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“The Institute of Medicine (2006) has recommended that cancer survivors completing treatment receive a survivorship care plan (SCP). The survivorship needs in advanced cancer have been overlooked and understudied. The potential
role of SCPs for survivors with advanced or metastatic cancer is unknown and was explored in this study. We conducted two focus groups of survivors with advanced or metastatic cancer. Participants reviewed a sample JourneyForward (TM) SCP modified Hedgehog/Smoothened inhibitor for advanced cancer. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed; transcripts and field notes were evaluated using inductive content analysis. Sixteen survivors with metastatic cancer participated: 12 (75 %) were female, 15 (94 %) were white, and median age was 66 (range 55-80); 9 participants had breast cancer, 4 colon, 2 prostate, and 1 ovarian cancer. selleck screening library Participants believed that an SCP would be most helpful after initial diagnosis and treatment, but not as helpful once the cancer progressed. They thought a “cancer care plan” focusing solely on the current management would be better to concisely summarize the treatment plan and time frame for the next segment of care
for those with advanced cancer. Most participants endorsed the need to have written information to reinforce verbal information received during medical visits since it was difficult to remember information provided. Participants expected their oncologist to assume primary responsibility for coordination of the care plan, but anticipated an important supportive
role for primary care providers. To this end, they emphasized the need for better communication between providers. A cancer care plan developed by the oncologist, similar to an SCP but more focused on current management, may be more useful for survivors with advanced cancer. Exploring this topic in larger groups of more diverse survivors check details with advanced cancer will help to elucidate the details a written plan of care should contain, and how to promote effective coordination between oncology and primary care providers. There are many transitions of care along the cancer journey. A written plan of care, similar to an SCP, may be useful for survivors with advanced cancer.”
“Sea cucumbers are fascinating invertebrate organisms because of their ability to rapidly regenerate many organs and appendages. In this study 454 cDNA sequencing method was used to characterize transcriptome in Apostichopus japonicus in order to investigate genes that are active in regeneration. Based on sequence similarity with known genes, our analysis identified 6590 genes expressed in the early stages of regeneration of the intestine and body wall. Assembled sequences were annotated with gene names and gene ontology terms. The transcription of genes associated with structural molecule activity was abundant during regeneration compared with the control sample (based on tissues from an uninjured animal).