Tag: pubmed

Nurs Open. 2022 Sep 8. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1346. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To measure the effectiveness of educational programmes for nurses regarding knowledge and practice of advanced resuscitation for newborn infants.

DESIGN: This is a quasi-experimental study in (Sudan, White Nile state), to evaluate the effectiveness of designed guidelines regarding advanced neonatal resuscitation for midwives during the period November 2020-January 2021.

METHODS: Data were collected using two tools: semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. The number of the respondents to the questionnaire is 75 nurses. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 22). Data were expressed as percentages. The results show that the level of knowledge is improved significantly after training programme interventions, with safe practice reaching (98.70%) compared with a pre-test percentage of (11.5%). This indicates a steep rise in safe practice after the simulation section, a sharp decrease in unsafe practice after the practical section, followed by subsequent decrease in neonatal mortality rate. This paper has been guided by (STROBE, cohort study) checklist.

RESULTS: The study concluded that the majority of nurses and midwives have some knowledge regarding advanced neonatal resuscitation but still, there is a practice gap because of a shortage of facilities and lack of training, However, training programmes do add value on knowledge and practice for nurses and eventually decrease neonatal mortality rate.

PMID:36074779 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.1346

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 8;17(9):e0273931. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273931. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Childhood maltreatment, specifically during sensitive developmental periods, is a major risk factor for poor physical and mental health. Despite its enormous clinical relevance, there is still a lack of scales measuring different types, timing, and duration of childhood maltreatment. The current study sought to validate and determine the psychometric properties of the brief German version of the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure (MACE) scale, the KERF-40. The KERF-40 was administered as an interview (i.e., KERF-40-I) to 287 adult participants with and without mental disorders. Based on item response theory, items of the KERF-40-I were assigned to different types of maltreatment, resulting in a scaled version, the KERF-40+. Test-retest reliability was assessed in a small subsample (n = 14). Convergent and relative predictive validity were measured with correlations of the KERF-40+ and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) as well as self-report measures of general and trauma-related psychopathology. Rasch analysis and fit statistics yielded a 49-item version, encompassing ten different types of maltreatment. The test-retest reliability of the KERF-40+ was shown to be acceptable to excellent for almost all global and subscale scores (.74 ≤ ρ ≤ 1.00), with the exception of the subscale emotional neglect (ρ = .55). Convergent validity with the CTQ was confirmed for both KERF-40+ global scores (.72 ≤ r ≤ .87) and corresponding subscale scores (.56 ≤ r ≤ .78). Relative predictive validity was reflected by significant small-to-moderate correlations between KERF-40+ global scores and indices of general and trauma-related psychopathology (.24 ≤ r ≤ .45). Taken together, the KERF-40+ appears to be suited for clinicians and researchers interested in retrospectively assessing different types, timing, and duration of childhood maltreatment experiences during sensitive periods in adults.

PMID:36074774 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0273931

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 8;17(9):e0272628. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272628. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Twitter as a social media platform has revolutionized the way we interact with others and receive information. The presence of dental schools in Twitter facilitates the engagement of students, educators, dental professionals, and the community. Given the explosive popularity of Twitter as a social media platform and its potential use in the areas of education and branding, the questions of why and how dental schools use these services warrant comprehensive research. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the pattern and use of Twitter as a social media platform for dental schools in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: The tweets were extracted within the timeframe from July 15, 2019, to July 15, 2020. The Twitter data collected included: full text content, the count of retweets, quotes, replies and likes. Extracted tweets were categorized into five main themes: news and announcement, dental professional communication, general communication, oral health education, and promoting participation. Tweets in each main theme were further categorized according to the dental schools’ academic roles namely; education, research and community service. In addition, tweets were classified according to originality of the tweet, language used, nature of the tweet and the use of hashtags and mentions. Descriptive analysis presented in the form of frequency tables with percentages and mean (SD) as well as graphical presentation of the pattern and use of Twitter for Saudi dental schools in the form of bar, pie and line charts. Categorical data were analyzed using chi square test, while continuous data were analyzed using ANOVA. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 15 Saudi dental schools with Twitter accounts were included in the analysis. King Saud University (KSU) had the largest number of followers with 17,200. Within the time frame of this study, a total of 1,889 original tweets from dental schools were found. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) had the highest number of posted tweets (n = 647, 34.3%). The distribution of tweets was highest in September 2019 (n = 239) and lowest in July 2020 (n = 22). Majority of the tweets (81.9%) belonged to five out of the 15 dental schools. News and announcements were the most tweeted thematic subject with 1,034 tweets (55%). While community service was the most tweeted academic role with 803 tweets (42%). The top five active dental schools’ performance for both thematic and academic role classifications were significantly different based on the chi square test (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of Twitter as a social media platform, in dental education especially when it comes to presence and branding for dental schools. Twitter is a helpful platform to expose dental schools to the community, this can be seen by their academic achievements as well as their active role with community service.

PMID:36074762 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0272628

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Sep 9;71(36):1159. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7136a4.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36074740 | DOI:10.15585/mmwr.mm7136a4

Int J Lab Hematol. 2022 Sep;44 Suppl 1:11-20. doi: 10.1111/ijlh.13934.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Statistical analyses are embedded as critical functions in the routine haematology laboratory.

AIM: This educational article is aimed at providing an overview of these topics and practical application examples.

MATERIALS, METHODS, AND RESULTS: Topics covered include mathematical conversion between units, maintaining a quality control (QC) system, statistical methods for reagent validation, and determining uncertainty of measurement (UoM).

DISCUSSION: Additional considerations may be required when a regional laboratory program is in place, such as the harmonization of INR results and determination of therapeutic reference intervals for unfractionated heparin therapy.

CONCLUSION: The coauthors of this manuscript are fortunate to be part of regional network of hospital laboratories, the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA).

PMID:36074706 | DOI:10.1111/ijlh.13934

J Healthc Manag. 2022 Sep-Oct 01;67(5):353-366. doi: 10.1097/JHM-D-21-00235.

ABSTRACT

GOAL: Given that length of stay (LOS) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients has a significant impact on the utilization of hospital resources and the health status of communities, this study focused on how best to monitor LOS of AMI patients admitted to U.S. hospitals by employing statistical process control (SPC).

METHODS: Data were abstracted from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database between 2010 and 2016. A total of 1,491 patients were examined in the study. Patients who were admitted to nonfederal government (public) hospitals in metropolitan areas of at least 1 million residents with the primary diagnosis of AMI were abstracted. They were excluded if they developed AMI secondary to an interventional procedure or surgery, died during their index hospitalization, and were admitted and discharged on the same day. Patients were also excluded if they were discharged to short-term hospitals, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, home healthcare, or against medical advice. Individual moving range (I-MR) charts were used to monitor LOS of individual AMI patients in each subgroup from 2010 to 2016.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The results showed I-MR charts could be used to indicate statistically out-of-control signals on LOS. Specifically, I-MR charts showed that LOS decreased between 2010 and 2016. LOS appeared to be longer at teaching hospitals compared to nonteaching hospitals and varied by gender. Female patients appeared to stay longer than male patients in the hospitals.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The application of SPC and control charts can facilitate improved decision-making in healthcare organizations. This study shows the value of integrating control charts in administrative and medical decision-making processes. It may also help healthcare providers and managers achieve higher quality and lower cost of care.

PMID:36074699 | DOI:10.1097/JHM-D-21-00235

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2022 Jan-Mar;63(1):161-168. doi: 10.47162/RJME.63.1.17.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The mental foramen (MnF) is the anatomic landmark where the mental neurovascular bundle exits the mandible. Precisely determining the position of the MnF is necessary before all dentoalveolar therapeutic procedures performed in the mandibular premolar area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the study, we performed two ex vivo direct morphometric determinations on dry human dentate and edentate mandibles, and two in vivo imaging morphometric determinations through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and orthopantomography (OPG) in dentate human patients. The following landmarks were used to locate the MnF: the distance between the MnF and the superior border of the mandible (MnF-SB), the distance between the MnF and the inferior border of the mandible (MnF-IB), and the position of the MnF in relation to the root apices of the posterior teeth. The results obtained from these data were processed statistically using the analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS: By direct morphometry on dentate mandibles, the MnF was situated closer to the IB and by direct morphometry on completely edentulous mandibles, the MnF was located closer to the SB. In both direct morphometry studies, the MnF transverse diameter was larger than the vertical one, with the MnF having an oval shape. ANOVA for both direct morphometry studies showed that the distances MnF-IB and MnF-SB significantly vary statistically with interactions and depending on age (p<0.00001). The vertical diameter of the MnF significantly varies statistically depending on age, interactions and between studies, and its transverse diameter varies statistically significantly with interactions and depending on age (p<0.00001). According to OPG and CBCT imaging studies, the MnF was located closer to the IB, and the transverse diameter of the MnF was larger than the vertical diameter; such results are similar to the direct morphometry study performed on dry dentate human mandibles. Regarding the position of the MnF in relation to the root apices, it was most frequently located inferior to the root apices in 79.45% of cases, in 19.23% of cases it was located at the root apices level and in 1.31% of cases it was located superior (coronal) to the root apices. ANOVA for both imaging morphometry studies showed that the MnF-IB distance varies statistically significantly with the interactions, the study, the sex of the patients and their age, the MnF-SB distance varies statistically significantly with the interactions, the study and the patients’ age (p<0.05), and the MnF diameters vary statistically significantly with interactions and patient age (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can help dental practitioners in improving dentoalveolar surgery procedures in the posterior mandible.

PMID:36074680 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.63.1.17

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2022 Jan-Mar;63(1):145-151. doi: 10.47162/RJME.63.1.15.

ABSTRACT

Alteration of the intercellular adhesion system plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of bladder carcinomas. We followed the immunoexpression of adhesion molecules, E-cadherin, β-catenin and Claudin-1, in relation to the histopathological grade and the pT category in a number of 50 urothelial carcinomas of the bladder, based on a final staining score (FSS), calculated on the basis of reaction intensity and labeled cells number. E-cadherin immunoexpression was identified in the membrane of tumor cells, low FSS being associated with invasive high-grade carcinomas. β-catenin reactions were membranous in the case of low-grade noninvasive carcinomas and predominantly cytoplasmic and nuclear in the case of high-grade invasive ones, for which high FSS were associated. Claudin-1 was identified at the membrane level, the high FSS values being more frequent in the case of high-grade invasive carcinomas, although there were no significant statistical associations. Loss of E-cadherin expression and the associated positive linear relation of β-catenin and Claudin-1 indicate the usefulness of the analyzed markers in identifying the invasive aggressive phenotype of urothelial bladder carcinomas.

PMID:36074678 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.63.1.15

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2022 Jan-Mar;63(1):113-120. doi: 10.47162/RJME.63.1.11.

ABSTRACT

Endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) are the most common malignancies of the uterus. Hormonal dependence of EEC, in relation to biomolecular mechanisms involved in tumor progression, such as angiogenesis and cell proliferation, are aspects that can contribute to improving the prognosis of patients. We analyzed the immunoexpression of markers addressed to steroid hormone receptors [estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)], angiogenesis [cluster of differentiation (CD)105∕endoglin] and cell proliferation (Ki-67) in 50 EECs related to the histopathological prognostic criteria of the lesions. In this study, the ER and PR scores were higher in low grade and early stages EEC, the statistical aspects being variable. The CD105 microvessel density and the Ki-67 proliferation index were superior in high grade and advanced stages EEC, the statistical aspects being significant or at the limit of significance. The ER∕PR and CD105∕Ki-67 immunomarker groups indicated a positive linear intragroup relation and a negative linear intergroup relation, suggesting the presence of synergistic and antagonistic molecular mechanisms of tumor endometrial control that can be used to stratify patients for targeted therapy.

PMID:36074674 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.63.1.11

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2022 Jan-Mar;63(1):39-48. doi: 10.47162/RJME.63.1.03.

ABSTRACT

Cortisol is a key element in acute stress including a severe infection. However, in coronavirus-associated disease, 20% of subjects experience hypocortisolemia due to direct or immune damage of pituitary and adrenal glands. One extreme form of adrenal insufficiency is found in 2∕3 of cases with viral and post-viral adrenal infarction (AI) (with∕without adrenal hemorrhage) that is mostly associated with a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection; it requires prompt glucocorticoid intervention. Some reports are incidental findings at computed tomography (CT)∕magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for non-adrenal complications like pulmonary spreading and others are seen on post-mortem analysis. This is a review of PubMed-accessible, English papers focusing on AI in addition to the infection, between March 1, 2020 and November 1, 2021. Exclusion criteria were acute adrenal insufficiency without the histopathological (HP) and∕or imaging report of adrenal enlargement, necrosis, etc., respective adrenal failure due to pituitary causes, or non-COVID-19-related adrenal events. We identified a total of 84 patients (different levels of statistical evidence), as follows: a retrospective study on 51 individuals, two post-mortem studies comprising nine, respectively 12 patients, a case series of five subjects, seven single-case reports. HP aspects include necrosis associated with ischemia, cortical lipid degeneration (+/- focal adrenalitis), and infarcts at the level of adrenal cortex, blood clot into vessels, acute fibrinoid necrosis in arterioles and capsules, as well as subendothelial vacuolization. Collateral potential contributors to adrenal damage are thrombotic events, coagulation anomalies, antiphospholipid syndrome, endothelial dysfunction, severe COVID-19 infection with multiorgan failure, etc. Clinical picture is variable from acute primary adrenal insufficiency to asymptomatic or mild evolution, even a retrospective diagnostic; it may be a part of long COVID-19 syndrome; glucocorticoid therapy for non-adrenal considerations might mask cortisol deficient status due to AI∕hemorrhage. Despite its rarity, the COVID-19-associated AI/hemorrhage represents a challenging new chapter, a condition that is essential to be recognized due to its gravity since prompt intervention with glucocorticoid replacement is lifesaving.

PMID:36074666 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.63.1.03