bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxysterols Profile in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Triclocarban and Propylparaben—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Merola Carmine , Vremere Anton , Fanti Federico , Iannetta Annamaria , Caioni Giulia , Sergi Manuel , Compagnone Dario , Lorenzetti Stefano , Perugini Monia , Amorena Michele
Published: January 2022

Oxysterols have long been considered as simple by-products of cholesterol metabolism, but they are now fully designed as bioactive lipids that exert their multiple effects through their binding to several receptors, representing endogenous mediators potentially involved in several metabolic diseases. There is also a growing concern that metabolic disorders may be linked with exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). To date, there are no studies aimed to link EDCs exposure to oxysterols perturbation—neither in vivo nor in vitro studies. The present research aimed to evaluate the differences in oxysterols levels following exposure to two metabolism disrupting chemicals (propylparaben (PP) and triclocarban (TCC)) in the zebrafish model using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Following exposure to PP and TCC, there were no significant changes in total and individual oxysterols compared with the control group; however, some interesting differences were noticed: 24-OH was detected only in treated zebrafish embryos, as well as the concentrations of 27-OH, which followed a different distribution, with an increase in TCC treated embryos and a reduction in zebrafish embryos exposed to PP at 24 h post-fertilization (hpf). The results of the present study prompt the hypothesis that EDCs can modulate the oxysterol profile in the zebrafish model and that these variations could be potentially involved in the toxicity mechanism of these emerging contaminants.
Surveillance Web System and Mouthwash-Saliva qPCR for Labor Ambulatory SARS-CoV-2 Detection and Prevention
Authors: Mora-Aguilera Gustavo , Martínez-Bustamante Verónica , Acevedo-Sánchez Gerardo , Coria-Contreras Juan J. , Guzmán-Hernández Eduardo , Flores-Colorado Oscar E. , Mendoza-Ramos Coral , Hernández-Nava Gabriel , Álvarez-Maya Ikuri , Gutiérrez-Espinosa M. Alejandra , Gómez-Linton Raael , Robles-Bustamante Ana Carolina , Gallardo-Hernández Alberto
Published: January 2022

This study provides a safe and low-cost in-house protocol for RT-qPCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 using mouthwash–saliva self-collected specimens to achieve clinical and epidemiological surveillance in a real-time web environment applied to ambulatory populations. The in-house protocol comprises a mouthwash–saliva self-collected specimen, heat virus inactivation, and primers to target virus N-gene region and the human RPP30-gene. Aligning with 209 SARS-CoV-2 sequences confirmed specificity including the Alpha variant from the UK. Development, validation, and statistical comparison with official nasopharyngeal swabbing RT-qPCR test were conducted with 115 specimens of ambulatory volunteers. A web–mobile application platform was developed to integrate a real-time epidemiological and clinical core baseline database with mouthwash–saliva RT-qPCR testing. Nine built-in algorithms were generated for decision-making on testing, confining, monitoring, and self-reports to family, social, and work environments. Epidemiological and clinical follow-up and SARS-CoV-2 testing generated a database of 37,351 entries allowing individual decision-making for prevention. Mouthwash–saliva had higher sensitivity than nasopharyngeal swabbing in detecting asymptomatic and mild symptomatic cases with 720 viral copy number (VCN)/mL as the detection limit (Ct = 37.6). Cycling threshold and viral loading were marginally different (p = 0.057) between asymptomatic (35 Ct ± 2.8; 21,767.7 VCN/mL, range 720–77,278) and symptomatic (31.3 Ct ± 4.5; 747,294.3 VCN/mL, range 1433.6–3.08 × 106). We provided proof-of-concept evidence of effective surveillance to target asymptomatic and moderate symptomatic ambulatory individuals based on integrating a bio-safety level II laboratory, self-collected, low-risk, low-cost detection protocol, and a real-time digital monitoring system. Mouthwash–saliva was effective for SARS-CoV-2 sampling for the first time at the community level.
Capacitive-Type Pressure-Mapping Sensor for Measuring Bite Force
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Maeda Ichinosuke , Kokubo Yota , Tanaka Yoshitomo , Ueno Tetsuji , Takahashi Wataru , Watanabe Yutaka , Hirano Hirohiko
Published: January 2022

Bite force is an important indicator of masticatory performance. However, existing methods for measuring bite force are either ineffective or expensive. Hence, we developed a novel capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor that converts mechanical forces into changes in capacitance and calculates bite force. A portable device was fabricated based on this sensor sheet, and the accuracy of the bite-force measurements provided by the device was evaluated. The sensor has a thickness of 1.6 mm and has 63 measurement points. It was inserted into a dental model, where the output value was measured and compared with that of a universal testing machine (AG-IS 100 kN). A regression equation to estimate the bite force was obtained based on the relationship between the output of the capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor and that of the load cell of the universal testing machine. The estimated bite force from the sensor and the quadratic regression equation closely resembled the known load applied by the compression tester (R2 = 0.992). We therefore conclude that the developed sensor can measure bite force accurately and effectively. A device with a built-in capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor can potentially be a user-friendly tool for bite-force measurements in both clinical and epidemiological settings.
Radiological and Functional Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in Patients after Open Reduction with Internal Fixation (ORIF) of Acetabular Fractures
Authors: Dadura Emilia , Truszczyńska-Baszak Aleksandra , Szydłowski Dariusz
Published: January 2022

(1) Fracture of the pelvis usually happens in young men and results from high-energy trauma. It generates high social and economic costs and results in further health problems. It is therefore important to assess long-term treatment results. (2) The study (NCT04902209) involved 31 patients (mean age 43.6 ± 14.8 years). We conducted fixation assessment on the basis of radiographs and CT scans and functional assessment based on functional scales. (3) We observed more degenerative changes in the less precise reconstruction of the acetabulum (p = 0.075). We did not find statistically significant relationships between the area of surgical approach, the gravity of fracture, and the development of degenerative changes. We did not find statistically significant relationships between patients’ functional states and the type of surgical approach or the complexity of the fracture. We found a positive correlation between the time of surgical treatment and patients’ functional state (p = 0.04). Patients whose joint surfaces were reconstructed anatomically had significantly higher scores in functional scales (HHS p = 0.05, Merle p = 0.03). (4) Patients after surgical fixation of the acetabulum have low functional abilities. The quality of reconstruction of the loaded surface as well as the length of time post-surgery seems to be essential for the patients’ functional state.
Health Care for Refugees in Europe: A Scoping Review
Authors: Nowak Anna Christina , Namer Yudit , Hornberg Claudia
Published: January 2022

Background: Accessing and using health care in European countries pose major challenges for asylum seekers and refugees due to legal, linguistic, administrative, and knowledge barriers. This scoping review will systematically describe the literature regarding health care for asylum seekers and refugees in high-income European countries, and the experiences that they have in accessing and using health care. Methods: Three databases in the field of public health were systematically searched, from which 1665 studies were selected for title and abstract screening, and 69 full texts were screened for eligibility by the main author. Of these studies, 44 were included in this systematic review. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results: Barriers in access to health care are highly prevalent in refugee populations, and can lead to underusage, misuse of health care, and higher costs. The qualitative results suggest that too little attention is paid to the living situations of refugees. This is especially true in access to care, and in the doctor-patient interaction. This can lead to a gap between needs and care. Conclusions: Although the problems refugees and asylum seekers face in accessing health care in high-income European countries have long been documented, little has changed over time. Living conditions are a key determinant for accessing health care.
The Distribution of Dengue Virus Serotype in Quang Nam Province (Vietnam) during the Outbreak in 2018
Authors: Phan Duong Q. , Nguyen Linh D. N. , Pham Son T. , Nguyen Tai , Pham Phuong T. T. , Nguyen Suong T. H. , Pham Dien T. , Pham Huong T. , Tran Duy K. , Le Sa H. , Pham Tung T. , Nguyen Kieu C. D. , Dipalma Gianna , Inchingolo Alessio Danilo , Piscitelli Prisco , Miani Alessandro , Salvatore Scacco , Cantore Stefania , Aityan Sergey K. , Ballini Andrea , Inchingolo Francesco , Gargiulo Isacco Ciro , Pham Van H.
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Quang Nam province in the Centre of Vietnam has faced an outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in 2018. Although DHF is a recurrent disease in this area, no epidemiological and microbiological reports on dengue virus serotypes have been conducted mainly due to lack of facilities for such a kind of advanced surveillance. The aim of this study was to detect different dengue virus serotypes in patients’ blood samples. Design and Methods: Suspected cases living in Quang Nam province (Vietnam) and presenting clinical and hematological signs of dengue hemorrhagic fever were included in the study. The screening was performed, and the results were compared by using two methodologies: RT real-time PCR (RT-rPCR) and the Dengue NS1 rapid test. Results: From December 2018 to February 2019, looking both at RT-rPCR [+] and NS1 [+] methodologies, a total of 488 patients were screened and 336 were positive for dengue virus detection (74 children and 262 adults); 273 of these patients (81.3%) underwent viral serotype identification as follows: 12.82% (35/273) D1 serotype, 17.95% (49/273) D2, 0.37% (1/273) D3, 68.50 (187/283) D4, and 0.37% (1/273) D2+D4 serotypes. The RT-rPCR outcomes showed higher sensitivity during the first three days of infection compared to NS1 (92.3% vs. 89.7%). The NS1 increased sensitivity after the first 3 days whilst the RT-rPCR decreased. Conclusions: Advanced surveillance with dengue virus serotypes identification, if performed routinely, may help to predict and prevent further DHF epidemics based on the exposure of the different serotypes during different periods that lead to the intensification of disease severity as a consequence of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
Effects of Urban Landscape and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Heat-Related Health Using Emergency Medical Service Incidents
Authors: Lee Kanghyun , Brown Robert D.
Published: January 2022

It is well known that extremely hot weather causes heat-related health issues. Health problems, especially in urban areas, are becoming increasingly important due to urban heat island effect. Understanding the impact of neighborhood characteristics is important for research into the relationship between thermal environment and human health. The objectives of this study were to explore the urban landscape and sociodemographic characteristics affecting heat-related health and identify spatial inequalities for vulnerable groups. A total of 27,807 heat-related EMS incidents were used at the census block group level (N = 285). We used land cover database and Landsat satellite images for urban landscape variables and used 2019 U.S. Census data for sociodemographic variables. Negative binomial regression was used to identify the neighborhood variables associated with the heat-related EMS incidents in each block group. Heat-related health has been alleviated in block groups with high green areas. However, the negative effects of thermal environments on human health were higher in areas with a high percentage of impervious surface, over 65 years, non-white people, no high school diploma, or unemployment. The results indicate that heat-related health problems can be addressed through prevention strategies for block group variables. Local intervention efforts to solve health issues should be targeted at more vulnerable areas and groups.
Obese Patients Experience More Severe CSA than Non-Obese Patients
Authors: Huang Yao-Ching , Huang Shi-Hao , Chung Ren-Jei , Wang Bing-Long , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chien Wu-Chien , Sun Chien-An , Yu Pi-Ching , Lu Chieh-Hua
Published: January 2022

Objective: To investigate whether central sleep apnea (CSA) is associated with an increased risk of obesity. Materials and methods: From 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015, we screened 24,363 obese patients from the 2005 longitudinal health insurance database, which is part of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. From the same database, 97,452 non-obese patients were also screened out. Age, gender, and index dates were matched. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the previous exposure risk of obese and CSA patients. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Obese patients were more likely to be exposed to CSA than non-obese patients would (AOR = 2.234, 95% CI = 1.483–4.380, p < 0.001). In addition, the closeness of the exposure time to the index time is positively correlated with the severity of obesity and has a dose–response effect (CSA exposure < 1 year, AOR = 2.386; CSA exposure ≥ 1 year and <5 years, AOR = 1.725; CSA exposure time ≥ 5 years, AOR = 1.422). The CSA exposure time of obese patients was 1.693 times that of non-obese patients. Longer exposure time is associated with more severe obesity and has a dose-response effect (CSA exposure < 1 year, AOR = 1.420; CSA exposure ≥ 1 year and <5 years, AOR = 2.240; CSA ≥ 5 years, AOR = 2.863). Conclusions: In this case-control study, patients with CSA had a significantly increased risk of obesity. Long-term exposure to CSA and obesity is more likely and has a dose-response effect.
Psychosocial Determinants of Adolescents’ Cyberbullying Involvement—The Role of Body Satisfaction
Authors: Malinowska-Cieślik Marta , Dzielska Anna , Oblacińska Anna
Published: January 2022

Background: Although the relationship between adolescents’ body image and cyberviolence has been proved, little is known about the place of body image among other psychosocial determinants. The study aimed to assess the relationship between body satisfaction and cyberbullying in the context of other psychosocial factors. Methods: We used data of 5817 adolescents (47.6% boys, mean age = 15.43) from the survey conducted in 2018 in Poland as a part of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children. Four groups of cyberbullying involvement were defined: only bullies, only victims, both bullies and victims, and not involved. Body satisfaction and ten other independent variables were classified as sociodemographic, socioeconomic, individual and social factors. A series of multinomial logistic regression models were estimated and compared using the pseudo R-sq Nagelkerke coefficient. Results: Although family support seemed to be the most protective, the findings have proved that body satisfaction reduces significantly the risk of cyberbullying. The relationship was more pronounced in victims and bully-victims. A slightly stronger protective effect of body satisfaction has been observed in boys. Conclusions: The strengthening of body image may be an effective measure to prevent adolescents’ cyberbullying, as well as to bring about improvements in social support, connections to others, and school performance.
Factors Associated with Work-Related Burnout among Corporate Employees Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lam Lawrence T , Lam Mary K , Reddy Prasuna , Wong Prudence
Published: January 2022

Work-related burnout is common and has detrimental effects on employees in many industries. The current study aims to examine both environmental and personal factors that are associated with work-related burnout in a population of corporate employees who managed to retain their jobs amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This cross-sectional survey served as the baseline data collection of a phase III wait-listed cluster randomised controlled trial (CRCT) of an intervention program on mental well-being at the workplace. Participants were recruited from six large-size corporations. Work-related burnout was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Moos Work Environment Scale (WES) was used for evaluating the workers’ perspective on the workplace. Information was also collected on demographics and health behaviours. Burnout in this sample was prevalent with 60% of participants rated at a moderate to a high level on emotional exhaustion. Results from the multiple linear regression analyses suggested that different factors were related to different components of burnout. For example, age, work involvement, co-worker cohesion, and work pressure were associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation while others were related to professional accomplishment. The overall results suggested that the work environment is of influential importance to the burnout of employees. However, although the study was conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the factors identified as relating to workplace burnout do not differ much from those identified in a crisis time. Implications of the results were discussed.
VOCs and Odor Episodes near the German–Czech Border: Social Participation, Chemical Analyses and Health Risk Assessment
Authors: Leníček Jan , Beneš Ivan , Rychlíková Eva , Šubrt David , Řezníček Ondřej , Roubal Tomáš , Pinto Joseph P.
Published: January 2022

People living on both sides of the German–Czech border are subject to episodes of odor air pollution. A joint German–Czech air sampling and risk assessment project was established to identify the substances responsible and their sources. Twenty-four volunteer study participants, 14 from the NW Czech Republic and 10 from Germany (Saxony) reported odors and collected canister samples during sampling periods in winter 2017 and 2018 and autumn 2018. Canister samples and passive samplers were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and passive samplers were analyzed for VOCs and carbonyls. OAVs (Odor Activity Values) and back trajectories were calculated with the aim of identifying the odor sources. Calculated OAVs were in excellent agreement with perceived smells close to an oil processing plant. Odorants identified in fifty canister samples during odor episodes and carbonyl measurements close to the edible oil processing plant were used for health evaluation. Odors reported by participants in Saxony frequently differed from those reported by participants in the Czech Republic. This suggests that certain sources of odor lying on either side of the border only affect that side and not the other with similar considerations regarding health effects. VOCs, including carbonyls, were also sampled at two relatively remote locations during winters of 2017 and 2018; two main sources of odorous compounds were identified at these sites. Analysis of samples taken at sampling sites shows that VOC air pollution and, to a lesser extent carbonyl pollution, originate from both industrial and local sources. Even though levels of sampled substances were not associated with acute effects at any site, long-term exposures to selected compounds could be cause for concern for carcinogenicity at some sites. Odors in Seiffen were associated with carcinogenic compounds in can samples. Although not necessarily representative of long-term exposures to the compounds studied, results such as these suggest that further study is needed to better quantify long-term exposure to potentially harmful compounds, and to either confirm or deny the existence of substantive health risk.
The Social Acceptance of Smart Health Services in Japan
Authors: Shimizu Yuho , Ishizuna Aimi , Osaki Shin , Hashimoto Takaaki , Tai Mitsuharu , Tanibe Tetsushi , Karasawa Kaori
Published: January 2022

In recent years, smart health (s-Health) services have gained momentum worldwide. The s-Health services obtain personal information and aim to provide efficient health and medical services based on these data. In Japan, active efforts to implement these services have increased, but there is a lack of social acceptance. This study examined social acceptance concerning various factors such as trust in the city government, perceived benefits, perceived necessity, perceived risk, and concern about interventions for individuals. An online survey was conducted, and Japanese participants (N = 720) were presented with a vignette depicting a typical s-Health service overview. The results of structural equation modeling showed that trust was positively related to perceived benefit and necessity and negatively related to perceived risk and concern about interventions for individuals. Perceived benefit and trust were positively related to social acceptance, and perceived risk was negatively related to acceptance. The model obtained in this study can help implement s-Health services in public. Empirical studies that contribute to improving public health by investigating the social acceptance of s-Health services should be conducted in the future.
Postural Control Differences between Patients with Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction and Healthy People during Gait
Authors: Wang Junsig , Latt L. Daniel , Martin Robert D. , Mannen Erin M.
Published: January 2022

Background: Patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) may exhibit postural instability during walking likely due to a loss of medial longitudinal arch, abnormal foot alignment, and pain. While many studies have investigated gait alterations in PTTD, there is no understanding of dynamic postural control mechanisms in this population during gait, which will help guide rehabilitation and gait training programs for patients with PTTD. The purpose of the study was to assess dynamic postural control mechanisms in patients with stage II PTTD as compared to age and gender matched healthy controls. Methods: Eleven patients with stage II PTTD (4 males and 7 females; age 59 ± 1 years; height 1.66 ± 0.12 m; mass 84.2 ± 16.0 kg) and ten gender and age matched controls were recruited in this study. Participants were asked to walk along a 10 m walkway. Ten Vicon cameras and four AMTI force platforms were used to collect kinematic and center of pressure (COP) data while participants performed gait. To test differences between PTTD vs. control groups, independent t-tests (set at α < 0.05) were performed. Results: Patients with PTTD had significantly higher double stance ratio (+23%) and anterior-posterior (AP) time to contact (TTC) percentage (+16%) as compared to healthy control. However, PTTD had lower AP COP excursion (−19%), AP COP velocity (−30%), and medial-lateral (ML) COP velocity (−40%) as compared to healthy controls. Mean ML COP trace values for PTTD were significantly decreased (−23%) as compared to controls, indicating COP trace for PTTD tends to be closer to the medial boundary than controls during single-support phase of walking. Conclusion: PTTD patients showed more conservative and cautious postural strategies which may help maintain balance and reduce the need for postural adjustment during PTTD gait. They also showed more medially shifted COP patterns than healthy controls during single-support phase of walking. Dynamic postural control outcomes could be used to develop effective gait training programs aimed at alleviating a medial shift of COP (everted foot) for individuals with PTTD in order to improve their functionality and gait efficiency.
Direct Comparison of Elastography Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine-Needle Aspiration and B-Mode Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine-Needle Aspiration in Diagnosing Solid Pancreatic Lesions
Authors: Gheorghiu Marcel , Sparchez Zeno , Rusu Ioana , Bolboacă Sorana D. , Seicean Radu , Pojoga Cristina , Seicean Andrada
Published: January 2022

Elastography endoscopic ultrasound (E-EUS) has been proved to be a valuable supplement to endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in differentiating solid pancreatic lesions, but the improvement of EUS-FNA guided during E-EUS has not been proven. Our study aimed to evaluate whether E-EUS fine-needle aspiration (E-EUS-FNA) was superior to B-mode EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses and whether the diagnostic rate was affected by specific factors. Our prospective study was conducted between 2019–2020 by recruiting patients with solid pancreatic masses. E-EUS examination was followed by one pass of E-EUS-FNA towards the blue part of the lesion and a second pass of EUS-FNA. The final diagnosis was based on surgery, E-EUS-FNA or EUS-FNA results, or a 12-month follow-up. Sixty patients with solid pancreatic lesions were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosing malignancy using E-EUS-FNA and EUS-FNA were 89.5%, 100%, 90%, 93%, 100%, and 93.3%, respectively, but the differences were not significant. Neither mass location nor the lesion size influenced the results. The lengths of the core obtained during E-EUS-FNA and EUS-FNA were similar. E-EUS-FNA in solid pancreatic lesions was not superior to B-mode EUS-FNA.
COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy or Acceptance and Its Associated Factors: Findings from Post-Vaccination Cross-Sectional Survey from Punjab Pakistan
Authors: Zakar Rubeena , Momina Ain ul , Shahzad Sara , Hayee Mahwish , Shahzad Ruhma , Zakar Muhammad Zakria
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 has posed massive challenges related to health, economy, and the social fabric of the entire human population. To curb the spread of the virus, the Government of Pakistan initiated a vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The objective of this research was to assess the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. The data were collected telephonically using a cross-sectional survey design through a close-ended structured questionnaire from a sample of 1325 vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals with a response rate of 38%. SPSS v. 26 was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that 73% of the respondents were male, half in the 40–49 age group, 78% living in urban areas, and 45% had a monthly income between 20,001–50,000 Pakistani rupees. People felt reluctant to get vaccinated because of myths and misinformation related to it. The socio-demographic factors including male, age 60–69, middle or higher level of education, marital status, currently employed, from middle socio-economic status, living in urban areas, high access to mass media, history of influenza vaccination, physical activity, and perceived good health status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Concerted efforts are needed to achieve vaccine targets for the broader population through understanding and identifying barriers to vaccination.
Strategies for Imputation of High-Resolution Environmental Data in Clinical Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kim Yohan , Kelly Scott , Krishnan Deepu , Falletta Jay , Wilmot Kerryn
Published: January 2022

Time series data collected in clinical trials can have varying degrees of missingness, adding challenges during statistical analyses. An additional layer of complexity is introduced for missing data in randomized controlled trials (RCT), where researchers must remain blinded between intervention and control groups. Such restriction severely limits the applicability of conventional imputation methods that would utilize other participants’ data for improved performance. This paper explores and compares various methods to impute high-resolution temperature logger data in RCT settings. In addition to the conventional non-parametric approaches, we propose a spline regression (SR) approach that captures the dynamics of indoor temperature by time of day that is unique to each participant. We investigate how the inclusion of external temperature and energy use can improve the model performance. Results show that SR imputation results in 16% smaller root mean squared error (RMSE) compared to conventional imputation methods, with the gap widening to 22% when more than half of data is missing. The SR method is particularly useful in cases where missingness occurs simultaneously for multiple participants, such as concurrent battery failures. We demonstrate how proper modelling of periodic dynamics can lead to significantly improved imputation performance, even with limited data.
The Impact of Grounding in Running Shoes on Indices of Performance in Elite Competitive Athletes
Authors: Muniz-Pardos Borja , Zelenkova Irina , Gonzalez-Aguero Alex , Knopp Melanie , Boitz Toni , Graham Martin , Ruiz Daniel , Casajus Jose A. , Pitsiladis Yannis P.
Published: January 2022

The introduction of carbon fiber plate shoes has triggered a plethora of world records in running, which has encouraged shoe industries to produce novel shoe designs to enhance running performance, including shoes containing conductor elements or “grounding shoes” (GS), which could potentially reduce the energy cost of running. The aim of this study was to examine the physiological and perceptual responses of athletes subjected to grounding shoes during running. Ten elite runners were recruited. Firstly, the athletes performed an incremental running test for VO2max and anaerobic threshold (AT) determination, and were familiarized with the two shoe conditions (traditional training shoe (TTS) and GS, the latter containing a conductor element under the insole). One week apart, athletes performed running economy tests (20 min run at 80% of the AT) on a 400 m dirt track, with shoe conditions randomized. VO2, heart rate, lactate, and perceived fatigue were registered throughout the experiment. No differences in any of the physiological or perceptual variables were identified between shoe conditions, with an equal running economy in both TTS and GS (51.1 ± 4.2 vs. 50.9 ± 5.1 mL kg−1 min−1, respectively). Our results suggest that a grounding stimulus does not improve the energy cost of running, or the physiological/perceptual responses of elite athletes.
Developing and Validating Risk Scores for Predicting Major Cardiovascular Events Using Population Surveys Linked with Electronic Health Insurance Records
Authors: Chang Hsing-Yi , Fang Hsin-Ling , Huang Ching-Yu , Chiang Chi-Yung , Chuang Shao-Yuan , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Cheng Hao-Min , Chen Tzen-Wen , Yao Wei-Cheng , Pan Wen-Harn
Published: January 2022

A risk prediction model for major cardiovascular events was developed using population survey data linked to National Health Insurance (NHI) claim data and the death registry. Another set of population survey data were used to validate the model. The model was built using the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) collected from 1993–1996 and linked with 10 years of events from NHI data. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were identified based on hospital admission or death from coronary heart disease or stroke. The Taiwanese Survey on Hypertension, Hyperglycemia, and Hyperlipidemia (TwSHHH), conducted in 2002 was used for external validation. The NAHSIT data consisted of 1658 men and 1652 women aged 35–70 years. The incidence rates for MACE per 1000 person-years were 13.77 for men and 7.76 for women. These incidence rates for the TwSHHH were 7.27 for men and 3.58 for women. The model had reasonable discrimination (C-indexes: 0.76 for men; 0.75 for women), thus can be used to predict MACE risks in the general population. NHI data can be used to identify disease statuses if the definition and algorithm are clearly defined. Precise preventive health services in Taiwan can be based on this model.
The Unequal Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Labour Market and Income Inequality in China: A Multisectoral CGE Model Analysis Coupled with a Micro-Simulation Approach
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang Xinxin , Cui Qi , Cao Weining , He Ling , Zhou Yexin , Li Xiaofan , Fan Yunpeng
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unequal impact on the employment and earnings of different labourers, consequently affecting households’ per capita income and income inequality. Combining a multisector computable general equilibrium model of China with a micro-simulation approach, this study aims to analyse the unequal effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on China’s labour market and income inequality. The results confirm the unequal impact of the pandemic on the employment and earnings of different labourer types. Labourers who are female, live in urban areas, and have relatively low education levels would suffer greater losses in employment and earnings. The pandemic would reduce household per capita income by 8.75% for rural residents and 6.13% for urban residents. While the pandemic would have a larger negative impact on the employment and earnings of urban labourers, it would have a greater negative impact on the household per capita income of rural residents. Moreover, the per capita income of low-income households is more vulnerable to the pandemic, and the number of residents living below the poverty line would increase significantly. Thus, the pandemic would aggravate income inequality in China and threaten the livelihoods of poor families. This study could inform researchers exploring the distributional effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries.
Critical Periods, Critical Time Points and Day-of-the-Week Effects in COVID-19 Surveillance Data: An Example in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Authors: Simpson Ryan B. , Lauren Brianna N. , Schipper Kees H. , McCann James C. , Tarnas Maia C. , Naumova Elena N.
Published: January 2022

Critical temporal changes such as weekly fluctuations in surveillance systems often reflect changes in laboratory testing capacity, access to testing or healthcare facilities, or testing preferences. Many studies have noted but few have described day-of-the-week (DoW) effects in SARS-CoV-2 surveillance over the major waves of the novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic (COVID-19). We examined DoW effects by non-pharmaceutical intervention phases adjusting for wave-specific signatures using the John Hopkins University’s (JHU’s) Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) COVID-19 data repository from 2 March 2020 through 7 November 2021 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. We cross-referenced JHU’s data with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) COVID-19 records to reconcile inconsistent reporting. We created a calendar of statewide non-pharmaceutical intervention phases and defined the critical periods and timepoints of outbreak signatures for reported tests, cases, and deaths using Kolmogorov-Zurbenko adaptive filters. We determined that daily death counts had no DoW effects; tests were twice as likely to be reported on weekdays than weekends with decreasing effect sizes across intervention phases. Cases were also twice as likely to be reported on Tuesdays-Fridays (RR = 1.90–2.69 [95%CI: 1.38–4.08]) in the most stringent phases and half as likely to be reported on Mondays and Tuesdays (RR = 0.51–0.93 [0.44, 0.97]) in less stringent phases compared to Sundays; indicating temporal changes in laboratory testing practices and use of healthcare facilities. Understanding the DoW effects in daily surveillance records is valuable to better anticipate fluctuations in SARS-CoV-2 testing and manage appropriate workflow. We encourage health authorities to establish standardized reporting protocols.
Factors Affecting Delayed Hospital Arrival of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Kinmen
Authors: Huang Yu-Han , How Chorng-Kuang , Ho Ching-Sung
Published: January 2022

This study explores factors related to delayed emergency medical treatment for acute myocardial infarction patients on Kinmen Island. A cross-sectional study was performed in the only hospital in Kinmen Island. The study group consisted of 116 patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, ICD-10 codes: I21.9) from November 2015 to May 2019. The binary logistic regression analyses were performed for the inferential statistical analysis. The mean age of the study group was 63.0 ± 14.5 years, 39.7% of the patients arrived at the emergency medicine longer than 6 h after the onset of symptoms. The related factors for delayed arrival the hospital emergency medicine department were female sex, age over 65 years, less than nine years’ education, and Killip Class, but only Killip Class reached the significant difference of statistics (OR = 3.616, 95% C.I. = 1.574 to 8.310, p = 0.002), and patients with delayed arrival times (>6 h) were found to have a higher percentage of Killip Class ≥ II. Therefore, it is essential to remind the physicians to proceed with risk stratification for acute coronary syndrome patients. In addition, health authorities should provide effective programs to increase awareness of the symptoms and timely treatment of acute myocardial infraction to the general public, especially the elderly.
The Relationships between Gender, Life Satisfaction, Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use during COVID-19: Does the Lockdown Matter?
Authors: Deutrom Jensen , Katos Vasilis , Al-Mourad Mohamed Basel , Ali Raian
Published: January 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have attempted to reduce virus transmission by implementing lockdown procedures, leading to increased social isolation and a new reliance on technology and the internet for work and social communication. We examined people’s experiences working from home in the UK to identify risk factors of problematic internet use during the first lockdown period, specifically looking at life satisfaction, loneliness, and gender. A total of 299 adults completed the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire-Short-Form-6, UCLA-3 Item Loneliness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale online. Through structural equation modelling, we found that loneliness positively predicted problematic internet use while gender had no effect. Life satisfaction and age positively predicted loneliness but had no direct effect on problematic internet use, suggesting loneliness fully mediated their relationship with problematic internet use. Our study serves as a benchmark study of problematic internet use among those working from home during lockdown conditions, which may be utilized by future researchers exploring longitudinal patterns post-pandemic.
How to Improve the Cooperation Mechanism of Emergency Rescue and Optimize the Cooperation Strategy in China: A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Model
Authors: Liu Jida , Song Yuwei , An Shi , Dong Changqi
Published: January 2022

To reveal the interaction and influence mechanism between emergency rescue entities, and to explore and optimize a cooperation mechanism of emergency rescue entities, a tripartite evolutionary game model of emergency rescue cooperation based on government rescue teams, social emergency organizations, and government support institutions was constructed. The stability of each game subject’s strategy choice was explored. Simulation analysis was applied to investigate the influence mechanism of key parameters on the evolution of the game subject’s strategy combination. The research results show that government rescue teams, social emergency organizations, and government support institutions have consistent political demands and rescue targets in emergency rescue cooperation. The game subjects are driving forces for each other to choose positive strategies. The game evolution process of the emergency cooperation model shows a “mobilization-coordination” feature. At the same time, the emergency capital stock formed based on trust relationships, information matching, and institutional norms between game subjects can promote the evolution of the game system toward (1,1,1). In addition, for government organizations with limited emergency resources, the average allocation of emergency resources is not the optimal solution for emergency rescue efficiency. However, it is easier to achieve the overall target of emergency rescue cooperation by investing limited emergency resources in key variables that match the on-site situation. On this basis, combined with the practice of emergency rescues in emergencies, countermeasures and solutions are proposed to optimize the mechanism and improve the efficiency of emergency rescue cooperation.
Moving Food Assistance into the Digital Age: A Scoping Review
Authors: Martin Nina M. , Barnett Daniel J. , Poirier Lisa , Sundermeir Samantha M. , Reznar Melissa M. , Gittelsohn Joel
Published: January 2022

One of the most basic needs globally, food assistance refers to the multitude of programs, both governmental and non-governmental, to improve food access and consumption by food-insecure individuals and families. Despite the importance of digital and mobile Health (mHealth) strategies in food insecurity contexts, little is known about their specific use in food assistance programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to address that gap by conducting a scoping review of the literature. Keywords were defined within the concepts of food assistance and digital technology. The search included relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature from 2011 to 2021. Excluded articles related to agriculture and non-digital strategies. PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform a partnered, two-round scoping literature review. The final synthesis included 39 studies of which most (84.6%) were from the last five years and United States-based (93.2%). The top three types of articles or studies included text and opinion, qualitative research, and website, application, or model development (17.9%). The top three types of digital tools were websites (56.4%), smartphone applications (20.5%), and chatbots (5.1%). Nineteen digital features were identified as desirable. Most tools included just one or two features. The most popular feature to include was online shopping (n = 14), followed by inventory management, and client tracking. Digital tools for individual food assistance represent an opportunity for equitable and stable access to programs that can enhance or replace in-person services. While this review identified 39 tools, all are in early development and/or implementation stages. Review findings highlight an overall lack of these tools, an absence of user-centered design in their development, and a critical need for research on their effectiveness globally. Further analysis and testing of current digital tool usage and interventions examining the health and food security impacts of such tools should be explored in future studies, including in the context of pandemics, where digital tools allow for help from a distance.
Navigating the LGB Data Landscape: A Review of Appropriate Secondary Data Sources for Sexuality and Substance Use Research in the UK
Authors: Davies Megan , Moon Graham , Sabel Clive E.
Published: January 2022

Research has found that sexual minority individuals are more likely to experience health inequalities and have higher rates of substance use compared with their heterosexual counterparts. This association between sexuality and health outcomes is increasingly being explored using quantitative methodologies within the context of public health, psychology and health geography. Much of this research, however, has relied on primary data, despite the wide availability of secondary sources, mainly survey data, collecting information on sexuality and different types of health outcomes and health risk behaviours, such as substance use. This study reviewed recent surveys in the UK that are appropriate for exploring topics related to LGB populations and substance use behaviours. We carried out a narrative review of secondary data sources in the UK to assess the accessibility and suitability of secondary sources for sexuality and substance use research. We identified eight cross-sectional and two longitudinal surveys that contained both sexuality and substance use data. We summarised the possible applications of each survey and the scope of questions within sexuality and substance use research that could be addressed by each survey. The identification of appropriate surveys in this review can allow researchers to extend the use of secondary data sources in the UK to examine substance use inequalities between sexuality groups, further advancing this key topic.
Effects of a Physical Exercise Intervention on Pain in Workplaces: A Case Study
Authors: Río Xabier , Sáez Iker , González Javier , Besga Ángel , Santano Eneko , Ruiz Natxo , Solabarrieta Josu , Coca Aitor
Published: January 2022

Interventions that promote physical activity and healthy habits in workplaces have proven to be effective in reducing risk factors associated with numerous pathologies. This study examines the effects of an individualized physical exercise program that lasts five minutes for 30 working days on the perceived pain of workers, as well as analyzing adherence to it within workplaces. Data were collected through a visual analog scale of 1–10 of the perception of pain by anatomical areas, and, thus, we could observe variations in the perceived pain of workers through a program of five individualized exercises for one minute each based on the analysis of the worker and the job position. Significant differences were observed in three of the four centers analyzed (1: p = 0.006; 2: p = 0.009; 3: p = 0.000; 4: p = 0.791). A five-minute exercise program in the work environment appears to be an effective tool in terms of time and an improvement in workers’ perception of pain.
Analysis of the Motivation of Students of the Last Cycle of Primary School in the Subject of Physical Education
Authors: Rojo-Ramos Jorge , González-Becerra María José , Gómez-Paniagua Santiago , Merellano-Navarro Eugenio , Adsuar José Carmelo
Published: January 2022

Motivation is the impulse that leads people to perform certain actions and persist in them to achieve certain objectives. Motivation is important in all areas of life and has a very important role in academics, where it can be considered essential for learning motor skills and performance. In this study, we intended to evaluate motivation in the Physical Education classroom among students in the last grade of elementary school. For this purpose, a total of 545 students aged between 9 and 13 years were selected to take the CMEF-EP questionnaire through a tablet and by means of the Google Forms application. The different relationships between items and dimensions were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. A Spearman’s test was used to explore the relationship between dimensions and age. The results showed that the predominant motivation in the classroom is intrinsic motivation and that demotivation is practically nonexistent. In addition, it was found that there are differences between the genders in some of the categories and that there are no differences in the location of the study center. Therefore, it can be said that it is essential to generate a motivational climate based on the subject and his or her interests in order to favor intrinsic motivation.