OBJECTIVES: Current research affirms that sufficiently high knowledge about epilepsy is crucial for reducing stigmatization and improving the quality of life for people with epilepsy. While educational interventions targeting older children, adolescents, and adults are relatively common, there is a notable lack of approaches suitable for preschool children. Building on our previous research, which focused on educational interventions using a game and a story, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two video-based interventions, Campi the Seahorse and Adventure While Fishing, in children aged 5-6 years with no prior knowledge about epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 199 children participated in two intervention studies. Knowledge about epilepsy was assessed through interviews using an 11-item test that had been successfully employed in our previous intervention studies, demonstrating satisfactory internal consistency and construct validity. The level of knowledge was evaluated immediately after each intervention and one month later. Additionally, satisfaction with the intervention and its potential impact on epilepsy-related stigma were measured using a smiley-face scale. RESULTS: The Adventure While Fishing intervention demonstrated notable effectiveness compared to our previously developed intervention using an educational story. Its impact was also significant when compared to the level of knowledge observed in children aged 9-11 years with no prior exposure to epilepsy-related interventions. In contrast, the outcomes of the Campi the Seahorse intervention were significantly poorer across all comparisons, likely due to its insufficient coverage of key aspects of the topic. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the Adventure While Fishing intervention was an effective approach to establishing basic knowledge about epilepsy within the targeted age group. In contrast, the Campi the Seahorse intervention would require further extension and/or modification to achieve sufficient effectiveness for this purpose.
- MeSH
- Video Recording MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Epilepsy * psychology therapy MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Patient Education as Topic methods MeSH
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
AIM: This work explores the synthesis of new bi-heterocyclic hybrid compounds based on quinoline ring and investigates their potential as anticancer agents. MATERIALS & METHODS: The novel fused quinoline-thiazolo[3,2-a] benzimidazole-3(2 h)one hybrids were prepared by regioselective nucleophilic ring opening of the corresponding quinolinyl-oxiranes. In vitro cytotoxic activity was evaluated against human lung (A549) and gastric (AGS) cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Global results showed that all tested compounds have promising inhibitory properties. Compounds 17 and 18 bearing two methoxy groups on the quinoline ring have exhibited remarkable and interesting activities. The investigation of the cell death process showed that these compounds activated a caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway. Results were further supported by molecular docking studies. CONCLUSION: Both compounds exhibited good drug-like characteristics, which make them promising drug candidates.
- MeSH
- Apoptosis * drug effects MeSH
- Benzimidazoles * pharmacology chemistry chemical synthesis MeSH
- Quinolines * chemistry pharmacology chemical synthesis MeSH
- Caspases * metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Molecular Structure MeSH
- Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
- Cell Proliferation drug effects MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents * pharmacology chemistry chemical synthesis MeSH
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor MeSH
- Molecular Docking Simulation * MeSH
- Thiazoles chemistry pharmacology chemical synthesis MeSH
- Structure-Activity Relationship MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue (TPE) is the causative agent of human and nonhuman primate (NHP) yaws infection. The discovery of yaws bacterium in wild populations of NHPs opened the question of transmission mechanisms within NHPs, and this work aims to take a closer look at the transmission of the disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our study determined eleven whole TPE genomes from NHP isolates collected from three national parks in Tanzania: Lake Manyara National Park (NP), Serengeti NP, and Ruaha NP. The bacteria were isolated from four species of NHPs: Chlorocebus pygerythrus (vervet monkey), Cercopithecus mitis (blue monkey), Papio anubis (olive baboon), and Papio cynocephalus (yellow baboon). Combined with previously generated genomes of TPE originating from NHPs in Tanzania (n = 11), 22 whole-genome TPE sequences have now been analyzed. Out of 231 possible combinations of genome-to-genome comparisons, five revealed an unexpectedly high degree of genetic similarity in samples collected from different NHP species, consistent with inter-species transmission of TPE among NHPs. We estimated a substitution rate of TPE of NHP origin, ranging between 1.77 × 10-7 and 3.43 × 10-7 per genomic site per year. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The model estimations predicted that the inter-species transmission happened recently, within decades, roughly in an order of magnitude shorter time compared to time needed for the natural diversification of all tested TPE of Tanzanian NHP origin. Moreover, the geographical separation of the sampling sites (NPs) does not preclude TPE transmission between and within NHP species.
- MeSH
- Chlorocebus aethiops MeSH
- Cercopithecus microbiology MeSH
- Yaws * microbiology transmission MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Genome, Bacterial MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Monkey Diseases microbiology transmission MeSH
- Papio anubis microbiology MeSH
- Papio cynocephalus microbiology genetics MeSH
- Primates microbiology MeSH
- Whole Genome Sequencing * MeSH
- Treponema pallidum genetics isolation & purification classification MeSH
- Treponema MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Tanzania MeSH
International comparisons highlight differences in healthcare practices, raising questions about the application of evidence-based care when wide variations exist between countries with similar populations and income levels. Caesarean section (CS) rates show significant variation, with national and regional averages differing widely. As a common surgical procedure, this variation affects a large number of people and may have major consequences for maternal and newborn health. Comparable health indicators are essential to analyse CS rates and understand the reasons for this variability. A review of data on CS rates in Europe in international databases, such as those maintained by Eurostat, OECD and WHO, confirmed wide variation in CS rates in Europe, from 16% to over 50%, but showed very limited data available to understand these differences. In contrast, many European countries collect a wide array of data in national health information systems which can be used to investigate variations in CS, including on the timing and indication of the CS, and key population and health system characteristics that affect risks of CS. Based on the published literature, work in the Euro-Peristat network and within the EBCOG advisory board, we propose a list of data items that should be available at the national and international levels to allow comprehensive international surveillance and evaluation of CS practices.
OBJECTIVE: The clinical diversity of schizophrenia is reflected by structural brain variability. It remains unclear how this variability manifests across different gray and white matter features. In this meta- and mega-analysis, the authors investigated how brain heterogeneity in schizophrenia is distributed across multimodal structural indicators. METHODS: The authors used the ENIGMA dataset of MRI-based brain measures from 22 international sites with up to 6,037 individuals for a given brain measure. Variability and mean values of cortical thickness, cortical surface area, cortical folding index, subcortical volume, and fractional anisotropy were examined in individuals with schizophrenia and healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Individuals with schizophrenia showed greater variability in cortical thickness, cortical surface area, subcortical volume, and fractional anisotropy within the frontotemporal and subcortical network. This increased structural variability was mainly associated with psychopathological symptom domains, and the schizophrenia group frequently displayed lower mean values in the respective structural measures. Unexpectedly, folding patterns were more uniform in individuals with schizophrenia, particularly in the right caudal anterior cingulate region. The mean folding values of the right caudal anterior cingulate region did not differ between the schizophrenia and healthy control groups, and folding patterns in this region were not associated with disease-related parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with schizophrenia, uniform folding patterns in the right caudal anterior cingulate region contrasted with the multimodal variability in the frontotemporal and subcortical network. While variability in the frontotemporal and subcortical network was associated with disease-related diversity, uniform folding may indicate a less flexible interplay between genetic and environmental factors during neurodevelopment.
- MeSH
- Anisotropy MeSH
- White Matter pathology diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging MeSH
- Brain * pathology diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Schizophrenia * pathology diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Gray Matter pathology diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Meta-Analysis MeSH
Background: Despite trends towards greater professionalisation of the nursing profession and an improved public image in certain countries, studies also show that large proportions of the public still do not fully appreciate nurses' competencies. Mapping differences in the societal and professional recognition of nurses allows for benchmarking among countries. Aim: To investigate the level of societal recognition of the nursing profession in nine European countries, and the level of professional recognition perceived by European nurses themselves; to compare levels of recognition between countries; and to identify influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Through an online survey, the study surveyed both the general public and nurses from various healthcare settings across nine countries between December 2022 and June 2023. The instrument used was a combination of self-developed questions on societal and professional recognition, the Work Motivation Scale and an adapted version of the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale. Data were analysed using SPSS v.29.0, with socioeconomic prestige scores for the public and work environment/work motivation scores for nurses calculated accordingly. Results: A total of 1618 adult citizens and 2335 nurses participated. The public predominantly characterised nurses with attributes such as friendliness, warmth, empathy and compassion. The mean socioeconomic prestige score assigned to nurses was 7.2/10 (SD 1.9), with Portugal having the highest score (M 7.5/10, SD 2.0) and Norway the lowest (M 5.8/10, SD 1.4; p < 0.001). Professional recognition experienced by nurses was generally low (54% indicated rather low, 17% very low). Slovenia, the Netherlands and Belgium had slightly higher mean scores (all M 1.4/3) compared to other countries (p < 0.001). High professional recognition could be predicted for 33% by work environment score (OR = 1.21; 95% CI [1.19-1.24]), work motivation score (OR = 1.02; 95%CI[1.01-1.02]), expertise outside the hospital (OR = 1.57; 95% CI [1.25-1.97]) and work experience (OR = 1.01; 95% CI [1.00-1.02]) corrected for country. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the professional and public image of the nursing profession while addressing disparities in professional recognition between countries. Longitudinal studies are recommended to monitor changes in public perception and professional recognition among nurses.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Nurses * standards psychology statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
- Keywords
- Archie Brain,
- MeSH
- History, 20th Century MeSH
- History of Medicine MeSH
- Laryngeal Masks history MeSH
- Respiration, Artificial instrumentation MeSH
- Famous Persons MeSH
- Airway Management instrumentation MeSH
- Check Tag
- History, 20th Century MeSH
- Publication type
- Biography MeSH
- Historical Article MeSH
Despite improving diagnostic possibilities, the incidence of prostate cancer is increasing, but we are not able to reduce the mortality rate. While PSA, 4K score, PCA3 and other urinary markers, ExoDX, SelectMDX, Confirm MDx or MiPS tests are used to identify potential prostate cancer carriers, Decipher, Prolaris or Oncotype DX tests are used to assess the aggressiveness of proven cancer in order to stratify patients for early or delayed treatment. More modern forms of treatment for advanced disease include second-generation antiandrogens and PARP inhibitors. By assessing genetic mutations (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2 genes, single nucleotide polymorphism) or the presence of splice variants of the androgen receptor (ARV7), we are able to identify patients in whom the planned treatment may be expected to be ineffective and thus choose other treatment modalities. In the present review article, we offer a comprehensive overview of current diagnostic tests that find application in the diagnosis of early and advanced prostate cancer.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
