Disease Severity, Illness Perceptions, Depression and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Disease severity negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among people with heart failure (HF). However, the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. Illness perceptions and depression serve as potential mediators of this relationship, but the evidence supporting this is limited.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical care and patient-focused outcomes of advanced nursing practice: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted advanced practice nurses' practice and posed great challenges in patient care delivery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of advanced practice nurses in mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Methods A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted March 2021 and January 2022.

Harnessing spp.: A Promising Approach to Control Apple Scab Disease.

Apple scab, caused by the pathogenic fungus , can result in significant economic losses. The frequent use of fungicidal products has led to the emergence of isolates resistant to commonly used active substances. Therefore, biological control offers a sustainable alternative for managing apple scab.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Translated Physical Self-Perception Profile Among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivor.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to translate the original English version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile into Cantonese Chinese, while considering linguistic and socio-cultural characteristics, and to evaluate its psychometric properties among Chinese breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong, China, thus providing a valid, culturally relevant tool for assessing physical self-esteem among this population.

Methods: The 30-item, 5 subscale Physical Self-Perception Profile was translated into Chinese by the combined translation technique. The psychometric properties of the Cantonese version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile were examined in 292 Hong Kong Chinese breast cancer survivors for internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

Structural Variations Identified in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Chinese Population: A Systematic Review of Case-Control Studies.

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterised by the impairment of social interaction and communication ability. The alarming increase in its prevalence in children urged researchers to obtain a better understanding of the causes of this disease. Genetic factors are considered to be crucial, as ASD has a tendency to run in families.

The impact of hydrogen inhalation therapy on blood reactive oxygen species levels: A randomized controlled study.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) play a key role in physiological processes. However, the imbalance between ROS and antioxidants in favor of the former causes oxidative stress linked to numerous pathologies. Due to its unique attributes, including distinguished permeability and selective antioxidant capability, molecular hydrogen (H) has become an essential therapeutic agent.

Health and wellbeing of staff working at higher education institutions globally during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence from a cross-sectional study.

Background: The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries.

Effects of a culturally tailored low-glycaemic index dietary educational intervention on reducing cardiometabolic risk among Chinese adults with obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of a culturally tailored low-glycaemic index (GI) dietary educational intervention on body mass index and cardiometabolic risks for Chinese people with obesity in Hong Kong.

Methods And Results: A total of 166 Chinese adults in Hong Kong with obesity were randomized to the intervention group (n = 83) or the control group (n = 83). The intervention group received the culturally sensitive low-GI dietary educational intervention based on the health belief model, consisting of an educational booklet, one individual interactive educational session, and three follow-up telephone calls.

Effect of simulation-based zoom learning on clinical decision-making among undergraduate nursing students and experiences of students and instructors: A mixed methods study.

Aim: To determine the effect of simulation-based Zoom learning (SBZL) on perceived capabilities and clinical decision-making skills among undergraduate nursing students and to explore experiences of the instructors and students participating in SBZL.

Background: Nursing is a practice profession and students acquire clinical decision-making skills in clinical settings. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted conventional clinical learning activities.

Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics reveal candidate genes associated with quality traits in Dioscorea alata.

Background: Quality traits are essential determinants of consumer preferences. Dioscorea alata (Greater Yam), is a starchy tuber crop in tropical regions. However, a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis underlying yam tuber quality remains elusive.

Relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and health-related quality of life among patients with acute coronary syndrome: mediation of illness perception.

Aims: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often experience reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which may be attributable to the disease severity and psychological stress. While illness perception is speculated to be a potential pathway underlying these relationships, evidence supporting this mechanism remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL and whether these relationships are mediated by illness perception in patients with ACS.

A Social Media-Based Mindfulness Psycho-Behavioral Intervention (MCARE) for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Psychological distress is common among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and has considerable adverse impacts on disease progression and health outcomes. Mindfulness-based intervention is a promising complementary approach to address patients' psychological needs and promote holistic well-being.

Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of a social media-based mindfulness psycho-behavioral intervention (MCARE) on psychological distress, psychological stress, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cardiovascular risk factors among patients with ACS.

Genome-wide development of intra- and inter-specific transferable SSR markers and construction of a dynamic web resource for yam molecular breeding: Y2MD.

Microsatellite markers are widely used in population genetics and breeding. Despite the economic significance of yams in developing countries, there is a paucity of microsatellite markers, and as of now, no comprehensive microsatellite marker database exists. In this study, we conducted genome-wide microsatellite marker development across four yam species, identified cross-species transferable markers, and designed an easy-to-use web portal for the yam researchers.

Effectiveness of a home-based music-paced physical activity programme on exercise-related outcomes after cardiac rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of a home-based music-paced physical activity programme guided by Information-Motivation-Strategy (IMS) model and Self-determination theory on exercise-related outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Methods And Results: A total of 130 patients with CHD from a regional CR centre in Hong Kong were recruited and randomly allocated into intervention (n = 65) or control groups (n = 65). The intervention group received theory-guided practical sessions on performing prescribed home-based physical activity with individualized synchronized music, and follow-up telephone calls.

Impacts of ethical climate and ethical sensitivity on caring efficacy.

Background: Caring practice begins with awareness of the suffering of patients in a given context. Understanding the interrelationship between the perceived ethical climate of the clinical environment and the ethical sensitivity and caring efficacy of nurses is crucial for strengthening the caring competency of nurses.

Research Aim: This study aimed to examine the associations between the ethical climate of the clinical environment and the ethical sensitivity and caring efficacy of nurses and to investigate the mediating effect of ethical sensitivity on the association between ethical climate and caring efficacy.

Effects of nurse-led self-care interventions on health outcomes among people with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To estimate the effects of nurse-led self-care interventions on people with heart failure (HF).

Background: Research evidence of the effects of nurse-led HF self-care interventions on patient outcomes is scant.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Barriers to cardiac rehabilitation and patient perceptions on the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation: A cross-sectional study.

Aims And Objectives: The study aimed to identify factors associated with participation in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation and to assess patient perceptions towards the usage of technologies in cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Despite efforts to promote utilisation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation among patients remains unsatisfactory. Little is known of patient decision to participate Phase II CR in a multi-ethnic country.

Effects of ventilatory bundles on patient outcomes among ICU patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Ventilator bundles are suggested to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), but significant variations in the effects of the bundle on patient outcomes have been reported.

Objectives: To synthesize the evidence and evaluate the effects of the ventilator bundle on patient outcomes among critically ill adult patients.

Methods: A broad search was performed in seven databases for relevant articles published from January 2002 to November 2022.