Significance of hormone replacement therapy in the experience of Lymphedema in breast cancer survivors

Abstract only availableLittle is known about the relationship between hormone replacement therapy and Lymphedema (LE), the accumulation of lymph in soft tissue with accompanying swelling that affects 20-40% of breast cancer survivors, mainly in the upper extremities. It is known that hormone replacement therapy (HRT), specifically estrogen plus progestin, used to treat menopausal women can contribute to the onset of invasive breast cancer. This study is aimed to examine the possible relationship between HRT with the occurrence and severity of LE in breast cancer patients. A retrospective chart review was conducted on medical records of 97 female participants undergoing breast cancer treatment. Variables identified for investigation included: hormone replacement therapy history, surgical procedure, radiation therapy, anti-estrogen therapy, chemotherapy, occurrence of LE as diagnosed by a medical professional, time till onset of LE from date of surgery, and treatments used to manage the condition. A review was also conducted over patient surveys in order to assess the severity of the illness as reported by the patients. Data showed that 21.6% of the 97 patients included in this review experienced LE diagnosed by a medical professional after treatment for breast cancer. Of those patients with medically diagnosed LE, 43% previously used HRT, while 51.3% of patients without LE had previously used HRT. From these data, several trends were assessed in the relationship between HRT, cancer treatment modalities and medical diagnosis of LE. Data from the surveys suggested that medically diagnosed LE patients with a history of HRT may experience a protective effect because of their collective history of HRT and use of certain cancer treatments. This study suggests that there may be a link between breast cancer patients' experiences following Lymphedema and their historyof hormone replacement therapy and other cancer modalities.Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Progra

Prospective nursing study of breast cancer lymphedema: Exploring possible relationships with tamoxifen therapy [abstract]

Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Jane Armer, Sinclair School of NursingLymphedema (LE) is a lifetime risk for breast cancer survivors. This predisposes individuals to infection, possibly life-threatening, leads to difficulties in clothing fit and activities of daily living, and also affects self-esteem, self-identity, and quality of life.   Tamoxifen, considered a first-choice adjuvant therapy drug following breast cancer treatment, has been shown to halve the cancer recurrence risk. Tamoxifen is known to influence fluid and electrolyte balance with fluid retention (32%) being one of the most common adverse effects of the drug. Theoretically, it may act at the cellular level by increasing capillary membrane permeability, thus increasing the interstitial fluid movement and workload of a lymphatic system already compromised due to surgery and, often, radiation. Current literature has not reported a definitive association between tamoxifen use and LE occurrence.   The research goal is to explore tamoxifen-related variables in LE occurrence and whether or not LE occurrence is higher in breast cancer survivors who take tamoxifen.   A secondary analysis of data from an established National-Institutes-of-Health-funded parent study will be performed. The NIH study includes more than 200 persons newly-diagnosed with breast cancer who were consented, enrolled, and assessed at pre-op, post-op, and followed for 30 months. In the absence of a “gold standard,” the study defines four measurements of LE in exploring approaches to assessing and diagnosing post-breast cancer LE. In this proposal, data from a self-report of symptoms and tamoxifen use (≥ 6 months) are derived from the nurse interview using a validated measurement tool and medical record review. Data from limb volume estimation are derived from reliable and valid perometry measurement.   Relationship indicators between tamoxifen and LE occurrence would provide an early identifier for at-risk individuals, lay groundwork for targeted interventions, and justify future research examining the underlying physiological cellular mechanism associated with LE emergence in the presence of tamoxifen

Cult of the amulets in Southeast Asia: origin, function and transformation

The cult of amulets in Southeast Asia is a controversial point that has, due to the recent renewed interest in these objects, become a popular topic of discussion by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The use of amulets has to an extent always been contested in Southeast Asia and many other areas, with a divide consistently present between individuals, and, in the case of Southeast Asia, between the varying schools of Buddhist thought. Although there are examples of scriptures and texts such as the Parittas and Jinapañjara Gārthā supporting the use of amulets, or at least their apotropaic nature, these items are still not unanimously accepted across Southeast Asia, where certain movements and individuals reject the cult of the amulets, and often the cult of sacred objects as well. Throughout this thesis I will explore the origins of amulets; the varying and often magical or supernatural functions that are so frequently attributed to them; and the transformation amulets have gone through, with particular reference to the current climate and material issues of contemporary Southeast Asia. Amulets are reflective of the societies in which they are produced and they have the potential to be changed by societal events. This would appear to be true, given the spectrum of societies and designs amulets are found in; not to mention their vastly varied functions. Researching this topic I explored existing material on this subject, including journals, books, collector magazines, websites, and auction sites where appropriate. This information provided not only an understanding of the conflict and reasoning behind the cult of the amulets in Southeast Asia, but also of the online resources delivered an up-to-date experience of their popularity and the monetary value of amulets in contemporary Southeast Asian society. In concluding this thesis I hope to have provided an interesting insight into the issues and conflicts surrounding the cults of the amulets in Southeast Asia, with particular consideration given to the Buddhist Theravada tradition (the predominant religion of this area)

Imaging Transient Blood Vessel Fusion Events by Correlative Volume Electron Microscopy

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2010 in Portland, Oregon, USA, August 1 - August 5, 201

Understanding the mechanisms of host-tissue colonisation by Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum is an ascomycete fungal pathogen that infects small grain cereals and leads to large reductions in yields due to reduced grain weights and contamination of developing grain with potent mycotoxins. Some of these are trichothecene mycotoxins, and are required for virulence when infecting wheat. Their potent toxicity to eukaryotic ribosomes dampens broad-spectrum protein translation and facilitates host-tissue colonisation by invasive hyphae. This thesis explores the intracellular role of deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most prolific mycotoxins, and its role in wheat spikelet infection with respect to the crossing of wheat cell walls through plasmodesmatal pit fields. Single gene deletion of an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of trichothecene mycotoxins, ΔTri5, leads to restriction of infection to inoculated wheat spikelets by failing to prevent the deposition of callose, a β-1,3-glucan polymer, at plasmodesmata during biotic and abiotic stress to symplastically isolate cells. In the wild-type (WT) compatible interaction, invasive hyphae break through plasmodesmatal pit fields to facilitate host-tissue colonisation. This led to studies exploring PAMP-triggered immunity in the absence of DON in wheat floral tissues and the role of cell wall components as resistance or susceptibility factors to hyphal colonisation. On the other side of the interaction, studies contained within this thesis have identified a Fusarium graminearum-secreted Glycoside Hydrolase family 81 (GH81) enzyme that is predicted to hydrolyse callose deposited at plasmodesmatal pit fields during infection. Overall, this thesis both advances our understanding of the use of plasmodesmatal pit fields by F. graminearum during host-tissue colonisation in wheat spikes and opens new avenues for exploration

Dungeons and Dunces

Devon Armer is a junior pre-med biology student at Louisiana Tech University with a writing hobby. He submitted “Dungeons and Dunces” as part of a creative writing class assignment and with the encouragement of his professor

From Cherry Ame\u27s nursing dreams to Sigma Theta Tau International Hall of Fame

The presentation will share the story of progressing from the childhood dreams of becoming a nurse through the journey to becoming a successful nurse clinician, educator, and researcher

Electrospun Vanadium-based Oxides as Positive Battery Electrodes

Energy storage is an important area of research as demand for reliable, efficient and intermittent energy increases. The development and research of energy storage technologies, in particular lithium ion batteries, is intimately linked to the research of electrode materials. These materials need to be abundant, capable of providing high capacities, possess long cycle life and have good rate retention. Nanosizing of energy storage materials shows promise in addressing these requirements. This thesis focusses on the synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical properties of electrospun fibrous vanadium-based pentoxides for lithium ion batteries. Vanadium pentoxides (V2O5) are candidate electrode materials due to their high theoretical capacity and layered structure that can reversibly intercalate lithium ions. Starting solutions consisting of vanadium oxytripropoxide, poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and ethanol were used for electrospinning the nanostructured hierarchical fibres. Dopant cations were introduced into the electrospinning solution using sodium acetate, barium oxide, aluminium isopropoxide or titanium (IV) isopropoxide. After electrospinning the as-spun materials were converted into fibrous metal oxides through a single step calcination process. Varying the calcination treatment from of the as-spun fibres showed that crystallite size and fibre morphology were dependant on temperature. Crystallite size and conductivity of the electrospun V2O5 increased with calcination temperature though electrochemical performances did not correlate. Fibres calcined at 500 °C were shown to provide the best compromise between crystallinity, conductivity and capacity. Fibre diameter was controllable by varying the amount of PVAc in the electrospinning starting solution while keeping all other parameters constant. Crystallite size increased with a decrease in fibre diameter, however, no trend in electrochemical performance was observed with V2O5 fibre diameter. Despite this, results indicated that fibrous hierarchical structures are necessary to maintain material integrity and promote higher conductivity during cycling. The structural stabilisation of V2O5 during cycling was investigated using redox-inactive dopants Ti4+ and Ba2+ with loadings of approximately 10 atomic percent (at%). The doped materials improved both rate retention and cycling stability though only Ti4+ doped V2O5 offered improved capacity. The dopants were shown to structurally stabilise V2O5 via phase change prevention. Further dopant investigation showed that dopant location was an important factor in the overall electrochemical performance of the V2O5 host material, and that dopant loading, and oxidation state can influence their location as rationalised by atomistic simulations. Interstitial 2 at% Na+ and 3 at% Ba2+ in electrospun V2O5 provided both improved structural and electronic effects on the V2O5 structure and resulted in improved electrochemical performance. The substitutionally located 3 at% Al3+ provided an improved structural effect but decreased electronic conductivity and lowered capacity. The simplicity of the electrospinning technique combined with the reliability of V2O5 fibre production shows promise in wider implementation of this alternate electrode material for other metal-ion energy systems. For future research of electrospun V2O5 it is recommended that a hierarchical fibrous structure be utilised along with the incorporation of an interstitially located dopant metal. Electrospun V2O5 shows promise as an electrode material by contributing towards providing an alternative abundant metal oxide for efficient energy storage technologies

Woman, her position and the part she played : a comparative study of the epics of Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Milton

Typescript.Within the pale of that civilization which has grown up under the combined influence of the Christian religion as paramount and what may be called the Teutonic manners as secondary, we find the idea of Woman and her social position raised to a point higher than in the poems of Homer. But it would be hard indeed to discover any period of history, or country of the world, not being Christian, in which women stood so high as with the Greeks of the heroic age. It is hardly necessary to point out that in the primitive, as in the modern world, civilization was in the main fostered and advanced by women. The men were absorb in war, the chase, and the struggle for existence. On the women devolved the training of the children, the transmission of national customs, and the traditions from age to age.--Page 1.Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-84)

Psychological Factors in chronic edema: a case–control study

Objective: To examine psychological health and perceived social support in patients with chronic oedema (CO). Methods: A random sample of patients who had been previously identified within a chronic oedema (CO) service in an urban area of south west London were group matched for age and gender with community controls in a case control study. Results: One hundred and seven cases and 102 controls (women 82%) were identified. CO was caused by cancer or its treatment in 51 (48%) of cases and affected the leg in 65 (61%); the arm 41(38%) and the limb and midline in 15 (14%). Length of time with CO was long with 50 (47%) suffering for > 10 years. Cases were more likely to be single or divorced/separated (p=0.041) and have reduced mobility (p <0.001). SF36 scores showed cases had significantly poorer overall HRQOL in particular: physical functioning (p=0.003); role physical (p <0.001) general health (p=0.026); vitality (p=0.015); social function (p=0.007) and role emotional (p=0.041). EQ5D health index scores were significantly reduced in cases by 13 points (P= <0.001, 95% CI 5.8, 21.6) compared with controls with a similar pattern for the VAS scale (p< 0.00 95% CI 7.6, 17.1). The MOS scale showed cases had similar size social networks to the control group (5.8/6.6 p=0.49) but had lower total perceived social support scores (67.8/76.1 p=0.018). Cases had reduced support in all 5 domains with tangible and affectionate support significantly reduced for cases compared to controls. Cases used significantly fewer coping strategies (COPE scale) than controls with regard to: active coping (p=0.024); planning (p<0.001) and use of instrumental support (p=0.006). Significantly higher levels of coping were used by cases for the following domains: restraint (p=0.031), positive reinterpretation and growth (p<0.001); acceptance (<0.001); denial (p<0.001); mental disengagement (p<0.001); 3 behavioural disengagement (<0.001): substance abuse (p=0.010) and humour (p<0.001). Conclusions: Patients with CO have poorer health and greater impact on many aspects of HRQOL. While the size of social networks they report appear preserved, the levels of perceived social support are reduced. The pattern of use of coping strategies was complex with evidence of reduced problem solving combined with enhanced emotion focused coping such as acceptance and reinterpretation indicating illness adjustment. Deficits in the ability to function socially combined with perceived reduction in support and reduced mental health and emotional scores within the SF36 scale indicate the risk of developing psychological issues such as depression. Systems of care should offer an environment to address these issues