Assessment of burnout, resilience, and thriving among academic health professionals: findings from an international study.

Introduction: Burnout, resilience, and thriving significantly impact academics, particularly in health professions, where responsibilities are extensive. This study aimed to explore these constructs among academic health professionals, examining sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academic health professionals via web-based professional networks from August 2022 to February 2023. Validated tools were used, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results: 505 participants were included, predominantly female (63%), with a mean age of 38.15 ± 9.6 years. High burnout was reported by 10.9%, 13.7% experienced exhaustion, and 6.3% were disengaged. Resilience and thriving were moderate at 59.2 and 51.9%, respectively. Age correlated negatively with burnout (r = -0.131, p = 0.003) but positively with resilience (r = 0.178, p < 0.001). Females reported higher exhaustion (p = 0.014), while males showed greater resilience (p = 0.016). Instructors exhibited lower resilience compared to assistant professors (p < 0.001) and associate professors (p < 0.001). Those at public universities reported higher exhaustion than those at private universities (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Variable levels of burnout, resilience, and thriving were observed among academic health professionals, influenced by sociodemographic and work-related factors. Interventions targeting resilience and thriving may mitigate burnout risk and enhance engagement among academics in health professions.

Lipoxygenase-12 Levels and Biochemical Parameters in Iraqi Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With and Without Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia caused by a defect in the secretion or action or both of insulin. It has a complex pathogenesis. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to an increase in the size of the prostate; it is one of the most common health problems in men that manifests with age. Lipoxygenase-12 (Lipox-12) is one of the enzymes in the Lipox 12/15 family, which plays a major role in catalyzing a variety of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are capable of producing different metabolites. Lipox-12 has a significant effect on arachidonic acid metabolism, with PUFA, a pro- and anti-inflammatory mediator, as one of the enzyme isoforms. It also plays a major role in modulating inflammation at multiple checkpoints as diabetes progresses. The present study aims to measure Lipox-12 levels in patients with DM type 2 (DM2) and patients with DM2 + BPH. Methodology This study was conducted in Musayyib General Hospital, south of Baghdad, where a clinical examination was performed on 50 samples from controls (healthy subjects), 50 patients with DM2, and 50 patients with DM2 + BPH after taking each patient's history. The examinations performed included fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (Chol), and Lipox-12. Results The results showed that both the DM2 and DM2 + BPH groups had higher FBS, HbA1c, TG, and Chol levels than healthy subjects; in contrast, Lipox-12 levels were the lowest in the DM2 group (sensitivity = 79% and specificity = 81%) but higher in the DM2 + BPH group (sensitivity = 80%; specificity = 82%) compared to the control group. Conclusions Lipox-12 had a high sensitivity and specificity in the DM2 and DM2 + BPH groups compared to the control group, and in both cases, it was used to monitor and diagnose DM2 and BPH.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Prescribing Pattern and Appropriateness among Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: Findings from a Malaysian Teaching Hospital.

Background: Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for hospitalized children. However, only a limited number of studies have evaluated antibiotic use in this population. The current work assessed the indication, prescribing pattern and appropriateness of antibiotics among pediatric inpatients. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the pediatric wards of a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Electronic charts of inpatients (≤12 years old) admitted in 2019 were reviewed. Antibiotic indication, selection, dosing regimen, route of administration and duration of treatment were evaluated using the national antibiotic guidelines (NAG). A binomial logistic regression was applied to test potential predictors of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing (IAP) incidence. Results: Out of 702 pediatric inpatients, 292 (41.6%) patients were given antibiotics and met the inclusion criteria. More than half of the patients (57.9%) were males, with a median age of 2.5 years. A total of 385 and 285 antibiotics were prescribed during hospitalization and at discharge, respectively. Azithromycin, co-amoxiclav and cefuroxime were the top three prescribed agents. Out of 670 prescriptions, IAP was identified in 187 (28%) prescriptions that were issued for 169 (57.9%) out of the 292 patients included in the study. Improper antibiotic selection, wrong dose and unnecessary antibiotic prescribing accounted for 41%, 34% and 10% of the identified IAP, respectively. Giving lower-than-recommended doses (28%) was more prevalent than prescribing higher doses (5%). The use of two antibiotics and treating upper respiratory tract infections were independent risk factors for IAP incidence. Conclusions: Prescribers did not adhere to the NAG in more than one quarter of the prescriptions. This may increase the risk of treatment failure, adverse drug reactions and the development of antibiotic resistance.

Classification of land use/land cover using artificial intelligence (ANN-RF).

Because deep learning has various downsides, such as complexity, expense, and the need to wait longer for results, this creates a significant incentive and impetus to invent and adopt the notion of developing machine learning because it is simple. This study intended to increase the accuracy of machine-learning approaches for land use/land cover classification using Sentinel-2A, and Landsat-8 satellites. This study aimed to implement a proposed method, neural-based with object-based, to produce a model addressed by artificial neural networks (limited parameters) with random forest (hyperparameter) called ANN_RF. This study used multispectral satellite images (Sentinel-2A and Landsat-8) and a normalized digital elevation model as input datasets for the Sana'a city map of 2016. The results showed that the accuracy of the proposed model (ANN_RF) is better than the ANN classifier with the Sentinel-2A and Landsat-8 satellites individually, which may contribute to the development of machine learning through newer researchers and specialists; it also conventionally developed traditional artificial neural networks with seven to ten layers but with access to 1,000's and millions of simulated neurons without resorting to deep learning techniques (ANN_RF).

The socket shield technique for immediate implant placement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Immediate implant placement with socket shield technique (SST) may maintain the buccal bone plate and soft tissue levels, however, the potential clinical benefits of SST lack strong scientific evidence. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of SST on dimensional changes of hard tissues, esthetic outcomes, implant stability, complication, and implant failure rates. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared immediate implant placement with and without SST. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool. Data were analyzed using a statistical software program. RESULTS: A total of 982 studies were identified, of which, seven RCTs with 206 immediately placed dental implants in 191 participants were included. Overall meta-analysis showed significant differences in the changes in buccal bone plate width (mean difference (MD) -0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.30 to -0.15; p < 0.0001) and height (MD -0.52; 95% CI -0.85 to -0.18; p = 0.002) in favor of SST. The use of SST was also associated with significantly less changes in peri-implant marginal bone levels and better pink esthetic score than immediately placing implants without SST. The differences in implant stability, complication and implant failure rates were not statistically significant between immediate implant placement with or without SST. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term complication and implant failure rates following immediate implant placement with or without SST were comparable. The SST has short-term positive effects on the changes in width and height of buccal bone plate, peri-implant marginal bone levels and esthetic outcomes. Further evidence from long-term RCTs are still required to substantiate the current findings. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: SST can reduce changes in buccal plate width and height and improve the soft tissue profile following immediate implant placement in esthetic zone.

Awareness of the Risk Factors for Heart Attack Among the General Public in Pahang, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is a leading nationwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Public awareness of risk factors for heart attacks is thought to impact the burden of disease, prevention, and timely management. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of risk factors for heart attack and to identify the factors associated with the awareness of all modifiable risk factors for heart attack in the general population. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 393 adult individuals in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews among the lay public members who were 18-64 years old, excluding healthcare professionals in clinical settings and academic settings. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The majority of the individuals identified smoking as a risk factor for heart attack, followed by atrial fibrillation (57.7%), heart disease (54.1%), and obesity (53.8%). However, diabetes (26%) was the risk factor that was least recognized by the participants. A total of 90.6% of participants identified at least one risk factor for heart attack, while 9.8% of the participants did not identify any risk factors for heart attack, whereas 5.6% identified all modifiable heart attack risk factors. Furthermore, participants aged 46-64 years old, married respondents, and Chinese participants, those with higher educational levels, and received prior information demonstrated great awareness of eight modifiable risk factors for heart attack. Multivariable logistic regression presented that participants with aged 55-64, those with family history of heart attack and individuals with dyslipidemia were factors independently related to excellent awareness (p=0.04, OR=6.21, 95% CL= 1.081-35.641), (p=0.049, OR=2.11, 95% CL=0.721-6.230) and (p=0.009, OR= 4.08, 95% CL= 1.427-11.685), respectively. CONCLUSION: Awareness of risk factors for heart attack appears to be poor, where most of the respondents recognized only one modifiable risk factor. According to these findings, programs and strategies to raise awareness of modifiable risk factors for HA are urgently needed to protect the lay public from HA.

Development of questionnaire on awareness and action towards symptoms and risk factors of heart attack and stroke among a Malaysian population.

BACKGROUND: The awareness of symptoms and action towards heart attack and stroke is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire on awareness and action towards symptoms and risk factors of heart attack and stroke among lay public in Malaysia. The questionnaire was developed in both English and Bahasa Melayu. METHODS: Primarily the questions were generated in English. Face and content validity were performed by five experts in Pharmacy Practice and Medicine. A translation as per guidelines into Malay language was performed; followed by face-to-face interview of 96 lay public in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. For internal consistency, reliability was assessed utilizing Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of the awareness and action towards heart attack symptoms and risk factors was 65.52 ± 6.3, with a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75), whereas the mean of the awareness and action towards stroke symptoms and risk factors was 61.93 ± 7.11, with an accepted internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86). CONCLUSION: The current validation research showed that the developed questionnaire is valid and reliable for assessing the awareness and action towards symptoms and risk factors of heart attack and stroke among lay public in Malaysia.

The predictive factors for relapses in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Most patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) have frequent relapses (FR); this is considered one of the main problems because of its association with a high incidence of complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the different factors that might be associated with the occurrence of relapse in SSNS. This is a retrospective study of 80 patients with SSNS conducted at the Pediatric Nephrology Clinic in the Al-Kadhymia Teaching Hospital between January 2011 and November 2011. The study patients were divided into two groups: FR and infrequent relapses (IFR). The age of the study patients was between one and 14 years; 45 patients had FR (56.3%) and 35 patients had IFR (43.7%). Males constituted 55 patients (68.7%) and 25 patients were female (31.3%). The incidence of FR was high in all age-groups, except in the 1-5 years age-group, and was higher in children living in urban areas. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, place of residence and renal functions. However, there was a significant difference in the presence of hematuria, time taken to respond to therapy and duration of steroid therapy required; all were higher in the FR group. Our results will help clinicians in identifying possible FR such that they may be monitored closely.

Assessment of satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in outpatient HIV treatment setting.

BACKGROUND: The patient's perception and satisfaction are increasingly considered as a useful factor in the assessment of competency of health care providers and quality of care. However, these patient focused assessments are largely ignored when assessing health care outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The study assessed the perception and satisfaction of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) with pharmaceutical services received in outpatient HIV treatment settings. SETTING: Seventeen HIV treatment centres in Nigeria. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included 2,700 patients randomly selected from 26,319 HIV patients on ART, who received pharmaceutical services in the study setting. A study-specific Likert-type instrument was administered to the participants at point of exit from the pharmacy. Midpoint of the 5-point scale was computed and scores above it were regarded as positive while below as negative. Chi-square was used for inferential statistics. All reported p values were 2-sided at 95 % confidence interval (CI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services. RESULTS: Of 2,700 patients sampled, data from 1,617 (59.9 %) were valid for analysis; 62.3 % were aged 26-40 years and 65.4 % were females. The participants had received pharmaceutical services for a mean duration of 25.2 (95 % CI 24.3-26.1) months. Perception of participants regarding the appearance of pharmacy was positive while that regarding the pharmacists' efforts to solve patients' medication related problems was negative. The participants' rating of satisfaction with the waiting time to access pharmaceutical services was negative; the satisfaction decreases with increasing waiting time. However, the satisfaction with the overall quality of pharmaceutical services received was rated as positive; 90.0 % reported that they got the kind of pharmaceutical services they wanted; 98.2 % would come back to the pharmacy if they were to seek help again and would recommend services to others. The level of satisfaction was found to be associated with educational status of the participants (p = 0.006) unlike age, sex, marital and employment status. CONCLUSION: The satisfaction with overall quality of pharmaceutical services received by participants was positive. Longer waiting times resulted in lower patient satisfaction. High patient load may be the cause of the long waiting time and the inadequate duration of interaction between pharmacist and the patient.