Tag: pubmed

BMC Nurs. 2024 Dec 2;23(1):876. doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02533-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries (PIs) remain a significant public health concern due to their high prevalence among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Despite advancements in science and technology related to PI prevention, the prevalence continues to rise. A key factor contributing to this rise is inadequate knowledge and limited use of evidence-based practices by nurses, resulting in prolonged hospital stays and poor patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of intensive care nurses regarding pressure injury prevention.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 101 nurses working in four ICUs at an academic hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The revised Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool (PUKAT 2.0) was utilized to gather data from a convenience sample of intensive care nurses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data, with statistical tests including the Shapiro-Wilk test, univariate and multivariate linear regression, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient tests. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean knowledge score of the nurses (N = 101) was 42.16% (SD 12.09), indicating poor knowledge of PI prevention. The lowest scores were observed in the areas of “prevention of pressure injuries” (25%) and “classification and observation” (39.5%). Higher levels of education (14.00; 95% CI 2.90-25.11; p = 0.014), seniority (15.58; 95% CI 2.92-28.24; p = 0.016), and years of experience (6.38; 95% CI 9.70-5.45; p = 0.039) were statistically significant predictors of better prevention and management of PI.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that intensive care nurses have poor knowledge of prevention measures, classification, and observation of stages. This may hinder their ability to effectively utilize risk assessment tools in clinical practice. Improving training and providing intensive care nurses with adequate information about evidence-based practices to prevent PI could strengthen their contribution to patient safety. These findings underscore the need for continuous, mandatory training programs for intensive care nurses to stay updated with the latest evidence and practices in PI prevention.

PMID:39623421 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-024-02533-4

BMC Public Health. 2024 Dec 2;24(1):3351. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20883-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a major cause responsible for mortality and morbidity among children around the world. The present study aimed to determine the age distribution, and contributing risk factors for mortality among children who died from pneumonia.

METHOD: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Specialized Children’s Hospital (SBSCH) which is one of the two specialised children’s hospitals in the country. Demographic details, clinical details, laboratory and radiological findings of the children who died due to pneumonia from 2017 to 2022 were collected from record rooms of the two hospitals. The targeted study cohort consists of children between 0 and 14 years of age who died with an established diagnosis of pneumonia. Data was analysed using SPSS version 24. Percentages were calculated to determine the demographic details. The association between different risk factors with childhood pneumonia deaths was calculated.

RESULTS: Fifty-six (56) children in the age category of 0-14 years who died due to an established diagnosis of pneumonia from 2017 to 2022 were included in this study. Fourteen (25%) of them died in the acute medical ward and the remainder in the ICU. From the total study cohort, 51.8% (29) were males and 48.2% (27) were females. The highest number of children (39.3%) was in the age category of 3-12 months. Forty-two children, 75% of the study cohort were children younger than 1 year. Among 56 total, 41 children (73.2%) were identified as underweight for age according to the WHO weight for age charts and 14 (25%) children had not completed the immunisation to the age according to the National Programme of Immunisation (NPI) of Sri Lanka. In the present study cohort, 51.8% (29) of children were diagnosed with CHD and 28.6% (16) of the study cohort had a past medical history of LRTI. Number of patients with underlying respiratory diseases and cerebral palsy were 6 (10.7%) and 5 (8.9%) respectively. There was a significant correlation between the death of children due to pneumonia and the younger age (p = 0.004), duration of the hospital stay (P = 0.011), cerebral palsy (p = 0.004) and history of LRTI (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Younger age of less than one year, cerebral palsy and a history of lower respiratory tract infections were significantly associated with children dying due to pneumonia. Nearly half of the children who died from pneumonia had a congenital heart disease although it is not statistically significant. A substantial number of deaths occurring in general wards needs further evaluation.

PMID:39623419 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-20883-1

BMC Nurs. 2024 Dec 2;23(1):871. doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02549-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Managing hemodynamic instability in critically ill patients due to cardiovascular disease or, in particular, coronary artery disease requires an integrated and responsive approach. The complexity lies in simultaneously addressing the underlying cardiovascular pathology and managing its systemic effects. The complexity described above involves a careful balance of interventions, including fluid and electrolyte management, pharmacological support, and, in some cases, mechanical circulatory support. The dynamic nature of hemodynamic instability necessitates constant vigilance and rapid adaptation of treatment strategies to align with the evolving clinical picture. So, this study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Palestinian critical care nurses about hemodynamic instability in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

METHOD: A cross-sectional design was conducted on 300 nurses in 30 hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem of Palestine. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire composed of four sections covering the socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the sample. Quantitative statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

RESULTS: The nurses demonstrated an almost low overall level of knowledge about hemodynamic instability, with a mean score of 2.7 on a 7-points scale. Additionally, nurses generally expressed a high positive attitude toward their practice, with a mean score of 3.8 on a 5-point scale. Although; Palestinian nurses showed a low level of knowledge about hemodynamic instability but expressed positive attitudes toward their practice. The practice level was also moderate with a mean score of 2.3 on a 5-point scale. Significant differences were found with a higher attitude of male nurses and higher knowledge with bachelor or higher educational levels. Other variables showed non-significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Several challenges were identified, including lack of training and resources, within this study context. Educational interventions and improved access to resources could improve nurses’ knowledge and practice in managing hemodynamic instability.

PMID:39623413 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-024-02549-w

Arthritis Res Ther. 2024 Dec 2;26(1):207. doi: 10.1186/s13075-024-03445-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the causal role of metabolites mediating immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through a Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

METHODS: The two-sample and two-step MR methods were used for the current analysis: (1) causal effects of immune cells on RA and AS; (2) mediation effects of metabolites. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) is the main method to analyze causality, and MR results are verified by several sensitive analyses.

RESULTS: This study first identified the immune cells and metabolites that are causally associated with RA and AS, respectively. Subsequent mediation analyses revealed that of the 61 metabolic factors that were causally associated with RA, 6 were identified as mediators of the relationship between immune cells and RA, including 4-cholesten-3-one levels (mediation ratio: 8.91%), N-lactoyl isoleucine levels (13%), 3- phosphoglycerate to glycerate ratio (12.9%, 2.31%, respectively), Gamma-glutamyl histidine levels (9.54%), and Citrulline to phosphate ratio (15.6%). Among the 52 metabolic factors that were causally associated with AS, 2 were identified as mediators of the relationship between immune cells and AS, including salicylate levels (10.4%) and Glucose to N-palmitoyl-sphingosine (d18:1 to 16:0) ratio (8.72%). These results performed well in sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Genetic predictions show causal relationships between immune cells and autoimmune diseases, and that these causal relationships can be mediated by certain metabolites as mediators.

PMID:39623398 | DOI:10.1186/s13075-024-03445-z

J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 Dec 3;19(1):815. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05317-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating lumbar degenerative diseases. However, the use of endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion does not completely eliminate the risk of dural and nerve root injuries. This study has refined UBE-TLIF to incorporate en bloc resection of the ligamentum flavum for bilateral decompression and aim to detail the surgical procedure and evaluate the clinical outcomes of this modification.

METHODS: This study analyzes the outcomes of 109 consecutive patients treated by a single surgeon for lumbar degenerative disease using UBE-TLIF. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (51 patients) underwent en bloc resection of the ligamentum flavum, while Group B (58 patients) underwent routine piecemeal resection. Assessed outcomes included surgery-related complications, operation time, estimated blood loss, postoperative stay, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The surgical technique is detailed within the study.

RESULTS: In Group A, no nerve root or dura injuries were observed, whereas Group B reported one case of nerve root injury and three dura tears. The average operation time for Group A was shorter than that for Group B; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found in the VAS score, ODI, estimated blood loss, or postoperative stay between the groups during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: En bloc resection of the ligamentum flavum for bilateral decompression in UBE-TLIF demonstrates satisfactory clinical outcomes and low perioperative complications rates, offering a safe and innovative alternative for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.

PMID:39623387 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-05317-3

Cell Commun Signal. 2024 Dec 2;22(1):576. doi: 10.1186/s12964-024-01961-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) play an important role in regulating the availability of chemokines and are responsible for the formation of chemokine gradients required for the directed migration of immune cells in health and disease. ACKR4 shapes gradients of the chemokines CCL19 and CCL21, which are essential for guiding leukocyte homing to lymphoid organs where they initiate an adaptive immune response against invading pathogens. How ACKRs internalize and scavenge chemokines on the molecular level remains poorly understood. Current state-of the art methods to study βarrestin recruitment, signaling and trafficking of ACKRs – and G-protein-coupled receptors in general – rely heavily on C-terminally tagged receptors with unknown consequences for receptor functions.

METHODS: Fluorescently labelled CCL19 was used to quantify chemokine internalization by native and tagged receptors as assessed by flow cytometry and live cell confocal microscopy. Steady-state interaction and chemokine-driven recruitment of βarrestins was determined by NanoBiT bystander assays. βarrestin-dependency for CCL19 internalization was determined in wild-type versus βarrestin1/2-double deficient cell lines. Statistical significance was determined by unpaired t-test or one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s or Tukey’s multiple comparison tests.

RESULTS: Addition of a C-terminal tag selectively affected the function of ACKR4, but not other ACKRs. Fusing a short peptide tag or a fluorescent protein to ACKR4 significantly augmented its ability to internalize its cognate ligand CCL19. In comparison to native ACKR4, its C-terminal tagging provoked an elevated pre-association of βarrestins with the plasma membrane, yet a reduction in chemokine-driven βarrestin recruitment. Furthermore, the addition of a C-terminal tag led to a shift from a βarrestin-dependent towards a βarrestin-independent endocytosis pathway. Similar results on chemokine uptake and on βarrestin-dependency were obtained with ACKR4 variants, in which a putative class II PDZ-binding domain located at the C-terminal tip of the receptor was mutated.

CONCLUSION: This study identifies that the integrity of the C-terminus of ACKR4 is critical for receptor function. The addition of a C-terminal tag to ACKR4 enhances chemokine uptake and alters the involvement of βarrestins in receptor trafficking.

PMID:39623381 | DOI:10.1186/s12964-024-01961-8

BMC Womens Health. 2024 Dec 2;24(1):634. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03465-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Domestic Violence is a threatening worldwide problem. Its consequences against women can be dramatic, as it negatively affects women’s quality of life reflected in their general wellbeing including physical, mental, emotional and sexual health, in addition to the economic cost. Both domestic violence and its cost are multidimensional constructs that cannot be directly measured.

METHODOLOGY: In this study, a latent trait model is used by applying item response theory to measure both domestic violence and its consequent cost via thirty-five observed variables. Accordingly, the study fills a gap in the literature since it is the first attempt to examine the relationship between domestic violence and its consequent cost in Egypt using latent variable modelling rather than simple descriptive statistics. Each construct is considered as a multidimensional latent variable. The overall latent trait model also estimates the relationship between domestic violence and its consequent cost. The effect of a number of socioeconomic covariates on domestic violence is examined within the model. The proposed model is fitted to data from the 2015 Egypt Economic Cost of Gender-Based Violence Survey (ECGBVS) using Mplus software.

RESULTS: The study shows that psychological violence is equally important in measuring domestic violence, as physical violence. The cost resulting from domestic violence relies in its measurement both on the reduced quality of life and the monetary cost endured by the violated woman and children. For socioeconomic covariates, it is shown that domestic violence is affected by women’s and husband’s age, educational level, and husband’s occupational status.

CONCLUSION: Domestic violence is measured by summarizing four forms of violence: physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence, in a single continuous latent variable measuring “Domestic Violence”. Similarly, Cost is measured by summarizing three forms of consequent cost of violence: economic cost, cost on children and cost on women’s quality of life, in another a single continuous latent variable “Cost”. Each of these dimensions is measured by a number of aspects, reflecting the multidimensional nature of the variables. The fitted latent trait model ensured the positive relationship between Domestic Violence and its consequent multidimensional cost.

PMID:39623376 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-024-03465-6

BMC Oral Health. 2024 Dec 2;24(1):1459. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-05132-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To establish the occlusal plane, the conventional methods for facial analysis to gain accurate alignment of the occlusal plane are inadequate, while 3D technologies are an ideal diagnostic tool. The aims of this research are to compare the difference accuracy of anatomic landmarks on the occlusal plane and ala-tragus line between the conventional clinical method and 3D image method in both non-orthodontic and orthodontic treatment volunteers.

METHODS: A total of 44 volunteers (22 non-orthodontic and 22 orthodontic treatment volunteers) with normal occlusion were selected. All volunteers received 2 operative methods for occlusal plane determination. In conventional method, the occlusal plane was defined by the fox plane line. The ala-tragus line was defined by the radio-opaque markers. In the 3D image method, the volunteers were recorded intraoral images, 3D facial images and CBCT images. A 3D virtual picture was created using EXOCAD® software. The occlusal plane was generated by the incisal and occlusal surfaces of the teeth. Both methods, the angles and distances between the occlusal plane and ala-tragus line were measured and compared statistically on both sides of each volunteer.

RESULTS: Both volunteers’ group, the mean angles and distances between the occlusal plane-ala tragus line in the conventional method were reported to be significantly greater than the 3D method (P < 0.05). The percentage difference of angles in conventional method were reported to be significantly higher by 13.61-21.58% (p < 0.05) compared to the 3D method. The percentage difference of distances in the conventional method were reported to be significantly greater than the 3D method by 4.73-7.51% (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of the study, it can be concluded that both conventional and digital methods for establishing the occlusal plane are not parallel to the occlusal plane. The occlusal plane and ala-tragus line in the conventional method and the 3D method were significantly different in terms of angles and distances in both non-orthodontic and orthodontic treatment volunteers. However, the deviation angle of both methods is approximately 13-20 degrees, which is clinically acceptable for occlusal plane establishment. The accuracy of both methods is still within the using in clinical implementation.

PMID:39623366 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-024-05132-6

BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Dec 2;24(1):1374. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-10248-9.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Malaria, a widespread tropical disease, remains a significant global health issue, resulting in numerous deaths each year. In Ghana, malaria is a leading cause of illness, contributing to a large proportion of hospital outpatient visits. The study assessed the pattern of malaria and vector IgG antibody levels among suspected malaria patients seeking healthcare at selected health facilities across Ghana.

METHODS: Samples from a total of 823 participants aged 1 to 85 years with clinical malaria from the ten regions of Ghana were recruited into the study. Archived plasma obtained from each participant was used to assess antibody responses against MSP1 (19 k), MSP2 (FC27 & 3D7), MSP3, gSG6-P1, and GLURP-RO using ELISA. The data were categorized according to study site, age group, gender, and diagnostic tests. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis’s statistics. The statistical significance was assessed at 0.05.

RESULTS: The mean ± standard error of the mean (S.E) of MSP3 IgG concentration for the different age groups were 16, 847 ± 3, 031 ng/mL for 0-4 years, 18, 973 ± 4,357 ng/mL for 5-10 years, 25,961 ± 5,436 ng/mL for 11-15 years and 76, 244 ± 8, 209 ng/mL for ≥ 16 years. A significant (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 122.6, p < 0.0001) increase in P. falciparum MSP 3 (p < 0.0001) and gSG6-P1(p < 0.0001) IgG concentration was observed with increasing age categories. There were significant differences in antibody responses against MSP2 (FC27) IgG (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 29.63, p = 0.0005), MSP3 IgG (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 32.53, p = 0.0002), GLURP-RO IgG (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 52.8, p < 0.0001) and gSG6-P1 IgG (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 152.8, p < 0.0001) across the study regions.

CONCLUSION: The study reveals that IgG against merozoite surface proteins MSP3, GLURP-RO, and gSG6-P1 but not MSP1 and MSP2 antibodies increase with age. The mean IgG antibody concentrations varied in the selected regions of Ghana. A longitudinal study where confounding factors are controlled for is recommended to provide insights into the development of immunity and antibody efficacy, and to enhance the effectiveness of malaria prevention efforts in Ghana. This will help improve the overall understanding of malaria transmission.

PMID:39623362 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-024-10248-9

BMC Vet Res. 2024 Dec 2;20(1):544. doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04395-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases, particularly the Goatpox virus (GTPV) from the Poxviridae family, significantly impact livestock health and agricultural economies, especially in developing regions. Recent GTPV outbreaks in previously eradicated areas underscore the need for effective control measures, with vaccination being the most reliable strategy. This study investigates the effects of administering standard and double doses of live attenuated goatpox vaccine in pregnant Murcia-Granada goats, a non-native breed in Iran, to determine optimal vaccination protocols.

RESULTS: In 2018, 400 healthy and pregnant Murcia Granada goats imported from Spain were divided into groups of 200 and vaccinated with either a standard dose (0.5 ml) or a double dose (single 0.9 ml injection) of live attenuated goatpox vaccine. Post-vaccination, the goats were monitored daily for clinical signs of infection, with samples collected for PCR analysis to detect the presence of GTPV strains. In group A, which received the standard vaccine dose, no abortions or vaccine-related side effects were observed, and body temperatures remained normal. In group B, administered a double dose, 37% of the goats experienced abortions, displaying signs of GTPV infection, such as skin lesions (pox lesions) and increased body temperatures. Molecular analysis confirmed the vaccine strain of GTPV as the infection source, ruling out external contamination. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in abortion rates concerning gestational age or t he age of the pregnant goats.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of adhering to standard vaccine dosages in pregnant Murcia Granada goats to prevent adverse outcomes like abortions. This study emphasizes the necessity to review and revise vaccination protocols tailored to specific breeds and varying maintenance conditions, including pregnancy and outbreak scenarios. These findings stress the necessity for cautious and tailored vaccination strategies to ensure the safety and efficacy of vaccines in different goat breeds.

PMID:39623355 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-024-04395-z