By applying

an electric field, electrons propagating through the FeCr/CeO2 layer from Si were injected into the Cr2O3-x layer. When a magnetic field was applied, the resistance of this capacitor above the flat-band voltage was reduced, causing the hysteresis window to become large. This result indicates that this capacitor, which contains a magnetic VX-661 price gate insulator, has the potential to be used in multilevel memories by the application of an external magnetic field. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3059406]“
“The accurate viscosity measurement of complex fluids is essential for characterizing fluidic behaviors in blood vessels and in microfluidic channels of lab-on-a-chip devices. A microfluidic platform that accurately

identifies biophysical properties of blood can be used as a promising tool for the early detections of cardiovascular and microcirculation diseases. In this study, a flow-switching phenomenon depending on hydrodynamic balancing in a microfluidic channel was adopted to conduct viscosity measurement of complex fluids with label-free operation. A microfluidic device for demonstrating this proposed method was designed to have two inlets for supplying the test and reference fluids, two side channels in parallel, and a junction channel connected to the midpoint of the two side channels. According to this proposed method, viscosities of various fluids with different phases (aqueous, oil, and blood) in relation to that of reference fluid were accurately determined Selleck PCI-34051 by measuring the switching flow-rate ratio between the test and reference fluids, when a reverse flow of the test or reference Z-VAD-FMK order fluid occurs in the junction channel. An analytical viscosity formula was derived to measure the viscosity of a test fluid in relation to that of the corresponding reference fluid using a discrete circuit model for

the microfluidic device. The experimental analysis for evaluating the effects of various parameters on the performance of the proposed method revealed that the fluidic resistance ratio (R-JL/R-L, fluidic resistance in the junction channel (R-JL) to fluidic resistance in the side channel (R-L)) strongly affects the measurement accuracy. The microfluidic device with smaller R-JL/R-L values is helpful to measure accurately the viscosity of the test fluid. The proposed method accurately measured the viscosities of various fluids, including single-phase (Glycerin and plasma) and oil-water phase (oil vs. deionized water) fluids, compared with conventional methods. The proposed method was also successfully applied to measure viscosities of blood with varying hematocrits, chemically fixed RBCS, and channel sizes. Based on these experimental results, the proposed method can be effectively used to measure the viscosities of various fluids easily, without any fluorescent labeling and tedious calibration procedures. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

“
“Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative parameters among the three approaches used to treat large uterine myomas: laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and abdominal hysterectomy, and to evaluate the selection criteria for laparoscopic hysterectomy as determined by magnetic resonance

imaging. Material and Methods The medical records of 155 patients who underwent a hysterectomy between January 2007 and April 2010 were examined. We also compared the indications and outcomes of LAVH and TLH for myomas larger than 7cm. Results Patients who underwent LAVH or TLH had a lower average intraoperative blood loss, less intense postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays than patients in the TAH group, although the length of the operations in the laparoscopic groups were NF-��B inhibitor significantly

longer. To evaluate the selection criteria for the large sized myomas, we compared the LAVH and TLH groups for the myomas larger than 7cm. The greatest uterine transverse diameters and the weight of the uteri were not significantly selleck different between the LAVH and TLH groups (94.7 +/- 20.8 and 83.1 +/- 17.6mm, 371.6 +/- 160.3 and 286.7 +/- 158.0g, respectively). The average intraoperative blood loss in the TLH group was significantly lower than that in the LAVH (121.3 +/- 111.2 vs 379.3 +/- 222.4g, P<0.001). Conclusion Our data suggest that TLH is a better procedure for treating a large uterus no larger than 10cm

GDC-0994 purchase in its greatest transverse diameter. The preoperative total length of myoma nodules determined by MRI is a useful preoperative indicator of the uterine weight.”
“The effects of the flavonoid compound scutellarin (SCUT) on collagen biosynthesis, prolidase activity, expression of beta(1) integrin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor and the transcription factor NF-kappa B were evaluated in human dermal fibroblasts. Confluent fibroblasts were treated with micromolar concentrations (10-30 mu M) of SCUT for 24 h. It was found that a SCUT-dependent decrease in collagen biosynthesis was accompanied by an increase in prolidase activity. Since the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) is the most potent regulator of both collagen biosynthesis and prolidase activity, and prolidase is regulated by beta(1) integrin signalling, the effect of SCUT on IGF-IR and beta(1) integrin receptor expressions were evaluated. It was found that the exposure of the cells to SCUT contributed to an increase in IGF-IR and beta(1) integrin receptor expressions. This was accompanied by an increase in expression of NF-kappa B, the known inhibitor of collagen gene expression. These data suggest that the SCUT-dependent decrease of collagen biosynthesis in cultured human skin fibroblasts results from activation of NF-kappa B, which is responsible for the down-regulation of collagen gene expression.

In fact, some ovarian tumors showing high levels of LSD1 mRNA are associated with poor patient survival. Chemical

LSD1 inhibition induced cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer lines, which roughly correlated with their reported LSD1 inhibitory potential (RN-1, S2101 >> pargyline, TCP).

Conclusions: Our findings may suggest a role of LSD1 in the biology of some ovarian tumors. It is of special interest to find a correlation of LSD1 mRNA overexpression with a transcriptomic signature relevant to cancer. Our findings, therefore, prompt further investigation of the role of LSD1 in ovarian cancer, as well as the study of its enzymatic inhibition in animal models for potential therapeutic Elacridar Transmembrane Transporters inhibitor purposes in the context of this disease.”
“Three new triterpenoids, including two rare D:B-friedobaccharanes (leonatriol, 1 and leonatriolone, 2)

and a 2,3-seco-2,24-epoxy-3,24-olide-D:A-friedooleanane (cassinolide, 3) were isolated from the root bark of Cassine xylocarpa and Celastrus vulcanicola, collected in El Salvador. Their stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, mainly D-1 and D-2 NMR techniques, find more spectrometric analyses, and comparison with data reported in the literature. The absolute configuration of 1 and 2 were determined by the application of the Riguera ester procedure and biogenetic considerations. The possible biogenetic pathway for cassinolide (3) is also discussed. (C) 2012 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.”
“OBJECTIVE: Videolaryngoscopy has mainly been developed to facilitate difficult airway intubation. However, there

is a lack of studies demonstrating CP-456773 mouse this method’s efficacy in pediatric patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the TruView infant EVO2 and the C-MAC videolaryngoscope with conventional direct Macintosh laryngoscopy in children with a bodyweight <= 10 kg in terms of intubation conditions and the time to intubation.

METHODS: In total, 65 children with a bodyweight <= 10 kg (0-22 months) who had undergone elective surgery requiring endotracheal intubation were retrospectively analyzed. Our database was screened for intubations with the TruView infant EVO2, the C-MAC videolaryngoscope, and conventional direct Macintosh laryngoscopy. The intubation conditions, the time to intubation, and the oxygen saturation before and after intubation were monitored, and demographic data were recorded. Only children with a bodyweight <= 10 kg were included in the analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 23 children were intubated using the C-MAC videolaryngoscope, and 22 children were intubated using the TruView EVO2. Additionally, 20 children were intubated using a standard Macintosh blade. The time required for tracheal intubation was significantly longer using the TruView EVO2 (52 sec vs. 28 sec for C-MAC vs. 26 sec for direct LG).

“
“To determine the diagnostic accuracy of different diagnostic methods (blind dilatation & curettage (D&C), transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS), sonohysterography (SH), and hysteroscopy) compared with gold standard (hysteroscopic biopsy’s histopathologic result) in diagnosis of focal intrauterine lesions of recurrent postmenopausal bleeding.

36 postmenopausal women with recurrent vaginal bleeding after a normal D&C results were enrolled into the study. TVS, SH, hysteroscopy were performed

on all patients. Outcomes of blind D&C, TVS, SH, and hysteroscopy were compared with results of gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratios (LR) were see more calculated.

Blind D&C sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 47, 68, 57, 59%, respectively in comparison with gold standard. Blind D&C fails to diagnose 70% of all focal intracavitary lesions. TVS sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were 63, 78, 89, 41%, respectively. SH yielded better results; with 93% sensitivity, 56% specificity, 86% PPV, and 71% NPV. Hysteroscopy sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100, 44, 84, 100%, respectively.

In experienced hands, SH can be an initial evaluation method of uterine cavity PD0332991 ic50 for detecting focal lesions in women with recurrent postmenopausal bleeding.”
“We conducted this study to examine the changes in the molecular structure and

physiological activities of silk sericin after gamma irradiation. Sericin from Bombyx mori was extracted with an Na(2)CO(3) solution. The molecular weight distribution of sericin increased in the gel permeation chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results as the irradiation dose increased. Circular dichroism data also revealed that the alpha-helix contents decreased with the irradiation dose. Ultraviolet

absorption was shown a different pattern between the irradiated and unirradiated sericin. However, the Fourier find protocol transform infrared spectrum was not changed in all of the groups. Furthermore, the irradiated sericin was significantly increased in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazil radical scavenging, and the tyrosinase inhibitory activities increased with irradiation dose. Therefore, gamma irradiation was an effective method for producing high-molecular-weight sericin and for developing functional foods and cosmetics. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 2034-2040, 2011″
“Background: Expression studies of somatostatin receptor type 2A (SSTR2A) in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) led to the development of clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, most of these strategies used in-house-developed antibodies and were focused on lung tumors. We evaluated commercially available SSTR2A antibodies in NENs of the colorectum to observe their subcellular localization and distribution within the resected tumor.

We performed a retrospective analysis of renal function data of patients treated in the Hep-Net/International Delta Hepatitis Intervention Trial 1(HIDIT-1-trial), a European multicenter study to investigate the efficacy of 48 weeks of therapy with PegIFNa-2a+ADV vs either drug Selleckchem CBL0137 alone in 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B/D co-infection. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were calculated by CockcroftGault (CG), abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. After 48 weeks of therapy GFR values were significantly lower in patients receiving adefovir-containing treatment vs PegIFNa-2a alone [mean difference

16.1 mL/min (CG) and 10.2 mL/min (MDRD), respectively, P < 0.05] while no differences were

observed between patients receiving adefovir alone vs combination treatment. Twenty-four weeks after treatment GFR values did not differ between treatment arms. A decrease in GFR =20% was observed more often in patients during adefovir-containing treatment vs PegIFNa-2a alone (P < 0.05) which was confirmed by KaplanMeier analysis. Adefovir-containing but not PegIFNa-2a treatment was associated with a decrease in GFR values in about one-fifth of patients. Combination VX-809 concentration treatment of PegIFNa-2a+ADV in chronic hepatitis B/D co-infection did not lead to any further impairment of kidney function.”
“Background: The protective effect of physical activity (PA) on abdominal adiposity is unclear.

Objective: We examined whether PA independently predicted gains in body weight and abdominal adiposity.

Design: In a prospective cohort study [the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation

into Cancer and Nutrition)], we followed 84,511 men and 203,987 women for 5.1 y. PA was assessed by a validated questionnaire, and individuals were categorized into 4 groups (inactive, moderately inactive, moderately active, and active). Body weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline and self-reported AR-13324 nmr at follow-up. We used multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models and stratified our analyses by sex with adjustments for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, educational level, total energy intake, duration of follow-up, baseline body weight, change in body weight, and waist circumference (when applicable).

Results: PA significantly predicted a lower waist circumference (in cm) in men (beta = -0.045; 95% CI: -0.057, -0.034) and in women (beta = -0.035; 95% CI: -0.056, -0.015) independent of baseline body weight, baseline waist circumference, and other confounding factors. The magnitude of associations was materially unchanged after adjustment for change in body weight. PA was not significantly associated with annual weight gain (in kg) in men (beta = -0.008; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.003) and women (beta = -0.01; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.0006).

Davunetide’s efficacy and tolerability are being tested in a placebo-controlled study in PSP patients, making it the most advanced drug candidate in this indication. This review examines

the disease characteristics of PSP, the rationale for treating PSP with davunetide and assesses some of the challenges of clinical trials in this patient population.”
“Leg ulcers are often complicated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, the etiology is multifactorial. We examined the cases of leg ulceration or gangrene in seven RA patients who were hospitalized over the past 3years. One patient was diagnosed as having pyoderma gangrenosum. Although vasculitis was suspected in three patients, no histological Small molecule library purchase evidence was obtained from the skin specimens. In these patients, angiography revealed the stenosis or occlusion of digital arteries. In the remaining three patients, leg ulcers were considered to be due to venous insufficiency. Treatment Angiogenesis inhibitor should be chosen depending on the causes of leg ulcers.”
“Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder with typical onset in childhood and characterized by chronic occurrence of motor and vocal tics. The disorder can lead to – serious impairments of both quality of life and psychosocial functioning, particularly for those individuals displaying complex tics. In such patients, drug treatment is recommended. The pathophysiology of

TS is thought to involve a dysfunction of basal ganglia-related circuits and hyperactive dopaminergic innervations. Congruently, dopamine receptor antagonism of neuroleptics appears to be the most efficacious approach for pharmacological intervention. To assess the efficacy of the different neuroleptics available, a systematic, keyword-related search in PubMed (National Library of Medicine, Washington, DC) was undertaken. Much information on the use of antipsychotics in the treatment of TS is based on

older data. Our objective was to give an update and therefore we focused on papers published in the last decade (between GKT137831 2001 and 2011). Accordingly, the present review aims to summarize the current and evidence-based knowledge on the risk-benefit ratio of both first and second generation neuroleptics in TS.”
“Cutaneous arteritis (cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, CA) is a necrotizing vasculitis of arteries within the skin. CA is a new classification under single-organ vasculitis, as adopted by the 2012 Chapel Hill consensus conference (CHCC 2012). Some patients originally diagnosed as having CA could develop additional disease manifestations that warrant reclassifying as systemic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) according to the CHCC 2012. We retrospectively investigated 101 patients with CA seen at our department between 2003 and 2012. There was a significantly higher frequency of inflammatory plaques and leg edema in CA patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to CA patients with normal CRP.

Although some fat accumulation is essential, any excess fat that is deposited into adipose depots other than the marbling fraction is energetically unfavorable and reduces efficiency of production. Hence, this review is focused on current knowledge about the biology and regulation of the important cells of adipose tissue: preadipocytes and adipocytes.”
“We demonstrate enhancement of photon to surface plasmon (SP) coupling using subwavelength metallic gratings and a variable gap Fabry-Perot (FP) resonator. Strengthened SPs and light modes are launched by laser excitation in-coupling. Enhancements of out-coupled light intensity up to 15x are measured

when compared to systems with no resonator. Out-coupled intensities show a FP type resonance when the resonator gap is scanned. Finite-element time and frequency domain simulations support measured buy BTSA1 results. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3638127]“
“Lopez JS, Valentin MO, Scandroglio B, Coll E, Martin MJ, Sagredo E, Martinez JM, Serna E, Matesanz R. Factors related to attitudes toward organ donation after death in the immigrant population in Spain. ?Clin Transplant 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2011.01586.x. (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Considering the relevance of the migratory processes in Western societies, the attitudes toward

organ donation after death are analyzed buy GW786034 by means of a survey applied to a representative random sample of the resident immigrant population in Spain, comprising

1202 subjects (estimated margin of error of +/- 2.88%, p = q, p < 0.05). Considered variables were disposition toward own organ donation, disposition toward deceased relatives donation in different situations, arguments against donation, socio-demographic indicators, religious beliefs, social integration, and information about organ donation and transplantation. Predisposition to donate varies strongly across geographical origin and religious beliefs and also shows relationships with additional socio-demographic, social integration, and informative variables. In turn, the relationship between religious beliefs 3-Methyladenine research buy and attitude toward donation varies as a function of the degree of social integration. In Spain, the immigrant population is a heterogeneous collective that requires differential strategies to promote donation. Such strategies should be aimed at reinforcing the existing positive attitudes of citizens from West Europe and Latin America, and at familiarizing and informing about donation in citizens from the East, and at making specific efforts to break down the cultural and religious barriers toward donation in African citizens, with special emphasis on people of the Muslim faith.”
“PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of pediatric intraocular lens (IOL) calculations performed using contact and immersion A-scan biometry.

SETTING: Storm Eye Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Copolymer P emitted green light with maximum brightness of 28 cd/m(2) and a current yield of 0.85 cd/A. Organic photovoltaics with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT : PSS/Copolymer and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester blend (1 : 1)/Ca/Al were also fabricated. Copolymer Y 27632 P showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.034%. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 731-739, 2010″
“P>Plant cell walls are composites of various carbohydrates, proteins and other compounds. Cell walls provide plants with strength and protection, and also represent the most abundant source of renewable biomass. Despite the importance of plant cell

walls, comparatively little is known about the identities of genes and functions of proteins involved Ispinesib in vivo in their biosynthesis. The model plant Arabidopsis and the availability

of its genome sequence have been invaluable for the identification and functional characterization of genes encoding enzymes involved in plant cell-wall biosynthesis. This review covers recent progress in the identification and characterization of genes encoding proteins involved in the biosynthesis of Arabidopsis cell-wall polysaccharides and arabinogalactan proteins. These studies have improved our understanding of both the mechanisms of cell-wall biosynthesis and the functions of various cell-wall polymers, and have highlighted areas where further research is needed.”
“Background: Rotator cuff-tear arthropathy has traditionally

represented a challenge to the shoulder arthroplasty surgeon. The poor results of conventional total shoulder arthroplasty in rotator-cuff-deficient shoulders due to glenoid component Proteasome inhibitor loosening have led to hemiarthroplasty being the traditional preferred surgical option. Recently, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has gained increasing popularity because of a clinical perception of an improved functional outcome, despite the lack of comparative data. The aim of this study was to compare the early functional results of hemiarthroplasty with those of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in the management of cuff-tear arthropathy.

Methods: The results of 102 primary hemiarthroplasties for rotator cuff-tear arthropathy were compared with those of 102 reverse shoulder arthroplasties performed for the same diagnosis. Patients were identified from the New Zealand Joint Registry and matched for age, sex, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores. Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS) collected at six months postoperatively as well as mortality and revision rates were compared between the two groups.

Results: There were fifty-one men and fifty-one women in each group, with a mean age of 71.6 years in the hemiarthroplasty group and 72.6 years in the reverse shoulder arthroplasty group. The mean OSS at six months was 31.1 in the hemiarthroplasty group and 37.

Information on concentrations of PM10 (particulate matter < 10 mu m in aerodynamic diameter) was collected from the local Environmental Monitoring Centers. The estimated exposure for the study participants was the mean concentration of PM10 over their surviving years during SN-38 datasheet the cohort period. Relative risk values were obtained using Cox proportional hazards regression models after adjusting for potential confounding factors. For each 10 mu g/m(3) increase in PM10, the relative risk ratios (RRs) of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, ischemic

heart disease mortality, heart failure disease mortality, and cerebrovascular disease mortality were 1.24 (95% CI, 1.22-1.2:7), 1.23 (95% CI, 1.19-1.26), 137 (95% CI, 1.28-1.47), 1.11(95%

CI, 1.05-1.17), and 1.23(95% CI:1.18-1.28), respectively. Results from stratified analyses suggest that the effects of PM10 on cardiovascular mortality were more pronounced in males, smokers and people with a higher socioeconomic status. Long-term exposure to PM10 increases mortality from cardiovascular disease, especially from ischemic heart disease and this association seemed to be modified by other factors. Further research that focuses on exploring dose-response relationship and inter-population comparisons is warranted. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The DMH1 mouse objective of this study was to report the initial anatomic, radiographic, and genetic evaluations of a novel form of spontaneous pelvic organ prolapse (S-POP) in mice. We observed S-POP in a colony of UPII-SV40T transgenic mice developed for studies on bladder cancer. We utilized magnetic resonance imaging and necropsy to characterize this finding. We have established a breeding colony to identify inheritance patterns and for future studies. Selective breeding isolated the S-POP phenotype

from the transgene. In contrast to other animal models, the S-POP mouse does not require an obligatory antecedent event to manifest pelvic organ prolapse. Necropsy and imaging demonstrate significant displacement of the pelvic organs distal to the pelvic floor see more in both sexes. The appearance of the POP is similar to that seen in the human female phenotype. Preliminary breeding studies indicate an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. This mouse may be an effective animal model for the study of POP in humans.”
“Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults. Most of them are benign (World Health Organization [WHO] grade I), slow-growing lesions, but some are classified as atypical (WHO grade II) or malignant (WHO grade III). Surgical resection is curative when complete removal of a benign meningioma is possible. Incompletely resected tumors and high-grade lesions are frequently treated with fractionated radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery. Radiotherapy effectively reduces recurrence rates with limited toxicity.

Design: Cross-sectional

study.

Setting: Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, in February 2009.

Participants: 143 community pharmacists.

Intervention: Questionnaire was faxed to target group.

Main outcome measures: Estimates of product use in children aged 2 years to younger than 6 years, pharmacist satisfaction with the new guidelines, and potential Selleckchem Oligomycin A plans when the new labels reach the market.

Results: 143 pharmacists returned a completed questionnaire by fax. Pharmacists currently recommend products for head colds for children aged 2 years to younger than 6 years more often than antitussives for coughs. More pharmacists were dissatisfied with the new ruling compared with those who were satisfied, with a main concern being that it went too far. Respondents indicated that when the new labels are implemented, they would be more likely

to recommend use of the products among close family members than among the public.

Conclusion: These results suggest some support for product efficacy but possible concern over potential liability. Pharmacists are also concerned that removing dosing guidelines from packaging may not fully deter parental use of such products.”
“Background: Multiple laboratories now offer clinical whole genome sequencing (WGS). We anticipate WGS becoming routinely used in research and clinical practice. Many institutions are exploring how best to educate geneticists and other professionals about WGS. Providing students in WGS courses with the option to analyze their

own genome sequence is one LY2606368 Cell Cycle inhibitor strategy that might enhance students’ engagement and motivation to learn about personal genomics. However, if this option is presented to students, it is vital they make informed decisions, do not feel pressured into analyzing their own genomes by their course directors or peers, and feel free to analyze a third-party genome if they prefer. We therefore developed a 26-hour introductory genomics course in part to help students make informed decisions about whether to receive personal WGS data in a subsequent advanced genomics course. In the advanced course, they had the option to receive Epigenetic Reader Do inhibitor their own personal genome data, or an anonymous genome, at no financial cost to them. Our primary aims were to examine whether students made informed decisions regarding analyzing their personal genomes, and whether there was evidence that the introductory course enabled the students to make a more informed decision.

Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study in which students (N = 19) completed questionnaires assessing their intentions, informed decision-making, attitudes and knowledge before (T1) and after (T2) the introductory course, and before the advanced course (T3). Informed decision-making was assessed using the Decisional Conflict Scale.