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Hoy — Abril 20th 2024Tus fuentes RSS

Relationship between phthalates exposures and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in United States adults

by Junhao Sun, Siqi Yang, Yue Zhang, Wenzhi Xiang, Xiubo Jiang

As a new definition for the evidence of hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunctions, the relationship between phthalates (PAEs) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remains virtually unexplored. This study included 3,137 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2007–2018. The diagnosis of MAFLD depended on the US Fatty Liver Index (US FLI) and evidence of metabolic dysregulation. Eleven metabolites of PAEs were included in the study. Poisson regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were used to assess the associations between phthalate metabolites and MAFLD. After adjusting for potential confounders, Poisson regression analysis showed that mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP), mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate were generally significant positively associated with MAFLD (P
Ayer — Abril 19th 2024Tus fuentes RSS

Effect of metacognitive therapy on depression in patients with chronic disease: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Zhang · Z. · Wang · P. · Gu · J. · Zhang · Q. · Sun · C. · Wang · P.
Background

Chronic diseases have a high prevalence worldwide, and patients with chronic diseases often suffer from depression, leading to a poor prognosis and a low quality of life. Metacognitive therapy is a transdiagnostic psychotherapy intervention focused on thinking patterns, with the advantages of reliable implementation effect, short intervention period and low cost. It can help patients change negative metacognition, alleviate depression symptoms, and has a higher implementation value compared with other cognitive interventions. Therefore, metacognitive therapy may be an effective way to improve the mental health of patients with chronic diseases.

Methods and analysis

CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, Sinomed, PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PsycINFO will be used to select the eligible studies. As a supplement, websites (eg, the Chinese Clinical Registry, ClinicalTrials.gov) will be searched and grey literature will be included. The heterogeneity and methodological quality of the eligible studies will be independently screened and extracted by two experienced reviewers. All the data synthesis and analysis (drawing forest plots, subgroup analysis and sensitive analysis) will be conducted using RevMan 5.4.1.

Ethics and dissemination

This article is a literature review that does not include patients’ identifiable information. Therefore, ethical approval is not required in this protocol. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal as well as presentations at relevant conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023411105.

Cost-effectiveness of a radio intervention to stimulate early childhood development: protocol for an economic evaluation of the SUNRISE trial in Burkina Faso

Por: Palmer · T. · Clare · A. · Fearon · P. · Head · R. · Hill · Z. · Kagone · B. · Kirkwood · B. · Manu · A. · Skordis · J. · on behalf of the SUNRISE team
Introduction

Approximately 250 million children under 5 years of age are at risk of poor development in low-income and middle-income countries. However, existing early childhood development (ECD) interventions can be expensive, labour intensive and challenging to deliver at scale. Mass media may offer an alternative approach to ECD intervention. This protocol describes the planned economic evaluation of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a radio campaign promoting responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning during the first 3 years of life in rural Burkina Faso (SUNRISE trial).

Methods and analysis

The economic evaluation of the SUNRISE trial will be conducted as a within-trial analysis from the provider’s perspective. Incremental costs and health outcomes of the radio campaign will be compared with standard broadcasting (ie, ‘do nothing’ comparator). All costs associated with creating and broadcasting the radio campaign during intervention start-up and implementation will be captured. The cost per child under 3 years old reached by the intervention will be calculated. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios will be calculated for the trial’s primary outcome (ie, incremental cost per SD of cognitive gain). A cost-consequence analysis will also be presented, whereby all relevant costs and outcomes are tabulated. Finally, an analysis will be conducted to assess the equity impact of the intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The SUNRISE trial has ethical approval from the ethics committees of the Ministry of Health, Burkina Faso, University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The results of the economic evaluation will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant international conference.

Trial registration number

The SUNRISE trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on 19 April 2019 (identifier: NCT05335395).

The triglyceride glucose index as a sensitive predictor for the risk of MACCEs in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: An ambispective longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been confirmed a predictive value for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no research has yet confirmed whether there is a linear correlation between the TyG index and MACCEs in DFUs. The present study aimed to delve into the association between the TyG index and the risk of MACCEs in patients with DFUs. A total of 960 inpatients with DFUs were recruited. All participants were followed up every 6 months for 11 years with a median of 83 months. According to the cut-off value of the TyG index acquired from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the subjects were divided into two groups: low-level (<9.12, n = 480) and high-level (≥9.12, n = 480). The relationship between the TyG index and MACCEs was evaluated by the multivariable Cox regression model, restricted cubic spline (RCS) model, stratified analysis and the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Out of 960 participants, 271 experienced MACCEs (28.22%), of whom 79 (29.15%) died. ROC analysis got the optimal TyG index cut-off value of 9.12. Multivariable Cox regression analysis combined with the RCS model showed that the TyG index was positively associated with MACCEs in an S-shaped non-linear dose-dependent manner within the range of TyG index 7.5–9.5 (p < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated the higher the TyG index, the greater the cumulative incidence of MACCEs (log-rank, p < 0.001). The study first confirmed an S-shaped non-linear dose-dependent positive relationship between the TyG index and the risk of MACCEs in DFUs. Consequently, lowering the TyG index level aids in improving the prognosis of patients with DFUs.

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Characterizing nursing time with patients using computer vision

Abstract

Background

Compared to other providers, nurses spend more time with patients, but the exact quantity and nature of those interactions remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interactions of nurses at the bedside using continuous surveillance over a year long period.

Methods

Nurses' time and activity at the bedside were characterized using a device that integrates the use of obfuscated computer vision in combination with a Bluetooth beacon on the nurses' identification badge to track nurses' activities at the bedside. The surveillance device (AUGi) was installed over 37 patient beds in two medical/surgical units in a major urban hospital. Forty-nine nurse users were tracked using the beacon. Data were collected 4/15/19–3/15/20. Statistics were performed to describe nurses' time and activity at the bedside.

Results

A total of n = 408,588 interactions were analyzed over 670 shifts, with >1.5 times more interactions during day shifts (n = 247,273) compared to night shifts (n = 161,315); the mean interaction time was 3.34 s longer during nights than days (p < 0.0001). Each nurse had an average of 7.86 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.13) interactions per bed each shift and a mean total interaction time per bed of 9.39 min (SD = 14.16). On average, nurses covered 7.43 beds (SD = 4.03) per shift (day: mean = 7.80 beds/nurse/shift, SD = 3.87; night: mean = 7.07/nurse/shift, SD = 4.17). The mean time per hourly rounding (HR) was 69.5 s (SD = 98.07) and 50.1 s (SD = 56.58) for bedside shift report.

Discussion

As far as we are aware, this is the first study to provide continuous surveillance of nurse activities at the bedside over a year long period, 24 h/day, 7 days/week. We detected that nurses spend less than 1 min giving report at the bedside, and this is only completed 20.7% of the time. Additionally, hourly rounding was completed only 52.9% of the time and nurses spent only 9 min total with each patient per shift. Further study is needed to detect whether there is an optimal timing or duration of interactions to improve patient outcomes.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing time with the patient has been shown to improve patient outcomes but precise information about how much time nurses spend with patients has been heretofore unknown. By understanding minute-by-minute activities at the bedside over a full year, we provide a full picture of nursing activity; this can be used in the future to determine how these activities affect patient outcomes.

Identification of differentially expressed mRNA/lncRNA modules in acutely regorafenib-treated sorafenib-resistant Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

by Mina Baek, Minjae Kim, Hae In Choi, Bert Binas, Junho Cha, Kyoung Hwa Jung, Sungkyoung Choi, Young Gyu Chai

The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is the standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but many patients become sorafenib-resistant (SR). This study investigated the efficacy of another kinase inhibitor, regorafenib (Rego), as a second-line treatment. We produced SR HCC cells, wherein the PI3K-Akt, TNF, cAMP, and TGF-beta signaling pathways were affected. Acute Rego treatment of these cells reversed the expression of genes involved in TGF-beta signaling but further increased the expression of genes involved in PI3K-Akt signaling. Additionally, Rego reversed the expression of genes involved in nucleosome assembly and epigenetic gene expression. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed four differentially expressed long non-coding RNA (DElncRNA) modules that were associated with the effectiveness of Rego on SR cells. Eleven putative DElncRNAs with distinct expression patterns were identified. We associated each module with DEmRNAs of the same pattern, thus obtaining DElncRNA/DEmRNA co-expression modules. We discuss the potential significance of each module. These findings provide insights and resources for further investigation into the potential mechanisms underlying the response of SR HCC cells to Rego.

Association of maternal weight gain in early pregnancy with congenital heart disease in offspring: a China birth cohort study

Por: Wang · J. · Zhang · S. · Li · X. · Han · J. · Sun · L. · Wang · L. · Wu · Q.
Objectives

Little study has reported the association of maternal weight gain in early pregnancy with fetal congenital heart disease (CHD). We aimed to explore the potential relationship based on a China birth cohort while adjusting by multiple factors.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

China birth cohort study conducted from 2017 to 2021.

Participants

The study finally included 114 672 singleton pregnancies in the 6–14 weeks of gestation, without missing data or outliers, loss to follow-up or abnormal conditions other than CHD. The proportion of CHD was 0.65% (749 cases).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Association between maternal pre-pregnancy weight gain and CHD in the offspring were analysed by multivariate logistic regression, with the unadjusted, minimally adjusted and maximally adjusted methods, respectively.

Results

The first-trimester weight gain showed similar discrimination of fetal CHD to that period of maternal body mass index (BMI) change (DeLong tests: p=0.091). Compared with weight gain in the lowest quartile (the weight gain less than 0.0 kg), the highest quartile (over 2.0 kg) was associated with a higher risk of fetal CHD in unadjusted (OR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.72), minimally adjusted (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.62) and maximally adjusted (aOR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.63) models. The association remains robust in pregnant women with morning sickness, normal pre-pregnancy BMI, moderate physical activity, college/university level, natural conception or with folic acid (FA) and/or multivitamin supplementation.

Conclusions and relevance

Although the association of maternal pre-pregnancy weight gain on fetal CHD is weak, the excessive weight gain may be a potential predictor of CHD in the offspring, especially in those with morning sickness and other conditions that are routine in the cohort, such as normal pre-pregnancy BMI, moderate physical activity, college/university level, natural conception or with FA and/or multivitamin supplementation.

Factors impeding physical activity in older hospitalised patients: A qualitative meta‐synthesis

Abstract

Background

Older hospitalised patients have low levels of physical activity and multiple impairing factors.

Aims

To systematically evaluate the perceived barriers to physical activity among older patients during hospitalisation, and provide reference for future intervention programs.

Design

Following ENTREQ, do a systematic evaluation and synthesis of qualitative investigations.

Methods

An exhaustive exploration was conducted across the CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from their inception until August, 2023 to identify qualitative research on obstacles to physical activity among older hospital patients. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool for qualitative research. Meta-synthesis method was used to integrate the results.

Results

In total, 8 literatures were included, 43 themes were extracted, and analogous research results were amalgamated to generate 10 categories and 3 syntheses: individual level, interpersonal influencing factors and hospital environment and resources level.

Conclusion

Older inpatients are faced with multiple barriers to physical activity. Medical staff should pay attention to changes in physical activity during hospitalisation, identify barriers to physical activity in older inpatients and provide references for promoting physical activity programs for the older.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This study is a meta-synthesis and does not require relevant contributions from patients or the public.

What is already known

Older patients are at low physical activity levels during hospitalisation. Older inpatients are faced with multiple barriers to physical activity.

What this paper adds

Factors of physical activity impairment in hospitalised older patients should be considered in the context of health status, psychological factors, motivation and social support. Disease-induced psychological fallout has a greater impact on physical activity in the older.

Fall risk perception in older adults: A concept analysis

Abstract

Background

Fall prevention is crucial for older adults. Enhanced fall risk perception can encourage older adults to participate in fall prevention programs. However, there is still no unified definition of the concept of fall risk perception.

Objective

To explore the concept of fall risk perception in older adults.

Design

A concept analysis.

Data Sources

The literature was searched using online databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WangFang and SinoMed. Searches were also conducted in Chinese and English dictionaries. The literature dates from the establishment of the database to April 2023.

Methods

The methods of Walker and Avant were used to identify antecedents, attributes and consequences of the concept of “fall risk perception” in older adults.

Results

Eighteen publications were included eventually. The attributes were identified as: (1) dynamic change, with features of continuum and stage; (2) whether falls are taken seriously; (3) a self-assessment of the fall probability, which is driven by individual independence; and (4) involves multiple complex emotional responses. The antecedents were identified as: (1) demographic and disease factors; (2) psychological factors and (3) environmental factors. The consequences were identified as: (1) risk-taking behaviour; (2) risk compensation behaviour; (3) risk transfer behaviour; and (4) emotions.

Conclusion

A theoretical definition of fall risk perception was identified. A conceptual model was developed to demonstrate the theoretical relationships between antecedents, attributes and consequences. This is helpful for the development of relevant theories and the formulation of fall prevention measures based on fall risk perception as the intervention target.

Comparative analysis of pressure ulcer development in stroke patients within and outside healthcare facilities: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

The risk of pressure ulcers in stroke patients is a significant concern, impacting their recovery and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pressure ulcers in stroke patients, comparing those in healthcare facilities with those in home-based or non-clinical environments. The study aims to elucidate how different care settings affect the development of pressure ulcers, serving as a crucial indicator of patient care quality and management across diverse healthcare contexts. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies on stroke patients in various settings, reporting on the incidence or prevalence of pressure ulcers. Exclusion criteria included non-stroke patients, non-original research and studies with incomplete data. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment, and statistical analyses involved both fixed-effect and random-effects models, depending on the heterogeneity observed. A total of 1542 articles were initially identified, with 11 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies exhibited significant heterogeneity, necessitating the use of a random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of pressure injuries was 9.53% in patients without family medical services and 2.64% in patients with medical services. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of these results, and no significant publication bias was detected through funnel plot analysis and Egger's linear regression test. The meta-analysis underscores the heightened risk of pressure injuries in stroke patients, especially post-discharge. It calls for concerted efforts among healthcare providers, policymakers and caregivers to implement targeted strategies tailored to the specific needs of different care environments. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating interventions to effectively integrate into routine care and reduce the incidence of pressure injuries in stroke patients.

Cultural competence in nursing education: examining the nexus of cultural sensitivity and effectiveness among nursing students

Por: Tosun · B.

Commentary on: Kardas U, Yilmaz Sahin S. Investigation of the relationship between cultural sensitivity and effectiveness levels among nursing students. Nurse Educ Pract. 2023 Oct;72:103773. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103773. Epub 2023 Aug 29 .

Implications for practice and research

  • Nurse educators and policymakers can draw valuable insights from these findings to shape evidence-based strategies for enhancing cultural competence in nursing education, ultimately contributing to the provision of culturally sensitive and effective healthcare services.

  • The unexpected decline in cultural sensitivity and effectiveness levels as students approach graduation raises intriguing questions about the factors influencing these dynamics. Longitudinal studies are recommended to provide a comprehensive understanding of how cultural competence evolves over the course of nursing education.

  • Context

    When intercultural competence is comprehensively addressed in providing healthcare services, it positively influences patients’ satisfaction levels, participation in care and safety.1 To achieve this, cultural sensitivity and cultural...

    Smoking cessation interventions are cost-effective in people affected by stroke

    Por: Suner-Soler · R.

    Commentary on: Wechsler PM, Liberman AL, Restifo D, Abramson EL, Navi BB, Kamel H, Parikh NS. Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Interventions in Patients With Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack. Stroke. 2023 Apr;54(4):992-1000. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.040356. Epub 2023 Mar 3.

    Implications for practice and research

  • Measures to promote smoking cessation should go beyond brief counselling to include intensive counselling with pharmacotherapeutic support, such as varenicline, which are cost-effective.

  • Future research is needed to study to what extent the results obtained here are reproducible in other healthcare settings.

  • Context

    Smoking cessation in stroke survivors is associated with a reduction in vascular events and death.1 Despite this, less than half of stroke survivors stop smoking2 although if the stroke affects the insular cortex, cessation is easier.3 Clinical practice often fails to go beyond brief counselling to encourage people to stop smoking...

    Tools to measure the burden on informal caregivers of cancer patients: A literature review

    Abstract

    Objectives

    (1) To describe existing tools to assess the burden of informal caregivers of people with cancer, (2) to describe how these tools have been validated and (3) to describe the areas of interest of existing assessment tool entries.

    Background

    The caregiver burden of informal caregivers of people with cancer greatly affects their lives. There is a wide variety of relevant assessment tools available, but there are no studies to help researchers to select tools.

    Methods

    A search was conducted using the keywords ‘cancer’, ‘caregiver’, ‘burden’ and ‘scale’ in Medline (PubMed), CINAHL and EMBASE to include articles that developed or applied tools to assess the burden on informal caregivers of cancer patients. Once eligible tools were identified, we searched their ‘primary reference’ studies. If the original scale was assessed in a population other than informal caregivers of cancer patients, we again searched for psychometric measures in the population of caregivers of cancer patients.

    Results

    This study retrieved 938 articles on developing or applying the informal caregiver burden instrument for cancer patients, including 42 scales. Internal consistency of the original scales ranged from 0.53 to 0.96. Nineteen scales initially developed to assess caregiver burden for patients with dementia, stroke and other disorders were later used for caregivers of cancer patients, eight of which have not yet been validated. Reclassifying all scale domains of concern revealed that scale assessments focused more on caregivers' physical health, emotional state and caregiving tasks.

    Conclusion

    This review identifies many scales for assessing informal caregiver burden in cancer patients and gives scales recommended. However, a portion still needs to be validated. The development of a new scale proposes to be based on a theoretical framework and to consider dimensions for assessing support resources.

    Impact

    What problem did the study address?: This paper collates assessment tools on the burden of informal carers of people with cancer. It also provides information on the applicable population, reliability and validity.

    What were the main findings?: 41 scales could be considered for use, eight of which have not been validated. The scales focus more on assessing caregivers' physical health, emotional state and caregiving tasks, and less on the dimension of support resources.

    Where and on whom will the research have an impact?: There are implications for informal carers of cancer patients in hospitals or in the community, as well as for relevant researchers.

    Reporting Method

    Retrieved with reference to systematic evaluation.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    No patient or public contribution.

    Beliefs and practices of the nursing team related to pressure injury preventive measures: A analysis of social representations

    Abstract

    Aims and Objectives

    To analyse the process of elaborating social representations about pressure injury preventive measures by the nursing team (nurses and nurse technicians) and how this process relates to preventive practices for hospitalized patients.

    Design

    Qualitative study, with the application of the theory of social representations in its procedural methodological approach.

    Methods

    The study was carried out in an inpatient clinic of a public hospital in the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Totally, 28 nursing professionals in the medical clinic sectors who had worked directly with patient care for more than 6 months participated. The data were collected between July and September 2021 via in-depth interviews with the application of a semi-structured instrument. Analysis was carried out with the help of ALCESTE software, which performed a lexicographic analysis, and also via thematic analysis. The COREQ guided the presentation of the research report.

    Results

    The social representations were developed based on the professionals' symbolic beliefs about the visibility/invisibility of the results of applying preventive care. These symbolic constructions mobilized positive and negative feelings among the nursing team, which guided the classification of prevention practices as being of greater or lesser priority among other care activities. There were favourable attitudes among professionals, which included applying prevention measures in their daily routines, and unfavourable attitudes of non-adherence to the institution's protocol for preventing pressure injuries.

    Conclusions

    The nursing team's perception of pressure injury prevention is influenced by symbolic, affective, values, and social dimensions. Non-adherence behaviours are attributed to the belief in the invisibility of prevention outcomes, resulting in a reluctance to implement preventive measures.

    Relevance to Clinical Practice

    Understanding the subjective logic that explains the thinking and actions of the nursing team suggests the need to incorporate discussions on beliefs, values, sentiments, and attitudes of nursing professionals into educational programs on pressure injury prevention.

    Patient or Public Contribution

    No public contribution.

    Post‐acute COVID‐19 syndrome in previously hospitalized patients

    Abstract

    Introduction

    With the prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic, more individuals are experiencing sequelae after COVID-19 infection, also known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence and characteristics of PCS symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression and to compare these symptoms according to participant characteristics in patients who had been previously hospitalized due to COVID-19.

    Design

    A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used.

    Methods

    We included 114 individuals who had been hospitalized for COVID-19 and were discharged from the hospital at least 4 weeks before. Symptoms were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and the PCS symptom questionnaire developed by the authors. We used descriptive statistics, the Student's t-test, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test for statistical analyses.

    Results

    The most prevalent symptoms were anxiety (66.7%), fatigue (64.0%), headache (57.9%), and concentration or memory difficulties (57.9%). Concentration or memory difficulties and sleep disturbances had the highest mean frequency. Concentration or memory difficulties were rated with the highest mean severity, and cough, loss of taste, and muscle and joint pain had the highest mean distress scores. Female participants, individuals hospitalized for more than 2 weeks, individuals discharged more than 9 months ago, unvaccinated patients, and those who tried at least one symptom relief method reported higher symptom distress.

    Conclusion

    The findings of this investigation into the frequency, severity, and distress of symptoms shed light on the identification of post-COVID symptoms in detail. To objectively evaluate and comprehend the symptom trajectories of PCS, prospective studies about the development of symptom assessment tools and studies with a longitudinal design should be conducted.

    Clinical Relevance

    A substantial number of respondents reported numerous symptoms and expressed symptom distress; therefore, the development of nursing interventions and treatments to alleviate PCS symptoms is crucial.

    Multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof of concept study of LSALT peptide as prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney injury in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

    Por: Somayaji · R. · Luke · D. R. · Lau · A. · Guner · R. · Tabak · O. F. · Hepokoski · M. · Gardetto · N. · Conrad · S. A. · Kumar · S. D. · Ghosh · K. · Robbins · S. M. · Senger · D. L. · Sun · D. · Lim · R. K. S. · Liu · J. · Eser · F. · Karaali · R. · Tremblay · A. · Muruve · D.
    Objective

    Dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) is a recently discovered leucocyte adhesion receptor for neutrophils and monocytes in the lungs and kidneys and serves as a potential therapeutic target to attenuate inflammation in moderate-to-severe COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the DPEP-1 inhibitor, LSALT peptide, to prevent specific organ dysfunction in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

    Design

    Phase 2a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, trial.

    Setting

    Hospitals in Canada, Turkey and the USA.

    Participants

    A total of 61 subjects with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.

    Interventions

    Randomisation to LSALT peptide 5 mg intravenously daily or placebo for up to 14 days.

    Primary and secondary outcome measures

    The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects alive and free of respiratory failure and/or the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Numerous secondary and exploratory endpoints were assessed including ventilation-free days, and changes in kidney function or serum biomarkers.

    Results

    At 28 days, 27 (90.3%) and 28 (93.3%) of subjects in the placebo and LSALT groups were free of respiratory failure and the need for RRT (p=0.86). On days 14 and 28, the number of patients still requiring more intensive respiratory support (O2 ≥6 L/minute, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) was 6 (19.4%) and 3 (9.7%) in the placebo group versus 2 (6.7%) and 2 (6.7%) in the LSALT group, respectively (p=0.14; p=0.67). Unadjusted analysis of ventilation-free days demonstrated 22.8 days for the LSALT group compared with 20.9 in the placebo group (p=0.4). LSALT-treated subjects had a significant reduction in the fold expression from baseline to end of treatment of serum CXCL10 compared with placebo (p=0.02). Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between groups.

    Conclusion

    In a Phase 2 study, LSALT peptide was demonstrated to be safe and tolerated in patients hospitalised with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.

    Trial registration number

    NCT04402957.

    Exploring promotion factors of resilience among emergency nurses: a qualitative study in Shanghai, China

    Por: Jiang · J. · Liu · S. · Chi · C. · Liu · Y. · Han · P. · Sun · L. · Zhuang · Y.
    Objective

    To qualitatively explore the factors that enhance resilience among emergency nurses (ENs).

    Design

    This study is an exploratory qualitative investigation. Semistructured in-depth interviews were used for data collection, while qualitative content analysis was applied for data analysis.

    Setting

    A grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China.

    Participants

    The study subjects comprised 17 ENs, who were selected using a purposive sampling method.

    Results

    Three main themes and the nine subthemes emerged from the study, that is, individual resources, including competency, personality traits and occupational benefits; family resources, including close parent–child attachment and supportive family dynamics; social resources, including peer support, organisational support, resilient leadership and popular support.

    Conclusion

    This qualitative study explored the factors promoting resilience among ENs and provided a reference for managers to formulate future management strategies. From the perspective of positive psychology, nurses should receive comprehensive support, focusing on improving their professional accomplishment and role ability while prioritising the development of resilient leadership. These efforts are expected to drive progress and growth across the emergency care team.

    Comparative study of clinical reasoning competence and self‐directed learning competence in nurses across varied years of experience

    Abstract

    Objectives

    To compare and analyse the differences in the clinical reasoning competence of nurses with different working years and their relationship with self-directed learning competence.

    Methods

    A cross-sectional survey design (online investigation) was used. A total of 376 nurses were recruited from four independent hospitals in China. Online questionnaires collected data on nurses' demographic characteristics and assessed their clinical reasoning and self-directed learning competence. Pearson correlation analysis, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate regression analysis were used.

    Results

    Clinical reasoning competence scores of nurses with working years >10 years were higher than those of other nurses. Self-directed learning competence scores of nurses with working years of <1 year and (from ≥1 year to <3 years) were lower than those of nurses with working years of 6–10 years and >10 years. Self-directed learning competence scores of nurses with working years of 3–5 years were lower than those of nurses with working years of >10 years. There was a positive correlation between clinical reasoning competence, self-directed learning competence and each dimension among nurses of different working years. There are differences in the influence of different dimensions of self-directed learning competence on clinical reasoning competence among different working years.

    Conclusion

    There were differences in clinical reasoning and self-directed learning competence among nurses with different working years. Self-directed learning competence is a positive predictor of nurses' clinical reasoning competence, which applied to nurses with all working years; however, the specific effect of self-directed learning competence on clinical reasoning competence differed among nurses with different working years.

    Implication for nursing managers

    Nursing managers should pay attention to the development characteristics of clinical reasoning competence and self-directed learning competence of nurses with different working years and determine effective intervention strategies according to specific influencing factors.

    Congruency and its related factors between patients' fall risk perception and nurses' fall risk assessment in acute care hospitals

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Inpatients need to recognize their fall risk accurately and objectively. Nurses need to assess how patients perceive their fall risk and identify the factors that influence patients' fall risk perception.

    Purpose

    This study aims to explore the congruency between nurses' fall risk assessment and patients' perception of fall risk and identify factors related to the non-congruency of fall risk.

    Designs

    A descriptive and cross-sectional design was used. The study enrolled 386 patients who were admitted to an acute care hospital. Six nurses assessed the participants' fall risk. Congruency was classified using the Morse Fall Scale for nurses and the Fall Risk Perception Questionnaire for patients.

    Findings

    The nurses' fall risk assessments and patients' fall risk perceptions were congruent in 57% of the participants. Underestimation of the patient's risk of falling was associated with gender (women), long hospitalization period, department (orthopedics), low fall efficacy, and history of falls before hospitalization. Overestimation of fall risk was associated with age group, gender (men), department, and a high health literacy score. In the multiple logistic regression, the factors related to the underestimation of fall risk were hospitalization period and department, and the factors related to the overestimation of fall risk were health literacy and department.

    Conclusions

    Nurses should consider the patient's perception of fall risk and incorporate it into fall prevention interventions.

    Clinical Relevance

    Nurses need to evaluate whether patients perceive the risk of falling consistently. For patients who underestimate or overestimate their fall risk, it may be helpful to consider clinical and fall-related characteristics together when evaluating their perception of fall risk.

    Effects of cluster nursing interventions on the prevention of pressure ulcers in intensive care units patients: A meta‐analysis

    Abstract

    A meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the impact of cluster nursing interventions on the prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Computer searches were performed in databases including Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) implementing cluster nursing interventions for PUs prevention in ICU patients, with the search period covering the database inception to November 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data and conducted quality assessments. Stata 17.0 software was employed for data analysis. Overall, 17 RCTs involving 1463 ICU patients were included. The analysis showed that compared with conventional nursing, cluster nursing interventions significantly reduced the incidence of PUs (odds ratio: 0.24, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.17–0.34, p < 0.001) and also significantly improved the levels of anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −1.39, 95% CI: −1.57 to 1.22, p < 0.001) and depression (SMD: −1.64, 95% CI: −2.02 to 1.26, p < 0.001) in ICU patients. This study indicates that the application of cluster nursing interventions in ICU patients can effectively reduce the incidence of PUs, as well as improve patients' anxiety and depression levels, thereby enhancing their quality of life, which is worth clinical promotion and application.

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