bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and Acceptability of a School-Based Emotion Regulation Prevention Intervention (READY-Nepal) for Secondary School Students in Post-Earthquake Nepal
Authors: Ramaiya Megan K. , McLean Caitlin L. , Pokharel Manjila , Thapa Kiran , Schmidt M. Andi , Berg Martha , Simoni Jane M. , Rao Deepa , Kohrt Brandon A.
Published: November 2022

Background: Child and adolescent mental health problems are major contributors to the global burden of disease in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. To advance the evidence base for adolescent mental health interventions in LMICs, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a school-based emotion regulation prevention intervention (READY-Nepal) for adolescents who had a recent exposure to a humanitarian disaster. Methods: A mixed-method, non-randomized controlled trial was conducted with Nepali secondary school students in one heavily affected post-earthquake district. Students (N = 102; aged 13 to 17 years) were enrolled in the intervention (n = 42) and waitlist control (n = 60) conditions. Feasibility and acceptability were examined via attendance, and by qualitative interviews with a subset of students (n = 15), teachers (n = 2), and caregivers (n = 3). Preliminary efficacy was examined on primary outcome (emotion regulation) and secondary outcomes (anxiety symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, functional impairment, resilience, coping skills), which were measured at baseline and post-intervention (four weeks). Results: Delivering the intervention was feasible and acceptable, as demonstrated by low dropout (8%) and high program attendance (6.7 of 8 sessions). Qualitative data suggested high uptake of anger regulation skills, but lower uptake of mindfulness skills. Despite this, there were no significant differences by condition on primary or secondary outcomes at four-week follow-up. Students provided suggestions for improvement of the program. Conclusion: Further research on longitudinal outcome measurement, use of alternatives to retrospective self-report data, and rigorous development of culturally grounded models of emotion regulation is necessary to explore the utility of school-based emotion regulation interventions in Nepal and other LMICs.
Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Healthcare Professionals and Community Stakeholders in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lee Regina Lai Tong , Chien Wai Tong , Stubbs Michelle , Cheng Winnie Lai Sheung , Chiu Daniel Cheung Shing , Fung Keith Hin Kee , Cheng Ho Yu , Chong Yuen Yu , Tang Anson Chui Yan
Published: November 2022

Background: Acceptance of vaccination in both healthcare professionals and the general public in the community is vital for efficacious control of the virus. Vaccine acceptance associates with many factors. Little research has been dedicated to examining attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals and community stakeholders regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Hong Kong. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was sent between February and April 2021 (N = 512). Multivariable regression modeling was used to identify associated variables with outcomes using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% of confidence intervals (CI). Results: Two demographic variables—age group of over 40 years old (40–59: ORm = 3.157, 95% CI = 2.090–4.467; 60 or over: ORm = 6.606, 95% CI = 2.513–17.360) and those who had previously received a flu vaccination (ORm = 1.537, 95% CI = 1.047–2.258)—were found to be associated with high vaccine intent. Adjusting for these two variables, the results showed that five factors on knowledge variables as perceived benefits for vaccine intent were statistically significant: “Closed area and social gathering are the major ways of SAR-CoV-2 transmission” (AOR = 4.688, 95% CI = 1.802–12.199), “The vaccine can strengthen my immunity against COVID-19, so as to reduce the chance of being infected with it” (AOR = 2.983, 95% CI = 1.904–4.674), “The vaccine can lower the risk of transmitting the viruses to my family and friends” (AOR = 2.276, 95% CI = 1.508–3.436), “The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh its harm” (AOR = 3.913, 95% CI = 2.618–5.847) and “Vaccination is an effective way to prevent COVID-19” (AOR = 3.810, 95% CI = 2.535–5.728). Conclusions: High vaccine intent was associated with age and having previously received a flu vaccination. Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals and community stakeholders were associated with high vaccine intent. Training and continuing education programs for healthcare providers and community stakeholders focusing on the delivery of evidence-based data on the benefits of vaccination campaigns for populations to increase the vaccination rates is recommended.
The Association between Self-Rated Health and Health Self-Management Ability of Healthcare Undergraduates: The Chain Mediating Roles of eHealth Literacy and Resistance to Peer Influence
Authors: Xu Guangyi , Xu Yanhong , Tu Xiaomin , Hao Shuaijia , Liu Ting
Published: November 2022

Health self-management is important for healthcare undergraduates who are at the late adolescent or early adulthood stage, and will play an important part in health promotion for the general population. Previous research has shown that perceived health status affects health self-management. However, few studies have uncovered the mechanism between self-rated health and health self-management among healthcare undergraduates. Based on social ecology theory and Pender’s health promotion model, this study aimed to explore the associations between health self-management ability, self-rated health, eHealth literacy and resistance to peer influence of healthcare undergraduates, with a focus on identifying the mediating effects of eHealth literacy and resistance to peer influence. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 515 healthcare undergraduates in Eastern China between July and September 2021. Serial mediation analysis was performed using Haye’s Model 6 PROCESS macro to examine the mediating effects. The study found that health self-management ability was significantly and positively correlated with eHealth literacy, resistance to peer influence and self-rated health. Self-rated health had a direct and positive predictive effect on health self-management, with a direct effect value of 0.654. eHealth literacy and resistance to peer influence played both an independent mediating and a chain-mediating role in the mechanism of self-rated health affecting health self-management among healthcare undergraduates, with indirect effect values of 0.085, 0.101, and 0.013, respectively. The results suggest that eHealth literacy and resistance to peer influence could be intervention targets in programs for improving these students’ health self-management ability.
Parental Confidence in Relation to Antipyretic Use, Warning Signs, Symptoms and Well-Being in Fever Management—Results from an App-Based Registry
Authors: Möhler Ricarda , Jenetzky Ekkehart , Schwarz Silke , Gwiasda Moritz , Rathjens Larisa , Szoke Henrik , Martin David
Published: November 2022

Parents’ confidence regarding their children’s fever is a key factor in its management and there is still unnecessary anxiety and associated antipyretic overuse. The FeverApp application collects naturalistic real-time data on febrile infections and educates parents on fever management. Logistic regression examined the associations between (1) parental confidence and (2) antipyretics use with fever relevant parameters. First entry data of 3721 children (mean age 21 months; SD 22.97) was assessed. A total of 58.0% of parents felt confident upon first fever documentation. Warning signs [OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.40–0.61], dehydration [OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52–0.81], fever [OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.57–0.80] and having a female child [OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.90] had the highest negative association with parental confidence. Antipyretics were used initially in 14.7% of children. Fever had the highest positive [OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.89–3.50] and well-being the highest negative association with antipyretic use [OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22–0.63). In the first entry data, parental confidence was related to children’s health condition in a reasonable medical manner. The use of antipyretics was mostly associated with febrile temperature, but also low well-being. Thus, associations were partly in accordance with recent guidelines.
Impacts of Drought and Rehydration Cycles on Isoprene Emissions in Populus nigra Seedlings
Authors: Han Zhiyu , Zhang Yisheng , Zhang Houyong , Ge Xuan , Gu Dasa , Liu Xiaohuan , Bai Jianhui , Ma Zizhen , Tan Yan , Zhu Feng , Xia Shiyong , Du Jinhua , Tan Yuran , Shu Xiao , Tang Jingchao , Sun Yingjie
Published: November 2022

The volatile organic compounds emitted by plants significantly impact the atmospheric environment. The impacts of drought stress on the biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions of plants are still under debate. In this study, the effects of two drought–rehydration cycle groups with different durations on isoprene emissions from Populus nigra (black poplar) seedlings were studied. The P. nigra seedlings were placed in a chamber that controlled the soil water content, radiation, and temperature. The daily emissions of isoprene and physiological parameters were measured. The emission rates of isoprene (Fiso) reached the maximum on the third day (D3), increasing by 58.0% and 64.2% compared with the controlled groups, respectively, and then Fiso significantly decreased. Photosynthesis decreased by 34.2% and 21.6% in D3 in the first and second groups, respectively. After rehydration, Fiso and photosynthesis recovered fully in two groups. However, Fiso showed distinct inconsistencies in two groups, and the recovery rates of Fiso in the second drought group were slower than the recovery rates of Fiso in the first groups. The response of BVOC emissions during the drought-rehydration cycle was classified into three phases, including stimulated, inhibited, and restored after rehydration. The emission pattern of isoprene indicated that isoprene played an important role in the response of plants to drought stress. A drought–rehydration model was constructed, which indicated the regularity of BVOC emissions in the drought–rehydration cycle. BVOC emissions were extremely sensitive to drought, especially during droughts of short duration. Parameters in computational models related to BVOC emissions of plants under drought stress should be continuously improved.
The Garden and the Orchestra: Generative Metaphors for Conceptualizing the Complexities of Well-Being
Authors: Lomas Tim , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: November 2022

Our understanding of well-being, and related concepts such as health and flourishing, is shaped by the metaphors through which we think about such ideas. Current dominant metaphors—including a pyramid, ladder, and continuum—all have various issues. As such, this paper offers two other metaphors which can better do justice to the nuanced complexities of these notions, namely, a garden and an orchestra. Through these metaphors, this paper articulates a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing and appreciating the nature of well-being (and associated concepts), which it is hoped will generate further insights and research into these valued and sought-after phenomena.
The Long-COVID Experience Changed People’s Vaccine Hesitancy but Not Their Vaccination Fear
Authors: Duradoni Mirko , Gursesli Mustafa Can , Materassi Letizia , Serritella Elena , Guazzini Andrea
Published: November 2022

Starting in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible, worldwide, for millions of deaths and patients with long-COVID syndrome. In an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, the blanket administration of COVID-19 vaccines proved to be the most effective measure, yet the existence and availability of functional vaccines did not and, still, do not ensure the willingness and intent of people to be vaccinated. This study assessed the similarities and differences in vaccine fears and vaccine hesitancy through between clusters of subjects: people that were not infected with COVID-19, people that had COVID but did not develop long-lasting symptoms, and people that were infected with COVID and developed long-COVID syndrome. From the sample of 1111 Italian people, it was found that individuals who experienced mild symptoms showed higher vaccine hesitancy (confidence, complacency, and collective responsibility) than those who did not contract COVID-19. People affected by long-COVID showed a lower overall hesitancy than individuals who had COVID-19 without incurring long-lasting symptoms and, thus, essentially resembled people who had no experience of COVID-19 infection in terms of the vaccine hesitancy scores. Vaccine fear remained unchanged across all three of the examined clusters.
Exploring the Relationship between Perceived Community Support and Psychological Well-Being of Tourist Destinations Residents
Authors: Wang Haihong , Sha Hongxia , Liu Litong , Zhao Hengwei
Published: November 2022

To explore the relationship between community support in tourist destinations and residents’ psychological well-being in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, this study adopts the questionnaire survey method and draws the following conclusions by constructing a structural equation model: (1) perceived community support is very helpful for the psychological well-being of residents, (2) psychological resilience significantly mediates the relationship between perceived community support and residents’ psychological well-being, (3) the resident–tourist interaction mediates the relationship between perceived community support and residents’ psychological well-being, and (4) the resident–tourist interaction and psychological resilience play an ordered chain-mediating role between perceived community support and residents’ psychological well-being. These findings not only fill the gap in tourism research regarding destination-based community support studies but also provide a theoretical basis for maintaining residents’ psychological well-being in a given destination in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To a certain extent, improving residents’ well-being is helpful for promoting the healthy and sustainable development of tourism activities and realizing a “win-win” situation in which tourist destinations develop economically while promoting their residents’ living standards.
Effects of Twenty-Four Weeks of Resistance Exercise Training on Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Functional Fitness and Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Obese Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Sung-Woo , Park Hun-Young , Jung Won-Sang , Lim Kiwon
Published: November 2022

Resistance exercise effectively improves bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle quality (e.g., muscle mass and muscle strength). The present study aimed to examine the effect of a 24-week resistance exercise training (RT) program on body composition, BMD, functional fitness, and isokinetic muscle strength in obese older women. Forty obese older women were initially enrolled. Among them, 30 participants (age: 80.55 ± 4.94 years; body fat percentage: 36.25 ± 3.44%) completed the study. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups: the RT group (n = 15) and the control (CON) group (n = 15). The RT group participated in the exercise for 60 min per session and two sessions per week for 24 weeks. Pre-test and post-test body composition, BMD, functional fitness, and isokinetic muscle strength were evaluated. The RT group increased significantly in functional fitness (hand grip strength: 1.70 kg, p < 0.01, and lower body strength: 3.87 n, p < 0.001), and isokinetic muscle strength (non-dominant leg extensor peak torque %BW at 60°/s: 13.20%, p < 0.05, dominant leg (DL) flexor peak torque at 60°/s: 3.87 Nm, p < 0.05, and DL flexor peak torque %BW at 60°/s: 7.60%, p < 0.05). However, the CON group showed negative changes in body composition (fat mass: 1.15 kg, p < 0.001, body fat percentage: 1.59%, p < 0.001, and fat-free mass: −0.58 kg, p < 0.05), BMD (whole-body: −0.01 g/cm2, p < 0.001 and forearm: −0.01 g/cm2, p < 0.05), functional fitness (lower body flexibility: −3.23 cm, p < 0.01, upper body strength: −2.06 n, p < 0.01, and agility and dynamic balance: 0.54 s, p < 0.01), and isokinetic muscle strength at 60°/s and 180°/s (all peak torque % body weight variables: −7.31–−1.50, p < 0.05). Our findings show that the CON group negatively affects body composition, BMD, functional fitness, and isokinetic muscle strength in obese older women for 24 weeks.
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Classrooms at the University of the Basque Country through a User-Informed Natural Ventilation Demonstrator
Authors: Rodríguez-Vidal Iñigo , Martín-Garín Alexander , González-Quintial Francisco , Rico-Martínez José Miguel , Hernández-Minguillón Rufino J. , Otaegi Jorge
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a renewed interest in indoor air quality to limit viral spread. In the case of educational spaces, due to the high concentration of people and the fact that most of the existing buildings do not have any mechanical ventilation system, the different administrations have established natural ventilation protocols to guarantee an air quality that reduces risk of contagion by the SARS-CoV-2 virus after the return to the classrooms. Many of the initial protocols established a ventilation pattern that opted for continuous or intermittent ventilation to varying degrees of intensity. This study, carried out on a university campus in Spain, analyses the performance of natural ventilation activated through the information provided by monitoring and visualisation of real-time data. In order to carry out this analysis, a experiment was set up where a preliminary study of ventilation without providing information to the users was carried out, which was then compared with the result of providing live feedback to the occupants of two classrooms and an administration office in different periods of 2020, 2021 and 2022. In the administration office, a CO2-concentration-based method was applied retrospectively to assess the risk of airborne infection. This experience has served as a basis to establish a route for user-informed improvement of air quality in educational spaces in general through low-cost systems that allow a rational use of natural ventilation while helping maintain an adequate compromise between IAQ, comfort and energy consumption, without having to resort to mechanical ventilation systems.
Migration for Better Jobs or Better Living: Shifts in China
Authors: Yang Shuo , Shu Tianheng , Yu Taofang
Published: November 2022

Traditionally, studies of mobility follow two main strands: migration driven by better jobs and by better living. However, the interactions and shifts between them are rarely addressed. In the largest-scale domestic migration, millions of Chinese movers have experienced changes in migration motivations in the past ten years. Starting with migration patterns, we attempt to explore the interaction and changes in migration motivations in a dynamic way and relate them to the evolution of socio-economic contexts. Based on the latest two population censuses (2010 and 2020) in mainland China, we built an empirical model attributing migration motivations to job and living conditions, and then estimated the model by ordinary least squares (OLS) and quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) methods. The results reveal that employment is the primary and fundamental factor, though its impact is weakening. Good living is becoming significantly influential in migration willingness, and there is an interactive effect between the factors of job and living. Furthermore, we offer an explanation of the motivation evolution as being migrants’ response to socio-economic status to maximize their utility. This study contributes to the migration literature from a longitudinal lens, and appeals to a continuous focus on migration evolution in the scientific research on population geography.
Changes in Alcohol Consumption among Users of an Internet Drug Forum during a COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Angerville Bernard , Moinas Marc , Martinetti Margaret P. , Naassila Mickael , Dervaux Alain
Published: November 2022

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency and clinical correlates of users of an Internet drug forum who changed their alcohol use during the March–May 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in France. Methods: An anonymous Internet-based cross-sectional survey during the COVID-19 lockdown was used via messages on a French Internet drug forum. Participants reported any increase in their alcohol consumption during the lockdown. Alcohol craving and depressive/anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Obsessive and Compulsive Drinking scale (OCDS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). Results: Of 1310 respondents, 974 (79% of 1270) participants reported alcohol use before lockdown. During the lockdown, 405 participants (41.6%; IC95 (38.5–44.7)) reported an increase. Odds of an increase in alcohol consumption was higher for those with HADS scores higher than 7 (aOR: 2.19; p = 0.00002), OCDS scores greater than 7 (aOR: 3.50; p < 0.001), and daily psychostimulant use (aOR: 1.85; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Users of an Internet drug forum who reported high levels of depressive symptoms, high levels of alcohol craving, and the use of psychostimulants were more likely to increase alcohol consumption during a COVID-19 lockdown.
Evolutionary Game Analysis of Government and Residents’ Participation in Waste Separation Based on Cumulative Prospect Theory
Authors: Zhang Lichi , Jiang Yanyan , Wu Junmin
Published: November 2022

Government and residents’ participation in waste separation is a complex non-cooperative game process, and the evolutionary game can explain the behavior of participating subjects well. Considering that the traditional evolutionary game cannot satisfactorily explain the irrational psychology and risk preference factors of the participating issues, this study combines the prospect theory and evolutionary game, uses the prospect value function to supplement and improve the parameters of the evolutionary game payment matrix, and analyzes the evolutionary stabilization strategy. To verify the theoretical results, simulation experiments and impact analysis were conducted, and meaningful results were obtained: There are two stable evolutionary strategies in the system, namely higher participation benefits for residents and lower participation costs and opportunity costs, and reasonable direct benefit distribution coefficients all help to increase the participation rate of waste separation. This study can provide some scientific suggestions for the government to design and build a waste-separation system.
Factors Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in Peruvian University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hernández-Yépez Palmer J. , Muñoz-Pino Carlos O. , Ayala-Laurel Valeria , Contreras-Carmona Pavel J. , Inga-Berrospi Fiorella , Vera-Ponce Víctor J. , Failoc-Rojas Virgilo E. , Pereira-Victorio César Johan , Valladares-Garrido Mario J.
Published: November 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students have adopted measures that completely transformed their educational environment, and this has generated an increase in psychological stress. The present study aimed to identify the factors associated with anxiety, depression, and stress in students at a university in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study in students in Lima, Peru. The DASS-21 scale was used to measure levels of depression, anxiety, and stress and associate it with socio-educational and COVID-19-related variables using generalized linear models with Poisson distribution, log link, and robust variance. Of 400 students surveyed, 19.2%, 23.2% and 17.2% of students presented depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The frequency of depression (PR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.84–0.99), anxiety (PR = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.83–0.99) and stress (PR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.86–0.99) was lower in women. The students of the engineering and business faculty presented a higher frequency of anxiety (PR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.00–1.22). There was a greater frequency of presenting anxiety, depression and stress in students who worked in a different area of health or did not work. Our results suggest the importance of promoting mental health awareness campaigns in university students due to the constant academic load they have.
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Retirement in Maltese Civil Servants: A Dialectical Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Spiteri Karl , Xerri de Caro John , Grafton Kate , Laventure Bob , Broom David R.
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Retirement is a life event that can influence physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) and can be used as an opportunity to promote positive lifestyle choices. The aims of this study were to (a) to identify changes in PA and SB resulting from retirement and (b) to explore predictors of any changes in PA and SB following retirement in Maltese civil servants. (2) Methods: a hybrid mixed-method (MM) study, using first quantitative followed by qualitative methods, of civil servants aged ≥60 years, who were followed during their retirement transition for two years. A proportion of the research participants in the MM study retired while the others remained employed. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. (3) Results: there were no changes in total PA and sitting behaviour with retirement in Maltese civil servants. People who retired carried out more domestic PA compared to when they were in employment, which resulted in more moderate-intensity PA behaviour. People perceived that their sitting time increased with retirement in the qualitative interviews, but this was not observed in the quantitative data. Past PA behaviour was an important predictor of future PA behaviour, but not for SB. (4) Conclusions: A change in PA occurs with the retirement transition. However, the uptake of exercise is a personal choice that is dependent on previous experience. Increasing SB is perceived as part of the retirement plan but is not necessarily seen in the measured quantitative data.
Assessment of Overweight, Obesity, Central Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes among Adolescents in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cheema Sohaila , Abraham Amit , El-Nahas Katie G. , Abou-Amona Rasha , Al-Hamaq Abdulla O. , Maisonneuve Patrick , Chaabna Karima , Lowenfels Albert B. , Mamtani Ravinder
Published: November 2022

Qatar has a high obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) burden. This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and T2DM in 13–17-year-old adolescents and (2) evaluate associations with adolescents’ lifestyle and breastfeeding history, parental weight, and familial T2DM history. A cross-sectional study (double-stage cluster sampling) was conducted in 2018–2020 using a self-administered parental and adolescent questionnaire. In the results, 23.4% of the adolescents (107/459) were overweight; 19.9% (91/459) were obese; and 37.6% (171/459) had evidence of central obesity. Random blood sugar (RBS) was suggestive of prediabetes (≥140 mg/dL) for 23 (5.0%) adolescents and T2DM (≥200 mg/dL) for none. In multivariable analysis, obesity was significantly associated with no breastfeeding (OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.09–9.26) compared to breastfed adolescents for ≥6 months, with first-degree family history of T2DM (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.22–4.27), with maternal obesity (OR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.01–5.70), and with acanthosis nigricans in adolescents (OR = 19.8; 95% CI: 8.38–46.9). Central obesity was significantly associated with maternal obesity (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.14–4.27) and with acanthosis nigricans (OR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.88–7.18). Acanthosis nigricans (OR = 4.06; 95% CI: 1.41–11.7) was the only factor associated with elevated RBS. Addressing future disease burden among adults in Qatar will require extensive health and well-being programs, focused on healthy lifestyles and behaviors such as nutritious diets, physical activity, stress management, and self-care.
Influence of Selected Indicators of Healthcare System Functioning Evaluation on the Health Result
Authors: Partyka Olga , Pajewska Monika , Czerw Aleksandra , Sygit Katarzyna , Kmieć Kamila , Lyubinets Oleh , Niemiec Mateusz , Kaczmarski Mateusz , Gąska Izabela , Juszczyk Grzegorz , Krzych-Fałta Edyta , Banaś Tomasz , Kosior Dariusz A. , Deptała Andrzej , Kotwas Artur , Bandurska Ewa , Ciećko Weronika , Cipora Elżbieta
Published: November 2022

Background: According to the World Health Organization’s statistics, 7 of the 10 main causes of death in 2019 were noncommunicable diseases. Health indicators are measures used to evaluate public health system effectiveness and functioning. Monitoring mortality rates from leading causes, life expectancy and other health indicators is essential to address their causes and adapt health systems to react adequately. The aim of this study is to present the dependencies of selected health care indicators and health outcomes. Methods: Based on the literature review conducted, selected health indicators, along with healthcare system data, were analyzed using Pearson’s r correlation. The analyses included data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) presented in statistics and the Health at a Glance 2021 report and data collected as part of the preparation of the Financing Global Health 2020 report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Results: Health system resources are linked to health outcomes. The number of medical consultations, the number of nurses per patient or the level of financing of services under general health insurance are related to life expectancy and deaths due to causes that could have been avoided or treated. Conclusions: Life expectancy is positively correlated with access to general health insurance and public expenditure on healthcare. There is a need for all countries to provide their citizens with broad access to healthcare services.
Evaluation of Salivary Biomarkers of Periodontal Disease Based on Smoking Status: A Systematic Review
Authors: Noh Jin-won , Jang Jong-Hwa , Yoon Hae-Soo , Kim Kyoung-Beom , Heo Min-Hee , Jang Ha-eun , Kim Young-Jin , Lee Yejin
Published: November 2022

Saliva is a useful biomarker for diagnosing oral health conditions, including periodontal disease (PD). Smoking is a risk factor for PD. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the salivary biomarkers associated with PD based on smoking status. A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane, SCOPUS, and Web of Sciences databases was conducted up to 1 January 2021 using key terms relevant to the topic of our research and Cochrane methodology and improved with searching a gray literature resource. The methodological quality of all included studies was assessed with the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Seven studies were included. Smokers had increased levels of malondialdehyde, sialic acid, salivary cortisol, salivary interleukin 1β, albumin, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP), and the pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), as well as decreased levels of superoxide dismutase, activity of lactate dehydrogenase, activity of enzyme activity of β-glucuronidase, uric acid, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8)/TIMP-1 ratio, and combinations of MMP-8 and ICTP. However, mixed results were observed some studies in detecting glutathione peroxidase, MMP-8, and MMP-14. The results were interpreted with caution because of limitations in the number of included studies and the study design. Some salivary biomarkers are potentially useful in combination or alone for diagnosing PD. Methodological and systematic studies are needed to develop more effective biomarkers.
Do Young People Perceive E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco as Less Harmful Than Traditional Cigarettes? A Survey from Poland
Authors: Wężyk-Caba Ilona , Kaleta Dorota , Zajdel Radosław , Balwicki Łukasz , Świątkowska Beata
Published: November 2022

New tobacco and nicotine-containing products are gaining more popularity among young people. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence in the perception of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco among young people in Poland and to assess the factors that are positively correlated with this perception. A cross-sectional study covering almost 12,000 adolescents aged 13–18 was carried out in January and February 2020. Data were collected through a detailed questionnaire recommended for monitoring tobacco use by adolescents. The results of the study showed that 52.2% and 61.9% of young people perceive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products as less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes, respectively. The risk of perceiving these products as less harmful than smoking was higher among older adolescents, males, those who used these products, had a family member who used e-cigarettes/heated tobacco products and those who were exposed to tobacco advertising. Our study indicates the need to consider the coexistence of traditional smoking, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco and its impact on the assessment of the harmfulness of these products. More research is needed to better understand how perceptions of the harmfulness of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco affect their subsequent use.
Decentralized Patient-Centric Report and Medical Image Management System Based on Blockchain Technology and the Inter-Planetary File System
Authors: Mohsan Syed Agha Hassnain , Razzaq Abdul , Ghayyur Shahbaz Ahmed Khan , Alkahtani Hend Khalid , Al-Kahtani Nouf , Mostafa Samih M.
Published: November 2022

Several academicians have been actively contributing to establishing a practical solution to storing and distributing medical images and test reports in the research domain of health care in recent years. Current procedures mainly rely on cloud-assisted centralized data centers, which raise maintenance expenditure, necessitate a large amount of storage space, and raise privacy concerns when exchanging data across a network. As a result, it is critically essential to provide a framework that allows for the efficient exchange and storage of large amounts of medical data in a secure setting. In this research, we describe a unique proof-of-concept architecture for a distributed patient-centric test report and image management (PCRIM) system that aims to facilitate patient privacy and control without the need for a centralized infrastructure. We used an Ethereum blockchain and a distributed file system technology called the Inter-Planetary File System in this system (IPFS). Then, to secure a distributed and trustworthy access control policy, we designed an Ethereum smart contract termed the patient-centric access control protocol. The IPFS allows for the decentralized storage of medical metadata, such as images, with worldwide accessibility. We demonstrate how the PCRIM system design enables hospitals, patients, and image requestors to obtain patient-centric data in a distributed and secure manner. Finally, we tested the proposed framework in the Windows environment by deploying a smart contract prototype on an Ethereum TESTNET blockchain. The findings of the study indicate that the proposed strategy is both efficient and practicable.
Associations of Relative Handgrip Strength and Aerobic and Strength Exercises with Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence
Authors: Lee Junga
Published: November 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations of relative handgrip strength and participation in aerobic and strength exercises with metabolic syndrome prevalence. Moreover, level of handgrip strength, exercise frequency, and types of participation in aerobic and strength exercises associated with reductions in metabolic syndrome prevalence were explored. Methods: This study relied on data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2018, specifically data on handgrip strength level, aerobic and strength exercise levels, and metabolic syndrome prevalence. Aerobic exercise level was categorized as either moderate physical activity (>150 min/week) or vigorous physical activity (>75 min/week) or not engaging in those levels of exercise. Frequency of strength exercise was also recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis. Results: A total 4836 adults were included in this study. Greater relative handgrip strength in both female and male adults was significantly associated with reduced metabolic syndrome prevalence. Levels of aerobic and strength exercise participation were higher in adults with greater relative handgrip strength. Aerobic and strength exercise participation was significantly associated with decreased metabolic syndrome prevalence in males, but the association was not significant in females. Conclusions: The relative handgrip strength may instead be a marker of lower metabolic syndrome risk, and an increased participation in aerobic and strength exercise helps to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. Suggested exercises for female adults include light aerobic exercise such as walking and strength exercise including weight-bearing exercise and stair climbing.
Case Report of Tetrodotoxin Poisoning from Lagocephalus sceleratus in Lebanon
Authors: Al-Sulaimani Suad , Titelbaum Nicholas Vincent , Ward Ricardo El , Zahran Tharwat El , Chalhoub Sana , Kazzi Ziad
Published: November 2022

The Indo-Pacific pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is a tetrodotoxin-containing species believed to have entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is primarily found in the liver, intestine, and ovaries of L. sceleratus. We report a case of a patient with TTX poisoning from L. sceleratus consumption in Lebanon. History of ingestion, clinical presentation, and exam findings were obtained during phone-based consultation with the patient and intensive care physician. A 46-year-old male presented to a hospital in Lebanon with perioral and extremity numbness as well as dizziness 1 h after ingestion of an L. sceleratus fish. He had caught and prepared the fish himself and had eaten a skinless piece of flesh. Over the following 6 h he also developed ataxia and generalized body numbness. His treatment included systemic hydrocortisone, antihistamine, activated charcoal, and fluids. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he developed self-limited, stable sinus bradycardia. He was discharged home on hospital day 5 with residual lightheadedness that improved over several days. This is one of the first reported cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning due to L. sceleratus in Lebanon. Public awareness regarding the toxicity of this species after any ingestion is essential to prevent toxicity and death.
Insights from Review and Content Analysis of Current COVID-19 Mobile Apps and Recommendations for Future Pandemics
Authors: Kim Yeongju , Choi Jihye , Ji Young-A , Woo Hyekyung
Published: November 2022

A number of mobile health apps related to coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been developed, but research into app content analytics for effective surveillance and management is still in its preliminary stages. The present study aimed to identify the purpose and functions of the currently available COVID-19 apps using content analysis. The secondary aim was to propose directions for the future development of apps that aid infectious disease surveillance and control with a focus on enhancing the app content and quality. Prior to conducting an app search in the App Store and the Google Play Store, we reviewed previous studies on COVID-19 apps found in Google Scholar and PubMed to examine the main purposes of the apps. Using the five selected keywords based on the review, we searched the two app stores to retrieve eligible COVID-19 apps including those already addressed in the reviewed literature. We conducted descriptive and content analyses of the selected apps. We classified the purpose types of the COVID-19 apps into the following five categories: Information provision, tracking, monitoring, mental health management, and engagement. We identified 890 apps from the review articles and the app stores: 47 apps met the selection criteria and were included in the content analysis. Among the selected apps, iOS apps outnumbered Android apps, 27 apps were government-developed, and most of the apps were created in the United States. The most common function for the iOS apps (63.6%) and Android apps (62.5%) was to provide COVID-19-related knowledge. The most common function among the tracking apps was to notify users of contact with infected people by the iOS apps (40.9%) and Android apps (37.5%). About 29.5% of the iOS apps and 25.0% of the Android apps were used to record symptoms and self-diagnose. Significantly fewer apps targeted mental health management and engagement. Six iOS apps (6/44, 13.6%) and four Android apps (4/24, 16.7%) provided behavioral guidelines about the pandemic. Two iOS apps (2/44, 4.5%) and two Android apps (2/24, 8.3%) featured communication functions. The present content analysis revealed that most of the apps provided unilateral information and contact tracing or location tracking. Several apps malfunctioned. Future research and development of COVID-19 apps or apps for other emerging infectious diseases should address the quality and functional improvements, which should begin with continuous monitoring and actions to mitigate any technical errors.
Research on the Equity and Optimal Allocation of Basic Medical Services in Guangzhou in the Context of COVID-19
Authors: Li Jin , Li Jie , Huang Jian
Published: November 2022

Optimizing the allocation of basic medical services and ensuring their equity are necessary to improve the ability to respond to public health emergencies and promote health equity in the context of COVID-19. This study aims to analyze the equity of Guangzhou’s basic medical service and identify areas where health resources are relatively scarce. The spatial distribution and patterns of basic medical services were analyzed using kernel density analysis and standard deviation ellipse. The equity was analyzed using the Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve in terms of population and geographical area, respectively. Considering the medical demand and supply sides, the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method was used to analyze the accessibility to different levels of medical institutions. The kernel density analysis and standard deviation ellipse showed that the spatial distribution of medical and health resources in Guangzhou is unevenly distributed, and high-level hospitals and medical resources are mainly concentrated in the centrum. From the perspective of population, Guangzhou’s medical equity is generally reasonable. The accessibility of medical institutions differs with different levels, and the tertiary medical institutions have the best accessibility, while the unclassified, primary, and secondary medical institutions generally have lower accessibility. The accessibility of districts in Guangzhou varies greatly. Areas in the center are most accessible to basic medical services, while accessibility in outskirt areas has gradually decreased. Conclusion: The quantity of per capita medical and health resources in Guangzhou, as evidenced by basic medical services, is sufficient, but the spatial distribution is unequal. The developed city center enjoys more adequate healthcare resources than the distant suburbs. Primary healthcare should be built, especially in distant suburbs, to strengthen basic medical service equity in Guangzhou.
Prognostic Potential of the Body Composition Indices in Predicting Positive Changes in Resting Blood Pressure after High-Intensity Interval Training in Adolescents
Authors: Domaradzki Jarosław , Koźlenia Dawid , Popowczak Marek
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic potential of body composition indices in predicting the improvement in resting blood pressure after 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) implemented in physical education lessons. The participants were 141 adolescents aged 16 years. Independent variables were body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), muscle mass index (SMI), and mass to fat ratio (MFR); dependent variables were systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and its indices: pulse pressure (PP), mid-blood pressure (MBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The receiver operating curve (ROC) method was employed. SMI and MFR are body composition indices with prognostic potential to predict positive changes in SBP in males (SMI: AUC = 0.82; p < 0.001, MFR = 0.70; p = 0.039) and MFR in females (AUC = 0.72; p = 0.035). The respective cut-off point values used to classify participants as a beneficiary of HIIT intervention concerning SBP were SMI = 7.84 and MFR = 2.43 in males, and for SMI = 10.12 and MFR = 1.94 in females. Body composition indices based on skeletal muscle (SMI, MFR) were more likely to predict positive changes in SBP after HIIT intervention in adolescents. PP, MBP, and MAP did not reflect the detecting power of SMI and MFR. However, these thresholds’ utility is limited to adolescents of 16 years of age.
Pathogenic Role of the Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P) Pathway in Common Gynecologic Disorders (GDs): A Possible Novel Therapeutic Target
Authors: Di Paolo Alice , Vignini Arianna , Alia Sonila , Membrino Valentina , Delli Carpini Giovanni , Giannella Luca , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: November 2022

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid, noteworthy for its involvement both in the modulation of various biological processes and in the development of many diseases. S1P signaling can be either pro or anti-inflammatory, and the sphingosine kinase (SphK)–S1P–S1P receptor (S1PR) axis is a factor in accelerating the growth of several cells, including endometriotic cells and fibrosis. Gynecologic disorders, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine fibroids are characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. S1P signaling and metabolism have been shown to be dysregulated in those disorders and they are likely implicated in their pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Enzymes responsible for inactivating S1P are the most affected by the dysregulation of S1P balanced levels, thus causing accumulation of sphingolipids within these cells and tissues. The present review highlights the past and latest evidence on the role played by the S1P pathways in common gynecologic disorders (GDs). Furthermore, it discusses potential future approaches in the regulation of this signaling pathway that could represent an innovative and promising therapeutical target, also for ovarian cancer treatment.
Improving Properties of Starch-Based Adhesives with Carboxylic Acids and Enzymatically Polymerized Lignosulfonates
Authors: Jimenez Bartolome Miguel , Padhi Sidhant Satya Prakash , Fichtberger Oliver Gabriel , Schwaiger Nikolaus , Seidl Bernhard , Kozich Martin , Nyanhongo Gibson S. , Guebitz Georg M.
Published: November 2022

A novel strategy for improving wet resistance and bonding properties of starch-based adhesives using enzymatically polymerized lignosulfonates and carboxylic acids as additives was developed. Therefore, lignosulfonates were polymerized by laccase to a molecular weight of 750 kDa. Incorporation of low concentrations (up to 1% of the starch weight) of 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) led to further improvement on the properties of the adhesives, while addition of greater amounts of BTCA led to a decrease in the properties measured due to large viscosity increases. Great improvements in wet-resistance from 22 to 60 min and bonding times (from 30 to 20 s) were observed for an adhesive containing 8% enzymatically polymerized lignin and 1% BTCA. On the other hand, the addition of citric acid (CA) deteriorated the properties of the adhesives, especially when lignosulfonate was present. In conclusion, this study shows that the addition of the appropriate amount of enzymatically polymerized lignosulfonates together with carboxylic acids (namely BTCA) to starch-based adhesives is a robust strategy for improving their wet resistance and bonding times.