Nonspecialty Nurse Education: Evaluation of the Oncology Intensives Initiative, an Oncology Curriculum to Improve Patient Care.

Background: A community hospital combined its medical and surgical patients with cancer on one unit, which resulted in nurses not trained in oncology caring for this patient population.

Objectives: The Oncology Intensives Initiative (ONCii) involved the (a) design and implementation of a daylong didactic boot camp class and a four-hour simulation session and (b) the examination of nurses' worries, attitudes, self-efficacy, and perception of interdisciplinary teamwork.

Methods: A two-group, pre-/post-test design was implemented.

The β-catenin/Tcf4/survivin signaling maintains a less differentiated phenotype and high proliferative capacity of human corneal epithelial progenitor cells.

It is clear that the microenvironment or niche plays an important role in determining the fate of stem cells: being stem cells or differentiated. However, the intrinsic pathways controlling the fate of adult stem cells in different niches are largely unknown. This study was to explore the role of β-catenin/Tcf4/survivin signaling in determining the fate of human corneal epithelial stem cells in different media.

Cleavage of functional IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) from murine corneal and conjunctival epithelia by MMP-9.

Background: IL-2 has classically been considered a cytokine that regulates T cell proliferation and differentiation, signaling through its heterotrimeric receptor (IL-2R) consisting of alpha (CD25), beta (CD122), gamma chains (CD132). Expression of IL-2R has also been detected in mucosal epithelial cells. Soluble IL-2Ralpha (CD25) has been reported as an inflammatory marker.

Effects of contact lens multipurpose solutions on human corneal epithelial survival and barrier function.

Purpose: To examine the effect of 4 commercially available contact lens multipurpose solutions (MPS) on the viability and barrier function of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro.

Methods: Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells were exposed to 4 solutions, MPS A, B, C, and D with culture medium and Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution as controls. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability.

Heart rate recovery after treadmill electrocardiographic exercise stress test and 24-hour heart rate variability in healthy individuals.

Background: Heart rate recovery after treadmill electrocardiographic exercise stress test is modulated by the autonomic nervous system. Analysis of heart rate variability can provide useful information about autonomic control of the cardiovascular system.

Objective: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis of association between heart recovery after treadmill electrocardiographic exercise test and heart rate variability.

Patterned expression of neurotrophic factors and receptors in human limbal and corneal regions.

Purpose: To evaluate the expression patterns of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) and their receptors in the human cornea with the intention of exploring the role of NTFs in maintaining corneal epithelial stem cells in the limbus.

Methods: Fresh human corneoscleral tissues were prepared for frozen sections. Immunofluorescent staining was performed with primary antibodies against six members of three NTF families and their six receptors.