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Introduction: Myocardial steatosis, a poorly documented pathology, is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal amounts of triglycerides in the cardiomyocytes. Myocardial steatosis is generally asymptomatic, but it can be the cause of heart failure. It is primarily of hypoxic or metabolic origin. Case Report: We report a case of postmortem diagnosis in a 53-year-old male patient, without known his pathological history, who was a victim of sudden death from abdominal pain. The autopsy revealed diffuse atheromatous cardiac, aortic, and hepatic lesions. Conclusion: It is very common for myocardial steatosis to be diagnosed postmortem due to its nonspecific symptomatology. The risk of mortality and morbidity could be reduced through a healthy lifestyle and regular biological examination to identify risk factors.

Lung cancer screening has the potential to identify lung cancer at an early stage when more treatment options exist. However, discussions with and referrals of screening-eligible patients remain unacceptably low. We need to better understand clinician knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns to identify strategies to improve lung cancer screening uptake. Prior studies have focused on understanding these factors from physicians only. Nevertheless, many patients receive primary care from nurse practitioners and physician assistants where prevention and early detection conversations are most likely to occur. Therefore, we must engage the full range of clinicians treating screening-eligible patients.The aim of this study was to describe attitudes, beliefs and referral practice patterns, lung cancer screening knowledge, and concordance with lung cancer screening guidelines among nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants in the United States.A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed using survey methodology with clinical vignettes to examine clinician factors and concordance with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guidelines.Participants scored low on attitudes toward shared decision-making, high on the importance of shared decision-making in lung cancer screening, and low on barriers to lung cancer screening referral. In addition, midrange scores on empathy toward patients with smoking history were noted. Lung cancer screening knowledge was low regardless of clinician specialty; the most endorsed response when presented with a hypothetical patient was to refer for lung cancer screening using a chest X-ray.Findings demonstrate that most clinicians are nonconcordant with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, erroneously believing a chest X-ray is appropriate for lung cancer screening. Clinicians must follow evidence-based practice guidelines, highlighting the need for targeted continuing education about lung cancer screening for clinicians who treat screening-eligible patients.

Operational failures, defined as the inability of the work system to reliably provide information, services, and supplies needed when, where, and to who, are a pervasive problem in U.S. hospitals that disrupt nurses' ability to provide safe and effective care.We examined the relationship between operational failures, patient satisfaction, nurse-reported quality and safety, and nurse job outcomes (e.g., burnout and job satisfaction) and whether differences in hospital work environments explained the relationship.We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using population-based survey data from 11,709 registered nurses in 415 hospitals who participated in the RN4CAST-US nurse survey (2015-2016) and the 2016 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. The RN4CAST-US nurse survey focused on hospital quality and safety, job outcomes, and hospital work environments. The HCAHPS survey collected publicly reported patient data on their satisfaction with their care. Operational failures were evaluated using an eight-item composite measure that assessed missing supplies, orders, medication, missing/wrong patient diet, electronic documentation problems, insufficient staff, and time spent on workarounds and nonnursing tasks. Multilevel regression models were used to test the hypothesized relationships.Operational failures were associated with low patient satisfaction scores, poor quality and safety outcomes, and poor nurse job outcomes, and those associations were partly accounted for by hospital work environments.Operational failures prevent high-quality care and positive patient and nurse outcomes. Operational failures and the hospital work environment should be targeted simultaneously to maximize quality improvement efforts. Hospital leadership should work with frontline staff to identify and target the sources of operational failures in nursing units. Improvements to hospital work environments may reduce the occurrence of operational failures.

The purpose of the study was to explore the associations of sub-ethnicity to the survivorship experience of Asian American breast cancer survivors and identify the multiple factors that influenced their survivorship experience. This was a secondary analysis of the data among 94 Asian American breast cancer survivors from a larger ongoing study. Instruments included: questions on background characteristics, the perceived isolation scale, the Personal Resource Questionnaire, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer. Data were analyzed using hierarchical logistic and multiple regression analyses. After controlling for other factors, being a Japanese American (ref. = being a Chinese American) was significantly associated with pain scores (odds ratio [OR] = −0.32, p

Background: Thoracic ultrasound is a valuable tool that helps diagnose cardiopulmonary disorders and guide management in intensive care unit patients. Intensive care unit nurses were trained to perform thoracic ultrasound examinations, after which they were named ‘UltraNurses’ for clinical recognizability. UltraNurses demonstrated rapid learning trajectories, but the impact on clinical-decision making remained unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UltraNurse ultrasound on clinical management. Methods: This was a prospective observational single center study within a mixed medical and surgical intensive care unit. All adult patients with an indication for UltraNurse thoracic ultrasound were included. The study consisted of three steps: pre- and post- data collection, with the ultrasound examination conducted in-between these two steps. The examination consisted of a standardized ultrasound protocol aimed at the lungs and cardiac output. Primary outcome was what percentage of ultrasounds led to a change of management. Secondary outcomes included: percentage of changes executed within first 8 hours, frequency of pathology found, percentage of diagnosis change, and frequency of UltraNurse ultrasounds per shift. Results: A total of 102 ultrasound examinations were performed in 65 patients (89% mechanically-ventilated). Ultrasound examinations suggested changes of management in 26% of cases, of which 96% were executed within 8 hours. Most changes were within the nursing scope (56%), specifically: 44% of examinations changed fluid management. UltraNurse ultrasound detected pathology in 97% of cases. In 7% of cases, the diagnosis was changed, sometimes leading to life-saving interventions. UltraNurses performed one thoracic ultrasound examination per four shifts. Conclusion: In adult intensive care unit patients, UltraNurse thoracic ultrasound led to a change of management in more than a quarter of the cases, of which almost all were executed within the first 8 hours. Study registration: Netherlands Trial Registration NL9047, VUmc 2020.011

A população estudantil do ensino superior tem especial risco de consumo e abuso de substâncias psicoativas. Objetivo: Analisar o consumo das principais substâncias psicoativas nos estudantes do ensino superior e a sua relação com as variáveis sóciodemográficas e com o surgimento da pandemia COVID-19. Metodologia: Estudo analítico, observacional e transversal. Dados recolhidos por questionário aplica do após o primeiro semestre do ano letivo 2020/2021, na população de 8875 estudantes do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança em Portugal. Amostra de 825 estratificada para cada uma das cinco escolas. Resultados: Álcool e tabaco são as mais consumidas e de forma abusiva pela prática de binge drinking/smoking. Os medicamentos psicoativos e as drogas recreativas são menos consumidos. Os consumos são afetados pelas variáveis sociodemográficas: sexo, idade, escola, portadores de doença crónica, escolaridade e profissão dos pais. Durante a pandemia COVID-19, os estudantes percecionaram aumento dos consumos exceto o álcool. Conclusão: O consumo de substâncias psicoativas pelos estudantes do ensino superior é afetado pelas variáveis sociodemográficas e pela pandemia COVID-19. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Resumo Enquadramento: A pandemia de COVID-19 exigiu a implementação de medidas de isolamento nos casos de alto risco de doença. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto do isolamento sobre a ansiedade, a satisfação com o apoio percebido, a aprendizagem e o aproveitamento escolar, de estudantes de enfermagem da região norte de Portugal. Metodologia: Estudo exploratório e quantitativo, realizado com 56 estudantes em isolamento devido à COVID-19. Foi aplicado um questionário de autopreenchimento para avaliação da evolução da ansiedade, da satisfação com o apoio percebido, ao nível pedagógico, emocional e do Serviço Nacional de Saúde e do impacto do isolamento na aprendizagem e aproveitamento escolar. Resultados: Foram reportados níveis de ansiedade com significado clínico. Foi referido maior satisfação com o apoio da instituição de ensino e menor com o Serviço Nacional de Saúde. A ausência às atividades letivas teve impacto negativo na aprendizagem e no aproveitamento escolar. Conclusão: O isolamento dos estudantes teve impacto na ansiedade e na aprendizagem. A saúde mental dos estudantes deve ser promovida pelas instituições de ensino superior.

The purpose of the current study was to clarify the effects of illness perceptions, coping styles, and social support on psychological distress of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolating at home. A cross-sectional study was performed in a state hospital in Turkey with 112 individuals with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Data were collected online using self-report scales between June 8, 2020, and December 25, 2020. Regression models were used to determine predictors of psychological distress. Significant predictors were cognitive and emotional illness representations, self-blame, and positive reinterpretation coping methods. Health care providers should consider individuals' illness perceptions and coping methods and their effect on psychological distress when providing in-home and follow-up care. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (x), xx–xx.]

The current pre-/posttest pilot study investigated the impact of an individual nurse-led active listening intervention for spouses of individuals with depression (herein referred to as patients) on spouses' psychological states and patients' depressive symptoms. Sixteen couples participated in the study. Individual sessions were conducted over 10 weeks to help spouses express their thoughts and feelings. Psychological measurement scale scores did not change markedly postintervention for spouses; however, their subjective evaluations of the intervention were positive. In the qualitative analysis, spouses stated that they were able to express their thoughts and feelings and that the sessions were meaningful. Moreover, postintervention depressive scores of patients improved significantly. Findings suggest that the nurse-led intervention of active listening for spouses may provide a better environment for improving the depressive symptoms of patients. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (x), xx–xx.]

Although effective evidence-based interventions (EBIs) exist, racial/ethnic minority individuals with lower income are less likely to have access to these interventions and may experience greater stigma in the health care system, resulting in disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality. Peer recovery specialists (PRSs) may be uniquely suited to address barriers faced by those from impoverished areas; however, peers have not traditionally been trained in implementing EBIs. The current open-label trial ( N = 8) was performed to evaluate implementation and preliminary effectiveness of an adapted EBI supporting recovery, linkage to treatment, and reduced depression. Results suggest the intervention was feasible, acceptable, and appropriate for linking individuals from a community setting to substance use treatment and could be delivered with fidelity by a peer interventionist. Participants who completed the intervention demonstrated clinically reliable decreases in substance use and depressive symptoms. Findings provide initial support for PRS dissemination of EBIs to increase linkage to care and support recovery in traditionally underserved populations. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (xx), xx–xx.]

Background: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients carry heavy symptom burdens and risk receiving aggressive and sometimes unwanted care at end of life. Palliative care (PC), which aims to alleviate symptoms and facilitate goal-concordant care in serious illness, may offer substantial benefits for ESLD patients but is not widely provided. Objectives: To assess the impact of PC integrated within hepatology (PCIH) services on health care utilization, advance care planning (ACP), and hospice enrollment. Design: We compared patients who received PCIH (n = 55) to a retrospective cohort (n = 57) receiving usual care in an outpatient hepatology clinic. Setting/Subjects: From June 2016 to November 2017, we enrolled patients receiving care in a U.S. public hospital clinic who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) ESLD with a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score ≥20, (2) hepatology approval for PC referral, and (3) at least one advanced complication of ESLD. Measurements: We assessed patient demographics, clinical information, health care insurance status, health care utilization, completion of psychosocial assessments, and ACP using two-sided Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Patients receiving PCIH more frequently had goals of care discussions (87.3% vs. 21.2% p ≤ 0.01), completed ACP documentation (56.4% vs. 7.0%, p ≤ 0.01), psychosocial assessments (98.2% vs. 35.1%, p ≤ 0.01), and hospice enrollment (25.5% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.01). Patients receiving PCIH who were hospitalized also had fewer mean hospitalization days (13 vs. 19.7 days, p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: Embedding PC services in a hepatology clinic is a promising strategy to improve care for ESLD patients in public hospitals.

Using the social determinants of health (SDOH) framework, the current study aimed to examine opioid literacy and the role of SDOH on opioid literacy. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect self-reported data from people living in four rural Alabama counties affected by the opioid crisis. Participants reported moderate levels of opioid knowledge. There were no significant predictors of general knowledge. For opioid overdose knowledge, the strongest individual predictors were educational level (Bachelor's degree) and self-rated financial strain, which contributed to higher scale scores. For the models evaluating opioid overdose response knowledge, the strongest individual predictors were minority status (inverse), self-rated mental health, and interpersonal safety. Our findings indicate that SDOH, such as financial strain and interpersonal safety, are significantly linked to opioid literacy. Educational efforts to enhance opioid literacy, proper usage, and management in rural counties should consider SDOH factors. Findings further outline the team's integrative approach to developing intervention strategies for opioid treatment and recovery that can benefit the northwest Alabama community and beyond. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (xx), xx–xx.]

The purpose of the current study was to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with depressive symptoms among Hispanic women aged ≥50 years. Cross-sectional data related to 10 biological, psychological, and social factors were analyzed. Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores suggested that 32% of the sample had depressive symptoms. Self-esteem, self-perception of health status, income, and chronic pain had statistically significant associations with depressive symptoms. A logistic regression analysis showed that increasing self-esteem scores were associated with decreases in the likelihood of having depressive symptoms. Findings underscore that depression is associated with biological, psychological, and social factors. Culturally tailored interventions that aim at targeting these factors may have an impact on Hispanic women's depression and overall well-being. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (x), xx–xx.]

Social media has been classified as a new form of addiction. The aim of the current systematic review was to analyze social media's impact on body image and well-being among adolescents and young adults. Twenty-one articles published from 2015 to April 2020 were analyzed. Misuse or intensive use of social media was related to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, risky behaviors, and eating disorders. Information manipulation, lack of media literacy, and internalization of ideal body standards trigger mental problems and risky eating behaviors in this population. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (xx), xx–xx.]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting instructions to stay home and social distance enhanced concerns of the impact of social isolation on the physical and mental well-being of older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults participated in interviews describing their experiences early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants experienced loss of activities, routines, and social connection, and feelings of worry and uncertainty. Nevertheless, participants were hopeful about the future and demonstrated resilience in overcoming boredom as they became intentional in finding new activities and using technology to maintain connection with others. Older adults may need support in such situations to manage boredom and uncertainty and avoid social isolation. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49 (6), 27–32.]

This review article examines the use of seductive details in nursing education activities. Seductive details are irrelevant images that are placed into educational material. Although seductive details may be found in any type of educational material and at any academic level, this article focuses on the placement of seductive details in electronic slide presentations used in nursing education activities. Educators optimistically place seductive details in educational material to engage learners or provide a momentary break from the presentation. Although engaging the learner is important, educators must use methods that do not derail how the learner's brain remembers information. Added visuals should be relevant to the material needed to be understood. Using seductive details may adversely affect learning by overloading the working memory with extraneous cognitive information, affecting the ability of the learner to create a coherent mental model needed to store a long-term memory. Evidence-based information about seductive detail use is nonexistent in nursing education literature. Professional nurse educators must carefully consider the use of seductive details in electronic slide presentations. [ J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(6):261–267.]

Nanotechnology becomes the most interesting area for researchers from last two decades. There are several methods to synthesis nanoparticles but the use of green method for synthesis reduces or eliminates the generation of hazardous byproducts. Green synthesis method is environment friendly alternative to conventional synthesis techniques. Green chemistry is about reducing risk, energy, environmental impact, hazard, cost, materials and waste. The green method or biological method involves the use of microorganisms, plants etc. for synthesis of nanoparticles. In our present research work we use Murraya koenigii leaves powder extract as reducing and capping agent. Plant sources containing the phytoconstituents viz., Tannins, Alkaloids, Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Citric acid etc. Metallic and metal oxides nanoparticles of various shapes, sizes, contents and physicochemical properties can be synthesized using green synthesis method. The synthesized Iron oxide Nanoparticles were characterized be different analytical techniques. The surface morphology revealed by SEM, elemental composition by EDX, Different functional groups revealed by FTIR spectroscopy and particle size measured by particle size analyzer.

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die Studie beschreibt die Einführung und Erprobung einer Nurse-Practitioner-Rolle in der akutstationären Chirurgie in einem schweizerischen Krankenhaus über ein Jahr. Der Einsatz Nurse Practitioner kann die Kontinuität in der Betreuung, die Versorgungsqualität und die Patientensicherheit verbessern. Ziel: Aufgezeigt werden die kurzfristigen Ergebnisse einer solchen Rolle im stationär chirurgischen Bereich nach einem Jahr Laufzeit. Die Zielgrößen umfassten neun Messkriterien. Methode: Die Evaluation erfolgte mittels eines Mixed-Methods-Ansatzes, teilweise im Prä-post-Vergleich. Quantitativ wurden Anzahl betreute Patient_innen, Austrittszeit, interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit, Liegedauer, Störungen im Alltag und die Verfügbarkeit der Austrittsdokumente erfasst. Die qualitative Erfassung beinhaltete das Erleben der Beteiligten. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse der Evaluation weisen auf einen Mehrwert durch die neue Rolle hin. Hinweise finden sich in der Betreuungskontinuität und Zugänglichkeit in medizinischen Fragen der Beteiligten sowie in der Optimierung der Patient_innenprozesse. Erschwerend erwies sich die gesetzlich ungeklärte Situation in der Schweiz. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Stärke dieser Rolle lag in der Erhöhung der Betreuungskontinuität, der Verbesserung der Ansprechbarkeit in medizinischen Fragen für Patient_innen und Pflegende sowie in der Optimierung der Patientenprozesse und damit auch der Patientensicherheit. Die gesetzlichen Vorgaben bezüglich der Kompetenzen erschweren derzeit den Einsatz von Nurse Practitioner im stationären Bereich.

Harnessing technology has been proposed as one strategy to meet the social and health needs of older adults who prefer to age in place, but solutions remain elusive. In the current study, we evaluated the feasibility of using voice-activated virtual home assistants (VHAs; i.e., Amazon Echo “Alexa” devices) with older adults participating in the Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) over 4 months. Study methods included process evaluations, tracking participants' VHA use, and qualitative feedback from PACE participants and staff. The most common VHA activities were voice-activated smart lighting and asking for information. Participants infrequently used VHA activities that could promote physical or cognitive function (e.g., chair yoga, word recall game). Participants enjoyed using the VHAs, and PACE staff were enthusiastic about the potential for VHAs to facilitate aging in place and provided recommendations to increase participants' use of functional health activities. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49 (6), 33–40.]