Surgical Innovations in Tracheal Reconstruction: A Review on Synthetic Material Fabrication.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this review is to explore the recent surgical innovations in tracheal reconstruction by evaluating the uses of synthetic material fabrication when dealing with tracheomalacia or stenotic pathologies, then discussing the challenges holding back these innovations. Materials and Methods: A targeted non-systematic review of published literature relating to tracheal reconstruction was performed within the PubMed database to help identify how synthetic materials are utilised to innovate tracheal reconstruction. Results: The advancements in 3D printing to aid synthetic material fabrication have unveiled promising alternatives to conventional approaches. Achieving successful tracheal reconstruction through this technology demands that the 3D models exhibit biocompatibility with neighbouring tracheal elements by encompassing vasculature, chondral foundation, and immunocompatibility. Tracheal reconstruction has employed grafts and scaffolds, showing a promising beginning in vivo. Concurrently, the integration of resorbable models and stem cell therapy serves to underscore their viability and application in the context of tracheal pathologies. Despite this, certain barriers hinder its advancement in surgery. The intricate tracheal structure has posed a challenge for researchers seeking novel approaches to support its growth and regeneration. Conclusions: The potential of synthetic material fabrication has shown promising outcomes in initial studies involving smaller animals. Yet, to fully realise the applicability of these innovative developments, research must progress toward clinical trials. These trials would ascertain the anatomical and physiological effects on the human body, enabling a thorough evaluation of post-operative outcomes and any potential complications linked to the materials or cells implanted in the trachea.

An osteoporosis knowledge assessment instrument - development and validation.

INTRODUCTION: The consequences of osteoporotic fractures are extremely detrimental to the individual as well as to society. Adopting effective preventative measures is a top public health priority.

Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this review is to explore the role of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, how it impacts CRC morbidity and mortality, and why its role in clinical medicine is limited. METHODS: A targeted, non-systematic review of the published literature relating to colorectal cancer diagnosis was performed with PubMed databases that were scouted to help provide a more defined understanding of the recent advances regarding artificial intelligence and their impact on colorectal-related morbidity and mortality. Articles were included if deemed relevant and including information associated with the keywords. RESULTS: The advancements in artificial intelligence have been significant in facilitating an earlier diagnosis of CRC. In this review, we focused on evaluating genomic biomarkers, the integration of instruments with artificial intelligence, MR and hyperspectral imaging, and the architecture of neural networks. We found that these neural networks seem practical and yield positive results in initial testing. Furthermore, we explored the use of deep-learning-based majority voting methods, such as bag of words and PAHLI, in improving diagnostic accuracy in colorectal cancer detection. Alongside this, the autonomous and expansive learning ability of artificial intelligence, coupled with its ability to extract increasingly complex features from images or videos without human reliance, highlight its impact in the diagnostic sector. Despite this, as most of the research involves a small sample of patients, a diversification of patient data is needed to enhance cohort stratification for a more sensitive and specific neural model. We also examined the successful application of artificial intelligence in predicting microsatellite instability, showcasing its potential in stratifying patients for targeted therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Since its commencement in colorectal cancer, artificial intelligence has revealed a multitude of functionalities and augmentations in the diagnostic sector of CRC. Given its early implementation, its clinical application remains a fair way away, but with steady research dedicated to improving neural architecture and expanding its applicational range, there is hope that these advanced neural software could directly impact the early diagnosis of CRC. The true promise of artificial intelligence, extending beyond the medical sector, lies in its potential to significantly influence the future landscape of CRC's morbidity and mortality.

Nursing Education in Some European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Member Countries: A Comparative Analysis.

Background: The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has aimed at unifying, harmonizing, and ensuring consistency of higher education systems in Europe for over two decades. The objective of this study was to investigate the similarities and differences in the training programs of nurses in selected EHEA member countries. Methods: Comparative analysis was used. Based on three sources: research articles, internet databases, and emails sent to nursing education institutions. Three databases, namely Science Direct, PubMed, and ERIC, were utilized. Results: Regarding educational institutions, the majority of countries' nurses graduated with a Bachelor's degree, except for Estonia, Russia, and North Macedonia. Russia had the shortest education duration (2 years and 10 months), while other member countries had programs lasting between 3-4 years. In countries where colleges were still active, diploma or certificate programs were offered, such as in Estonia and Russia. Only North Macedonia did not offer any continuing education for nurses, and Estonia, Latvia, and France did not have PhD programs in nursing. Conclusion: Nurses constitute the largest occupational group in healthcare, and the quality of medical care relies on their theoretical and practical training. Despite efforts to unify nursing curricula through the Bologna Process, significant differences still exist.

Accessibility to and awareness of rheumatology care provided by a nurse - a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Good medical care depends both on the access to specialists and awareness of patients and healthcare professionals. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the accessibility to rheumatology outpatient care and the awareness of patients with inflammatory joint diseases with regard to the types of sources and preferences of sources for obtaining information related to their disease and treatment, as well as to establish the extent to which this information is useful to patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot, cross-sectional, single center, anonymous study was conducted among adult patients with inflammatory joint diseases who were monitored in an outpatient rheumatology room at St George Diagnostic and Consultative Center in Plovdiv. A total of 56 patients were monitored. The questionnaire contained 56 questions, divided into 5 main groups: 1. questions about the disease, 2. questions about the sociodemographic profile of the patients, 3. questions about accessibility to specialized healthcare, 4. questions about the role of the nurse in the training of patients with inflammatory joint disease, and 5. questions evaluating the attitude to the monitoring medical team. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS V.26, at a statistical significance level of p<0.05 for all analyses. RESULTS: Women predominated among the patients under observation (37, 66%), as well as patients in the age group of 50-79 years (46, 82%). Twenty-four (42.9%) were the patients attending the consulting room twice a year. On-the-spot booking in the consulting room was preferred mainly among patients who lived within 50 km (3/16, 19%), while the rest of the patients preferred booking appointments by phone. Forty-five (80%) patients of the total number of patients used subcutaneous biological agents. Among them, the patients whose first application was performed by a nurse in a rheumatology room predominated (44 patients, 96%). All respondents (56, 100%) indicated that they had received self-injection training from a healthcare professional. CONCLUSION: Patients with inflammatory joint diseases need information to help them manage issues related to their disease and treatment, as well as cope with their physical and psychological needs. Our study shows that patients most commonly use a combination of information sources - they get information from a doctor or from a healthcare professional, i.e. a nurse. We highlighted in the study the crucial role of nurses in improving the access of patients to specialized rheumatology care and satisfying patients' information needs.

A comparative analysis of the sexual culture and behavior of nursing students from the Medical University of Plovdiv in the period 2009-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Population reproduction and family planning are highly dependent on sexual culture and sexual behavior. In this study, we seek to determine whether, over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019, there have been any changes in the sexual culture of nursing students in relation to the knowledge of risk factors for unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions.

Examining the Safety Profile of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors in the Management of Immune-Mediated Diseases: A Comprehensive Review.

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have heralded a paradigm shift in the management of immune-mediated diseases. While their efficacy is well-established, the safety concerns associated with these agents, particularly regarding thromboembolic events (TE), remain a focus of extensive research and clinical scrutiny. This comprehensive literature review embarks on an exploration of the multifaceted landscape of JAK inhibitors, providing insights into their safety profiles across diverse immune-mediated diseases. The introduction highlights the transformative influence of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. Historically, the therapeutic arsenal for these conditions included corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. The advent of JAK inhibitors has revolutionized this landscape, although concerns about their safety persist. This review strives to comprehensively evaluate their safety, amalgamating knowledge from multiple studies and trials. The subsequent sections delve into the safety of specific JAK inhibitors in the context of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and dermatologic conditions and their associations with venous thromboembolism. The evolving understanding of TE risk, particularly the intricate relationship between these agents and immune-mediated diseases, is meticulously unravelled. The concluding remarks underscore the dynamic nature of TE risk assessment with regard to immune-mediated diseases involving JAK inhibitors. It underscores that risk assessment is multifactorial, influenced not only by the choice of JAK inhibitor but also by the nuances of the underlying immune-mediated disease and the unique patient characteristics. This review offers a holistic perspective on TE risks associated with JAK inhibitors and contributes to the ongoing dialogue regarding their safety in the realm of immune-mediated diseases.

Formation of the Reproductive Behavior of Healthcare Students Depending on Their Mothers' Realized Plans.

INTRODUCTION: A socio-demographic analysis of marriage and family requires conducting deep studies penetrating the essence of the processes among the population. The issue of birth-rate, as a basic factor that determines the reproduction of the population, takes a central position in the demographic studies. The study of the influence of the mothers' reproductive behaviour on their daughters' repro-ductive attitude is of an undisputed interest. This study deals with mothers' realized plans as a factor in their daughters' family planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2018 through a direct group anonymous inquiry among 395 female students. The statistical processing of the data was made with descriptive, alternative, correlation and variance analyses. RESULTS: The students' reproductive behaviour is statistically significantly dependent on their mothers' realized family plans. Moth-ers' education and the real number of children are statistically significant factors for their daughters' views about the ideal and planned number of children. CONCLUSION: This study of the reproductive behaviour of the students advances the knowledge in the field by revealing that it is statisti-cally significantly dependent on their mothers' realized plans.