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The use of the FACT-H&N (v4) in clinical settings within a developing country: a mixed method study

Bilal S, Doss JG, Rogers SN

J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 2014 Dec;42(8):1590-7.
PMID: 25224886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2014.04.015

In the last decade there has been an increasing awareness about 'quality of life' (QOL) of cancer survivors in developing countries. The study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the FACT-H&N (v4) in Urdu language for Pakistani head and neck cancer patients. In this study the 'same language adaptation method' was used. Cognitive debriefing through in-depth interviews of 25 patients to assess semantic, operational and conceptual equivalence was done. The validation phase included 50 patients to evaluate the psychometric properties. The translated FACT-H&N was easily comprehended (100%). Cronbach's alpha for FACT-G subscales ranged from 0.726 - 0.969. The head and neck subscale and Pakistani questions subscale showed low internal consistency (0.426 and 0.541 respectively). Instrument demonstrated known-group validity in differentiating patients of different clinical stages, treatment status and tumor sites (p < 0.05). Most FACT summary scales correlated strongly with each other (r > 0.75) and showed convergent validity (r > 0.90), with little discriminant validity. Factor analysis revealed 6 factors explaining 85.1% of the total variance with very good (>0.8) Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and highly significant Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (p < 0.001). The cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N into Urdu language showed adequate reliability and validity to be incorporated in Pakistani clinical settings for head and neck cancer patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Communication
Fulltext Issues in healthcare services in Malaysia as experienced by Japanese retirees

Kohno A, Musa G, Nik Farid ND, Abdul Aziz N, Nakayama T, Dahlui M

BMC Health Serv Res, 2016 May 05;16:167.
PMID: 27151089 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1417-3

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, international retirement migration is growing in its popularity and Japanese retirees choose Malaysia as their most preferred destination. This study examines the pertinent issues related to healthcare services as experienced by Japanese retirees in this country.
METHODS AND RESULTS: From January to March 2015, we conducted focus group discussions with 30 Japanese retirees who live in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Guided by the social-ecological model, we discovered seven pertinent themes: 'language barriers','healthcare decisions', 'medical check-ups','healthcare insurance', 'nursing and palliative care', 'trust and distrust of healthcare services', and 'word-of-mouth information'.
DISCUSSION: We identified seven pertinent issues related to healthcare services among Japanese retirees in Malaysia, of which four are especially important. These issues are explained as integrated themes within the social-ecological model. Language barriers prohibit them from having difficulty accessing to healthcare in Malaysia, but lack of will to improve their language skills exist among them. For that reason, they rely heavily on word-of-mouth information when seeking for healthcare. As a consequence, some develop feelings of trust and distrust of healthcare services. In addition, we have identified the needs for provide nursing and palliative care among Japanese retirees in Malaysia.
CONCLUSION: Based on the magnitude of the discussion, we concluded that there are four crucial healthcare issues among Japanese retirees; 'language barriers', 'trust and distrust of healthcare services', 'word-of-mouth information' and 'nursing and palliative care'. We propose that further dialogue by healthcare stakeholders should be carried out to improve further the healthcare service provisions for Japanese retirees in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Communication Barriers
Fulltext COVID-19 and hypertension-evidence and practical management: Guidance from the HOPE Asia Network

Kario K, Morisawa Y, Sukonthasarn A, Turana Y, Chia YC, Park S, et al.

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich), 2020 Jul;22(7):1109-1119.
PMID: 32643874 DOI: 10.1111/jch.13917

There are several risk factors for worse outcomes in patients with coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19). Patients with hypertension appear to have a poor prognosis, but there is no direct evidence that hypertension increases the risk of new infection or adverse outcomes independent of age and other risk factors. There is also concern about use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors due to a key role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors in the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells. However, there is little evidence that use of RAS inhibitors increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection or worsens the course of COVID-19. Therefore, antihypertensive therapy with these agents should be continued. In addition to acute respiratory distress syndrome, patients with severe COVID-19 can develop myocardial injury and cytokine storm, resulting in heart failure, arteriovenous thrombosis, and kidney injury. Troponin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, D-dimer, and serum creatinine are biomarkers for these complications and can be used to monitor patients with COVID-19 and for risk stratification. Other factors that need to be incorporated into patient management strategies during the pandemic include regular exercise to maintain good health status and monitoring of psychological well-being. For the ongoing management of patients with hypertension, telemedicine-based home blood pressure monitoring strategies can facilitate maintenance of good blood pressure control while social distancing is maintained. Overall, multidisciplinary management of COVID-19 based on a rapidly growing body of evidence will help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, including those with risk factors such as hypertension.

Matched MeSH terms: Interdisciplinary Communication
Cyclic-AMP-dependent proliferation of a human osteoblast cell line (HOS cells) induced by hydroxyapatite: effect of exogenous nitric oxide

Sosroseno W, Sugiatno E

Acta Biomed, 2008 Aug;79(2):110-6.
PMID: 18788505

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE WORK: Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to enhance the production of cAMP by hydroxyapatite (HA)-induced a human osteoblast cell line (HOS cells). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that exogenous NO may up-regulate the proliferation of hydroxyapatite (HA)-induced HOS cells via the cyclic-AMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Communication
Evaluating community pharmacists' perceptions of future generic substitution policy implementation: a national survey from Malaysia

Chong CP, Hassali MA, Bahari MB, Shafie AA

Health Policy, 2010 Jan;94(1):68-75.
PMID: 19762106 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2009.08.011

This study aims to provide baseline data to support the implementation of generic substitution policy in Malaysia by evaluating the community pharmacists' perceptions and opinions on generic substitution and current substitution practices.

Matched MeSH terms: Communication
Factors associated with obesity in Chinese-American children

Chen JL, Kennedy C

Pediatr Nurs, 2005 Mar-Jun;31(2):110-5.
PMID: 15934563

OBJECTIVE:A cross-sectional study design was utilized to examine factors associated with obesity in Chinese-American children.
SUBJECTS:Chinese-American children (8 to 10 years old) and their mothers (N = 68) in California participated in the study.
MEASUREMENTS:Mothers completed demographic information, the Family Assessment Device, Attitudes Toward Child Rearing Scale, and Suinn-Lew Asian Self-identity Acculturation Scale. Children's body mass index was measured, and children completed a self-administered physical activity checklist, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the Schoolagers' Coping Strategies Inventory.
RESULTS:Results indicated three variables that predicted children's body mass index: older age, a more democratic parenting style, and poor communication (R2=.263, F=8.727, p = .0001). Children whose mothers had a low level of acculturation were also more likely to be overweight than were children whose mothers were highly acculturated.
CONCLUSION:This study revealed that children's ages, a democratic parenting style, and poor family communication contribute to increased body mass index in Chinese-American children. Other factors related to children's BMI and dietary intake include acculturation level of the mother and family affective responses. Future studies should examine the change in BMI over time and in different age groups and why parenting and family communication impact children's body weight.

Matched MeSH terms: Communication
The Functional Significance of Endocrine-immune Interactions in Health and Disease

Muthusami S, Vidya B, Shankar EM, Vadivelu J, Ramachandran I, Stanley JA, et al.

Curr Protein Pept Sci, 2020;21(1):52-65.
PMID: 31702489 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666191106113435

Hormones are known to influence various body systems that include skeletal, cardiac, digestive, excretory, and immune systems. Emerging investigations suggest the key role played by secretions of endocrine glands in immune cell differentiation, proliferation, activation, and memory attributes of the immune system. The link between steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids and inflammation is widely known. However, the role of peptide hormones and amino acid derivatives such as growth and thyroid hormones, prolactin, dopamine, and thymopoietin in regulating the functioning of the immune system remains unclear. Here, we reviewed the findings pertinent to the functional role of hormone-immune interactions in health and disease and proposed perspective directions for translational research in the field.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Communication
Infant feeding study: knowledge and attitudes of selected pregnant women

Kandiah M, Ooi Guat San

Malays J Reprod Health, 1984 Dec;2(2):96-104.
PMID: 12280344
Matched MeSH terms: Communication