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Exploring the professional identity and practice challenges of Lithuanian dental hygienists /
No full textDental hygienist is the main provider of preventive oral care to promote and improve the oral health of individuals, families, and groups in society. However, the participation of dental hygienists in community outreach and public health programmes in Lithuania is limited, mainly due to the lack of institutional support and the unavailability of positions in public health initiatives, and the country’s population has insufficient access to cost-effective oral health promotion services. This exploratory study aimed to analyse dental hygienists’ perception of their profession–to evaluate the scope of practice and professional challenges faced by dental hygienists in Lithuania, focusing on their provision of preventive dental care and educational roles. This study is one part of a prospective study which was conducted in 2021. By using the qualitative approach, with a semistructured interview, the dental hygienists’ experience, towards understanding their duties and concept of profession, was collected. Interviews were conducted with seven dental hygienists. A thematic analysis of data from the interview was performed. Three themes were extracted from the contents: (1) concept of dental hygienist’s profession, (2) personal qualities, and (3) practical activities carried out by dental hygienists. The study results showed dental hygienists in Lithuania have a broad role focusing on patient care, educational activities, and preventive methods in line with European standards. Key attributes such as communication skills, diligence, and empathy are essential for effective practice, ensuring quality patient care and professional standards. Conclusions: Despite fulfilling nationally defined roles, dental hygienists seek expanded competencies and greater involvement in clinical and preventive care
Розвиток ринку е-комерції у Польщі в умовах активізації міграційних процесів.
No full textThe impact of the war in Ukraine and migration has affected the ecommerce markets of the recipient countries, presenting both opportunities, in the form of an increased consumer base, and challenges, such as the lack of a clear development vision. This paper aims to investigate the influence of migration processes on the development of e -commerce in Poland and examine the feasibility of using forecasting methods by e -commerce companies under these conditions for future activity planning. To fulfill the research objective, the following tasks were addressed: investigating the current state of e -commerce development influenced by migration processes; exploring modern migration processes and their impact on global economies; assessing the impact of migration from Ukraine on the Polish market; and analyzing a Polish online store to develop a model for forecasting data and planning activities under the influence of migration processes. To achieve this goal, three models were constructed: a multiple regression model to assess the level of migration processes' influence on e -commerce; a neural network to forecast sales for a Polish e -commerce store; and cluster analysis to identify clusters of goods most affected by migration processes. The study analyzed the nuances of modern migration processes and assessed the reverse effect of migration as a driver of e -commerce development. Migration stimulates e -commerce by altering consumer behavior and logistics routes, increasing exports and imports, and fostering the spread of digital entrepreneurship. Using data from a Polish online store, the study modeled the impact of market changes on the company's operations and identified the most significant factors. Thus, the analysis explored the impact of migration on ebusiness in Poland through constructed models. Regression analysis revealed that migration processes have contributed to the development of the Polish online store's sales, thanks to the increase in migrant consumers and rising price levels. A neural network was developed with machine learning, incorporating macroeconomic and demographic factors into its forecasting typology. Cluster analysis was employed to examine the online store's assortment, identifying clusters by sales volume and migrants' influence. The analysis determined that, following the onset of the migration movement, categories experiencing a surge in demand from refugees, such as baby food products, appliances, telephones, furniture, and communication devices, saw the most significant growth
Biomolecular evidence reveals mares and long-distance imported horses sacrificed by the last pagans in temperate Europe /
No full textHorse sacrifice and deposition are enigmatic features of funerary rituals identified across prehistoric Europe that persisted in the eastern Baltic. Genetic and isotopic analysis of horses in Balt cemeteries [1st to 13th centuries CE (Common Era)] dismantle prevailing narratives that locally procured stallions were exclusively selected. Strontium isotope analysis provides direct evidence for long-distance (~300 to 1500 kilometers) maritime transport of Fennoscandian horses to the eastern Baltic in the Late Viking Age (11th to 13th centuries CE). Genetic analysis proves that horses of both sexes were sacrificed with 34% identified as mares. Results transform the understanding of selection criteria, disprove sex-based selection, and elevate prestige value as a more crucial factor. These findings also provide evidence that the continued interaction between pagans and their newly Christianized neighbors sustained the performance of funerary horse sacrifice until the medieval transition. We also present a reference 87Sr/86Sr isoscape for the southeastern Baltic, releasing the potential of future mobility studies in the region
Central retinal artery occlusion or retinal stroke: a neurosonologist’s perspective /
No full textIn central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) or retinal stroke, which is usually a vision-threatening condition, timely diagnosis is imperative to improve the chances of retinal preservation and to establish adequate secondary prevention measures. Even though retinal strokes have been traditionally assigned to the field of ophthalmology, while considering reperfusion therapy as the only way to avoid permanent vision loss, we suggest prompt evaluation of CRAO causes (primarily related to cardiovascular risk factors) performed by a well-organized interdisciplinary team (ophthalmologist and neurologist) in a neurovascular center with stroke expertise. Therefore, the most suitable adjunct method for rapidly diagnosing non-arteritic CRAO could be target transorbital ultrasound, performed by an experienced neurologist/neurosonologist in the stroke unit. Consequently, after an ophthalmological assessment, a final decision on thrombolytic therapy could be made. We accept that further research is obviously needed to determine whether transorbital ultrasound could replace ophthalmological investigation in the case of a suspected acute retinal stroke. We assert that retinal stroke requires interdisciplinary treatment in cooperation with neurologists and ophthalmologists, with an additive value for each to achieve the best results for the patient
Patients' preoperative awareness of anesthesia.
No full textResearch methods:systematic literature analysis and qualitative research –semi-structured interview. The sample of the qualitative research is 16 respondents. The data was analyzed using the method of qualitative content analysis. Conclusions.1. Patients know what anesthesia is and for what purpose it is performed, most patients follow the preoperative preparation recom-mendations. Before the operation, patients want to be informed and know about the course of the operation, anesthesia, pre-operative requirements, risks and threats of complications, the postoperative period, rehabilitation. Patients emphasize that communication with healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) before surgery is very necessary for them. The information provided to some patients was insufficient, there was a lack of communication. Patients prefer an individual conversation and written or visual information about pre-operative preparation, anesthesia in a language they understand, without difficult medical terms. 2. Nursing roles emerged as important factors in patients' preoperative period. It has been estab-lished that the communication of health care professionals, including nurses, and the time devoted to patients in meeting their needs have a signifi-cant impact on patient awareness
Relationship between stress, its management and public well-being in Lithuania: effect of sociodemographic and clinical factors /
No full textThe aim of the study was to assess the individual stress intensity and its management in Lithuania in the context of public well-being, concentrating on the effects of socio-demographic and clinical factors on stress intensity. To reach the aim, a quantitative study was conducted. 1137 residents of Lithuania participated in the online survey. A visual analogue scale (1–10, VAS) was used to determine stress intensity and management, and the Arizona Integrative Outcome Scale was used to determine the sense of well-being. The research results indicate that 98% of respondents experience stress with an average stress intensity and only 50% of respondents experience a higher-than-average sense of well-being formed by physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual state. The measured relationships between stress, socio-demographic and clinical factors suggest that the marital status, education, profession, nature of work, salary, work experience, duration of work and rest, consequences of COVID-19 have the greatest potential for perceived stress. High-intensity stress is prevalent in Lithuania with moderate management. In the study it was identified, that the main tools for reducing stress are communication with supportive persons, daily regimen and sleep, leisure time for a hobby and rehabilitation, avoiding bad habits, appropriate medical SPA treatments or wellness practices
Biochar-assisted phytoremediation potential of sewage sludge contaminated soil /
No full textEnvironmental pollution caused by increasing levels of heavy metals (HM) is a pressing problem throughout the world. Phytoremediation is considered a prospective remediation approach for HM-contaminated soil, but more research is required to enhance remediation efficiency. Biochar is a promising bio-residue material that can be used for the sustainable remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar from different bio-substrates (digestate, waste of biodiesel production from rapeseed, corn stalk) on HM (Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) accumulation in buckwheat and white mustard cultivated in sewage sludge-contaminated soil. The total amount of HM in soil, plant above- and below-ground biomass, leachate, and bioconcentration and translocation factors were studied to explore the mechanism of how the different bio-substrates’ biochar affects HM accumulation in selected plants. It was observed that rapeseed biochar showed the greatest significant effect in reducing the HM content in soil, plant biomass, and lysimetric water. Meanwhile, the incorporation of digestate biochar significantly increased the HM content in all the soil-plant systems and affected the HM leaching from the soil. The concentration of HM in the leachate decreased from 2.5 to 10 times. It was determined that phytostabilization is the core process of HM accumulation in buckwheat, in contrast to mustard, where the mechanism is phytoextraction. This study confirmed that biochar addition enhances the phytoremediation efficiency in soil, which can potentially improve the development of ecofriendly in-situ bioremediation technology for HM-contaminated sites
Efficacy and safety of balneotherapy using diverse natural resources in Lithuania: a multicenter study /
No full textBackground: Balneotherapy or spa therapy, with its multimodal effects, has shown clinical efficacy in treating various pathological conditions. However, further studies are needed to assess its impact on mental health and to evaluate treatment safety. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different natural resources of the Lithuanian medical spa for stress-related disorders and skin health and to disclose the safety profile of using natural resources. Methodology. We performed a multicenter randomized controlled single-blinded study in 6 Lithuanian medical spas. The 1-2-week treatment combining mineral water, therapeutic mud, and salt procedures was provided for the 364 participants with moderate stress levels and the effect was evaluated using surveys, instrumental, and laboratory measures. Results. The findings highlighted that the effects of BT using different natural resources significantly improve mental and skin health, as well as contribute to overall health status for up to 6 months. A significant reduction of anxiety, depression, and fatigue as well as improvement in sleep, skin moisture, subjective skin state, and integrative outcomes was achieved in all centers after treatment, while stress and saliva cortisol, working speed, skin oiliness, and elasticity improved in a few centers. A positive result was related to the duration of the treatment, and possibly-to the features of natural resources. Mineral water most commonly caused side effects; it varied among centers, however, they were predominantly local, mild, and transient. Conclusions. Balneotherapy using natural resources is effective for the enhancement of mental and skin health. Further research is necessary for a better understanding of the role of different natural resources on health status and safety profile
Harnessing ctDNA in advanced melanoma: a promising tool for informed clinical decisions /
No full textCutaneous melanoma, an aggressive malignancy, has undergone significant transformation in clinical management with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies. Current monitoring methods, such as imaging scans, present limitations, prompting exploration of alternative biomarkers. This review comprehensively explores the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in advanced melanoma, covering technical aspects, detection methods, and its prognostic and predictive value. Recent findings underscore ctDNA’s potential applications and implications in clinical practice. This review emphasizes the need for precise and dynamic biomarkers in melanoma care, positioning ctDNA as a promising blood-based tool for prognosis, treatment response, and resistance mechanisms. The technical nuances of ctDNA detection, association with melanoma mutations, and its role in guiding therapeutic decisions for immunotherapy and targeted therapy underscore its multifaceted utility, marking a paradigm shift in clinical decision-making and offering a promising trajectory for personalized and informed care in advanced melanoma
