A Hitchhiker's guide to RNA-RNA structure and interaction prediction tools.

RNA biology has risen to prominence after a remarkable discovery of diverse functions of noncoding RNA (ncRNA). Most untranslated transcripts often exert their regulatory functions into RNA-RNA complexes via base pairing with complementary sequences in other RNAs. An interplay between RNAs is essential, as it possesses various functional roles in human cells, including genetic translation, RNA splicing, editing, ribosomal RNA maturation, RNA degradation and the regulation of metabolic pathways/riboswitches. Moreover, the pervasive transcription of the human genome allows for the discovery of novel genomic functions via RNA interactome investigation. The advancement of experimental procedures has resulted in an explosion of documented data, necessitating the development of efficient and precise computational tools and algorithms. This review provides an extensive update on RNA-RNA interaction (RRI) analysis via thermodynamic- and comparative-based RNA secondary structure prediction (RSP) and RNA-RNA interaction prediction (RIP) tools and their general functions. We also highlighted the current knowledge of RRIs and the limitations of RNA interactome mapping via experimental data. Then, the gap between RSP and RIP, the importance of RNA homologues, the relationship between pseudoknots, and RNA folding thermodynamics are discussed. It is hoped that these emerging prediction tools will deepen the understanding of RNA-associated interactions in human diseases and hasten treatment processes.

Inhibitory effect of food-functioned phytochemicals on dysregulated inflammatory pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2: a mechanistic review.

Inflammatory cascades of the dysregulated inflammatory pathways in COVID-19 can cause excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines leading to cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The molecular cascades involved in the pathways may be targeted for discovery of new anti-inflammatory agents. Many plant extracts have been used clinically in the management of COVID-19, however, their immunosuppressive activities were mainly investigated based on in silico activity. Dietary flavonoids of the extracts such as quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, isorhamnetin, baicalein, wogonin, and rutin were commonly identified as responsible for their inhibitory effects. The present review critically analyzes the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of phytochemicals, including dietary compounds against cytokine storm (CS) and hyperinflammation via inhibition of the altered inflammatory pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2, published since the emergence of COVID-19 in December 2019. Only a few phytochemicals, mainly dietary compounds such as nanocurcumin, melatonin, quercetin, 6-shagoal, kaempferol, resveratrol, andrographolide, and colchicine have been investigated either in in silico or preliminary clinical studies to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects against COVID-19. Sufficient pre-clinical studies on safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory effects of the phytochemicals must be performed prior to proper clinical studies to develop them into therapeutic adjuvants in the prevention and treatmemt of COVID-19 symptoms.

The hepatoprotective effect of 4-phenyltetrahydroquinolines on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats through autophagy inhibition.

BACKGROUND: The liver serves as a metabolic hub within the human body, playing a crucial role in various essential functions, such as detoxification, nutrient metabolism, and hormone regulation. Therefore, protecting the liver against endogenous and exogenous insults has become a primary focus in medical research. Consequently, the potential hepatoprotective properties of multiple 4-phenyltetrahydroquinolines inspired us to thoroughly study the influence of four specially designed and synthesized derivatives on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-seven Wistar albino male rats weighing 140 ± 18 g were divided into eleven groups to investigate both the toxicity profile and the hepatoprotective potential of 4-phenyltetrahydroquinolines. An in-vivo hepatotoxicity model was conducted using CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight, a 1:1 v/v mixture with corn oil, i.p.) every 72 h for 14 days. The concurrent treatment of rats with our newly synthesized compounds (each at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight, suspended in 0.5% CMC, p.o.) every 24 h effectively lowered transaminases, preserved liver tissue integrity, and mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, the histopathological examination of liver tissues revealed a significant reduction in liver fibrosis, which was further supported by the immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA. Additionally, the expression of the apoptotic genes BAX and BCL2 was monitored using real-time PCR, which showed a significant decrease in liver apoptosis. Further investigations unveiled the ability of the compounds to significantly decrease the expression of autophagy-related proteins, Beclin-1 and LC3B, consequently inhibiting autophagy. Finally, our computer-assisted simulation dockingonfirmed the obtained experimental activities. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that derivatives of 4-phenyltetrahydroquinoline demonstrate hepatoprotective properties in CCl4-induced liver damage and fibrosis in rats. The potential mechanism of action may be due to the inhibition of autophagy in liver cells.

Pulse azathioprine and low-dose methotrexate vs. standard-dose methotrexate in treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. Despite the availability of several systemic therapeutic agents, treatment of psoriasis remains a challenge because of the associated adverse effects and/or the financial burden of these medications, given the chronicity of the disease. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of combined pulse azathioprine (AZA) and low-dose methotrexate (MTX) vs. a conventional dose of MTX in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 67 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were randomized into two groups, receiving either combined pulse AZA (300 mg weekly dose) and low-dose MTX (10 mg weekly) or conventional-dose MTX (0.3 mg kg-1 per week) for 16 weeks. Patients were assessed for treatment response using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and for the development of any adverse effects at weeks 12 and 16, and for a further 3 months after stopping treatment. RESULTS: A statistically significantly higher proportion of the patients receiving combined pulse AZA and low-dose MTX achieved ≥ 90% improvement in PASI and 100% improvement (PASI 100) at week 12, and PASI 100 at week 16, compared with those receiving the conventional dose of MTX as monotherapy. No serious adverse events were reported during the entire study period in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy using pulse AZA and low-dose MTX can be an efficacious treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with a relatively good safety profile.

"If I die for touching him, let me die": a rapid ethnographic assessment of cultural practices and Ebola transmission in high-risk border regions of Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a rare but contagious disease caused by Ebola Virus (EBOV). The first Ebola outbreaks were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before subsequent reported cases in Western and East African countries, including Uganda, which borders Tanzania. Proximity to EVD-infected countries raises the prospect of cross-border transmission, raising alarm in Tanzania. This study aimed to explore the cultural practices likely to prevent or escalate EVD transmission in the event of its outbreak in the country. METHODS: This rapid ethnographic assessment employed observation, interviews, and focus group discussions to collect data from people with diverse characteristics in five regions of Tanzania Mainland namely, Kagera, Kigoma, Mwanza and Songwe regions and Zanzibar Island. The qualitative data was then subjected to thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Cultural practices may escalate the transmission of EVD and hinder its prevention and control. These cultural practices include caring sick people at home, confirmation of death, mourning, and body preparation for burial. Communal life, ceremonies, and social gatherings were other aspects observed to have the potential for compounding EVD transmission and hindering its containment in case of an outbreak. CONCLUSION: Cultural practices may escalate EVD transmission as identified in the study settings. As such, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities should be interventionist in transforming cultural practices that may escalate the spread of EVD as part of preparedness, prevention, and control efforts in the event of an outbreak.

The effects of dexmedetomidine on intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring modalities during corrective scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: During scoliosis surgery, motor evoked potentials (MEP), and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been reported to be affected by the use of higher doses of anesthetic agents. Dexmedetomidine, a sympatholytic agent, an alpha-2 receptor agonist, has been used as an adjunctive agent to lower anesthetic dose. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of dexmedetomidine on the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring of MEP and SSEP during surgery, particularly among pediatric patients. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to determine whether, during spinal fusion surgery in pediatric patients with scoliosis, dexmedetomidine alters MEP amplitude or SSEP latency and amplitude and, if so, whether different doses of dexmedetomidine display different effects (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022300562). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library on January 1, 2022 and included randomized controlled trials, observational cohort and case-control studies and case series investigating dexmedetomidine in the population of interest and comparing against a standardized anesthesia regimen without dexmedetomidine or comparing multiple doses of dexmedetomidine. Animal and in vitro studies and conference abstracts were excluded. RESULTS: We found substantial heterogeneity in the risk of bias (per Cochrane-preferred tools) of the included articles (n = 5); results are summarized without meta-analysis. Articles with the lowest risk of bias indicated that dexmedetomidine was associated with MEP loss and that higher doses of dexmedetomidine increased risk. In contrast, articles reporting no association between dexmedetomidine and MEP loss suffered from higher risk of bias, including suspected or confirmed problems with confounding, outcome measurement, participant selection, results reporting, and lack of statistical transparency and power. CONCLUSION: Given the limitations of the studies available in the literature, it would be advisable to conduct rigorous randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes to assess the effects of dexmedetomidine use of in scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients.

The Mediating Role of Spirituality in Delineating the Interconnection Between Self-Efficacy and Resilience Among the Parents of Children With Newly Diagnosed Diabetes: A Community Nursing-Led Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: This study examined the interplay among spirituality, self-efficacy and resilience in this context. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHOD: A total of 178 parents of children newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus; the instruments used for data collection were the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Diabetes Management, The Arabic version of The Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire and the Spiritual Perspective Scale. RESULTS: Self-efficacy had a significant positive direct effect on family resilience. Spirituality also had a significant positive direct effect on family resilience. Additionally, self-efficacy had a significant positive indirect effect on family resilience through its effect on spirituality. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the impact of spirituality and self-efficacy on a family resilience. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Nurses should prioritise self-care and personal reflection to enhance their spiritual well-being. This can help them better understand and empathise with their patients' spiritual needs, allowing for more effective and compassionate care. IMPACT: Upon the initial diagnosis of diabetes in a child, parents undergo a profound emotional and psychological upheaval. They are faced with the daunting task of managing their child's condition while also coping with their feelings of distress, uncertainty and fear. Amidst these challenges, factors such as self-efficacy and resilience play pivotal roles in determining how parents adapt to and navigate this new reality. Nurses can use spiritual care to give parents a sense of meaning, purpose and hope, bolstering their self-efficacy and resilience. REPORTING METHOD: The relevant reporting method has been adhered to, that is, STROBE. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: In our research, data collection is assisted by nurses working in community-based settings.

Sentiment of Nurses Towards Artificial Intelligence and Resistance to Change in Healthcare Organisations: A Mixed-Method Study.

BACKGROUND: Research identified preliminary evidence that artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in healthcare, revolutionising various aspects of healthcare delivery, from diagnostics to treatment planning. However, integrating AI into healthcare systems in Egypt is challenging, particularly concerning healthcare professionals' acceptance and adoption of these technologies. This mixed-method study aimed to explore the sentiment of nurses at different organisational levels towards AI and resistance to change in healthcare organisations. METHODS: A mixed-method design was employed, with quantitative data collected through a survey of 500 nurses using the general attitudes towards AI and resistance to change scale and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 17 nurses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: The survey demonstrated that positive attitudes were inversely correlated with resistance behaviour and resistance to change. Additionally, perceptions of AI's usefulness, ease of use and value were strongly and positively correlated with positive attitudes and negatively correlated with negative attitudes. Moreover, the influence of colleagues' opinions, self-efficacy for change and organisational support showed significant positive correlations with positive attitudes towards AI and negative correlations with negative attitudes. Qualitatively, nurses cited obstacles such as lack of familiarity with AI technologies, biases affecting decision-making, technological challenges, inadequate training and fear of technology replacing human interaction. Readiness for AI integration was associated with the necessity of training and the timing of AI use. CONCLUSION: Nurses demonstrated varied understanding of AI's applications and benefits. Some acknowledged its potential for efficiency and time-saving, while others highlighted a need for up-to-date knowledge. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Comprehending the disruptive influence of workplace gaslighting behaviours and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment: A multi-centre inquiry.

AIM: To explore the disruptive influence of workplace gaslighting behaviours and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment across multiple healthcare centres. DESIGN: A multi-centre cross-sectional. METHODS: Data were collected from 483 nurses from various healthcare settings in Egypt, spanning from January 2024 to February 2024. The Gaslighting at Work Questionnaire, Luxembourg Workplace Mobbing Scale and Career Entrenchment Scale were employed for data collection. RESULTS: The study revealed moderate levels of gaslighting, mobbing and nurses' career entrenchment. Also, there is a negative correlation between nurses' career entrenchment and both gaslighting and mobbing, while gaslighting and mobbing exhibit a positive correlation. The study also highlighted regional disparities in the prevalence of these phenomena, with the highest incidences noted in urban healthcare settings. CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the critical impact of workplace gaslighting and mobbing on nurses' career entrenchment. REPORTING METHOD: The relevant reporting method has been adhered to, that is, STROBE. IMPLICATION FOR THE PROFESSION: The future of the nursing profession requires building productive nurses who can cope with negative workplace experiences. This could be achieved by cultivating a workplace culture that has zero tolerance for these experiences. Offering counselling services or employee assistance programmes to help nurses cope with the emotional toll of these negative experiences is a promising strategy. IMPACT: This study is the first to examine serious workplace practices like gaslighting and mobbing in a nursing context, emphasizing their effect on nursing-sensitive indicators like career entrenchment. It is one of the important initiatives geared towards upgrading the competitiveness and magnetism of healthcare organizations in the era of green human resources management. Results provide valuable insights for nurse leaders to control nursing turnover and shortage crises in different endeavours. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: In our study, nurses from diverse geographical regions and varied specialties actively participate, offering a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives.

The effect of toxic leadership on workplace deviance: the mediating effect of emotional exhaustion, and the moderating effect of organizational cynicism.

BACKGROUND: Toxic leadership is abusive, destructive, and detrimental to nurses, can decrease nurse morale, increase stress levels, diminish organizational performance, and cause employee emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion, a key component of burnout, has been linked to decreased job performance and increased likelihood of engaging in deviant behaviors at work. Organizational cynicism, as a negative attitude or distrust towards the organization and its leadership, may exacerbate the relationship between toxic leadership and workplace deviance. This study aims to explore how toxic leadership, workplace deviance, emotional exhaustion, and organizational cynicism are interrelated in the nursing profession. METHOD: A multicenter descriptive, cross-sectional research design was conducted at three university hospitals affiliated with three Egyptian governorates: Zagazig, El-Fayoum, and Alexandria. Two hundred forty-three nurses completed the Personal and Job-related Data Questionnaire, Toxic Leadership Scale, Emotional Exhaustion Scale, Workplace Deviance Scale, and Organizational Cynicism Scale. Mediation analysis using SPSS PROCESS revealed that emotional exhaustion indirectly influences the relationship between toxic leadership and workplace deviance, while hierarchical multiple regression showed that organizational cynicism moderates this relationship, with linear regression confirming the predictive impact of these variables on workplace deviance. RESULTS: Toxic leadership exhibits a substantial positive influence on workplace deviance (B = 16.132, p < 0.001), as does emotional exhaustion (B = 8.760, p < 0.001) and organizational cynicism (B = 5.376, p = 0.036). Furthermore, the interaction terms of toxic leadership, organizational cynicism, and emotional exhaustion are significant (B = -3.012, p = 0.036). The negative coefficient of the interaction term implies a mitigating impact, indicating that the combined presence of high toxic leadership, high emotional exhaustion, and high organizational cynicism may counterintuitively reduce workplace deviance (t = -2.110). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that while toxic leadership, emotional exhaustion, and organizational cynicism each independently increase workplace deviance, their combined presence may unexpectedly reduce deviant behaviors. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING: These results highlight the significance of tackling toxic leadership practices and cultivating a positive organizational culture to enhance a healthier work environment and reduce instances of workplace deviance. Healthcare settings should prioritize interventions to improve leadership practices, enhance employee well-being, and cultivate a supportive organizational climate.

The role of Empathy in the relationship between emotional support and caring behavior towards patients among intern nursing students.

BACKGROUND: The empathic relationship between nursing students and patients allows them to understand and address caring behavior for patients. Appropriate emotional support equips them to overcome the complexities and difficulties inherent in patient care. This support cultivates resilience and self-awareness, enabling students to manage their emotions effectively and establish meaningful connections and caring with their patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of empathy in the association between emotional support and caring behavior toward patients among intern nursing students at Alexandria and Damanhur University. SUBJECTS: The study subjects were 200 intern nursing students in their internship years of 2022-2023, randomly selected from an equal sample size from Alexandria and Damanhur University, Egypt. TOOLS: A questionnaire of social information& academics from students, the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, the Caring Dimension Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support are used to collect participants' data. RESULTS: Empathy was associated with caring behavior and emotional support among nursing students (P < 0.001), and higher levels of empathy indicated increased levels of caring behavior and emotional support. The caring behavior significantly increased when intern nursing students received more emotional support and among those who were not working in private hospitals (p < 0.001,&p = 0.023 respectively). Empathy acts as a mediating role in the relationship between emotional support and caring behavior. IMPLICATIONS: Implementing strategies to assist interns in navigating challenges and promoting a culture of support can facilitate the cultivation of caring behaviors. Shedding light on the interconnectedness of empathy, emotional support, and caring behavior can inform the design of interventions to strengthen empathy as a pathway to improving patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Empathy is a mediating factor in the relationship between emotional support and caring behavior. This suggests that interventions promoting empathy may serve as a pathway to enhancing caring behavior among nursing students and strategies for improving patient care outcomes by strengthening empathy skills among healthcare professionals.

The mediating role of cardiac patients' perception of nursing care on the relationship between kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression in rural hospitals: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Kinesiophobia could act as a significant barrier against physical activity following cardiac procedures worsening cardiovascular health problems and potentially leading to conditions like hospital-acquired anxiety and depression among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nurses are the vanguard health care team who can aid patients in taking proactive steps to overcome fear of movement following cardiac procedures. AIM: The overarching aim is to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression, and patients' perception of nursing care. METHOD: A descriptive correlational research design in two rural hospitals, conducted at cardiac intensive care units of Kafr Eldawar Hospital and Damanhur Medical National Institute. Data were collected from 265 nurses, using the following patient-reported outcome measures, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Person-Centered Critical Care Nursing Questionnaire (PCCNP) and the patients' demographic and clinical profile. RESULT: A significant negative correlation was found between HADS and PCCNP (r: -0.510, p < 0.001) however, Kinesiophobia was significantly and positively correlated (r: 0.271, p < 0.001). A direct effect of PCCNP in the presence of the mediator was found to be not statistically significant (-0.015, CR = 0.302, p = 0.763). Nonetheless, PCCNP indirectly affects kinesiophobia through HADS (p=-0.099). IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Customizing individualized cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs based on the emotional experience of cardiac patients will be conducive to rehabilitation and prognosis for patients, thereby lessening the physical burden and improving their quality of life.

Exploring the association between internet addiction and time management among undergraduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Modern undergraduate nursing students face unique challenges as digital natives balancing internet activities with the substantial academic demands of nursing studies. Given the detrimental effects of internet addiction on students' academic performance and well-being, having time management skills is crucial. AIMS: To assess the prevalence and levels of internet addiction and time management and their association among undergraduate nursing students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, survey-based research design was used. SETTING: The Faculty of Nursing at Alexandria University in Egypt. SUBJECTS: A stratified random sample consisting of 825 undergraduate nursing students. TOOLS: The internet addiction test and time management questionnaire were utilized to collect data. FINDINGS: Internet addiction was prevalent among 98.8% of students, with 56.0% exhibiting mild levels, 40.0% showing moderate levels, and 2.8% having severe levels. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between students' internet addiction and overall time management (r= - 0.387, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A considerable level of internet addiction was revealed among the great majority of undergraduate nursing students; however, many students also demonstrated strong time management skills. Furthermore, internet addiction and overall time management were negatively associated, indicating that students with higher levels of internet addiction tend to have poorer time management abilities. RECOMMENDATIONS: Individual counseling and educational training programs should be developed to teach nursing students how to manage time and effectively plan internet usage.

Perceived stress, coping strategies, symptoms severity and function status among carpal tunnel syndrome patients: a nurse-led correlational Study.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent condition characterized by hand pain, tingling, and numbness. The severity of symptoms and functional status in CTS patients may be influenced by perceived stress and how individuals cope with it. However, scarce knowledge exists about the role of coping strategies as moderators in this relationship. Unfolding the role of perceived stress and coping strategies for CTS management will help the nurse to provide comprehensive and tailored nursing care. This will ultimately improve patient comfort, functionality, and quality of life. PURPOSES: This study aimed to examine the role of coping strategies (adaptive and maladaptive) in the relationship between perceived stress and both symptoms severity and function status among those patients. METHOD: We employed a multisite, correlational study design with moderation analysis. The study included 215 patients with CTS from neurosurgery outpatient clinics at three hospitals in Egypt. After obtaining their consent to participate, eligible participants completed anonymous, self-reported measures of perceived stress, the brief COPE inventory, and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Demographic and biomedical data were also collected. The questionnaire took about 20 min to be completed. The data was collected over six months, starting in February 2023. RESULTS: The results showed that perceived stress, adaptive coping, and maladaptive coping were significant predictors of symptoms severity and functional status. Adaptive coping moderated the relationships between perceived stress and both symptoms severity and function status, while maladaptive coping did not. The interaction between perceived stress and adaptive coping explained a moderate effect on symptoms severity and function status after controlling for the main effects and the covariates. CONCLUSION: This study explored the relationship between perceived stress, coping strategies, and outcomes in patients with CTS. The results indicate that nurses play a vital role in assessing and assisting patients to adopt effective coping strategies to manage perceived stress and alleviate symptoms and functional impairment. Moreover, the findings support the need for psychological interventions that address both perceived stress and coping strategies as a way to enhance the functioning status and quality of life of patients with CTS.

Climate anxiety, environmental attitude, and job engagement among nursing university colleagues: a multicenter descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Climate change, a pervasive global phenomenon, exerts discernible impacts on the physical, social, and psychological dimensions of well-being. The apprehension surrounding this complex environmental issue has reached a critical juncture, with over 76,000 individuals across more than thirty nations expressing profound levels of concern, characterizing their anxiety as either "very" or "extremely" pronounced. This surge in awareness regarding the potential consequences of climate change has given rise to an emergent and escalating challenge known as climate anxiety. This distinctive form of anxiety manifests through profound feelings of fear, helplessness, and despair elicited by the impending repercussions of climate change. Notably, the intersection of climate anxiety with occupational domains, particularly within the context of Nursing University Colleagues, suggests a nuanced relationship with job engagement, wherein the psychological responses to climate change may influence professional commitment and involvement. AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine the correlation among Climate Anxiety, Environmental Attitude, and Job Engagement among Nursing University Colleagues comprising eight distinct nursing faculties. DESIGN: A multicenter descriptive, cross-sectional research design study followed. SUBJECT: Three hundred fifty-nine participants from the Centre, Delta, West, Suez Canal, and Upper regions of Egypt using a stratified random cluster sampling technique. MEASUREMENTS: Social and health related to climate data structured questionnaire, climate anxiety scale, environmental attitude inventory, and job engagement scale. RESULTS: The influence of demographics on climate anxiety, environmental attitude, and job involvement was not observed. Nevertheless, geographical variations emerged as a noteworthy factor. A statistically significant inverse correlation was identified between climate anxiety, job engagement dimensions, and the overall score of environmental attitudes. CONCLUSION: Climate anxiety was strongly associated with environmental attitudes and job engagement among nursing university colleagues. Higher climate anxiety is associated with a lower attitude towards the environment and decreased job engagement. Additionally, a higher attitude towards the environment is associated with decreased overall engagement in participants' jobs. IMPLICATIONS: The study's patterns make it clear how important it is to provide targeted psycho-educational interventions to help reduce climate anxiety among the group of nursing university colleagues. The imperative lies not only in alleviating the immediate psychological distress associated with heightened climate anxiety but also in fostering adaptive coping mechanisms. By doing so, these interventions serve as instrumental tools in nurturing resilience, thereby fortifying the mental well-being of nursing professionals amidst the evolving landscape of climate-related concerns.

Hooked on technology: examining the co-occurrence of nomophobia and impulsive sensation seeking among nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Nomophobia, the crippling fear of being disconnected from mobile devices, is a burgeoning global concern. Given the critical nature of the profession of nursing students, understanding nomophobia's prevalence and potential impacts on patient care and professional conductors becomes even more crucial. AIM: This study explores the relationship between nomophobia and impulsive sensation-seeking among nursing students in Egypt. DESIGN AND METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1626 nursing students randomly selected from three universities across Egypt. TOOLS: The Arabic versions of the Nomophobia and Impulsive Sensation Seeking Questionnaires were employed to gather data. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that 40.3% of the surveyed nursing students exhibited severe nomophobia, indicating a substantial dependence on their mobile devices. Notably, this high prevalence was accompanied by a strong tendency towards impulsive sensation-seeking behaviors. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis identified several significant predictors of nomophobia (p < 0.001). Impulsive sensation-seeking, year of study, average daily smartphone usage, and age emerged as key factors, explaining 27.5% of the variability in nomophobia scores. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nomophobia among Egyptian nursing students is undeniable, highlighting their substantial reliance on mobile devices. A significant association with impulsive sensation-seeking behavior further compounds this dependence. Factors such as impulsive sensation seeking, year of study, average daily smartphone usage, and age were identified as significant predictors of nomophobia. Recognizing these factors as key predictors of nomophobia is crucial for designing effective interventions and psychotherapies. Prioritizing such interventions can promote future nurses' well-being and ensure they deliver the highest quality care to their patients.

Exploring the mediating influence of acceptance of change: A study on gerontechnology acceptance, mental well-being, and urban-rural disparities among older adults.

BACKGROUND: The global aging population necessitates leveraging technology for older adults' independence and mental well-being. Gerontechnology, tailored for older users, thrives when accessible and accepted, with the pivotal role of acceptance of change shaping its adoption. AIMS: This study investigates the mediating role of acceptance of change in the relationship between gerontechnology acceptance and mental well-being among older adults and explores disparities in urban and rural settings DESIGN & METHODS: A cross-sectional, correlational design adhering to STROBE guidelines collected data through an interview survey from 802 older adults. Instruments included the Older Adult Structured Survey, Short Version of Senior Technology Acceptance, Acceptance of Change Scale, and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index. RESULTS: The results underscore a significant correlation between technology adoption, adaptability, and mental well-being among 60-year-olds and older. Notably, an individual's openness to change significantly influences the technology-mental well-being relationship, emphasizing its impact on overall health. Urban areas exhibit a stronger positive correlation between technology acceptance and mental well-being, whereas rural regions demonstrate a more pronounced negative correlation. CONCLUSION: This research contributes valuable knowledge for addressing the unique challenges older adults face in diverse geographic settings, paving the way for targeted and effective initiatives. IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should prioritize understanding the nexus between gerontechnology acceptance, change adaptability, and mental wellness, integrating technology education and culturally sensitive interventions to enhance care strategies for older adults in diverse geographic settings. This study lays the groundwork for developing person-centered geriatric nursing care plans, underscoring the importance of harnessing technology for improved mental well-being.

Assessment of antimicrobial activity and GC-MS using culture filtrate of local marine Bacillus strains.

Secondary metabolites produced by Bacillus species from marine sources encompass a variety of compounds such as lipopeptides, isocoumarins, polyketides, macrolactones, polypeptides and fatty acids. These bioactive substances exhibit various biological activities, including antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor properties. This study aimed to isolate and identify a particular species of Bacillus from marine water and organisms that can produce bioactive secondary metabolites. Among the 73 Bacillus isolates collected, only 5 exhibited antagonistic activity against various viral and bacterial pathogens. The active isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing to determine their taxonomical affiliation. Among them, Bacillus tequilensis CCASU-2024-66 strain no. 42, with the accession number ON 054302 in GenBank, exhibited the highest inhibitory potential. It displayed an inhibition zone of 21 mm against Bacillus cereus while showing a minimum zone of inhibition of 9 mm against Escherichia coli and gave different inhibition against pathogenic fungi, the highest inhibition zone 15 mm against Candida albicans but the lowest inhibition zone 10 mm was against Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum. Furthermore, it demonstrated the highest percentage of virucidal effect against the Newcastle virus and influenza virus, with rates of 98.6% and 98.1%, respectively. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis was employed to examine the bioactive substance components, specifically focusing on volatile and polysaccharide compounds. Based on these results, Bacillus tequilensis strain 42 may have the potential to be employed as an antiviral agent in poultry cultures to combat Newcastle and influenza, two extremely destructive viruses, thus reducing economic losses in the poultry production sector. Bacteria can be harnessed for the purpose of preserving food and controlling pathogenic fungi in both human and plant environments. Molecular docking for the three highly active derivatives 2,3-Butanediol, 2TMS, D-Xylopyranose, 4TMS, and Glucofuranoside, methyl 2,3,5,6-tetrakis-O-(trimethylsilyl) was carried out against the active sites of Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Newcastle virus and influenza virus. The data obtained from molecular docking is highly correlated with that obtained from biology. Moreover, these highly active compounds exhibited excellent proposed ADMET profile.

Effect of Thermo-mechanical Cycling on Fracture Resistance of Different CAD/CAM Crowns: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of thermo-mechanical cycling (TMC) on fracture resistance of different computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 CAD/CAM crowns were fabricated on epoxy resin maxillary first premolar teeth and divided into three groups (n = 14) according to the material used: IPS e.max CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent) lithium disilicate (LD), Vita ENAMIC (VE) (VITA Zahnfabrik), Tetric CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent). Also, each group was subdivided into two equal subgroups according to TMC (n = 7). Subgroups (O) without TMC and subgroup (W) with TMC (5-55°C, 30 second, 75,000 cycles). All samples in each group were cemented with a universal bond (Tetric N bond universal) and adhesive resin cement (Variolink Esthetic DC) (Ivoclar Vivadent). Subsequently, the samples were loaded to failure in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min, and the fracture pattern and the fracture resistance in each group were recorded. RESULTS: Fracture resistance was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, followed by Tukey's post hoc test for pairwise comparison. Fracture resistance showed a significant difference between the tested groups before and after TMC; IPS e.max CAD has the highest value (1233.35 ± 97.72, 1165.73 ± 199.54 N) followed by Tetric CAD (927.62 ± 42.5, 992.04 ± 53.46 N) and Vita ENAMIC has lowest value (506.49 ± 74.24, 354.69 ± 90.36 N). CONCLUSION: Thermo-mechanical cycling affected the fracture resistance of both polymer-based CAD/CAM crowns. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For dental practitioners, both IPS e.max CAD and Tetric CAD can be used clinically for posterior teeth, providing satisfactory results and resistance to fracture. How to cite this article: Elmokadem MI, Haggag KM, Mohamed HR. Effect of Thermo-mechanical Cycling on Fracture Resistance of Different CAD/CAM Crowns: An In Vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(1):29-34.

A meta analysis on the utility of Anakinra in severe COVID-19 disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The most important presentation of COVID-19 is hyper inflammatory condition and cytokine storm that occurs due to excessive increase of the inflammatory mediators specially, pro-inflammatory interleukins such as IL-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α which have an important role in the cytokine storm pathway. Up till now there is not a definitive treatment for COVID-19 disease, but according to the pathophysiology of the disease, Anakinra (Interleukin- 1 inhibitor) is an adjuvant treatment option in patients with severe COVID-19 by blocking the effect of IL-1. So, we aimed to summarize the studies that evaluated the safety and efficacy of Anakinra in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases from inception till 7 Jan 2022. Additionally, we searched randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, cohort, case series, case control, case report more than 3 patients which contain confirmed cases of COVID-19 who received Anakinra (Interleukin- 1 inhibitor) for the management of hyper-inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 disease. A meta-analysis was conducted using review manager 5.4. RESULTS: We included 44 articles in the systematic review. Ultimately, 23 studies were incorporated in the meta-analysis with a total number of 3179 patients. Our analysis showed statistically significant difference in the following outcomes: duration of ICU stays [MD = -0.65, 95% CI (-1.09, -0.03), p = 0.04], the number of patients who needed invasive mechanical ventilation [RR = 0.57, 95% CI (0.39, 0.84), p = 0.004], and number of deaths [RR = 0.80, 95% CI (0.66, 0.99), p = 0.04]. Our analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the following outcomes: length of hospital stays [MD = -0.16, 95% CI (-0.42, 0.11), p = 0.26], oxygen-free days [MD = -0.81, 95% CI (-3.81, 2.20), p = 0.60], and the number of patients who needed non-invasive mechanical ventilation [RR = 1.09, 95% CI (0.47, 2.52), p = 0.84]. CONCLUSION: Anakinra showed some promising results in important outcomes related to COVID-19 as it significantly reduced the rate of mortality and the need of invasive mechanical ventilation. It should be used in severe cases more than mild and moderate cases to avoid possible immunosuppression complications. Anakinra use is safe in cases of COVID-19 at dose less than 100 mg. Another important outcome was significant reduction is the D-dimer level. Anakinra may be effective in the treatment of specific immunocompromised cases, but it should be used cautiously.