bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictability of Big Five Traits in high school teacher burnout. Detailed study through the disillusionment dimension
Authors: Ruggieri Ruggero Andrisano , Crescenzo Pietro , Iervolino Anna , Mossi Pier Giorgio , Boccia Giovanni
Published: April 2023

This research aimed to investigate the theme of burnout syndrome in high school teachers. In particular, the objective was to verify if the five personality traits can be considered predictors of the four dimensions of burnout. The sample consisted of 171 teachers, 49 males and 122 females. For the burnout measurement, the Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ) was used, and for the personality measure, the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ) was used. As predictive factors for the development of the negative polarity of Psychophysical Exhaustion, the results identify both Energy and Emotional Stability. For Relational Deterioration, the same traits emerge due to the dimension of Professional Inefficiency. For the LBM’s Disillusion dimension, there was no corresponding predictive BFM trait, but by reducing the statistical error via analysis of regression with fixed effects, Agreeableness and Emotional Stability were predictive. The research confirms the relationship between personality and burnout, but future studies should both analyse the influence exerted by the contextual factors on the onset of the syndrome and deepen the research on the mental models
A survey on Biostatisticians Serving in the Italian Ethics Committees
Authors: Baldi Ileana , Azzolina Danila , Chiffi Daniele , Barrella Teresa , Martinato Matteo , Berchialla Paola , Gregori Dario
Published: April 2023

Background. Italian ethics committees (ECs) have the responsibility for evaluating and monitoring clinical research.

Methods. An electronic survey targeted to the biostatisticians operating in the 95 ECs in Italy, was launched in November 2016. Several aspects were explored such as education, job title, training in biostatistics and experience in the evaluation of protocols within the EC.

Results. Seventy case report forms were returned (74%), and the response rate was highest for ECs located in the South (78%) and lowest in the North (51%). The biostatisticians in the respondent ECs were prevalently male, aged 50-60 years, with postgraduate education in medical specialties and statistics. The annual workload varied depending on the type of institution and geographical area, with an annual median number of protocols examined ranging from 80 in hospital ECs to 198 in university hospital ECs, and from 80 to 108, in the South and the Centre, respectively. Of these, 40% were observational study protocols. The EC biostatisticians proposed to reject 5% of protocols and to suspend with the request of clarification or amendments 10%. Only 61% and 79% of these opinions, respectively, were regarded as binding by the other EC members.

Conclusion. The biostatistician will not be able to play a significant role in the EC as long as the required skill-set remains vague and his/her opinion on a protocol is underrated.
A significant minimization of Pearson’s X2 statistics in 2x2 contingency tables: preliminary results for small samples
Authors: Serra Nicola
Published: April 2023

The Pearson’s chi-square test or X2 test represents a nonparametric test more used in Medicine, Biology and Social Sciences, but it introduces some error for 2x2 contingency tables, therefore Yates introduces a continuity correction. This correction produces a very conservative result of X2 statistics with overestimation of p-value and consequently a type II error is very likely. The goal of this paper is to define, with a statistical approach, a significant minimization of Pearson’s X2 statistics for small data sample, based on concept of arithmetic mean, that could be a possible efficient statistic for reducing the type II error in the calculation of p-value.
Willingness to pay for vaccination against hepatitis b and its determinants: the case study of an industrial district of Pakistan
Authors: Sardar Azeem , Yaseen Muhammad Rizwan , Abbas Azhar , Waqas Muhammad , Gill Basir Afzaal
Published: April 2023

Willingness to pay (WTP) for vaccination of hepatitis disease is a good measure to monetize the physical effects of a disease into monetary values. Therefore, the present study aims to find the willingness to pay for self-paid vaccines for hepatitis and its determinants in an industrial district Faisalabad, Pakistan. Primary data was collected from 200 nonpatients of hepatitis which were personally interviewed by using convenient sampling method.

A scenario was presented to the selected respondents by using CVM technique. The respondents were randomly assigned to pre-chosen payment bids defined on the basis of prevailing market rates for vaccination at the time of survey. The multivariate linear regression was used to find the determinants of WTP. The results show that females are slightly more willing to pay as compared to males. The variables like age, income and awareness about hepatitis have positive impact on WTP for vaccination of hepatitis disease. About 57.3 percent people belonging to low income group wanted vaccination free of cost in Pakistan.Government should launch free vaccination programs for the most vulnerable group (poor) and must launch awareness campaign to increase knowledge about disease.
Validity and reliability of a new instrument for the evaluation of dental collaboration in disabled people
Authors: Sparabombe Scilla , Guerra Fabrizio , Maruotti Antonello , De Sanctis Renato , Di Giorgio Gianni , Palaia Gaspare , Romeo Umberto , Barbato Ersilia
Published: April 2023

Background: nowadays, oral health in people with disabilities is an important topic. The phsychological and behavioural problems of these people, their difficulties with environmental adaptations and the absence of any traditional communication determine the compliance needed for treatment The aim of this work was to test the validity and reliability of an original questionnaire that could become an instrument assessing the individual features in people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities at the time of dental treatment.

Methods: it was created a questionnaire with standardised answers regarding four specific areas: neuropsychology, emotional-affect, autonomy and environmental resources. The questionnaire was completed by 63 patients from three different institutes (two rehabilitation institutes and an Institute of Dentistry for patients with special needs). To analyse the answers, each item was transformed into a numeric value. A value of 1 was displayed as the minimum while 4 represented full possession of the considered skills. A total of 17 variables were analysed with descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis. Internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. Furthermore, an analysis on convergent/discriminant validity was provided.

Results: all variables were positively correlated. The most significant were “guidance”, “communication”, “sociability”, “view”, “hearing” and “feeding”. Items like “self-control”, “equanimity”, “problematic behaviour”, “extroversion” and “autonomy” offered vague and less significant information in identifying the patient’s collaboration level. Variables like “evaluation by the compiler about the patient’s collaboration”, “previous dental experiences” and “attendant” were confirmed. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.77 (standardized result), which meet the a priori criterion of 0.90≥alpha≥0.70.

Conclusions: the instrument was statistically tested and seems to be adequate to estimate the collaboration level of disabled patients. It is called CLEQ (Collaboration Level Evaluation Questionnaire). Further trials are warranted to confirm its validity and benefits.
Factors associated with adverse events following immunization in Albanian children: An analysis of the national database of adverse events after immunization
Authors: Mehmeti Irsida , Nelaj Erida , Tomini Eugena , Simaku Artan , Bino Silva
Published: April 2023

Background: Adverse events following immunization are a major concern which is influencing vaccination coverage all over the world. It is therefore important to evaluate the reporting of this events and factors associated with their occurrence in order to prevent them.

Methods: The national database of adverse events following immunization in Albanian children was de-identified and transferred to the IBM® SPSS version 21. (SPSS Inc, USA). Every medical information was re-entered using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terms. The dose-based reporting rates are calculated always taking in consideration the number of administered vaccines instead of the number of distributed ones, which is an advantage of the Albanian reporting system

Results: During a thirteen year period (2003-2015) there have been 307 AEFI cases reported for a total of 7,713,325 doses of vaccines administered. That regarded 106 females and 134 males. Most of the events have been reported during 2004. Most of thecases were non-serious (78,8%). Most of the cases were treated at ambulatory setting (72.55), followed by hospital treatment (24.3%) and no treatment (2.6%). Most of the cases were recorded in infants aged < 4 months.

Conclusion: During the 13 year period, there were no severe events. The completeness and accuracy of information in the Albanian vaccine safety surveillance system still need to improve.
Co-occurence of risky driving behaviours and associations with seatbelt and helmet use - a descriptive cross-sectional study among young adults
Authors: Kritsotakis George , Papadakaki Maria , Tumwesigye Raymond
Published: April 2023

Background: Greece exhibits one of the highest rates of deaths and injuries due to motor vehicle crashes in young adults in Europe. The personal, social and financial cost is still very high as road traffic crashes account for 65.8% of all deaths among young people aged 10-24 years, with prominent gender differences that are not fully explained yet. 

Methods: using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, we examined the associations of seatbelt and helmet use with the likelihood of manifesting multiple driving violations (fail to stop at STOP signs, running red traffic lights, driving towards the wrong direction, illegal overtaking, speeding, cellphone use while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol) in a sample of 536 1st year university students in Greece. A ‘Risky Driving Index’ score (RDI) was produced by summing the frequencies of all behaviours (range 0-28). 

Results: only 8.8% of the students reported not performing any of the driving violations, whereas 8.6% engaged in all 7 of them when driving (male: 11.5%; female: 1.9%; score>8, male: 31.7%; female: 8.1%). Male, but not female participants, who never used seatbelts and helmets, reported significantly higher RDI scores with evidence of a dose-response effect in the increase. In adjusted logistic regression models, those who never used (vs regular use) seat belt ‘as drivers’ and ‘as rear seat passengers’ had increased odds of being in the higher score category of RDI (OR=5.239 95%CI=1.280-21.441 and OR=6.782 95%CI=1.891-24.324, respectively). 

Conclusion: young male drivers and riders, but not their female counterparts, that do not take typical safety measures (seatbelt and helmet use), reported more illegal and risky driving behaviours. Preventive interventions using a gender-informed approach are needed to address co-occurring risk driving behaviours.
A web-based surveillance model of eosinophilic meningitis: future prediction and distribution patterns
Authors: Aekphachaisawat Noppadol , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak , Phitsanuwong Chalongchai , Khamsai Sittichai , Chattakul Paiboon , Chomtmongkol Verajit , Tiamkao Somsak , Limpawattana Panita , Senthong Vichai , Chindaprasirt Jarin , Ngamjarus Chetta
Published: April 2023

Background: web-based surveillance is a useful tool for predicting future cases of various emerging infectious diseases. There are limited data available on web-based surveillance and patterns of distribution of eosinophilic meningitis (EOM), which is an emerging infectious disease in various countries around the world. 

Methods: this study applied web-based surveillance to the prediction of EOM incidence and the analysis of its distribution pattern by using a national database, which may be used for future prevention and control. The number cases of EOM in each month over a period of 12 years (between 2006 to 2017) from Loei province were retrieved from the National Disease Surveillance (Report 506) website, operated by Thailand's Public Health Center. 

Results: we developed autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models and seasonal ARIMA (SARIMA) models. The best model was used for predicting numbers of future cases. The forecast values from the SARIMA (1, 1, 2)(0,1,1)6 model were close to actual values and were the most valid, as they had the lowest RMSE and AIC. The predictive model for future cases of EOM was related to previous numbers of EOM cases over the past eight months. The disease exhibited a seasonal pattern during the study period. 

Conclusions: web-based surveillance can be used for future prediction of EOM, that the predictive model applied here was valid, and that EOM exhibits a seasonal pattern.
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus evaluation for latent tuberculosis infection among Italian healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Coppeta Luca , Baldi Savino , Somma Giuseppina , Tursi Elisabetta , Policardo Sara , Baldi Ottavia , Lieto Piergiorgio , Pietroiusti Antonio , Magrini Andrea
Published: April 2023

Background: healthcare workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of being exposed to tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to estimate LTBI prevalence and evaluate associated risk factors among Italian HCWs using a new generation IGRA test, Quantiferon Plus (QTF-Plus), providing also an analytical evaluation of this test.

Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted during the annual health surveillance program performed in 2017, evaluating 1470 HCWs of a teaching hospital in Rome, tested with QTF-Plus. A standardized questionnaire was collected for multivariate risk analysis. The independent variables associated with a higher frequency of LTBI were tested in a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results: LTBI was diagnosed in 50 out of 1470 (3.4%) of HCWs. The male gender and age>40 years were significantly associated with the risk of LTBI. The levels of interferon-γ were significantly lower in subjects with a recent conversion than in those with an older positivity. Moreover, interferon-γ values exceeding 8 IU/ml were recorded in 8 out of 35 remote subjects but in no recent subjects. The concordance between TB1 and TB2 results was 88%, while in 6 out of 50 subjects we found a discrepancy.

Conclusion: the LTBI condition among Italian HCWs was very low. In subjects with discordant outcomes between TB1 and TB2, especially when the test values are close to the cut-off, is recommended a repetition of the test to confirm its positivity.

Key words: tuberculosis, latent tuberculosis infection, interferon-gamma release assay, quantiferon plus, healthcare workers
A Support Vector Regression Approach for Three–Level Longitudinal Data
Authors: Moqaddasi Amiri Mohammad , Tapak Leili , Faradmal Javad
Published: April 2023

Background: Longitudinal data structure is frequently observed in health science. This introduces correlation to the data that needs to be handled in modelling process. Recently, machine learning approaches have been introduced in the context of longitudinal data for prediction of the response variable purpose. In this paper a mixed-effects least squares support vector regression model is presented for three-level longitudinal data. In the proposed model, multiple random-effect terms are used for considering the existing correlation structures in longitudinal data. The proposed model is flexible in modelling (non-)linear and complex relationships between predictors and response, while it takes into account the hierarchical structure of data and is computationally efficient. 

Methods Both random intercept and random trend models with a special correlation structure of errors are illustrated. A real data example on human Brucellosis rate is analysed and two simulation studies are performed to illustrate the proposed model. The fitting and generalisation performance of the proposed model are investigated and compared with the ordinary least squares support vector regression and linear mixed-effects models. 

Results: Based on the human Brucellosis rate example and two simulation studies, the proposed models had the best performance in generalisation. Also, the fitting performances of the proposed models were better than that of the classic models. 

Conclusion: Our study revealed that in the presence of nonlinear relationship between covariates and outcome, the proposed MLS-SVR model has the best fitting and generalisation performance and can capture correlation of the data.
Association between benzodiazepine prescriptions and potential risk factors of adverse drug reactions among elderly and very elderly: findings from Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Italy
Authors: Castelpietra Giulio , Balestrieri Matteo , Brusaferro Silvio , Arnoldo Luca
Published: April 2023

Background: benzodiazepines (BDZs) highly increase the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), especially in the elderly with certain medical conditions. 

Methods: point-prevalence study in December 2017; 2,456 patients ≥65 years were included from 14 regional public and private hospitals, 24 long-term chronic care facilities (LTCCFs) and 20 nursing homes (NHs). Data regarded BDZ prescriptions and comorbidities, co-prescriptions, or concurrent diseases, which could increase the risk of ADRs in BDZ users. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between ADRs in BDZ users vs. non-users, as well as within users. 

Results: 671 patients were prescribed BDZ, whose half were in NHs. Being prescribed 10 or more drugs was twice more common among BDZ users compared to non-users. BDZs were prescribed for long-term to 80% of patients in NHs, while proportions were halved in hospitals and LTCCFs. In the analyses within BDZ users, patients in NHs and LTCCFs were at higher risk of dementia and concurrent use of opioid analgesic and antipsychotics compared to hospitalized patients. 

Conclusions: the use of BDZs in older patients is common in FVG. A great extent of comorbidities and concurrent medications at higher risk of ADRs was found. Analyses in different healthcare settings can allow to drive evidence-based interventions in order to discourage the use of BDZs and monitor the raise of ADRs.
Contraceptive methods and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in nursing students. Results from a survey conducted at the University of Palermo
Authors: Santangelo Omar E. , Provenzano Sandro , Alagna Enrico , Terranova Antonio , D’Anna Giuseppe , Grigis Dimple , Cedrone Fabrizio , Firenze Alberto
Published: April 2023

Background: The main purpose of the study was to evaluatesexual habits, sexual relations and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the students in the nursing science course of University of Palermo, and to evaluate the use of contraceptive methods. 

Methods: In April 2019, a survey was provided to students who attend daily lessons in the nursing science course of University of Palermo, that investigate primarily about sexual habits, sexual relations and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. A multivariable logistic regression was performed. 

Results: The sample size consists of 405 students. The average age of the sample is 21.65 years, 69.63% of the interviewees are women. In relation to the question “Do you think you are sufficiently informed to be able to avoid risks of infection from sexually transmitted diseases? No”, the analysis shows that this independent variable is significantly associated with the following independent variables: female gender (aOR 3.11, 95% CI 1.01 - 9.65); “how would you define your knowledge about contraceptive methods? - Poor” (aOR 5.38, 95% CI 1.79 - 16.20); “have you ever received information on sex education and/or sexually transmitted diseases? - No” (aOR 11.59, 95% CI 2.26 - 59.42); “do you know the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination? - yes, but I’m not vaccinated” (aOR 3.09, 95% CI 1.12 - 8.51); “do you know that men can also undergo HPV vaccination? - No” (aOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.01 - 7.04). 

Conclusion: Based on our findings, it is necessary to implement sexual education programs for the improvement of knowledge in terms of STIs and the promotion of health. Improving sexual health outcomes for young people is a priority for the public health.
Bayesian Analysis of Doubly Inflated Poisson Regression for Correlated Count Data: Application to DMFT Data
Authors: Chaboki B. Gholami , Baghban A. Akbarzadeh , Baghfalaki T. , Khoshnevisan M. , Meymeh M. Heydarpour
Published: April 2023

Outcome variables in clinical studies sometimes include count data with inflation in two points (usually zero and k (k>0)). Doubly inflated models can be adopted for modeling these types of data. In statistical modeling, the association among subjects due to longitudinal or cluster study designs is considered by random effects models. In this article, we proposed a doubly inflated random effects model using the Bayesian approach for correlated count data with inflation in two values, and compared this model with Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson and Bayesian Poisson models. The parameters’ estimates by these models were obtained by Markov Chain Monte Carlo method using OpenBUGS software. Bayesian models were compared using the deviance information criterion. To this end, we utilized the total number of decayed, missed, and filled teeth of 12-year-old children and also conducted a simulation study. 

Results of real data and the simulation study revealed that the proposed model is fitted better than previous models.
Register-based cumulative prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders during childhood and adolescence in Central Italy
Authors: Valenti Marco , Vagnetti Roberto , Masedu Francesco , Pino Maria Chiara , Rossi Alessandro , Scattoni Maria Luisa , Mazza Monica , EAGLE GROUP
Published: April 2023

Background: Studies have evaluated the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), focusing on different ages during childhood and adolescence. How cumulative prevalence increases before adulthood remains unclear. 
Methods: We used data from the Autism Register of the Regional Reference Centre for Autism in L’Aquila, Central Italy, to retrieve information on individuals born in 2001–2012 with any of the inclusion diagnoses of ASD (DSM criteria) for the period 2001 to 2018. Cumulative prevalence on L’Aquila district population data was calculated as percentages for three-year age strata. 
Results: All prevalence data were estimated at December 31st, 2018. The overall crude prevalence was 0.95% (352 cases over 36938 population). Cumulative prevalence was 1.19% among those born in 2001-2003 (15 to 17 years of follow up), 1.15% among those born in 2004-2006 (12 to 14 years of follow up), 1.04% among those born in 2007-2009 (9 to 11 years of follow up), 0.80% among those born in 2010-2012 (6 to 8 years of follow up), and 0.57% among those born in 2013-2015 (3 to 5 years of follow up). The proportion of ASD diagnoses until the age of 5 years, compared to the group diagnosed 6 to 8 years of age, showed a significant increasing trend over calendar time (53.6% for those born in 2001-2003, to 77.0% for those born in 2010-2012). 
Conclusions: Cumulative prevalence by time period provides a better understanding of ASD occurrence than a point prevalence. We did not find any difference in frequency of diagnosis comparing age strata and year of birth, suggesting that frequencies of ASD diagnosis remained roughly constant from 2001 to 2015. Results show that cumulative prevalence of autism diagnosis does not substantially change over time; instead, diagnosis of ASD is more likely at earliest ages over time, although new cases of ASD are also detected at later ages.
A Study On The Utilization and Health Services Provision by Community Clinics of Jashore, Bangladesh
Authors: Razon Arafat Hassan , Islam Md Shafiqul , Ahmad Saad , Roy Urmila , Ahmad Tanvir
Published: April 2023

Background: As Bangladesh has gained the reputation of improving the health sectors, much health related sites still require improvements. Community clinic services (CCS) may contribute to this sector with its foremost importance. So this study was conducted to investigate the utilization and health services provision by community clinics (CCs) in rural area.

Methods: A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted among three community clinics of Jashore and a structured questionnaire was developed on which most of the questions were developed to find out the contributions of these community clinics. Here for data analysis we used SPSS version 25.0 software.

Results: Here we analyzed health service related data from three randomly selected community clinics (CCs). We found an average of 15 patients got antenatal care every month by the Komlapur CC throughout the year. About 140 patients received health services per month from Dogachiya CC. About 634 children were benefited by Saziyali CC throughout the year. By this study we came to know that average 67-75 patients were provided iron supplementations each month by Saziyali CC. All of the CCs had active referral system and online reporting system.

Conclusion: From our study we came to know that majority % of rural people are now dependent on community health care services. But most of the community clinics have many limitations regarding infrastructure, training, medicines, financial etc. So the government should take necessary steps regarding this.
Pain management and outcomes in cancer patients: comparison between oncological and palliative sets of care
Authors: Roberto Anna , Corli Oscar , Montanari Mauro , Greco Maria Teresa , Apolone Giovanni
Published: April 2023

Background: medical oncologists and palliative care physicians have different tasks even if they play a similar role when coping with pain of their patients. In spite of this converging goal, oncologists and palliative care therapists can not have the same approach and impact in managing pain. This study analyzes how pain is treated and which outcomes derive from in 1 461 cancer patients separately cared by oncologists or palliative care physicians.

Methods: data derive from an observational, multicentre, prospective, longitudinal study carried out in 110 Italian hospitals. After inclusion, the data were recorded weekly for a 28 days period of follow-up.

Results: 876 patients (60%) were cared by oncologists and 585 (40%) by palliative care physicians. The two professional categories tended to similarly manage the drugs of WHO analgesic ladder, while rescue and adjuvant therapies were more frequently used by palliative care physicians. Opioids daily dose increased from 68.3 to 92.5 mg/day (Effect size=0.282) among oncologists and from 70.8 to 107.8 mg/day (Effect size=0.402) among palliative care physicians. The switch of opioids was applied in 12.3% and in 19.1% (p=0.1634), respectively. Pain intensity decreased in both groups but more strongly in the palliative context. The full responders patients were 50% in oncology wards and 58.9% in palliative care (p=0.0588).

Conclusions: this study indicates how much oncologists and palliative care physicians differ in managing cancer pain. The observational nature of this study reflects the natural and unaffected choice of the professionals. As intrinsic limit the study only describes their behaviors without a stringent comparative evaluation.
Risk factors and control of hospital acquired infections: a comparison between Wikipedia and scientific literature
Authors: Maggi Elisa , Magistrelli Luca , Zavattaro Marco , Beggiato Marta , Maiello Fabio , Naturale Cristina , Ragliani Margherita , Varalda Marco , Viola Maria Sofia , Concina Diego , Allara Elias , Faggiano Fabrizio , The Avogadro Wikipedia and HAI Group
Published: April 2023

Background: nowadays Wikipedia is one of the main on-line sources of general information. It contains several items about nosocomial infections and their prevention, together of items on virtually every scientific topic.

This study aims to assess whether Wikipedia can be considered a reliable source for professional updating, concerning Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI).

Methods: Wikipedia has been searched in order to gather items on HAI. 387 items were found with a search string. The field of research was reduced at those articles (27 items) containing exhaustive information in relation to prevention of HAI. The messages contained in those articles were than compared with the recommendations of a selected guideline (NICE 2003), completed by a literature search, with the aim of testing their reliability and exhaustivity.

Results: 15 Wiki items were found and 51 messages selected. NICE guidelines contained 119 recommendations and 52 more recommendations has been found in a further literature search. 45.1% of Wikipedia’s messages were even found in the guidelines. On this percentage, 21.6% completely agreed with the messages of the guidelines, 15.7% partially agreed, 3.9% disagreed and 3.9% showed different level of evidence in different articles. Moreover, 54.9% of Wikipedia’s messages were not included in the guidelines and 84.2% of the recommendations contained in the guidelines were not present in Wikipedia.

Conclusions: Wikipedia should not be considered as a reliable source for professional updating on HAI.
Cost-effectiveness of HCV screening: a systematic review of the literature from 2007 to 2012
Authors: Camera Alessandro , Ianuale Carolina , Boccia Stefania
Published: April 2023

Background: currently, 123-170 million people in the world are infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and 75% of them remain undiagnosed. HCV-positive individuals will develop Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within 25 years in 20-30% of cases. Early detection of HCV has been demonstrated to increase quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and to improve the behaviour of the infected population. Current national policies usually recommend regular screenings only for at-risk populations. A systematic review of the recent evidence on long-term cost-effectiveness of HCV screening in different populations was performed.

Methods: resources were searched on publicly available databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, NHS EED, Cochrane Library) and Google®. Studies were considered eligible if published between 2007 and 2012 and if providing measures of incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) or incremental cost utility ratio (ICUR ) of HCV screening in terms of cost/life years gained (LYG) and cost/QALY. All the costs were converted into Euro (€) for 2011. A weighted version of the Drummond checklist was used to further assess the quality of the included studies.

Results: six articles were selected and analysed. Three U.S. and one Japanese studies suggested a positive cost-effectiveness profile of broad birth-cohort and population screening. Other studies conducted in Italy and the UK demonstrated high variability in the cost-effectiveness in different study populations. All the studies were judged of medium-high quality.

Conclusions: cost-effectiveness of HCV screening significantly varies among countries and study populations. Prevalence in the population should be one of the criteria for policy-makers for future decisions and recommendations. New Direct-Acting Antiviral agents might increase the costeffectiveness of early HCV screening. Future studies should also focus on migrants and men who have sex with men (MSM) populations.
The Number Needed to Inform - What we talk about when we talk of science journalism
Authors: Turone Fabio
Published: April 2023

The role and the quality of science journalism – and particularly health journalism – are often debated in peer-reviewed research, along with their direct and indirect consequences on science, science policy, the public understanding of science and of course public health. Researchers have been trying to apply their methods to a discipline which differs very much from their own, for instance proposing an evaluation grid similar to...
Background: cigarette smoking is the greatest known risk factor for lung cancer, and people with different smoking status may process risk information differently. While psychological distress has been linked with smoking status, little is known about the
Authors: Mathur Sunil , Levy Marian
Published: April 2023

Background: cigarette smoking is the greatest known risk factor for lung cancer, and people with different smoking status may process risk information differently. While psychological distress has been linked with smoking status, little is known about the impact of distress on lung cancer perception or the moderating role of physical activity and race. This study explores the association of lung cancer perception and distress and investigates the effects of physical activity and race on that association.

Methods: the study uses a national, biennial survey (the Health Information National Trends Survey) that was designed to collect nationally representative data on the American public’s need for, access to, and use of cancer-related information using a cross-sectional, complex sample survey design. Out of 5 586 participants, 1 015 were current smokers, 1 599 were former smokers, 2 877 were never smokers. Of the sample, 1 765 participants answered the lung cancer risk perception question and had no personal history of lung cancer. Statistical analysis contrasts smokers, former smokers, and never smokers to examine the association of lung cancer perception and distress and the moderating role of physical activity and race.

Results: distress and lung cancer risk perception were significantly positively associated (p value < 0.001). Respondents who were current smokers and were distressed had very high odds of agreeing that they have a somewhat high chance (odds ratio=900.8, CI: 94.23, 8 611.75; p value < 0.001) or a very high chance (odds ratio=500.44 CI: 56.53, 4 430.02, p value < 0.001) of developing lung cancer in the future as compared to not distressed never smokers. However, race and physical activity status did not significantly affect perception of risk. Perceptions of risk are important precursors of health change.

Conclusions: elevated distress level and higher perceived risk, in addition to physical activity status and race, could potentially be used to develop targeted interventions, such as tailoring quitting support for smokers at elevated distress levels, which may enhance success rate of quitting smoking and staying quit.
he association of total and abdominal obesity with Health-Related Quality of Life in a sample of Greek healthy adults
Authors: Theodoropoulou Eleni , Karteroliotis Konstantinos , Koskolou Maria , Nassis George
Published: April 2023

Background: in the Greek population, the association between obesity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) has not been examined so far. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to explore obesity-related predictors of HRQoL in a sample of Greek healthy adults.

Methods: a cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of three hundred twenty seven healthy men (N=105) and women (N=222), between the ages of 30 and 50 years (mean age=39.57 ± 6.68) who lived in Athens. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and body fat (BF) were assessed. HRQoL was evaluated using the short-form 36 (SF-36) health survey, which consists of eight subscales and two health factors (physical and psychological health). Socio-demographic variables and health-related behaviours were assessed by questionnaires. Separate hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between BMI, WHR, BF and SF-36 health survey subscales and factors.

Results: socio-demographic and health-related variables were moderately associated with the HRQoL subscales and factors. Furthermore, after controlling the socio-demographic variables and health-related behaviours, (a) BMI negatively predicted the physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, and social functioning subscales, as well as the physical health factor and (b) WHR and BF negatively predicted the physical functioning subscale. However, the obesity indexes did not predict other psychological health subscales.

Conclusions: the results indicated negative associations of BMI, WHR, BF with physical functioning and health in a sample of Greek healthy adults. Such data relating total and abdominal obesity to HRQoL, as assessed by BMI, WHR, and BF, have not been reported until now in the literature. One limitation of this study was that the sample size was relatively small and the results could not be generalized to the entire Greek population.
Effectiveness of a perceptual - proprioceptive training with virtual visual feedback in healthy subjects: a pilot study
Authors: Vando Stefano , Unim Brigid , Cassarino Salvatore A. , Padulo Johnny , Masala Daniele
Published: April 2023

Background: the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether proprioceptive-motor training using the Wii Balance Board (WBB) might improve postural sway in healthy subjects.

Methods: twenty-five healthy subjects were trained for six weeks (two sessions per week) with 5 “video games”: Wii Fit Plus (WFP) program. Before and after training: Basic Balance, Single-leg Balance, Agility, Stability and Motion (lower limb: right-left and both leg) were measured using the Wii Balance Board.

Results: the Wilcoxon Test showed improvements at the end of the training program compared to the baseline conditions. Basic Balance increased during the WFP (33.33%) and was associated with a 19.92% decrease in center of pressure (COP) lenght. The Single-leg Balance results incremented after the WFP (left 29.09% vs. right 47.92%) and accompanied by a decrement in COP (left 28.71% vs. right 30.45%). The values for the Agility test increased both in WFP and COP (28.57% and 58.57%, respectively). The Stability test scores increased in the WFP (66.67%) along with a consequent decrease in COP (10.53%). Finally, the Motion test values increased in the WFP (73.17%), whilst COP for this test decreased (12.02%). These results indicate that 6 weeks of virtual training produced a good adaptability. Younger participants (<20 years) demonstrated to be more responsive to dynamic stimulation with respect to those >20 years.

Conclusions: significant improvements in all participants were observed, indicating that virtual training can influence posture and balance in healthy people. Because of its characteristics of low cost and easy availability, a portable system for balance training for everyone offers the possibility to more readily measure motor skill and to gauge improvement.
Clinical implications, safety, efficacy of Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factors and Pegylated Equivalent
Authors: Bolis Silvia , Cocorocchio Emilia , Corti Consuelo , Ferreri Andrés J. M. , Frungillo Niccolò , Grillo Giovanni , Salè Omode Emanuela , Tedeschi Lucilla , Zilioli Vittorio Ruggero
Published: April 2023

A wide use of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) and their pegylated equivalent is a significant step forward in the treatment of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Evidence-based use of these molecules resulted in more intensive treatments, safely extended to frail and elderly patients, and development of response- and comorbidity-tailored approaches. The available G-CSFs are filgrastim, and the long-acting PegFilgrastim, which are produced in E. Coli cells, and are chemically different from native human G-CSF, and lenograstim, a molecule produced in mammalian cells, with a chemical structure identical to native human G-CSF. These chemical differences produce a diverse interaction with receptors and stimulated neutrophils. For instance, lenograstim binds to receptors in the same way of endogenous ligand, and neutrophils obtained from stimulation with this G-CSF have a physiological activity profile similar to neutrophils normally generated in humans. Conversely, the different interaction between filgrastim and G-CSF receptor is more frequently associated with morphological abnormalities, reduced motility and chemotaxis and a reduced response to bacterial stimuli in induced neutrophils.

On this background, we reviewed available evidence in order to analyze the impact of these chemical and pharmacodynamic differences among G-CSF molecules on safety, particularly in healthy peripheral-blood stem-cells donors, functional qualities of inducted neutrophils, and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells.
Reliability of the telephone-administered International Physical Activity Questionnaire in an Italian pilot sample
Authors: Mannocci Alice , Bontempi Claudio , Colamesta Vittoria , Ferretti Filippo , Giraldi Guglielmo , Lombardi Annamaria , Meggiolaro Angela , Miani Anna , Miccoli Silvia , Rosso Annalisa , Saulle Rosella , Unim Brigid , Boccia Antonio , La Torre Giuseppe
Published: April 2023

Background: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is an instrument for crossnational monitoring of physical activity and inactivity. The aim of the study was the reliability evaluation of the Italian telephone-administered IPAQ version in Rome.

Methods: the IPAQ short form (IPAQ-SF), consisting of 7 items, was administered. The responses, used to compute Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET in minutes per week), were processed to analyze the internal consistency. Standardized Cronbach’s alpha was used for reliability estimation.

Results: a total of 133 adults (51 males and 82 females) participated in the study, with a mean age of 51 years (SD=19). The mean MET was 4 130, corresponding to good physical activity levels. The standardized Cronbach’s alpha on 6 items, concerning time spent on vigorous and moderate activity and walking, was 0.614.

Conclusions: according to the findings from other countries, the Italian IPAQ-SF has acceptable measurement properties, as good as other established self-reports. The IPAQ-SF has a questionable reliability as previously reported, but the results of the present pilot study are promising and suggest that these instruments can be used to compare population estimates of physical activity.
Prenatal genetic counselling: issues and perspectives for pre-conceptional health care in Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy)
Authors: Lucci Marco , Astolfi Gianni , Bigoni Stefania , Baroncini Anna , Calabrese Olga , Ferlini Alessandra , Parmeggiani Giulia , Pompili Eva , Seri Marco , Calzolari Elisa
Published: April 2023

Background: there are many reasons why a couple may seek specialist genetic counselling about foetal risk. The referral for prenatal genetic counselling of women with a known risk factor during pregnancy has many disadvantages. Despite this, 10-20% of women seek counselling when already pregnant.

Methods: data on 804 pregnant women out of 2 158 (37.3%) referred for genetic counselling in 2010 to three Clinical Genetic Services were retrospectively analysed. Patients referred only for advanced maternal age were analysed in a separate study.

Results: the 804 pregnant women were referred for 932 counselling issues. 325 issues (34.9%) were identified during pregnancy and 607 (65.1%) were pre-existing. 81.2% of Italians compared to 41.8% of the non-Italians (P<0.01) had access to counselling before 13 weeks of gestation for risk factors present before pregnancy. An accurate genetic diagnosis was available in 25.0% of cases. In 21.7% of the cases an elevated a priori risk of >10% for the unborn child was established.

Conclusions: genetic services provide 37.3% of counselling to pregnant women. Referral for genetic counselling during pregnancy can require considerable resources and pose significant ethical and organizational challenges. New models of pregnancy care in the community need to be developed. General practitioners and gynaecologists have an important role in the referral and in the defence of equity of access and a more structured approach to the participation of medical geneticists to primary practice should be considered.
Nutritional status among the children living in predominantly tribal block of Jhadol in district Udaipur, Rajasthan, India: A cross sectional study
Authors: Shahnawaz Md , Bir Singh Jatinder
Published: April 2023

Background: India has achieved remarkable economic progress in last couple of decades but the fruit of progress has failed to assure the better nutritional status to our children. The child nutritional situation remains grim for most of the states, especially in the tribal region. This paper is an attempt to measure the extent of under nutrition in terms of Height/Length-for-age (stunting), Weight-for-height/Length (wasting), and Weight-for-age (underweight) for children less than five year old in predominantly tribal block Jhadol of district Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

 

Methods: World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standard has been used as reference population to measure the percentage prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight from its median. Total of 1286 children (623male and 663female) have been considered for this study. WHO Anthro software has been used for analysis and interpretation of results.

Results: The results showing the severe undernourishment among the children in this part of Rajasthan. 63% children are moderate to severely stunted (short for age), 46% has been found out to acutely malnourished and the composite index weight-for-age showing that 69% children is moderate to severely underweight. Against the popular facts that girls are more malnourished, boys of Jhadol block reported to be more undernourished.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of chronic malnourishment in this part of Rajasthan is a matter of grave concern. This paper calls for a region specific policy based on holistic approach of better healthcare, ensuring food security, access to drinking water, sanitation.
Health impact assessment of major collective events: an overview of the available experiences
Authors: Siliquini Roberta , Giacometti Marika , Scoffone Silvia , Viglianchino Cristina Angela , Bo Marco , Galis Veronica
Published: April 2023

Background: major sporting and cultural events are a sensitive political and social issue. The aim of this study was to perform a critical review of the international literature regarding health impact assessment (HIA) studies of major events to identify all the health indicators available in the literature.

Methods: we drew up a review of available literature on HIAs pertaining to major sports and cultural events. The papers obtained were read and then assessed in relation to the inclusion criteria, and the health indicators used were listed and commented upon.

Results: we found three published HIA reports. One is a full report, and the other two are a screening report and a rapid HIA report. Through a detailed analysis, it has been possible to develop a set of indicators that can be used for future HIAs on major sporting and cultural events.

Conclusions: reports of HIAs for major events that are available online identify several health impacts. In the pre-event phase, negative effects are predominant; in the post-event period, positive impacts prevail. The characteristics of the different stakeholders involved in the events play an important role in the evaluation process.