Stigma, social support, and spirituality: associations with symptoms among Black, Latina, and Chinese American cervical cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Few studies have examined experiences of stigma and factors associated with symptoms among cervical cancer survivors from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We investigated survivorship experiences and patient-reported outcomes in the SPADE symptom cluster (sleep disturbance, pain interference, anxiety, depression, and energy/fatigue) among Black, Latina, and Chinese American women diagnosed with cervical cancer. METHODS: In two phases of research with cervical cancer survivors, we collected qualitative data through individual interviews (N=12; recruited through community referrals) and quantitative data from an observational cohort study (N=91; recruited through 4 national cancer registries). We coded interview transcripts to describe the survivors' experiences. We then evaluated associations between social support, spirituality, and SPADE symptom cluster domains using linear regression models. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis yielded four themes: perceptions of stigma, empowerment, physical and psychological effects, and social support. These concepts revolved around internal and external stigmas, emotional responses, strengthened faith, and different social support types. Quantitative analyses indicated that greater spirituality was associated with lower symptom burden on all five SPADE domains (p<0.01). We observed nuanced associations between specific types of social support and SPADE domains. CONCLUSIONS: The survivorship experiences of Black, Latina, and Chinese American women with cervical cancer are negatively influenced by perceptions of stigma. Higher scores on spirituality and varied types of social support were significantly associated with fewer symptoms in the SPADE symptom cluster. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Results suggest targets for future interventions to reduce symptom burden among women diagnosed with cervical cancer by leveraging spirituality and social support.

Control of drooling using transdermal scopolamine skin patches. A case report.

Transdermal scopolamine has been shown to be very useful in the management of drooling, particularly in patients with neurological or neuropsychiatric disturbances or severe developmental disorders. In this paper, we present the case of a 24-year-old patient with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and a severe problem of drooling, exacerbated by marked mandibular prognathism. After exclusion of other therapeutic alternatives, it was decided to use sustained-release transdermal scopolamine patches (Scopoderm TTS). This technique consists of the application every three days of a patch with 1.5 mg of scopolamine in the area of the mastoid apophysis; the patch releases a dose of 0.5 mg of the active substance over each 24 hour period. The patient underwent periodic clinical and laboratory follow-up over a period of three years, achieving satisfactory results with no significant undesirable effects.

Control of drooling using transdermal scopolamine skin patches. A case report

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Transdermal scopolamine has been shown to be very useful in the management of drooling, particularly in patientswith neurological or neuropsychiatric disturbances or severe developmental disorders. In this paper, we present the case of a 24-year-old patient with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and a severe problem of drooling, exacerbated by marked mandibular prognathism. After exclusion of other therapeutic alternatives, it was decided to use sustainedrelease transdermal scopolamine patches (Scopoderm TTS). This technique consists of the application every three days of a patch with 1.5 mg of scopolamine in the area of the mastoid apophysis; the patch releases a dose of 0.5 mgof the active substance over each 24 hour period. The patient underwent periodic clinical and laboratory follow-up over a period of three years, achieving satisfactory results with no significant undesirable effects (AU)

Nitazoxanide, tizoxanide and other thiazolides are potent inhibitors of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus replication.

Nitazoxanide (NTZ), a thiazolide anti-infective, is active against anaerobic bacteria, protozoa, and a range of viruses in cell culture models, and is currently in phase II clinical development for treating chronic hepatitis C. In this report, we characterize the activities of NTZ and its active metabolite, tizoxanide (TIZ), along with other thiazolides against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in standard antiviral assays. NTZ and TIZ exhibited potent inhibition of both HBV and HCV replication. NTZ was equally effective at inhibiting replication of lamivudine (LMV) and adefovir dipovoxil (ADV)-resistant HBV mutants and against 2'-C-methyl cytidine (2'CmeC) and telaprevir (VX-950)-resistant HCV mutants. NTZ displayed synergistic interactions with LMV or ADV against HBV, and with recombinant interferon alpha-2b (IFN) or 2'CmeC against HCV. Pre-treatment of HCV replicon-containing cells with NTZ potentiated the effect of subsequent treatment with NTZ plus IFN, but not NTZ plus 2'CmeC. NTZ induced reductions in several HBV proteins (HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAg) produced by 2.2.15 cells, but did not affect HBV RNA transcription. NTZ, TIZ, and other thiazolides are promising new antiviral agents that may enhance current or future anti-hepatitis therapies.