Nevin Manimala

Nurs Open. 2024 Dec;11(12):e70115. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70115.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To examine the reliability and construct validity of the Spanish adaptation of the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS) within the nursing professionals’ context.

DESIGN: Observational and descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS: The sample consisted of N = 325 nursing professionals from various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics and community healthcare centres. Following translation and cultural adaption of the SSCRS, the scale underwent psychometric assessment of its construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency analysis was also performed using a McDonald’s omega. The reporting in this investigation adhered to the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a two-factor structure, with one factor closely aligning with one religiosity dimension and the other factor combining the spirituality, spiritual care and personalised care dimensions. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis did not provide an adequate fit to the data for both the two-factor solution found in the EFA and the four-factor solution proposed by McSherry, Draper, and Kendrick (2002). Even though the four-factor solution showed a slightly better fit than the two-factor solution, neither model achieved a satisfactory fit. The lack of formal education and confusion between religion and spirituality among healthcare professionals could have influenced the responses and interpretation of the results.

CONCLUSION: The findings showed that the SSCRS-Sp demonstrated good internal consistency, indicating that the items in the scale are reliably measuring the targeted constructs. Further refinement and validation of the scale are needed to establish a robust factor structure in the target population.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The SSCRS-Sp can be used to assess the nurses’ perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care. The availability of this tool represents a significant step towards greater integration of the spiritual dimension of care within a holistic nursing care framework in Spanish-speaking countries.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Nursing professionals responded to the research scale.

PMID:39644124 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.70115

J Sci Food Agric. 2024 Dec 7. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.14060. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fish smoking is a traditional fish preservation method that is affordable, and hence employed by most artisanal fish processors in Ghana. Traditional kilns are used but are less fuel efficient and the end-product has lower quality. This study therefore sought to test and compare the efficiency and quality of smoked fish for two improved kilns, the Cabin and Abuesi gas fish smoker (AGFS), against the traditional Chorkor smoker.

RESULTS: The results showed that the AGFS and Cabin had specific fuel consumption of 0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.67 ± 0.01 g kg^-1 of smoked fish, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the Chorkor (6 ± 0.12 g kg^-1 smoked fish). Again, the AGFS and Cabin had significantly higher processing rates (251.18 ± 10.65 and 156.80 ± 8.30 g min^-1, respectively) compared to the Chorkor (135.20 ± 5.60 g min^-1). Smoking improved the nutritional, microbiological and sensory quality of mackerel, with only the sensory quality being statistically different between the products from the AGFS and Cabin. The Cabin-smoked products had more traditional smoked fish attributes while the gas-smoked products had a pronounced fried appearance and taste.

CONCLUSION: The AGFS and Cabin were more efficient than the Chorkor. There were no significant differences in the nutritional and microbial quality between the AGFS and the Cabin. Cabin-smoked products, however, had the more traditional qualities of smoked fish (appearance and flavor) that the gas-smoked products lacked. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID:39644123 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.14060

Int J Stroke. 2024 Dec 6:17474930241308458. doi: 10.1177/17474930241308458. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to examine the association between alcohol consumption and stroke in Nigeria and Ghana.

METHODS: The study is a multicentre, case-control study. Cases included consenting adults 18 years of age and older with acute stroke. The controls were age- and gender-matched, stroke-free adults. Alcohol consumption was self-reported. The participants were classified into three alcohol-drinking status groups, which included abstainers, former drinkers, and current drinkers. The current drinkers were further classified into different alcohol drinking levels, including infrequent drinkers, light drinkers, moderate drinkers, heavy drinkers, and binge drinkers. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine associations between the drinkers’ status and stroke, respectively, as well as the association between the different levels of current drinkers and strokes, respectively. Five models were evaluated. Model 1 was unadjusted. Model 2 had adjustments for demographic characteristics. Model 3 included Model 2, lifestyle and psychosocial function adjustments. Model 4 includes Model 3 and dietary factor adjustments. Model 5 included Model 4 and metabolic factor adjustments.

RESULTS: A total of 7,368 participants took part in the study. Half were stroke participants, and half were control participants. On the associations between drinking status and strokes, respectively, former drinkers showed no significant association with strokes; however, there were significant associations between current drinkers and strokes in models 1 and 2, and the odds ratio of stroke risk was 1.19 (95% CI: 1.04-1.38; p<0.05) and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01-1.36; p<0.05), respectively. Regarding the various levels of current drinkers and their association with stroke, no significant association was observed between light drinkers and stroke in model 5. In contrast, moderate drinkers, binge drinkers, and heavy drinkers showed a persistent and significant association with stroke, respectively.

CONCLUSION: There is a significant association between strokes and current alcohol consumption, especially among heavy, binge, and moderate drinkers.

PMID:39644097 | DOI:10.1177/17474930241308458

Arch Oral Biol. 2024 Nov 29;170:106137. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.106137. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether a multi-strain probiotic formula affects blood parameters (hematologic, calcium, and phosphorus levels) and alters the expression of β-defensin-2, β-defensin-3, and toll-like receptor 4 in male rats with induced apical periodontitis (AP).

DESIGN: Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n = 8 each): (1) rats with AP on a regular diet (Control) and (2) rats with AP on a regular diet supplemented with the multi-strain probiotic GNC Probiotic Complex (GCP) at one billion CFU. AP was induced by exposing the dental pulp of the first molars to the oral environment. GCP was administered daily via gavage for 30 days during AP development. After 30 days, animals were anesthetized, a cardiac puncture was performed, and 5 mL of blood was collected for hematologic, calcium, and phosphorus analysis. Animals were then euthanized, and mandibles were removed for histological and immunochemical analysis of β-defensin-2, β-defensin-3, and toll-like receptor 4. Statistical analyses used Mann-Whitney U and Student’s t-tests, with significance at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in blood parameters between the Control and GCP groups (P > 0.05). In AP, the Control group showed more intense inflammatory infiltrates and higher median severity scores than the GCP group (P < 0.05). Immunoreactivity levels for β-defensin-2, β-defensin-3, and toll-like receptor 4 were significantly increased in the GCP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Probiotic complex reduces inflammation and enhances immunolabeling of β-defensin-2, β-defensin-3, and toll-like receptor 4 in AP.

PMID:39643956 | DOI:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.106137

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2024 Nov 28;87:127573. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127573. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Accumulating evidence suggests that exposure to single heavy metal can facilitate the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the effects of exposure to mixtures of heavy metals on AMD remain largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate both the joint and individual impacts of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) on AMD within a co-exposure framework.

METHODS: Data from subjects participating the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2008) were analyzed. Concentrations of As, Hg, Cd, and Pb were determined in urine by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) for As and Hg, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Cd and Pb. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were employed to assess the effects of heavy metal mixtures on AMD risk.

RESULTS: Both WQS and BKMR analyses consistently revealed a significant overall association between heavy metal mixtures and the risk of all types of AMD. The combined effect was more evident among patients with early AMD compared to those with late AMD. Cd and Hg were the main contributors driving these combined effects within the context of metal mixtures. Elevated urinary levels of Cd were positively correlated with an increased risk for all types as well as early AMD. Higher exposure to Hg corresponded with an elevated risk for early AMD. Furthermore, BKMR analysis indicated that the influence of Cd on early AMD exhibited a non-linear pattern.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that co-exposure to As, Hg, Cd, and Pb is associated with an elevated risk for developing AMD, particularly in its early stages. Furthermore, excessive exposure to Cd and Hg has been identified as key contributing factors in this process.

PMID:39643952 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127573

J Vasc Access. 2024 Dec 6:11297298241296570. doi: 10.1177/11297298241296570. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Distal radial artery access (DRA) has been emerged as an alternative for conventional transradial arterial access. While palpation of radial artery is mandatory prior coronary angiography, it remains unknown the clinical impact of palpation in DRA success. Aim of our study is to explore whether the palpability of distal radial artery is linked with higher rates of successful arterial access.

METHODS: We conducted a post-hoc analysis using data from two randomized-controlled trials on DRA. All patients with available data on distal radial artery palpability and cannulation’s success were included in our analysis. No procedure was performed with ultrasound guidance.

RESULTS: Data on the palpability of the distal radial artery and the DRA success were available for 435 patients. Successful distal radial artery cannulation was attempted in 255 and 98 of patients with and without palpable distal radial artery, respectively. No significant difference between the two groups was observed (81.5% vs 80.3%, p = 0.786). Univariate analysis revealed statistically significant difference in gender, height, known CAD, valvular disease as indication for angiography and number of skin punctures. Multivariate analysis included these variables, as well as palpability of the distal radial artery and found that number of skin punctures and valvular disease as indication are significantly associated with DRA success.

CONCLUSION: According our post-hoc analysis, the palpability of the distal radial artery is not associated with higher rates of DRA success. Further studies are required for the validation of these results.

PMID:39643945 | DOI:10.1177/11297298241296570

Musculoskeletal Care. 2024 Dec;22(4):e70022. doi: 10.1002/msc.70022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols adopt a multidisciplinary approach in perioperative care to reduce Length of Stay (LOS). This study aims to identify predictive factors resulting in short-stay following TKR with an ERAS programme.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on a consecutive series of patients who underwent unilateral TKR by a single surgeon in a tertiary institution between August 2019 and December 2021. Patient demographics, comorbidities and length of stay were collected using Electronic Medical Records. Short-stay was defined as LOS within 1 day or less, while standard-stay was defined as LOS exceeding 2 days or more. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3.1. Logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were included in the study, comprising 45 short-stay patients and 54 standard-stay patients. Short-stay patients were significantly younger (mean 66.1, 95% CI [64.5, 67.7], p = 0.0212) than standard-stay patients (mean 69.2, 95% CI [67.1, 71.2]). There was a significantly lower mean BMI among short-stay patients (26.98, 95% CI [25.52, 28.45], p = 0.021) than among standard-stay patients (29.31, 95% CI [27.96, 30.66]). A significantly higher proportion of short-stay patients (84.4%, 95% CI [73.4, 95.5], p = 0.00132) were premorbid community ambulant without aids than standard-stay patients (51.9%, 95% CI [38.1, 65.6]). There was no significant difference in sex, race, smoking, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score and Charlson Comorbidity Index (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following significant factors: Age < 75 (p = 0.0293), BMI < 25 (p = 0.00688), and premorbid community ambulant without aids (p = 0.0402).

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, predictive factors for short-stay after TKR include age < 75, BMI < 25 and being premorbid community ambulant without aids.

PMID:39643922 | DOI:10.1002/msc.70022

BMC Anesthesiol. 2024 Dec 6;24(1):449. doi: 10.1186/s12871-024-02837-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat is a frequent and distressing complication caused by airway instrumentation during general anesthesia. The discomfort can lead to immediate distress, delayed recovery and reduce patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of preoperative ketamine gargle on the occurrence of postoperative sore throat among adult patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal tube.

METHOD: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and World Clinical Trial Registry were searched to find the eligible randomized control trials comparing the effect of preoperative ketamine gargle and placebo gargle on the occurrence of postoperative sore throat after surgery with endotracheal tube in adult patients. We utilized Review Manager Version 5.4 to perform statistical analyses. Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized control trials was used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. We explored heterogeneity using the I² test. In addition to this, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness of findings. The risk of publication bias was tested using funnel plot Pooled risk ratio along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to analyze the outcome.

RESULT: In the present systematic review and metanalysis, seventeen [17] randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1552 participants were included. Compared with placebo, preoperative ketamine gargle is effective to reduce postoperative sore throat (RR = 0.48; 95%CI [0.45, 0.52] in adult patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal tube.

CONCLUSION: Preoperative ketamine gargle before induction of general anesthesia is effective to reduce the occurrence of postoperative sore throat in adult patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia with an endotracheal tube. Further studies with large sample size, better study quality and optimal reporting could be conducted to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of ketamine gargle in different surgical populations.

PMID:39643910 | DOI:10.1186/s12871-024-02837-7

J Health Popul Nutr. 2024 Dec 6;43(1):209. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00709-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and nutrition are strongly linked to respiratory diseases, but the link between inflammation and nutrition-based indicators and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its mortality has not been reported.

METHODS: We recruited adults no younger than 20 years old from the NHANES 1999-2018. Inflammation and nutrition-based indicators included NAR, PNI, MAR, RAR, HALP, and ALI. COPD were assessed through a self-report questionnaire. Participants’ mortality rates were determined by association with the National Death Index.

RESULTS: A total of 46,572 individuals were collected in this study, including 1,549 COPD patients. NAR, MAR, and RAR were positively linked with the prevalence of COPD. However, PNI and HALP were negatively linked with the prevalence of COPD. In participants with COPD, the highest quartile of NAR (HR = 1.43 [1.04-1.97]), MAR (HR = 1.66 [1.23-2.26]), and RAR (HR = 2.45 [1.90-3.17]) were linked with an increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to the lowest quartile. However, the highest quartile of PNI (HR = 0.48 [0.38-0.61]) and HALP (HR = 0.56 [0.44-0.71]) were linked with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality compared to the lowest quartile. Randomized survival forests (RSF) showed that RAR had the strongest predictive power for all-cause mortality in COPD individuals among all indicators.

CONCLUSION: We found that inflammation and nutrition-based indicators were linked to prognosis in COPD patients, with RAR having the highest predictive value.

PMID:39643902 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-024-00709-x

BMC Nutr. 2024 Dec 6;10(1):157. doi: 10.1186/s40795-024-00969-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stunting remains a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the evolving awareness of the effect of family composition on child health outcomes, the influence of sibling gender on stunting has seldom been consistent. The current study investigated the association between sibling composition and stunting among children under five years in Ghana.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the most recent Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS 2022), focusing on 5416 mother-child dyads. Stunting prevalence was assessed through descriptive analysis, while logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between sibling composition and identify other risk factors associated with stunting.

RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age was 18%. It was observed from the male sex-stratified model that having male siblings and having a combination of male and female siblings increased male children’s odds of being stunted. In contrast, having siblings of either gender or having a combination of male and female siblings may not pose any stunting threats to female children as observed in the female sex-stratified model. Furthermore, being a male child (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.90) and never being breastfed (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.31, 3.21) increased children’s likelihood of stunting.

CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the extra nutrients boys require for healthy growth and development may increase their competition for nutrients, especially in households with limited resource. Parents and guardians are advised to be consciously aware of the subtle and apparent competition between male children and take appropriate measures to prevent children’s deprivation of nutrition by their male siblings.

PMID:39643899 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-024-00969-0