Characterization and clinical validation of MCM2 and TOP2A monoclonal antibodies in the BD ProEx™ C assay: An immunoassay which detects aberrant S-phase induction in cervical tissue.

BACKGROUND: The Papanicolaou (Pap) screen has been successful in reducing cervical cancer; but exhibits low sensitivity when detecting cervical dysplasia. Use of molecular biomarkers in Pap tests may improve diagnostic accuracy. DESIGN: Monoclonal antibodies to Minichromosome Maintenance Protein 2 (MCM2) and DNA Topoisomerase II α (TOP2A) were selected for use in IHC based on their ability to differentiate normal from diseased cervical tissues in tissue microarrays. Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein Western blot analysis was used to help identify binding epitopes specific to MCM2 and TOP2A antibody clones. Antibody affinity was determined by solution phase affinity measurement and immunohistochemistry was performed using high affinity MCM2 or TOP2A antibodies on serial histological sections. RESULTS: Antibody clones to MCM2 and TOP2A clones were selected based on their ability to detect over expression in abnormal cervical epithelia. In IHC, MCM2-27C5.6 and MCM2-26H6.19 demonstrated superior staining in abnormal cervical tissue over the MCM2-CRCT2.1 antibody. A combination of MCM2 and TOP2A antibodies showed greater staining when compared to staining with any of the antibodies alone on serial histological sections. Distinct linear epitopes were elucidated for each of the MCM2 and TOP2A clones. Affinity values (Kd) for MCM2 or TOP2A antibodies had a similar range. In a research study, the MCM2 and TOP2A (BD ProEx™ C) antibody cocktail showed increased epithelia staining with increasing dysplasia. The use of BD ProEx™ C in combination with H&E staining enhanced immunohistochemical discrimination of dysplastic and non-dysplastic FFPE cervical tissue specimens. CONCLUSIONS: BD ProEx™ C containing MCM2 and TOP2A antibodies showed strong specific nuclear staining that correlated with increased dysplasia and lesion severity. Enhanced performance of the antibodies was linked to their unique topography recognition. BD ProEx™ C incorporates antibodies that enhance detection of CIN2+ cervical disease.

The Nursing Informatician's Role in Mediating Technology Related Health Literacies.

The advent of computer based technology and the internet have not changed nurses' responsibility for patient education; but they are rapidly changing what we teach and how we teach. The challenge for nursing informaticians is to create innovative patient education models and applications with the goal of achieving literate, engaged, empowered and informed patients as well as preparing health professionals to maximize the advantages offered by digital media and other new technology based tools. This paper explores the interrelationship of basic literacy, health literacy and technology related literacies that provide the foundation for achieving these goals.

Linking Nurses with Evidence-Based Information via Social Media Tools: An Analysis of the Literature.

Many health professional believe that social media tools can play a pivotal role in sharing and facilitating the use of evidence-based information with patients and other healthcare providers. By understanding how social media tools function, healthcare professionals can capitalize on these interactive platforms to improve the health of others. However, limited information exists to guide nurse educators in preparing healthcare professionals to engage patients or share evidence-based information among peers. The purpose of this literature review was to determine the extent to which professional development programs using social media for sharing evidence-based information have reported their research and/or experience in the published literature.

Health 2.0 and implications for nursing education.

Over the last 20 years the evolution of web browsers providing easy access to the Internet has initiated a revolution in access to healthcare related information for both healthcare providers and patients. This access has changed both the process used to deliver education and the content of the nursing education curriculum worldwide. Our amazing ability to access information around the world is referred as to Web 1.0. Web 2.0 moves beyond access to a world where users are interactively creating information. With the advent of Health 2.0 we are confronting a second revolution that is challenging all aspects of healthcare including all aspects of nursing. This paper explores the concept of Health 2.0, discusses a conceptual framework approach for integrating Health 2.0 content into the nursing curriculum, outlines examples of key concepts required in today's nursing curriculum and identifies selected issues arising from the impact of Health 2.0.

Literacy, consumer informatics, and health care outcomes: Interrelations and implications.

Health care outcomes are clearly impacted by the ability of clients to participate in their health care. Nurses have always used education to empower their patients. With the advent of the Internet the concept of patient education has been transformed to the much broader concept of consumer informatics. For increasing numbers of clients the Internet has become a primary source of health information and a major factor influencing their knowledge and decisions related to their health. Successful use of the Internet depends on several different levels and types of literacies. This paper explores the interrelations between the concepts of basic literacy, computer literacy, information literacy, health information literacy and health literacy. It demonstrates the need for client assessment tools that are sensitive to each of these literacies and their interrelations. In concludes by challenging consumer informatics specialists to develop these assessment tools as well as teaching tools for empowering consumers using the Internet.

The evolution of educational information systems and nurse faculty roles.

Institutions of higher education are purchasing and/or designing sophisticated administrative information systems to manage such functions as the application, admissions, and registration process, grants management, student records, and classroom scheduling. Although faculty also manage large amounts of data, few automated systems have been created to help faculty improve teaching and learning through the management of information related to individual students, the curriculum, educational programs, and program evaluation. This article highlights the potential benefits that comprehensive educational information systems offer nurse faculty.

CD52 expression in mantle cell lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma is one of the most difficult to treat of all the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. CAMPATH-1H, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the CD52 antigen, has been used with some success in other lymphoproliferative diseases, especially chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This report demonstrates that tumor samples from patients with mantle cell lymphoma express the CD52 antigen and suggests that CAMPATH-1H should be studied in patients with mantle cell lymphoma.