bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrile and Non-nitrile Pyridine Products from the Reaction of 2-Cyano-3-(x-nitrophenyl)prop-2-enamides with Methyl 3-Oxobutanoate
Authors: O'Callaghan Conor N. , McMurry T. Brian H. , Draper Sylvia M. , Champeil Elise
Published: June 2021

The reaction of 2-cyano-3-(x-nitrophenyl)prop-2-enamides with methyl 3-oxobutanoate affords methyl 4-aryl-3-cyano-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-5-carboxylates, methyl 4-aryl-5-cyano-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-6-oxopiperidine-3-carboxylates, methyl 4-aryl-3-carbamoyl-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-5-carboxylates (the molecular structure of one of which has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction) and methyl 4-aryl-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-5-carboxylat.es.
Synthesis and Characterization of Phthalocyanines Containing Four 11-Membered Triaza Macrocycles
Authors: Bayιr Zehra Altuntaş , Hamuryudan Esin , Bekaroğlu Özer
Published: June 2021

New metallophthalocyanines (M = Cu, Zn, Ni or Co) substituted in peripheral positions with four 11-membered triaza macrocycles are prepared from 1,4,7-tris( p-tolylsulfonyl)-1,4,7-triazaheptane and 1,2-dibromo-4,5-bis(bromomethyl)benzene or the corresponding anhydrous metal salt [CuCN, Zn(02CMe)2, NiCl2 or CoCI2].
New Cryptands Synthesized by [2 + 3] Condensation and Reduction with or without Templates
Authors: Ma Zhen , Yang Rudong , Yan Lan
Published: June 2021

A Schiff base cryptand is synthesized in 65–75 and 20% yield, respectively, via one-step [2 + 3] condensation of a flexible dialdehyde with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine in the presence and absence of template; a polyoxa-aza cryptand is synthesized in 75% yield upon reduction of the Schiff base.
Novel Chemoselective Reduction of Aryldiazonium Fluoroborates with Zn-NiCl2.6H2O-THF
Authors: Bandgar B. P. , Uppalla L. S.
Published: June 2021

Substituted aryldiazonium fluoroborates are selectively reduced to the corresponding phenylhydrazines by using Zn-NiCl2.6H2O in THF as a reducing agent.
Efficient Synthesis of Sodium Aryloxymethanesulfonates Using Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Khalafi-Nezhad A. , Hashemi A.
Published: June 2021

A very simple, efficient and rapid method is described for the synthesis of sodium aryloxymethanesulfonates using microwave irradiation.
Tetrabutylammonium Peroxydisulfate in Organic Synthesis. Part 8.1 An Efficient and Convenient Nickel-catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Amines to Nitriles with Tetrabutylammonium Peroxydisulfate
Authors: Chen Fen-Er , Peng Zuo-Zhong , Fu Han , Liu Ji-Dong , Shao Lan-Ying
Published: June 2021

A series of primary amines are oxidized to the corresponding nitriles in excellent yields with tetrabutylammonium peroxydisulfate catalyzed by nickel copper formate under basic aqueous conditions.
Older veterans: The materiality of reminiscence, making unknown histories knowable and forging social connections
Authors: Long Emma , Edwards Annabelle , McWade Brigit , Clark Samuel , Brewster Liz
Published: June 2021

Materials have long been used by individuals reflecting on personal histories, and researchers have evidenced the associated therapeutic value particularly among older populations. In this article, we consider older veterans’ reminiscence through attending interviews and workshops, focussing on the performative potential of engaging with materials collected throughout their service lives. By considering their use of in situ and post-hoc materials, two themes are explored: the use of materials to build a sense of belonging; and making unknown histories knowable. We consider how their sharing of materials (re)produces their past and present military identities, simultaneously drawing boundaries of inclusion and exclusion around what it means to be military or non-military (civilian). Through sharing materials, veterans facilitated discussions with both military and non-military persons, enabling feelings of connection and belonging.
The COVID-19 and lifestyle nexus: settling the debate
Authors: Doraiswamy Sathyanarayanan , Cheema Sohaila , Mamtani Ravinder
Published: June 2021

A recent debate that has gained our attention is that of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) being referred to as a lifestyle disease by the Royal College of General Practitioners (in the title of an online event) for which they later apologized and withdrew the reference. In this commentary, we demystify diseases related to ‘lifestyle’ and put this in the context of the age-old public health way of classifying diseases as communicable and non-communicable (NCDs). Evidence indicates that unhealthy lifestyles, in addition to causing NCDs, can also result in reduced immunity and/or cause injury to organs predisposing individuals to diseases, and their severity, traditionally defined as ‘communicable’ such as COVID-19. COVID-19 has demonstrated the nexus between communicable and NCDs as never before in no uncertain terms. Two important messages that have emerged from the pandemic are: (1) there is close proximity of communicable diseases to NCDs; and (2) individual personal hygiene-related lifestyles can influence the occurrence, severity and prevention of communicable diseases such as COVID-19.
Effect of Inflammatory Signaling on Human Articular Chondrocyte Hypertrophy: Potential Involvement of Tissue Repair Macrophages
Authors: Ferrao Blanco Mauricio N. , Bastiaansen-Jenniskens Yvonne M. , Chambers Mark G. , Pitsillides Andrew A. , Narcisi Roberto , van Osch Gerjo J.V.M.
Published: June 2021

Objective

In osteoarthritis, chondrocytes tend to acquire a hypertrophic phenotype, which contributes to the modification of the extracellular matrix, resulting in permanent cartilage changes. In mouse chondrocytes, pro-inflammatory macrophages and pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to stimulate hypertrophy via the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Whether or not this also occurs in human chondrocytes remains unclear. We therefore aimed to investigate whether hypertrophy-like responses in human cartilage are driven mainly by intrinsic inflammatory signaling or shaped by specific macrophage populations.

Design

Human articular chondrocytes were cultured with pro-inflammatory cytokines or medium conditioned by defined macrophage subsets. Furthermore, the effect of inhibition of NF-κB-dependent gene expression was evaluated using the NF-κB inhibitor SC-514. Hypertrophy was assessed by measuring the transcription level of alkaline phosphatase ( ALPL), type X collagen ( COL10A1), Indian hedgehog ( IHH), and runt-related transcription factor 2 ( RUNX2).

Results

The expression of hypertrophic genes was not promoted in human chondrocytes by pro-inflammatory cytokines neither pro-inflammatory M(IFNγ + TNFα) macrophages. Inhibition of the NF-κB-dependent gene expression did not affect human articular chondrocyte hypertrophy. However, tissue repair M(IL4) macrophages induced hypertrophy by promoting the expression of COL10A1, RUNX2, and IHH.

Conclusion

Intrinsic inflammatory signaling activation is not involved in the hypertrophic shift observed in human articular chondrocytes cultured in vitro. However, tissue repair macrophages may contribute to the onset of this detrimental phenotype in human osteoarthritic cartilage, given the effect observed in our experimental models.
A case report of imiquimod topical therapy as treatment for cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer
Authors: Nguyen Anthony L , Chong Esther G , Lee Joanne , Mirshahidi Saied , Mirshahidi Hamid
Published: June 2021

Cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer carries a poor prognosis, invokes a poor quality of life, and increases mortality by raising one’s risk of bleeding and infection. Currently, options for treatment are systemic chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiation. These treatments are invasive and can have toxic side effects. A 50-year-old African-American woman with stage IV breast cancer with cutaneous metastasis to the left anterior chest and left supraclavicular area was successfully treated with topical imiquimod. She experienced improvement in appearance and symptoms within several months of starting treatment, resulting in near resolution of her cutaneous metastasis. Imiquimod is currently approved for several cutaneous conditions and has the potential to treat cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer.
Declarative Specifications for Pharmaceutical Robotics Systems
Authors: Rodziewicz Pawel
Published: June 2021

Today, the automation of pharmaceutical labs has become increasingly important due to more complex drug discovery techniques. While it substantially improves the drug discovery process, most robotics systems still require manual tuning by a pharmaceutical researcher. These robotics systems contain a controller, which manages workflow by using a simple procedural programming language and a simple scheduler.

At ReTiSoft we believe that these robotics systems should be seamlessly modified to accept declarative specifications from a pharmaceutical researcher, in particular, the robotics systems should only be notified about the microplate processing time at each station. In this paper, we will describe the limitations of current pharmaceutical robotics systems. Then, we will define a computational model of the problem, and introduce the architectural design of our “declarative” robotics system simulator. Finally, Section 4 outlines the inherent benefits of our research.
Merchandise and Service Trade Deviations During COVID-19: A Performance Comparison Between India and China
Authors: Shrivastava Avinash K. , Sharma Preeti , Banik Arindam
Published: June 2021

The current study compares trade performance between India and China during COVID period (January–December 2020). The merchandise trade and commercial service exports and imports from both countries were obtained from the official World Trade Organization website to compare the output (deviation of actual from projected during COVID-19) of India and China’s foreign trade with the rest of the world. The present study employs models of autoregressive integrated moving average using a three-step model creation process. As per the results obtained, we can conclude that India is behind China in achieving the amount of merchandise exports and imports in relation to the output of its previous years, while China’s variance between expected and real is relatively lower. When comparing service exports and imports, it can be found that the gap between service exports is not much, but in the case of service imports, China’s deviation from India is much greater.
Von der Raumgestaltung zur Persönlichkeitsentwicklung
Authors: Herz Gerhard
Published: June 2021

Humanisierung der Arbeit wurde lange Zeit als rein technisch-organisatorisches Problem zur Motivierung von Mitarbeitern und zur Verhinderung von Unfällen und längerfristigen Gesundheitsschäden gesehen. Unter dieser Betrachtungsweise steht jede diesbezügliche Maßnahme in ökonomischer Konkurrenz zu allen anderen technischen und organisatorischen Faktoren einer effektiven Unternehmensführung. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Entwicklung der Humanisierungsbemühungen nicht chronologisch, sondern von ihrer qualitativen Seite her und schlägt eine andere Blickrichtung vor: Humanisierung wird als Voraussetzung und Chance für die Entwicklung derjenigen Fähigkeiten betrachtet, die heute für die Bewältigung beruflicher Aufgabenstellungen benötigt wird: Initiative, Urteils- und Entscheidungsfähigkeit. Diese Betrachtung korreliert mit einer Blickveränderung, die ein Unternehmen nicht mehr als einen rein zweckrational konstruierbaren Mechanismus, sondern als eine entwicklungs- und gestaltungsfähige “Persönlichkeit” mit einem spezifischen Eigenlebene, einer charakteristischen Gestalt und einer eigenständigen, identifizierbaren Kultur betrachtet. Humanisierung und diese “organische” Betrachtung des Unternehmens bedingen einander und führen in ihrer Konsequenz zur Veränderung des Konkurrenzverhältnisses zwischen Ökonomie und Humanisierung in ein Bedingungsverhältnis.
Führungs- und Kooperations-Controlling — Evaluation des Nutzens sozialer Arbeitsbeziehungen
Authors: Wunderer Rolf
Published: June 2021

Führung und Kooperation ist ein wesentlicher Teilbereich des Personalmanagements. Es liegt nahe, den Gedanken der Steuerung dieses Bereiches und damit die Personal-Controlling-Diskussion auch auf dieses Feld anzuwenden. Der Beitrag entwickelt in einem ersten Schritt konzeptionelle Überlegungen zu diesem Bereich. Dabei wird nach den Objekten, den Instrumenten und den zweckmäßigen Verantwortlichkeiten gefragt. Thesen zur weiteren Entwicklung eines Konzepts des Führungs- und Kooperations-Controlling schließen den Beitrag ab.
Lokale Netzwerke im Personalmanagement
Authors: Huckert Klaus
Published: June 2021

Personal Computer spielen im Personalwesen zunehmend eine Rolle. War bis vor kurzem der isolierte Einsatz (stand-alone-Einsatz) dieser Geräte zu beobachten, so erscheint es für die 90er Jahre notwendig, Personal Computer über Netzwerke zu verbinden. Insbesondere sind diese Netzwerke auch mit (räumlich weit entfernten) Zentralrechnersystemen zu verknüpfen. Der erste Teil der vorliegenden Abhandlung beschäftigt sich mit den technologischen Aspekten von lokalen Netzwerken. Anforderungen an netzwerkfähige Software für das Personalwesen werden dann diskutiert. Der letzte Teil beschäftigt sich mit organisatorischen Schwierigkeiten, die durch Netzwerkeinsatz innerhalb des Personalwesens entstehen.
Leiyomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava with right renal invasion: about a case report
Authors: Bilgo Abdoulazizi , Saouli Amine , Zerda Ilyass , Zouaidia Fouad , Karmouni Tarik , Khader Khalid El , Koutani Abdellatif , Andalousi Ahmed Iben Attya
Published: June 2021

Background

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare tumor that develops from the wall of the IVC and can be confused with many other retroperitoneal tumors. We report the observation of a man with leiomyosarcoma of the vena cava which invades the right kidney.

Case presentation

56-year-old man who has seen progress for right back pain for over a year. His thoraco-abdominal-pelvic scanner found a right tumor process measuring 18 × 13 × 18 cm invading the right kidney and the inferior vena cava, heterogeneous in nature, which is enhanced after injection of iodinated contrast product, pushing back the liver and the gall bladder. A border of separation persisted between the mass and the abdominal and thoracic walls. His biological assessment was normal. He underwent an open right nephrectomy with intraoperative bleeding requiring a transfusion of 2 red blood cells. The patient's follow-up period was 8 months without local recurrence or secondary localization.

Conclusion

The LMS of IVC is a tumor whose management is not yet well codified. Surgery is the only therapeutic means that gives good results, when it is possible. But long-term recurrences remain frequent, which therefore requires prolonged monitoring of these patients.
A new, reliable, and high-throughput strategy to screen bacteria for antagonistic activity against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Park Soyoun , Classen Adam , Gohou Hanny Maeva , Maldonado Roberto , Kretschmann Emily , Duvernay Chloe , Kim Geun-Joong , Ronholm Jennifer
Published: June 2021

Background

Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones have emerged globally over the last few decades. Probiotics have been actively studied as an alternative to antibiotics to prevent and treat S. aureus infections, but identifying new probiotic bacteria, that have antagonistic activity against S. aureus, is difficult since traditional screening strategies are time-consuming and expensive. Here, we describe a new plasmid-based method which uses highly stable plasmids to screen bacteria with antagonistic activity against S. aureus.

Results

We have created two recombinant plasmids (pQS1 and pQS3) which carry either gfpbk or mCherry under the control of a S. aureus quorum-sensing (QS) promoter (agrP3). Using this recombinant plasmid pair, we tested 81 bacteria isolated from Holstein dairy milk to identify bacteria that had growth-inhibiting activity against S. aureus and suggest potential explanations for the growth inhibition. The stability test illustrated that pQS1 and pQS3 remained highly stable for at least 24 h in batch culture conditions without selection pressure from antibiotics. This allowed co-culturing of S. aureus with other bacteria. Using the newly developed pQS plasmids, we found commensal bacteria, isolated from raw bovine milk, which had growth-inhibiting activity (n = 13) and quorum-quenching (QQ) activity (n = 13) towards both S. aureus Sa25 (CC97) and Sa27 (CC151). The pQS-based method is efficient and effective for simultaneously screening growth-inhibiting and QQ bacteria against S. aureus on agar media.

Conclusions

It was shown that growth-inhibiting and QQ activity toward pQS plasmid transformants of S. aureus can be simultaneously monitored by observing the zone of growth inhibition and reporter protein inhibition on agar plates. Newly identified antagonistic bacteria and their functional biomolecules are promising candidates for future development of probiotic drugs and prophylactics/therapeutics for bacterial infections including S. aureus. Furthermore, this new approach can be a useful method to find bacteria that can be used to prevent and treat S. aureus infections in both humans and animals.
Assessment of electrocardiogram abnormality and associated factors among apparently healthy adult type 2 diabetic patients on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Bedane Deriba A. , Tadesse Samuel , Bariso Moyeta , Reta Wondu , Desu Gaddisa
Published: June 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders causing long-term damage to the cardiovascular system which remains asymptomatic among diabetic patients. An electrocardiograph is a simple and first-line tool in the screening of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective

To assess electrocardiogram abnormality and associated factors among apparently healthy adult type 2 diabetes patients on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, 2019.

Materials and methods

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 30, 2019, at Jimma Medical Center among selected type 2 diabetes patients. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study participants. The World Health Organization stepwise approach and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were employed to collect basic data. Resting Electrocardiography was done using a standard 12-lead electrocardiograph machine. The collected data were checked for completeness, coded, entered into the Epi-data Version 4.0.2. and exported to SPSS Version 21. Descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations were carried out. Binary and multiple logistic regression was done and apvalue of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance.

Results

A total of 344 type 2 diabetes patients were interviewed and underwent electrocardiography making a 100% response rate. Electrocardiographic abnormality was identified among 209 (61%) of the respondents. Not attending formal education [AOR = 3.07, 95%, CI = 1.37–6.87], solid oil use, [AOR = 1.79, 95%, CI = 1.07–2.98], body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2[AOR = 2.74, 95%, CI = 1.67–4.50] and long duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years [AOR = 3.36, 95%, CI = 1.46–7.71] were associated with electrocardiogram abnormality.

Conclusions

and recommendation

In this study, the majority (3/5th) of the participant had electrocardiogram abnormality. Not attending formal education, longer duration of diabetes ≥ 10 years, solid oil use, and increased body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2were independent predictors of electrocardiographic abnormality. Integrating electrocardiogram screening in routine diabetic management can pick cardiac complications of diabetes.
How to analyze work productivity loss due to health problems in randomized controlled trials? A simulation study
Authors: Zhang Wei , Sun Huiying
Published: June 2021

Background

An increasing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have measured the impact of interventions on work productivity loss. Productivity loss outcome is inflated at zero and max loss values. Our study was to compare the performance of five commonly used methods in analysis of productivity loss outcomes in RCTs.

Methods

We conducted a simulation study to compare Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Negative Binominal (NB), two-part models (the non-zero part following truncated NB distribution or gamma distribution) and three-part model (the middle part between zero and max values following Beta distribution). The main number of observations each arm, Nobs, that we considered were 50, 100 and 200. Baseline productivity loss was included as a covariate.

Results

All models performed similarly well when baseline productivity loss was set at the mean value. When baseline productivity loss was set at other values and Nobs = 50 with ≤5 subjects having max loss, two-part models performed best if the proportion of zero loss> 50% in at least one arm and otherwise, OLS performed best. When Nobs = 100 or 200, the three-part model performed best if the two arms had equal scale parameters for their productivity loss outcome distributions between zero and max values.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that when treatment effect at any given values of one single covariate is of interest, the model selection depends on the sample size, the proportions of zero loss and max loss, and the scale parameter for the productivity loss outcome distribution between zero and max loss in each arm of RCTs.
Alignment between the patient’s cancer worry and the GP’s cancer suspicion and the association with the interval between first symptom presentation and referral: a cross-sectional study in Denmark
Authors: Virgilsen Line Flytkjær , Pedersen Anette Fischer , Vedsted Peter , Petersen Gitte Stentebjerg , Jensen Henry
Published: June 2021

Background

General practitioners (GPs) have a key role in the diagnosis of cancer. It is crucial to identify factors influencing the decision to refer for suspected cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the alignment between the patient’s cancer worry and the GP’s suspicion of cancer in the first clinical encounter and the association with the time interval from the first symptom presentation until the first referral to specialist care, i.e. the primary care interval (PCI).

Method

The study was performed as a cross-sectional study using survey data on patients diagnosed with incident cancer in 2010 or 2016 and their GPs in Denmark. We defined four alignment groups: 1) patient worry and GP suspicion, 2)  GP suspicion only, 3) patient worry only, and 4) none of the two. A long PCI was defined as an interval longer than the 75th percentile.

Results

Among the 3333 included patients, both patient worry and GP suspicion was seen in 39.5%, only GP suspicion was seen in 28.2%, only patient worry was seen in 13.6%, and neither patient worry nor GP suspicion was seen in 18.2%. The highest likelihood of long PCI was observed in group 4 (group 4 vs. group 1: PPR 3.99 (95% CI 3.34–4.75)), mostly pronounced for easy-to-diagnose cancer types.

Conclusion

Misalignment between the patient’s worry and the GP’s suspicion was common at the first cancer-related encounter. Importance should be given to the patient interview, due to a potential delayed GP referral among patients diagnosed with “easy-to-diagnose” cancer types presenting with unspecific symptoms.
Archiving time series sewage samples as biological records of built environments
Authors: Thaler David S. , Sakmar Thomas P.
Published: June 2021

This commentary encourages the regular archiving of nucleic-acid-stabilized serial samples of wastewaters and/or sewage. Stabilized samples would facilitate retrospective reconstitution of built environments’ biological fluids. Biological time capsules would allow retrospective searches for nucleic acids from viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Current resources for testing need not be diverted if samples are saved in case they become important in the future. Systematic storage would facilitate investigation into the origin and prevalence of viruses and other agents. Comparison of prevalence data from individual and clinical samplings with community wastewater would allow valuable comparison, contrast and correlation among different testing modalities. Current interest is focused on SARS-CoV-2, but archived samples could become valuable in many contexts including surveys for other infectious and chemical agents whose identity is not currently known. Archived time series of wastewater will take their place alongside other biological repositories and records including those from medical facilities, museums, eDNA, living cell and tissue collections. Together these will prove invaluable records of the evolving Anthropocene.
Risk factors for mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a multicenter retrospective case-control study
Authors: Gao Jinghua , Zhong Li , Wu Ming , Ji Jingjing , Liu Zheying , Wang Conglin , Xie Qifeng , Liu Zhifeng
Published: June 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world, until now, the number of positive and death cases is still increasing. Therefore, it remains important to identify risk factors for death in critically patients.

Methods

We collected demographic and clinical data on all severe inpatients with COVID-19. We used univariable and multivariable Cox regression methods to determine the independent risk factors related to likelihood of 28-day and 60-day survival, performing survival curve analysis.

Results

Of 325 patients enrolled in the study, Multi-factor Cox analysis showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with basic illness (hazard ratio [HR] 6.455, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.658–25.139, P = 0.007), lymphopenia (HR 0.373, 95% CI 0.148–0.944, P = 0.037), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on admission (HR 1.171, 95% CI 1.013–1.354, P = 0.033) and being critically ill (HR 0.191, 95% CI 0.053–0.687, P = 0.011). Increasing 28-day and 60-day mortality, declining survival time and more serious inflammation and organ failure were associated with lymphocyte count < 0.8 × 109/L, SOFA score > 3, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score > 7, PaO2/FiO2 < 200 mmHg, IL-6 > 120 pg/ml, and CRP > 52 mg/L.

Conclusions

Being critically ill and lymphocyte count, SOFA score, APACHE II score, PaO2/FiO2, IL-6, and CRP on admission were associated with poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients.
Work ability of Thai older Workers in Southern Thailand: a comparison of formal and informal sectors
Authors: Thanapop Sasithorn , Thanapop Chamnong
Published: June 2021

Background

Thai society is becoming an ageing society. Independent older persons need to be able to continue to work after retirement. The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an assessment tool for improving the health and work environment of the older workers. The objective of this study is to explore work ability and its related factors among older workers in formal and informal sectors in southern Thailand.

Methods

This cross-sectional study with multistage sampling focused on 324 Thai older workers, aged between 45 and 70 years, working in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Data on sociodemographic status, health history, and work-related factor questionnaires were collected, including anthropometric measures and the WAI instrument between March and September 2019. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations.

Results

The participants were predominantly general labourers (23.8%) and female (70.7%). Nearly half of them had noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) (48.2%) and were obese (more than 60%). Approximately 60% (59.9%) engaged in safe working practices. The participants sometimes received occupational health services (51.9%) and frequently accessed health promotion services (78.1%). There was a significant difference in the total average WAI score of the formal and informal workers: 40.6 (S.D. = 4.6) and 37.5 (S.D. = 5.0), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that workers aged 55 years and older (adj. OR = 1.45; 95% CI [1.21, 1.74]), those with NCDs (adj. OR = 2.85; 95% CI [1.69, 4.80]), and those who were exposed to unsafe working practices (adj. OR = 2.11; 95% CI [1.26, 3.55]) had a higher risk of a poor to moderate WAI.

Conclusions

Most of the older workers had good to excellent work ability. Older age and the presence of NCDs were negatively associated with good to excellent work ability. Safe working practices improved older workers’ work ability. Integrated occupational health protections and health promotion programmes for older informal workers should be provided by community health services to improve work ability.
Behavioural responses to Covid-19 health certification: a rapid review
Authors: Drury John , Mao Guanlan , John Ann , Kamal Atiya , Rubin G. James , Stott Clifford , Vandrevala Tushna , Marteau Theresa M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Covid-status certification – certificates for those who test negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, test positive for antibodies, or who have been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 – has been proposed to enable safer access to a range of activities. Realising these benefits will depend in part upon the behavioural and social impacts of certification. The aim of this rapid review was to describe public attitudes towards certification, and its possible impact on uptake of testing and vaccination, protective behaviours, and crime.

Method

A search was undertaken in peer-reviewed databases, pre-print databases, and the grey literature, from 2000 to December 2020. Studies were included if they measured attitudes towards or behavioural consequences of health certificates based on one of three indices of Covid-19 status: test-negative result for current infectiousness, test-positive for antibodies conferring natural immunity, or vaccination(s) conferring immunity.

Results

Thirty-three papers met the inclusion criteria, only three of which were rated as low risk of bias. Public attitudes were generally favourable towards the use of immunity certificates for international travel, but unfavourable towards their use for access to work and other activities. A significant minority was strongly opposed to the use of certificates of immunity for any purpose. The limited evidence suggested that intention to get vaccinated varied with the activity enabled by certification or vaccination (e.g., international travel). Where vaccination is seen as compulsory this could lead to unwillingness to accept a subsequent vaccination. There was some evidence that restricting access to settings and activities to those with antibody test certificates may lead to deliberate exposure to infection in a minority. Behaviours that reduce transmission may decrease upon health certificates based on any of the three indices of Covid-19 status, including physical distancing and handwashing.

Conclusions

The limited evidence suggests that health certification in relation to COVID-19 – outside of the context of international travel – has the potential for harm as well as benefit. Realising the benefits while minimising the harms will require real-time evaluations allowing modifications to maximise the potential contribution of certification to enable safer access to a range of activities.
Pushing for the same thing on the same set of tracks: a qualitative study exploring the anti-trafficking response in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Burns Courtney Julia , Chen Keiko , Stoklosa Hanni
Published: June 2021

Background

Human trafficking is a critical public health issue particularly pervasive in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP), which share a border with Nepal. Many NGOs are participating in prevention, protection, prosecution, and capacity building initiatives. The aim of this study was to identify factors hindering and enhancing the efficacy of anti-trafficking programs in the region.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed that the barriers hindering the anti-trafficking movement include police corruption, insufficient enforcement of national law, discrimination toward trafficking victims, inadequate funding, and lack of government involvement. Recommendations for overcoming these barriers were through empowering survivors and increasing cooperation, coordination, and communications between NGOs and the government.

Conclusions

In mitigating these barriers and increasing survivor autonomy, anti-trafficking interventions have the opportunity to create individualized environments for those with an experience of trafficking to thrive. Ultimately, elevating community accountability, honoring individual autonomy, and recognizing the value of the persons with a lived experience of trafficking are critical as we continue to use a public health lens in the fight against human trafficking and for human rights.
Arts engagement supports social connectedness in adulthood: findings from the HEartS Survey
Authors: Perkins Rosie , Mason-Bertrand Adele , Tymoszuk Urszula , Spiro Neta , Gee Kate , Williamon Aaron
Published: June 2021

Background

Loneliness is a public health challenge, associated with premature mortality and poorer health outcomes. Social connections can mitigate against loneliness, and there is evidence that the arts can support social connectedness. However, existing research on the arts and social connectedness is limited by focus on particular age groups and arts activities, as well as a reliance on typically small-scale studies.

Methods

This study reports survey data from 5892 adults in the United Kingdom, closely matched to the national profile in terms of sociodemographic and economic characteristics. It investigates the extent to which arts engagement is perceived to be linked with feelings of social connectedness, which forms of arts engagement are reported as most connecting, and how. Data were collected via the HEartS Survey, a newly designed tool to capture arts engagement in the United Kingdom and its associations with social and mental health outcomes. Demographic and quantitative data, pertaining to the extent to which arts engagement is perceived to be linked with social connectedness, were analysed descriptively. Qualitative data pertaining to respondents’ perceptions of how arts engagement is linked with feelings of social connectedness were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Results demonstrated that the majority of respondents (82%) perceive their arts engagement to be linked with feelings of social connectedness at least some of the time. The forms of arts engagement most linked with feelings of social connectedness were attending a live music performance, watching a live theatre performance, and watching a film or drama at the cinema or other venue. Four overarching themes characterise how arts engagement is perceived to facilitate feelings of social connectedness: social opportunities, sharing, commonality and belonging, and collective understanding.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that arts engagement can support social connectedness among adults in the UK through multiple pathways, providing large-scale evidence of the important role that the arts can play in supporting social public health.
Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection and feasibility of TB preventive therapy among Thai prisoners: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gatechompol Sivaporn , Harnpariphan Weerakit , Supanan Ruamthip , Suwanpimolkul Gompol , Sophonphan Jiratchaya , Ubolyam Sasiwimol , Kerr Stephen J. , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Kawkitinarong Kamon
Published: June 2021

Background

Prisons are considered as major reservoirs for tuberculosis. Preventive therapy for latent TB infection (LTBI) is an adjunctive strategy to control TB. However, LTBI data in Thai prisoners is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners in Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok. Participants were screened for active TB by questionnaire and chest X-ray. LTBI was evaluated by Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFTP) among subgroup. Participants with positive TST or QFTP were considered to have LTBI. Participants with LTBI were offered IPT.

Results

From August 2018–November 2019, 1002 participants were analyzed. All participants were male with a median age of 38 (IQR 32–50) years. LTBI identified by either TST/QFTP was present in 466 (46.5%) participants. TST was positive in 359 (36%) participants. In the subgroup of 294 participants who had both TST and QFTP results, 181/294 (61.6%) tested positive by QFTP. Agreement between TST and QFTP was 55.1% (Kappa = 0.17). The risk factors associated with LTBI were previous incarceration (aOR 1.53, 95%CI, 1.16–2.01, p = 0.002), history of prior active TB (aOR 3.02, 95%CI, 1.74–5.24, p < 0.001) and duration of incarceration ≥10 years (aOR 1.86, 95%CI, 1.24–2.79, p = 0.003). Majority of LTBI participants (82%) agreed to take IPT. Three hundred and 56 (93%) participants completed treatment whereas 27 (7%) participants discontinued IPT due to the side effects of INH.

Conclusion

This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI and feasibility of IPT among Thai prisoners. LTBI prevalence in male prisoners in Thailand is high. LTBI screening and treatment should be implemented together with other preventive components.
Cherish your children: socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with child mortality
Authors: Jayathilaka Ruwan , Adikari Harindu , Liyanage Rangi , Udalagama Rumesh , Wanigarathna Nuwan
Published: June 2021

Background

The United Nations Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) indicates that child mortality is the death rate of children between age zero to five. The importance of this area of research is high where worldwide a number of studies have been led on infant and child mortality, despite limited research discoveries with regards to Sri Lanka. The aim of this study is to investigate the socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with child mortality in Sri Lanka.

Methods

Using the context of Sri Lanka as a case study, this study carried out based on data gathered from the micro level national survey. Using the logit regression model through the step-wise technique, the study investigate the socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with child mortality in Sri Lanka.

Results

According to the generated results, place of residence province-wise, household head’s education level and source of drinking water have negative effect (lower risk) on child mortality in Sri Lanka. Exceptionally, the Western province has the highest negative effect on child mortality which demonstrates it as the least harmful region in Sri Lanka in child endurance. Household heads who owns private entities and Sri Lankan Moors has a positive effect on child mortality as well.

Conclusion

This study is helpful to address the population health of local arena and results can be supportive to the government and policymakers to gain an overview of physical health status of the country and able to uplift their policies based on the new findings.
Urban-rural disparities of antenatal care in South East Asia: a case study in the Philippines and Indonesia
Authors: Wulandari Ratna Dwi , Laksono Agung Dwi , Rohmah Nikmatur
Published: June 2021

Background

The government is obliged to guarantee equal access to antenatal care (ANC) between urban and rural areas. This study aimed to analyze urban-rural disparities in ≥4 ANC visits during pregnancy in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Methods

The study processed data from the 2017 PDHS and the 2017 IDHS. The analysis unit was women aged 15–49 years old who had given birth in the last 5 years. The weighted sample size was 7992 respondents in the Philippines and 14,568 respondents in Indonesia. Apart from ANC as the dependent variable, other variables analyzed were residence, age, husband/partner, education, parity, and wealth. Determination of urban-rural disparities using binary logistic regression.

Results

The results show that women in the urban Philippines are 0.932 times more likely than women in the rural Philippines to make ≥4 ANC visits. On the other side, women in urban Indonesia are more likely 1.255 times than women in rural Indonesia to make ≥4 ANC visits. Apart from the type of residence place (urban-rural), five other tested multivariate variables also proved significant contributions to ANC’s use in both countries, i.e., age, have a husband/partner, education, parity, and wealth status.

Conclusions

The study concluded that disparities exist between urban and rural areas utilizing ANC in the Philippines and Indonesia. Pregnant women in the rural Philippines have a better chance of making ≥4 ANC visits. Meanwhile, pregnant women in urban Indonesia have a better chance of making ≥4 ANC visits.
“How to measure the outcome in the surgical treatment of vertebral compression fractures? A systematic literature review of highly cited level-I studies”
Authors: Häckel Sonja , Renggli Angela A. , Albers Christoph E. , Benneker Lorin M. , Deml Moritz C. , Bigdon Sebastian F. , Ahmad Sufian S. , Hoppe Sven
Published: June 2021

Background

The economic burden of vertebral compression fractures (VCF) caused by osteoporosis was estimated at 37 billion euros in the European Union in 2010. In addition, the incidence is expected to increase by 25% in 2025. The recommendations for the therapy of VCFs (conservative treatment versus cement augmentation procedures) are controversial, what could be partly explained by the lack of standardized outcomes for measuring the success of both treatments. Consensus on outcome parameters may improve the relevance of a study and for further comparisons in meta-analyses. The aim of this study was to analyze outcome measures from frequently cited randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about VCF treatments in order to provide guidance for future studies.

Material and methods

We carried out a systematic search of all implemented databases from 1973 to 2019 using the Web of Science database. The terms “spine” and “random” were used for the search. We included: Level I RCTs, conservative treatment or cement augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, cited ≥50 times. The outcome parameters of each study were extracted and sorted according to the frequency of use.

Results

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 23 different outcome parameters were used in the nine analyzed studies. Overall, the five most frequently used outcome parameters (≥ 4 times used) were the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain (n = 9), European Quality of Life–5 Dimensions (EQ-5D; n = 4) and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ, n = 4).

Conclusion

With our study, we demonstrated that a large inconsistency exists between outcome measures in highly cited Level I studies of VCF treatment. Pain (VAS), followed by HrQoL (EQ-5D) and disability and function (RMDQ), opioid use, and radiological outcome (kyphotic angle, VBH, and new VCFs) were the most commonly used outcome parameters.
Exploring the status of and demand for palliative day-care clinics and day hospices in Germany: a protocol for a mixed-methods study
Authors: Herbst Franziska A. , Stiel Stephanie , Damm Kathrin , de Jong Lea , Stahmeyer Jona T. , Schneider Nils
Published: June 2021

Background

To date, the establishment and development of palliative day-care clinics and day hospices in Germany have been completely unsystematic. Research is needed to gain insight into these services and to ensure their accessibility and quality. Accordingly, the ABPATITE research project aims at: (1) identifying the characteristics of palliative day-care clinics and day hospices in Germany, (2) determining demand and preferences for these services, and (3) proposing recommendations (with expert agreement) for the needs-based establishment and development of these services.

Methods

The research is a multi-perspective, prospective, observational study following a mixed-methods approach across three study phases. In phase 1a, qualitative expert interviews will be conducted to capture the facility-related characteristics of palliative day-care clinics and day hospices in Germany; the results will feed into a questionnaire sent to all such institutions identified nationwide. In phase 1b, a questionnaire will be sent to local statutory health insurance providers, to gain insight into their contracts and accounting and remuneration models. In phase 2a, a service preference survey will be conducted with patients and family caregivers. In phase 2b, semi-structured interviews with management staff will explore the factors that promote and hinder the provision of service. In phase 2c, the external perspective will be surveyed via focus groups with local actors involved in hospice and palliative care. In phase 3a, focus groups with representatives from relevant areas will be conducted to develop recommendations. Finally, in phase 3b, recommendations will be agreed upon through a Delphi survey.

Discussion

The empirically developed recommendations should enable the establishment and development of day hospices and palliative day-care clinics in Germany to be better managed, more oriented to actual demand, and more effectively integrated into wider health care services. Importantly, the findings are expected to optimize the overall development of hospice and palliative care services.

Trial registration:

The study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien) (Registration N° DRKS00021446; date of registration: April 20, 2020). The study is searchable under the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal of the World Health Organization, under the German Clinical Trials Register number.
The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on resilience of vulnerable women at drop-in centers in the southeast of Iran
Authors: Adelian Hamideh , Khodabandeh Shahraki Sedigheh , Miri Sakineh , Farokhzadian Jamileh
Published: June 2021

Background

Female sex workers and addicted women are among the vulnerable groups who impose high costs on the health system of every society. They are prone to psychological problems such as anxiety, stress, and reduced resilience due to their lifestyles. Since mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been applied frequently by many psychotherapists to treat stress and anxiety, the present study investigated the effectiveness of MBSR on resilience of the vulnerable women.

Methods

The statistical population of this quasi-experimental study consisted of all eligible women who referred to the drop-in centers in Kerman in the southeast of Iran. Followed by random sampling, 63 vulnerable women were randomly assigned into the intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 33) groups. The MBSR intervention was conducted for the intervention group in eight 90-min sessions. Demographic information questionnaire and Connor-Davidson resilience scale were administered to collect data prior to and one month after the MBSR intervention.

Results

The pre-test resilience score was not significantly different between the intervention (53.40 ± 10.49) and the control (54.5 ± 9.27) groups (t = 0.43, p = 0.66). However, the posttest resilience score in the intervention group (60.66 ± 6.71) was significantly higher than the control group (53.88 ± 7.54) (t = 3.58, P = 0.001). Moreover, a comparison between the pretest and posttest scores revealed a significant decrease in resilience scores of the control group (t = 2.81, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Since MBSR intervention increased resilience of the vulnerable women in the intervention group, researchers, managers, counselors, community health nurses, and psychiatric nurses are suggested to implement related interventions to promote the health of women, especially vulnerable ones.