Abstract:

Suicide is a global phenomenon, with more than 700,000 people worldwide taking their own life yearly. Both natural and human-made disaster may have a detrimental effect on suicidal behaviors both in the short-term and in the long-term. Many studies focused on the acute impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidality. The aim of the study was to analyze demographic and clinical features of subjects accessing the emergency rooms for suicidality during the second epidemic wave of COVID-19 in five emergency departments in Lombardy (Italy). A retrospective chart review was conducted in the five emergency departments for the period 4 June – 31 December 2020, and during the same time lapse in 2019. For all subjects accessing for suicidality, socio-demographic and clinical data were collected and compared between the two years. No differences between the two years were found for sex, triage priority level, history of substance abuse, factor triggering suicidality and discharge diagnosis. During 2020 a greater proportion of subjects did not show any previous mental disorder, however, more subjects were already taking anxiolytic medications before the admission. Among a range of possible risk factors, attempted suicide, depression diagnosis and taking medications before the admission were found to be predictor of admission to psychiatric inpatient units. Characterizing subjects prone to suicidality during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, our study provides hints for mid-term causes of suicidality and possible preventive measures that could be helpful in the course and after massive infectious outbreaks.

Abstract:

Background: In both developed and developing nations, childhood poisoning is a significant source of morbidity. The majority of poisoning incidents involving teenagers happen accidentally and are brought on by liquid intake. Case Presentation: A 6-year-old school-aged child with possible organophosphate pesticide poisoning was sent to the emergency department. At the time of his arrival at the emergency department, the patient's mental condition had already been injured. He had a moderate traumatic brain injury when he entered the emergency room and scored an 9/15 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. His medical examination upon arrival revealed lacrimation, hypersalivation, a dry mouth, and pinpoint pupils. Atropine (0.05 mg/kg) was administered intravenously to him once in the emergency room. In pediatric critical care unit, he received continuous infusions of pralidoxime at a rate of 10 mg/kg/hour for 16 hours after receiving an intravenous infusion of atropine at a rate of 1 mg/kg/hour for the first 4 hours, followed by 2 further atropine infusions at a rate of 1 mg/kg/hour for the next 4 hours. Conclusion: Globally, childhood poisoning is a major cause of hospitalization, disability, and death. Ingesting organophosphates can lead to poisoning in children.

Abstract: Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections in poultry, particularly in commercial layer chickens, pose a critical risk to food safety and public health worldwide. NTS bacteria can remain undetected in poultry flocks, contaminating products, and potentially leading to gastroenteritis in humans. This review examines pre-harvest control strategies for NTS in layer chickens, including biosecurity protocols, vaccinations, feed additives, genetic selection, and environmental management. By evaluating these strategies, this review highlights the importance of integrated control measures to limit NTS colonization, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and improve poultry health. This review aims to provide producers, researchers, and policymakers with insights into effective practices to minimize Salmonella contamination and enhance both animal and human health outcomes.

Abstract:

Background and importance: Immunoglobulins, lactoalbumin, lactoperoxidase, casein, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and amylase are just a few of the proteins found in camel milk. Camel milk appears to be safe and effective in enhancing long-term glycemic control and also acts as a facilitator in lowering the insulin demand by 30% for type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, therefore, it can be utilized as an alternative to insulin therapy. Alpha-hydroxyl acids, which are utilized to help exfoliate dead skin cells and enable skin renewal and new cell creation, are more concentrated in camel milk. The two main components of camel milk are lactoferrin and immunoglobulins, which provide the milk with its immune-stimulating qualities. Aims of the study: The goal of this review is to discuss the medicinal, physiological, and nutritional advantages of camel milk for people's health. Methodology: For the purpose of this review article, the author evaluated 56 different published articles. Access to published publications from databases like PubMed, the Scopus database, and the Cochrane database was made possible by using the Google search engine. Discussion: Because the milk of immunized camels contains neutralizing antibodies, it can provide passive immunity to individuals who have SARS-CoV-2. Lactoferrin, the primary iron-attaching protein in camel milk, is effective in preventing the growth of cancer by 56%. Camel milk has a lot of ascorbic acids, which help improve liver function. Conclusion: Camel milk has numerous therapeutic benefits, including antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic properties.

Abstract: Wearable devices gain increasing attention for use in multifunctional applications related to health monitoring, particularly in research of the circadian rhythms of cognitive functions and metabolic processes. In this comprehensive review, we encompass how wearables can be used to study circadian rhythms in health and disease. We highlight the importance of these rhythms as markers of health and well-being, and as potential predictors for health outcomes. We focus on the use of wearable technologies in sleep research, circadian medicine, and chronomedicine beyond the -ircadian domain, with an emphasis on actigraphy as a validated tool for monitoring sleep, activity, and light exposure. We discuss various mathematical methods currently used to analyze actigraphic data, such as parametric and non-parametric approaches, applied to quantify circadian and non-circadian variability. We also introduce novel actigraphy-derived markers, which can be used as personalized proxies of health status, assisting in discriminating between health and disease, offering insights into neurobehavioral and metabolic status. We discuss how lifestyle factors such as physical activity and light exposure can modulate brain functions and metabolic health. We emphasize the importance of establishing reference standards for actigraphic measures to further refine data interpretation and improve clinical and research outcomes. The review calls for further research to refine existing tools and methods, deepen our understanding of circadian health, and develop personalized healthcare strategies.

Abstract: The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance in Africa, coupled with limited access to advanced antibiotics and high rates of bacterial infections, poses a serious public health challenge. Bacteriophages, viruses that target and destroy bacteria, present a promising alternative or complementary therapy to traditional antibiotics. Phage therapy leverages its unique ability to target specific bacterial strains without affecting the host's beneficial microbiota. It is an effective tool against multi-drug-resistant infections, particularly in resource-limited settings. This paper explores the potential of phage therapy in Africa, highlighting its advantages, such as specificity, minimal side effects, and cost-effectiveness, alongside its capability to tackle biofilm-associated and antibiotic-resistant infections. It reviews current research and collaborations, including case studies from Nigeria, Benin, and South Africa, that demonstrate the efficacy of phage therapy against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges to implementation, such as regulatory hurdles, public scepticism, and infrastructure limitations, while emphasising the importance of developing local production and awareness campaigns. The paper concludes by recommending the integration of phage therapy into Africa’s healthcare strategies to address AMR. Through strategic partnerships, education, and regulatory frameworks, phage therapy could become a transformative solution, particularly for neglected diseases and infections common in low-resource settings. As Africa seeks innovative approaches to its growing AMR crisis, phage therapy stands out as a viable and adaptable option.

Abstract: Both virtual reality (VR) and aromatherapy have shown significant potential in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. Aromatherapy has been noted to improve the immersive quality of VR experiences. However, the combined use of these interventions for older adults has not been systematically explored. This scoping review aims to identify existing VR programs supported by aromatherapy and evaluate their outcomes on older adults' well-being. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the review included both published and unpublished studies. A search across ten databases yielded 901 publications, from which six studies were analyzed, involving 94 participants with a mean age of 70 to 83 years. Results revealed positive impacts on well-being, cognition, and social engagement. Outcome measures included physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive aspects like special orientation, stress, happiness, memory, and social interaction. Benefits included enhanced spatial awareness, memory, happiness, and reduced stress. Multisensory VR environments also fostered socialization through shared experiences and nostalgia. However, the individual differences in VR experiences indicate a need for personalized content. Despite promising findings, limited evidence supports clinical application in nursing practice. Further research is required to validate the health benefits of combining VR with aromatherapy.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affected antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare, including Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). This study aimed to (1) assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and respiratory tract infections (RTIs), and identify predictors of inappropriate use, and (2) analyze changes in prescribing practices relative to the pandemic’s onset. Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records from a 300-bed SNF (March 2019 - March 2021) identified suspected UTIs and RTIs based on laboratory tests and antibiotic requests. Antibiotic prescription appropriateness was defined by clinical and microbiological alignment with the McGeer criteria, which are standardized infection definitions for long-term care residents, for UTI and RTI. Logistic regression models identified predictors of inappropriate prescribing, and an interrupted time-series analysis (ITS) examined trends relative to the pandemic onset (March 11, 2020) in Arizona. Results: Among 370 antibiotic prescriptions, 77% of UTI and 61% of RTI prescriptions were inappropriate per the McGeer criteria. Acute dysuria and increased urgency were associated with lower odds of inappropriate UTI prescribing. For RTIs, a positive COVID-19 test increased odds of inappropriate prescribing, while fever and acute functional decline lowered them. UTI prescriptions and inappropriateness overall increased during the pandemic, but no significant ITS trends emerged. For RTIs, no significant changes in prescribing or inappropriateness relative to the pandemic were observed. Conclusions: Over two-thirds of antibiotics prescribed for UTI and RTI were inappropriate, with these trends persisting during the pandemic. Findings emphasize the need for robust antimicrobial stewardship during and after public health emergencies.

Abstract: Advances in non-invasive neuromodulation (NM) have enabled practitioners to modulate neural activity safely, offering a promising approach to treating neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions. This study aimed to analyze the training profiles of NM practitioners and assess their perceptions of NM’s clinical efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction. An online survey was conducted among 117 practitioners in various healthcare fields, using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale to gauge outcomes. Findings indicate that 99.13% of practitioners perceive NM as effective, with high rates of patient improvement in quality of life and symptom management. The study underscores the importance of standardized NM training protocols to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: CONTEXT Systematic evaluation of a practitioner’s adherence and competence in delivering psychotherapeutic interventions can be complex. This study describes the development of a fidelity assessment tool for the Reitman Centre CARERS Program (RCCP), a carer group psychotherapy intervention with multiple didactic and clinical components. The tool’s value in informing psychotherapy training and best practice for practitioners from diverse professional settings is examined. METHODS The RCCP Fidelity Assessment Tool (RCCP-FAT) was developed following an iterative process of item writing and checking. Seven components of the RCCP – Group Structure, Dementia Education, Problem Solving Techniques, Therapeutic Simulation, Vertical/Horizontal Cohesion, Overall Global Rating – were assessed, with 3 to 8 items and a “global score” assigned to each. Fifteen trained raters were paired-up to rate 36 RCCP sessions using RCCP-FAT. Rater agreement, correlation between itemized and global scores, and correlation between global ratings and RCCP participants’ satisfaction were calculated. RESULTS 1188 RCCP-FAT items were rated by each of the 2 Rater Groups. Rater agreement was calculated to be 54.3% (κ = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.02681- 0.3729). A positive correlation was found between itemized and global scoring for four RCCP components evaluated (R = 0.833 to 0.929; p