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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has emerged as a serious threat to human health worldwide. The effective disinfection of surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 may help prevent its spread. The aim of this study is to determine the duration required for viral RNA elimination by 222 nm far ultraviolet light using RT-qPCR as a tool. This study investigated the effect of 222 nm UVC irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 RNA in an in vitro experiment. The results showed that the copy number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA did not change even after 300 s of 222 nm UVC irradiation at 0.1 mW/cm2, but extending the exposure to more than 600 s reduced the number of copies of SARS-CoV-2 virus significantly. However, to fully validate the results and enhance the robustness of the findings, it is crucial to increase the number of samples analyzed in future experiments.

This paper presents a prototype of a disinfection system for public transport specifically aiming to disinfect surfaces contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus on buses using 222 nm wavelength far-ultraviolet light (far-UVC). Our study involved testing the developed technical system installed in a 12 m long M3 category urban bus, an investigation of optimal far-UVC light angles, and the determination of disinfection parameters for bus seat disinfection. The study identified the ideal positioning of a light source for effective disinfection and analyzed three disinfection scenarios, considering zone coverage, disinfection time, and energy demand. A subsystem employing real-time occupancy monitoring enhances the disinfection process in crowded areas of buses. An energy efficiency assessment model is proposed for optimizing energy consumption. Furthermore, the energy consumption analyses in different disinfection scenarios provide valuable insights for optimizing energy usage in public transport disinfection.

The use of 222 nm far-UVC radiation can be an effective means of disinfecting public buses against viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. However, it can cause degradation of the mechanical and visual properties of interior materials. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of 222 nm far-UVC radiation on the color and mechanical degradation of materials used to construct public bus interiors. This research work involves exposure of samples of materials commonly used in bus interiors to various levels of far-UVC radiation and measuring and evaluating changes in color and mechanical properties. The results of the study showed that far-UVC irradiation causes significant color degradation (∆E00 >5) in all the polymeric materials tested, after 290 J/cm2 radiant exposure. In addition, significant changes in mechanical properties were observed when evaluating elasticity modulus, elongation at ultimate strength, elongation at break, and tensile strength. A particularly large decrease in elongation at break (up to 26%) was observed in fiber-reinforced composite materials. The results of this study can be used as a guide for the development of protocols for the use of far-UVC disinfection in public transportation, which can help limit the transmission of infections while preserving the integrity and visual properties of bus interior materials.

Background: In our modern era, stress has become a pervasive challenge, affecting individuals across all ages and backgrounds. Acute or chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels are known to impair neurological function and hinder rehabilitation outcomes. Therefore, effective treatment methods that reduce stress, enhance mental health, and promote overall well-being are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal impact of balneotherapy on distress, as measured by the General Symptoms Distress Scale (GSDS), and well-being, as assessed using the Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale (AIOS), and the effect of winter balneotherapy on salivary cortisol levels. Methods: In 2023, a multicenter, single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was carried out across six medical spa centers in Lithuania. Participants with a stress intensity greater than 3 points on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) underwent combined natural resource-based therapies over a 1- to 2-week treatment period. Outcomes were assessed using the General Symptom Distress and Arizona Integrative Outcomes scales, along with salivary cortisol measurements after winter intervention. Results: The results demonstrated a significant reduction in distress intensity by 1–3.5 points (VAS), with winter interventions showing greater efficacy compared to summer. Participants also experienced an increase in well-being by up to 3 points (VAS), improved stress management by up to 1.9 points (VAS), and a reduction in salivary cortisol levels by 0.9 units following winter-based treatments. Some gender differences emerged in specific groups. Conclusions: Our study provides robust evidence for the stress-reducing effects of balneotherapy, particularly highlighting the enhanced efficacy of winter interventions. These findings are especially relevant for neurological rehabilitation, where stress reduction and improved autonomic regulation can support neuroplasticity, recovery processes, and overall quality of life. This research offers valuable insights for developing holistic, seasonally optimized strategies to aid stress management and promote neurological health.

Background and objective: The importance of patient safety is growing worldwide, and every day, health care professionals face various challenges in how to provide safe care for their patients. Patient safety skills are one of the main tools to ensure safe practice. This study looks to describe health care professionals’ skills regarding patient safety. Materials and methods: Data were collected using the skill scale of the Patient Safety Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge (PS-ASK) instrument from different health care professionals (n = 1082: physicians, head nurses, nurses and nurse assistants) working in hospitals for adult patients in three regional multi-profile hospitals in the western part of Lithuania. Results: Overall, the results of this study show that based on their own evaluations, health care professionals were competent regarding their safety skills. In particular, they were competent in the sub-scale areas of error analysis (mean = 3.09) and in avoiding threats to patient safety (mean = 3.31), but only somewhat competent in using decision support technology (mean = 2.00). Demographic and other work related background factors were only slightly associated with these patient safety skills areas. Especially, it was noted that nurse assistants may need more support from managers and colleagues in developing their patient safety skills competence. Conclusions: This study has served to investigate the general skills of health care professionals in regard to patient safety. It provides new knowledge about the topic in the context of the Baltic countries and can thus be used in the future development of health care services.

Background / objective Evaluations of the health care quality of patients after abdominal operations are significant for the improvement of health care quality in all hospitals. However, there are a lot of discussions how to evaluate the patient’s opinion and attitudes. The aim of the present study was to analyze patients’ evaluations of the quality of abdominal surgical nursing care. Methods A multicenter, cross-sectional, analytical study was performed. The study was conducted in 11 abdominal surgical wards at Lithuanian hospitals. The data were collected in June 2007 and January 2008. Patients (n = 1208) after abdominal operations participated in the study. A GNCS-P with the response rates of 74 % was used. The data were analyzed statistically. Results The co-operation with significant others and the progress of the nursing and health care process were evaluated lowest by patients. The patient age and satisfaction were the factors related to the quality of nursing care. Conclusions The abdominal surgical nursing and health care is a specific surgical area in which different patients are involved; however, all of them expect the good quality of health care before, during, and after abdominal surgery. The process of nursing care in abdominal surgery is specific because of the limited time of patient hospitalization, usually multiple patients’ diagnosis, as well as multiple contacts and relationships with many different staff. Surgical patient participation in the process of health care should be based on the effective relationship and co-operation among patients, medical specialists, and significant others, which is necessary and imperative for increasing the quality of abdominal surgical nursing care. Key words: health and the quality of nursing care, surgical health care, abdominal surgery, patient evaluations. Pacientų po pilvo operacijų sveikatos priežiūros ir slaugos kokybės vertinimai Įvadas / tikslas Pacientų po pilvo operacijų sveikatos priežiūros kokybės vertinimai yra reikšmingi siekiant gerinti ligoninės paslaugų kokybę. Tačiau daug diskutuojama, kaip būtų galima vertinti pacientų nuomonę ir požiūrį į kokybę. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti pacientų sveikatos priežiūros ir slaugos kokybės vertinimus. Metodai Tyrimui atlikti buvo pasirinktas daugiacentris aprašomasis tyrimo metodas. Pacientų apklausa vyko 2007 m. birželio–2008 m. sausio mėn. septynių Lietuvos ligoninių 11-oje pilvo chirurgijos skyrių. Pacientai (n=1208), kuriems atlikta pilvo operacija, apklausti paskutinę hospitalizacijos dieną. Klausimynų grįžtamumas 74 proc. Atlikta statistinė duomenų analizė. Rezultatai Bendradarbiavimą su paciento artimaisiais ir sveikatos priežiūros pažangą pacientai įvertino blogiausiai. Pacientų amžius ir pasitenkinimas sveikatos priežiūra turėjo koreliacinį ryšį su sveikatos priežiūros kokybe. Išvados Pacientų po pilvo operacijų sveikatos priežiūra ir slauga yra specifinė chirurgijos sritis. Visi jie tikisi gauti kokybiškas paslaugas prieš operaciją, jos metu ir po jos. Slaugos procesas pilvo chirurgijoje yra savitas ir todėl, kad pacientų hospitalizacijos laikas yra ribotas, jie dažnai serga gretutinėmis ligomis, turi daug kontaktų ir santykių su personalu. Pacientų dalyvavimas sveikatos priežiūros procese turi būti grindžiamas efektyviais jų santykiais ir bendradarbiavimu su medikais ir savo artimaisiais, nes nuo to priklauso paslaugos kokybės tobulinimas. Reikšminiai žodžiai: sveikatos priežiūros ir slaugos kokybė, chirurginė sveikatos priežiūra, pilvo operacija, pacientų vertinimai

Background. The aim of the study was to establish relations between work experience and health, evaluated by salutogenic health indicators, among school workers. Materials and methods. Teachers (n = 180) and other school workers (n = 154) from randomly selected Panevėžys district schools were questioned using instruments developed by scientists of the Kristianstad University: the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS) and Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS). The questionnaire of personal data contained questions about sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. The differences among the mean values were tested by the independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to check the internal consistency. The significance level was accepted at p = 0.05. Results. In the teachers’ group, 86.7% were females (75.3% among others), 20.4% were older than 55 years (30.7% in other goups), 18.9% held an executive position (8.5% among others). Teachers, as compared with other school workers, scored higher the domain of internal work experience, (76.9 vs. 62.8, respectively), while other school workers gave higher standardized scores for the time experience domain (71.9 vs. 63.7, p < 0.001 respectively). The SHIS scores among teachers varied from 54.7 (worst experience) to 78.0 (best experience), p < 0.001. In the group of other school workers, the SHIS mean scores varied from 51.9 to 80.0, p < 0.001. Conclusions. Teachers more positively evaluated the domain of internal working experience, while other school workers were more satisfied with time experience at the workplace. The established strong correlation between work experience and health, measured by salutogenic health indicators, encouraged the idea to implement workrelated health promotion at school. Keywords: work experience, health, school, salutogenic health indicators

Abstract Background Thyroid surgeries are among the most common operations performed in the world. Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy is a common complication that is sometimes difficult to correct. The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy and their clinical value. Methods From January 2015 through to April 2017, 400 patients were included in this prospective multicenter study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy due to various thyroid diseases. The following risk factors were analyzed: pre-operative and post-operative biochemical blood parameters, clinical effects and factors related to surgery, the patient, and the disease. Results Post-operative hypocalcemia developed in 257 patients (64.2%). Of them, 197 patients (76.7%) were diagnosed with asymptomatic hypocalcemia. Clinical symptoms were present in 60 of the 257 patients with hypocalcemia (23.3%). The statistically significant predictors of hypocalcemia were decreased calcium and ionized calcium pre-operatively (p < 0.001), parathyroid hormone on day one following surgery (p < 0.001), thyrotoxicosis