Conectar
by Elisabetta Ferraro, Graziana Da Rold, Roberto Celva, Elisa Dalla Libera, Stefania Leopardi, Giulia Simonato, Paola De Benedictis, Nadia Cappai, Arianna Dissegna, Carlo Vittorio Citterio, Rudi Cassini, Federica Obber
The grey wolf (Canis lupus) population is expanding in parts of Europe due to legal protection and favorable ecological conditions. As wolves increasingly move into urban and suburban areas, interactions with domestic dogs become more frequent, raising the risk of pathogen transmission and posing potential threats to both wolf conservation and public health. This study investigated the health status of wolves in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park (Italy) using non-invasive fecal sampling conducted between May 2019 and March 2020. Samples were genetically analyzed to identify individuals and then screened for viral pathogens, Canine Coronavirus and Parvovirus, using PCR, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Parasitological examinations were performed using flotation techniques on whole samples, and real-time PCR targeting Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis was conducted on selected samples. Of the 260 samples collected, genetic analysis identified 80 individual wolves belonging to 8 packs. Only one sample tested positive for Coronavirus (1.2%), and none for Parvovirus. The detected sequence clustered with strains previously reported in wolves and foxes in Italy. Copromicroscopy revealed a high prevalence of veterinary-relevant endoparasites, including Eucoleus spp. (90.0%), Sarcocystis spp. (42.5%), Taeniids (28.7%), and Ancylostomatids (26.2%). Trichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis, and coccidia showed prevalence rates below 2%. All 104 samples tested for E. granulosus or E. multilocularis were negative. These findings suggest that while wolves in the FCNP commonly harbor several canine parasites, their role in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens appears limited. Although phylogenetic data suggest that coronavirus strains tend to cluster within wildlife species, molecular data on domestic dogs remain scarce. Nonetheless, the high prevalence of shared parasites highlights the need for ongoing surveillance in both wild canids and domestic carnivores. As wolves increasingly inhabit human-dominated landscapes, understanding disease dynamics at the wildlife–domestic interface is essential for effective conservation and public health strategies.To identify patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care, describe their characteristics, and explore their association with glycated haemoglobin.
In chronic conditions, patient self-care and caregiver contribution should be considered a dyadic phenomenon. However, patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care have not yet been identified.
Multicentre observational cross-sectional study.
Patient self-care and caregiver contribution were assessed using the Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory. Patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care were identified by latent class analysis. Associations between patient-caregiver characteristics and class membership were estimated using multinomial regression. The association between classes and glycated haemoglobin levels was assessed using linear regression.
251 dyads of patients with type 2 diabetes and their primary informal caregivers were enrolled. Patients were mostly male (55%, median age 72) and caregivers mostly female (71%, median age 64). Three patterns of dyadic engagement were identified: ‘equally engaged-low care’ (14%), ‘mostly patient engaged-middling care’ (25%), and ‘equally engaged-high care’ (61%). Patient characteristics (sex, education, self-efficacy) and caregiver characteristics (burden, chronic diseases) were associated with pattern membership. Membership in the ‘mostly patient engaged-middling care’ and ‘equally engaged-high care’ patterns was associated with decreased glycated haemoglobin compared to ‘equally engaged-low care’.
The three identified patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes showed differences in patient and caregiver characteristics and were associated with glycated haemoglobin.
The study identified and described patterns of dyadic engagement in type 2 diabetes care. The three identified patterns showed differences in characteristics and in patient glycemic control. Healthcare professionals should consider these patterns for tailoring interventions focused on both dyad members.
STROBE checklist was followed.
Patients and their informal caregivers were recruited to participate in the study.
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy has been associated with adverse birth outcomes, including congenital Zika syndrome, characterised by features such as microcephaly. However, the broader neurodevelopmental influence of prenatal ZIKV exposure, especially among offspring without congenital anomalies at birth, remains poorly understood. While previous studies, including a review, have explored neurodevelopment in ZIKV-exposed children, comparative pooled estimates between exposed and unexposed groups remain scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between prenatal ZIKV exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring without congenital anomalies at birth, using data from observational studies with defined control groups.
We will systematically search multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Web of Science, alongside grey literature sources such as Google Scholar and conference proceedings. Eligible studies will include observational designs (cohort and case-control) comparing neurodevelopmental outcomes between children with and without prenatal ZIKV exposure. Primary outcomes will include gross motor, fine motor, communication, problem-solving, social-emotional and cognitive development assessed with validated tools. Three reviewers will independently screen studies, extract data and assess methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A meta-analysis will be conducted where appropriate, with heterogeneity assessed using the I² statistic and further explored through subgroup and meta-regression analyses.
Ethical approval is not required, as the study involves secondary analysis of publicly available data. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
CRD420251011184.
To cross-culturally adapt and psychometrically test the Italian version of the EPICC Spiritual Care Competency Self-Assessment Tool for clinical nurses (EPICC Tool-It).
Multicentre, cross-sectional validation study.
The 28-item EPICC Tool was translated into Italian and culturally adapted following a rigorous methodology. A nationwide survey was conducted. Psychometric evaluation included content validity, structural validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses), construct validity (known group analysis) and reliability using Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega and factor score determinacy.
The sample included 725 clinical nurses (76% female, 80% hospital-based), on average 38.7 years old (SD 11.33), with 14.6 years (SD 11.03) of experience. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor model (Knowledge of spirituality, Attitudes towards spirituality and spiritual care, Knowledge of spiritual care and Skills in spiritual care), with a second-order factor for the EPICC Tool-It. Construct validity was supported through known group analysis, showing score variation based on nurses' experience, education and religiosity. Internal consistency was excellent across all factors and the overall scale.
A valid, multidimensional instrument is provided to assess spiritual care competencies in Italian-speaking nurses. The EPICC Tool-It is suitable for research and practice, facilitating evaluation of self-perceived competencies and educational effectiveness.
The use of the EPICC Tool-It by nursing managers, educators and clinicians is recommended in both clinical and research settings to support education on spiritual care competencies.
The EPICC Tool-It sets reliable measurement standards for spiritual care competencies, enhancing holistic care and comprehensive understanding of competencies globally.
This study adheres to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Patients, service users, caregivers, or the public were not involved in the study. However, nurses as target users of the tool participated in the cultural adaptation and validation process.
Pre-hospital emergency nurses, frequently exposed to high-stress situations, are at risk for burnout and stress-related issues, affecting their overall well-being. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) scale, widely used among hospital nurses, remains untested in pre-hospital emergency settings.
To adapt and validate the ProQoL scale for pre-hospital emergency contexts and explore the protective role of emotional intelligence in professional well-being.
A mixed-method study was conducted. The qualitative approach involved semi-structured interviews to inform the modification of items for adapting the ProQoL to the pre-hospital emergency setting. A quantitative method was applied to assess the relationship between emotional intelligence and professional well-being through content and face validity measures.
Qualitative interviews suggested refining the ProQoL for pre-hospital emergency settings, emphasising factors such as job satisfaction and professional conduct. The revised 21-item Pre-Hospital Emergency-Professional Quality of Life (PHE-ProQoL) scale demonstrated strong content validity (I-CVI: 0.86-1, S-CVI: 0.9) and face validity. Significant correlations were observed between emotional intelligence and professional well-being, with negative correlations between emotional intelligence and both burnout (Pearson's r = −0.859) and post-traumatic stress (Pearson's r = −0.792), and a positive correlation with compassion satisfaction (Pearson's r = +0.917). Pre-hospital nurses displayed moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (27.3 ± 9.81), high emotional intelligence (28.0 ± 9.58), especially in empathy, and substantial levels of burnout (22.5 ± 6.09) and stress (21.2 ± 4.3).
The study found that pre-hospital emergency nurses exhibit moderate compassion satisfaction and above-average emotional intelligence, particularly in perceiving and managing others' emotions. However, they also experience significant levels of burnout and post-traumatic stress.
Burnout and post-traumatic stress significantly affect pre-hospital emergency nurses. Enhancing emotional intelligence is crucial for their well-being. Nursing managers now have access to a validated and reliable tool to assess this.
FreshRSS 