Conectar
by Mingming Pan, Yanhua Shen, Jiayu Wu, Chaonan Liu, Meihong Zhu, Zhengyu Zhou
This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of ELASEM®Flex and ELASEM®ProFlex, two eggshell membrane (EM) products, on sodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. An OA model was established by a single intra-articular injection of MIA into the knee joint. After modeling, rats were administered diclofenac sodium, ELASEM®Flex, and ELASEM®ProFlex by gavage daily for 4 consecutive weeks. During the experiment, food intake, water intake, body weight, and plantar mechanical pain threshold (MPT) of rats were measured weekly. Serum levels of TNF-α, COX-2, IL-1β, and CTX-II were assessed at weeks 2 and 4. After 4 weeks, knee joints were harvested for histopathological examination (HE staining and Safranin-O fast green staining). Results indicated that knee joints of OA rats showed significant swelling, which was alleviated to varying degrees in all treatment groups. Both ELASEM®Flex and ELASEM®ProFlex significantly increased the MPT (P ®Flex and ELASEM®ProFlex can exert preventive and reparative effects on knee OA in rats by alleviating arthritis pain, inhibiting inflammatory factor expression, reducing type II collagen degradation, and promoting chondrocyte proliferation.by Hang Sun, Haozhi Xu, Junying Li, Xiaoman Xie, Junmei Zhang, Hongjie Dong, Huanhuan Xie, Qi Wang, Guihua Zhao, Kun Yin, Jingyu Yang, Jianwei Zhou, Ruili Wu, Chao Xu
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and lethal cancers globally. methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation plays a crucial role in tumor initiation and progression by regulating RNA function. STM2457, a highly efficient METTL3 inhibitor, can inhibit METTL3 activity and may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy in cancers. However, the role of STM2457 for GC cells is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression profile data of GC in TCGA and GEO databases, and further explored the expression involvement of METTL3 in GC cell line, investigated the therapeutic effect of STM2457 targeted inhibition of METTL3 in GC both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results indicated that STM2457 could suppress GC cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting METTL3, and also promoted cell apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle in S phase. In addition, STM2457 could inhibit tumor growth in subcutaneous xenotransplantation mouse model. Our findings suggested that STM2457 had great potential for the treatment of GC and could serve as a foundation for future clinical applications.The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rising and disproportionately affects South Asian adults, including those in the United Kingdom. South Asians develop T2D at a higher rate and at a younger age than their white British counterparts, at a lower body mass index. Active efforts to reduce adiposity can improve glycaemic control and in some cases achieve T2D remission. However, a substantial proportion of lean mass is lost while achieving weight loss, which may have physiological and metabolic consequences, affecting long-term health outcomes and quality of life for people living with T2D and obesity. We are examining the impact of a combined low energy diet and supervised exercise intervention versus a low energy diet alone for the preservation of lean mass in an understudied South Asian population living with T2D and excess adiposity.
This prospective, randomised, two-arm parallel-group, open-label, blinded-endpoint trial is being conducted in Leicester, UK. 36 South Asian adults aged 40–65 years within 10 years of T2D diagnosis and not on insulin therapy will be enrolled. Both intervention arms will receive an 800–900 kcal/day low energy diet for 12 weeks. Those randomised to the exercise group will additionally receive a mixture of supervised and home-based resistance and aerobic exercise training three times per week. The primary outcome is the difference in the change of lean mass between groups measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 12 weeks and will be analysed using linear regression modelling.
The trial was approved by the NHS research ethics service (23/WM/0201). All participants will provide informed consent prior to enrolment, and the study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings will be shared widely (publications, presentations, press releases, social media platforms) and will inform an effectiveness trial.
In Guinea, around 17 new cases of HIV occurred each day and it was responsible for 10 deaths a day in 2022. In addition to this burden, regional disparities have emerged over the years. This study aimed to describe and explain the uneven distribution of HIV infection in Guinea using spatial analysis.
This is a retrospective cross-sectional secondary analysis using data from the 2012 and 2018 Guinea Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
This study was conducted in Guinea.
We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 300 and 400 enumeration areas, respectively, included in the 2012 and 2018 DHS Program for participants aged 15 to 49 who underwent HIV testing. Spatial analysis methods, including Moran I, interpolation and Kulldorff’s scan statistic, were applied to examine variation and identify high-risk spatial clusters of HIV prevalence rate. The potential relationship between HIV status and socio-demographic, biological, behavioural and socio-environmental explanatory variables was explored using logistic regression at individual level.
In total, 7922 individuals in 2012 and 8539 in 2018 participated in the study. HIV prevalence rate in 2012 and 2018 was 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively. Across Guinea’s 33 prefectures, HIV prevalence rate varied from 0% to 3.9% in 2012 and from 0% to 3.5% in 2018. Spatial analysis identified four significant high-risk spatial clusters in 2012 and one high-risk cluster in 2018. The high-risk clusters in 2012 were in Kissidougou (relative risk (RR)=3.97; p value=0.037), Matam (RR=2.80; p value=0.019), Pita (RR=3.46; p value=0.035) and N’zerekore prefectures (RR=6.08; p value=0.027), the high-risk cluster in 2018 was located in Boffa prefecture (RR=3.95; p value=0.022). Factors significantly and positively associated with HIV infection in 2012 included age class 25–34 (aOR: 2.20; 95% CI 1.40 to 3.47), age class 35–49 (aOR: 2.43; 95% CI 1.51 to 3.92), number of HIV healthcare facilities>30 (aOR: 2.14; 95% CI 1.34 to 3.43). HIV infection was significantly lower in men (aOR: 0.52; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.77). In 2018, in addition to age groups 25–34 years (aOR=1.90; 95% CI 1.18 to 3.04) and 35–49 years (aOR=2.25; 95% CI 1.40 to 3.64), the Soussou ethnicity group (aOR=1.73; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.87) was also positively associated with HIV infection.
This study describes the spatial distribution of HIV prevalence rate and identified high-risk clusters in Guinea. In addition, risk factors associated with HIV status were identified. The information can help prioritise surveillance and response efforts to control HIV in Guinea.
This prospective community-based cohort study (Acute Respiratory Infection Epidemiological Characteristics Assessment Study (ARI-ECAS)) aims to systematically monitor acute respiratory infection (ARI) incidence, characterise multiple pathogen coinfection patterns and explore microbial landscape dynamics in Shanghai’s general population. By integrating syndromic surveillance, molecular diagnostics and metagenomic sequencing, the study seeks to enhance understanding of ARI epidemiology, seasonal variation and host–pathogen interactions to inform predictive modelling and optimise public health interventions in high-density urban environments.
The study enrolled 15 199 permanent residents from all 16 districts of Shanghai, with baseline oropharyngeal swab samples across five representative districts (Xuhui, Jing’an, Jiading, Songjiang and Fengxian). Inclusion criteria required residency ≥6 months and consent for weekly follow-ups. Exclusion criteria addressed mobility limitations (planned relocation >6 months) and recent ARI history. Participants provided demographic, behavioural and clinical data via the Shanghai Health Cloud platform, with baseline and symptomatic-phase biological samples collected for analysis.
During the initial 8-month surveillance period (May 2024–January 2025), the ARI-ECAS cohort demonstrated critical insights into the epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in Shanghai’s urban communities. Among 15 199 participants, 10.96% reported symptomatic episodes, of whom 21.43% experienced recurrent infections. Pathogen detection using targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) identified microbial aetiologies in 53.52% of symptomatic cases, revealing a high prevalence of coinfections: 27.96% involved dual pathogens, while 33.01% showed polymicrobial interactions (≥3 pathogens). Notably, 85.09% of symptomatic episodes were self-managed, underscoring a low healthcare-seeking rate (14.91%) consistent with patterns observed in urban China during postpandemic transitions.
The current phase of data collection will conclude in June 2025; however, syndromic surveillance and tNGS protocols will be sustained to capture multiyear seasonal transmission patterns. To enhance comparative rigour, future protocols will aim to collect samples from participants during asymptomatic periods in the subsequent year to serve as seasonal baseline controls. Building on this foundation, the study will integrate contact behaviour and mobility surveys to quantify parameters critical for understanding pathogen transmission dynamics (eg, household contacts and public transportation usage). Furthermore, pathogen detection and metagenomic data will be combined with transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling in selected cases to model multipathogen interaction networks and delineate host immune response pathways, thereby advancing mechanistic insights into polymicrobial cocirculation.
To evaluate the longitudinal association between medication adherence and glycaemic control among patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Luzhou City, identify modifiable factors and provide actionable evidence to inform targeted diabetes management strategies.
Retrospective cohort study.
Western China.
Data from 30 508 T2D patients in the Luzhou City Health Information Management System (2018–2023).
Primary outcome measure: glycaemic control rate. Secondary outcome measures: medication adherence, hypertension comorbidity and lifestyle factors.
Patients with consistent adherence achieved significantly higher glycaemic control rates (39.6%, 95% CI 38.8% to 40.4%) compared with intermittent adherents (20.8%, 95% CI 19.9% to 21.7%, p
While medication adherence remains fundamental for glycaemic control, its association with glycaemic control varied according to hypertension comorbidity and lifestyle factors. These findings advocate for integrated care models that simultaneously address cardiovascular risk factors and promote behavioural modifications, particularly in resource-constrained settings experiencing rapid epidemiological transitions.
Hypertension remains a major public health challenge in rural China, where blood pressure control rates remain low, primarily due to inadequate self-management behaviours among patients. While physician-patient interaction plays a critical role in shaping self-management behaviours, few interventions leveraging this mechanism—particularly those tailored to individual behavioural trajectories—have been implemented in rural primary care. This study aims to design and evaluate the effectiveness of an adaptive, interaction intervention to improve self-management behaviours among patients with hypertension in rural China.
A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) will be used to develop and evaluate an adaptive intervention based on physician-patient interaction. Two initial strategies will be tested: (1) a standard strategy involving monthly interactive follow-ups and (2) an enhanced strategy incorporating behavioural incentives into the standard protocol. In the first stage, 320 patients were recruited from 16 villages and were randomised to either strategy. After 6 months, patients with adequate improvement will continue their original strategy, while those with suboptimal progress will be re-randomised to either an enhanced intervention with a reminder or a further version with both the reminder and physician feedback. All interventions will be delivered via a Smart Medical Assistant Telephone Robot (SMAT-R) integrated within routine primary care services. The primary outcome is patient self-management behaviour, assessed using the Hypertension Patient’s Self-Management Behaviour Rating Scale; secondary outcomes—including blood pressure, quality of life and acceptability of the intervention—will be collected by trained personnel using standardised procedures and the SMAT-R digital system. Data will be collected at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post-implementation. Marginal structural models will be used to assess the dynamic effects of intervention.
This study aims to inform the development and evaluation of an adaptive, scalable and technology-assisted intervention to improve self-management behaviours among patients with hypertension in rural primary care settings. Using a SMART design, the trial will generate evidence on optimal sequencing and tailoring of strategies based on behavioural responses. The findings are expected to guide sustainable improvements in chronic disease management within primary care systems in low-resource contexts.
This trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of West China Forth Hospital and West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University (Gwll2024130). The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All the participants provided written consent before participation. Trial results will be shared through peer-reviewed publications, ClinicalTrials.gov, and with healthcare providers and local health authorities, without publication restrictions.
The ‘strike early and strike strong’ lipid-lowering strategy emphasises rapid reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are increasingly used alongside statins to achieve guideline-recommended LDL-C targets after ACS. However, despite substantial LDL-C reductions with early PCSK9i initiation, their effects on non-culprit coronary atherosclerotic plaques remain unclear. This study aims to assess the impact of early intensive LDL-C lowering with PCSK9i added to moderate-intensity statin therapy on optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived plaque characteristics in non-culprit coronary lesions in patients with ACS.
In this prospective, multicentre, open-label trial, 212 patients with ACS will be randomised 1:1 to an early intensified lipid-lowering strategy (PCSK9i added to moderate-intensity statin) or guideline-directed medical therapy for 6 months. Serial OCT imaging of non-culprit coronary arteries with 20–70% stenosis will be performed at baseline and 6 months. The primary endpoint is the absolute change in minimum fibrous cap thickness within a matched target arterial segment from baseline to 6 months. Secondary endpoints include changes in minimum lumen area, maximum lipid arc, presence of macrophage infiltration, LDL-C reduction and achievement of LDL-C targets. The primary endpoint will be analysed using analysis of covariance, adjusting for treatment group, baseline LDL-C stratification (≥1.8 vs
Ethics approval was granted by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of West China Hospital of Sichuan University (2024 Review No 1943). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at academic conferences.
To synthesise the evidence on implementation strategies used to implement transitional care interventions for adult surgical patients.
Scoping review.
Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched in August 2023 and updated June 2025, followed by citation searches. Studies were screened independently by two researchers, and one extracted data, another verified its accuracy. Studies about transitional care interventions for adult surgical patients were coded according to the ‘Five classes of implementation strategies’ and the ‘Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice and Research recommendations’ framework, to illuminate the review findings.
Based on 27 studies included in the scoping review, staff education, changes to staffing and electronic systems, and change management techniques were frequently used implementation strategies. Implementation strategies were mostly used with patients undergoing colorectal and cardiac surgery in Asia and the United States. Scale-up strategies and capacity-building initiatives for people in charge of spearheading the change initiatives were less common.
To further the field, future research could focus on capacity-building and scale-up strategies, fidelity reporting, and financial implications of implementation in a wider range of surgical populations and settings. Work is needed to effectively implement surgical transitional care interventions in real-world settings.
Our findings provide strategies for hospital leaders to adopt when implementing transitional care interventions for surgical patients.
Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist.
Determined review focus, interpreted findings, and contributed to manuscript.
The Open Science Framework.
To explore the practical experiences and perceived needs of healthcare professionals in fostering resilience among bereaved parents.
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted.
Twenty-seven healthcare professionals were recruited from the Paediatric Palliative Care Special Group of the Paediatrics Society of the Chinese Medical Association. The participants included 9 physicians, 7 nurses and 11 social workers from 22 hospitals and 5 community-based services. In-depth interviews were conducted between July and December 2022. Data were analysed using content analysis.
Guided by the Society-to-Cells Resilience Theory, this study identified 10 categories of practical experiences and seven of perceived needs, encompassing multiple levels: society (integrating multidisciplinary resource; preserving relevant cultural tradition; advocating for system enhancements; raising public awareness), community (establishing an accessible support network; fostering an inclusive community; offering proactive community support), family (providing anticipatory guidance; enhancing family cohesion; navigating bereavement resources; providing ongoing follow-up and support), individual (evaluating grief-related experiences; offering tailored personal support; sustaining connections; addressing spiritual needs) and physiological (managing body reactions; maintaining physical well-being).
This study provides insights from healthcare professionals, highlighting practices and identifying significant gaps in current approaches to building resilience in bereaved parents. The findings suggest that resilience is a socially constructed, multidimensional process that can be nurtured through a holistic approach to better support this vulnerable group.
The study's findings lay the foundation for developing targeted interventions to foster resilience among bereaved parents. A holistic, empowering approach is essential to strengthen their coping mechanisms and facilitate healing at multiple levels, ultimately contributing to the creation of a robust, effective support system for this resilient yet vulnerable population.
This study was about the experiences and perceptions of healthcare providers. It was designed and conducted by researchers who were both researchers and healthcare providers.
To explore the prescribing practices and behaviours of Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) and pharmacist prescribers in Singapore, assess their confidence in key prescribing competencies, examine their use of information sources, and understand their views on the consequences of prescribing errors.
Cross-sectional national survey.
A census survey of all registered APN and pharmacist prescribers in Singapore was conducted from February to May 2024 using a validated 96-item instrument. The survey assessed prescribing practices, confidence in prescribing competencies, use of information sources, and prescribing safety. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.
Ninety-one prescribers (54 APNs, 37 pharmacists) responded (32% response rate), most of whom worked in public medical/surgical settings. Prescribing comprised a median of 75% of their practice. Most time was spent prescribing continued medications, with less on initiating new medicines. Participants reported high confidence in communication, therapeutic partnerships, and working within professional standards. Greatest confidence was seen in educating patients, legal prescribing, and monitoring treatment response. Lower confidence was noted in complementary medicine-related tasks. Professional literature and colleagues were the most valued information sources. Most participants acknowledged the serious consequences of prescribing errors, though many believed such errors would likely be intercepted.
APNs and pharmacists demonstrate strong competencies in safe, holistic prescribing. However, cultural factors may limit patient engagement, highlighting the need to strengthen shared decision-making and collaborative practice.
Refining governance structures, adopting tiered prescriber autonomy, and enhancing training in complex prescribing are essential. Standardising deprescribing, improving access to decision-support tools, and promoting interprofessional collaboration and patient involvement can strengthen care quality and team-based delivery.
This study offers the first national insight into Singapore's Collaborative Prescribing Framework and informs training, policy, and workforce development for non-physician prescribers locally and in similar international contexts.
STROBE checklist.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.
Ethnic minoritized women face cultural and systemic barriers in accessing antepartum and intrapartum care. Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, but their perspectives and experiences in delivering culturally competent care remain underexplored.
To synthesise healthcare providers' experiences and perspectives on providing culturally competent antepartum and intrapartum care for ethnic minoritised women.
A qualitative meta-synthesis study design was employed. Six electronic databases were searched from their inception date till January 2025. The included studies were assessed using the method of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool, and findings were meta-synthesised using Sandelowski and Barroso's six-step approach. This review was registered via the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.
Overall, 38 studies were included, and three themes emerged. The first theme revealed how providers' biases and professional training distorted their ability to understand and respect cultural practices. The second theme underscored the impact of systemic barriers such as time constraints, resource scarcity and lack of representation among providers. The final theme highlighted healthcare providers' aspirations for improved communication, targeted training and guidance on building trust to enhance care delivery.
Healthcare providers encounter notable challenges in delivering culturally competent antepartum and intrapartum care, but remain hopeful about bridging gaps in communication and understanding. Practical recommendations include implementing mandatory cultural competency training at all levels of healthcare professional education, increasing resources for interpreters and cultural liaisons and fostering diversity within the healthcare workforce. Future research should explore patient-centred interventions and systemic reforms to improve care for ethnic minoritised women. These findings highlight the need for policies and practices that empower providers to deliver equitable, culturally respectful antepartum and intrapartum care.
No patient or public contribution.
Death preparedness is an important prerequisite for improving the quality of life and the quality of death in advanced cancer patients. However, research on the level of death preparedness in patients is insufficient, and there is little understanding of the current status and influencing factors of death preparedness in advanced cancer patients.
This study aims to assess the current status of death preparedness and its influencing factors in advanced cancer patients.
Based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, a structured survey questionnaire was designed to collect data on personal factors (such as gender, age and residence area), interpersonal factors (such as social support, caregiver readiness and healthcare worker readiness) and social factors (such as care resources, policy support and information supply). Through multiple linear regression and BP neural network analysis, the study explores the impact and significance of these influencing factors on death preparedness in advanced cancer patients.
A total of 930 valid questionnaires were collected in this study. The death preparedness score in advanced cancer patients was 72.18 ± 22.82, indicating a moderate level, with the highest score being the ‘reflexive care’ dimension and the lowest score being the ‘hospice programme’ dimension. Multivariate analysis revealed that meaning in life and social support were the most significant predictors of death preparedness in advanced cancer patients. In addition, personal factors such as dignity, household income and coping style, also played an important role. Interpersonal factors like social support, as well as social factors such as care resources and policy support, also had an impact on patients' death preparedness to some extent.
Death preparedness in advanced cancer patients is generally at a moderate level, and death preparedness is influenced by a combination of personal factors, interpersonal factors and social factors.
This study is based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to comprehensively explore the influencing factors of death preparedness in advanced cancer patients. It provides theoretical support for improving life services for advanced cancer patients. It offers valuable practical experience and insights for societal attention and reform in end-of-life care.
No Patient or Public Contributions were included in this paper.
To identify and prioritise research uncertainties regarding the assessment, management and rehabilitation of patients with problematic hip replacements through a national Priority Setting Partnership (PSP).
A national PSP using the James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology.
UK.
Patients, carers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the care of patients with problematic hip replacements.
A steering group was established. The James Lind Alliance methodology was followed throughout. A nationwide survey was conducted to collect unanswered questions. These were refined, prioritised through an interim survey and ranked at a final consensus workshop.
The initial survey yielded 201 questions, refined to 32. The interim survey had 191 respondents, leading to 19 questions at the final workshop. The top 10 research priorities were agreed on.
This PSP identified key research priorities for problematic hip replacements, focusing on diagnosis, pain management, perioperative optimisation and infection. These priorities can inform researchers and funders to improve outcomes for affected patients.
To synthesise qualitative evidence on how patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals perceive and respond to cancer-related anorexia (CRA), and to develop a multi-level framework for improving CRA care.
A qualitative meta-synthesis using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, informed by the Social Ecological Model (SEM).
Seven databases were searched for qualitative studies from inception to April 2025. Studies were assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Meta-aggregation was used to synthesise findings, and the ConQual method assessed confidence levels.
PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CNKI and WanFang.
Seventeen studies from 10 countries were included, reflecting the perspectives of patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Four synthesised findings were identified. At the individual level, CRA was linked to physical decline, emotional distress and changes in identity. The interpersonal level involved feeding-related tensions and caregiver burden. Organisational barriers included delayed care and poor cultural responsiveness. Policy-level factors such as limited insurance coverage and rural access further impeded care. Overall confidence in these synthesised findings was low to moderate.
CRA is not solely a biological condition but a multidimensional experience. Addressing CRA requires integrated and context-sensitive strategies across personal, relational, organisational and policy domains.
Nurses and clinicians should address not only physical symptoms but also the emotional and social dimensions of eating. Structured support for caregivers and improved service access, particularly in underserved settings, are needed.
This study provides a multi-level understanding of CRA. The findings support better patient care, caregiver support and more equitable healthcare policy design.
JBI methodology and ENTREQ guideline.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
PROSPERO Database: CRD420251041265
Turnover intention among nurses poses a significant threat to both workforce stability and the overall quality of healthcare delivery. However, few studies have comprehensively examined the associations between turnover intention and nurses' individual and team-level resources within a multilevel framework. Our study aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the relationship between turnover intention and nurses' individual and team-level resources.
The multicenter cross-sectional study adopted a stratified convenience sampling approach to enroll 773 clinical nurses from 62 teams across eight hospitals in Shandong Province, China.
We used the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale for psychological resilience, the Perceived Social Support Scale for perceived social support, the 51-item Analyzing and Developing Adaptability and Performance in Teams to Enhance Resilience Scale for team resilience, and a single-item turnover intention measure. Multilevel logistic regression modeling was conducted to examine the simultaneous impacts of individual-level (psychological resilience and perceived social support) and team-level (team resilience) factors on turnover intention, while controlling for key demographic and organizational covariates.
The multilevel analysis revealed several key findings: (1) The prevalence of turnover intention reached 35.6%, indicating a substantial workforce stability challenge; (2) Multilevel modeling demonstrated significant between-team variance (ICC = 0.19), confirming the importance of examining nested data structures; (3) At the individual level, both psychological resilience (OR = 0.78, CI: 0.62–0.99) and perceived social support (OR = 0.75, CI: 0.60–0.94) showed significant negative associations with turnover intention; (4) At the team level, higher team resilience predicted lower turnover intention (OR = 0.73, CI: 0.56–0.94). These results were obtained after controlling for key demographic and organizational covariates, highlighting the robust protective effects of multilevel resources against nurses' turnover propensity.
The prevalence of turnover intention was relatively high in this study. Nurses with higher psychological resilience, perceived social support, and team resilience exhibited lower turnover intention. Healthcare administrators need to increase investments in nurses' multilevel resources to stabilize the nursing workforce and ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system.
Understanding the multi-level factors influencing nurses' turnover intention can help nursing managers develop targeted strategies from multiple perspectives in clinical settings, thereby reducing nurses' turnover intention.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based secondary prevention programme for postpartum depression, delivered with or without telephone support, compared with usual care.
We first conducted a randomised controlled superiority trial to test whether the web-based Parents and Babies programme (Toi, Moi, Bébé; TMB) delivered with motivational telephone support (ie, coaching) was superior to the fully automated programme (ie, self-help). TMB incorporated classic and third-wave cognitive–behavioural therapy components and psychoeducation. Then, we tested whether TMB (both treatment modalities combined) was superior to usual care. The usual care comparison group was drawn from the CONCEPTION prospective pan-Canadian perinatal cohort (N=592).
A remote study based at Sainte-Justine Hospital Centre, Quebec, Canada.
Web-based intervention programme participants were women aged ≥14 years at 12–25 weeks’ gestation, with subclinical to moderate clinical Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores: 9–16. Exclusion criteria were psychosis and self-reported substance abuse. The usual care comparison group was pregnant women ≥18 years old. All participants were living in Canada at study inception.
The primary outcome was EPDS scores at 3 months post partum, accounting for baseline EPDS scores and depression events defined as EPDS ≥13 at 3 months post partum. The secondary outcomes were EPDS scores at 6 months post partum, depression events (EPDS≥13) at 6 months post partum, anxiety symptoms (Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale, GAD-7) at 3 and 6 months post partum, accounting for baseline scores for the continuous outcomes; as well as the number of completed intervention modules and well-being scores (WHO 5-Item Well-being Index) at 3 months post partum.
We randomised 510 participants to TMB self-help (n=255) or TMB with coaching (n=255); 211 and 214 participants, respectively, were included in the complete-case intention-to-treat analyses. At baseline, 91% lived with a partner, 71% were university graduates and 42% self-reported GAD-7≥10. Randomisation was successful. First, TMB with coaching was not superior to TMB self-help: at 3 months post partum, EPDS scores were TMB self-help (mean 8.0±4.3) vs TMB with coaching (mean 8.6±4.5); effect size was 0.01 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.03; p=0.16). Second, TMB (regardless of intervention arm) was superior to usual care: in adjusted regression models, EPDS scores were 6.2 units lower (per SD, 95% CI –8.2 to –4.3) in TMB (both treatment modalities combined) than in usual care; and proportions of depression events were 4.7 units lower (per SD on the logit scale, 95% CI –6.6 to –2.7) in TMB (combined) than in usual care. No other group differences were observed.
Our findings suggest that, in women with subclinical to moderate clinical antenatal depressive symptoms, receiving a web-based cognitive–behavioural therapy-based programme in addition to usual care can reduce depression postnatally.
by Wafa Dhouib, Meriem Kacem, Oumayma belghayeb, Meriem Oumaima Beji, Cyrine Bennasrallah, Ameni Maatouk, Imen Zemni, Hela Abroug, Ines bouanene, Haythem Sriha, Maha Mastouri, Mourad ghali, Asma Sriha Belguith, Manel Ben Fredj
BackgroundUnderstanding post-infection immunity with the first SARS-CoV-2 variant may provide valuable insights into the duration and effectiveness of the humoral immune response. This study aims to characterize the serological profile of naïve individuals infected with the first SARS-CoV-2 variant.
MethodsA prospective study with repeated measures was conducted in Tunisia, from March to October 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19. Adults confirmed with confirmed COVID-19 were monitored during the first wave of the pandemic. ELISA blood tests were conducted at multiple intervals: day 7, day 14, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months post-infection.
Results173 serum samples were collected from immunologically naïve individuals infected with the first circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant, ranging from 7 days to 6 months post-RT-PCR confirmation. The study revealed a robust humoral immune response in most participants, with 94.1% testing positive for IgM anti-N, 88.2% for IgM anti-S, 98% for IgG anti-N, and 100% for IgG anti-S antibodies. Anti-N IgM antibodies peaked at days 14 and 30 with high positive values (>0.260), while anti-S IgM antibodies showed elevated levels (>0.990) at days 7 and 14. For IgG, anti-N antibodies reached their highest levels (>0.810) at month 4, while anti-S IgG antibodies maintained high positive values (>0.490) at days 7 and 14, and remained elevated at months 4 and 6. No significant differences in antibody levels were observed based on gender, age, comorbidities, or symptoms presence.
ConclusionA typical adaptive immune response was observed in naïve individuals infected with the initial SARS-CoV-2 variant, showing typical IgM and IgG antibody production from day 7 to month 6. We specifically investigated immunologically naïve individuals infected with the first circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant, from the earliest stage of infection, a context that is no longer reproducible.
by Zonghan Lei, Yaoqi Hou, Xiangqin Song
Long-term motor training is thought to reshape brain organization, yet how golf expertise influences large-scale brain networks remains unclear. Using T1-weighted MRI and an individualized structural covariance network (SCN) approach, we compared 20 expert golfers, 20 novice golfers, and 20 non-golfer controls. Experts showed higher global clustering coefficient and local efficiency than novices, indicating enhanced modular processing. At the nodal level, experts exhibited increased clustering in regions supporting visual–sensorimotor integration (e.g., right supramarginal gyrus, Heschl’s gyrus, and left middle temporal pole), alongside reduced global efficiency in the left calcarine cortex and altered path length in the right cerebellum. Importantly, the clustering coefficient mediated the association between training duration and stroke accuracy. These cross-sectional findings suggest that extensive golf training is linked to a brain network reconfiguration that favors local specialization over global integration—potentially supporting the refined sensorimotor control required in elite performance. This study advances understanding of experience-dependent neuroplasticity by integrating individualized network analysis with behavioral outcomes in motor expertise.
FreshRSS 