bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and Spatial Variations of PM10 and PM2.5 Oxidative Potential in Five Urban and Rural Sites across Lombardia Region, Italy
Authors: Pietrogrande Maria Chiara , Demaria Giorgia , Colombi Cristina , Cuccia Eleonora , Dal Santo Umberto
Published: June 2022

Oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) is gaining strong interest as a promising health exposure metric. This study investigated OP of a large set of PM10 and PM2.5 samples collected at five urban and background sites near Milan (Italy), one of the largest and most polluted urban areas in Europe, afflicted with high particle levels. OP responses from two acellular assays, based on ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT), were combined with atmospheric detailed composition to examine any possible feature in OP with PM size fraction, spatial and seasonal variations. A general association of volume-normalized OP with PM mass was found; this association may be related to the clear seasonality observed, whereby there was higher OP activity in wintertime at all investigated sites. Univariate correlations were used to link OP with the concentrations of the major chemical markers of vehicular and biomass burning emissions. Of the two assays, AA was particularly sensitive towards transition metals in coarse particles released from vehicular traffic. The results obtained confirm that the responses from the two assays and their relationship with atmospheric pollutants are assay- and location-dependent, and that their combination is therefore helpful to singling out the PM redox-active compounds driving its oxidative properties.
Possibility of Metal Accumulation in Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) in the Aquatic Environment of South-Western Polish Rivers
Authors: Senze Magdalena , Kowalska-Góralska Monika , Czyż Katarzyna , Wondołowska-Grabowska Anna
Published: June 2022

A four-year research study was conducted on aquatic plants (reed canary grass) growing in the beds of three rivers and their tributaries in Lower Silesia, Poland. Metal contents (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) were determined in plant samples, metal accumulation in water (BCFw) and sediment (BCFB), Metal Pollution Index (MPI) and Enrichment Factor (EF) were calculated. The highest contents of copper, lead, nickel and cadmium were found in reed canary grass sampled from the Nysa Szalona River. The highest values were recorded for zinc in the Bystrzyca River, and for iron and manganese in the Strzegomka River. The series of metals were as follows: Nysa Szalona and Strzegomka: Cd < Ni < Pb < Cu < Zn < Mn < Fe, Bystrzyca: Cd < Ni < Cu < Pb < Zn < Mn < Fe. Throughout the study period, the lowest values of metals in plants were recorded in 2015 and 2018, and the highest in 2017. The general picture of MPI in aquatic plants is arranged in the series Bystrzyca < Strzegomka < Nysa Szalona. These values classify the studied material at a high level of pollution in all rivers. In the comparison of the two extreme sites, i.e., source–mouth, higher values were found at the mouth of the reservoir, which suggests that metals move with the water current and accumulate more with the direction of the river flow, which is most likely a consequence of the influence of the catchment area as the source of metals. The series of EF enrichment factor values were as follows: Bystrzyca—Ni < Cd < Fe < Cu < Zn < Mn < Pb, Nysa Szalona—Ni < Fe < Zn < Cd < Mn < Cu < Pb, Strzegomka—Ni < Cd < Fe < Zn < Cu < Pb < Mn. For all the samples studied, the values found in spring were much higher than in autumn, which indicates the great importance for research in that area. The levels of copper and iron were within the range of moderate values, lead and manganese reached very high and exceptionally high values, and the remaining metals were within the values described as significant. Bioaccumulation of metals determined relative to bottom sediments was highest in 2017 and lowest in 2018, while bioaccumulation relative to water was highest in 2018 and lowest in 2016. The four-year study found that the metal content in reed canary grass was mostly within the range of mean values presented in the literature from moderately polluted areas. Also, no significant deviation was found from levels that have been recorded for the same rivers for more than two decades.
Perceptions of Telehealth Services for Hearing Loss in South Africa’s Public Healthcare System
Authors: Bhamjee Aaqilah , le Roux Talita , Swanepoel De Wet , Graham Marien Alet , Schlemmer Kurt , Mahomed-Asmail Faheema
Published: June 2022

Telehealth promises increased access to hearing healthcare services, primarily in areas where hearing healthcare resources are limited, such as within the South African public healthcare system. Telehealth for hearing healthcare is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, where physical distancing has been essential. This study aimed to describe audiologists’ perceptions regarding telehealth services for hearing loss within South Africa’s public healthcare system. This study was divided into two phases. During Phase 1, 97 audiologists completed an electronic survey regarding their perceptions of telehealth for hearing loss within South African public sector hospitals. Synchronous virtual focus-group discussions were conducted during Phase 2. Results indicated that audiologists recognized telehealth services’ potential to improve hearing healthcare efficiency within the public sector, and most (84.1%) were willing to use it. However, telehealth’s actual uptake was low despite almost doubling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prominent perceived barriers to telehealth were primarily related to hospital resources, including the unavailability of equipment for the remote hearing/specialized assessments, internet-related barriers, and limited IT infrastructure. An increased understanding of telehealth in South Africa’s public healthcare system will assist in identifying and in improving potential barriers to telehealth, including hospital resources and infrastructure.
Microplastics Affect the Inflammation Pathway in Human Gingival Fibroblasts: A Study in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Caputi Sergio , Diomede Francesca , Lanuti Paola , Marconi Guya Diletta , Di Carlo Piero , Sinjari Bruna , Trubiani Oriana
Published: June 2022

The level of environmental microplastics in the sea is constantly increasing. They can enter the human body with food, be absorbed through the gut and have negative effects on the organism’s health after its digestion. To date, microplastics (MPs) are considered new environmental pollutants in the air sea and they are attracting wide attention. The possible toxic effects of MPs isolated at different sea depths of 1, 24 and 78 m were explored in an in vitro model of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). MPs isolated from the sea showed different size and were then divided into different sample groups: 1, 24 and 78 m. The results obtained revealed that MPs are able to activate the inflammatory pathway NFkB/MyD88/NLRP3. In detail, the exposure to MPs from 1 and 78 m led to increased levels of inflammatory markers NFkB, MyD88 and NLRP3 in terms of proteins and gene expression. Moreover, cells exposed to MPs showed a lower metabolic activity rate compared to unexposed cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the inflammation process is stimulated by MPs exposure, providing a new perspective to better understand the intracellular mechanism.
The Detection of SARS-CoV2 Antigen in Wastewater Using an Automated Chemiluminescence Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: Thongpradit Supranee , Prasongtanakij Somsak , Srisala Supanart , Chanprasertyothin Suwannee , Pasomsub Ekawat , Ongphiphadhanakul Boonsong
Published: June 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is driving the current COVID-19 epidemic, has been detected in wastewater and is being utilized as a surveillance tool to establish an early warning system to aid in the management and prevention of future pandemics. qPCR is the method usually used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. There has been no study using an immunoassay that is less laboratory-intensive than qPCR with a shorter turnaround time. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the performance of an automated chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) for SARS-CoV-2 antigen in wastewater. The CLEIA assay achieved 100% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity in a field-captured wastewater sample compared to the gold standard RT-qPCR. Our early findings suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 antigen can be identified in wastewater samples using an automated CLEIA, reducing the turnaround time and improving the performance of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring during the pandemic.
The Relationship between Environmental and Economic Aspects for Measuring the Sustainability of the Enterprise: A Case Study of Slovak Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Tokarcikova Emese , Kucharcikova Alzbeta , Janosova Patricia
Published: June 2022

Despite the unbounded and undeniable advantages of manufacturing, affiliated negative externalities, such as environmental pollution, cannot be overlooked. Our article aims to focus on the current interdependence between the selected economic and environmental aspects in related manufacturing enterprises in Slovakia. We focused on analysing the relationship between carbon monoxide emissions from the largest polluters of the Slovak Republic and relevant sales. The data were taken from 83 enterprises from the Slovak Republic. Environmental and economic data were comprehensive during 2014–2019; therefore, this paper focuses on this period. Among the substantial results, we identified that carbon monoxide production from Slovak production companies was almost unchanged from 2014 to 2019, with only minimal deviations. Based on the results, we created an environmental ratio indicator as an appropriate tool for managers for their decision-making process to achieve the enterprise’s sustainability goals.
Experience of Bangladeshi Dental Students towards Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Islam Md Irteja , Jahan Shah Saif , Chowdhury Mohammad Tawfique Hossain , Isha Samia Naz , Saha Arup Kumar , Nath Sujan Kanti , Jahan Mohammed Shahed , Kabir Md. Humayun , Hoque Apu Ehsanul , Kabir Russell , Siddika Nazeeba
Published: June 2022

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental education institutions throughout the world experienced significant challenges, including a quick shift to an online learning paradigm. Since the pandemic has had a considerable impact on dental education, this research evaluated the perspectives and attitudes towards online learning among undergraduate dental students in Bangladesh. Methods: The research was conducted through a cross-sectional method using self-administered online questionnaires. The questionnaire included information on the students’ sociodemographic status, their views, and their attitudes about the changes in the educational system, specifically regarding online learning. The study gathered data from 952 undergraduate students from 14 dental institutions in Bangladesh. Results: The results suggested that 87.5% of all the students were unsatisfied with their online programs. Most of the respondents who expressed dissatisfaction with their online classes were female, did not receive assistance in overcoming barriers to accessing the classes or materials (64.23%), did not have access to the institutional online-learning management system (OLMS) (67.35%), and did not have access to the online course materials (71.43%). The students considered that the shift to online learning failed to provide quality clinical teaching. Conclusions: The lack of an OLMS was found to be linked with dissatisfaction with online learning among Bangladeshi dental students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, insufficient time allocation and a lack of support through online training were found to be strongly correlated with the students’ discontent. The overall findings highlight the need to develop and implement effective online dentistry educational interventions to promote academic advancement and key practical skills.
Phytoplankton Communities and Their Relationship with Environmental Factors in the Waters around Macau
Authors: He Rui , Luo Huan , He Ning , Chen Wenlong , Yang Fang , Huang Weijie , Li Ning , Sun Lingling , Peng Songyao
Published: June 2022

An investigation of the waters around Macau collected 43 phytoplankton species belonging to 29 genera and 5 phyla, including 32 species from 22 genera of Bacillariophyta, 7 species from 3 genera of Pyrrophyta, 2 species from 2 genera of Cyanophyta, and 1 genus and 1 species from both Euglenophyta and Chromophyta. The dominant phytoplankton species in the study areas were Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve, Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen, Thalassiothrix frauenfeidii Grunow, and Thalassionema nitzschioides Grunow. The phytoplankton abundance in the waters around Macau was between 46,607.14 and 1,355,000 cells/m3, with the highest abundance noted in station S8. Diatoms were the main contributor to phytoplankton abundance in station S8, accounting for 96.2% of the total abundance. Station S4 exhibited the lowest phytoplankton abundance of 46,607.1 cells/m3, with diatoms and Chromophytaaccounting for 58.6% and 29.9% of the total phytoplankton abundance, respectively. Biodiversity analysis results showed that the phytoplankton richness index was 1.18–3.61, the uniformity index was 0.24–0.78, and the Shannon–Wiener index was 0.94–3.41. Correlation analysis revealed that ammonia nitrogen was significantly negatively correlated with the phytoplankton richness, uniformity, and Shannon–Wiener indices. Nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, salinity, turbidity, and pH were positively correlated with the phytoplankton evenness index and Shannon–Wiener index. Cluster and non-metric multidimensional scaling analyses demonstrated that the phytoplankton community structure in the waters around Macau could be divided into three groups, with A. granulata, S. costatum, T. frauenfeidii, T. nitzschioides, Chaetoceros curvisetus Cleve, and Chaetoceros diadema (Ehrenberg) Gran being predominant in different grouping communities (contribution% > 10%). Biota-Environment Stepwise Analysis (BIOENV) showed a significant correlation between the phytoplankton community and nitrite nitrogen content in the waters around Macau (correlation: 0.5544, Mantel test: statistic 0.4196, p = 0.009), which was consistent with the results of the canonical correspondence analysis.
Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of Urban Land Expansion and Urban Population Growth under New Urbanization: A Case Study of Chongqing
Authors: Zhang Yudan , Li Yuanqing , Chen Yanan , Liu Shirao , Yang Qingyuan
Published: June 2022

Land urbanization (LU) and population urbanization (PU) maintain the nature of spatiotemporal heterogeneity in China. As a municipality directly administered by the central government in the mode of “large cities and large rural areas”, Chongqing’s urbanization process is the epitome of China’s urbanization process. This paper examines the spatiotemporal variability of LU and PU in Chongqing on the basis of nighttime light data, the elasticity coefficient of the coupling relationship, and GWR. The results show that (1) the urban land and urban population in Chongqing grew notably from 2008 to 2018, with average annual growth rates of 9.4% and 2.3%, respectively. (2) The coupling coordination coefficient of LU and PU in Chongqing was 0.24, and the total number of districts and counties with uncoordinated development increased, but the overall uncoordinated situation gradually improved over the period. (3) The influence of PU on LU in each district and county increased year by year, and it showed a decreasing trend from southwest to northeast in Chongqing, which indicates that LU was increasingly adapted to the construction needs of PU. The gap between LU and PU widened due to the household registration system, land fiscal policies and other policies. After the reform of the household registration system and the adjustment of new pilot policies targeting the construction of new-type urbanization, the coupling relationship between LU and PU was gradually improving to the coordinated mode. The findings indicate that Chinese urban areas should adhere to the principle of new-type urbanization construction and carry out scientific land planning strategies, strictly controlling land expansion to promote the reasonable development of population growth.
The Mental Health of Malaysia’s Northwest Healthcare Workers during the Relaxation of COVID-19 Restrictions and Its Associated Factors
Authors: Nordin Syazwan , Yaacob Nor Azwany , Kelak Johny , Ilyas Ahmad Hazri , Daud Aziah
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people in many ways, including mental health status. Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) are terms often used to describe mental health status worldwide. The present study describes the prevalence of DAS and its associated factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the northwest region of Malaysia, during the early phase of recovery of movement control order (RMCO), where some restrictions were lifted, and cases are reducing in number. This cross-sectional study used HCW’s mental health surveillance data using the DASS-21 questionnaire. A total of 981 data collected between 1 July and 31 August 2020 were randomly sampled. Socio-demographic factors, occupational characteristics, and health backgrounds were extracted and analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The prevalences of DAS are 8.4% (6.7, 10.3), 17.1% (14.8, 19.6), and 6.4% (5.0, 8.1), respectively. Age is significantly associated with depression (Adjusted Odd Ratio (Adj.OR) 0.96 (0.93, 0.99)) and stress (Adj.OR 0.96 (0.93, 0.997)). Working at the hospital is associated with depression (Adj.OR 1.88 (1.19, 2.97)) as well as anxiety (Adj.OR 1.91 (1.36, 2.68). HCWs with a degree or postgraduate education level are more stressed compared to those with lower educational levels (Adj.OR 8.43 (1.95, 36.37)). Mental health surveillance helps to identify those at risk. Those younger in age, working in hospitals, and with more responsibility in management are the most affected. With the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which lead to the release of certain movement control, the mental health status of HCWs was less affected. Those working directly with COVID-19 patients and with more responsibility in management are the most affected.
Change in Asthma Is Associated with Change in PTSD in World Trade Center Health Registrants, 2011 to 2016
Authors: Friedman Stephen M. , Alper Howard , de la Hoz Rafael E. , Osahan Sukhminder , Farfel Mark R. , Cone James
Published: June 2022

The WTC Health Registry (WTCHR) is a closed, longitudinal cohort of rescue/recovery workers and survivors exposed to the 11 September 2001 disaster. WTCHR enrollees diagnosed with asthma after 11 September 2001 continued to experience poor control despite treatment. Asthma is associated with mental problems, although their bidirectional movement has not been studied. This study tested whether a clinical change in mental problems was associated with a difference in asthma control, and whether a change in asthma control varied with a change in quality of life (QoL). Difference in the Asthma Control Test (ACT) on the WTCHR from 2011–12 to 2015–16 was compared with the change in the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-17), the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, self-reported heartburn, and change of physical and mental QoL over this period. In adjusted multinomial multivariable logistic regression, improved PCL-17 was associated with a better ACT score, odds ratio (OR) = 1.42 (95% C.I. 1.01, 1.99), and a worsened PCL-17 score was associated with a worsened ACT score, OR = 1.77 (95% C.I. 1.26, 2.50). Decreased ACT was associated with poor physical QoL, OR = 1.97 (95% C.I. 1.48, 2.62). Change in mental health measures tracked with change in asthma control, which correlated with a change in QoL. Careful follow-up and treatment of all three are indicated to improve these inter-related issues.
Evolutionary Overview of Terrace Research Based on Bibliometric Analysis in Web of Science from 1991 to 2020
Authors: Chen Qianru , Wen Yuyang , Zhang Xinmin , Zhu Zhenhong
Published: June 2022

Based on the Web of Science core collection database, this paper retrieves 349 research papers on terraced fields published during 1991–2020. Keyword co-occurrence analysis, cluster analysis, and thematic evolutionary analysis were used to identify the evolutionary path of terrace research. The findings were as follows: (1) In the past 20 years, the study of terraced fields has shown an upward trend. The number of annual published papers during 2012–2020 was much more than that during 1991–2011, but papers during 1991–2011 were more academically influential than those during 2012–2020. (2) Regional analysis showed that terrace research in China is the most abundant currently, and is mainly focused on agricultural production, agricultural engineering, cultural tourism, and ecological environment. (3) Keyword co-occurrence analysis showed that terrace landscape, terrace agriculture, terrace abandonment, land use change, soil and water conservation, and sustainable utilization of typical terraces are the main modules of current terrace studies. (4) In a temporal dynamic perspective, terrace research presented 10 main evolutionary paths during 1991–2020, reflecting the trend of terrace research towards sustainable terrace development of ecological agriculture and ecosystem service. (5) Finally, this paper suggests that here is a need to deepen studies on terrace ecosystem services and human well-being based on their structure and processes, to analyze the interaction and comprehensive effect of natural process and humanistic driving forces on terrace abandonment, and to explore the multi-functional benefits and sustainable management of high quality terraced landscape.
Relationship between Oral Health Knowledge and Maternal Oral Health with Obstetric Risk and Breastfeeding
Authors: Serrano-Sánchez Silvia , González-González Jaime , Rodríguez-Martín Beatriz , Muñoz-Rodríguez Vanesa , de las Heras-Corrochano Sonia , Criado-Alvarez Juan José
Published: June 2022

The relationship between maternal gingival health status and low birth weight or preterm delivery is controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between maternal oral knowledge and the level of oral health during pregnancy with the risk of obstetric complications and breastfeeding. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted after an oral health educational intervention in a consecutive sample of 97 pregnant women. Data collection consisted of a validated questionnaire, oral examination, the Caries Index (CAOD) and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (IHOS). The participants had a mean age of 32.5 ± 5.19 years and a predominantly university education (57.1%). The level of knowledge regarding oral health was fair (12.5 ± 3.56 correct answers). Older pregnant women (33.0 ± 4.80 years) practiced breastfeeding and had a higher number of correct answers to the questionnaire. Adequate IHOS was associated with higher birth-weight newborns (3333 ± 0.3), whereas poor oral hygiene control was associated with lower birth-weight newborns (2960 ± 0.1) (p < 0.05). A lower level of academic education was associated with worse oral hygiene (p < 0.05). In addition, the greater the number of children, the higher the CAOD. Finally, among non-smoking women, the weight of infants was 437 mg higher. Maternal oral hygiene and the week of delivery were associated with newborn weight (p < 0.05) in a multiple linear regression model. Smoking was also related to low birth weight (p < 0.05). Educational interventions in pregnancy are necessary to decrease the incidence of obstetric adverse effects and improve the oral health of mothers and their children.
Appraising Evidence-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Guidelines—PART II: A Content Analysis with Implications for Disaster Risk Reduction
Authors: Dückers Michel , van Hoof Wera , Willems Andrea , te Brake Hans
Published: June 2022

High quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) guidelines are indispensable for policy and practice to address the mental health consequences of disasters. This contribution complements a review that assessed the methodological quality of 13 MHPSS guidelines. We analyzed the content of the four highest-ranking guidelines and explored implications for disaster risk reduction (DRR). A qualitative explorative thematic analysis was conducted. The four guidelines proved largely similar, overlapping or at least complementary in their MHPSS definitions, stated purpose of the guidelines, user and target groups, terminology, and models used. Many recommended MHPSS measures and interventions were found in all of the guidelines and could be assigned to five categories: basic relief, information provision, emotional and social support, practical support, and health care. The guidelines stress the importance of monitoring needs and problems, evaluating the effect of service delivery, deliberate implementation and preparation, and investments in proper conditions and effective coordination across professions, agencies, and sectors. The MHPSS knowledge base embedded in the guidelines is comprehensive, coherent, and sufficiently universal to serve as the “overarching framework” considered missing yet vital for the integration of MHPSS approaches in DRR. Although application contexts differ geographically, this common ground should allow policymakers and practitioners globally to plan, implement, and evaluate MHPSS actions contributing to DRR, ideally together with target groups.
Association between Diet Quality and Health Outcomes among Children in Rural Areas of Northwest China
Authors: Yang Wanni , Li Shaoping , Guo Yuhe , Bai Yunli , Liu Chengfang
Published: June 2022

This study aims to examine the relationship between diet quality and health outcomes among children in rural remote areas of China. We draw on a cross-sectional dataset of 1216 children from two counties in the Gansu Province in Northwest China. Child health outcomes were assessed with both anthropometric measurements and reports by primary caregivers of the children. Child diet quality was assessed with the diet quality score (DQS) using information from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Our data show the prevalence of stunting and underweight among sample children were 12% and 11%, respectively; 27% of children were reported by their caregivers as unhealthy, and 60% of children had at least one of the seventeen selected non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the past 14 days. Overall, 780 (72%) children have at least one of the four above-mentioned health problems. Results from logistic regression models show that a higher DQS was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of being stunted and a higher likelihood of being reported healthy after adjusting for confounders. These findings imply that improving child diet quality might be an option when designing interventions to improve child health.
Participation in Low Back Pain Management: It Is Time for the To-Be Scenarios in Digital Public Health
Authors: Franchini Michela , Salvatori Massimiliano , Denoth Francesca , Molinaro Sabrina , Pieroni Stefania
Published: June 2022

Low back pain (LBP) carries a high risk of chronicization and disability, greatly impacting the overall demand for care and costs, and its treatment is at risk of scarce adherence. This work introduces a new scenario based on the use of a mobile health tool, the Dress-KINESIS, to support the traditional rehabilitation approach. The tool proposes targeted self-manageable exercise plans for improving pain and disability, but it also monitors their efficacy. Since LBP prevention is the key strategy, the tool also collects real-patient syndromic information, shares valid educational messages and fosters self-determined motivation to exercise. Our analysis is based on a comparison of the performance of the traditional rehabilitation process for non-specific LBP patients and some different scenarios, designed by including the Dress-KINESIS’s support in the original process. The results of the simulations show that the integrated approach leads to a better capacity for taking on patients while maintaining the same physiotherapists’ effort and costs, and it decreases healthcare costs during the two years following LBP onset. These findings suggest that the healthcare system should shift the paradigm towards citizens’ participation and the digital support, with the aim of improving its efficiency and citizens’ quality of life.
From Survey Results to a Decision-Making Matrix for Strategic Planning in Healthcare: The Case of Clinical Pathways
Authors: Bianco Lavinia , Raffa Salvatore , Fornelli Paolo , Mancini Rita , Gabriele Angela , Medici Francesco , Battista Claudia , Greco Stefania , Croce Giuseppe , Germani Aldo , Petrucci Simona , Anibaldi Paolo , Bianco Valerio , Ronchetti Mario , Banchieri Giorgio , Napoli Christian , Piane Maria
Published: June 2022

Background: It is a well-known fact that the information obtained from a survey can be used in a healthcare organizational analysis; however, it is very difficult to compare the different results found in the literature to each other, even through the use of metanalysis, as the methodology is often not consistent. Methods: Data from a survey analyzing the organizational and managerial responses adopted in pathology-specific clinical pathways (CPs) during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic were used for constructing a decisional matrix, a tool called SPRIS system, consisting of four different sheets. The first sheet reports the results of the survey and, using a streetlight color system, identifies strengths and weaknesses; the second one, by assigning a priority score, establishes the priority of intervention on each of the strengths and weaknesses identified; the third sheet reports the subjective items of the questionnaire in order to identify threats and opportunities and their probability of happening; in the last sheet, a SWOT Analysis is used to calculate the performance index of the whole organization. Results: The SPRIS system, applied to data concerning the adaptation of four CPs to the COVID-19 pandemic, showed that, whereas all the CPs had a good performance index, some concerns remained unsolved and need be addressed. Conclusions: The SPRIS system showed to be an easily constructed tool that is able to give an overview of the organization analyzed by the survey and to produce an index that can be used in a direct quality comparison between different services or organizations.
The Emerging Role of the Aging Process and Exercise Training on the Crosstalk between Gut Microbiota and Telomere Length
Authors: Assis Victória , de Sousa Neto Ivo Vieira , Ribeiro Filipe M. , de Cassia Marqueti Rita , Franco Octávio Luiz , da Silva Aguiar Samuel , Petriz Bernardo
Published: June 2022

Aging is a natural process of organism deterioration, which possibly impairs multiple physiological functions. These harmful effects are linked to an accumulation of somatic mutations, oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, protein damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. It is known that these factors are capable of inducing telomere shortening, as well as intestinal dysbiosis. Otherwise, among the biological mechanisms triggered by physical exercise, the attenuation of pro-inflammatory mediators accompanied by redox state improvement can be the main mediators for microbiota homeostasis and telomere wear prevention. Thus, this review highlights how oxidative stress, inflammation, telomere attrition, and gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis are interconnected. Above all, we provide a logical foundation for unraveling the role of physical exercise in this process. Based on the studies summarized in this article, exercise training can increase the biodiversity of beneficial microbial species, decrease low-grade inflammation and improve oxidative metabolism, these factors together possibly reduce telomeric shortening.
Evaluation of Vulnerability Status of the Infection Risk to COVID-19 Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): A Case Study of Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia
Authors: Asfaw Hizkel , Karuppannan Shankar , Erduno Tilahun , Almohamad Hussein , Dughairi Ahmed Abdullah Al , Al-Mutiry Motrih , Abdo Hazem Ghassan
Published: June 2022

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 and is an accidental global public health threat. Because of this, WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The pandemic is spreading unprecedently in Addis Ababa, which results in extraordinary logistical and management challenges in response to the novel coronavirus in the city. Thus, management strategies and resource allocation need to be vulnerability-oriented. Though various studies have been carried out on COVID-19, only a few studies have been conducted on vulnerability from a geospatial/location-based perspective but at a wider spatial resolution. This puts the results of those studies under question while their findings are projected to the finer spatial resolution. To overcome such problems, the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has been developed as a framework to evaluate and map the susceptibility status of the infection risk to COVID-19. To achieve the objective of the study, data like land use, population density, and distance from roads, hospitals, bus stations, the bank, markets, COVID-19 cases, health care units, and government offices are used. The weighted overlay method was used; to evaluate and map the susceptibility status of the infection risk to COVID-19. The result revealed that out of the total study area, 32.62% (169.91 km2) falls under the low vulnerable category (1), and the area covering 40.9% (213.04 km2) under the moderate vulnerable class (2) for infection risk of COVID-19. The highly vulnerable category (3) covers an area of 25.31% (132.85 km2), and the remaining 1.17% (6.12 km2) is under an extremely high vulnerable class (4). Thus, these priority areas could address pandemic control mechanisms like disinfection regularly. Health sector professionals, local authorities, the scientific community, and the general public will benefit from the study as a tool to better understand pandemic transmission centers and identify areas where more protective measures and response actions are needed at a finer spatial resolution.
The Built Environment Assessment of Residential Areas in Wuhan during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak
Authors: Lu Heli , Xia Menglin , Qin Ziyuan , Lu Siqi , Guan Ruimin , Yang Yuna , Miao Changhong , Chen Taizheng
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 epidemic has emerged as one of the biggest challenges, and the world is focused on preventing and controlling COVID-19. Although there is still insufficient understanding of how environmental conditions may impact the COVID-19 pandemic, airborne transmission is regarded as an important environmental factor that influences the spread of COVID-19. The natural ventilation potential (NVP) is critical for airborne infection control in the micro-built environment, where infectious and susceptible people share air spaces. Taking Wuhan as the research area, we evaluated the NVP in residential areas to combat COVID-19 during the outbreak. We determined four fundamental residential area layouts (point layout, parallel layout, center-around layout, and mixed layout) based on the semantic similarity model for point of interest (POI) picking. Our analyses indicated that the center-around and point layout had a higher NVP, while the mixed and parallel layouts had a lower NVP in winter and spring. Further analysis showed that the proportion of the worst NVP has been rising, while the proportion of the poor NVP remains very high in Wuhan. This study suggested the need to efficiently improve the residential area layout in Wuhan for better urban ventilation to combat COVID-19 without losing other benefits.
Thromboembolic Events in a Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Population with COVID-19 Admitted to a Medicalized Hotel in Madrid
Authors: Ramírez-Cervantes Karen Lizzette , Huerta-Álvarez Consuelo , Quintana-Díaz Manuel
Published: June 2022

Background: The social determinants of health (SDOH) of patients with COVID-19-related thrombosis have been scarcely explored. Our objective was to investigate the cases of thrombosis in a group of socially disadvantaged populations with COVID-19. Methods: We investigated the thrombotic events that occurred in a cohort of migrant and Spanish patients with COVID-19 that were admitted to a medicalized hotel in Madrid. Demographic data, past medical history, and socio-economic backgrounds, such as monthly household income, level of education, and living conditions, were explored to determine the factors related to thrombosis. Results: A cohort of 383 subjects (mean age 55.4 ± 14.6 years old, 69% male), of which 58% were migrants, was studied. Fourteen (3.6%) cases of thrombosis were reported. Thrombosis was more frequent in Spanish than in migrant individuals (OR 5.3, 95%CI 1.4–19.5, p = 0.005). Neither a low monthly household income nor a low education level showed a statistical association with thrombosis (p ≥ 0.05). History of venous thromboembolism (OR 8.1, 95%CI 2.2–28.6) and being a current smoker (OR 4.7, 95%CI 1.3–16.0) were factors associated with thrombosis. Conclusions: The SDOH studied were not associated with thrombosis; however, further investigation must be performed to investigate the socio-economic conditions of subjects with COVID-19 with adverse outcomes such as thrombotic events.
Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism Reported by Parents/Caregivers in a Portuguese Pediatric Dentistry Service: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Brandão de Almeida André , Rodrigues Rita Salgado , Simão Carina , de Araújo Raquel Pinto , Figueiredo Joana
Published: June 2022

The definition of sleep bruxism (SB) has changed over the years, and although it is no longer defined as a disorder, it is considered a risk factor that can result in prejudicial systemic and stomatognathic issues. The prevalence of SB in children is variable among studies, and its decrease during adolescence is a controversial matter among authors. We aimed to determine SB prevalence and assess its trend with age in a sample of pediatric patients who frequented the Lisbon Pediatric Dentistry Service. We conducted a retrospective observational study based on information provided by patients’ parents/caregivers and without examination or polysomnography examination. Data were collected between August 2019 and December 2020 by five dentists. A total of 1900 patients were included, 50.6% and 49.4% of which were male and female, respectively. Of the total sample, 334 (17.6%, 95% confidence interval of 15.9–19.4%) had bruxism, corresponding to 18.9% and 16.2% of male and female patients, respectively (p = 0.121). SB was reported in 20.7% of patients 0–6 years old, in 19.4% of those 7–11 years old, and in 14.6% of those 12–17 years old. In conclusion, SB showed a slightly higher prevalence among male pediatric patients, but further studies are needed to rule out confounding factors.
The Influence of Family Socioeconomic Status on Adolescents’ Mental Health in China
Authors: Yang Dongliang , Hu Shuxian , Li Mingna
Published: June 2022

Adolescent mental health is an important public health issue that cannot be ignored, and mental health issues are a major cause of physical illness in adolescents and children worldwide. In order to supplement relevant research and provide insightful policy suggestions to government, schools and families, this study investigated the nexus between family socioeconomic status and mental health for adolescents in China. Based on 7234 observations from the China Education Panel Survey, the paper estimated the effects of family socioeconomic status on adolescents’ mental health using ordinary least squares. The effects of family income, parental education level, and parental occupation on adolescent mental health were estimated separately by the same method. Our findings suggest that family socioeconomic status has a significant positive effect on mental health of adolescents in China. This effect is heterogeneous depending on individuals’ registered residence types and their participation in health courses. Finally, frequency of parent-child interaction and classmate interaction are shown to be potential mechanisms for the effect of family socioeconomic status on the mental health of Chinese adolescents.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Recovery of Mental Fatigue: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cao Shudian , Geok Soh Kim , Roslan Samsilah , Qian Shaowen , Sun He , Lam Soh Kim , Liu Jia
Published: June 2022

Background: There is evidence that mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) can help one to recover from mental fatigue (MF). Although the strength model of self-control explains the processes underlying MF and the model of mindfulness and de-automatization explains how mindfulness training promotes adaptive self-regulation leading to the recovery of MF, a systematic overview detailing the effects of MBI on the recovery of MF is still lacking. Thus, this systematic review aims to discuss the influences of MBI on the recovery of MF. Methods: We used five databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for articles published up to 24 September 2021, using a combination of keywords related to MBI and MF. Results: Eight articles fulfilled all the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. The MBI directly attenuated MF and positively affected the recovery of psychology (attention, aggression and mind-wandering) and sports performance (handgrip, plank exercise and basketball free throw) under MF. However, the interaction did not reach statistical significance for the plank exercise. Therefore, the experience and duration of mindfulness are necessary factors for the success of MBI. Conclusions: mindfulness appears to be most related to a reduction in MF. Future research should focus on improving the methodological rigor of MBI to confirm these results and on identifying facets of mindfulness that are most effective for attenuating MF.
Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Hainan Island Using the Monte Carlo Simulation Coupled with the APCS/MLR Model
Authors: Shi Huanhuan , Zeng Min , Peng Hongxia , Huang Changsheng , Sun Huimin , Hou Qingqin , Pi Pengcheng
Published: June 2022

Groundwater is a significant component of water resources, but drinking groundwater with excessive heavy metals (HMs) is harmful to human health. Currently, quantitative source apportionment and probabilistic health risk assessment of HMs in groundwater are relatively limited. In this study, 60 groundwater samples containing seven HMs were collected from Hainan Island and analyzed by the coupled absolute principal component scores/multiple linear regression (APCS/MLR), the health risk assessment (HRA) and the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to quantify the pollution sources of HMs and the health risks. The results show that the high-pollution-value areas of HMs are mainly located in the industry-oriented western region, but the pollution level by HMs in the groundwater in the study area is generally low. The main sources of HMs in the groundwater are found to be the mixed sources of agricultural activities and traffic emissions (39.16%), industrial activities (25.57%) and natural sources (35.27%). Although the non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children are negligible, the carcinogenic risks are at a high level. Through analyzing the relationship between HMs, pollution sources, and health risks, natural sources contribute the most to the health risks, and Cr is determined as the priority control HM. This study emphasizes the importance of quantitative evaluation of the HM pollution sources and probabilistic health risk assessment, which provides an essential basis for water pollution prevention and control in Hainan Island.
The Servqual Method as an Assessment Tool of the Quality of Medical Services in Selected Asian Countries
Authors: Jonkisz Aleksandra , Karniej Piotr , Krasowska Dorota
Published: June 2022

Introduction: The Servqual (an acronym from the words “service” and “quality”) method is used to assess the quality of provided services on the basis of standardised evaluation parameters. This method is based on five gaps resulting from the discrepancy between expected and received service quality. The aim of this meta-analysis and the systematic review was to view and assess the major differences in the five dimensions of the Servqual method used to evaluate the quality of delivered health care services in selected Asian countries. Another goal of the study was to confirm the use of the Servqual method as a suitable tool for assessing the quality of health care services. Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for systemic reviews and meta-analyses. The following electronic databases for medical publications were used: PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched for articles published from January 2000 to April 2020. The databases were explored with original search queries containing the following terms: “Servqual”, “service quality”, “Servqual model”, “servqual questionnaire”, “health service quality”, “health care services”, “patients’ expectation”, “patients’ perception”, “expectation”, “perception”, and “health care services”, in combination using “AND” and “OR”. In order to minimize bias, two researchers (PK and DK) independently performed an online search for peer-reviewed papers, using the combinations of the above-mentioned words. In addition, references of eligible publications were checked. All disagreements, regarding the inclusion or exclusion of specific studies, were resolved through consultations among all the authors. Results: A total of 96 reports were identified and submitted to a preliminary screening selection. As a result of the pre-screening stage, 64 papers were qualified to further evaluation. The output of the evaluation brought 15 reported studies, meeting the pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The total number of participants was 5903 (ranging from 20 to 439 in individual reports), and 54% of them were women. Eight studies (53%) were from Iran, two from Pakistan (13%) and one each from Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Iraq (each-about 7%). The results showed gaps between patients’ expectations and perceptions in all five dimensions of Servqual in almost each analysed study. The highest and lowest values of the gaps in quality scores were associated with the dimensions of reliability, tangibility, empathy, and responsiveness, respectively. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the method of Servqual is broadly used in various medical sectors to assess the quality of medical services provided. In addition, the study demonstrated that patients had significantly higher expectations of the medical services offered in the five dimensions studied. The results, obtained through the Servqual method, may help improve and monitor the quality of services provided by different institutions.