A Concept Analysis of the Social Responsibility of Nursing Organizations Based on Walker and Avant's Method.

Social responsibility has been a core value of the nursing profession, particularly in the area of health disparity. Nevertheless, it is unclear what is meant by social responsibility. This study examined ways to define the concept of the social responsibility of nursing organizations to understand the meaning of social responsibility in the nursing profession. METHODS: The concept analysis process reported by Walker and Avant was used to clarify the meaning of social responsibility in nursing organizations. RESULTS: Defining the attributes of the social responsibility of nursing organizations included accessing, educating, and practicing as approaches for strategizing the social and structural change in inequity, caring for oppressed groups suffering socially from those with privilege and power, and taking action for health policy changes in social and political unequal contexts. The antecedents of social responsibility in nursing organizations included recognizing personal characteristics, the perspective of vulnerable populations, and the social and environmental status quo, as well as educating public services on the ethical and moral reasoning of social issues. The consequences of the social responsibility of nursing organizations were achieving social justice as equal access to basic human health needed at a societal level, equal access to effective nursing practices, and the development of health promotion policies for world health administrative practices in nursing. CONCLUSION: This study provides guidance to direct future studies by identifying conceptual attributes in the context of the social responsibility of nursing organizations.

Developing Korean nursing students' global health competencies: A mixed methods approach to service learning in rural Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Owing to globalization, there is a need for enhanced global health competencies among nursing students. In this context, global service learning programs are important opportunities for nursing students. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of a short-term service learning program in a developing country on the global health competencies of students attending a South Korean nursing college. DESIGN: A mixed methods design. SETTING: The Global Nursing Internship is a two-week pre-experience, eight-day on-site, and one-week post-experience program. PARTICIPANTS: The on-site activities involved 15 nursing students participating in global health activities in a rural Vietnamese community. METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess changes in global health competencies in six domains, measured on a four-point Likert scale. Student satisfaction with each activity was measured on a five-point Likert scale. After completing the program, the participants wrote a self-reflection essay. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze global health competencies, and content analysis was used to analyze participants' self-reflections. RESULTS: Regarding global health competencies, the overall mean score showed a significant increase at the post-program evaluation (Z = -3.41, p = .001). A pre-post-program comparison showed that the domain of "health care in low-resource settings" displayed the greatest increase in scores. The mean overall satisfaction with the program was high (mean = 4.31, standard deviation = 0.17). In the students' view, as expressed in their essays, their global health knowledge and attitude had improved. CONCLUSIONS: The program was useful in promoting global health competencies, empathy, and confidence and should be embedded among the essential requirements of nursing curricula. Suggestions are provided to develop an enhanced pre-experience program that could help students prepare better for on-site activities. As cultural competency is crucial for nurses, nursing educators should consider integrating similar global service learning programs into their existing nursing curricula.

Cultural beliefs about breast cancer in Vietnamese women.

BACKGROUND: This study examined factors influencing cultural beliefs associated with later-stage detection of breast cancer and determined what factors influence those cultural beliefs in Vietnamese women residing in a rural Vietnamese community. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 289 women aged 20-64 years from 12 villages using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Cultural beliefs were measured with a 13-item cultural beliefs scale consisting of four domains-characteristics of breast lumps, self-help techniques, faith-based beliefs, and futility of treatment. Data were collected in February 2017 and analyzed using chi-square tests, nonparametric tests, Fisher's exact tests, and multiple linear regression analyses with SPSS/WIN 24.0 statistical software. RESULTS: Although the total score was relatively low (3.4 out of 13), cultural beliefs that could contribute to later-stage breast cancer were identified. Younger women (ß = .15, p = .016) and women with a lower income (ß = .21, p < .001) held more erroneous cultural beliefs as compared to their counterparts. Most women believed they would not get breast cancer if they took care of themselves. More than one-third held cultural beliefs about breast lumps, thinking they would need to be painful and/or actively growing to be breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the urgent need for education concerning breast cancer health promotion, including breast cancer assessment as well as guidance on evidence-based and up-to-date detection measures to change rural Vietnamese women's cultural beliefs.

Using the Stage-Based Approaches to Predict Breast Self-Examination Among Rural Vietnamese Women.

A stages-of-change approach would be helpful to understand cancer screening behaviors. This study aimed to identify the compliance and determinants of breast self-examination (BSE) based on transtheoretical model (TTM) and health belief model (HBM). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 296 rural Vietnamese women using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of Champion's HBM scales, breast cancer knowledge (BCK), integrated connection to neighborhood storytelling networks (ICSN), and TTM stages of BSE. A generalized ordered logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with TTM stages of BSE. About 61% of women did not currently perform BSE. Perceived benefit was significant in all stages changes. When changing to the action stage, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and BCK were significant. When changing to the maintenance stage, perceived susceptibility, benefits, self-efficacy, and ICSN were significant. Determinants influencing BSE behavior were different in each TTM stage, indicating that educational programs should be introduced with stage-matched strategies to increase BSE.

Preoperative coronary angiography within one day of valve surgery is not associated with postoperative acute kidney injury in patients with preserved renal function.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. Associations between the time interval (TI) from preoperative coronary angiography (CAG) to cardiac surgery have been investigated, although with conflicting results. METHODS: We evaluated data collected from a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent preoperative CAG and heart valve surgery at our institution between September 2008 and February 2013. A total of 426 patients met the study criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to the length of time between preoperative CAG and valve surgery: within one day (group A) or longer than one day (group B). Logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationships between TI and postoperative AKI. RESULTS: Of 426 patients, 140 (33%) underwent CAG on preoperative day 1, while 286 (67%) underwent CAG on preoperative day 2 or sooner. AKI occurred in 19 (13.6%) patients in group A and in 35 (12.2%) patients in group B (p = 0.70). CAG on preoperative day 1 was not associated an increased risk of AKI relative to CAG on preoperative day 2 or sooner (p = 0.49; odds ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.66 to 2.41). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CAG within one day of elective heart valve surgery is not associated with an increase in postoperative AKI in patients with normal renal function.

Early and Midterm Outcome of Redo Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: On-Pump versus Off-Pump Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared to the first-time operation. Further, the application of the off-pump technique to redo CABG is limited due to technical difficulties. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze early and midterm results after redo CABG and compare the outcome of redo on-pump and off-pump CABG. METHODS: From June 1996 to October 2011, elective redo CABG was performed in 32 patients. Mean age was 64.8 years (on pump 64.3 years vs. off pump 65.5 years; p=0.658), and 21 patients were male. Among these patients, 14 (43.8%) underwent on-pump CABG, and 18 (56.2%) underwent off-pump CABG. RESULTS: Internal thoracic artery was used in 22 patients (68.8%), and total arterial revascularization was achieved in 17 patients (53.1%). The average number of distal anastomoses was 2.13, and the rate of incomplete revascularization was 43.8%. The rate of total arterial revascularization was higher in the off-pump group (14.3% vs. 83.3%, p<0.001), and the use of saphenous vein graft was more in the on-pump group (78.6% vs. 16.7%, p<0.001). Overall hospital mortality was 3.1% (n=1) and was comparable in both groups (on pump 7.1% vs. off pump 0%; p=0.249). Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (64.2%), and the rate of complications was high in the on-pump group without statistical significance (64.2% vs. 33.3%, p=0.082). The mean follow-up duration was 5.4 years, and overall survival at 10 years was 86.0%±10.5%. There was no significant difference in the 10-year survival rate between the two groups (79.6% vs. 100%, p=0.225). CONCLUSION: Redo CABG can be safely performed with acceptable mortality. Redo off-pump coronary artery bypass is feasible with low mortality and morbidity, comparable target vessel bypass grafting, and long-term survival. The off-pump technique might be considered a safe option for redo CABG in high-risk patients.

Genetic and proteomic analysis of factors affecting serum cholesterol reduction by Lactobacillus acidophilus A4.

This article identifies novel factors involved in cholesterol reduction by probiotic bacteria, which were identified using genetic and proteomic approaches. Approximately 600 Lactobacillus acidophilus A4 mutants were created by random mutagenesis. The cholesterol-reducing ability of each mutant was determined and verified using two different methods: the o-phthalaldehyde assay and gas chromatographic analysis (GC). Among screened mutants, strain BA9 showed a dramatically diminished ability to reduce cholesterol, as demonstrated by a 7.7% reduction rate, while the parent strain had a more than 50% reduction rate. The transposon insertion site was mapped using inverse PCR (I-PCR), and it was determined using bioinformatic methods that the deleted region contained the Streptococcus thermophilus catabolite control protein A gene (ccpA). In addition, we have shown using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) that several proteins, including a transcription regulator, FMN-binding protein, major facilitator superfamily permease, glycogen phosphorylase, the YknV protein, and fructose/tagatose bisphosphate aldolase, were strongly regulated by the ccpA gene. In addition, in vivo experiments investigating ccpA function were conducted with rats. Rats fed wild-type L. acidophilus A4 showed a greater than 20% reduction in total serum cholesterol, but rats fed BA9 mutant L. acidophilus showed only an approximately 10% reduction in cholesterol. These results provide important insights into the mechanism by which these lactic acid bacteria reduce cholesterol.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of CD127 in pig.

CD127 (the alpha chain of the IL-7 receptor) is an 80 kDa type I membrane glycoprotein that mediates the signal for the differentiation, maturation, and survival of lymphocyte development. In this study, the full-length cDNA of pig Cd127 was cloned and sequenced. Pig CD127 cDNA contains an open reading frame (1,380 bp) encoding 459 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that pig CD127 is most homologous to that of cow (Bos taurus) with 87% amino acid identity and less homologous to that of chicken (Gallus gallus) with 36% amino acid identity among those of species. Structurally, pig CD127 has well-conserved cytoplasmic tail that transmits a signal and little diversity of extracellular domain, compared with those of other mammalian species. Expression analysis indicates that the mRNA transcript of pig CD127 is mainly detected in lymphoid tissues, but still detected in nonlymphoid tissues. Future studies will be focused on determining a more defined expression pattern of pig CD127 and the role of CD127 during the lymphocyte development in pigs.

Novel SCAR primers for specific and sensitive detection of Agrobacterium vitis strains.

An Agrobacterium vitis-specific DNA fragment (pAVS3) was generated from PCR polymorphic bands amplified by primer URP 2R. A. vitis specificity of this fragment was confirmed by Southern hybridization with genomic DNA from different Agrobacterium species. Sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were developed for A. vitis specific detection, using 24-mer oligonucleotide primers designed from the flanking ends of the 670bp insert in pAVS3. The SCAR primers amplified target sequences only from A. vitis strains and not from other Agrobacterium species or other bacterial genera. First round PCR detected bacterial cells between 5x10(2) and 1x10(3)cfu/ml and the detection sensitivity was increased to as few as 2cfu/ml by nested PCR. This PCR protocol can be used to confirm the potential presence of infectious A. vitis strains in soil and furthermore, can identify A. vitis strains from naturally infected crown galls.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of CD82 in pig.

CD82, which was originally referred to as KAI1 (kangai 1), is a member of the tetraspanin protein family, which contains four transmembrane domains. CD82 is implicated in a variety of biological processes, including apoptosis, cell adhesion, and cell migration. In this study, the full-length cDNA of pig CD82 was cloned and sequenced. Pig Cd82 cDNA contains an open reading frame (801 bp) encoding 266 amino acids. Sequence alignment results indicated that pig CD82 cDNA evidenced 85.45%, 85.63%, 77.03%, and 77.78% identity with human, cattle, rat, and mouse, respectively. In the expression study, the constitutive expression of swine Cd82 mRNA was detected in a variety of tissues, including lymphoid tissues as well as nonlymphoid tissues. Future studies will be focused on the functional role of CD82 during the course of pig infectious diseases or tumor development.

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus 43121 and a mixture of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum on the serum cholesterol level and fecal sterol excretion in hypercholesterolemia-induced pigs.

The hypocholesterolemic effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus 43121 (43121) and a mixture of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum (MIX) were studied in hypercholesterolemia-induced pigs. Serum total cholesterol was decreased by supplementation of either 43121 or MIX, although, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was not changed. The hypocholesterolemic effect of 43121 and MIX was mainly due to bile acid dehydroxylation, this effect being supplementation-time dependent.

Effect of dietary inclusion of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 on cholesterol metabolism in rats.

This study examined the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 (LAB) on cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolemia-induced rats. Four treatment groups of rats (n = 9) were fed experimental diets: normal diet, normal diet+LAB (2 x 10(6) CFU/day), hypercholesterol diet (0.5% cholesterol, w/w), and hypercholesterol diet + LAB. Body weight, feed intake, and feed efficiency did not differ among the four groups. Supplementation with LAB reduced total serum cholesterol (25%) and VLDL + IDL + LDL cholesterol (42%) in hypercholesterol diet groups, although hepatic tissue cholesterol and lipid contents were not changed. In the normal diet group, cholesterol synthesis (HMG-CoA reductase expression), absorption (LDL receptor expression), and excretion via bile acids (cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase expression) were increased by supplementation with LAB, and increased cholesterol absorption and decreased excretion were found in the hypercholesterol diet group. Total fecal acid sterols excretion was increased by supplementation with LAB. With proportional changes in both normal and hypercholesterol diet groups, primary bile acids (cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids) were reduced, and secondary bile acids (deoxycholic and lithocholic acids) were increased. Fecal neutral sterol excretion was not changed by LAB. In this experiment, the increase in insoluble bile acid (lithocholic acid) reduced blood cholesterol level in rats fed hypercholesterol diets supplemented with LAB. Thus, in the rat, L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 is more likely to affect deconjugation and dehydroxylation during cholesterol metabolism than the assimilation of cholesterol into cell membranes.

Opposite roles of MRF4 and MyoD in cell proliferation and myogenic differentiation.

The basic helix-loop-helix myogenic regulatory factors play critical roles in skeletal myogenesis. Among the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), MRF4 shows a biphasic expression pattern during the formation of myotomes, although its function remains unclear. In this study, we used BEF (spontaneously immortalized bovine embryonic fibroblast that shows myogenic differentiation by overexpression of MyoD) and C2C12 cells to investigate the function of MRF4. Ectopic expressions of MRF4 did not stimulate myogenic differentiation in the BEF and C2C12 cells, but did show a marked increase of cell proliferation, upregulation of cyclin E, and downregulation of p21WAF1. Furthermore, MRF4 was found to induce degradation of the MyoD protein, which acts as a transcriptional activator for p21WAF1, and thus indicates that MRF4 accelerates cell proliferation by suppressing MyoD-dependent p21WAF1 expression. However, forced expression of MyoD in the MRF4-overexpressing cells inhibited cell proliferation and partially induced myogenic differentiation, which suggests that MyoD is a potential negative intercessor of MRF4 in the regulation of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results indicate that MRF4 and MyoD play competitive roles in myogenesis by stimulating cell proliferation and differentiation, respectively.