Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques

A search for general regulators of cancer metastasis has yielded a set of microRNAs for which expression is specifically lost as human breast cancer cells develop metastatic potential. Here we show that restoring the expression of these microRNAs in malignant cells suppresses lung and bone metastasis by human cancer cells in vivo. Of these microRNAs, miR-126 restoration reduces overall tumour growth and proliferation, whereas miR-335 inhibits metastatic cell invasion. miR-335 regulates a set of genes whose collective expression in a large cohort of human tumours is associated with risk of distal metastasis. miR-335 suppresses metastasis and migration through targeting of the progenitor cell transcription factor SOX4 and extracellular matrix component tenascin C. Expression of miR-126 and miR-335 is lost in the majority of primary breast tumours from patients who relapse, and the loss of expression of either microRNA is associated with poor distal metastasis-free survival. miR-335 and miR-126 are thus identified as metastasis suppressor microRNAs in human breast cancer.

/pdf/endogenous-human-micrornas-that-suppress-breast-cancer-97c0g2qno7.pdf

Endogenous human microRNAs that suppress breast cancer metastasis

The authors conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relations of benefit finding to psychological and physical health as well as to a specific set of demographic, stressor, personality, and coping correlates. Results from 87 cross-sectional studies reported in 77 articles showed that benefit finding was related to less depression and more positive well-being but also more intrusive and avoidant thoughts about the stressor. Benefit finding was unrelated to anxiety, global distress, quality of life, and subjective reports of physical health. Moderator analyses showed that relations of benefit finding to outcomes were affected by the amount of time that had passed since stressor onset, the benefit finding measured used, and the racial composition of the sample.

A meta-analytic review of benefit finding and growth.

This article illustrates how work contexts motivate employees to care about making a positive difference in other people's lives. I introduce a model of relational job design to describe how jobs spark the motivation to make a prosocial difference, and how this motivation affects employees' actions and identities. Whereas existing research focuses on individual differences and the task structures of jobs, I illuminate how the relational architecture of jobs shapes the motivation to make a prosocial difference.

/pdf/relational-job-design-and-the-motivation-to-make-a-prosocial-56agxgssrs.pdf

Relational Job Design and the Motivation to Make a Prosocial Difference

Interventions to prevent and reduce physician burnout: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Interventions to reduce stress in university students: A review and meta-analysis

With the current shift to include positive outcomes of trauma, this research was designed to explore factors that allow growth to occur. Structural equation modeling was used to test a model for understanding posttraumatic growth. A sample (N = 174) of bereaved HIV/AIDS caregivers completed questionnaires. Spirituality, social support, and stressors were found to have a positive relationship with growth. Facilitation of posttraumatic growth is crucial to all helping professions.

Factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A proposed structural equation model.

Paramedics are exposed to events involving human pain and suffering on a daily basis, many of which are the result of violence perpetrated by 1 individual on another. For the most part, these emergency workers have learned to deal with such events and take them in stride. At times, however, certain circumstances lead workers to develop an emotional connection with the victim or his or her family. When this occurs, paramedics report increased symptoms of traumatic stress. Aspects that can trigger this connection include the victim's alienation from others, profound loss, or the abuse of an innocent child. One of the coping strategies described in these circumstances is to manage the events on a cognitive and technical level while maintaining an emotional distance. Although such a strategy may be protective, it may also have long-term negative effects in terms of interpersonal relationships. This mixed-methods study attempts to better understand factors that lead to higher levels of distress among paramedics within the theoretical framework of emotional and cognitive empathy.

https://www.capmed.mil/CapMedServices/Articles%20of%20Interest/Paramedics%20Trauma.pdf

Exposure to Human Tragedy, Empathy and Trauma in Ambulance Paramedics

This cross-sectional design study sought to assess whether therapists believed and engaged in commonly recommended forms of prevention for secondary and vicarious trauma and whether engaging in these activities resulted in lower levels of distress. In this study of 259 therapists, time spent with counseling trauma victims was the best predictor of trauma scores. Although participants generally believed in the usefulness of recommended coping strategies including leisure activities, self-care activities and supervision, these beliefs did not translate into time devoted to engaging in the activities. Most importantly, there was no association between time devoted to coping strategies and traumatic stress scores. Intervention strategies for trauma counselors that focus on education of therapists and augmenting coping skills unduly individualize the problem. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 6:1–9 (2006)]

/pdf/strategies-for-reducing-secondary-or-vicarious-trauma-do-50aalcw2dx.pdf

Strategies for Reducing Secondary or Vicarious Trauma: Do They Work?

A significant proportion of physicians and medical trainees experience stress-related anxiety and burnout resulting in increased absenteeism and disability, decreased patient satisfaction, and increased rates of medical errors. A review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at addressing stress, anxiety, and burnout in physicians and medical trainees. Twelve studies involving 1034 participants were included in three meta-analyses. Cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness interventions were associated with decreased symptoms of anxiety in physicians (standard differences in means [SDM], -1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.39 to -0.74) and medical students (SDM, -0.55; 95% CI, -0.74 to -0.36). Interventions incorporating psychoeducation, interpersonal communication, and mindfulness meditation were associated with decreased burnout in physicians (SDM, -0.38; 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.26). Results from this review and meta-analysis provide support that cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness-based approaches are effective in reducing stress in medical students and practicing physicians. There is emerging evidence that these models may also contribute to lower levels of burnout in physicians.

Cheryl Regehr

Papers

Interventions to reduce stress in university students: A review and meta-analysis

Factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A proposed structural equation model.

Exposure to Human Tragedy, Empathy and Trauma in Ambulance Paramedics

Strategies for Reducing Secondary or Vicarious Trauma: Do They Work?

Interventions to reduce the consequences of stress in physicians: a review and meta-analysis.