The Effectiveness of Palliative Care Interventions in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Systematic Review.

The increasing elderly population is driving higher utilization rates of long-term care facilities, where residents often have multiple chronic diseases, making them potential candidates for palliative care. Timely palliative care interventions can improve their quality of life and medical autonomy. This study systematically reviews the effectiveness of palliative care programs in long-term care facilities.

Sex Differences in Anxiety and Depression Conditions among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Evidence suggested inconsistent results in anxiety and depression scores among female and male cancer patients. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess how anxiety and depression conditions among cancer patients vary according to sex. (2) Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA).

[Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nurses and an Ecological System Theory-Based Strategy for Reducing This Impact in the Future].

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant burnout among nurses, resulting in a shortage of nursing staff. Issues related to nursing work have received significant attention recently, and only healthy nurses are capable of providing good quality patient care. The authors employed Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Theory to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses and proposed specific strategies and recommendations to enhance the nursing workplace.

Question prompt list intervention for patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Enhanced communication in end-of-life care (EOL) improves preparation and treatment decisions for patients with advanced cancer, affecting their quality of life at the end of life. Question prompt list (QPL) has been shown to enhance physician-patient communication in patients with cancer, but there is a lack of systematic review and meta-analysis for those with advanced cancer. Enhanced communication in end-of-life care improves preparation and treatment decisions for patients with advanced cancer, affecting their quality of life at the end of life.

Barriers to initiate a discussion about advance care planning among older Taiwanese residents of nursing homes and their families: A qualitative study.

Background: In Taiwan, the Patients' Right to Autonomy Act was enacted in 2019. However, advance care planning (ACP) implementation rates remain low in long-term care facilities.

Aim: This study explored the barriers to initiate a discussion about ACP among older Taiwanese residents of nursing homes and their families.

The mediating effect of shared decision-making in enhancing patient satisfaction with participation in cancer clinical trials.

Objective: The participation of patients with advanced cancer(s) in clinical trials is vital for new drug development. We aimed to investigate patients' decision-making processes and satisfaction with their decision (SWD) to participate; the study's purpose was to provide results that can help support high-quality research in clinical trials. In addition, we explored how shared decision-making (SDM) mediates the relationship between understanding informed consent forms and SWD to participate in a clinical trial.

Immediate impact of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) among women with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) may have positive physiological and psychological benefits for breast cancer survivors. However, few studies involved a combination of the relevant literatures to confirm the effects.

Methods: Our study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs comparing interventions of MBCT and control protocols for alleviation of symptoms among breast cancer survivors.

A Phase II Study of Neoadjuvant PLD/Cyclophosphamide and Sequential nab-Paclitaxel Plus Dual HER2 Blockade in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant trastuzumab/pertuzumab (HP) plus chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) achieved promising efficacy. The additional cardiotoxicity still existed. Brecan study evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)/cyclophosphamide and sequential nab-paclitaxel based on HP (PLD/C/HP-nabP/HP).

Intelligent cyclic fire warning sensor based on hybrid PBO nanofiber and montmorillonite nanocomposite papers decorated with phenyltriethoxysilane.

An abundance of early warning graphene-based nano-materials and sensors have been developed to avoid and prevent the critical fire risk of combustible materials. However, there are still some limitations that should be addressed, such as the black color, high-cost and single fire warning response of graphene-based fire warning materials. Herein, we report an unexpected montmorillonite (MMT)-based intelligent fire warning materials that have excellent fire cyclic warning performance and reliable flame retardancy.

Impediments to Signing Advance Directives in Nursing Home Residents: A Qualitative Study.

Although public opinion in Taiwan has shifted to favoring self-determination regarding end-of-life care, many nursing home residents still entrust their end-of-life care decision making to family members. This study examined Chinese cultural impediments to nursing home residents signing advance directives. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using content analysis.

Astrocytes underlie a faster-onset antidepressant effect of hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919).

Major depression disorder (MDD) is a common and potentially life-threatening mental illness; however, data on its pathogenesis and effective therapeutic measures are lacking. Pathological changes in astrocytes play a pivotal role in MDD. While hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919), an independently developed antidepressant, has shown rapid action with low side effects, its underlying astrocyte-specific mechanisms remain unclear.

Targeted mA demethylation of ITGA6 mRNA by a multisite dCasRx-mA editor inhibits bladder cancer development.

Introduction: N6-methyladenosine (mA) modification contributes to the pathogenesis and development of various cancers, including bladder cancer (BCa). In particular, integrin α6 (ITGA6) promotes BCa progression by cooperatively regulating multisite mA modification. However, the therapeutic effect of targeting ITGA6 multisite mA modifications in BCa remains unknown.

Cultural impediments to frank communication regarding end-of-life care between older nursing home residents and their family members in Taiwan: a qualitative study.

Background: When older nursing home residents and their families are faced with end-of-life care decisions in Taiwan, they make them in the context of traditional cultural norms and socioeconomic changes. Both parties (residents and their family members) are often unwilling to broach the topic, leading to a decisional impasse. The aim of this study was to understand difficult-to-raise issues related to end-of-life care by investigating the perspectives of older nursing home residents and their family members.

Transition-metal-free radical difluorobenzylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes: access to ArCF-substituted ring-fused quinazolinones.

A mild and efficient transition-metal-free radical difluorobenzylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes toward the synthesis of difluorobenzylated polycyclic quinazolinone derivatives with easily accessible α,α-difluoroarylacetic acids has been developed. This transformation has the advantages of wide functional group compatibility, a broad substrate scope, and operational simplicity. This methodology provided a highly attractive access to pharmaceutically valuable ArCF-containing polycyclic quinazolinones.

Improving Patient Safety Culture During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan.

Background And Aim: Patient safety culture attitude is strongly linked to patient safety outcomes. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, pandemic prevention has become the priority of hospital staff. However, few studies have explored the changes in patient safety culture among hospital staff that have occurred during the pandemic.

The Comparative Effect of Reduced Mindfulness-Based Stress on Heart Rate Variability among Patients with Breast Cancer.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a powerful tool for observing interactions between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This study evaluated HRV during a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program among women with breast cancer after receiving treatment. A quasi-experimental, nonrandomized design was used.

Factors Influencing Older Adults' End-of-Life Care Preferences.

The objective of this study was to explore factors influencing Taiwanese older adults' end-of-life (EOL) care preferences. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in 2 geriatric wards of a veterans' hospital. Fifty-five older adults aged 65 years or older were included.

Evaluation of Guided Respiration Mindfulness Therapy (GRMT) for Reducing Stress in Nurses.

Guided respiration mindfulness therapy (GRMT) is a clinical model of breathwork that has shown promise as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress. This study examined the effectiveness of GRMT as a holistically oriented intervention for reducing psychological distress in nurses. Sixty-two nurses were assigned to either five sessions of GRMT or 5 sessions of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) comparison condition which were conducted over 5 weeks.

The Differences and Perspectives Between Elderly Individuals and Their Surrogates Regarding End-of-Life Care: A Mixed Methods Study.

Family members often take the place of decision-making for elderly individuals. Previous studies showed that family members could not predict elderly individuals' thoughts about end-of-life care. The aims are to understand the differences and perspectives between elderly individuals and surrogates regarding end-of-life care.

Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction on female sexual function and mental health in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: There have been few studies using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to improve sexual function in Asian women with breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mindfulness intervention on female sexual function, mental health, and quality of life in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: Fifty-one women with breast cancer were allocated into 6-week MBSR (n=26) sessions or usual care (n=25), without differences in group characteristics.

Transition-metal catalyzed oxidative spirocyclization of -aryl alkynamides with methylarenes under microwave irradiation.

A practical synthetic route to construct a variety of 3-benzyl spiro[4,5]trienones was developed transition-metal Cu/Ag-catalyzed oxidative -annulation of activated alkynes with unactivated toluenes using TBPB as an oxidant under microwave irradiation. This method allows the formation of two carbon-carbon bonds and one carbon-oxygen bond in a single reaction through a sequence of C-H oxidative coupling, -carbocyclization and dearomatization. The advantages of this protocol are its operational simplicity and broad substrate scope, and the ability to afford the desired products in moderate to good yields.

Short-term Effects of Randomized Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Female Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with breast cancer usually experience depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, pain, poor sleep quality, and low quality of life after their cancer treatment. Some studies used mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) interventions for reducing these symptoms; however, the results are conflicting.

Objective: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of MBSR interventions in the short term.

"We Want to Sign It, But We Can't Do It": Results From a Qualitative Pilot Study of Experiences Related to Advance Directives Among Families of Older Residents in a Long-term Care Facility.

This study aimed to clarify the experiences of family members of older adult residents regarding the signing of an advance directive in the context of a Chinese culture. Twenty family members of older residents in a long-term care facility participated in face-to-face interviews, and the researchers conducted a thematic analysis of observation field notes and interview transcripts. A content analysis of the interviews revealed 4 themes concerning the refusal to sign advance directives: resident decision, group decision, not entitled to decide, and random decision.

Smartphone-Enabled, Telehealth-Based Family Conferences in Palliative Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pilot Observational Study.

Background: In the palliative care setting, infection control measures implemented due to COVID-19 have become barriers to end-of-life care discussions (eg, discharge planning and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments) between patients, their families, and multidisciplinary medical teams. Strict restrictions in terms of visiting hours and the number of visitors have made it difficult to arrange in-person family conferences. Phone-based telehealth consultations may be a solution, but the lack of nonverbal cues may diminish the clinician-patient relationship.

A quasi-experimental evaluation of advance care planning improves consistency between elderly individuals and their surrogates regarding end-of-life care preferences: Development and application of a decision aid with cartoon pictures.

Objective: This study sought to develop a decision aid with cartoon pictures and evaluate its effectiveness in increasing consistency between elderly individuals and their surrogates regarding end-of-life care.

Methods: A pre-post quasi-experimental design was adopted using the Life Support Preferences Questionnaire. The intervention had two components: (1) increasing participants' knowledge of medical treatments related to end-of-life care, and (2) sharing their end-of-life wishes.