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Gruode J, Martinkenas A, Kurmis M, Drungilas D, Lukosius Z, Tadzijevas A, Didziokas R, Jankunas V, Sapalas D. RT-qPCR-Based Assessment of the Efficacy of 222 nm UVC Irradiation in Reducing SARS-CoV-2 Surface Contamination. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:6129. [PMID: 37447977 DOI: 10.3390/s23136129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has emerged as a serious threat to human health worldwide. The effective disinfection of surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 may help prevent its spread. The aim of this study is to determine the duration required for viral RNA elimination by 222 nm far ultraviolet light using RT-qPCR as a tool. This study investigated the effect of 222 nm UVC irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 RNA in an in vitro experiment. The results showed that the copy number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA did not change even after 300 s of 222 nm UVC irradiation at 0.1 mW/cm2, but extending the exposure to more than 600 s reduced the number of copies of SARS-CoV-2 virus significantly. However, to fully validate the results and enhance the robustness of the findings, it is crucial to increase the number of samples analyzed in future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurate Gruode
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Arvydas Martinkenas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Mindaugas Kurmis
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Darius Drungilas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Zydrunas Lukosius
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Arturas Tadzijevas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Rimantas Didziokas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Valdas Jankunas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Deivydas Sapalas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
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Agostinis-Sobrinho C, Ramírez-Vélez R, García-Hermoso A, Rosário R, Moreira C, Lopes L, Martinkenas A, Mota J, Santos R. The combined association of adherence to Mediterranean diet, muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness on low-grade inflammation in adolescents: a pooled analysis. Eur J Nutr 2018; 58:2649-2656. [PMID: 30178141 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-018-1812-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Low-grade inflammation leads to several metabolic disorders, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and muscular fitness (MF) has been considered important markers of metabolic healthy in youth. We investigated the combined association of adherence to Mediterranean diet, and muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in adolescents. METHODS This is a cross-sectional analysis with 1462 adolescents (625 girls) aged 9-18 years from Colombia and Portugal. MedDiet was assessed by Kidmed questionnaire. Shuttle run test was used to assess CRF. MF was assessed by the standing long-jump and handgrip tests. High-sensitivity assays were used to obtain the hs-CRP level. RESULTS Logistic regression shows that subjects with a low adherence to MedDiet and LowMF/LowCRF had a similar odds (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.2-4.0) as those with an optimal adherence to MedDiet and LowMF/LowCRF (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.2-5.0) of expressing high inflammatory profile when compared to those with an optimal adherence to MedDiet and HighMF/HighCRF. In addition, ANCOVA showed that subjects classified as high adherence to MedDiet and HighMF/HighCRF had, on average, the lowest levels of hs-CRP (F(7,1454) = 2.051 p = 0.04). CONCLUSION The combination of optimal levels of CRF and MF and adherence to MedDiet is associated with lower hs-CRP. However, high MF and CRF seems to counteract the deleterious effect of having a low adherence to the MedDiet on hs-CRP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Agostinis-Sobrinho
- Faculty of Sport, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91., 4200-450, Porto, Portugal. .,Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
- Center of Studies in Physical Activity Measurements, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Antonio García-Hermoso
- Physical Activity, Sport and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Santiago de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Rafaela Rosário
- School of Nursing, Research Centre in Child Studies, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla Moreira
- Faculty of Sport, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91., 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Lopes
- Faculty of Sport, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91., 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Jorge Mota
- Faculty of Sport, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91., 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rute Santos
- Faculty of Sport, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91., 4200-450, Porto, Portugal.,Early Start Research Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Eismontas V, Slepavicius A, Janusonis V, Zeromskas P, Beisa V, Strupas K, Dambrauskas Z, Gulbinas A, Martinkenas A. Predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia occurring after a total thyroidectomy: results of prospective multicenter study. BMC Surg 2018; 18:55. [PMID: 30092793 PMCID: PMC6085643 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-018-0387-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid surgeries are among the most common operations performed in the world. Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy is a common complication that is sometimes difficult to correct. The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy and their clinical value. METHODS From January 2015 through to April 2017, 400 patients were included in this prospective multicenter study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy due to various thyroid diseases. The following risk factors were analyzed: pre-operative and post-operative biochemical blood parameters, clinical effects and factors related to surgery, the patient, and the disease. RESULTS Post-operative hypocalcemia developed in 257 patients (64.2%). Of them, 197 patients (76.7%) were diagnosed with asymptomatic hypocalcemia. Clinical symptoms were present in 60 of the 257 patients with hypocalcemia (23.3%). The statistically significant predictors of hypocalcemia were decreased calcium and ionized calcium pre-operatively (p < 0.001), parathyroid hormone on day one following surgery (p < 0.001), thyrotoxicosis <10 years before surgery (odds ratio 1.65, 95% CI 1.01-2.70, p = 0.046), the number of parathyroid glands found during surgery (odds ratio 0.52, 95% CI 0.38-0.70, p < 0.001), ligation of the trunk of the left inferior thyroid artery (odds ratio 2.04, 95% CI 1.27-3.29, p = 0.003), ligation of the trunk of the right inferior thyroid artery (odds ratio 2.37, 95% CI 1.47-3.81, p < 0.001), and the number of transplanted parathyroid glands (odds ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.12-2.97, p = 0.015). In the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, p = 0.029) and gender (odds ratio 5.94, 95% CI 1.13-31.26, p = 0.035) were statistically significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that there is a number of different patient (gender, age, and duration of thyrotoxicosis <10 years before surgery) and surgical (number of parathyroid glands found during surgery, decreased calcium and ionized calcium before surgery, parathyroid hormone on day one following surgery, and ligation of the trunk of the left and right inferior thyroid artery) risk factors predictive of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. Optimization of the surgical technique could possibly prevent the occurrence of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy in some cases; in other cases, identification of known risk factors post-operatively could permit early detection and effective treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalijus Eismontas
- Department of Abdominal and Endocrine Surgery, Klaipeda University Hospital, Liepojos St. 41, 92288, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Algirdas Slepavicius
- Department of Abdominal and Endocrine Surgery, Klaipeda University Hospital, Liepojos St. 41, 92288, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Vinsas Janusonis
- Department of Abdominal and Endocrine Surgery, Klaipeda University Hospital, Liepojos St. 41, 92288, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Paulius Zeromskas
- Department of Abdominal and Endocrine Surgery, Klaipeda University Hospital, Liepojos St. 41, 92288, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Virgilijus Beisa
- Centre of Abdominal Surgery, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Kestutis Strupas
- Centre of Abdominal Surgery, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Zilvinas Dambrauskas
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Antanas Gulbinas
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Arvydas Martinkenas
- Department of Medical Technologies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
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Agostinis-Sobrinho C, Santos R, Rosário R, Moreira C, Lopes L, Mota J, Martinkenas A, García-Hermoso A, Correa-Bautista JE, Ramírez-Vélez R. Optimal Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet May Not Overcome the Deleterious Effects of Low Physical Fitness on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Pooled Analysis. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10070815. [PMID: 29941782 PMCID: PMC6073276 DOI: 10.3390/nu10070815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To examine the combined association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular fitness (MF), and adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) on cardiovascular risk in adolescents, a pooled study, including cross-sectional data from two projects [2477 adolescents (1320 girls) aged 12–18 years], was completed. A shuttle run test was used to assess CRF. MF was assessed by the standing-long jump and handgrip tests. Adherence to a MeDiet was assessed by the Kidmed questionnaire. A cardiovascular risk score was computed from the following components: Age and sex, waist circumference, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and glucose. Analysis of covariance showed that participants classified as having optimal (High) adherence to a MeDiet/HighMF/HighCRF, as well those classified as low adherence to a MeDiet/HighMF/HighCRF, had, on average, the lowest cardiovascular risk score (F = 15.6; p < 0.001). In addition, the high adherence to a MeDiet/LowMF/LowCRF group had the highest odds of having a high cardiovascular risk (OR = 7.1; 95% CI: 3.4–15.1; p < 0.001), followed by the low adherence to a MeDiet/LowMF/LowCRF group (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.2–6.3; p < 0.001), high adherence to a MeDiet/HighMF/LowCRF group (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4–7.0; p = 0.006), and low adherence to a MeDiet/LowMF/HighCRF group (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5–4.4; p = 0.002) when compared to those with high adherence to a MeDiet/HighMF/HighCRF, after adjustments for potential confounders. In conclusion, our findings showed that, regardless of the MeDiet status, adolescents with low MF and low CRF cumulatively, presented the highest cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, these findings suggest that the combination of these two fitness components may be beneficial to adolescents’ cardiometabolic profile, independent of MeDiet behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Agostinis-Sobrinho
- School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Federal University of the South of Brazil, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil.
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200450 Porto, Portugal.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, LT-91274 Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Rute Santos
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200450 Porto, Portugal.
- Early Start Research Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Rafaela Rosário
- School of Nursing, Research Centre in Child Studies, University of Minho, 4710 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Carla Moreira
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200450 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luís Lopes
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200450 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Jorge Mota
- Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200450 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Arvydas Martinkenas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, LT-91274 Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Antonio García-Hermoso
- Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte y la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago 7500618, Chile.
| | - Jorge Enrique Correa-Bautista
- Centro de Estudios Para la Medición de la Actividad Física CEMA, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
| | - Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
- Centro de Estudios Para la Medición de la Actividad Física CEMA, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
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Abstract
Purpose/Aim The paper aims to analyse the perception of being empowered according to the self-evaluation of nurse managers, presenting it as structural and psychological empowerment. Methods A questionnaire-based study was conducted. The sample consisted of 193 nurse managers working in a total of seven university and general level hospitals in Lithuania. The Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II measuring structural empowerment and the Work Empowerment Questionnaire measuring psychological empowerment were used. Results The paper reveals that nurse managers experienced structural empowerment at a moderate level and were highly psychologically empowered. Conclusions These findings are in line with previous research. The results showed that particular background factors were related to aspects of empowerment. The findings of this research can be used to examine the structural and psychological aspects that function as barriers to feeling empowered. The results are also useful for chief nurses who are involved in the recruitment and retention of nurse managers. Further research is needed to look into the question of improving formal power issues, e.g. the rewards for innovation at work, and also outcome empowerment aspects that may affect changes in the way that nurse managers carry out their work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Trus
- PhD student, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland; Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Lithuania
| | - Diane Doran
- Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Paula Asikainen
- Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland; Chief Executive Officer of Nursing, Satakunta Hospital District, Pori, Finland
| | - Tarja Suominen
- Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland
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Abstract
This study was conducted to explore issues of nurse managers' power and empowerment. Data were collected from nurse managers by way of a questionnaire consisting of background factors, work-related questions, and power-related questions at the unit and organization levels. The degree of empowerment was evaluated using 2 established instruments (CWEQ-II and Work Empowerment Questionnaire). The overall level of managers' personal power within their own units was relatively high. Nurse managers' perception of their power at an organizational level was found to be at a moderate level. Several factors related to an individual's professional background were correlated to power issues, both at the unit and organizational levels. Structural and psychological empowerment correlated with the overall level of power at a unit level and the overall level of power at an organizational level. Nurse managers self-reported their own general power at a unit level as high, which offers them possibilities to lead the development of nursing care in their units. Organizations may benefit more from nurse managers' leadership by more fully integrating them in the development processes of the entire organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Trus
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland (Ms Trus and Dr Suominen); and Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing (Ms Trus) and Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technologies (Dr Martinkenas), Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
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Brasaite I, Kaunonen M, Martinkenas A, Suominen T. Health care professionals' attitudes regarding patient safety: cross-sectional survey. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:177. [PMID: 26992376 PMCID: PMC4797351 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-1977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient safety is being seen as an increasingly important topic in the healthcare fields, and the rise in numbers of patient safety incidents poses a challenge for hospital management. In order to deal with the situation, it is important to know more about health care professionals' attitudes regarding patient safety. This study looks to describe health care professionals' attitudes regarding patient safety, and whether differences exist based on the background factors of study participants. METHODS A quantitative study using a questionnaire was conducted in three multi-disciplinary hospitals in Western Lithuania. Data was collected in 2014 from physicians, nurses and nurse assistants. RESULTS The results showed positive safety attitudes, and these were especially related to the respondents' levels of job satisfaction. A respondent's older age was associated with how they evaluated their teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, and perception of management. Profession, working unit, length of work experience, information received about patient safety during education, further education, and working shifts were all associated with several safety attitude areas. CONCLUSIONS The safety attitudes of respondents were generally found to be positive. Attitudes related to patient safety issues were positive among health care professionals and opens the door for the open discussion of patient safety and adverse events. However, in future we also need to investigate the knowledge and skills professionals have in relation to patient safety, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the present situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indre Brasaite
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. .,Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Marja Kaunonen
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Tarja Suominen
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
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Abstract
This study looks to describe health care professionals' knowledge regarding patient safety. A quantitative study using questionnaires was conducted in three multi-disciplinary hospitals in Western Lithuania. Data were collected in 2014 from physicians, nurses, and nurse assistants. The overall results indicated quite a low level of safety knowledge, especially in regard to knowledge concerning general patient safety. The health care professionals' background factors such as their profession, education, the information about patient safety they were given during their vocational and continuing education, as well as their experience in their primary speciality seemed to be associated with several patient safety knowledge areas. Despite a wide variation in background factors, the knowledge level of respondents was generally found to be low. This requires that further research into health care professionals' safety knowledge related to specific issues such as medication, infection, falls, and pressure sore prevention should be undertaken in Lithuania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indre Brasaite
- 1 University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,2 Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Marja Kaunonen
- 1 University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,3 Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
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Andruskienė J, Podlipskyte A, Martinkenas A, Varoneckas G. Association among coronary artery disease risk factors, heart rate variability and cardiovascular mortality: Ten year health outcomes study results. Eur J Public Health 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt124.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Podlipskyte A, Andruskienė J, Martinkenas A, Varoneckas G. Association between sleep complaints and cardiovascular mortality: Ten year health outcomes study results. Eur J Public Health 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt124.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Varoneckas G, Podlipskyte A, Alonderis A, Martinkenas A. Sleep disordered breathing in coronary heart disease patients with mild and moderate heart failure. Health (London) 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.58a2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Mockiene V, Suominen T, Välimäki M, Razbadauskas A, Caplinskas S, Martinkenas A. Nurses' willingness to take care of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)--does a teaching intervention make a difference? Nurse Educ Today 2011; 31:617-22. [PMID: 21078534 PMCID: PMC7130494 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Revised: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 10/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study is to describe the impact of an education intervention programme on nurses' willingness to care for HIV-positive people in Lithuania. METHODS The study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design (RCT). The total sample comprises 185 nurses working in medical, surgical and gynaecological units, and primary health care centres from the same hospital areas in three Lithuanian hospitals. The data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 and descriptive statistics. FINDINGS Our educational intervention did not have an impact on the nurses' willingness to take care of people living with HIV (PLHIV), as their level of willingness was high already before the education intervention. CONCLUSIONS Further research on this issue is needed to try to understand the forces acting on our nursing staff in order to ensure appropriate care for PLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Mockiene
- University of Tampere, Department of Nursing Science, Tampere, Finland.
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Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim was to explore nurse empowerment and the factors associated with it from the viewpoint of surgical nurses. DESIGN A multicentre cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design was used. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The data were collected from 11 units of seven largest Lithuanian hospitals located in three major cities during the period of 11/2007 to 01/2008. All the nurses (N = 270) working in the abdominal perioperative settings were invited to participate in the study; 247 questionnaires were returned giving the response rate of 91 %. The data were analyzed on the basis of 218 responses. The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS (12.0 version). INSTRUMENTS Two instruments, both originally developed in Finland and adapted to the Lithuanian cultural context, were used: Nurse Empowerment Scale (NES) and Good Nursing Care Scale for Nurses (GNCS-N). RESULTS Surgical nurses evaluated their work empowerment positively. Several background factors were associated with nurse empowerment, such as nurse education, type of nurse license (working area), the continuing nurse education (completed courses during last 5 years), the workload at hospital, the work independence, and work satisfaction. The connection between nurse empowerment and quality of nursing care was also identified (r = 0.139-0.525, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Surgical nurses feel empowered at their work when they have higher education and have completed the continuing education courses. Nurses should have possibility to continue their studies at the university. Independent at work, satisfied, and motivated nurses have more power at their work in the surgical units in Lithuania. However, further research is needed to explore nurse empowerment in other fields of nursing care nationally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalja Istomina
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
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Mockiene V, Suominen T, Valimaki M, Razbadauskas A, Martinkenas A, Caplinskas S. The impact of an education intervention to change nurses' HIV-related knowledge and attitudes in Lithuania: a randomized controlled trial. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2010; 22:140-9. [PMID: 21123087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jana.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 07/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of an intervention program on nurses' HIV-related knowledge and attitudes in Lithuania. The program focused on HIV epidemiology, transmission, coinfections, treatment and care, risk contacts, and moral and ethical dilemmas. It was designed to increase nurses' knowledge and positive attitudes concerning HIV. The study used a randomized controlled trial design with two experimental groups ([EG]; EG1, n = 63, EG2, n= 63) and one control group (n= 59) in three Lithuanian hospitals. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by Held (1993). The questionnaire included questions about participant demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes toward those living with HIV. The education intervention, which combined a 2-day workshop and written materials, had a positive effect on the knowledge levels of nurses. However, written materials alone failed to improve nurses' knowledge or change their attitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Mockiene
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
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Strukcinskiene B, Martinkenas A, Towner E, Janson S, Andersson R. Traffic injury mortality in children in transitional Lithuania--a longitudinal analysis from 1971 to 2005. Acta Paediatr 2008; 97:358-61. [PMID: 18298785 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00634.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM Low- and middle-income countries bear far higher road traffic injury mortality rates than high-income countries. This paper considers the changing picture of child traffic injury mortality in Lithuania over a 35-year period. METHODS Road traffic injury mortality data, mortality data from other causes, and population data have been used to compare the trend lines of child road deaths with injury deaths and all deaths and calculate the road traffic mortality rates for children and young people aged 0-19 years. RESULTS This study revealed an inverted u-shaped trend, peaking in the 1980s and with a temporary elevated level in the early 1990s, in traffic mortality for the age group 0-19. However, unlike child death by all causes, road traffic injury has not declined significantly between the beginning and the end of the study period. Traffic deaths as a percentage of injury deaths and of all deaths showed a significantly rising trend. CONCLUSION Road traffic injury remains a serious public health problem in children and young people in Lithuania, which requires a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Strukcinskiene
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
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Andruskiene J, Varoneckas G, Martinkenas A, Grabauskas V. Factors associated with poor sleep and health-related quality of life. Medicina (Kaunas) 2008; 44:240-246. [PMID: 18413992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to establish factors associated with poor sleep and to assess the relationship between self-evaluated sleep quality and health-related quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sleep complaints were evaluated using Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire, and health-related quality of life was assessed by SF-36. Subjective data about sleep quality were obtained from 1602 randomly selected persons: 600 males and 1002 females, aged 35-74 years. SF-36 was filled in by 1016 persons: 379 males and 637 females. Health status was evaluated by Perceived Health Questionnaire. The odds ratios of poor sleep were calculated using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Among males poor self-evaluated health, frequent stress events, regular nighttime awakenings, and sleep latency period longer than 15 min in workdays were significant predictors of poor sleep. Among females, duration of sleep shorter than 7 h, frequent stress events, poor self-evaluated health, sleep latency period longer than 15 min in workdays, and regular nighttime awakenings predicted poor sleep. Poor sleepers, as compared with good ones, had poorer health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Poor perceived health, frequent stress events, regular nighttime awakenings, and sleep latency period longer than 15 min were indicated as significant predictors of poor sleep. Poor sleep worsened health-related quality of life in all domains of SF-36.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurgita Andruskiene
- Institute of Psychophysiology and Rehabilitation, Kaunas University of Medicine, Vydūno 4, 00135 Palanga, Lithuania
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Varoneckas G, Varoneckas A, Podlipskyte A, Varoneckiene AM, Martinkenas A. O0004 Education in sleep disorders management using web-based system. Sleep Med 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1389-9457(07)70192-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Zhemaĭtite D, Kepezhenas A, Martinkenas A, Podlipskite A, Varonetskas G, Zhiliukas G. [The dependence of the characteristics of the heart rate and blood flow on age in healthy subjects and patients with cardiovascular diseases]. Fiziol Cheloveka 1998; 24:56-65. [PMID: 9929953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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