The effect of patient aggression on healthcare workers’ mental health and anxiety mediated by psychological well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak

oai:repository.canterbury.ac.uk:97017The aftermath effects including overstressed health systems, increased number of cases, death rates, and patient aggression have significant implications on the healthcare workers’ psychological well-being. Building on both the Health Belief Model and Conservation of Resources theory, this study examined the impact of patient aggression on healthcare workers’ psychological well-being, anxiety, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the study tested the mediating role of psychological well-being in the abovementioned relationships. Data obtained from 549 Lebanese healthcare workers in private hospitals in a two-wave survey was used to evaluate the proposed study’s relationships, using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results indicated that patient aggression has significant negative impact on healthcare workers’ psychological well-being and mental health while it increases anxiety. Further, psychological well-being partially mediated the relationship between patient aggression and anxiety. Theoretical contributions, practical implications of the study, and suggestions for further studies are discussed

Prevalence rate of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in farmed white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Bushehr province

We surveyed presence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in farmed white leg shrimp in Bushehr province with assumed a prevalence of 2% of virus in target population. Hence, 468 samples were collected in two separate phases from May to October 2006. In the first phase, 200 samples (each sample was 150 pieces of post larvae with average age 7 days) were taken from 3 active hatcheries and in the second phase, 268 samples from 418 ponds in 5 sites were collected. Samples were tested by "Nested PCR" for detection of WSSV with 1Q2000 commercial kits. Results were negative and with respect to sampling method and sensitivity and specifity of Nested PCR we concluded that cultured shrimps were free of WSSV in 2006 in Bushehr province

Evaluation of Calvatia Craniformis Mushroom Activity in Treatment of Ringworm Disease Ion Cattle

In order to determine and treatment of the dermatophytosis , that infections in cattle, skin scraping samples were collected from thirty cattle which showed clinical  signs of skin diseases from some farms in different areas in Diyala  governorate. The isolation results in cattle samples showed that (90%) were positive for fungal isolation. The main fungal species that isolated included Trichophyton verrucosum. Three different concentration of Calvatia craniformis mushroom ointment are prepared to obtain (0.25%,0.50% and 1%) of the mushroom ointment respectively and then applied topically to lesion  once daily.Sixty infected cattles in different age and sex were involved in our study  and divided into two  groups ; the first is treatment group and, the second is the control group. The treatment group includes thirty patients  were treated by one of the three concentrations ( Ten patients 0.25% , Ten patients 0.50%, Ten patients 1% concentrations). The control group included thirty patients was treated by 1% sulpher ointment . The 1% mushroom ointment significantly reduce  clearance time  (P<0.05) in comparison with the control group , while other concentration produce non significant changes in clearance time , therefore this substance in all preparations is effective in the treatment of ringworm  . Keywords: ringworm, dermatophytosis, Calvatia craniformi

On Parallel Paths: Learning through Case Studies in the Writing Pedagogy Course

This article reports on a case study project assigned in a writing pedagogy course. The authors, four graduate teaching assistants and their professor, share their case study questions, experiences, and challenges. Via the case study assignment, the TAs identified parallel experiences they shared with their students. Recognizing parallel paths helps first-year TAs reflect on their experiences as teachers and learners, build connections with students, and develop sustainable teaching practices beyond the first year. The authors share strategies for identifying parallel paths and encourage TA educators to incorporate them into the writing pedagogy course

Retrospective assessment of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 mRNA and protein expression and its association with patient survival in breast cancer

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is an atypical member of the cyclin‐dependent kinase family and functions as a serine/threonine kinase that can be activated by non‐cyclin binding activators p35 or p39. Cdk5 expression and activity has been linked with the development and progression of cancer; however, its expression in breast cancer has not been fully described. Protein expression of Cdk5 was determined in a large cohort of early‐stage invasive breast cancer tumours (n = 1110) with long‐term follow‐up data using immunohistochemistry. Expression of CDK5 mRNA was assessed in the METABRIC cohort (n = 1980). Low nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Cdk5 expression was significantly associated with shorter breast cancer‐specific survival (P = .004 and P = .001, respectively). Importantly, low nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Cdk5 remained associated with survival in multivariate analysis, including potentially confounding factors (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.612, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.418‐0.896, P = .011 and HR = 0.507, 95% CI = 0.318‐0.809, P = .004, respectively). In addition, low nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Cdk5 was significantly associated with clinicopathological criteria associated with adverse patient prognosis. Low CDK5 mRNA expression was associated with shorter patient survival (P = .005) in the METABRIC cohort; no associations between copy gain or loss and survival were observed. These data suggest that low Cdk5 expression is associated with poor clinical outcome of breast cancer patients and may be of clinical relevance

Rabies Management Implications Based on Raccoon Population Density Indexes

An estimate or index of target species density is important in determining oral rabies vaccination (ORV) bait densities to control and eliminate specific rabies variants. From 1997–2011, we indexed raccoon (Procyon lotor) densities 253 times based on cumulative captures on 163 sites from Maine to Alabama, USA, near ORV zones created to prevent raccoon rabies from spreading to new areas. We conducted indexing under a common cage trapping protocol near the time of annual ORV to aid in bait density decisions. Unique raccoons (n = 8,415) accounted for 68.0% of captures (n = 12,367). We recaptured raccoons 2,669 times. We applied Schnabel and Huggins mark‐recapture models on sites with ≥3 years of capture data and ≥25% recaptures as context for raccoon density indexes (RDIs). Simple linear relationships between RDIs and mark‐recapture estimates supported application of our 2 index. Raccoon density indexes ranged from 0.0–56.9 raccoons/km . For bait density decisions, we evaluated RDIs in the following 4 raccoon density groups, which were statistically different: (0.0–5.0 [n = 70], 5.1–15.0 [n = 129], 15.1–25.0 [n = 31], and \u3e25.0 raccoons/km2 [n = 23]). Mean RDI was positively associated with a higher percentage of developed land cover and a lower percentage of evergreen forest. Non‐target species composition (excluding recaptured raccoons) accounted for 32.0% of captures. Potential bait competitors accounted for 76.5% of non‐targets. The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was the primary potential bait competitor from 27°N to 44°N latitude, north of which it was numerically replaced by the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). We selected the RDI approach over mark-recapture methods because of costs, geographic scope, staff availability, and the need for supplemental serologic samples. The 4 density groups provided adequate sensitivity to support bait density decisions for the current 2 bait density options. Future improvements to the method include providing random trapping locations to field personnel to prevent trap clustering and marking non‐targets to better characterize bait competitors

Clinical decision-making on spinal cord injury-associated pneumonia: a nationwide survey in Germany

Study design: Survey study. Objectives: Spinal cord injury (SCI)-associated pneumonia (SCI-AP) is associated with poor functional recovery and a major cause of death after SCI. Better tackling SCI-AP requires a common understanding on how SCI-AP is defined. This survey examines clinical algorithms relevant for diagnosis and treatment of SCI-AP. Setting: All departments for SCI-care in Germany. Methods: The clinical decision-making on SCI-AP and the utility of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for diagnosis of ‘clinically defined pneumonia’ were assessed by means of a standardized questionnaire including eight case vignettes of suspected SCI-AP. The diagnostic decisions based on the case information were analysed using classification and regression trees (CART). Results: The majority of responding departments were aware of the CDC-criteria (88%). In the clinical vignettes, 38–81% of the departments diagnosed SCI-AP in accordance with the CDC-criteria and 7–41% diagnosed SCI-AP in deviation from the CDC-criteria. The diagnostic agreement was not associated with the availability of standard operating procedures for SCI-AP management in the departments. CART analysis identified radiological findings, fever, and worsened gas exchange as most important for the decision on SCI-AP. Frequently requested supplementary diagnostics were microbiological analyses, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin. For empirical antibiotic therapy, the departments used (acyl-)aminopenicillins/β-lactamase inhibitors, cephalosporins, or combinations of (acyl-)aminopenicillins/β-lactamase inhibitors with fluoroquinolones or carbapenems. Conclusions: This survey reveals a diagnostic ambiguity regarding SCI-AP despite the awareness of CDC-criteria and established SOPs. Heterogeneous clinical practice is encouraging the development of disease-specific guidelines for diagnosis and management of SCI-AP

EFFECT OF PRE- AND POST-MATING VITAMINS AD3E TREATMENT ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF AWASSI EWES

This study was designed to investigate the influence of pre-estrus (PE) synchronization and post-mating (PM) vitamins AD3E treatment on the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes raised at four Iraqi provinces. Seventy six Awassi ewes were randomly divided within each province into two groups. The first group (n=15, except for Karbala, n= 11) were im injected with five AD3E injections (150 IU / dose), biweekly interval. The 1st injection was 1.5 months PM, while the 2nd and 3rd injections were at the time of progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponges insertion. The 4th injection was at the time of the vaginal sponge’s removal, whereas the 5th injection was 14 days PM. The control group (n=5) was intramuscularly injected with 5 ml normal saline at similar periods. The AD3E groups exhibited higher (P≤0.01) fertility and conception rates as compared to the control groups in Al-Najaf and Karbala provinces. Higher (P≤0.01) lambing rate and liter size were noticed in AD3E groups than those of the control group for all provinces. In conclusion, pre-estrus synchronization and post-mating vitamin AD3E treatment improved the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes

African women in science and development, bridging the gender gap

Science and technology play a fundamental role in driving social progress and economic growth in today's rapidly evolving world. Yet, despite considerable advancements, the gender gap in science remains a harsh reality, particularly for African women. This inequality directly impedes their invaluable perspectives and contributions to scientific advancements and innovations. Africa's development requires significant investment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and leadership. This opinion piece delves into the gender disparity prevailing in STEM, emphasizes the challenges that African women experience, highlights the immense potential that African women possess, and finally advocates for immediate efforts to bridge this gap