Resourcefulness and self-care in pregnant women with HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused suffering in the lives of humans worldwide. Pregnant Thai women now constitute the fastest-growing segment of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Few studies have looked at self-care or resourcefulness among pregnant women with HIV. Using Rosenbaum's theory of learned resourcefulness, this study examined the direct effects of depression and resourcefulness on prenatal self-care as well as the mediating effects of resourcefulness on depression and self-care. A model testing study with 153 pregnant Thai women compared the effects of depression and resourcefulness on prenatal self-care in HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups. Regression analyses indicated direct effects of depression and resourcefulness on prenatal self-care. The effect of depression on prenatal self-care was mediated by resourcefulness. HIV status did not predict prenatal self-care. The findings on the relationships of depression, resourcefulness, and prenatal self-care can help nurses provide effective services to pregnant Thai women, including counseling on self-care.     

The validity and reliability of the Thai version of the Kujala score for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Purpose: To develop a Thai version of the Kujala score and show the evaluation of the validity and reliability of the score.

Method: The Thai version of the Kujala score was developed using the forward–backward translation protocol. The 49 PFPS patients answered the Thai version of questionnaires including the Kujala score, Short Form-36 (SF-36) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form. The validity between the scores has been tested. The reliability was assessed using test–retest reliability and internal consistency.

Results: The Thai version of the Kujala score showed a good correlation with Thai IKDC Subjective Knee Form (Pearson’s correlation coefficient; r?=?0.74: p?r?=?0.586, 0.571 and 0.524, respectively: p?p?p?Conclusion: The Thai version of the Kujala score has shown good validity and reliability. This score can be effectively used for evaluating Thai patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The Kujala score is a self-administered questionnaire for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

• The validity and reliability of the Thai version of Kujala are compatible with other versions (Turkish, Chinese and Persian version).

• The Thai version of Kujala has been shown to have validity and reliability in Thai PFPS patients and can be used for clinical evaluation and also in the research work.

     

Liver adenomatosis: serial investigation on MRI

Purpose

To describe the natural history of liver adenomatosis (LA), including complications and changes in lesion size over time.

Materials and methods

Eighteen patients with clinical diagnosis of LA were included. Clinical and biochemical information were collected. The initial and follow-up MR studies were reviewed retrospectively to determine change in lesion size and imaging features.

Results

Seventeen patients were women (94.4%). The mean age of the initial MR study was 37.0 years (18–52 years). The median size of the largest lesion was 6.7 cm (range 3.0–13.5 cm). Intratumoral bleeding was detected on MRI in 9 lesions, in 7 patients (38.8%). The median size for hemorrhagic lesions was 7.6 cm (range 4.1–13.5 cm). During the mean follow-up period of 29.4 (range 4–98) months, 10 patients had stable disease (55.6%), and 8 patients had tumor regression (44.4%). Of 8 patients who were followed without intervention, 3 patients (37.5%) had spontaneous regression. No malignant transformation or lesion progression was occurred.

Conclusion

During an over 2-year follow-up period, the majority of lesions of LA appeared to remain stable or showed tumor regression. Spontaneous tumor regression can be observed in approximately 37% of individuals in the age range of 28–53 years.     

A thermoreversible hydrogel as a biosynthetic bandage for corneal wound repair

Ocular trauma and disorders that lead to corneal blindness account for over 2 million new cases of monocular blindness every year. A popular ocular surface reconstruction therapy, amniotic membrane transplantation, has been shown to aid corneal wound repair. However, the success rates of the procedure are variable. Here, we proposed to bioengineer a novel synthetic material that would serve as a biomimetic corneal bandage. The PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer was synthesised via ring-opening polymerisation. Thermoreversible gelation behaviour was investigated at different polymer concentrations (23%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, w/v) at temperatures ranging between 5 and 60 degrees C. Viscoelastic properties were studied in dynamic mechanical analysis with 1 degrees C/min temperature ramp. Cryo-SEM revealed a porous hydrogel with interconnecting networks. No adverse cytotoxicity was observed with an in vitro scratch-wound assay and in in vivo biocompatibility tests. We have demonstrated that the PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel possessed a suitable gelling profile and, for the first time, the biocompatibility properties for this application as a potential bandage for corneal wound repair.     

Intraosseous concentration and inhibitory effect of different intravenous cefazolin doses used in preoperative prophylaxis of total knee arthroplasty

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the intraosseous concentrations and the inhibitory effects on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus of 1 g versus 2 g of intravenous (IV) prophylactic cefazolin in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Materials and methods

Eighteen patients (21 knees) with primary knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups receiving 1 g (12 patients: 14 knees) versus 2 g (six patients: seven knees) IV prophylactic cefazolin prior to the incision in TKA. Subchondral bone samples (proximal tibia, distal femur) were taken during the operation. These samples were analyzed for intraosseous concentration of cefazolin and their inhibitory effects on the growth of S. aureus, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and agar disc diffusion bioassays.

Results

The mean intraosseous concentration in the 2 g dose group was significantly higher than in the 1 g dose group in the proximal tibia (p = 0.007) and distal femur (p = 0.016). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean inhibitory effects in the proximal tibia or distal femur (p > 0.05). No significant correlations were found between the intraosseous concentrations and inhibitory effects in the proximal tibia (r = 0.18, p = 0.52) and distal femur (r = −0.29, p = 0.30).

Conclusion

IV cefazolin at a dose of 2 g produced greater intraosseous concentrations overall than a dose of 1 g. However, the higher intraosseous concentrations did not correlate with higher inhibitory effects.

Level of evidence

Level III.     

Predictors of Papanicolaou testing in working women in Bangkok, Thailand

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death among women in Thailand. A significant number of Thai women have never received cervical cancer screening. This study examined the perceived susceptibility, benefits, and barriers that influence Papanicolaou testing and examined the relationships between socioeconomic factors and obtaining a Papanicolaou test among women working in 1 government agency and 3 private sector companies in Bangkok, Thailand. The Health Belief Model was used to guide the cross-sectional design of the study. The Susceptibility, Benefits, and Barriers Scale was mailed to 300 working women. The response rate to the survey was 63% (N = 189). Logistic regression analysis showed that perceived barriers were significant predictors of Papanicolaou testing (beta = -.13, P < .001). Women who reported barriers were significantly less likely to obtain a Papanicolaou test (odds ratio, 0.88; P < .001). The specific barriers to engaging in Papanicolaou testing were embarrassment, fear, time constraints, knowledge deficits, and cost. Marital status, age, education, and family income were other factors related to Papanicolaou testing. Findings suggest that screening rates may be improved by addressing a combination of research, health policy, and cultural factors in these women through a nationwide campaign.