Prediabetes and cardiovascular risk factors: the effectiveness of a guided self-determination counselling approach in primary health care, a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Identify individuals who are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, who also are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease is important. The rapid worldwide increase in diabetes prevalence call for Primary Health Care to find feasible prevention strategies, to reduce patient risk factors and promote lifestyle changes. Aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate how a nurse-lead Guided Self-Determination counselling approach can assist people at risk of type 2 diabetes to lower their coronary heart disease risk.

Sequence Segmentation of Nematodes in Atlantic Cod with Multispectral Imaging Data.

Nematodes pose significant challenges for the fish processing industry, particularly in white fish. Despite technological advances, the industry still depends on manual labor for the detection and extraction of nematodes. This study addresses the initial steps of automatic nematode detection and differentiation from other common defects in fish fillets, such as skin remnants and blood spots.

Proximity-driven site-specific cyclization of phage-displayed peptides.

Cyclization provides a general strategy for improving the proteolytic stability, cell membrane permeability and target binding affinity of peptides. Insertion of a stable, non-reducible linker into a disulphide bond is a commonly used approach for cyclizing phage-displayed peptides. However, among the vast collection of cysteine reactive linkers available, few provide the selectivity required to target specific cysteine residues within the peptide in the phage display system, whilst sparing those on the phage capsid.

When great responsibility comes with limited options: experiences and needs of older community-dwelling adults regarding accessing, understanding, appraising and using health-related information.

Background: In previous research, older adults have been associated with reduced levels of health literacy (HL) influenced by a range of contextual factors. To optimise HL, it is essential to better understand the interactions between the ageing process and both personal and environmental factors as perceived by older adults. This study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of older community-dwelling adults when accessing, understanding, appraising and using health-related information.

Nurses' attitudes to family importance in nursing care: A two-sited cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study aimed to describe nurses' attitudes and beliefs towards the importance of family in nursing care and explore differences in nurses' attitudes and beliefs towards family-centered care between different healthcare institutions, such as community healthcare centers and hospitals.

Background: Family significantly affects the well-being and health of individuals. Therefore, nurses should support family engagement in nursing care.

Robust Prediction of Relative Binding Energies for Protein-Protein Complex Mutations Using Free Energy Perturbation Calculations.

Computational free energy-based methods have the potential to significantly improve throughput and decrease costs of protein design efforts. Such methods must reach a high level of reliability, accuracy, and automation to be effectively deployed in practical industrial settings in a way that impacts protein design projects. Here, we present a benchmark study for the calculation of relative changes in protein-protein binding affinity for single point mutations across a variety of systems from the literature, using free energy perturbation (FEP+) calculations.

A simeprevir-inducible molecular switch for the control of cell and gene therapies.

Chemical inducer of dimerization (CID) modules can be used effectively as molecular switches to control biological processes, and thus there is significant interest within the synthetic biology community in identifying novel CID systems. To date, CID modules have been used primarily in engineering cells for in vitro applications. To broaden their utility to the clinical setting, including the potential to control cell and gene therapies, the identification of novel CID modules should consider factors such as the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of the small molecule inducer, and the orthogonality and immunogenicity of the protein components.

Can Waist-to-Height Ratio and Health Literacy Be Used in Primary Care for Prioritizing Further Assessment of People at T2DM Risk?

Background: To identify people at risk of type 2 diabetes. Primary health care needs efficient and noninvasive screening tools to detect individuals in need of follow-up to promote health and well-being. Previous research has shown people with lower levels of health literacy and/or well-being scores are vulnerable but may benefit from intervention and follow-up care.

Using HbA1c measurements and the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score to identify undiagnosed individuals and those at risk of diabetes in primary care.

Background: Prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of people in Northern Iceland with prediabetes, at risk of developing T2DM or with manifest undiagnosed T2DM, as this information is lacking in Iceland.

Methods: A cross-sectional study.

The behaviour of metals in deep fluids of NE Iceland.

In this contribution, we present some of the first data on the elemental signature of deep crustal fluids in a basalt-hosted, low-chloride magmatic-hydrothermal system. Down-hole fluid samples (850-1600 m) from wells in the Theistareykir and Krafla geothermal fields in the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland were combined with well-head samples of condensed vapor, cuttings of altered rock, and fresh basalt (being some of the first concentration data for volatile and semi-volatile elements (Sb, Tl, Bi, Cd and As) for this area of Iceland). Results show that the deep fluids are relatively enriched in base metals and (semi)-volatile metals (in particular Te, Hg, Re and Tl) compared to local basalt.

Nursing students' perception of family importance in nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Little is known about nursing students' illness beliefs and attitudes towards the involvement of families in nursing care during the COVID-19 epidemic. Focusing on family nursing throughout an undergraduate nursing education is not only appropriate or critical but also essential for advancing family nursing practice.

Objectives: To evaluate the differences in undergraduate and graduate nursing students' perceptions of illness beliefs and their family nursing practice skills at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fatigue and cognitive impairment in neuroborreliosis patients posttreatment-A neuropsychological retrospective cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fatigue and cognitive impairment in patients with neuroborreliosis (NB) posttreatment and to determine whether delayed treatment initiation led to higher levels of fatigue and cognitive impairment.

Methods: The study population consisted of 88 patients with NB included between October 10, 2014, and August 21, 2020, at the Clinical Center for Emerging and Vector-borne Infections at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) was used as a cognitive screening test, and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) was used to assess the patients' level of fatigue over the course of a year.

[Oral health problems in nursing homes, revision of oral health care delivery is needed].

Introduction: Prevalence of oral health problems among nursing home residents is common, they suffer from oral diseases and need dental service. The aim of this study was to examine clinical oral health of Icelandic nursing home residents and their oral health quality of life.

Material And Methods: Total (N=82) residents in two nursing homes in Reykjavik gave their consent to be involved in this descriptive cross-sectional study.

Basic mobility, accidental falls, and lifetime physical activity among rural and urban community-dwelling older adults: a population-based study in Northern Iceland.

The objective of this research was to investigate late-life physical functioning and lifetime history of physical activity (PA) among older adults in rural and urban Arctic communities. Data was collected in a cross-sectional, population-based study among 65 to 92-year-old community-dwelling Icelanders (N = 175, 41% ≥75-year-old, 43% women, 40% rural). Late-life physical functioning was operationalised as: basic mobility (Timed Up and Go in seconds, TUG); fall risk (TUG≥12 sec); a fall (≥1 fall/year); and recurrent falls (≥2 falls/year).

Application of 3D Culture Assays to Study Breast Morphogenesis, Epithelial Plasticity, and Cellular Interactions in an Epithelial Progenitor Cell Line.

Capturing breast morphogenesis and cancer progression in 3D culture using cell lines with stem cell properties can greatly increase understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in these processes, highlighting the importance of the culture method. D492 is a breast epithelial progenitor cell line that provides a model for branching morphogenesis when cultured in 3D reconstituted basement membrane matrix (rBM). Along with its derivate cell lines D492M and D492HER2, D492 also serves as a robust model for epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumorigenicity, respectively.

Making Europe health literate: including older adults in sparsely populated Arctic areas.

Background: Older people have been identified as having lower health literacy (HL) than the general population average. Living in sparsely populated Arctic regions involves unique health challenges that may influence HL. The research aim was to explore the level of HL, its problematic dimensions, and its association with the selection of contextual factors among older adults living in sparsely populated areas in Northern Iceland.

Developing a Health Game to Prepare Preschool Children for Anesthesia: Formative Study Using a Child-Centered Approach.

Background: Every year, millions of children undergo medical procedures that require anesthesia. Fear and anxiety are common among young children undergoing such procedures and can interfere with the child's recovery and well-being. Relaxation, distraction, and education are methods that can be used to prepare children and help them cope with fear and anxiety, and serious games may be a suitable medium for these purposes.

A year of Covid-19: experiences and lessons learnt by small European island states-Cyprus, Iceland and Malta.

Background: COVID-19 became a global pandemic within weeks, as every country including small states and islands experienced a surge in cases. Small islands are known to face several challenges in the quest to curb the viral spread, but with the absence of land boarders and small population size, these factors should have played to their advantage to minimize the spread. The aim of this article was to compare and contrast the COVID-19 situation, restrictions, preparedness, management and the healthcare systems between the small population island states of Cyprus, Iceland and Malta.

Peroxidasin Enhances Basal Phenotype and Inhibits Branching Morphogenesis in Breast Epithelial Progenitor Cell Line D492.

The human breast is composed of terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs) that are surrounded by stroma. In the TDLUs, basement membrane separates the stroma from the epithelial compartment, which is divided into an inner layer of luminal epithelial cells and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells. Stem cells and progenitor cells also reside within the epithelium and drive a continuous cycle of gland remodelling that occurs throughout the reproductive period.

Mortality comparisons of COVID-19 with all-cause and non-communicable diseases in Cyprus, Iceland and Malta: lessons learned and forward planning.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world, including Cyprus, Iceland and Malta. Considering the small population sizes of these three island countries, it was anticipated that COVID-19 would be adequately contained and mortality would be low. This study aims to compare and contrast COVID-19 mortality with mortality from all causes and common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over 8 months between these three islands.

Cross-sectional study of oral health care service, oral health beliefs and oral health care education of caregivers in nursing homes.

Objectives: To assess oral care beliefs and oral hygiene procedures among nursing home personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses in managing oral care.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in two nursing homes using an oral health care questionnaire including the Nursing Dental Coping Belief Scale.

Results: A total of 109 health personnel participated.

Components for providing person-centred palliative healthcare: An umbrella review.

Background: Person-centred palliative healthcare is an important approach to maintaining and improving patients' quality of life living with a chronic non-communicable disease and their partners. Such an approach can reduce unnecessary hospitalisation, holistically address the patient and their partners' needs, and help develop an advance care plan.

Objectives: Assess, analyse, and synthesise the currently existing international guidelines for providing person-centred palliative care and identify the key components for providing a high-quality approach.

Use of psychiatric medication in three Arctic nursing homes: association with dementia and psychiatric symptoms.

As more people reaches advanced age, more people experience cognitive impairment and dementia. Dementia is a degenerative disease in which behavioural and psychological symptoms frequently occur, resulting in admissions to nursing homes (NHs), where the most common treatment has been medical treatment. The aim was to compare three rural Arctic NHs in Iceland in their use of psychiatric medication, type of dementia among residents, level of cognitive impairment and selected quality indicators, as well as considering national data, for the period 2016-2018.