Chinese university students' help-seeking behaviors when faced with mental health challenges.

BACKGROUND: Mental illnesses and mental health challenges have become increasingly pervasive among Chinese university students. However, the utilization rate of mental health services is low among students. AIMS: We aimed to explore Chinese university students' help-seeking behaviors to understand how they deal with mental health challenges and use the results to inform the development of effective mental health promotion initiatives. METHODS: In this study, we conducted 13 focus group interviews with students in six universities in Jinan, China, including 91 (62%) female students and 56 (38%) male students. We drew on the Theory of Planned Behaviors to guide our thematic analysis to gain a contextual understanding of participants' accounts on help-seeking. RESULTS: Our results have depicted the help-seeking patterns of Chinese university students and show that there are four major behaviors which are self-reliance, seeking support from peers and families, seeking professional support, and accessing virtual mental health care. CONCLUSION: Results from this study can be used to inform the development of mental health literacy programming for students in universities that share similar contexts, and the study has also opened up a new space for using qualitative approaches to study mental health needs and access to care in diverse populations.

Knowledge of HPV/cervical cancer and acceptability of HPV self-sampling among women living with HIV: A scoping review.

Cervical cancer rates are disproportionately high among women living with the human immunodeficiency virus (wlhiv). Cervical cancer is preventable through hpv screening, regular Pap tests, and early cancer detection. Evidence indicates that hpv and cervical cancer screening are suboptimal among wlhiv, who face a myriad of access barriers. Considering that screening is an effective first-line defense to cervical cancer, we conducted a scoping review with the aim of gaining a better understanding about: (1) the knowledge and perceptions of hpv and cervical cancer screening among wlhiv; and (2) the acceptability of self-sampling for hpv among wlhiv. We searched five electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles that were published in English within the last ten years, reported on studies with hiv-positive women who were aged 16 or older, and satisfied the topics of the review. A total of 621 articles were found. After accounting for duplicates and unmet criteria, 17 articles and 1 abstract, reporting on studies in the United States and Africa, were included in this review. The review highlighted that most wlhiv had inadequate knowledge of hpv transmission and cervical cancer prevention, which influenced their perceptions of risk and susceptibility. Screening barriers included misconceptions about Pap tests, fear of diagnosis of serious illness, perceived pain, embarrassment, bodily modesty, and limited access to female health care providers. This review also affirms that self-sampling is an acceptable and promising screening option for wlhiv. Implications for policy, research, and practice are discussed.

HIV-positive MSM's knowledge of HPV and anal cancer self-sampling: A scoping review.

Human papillomavirus (hpv) infection is the cause of anal squamous cell cancer (ascc) in 80% of cases. Available research has also shown high prevalence of anal hpv infection among men who have sex with men (msm). However, hpv vaccination is low among msm in Canada. In light of this information, we conducted a scoping review with the aim of exploring (1) the knowledge of hpv and anal cancer among hiv-positive msm and (2) the acceptability of hpv and anal cancer self-sampling in this population. In conducting the review, we searched five electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles and abstracts published in English, between 2007 and 2017. A total of 803 articles were retrieved; after accounting for duplicates (n=40) and unmet criteria (n=754), a total of 794 articles were excluded. A final total of nine articles were used in this review. Results of this review show that hiv-positive msm have limited knowledge regarding the risks of anal cancer associated with hiv and hpv coinfection. Furthermore, there is limited research on hpv and anal cancer self-sampling in this population. However, the review of available studies suggested that hiv-positive msm were open to anal cancer self-sampling. It also identified potential barriers to self-sampling. In conclusion, we provide suggestions and future directions for policy-makers and educators to develop inclusive and accessible strategies to reach hiv-positive msm regarding anal cancer education and self-screening.

Transfer of methohexital across the perfused human placenta.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the transfer properties of methohexital and the influence of protein binding using the in vitro human placental perfusion model. DESIGN: Fresh term human placentae from healthy parturients were perfused bidirectionally via a cannulated fetal chorionic artery and vein and needles placed into the maternal intervillous space. Maternal-to-fetal (M-->F) and fetal-to-maternal (F-->M) transfer and ultimate distribution of methohexital was investigated using a closed (recirculating) placental perfusion model. SETTING: Obstetric anesthesia laboratories of two university medical centers. PATIENTS: No patient participation occurred as placentae were obtained after delivery. INTERVENTION: M-->F and F-->M transfer of methohexital was compared in vitro in perfusates with equal protein concentrations (2 g/100 mL in both perfusates) or albumin-simulated physiologic protein binding concentrations (maternal 8 g/100 mL; fetal 4 g/100 mL). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data obtained consisted of measurements of methohexital and antipyrine concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography. Glucose and lactate concentrations and perfusate loss were measured to assess placental viability. Methohexital protein binding was assessed at 2, 4, and 8 g/100 mL of albumin by equilibrium dialysis. The transfer index of 0.83 +/- 0.11 for the M-->F perfusions was significantly greater (p < or = 0.05) than in the F-->M direction (0.61 +/- 0.04) when albumin concentration was equal in both perfusates. This transfer asymmetry disappeared when albumin concentrations simulating maternal (8 g/100 mL) versus fetal (4 g/100 mL) protein concentrations in the perfusate were used (M-->F 0.87 +/- 0.12 and F-->M 0.95 +/- 0.11). CONCLUSION: Methohexital readily crosses the placenta in both directions. Protein binding has significant effects on the degree of transfer of methohexital at any time when compared with antipyrine and its ultimate fetal/maternal distribution.

Labiolingual and mesiodistal positioning of maxillary permanent incisors during the eruption process.

This study aimed to establish radiographical parameters concerning the tipping, the labiolingual positioning and the angulation of the maxillary permanent incisors in the mixed dentition. Three groups of 20 cephalograms and 20 orthopantomographic radiographs taken from children aging from 7 to 12 years old, with normal occlusion were compared. The Group I presented only the eruption of the central permanent incisors, the Group II presented both the central and lateral permanent incisors and the Group III presented central, lateral incisors and permanent canine teeth. The tipping and the labiolingual positioning were measured, respectively, using U1/PP and U1<-->AVERT. Mesiodistally, the angles between the teeth axis and the line that touched the lower border of the orbit in the orthopantomographic radiographs were measured. The mean values of tipping, labiolingual positioning and angulation of the central and lateral incisors obtained from Groups I, II and III were respectively 112 degrees, 1.2 mm, 90.4 degrees and 91.7 degrees; 112 degrees, 2.6 mm, 89.5 degrees and 96.8 degrees and 114 degrees, 2.7 mm, 87.4 degrees and 92.6 degrees. The tipping levels were similar for all groups, the mean values of the labiolingual positioning were significantly different at 5% when Group I was compared to both Groups II and III. And the mean values of the angulation were significantly different 5% for the central incisors between Groups I and III, and at 1% for the lateral incisors between Groups I and II, and, II and III.

[Suramin activity in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines].

Suramin, a drug used for the treatment of African trypanosomiasis and onchoceriasis, has potential anti-cancer activity. As to the mechanism of action, it is considered to interfere with the action of tumor growth factor and specific growth enzymes. In the present study, the effect of suramin on proliferation of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells was determined. A significant growth inhibition in all three cell lines tested was observed when the concentration of suramin was 100 micrograms/ml or more. The hypothesis was tested to ascertain whether growth inhibition may be due to selective interference with the action of epidermal growth factor. Suramin at growth inhibiting concentrations only partly antagonized the growth stimulating effect of EGF indicating that other mechanisms of action may also contribute to the growth inhibitory activity of suramin. Furthermore, evidence was found that serum proteins other than growth factors presented in the culture medium have a growth stimulating effect on cells and a strongly antagonistical effect on suramin activity.