Ultra-low-dose unenhanced chest CT: Prospective comparison of high kV/low mA versus low kV/high mA protocols

Purpose

To qualitatively and quantitatively compare unenhanced ultra-low-dose chest computed tomography (ULD-CT) acquired at 80 kVp and 135 kVp.

An inventory of psychosocial oncological interventions in The Netherlands: identifying availability,gaps, and overlap in care provision

Abstract

Purpose: While a wide range of psychosocial oncological (PO) interventions has been developed, a systematic overview of interventions to inform patients, care providers, as well as researchers, policy makers and health insurers, is lacking. The aims of this paper were (1) to describe the attainment of this overview, which may be used in other jurisdictions and for other health conditions and (2) to reflect on what determines developments in this field.

Methods: Dutch researchers and care providers were invited to describe PO-interventions they apply in research or clinical practice. Selection criteria for what constituted a PO-intervention were determined. The input was organized in 12 predefined categories (e.g. physical functioning, genetics).

Findings: Sixty-six PO-interventions were included in the overview. Two major categories were psychosocial functioning (24%) and physical functioning and recovery (24%). Interventions are mostly directed at adults (65%) and not aimed at a specific type of cancer (61%). Nearly 25% of the interventions lacked scientific underpinning.

Conclusions: This paper provides an overview of Dutch PO-interventions and input on what drives their development. The categorizing method can be used in other jurisdictions and for other health care conditions. A next step would be to investigate the effectiveness and evidence of PO-interventions.

Implications for Psychosocial Providers and Policy: The open access overview of interventions provides referral information for care providers. By identifying possible gaps and overlap, the overview looks at possible drivers behind developments in this field which will be of interest to policy makers.     

Interpersonal positive reframing in the daily lives of couples coping with breast cancer

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined word use as an indicator of interpersonal positive reframing in daily conversations of couples coping with breast cancer and as a predictor of stress.

Design: The Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) and Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) were used to examine naturally occurring word use conceptually linked to positive reframing (positive emotion, negative emotion, and cognitive processing words).

Sample: Fifty-two couples coping with breast cancer.

Methods: Couples wore the EAR, a device participants wear, that audio-recorded over one weekend (>16,000 sound files), and completed self-reports of positive reframing (COPE) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale). LIWC, a software program, measured word use.

Findings: Both partners’ word use (i.e., positive emotion and cognitive processing words) was associated with their own reported positive reframing, and spouses’ word use was also indicative of patients’ positive reframing. Results also revealed that, in general, words indicating positive reframing predicted lower levels of stress.

Conclusions: Findings supported the hypothesis that partners—and particularly spouses of breast cancer patients—may assist each other’s coping by positively reframing the cancer experience and other negative experiences in conversation.     

Validación del instrumento Informed Choice para medir la decisión informada de mamografía en mujeres chilenas usuarias de atención primaria

ObjetivoAdaptar y validar el instrumento Informed Choice (IC) para la decisión de mamografía al contexto chileno.DiseñoEstudio transversal, analítico, de adaptación y validación psicométrica.EmplazamientoCentro de atención primaria del sector sur oriente de Santiago de Chile.Métodos1) traducir y contra-traducir IC; 2) realizar un grupo focal para la relevancia cultural/lingüística; 3) examinar la validez del contenido; 4) pilotar el instrumento; 5) aplicar para validación. Para la consistencia interna se usó el alfa de Cronbach, prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett y la medida de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin para determinar correlaciones entre las variables y análisis factorial.ResultadosSe construyeron 3 versiones del IC, modificándose según la opinión de usuarios y expertos. La validación se llevó a cabo en una muestra de 70 mujeres. La edad media fue de 54,4 años, el 47,1% de educación secundaria completa y el 92,9% al menos se había realizado alguna vez una mamografía. Se realizó análisis factorial del IC y se eliminó uno de sus ítems. El alfa de Cronbach final fue 0,79.ConclusiónEl uso de instrumentos de medición requiere de su validación previa ya que la versión original puede variar de acuerdo al contexto cultural donde será aplicado y las necesidades locales particulares. El proceso de validación del IC permite contar con un instrumento confiable para medir la decisión de las mujeres que deben realizarse la mamografía en la dimensión conocimiento, actitud e intención hacia el examen.Palabras clave: Toma de decisiones en salud, Cáncer de mama, Mamografía     

CBR1 rs9024 genotype status impacts the bioactivation of loxoprofen in human liver

Loxoprofen is an anti‐inflammatory drug that requires bioactivation into the trans‐OH metabolite to exert pharmacological activity. Evidence suggests that carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) is important during the bioactivation of loxoprofen. This study examined the impact of the functional single nucleotide polymorphism CBR1 rs9024 on the bioactivation of loxoprofen in a collection of human liver samples. The synthesis ratios of trans‐OH loxoprofen/cis‐OH loxoprofen were 33% higher in liver cytosols from donors homozygous for the CBR1 rs9024 G allele in comparison with the ratios in samples from donors with heterozygous GA genotypes. Complementary studies examined the impact of CBR1 rs9024 on the bioactivation of loxoprofen in lymphoblastoid cell lines. CBR1 rs9024 genotype status impacts the synthesis of the bioactive trans‐OH metabolite of loxoprofen in human liver.