Conectar
by Danai Sangthong, Pradit Sangthong, Warin Rangubpit, Prapasiri Pongprayoon, Eukote Suwan, Kannika Wongpanit, Wissanuwat Chimnoi, Pacharathon Simking, Sinsamut Sae Ngow, Serge Morand, Roger W. Stich, Sathaporn Jittapalapong
Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses were conducted on tick specimens collected from cattle in northern, northeastern, central, and southern regions of Thailand. Morphological identification indicated these ticks consisted of three species, Rhipicephalus microplus from all four regions, R. sanguineus from the northern and northeastern regions, and a Haemaphysalis species only collected from the northeastern region. Analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences identified R. microplus clades A and C, while clade B was not detected in this study. The same analysis indicated specimens morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis were H. bispinosa, confirming previous reports of their prevalence in northeastern Thailand. H. bispinosa showed low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, suggesting either a bottleneck or founder effect. Both R. microplus clades displayed high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity, a pattern associated with population expansion. Genetic structural analysis revealed significant genetic differences in R. microplus clade A, especially between mainland (northern, northeastern, and central regions) and peninsular (southern region) populations, which indicated limited gene flow between these areas while suggesting movement of these ticks across the mainland. The sequence analyses described in this report enhance understanding of the natural history of ticks in Thailand and are expected to guide and strengthen tick control strategies across Southeast Asia.When providing end-of-life care, nurses are faced with challenges related to the dying process. Aesthetic concepts exert a more profound influence than empirical evidence or logical reasoning. However, while the aesthetic aspect in end-of-life care demonstrates the inherent beauty of nursing, there are few manifestations of aesthetics to express the professional challenges in end-of-life care as experienced by nurses.
This study aimed to investigate and elucidate the lived experiences of the professional challenges encountered by nurses in end-of-life care.
A hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study was employed.
This study was conducted from September to December 2023 in China. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit ten registered hospice nurses engaged in end-of-life care in a hospital. Data collection involved ‘Storytelling and Drawing Technique’ followed by focus group discussion. van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used in the data analysis.
Essential themes were grouped based on existential themes of van Manen's four lived worlds, delineating: (1) Lived body: insufficient comprehension depth; (2) Lived space: unfavourable ambiance within the ward setting; (3) Lived time: negative impact of traditional culture; and (4) Lived human relations: intricacies inherent in decision-making dynamics.
After understanding the challenges of nurses in end-of-life care reflected by aesthetic expressions, proactive steps can be taken to address these issues and thereby facilitate a positive transformation.
The authors have adhered to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research(COREQ) Standards.
No patient or public contribution
To synthesise the current research on long-term care workers' perceptions (i.e., attitudes, concerns, and expected functions) of robot-assisted care and their perceived effects of different types of robot-assisted care for older adults in long-term care facilities.
Scoping review.
A search was conducted in July 2024 using five databases. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 on the perceptions and/or perceived effects of robot-assisted care for older adults among frontline long-term care workers in long-term care facilities were identified. Additionally, the reference lists of the included articles were manually searched.
A five-step framework that guided the development of research questions, screening of studies, and synthesis and presentation of data was adopted. Two authors independently screened and analysed the identified articles. Conflicts were resolved through joint-discussions.
Forty-one articles were included in the review. Data were narratively synthesised into three categories: expected function of care robots, perceived effects of robot-assisted care, and attitudes and concerns regarding robot-assisted care. Subcategories were identified and presented in tabular form.
This review shows the physical, psychological, social, and practical benefits and limitations of different types of robot-assisted care. It also contributes to understanding long-term care workers' attitudes, concerns, and expectations regarding the function of robot-assisted care.
Having a priori discussion with long-term care workers about their expectations regarding using robot-assisted care is needed. Improvements in the design and in the digital literacy of the workers are also necessary.
This review provides an overview of the perceptions and perceived effects of different types of robot-assisted care among care workers in long-term care facilities. The findings provide practical implications and highlight areas in need of further studies.
Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) checklist.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
To investigate the relationship between a quality of life (QOL) score and clinical parameters in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
A multicentre cross-sectional study.
We analysed data from the Searching for Atrial Fibrillation and Early Recruitment of Heart Failure in HCM registry, collected between 2018 and 2023.
Patients with HCM (n=499) aged ≥18 years from 12 institutions (Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) were consecutively enrolled.
Clinical parameters, along with data from a short form of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12), were collected. The association between each clinical parameter and the KCCQ-12 score was analysed. Clinical parameters with a significant univariable association (p
In the univariable analysis, KCCQ-12 scores exhibited significant associations with 21 clinical parameters, including sex, left ventricular morphology and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The multiple regression model with 12 parameters that had a significant univariable association exhibited an adjusted R2 of 0.48. In this model, the PSQI (standardised coefficient –0.39; p
In patients with HCM, we investigated the association between the KCCQ-12 score and various clinical parameters. PSQI, as well as known heart failure-related clinical parameters, was significantly associated with the KCCQ-12 score. Visualising the associations of various clinical parameters with the KCCQ-12 score will help physicians to consider factors linked to the decline in QOL in patients with HCM.
Palliative and end-of-life care in the intensive care unit (ICU) is crucial for improving the quality of life of critically ill patients. However, no consensus exists on the most effective quality indicators (QIs) for assessing this care. This systematic review aims to identify and analyse the characteristics of QIs used in palliative and end-of-life care for ICU patients.
The Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis 2020 guidelines will conduct this systematic review to ensure methodological transparency and rigour. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect and BASE. Studies published up to 30 March 2025, will be included. The quality of indicators will be assessed using the appraisal of indicators through research and evaluation tool, and the characteristics of QIs will be analysed using the Donabedian model of quality. Data synthesis will include thematic analysis.
Ethical approval is not required as this study does not involve human participants. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
CRD42024513075.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of groin rash among Thai military personnel and to identify associated risk factors, clinical features and patient perceptions. We also evaluated care-seeking behaviour and treatment practices.
Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.
Conducted among Thai military personnel in a tropical environment.
A total of 500 male military personnel were recruited between August 2022 and September 2023. Of these, 475 participants were included in the analysis, while 25 were excluded due to non-participation in field training. Eligibility was restricted to those actively engaged in field exercises at the time of study.
Not applicable.
Primary outcome was the prevalence of groin rash, defined by self-report aided by standardised clinical images. Secondary outcomes included risk factors, rash morphology, symptom severity, treatment practices and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Associations were analysed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and other covariates.
Lifetime prevalence of groin rash was 22.3% (106/475), and the point prevalence was 3.8% (18/475). Among those with rash, 39.6% were classified as probable fungal infections. Independent risk factors included reusing underwear (aOR 2.25; 95% CI 1.27 to 3.99; p=0.005) restricted bathing time (aOR 1.73; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.83; p=0.030) and higher BMI (aOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.42; p=0.030). Most affected participants (54.7%) reported minimal impact on daily life, and only 18.9% sought professional care. Self-medication was common, with 50% using topical over-the-counter antifungals alone, while 16% used a combination of oral and topical drugs. Relapse occurred in 36.1% of cases.
Groin rash is relatively common among young Thai military personnel and is associated with modifiable hygiene-related factors. Only a small proportion of affected individuals appear to present for medical evaluation. Educational interventions emphasising regular laundering and adequate bathing during training may assist in reducing its prevalence.
To compare in-hospital and long-term outcomes between culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and multivessel PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock and multivessel coronary artery disease.
Retrospective subgroup analysis of the multicentre Gulf-Cardiogenic Shock registry.
13 tertiary care centres across six Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain) between January 2020 and December 2022.
961 patients with angiographically confirmed multivessel coronary artery disease who underwent PCI were included from the Gulf-Cardiogenic Shock registry. Patients were divided into culprit-only PCI group (n=792, 82.4%) and multivessel PCI group (n=169, 17.6%). Patients with single-vessel disease were excluded.
Patients underwent either culprit-only PCI (intervention limited to the culprit artery) or multivessel PCI (immediate intervention to both culprit and non-culprit arteries during the same procedure).
The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included reinfarction, cerebrovascular accident, major and minor bleeding events, target lesion revascularisation, target vessel revascularisation, hospital stay duration and freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) at 6 and 12 months.
Hospital mortality was comparable between multivessel PCI and culprit-only PCI groups (43.2% vs 46.1%; p=0.493). Freedom from MACCE rates at 6 and 12 months were 62% and 46% for multivessel PCI versus 70% and 49% for culprit-only PCI, respectively (log-rank p=0.711). Subgroup analysis revealed that culprit-only PCI was associated with increased hospital mortality in patients older than 70 years (OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.39). Multivariable analysis of the interaction between revascularisation strategy and the subgroups revealed that culprit vessel revascularisation was associated with increased mortality in patients with left main disease (OR: 1.99 (95% CI: 1.22 to 3.27), p=0.006) and left anterior descending lesions (OR: 1.54 (95% CI: 1.06 to 2.25), p=0.025).
No statistically significant differences in hospital mortality or long-term MACCE-free survival were observed between culprit-only PCI and multivessel PCI strategies in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. However, patients older than 70 years may benefit from a multivessel PCI approach. These findings support current guideline recommendations favouring culprit-only PCI due to reduced procedural complexity while highlighting the need for individualised treatment strategies based on patient age and clinical factors. Further prospective randomised studies are needed to validate these age-specific findings and identify optimal patient selection criteria for each revascularisation strategy.
Poststroke individuals have a high incidence of falls during the first months after discharge. The factors contributing to falls in poststroke patients are multifaceted, with balance deficits being the most prominent. Fall-related self-efficacy has also been identified as a key factor influencing the effectiveness of fall prevention interventions. Additionally, family members play a crucial role in fall prevention by providing support, supervision and assistance with mobility and daily activities. While previous studies support the potential benefits of a fall prevention programme for poststroke individuals, further evidence is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Building on the positive outcomes of self-management (SM) interventions in reducing falls across diverse populations, this study aims to evaluate the effects of an individual and family SM (IFSM) fall prevention programme on balance ability and fall-related self-efficacy among poststroke individuals.
This study will be a two-arm, single-blind, pre–post test randomised controlled trial. The target sample will consist of 60 poststroke adults with moderate severity and their primary family members. The intervention group will receive the IFSM fall prevention programme, which consists of 10 weekly sessions. The main components of the programme are exercise, home environment assessment, assistive technology, medication review and safety during daily activities. The control group will receive usual care but will not participate in any specific intervention. Primary outcomes—balance ability and fall-related self-efficacy—will be assessed at baseline and week 8 after discharge. Secondary outcomes will include the number of falls and fall-related injuries.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committees of the Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University and the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University. The results will be disseminated to poststroke individuals and their families through workshops; to healthcare professionals via professional training and meetings; and to researchers via conferences and publications.
To synthesize evidence regarding the effectiveness of technology-based psychosocial interventions in improving health-related outcomes among family caregivers of stroke survivors.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was reported by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of psychosocial interventions delivered through information and communication technologies on self-efficacy, caregiving competence, caregiver burden, perceived social support, anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness were included. Two researchers independently selected studies, extracted data, and appraised the quality of the included studies. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and narrative synthesis were conducted.
Ten electronic databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, CINHAL, Embase, Institution of Electrical Engineers Xplore, Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis) were searched up to February 2023.
Nineteen studies involving 1717 participants fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Technology-based psychosocial interventions significantly improved self-efficacy (SMD = .62), caregiving competence (SMD = .55), depression (SMD = −.25) and anxiety (SMD = −.35). However, perceived social support, caregiver burden, and health-related quality of life did not show significant improvements. Subgroup analyses revealed that the interventions, lasting from 4 to 6 weeks and encompassing comprehensive contents, exhibited larger effect sizes. None of the studies measured cost-effectiveness.
The technology-based psychosocial interventions are effective in enhancing self-efficacy and caregiving competence, as well as alleviating anxiety, and depression among family caregivers of stroke survivors. Future research should investigate interventions delivered through various digital platforms using well-designed RCTs with in-depth qualitative data collection and measurement of health and cost-effectiveness outcomes.
Through psychosocial interventions, healthcare providers in clinical and community settings, particularly nurses, could incorporate technologies into current stroke care practices.
It is not applicable as this is a systematic review.
The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023402871).
FreshRSS 