Electronic health record can facilitate everyday clinical practice of physiotherapists. The aim of this study is to determine attitude of physiotherapists towards implementation of information ...technology in their work and the differences in attitude in relation to gender, age, level of education and type of health institutions.
This study is a cross-sectional survey of Croatian physiotherapists. The questionnaire ″Attitude of physiotherapists towards implementation of electronic health record included 12 items scored on a Likert-type scale from 1 to 5 and presented the award values as "Disagree", "Neither agree nor disagree" and "Agree". Croatian physiotherapists were (
= 267) recruited from 13 health care institutions. For analysis chi square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and as a post-hoc Tukey test were used.
Explanatory factorial analysis confirmed two factors: Satisfaction in the work of physiotherapists using computers (SAT) and Necessity of computers in the work of physiotherapists (NEC). Most physiotherapists agree on (SAT) (47.9%) and on (NEC) (51.3%). Male physiotherapists were significantly more likely to disagree with statements related to SAT (
< 0.001) and NEC (
= 0.035) than female physiotherapists. Physiotherapists aged between 46 and 55 years were significantly more like to disagree on NEC in comparison to all the other groups of participants (
< 0.001). Physiotherapists with secondary school degree were significantly more like to disagree on NEC as compared with participants with bachelor's degree (
= 0.009), as well as in comparison with physiotherapists with a university degree (
= 0.002). Most of the physiotherapists who are employed in Clinical hospitals and in the Speciality hospital agree with that statement (all
> 0.05).
The attitude of Croatian physiotherapists towards electronic health record differs according to the age, gender, level of education and type of health care institutions. This finding can facilitate implementation of electronic health record in physiotherapy.
Not applicable.
Enteric pathogens are constantly exposed to stressful conditions in their natural habitat in the host and even more in the extra-host environment, including food processing.
The aim of this study was ...to evaluate the effect of selected environmental stress factors: temperature shift, starvation and atmospheric oxygen concentration on culturability/viability of two
Campylobacter jejuni isolates. Additionally, after stress exposure, in an
in vitro cell culture model using Caco-2 cells, the adhesion, invasion and intracellular survival of
C. jejuni were studied.
Nutrient insufficiency was the most powerful stress factor which significantly affected
C. jejuni culturability and viability, as well as, adhesion and invasion properties. Temperature elevation induced a transient growth arrest, and temporary loss of pathogenic potential as indicated by impaired adhesion and invasion efficiency of
C. jejuni. However, bacteria recovered within 24–48
h inside the Caco-2 cells. Oxidative stress neither affected
C. jejuni growth nor reduced the binding and invasion into Caco-2 cells. Only 5
h oxygen exposure increased the invasion capability and intraepithelial survival of the clinical isolate.
Modulation of
C. jejuni virulence in response to environmental stress factors may have further implications in the pathogenesis of campylobacteriosis.
The etiology of BMS remains unknown. Role of various cytokines has been implicated in the development of BMS. The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of salivary IL-2 and IL-6 in patients with ...BMS, compared with age-matched healthy volunteers (control group). Whole saliva from 30 patients with BMS, age range 55-65, was tested for the presence of IL-6 and IL-2 by enzyme immunoassay. Control group consisted of 30 healthy participants, aged 55-65 years. Saliva IL-2 concentrations in BMS were significantly increased in patients compared to healthy subjects: mean 34.1 +/- 9.7 versus 7.3 +/- 3.0 pg/mL; P < .001. Patients with BMS had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 compared to control: mean 30.8 +/- 5.6 versus 5.2 +/- 2.8 pg/mL; P < .001. In patients with BMS, IL-2 and IL-6 levels in saliva are elevated, correlating with the severity of illness.
Blogs are the major contributors to the large increase of new websites created each year. Most blogs allow readers to leave comments and, in this way, generate both conversation and encourage ...collaboration. Despite their popularity, however, little is known about blogs or their creators.
To contribute to a better understanding of the medical blogosphere by investigating the characteristics of medical bloggers and their blogs, including bloggers' Internet and blogging habits, their motivations for blogging, and whether or not they follow practices associated with journalism.
We approached 197 medical bloggers of English-language medical blogs which provided direct contact information, with posts published within the past month. The survey included 37 items designed to evaluate data about Internet and blogging habits, blog characteristics, blogging motivations, and, finally, the demographic data of bloggers. Pearson's Chi-Square test was used to assess the significance of an association between 2 categorical variables. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was utilized to reveal the relationship between participants' ages, as well as the number of maintained blogs, and their motivation for blogging. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to reveal relationships between practices associated with journalism and participants' characteristics like gender and pseudonym use.
A total of 80 (42%) of 197 eligible participants responded. The majority of responding bloggers were white (75%), highly educated (71% with a Masters degree or doctorate), male (59%), residents of the United States (72%), between the ages of 30 and 49 (58%), and working in the healthcare industry (67%). Most of them were experienced bloggers, with 23% (18/80) blogging for 4 or more years, 38% (30/80) for 2 or 3 years, 32% (26/80) for about a year, and only 7% (6/80) for 6 months or less. Those who received attention from the news media numbered 66% (53/80). When it comes to best practices associated with journalism, the participants most frequently reported including links to original source of material and spending extra time verifying facts, while rarely seeking permission to post copyrighted material. Bloggers who have published a scientific paper were more likely to quote other people or media than those who have never published such a paper (U= 506.5, n(1)= 41, n(2)= 35, P= .016). Those blogging under their real name more often included links to original sources than those writing under a pseudonym (U= 446.5, n(1)= 58, n(2)= 19, P= .01). Major motivations for blogging were sharing practical knowledge or skills with others, influencing the way others think, and expressing oneself creatively.
Medical bloggers are highly educated and devoted blog writers, faithful to their sources and readers. Sharing practical knowledge and skills, as well as influencing the way other people think, were major motivations for blogging among our medical bloggers. Medical blogs are frequently picked up by mainstream media; thus, blogs are an important vehicle to influence medical and health policy.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human periapical lesions.
Samples were obtained from three ...groups of teeth: symptomatic teeth, asymptomatic lesions, and uninflamed periradicular tissues as a control.
TNF-alpha levels were significantly increased in symptomatic lesions compared to control. Group with asymptomatic lesions had significantly higher concentrations compared to control. There were no significant differences in TNF-alpha levels between symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions. In group with symptomatic lesions, IL-6 levels were significantly higher than in group with asymptomatic lesions. The IL-6 levels in symptomatic group also showed significantly higher concentration in comparison with control group. In asymptomatic group, the IL-6 level had significantly higher concentrations compared to control.
These results indicate that symptomatic lesions represent an immunologically active stage of disease, and asymptomatic lesions are the point from which the process advances toward healing.
OBJECTIVE: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa, presenting in various clinical forms. The etiology of OLP is still unknown but mounting evidence points to the ...immunologic basis of this disorder. Aim: Our study was undertaken to quantify the salivary levels of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the reticular and the erosive/ atrophic forms of OLP, compared with age-matched healthy control volunteers. Subjects and methods: Whole saliva from 40 patients with active lesions of OLP, as well as from 20 healthy persons, was investigated for the presence of TNF-a by enzyme immunoassay. Results: Salivary TNF-α levels were significantlly increased in patients with OLP in comparison with healthy subjects. The presence of TNF-α showed positive correlation to clinical forms of OLP, being significantly higher in the erosive/atrophic type than in the reticular type of disease. Conclusion: Saliva provides an ideal medium for the detection of pro-inflammatory markers of the oral cavity. In patients with OLP, TNF-α levels in saliva are elevated, correlating with the severity of illness. Salivary TNF-α analysis may be a useful diagnostic tool and a potential prognostic marker in OLP.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between variables that determine the position of the third molar (M3) and correlation between the pattern of facial growth and ...examined variables. Materials and Methods Material for the study consisted of 130 panoramic radiographs and lateral radiographs of subjects' heads in whom orthodontic therapy had been started. Analysis of the position of the mandibular M3 and its relation to the bone and other teeth were determined by 4 variables: evaluation of the space for both M3, spatial relation between the second molar and M3, vertical position of the M3 in relation to the alveolar ridge, and inclination of the germ of the M3. Results In boys, significant correlation was determined on the right side of the jaw, between the retromolar area and the vertical position of M3. Significant correlation was determined in girls, between the retromolar area and the vertical position of M3 on both sides, retromolar area and M3 inclination on the left side, and retromolar area and spatial relation of M3 on the right side. Analysis of correlation between facial growth pattern and 4 variables that determinate the position of M3 showed positive correlation only for the lower right M3 inclination in subjects with anterior facial rotation. Conclusion The present study showed that the amount of retromolar space for the position of the M3 is not a sign of its normal development. No significant differences were determined between the position of M3 and type of facial growth.
Quantification of B-lines on lung ultrasonographs is operator-dependent and considered a semi-quantitative method. To avoid this variability, we designed a software algorithm for counting B-lines. We ...compared the number of B-lines obtained in real-time by observers with three different levels of experience and by the software algorithm, and analyzed intra-rater variability in terms of the estimated number of B-lines in two successive examinations. Forty mechanically ventilated adult (≥ 18 years) intensive care unit patients were included in this prospective study. All patients underwent two consecutive ultrasound examinations for B-lines detection by three human observers (OB1 = high, OB2 = medium, OB3 = low level of experience) and by the software (OBS). Ultrasound scans were obtained on the anterior right and left thoracic side along the midclavicular line, in the second and fourth intercostal space; B-lines counting for each position lasted 10 s. To assess intra-observer variability, a second ultrasound scan was obtained 15–30 min after the first scan. For all lung zones, the intraclass correlation for B-lines counting between OB1 and OB2 was 0.663; between OB1 and OB3, 0.559; and between OB1 and OBS, 0.710. OBS had a better concordance coefficient (0.752) between the first and the second measurements than did the human observers. Our results show that the software algorithm for B-lines counting is a potentially promising alternative when observers have little lung ultrasound experience.
Objectives We sought to evaluate pregnant women’s knowledge about features of second-trimester screening for Down syndrome and to assess whether knowledge and educational level influence their ...attitude toward amniocentesis before receiving test results. Methods Pregnant Caucasian women ( n = 300) <35 years old with no personal or family history of Down syndrome were surveyed. Women were randomized to 2 groups. One group of women ( n = 150) were surveyed by questionnaire before consultation with specially trained midwives; the other group of women ( n = 150) were surveyed after consultation. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections: 1) participants’ demographic data, 2) knowledge about prenatal screening for Down syndrome, and 3) readiness to undergo amniocentesis if there was an increased risk of Down syndrome. Results Women surveyed after consultation had greater total knowledge scores than those surveyed before consultation ( p < .001). A statistically significant difference in knowledge scores in relation to educational levels was observed only in women who were surveyed before consultation ( p = .007). Significantly more women were prepared to accept amniocentesis in the group surveyed after consultation (74%) than before consultation (53%; p < .001). Conclusion Knowledge gained during a prescreening consultation influenced pregnant women’s attitudes toward further diagnostic investigation. A smaller proportion of women who were indecisive was observed in the group surveyed after prescreening consultation. Indecisiveness was not affected by poor knowledge about screening, but rather by difficulty in knowing how they will feel and what they will do if their screening result is positive.
Repeated intragastric inoculation of Listeria monocytogenes into BALB/c mice resulted in prolonged bacteraemia and severe hepatic infection. Bacteria could also be isolated from the brain tissue of ...all experimental mice. During the inflammatory process, chemokine concentrations typically increased at the local site in comparison to the systemic level. The liver-to-serum ratio was more pronounced in the case of macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), suggesting its role in the inflammatory response in the liver. The ratio of brain-to-serum concentration of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) remained the same as in the control animals, while it was lower in the infected mice, both in the case MIP-1alpha and in the case of regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). This is in correlation with slight inflammatory infiltrates found in the brain tissue early in infection.
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