Medicina
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Observational Study
The Association of Minimally Invasive Surgical Approaches and Mortality in Patients with Malignant Pleuropericarditis-A 10 Year Retrospective Observational Study.
Background and Objectives: Malignant neoplasms are common causes of acute pleuropericardial effusion. Pleuropericarditis denotes poor patient prognosis, is associated with shortened average survival time, and represents a surgical emergency. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the impact of two minimally invasive surgical approaches, the type of cancer, and other clinical variables on the mortality of 338 patients with pleuropericarditis admitted to an emergency hospital in Romania between 2009 and 2020. ⋯ The multivariate Cox proportional regression model adjusted for relevant covariates showed that age, having lung cancer, and a diagnosis of pericarditis and right pleural effusion increased the mortality risk. The surgical approach was not associated with mortality in these patients. Conclusion: These findings open up avenues for future research to advance the understanding of survival among patients with pleuropericarditis.
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Background and Objectives: The process of atherosclerotic plaque formation and its destabilisation is a process in which many proteins and cytokines are involved. Examples of such proteins are osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), metalloproteinases (MMPs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The aim of our study is to compare the concentrations of the above-mentioned markers in the plasma of patients with the confirmed presence of rupture plaque in comparison with the plasma of healthy people. ⋯ Results: Levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 (p < 0.001), OPN, and OPG (p < 0.05) were statistically significantly lower in the group of healthy people than in the study group. Differences in MPO concentration were not statistically significant (p = 0.073). Conclusions: In the plasma of people with confirmed presence of rupture plaque, the concentrations of OPN, OPG, and MMPs are higher compared to the group of healthy people, which may suggest the use of these proteins as novel markers of the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque.
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Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a major threat to nurses’ health. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting nurses’ health promotion behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Material and Methods: The participants were clinical nurses who had direct contact with patients at a university hospital in G province, Korea. ⋯ Therefore, health promotion programs to promote social support and self-efficacy are needed to improve nurses’ health promotion behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: These results indicate that the development of additional management strategies for health promotion among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary. It is necessary to prepare organizational policies and manage self-care to improve nurses’ irregular eating habits during the ongoing pandemic.
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Observational Study
The Influence of Maternal Factors on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admission and In-Hospital Mortality in Premature Newborns from Western Romania: A Population-Based Study.
Background and Objectives: Neonatal mortality is a global public health issue, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income nations. Although Romania is a high-income nation, according to the European Union’s most recent demographic data, it had the second-highest infant death rate in 2019. Although significant progress has been made in the last three decades in lowering newborn mortality, more initiatives to accelerate progress are required to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) objective. ⋯ Conclusions: The major maternal risk factors for NICU admission were advanced age, twin pregnancy, low gestational age, preeclampsia, and peripartum infection. Additionally, these characteristics contributed to a high likelihood of death, despite adequate access to medical care and advanced life support for the neonates. Understanding the causes of morbidity and death in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit enables better prioritization and planning of health services, resource reallocation, and care quality improvement.
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Background and Objectives: There is a lack of data regarding hormonal metabolic abnormalities resulting from the R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone), a commonly used chemotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study aimed to determine the incidence of hormonal and metabolic changes after R-CHOP therapy. Methods and Methods: This prospective cohort study initially included 17 DLBCL patients. ⋯ Additionally, two males had hypogonadism, and impaired fasting glucose was observed in three patients. Conclusions: Hormonal and metabolic abnormalities can occur in DLBCL after the 5th R-CHOP cycle. A high level of awareness and careful observation is of value in detecting these abnormalities, as some can be lethal.