The use of narrative analysis to study transformative learning in associate degree nursing students: a focus on the methodology

The aim of this article is to describe the use of narrative inquiry as the research method used to investigate the transformative learning experiences of associate degree nursing students. The process of participant selection and recruitment, data collection and analysis, and development of narrative threads is defined. Implications for use of narrative inquiry in associate degree nursing education are explored. The traditional use of narratives in nursing education and practice is also defined.     

Does Tweeting Improve Citations? One-Year Results From the TSSMN Prospective Randomized Trial

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Relational Health in Transitions: Female Adolescents in Chemical Dependency Treatment

Background: Adolescent substance use (SU) remains a serious problem. Inpatient, primary care, and self-treatment models for chemical dependency (CD) yield varying degrees of success impacting the sequelae of chronic or episodic SU. Relational engagement among adolescent substance users is a long known influential factor in the development, maintenance and transformation of addictive behaviors. Objectives: Following tenets of Relational-Cultural Theory and using the Relational Health Indices for Youth (RHI-Y), a validated survey tool for adolescents, we sought to measure relational health (RH) during times of transitions during CD treatment. This article addresses use of the tool and its potential for improving addictions research and practice. Methods: During 2015–2017 we explored differences in RH scores in adolescent girls entering inpatient CD treatment at three points: 51 at admission, 39 at discharge, and 13 at 3 months post-discharge. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model to compare changes in domain scores of RH. Results: Changes in RH scores were significant in the friend domain, but not the mentor and community domains. The RHI-Y shows promise in discerning RH change during transitions in CD treatment.     

The expression of SFRP1, SFRP3, DVL1, and DVL2 proteins in testicular germ cell tumors

Germ cell tumors of the testis are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that affect male adolescents and young adults. Wnt signaling pathway components have been shown to be actively involved in normal and malignant germ cell differentiation and progression. In this study, we aimed to explore the expression patterns of the secreted frizzled‐related protein (SFRP) and Disheveled protein family (DVL) in a subset of testicular germ cell tumors. Eighty‐five formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of the primary germ cell tumors of the testis were stained against SFRP1, SFRP3, DVL1, and DVL2 proteins using immunohistochemistry. SFRP1 and SFRP3 exhibited lower expression in both seminomas and mixed/non‐seminomatous tumors, compared with atrophic/benign tissue (p < 0.001). SFRP3 expression was lower than SFRP1 expression within the seminoma group (p = 0.004), but not within the mixed/non‐seminomatous group (p = 0.409). The majority of the tested cases (27/28, 96%) exhibited low DVL1 protein expression (median 0%, range 0–90%). In contrast, 20 out of 22 tested cases (91%) exhibited strong expression of DVL2 protein (median 80%, range 0–100%). No significant difference in DVL1 and DVL2 protein expression was observed between seminomas and mixed/non‐seminomatous tumors (p = 0.68 and 0.29). The secreted frizzled‐related protein and disheveled protein family members appear to be actively involved in the pathogenesis of primary testicular germ cell tumors.     

Presence of active MRI lesions in patients suspected of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with high disease activity and chance at conversion after a 6-month follow-up period

Clinical Rheumatology - The primary aim is to evaluate signs of inflammation on MRI of sacroiliac joints (SIJ)/spine in inflammatory back pain (IBP) patients suspected of nr-axSpA with high disease...