Publications by authors named "Harju E"

Article Synopsis
  • This study focuses on the process of creating co-crystals of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and highlights the importance of understanding co-crystallization behaviors under different conditions.
  • The researchers utilized two advanced imaging techniques, narrowband CARS and hyperspectral SRS, to observe co-crystallization in real-time, revealing key differences in component identification and overall co-crystal formation.
  • The findings provide new insights into the co-crystallization process, including unexpected trace forms and the influence of ethanol content on co-crystal stability during milling.
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Background: Burdening health and illness issues such as physical or mental illnesses, accidents, disabilities, and life events such as birth or death influence the health and functioning of families and contribute to the complexity of care and health care costs. Considerable research has confirmed the benefits of a family systems-centered care approach for patients, family caregivers, families, and health care professionals. However, health care professionals face barriers in working with families, such as feeling unprepared.

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Objectives: To assess the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-reported adherence to preventive measures in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: 4,299 participants from a digital cohort were followed between September 2020 and November 2021. Baseline equivalised disposable income and education were used as SES proxies.

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During recent years there have been shortages of certain drugs due to problems in raw material supply. These are often related to active ingredients but could also affect excipients. Lactose is one of the most used excipients in tableting and comes in two anomeric and several solid-state forms.

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Background: Parent and infant separation in the neonatal unit is associated with adverse health outcomes. Family-integrated care has several advantages and the potential to reduce these adverse outcomes but requires parental presence. This study aimed to explore the views of parents and neonatal healthcare professionals (nHCPs) on barriers and facilitators to parental presence in a Swiss neonatal unit and to identify possible differences between nHCPs and parents, and between mothers and fathers.

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The importance of ink rheology to the outcome of 3D printing is well recognized. However, rheological properties of printing inks containing drug nanocrystals have not been widely investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish a correlation between the composition of nanocrystal printing ink, the ink rheology, and the entire printing process.

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Previous mental health trajectory studies were mostly limited to the months before access to vaccination. They are not informing on whether public mental health has adapted to the pandemic. The aim of this analysis was to 1) investigate trajectories of monthly reported depressive symptoms from July 2020 to December 2021 in Switzerland, 2) compare average growth trajectories across regions with different stringency phases, and 3) explore the relative impact of self-reported worries related to health, economic and social domains as well as socio-economic indicators on growth trajectories.

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Our study aims to evaluate developments in vaccine uptake and digital proximity tracing app use in a localized context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We report findings from two population-based longitudinal cohorts in Switzerland from January to December 2021. Failure time analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to assess vaccine uptake and digital proximity tracing app (SwissCovid) uninstalling outcomes.

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Background: Schools play a significant role in adolescent sexual health (SH) promotion. Although adolescents' SH has improved, growing challenges still exist in some areas. Previous studies have noted a lack of knowledge about SH promotion implementation in school environments.

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To describe the frequency of and reasons for changes in healthcare utilization in those requiring ongoing treatment, and to assess characteristics associated with change, during the second wave of the pandemic. Corona Immunitas e-cohort study (age ≥20 years) participants completed monthly questionnaires. We compared participants reporting a change in healthcare utilization with those who did not using descriptive and bivariate statistics.

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We compared socio-demographic characteristics, health-related variables, vaccination-related beliefs and attitudes, vaccination acceptance, and personality traits of individuals who vaccinated against COVID-19 and who did not vaccinate by December 2021. This cross-sectional study used data of 10,642 adult participants from the Corona Immunitas eCohort, an age-stratified random sample of the population of several cantons in Switzerland. We used multivariable logistic regression models to explore associations of vaccination status with socio-demographic, health, and behavioral factors.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated how changes in financial resources and employment during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and stress among Swiss participants from November 2020 to September 2021.
  • It found that 16% of participants exhibited signs of depression, 8% showed anxiety, and 10% experienced stress, with those in precarious financial situations faring worse across all mental health outcomes.
  • Additionally, participants who perceived the economic situation as concerning were more likely to report higher levels of anxiety and stress, highlighting the role of subjective risk perceptions on mental health.
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Purpose: We aimed to assess the seroprevalence trends of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in several Swiss cantons between May 2020 and September 2021 and investigate risk factors for seropositivity and their changes over time.

Methods: We conducted repeated population-based serological studies in different Swiss regions using a common methodology. We defined three study periods: May-October 2020 (period 1, prior to vaccination), November 2020-mid-May 2021 (period 2, first months of the vaccination campaign), and mid-May-September 2021 (period 3, a large share of the population vaccinated).

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Objective: Having a child diagnosed with cancer is distressing for parents. We aimed to compare worries and anxiety in parents of adult childhood cancer survivors with parents of the Swiss general population (GP-parents), and to evaluate characteristics associated with worry in parents of survivors.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide, population-based study in parents of survivors (survivors aged ≥20 years at study, ≤16 years at diagnosis, >5 years post diagnosis) and GP-parents (≥1 child aged ≥20 years at study).

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  • This study examines the effects of a prostate cancer diagnosis on marital relationships and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in couples during the first year following diagnosis.
  • The research involved 350 couples from five Finnish hospitals, focusing on the experiences of both patients and their spouses through surveys.
  • The findings showed that while spouses experienced significant changes in their marital relationships, patients did not, highlighting the importance of providing tailored support to spouses to improve their well-being.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to investigate whether living in a household with children is linked to higher SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in adults, considering various influencing factors like gender and employment status.
  • - Conducted in Switzerland from late 2020 to early 2021, testing involved 2,393 adults, revealing that about 17.2% were seropositive, with living with children showing a potential positive association with seropositivity.
  • - Findings indicated that men living with children have a higher infection risk compared to women, and the risk varies based on the number and age of children in the household, highlighting the need for further research into these dynamics.
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Survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (diagnosed when <25 years of age) cancer are at risk of mental health problems. The aim of this clinical practice guideline is to harmonise international recommendations for mental health surveillance in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer. This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts under the sponsorship of the International Guideline Harmonization Group.

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To describe the rationale, organization, and procedures of the Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up (CI-DFU) eCohort and to characterize participants at baseline. Participants of Corona Immunitas, a population-based nationwide SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study in Switzerland, were invited to join the CI-DFU eCohort in 11 study centres. Weekly online questonnaires cover health status changes, prevention measures adherence, and social impacts.

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Objective: Surgery is the primary treatment for invasive penile cancer (PC). Postoperative changes in genital anatomy and function may lead to altered body and self-image, compromised sexual function and subsequent psychological problems. The aim of this study is to describe men's experiences of the impact of PC surgical treatment on their lives.

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Purpose: With increasing numbers of childhood cancer survivors (CCS), it is important to identify the impact of cancer and CCS' needs for support services that can mitigate the long-term impact on psychosocial wellbeing, including health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed (1) to describe survivors' wellbeing, impact of cancer, and supportive care needs and (2) to determine how socio-demographic or clinical characteristics and impact of cancer relate to survivors' unmet needs.

Method: In this mixed methods study, a quantitative survey was used to assess HRQOL, psychological distress, impact of cancer, and supportive care needs.

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Background: Penile cancer surgery affects physical, psychological, and sexual well-being, but the patient- and treatment-related factors predisposing to worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have not been well characterized.

Aim: We report treatment-related HRQoL changes among penile cancer survivors compared to the general population and the specific deficits that have the most profound effect, and we identify patient-related factors that predispose to a worse perceived HRQoL.

Methods: Patients (n = 107) who underwent operations for invasive penile cancer in two Finnish university hospitals from 2009 to 2019 were sent the Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) questionnaire designed to measure HRQoL, self-esteem, overall sexual functioning, erections, and change in sexual function.

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Background: The long-term consequences of childhood cancer have received increasing attention due to the growing number of survivors over the past decades. However, insurance hardships of survivors are mostly unknown. This study explored qualitatively, in a sample of childhood cancer survivors (CCS), (i) the experiences and needs of CCS living in Switzerland with a special focus on hardships related to insurance; and (ii) the views of insurance and law experts with experience on childhood cancer.

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Purpose: To understand the perspectives of oncology nurses on peer support for patients with cancer and the role of oncology nurses in its provision.

Method: Thematic semi-structured interviews of 10 oncology nurses working in a single university hospital were conducted. The data were analysed using content analysis.

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Objective: Evidence suggests benefits of long-term follow-up care attendance for childhood cancer survivors, but studies show poor inclusion of survivorship issues and needs. While information needs of childhood cancer survivors have been addressed previously, few studies specifically investigated the supportive care needs of survivors beyond the domain of information and communication. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to assess the unmet needs of childhood cancer survivors with regards to their long-term survivorship.

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Introduction: Implementation of screening for psychological distress in populations at risk, as recommended in existing guidelines, can be challenging on different levels: structural, organisational and personal (provider and patient). A specific group at risk for psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, is the growing population of childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In many countries, including Switzerland, the standardised assessment of psychological late effects during follow-up care is not yet established.

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