spatial Thinking and Selective Attention. This can explain 49 percent of total variance with acceptable level of reliability. The result of this study can be a baseline reference for policymakers on instituting policy changes in language education and a useful reference for future research on Filipino senior high school students’ vocabulary learning strategies especially in the context of new normal

Epoxide-Opening Cascades in the Synthesis of Polycyclic Polyether Natural Products

The structural features of polycyclic polyether natural products can, in some cases, be traced to their biosynthetic origin. However in case that are less well understood, only biosynthetic pathways that feature dramatic, yet speculative, epoxide-opening cascades are proposed. We summarize how such epoxide-opening cascade reactions have been used in the synthesis of polycyclic polyethers (see scheme) and related natural products. The group of polycyclic polyether natural products is of special interest owing to the fascinating structure and biological effects displayed by its members. The latter includes potentially therapeutic antibiotic, antifungal, and anticancer properties, and extreme lethality. The polycyclic structural features of this class of compounds can, in some cases, be traced to their biosynthetic origin, but in others that are less well understood, only to proposed biosynthetic pathways that feature dramatic, yet speculative, epoxide-opening cascades. In this review we summarize how such epoxide-opening cascade reactions have been used in the synthesis of polycyclic polyethers and related natural products

Validation of the Injustice Experiences Questionnaire in a heterogeneous trauma sample.

Purpose/Objective: A recent study by Trost et al. (2015) investigated the influence of perceived injustice- reflecting appraisals of the severity and irreparability of loss following injury, blame, and unfairness-on physical and psychological outcomes in a sample of patients 12 months after sustaining a traumatic injury. This brief report examines the psychometric properties of the Injustice Experiences Questionnaire (IEQ) using the previous sample from Trost et al. (2015) with added trauma patients (total N = 206). Research Method/Design: Primary analyses included confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses to validate the measurement model of the IEQ in patients 12 months after traumatic injury. Reliability analyses were conducted and construct validity was assessed by examining associations between the IEQ and other pain-related, psychological, and health-related outcome variables of interest. Results: Results replicated both one- and two-factor structures from past research, with a high factor correlation in confirmatory factor analyses and cross-loadings in exploratory factor analysis. Item characteristics analysis demonstrated overall strong internal consistency (α = .95). In addition, significant associations with psychosocial variables provide additional construct validity in regards to related outcomes. Conclusion/Implications: The IEQ shows strong psychometric properties and is suitable for use in a sample of diverse traumatic injury. However, results suggest the use of a one-factor model for the IEQ in this sample. Future trauma and rehabilitation research can use the IEQ to explore how injustice perceptions related to traumatic injury can prospectively influence physical and psychological outcomes.</p

Satisfaction with Life after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

Identifying the principal determinants of life satisfaction following mild TBI (mTBI) may inform efforts to improve subjective well-being in this population. We examined life satisfaction among participants in the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) study who presented with mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score = 13-15; n = 1152). An L1-regularization path algorithm was used to select optimal sets of baseline and concurrent symptom measures for prediction of scores on the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months post-injury. Multi-variable linear regression models (all n = 744-894) were then fit to evaluate associations between the empirically selected predictors and SWLS scores at each follow-up visit. Results indicated that emotional post-TBI symptoms (all b = -1.27 to -0.77, all p &lt; 0.05), anhedonia (all b = -1.59 to -1.08, all p &lt; 0.01), and pain interference (all b = -1.38 to -0.89, all p &lt; 0.001) contributed to the prediction of lower SWLS scores at all follow-ups. Insomnia predicted lower SWLS scores at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months (all b = -1.11 to -0.83, all ps &lt; 0.01); and negative affect predicted lower SWLS scores at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months (all b = -1.38 to -0.80, all p &lt; 0.005). Other post-TBI symptom domains and baseline socio-demographic, injury-related, and clinical characteristics did not emerge as robust predictors of SWLS scores during the year after mTBI. Efforts to improve satisfaction with life following mTBI may benefit from a focus on the detection and treatment of affective symptoms, pain, and insomnia. The results reinforce the need for tailoring of evidence-based treatments for these conditions to maximize efficacy in patients with mTBI

Modulations of the Chicken Cecal Microbiome and Metagenome in Response to Anticoccidial and Growth Promoter Treatment

With increasing pressures to reduce or eliminate the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion purposes in production animals, there is a growing need to better understand the effects elicited by these agents in order to identify alternative approaches that might be used to maintain animal health. Antibiotic usage at subtherapeutic levels is postulated to confer a number of modulations in the microbes within the gut that ultimately result in growth promotion and reduced occurrence of disease. This study examined the effects of the coccidiostat monensin and the growth promoters virginiamycin and tylosin on the broiler chicken cecal microbiome and metagenome. Using a longitudinal design, cecal contents of commercial chickens were extracted and examined using 16S rRNA and total DNA shotgun metagenomic pyrosequencing. A number of genus-level enrichments and depletions were observed in response to monensin alone, or monensin in combination with virginiamycin or tylosin. Of note, monensin effects included depletions of Roseburia, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, and enrichments in Coprococcus and Anaerofilum. The most notable effect observed in the monensin/virginiamycin and monensin/tylosin treatments, but not in the monensin-alone treatments, was enrichments in Escherichia coli. Analysis of the metagenomic dataset identified enrichments in transport system genes, type I fimbrial genes, and type IV conjugative secretion system genes. No significant differences were observed with regard to antimicrobial resistance gene counts. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive glimpse of the chicken cecum microbial community, the modulations of this community in response to growth promoters, and targets for future efforts to mimic these effects using alternative approaches