Dual chemodynamic/photothermal therapeutic nanoplatform based on DNA-functionalized prussian blue.

The combination of chemodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy has a promising application owing to its impressive anti-cancer effects. However, the degradability of the material and the lack of targeting severely limit its further clinical application. Herein, DNAs containing nucleolin aptamer (AS1411) and different bases sequences were used to functionalize PB NPs for the targeted treatment. Compared to prussian blue, DNA-functionalized prussian blue does not reduce the photothermal properties of prussian blue. Moreover, DNA confers DNA-functionalized prussian blue targeting and higher enzymatic activity, thereby achieving a more effective combination of chemodynamic and photothermal treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of this nanoplatform was evaluated in vivo and in vitro experiments, exhibiting that DNA-functionalized prussian blue nanozyme can maximize the precise control of the therapeutic effect, reduce the toxic and side effects caused by non-specific accumulation on other normal cells, and effectively achieve targeted killing of cancer cells. This work demonstrates that DNA-functionalized prussian blue can improve the efficiency of combined tumor treatment and enhance the application value of prussian blue in tumor treatment, which is expected to provide theoretical support for clinical application.

Correlation between TCF7L2 and CAPN10 gene polymorphisms and gestational diabetes mellitus in different geographical regions: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between TCF7L2 and CAPN10 gene polymorphisms and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been explored in diverse populations across different geographical regions. Yet, most of these studies have been confined to a limited number of loci, resulting in inconsistent findings. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review of published literature to identify studies examining the relationship between TCF7L2 and CAPN10 gene polymorphisms and the incidence of GDM in various populations. We specifically focused on five loci that were extensively reported in a large number of publications and performed a meta-analysis. METHODS: We prioritized the selection of SNPs with well-documented correlations established in existing literature on GDM. We searched eight Chinese and English databases: Cochrane, Elton B. Stephens. Company (EBSCO), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database and retrieved all relevant articles published between the inception of the database and July 2022. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the selected articles, and the odds ratio (OR) was used as the combined effect size index to determine the association between genotypes, alleles, and GDM using different genetic models. Heterogeneity between the studies was quantified and the I2 value calculated. Due to large heterogeneities between different ethnic groups, subgroup analysis was used to explore the correlation between genetic polymorphisms and the incidence of GDM in the different populations. The stability of the results was assessed using sensitivity analysis. Begg's and Egger's tests were used to assess publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 39 articles reporting data on 8,795 cases and 16,290 controls were included in the analysis. The frequency of the rs7901695 genotype was statistically significant between cases and controls in the European population (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.65-0.86) and the American population (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48-0.77). The frequencies of rs12255372, rs7901695, rs290487, and rs2975760 alleles were also considerably different between the cases and controls in the populations analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: rs7903146, rs12255372, rs7901695, rs290487, and rs2975760 were associated with the incidence of GDM in different populations.

The effectiveness of self-management programme based on multilevel social resources utilization in diabetes mellitus patients: A randomized controlled study.

AIMS: This study aimed to test the effects of a novel diabetes self-management education (DSME) programme focused on multilevel social resources utilization on improving self-management behaviour, social resources utilization and haemoglobin Alc (HbA1c ) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A randomized controlled design was used. A total of 118 participants with T2DM from two communities were recruited through randomized sampling, and randomly assigned to the novel DSME group or the traditional DSME group. DSME focusing on multilevel social resources utilization was implemented in the novel DSME group. Data were collected at baseline (T0 ), at the end of the intervention (T1 ) and 3 months after the end of intervention (T2 ) from 3 March to 16 November 2014. RESULTS: Comparing these two groups, the participants in the novel DSME group reported significantly better improvement in self-management behaviour and social resources utilization at T1 and T2 (all p < 0.01). A significant difference was found in the mean improvement of HbA1c level between the two groups at T2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The novel DSME programme focused on multilevel social resources utilization can effectively enhance T2DM patients' self-management behaviour and social resource utilization and lower HbA1c levels. More importantly, the effects could last longer.

Inflammatory potential of diet and colorectal carcinogenesis: a prospective longitudinal cohort.

BACKGROUND: Acknowledging the role of inflammation in colorectal carcinogenesis, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between diet-associated inflammation, as measured by the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DIITM), and distinct stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. METHODS: The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial enrolled participants without a colorectal cancer history, who were asked to complete baseline questionnaires and food frequency questionnaires. To estimate the associations between the E-DII and risks of newly incident colorectal adenoma, recurrent adenoma, and colorectal cancer, multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed. RESULTS: Among 101,680 participants, with an average age of 65 years, a total of 1177 incident colorectal adenoma cases, 895 recurrent adenoma cases and 1100 colorectal cancer cases were identified. Higher E-DII scores from food and supplement (HRQ5 vs Q1: 0.86 [0.69-1.06], Ptrend: 0.27) or from food only (HRQ5 vs Q1: 0.82 [0.64-1.05], Ptrend: 0.06) were not associated with higher risks of incident adenoma. However, the elevated risk of recurrent adenoma was found in the highest category of E-DII from food plus supplement (HRQ5 vs Q1: 1.63 [1.28-2.03], Ptrend: < 0.001) when compared with the lowest category. A significant association between colorectal cancer risk and E-DII from food plus supplement (HRQ5 vs Q1: 1.34 [1.09-1.65], Ptrend: 0.009) was found, where this association was only pronounced in distal colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Higher E-DII scores from diet plus supplement but not from diet only were associated with a higher risk of recurrent adenoma and distal colorectal cancer. The role of nutrient supplements on cancer risk, especially when combined with diet, needs to be elucidated in future studies.

Dyadic effects of rumination and self-disclosure on posttraumatic growth in newly diagnosed gynecological cancer couples: an actor-partner interdependence modeling approach.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the dyadic effects of rumination and self-disclosure on posttraumatic growth among newly diagnosed gynecological cancer couples. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 400 newly diagnosed gynecological cancer couples from a tertiary general hospital from July to December 2020. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on demographic and cancer-related characteristics, rumination, self-disclosure, and posttraumatic growth. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to explore the dyadic effects of rumination and self-disclosure on posttraumatic growth. RESULTS: Gynecological cancer survivors reported more posttraumatic growth than their spouses. The patients' deliberate rumination and self-disclosure and spouses' self-disclosure had actor and partner effects on their own and their spouses' posttraumatic growth. Besides, the patients' intrusive rumination and spouses' deliberate rumination had actor effects on their own posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Spouses' posttraumatic growth was influenced by their own and their wives' deliberate rumination and self-disclosure, while survivors' posttraumatic growth was affected by their own deliberate rumination, intrusive rumination, self-disclosure, and their spouses' self-disclosure. Promoting deliberate rumination and self-disclosure could facilitate the couples' posttraumatic growth. Besides, reducing intrusive rumination may be useful for the survivors and indirectly contribute to spouses' posttraumatic growth. This study indicates that couple-centered interventions may be crucial and more effective in facilitating posttraumatic growth among newly diagnosed gynecological cancer couples.

Endoscopic stent versus diverting stoma as a bridge to surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), an alternative to diverting stoma (DS), has been used as a "bridge to surgery" (BTS) to decompress acute obstruction of colorectal cancer (CRC) for decades. However, whether SEMS is a safe technique for obstruction of CRC without compromising the long-term survival of patients remains unidentified compared to those of DS. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the safety and survival outcomes of SEMS and DS. METHODS: Embase, PubMed, and Medline were searched for qualified studies published until October, 2020, in which SEMS or DS was performed as a BTS without resection at the same stage. The last search was on December 5th, 2020. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of included studies. The major complication rate, mortality, 3-year overall survival (OS), and permanent stoma rate were estimated as outcomes. RESULTS: The present study was registered on INPLASY (No. 2020100079). Seven eligible studies were included, involving 646 and 712 patients who underwent SEMS and DS treatments, respectively. The Clavien-Dindo I/II grade complication rate was significantly lower in the SEMS group than in the DS group (8.68 vs. 16.85%; RR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.84; P = 0.004). The Clavien-Dindo III/IV grade complication rate was comparable in two groups (7.69 vs. 8.79%; RR, 0.82; 95% CI 0.54-1.27; P = 0.37). There were no statistical differences in the short-term mortality (5.16 vs. 4.53%; RR, 1.25; 95% CI 0.75-2.08; P = 0.39), 3-year OS (71.91 vs. 76.60%; RR, 0.93; 95% CI 0.86-1.01; P = 0.10), and permanent stoma rate (22.08 vs. 27.54%; RR, 0.84; 95% CI 0.67-1.06; P = 0.14) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: To some extent, SEMS is a safe BTS technique for acute obstructive CRC, without significant adverse effect on the survival of patients. Given the advantage of minimal invasion, SEMS may be a better alternative to DS for obstructive CRC. However, the conclusions remain to be discussed because of lacking high-quality randomized controlled trails.

Incidence, predictors and health outcomes of delirium in very old hospitalized patients: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common complication that leads to poor health outcomes in older patients undergoing treatment. Due to severe consequences, early recognition of high-risk patients and risk factors for delirium are crucial in the prompt initiation of prevention measures. However, research in medically hospitalized patients aged ≥80 years remains limited. This study aimed to determine the incidence, predictors and health outcomes of delirium in very old (aged ≥80 years) hospitalized patients in China. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in individuals aged ≥80 years admitted to geriatric departments. Potential risk factors were assessed within 24 h after hospital admission. Screening for delirium was performed on admission and every 48 h thereafter for 14 days and assessed if acute mental status changes were observed. During hospitalization, health outcomes were recorded daily. RESULTS: Incident delirium occurred in 109 of 637 very old hospitalized patients (17.1%). The independent predictors of delirium in hospitalized patients aged 80 and over were cognitive function impairment [OR 17.42, 95% CI:(7.47-40.64)], depression [OR 9.30, 95% CI: (4.59-18.84)], CCI ≥ 5 [OR 4.21, 95% CI: (1.48-12.01)], sleep deprivation [OR 3.89, 95% CI: (1.71-8.82)], infection [OR 3.33, 95% CI: (1.70-6.54)], polypharmacy (≥5 medications) [OR 2.85, 95% CI: (1.51-5.39)], constipation [OR 2.58, 95% CI: (1.33-5.02)], and emergency admission [OR 2.13, 95% CI: (1.02-4.45)]. Patients with delirium had significantly longer hospital stays(P < 0.001) and higher percentages of physical restraint use(P < 0.001) and falls (P = 0.001) than those without delirium,. CONCLUSION: The incidence of delirium was high in hospitalized patients aged ≥80 years admitted to the geriatric department and was associated with prolonged hospital stay and higher rates of physical restraint use and falls. In this population, the most important independent risk factors for incident delirium were cognitive function impairment and depression. Health care professionals should recognize and initiate interventions for delirium early in geriatric patients.

Effects of nurse-led supportive-expressive group intervention for post-traumatic growth among breast cancer survivors: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic growth induced from cancer diagnosis and treatment could benefit the prognosis of cancer survivors, but intervention based on self-disclosure in group is limited. OBJECTIVE: Aimed to examine the effectiveness of a supportive-expressive group intervention on post-traumatic growth. The impact of the intervention on anxiety and depression were also explored. DESIGN: This randomized clinical trial enrolled patients from June 2017 to September 2018 with a one-month follow-up. Data collectors were blinded to patient grouping. SETTING: A single center study in Chengdu, China. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-eight participants who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 84) or control group (n = 84); 46 were excluded and 122 patients finished the one-month follow-up. METHODS: Participants in the intervention group received nurse-led support intervention focusing on topics such as "Being a Patient", "Interpersonal Relationships", "Journey for Recovery", and "Planning the Future" while participants in the control group received health education, rehabilitation training etc. according to the nursing routine of breast cancer patients. The intervention was designed in accordance with the diagnosis and treatment process as well as patient needs. Participants in both groups were evaluated three times (T1-baseline before the intervention, T2-end of the intervention, and T3-1 month follow up). Post-traumatic growth, anxiety and depression were evaluated. RESULTS: Participants in the intervention group reported higher level of post-traumatic growth (p < 0.01 or 0.05) and reduced anxiety and depression (p < 0.01 or 0.05 and p < 0.01 or 0.05). The multilevel model indicated that the intervention significantly promoted post-traumatic growth (ßT3  = 7.87, p < 0.05) and dimensions of relating to others (ßT3  = 4.26, p < 0.001), personal strength (ßT3  = 4.27, p < 0.01), appreciation of life (ßT3  = 8.69, p < 0.001), and new possibilities (ßT3  = 1.91, p < 0.05), anxiety (ßT3  = -3.63, p < 0.001), and depression (ßT3  = -2.27, p < 0.001), but had no effect on the dimension of spiritual change. In addition, the multi-level model showed that patients with younger ages (ß = -0.05~-0.52, p < 0.05-0.001), with high school and above education levels (ß = 1.53~9.29, p < 0.01) and accompanied by husbands(ß = -1.48~-8.51, p < 0.05) had more effective intervention and patients with religious belief had a better spiritual change level (ß = 1.86, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence for the potential effectiveness of the nurse-led intervention on positive benefits of post-traumatic growth and relieved anxiety and depression for Chinese breast cancer survivors and will inform the design and development of a large randomized controlled trial. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The supportive-expression group intervention can be applied independently by nurses. The four themes of self-disclosure can help patients grow after trauma, and this method can be used as a psychological support technique for breast cancer patients during hospitalization.

Research hotspots and trends in nursing education from 2014 to 2020: A co-word analysis based on keywords.

AIMS: To investigate research hotspots and trends in nursing education from 2014 to 2020, and provide references for researchers to understand the research status and developing trends in this field. DESIGN: A co-word analysis based on keywords. METHODS: Data were obtained from nursing education-related academic research articles that were retrieved through a literature search using PubMed during the period of 2014-2020. Keywords included in the analysis of literature were considered as the research objects. Bibliographic Item Co-occurrence Matrix Builder (BICOMB) was employed to extract high-frequency keywords and generate co-occurrence matrix, graphical clustering toolkit (gCLUTO) was used to perform cluster analysis, and SPSS 25.0 was used to perform strategic diagram analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 7857 articles were retrieved, from which 2679 keywords were obtained and 64 high-frequency keywords extracted. The results revealed seven hotspots in nursing education during the period of 2014-2020, which included research on: (i) continuing education in nursing, (ii) application and influence of the internet in nursing education, (iii) postgraduate nursing education, (iv) undergraduate nursing education and clinical quality training, (v) current development status and tendency of nursing education, (vi) nursing teaching methods and (vii) organization and management in nursing education. CONCLUSION: The seven research hotspots could reflect the publication trends in nursing education. By providing a co-word analysis-including cluster and strategic diagram analysis-an overall command of the latest hotspots can be depicted, and researchers conducting research in nursing education can have some hints. IMPACT: This study allows the development of future research on nursing education. Future researchers should explore the application of new network technologies in the process of nursing teaching, quality of postgraduate nursing education, innovative teaching methods as well as teaching strategies of improving students' clinical ability, current situation of economics and leadership in nursing education and ability of organization and management in undergraduate nursing education.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with chronic diseases: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the attitudes, knowledge and vaccination willingness of patients with chronic diseases toward COVID-19 vaccines and the influencing factors. BACKGROUND: Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important way to protect patients with chronic diseases, but the vaccination acceptance varies across diseases and populations. A better understanding of this condition will lead to tailored intervention strategies and high vaccination rates. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected between March 2021 and May 2021 in China. A self-compiled questionnaire was used in the survey. Two independent-samples t-tests/one-way analysis of variance or U test/H test was used to measure the differences between groups. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors. The study adhered to the EQUATOR checklist, STROBE. RESULTS: A total of 998 patients participated in the study. Score rates of attitudes, knowledge and vaccination willingness were 69.9%, 68.4% and 70.6% respectively. Age, vaccination status of family members, education levels, vaccine side effects and economic level were positive factors that could influence patients' vaccination acceptances, while time of illness, type of disease and political affiliations were negative predictors. The top reasons for willingness toward vaccination were supporting national strategies, belief on the vaccines and fearing of contracting COVID-19, while physical reasons, side effects and having a wait-and-see attitude were unwillingness factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' attitudes, knowledge and vaccination willingness were medium. Nurses should pay attention to patients who are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, under 30 or over 70 years old, have no political affiliations, have damage to vital organs, have a long course of illness, family members have not received COVID-19 vaccines and had no side effects after receiving other vaccines. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinical nurses are recommended to take measures from patients' duration of illness, damaged organs, demographic characteristics and families to improve patients' vaccination acceptances.

Relationship of Earthquake Exposure, Locus of Control, Coping Strategy, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Adolescent Survivors.

A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among adolescent survivors 2 years after the 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake, and to identify risk factors and their interaction effects. A total of 4,131 adolescents were recruited. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, and locus of control (LOC) and coping strategy were assessed using the Internality, Powerful Others and Chance Scale and Coping Styles Scale, respectively. The prevalence of PTSD was 5% and the relationship between external LOC and PTSD and negative coping and PTSD seemed moderated by environmental factors. These factors should be considered along with external LOC, especially among adolescents with high levels of earthquake exposure. Positive coping strategies may help adolescents manage stress after a severe earthquake. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(11), 41-47.].

Effects of psychosocial factors on posttraumatic growth among lung cancer patients: A structural equation model analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate how locus of control, coping strategies, emotion regulation strategies and social support affect posttraumatic growth. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A convenience sample of 540 patients with lung cancer was recruited from November 2016 to July 2017 at two tertiary grade A hospitals in China. The participants completed a series of questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to explore the effects of psychosocial factors on posttraumatic growth. RESULTS: Social support had a direct positive effect on posttraumatic growth (ß = 0.318, SE = 0.071, BC 95% CI = 0.252/0.390), and it also had indirect effects on posttraumatic growth (ß = 0.112, SE = 0.023, BC 95%CI = 0.088/0.135) through mediating psychological factors. Coping strategies and the cognitive reappraisal emotion regulation strategy were the main mediating variables, explaining approximately 73.1% of the indirect effect between social support and posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that Chinese lung cancer survivors can show relatively high posttraumatic growth. There are many mediating paths between social support and posttraumatic growth. These results may help healthcare professionals to identify the psychosocial factors that may benefit lung cancer patients and develop interventions to promote posttraumatic growth.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of residents in the prevention and control of COVID-19: An online questionnaire survey.

AIMS: To explore the status quo and the influencing factors of residents' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the difficulties or challenges perceived by residents in their preventive practice. DESIGN: An online questionnaire survey. METHODS: The self-designed questionnaire was distributed among residents online in February 2020. Descriptive statistics, two independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analysis, multivariate linear regression and content analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 919 valid questionnaires were collected. The scoring rates of residents' KAP were 85.2%, 92.9% and 84.4% respectively. Main factors influencing residents' knowledge included gender and occupation; while those influencing attitude were occupation, family economic level and knowledge; and those influencing practice included place of residence, occupation, with or without chronic disease, knowledge and attitude. Mass media was the primary approach for people to learn the knowledge and information of COVID-19. Difficulties or challenges faced were mainly lack of protective equipments, concerns about the risk of prevention and control, impact on daily life, work and study, lack of knowledge and consensus, psychological problems and information problems. CONCLUSION: The attitude of residents towards COVID-19 prevention and control is generally positive. The knowledge and practice have been popularized to a certain extent, but there are still deviations or deficiencies in residents' understanding of certain important knowledge and the adoption of relevant preventive measures. Evidence-based tailored public education initiatives are indicated. IMPACT: Findings of this study add important knowledge about residents' understanding, attitude, practice and the influencing factors on COVID-19 prevention and control, which serves as a scientific foundation for optimizing the pandemic public education and decision-making.

Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic promotes the sense of professional identity among nurses.

BACKGROUND: Under the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are the mainstay in the fight against the pandemic. PURPOSE: To evaluate potential impact of the pandemic on nurses' professional identity. METHOD: Self-report questionnaires were distributed online. Data collected were compared with available norms. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to calculate the OR of frontline vs. nonfrontline nurses. FINDINGS: The mean of the total score of the scale was 121.12 out of 150. Both the total score and scores on the five dimensions were significantly higher than norms. Frontline nurses had a significantly higher professional identity than non-frontline nurses (total score: odds ratio [OR], 1.19; professional identity evaluation: OR, 1.27; professional social support: OR, 1.18; professional social proficiency: OR, 1.33; and dealing with professional frustration: OR, 1.19). The most frequently mentioned tags were Hope, Frontline, Protection, Outbreak, Work, Situation. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 outbreak was associated with an enhancement in the professional identity of nurses.

The lady with the lamp: Amid the COVID-19 haze.

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently the dominant public health topic across every nation. The world of health care is shrouded in the haze of the COVID-19 pandemic and is experiencing unprecedented patient loads arising from this complicated and unfamiliar viral disease. No one was prepared for this. Unsurprisingly, there are shortages of supplies and equipment, treatment space and people with the skills to respond to the containment, treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Nurses are at the front line of every nation's response, trying to provide assessment, protection, treatment and prevention as being part of the overwhelming care demand that is occurring. Across every nation, the ongoing policy implications of the pandemic should be considered, as well as for those pandemics in the future. This includes, but is not limited to, investing in emergency systems and nurses, health research, and preparing for, managing and researching nursing practice.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and its risk factors in bereaved Tibetan adolescents 3 years after the 2010 Yushu earthquake, a cross-sectional study in China.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the incidence of symptomatological post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in bereaved Tibetan adolescents 3 years after the 2010 Yushu earthquake, then to identify possible and relational risk factors of PTSD by a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 867 bereaved Tibetan adolescents seriously impacted by the 2010 earthquake were investigated. Symptomatological PTSD was evaluated by the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. And coping styles were evaluated by the Coping Styles Scale. Exposure of trauma to the 2010 Yushu earthquake was evaluated by a checklist about earthquake containing sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: 3 years after the Yushu earthquake, 24.4% of the bereaved Tibetan adolescents had symptomatological PTSD. The results also indicated that coping styles and disaster-related experiences after the 2010 earthquake were connected with PTSD among survivors. When the 2010 earthquake struck, those having symptomatological PTSD were more probably to be buried/injured/amputated, and to witness burial/injury/death, and to have property damage. An individual who adopted positive coping skill was probably to have less symptomatological PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the existence of PTSD in bereaved Tibetan adolescents in the Yushu earthquake was very prevailing after 3 years. Effective psychological rescue work should be carried out, especially targeting bereaved Tibetan adolescents with more severe PTSD.

Suppression of wetting-induced percolation-to-droplet transition in near-critical polymer blend films by nanoparticles.

A new kind of percolation-to-droplet transition (PDT) caused by selective wetting was identified in near-critical polymer blend films. Nanoscale particles proved to possess superior ability in suppressing this morphological transition.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and its risk factors among adolescent survivors three years after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake in China.

BACKGROUND: Serious and long-lasting psychiatric consequences can be found in children and adolescents following earthquake, including the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although researchers have been focused on PTSD recently, its prevalence and risk factors after a huge natural disaster are still unclear because of limited sample size. The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescent survivors three years after the Wenchuan earthquake, describe PTSD symptoms, and to find out risk factors of PTSD. METHODS: A total of 4,604 adolescents from three middle schools which located in earthquake-stricken areas were recruited in this study. Instruments included the demographic questionnaire, questionnaire about earthquake exposure, the Social Support Appraisal Scale (SSA), the Posttraumatic stress disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), and the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Disorders (SCID). RESULTS: The prevalence rate of PTSD was 5.7% (frequency: n = 261), and the most commonly occurring symptoms of PTSD were distress at reminders (64.5%), difficulty concentration (59.1%), and being easily startled (58.6%). Loss of houses and property, being injured, deaths of family members, and witness of death are positive risk factors of PTSD, and physical exercise and social support are negative risk factors of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Professional and effective interventions are needed to reduce the development of PTSD among adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake, especially for these who lost their houses or property and lost their family members, witnessed death, and lacked of social support in the earthquake. Moreover, injured adolescents and adolescents who lacked of physical exercise also need intervention due to high risk.

Factors associated with self-concept in adolescent survivors of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake in China.

BACKGROUND: Experiencing a major natural disaster is a stressful event that challenges survival and sense of self. Adolescents are undergoing rapid developmental change in self-concept, and their sense of self is particularly susceptible to such stressful events. Although many studies have investigated adolescent self-concept, few have examined self-concept in relation to experiencing a natural disaster. OBJECTIVES: Following the Great Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan Province, China, in 2008, this study aimed to (a) describe disaster experiences; (b) describe social support, coping, and self-support; and (c) identify disaster experiences, social support, and coping factors associated with self-concept of adolescent survivors 3 months after the earthquake. METHODS: This was a large-scale cross-sectional study. A total of 1,976 adolescents living where the earthquake caused the most severe damage took part. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale; Coping Styles Scale; and Internality, Powerful Others, and Chance Scales were used to assess self-concept, coping strategy, and locus of control, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics, earthquake experiences, and social support were also obtained by self-report. RESULTS: Three months after the disaster, adolescent self-concept was generally positive. Locus of control centered on powerful others was the strongest predictor of total self-concept. The negative coping strategy, "abreacting," was a positive predictor of negative self-concept (self-criticism). DISCUSSION: Close attention to adolescents who use negative coping strategies and who tend to lack a sense of control is needed after major disaster events. Studies that examine long-term relationships between earthquake and other major disaster experiences and self-concept of adolescent survivors are needed.