Patient training in cancer pain management using integrated print and video materials: a multisite randomized controlled trial.
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Standard guidelines for cancer pain treatment routinely recommend training patients to reduce barriers to pain relief, use medications appropriately, and communicate their pain-related needs. Methods are needed to reduce professional time required while achieving sustained intervention effectiveness. In a multisite, randomized controlled trial, this study tested a pain training method versus a nutrition control. At six oncology clinics, physicians (N=22) and nurses (N=23) enrolled patients (N=93) who were over 18 years of age, with cancer diagnoses, pain, and a life expectancy of at least 6 months. Pain training and control interventions were matched for materials and method. Patients watched a video followed by about 20 min of manual-standardized training with an oncology nurse focused on reviewing the printed material and adapted to individual concerns of patients. A follow-up phone call after 72 h addressed individualized treatment content and pain communication. Assessments at baseline, one, three, and 6 months included barriers, the Brief Pain Inventory, opioid use, and physician and nurse ratings of their patients' pain. Trained versus control patients reported reduced barriers to pain relief (P<.001), lower usual pain (P=.03), and greater opioid use (P<.001). No pain training patients reported severe pain (>6 on a 0-10 scale) at 1-month outcomes (P=.03). Physician and nurse ratings were closer to patients' ratings of pain for trained versus nutrition groups (P=.04 and <.001, respectively). Training efficacy was not modified by patient characteristics. Using video and print materials, with brief individualized training, effectively improved pain management over time for cancer patients of varying diagnostic and demographic groups. (+info)
Low-cost printing of poly(dimethylsiloxane) barriers to define microchannels in paper.
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Three denture marking methods were performed on specimen plates which were prepared using a heat-cured acrylic resin. The first method (LA) was to place a label into a suitable space on the specimen, and then cover it with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The second method (DA) was to print the mark directly on the specimen, and then cover it with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The third method (DB) was to print the mark directly on the specimen, and then cover it with bonding resin. To investigate the durability of these methods, specimens were immersed in NaOCl, denture cleanser, and coffee. Photographs of the specimens were taken and RGB values were measured. Differences in durability were analyzed by Friedman test. The RGB values were significantly different between LA and DB, but those of DA changed little. The results made it clear that DA was a more durable denture marking method than LA--which is a method generally used. (+info)
Preparation of two-dimensionally ordered microbeads structure dispensed with an ink-jet and its application to ELISA.
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In order to the increase sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using micro-droplet reaction system formed by ink-jet, we employed small dots of two-dimensionally well-ordered structure of polystyrene (PS) microbeads (710 +/- 25 microm in diameter) formed on the surface of polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS). An aqueous suspension of polystyrene microbeads (5 microm) was ejected on the PDMS plate with ink-jet. The PS beads were automatically assembled by capillary force accompanied with solvent evaporation. The evaporation rate was controlled by ambient relative humidity. The assembled beads were solidly immobilized on the surface of PDMS surface. The dots of well-ordered structure were stable against vigorous washing. ELISA using the structure as a reaction location was three times more sensitive than the material without the structure due to the increase of the surface area and consequent increase of the amount of antibody. (+info)
Patterned growth and differentiation of human cord blood-derived neural stem cells on bio-functionalized surfaces.
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Bio-functionalized surfaces were prepared to study the adherence and differentiation capacity of neural stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB-NSC). Cell growth platforms containing arranged arrays of adhesive molecules were created by microcontact printing on a biologically inert surface. Biomolecules used to prepare microarray platforms included the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin and the polyaminoacid poly-L-lysine. HUCB-NSC plated on microplatforms at various serum conditions showed serum and molecule type dependent capacity for adhesion and differentiation. Poly-L-lysine allowed the maintenance of stem-like non differentiated cells attached to the surface, whereas fibronectin promoted spreading and neural commitment. Serum deprivation did not influence the attachment of HUCB-NSC to fibronectin, but significantly enhanced the attachment to poly-L-lysine and promoted dBcAMP induced neuronal differentiation. A bio-pattern of squares with interconnecting lines was used to guide neuronal differentiation by directing cell protrusion outgrowth. Tailoring the geometry of the bio-pattern enabled directing and monitoring of the neural stem cells. development in the large scale multiparameter biotests. (+info)
Rapid and inexpensive fabrication of polymeric microfluidic devices via toner transfer masking.
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