The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1a) pathway is associated with tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis in various carcinomas. Little is known regarding the role of the HIF-1a signaling pathway in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We investigated the expression of HIF-1a, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the HIF negative regulator, prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2), in cutaneous SCC, Bowen's disease, seborrheic keratosis (SK) and normal skin by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Additionally, we explored the relationships between these factors and the clinical and histological characteristics of each disease. Our study indicated that the expression of HIF-1a and VEGF was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cutaneous SCC than in Bowen's disease, SK or normal skin. In contrast, PHD2 showed significantly higher expression in normal skin compared with SK, Bowen's disease and cutaneous SCC (P < 0.05). Grade II-IV cutaneous SCC had higher expression levels of nuclear HIF-1a and cytoplasm VEGF protein but less nuclear PHD2 protein than grade Ι cutaneous SCC (P < 0.05). Overexpression of HIF-1a and VEGF, as well as the decreased expression of PHD2, may play important roles in the development of cutaneous SCC.
Background
In most areas of China, mothers typically do not participate in early care of preterm infants in NICU. This study aims to examine the early experience of mothers of preterm infants participating in skin-to-skin contact combined with non-nutritive comfort sucking in China.
Methods
This qualitative research study used one-on-one, face-to-face, semi-structured in-depth interviews. Eighteen mothers who participated in early skin-to-skin contact combined with non-nutritive comfort sucking were interviewed in the NICU of a tertiary children’s hospital in Shanghai between July and December 2020. Their experiences were analyzed using the inductive topic analysis method.
Results
Five themes about skin-to-skin contact combined with non-nutritive comfort sucking were identified, including alleviation of maternal anxiety and fear during mother infant separation, reshaping the maternal role, promotion of active breast pumping, enhances the mother’s willingness to actively breast feed and building the maternal confidence in baby care.
Conclusion
Skin-to-skin contact combined with non-nutritive comfort sucking in the NICU can not only enhance the identity and responsibility of the mother’s role, but also provide non-nutritive sucking experience for promoting the establishment of oral feeding in preterm infants.
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