Peninsula Cancer Center

Abstract Existing literature highlights a positive association between healthcare workers' interprofessional team collaboration (ITC) and job satisfaction. However, the role of contextual factors, such as organizational tenure, remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between perceived ITC and job satisfaction, focusing on how it varies with organizational tenure. A cross-sectional survey involved 251 workers from an Italian geriatric institution (76% female; 52% aged over 50), employed as healthcare assistants (33%), nurses (22%), educators (15%), rehabilitation professionals (15%), and physicians (11%), with an average tenure of 17 years (range 0–40). Participants completed the Job Satisfaction of Health Professionals Scale and the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale-II. Stepwise regression confirmed the positive association between ITC and job satisfaction. Moreover, this association appeared stronger for newcomers to the organization and weaker among workers with more extended organizational tenure. These findings suggest the potential relevance of interventions aimed to sustain and optimize ITC to enhance job satisfaction, particularly among short-tenured employees, thus offering actionable insights for organizational policies and practices in healthcare services.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) targets mitochondrial signalling systems to improve cellular bioenergetic processes. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) shows mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to disease pathology. Multiwavelength PBM improved clinical and anatomical outcomes in early-intermediate nonexudative (dry) AMD. PBM offers a novel treatment with a unique mechanism and mode of delivery for dry AMD.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) represents a potential treatment for non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PBM uses wavelengths of light to target components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain to improve cellular bioenergetic outputs. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effects of PBM on clinical, quality of life (QoL) and anatomical outcomes in subjects with intermediate stage non-exudative AMD. The multicenter LIGHTSITE II study was a randomized clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy of PBM in intermediate non-exudative AMD. The LumiThera Valeda® Light Delivery System delivered multiwavelength PBM (590, 660 and 850nm) or sham treatment 3 × per week over 3-4weeks (9 treatments per series) with repeated treatments at baseline (BL), 4 and 8months. Subjects were enrolled with 20/32 to 20/100 best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and no central geographic atrophy (GA) within the central fovea (500μm). LIGHTSITE II enrolled 44 non-exudative AMD subjects (53 eyes). PBM-treated eyes showed statistically significant improvement in BCVA at 9months (n = 32 eyes, p = 0.02) with a 4-letter gain in the PBM-treated group versus a 0.5-letter gain in the sham-treated group (ns, p < 0.1) for patients that received all 27 PBM treatments (n = 29 eyes). Approximately 35.3% of PBM-treated eyes showed ≥ 5-letter improvement at 9months. Macular drusen volume was not increased over time in the PBM-treated group but did show increases in the sham-treated group. While PBM and sham groups both showed GA lesion growth in the trial period, there was 20% less growth in the PBM group over 10months, suggesting potential disease-modifying effects. No safety concerns or signs of phototoxicity were observed. These results confirm previous clinical testing of multiwavelength PBM and support treatment with Valeda as a novel therapy with a unique mechanism of action as a potential treatment for non-exudative AMD. Clinicaltrial.Gov Registration Identifier: NCT03878420.

When originally published, Figures Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 appeared in black and white. The correct color versions appear below. This erratum is published to correct the error

The purpose of this study was to test whether calmodulin-like protein (CLP) is expressed in normal human oral mucosal cells and if downregulation of CLP occurs in malignant transformation. Oral mucosal tissue was taken from three individuals in a double-blind manner. The samples were cut, measured, and homogenized. Total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed. Each cDNA sample was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR fragments were purified, cloned, and sequenced to verify the presence of CLP. Three oral mucosal tissue samples with biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma were obtained. These samples demonstrated regions of normal epithelial cells as well as invasive squamous cell carcinoma. One normal breast epithelial sample was also obtained for positive control. Sections were stained with an affinity-purified CLP antibody and counterstained with a diluted hematoxylin. Two observers evaluated the specimens for expression of CLP. Staining patterns and intensity were noted in normal oral mucosa, comparing them to the normal breast epithelium sample. Staining patterns and intensity were then observed in squamous tumor cells, comparing them to the patterns of benign squamous mucosa. CLP coding sequences were positively identified from the normal oral mucosal tissue samples by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with 100% identity to the published CLP sequence (accession #M58026). In the three oral mucosa tissue samples with known squamous cell carcinoma, expression of CLP was readily detected in areas of normal oral mucosa, while a notable downregulation of CLP expression occurred in areas of malignant transformation. The staining intensity was equivalent to the staining seen in the benign breast epithelium used as a control. In the areas of squamous cell carcinoma, a decrease in CLP immunoreactivity occurred. There was a sharp contrast in staining quality and clarity between benign and malignant tissue. In the majority of the carcinoma regions, a complete lack of immunoreactivity was noted. The RNA for human CLP is found in normal oral mucosa. CLP expression is seen in normal oral mucosa with a downregulation of CLP expression in malignant transformation.