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This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary diabetic limb salvage programme in improving clinical outcomes and optimising healthcare utilisation in 406 patients aged ≥80 years with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), compared to 2392 younger patients enrolled from June 2020 to June 2021 and against 1716 historical controls using one-to-one propensity score matching. Results showed that elderly programme patients had lower odds of amputation-free survival (odds ratio: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.88) and shorter cumulative length of stay (LOS) compared to younger programme patients (incidence rate ratio: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.69). Compared to the matched controls, participating in the programme was associated with 5% higher probability of minor lower extremity amputation, reduced inpatient admissions and emergency visits, shorter LOS but increased specialist and primary care visits (all p-values <0.05). The findings suggest that the programme yielded favourable impacts on the clinical outcomes of patients aged≥80 years with DFUs. Further research is needed to develop specific interventions tailoring to the needs of the elderly population and to determine their effectiveness on patient outcomes while accounting for potential confounding factors.
We evaluated the primary application of crushed prednisolone combined with hydrocolloid powder for clinically diagnosed peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG). We present our data on this cohort and follow-up of our previous patients. Of the 23 patients who were commenced on this regime, 18 healed (78%). Twenty-two patients commenced on this regime as the primary treatment for their PPG, and for one, it was a rescue remedy after failed conventional therapy. Four patients with significant medical comorbidities failed to heal and one had their stomal reversal surgery before being fully healed. The proposed treatment regime for PPG is demonstrated to be effective, inexpensive and able to be managed in the patient's usual home environment. In vitro drug release analysis was undertaken, and data are presented to provide further insights into the efficacy of this regime.
Being on a waiting list for elective (planned) cardiac surgery can be physically and psychologically challenging for patients. Research suggests that stress associated with waiting for surgery is dependent on different individual and contextual factors. However, most data on patients’ experiences of waiting for surgery and preferences for waiting list management derives from non-cardiac clinical populations. The aim of the current study is to explore patients’ experiences of being on a waiting list for elective cardiac surgery, and their views on how the waiting experience could be improved in the future. This work will inform the patient management strategy during the waiting period for surgery across the four major hospitals in London directly involved in this study, and potentially beyond by transferring learning to other services.
This is a mixed-methods study that will collect quantitative and qualitative data using a cross-sectional online survey. Patients who are on waiting lists for elective surgery across four major cardiac surgery departments in London hospitals, and are at least 18 years old, will be invited by their healthcare team via text message or letter to complete the survey. The target sample size of non-randomly selected participants will be 268. Bivariable and multivariable regression models will be used to assess associations between survey items measuring the impact of the cardiac condition on specific life domains (eg, daily activities, social and family relationships, hobbies, sexual life), anxiety and depression symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 and survey items evaluating experiences of health services. Data on experience and preferences for improvements to the waiting experience will be analysed with qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach.
This study was reviewed and granted ethical approval by the East of England—East Cambridge Research Ethics Committee. Findings from this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, a research website and social media and with an online event engaging patients, members of the public, healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders.
This is a study assessing the effectiveness of staples versus sutures for closing incisions after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We searched all relevant literature up to July 2023, and after reading through the full text, we finally included 5 for analysis, with a total of 1084 cases who underwent total hip arthroplasty, of which 548 were closed with staples and 536 with sutures, and evaluated the risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, using the ratio of ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to compare the effectiveness of staples and sutures in wound closure in total hip arthroplasty. The study found that the suture group was superior to the staple group in terms of superficial infection and incisional exudate; superficial infection (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.14–8.07; p = 0.03, I 2 = 0%), incisional exudate (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.84–5.65; p < 0.001, I 2 = 0%) and suture staples were superior to suture group in terms of closure time (WMD = −231.8 95% CI: −429.55 to −34.05; p = 0.02, I 2 = 100%). There was no remarkable distinction between the two groups in terms of deep infection, postoperative hospital, HWES score and patient's satisfaction, deep infection (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.35–4.35; p = 0.74, I 2 = 0%), postoperative hospital (WMD = 2.50 95% CI: −2.25 to 7.25; p = 0.30, I 2 = 100%), HWES score (WMD = −0.38 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.24; p < 0.01, I 2 = 72%) and patient's satisfaction (WMD = −0.23 95% CI: −1.43 to 0.96; p = 0.70, I 2 = 94%); however, due to the small sample sizes of several studies included in this study, caution must be exercised when addressing their value.
In critically ill children, pain management is complex owing to cognitive development and the nature of hospitalisation in paediatric intensive therapy units. Although there are many protocols and guidelines for pain control via pharmacological interventions, non-pharmacological practices should also be explored and disseminated for their potential benefit.
A systematic literature search will be performed using the following databases: Academic Search Premier, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database, Virtual Health Library, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Theses from Coordenacão de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Dart Europe, Open Access Theses and Dissertations and grey literature from Google Scholar. The research will consider quantitative and qualitative studies, mixed-method studies, systematic reviews, text articles, opinion articles, letters to editors and editorials in any language and from any database. The following will be eligible for inclusion: (1) newborns, infants, children and adolescents; and (2) non-pharmacological therapies used for pain in paediatric intensive care.
This study does not require ethical approval. The results of this research will be disseminated through social media channels and podcasts about pain in children.
This protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/DZHKT).
The aim of this study was to examine population-based allostatic load (AL) indices as an indicator of community health across 14 municipalities in Denmark.
Register-based study.
Data derived from: the Lolland-Falster Health Study, the Copenhagen General Population Study and the Danish General Suburban Population Study. Nine biomarkers (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist-to-hip ratio, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and serum albumin) were divided into high-risk and low-risk values based on clinically accepted criteria, and the AL index was defined as the average between the nine values. All-cause mortality data were obtained from Statistics Denmark.
We examined a total of 106 808 individuals aged 40–79 years.
Linear regression models were performed to investigate the association between mean AL index and cumulative mortality risk.
Mean AL index was higher in men (range 2.3–3.3) than in women (range 1.7–2.6). We found AL index to be strongly correlated with the cumulative mortality rate, correlation coefficient of 0.82. A unit increase in mean AL index corresponded to an increase in the cumulative mortality rate of 19% (95% CI 13% to 25%) for men, and 16% (95% CI 8% to 23%) for women but this difference was not statistically significant. The overall mean increase in cumulative mortality rate for both men and women was 17% (95% CI 14% to 20%).
Our findings indicate the population-based AL index to be a strong indicator of community health, and suggest identification of targets for reducing AL.
The fragmentation of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic at national, regional and local levels is a possible source of variability in the impact of the pandemic on society. This study aims to assess how much of this variability affected the burden of COVID-19, measured in terms of all-cause 2020 excess mortality.
Ecological retrospective study.
Lombardy region of Italy, 2015–2020.
We evaluated the relationship between the intensity of the epidemics and excess mortality, assessing the heterogeneity of this relationship across the 91 districts after adjusting for relevant confounders.
The epidemic intensity was quantified as the COVID-19 hospitalisations per 1000 inhabitants. Five confounders were identified through a directed acyclic graph: age distribution, population density, pro-capita gross domestic product, restriction policy and population mobility.
Analyses were based on a negative binomial regression model with district-specific random effects. We found a strong, positive association between COVID-19 hospitalisations and 2020 excess mortality (p
The homogeneous effect of the COVID-19 spread on the excess mortality in the Lombardy districts suggests that, despite the unprecedented conditions, the pandemic reactions did not result in health disparities in the region.
To identify and synthesise nurses' experiences of competence in lifestyle counselling with adult patients in healthcare settings.
Modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours contribute to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Lifestyle counselling is part of nurses' role which enables them to make a significant contribution to patients' long-term health in various healthcare contexts, but requires particular competence.
Qualitative systematic literature review and meta-aggregation.
The review was guided by Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for conducting synthesis of qualitative studies. PRISMA-checklist guided the review process. Relevant original studies were search from databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Medic and Psych Articles, Ebscho Open Dissertations and Web of Science). After researcher consensus was reached and quality of the studies evaluated, 20 studies were subjected to meta-aggregation.
From 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, 75 findings were extracted and categorised into 13 groups based on their meaning, resulting in the identification of 5 synthesised findings for competence description: Supporting healthy lifestyle adherence, creating interactive and patient-centred counselling situations, acquiring competence through clinical experience and continuous self-improvement, collaborating with other professionals and patients, planning lifestyle counselling and managing work across various stages of the patient's disease care path.
The review provides an evidence base that can be used to support nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling when working with adult patients in healthcare settings. Lifestyle counselling competence is a complex and rather abstract phenomenon. The review identified, analysed and synthesised the evidence derived from nurses' experience which shows that lifestyle counselling competence is a multidimensional entity which relates to many other competencies within nurses' work.
Recognising the competencies of nurses in lifestyle counselling for adult patients can stimulate nurses' motivation. The acquisition of these competencies can have a positive impact on patients' lives and their health.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The research may enhance nurses' competence in lifestyle counselling, leading to improved health outcomes, better adherence to recommendations and overall well-being. It may also drive the development of interventions, improving healthcare delivery in lifestyle counselling.
The review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines.
Blinded for the review.
To analyse the content of the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with diabetic foot.
A methodological study with a quantitative approach was performed.
The analysis was performed between January and May 2021 by 34 nurses with clinical/theoretical/research experience with diabetes or nursing diagnoses. These nurses evaluated the relevance, clarity and precision of 12 diagnosis-specific etiological factors, 22 clinical indicators and their conceptual and operational definitions.
All 12 etiological factors analysed were considered relevant to diagnostic identification. However, five showed inconsistencies regarding the clarity or precision of the operational definitions, requiring adjustments. Regarding the 22 clinical indicators evaluated, all of them presented a Content Validity Index (CVI) that was statistically significant. However, in the indicators, the colour does not return to lowered limb after 1 min of leg elevation, and cold foot had Content Validity Index (CVI) <0.9 regarding relevance and accuracy of operational definitions.
Twelve etiological factors and 22 clinical indicators were validated. Thus, this study revealed new and relevant aspects characterising peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot that have not yet been clinically validated.
This study contributes to support the professional practice of nurses through the early identification of etiological factors and clinical indicators in persons with diabetic foot. As a proposal, we suggest the inclusion of new defining characteristics and related factors for the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in the NANDA-I taxonomy.
The research highlights new and relevant aspects such as etiological factors and clinical indicators to characterise peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot. Based on these findings, clinical validation is recommended to confirm the relevance of the proposed elements in the population studied for greater reliability and improved diagnostic assessment for the professional practice of nurses.
EQUATOR guidelines were adhered to using the GRRAS checklist for reporting reliability and agreement studies.
No patient or public contribution.
To investigate the preventive effect of different dressings on pressure injuries related to non-invasive ventilation equipment and to screen the efficacy of dressings. Systematic review and network meta-analysis. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) and Weipu Database (VIP) were used for the search from the date of inception of each database to 15 October 2023. The quality of the data was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Stata 16.0 Software was used to analysis and ranking of different types of dressings. A total of 23 randomized controlled trials on 7 interventions were included in the final analysis. The effectiveness of these in preventing the overall incidence of pressure injuries is ranked from best to worst as follows: hydrogel dressing > foam dressing > petroleum jelly gauze dressing > hydrocolloid dressing > film dressing > clean gauze dressing > sterile gauze. Sixteen studies reported the incidence of Stage I pressure injuries, the effectiveness in preventing the incidence of Stage I pressure injuries was ranked from best to least effective: foam dressing > hydrogel dressing > petroleum jelly gauze dressing > hydrocolloid dressing > film dressing > clean gauze dressing > sterile gauze dressing. Fourteen studies reported the incidence of Stages I/II pressure injuries, the effective in preventing the incidence of Stages I and II pressure injuries was ranked from best to least effective: foam dressing > hydrogel dressing > petroleum jelly gauze dressing > hydrocolloid dressing > clean gauze dressing > sterile gauze dressing. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of different dressings, both hydrogel and foam dressings are effective in preventing pressure injuries related to non-invasive ventilation equipment.
In this study, we explored the use of thermal imaging technology combined with computer vision techniques for assessing surgical incision healing. We processed 1189 thermal images, annotated by experts to define incision boundaries and healing statuses. Using these images, we developed a machine learning model based on YOLOV8, which automates the recognition of incision areas, lesion segmentation and healing classification. The dataset was divided into training, testing and validation sets in a 7:2:1 ratio. Our results show high accuracy rates in incision location recognition, lesion segmentation and healing classification, indicating the model's effectiveness as a precise and automated diagnostic tool for surgical incision healing assessment. Conclusively, our thermal image-based machine learning model demonstrates excellent performance in wound assessment, paving the way for its clinical application in intelligent and standardized wound management.
Whether prophylactic abdominal drainage tube is routinely placed in patients after hepatobiliary surgery remains controversial. To evaluate the effect of prophylactic abdominal drainage tube placement after hepatobiliary surgery on postoperative infection. Randomized controlled trials on the placement of prophylactic abdominal drainage tube after hepatobiliary surgery were collected through a computerized search of PubMed, Embase, Conchrane Library and Web of Science databases, with a time range from the establishment of the database to August 2023. After two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted information, and evaluated the quality of the included studies. Finally, 13 studies were included, including 3620 patients, and the results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative infection rate between the drainage group (1840 patients and the non-drainage group [1783 patients] [relative risk, RR = 1.17, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.94–1.47, p = 0.16]. Compared with the drainage group, the incidence of infectious abdominal fluid in the non-drainage group was lower (RR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.57–2.80, p < 0.00001), and the incidence of postoperative bile leakage was lower (RR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.27–2.47, p < 0.001) and shorter hospital stays after surgery (mean difference = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.32–2.22, p = 0.009). In conclusion, placing a prophylactic abdominal drainage tube after hepatobiliary surgery does not reduce postoperative infection rates compared with no drainage.
This retrospective cohort study aims to assess whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the Gosford Hospital High-Risk Foot Clinic improved outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers. Ulceration is a common foot complication of diabetes mellitus and greatly increases patient morbidity and mortality. Patients who attended at least one appointment at the Gosford Hospital High-Risk Foot Clinic in 2017 or 2019 were identified through the Gosford Hospital Podiatry department's records. The 2017 and 2019 cohorts were compared on measures of ulcer healing, incidence of amputation, incidence of vascular intervention and surgical debridement, percentage of patients admitted to hospital due to complications and use of systemic antibiotic therapy. Sixty-one patients in 2017 and 59 patients in 2019 met inclusion criteria, and from them, 207 ulcers were included. Between 2017 and 2019, there was a 6.2-week reduction in time to 100% ulcer healing in 2019 (p = 0.021), and 10.1% more ulcers healed within 52 weeks (p = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−5.9%, 25.5%]). Whilst there was no significant difference in incidence of patients receiving amputation, there was an increased absolute number of amputations in 2019. Implementation of a multidisciplinary approach at the Gosford Hospital High-Risk Foot Clinic led to improvements in diabetic foot ulcer healing.
To describe the changes in moderate-to-late preterm infants' (MLPIs) growth during 12 months of corrected age (CA) and to examine the predictive role of NICU-related stress, postpartum depression trajectory and family coping ability on the physical developmental trajectory of MLPIs.
A prospective longitudinal study.
There were 237 mother–infant dyads with at least two follow-up data records included. General characteristics and NICU-related stress were recorded from medical records at baseline. Infants' physical growth was measured at 40 weeks, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months CA during outpatient follow-up. Maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and family coping ability were assessed by questionnaires at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months CA and 1 month CA respectively. We investigated the modifiable factors inside and outside of NICU on the trajectories of physical growth in the first year in MLPIs, mainly by using latent growth curve models with time-varying covariates.
The curved trajectories of weight, length and head circumference in the first year in MLPIs demonstrated gradually slowed growth rates and these infants were above the WHO growth standards for the same age and sex. The latent growth curve models indicated that more NICU-related stress was negatively associated with the weight and length at 40 weeks CA, and family coping ability (parent–child relationship) at 1 month CA was associated with the growth rate of weight. Besides, more NICU-related stress predicted faster length growth rate. The infants of mothers who were in the group of high-level postpartum depression trajectory had a slower growth rate of head circumference.
Our study identified the modifiable factors along the care continuum influencing the trajectory of MLPIs' physical growth. Nurses should receive more training about infant stress measurement and family-centred care to work in partnership with parents so that MLPIs can reach their full developmental potential. Also, multidisciplinary interventions including stress reduction strategies, close psychological monitoring and education improving parent–infant relationships should be further developed to achieve optimizing growth in the first year of MLPIs.
It is recommended that nurses pay attention to the long-term physical growth status of MLPIs, and closely support their families. Quantifying NICU-related stress and developing reduction strategies should be the priority for clinical staff during hospitalization. After discharge, persistent screening of depressive symptoms, psychological intervention and education about the parent–child relationship need to be included in the follow-up visits.
No patient or public contribution. The study only included patients who were research participants.
To explore illegitimate tasks as a potential mechanism that links permanent nurses' perceived exposure to temporary nurses to lower levels of affective organizational commitment.
A time-lagged cross-sectional survey study.
Survey data from N = 239 permanent nurses in the German-speaking part of Switzerland were analysed via Structural Equation Models.
The study revealed a negative relationship between permanent nurses' perceived exposure to temporary nurses and their level of organizational commitment that was mediated by perceptions of unreasonable and unnecessary tasks.
Healthcare institutions increasingly depend on temporary nurses to fill staffing vacancies. Our data suggest that the deployment of temporary nurses may have adverse effects on permanent nurses' affective organizational commitment via perceptions of illegitimate tasks.
Our quantitative survey study provides a novel, theory-driven understanding of how perceived exposure to temporary nurses may impact work-related attitudes of permanent nurses.
Our findings suggest that the clinical community should limit permanent nurses' exposure to temporary nursing staff to protect their commitment. If this is not possible, we encourage strategies to counteract associated feelings of illegitimacy, for example, by showing appreciation for permanent nurses' willingness to take over responsibility for temporary nurses.
The study adheres to the STROBE reporting guidelines for cross-sectional studies.
No patient or public contribution.
To evaluate midwives' level of stress and burnout during the COVID-19 Omicron phase in Italy. Secondary aims were to explore the impact of the pandemic on midwives' personal dimensions and professional activities and potential supporting strategies.
A mixed-methods study was undertaken from July to December 2022.
Data were collected using a national online observational survey. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed to evaluate stress, burnout and the impact of the pandemic on personal and professional dimensions. A deductive qualitative approach was used to analyse open-ended responses, that were merged with quantitative data following a convergent mixed-methods approach.
A total of 1944 midwives participated in the survey. The stress summary score mean was 10.34, and 562 midwives (28.91%) experienced burnout. The intention to reduce working hours was reported by 202 midwives (10.39%), with 60.40% (n = 122) of them experiencing burnout. The intention to leave clinical practice within the following 2 years was reported by 239 (12.29%), with 68.20% (n = 163) of them experiencing burnout. All the personal dimensions and professional activities considered were defined by more than half of midwives as being impacted ‘Moderately’ or ‘To a great extent’ by pandemic. Stress and burnout frequencies increased when the midwives' perception of the pandemic effects was higher. Potential supporting strategies described by midwives as the most important in increasing their ability to cope with the pandemic were ‘Women's awareness of the midwives' role’ (n = 1072; 55.14%) and ‘Family and friends' emotional support’ (n = 746; 38.38%).
Our findings suggested strategies to support a positive and safe working environment for midwives during a pandemic emergency, with potential transferability to similar contexts when human resources are lacking. It is recommended that maternity services provide the necessary resources for a safe and supportive working environment to prevent high stress levels and chronic burnout.
Studies conducted during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave showed an increased level of stress, anxiety, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression experienced by healthcare professionals; moreover, midwives experienced drastic changes in care pathways and policies with struggles identified when providing high-quality woman-centred care following pandemic restrictions. Although it is recommended, there is lack of knowledge about long-term psychological effects of COVID-19 for midwives. Our study highlights that during the Omicron wave midwives experienced a high level of stress and burnout with an impact on individual dimensions and professional activities. Their stress and burnout were influenced by several factors, including restrictions in place, lack of organizational acknowledgement, work overload and need for extra childcare cover. Maternity services should provide the necessary resources for a safe and supportive working environment to prevent high stress levels and chronic burnout. Recommendations on how to facilitate this are suggested.
During the writing process, we referred to ‘The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies Epidemiology Statement’, the guidelines for reporting observational studies from the Equator network.
No patient or public contribution.
Work overload conditions negatively impacted on the quality of maternity services. Improving organizational aspects, reducing working hours, promoting family and friends' emotional support and improving women's awareness of midwife's role were the main strategies reported by midwives. These suggestions for ensuring a positive and safe working environment for midwives during a pandemic emergency could potentially be applied to similar situations where human resources are lacking.
by Lukáš Vejřík, Ivana Vejříková, Zuzana Sajdlová, Luboš Kočvara, Tomáš Kolařík, Daniel Bartoň, Tomáš Jůza, Petr Blabolil, Jiří Peterka, Martin Čech, Mojmír Vašek
Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is widely used to study trophic ecology and food webs in aquatic ecosystems. In the case of fish, muscle tissue is generally preferred for SIA, and the method is lethal in most cases. We tested whether blood and fin clips can be used as non-lethal alternatives to muscle tissue for examining the isotopic composition of two freshwater predatory fish, European catfish (Silurus glanis) and Northern pike (Esox lucius), species of high value for many freshwater systems as well as invasive species in many others. Blood samples from the caudal vein, anal fin clips, and dorsal muscle obtained by biopsy punch were collected from four catfish and pike populations (14–18 individuals per population). Subsequently, these samples were analyzed for δ13C and δ15N. The effects of alternative tissues, study site, and fish body mass on the isotopic offset were investigated. Both species showed a correlation between the isotopic offset and the tissue type, as well as the study site, but no significant relationship with the body mass. The isotopic offsets between tissues were used to calculate the conversion equations. The results demonstrated that both blood and fin clips are suitable and less invasive alternative to muscle in SIA studies focused on European catfish and Northern pike. Blood provided better correspondence to muscle isotope values. However, our results clearly demonstrated that isotopic offsets between tissues vary significantly among populations of the same species. Therefore, obtaining a muscle biopsy from several individuals in any population is advisable to gain initial insights and establish a possible population-specific inter-tissue conversion.by Olivia de Villiers, Claudia Elliot-Wilson, Kevin G. F. Thomas, Patrick L. Semple, Thurandrie Naiker, Michelle Henry, Ian L. Ross
Strong lines of evidence in the neuroscience literature indicate that (a) healthy sleep facilitates cognitive processing, and (b) sleep disruption is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Despite the fact that patients with pituitary disease often display both disrupted sleep and cognitive dysfunction, few previous studies investigate whether these clinical characteristics in these patients might be related. Hence, we explored whether sleep disruption in patients with pituitary disease mediates their cognitive dysfunction. We recruited 18 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) and 19 sociodemographically matched healthy controls. They completed the Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (thus providing self-report data regarding sleep disruption) and were administered the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone, which assesses cognitive functioning in the domains of processing speed, working memory, episodic memory, inhibition, and reasoning. We found no significant differences in cognition between patients and controls. Furthermore, spectra of sleep disturbance did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Our data suggest that NFPA patients’ cognition and sleep quality is relatively intact, and that sleep disruption does not mediate cognitive dysfunction. Larger studies should characterize sleep and cognition in patients with NFPA (and other pituitary diseases) to confirm whether disruption of the former mediates impairment in the latter.by Ashley M. Brooks, Andrea Vornoli, Ramesh C. Kovi, Thai Vu T. Ton, Miaofei Xu, Ahmed Mashal, Eva Tibaldi, Federica Gnudi, Jian-Liang Li, Robert C. Sills, John R. Bucher, Daniele Mandrioli, Fiorella Belpoggi, Arun R. Pandiri
The cancer hazard associated with lifetime exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) was examined in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats at the Ramazzini Institute (RI), Italy. There were increased incidences of gliomas and cardiac schwannomas. The translational relevance of these rare rat tumors for human disease is poorly understood. We examined the genetic alterations in RFR-derived rat tumors through molecular characterization of important cancer genes relevant for human gliomagenesis. A targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel was designed for rats based on the top 23 orthologous human glioma-related genes. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertion and deletions (indels) were characterized in the rat gliomas and cardiac schwannomas. Translational relevance of these genetic alterations in rat tumors to human disease was determined through comparison with the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. These data suggest that rat gliomas resulting from life-time exposure to RFR histologically resemble low grade human gliomas but surprisingly no mutations were detected in rat gliomas that had homology to the human IDH1 p.R132 or IDH2 p.R172 suggesting that rat gliomas are primarily wild-type for IDH hotspot mutations implicated in human gliomas. The rat gliomas appear to share some genetic alterations with IDH1 wildtype human gliomas and rat cardiac schwannomas also harbor mutations in some of the queried cancer genes. These data demonstrate that targeted NGS panels based on tumor specific orthologous human cancer driver genes are an important tool to examine the translational relevance of rodent tumors resulting from chronic/life-time rodent bioassays.
FreshRSS 