Are You Survey Ready? Online Evaluation of a Multidrug‐Resistant Organisms Educational Program in a Behavioral Health Hospital

PURPOSE: The Joint Commission established a new safety goal mandating staff education in evidence‐based infection prevention due to multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDROs). This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of the MDRO educational module in our behavioral health hospital. DESIGN AND METHODS: An online survey was administered to a convenience sample (N= 44) consisting of employees hired within the previous 8 months. FINDINGS: Results identified knowledge gaps between and among disciplines that guided subsequent improvements to our MDRO educational module. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Online surveys are an effective way to evaluate knowledge gaps and may be useful in other educational activities within nursing.     

Potential Biomarker of L-type Amino Acid Transporter 1 in Breast Cancer Progression

Purpose

L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is essential for the transport of large neutral amino acids. However, its role in breast cancer growth remains largely unknown. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether LAT1 is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Methods

LAT1 mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cell lines and tissues were analyzed. In addition, the effects of targeting LAT1 for the inhibition of breast cancer cell tumorigenesis were assessed with soft agar assay. The imaging of xenograft with anti-1-amino-3-[¹⁸F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (anti-[¹⁸F]FACBC) PET was assessed for its diagnostic biomarker potential.

Results

Normal breast tissue or low malignant cell lines expressed low levels of LAT1 mRNA and protein, while highly malignant cancer cell lines and high-grade breast cancer tissue expressed high levels of LAT1. In addition, higher expression levels of LAT1 in breast cancer tissues were consistent with advanced-stage breast cancer. Furthermore, the blockade of LAT1 with its inhibitor, 2-amino-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH), or the knockdown of LAT1 with siRNA, inhibited proliferation and tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. A leucine analog, anti-[¹⁸F]FACBC, has been demonstrated to be an excellent PET tracer for the non-invasive imaging of malignant breast cancer using an orthotopic animal model.

Conclusions

The overexpression of LAT1 is required for the progression of breast cancer. LAT1 represents a potential biomarker for therapy and diagnosis of breast cancer. Anti-[¹⁸F]FACBC that correlates with LAT1 function is a potential PET tracer for malignant breast tumor imaging.     

Sonographic evaluation of apophyseal ossification of the iliac crest in forensic age diagnostics in living individuals

Due to the requirement to minimise exposure to radiation, it is desirable to develop non-ionising imaging procedures for the analysis of skeletal maturation for forensic age diagnostics in living individuals. The present pilot study analyses the applicability of ultrasound examinations for the evaluation of apophyseal ossification of the iliac crest. With reference to the sonographic staging of clavicular ossification, the maturation stages of the iliac crest apophysis of 23 male and 16 female subjects, aged 11–20 years, were determined. Ossification stage I occurred in the male subjects at a minimum age of 15.7 years. Ossification stage II was diagnosed in boys at a minimum age of 14.1 years and in girls at a minimum age of 11.7 years. The earliest observation of ossification stage III was at a chronological age of 16.2 years in males and 15.2 years in females. The earliest age of occurrence of ossification stage IV was at least 18.0 years in male test persons and at least 17.1 years in female test persons. The results obtained should be reassessed in a larger number of cases. It is to be expected that sonographic examination of the iliac crest apophysis will become established as a valid and efficient method for forensic age diagnostics in living individuals.