Search Results (38)

Helicobacter species affect humans and animals, mainly causing gastrointestinal but also extra-gastrointestinal pathologies. Besides Helicobacter pylori, which is the main human pathogen, Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacters (NHPH) are also associated with human diseases, thus raising concern about their zoonotic potential. Veterinarians are considered a risk group for NHPH infections and act as first-line communicators to animal owners about their prophylaxis. Therefore, we aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of veterinarians working in Greece about Helicobacter pylori and NHPH by asking them to participate anonymously in an online 34-question survey. The questionnaire consisted of three sections regarding environmental exposure to Helicobacter spp.; know-how about clinical signs in various species, including personal human experience; and willingness to get updated information about NHPH. Of the 111 respondents, 41.4% had not heard of H. suis (NHPH), and 35.0% were unaware of the species that could be affected. Almost 60.0% of companion animal veterinarians rarely suspect and 20.0% never suspect Helicobacter spp. infections in the case of gastritis. Nevertheless, 41.0% of respondents considered Helicobacter as zoonotic, and 87.0% wanted to receive information via professional channels and brochures. Despite the limited number of respondents and the exploratory nature of our study, as with similar data from Portugal, we emphasize the need to train veterinarians to have a more targeted focus on the zoonotic potential of Helicobacter within a One Health approach. Full article

Introduction: The scope and accessibility of prenatal testing have significantly expanded in recent years, reaching a broader population of pregnant women. Advances in non-invasive diagnostic methods support informed decision-making and help reduce the need for invasive procedures. Objective: The objective was to evaluate pregnant women’s knowledge regarding prenatal testing and assess the quality of information provided by healthcare professionals, including the frequency of screening and invasive procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 310 obstetric patients from maternity wards in two hospitals in northern Poland completed a survey addressing prenatal tests, sources of information, and the quality of guidance received from medical staff. Results: Nearly 75% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of the purpose, indications, and scope of prenatal testing. Physicians were identified as the primary source of information. Approximately 50% correctly indicated the recommended number of ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. No correlation was observed between knowledge of prenatal testing and a history of delivering a child with health complications. The combined first-trimester test was performed in 48.6% of cases, NIPT in 11.6%, and invasive testing in 1.8% of the study group. Conclusions: Public awareness of prenatal testing in Poland remains insufficient. With the introduction of partially reimbursed tests in 2024, we recommend strengthening educational efforts through social campaigns and targeted training for healthcare professionals. Full article

The present study provides a socio-economic characterization of an endangered turkey population in Europe for the first time, using the example of a southern Spanish population. To this end, 10 Andalusian turkey breeders were subjected to a 102-item survey, which included the following sections: personal and educational profile, the role of women in breeding, availability and conditions of facilities, welfare conditions, other equipment, maintenance and hygiene, farm access, feeding management, reproductive and replacement management, mortality, market value, and motivations for breeding. The results exhibited a wide variety in the breeder and rearing system attributes. However, the respondents agreed that rearing local breeds was a non-professionalized hobby. Farmers have generally old facilities and makeshift equipment for breeding the animals, which show strong ancestral instincts and a low requirement for breeding. The main purpose of their rearing is for self-consumption; however, there is an established sale demand for meat associated with Christmas. Breeders show a strong emotional motivation for the preservation of this ancestral population, which shares the rearing system with other endangered breeds. Three different profiles of breeders, traditional, neo-rural, and new-peasant, are responsible for maintaining the population selflessly and without administrative support. Full article

Background: The new challenges facing the healthcare sector require nursing leaders who are prepared to respond to patients’ healthcare needs and keep professionals motivated and satisfied while meeting the organisation’s objectives. To overcome these challenges, interest has grown in positive leadership styles, which in turn has sparked interest in authentic leadership. This line of thought on leadership has been predictive of various positive outcomes in the hospital context. Objective: Examine the characteristics of authentic leadership among nurses in the hospital context based on scientific evidence. Methods: Scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute, consisting of three stages of research. First, a search was conducted in MEDLINE Ultimate, CINHAL Ultimate and MedicLatina through the EBSCOHost platform, LILACS and RCAAP for grey literature. Then, using the same keywords, we conducted a search in Scopus and ScienceDirect. Both searches covered the period between 2019 and 2024. Studies were included if they focused on authentic leadership in nurses working in hospital contexts; non-empirical studies, reviews, and those outside the nursing field were excluded. Results: Sixteen articles were included, 13 of which were cross-sectional, descriptive and/or correlational, 2 were quasi-experimental and 1 employed an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis approach. The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire was used in a total of 11 articles. The studies showed that authentic leadership by nurses in a hospital context is significantly associated with relevant organisational and individual variables, such as team performance, organisational commitment, job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and the promotion of healthy work environments. The data also revealed discrepancies between the perceptions of leaders and their subordinates. Conclusion: Authentic leaders have a positive impact on the quality of nursing care, patient health outcomes, professional satisfaction and motivation to lead and the achievement of healthcare institution goals. Consequently, authentic leadership is a fundamental pillar for strengthening nursing teams, promoting trust, well-being and improvements in the quality of care. Nevertheless, the strength of the evidence is limited, given the predominance of cross-sectional studies and potential contextual biases, which should be considered when interpreting the findings. Full article

Background: Evidence is growing that psychedelic substances have positive effects in the setting of Palliative Care (PC), focusing on special needs in this patient population. After a scoping review of the literature, no published expert recommendations guiding best practice for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) towards the end of life were identified. Objective: To draw conclusions from first-hand experienced professionals on PAT in PC (PATPC). Setting, Design, Participants: An international workshop with experts was held in Wasserfallen, Switzerland. A thematic analysis of a semi-structured, questionnaire-based qualitative study with 13 experts in PC, oncology, psychiatry/psychology, and PAT from Europe, the United States, and Oceania was made. Measurements: The questionnaire was designed to elicit the participant’s perspectives on (A) special considerations on PATPC, (B) specific characteristics of PATPC (versus mental illness), and (C) the relevance of these differences during preparation, substance dosing session, and integration in PATPC. Results: (A) Special Considerations included (non-medicalized) setting, potential need, and possibility to reduce preparation time. (B) Distinguishing characteristics included the patient’s intrinsic motivation for treatment success, the importance of anxiety, depression, and spiritual distress as indications for PATPC, and the importance of sufficient integration of the psychedelic experience into life in the face of limited time due to the life-limiting illness. (C) Flexibility in setting and timing of preparation, choosing the appropriate dosage of the psychedelic substance depending on the patient’s intended focus, low/medium (relational issues), higher for transcendental experiences, considering mental capacity and vulnerability for the individual. In addition, respondents noted that for therapists, knowledge about transcendental states, such as mystical experiences, existential aspects of life-threatening illness, and the role of therapists’ own self-experience/inner work, as well as good knowledge of the theoretical basis for treatment, was highlighted. Conclusions: This study highlights special considerations for PAT PC and could be a first step towards specific treatment recommendations (guidelines) for PATPC. Full article

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in banking is widely acknowledged, yet its practical adoption often faces resistance from users. This study investigates the factors influencing AI adoption behavior among various stakeholders in the Greek semi-mature systemic banking ecosystem, addressing a critical gap in the relevant research. By utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) models, data from 297 respondents (bank employees, digital professionals, and the general public) were analyzed. The results highlight the strong relevance of constructs such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Hedonic Motivation, whereas Social Influence was deemed non-significant, reflecting a pragmatic stance toward AI. Demographic factors like gender and age were found to have no significant moderating effect, challenging traditional stereotypes. However, occupation and education emerged as significant moderators, indicating varying attitudes among professions and educational levels. This study is the first to develop a theoretical framework for AI adoption by Greek banking institutions, offering Greek banking practitioners actionable insights. The findings also hold relevance for countries with similar digital maturity levels, aiding broader AI integration in banking. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is the main non-odontogenic cause of orofacial pain among youth. Pediatric dentists are often the first healthcare practitioners to perform a comprehensive oral examination in children, which should include evaluation of the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, and surrounding structures for signs and/or symptoms of TMD. This study assessed pediatric dentists’ practice patterns in the screening, diagnosis, and management of TMD. Methods: A 19-item online survey was used to assess pediatric dentists’ clinical practice patterns and perceived knowledge and comfort levels in the screening, diagnosis, and management of TMD. The survey was distributed in July 2024, with a one-month window open for the study. Confidence levels and perceived knowledge were compared according to years from graduation and frequency of TMD screening assessment with ANOVA or independent t-test, as appropriate. Open-ended items were analyzed thematically. Results: A total of 206 pediatric dentists and pediatric dentistry residents participated in this study. A share of 72.8% of respondents reported that up to 25% of their patients per week present with signs and symptoms of TMD. About one-fifth of pediatric dental providers never complete a screening history for TMD (22.1%) or a clinical assessment of TMD-related structures (21.6%). There was overall low self-perceived knowledge and confidence among pediatric dentists regarding the diagnosis, screening, and management of TMD in children and adolescents, regardless of the number of years from graduation. Respondents who reported seeing up to 50% of TMD patients reported significantly more knowledge and confidence in diagnosing pediatric TMD than those who encountered fewer TMD patients. An overwhelming majority (81.6%) indicated a need for continuing education courses and training focused on the management of TMD in pediatric patients. Conclusions: Providers reported low confidence and self-perceived knowledge about TMD in pediatric populations, a high rate of referral of patients with TMD, and a particular interest for professional development opportunities focused on management of TMD. Full article

Background: In recent years, the study of creatine supplementation in professional athletes has been of great interest. However, the genetics involved in response to supplementation is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse, for the first time, the relationship between muscle performance-related genes and the risk of an increased body mass index (BMI) and muscle mass and a decrease in fat mass in professional football players after creatine supplementation. Methods: For this longitudinal study, one hundred and sixty-one men’s professional football players were recruited. The polymorphisms ACE I/D, ACTN3 c.1729C>T, AMPD1 c.34C>T, CKM c.*800A>G, and MLCK (c.49C>T and c.37885C>A) were genotyped using Single-Nucleotide Primer Extension (SNPE). To assess the combined impact of these six polymorphisms, a total genotype score (TGS) was calculated. The creatine supplementation protocol consisted of 20 g/day of creatine monohydrate for 5 days (loading dose) and 3–5 g/day for 7 weeks (maintenance dose). Anthropometric characteristics (body mass index (BMI), fat, and muscle mass) were recorded before and after the creatine supplementation protocol. Characteristics of non-contact muscle injuries during the 2022/2023 season were classified according to a consensus statement for injury recording. The results showed that the allelic frequencies of ACE and AMPD1 differed between responders and non-responders in muscle mass increase (all p < 0.05). Players with a TGS exceeding 54.16 a.u. had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.985 (95%CI: 1.560–5.711; p = 0.001) for muscle mass increase. By contrast, those with a TGS below 54.16 a.u. had an OR of 9.385 (95%CI: 4.535–19.425; p < 0.001) for suffering non-contact muscle injuries during the season. Conclusions: The increase in BMI and muscle mass in response to creatine supplementation in professional football players was influenced by a TGS derived from the combination of favourable genotypes linked to muscle performance. The CC genotype and C allele of AMPD1 were particularly associated with a higher likelihood of muscle mass increase under creatine supplementation in this group of professional football players. Full article

The ability to access, understand, judge, and use health information is crucial for making informed decisions about health and optimal health outcomes. This secondary data analysis investigated associations between social determinants of health and Australian women’s ability to access and understand health information using data from 10,652 women who responded to the 2022 National Women’s Health Survey. A score (0–5) was created based on five questions assessing the participants’ ability to access and understand health information, which was dichotomised into low (≤3) and high (≥4) scores. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate comparisons, and multivariable binary logistic regression. Almost a quarter of the women had a low score. Non-native English speakers were approximately four times more likely to have low health literacy than native English speakers. Additionally, women without tertiary education, financially disadvantaged women, and First Nations women were almost twice as likely to have lower health literacy than other women. These findings suggest that social determinants of health decrease the capacity to access and understand health information. To reduce health inequalities, healthcare systems and health professionals must consider the factors that reduce women’s capacity to access and understand health information and address the health information needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Full article

Teaching is one of the hardest occupations according to the International Organization of Teachers (IOT), affecting teachers’ emotional and physical well-being and impacting their professional performance. Intervention programs addressing this issue usually result in a significant reduction in stress and an improvement in teachers’ entire quality of life. Physical activity has been recognized as a critical aspect of non-pharmaceutical stress-reduction measures, favorably improving mental health. This quasi-experimental study used pre- and post-intervention assessments to assess the impact of a physical exercise promotion program on stress levels and motivation for regular physical activity among teachers in the first six years of schooling in Portugal and Brazil. This study included 33 instructors from both countries’ educational institutions in an 8-week intervention that included 40 sessions of cardiorespiratory conditioning, muscle strengthening and stretching, relaxation, and meditation techniques. The Stress Perception Scale (EPS-10) and the Motivation Inventory for Regular Physical Activity Practice (IMPRAF-54) were used to assess participants. The findings show a strong link between years of teaching experience and stress levels. After the intervention, there were statistically significant changes in stress levels and motivation to engage in physical exercise. Specifically, 78.9% of teachers reported less stress, and the respondents felt more motivated to exercise for stress control (84.4%), for competitiveness (97%), and for aesthetic enhancement (57.6%). In summary, this study suggests that exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress and increase enthusiasm for physical activity, with Portuguese teachers outperforming their Brazilian counterparts. Full article

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia towards ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot, within the first three months after its launch. We also aimed to identify potential barriers to AI Chatbot adoption among healthcare professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1057 HCWs in Saudi Arabia, distributed electronically via social media channels from 21 February to 6 March 2023. The survey evaluated HCWs’ familiarity with ChatGPT-3.5, their satisfaction, intended future use, and perceived usefulness in healthcare practice. Of the respondents, 18.4% had used ChatGPT for healthcare purposes, while 84.1% of non-users expressed interest in utilizing AI Chatbots in the future. Most participants (75.1%) were comfortable with incorporating ChatGPT into their healthcare practice. HCWs perceived the Chatbot to be useful in various aspects of healthcare, such as medical decision-making (39.5%), patient and family support (44.7%), medical literature appraisal (48.5%), and medical research assistance (65.9%). A majority (76.7%) believed ChatGPT could positively impact the future of healthcare systems. Nevertheless, concerns about credibility and the source of information provided by AI Chatbots (46.9%) were identified as the main barriers. Although HCWs recognize ChatGPT as a valuable addition to digital health in the early stages of adoption, addressing concerns regarding accuracy, reliability, and medicolegal implications is crucial. Therefore, due to their unreliability, the current forms of ChatGPT and other Chatbots should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes without human expert oversight. Ensuring the trustworthiness and dependability of AI Chatbots is essential for successful implementation in healthcare settings. Future research should focus on evaluating the clinical outcomes of ChatGPT and benchmarking its performance against other AI Chatbots. Full article

Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is contingent on time-sensitive interventions taken by onlookers, emergency call operators, first responders, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and hospital healthcare staff. By building integrated cardiac resuscitation systems of care, measurement systems, and techniques for assuring the correct execution of evidence-based treatments by bystanders, EMS professionals, and hospital employees, survival results can be improved. To aid in OHCA prognosis and treatment, we develop a hybrid agnostic explanation TabNet (HAE-TabNet) model to predict OHCA patient survival. According to the results, the HAE-TabNet model has an “Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value” (ROC AUC) score of 0.9934 (95% confidence interval 0.9933–0.9935), which outperformed other machine learning models in the previous study, such as XGBoost, k-nearest neighbors, random forest, decision trees, and logistic regression. In order to achieve model prediction explainability for a non-expert in the artificial intelligence field, we combined the HAE-TabNet model with a LIME-based explainable model. This HAE-TabNet model may assist medical professionals in the prognosis and treatment of OHCA patients effectively. Full article

Many children caring for ill or disabled family members remain ‘hidden’ and ‘invisible’ in our communities. This study is the first to explore patterns of change, over time and throughout austerity, for children with caregiving roles to better understand how their lives differ from those of their non-caregiving peers. A survey of 2154 children, aged 9–18 years in the general population, and a further 21 children, aged 8–18 years and known to be young carers from the same English unitary authority, was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of children’s perceptions and experiences of what they do to help at home. This study shows that children with caregiving roles remain a distinctive group who assume more domestic and caring responsibilities than their peers, and who also perform many of these activities more frequently than young caregivers in 2001. Approximately 19% of the respondents in the general population showed signs of being in a caring role, double the percentage identified by the author in 2001, 72% of whom were from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Indicating over time higher levels of unmet needs among parents and other family members who are ill or disabled, these findings have important implications for professional policy, planning and practice across adult and children’s services. Full article

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, strict measures of confinement and social distancing were taken. Dentists were considered essential personnel and their activity was restricted to emergency treatment. The present observational study aims to determine the situation of oral implantology practice in Spain during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional observational study based on the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. An electronic survey consisting of three blocks of questions was sent to all members of the Spanish Society of Implants. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. A total of 237 participants (14.3%) responded to the questionnaire. The majority of participants (60.8%) only attended emergencies during the first 9 months of the pandemic. Despite this, 77.2% reported having performed dental implant surgeries and 75.5% indicated that they performed non-essential treatments. The activity was fully recovered by 64.1% of the surveyed dentists. The majority of dentists (90.7%) considered that sufficient/adequate preventive measures were carried out at their workplace, which possibly contributed to the fact that 49.3% were not afraid of becoming infected. This concern was significantly and directly proportionally associated with the age of the surveyed dentists. The oral implant practice was affected to a greater extent during the first 9 months of the pandemic, especially in urban areas, with a greater impact on the workload of professionals with less specialised training in oral implantology. Full article

The purpose of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies is to help the patient’s immune system to combat tumors by restoring the immune response mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Despite impressive clinical responses, most patients do not respond to ICIs. Therapeutic vaccines with autologous professional antigen-presenting cells, including dendritic cells, do not show yet significant clinical benefit. To improve these approaches, we have developed a new therapeutic vaccine based on an allogeneic plasmacytoid dendritic cell line (PDC*line), which efficiently activates the CD8+ T-cell response in the context of melanoma. The goal of the study is to demonstrate the potential of this platform to activate circulating tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in patients with lung cancer, specifically non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PDC*line cells loaded with peptides derived from tumor antigens are used to stimulate the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of NSCLC patients. Very interestingly, we demonstrate an efficient activation of specific T cells for at least two tumor antigens in 69% of patients irrespective of tumor antigen mRNA overexpression and NSCLC subtype. We also show, for the first time, that the antitumor CD8+ T-cell expansion is considerably improved by clinical-grade anti-PD-1 antibodies. Using PDC*line cells as an antigen presentation platform, we show that circulating antitumor CD8+ T cells from lung cancer patients can be activated, and we demonstrate the synergistic effect of anti-PD-1 on this expansion. These results are encouraging for the development of a PDC*line-based vaccine in NSCLC patients, especially in combination with ICIs. Full article