Arsenic trioxide (ATO) serves as a component of traditional Chinese medicine and a modern anticancer agent, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in the long-term treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. With increasing research into its application in solid tumors, ATO's diverse mechanisms of action and potential clinical value have attracted widespread attention. ATO can inhibit tumor cell proliferation by inducing various forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, as well as by regulating cell differentiation. Moreover, its modulatory effects on the tumor immune microenvironment provide a new aspectto its antitumor activity. Nevertheless, the clinical application of ATO in solid tumors faces challenges such as low bioavailability, inadequate targeting, and adverse effects. The development of nanocarriers and targeted delivery systems has emerged asa key strategy for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of ATO. This review systematically summarizes the multiple mechanisms of action of ATO in solid tumors and recent advances in nanodelivery technologies, explores the potential of ATO-based combination therapies, and discusses future directions, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the clinical application of ATO in solid tumors.

Introduction: The primary issue following lumbar discectomy for disc herniation is the risk of reherniation in the post-operative period. Many surgical techniques have been proposed to treat disc reherniation, however, the optimal one remains variable. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of symptomatic reherniation after using a Bone-anchored annular closure device following lumbar discectomy and the contributing factors. Materials and methods: Identification of published literature was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies published until 14 February 2024 reported the prevalence of symptomatic reherniation after using a Bone-anchored annular closure device following lumbar discectomy and the associated contributing factors. A random effects model was used to conduct Bayesian frequentist network meta-analysis and pair-wise meta-analysis, with the assessment based on standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Eleven studies published in 2012 − 2022 recruiting a total of 5195 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of reherniation in ACD and control groups was 23.2% (95% CI: 18.2% − 28.1%) and 36.4% (95% CI: 28.2% − 44.5%), respectively. The moderator effect of sample size is significant for pooled data of the ACD group (p-mod=0.002), but not for the control group (pmod=0.278). After the adjustment with sample size, the prevalence rates were 13.6% (95% CI: 6.2% − 21.1%) and 29.6% (95% CI: 14.9% − 33.2%) for ACD and control groups, respectively. Conclusion: Comparatively to lumbar discectomy alone, using a Bone-anchored annular closure device following lumbar discectomy decreased the symptomatic reherniation rate and post-operative complications, as well as the necessity for subsequent surgeries.

BACKGROUND

Graduating student nurses are crucial to healthcare delivery, yet concerns about their clinical performance persist. They often face challenges translating theoretical knowledge into practice, leading to a theory-practice gap. Clinical competence is essential for ensuring safe and effective nursing care.

This study assessed the clinical competence of graduating student nurses in HEIs within Baguio City. It specifically evaluated their proficiency in professional behavior, general performance, core nursing competency, and advanced nursing skills. Additionally, it examined whether significant differences in clinical competence existed based on sex, area of duty, and accreditation status.

A descriptive-quantitative non-experimental research design was employed. The study surveyed 285 graduating student nurses from six HEIs in Baguio City, selected through fishbowl sampling. Data was collected using the Clinical Competence Questionnaire (CCQ), a 47-item questionnaire with an I-CVI rating of 1.0 and a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.94. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Welch's T-test, One-way ANOVA, and Welch's ANOVA.

Students demonstrated high competence with the following means: 4.42 in nursing professional behaviors, 4.32 in general performance, 4.35 in core nursing skills, and 3.92 in advanced nursing skills. While the results were interpreted as high competence, specific advanced nursing skills require further enhancement. No significant differences (p-value < 0.05) in clinical competence were found concerning sex (0.38), duty area (0.92), or accreditation status (0.07).

Graduating student nurses show high competency upon entering level IV, emphasizing ongoing skill development for quality patient care. Both genders exhibit proficiency, indicating fair training and effective education regardless of duty area exposure and accreditation status.

Introduction: The treatment gap in mental health services in Indonesia is a critical issue driven by the shortage of professionals, challenging geography, limited medication availability, and stigma around mental health. Despite having limited access and facilities, Dum Primary Care in the District of Sorong Islands is the only primary care that provides mental health services to the community. This study aims to explore community-based mental health promotion using the theory of planned behavior. Methods: This study used qualitative research consist of three stages: developing interview guidelines, which were piloted with local health workers; semi-structured (SSIs) interviews; and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of 11 participants were engaged in the study, including six professionals, two patients, and three caregivers. Results: Behavioral beliefs influence patients' intentions to recover and seek treatment independently. In subjective norms, patients with mental illness face contrasting family attitudes toward treatment, including support and rejection. Perceived control factors affecting mental health promotion in the community include family socioeconomic status, limited access to care, stigma, and inadequate government funding. The knowledge and skills of health workers are also vital for effectively reaching and supporting patients in promoting mental health. Conclusion: Enhancing collaboration between families and primary care is vital in promoting mental health. By actively engaging families and communities, primary care can improve mental health literacy and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. Implementing mental health lay workers can help address the shortage of professionals and improve service delivery in the community.

Introduction: Itch, an uncomfortable sensation leading to the urge to scratch, is often inadequately managed by conventional antihistamine drugs, which can be ineffective in certain pruritic conditions and cause undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is a need to identify new pharmacologically potent antipruritic compounds with fewer side effects. A synthetic curcuminoid analogue, 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-cyclohexanone (BHMC), a derivative of curcumin - a bioactive compound found in turmeric - has demonstrated various pharmacological ac-tivities. Previous studies have shown that BHMC possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the antipruritic effects of BHMC in mice models of induced pruritus. Materials and Meth-ods: The pruritus in mice was induced using compound 48/80, substance P, histamine, and serotonin to establish an itch-induced mouse model. BHMC was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg. Results: BHMC significantly reduced pruriceptive responses in all models tested and notably inhibited compound 48/80 and substance P-induced mast cell degranulation in skin tissues. Conclusions: These findings suggest that BHMC inhibits pruriceptive responses in mice, likely through the inhibition of mast cell degranulation and/or direct antagonism of peripheral histamine and serotonin receptors. This may warrant further exploration of the antipruritic effect of BHMC in clinical trials for the betterment of animal and human health.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by recurrent pharyngeal collapses that occur five or more times per hour of sleep or more and reduce or completely block airflow for at least 10 seconds. Obesity predis-poses individuals to and potentiates OSA. Materials and methods: As a pre- and post-training activity measure, 30 obese people between the ages of 25 and 45 were asked to complete the STOP-BANG questionnaire and a 6-minute walk test. After that, they engaged in aerobic activity. Results: The scores for the six-minute walk test and the stop-bang questionnaire were 0.0005 and 0.0003, respectively with a “p” value- ≤0.001 (significant). In our investigation, the effects of aerobic exercise on exercise tolerance and obstructive sleep apnoea were significantly different. Con-clusion: Aerobic exercise is a better intervention for increasing exercise tolerance and obstructive sleep apnoea in obese patients. This intervention may be a significant contributor to cardiorespiratory fitness and can be considered a useful tool for enhancing quality of life.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic shock, a severe subset of sepsis, must be promptly recognized and managed as a medical emergency. We present the case of a 51-year-old male who developed shock during hospitalization for infected leg ulcers, with a background of chronic heart failure (HF), hypertension, and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite his history of HF, bedside echocardiography revealed low systemic vascular resistance and preserved cardiac output, findings more consistent with septic shock than cardiogenic shock. This case underscores the pivotal role of early hemodynamic assessment, particularly with echocardiography, in accurately identifying the type of shock in patients with pre-existing HF. Differentiating the underlying etiology is essential to initiate appropriate therapy and improve clinical outcomes.

Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD) with major aorto-pulmonary collaterals (MAPCAs) is a complex and extremely heterogeneous anomaly. Most untreated patients die in their first decade of life because of intractable congestive heart failure or respiratory distress. PA-VSD is characterized by a wide variety of anatomy of central pulmonary artery and nature of collateral lung perfusion. In most patients, collateral perfusion is provided either by MAPCAs or by patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The management of infants and children with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and MAPCAs has proven to be challenging. Therapeutic approaches include onestage surgical repair, staged unifocalization, shunting, and coiling of collateral vessels. Results have been variable and frustrating. In this case report, we discuss the characteristic, variants, and how far we can manage the patient who suffered from PA-VSD.

Rheumatic fever is the main cause of mitral stenosis worldwide. Ortner’s syndrome (cardio-vocal syndrome) is a rare complication of rheumatic mitral stenosis. It is caused by recurring paralysis of the left laryngeal nerve, mainly caused by mechanosuppression of the nerve from enlarged cardiovascular structures. A 76-year-old woman with chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD) complained of hoarseness for 17 days, accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting for 1 week. Auscultatory examination revealed a loud first heart sound in the mitral region as well as an irregular rhythm. An electrocardiogram examination revealed right axis deviation and atrial fibrillation. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly. Despite normal left and right ventricular function, echocardiography showed severe mitral stenosis with mild mitral regurgitation. Conservative treatment was given with a combination of diuretics, beta-blockers, vitamin K antagonists, and angiotensin receptor blockers. An otolaryngologist was consulted, and the patient was treated conservatively.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) after acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a rare yet fatal complication. Although surgical repair is essential, the optimal timing remains controversial. We report a case of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) complicated by VSR. Fibrinolytic therapy was initially considered successful; however, the patient developed worsening dyspnoea. Further evaluation confirmed an apical VSR by echocardiography. The patient received intensive monitoring and supported with an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP). Surgical repair was performed on day 26. Hemodynamic initially improved postoperatively, but the condition deteriorated again on the ninth day after surgery, and the patient ultimately died. This case underscores that while surgical repair is the preferred definitive treatment for VSR, the timing of intervention is critical. Proper timing requires balancing surgical risks with tissue readiness and hemodynamic stability. The interval between VSR detection and surgical repair plays a pivotal role in determining patient survival.