Lancet
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Major burns provoke a profound stress response, which is unrivalled in terms of its magnitude and duration. Evidence suggests that the pathophysiological stress response to severe burn trauma persists for several years after injury. ⋯ In this paper, we review the current knowledge of the stress response to burn trauma, with a focus on hypermetabolism, muscle wasting, and stress-induced diabetes. We highlight recent developments and important knowledge gaps that need to be pursued to develop novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in burn survivors.
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Although the relationship between psychological wellbeing and physical health has been the subject of many studies among middle-aged and older adults, little is known about whether psychological wellbeing is associated with mortality among the fastest growing population segment-the oldest old (aged ≥80 years). ⋯ The China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from which the data used in this article were derived was jointly funded by the US National Institute on Aging (grant R01 AG023627), China Natural Science Foundation (grants 70533010, 71110107025, 71233001, and 71490732), United Nations Population Fund, China Social Sciences Foundation, and Hong Kong Research Grants Council.
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Professionalism is a central part of medical practice, and medical organisations worldwide have mandated training on this topic for future medical doctors. In China, national guidelines were developed to make explicit expectations that were once implicit. Medical education reform over the past decade has emphasised topics such as medical humanities, life-long learning, and patient-centered learning in an effort to increase the professionalism of future physicians. Although the importance of teaching professionalism has been well recognised, few studies have evaluated its implementation at Chinese medical schools. ⋯ Republic of China Ministry of Science and Technologygrant MOST104-2511-S-010-003.
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We hypothesised that vertebroplasty provides effective analgesia for patients with poorly controlled pain and osteoporotic spinal fractures of less than 6 weeks' duration. The effectiveness of vertebroplasty, using an adequate vertebral fill technique, in fractures of less than 6 weeks' duration has not been specifically assessed by previously published masked trials. ⋯ Education grant from CareFusion Corporation.
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Skilled and sensitive communication with patients who have cancer is essential to nursing practice. Often, Chinese patients with cancer do not explicitly express their concerns and needs. Nurses thus might not be able to respond to or miss cues and concerns expressed by patients. We aimed to investigate this gap, and appraise patterns of nurse-patient communication through cue-responding behaviours, and to explore with nurses ways of enhancing their practice. ⋯ The General Research Fund of the Research Grants Council in Hong Kong.