Tag: nevin manimala

BMC Psychol. 2025 May 30;13(1):584. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02923-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Due to long working hours, shifts, poor working conditions, and high risk of exposure to traumatic incidents at work, healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of developing mental health and wellbeing issues. Family members and close friends of HCWs are often the primary support source for the HCWs. However, while supporting the HCWs, family members’ and friends’ mental health and wellbeing may be impacted negatively. According to the findings of previous literature, family members of other high-risk workers may experience secondary traumatic stress. To date, there has been no research focusing on secondary traumatic stress in family members and friends of HCWs.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional, mixed-method study, we examined secondary traumatic stress and associated factors amongst 320 household members (family members and housemates) of HCWs in the UK using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the predictors of secondary traumatic stress, specifically sex, age, job role of the HCW, and the relationship with the HCW. Then we used content analysis of responses to open-ended questions to explore the experiences of household members in-depth.

RESULTS: 33.8% of household members reported secondary traumatic stress within the severe range. Female spouses and partners of HCWs with clinical roles showed higher STS compared to male and other household members of HCWs with non-clinical roles. In our regression model, we found that being female, having a HCW household member with a clinical role, and being a spouse or a partner of a HCW were statistically significant predictors of high STS. Open-ended responses showed that household members reported that HCWs tended to be irritated, quieter/distant, anxious/stressed, in low moods, and exhausted after having a difficult day at work. These feelings and behaviours impacted the rest of the household members negatively.

CONCLUSION: This is the first study which has examined secondary traumatic stress amongst household members of HCWs. While trying to support the HCW, household members were at high risk of developing secondary traumatic stress. There are research implications to understand HCWs’ and their household members’ experiences better, including extending current research and conducting further research exploring secondary traumatic stress in HCWs’ household members, and factors associated with it, which go beyond the demographics examined here. There are also organisational and clinical implications to protect and support both HCWs and their household members, such as improved working conditions for HCWs and carefully planned psychological support for both HCWs and their household members.

PMID:40448215 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02923-6

Reprod Health. 2025 May 31;22(Suppl 1):78. doi: 10.1186/s12978-025-01989-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) is an integral part of the global health agenda. It is strongly featured in the universal health coverage (UHC) agenda of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The need to expand ASRH services to accelerate progress on UHC is urgent in Africa, compared to other regions, given its youthful population and unmet ASRH needs. Limited access to ASRH services increases the risk and vulnerability of adolescents to poor health outcomes such as unintended pregnancies, high adolescent birth rate, poor birth outcomes, high maternal and neonatal mortalities and high exposure to sexually transmitted infections. The unavailability and inaccessibility of ASRH interventions to adolescents and young adults in most African countries, including Ghana, arise from several limitations, including inadequate funding of interventions, cultural barriers and norms, lack of education, and inadequate supplies of ASRH services and commodities, among others. However, gains from investments in ASRH interventions, especially following the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, highlight the importance of identifying and prioritising adequate funding for effective ASRH interventions. This paper identifies priority ASRH interventions that can potentially advance the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents in Ghana to accelerate progress towards UHC.

METHODS: Qualitative descriptive methods, combining literature review and stakeholder engagement, were used for this study. A literature review complemented by stakeholder engagement ensured the listing, ranking and validation of interventions.

RESULTS: Adapting an established framework designed by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) through stakeholders’ engagement process, the paper identifies four of seven priority interventions ranked and validated by stakeholders for addressing the SRH needs of adolescents in Ghana. Consistent with the literature, several interventions exist to address ASRH needs. The most effective priority or promising four interventions in Ghana, according to stakeholders, include adolescent health clubs programmes, girls’ empowerment programmes through comprehensive sexuality education, national capacity-building programmes to deliver high-quality integrated family planning and comprehensive maternal health services, and electronic health (eHealth)/digital health programmes.

CONCLUSION: Identifying effective priority interventions for addressing the SRH needs of adolescents is a consultative process facilitated by proven and valid frameworks adapted to align with specific country contexts.

PMID:40448192 | DOI:10.1186/s12978-025-01989-0

J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 May 30;20(1):552. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05837-6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between segmental motion and paraspinal muscle degeneration at the surgical level in patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) who have undergone either fusion or dynamic stabilization surgery.

METHODS: Patients treated with posterolateral intertransverse fusion (PITF group), Isobar TTL dynamic internal fixation (TTL group), or Isobar EVO dynamic internal fixation (EVO group) for single-level lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) between March 2012 and September 2020 were included in the study. Cases were selected with complete records and follow-up times ranging from 2 to 5 years, taking into account the effects of postoperative muscle edema and age-related muscle degeneration. The study compared operative time, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, Lumbar Stiffness Disability Index (LSDI) scores, range of motion (ROM) at the surgical segment, cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscles, and functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) of the paraspinal muscles before and after surgery across all groups.

RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were included in this study: 23 in the PITF group, 26 in the TTL group, and 24 in the EVO group. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, gender, follow-up duration, body mass index (BMI), preoperative lumbar VAS score, preoperative ODI score, and preoperative LSDI score (P > 0.05). Postoperative ODI scores were significantly higher in the PITF group compared to the TTL and EVO groups, with ODI scores demonstrating a moderate negative correlation with postoperative range of motion (ROM) of the surgical segment (Pearson’s r = -0.333, P < 0.004). A strong negative monotonic relationship was observed between ROM of the surgical segment and the rate of change in functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) of the paraspinal muscles across all groups, as evidenced by Spearman’s correlation coefficients (PITF: r = -0.766, P < 0.001; TTL: r = -0.818, P < 0.001; EVO: r = -0.865, P < 0.001) (Fig. 7). Multiple linear regression models confirmed that age, BMI, and gender had no significant effect on the rate of FCSA change. For the PITF, TTL, and EVO groups, the regression coefficients for ROM’s association with FCSA change were β = -0.653 (P < 0.005), β = -0.956 (P < 0.001), and β = -0.908 (P < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, postoperative LSDI scores were significantly elevated in the PITF group compared to the TTL and EVO groups, with LSDI scores exhibiting a strong negative correlation with postoperative ROM (r = -0.802, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Compared to traditional decompression combined with rigid fusion surgery, decompression coupled with dynamic stabilization techniques can more effectively alleviate postoperative lumbar stiffness and functional impairment in patients. Moderately enhancing the range of motion at the surgical level facilitates the remodeling of paraspinal muscle tissue following surgery.

PMID:40448178 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-025-05837-6

Arthroplasty. 2025 May 30;7(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s42836-025-00308-z.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study aimed to assess whether the clinical outcomes of one-stage revision surgery for chronic knee periprosthetic joint infection (kPJI), guided by precision pathogen diagnosis strategies, are non-inferior to those of conventional two-stage revision surgery.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on chronic kPJI patients who underwent precision pathogen detection and revision arthroplasty at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2016 and September 2022. Clinical characteristics, pathogen detection rates, targeted antibiotic therapy, reinfection rates, and functional outcomes were compared between patients who underwent one-stage and two-stage revision surgeries.

RESULTS: Thirty patients who underwent one-stage revision surgery with pathogen detection through precision pathogen diagnosis strategies were included in this study and were matched with 30 patients who received two-stage revision surgery via propensity score matching (PSM). The baseline clinical characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. Utilizing our optimized pathogen detection protocol, successful pathogen identification was achieved in all cases across both groups. The median duration of intravenous antibiotic administration in the one-stage revision cohort was 16.5 (8.5,23.0) days, followed by a 6-week course of sequential oral antibiotics. Both the one-stage and two-stage revision groups had 3 cases of reinfection each, with no statistically significant difference in success rates between the groups (P > 0.999). Furthermore, no significant differences were found in the range of motion (ROM) (P = 0.332) or Knee Society score (KSS) (P = 0.117) between the one-stage and two-stage revision groups at the 2-year postoperative follow-up. The Kaplan‒Meier survival curves for prosthesis infection-free survival nearly overlapped, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.675).

CONCLUSION: When pathogen identification is achieved through precision diagnostic strategies, the efficacy of one-stage revision surgery combined with targeted antibiotic therapy is comparable to that of two-stage revision surgery.

PMID:40448177 | DOI:10.1186/s42836-025-00308-z

J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 May 30;20(1):549. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05963-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Schoolbag weight in schoolchildren is a recurrent and contentious issue in education and health. Excessive schoolbag weight can lead to back pain in children, which increases the risk of chronic back pain in adulthood. This study aims to explore the pain experienced by primary school children and identify the risk factors for back pain among them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among Omdurman locality in Sudan primary school students from November 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Four schools were chosen. A total of 384 students were enrolled. The data were collected using a questionnaire administered by the researcher and analyzed by SPSS version 26.

RESULTS: A total of 384 students were included in this study. A total of 192 (50%) were female, and 192 (50%) were male. The ages of the respondents ranged from 7 to 13 years, and the mean age was 11.5 ± 2. 09) SD. More than half of the studied students reported back pain 200 (52.1%); 40 (20%) were females, and 160 (80%) were males. Regarding the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, 129 (64.5%) students rated their pain mild. Most 170 (85%) took medication without medical consultation. More than half of 200 (52.3%) students carried a weight greater than 15% of their body weight, and no one carried a bag with a weight less than 10%. Most students reach school by walking, which takes 10-20 min. There was a significant statistical association between the presence of back pain and older student age, male sex, carrying a bag more than 15% of one’s body weight, carrying a bag by one shoulder or side handbag, holding a bag through a morning venue and reaching school by walking for 10-20 min. P value (0.000).

CONCLUSION: More than half of our students reported back pain 200 (52.1%); 40 (20%) were females, and 160 (80%) were males. This study highlights a strong link between the prevalence of low back pain and the lifting of heavy school bags in primary school students in the Omdurman locality. The weights of the students’ schoolbags were higher than the internationally accepted standards. Through this study we are aiming to raise awareness about the negative effects and consequences of carrying heavy schoolbags, and recommending proper scheduling of classes and providing lockers as well as transportations to decrease this phenomenon.

PMID:40448158 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-025-05963-1

Virol J. 2025 May 30;22(1):171. doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02809-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence has hinted at a correlation between immune cells and post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS). However, it is still ambiguous whether these associations indicate a causal connection.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the potential causal link between immune cells and PVFS, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

METHODS: We obtained summary data on PVFS cases (Ncase = 195) and controls (Ncontrol = 382,198) from the FinnGen consortium. Additionally, we retrieved comprehensive statistical information on 731 immune cell features. Our analysis encompassed both forward and reverse MR approaches. To ensure the reliability and validity of our findings, we conducted rigorous sensitivity analyses, addressing issues of robustness and heterogeneity.

RESULT: Our study presents compelling evidence of a probable causal link between immune cells and PVFS. Notably, we have pinpointed 28 distinct types of immune cell traits that potentially exhibit a causal association with PVFS. Among a pool of 7 31 immune cell traits, we identified 28 immune cell types that exhibited a potential causal association with PVFS. These included 9 B cells, 1 conventional dendritic cell (cDC), 1 maturation stage of T cell, 3 myeloid cells, 9 T, B, NK, and monocyte cells (TBNK), and 5 regulatory T cells (Treg).

CONCLUSION: Through genetic analyses, our study has unveiled profound causal connections between specific types of immune cells and PVFS, offering valuable guidance for forthcoming clinical investigations.

PMID:40448142 | DOI:10.1186/s12985-025-02809-4

J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2025 May 30;22(1):122. doi: 10.1186/s12984-025-01652-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stroke-associated dysphagia significantly increases the risk of pneumonia in persons with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), yet effective early interventions remain limited. This pilot randomized controlled trial examined the feasibility and clinical effects of a nurse-delivered combined intervention involving neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and comprehensive oral care-including toothbrushing using the Bass method, tongue cleaning, and moisturizing twice daily-during the acute stroke phase.

METHODS: This randomized, parallel group pilot trial assigned persons with AIS into three groups: (i) oral care only, (ii) oral care + NMES, and (iii) standard care (control). Interventions began within 48 h of stroke onset and continued twice daily for five days, starting within 48 h of stroke onset. Outcome measures, including the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG) and Gugging Swallowing Screening (GUSS), were assessed at baseline, day 4, and day 8 post-stroke. Statistical analysis employed one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square tests, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to analyze group differences and longitudinal trends.

RESULTS: Among 35 participants (mean age 68.3 ± 12.5 years; 51.4% men), both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in swallowing and oral health outcomes over time, compared to standard care (p < 0.05). Although this pilot study was not powered to determine superiority between the two intervention groups, the oral care + NMES group demonstrated the greatest improvements in GUSS and ROAG scores.

CONCLUSION: Findings from this pilot trial support the feasibility of nursing staff implementing combined oral care and NMES within 48 h of AIS onset. The results highlight the potential for meaningful clinical benefits, particularly in settings with limited access to specialized rehabilitation. Larger, blinded, multi-center trials are warranted to further evaluate the efficacy and broader applicability of this early intervention strategy.

REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered in the Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS) under ID N202108021 as a supplementary registration due to initial unfamiliarity with PRS registration requirements, with the registration date recorded as 11/14/2024.

PMID:40448132 | DOI:10.1186/s12984-025-01652-6

BMC Med Educ. 2025 May 30;25(1):807. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07397-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traditional anatomy education relies on lectures, visual aids, and cadaver dissections. However, limited cadaver availability often necessitates the use of plastic models to aid 3D understanding. Virtual reality (VR) presents an immersive alternative that may enhance spatial learning without requiring cadavers. Despite its potential, few studies have directly compared VR with traditional methods in anatomy education.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the learning outcomes of first-year anatomy students using either VR or plastic 3D models for anatomical instruction.

METHODS: First-year anatomy students were divided into two groups: one using VR and the other using plastic models. They participated in weekly anatomy sessions consisting of 2-hour lectures followed by 2-hour laboratory sessions covering various anatomical systems. After the lectures, students engaged in laboratory activities using either plastic models or immersive virtual reality (iVR) for 3D spatial anatomy learning, with iVR participants capturing screenshots of assigned targets for verification. Each session concluded with an online image-based multiple-choice quiz to assess anatomical identification and understanding.

RESULTS: Students from the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences (NHS) and the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology (MLSB) at Taipei Medical University (TMU) participated in the study. Students in the VR group initially struggled due to the time required to adapt to the system, which was reflected in their significantly lower scores in week 2 for both NHS (80.35 ± 2.04 vs. 88.82 ± 1.64, p < 0.0019) and MLSB (72.23 ± 1.81 vs. 88.55 ± 1.67, p < 0.0001). However, in subsequent weeks, while iVR scores were slightly lower, the differences were not statistically significant, and by the later weeks, there was no significant difference in quiz performance between the two groups, with comparable scores observed in weeks 8 and 10 for NHS.

CONCLUSIONS: VR provides a viable alternative to plastic models for anatomy education. Although students require an adaptation period, their performance eventually matches that of students using traditional plastic models. This study is the first to quantitatively compare VR and plastic models in anatomy instruction.

PMID:40448126 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-07397-z

BMC Public Health. 2025 May 30;25(1):1999. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23108-1.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to develop a machine learning system to predict social isolation risk in older adults.

METHODS: Data from a sample of 6588 older adults in China were analyzed using information from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2015 to 2018. We employed the light gradient boosting machine (Lightgbm) algorithm to determine the most common predictors of social isolation among older adults. After identifying these predictors, we trained and optimized 7 models to predict the risk of social isolation among older adults: Lightgbm, logistic regression, decision tree, support vector machine, random forest, gradient boosting decision tree (Gbdt), and Xgboost. In addition, the Shapely additive explanation (SHAP) method was used to show the contribution of each social isolation predictor to the prediction. Statistical analysis was conducted from December 2023 to April 2024.

RESULTS: The Gbdt model had the best performance with an accuracy of 0.7247, sensitivity of 0.9207, specificity of 0.6273, F1 score of 0.6894, and Area Under Curve of 0.84. In addition, the SHAP method demonstrated that intergeneration financial support, child visits, age, left-hand grip strength, and loneliness were the most important characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Gbdt and SHAP provides a clear explanation of the factors contributing to predicting the personalized risk of social isolation for individuals and an intuitive understanding of the impact of key features.

PMID:40448115 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23108-1

BMC Oral Health. 2025 May 30;25(1):853. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-06228-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Occlusion plays a crucial role in the long-term success and prognosis of implant-supported overdentures. The method used to fabricate the overdenture base, whether conventional or CAD/CAM milled, could influence occlusal contact balance. However, definitive evidence on this matter remains lacking. Thus, this study aimed to compare two fabrication techniques, CAD/CAM milled and conventional, for four-implant-supported complete mandibular overdenture bases, with a specific focus on their impact on occlusal balance.

METHODS: Edentulous patients participated in this study received four-implant supported mandibular overdentures constructed using two different types of overdenture bases: CAD/CAM milled and conventional bases. A total of 21 patients, representing 42 overdentures, were enrolled in the study. Occlusal adjustments were made for each overdenture after picking up of attachments. The patients were classified randomly and equally into two groups: Group I: patients delivered maxillary complete dentures opposed to four implant-supported mandibular overdentures constructed with CAD/CAM milling followed by conventionally constructed dentures. Group II: patients delivered maxillary complete dentures opposed to four implant-supported mandibular overdentures constructed with conventional method followed by CAD/CAM milled dentures. According to the type of denture bases, dentures were classified into two equal groups: Group A: CAD/CAM constructed overdenture bases. Group B: conventionally constructed overdenture bases. For each overdenture group, occlusal analysis measurements were recorded at overdenture delivery (T₀) and after three months of denture wearing (T₃). Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) program. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to test significant differences in occlusal force distribution between observation intervals, groups and locations followed by Bonferroni post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Independent samples t-test was used to compare occlusal force between groups. P is significant if < 0.05 at confidence interval 95%.

RESULTS: Comparing different occlusal contact locations in each group at (T₀) showed a significant difference between anterior and posterior locations whereas comparing different occlusal contact locations in each group at (T₃) showed a significant difference between molar and premolar locations for group B while insignificant between molar and premolar locations for group A. The comparison between different intervals within group A revealed insignificant differences while significant occlusal changes at premolar and molar regions were presented within group B.

CONCLUSIONS: The four implant-supported CAD/CAM milled overdenture bases offer greater advantages over conventional ones in terms of occlusal contact stability.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: (NCT06080815))08/10/2023).

PMID:40448094 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-06228-3