Search Results (2,365)

Background: Highly prevalent tooth loss is observed among populations around the world. To restore masticatory function and satisfactory aesthetics, missing teeth must be replaced. Dental implants are increasingly used for this purpose. This study aimed to assess periodontal patients’ knowledge and attitudes towards dental implants. Methods: 467 anonymous questionnaires of periodontal patients were analyzed. The population participants were divided according to gender, age, education and place of residence. In the statistical analysis, the chi-squared test of independence was used (p < 0.05). The main questions addressed patients’ knowledge about dental implants and the factors influencing their decision to undergo implantation. Results: The majority of periodontal patients were aware of dental implants and the importance of oral hygiene in their maintenance. However, the population studied had many knowledge deficits, especially on the technical and biological aspects of implants. The lack of knowledge about peri-implantitis was surprising in the group seeking professional periodontal care. Patients obtained information mainly from the internet and from family and friends, with their dentists being the third source. Good functional and aesthetic outcomes would encourage them to undergo the implantation procedure, and high cost and the possibility of complications were the most discouraging factors. Conclusions: Given the growing popularity of implant treatment, patients should be provided with evidence-based knowledge about indications and possible contraindications to implants to make informed decisions. Full article

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian National Health Service (NHS) has been undergoing a structural reform shifting focus from hospital-centered care to smaller, intermediate, or primary health facilities closer to the community (e.g., community hospitals and community houses). This reorganization should include rehabilitation and physiotherapy, but the actual spread of these services is still unclear. Objective: This study explored the number and characteristics of community-based physiotherapy services in the Metropolitan City of Milan (Italy). Methods: Between April and May 2024, we distributed a structured, anonymous online survey about community physiotherapy services and users to all Directors of the Health and Social Care Professions Departments (DAPSS) in the Metropolitan City of Milan. We used descriptive statistics to analyze the number of community houses offering physiotherapy services, the specific intervention areas, and access modalities. Results: Six out of seven DAPSS Directors completed the survey (87%). Thirty-seven community houses were reported in the area, with fourteen of these offering physiotherapy services. In most of them, physiotherapy was a primary reason for access following a general practitioner’s prescription. Five out of six responders reported that rehabilitation needs were mainly assessed by specialists in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, with physiotherapists involved in the assessment process in two cases. Physiotherapists primarily handled the intervention phase, dealing mainly with orthopedic and neurological conditions. DAPSS Directors noted that additional physiotherapy initiatives focusing on prevention will be implemented. Conclusions: Physiotherapy services are becoming available in the Metropolitan City of Milan. However, more efforts are needed to facilitate access and ensure tailored assessment and effective interventions, particularly in preventive care. Future investigations should help to better define the number and the characteristics of the patients who can most benefit from this type of care, the number of sessions they need, and with what types of intervention; it would be also necessary to better define the communication network in the area that allows doctors, health professionals, and patients to be informed about this possibility. Full article

The construction quality of state-owned forest farms is crucial to the overall development of ecological civilization. Evaluating the development status of these forest farms is essential. Based on field research and existing studies, this paper uses the S (S is a Mandarin Pinyin abbreviation for the name of the forest farm, to maintain anonymity) state-owned forest farm in Fujian Province, a subtropical region, as a case study. The Delphi method and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are employed to determine the weight values of various standard indicators. Compared to previous research, this study finds that the sustainability of human resources and socioeconomic factors in forest farms also play a significant role in achieving sustainable management of state-owned forest farms. By collecting indicator values and reference values, an evaluation of the sustainable management status of the S state-owned forest farm is conducted, revealing that its sustainable management status is at a “good” level. However, there are still problems in forest classification, the ratio of plantation to natural forest, pest outbreaks, mechanization of forest production, employee incentives, tourism, and forest certification, which constrain sustainable management. This study proposes strategies to optimize sustainable management from forest production operations and management perspectives. Full article

This cross-sectional survey study aimed to assess the attitudes and knowledge of children’s guardians in Poland towards tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and its vaccine, as well as to compare these attitudes to those regarding other infectious diseases and their vaccines. Data were collected through anonymous questionnaires, both paper-based and online, from 3030 respondents across Poland, with the majority being from TBE-endemic areas. The survey included questions on demographic characteristics, general vaccination beliefs, and specific perceptions of TBE and its vaccine. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between willingness to vaccinate against TBE and factors such as general vaccination attitudes, information sources, vaccine safety ratings, and perceptions of disease severity. Results indicated that guardians from larger cities and those with fewer children were more likely to vaccinate. Additionally, parents who supported general vaccinations were significantly more willing to vaccinate against TBE. The study concludes that enhancing public awareness about the safety and importance of the TBE vaccine, especially in endemic regions, is crucial for improving vaccination rates. Targeted public health interventions addressing misconceptions and providing accurate information are essential strategies to increase TBE vaccine uptake and protect children from this serious disease. Full article

Influenza immunization includes a yearly repeated vaccine offered to every healthcare worker, including nursing students, with a high risk of contracting this viral disease. This study aimed to investigate the vaccination coverage, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nursing students against influenza in Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Attica region between September 2022 and July 2023, with the use of an anonymous reference questionnaire. Data from 1261 nursing students were recorded (response rate: 68.6%). The study found that 23% of the sample were vaccinated against influenza for the flu season 2022–2023, and 42% were vaccinated for the previous flu season. Knowledge scores regarding influenza ranged from 0% to 100%, with a mean value of 55 (SD = 18.8%). A higher level of knowledge about influenza was associated with more appropriate attitudes and practices toward the disease (p < 0.001). Notably, participants in their second, third, or fourth year of study and beyond exhibited more suitable attitudes and practices towards the flu compared to those in their first year of study (p < 0.05). The emergence of low vaccination coverage identifies the need for departments of nursing studies to proceed with the design of educational and intervention programs on infection control. Full article

The Dark Web is a subset of the Deep Web, requiring special browsers, the Dark Net refers to encrypted networks, the Deep Web encompasses non-indexed online content, and darknet includes unused IP address networks. The Dark Net has become a hotbed of cybercrime, with individuals and groups using the anonymity and encryption provided by the network to carry out a range of criminal activities. One of the most concerning trends in recent years has been the weaponization of cybercrimes, as criminals use their technical skills to create tools and techniques that can be used to launch attacks against individuals, businesses, and governments. This paper examines the weaponization of cybercrimes on the Dark Net, focusing on the question of detection and application. This paper uses a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to appraise the Dark Web, examine the crimes and their consequences and identify future measures to reduce crime threats. Data from 88 relevant articles from 2011 to 2023 were extracted and synthesized, along with the latest data from 2024 to answer research questions, providing comprehensive knowledge on growing crimes; assessing social, economic, and ethical impacts; and analyzing established techniques and methods to locate and apprehend criminals. Full article

Clinical experiences, helping relationships, and reflection are key factors for personal development for physicians. However, few studies have shown which experiences are important for personal growth and how medical residents specifically use their experiences for personal growth. The aim of this study was to identify from the medical residents’ perspective which clinical experiences contribute to their personal development. We employed a qualitative design, conducting semi-structured interviews with ten postgraduate year two medical residents at a Japanese teaching hospital. The interviews were transcribed in interview memos, anonymized, and subjected to reflective thematic analysis to generate themes relevant to personal and professional development. Successful clinical experiences with autonomy and responsibility in clinical management were shown to be essential points for personal development as a physician. Autonomy in this study was the attitude of making one’s own choices when managing patients. Responsibility was the obligation of the resident to take charge of a patient. Instructing junior trainees, appreciation received from patients, and approval granted by attending physicians reinforced their feelings of personal growth. The realization of what experiences and concepts influence medical residents’ personal growth and development will make their professional development more effective. Full article

Background: Errors are a common occurrence in all healthcare settings, and the safety of patients is a critical concern that involves multiple factors, including the complex and demanding nature of nursing practice. Nurses, due to their continuous and direct patient care, play a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to errors from the perspectives of nurses in Greek hospitals, with a focus on understanding the challenges they face in their daily practice. Methods: Clinical nurses willingly and anonymously filled out a specific structured questionnaire, the Taxonomy of Error, Root Cause Analysis, and Practice-responsibility (TERCAP) tool that describes the conditions under which an error during clinical practice occurred. The study method included convenience sampling. After obtaining permission, questionnaires were distributed to hospital departments. To accommodate pandemic-related restrictions, an electronic version of the questionnaire was also created for distribution and collection. Analysis of data was accomplished via SPSS 26.0. Results: Five hundred and ninety-seven clinical nurses participated anonymously, reporting errors in almost seven out of ten cases, often attributing them to high workload and staff shortages. Errors were commonly reported during different shifts in this study. Factors such as assigning significant responsibilities to inexperienced staff and inadequate implementation guidelines were highlighted. Conclusions: The in-depth study of nursing errors provides a nuanced understanding of their causes by categorizing them based on various factors. It emphasizes the complexity of challenges and the need to integrate systemic, clinical, and individual factors into intervention strategies, including medication protocols, ongoing training, clear communication, administrative support, and fostering an open communication culture. Full article

There is a lack of research regarding dietary supplement (DS) use among Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer (GBT2Q) men and non-binary individuals, despite the higher prevalence of body image issues and societal pressure within this community. This study aimed to investigate patterns and predictors of DS use in this population, including types of DS used, sources of information, and reasons for DS use. A validated and anonymous online questionnaire was completed by 204 participants (52.5% men, 43.1% gay, mean age 29.34 + 6.77 years) across Canada, who were consuming DS at the time of the study. Analyses included descriptive statistics to characterize the sample based on gender, sexuality, age, ethnicity, and other demographic attributes, using Pearson’s chi-square tests and multi-way cross-tabulation analyses. Additionally, regression analyses, including binary and logistic regressions, were employed to identify predictors of DS use. Data analysis concluded that vitamins/minerals (92.2%), proteins (84.3%) and carbohydrates (75.5%) were the most consumed types of supplements. Identifying as certain genders and sexualities was significantly associated with supplement preferences, such that men reported higher use of amino acids (p = 0.033) and non-vitamins/mineral antioxidants compared to individuals identifying as other genders (p = 0.006). Moreover, bisexual participants consumed amino acids (p = 0.043) and carbohydrates (p = 0.026) more frequently when compared to non-bisexual participants. The most listed reason for DS use was to improve immunity (60.3%), with health care professionals being listed as the source of information by most participants (51.0%). Findings from this study can serve as a foundation for further research in this area and can guide the formulation and implementation of adequate policies targeting this underserved population. Full article

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a widely used analytical technique including medical diagnostics, forensic toxicology, food and water analysis. The gold standard for quantifying compounds involves using stable isotope-labeled internal standards (SIL-IS). However, when these standards are not commercially available, are prohibitively expensive, or are extremely difficult to synthesize, alternative external quantification techniques are employed. We hereby present a novel, convenient and cheap quantification approach—quantification via post column infusion (PCI). As a proof of concept, we demonstrated PCI quantification for the immunosuppressant tacrolimus in whole blood using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The validation results met the criteria according to the guideline on bioanalytical method validation of the European Medicine Agency (EMA), achieving imprecisions and inaccuracies with coefficient of variation and relative bias below 15%. Anonymized and leftover whole blood samples from immunosuppressed patients receiving tacrolimus were used for method comparison (PCI quantification vs. conventional internal standard (IS) quantification). Both methods showed strong agreement with a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.9532. This novel PCI quantification technique (using the target analyte itself) expands the quantification options available in MS, providing reliable results, particularly when internal standards are unavailable or unaffordable. With the current paper, we aim to demonstrate that our innovative PCI technique has great potential to overcome practical issues in quantification and to provide guidance on how to incorporate PCI in existing or new LC-MS methods. Moreover, this study demonstrated a more convenient method for correcting matrix effects in comparison to alternative PCI techniques. Full article

Several studies have correlate improved patient outcomes with increased physician–patient contacts, particularly in chronic diseases. Extending this approach to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care presents a promising means of improving outcomes. At LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS), a new approach called “STABILITY” (Symptomatic Review during Biologic Therapy) was implemented during infusion therapy visits for IBD patients. These brief 15 min physician–patient interviews aimed to discuss the patients’ current IBD-related symptoms and evaluate the need for any changes in their treatment plan. Our goal was to remove a care gap and prevent intensifying symptoms created by missed appointments and loss of contact. To analyze the effectiveness of the STABILITY approach, a retrospective chart review was conducted on 111 IBD patients (18 with ulcerative colitis, 93 with Crohn’s disease) seen at LSUHS between 2011 and 2022. Since March 2019, STABILITY has been mandatory for all infusion therapy visits. The data collected included patients’ demographics, lab levels for biomarkers (fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates), hospitalizations, medication changes, and diagnosis dates before and after the implementation of STABILITY. Additionally, voluntary, anonymous infusion patient satisfaction surveys post-STABILITY were used to gather patient responses. In males with IBD, disease severity and hospitalizations were reduced significantly (p = 0.004 and 0.0234, respectively). In females with IBD, disease severity and hospitalizations were also reduced significantly (p = 0.0001 and 0.0072, respectively). In patients with UC and CD, there were significant improvements in disease severity (p = 0.043 and p = 0.0001, respectively), and CD hospitalizations were also improved (p = 0.0013). In males and females with UC, disease severity was marginally and significantly reduced (p = 0.0781 and p = 0.0379, respectively). In males and females with CD, disease severity was significantly reduced (p = 0.0161 and 0.0003, respectively), and CD male and female hospitalizations were also reduced significantly (p = 0.0436 and 0.013). Analyzing of survey responses, we found that the most patients reported improved IBD symptoms (56%), gained understanding of their condition (84%) and were in favor of continuing STABILITY consultations during infusion therapy (93%). To further investigate the impact of STABILITY, we conducted a comparative analysis between IBD patients undergoing STABILITY infusion therapy and LSUHS patients solely on self-injectable biologics. Our paired data analysis showed significant improvements in disease severity in female IBD patients (1.69 ± 0.13 vs. 1.41 ± 0.12, p = 0.0001) and male IBD patients (1.58 ± 0.16 vs. 1.2 ± 0.135, p = 0.004), in UC patients (1.833 ± 0.4.2 vs. 1.444, p = 0.043), in all CD patients (1.59 ± 0.11 vs. 1.29 ± 0.01, p = 0.0001), in male CD patients (1.52 ± 0.167 vs. 1.15 ± 0.15, p = 0.016), in female CD patients (1.66 ± 0.15 vs. 1.4 ± 0.13, p = 0.0003), in female UC patients (1.82 ± 0.32 vs. 1.45 ± 0.31, p = 0.0379), and marginally in male UC patients (p = 0.0781). Similarly, hospitalizations were significantly reduced in CD patients considered in aggregate (0.21 ± 0.04 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03, p = 0.0013), in male IBD patients (0.175 ± 0.06 vs. 0.05 ± 0.035, p = 0.024), in female IBD patients (0.21 ± 0.05 vs. 0.11 ± 0.04, p = 0.0072), in male CD patients (0.18 ± 0.07 vs. 0.06 ± 0.042, p = 0.0436), and in females with CD (0.23 ± 0.06 vs. 0.13 ± 0.04, p = 0.013). Although average values for fecal calprotectin, CRP, and sedimentation rate were frequently reduced after STABILITY interviews, these data did not reach statistical significance. These preliminary findings suggest that STABILITY may be effective in maintaining low disease activity or remission in IBD patients. Full article

Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) can significantly improve the level of urban traffic management. However, the sender unlinkability has become an intricate issue in the field of VANETs’ encryption. As the sender signcrypts a message, the receiver has to use the sender’s identity or public key to decrypt it. Consequently, the sender can be traced using the same identity or public key, which poses some security risks to the sender. To address this issue, we present an unlinkable and revocable signcryption scheme (URSCS), where an efficient and powerful signcryption mechanism is adopted for communication. The sender constructs a polynomial to generate a unique session key for each communication, which is then transmitted to a group of receivers, enabling the same secret message to be sent to multiple receivers. Each time a secret message is sent, a new key pair is generated, and an anonymization mechanism is introduced to conceal the true identity of the vehicle, thus preventing malicious attackers from tracing the sender through the public key or the real identity. With the introduction of the identification public key, this scheme supports either multiple receivers or a single receiver, where the receiver can be either road side units (RSUs) or vehicles. Additionally, a complete revocation mechanism is constructed with extremely low communication overhead, utilizing the Chinese remainder theorem (CRT). Formal and informal security analyses demonstrate that our URSCS scheme meets the expected security and privacy requirements of VANETs. The performance analysis shows that our URSCS scheme outperforms other represented schemes. Full article

A major issue recurrent in sustainability ensuring concerns is pollution due to human activities, mainly related to the reduction in waste generation. The present study aims to identify students’ awareness of waste management, their daily routines in separately collecting recyclable waste, and their behaviors leading to reducing wasteful consumption in campus residential living, in a large university in the Western part of Romania, to channel the strategic plan of the university and the efforts of institutional teams dealing with the issues of waste management and sustainability. The methodology consists of an analysis of waste management in the university campus hosting around 6000 students in 16 dormitories, and of an anonymous online survey mapping the self-perceived behavior of students in solid waste management. Data from 1172 valid responses are refined through factorial analysis. While recycling behavior seems to be largely shared by the respondents, with more than 50% declaring that they always reuse recyclables, separate collection of waste is typical for only a quarter of the sample. Therefore, a vigorous intervention is needed to guide young adults’ behavior towards sustainability choices. Campus greening needs to join interventions from the university, in charge of campus life in the selected case, city administration, waste management companies, and the student body. The findings are useful to explore the possible directions for action to increase or contribute to territorial sustainability in the socio-ecological context of Timisoara, the largest university city in the western part of Romania through educational, managerial, and policy interventions, based on local partnerships and collaborations, in accordance with SDG 17. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cosmetology is transforming the industry in numerous ways, including the introduction of advanced tools such as at-home skin analysis devices that can evaluate skin quality and augmented reality applications that allow users to virtually try on various makeup products. These innovations empower individuals to make well-informed decisions about their cosmetic care and enable cosmetologists to predict treatment outcomes with higher accuracy. In this way, AI enhances patient satisfaction by better aligning expectations with achievable results. A computerized database search was performed to identify articles relevant to this topic. A comprehensive search was applied to the following electronic databases: IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. This review explores four key areas in the current literature where AI contributes to cosmetic procedures. Firstly, AI democratizes skincare by making products and services more accessible to everyone. Secondly, it bridges the gap between physicians and cosmetic suppliers by enlightening collaboration and innovation. Thirdly, it improves the assessment of cosmetic ingredients by ensuring better safety and efficacy, and lastly, AI provides an ethical alternative to animal testing by replacing the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) and the Guinea Pig Maximization Test (GPMT) with in silico models. While AI offers significant benefits, it also raises concerns about data privacy, informed consent, and the potential for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Addressing these challenges involves implementing measures such as anonymization and de-identification techniques to protect sensitive data and safeguard informed consent for data collection and processing. This article aims to highlight the responsible and ethical use of AI in cosmetology, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and customization in cosmetic care, which represents a significant advancement in the industry. Full article

Background and Objectives: Orthodontic appliances may cause discomfort for patients. This could influence the person’s psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to examine the psychological health of patients wearing orthodontic appliances. It is important to analyze the well-being of patients during orthodontic treatment because it is started in a young age and it may affect one’s psychological health. Therefore, for doctors and patients, it is important to understand and take every aspect of the treatment into consideration when deciding when to start the treatment and what appliance to choose. Materials and Methods: A total of 339 patients filled out an anonymous questionnaire. They were divided into four groups according to their age and type of appliance. The main reasons to seek treatment were crooked teeth and a bad bite. There was a statistically significant difference between women and men as women sought treatment because of crooked teeth; meanwhile, men indicated bad bite as their main reason for seeking treatment. Results: A total of 48.7% of subjects noted that they were feeling good during treatment; however, 4% of all patients noted that they were feeling bad. A total of 45% of subjects stated that they felt unhappy at least sometimes. A total of 43% of subjects felt stress. Conclusions: Even though patients indicated various negative aspects on their well-being during treatment, for the majority of the subjects, the end results significantly increased their psychological well-being. Full article