BMC Research Notes最新文献

Objective: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a common complication in hospitalized patients, but their incidence following open-heart surgery with delayed sternal closure (DSC) in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain underexplored. This study aimed to determine the incidence of nosocomial BSIs in pediatrics undergoing open-heart surgery with DSC. A retrospective observational study was conducted using medical records of 178 infants with CHD who underwent open-heart surgery with DSC at Children's Medical Center Hospital in Iran between 2018 and 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, surgical variables, and blood culture results were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, with a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The incidence of nosocomial BSIs was 11.8% (21 of 178 infants). Among the positive cultures, Klebsiella was the most frequent pathogen, accounting for 47.6% of isolates (10 out of 21). Among the positive cultures, Klebsiella was the most frequent pathogen, accounting for 10 (47.6%) of isolates. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age (adjusted OR 0.97 per day; 95% CI 0.94-0.99; P = 0.03) and longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration (adjusted OR 1.008 per minute; 95% CI 1.000-1.016; P = 0.04) were independently associated with the occurrence of BSI. These findings suggest that younger age and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration are independent risk factors for the development of BSIs bloodstream infections in pediatric patients undergoing open-heart surgery with DSC. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and to identify effective infection prevention strategies for this high-risk population.

Objectives: Pediatric cancer survivors are at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases due to treatment-related immunosuppression. This study aimed to assess serological status for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) following chemotherapy and identify factors associated with antibody loss.

Results: Fifty-four pediatric cancer survivors (mean age 12.5 years) were evaluated at a median of 2.5 years (IQR 1.2, 5.4) after completing chemotherapy. All participants had received at least one MMR dose before their cancer diagnosis and had completed treatment at least six months prior. Overall, 43 patients (79.6%) were seronegative for at least one MMR component. Seronegativity was highest for measles (64.8%), followed by mumps (55.6%) and rubella (35.2%). Measles seronegativity was significantly associated with a longer interval since chemotherapy (> 5 years; p = 0.04) and older age at receipt of the second MMR dose (mean 86.4 vs. 44.9 months; p = 0.002). No significant associations were observed for mumps or rubella seronegativity. These findings indicate a substantial decline in MMR immunity after chemotherapy and support the incorporation of routine post-chemotherapy revaccination into survivorship care, especially in settings where serologic testing is not readily available.

Objective: This study explored hospital managers' lived experiences with peer learning as a constructivist educational approach in healthcare management. It aimed to elucidate how peer learning contributes to managerial development and to identify contextual factors that either facilitate or hinder its effectiveness in healthcare organizations.

Results description: Peer learning significantly improved decision-making, managerial performance, inter-organizational interactions, and continuous updating of specialized knowledge. Exchanging real-world experiences enhanced critical thinking, professional attitudes, and self-efficacy among managers. Facilitating factors included strong organizational support, sharing successful practices, and benchmarking against high-performing hospitals. However, effectiveness was limited by weak teamwork culture, the absence of systematic management development strategies, restricted structured interactions, and organizational/structural barriers. Additional obstacles included limited managerial authority, deficiencies in succession planning, and inadequate coordination of directors' assemblies by upstream institutions. Overall, peer learning proved highly valuable for developing managerial competencies, yet realizing its full potential requires eliminating structural obstacles and implementing targeted participatory policies and mechanisms (e.g., learning communities and succession planning programs).

Objective: Rotavirus is known for its pathogenicity in children under the age of five, causing severe gastroenteritis with concerning mortality and morbidity rates in endemic regions. The complex, three-layered capsid of this pathogen is a substantial field of study, and deepening our understanding, particularly of double-layered particles (DLPs), is crucial for advancing various rotavirology areas, such as vaccine development, pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, and diagnostic research. In this pilot study, we designed and evaluated three immunostimulation regimens to generate the highest level of anti-VP6 antibody in vivo for a range of downstream applications, which may require these antibodies as a starting point for further investigation.

Results: This study indicated that immune stimulation can vary based on the combination of antigens and the order in which they are introduced into the host. According to our findings, a heterologous regimen composed of recombinant VP6 protein with complete Freund's adjuvant as the priming shot and rotavirus particles with incomplete Freund's adjuvant as the booster shot could elicit an antibody response at least two-fold stronger than the other homologous regimens applied in the present study. This preliminary observation suggests a high-yielding yet cost-effective protocol to access abundant anti-VP6 polyclonal antibodies as a base for different DLP-relying research.

Objective: The Significant Quality of Life Measure (SigQOLM) is a validated scale used to measure a broad spectrum of quality of life and well-being. Given that the original SigQOLM consists of 69 items, this study aims to revise and validate a shortened version, referred to as SigQOLM-36, containing 36 items.

Results: The overall internal consistency of SigQOLM-36 was deemed excellent, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.923. The minimum Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each domain was 0.733, McDonald's omega coefficients ranged between 0.562 and 0.991, and with a minimum factor loading of 0.547. Additionally, the model fit for the overall framework and each domain of SigQOLM-36 was found to be excellent (Chi-square test < 0.30, RMSEA < 0.80, SRMR < 0.08, CFI > 0.9, and TLI > 0.9). The SigQOLM-36 maintains the original SigQOLM framework, featuring four elements and 18 domains. In conclusion, the SigQOLM-36 can be used to measure quality of life and well-being of people.

Objective: Human leptospirosis is an endemic disease in northern Iran. residents of northern provinces are at increased risk of exposure to Leptospira due to the region's unique geographical characteristics, occupational patterns, cultural practices, lifestyle, and recreational activities, all of which contribute to the higher burden of the disease in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the epidemiological patterns of leptospirosis in Babol County over six years (2019-2024).

Results: During the study period, 344 cases of human leptospirosis were reported. Of these, 86.0% occurred in males, and 70.3% of the cases were among rural residents. Among occupational groups, agricultural workers exhibited the highest frequency, with 42.4% of cases occurring among rice farmers and 22.1% among other farmers. The crude and age-standardized incidence rates of leptospirosis in 2019 were 10.1 and 8.1 per 100,000 population, respectively. These rates showed an increasing trend over the study period, reaching 17.3 and 14.4 per 100,000 population in 2024. The upward trend was statistically significant (P < 0.001). During the study period, the highest incidence was observed in May, with a rate of 2.9 per 100,000 population.

Background: Dengue is a rapidly expanding vector-borne disease transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which often breed in artificial containers. Urban construction sites, with their abundance of water-holding surfaces, are increasingly recognized as key breeding habitats. This study presents the first field-based evaluations of how specific construction materials, particularly cement types, influence mosquito oviposition behavior.

Method: A seven-month field-based, randomized controlled experiment (September 2024-March 2025) was conducted across three Grama Niladhari divisions (Kolonnawa, Salamulla, and Orugodawatta) in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. A total of 480 ovitraps using four substrate types, Control (plastic), Blended Hydraulic Cement (BHC), Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), and Portland Limestone Cement (PCC), were deployed in indoor (n = 4) and outdoor (n = 4) settings at 20 randomly selected households per GN division. Water quality parameters (pH, turbidity, conductivity) were recorded at trap placement. Egg counts were analyzed using a Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) regression model.

Results: Traps containing BHC and PCC substrates had significantly fewer eggs than controls (BHC: β = -0.402, P = 0.014; PCC: β = -0.527, P = 0.001) and showed a higher likelihood of zero-egg presence (BHC: β = 1.025, P = 0.002; PCC: β = 0.941, P = 0.003). Outdoor traps had higher egg counts than indoor ones (β = 0.326, P = 0.021). Among water quality factors, only conductivity was significantly associated with egg counts (P = 0.036).

Conclusion: The BHC and PCC cement types significantly deterred Aedes oviposition compared to other substrates, indicating that construction materials can influence mosquito breeding behavior.