Nevin Manimala

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:257-267. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_28.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support and psychological empowerment with perceived stress of nurses working in psychiatric acute units. The study sample consisted of 153 nurses working in psychiatric acute units, located in Athens. Participants completed: (a) A questionnaire about demographic characteristics, (b) the Perceived Stress Scale, (c) the Psychological empowerment scale, and (d) the Social Support Questionnaire Short Form (SSQ-6). The majority of the participants were females (62.7%), graduates of Technological Education (47%), married (60.78%), permanent employees (81.7%), working in psychiatric units for over than 21 years (34.6%), with an average age of 45 years. Of the total sample, 64.7% considered the night shift as the most aggravating, with the main factors causing the greatest stress being (a) lack of staff, (b) dangerousness, and (c) workload. Women compared to men, and those who had been working for more years in a psychiatric ward compared to younger employees exhibited a statistically significant higher level of subjective stress (p < 0.05). Nurses who considered that night shifts were the most aggravating exhibited more stress, while female nurses exhibited higher levels of psychological empowerment compared to male nurses. Moreover, nurses who were scheduled to work more day shifts exhibited statistically significant high levels of psychological empowerment (p < 0.001), while psychological empowerment was positively correlated with social support (p < 0.001). When nurses perceived greater social support, they were more psychologically empowered. Additionally, married nurses reported high levels of social support (p < 0.01). However, older nurses and nurses who were scheduled to work more night shifts reported statistically significant low social support (p < 0.001). Thus, the implementation of strategies to reduce stress at work, family, and wider social environment is essential for nurses working in psychiatric acute units.

PMID:41479090 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_28

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:247-256. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_27.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that affect perceived stress, mental resilience, and quality of life in cancer patients and the associations between these variables.

METHODS: A quantitative, observational correlational study was conducted in the day unit of a central oncology center of Athens, Greece. Through convenience sampling, 120 cancer patients were recruited. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) questionnaire, mental resilience with the Resilience Scale (RS-14), and quality of life with the EORTC QLQ-C30 v.3.

RESULTS: 51.7% of patients were women and had breast cancer (25%). The mean age was 65.28 ± 9.98 years. The mean PSS score was18.73 ± 7.83, while the RS score was 81.04 ± 11.46. The mean score of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale was 81.04 ± 11.46. Statistically significant negative correlations were observed between all subscales of the PSS scale with the functional subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (r = -0.27- -0.58, p < 0.05), while statistically significant positive correlations were observed between the scale PSS and the symptom subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (r = 0.21-0.44, p < 0.05). The PSS total score was correlated with RS total score (r = -0.42, p < 0.01). The PSS score was a statistically significant negative predictor of the EORTC QLQ-C30 total score (b = -0.54, p < 0.001), while the RS score was not a predictive factor.

CONCLUSION: Perceived stress, mental resilience, and quality of life in cancer patients are influenced and related. The extent of their influence depends on the individual characteristics of the patients but also on the support they receive and certainly requires further research.

PMID:41479089 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_27

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:223-229. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_24.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 infection is one of the most important current challenges globally. Data show that COVID-19 infections among health workers are higher than those of the general population. The aim of this study was the translation and the adaption of the questionnaire that was piloted to evaluate the level of health and safety of health professionals in Greece after the outbreak of the pandemic.

METHODS: A structured forward-backward translation process was performed. The authors cooperated with a strategic sample of experts. The pilot study was conducted in three public hospitals of Attica, during the period September to December 2021. The selection of the participants was based on random sampling. The research tool that was used was the questionnaire on “Health and safety of health workers in COVID-19”. Data were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient, t-test, and ANOVA test.

RESULTS: Cronbach’s α was 0.846, showing high internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.969, indicating high test-retest reliability. There was a statistically significant gender difference in the scale relevant to health and safety risks and gender. Also, a statistically significant difference was found between the prevention measures and between the hospitals as well.

CONCLUSIONS: Comprehension of the Greek version of the original questionnaire was achieved. It seems to be a promising tool with acceptable internal consistency. Further study on a larger sample is required to generalize the results.

PMID:41479086 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_24

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:191-199. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_21.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric Palliative Care is a field that demands specific knowledge and skills.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to explore the knowledge of pediatric nursing staff concerning palliative care.

METHODOLOGY: In this multicenter, cross-sectional descriptive study, we used convenience sampling, consisting of 115 nursing staff who worked in general pediatric, pediatric oncology, pediatric surgery units, and Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units of the three biggest hospitals of Thessaloniki (Greece’s second-largest city). The research tools included the demographic and working data of the participants and the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing. The statistical package SPSS 26.0 was used, and the significance level was set at 0.05.

RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 43.1 ± 10.0 years, the majority (96.5%) were women and 82.6% of them were registered nurses. The total score mean value of correct answers was 7.4 ± 2,6. It was found that the total score of correct answers was associated with the participants’ previous training on palliative care (p = 0,033) and the consideration that they applied palliative care in their clinical practice (p = 0.005). On the contrary, no relationship was found between the total score of knowledge and the demographic characteristics of the participants.

CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the pediatric nursing staff concerning palliative care is inadequate. Training programs concerning palliative care could improve health professional’s level of knowledge as well as the quality of the provided care.

PMID:41479083 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_21

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:155-164. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_17.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The measures taken to protect public health during the pandemic had a significant impact on the mental, social, and physical well-being of children and adolescents. Restrictive measures had affected their development, behavior, school life, family, and friendships.

AIM: To explore the psychological impact on children and adolescents after the withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. The sample consisted of 100 children and adolescents, and it was conducted in the outpatient department of the pediatric population of the Regional Unit of Trikala. The scale used in the present study explores post-pandemic coping strategies upon life returning to normal for children and teenagers, “PPCSRN-CT.” The data were analyzed with the SPSS-12 statistical package, and multiple linear regression was performed. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: In the study, nearly 60% of the participants were girls, and over 80% of the children and adolescents lived in urban areas in Trikala Prefecture. Half of them (50%) were 12 years old or older. The statistical analysis found that children and adolescents worry significantly more about the health of their loved ones when they are alone and don’t have anyone to share their concerns with (p = 0.008). Furthermore, children and adolescents who lived with both parents believe that their parents have become less strict with them after the withdrawal of restrictions due to the pandemic (p = 0.001). Additionally, children and adolescents living with both parents believe that their parents care for them more after the withdrawal of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.013). The study also revealed that the desire of children and teenagers to learn more about COVID-19 is positively affected by whether someone close to them has been sick with SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0.009). Furthermore, children and adolescents who want to learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic and whose parents are less strict with them expect their lives to return to normal immediately after the removal of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.016 and p = 0.006, respectively). Finally, the study found that children and adolescents’ belief that they will move on in life together with friends is positively influenced by whether they are less emotionally burdened (p = 0.024) and by whether they are more positive about their daily life (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: It is important to evaluate the perceptions of children and adolescents post-pandemic in order to implement interventions to empower this group.

PMID:41479079 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_17

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:145-153. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_16.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Visible changes in self-concept among pediatric patients with cancer are a bothersome experience that may accompany them until adulthood.

PURPOSE: To explore the self-concept and in particular the physical appearance and popularity in children with cancer compared to healthy ones.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: A descriptive correlational study of 100 children (50 healthy and 50 diagnosed with different forms of cancer) ages 8 to 10 years. Participants were recruited from a public hospital in Athens Greece. The research instrument was “Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept scale” which included patients’ characteristics. The data were analyzed with the SPSS-12 statistical packet by using the following statistical tests: χ²-test, nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS: It was found that children with cancer reported more negatively or both physical appearance and popularity (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the healthy ones. Moreover, the 8-year-old children with cancer reported more negatively for physical appearance (p ≤ 0.001) but not for the factor popularity (p = 0.021), while the 10-year-old children with cancer present a more negative body image relative to the healthy ones, only for the factor popularity (p ≤ 0.001) but not for the factor physical appearance (p = 0.134). In terms of gender, female subjects with cancer presented a more negative body image relative to the healthy female subjects for both factors examined (p ≤ 0.001), while male subjects with cancer presented a more negative body image relative to the healthy male subjects only for the factor physical appearance. A positive correlation between popularity and physical appearance was found (p ≤ 0.001) but only among the children with cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: The present results highlight the differences in physical appearance and popularity among children with cancer and their healthy counterparts. The recognition of the role of physical appearance as a significant factor for children with cancer may inform the development of effective interventions for this group of children.

PMID:41479078 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_16

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:25-34. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Empathy cultivates deeper interpersonal relationships; however, frequent exposure can trigger the risk of burnout. This study aims to predict empathy, burnout, and syndrome among nursing staff in a university hospital in Central Greece.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a synchronic study on the nursing staff of the university general hospital in central Greece. The sample consisted of 210 nurses who took part in the study by completing a questionnaire that included demographic and social characteristics, the “Copenhagen Burnout Inventory” and the “Composite Empathy Scale.” The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and linear regression analysis with a statistical significance of 0.05 were used for the statistical analysis. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the potential predictive factors associated with burnout and empathy.

RESULTS: The prevalence of burnout and empathy among nursing staff was 62.5%. A significant positive correlation between empathy with burnout was found in almost all dimensions. For burnout subscales, “Personal Burnout” was found to be at 44.1%, Operational Burnout “at 62.5%, and in” Burn related to patients “the average was 58.3%. A higher level of burnout is associated with” Workplace Burnout “for nurses on shift work. There was a significant negative correlation between “Cognitive Personal Empathy” and the “Personal Burnout.” Also, 92.9% of the nursing staff reported suffering from a disease.

CONCLUSION: The nurses in the university hospital are “aged staff” with health problems, high levels of empathy, and burnout.

PMID:41479066 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_4

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1490:7-13. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_2.

ABSTRACT

Given the lack of relevant research, the goal of this paper is to present longitudinal data regarding electroencephalograms (EEGs) and financial capacity for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients in order to examine if there are specific EEG indicators that may reveal financial capacity deficits. A detailed neuropsychological and financial capacity assessment along with EEGs was performed at three time points (baseline, 6-month retest, and 12-month retest). Strong statistically significant correlations were found exclusively for the group of aMCI patients with the lowest financial capacity performance (F1 group) between neuropsychological test performance and EEG recordings. EEGs differentiate aMCI patients into two groups: those with high financial capacity performance and those who fail in financial capacity. For the second group, EEGs measurements can be a promising source of information for predicting those aMCI individuals who need assistance in this complex cognitive domain and in order to prevent financial exploitation.

PMID:41479064 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-03402-1_2

Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2989:125-150. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4985-5_7.

ABSTRACT

High-content image-based cytological profiling is a powerful strategy for studying the effects of chemical and genetic perturbations on the cell. Cytological profiling assays illuminate multiple cellular compartments within each cell by multiplex fluorescent staining, followed by automated microscopy and image analysis. In this chapter, we show how to utilize data derived from images of fluorescently labeled cells and organelles while simultaneously addressing common challenges of this data type. We discuss different modes of interpreting raw cellular features and describe statistical methods for using said features to quantitatively evaluate overall assay quality and reproducibility. Data standardization is described as a two-tiered task, and the more recent EMD metric is implemented as a quantitative measure of phenotypic change. We illustrate each technique using data from an osteosarcoma (U-2 OS) high-content screening assay and describe all tools required to reproduce this work.

PMID:41479051 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-4985-5_7

Subcell Biochem. 2026;114:299-353. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-08530-6_6.

ABSTRACT

This work examined the integration of epigenetics and precision medicine in the management of various blood disorders, including anemias, antiphospholipid syndrome, hemochromatosis, hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, porphyria, thalassemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, polycythemia, von Willebrand disease, and coagulopathy. It begins with an overview of key concepts and the significance of precision medicine in treating blood diseases, supported by current statistics. The role of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) is highlighted, detailing their mechanisms of action and clinical implications as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Additionally, the chapter explores natural products used in personalized medicine, examining their sources, mechanisms, and successful case studies in blood disorders. A comprehensive review of recent clinical trials provides insights into the impact of innovative therapies and FDA approvals on treatment protocols, emphasizing the importance of combination therapies. Future directions address emerging research technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and ethical considerations surrounding genetic testing and patient consent. The synthesis of findings underscores the contributions of epigenetics and precision medicine to blood disease treatment, advocating for interdisciplinary research and ongoing education to enhance patient care and outcomes.

PMID:41479041 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-032-08530-6_6