Experiences of Chinese advanced cancer patients after attending a "four-stage" death education programme: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of cancer patients who participated in and completed a "four-stage" death education programme based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Semistructured interviews with an interview guide were used to collect data. Fifteen cancer patients who participated in and completed the "four-stage" death education programme (from November 10, 2021, to December 29, 2021) were recruited via purposive sampling. The "four-stage" death education programme model was developed based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory and included eight death education modules. Each interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Generic analysis was used to conduct data analysis by coding, classifying, and extracting themes. RESULTS: Five themes were identified: the gradual shift of death cognition towards objective reality, a decrease in death anxiety, patients' early thoughts concerning issues related to death and preparation ahead of death, patients' improved ability to respond to death incidents, and patients' increased focus on cherishing the remainder of their lives and living in the moment. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients accept and respond effectively to the implementation of a "four-stage" death education programme based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory. These findings can help cancer patients improve their reasonable perception of death and reduce their doubts and confusion concerning death.

Oncology nurses' and oncologists' experience of addressing sexual health concerns in breast cancer patients: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of Chinese oncology nurses and oncologists who provide sexual health education for breast cancer patients in their practical work. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using semistructured face-to-face interviews. Eleven nurses and eight oncologists who provided sexual health education to breast cancer patients were purposively recruited from eight hospitals in seven provinces of China. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged: the surface of sexual health, stress and benefit finding, cultural sensitivity and communication, needs and changes. Both oncology nurses and oncologists found it difficult to solve sexual health problems, which were beyond their responsibilities and competencies. They felt helpless about the limitations of external support. Nurses hoped oncologists could participate in more sexual health education. CONCLUSIONS: Oncology nurses and oncologists experienced great challenges in educating breast cancer patients about sexual health. They are eager to obtain more formal education and learning resources for sexual health education. Specific training to improve the sexual health education competence of healthcare professionals is needed. Furthermore, more support is needed to create conditions to encourage patients to reveal their sexual challenges. It is necessary for oncology nurses and oncologists to communicate on sexual health in breast cancer patients, and to promote interdisciplinary communication and share responsibility.

miR­19a promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration and invasion through regulation of Ras homolog family member B.

Diabetic patients with high glucose exhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) alteration. Thrombotic disease is related to erosion of an unstable plaque, the instability of which leads to ruptures, for example, a thin fibrous cap derived from VSMCs. VSMC proliferation, migration and invasion are related to thrombotic diseases, including atherosclerosis. MicroRNA­19a (miR­19a) has been reported to have pleiotropic functions in cancer cell survival, apoptosis and migration. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of miR­19a on VSMC proliferation, migration and invasion, and its mechanism. Cell Counting Kit­8 and a propidium iodide kit were used to determine the proliferation and cycle of VSMCs. A cell migration assay was performed by scratching and Matrigel was used in a cell invasion assay. miR­19a binding to Ras homolog family member B (RHOB), and their protein and mRNA expressions were determined by performing a dual luciferase assay, western blotting and reverse transcription­quantitative PCR, respectively. It was demonstrated that miR­19a promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of VSMCs, promoted the expressions of dual specificity phosphatase Cdc25A (CDC25A), cyclinD1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)­2, MMP­9, α­smooth muscle actin (α­SMA) and smooth muscle 22α (SM22α), and inhibited suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and RHOB expressions in VSMCs, while miR­19a had no effect on the expression of T­cell intracellular antigen­1. The miR­19a site bound to the RHOB gene position and inhibited RHOB to promote VSMC proliferation, invasion and migration, and increased MMP­2, MMP­9, α­SMA and SM22α expressions. The present study suggested that miR­19a could promote VSMC proliferation, migration and invasion via the cyclinD1/CDC25A and MMP/α­SMA/SM22α signaling pathways. Moreover, miR­19a promoted proliferation, migration and invasion via the MMP/α­SMA/SM22α signaling pathway by inhibiting RHOB, suggesting that miR­19a is a possible regulatory factor of RHOB.