Exploring nurse educators' experiences and perceptions of healthcare-associated infection prevention and control in two countries of sub-Saharan Africa: An exploratory qualitative study.

Aim: To explore the experiences and perceptions of nurse educators about prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in two countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods: A multimodal approach was employed to investigate the reality of hospital-associated infections.

Cellular fibronectin exacerbates α-synuclein aggregation via integrin alpha4beta1 mediated PARP1 and SCD elevation.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid metabolic disturbance may promote pathologic α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation, accelerating the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Whether extracellular matrices are associated with those pathological mechanisms in PD remains elusive. Here, we aimed to identify if cellular fibronectin (cFn), a component of extracellular matrices, contributes to α-syn abnormality via inducing mitochondrial energy depletion or disrupting lipid homeostasis.

Clinical Personalized Medicine for Parkinson's Disease and Implications on Sleep Dysfunction.

Personalized medicine (PM) for Parkinson's disease (PD) can range from precision genomic therapies such as ambroxol in glucocerebrosidase mutation-linked PD to treatment tailored for sleep dysfunction in nonmotor subtypes of PD. Additionally, in future pharmacogenetics may also play a part by identification of PD patients susceptible to specific sleep problems such as sudden onset of sleep and facilitate avoiding drugs that may cause these side effects. Age, physical exercise, comorbidities can also drive quality of sleep in PD and form important part of the Parkinson's dashboard-led strand of PM.

Transdermal, Infusion, and Surgical Therapies and Effect on Sleep Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

Sleep dysfunction is dominant in patients on oral dopamine replacement therapies as nighttime therapy is suboptimal and often not attempted. Non oral infusion-based Parkinson's disease (PD) therapies, transdermal therapies, as well as deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) bridge this gap and provide nighttime cover in most cases in PD. DBS of the STN also show significant improvement in PD sleep scale scores and improvement in sleep quality.

Pharmacological Management of Insomnia in Parkinson's Disease.

Sleep dysfunction can affect almost 90% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and insomnia related to fragmented sleep is common. Satisfactory management remains an unmet need although dopaminergic non-oral treatments utilising a continuous drug delivery strategy appears to help sleep maintenance insomnia. Transdermal therapy with rotigotine or subcutaneous apomorphine infusion is effective while recent data show considerable efficacy of intrajejunal or subcutaneous levodopa infusion on alleviation of insomnia in PD.

Non-motor Subtypes of Parkinson's Disease and Sleep Dysfunction.

Parkinson's disease is a syndrome with many clinical presentations. It is often dominated by visible motor symptoms; however, specific nonmotor features, such as cognitive dysfunction, sleep dysfunction, pain, apathy, dysautonomia, depression, and anxiety, enrich the clinical picture significantly. Proposed non-motor phenotypes segregate to central cholinergic, serotonergic, or noradrenergic dysfunctions, and clinical and biomarker-driven studies support these subtypes.

Ergonomic stress and surgical performance of general surgeons: a cross-sectional comparison of laparoscopic and open procedures.

Background: Surgeons are actively seeking ways to enhance operating room ergonomics. A comprehensive report on surgeon job-related disease and injuries could raise awareness, encourage workplace improvements, and emphasize the importance of ergonomic practices such as body posture awareness, appropriate operating room setup, and exercise to lessen discomfort and improve general health.

Purpose: To address the ergonomic challenges that surgeons in Jordan face during their work and to investigate how demographic variables may impact a surgeon's ability to perform open and laparoscopic procedures proficiently.

Support Needs of Parents of Children With Congenital Anomalies Across Europe: A EUROlinkCAT Survey.

Background: Parents and carers of children with congenital anomalies can experience stress when managing their child's healthcare needs. It is important that they are well supported. This study explored the support needs of parents/carers of children with a congenital anomaly across Europe.

Harnessing the Power of Microbiota: How Do Key Species Aid in Clearing High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Promoting the Regression of Cervical Dysplasia?

species play a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiota and have been increasingly recognized for their protective effects against high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). These beneficial bacteria contribute to host defense through multiple mechanisms, including the production of lactic acid that sustains a low vaginal pH, enhancement of epithelial barrier integrity via E-cadherin regulation, and modulation of immune signaling pathways such as interferon responses and NF-κB activity. strains exert anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and interfering with oncogenic pathways including Wnt/β-catenin and the expression of HPV E6 and E7 proteins.

Can We Use CAR-T Cells to Overcome Immunosuppression in Solid Tumours?

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has revolutionised haematological cancer treatment. However, its application in solid tumours remains significantly limited by the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME), poor antigen specificity, and physical barriers to infiltration. This review explores a compelling question: can CAR-T cells be adapted to overcome immunosuppression in solid tumours effectively? We provide an in-depth analysis of the immunological, metabolic, and structural challenges posed by the TME and critically evaluate emerging engineering strategies designed to enhance CAR-T cells' persistence, targeting, and function.

Clinical outcomes of intravascular lithotripsy according to the timing of stent failure: Insights from the COIL registry.

Background: Cumulative data has highlighted the efficacy of intra-vascular lithotripsy (IVL) in patients with stent failure (SF). However, it remains unclear whether the effectiveness of IVL, and subsequent clinical outcomes, are influenced by the timing of SF. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with SF undergoing IVL according to the age of index stent implantation.

Importance of an online educational platform for heart failure nurses in Poland: the results of the survey.

Background: Heart failure (HF) nurses play an important role in heart failure management. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of HF nurses in Poland regarding HF management.

Methods: 97 nurses from Poland provided their consent and completed an online questionnaire comprised of 20 questions.

Basket trial designs in oncology: A comprehensive systematic review.

Background: Basket trials are an innovative type of clinical trial primarily used in oncology. A distinctive feature of these studies is the grouping of patients based on specific molecular characteristics, such as genetic mutations or immunological subtypes, rather than traditional criteria like the type of cancer.

Material And Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

The burden of viral hepatitis infection and mortality: Findings from a population-based study in Poland over 2009-2023.

Aim Of The Study: To analyze long-term epidemiological patterns and trends in the burden of infection and mortality due to viral hepatitis in Poland before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material And Methods: Data for the burden of the most common viral hepatitis types (HAV, HBV ±HDV, HCV, and HEV) over 2009-2023 were extracted from the national registries in Poland. The joinpoint regression model was used to analyze trends in viral hepatitis infections and mortality.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: Challenges in clinical practice.

The number of patients whose chronic metabolic liver disease leads to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. In patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), HCC can arise in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic livers. This complicates appropriate surveillance and causes HCC to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

Hepatic involvement in major respiratory viral infections.

Common respiratory viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can lead to extrapulmonary manifestations, including clinically significant liver involvement. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, mechanisms, and prognostic implications of hepatic injury associated with these viruses. We discuss the distinct mechanisms of liver dysfunction, ranging from the possibility of direct viral infection of hepatocytes to indirect effects of systemic inflammatory responses, hypoxic injury, preexisting liver disease, and drug-related hepatotoxicity.

Perineural dexamethasone enhances analgesic duration of erector spinae plane block in total hip arthroplasty: A randomized quadruple-blind controlled trial.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with significant postoperative pain, which can impair early mobilization and recovery. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthesia technique for lower limb surgeries. However, the duration of single-shot ESPB is limited.

iPACK block with adductor canal block vs. lumbar erector spinae plane block (L-ESPB) in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial.

Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe pain. We examined whether an ultrasound-guided, single-injection L2 erector spinae plane block could improve analgesia compared to an ultrasound-guided iPACK (infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee) block with adductor canal block (ACB) in patients undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia.

Material And Methods: Ninety patients aged 65-89 years of both sexes (ASA I-III) scheduled for TKA were randomly allocated to receive iPACK block (ropivacaine 0.

Is general anesthesia neuroinjury-free and safe for gynecological patients' cognition? A comparison of two typical anesthesia schemes based on propofol and sevoflurane.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the neurocognitive safety of two schemes of general anesthesia based on propofol or sevoflurane applied to patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological operations, with a special focus on the patients' age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status/risk category I, II, or III, and levels of neuromarkers.

Material And Methods: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was chosen for cognitive assessment. The potential neuroinjury after anesthesia and operation was assessed with a set of neuromarkers: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NFL), tau protein (tau), and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1).

Reappraisal of Palinopsia as a Disregarded Symptom in Epilepsy: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Related EEG Findings.

ObjectiveTo present a case of epileptic palinopsia successfully treated with lamotrigine and systematically review EEG findings, clinical features, and treatment outcomes of epileptic palinopsia.MethodsWe report a 58-year-old male with right occipital hemorrhage who developed seizures characterized by palinoptic phenomena four years post-injury. A systematic review of available cases was conducted using PRISMA guidelines and multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) through December 2024.

Telemedical care system for the treatment of arterial hypertension using recommendation algorithms to support diagnostic and therapeutic decisions-study protocol for a single-center, randomized, controlled, open-label SOT-ART-HT trial.

Background: Arterial hypertension is a global issue and achieving the blood pressure control is a challenge. It has been suggested that telemonitoring benefits these patients but there is a lack of research evaluating tools to assist doctors in caring for patients with arterial hypertension. Herein, we detail a protocol for a single-center, randomized, open-label study with a control group to develop a blood pressure monitoring system with a built-in algorithm supporting the physician's decisions.

Sociodemographic and occupational predictors of health behaviors among nurses: a cross-sectional study in Poland.

Background: Nurses play a crucial role in health promotion, yet their own health behaviors may not always align with their professional knowledge. Understanding the factors influencing nurses' health behaviors is essential for designing effective interventions to support their well-being and professional effectiveness.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of health behaviors among actively employed nurses in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and identify key determinants influencing these behaviors.

LBX1, ESR1, and ESR2 genes DNA methylation level in idiopathic scoliosis.

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a multifactorial disease with a genetic and environmental background. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, may contribute to the IS occurrence and course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of LBX1, ESR1, and ESR2 gene methylation levels with susceptibility to and severity of IS.