MMP‐9 expression increases according to the grade of squamous intraepithelial lesion in cervical smears

Studies about cervical carcinogenesis have demonstrated the increased expression of matrix‐metalloproteinase (MMP) according to the grade of cervical intraepithelial lesions. Considering the importance of innovative techniques to introduce noninvasive and rapid diagnoses for patients, this study aimed to perform MMP‐9 immunocytochemistry in cervical smears according to the cytopathological diagnoses, in order to monitor MMP activity in cervical smears. This cross‐sectional study investigated the expression of MMP‐9 in normal cervical smears, inflammatory cervical smears, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cervical carcinoma. Cervical smears from 630 women were collected for cytopathological diagnoses and immunocytochemistry. Women with squamous intraepithelial lesions showed an increase in MMP‐9 expression, with moderate to intense staining occurring with increasing cervical lesion grade. The prevalence of moderate to intense MMP‐9 staining was 9% in normal cervical smears, 12% in cervical inflammation, 24% in low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 92% in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 100% in cervical carcinoma cases. In the specific case of LSIL, we found that association with MMP‐9 is more evident when there is the simultaneous presence of an infectious agent. Thus, the expression of MMP‐9 in cervical smears increases according to the grade of cervical lesion and LSIL in the presence of infectious agents showed higher MMP‐9 expression than women with LSIL without infectious agents. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:827–833. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Emotional regulation training for intensive and critical care nurses

Professional quality of life is related to psychological well‐being for nurses with implications for quality patient care. This study evaluated the effectiveness of emotional regulation training on depression, anxiety and stress, and professional quality of life for intensive and critical care nurses. In this experimental comparison trial, 60 intensive and critical care nurses were randomly assigned to treatment and wait‐list control groups. The treatment group received six sessions of emotional regulation training, while the wait‐list control group received no treatment. Outcome measures were: the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; and the Professional Quality of Life Scale in a pre‐post design. The treatment group demonstrated greater improvements in burnout and compassion satisfaction compared with the wait‐list control group. No significant reduction in compassion fatigue was found compared with controls. Some cognitive coping strategies improved in the treatment group compared with controls, with greater reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. This study indicates the benefits of implementing emotional regulation training programs to improve psychological well‐being and professional quality of life for intensive and critical care nurses.     

Resilience of African migrant women: Implications for mental health practice

Migrants from areas affected by war, especially refugee migrants, are susceptible to mental health issues. In addition to recognising trauma, health professionals, such as mental health nurses, need to be aware of the strength and resilience of refugees and migrants. The capacity to provide trauma‐informed care that is shaped by the recognition of clients’ strength and resilience is required/paramount to meet the current demand of multiculturalism emanating from an increased global migration. To facilitate increased awareness about West African women’s resilience prior to migration and support trauma‐informed care, we used a qualitative strength‐based storytelling approach with 22 West African women residing in Sydney, Australia. Thematic analysis of the women’s stories identified two major themes: When the World Falls Apart and Battered but Strong. Findings revealed that past personal experiences significantly influenced participants’ strength and resilience and contributed to their mental health. Mental health professionals such as nurses can play an important role by incorporating knowledge about the resilience of migrants and refugees into providing appropriate trauma‐informed care.     

High‐throughput fabrication of vascularized adipose microtissues for 3D bioprinting

For patients with soft tissue defects, repair with autologous in vitro engineered adipose tissue could be a promising alternative to current surgical therapies. A volume‐persistent engineered adipose tissue construct under in vivo conditions can only be achieved by early vascularization after transplantation. The combination of 3D bioprinting technology with self‐assembling microvascularized units as building blocks can potentially answer the need for a microvascular network. In the present study, co‐culture spheroids combining adipose‐derived stem cells (ASC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were created with an ideal geometry for bioprinting. When applying the favourable seeding technique and condition, compact viable spheroids were obtained, demonstrating high adipogenic differentiation and capillary‐like network formation after 7 and 14 days of culture, as shown by live/dead analysis, immunohistochemistry and RT‐qPCR. Moreover, we were able to successfully 3D bioprint the encapsulated spheroids, resulting in compact viable spheroids presenting capillary‐like structures, lipid droplets and spheroid outgrowth after 14 days of culture. This is the first study that generates viable high‐throughput (pre‐)vascularized adipose microtissues as building blocks for bioprinting applications using a novel ASC/HUVEC co‐culture spheroid model, which enables both adipogenic differentiation while simultaneously supporting the formation of prevascular‐like structures within engineered tissues in vitro.