Search

BACKGROUND: Refractory venous leg ulcers (VLUs) often require extended time to heal, and they carry a high risk of recurrence. This case study describes our experiences with a patient with a VLU refractory to multiple treatment strategies who was successfully treated with Manuka honey. CASE: Mr S. was a 76-year-old man with multiple comorbid conditions and hypersensitivity to silver-based compounds, who developed 3 VLUs of his right lower extremity. He experienced 90 days of unsuccessful treatments using an iodized cadexomer ointment, hydrodetersive fiber dressings, hydrocolloid meshes, compression therapy, and antibiotic treatment without progression toward wound healing. We then initiated treatment with Manuka honey and continued compression therapy. His primary VLU was completely epithelialized within 38 days, and an adjacent VLU also showed progression toward healing. Mr S. reported clinically relevant improvement in wound-related pain at 17 days. CONCLUSION: The use of Manuka honey proved effective in this patient with a VLU refractory to other treatment strategies.

Pregnancy can affect the mother’s oral health, increasing their susceptibility to oral diseases that have been associated with harmful effects on the newborn. Despite the severity of oral diseases during pregnancy, the demand for dental care during the gestational period is low, which may improve with the participation of midwives in promoting oral health activities. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Spanish midwives and midwifery students regarding oral health in pregnant women, and (ii) to identify the barriers faced by these healthcare professionals in addressing oral health promotion during pregnancy. An observational cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A total of 128 midwives and/or midwifery students ≥18 years old and of both sexes were invited to self-complete a questionnaire between January and April 2020. A total of 85 people participated in the study. Participants had a regular level of knowledge about oral health during pregnancy (overall knowledge score: 6.53), and although they were interested in activities that promote oral healthcare, their oral healthcare practices during pregnancy were limited. As midwives play an important role in promoting health, their training in oral healthcare could help to improve pregnant women’s oral health.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the preventive approaches proposed to control this disease is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), whose effectiveness depends on the medication adherence. The aim of the present study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes about PrEP among a sample of Spanish nursing students as well as their intentions of receiving it in case it was indicated. An observational cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. A total of 570 nursing students from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), &ge, 18 years old and of both sexes were invited to self-complete a questionnaire between February and March 2020. A total of 352 students decided to participate in the study. Participants had low knowledge [overall knowledge score 1(0&ndash, 2)] and a neutral attitude towards PrEP. The intention of receiving PrEP improved significantly after the completion of the questionnaire and the administration of information about PrEP (p = 0.039, before: 23.58% and after: 93.77%). Nursing staff play an important role in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, so their training in preventive strategies, such as PrEP, could help to reduce the incidence of new cases of HIV infection.

Antibiotic resistance is an emerging worldwide concern with serious repercussions in terms of morbi-mortality. Bearing in mind that the inadequate use of antibiotics, by healthcare staff as well as by the general population, is one of its main causes, a multidisciplinary approach is required to try to combat it. The aim of the present study was to determine nursing students&rsquo, knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use, resistance and stewardship. A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 578 nursing students from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), &ge, 18 years old of both sexes were invited to complete the Spanish version of the questionnaire &ldquo, Knowledge and awareness of the use, resistance and administration of antibiotics&rdquo, between February and April 2019. Students had a low level of knowledge about antibiotics, 4.1 (CI95% = 3.4&ndash, 4.8), especially in relation to antibiotic resistance. As the students were aware of this deficiency, the majority affirmed (&gt, 90%) that the current curriculum of nursing degree should have more training on antibiotics and infection control. Nursing staff play an important role in the rational use of antibiotics and as teachers of patients, so their training could be key in fighting antibiotic resistance.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to specific types of cancer, can be prevented by vaccination. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students about HPV and its vaccine as well as their intentions towards personal vaccination. A total of 536 Spanish nursing students were invited to complete the Spanish version of the questionnaire &ldquo, Knowledge, attitudes and intentions towards HPV&rdquo, Overall, 367 surveys were completed (68.4% response rate). Data analysis included the calculation of three scores: the knowledge score, categorized into low (&lt, 33%), moderate (33%&ndash, 66%), and good knowledge (&gt, 66%), the attitude score, sorted into positive (&lt, 2.5), neutral (2.5&ndash, 3.5), and negative attitude (&gt, 3.5), and the intention score, categorized into not favorable (&lt, 4), neutral (4&ndash, 7), and favorable intention (&gt, 7). Knowledge about HPV and its vaccine was moderate (54.34 &plusmn, 0.9%), and the attitude towards vaccination was positive (2.34 &plusmn, 0.03). The intention towards personal vaccination increased significantly after completing the questionnaire (before: 4.14 &plusmn, 0.27, after: 6.02 &plusmn, 0.28, p &lt, 0.001). The present study highlights the need of training future nurses about HPV and its vaccine, considering the important role it plays in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with a mortality rate that has been forecasted to rise in the next decade. This is especially worrying for people with triple-negative BC (TNBC), because of its unresponsiveness to current therapies. Different drugs to treat TNBC have been assessed, and, although platinum chemotherapy drugs seem to offer some hope, their drawbacks have motivated extensive investigations into alternative metal-based BC therapies. This paper aims to: (i) describe the preliminary in vitro and in vivo anticancer properties of non-platinum metal-based complexes (NPMBC) against TNBC; and (ii) analyze the likely molecular targets involved in their anticancer activity.