Αντιλήψεις Εκπαιδευτικών της Κύπρου σχετικά με τις Διαστάσεις της Εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευσης στην Αρχική Περίοδο της Πανδημίας COVID-19.

Η εμφάνιση της πανδημίας, έχει φέρει αρκετές αλλαγές σε όλους τους τομείς του ανθρώπου. Συγκεκριμένα, στην εκπαίδευση, αναγκάστηκαν να χρησιμοποιήσουν την εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση, για να μπορέσουν να συνεχίσουν την εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία. Ωστόσο, φαίνεται πως η απόφαση αυτή δημιούργησε άγχος και αβεβαιότητα, αφού οι περισσότεροι εκπαιδευτικοί δεν χρειάστηκε ποτέ να εργαστούν κατά αυτό τον τρόπο και παράλληλα να υποστηρίζουν τους μαθητές τους, τόσο μαθησιακά όσο και συναισθηματικά. Ο στόχος της μελέτης είναι να διερευνήσει τη σχέση της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας (Ψ.Α) με τις διαστάσεις της εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας με βάση τις αντιλήψεις των εκπαιδευτικών της Κύπρου. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 281 εκπαιδευτικοί που κατοικούν στη Κύπρο, οι οποίοι συμπλήρωσαν ένα ερωτηματολόγιο σχετικά με τις αντιλήψεις εκπαιδευτικών σχετικά με τις ψυχοκοινωνικές διαστάσεις στο σχολικό περιβάλλον για την αρχική περίοδο της πανδημίας COVID-19, το οποίο σχεδιάστηκε ειδικά για τους σκοπούς της έρευνας, καθώς και τη σύντομη κλίμακα της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας, Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008). Στα αποτελέσματα βρέθηκαν σημαντικές συσχετίσεις που αφορούν τη ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα, αλλά και τις διαστάσεις της εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας. Επίσης, βρέθηκαν στατιστικώς σημαντικές διαφορές ως προς τα δημογραφικά στοιχεία, τη ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα και τις διαστάσεις της εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας. Τα ευρήματα της έρευνας υπογραμμίζουν τη σημαντικότητα εφαρμογής προγραμμάτων επιμόρφωσης των εκπαιδευτικών για την κατάλληλη διεξαγωγή της εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας, καθώς και τρόπους διαχείρισης και υποστήριξης των μαθητών σε κρίσιμες περιόδους. Παράλληλα, υπογραμμίζεται η αναγκαιότητα εφαρμογής προγραμμάτων για την προαγωγή της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας στους εκπαιδευτικούς.The appearance of the pandemic has brought many changes in every aspect of everyday life. Specifically for education, they were forced from circumstances to use distance learning to be able to continue the educational process. However, it shows that this decision has created stress and uncertainty, since most of the teachers never had worked in these circumstances before, plus supporting their students educationally and emotionally. The aim of this study is to examine the connection between the psychological resilience with the distance learning based on the perceptions of teachers in Cyprus. The participation of the study was 281 teachers living in Cyprus, that completed the questionnaire about their perceptions according to the psychosocial dimensions in the school environment during the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic period, which was designed specifically for the research purpose and the short scale of mental resilience, Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008). The results showed major important correlations concerning the psychological resilience and the dimensions of distance learning. Moreover, major differences in terms of demographics, psychological resilience and distance learning were found. The research findings underline the importance of implantation of training programs for the teachers to achieve better results in distance learning, and ways of managing and supporting the students in times of crisis. Lastly, the results show the need of implementation of programs to promote the psychological resilience of the teachers

Epidemiology and risk factors for resistance to treatment of Kawasaki disease in Cyprus

Kawasaki disease (KD) is one of the most common vasculitides of early childhood. There are no previous studies on KD in Cyprus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of KD in Cyprus, risk factors for resistance to treatment and the development of cardiac complications. This is a retrospective multicenter study of pediatric patients with KD hospitalized between January 2000 and-December 2019. The data were collected from medical records. A total of 136 patients with KD were included in the study. 83% of patients were < 5 years of age and 10% were < 6 months. Thirty patients (22%) developed coronary artery lesions. Serum sodium ≤ 133 mmol/L, albumin ≤ 3.2 g/dl, ALT ≥ 80 U/L and neutrophils percentage ≥ 80% at diagnosis, were identified as risk factors for resistance to IVIG. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of KD in Cyprus population were similar to those reported in the literature. Although the majority of cases received appropriate treatment in time, cardiac complications still occurred

Transient up- and down-regulation of expression of myosin light chain 2 and myostatin mRNA mark the changes from stratified hyperplasia to muscle fiber hypertrophy in larvae of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)

Hyperplasia and hypertrophy are the two mechanisms by which muscle develops and grows. We study these two mechanisms, during the early development of white muscle in Sparus aurata, by means of histology and the expression of structural and regulatory genes. A clear stage of stratified hyperplasia was identified early in the development of gilthead sea bream but ceased by 35 dph when hypertrophy took over. Mosaic recruitment of new white fibers began as soon as 60 dph. The genes mlc2a and mlc2b were expressed at various levels during the main phases of hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The genes myog and mlc2a were significantly up-regulated during the intensive stratified formation of new fibers and their expression was significantly correlated. Expression of mstn1 and igf1 increased at 35 dph, appeared to regulate the hyperplasia-to-hypertrophy transition, and may have stimulated the expression of mlc2a, mlc2b and col1a1 at the onset of mosaic hyperplasia. The up-regulation of mstn1 at transitional phases in muscle development indicates a dual regulatory role of myostatin in fish larval muscle growth

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Incompressible Poiseuille flows of Newtonian liquids with a pressure-dependent viscosity

The pressure-dependence of the viscosity becomes important in flows where high pressures are encountered. Applications include many polymer processing applications, microfluidics, fluid film lubrication, as well as simulations of geophysical flows. Under the assumption of unidirectional flow, we derive analytical solutions for plane, round, and annular Poiseuille flow of a Newtonian liquid, the viscosity of which increases linearly with pressure. These flows may serve as prototypes in applications involving tubes with small radius-to-length ratios. It is demonstrated that, the velocity tends from a parabolic to a triangular profile as the viscosity coefficient is increased. The pressure gradient near the exit is the same as that of the classical fully developed flow. This increases exponentially upstream and thus the pressure required to drive the flow increases dramatically. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved