bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel technology for disinfecting surfaces infested with Candida auris: the UVC chip
Authors: Frongillo E , Amodeo D , Nante N , Cevenini G , Messina G 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The fungal pathogen Candida Auris is increasingly associated with multidrug-resistant infections that are highly expensive for the Health Care System. The spreading of this pathogen can occur, among others, through contact with infected surfaces or medical instruments. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel UVC chip, novel alternative to UVC LEDs and lamps, in inactivating Candida auris strain.

Methods
This experimental study was carried out between July and September 2020 at the University of Siena. Candida auris (ATCC 12372) at two known concentrations (1.5X107 and 1.5x106 CFU/ml) at a fixed distance (7,5 cm) from the chip (5.1mW radiant power) was tested, in triplicates, with three exposure times (5, 10 and 15 minutes). Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates without the plate lid and containing Candida auris were exposed to UVC light. Subsequently, the plates were incubated at 36 °C for 48 h. Log reduction between treated and positive control (not exposed to UVC light) samples was calculated.

Results
At 15 minutes, we had the highest inactivation result, mean 4.43 log10, starting from a 1.5x106 CFU/mL concentration. At a higher concentration, 1.5X107 CFU/mL, the reduction had a mean of 3.51 log10.

Conclusions
The results of the experiments showed a significant microbial reduction in relation to the exposure time. The highest level of reduction was reached after 15 minutes of exposure. UVC chip had a relevant biocidal effect on Candida auris and may represent a valuable tool in the prevention of infections caused by this pathogen, which is becoming increasingly prevalent and persistent globally.

Key messages
• The use of UVC Chip decreases surface contamination.
• New technology against healthcare-associated infections.
Health absenteeism due to dementia in Slovenia and its costs in the period from 2015-2018
Authors: Jelenc M , Sedlak S 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The number of employed people with certain mental or chronic illnesses is increasing. Given the fact that these are mainly diseases of the elderly and the fact that working life is increasing and populations are aging, we are already facing a public health problem that can increase without appropriate measures. Dementia mainly affects the elderly, but may occur in employed persons as well. This impairs their ability to work and is associated with costs. For the first time in Slovenia we performed a study to assess health absenteeism due to the diagnosis of dementia in the period from 2015 to 2018, to show its economic consequences and to plan the measures.

Methods
The method of direct and indirect costs was used. We showed the indirect costs, which represent a loss, ie goods and services not produced on the market, namely, absenteeism due to dementia, and its economic impact. The costs of temporary absence from work were calculated on the basis of data obtained from the national health databases. The estimated cost of compensation for absence from work is based on the average gross salary. International Classification of Diseases-10 edition was used for the diagnoses of dementia; the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia was the source of financial data.

Results
Temporary absence from work due to the diagnosis of dementia in the period 2015-2018 in Slovenia amounted to around 0.6% of all calculated direct and indirect costs for this period, amounting to 11,037,275.00 EUR. The cost has been rising over the years.

Conclusions
The results are underestimated, as rare cases of dementia are diagnosed before the age of 65 and due to data limitations. The employers should keep affected persons as long as possible active by adjusting the labour environment, working hours, providing an ergonomically designed workplace or by implementing preventive measures. These will reflect in positive financial effects on the economy, companies and the individuals.

Key messages
• It is fundamental to encourage employers of persons with dementia to keep them in the initial phase of dementia active for as long as possible by adopting proper measures.
• Awareness of dementia is extremely important, as rapid recognition of signs of dementia and subsequent diagnosis, allow early and appropriate treatment.
Night work and sustainable working life - a prospective trajectory analysis of Swedish Twins
Authors: Ropponen A , Wang M , Raza A , Narusyte J 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Night work has been widely studied for the associations with diseases, sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP), but less for sustainable working life. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in sustainable working life among those with or without baseline night work.

Methods
Using data from Swedish national registers, sustainable working life was defined as employment during follow-up without interruptions due to SA/DP, unemployment, and old-age pension. Survey data for two cohorts (i.e., born before or after 1959) were utilized to assess night work at baseline (yes/no) in 1998-2003 and 2004-2006, respectively. The final samples for the two cohorts were 34680 and 19637, respectively. Group-based trajectory models were applied.

Results
Among those born before 1959 (mean age 59 years, 13 years follow-up), a five-trajectory solution was best for those with and without night work. The trajectory groups were stable sustainable working life (38-42%), stable unsustainable working life (24-25%), early (13%) or later (13%) decreasing sustainable working life, and between sustainable and unsustainable working life (7%). Among those born after 1958 (mean age 37 years, follow-up 10 years), four trajectories were detected for those with night work: stable sustainable working life (81%), stable unsustainable working life (6%) and increasing (7%) and decreasing (5%) sustainable working life. For those without nightwork, a three-trajectory solution was best: stable sustainable working life (83%), stable unsustainable working life (6%) and between sustainable and unsustainable working life (11%).

Conclusions
Sustainable working life was similar across baseline night work statuses of older cohort but differed in younger cohort. The findings suggest that at least night work at one time point does not affect sustainable working life. However, night work at early stages of working life could be accompanied with lifestyle counselling for sleep and recovery.

Key messages
• Trajectories of sustainable working life seem similar for those with or without night work adding to the understanding of effects of such work to health.
• From public health perspective, counselling employees with night work already at early stages of working life for health behaviours including sleep and recovery could support sustainable working life.
Work-related stress predicted future sick leave in primary health care patients
Authors: Hultén A-M , Bjerkeli P , Holmgren K 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Studying the relationship between work-related stress and sick leave is valuable in taking actions for workers’ health. This study aimed to analyse the association between work-related stress, measured with the Work Stress Questionnaire (WSQ), and registered sick leave among primary health care patients in Sweden.

Methods
The prospective longitudinal study included 232 patients who were non-sick-listed, employed, aged 18-64 years and sought care for mental and/or physical health complaints. Logistic regression analysis was performed with questionnaire data on work-related stress from baseline together with sick leave data from a national register for the following 12 months.

Results
High stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts was reported by 21% (n = 49), while 45% (n = 105) reported high stress due to individual demands and commitment. During 12 months 36% (n = 83) were on sick leave for 15 days or more. The odds of being on sick leave was twice as high for patients perceiving high stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts, high stress due to individual demands and commitment, low influence at work, or high interference between work and leisure time. Perceiving high stress due to both indistinct organization and conflicts as well as individual demands and commitment quadrupled the odds of sick leave, OR 4.15 (95% CI 1.84; 9.38).

Conclusions
Work-related stress and sick leave were prevalent among the patients. Primary health care can therefore be a suitable arena for addressing these issues. Perceiving work-related stressors and stress within one or multiple areas increased the odds of registered sick leave by two to four times. Hence, a wide spectrum of factors needs to be considered, to capture the dynamic interaction between the individual and the work environment.

Key messages
• Work-related stress is associated with future sick leave for primary health care patients.
• Early identification of patients with work-related stress is important for the primary health care.
Association between job exposures and employment status 2 years after medical rehabilitation
Authors: Brünger M , Spyra K , Bernert S 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Research shows an important association between job exposures and various health- and employment-related outcomes. On contrast, little is known about the impact of job exposures on the employment status after medical rehabilitation. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the association between job exposures and employment, unemployment, and disability pension entry 2 years after rehabilitation.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed based on the scientific use file “SUFRSDLV15B” of the German Pension Insurance containing rehabilitation and occupational data at a monthly level. We included n = 597,021 insured persons aged 18 to 63 years completing a medical rehabilitation between 2008 and 2013 in Germany and traced their employment status over a 24-month follow-up period. Job exposures were operationalised with the Overall Job Exposure Index (Kroll, 2015) by applying job-exposure-matrices.

Results
Persons with high job exposures in comparison to those with low job exposures were less likely to be employed (87.6% vs. 92.6%) and more likely to be unemployed (13.9% vs. 7.7%) and to draw disability pension (4.8% vs. 4.4%) for at least one month in the 2-year-period after rehabilitation. One minus survival curves showed that the differences were already evident in the first month after rehabilitation and further increased during the following 24 months. Cox regressions revealed that these associations remained stable when adjusting for gender, age, and employment status before rehabilitation.

Conclusions
The results underline the importance of addressing job exposures during rehabilitation to enhance return-to-work and stay-at-work after rehabilitation. These findings could help to identify particularly vulnerable groups of insured persons based on routine data at an earlier stage than has been the case so far and to give them access to structured workplace-oriented medical rehabilitation programmes that have been established in recent years.

Key messages
• High job exposures are associated with less work participation after medical rehabilitation.
• To increase return-to-work, it may be useful to address job exposures in rehabilitation more than before.
Categorical principal component analysis to characterize patients at Intensive Care Unit admission
Authors: Favara G , Barchitta M , Maugeri A , Campisi E , La Mastra C , La Rosa MC , Magnano San Lio R , Mura I , Agodi A ,   SPIN-UTI network
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are the most frequent complications in healthcare settings, with a major impact on adverse outcomes. Here, we aimed to identify the relationships between patients’ characteristics admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

Methods
We used data of patients included in the “Italian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance in Intensive Care Units” (SPIN-UTI) project, who stayed in ICU for more than 2 days. Using Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) two components of risk were assessed. Values of variance accounted for (VAF) &gt;0.3 were accepted as the significant effect of a variable on each component. A Chronbach’s alpha &gt;0.7 was accepted as a measure of the internal consistency of the model.

Results
A total of 22402 admissions (62% female) were included. The average age was 65.7 years (SD = 16.6). Our model explains 35.3% of the total variability, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.847. The visual examination of component loading plot allows to evaluate the correlation between the quantified variables and each of the two components. In particular, the first component is explained by the presence of intubation (VAF=0.826), central venous catheter (VAF=0.749), and urinary catheter (VAF=0.727), patient’s origin (VAF=0.584), antibiotic treatment (VAF=0.479), non-surgical treatment for acute coronary disease (VAF=0.375), type of admission (VAF=0.509), surgical intervention (VAF=0.419). In the second component, the variables with the greatest contribution were the SAPS II (VAF=0.660), age (VAF=0.583), type of admission (VAF=0.531), surgical intervention (VAF=0.522). Thus, the first component would represent the exposure to invasive devices and medical procedures, and the second component the severity of patients.

Conclusions
Our results proposed the usefulness of CATPCA to identify factors involved in the development of adverse outcomes, highlighting the role of exposure to invasive devices and severity of patients.

Key messages
• There are several relationships between patients clinical and personal characteristics.
• CATPCA represents a useful approach for the analytical exploitation of healthcare data.
Emergency Department: Analysis of Patient Flow and Length of Stay Variations
Authors: Fanti E , De Marco M , Lorenzini C , Porchia B , Dominijanni M , Gusinu R , Messina G 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Crowding in Emergency Departments(ED)is a severe public health issue.Length of stay(LOS)is not a direct measure of crowding,but it is an essential indicator for monitoring emergency care quality.LOS in ED can be associated with delays in treatment,decreased patient satisfaction and adverse outcomes.The aim of this study is to analyze ED LOS in the Teaching Hospital of Siena for further strategies.

Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted between January 1,2019, and December 31,2021.To manage admissions and discharges, all patients’ data admitted to ED of the University Hospital of Siena were accessed by Aurora,the IT system.In addition,a descriptive analysis was performed, collecting the following variables:sex,age,arrival mode,ED visit reasons,triage code,discharge mode,hospital admission area and LOS(cut-off&gt;8hours).The analysis was carried out using STATA 17:variables were analyzed with ANOVA test.

Results
Our sample consisted of 152.393 patients (F49.47% M50.53%),and the average age was 50.51(SD ± 26.07).During the years total ED visits decreased:65.426(2019);40.318(2020); 46.649(2021),and there was a significant increase (p &lt; 0.001) of patients with LOS&gt;8 hours:13.96%(2019); 21.51%(2020); 23.10%(2021).In the years 2019,2020 and 2021, admissions of patients with LOS&gt;8 hours were respectively: 25.92%; 43.95% and 37.09%, with the following percentage in medical areas:69.96% in 2019;70.51% in 2020;64.55% in 2021.A progressive increase of admissions in COVID area resulted since 2020(2.23%-2020;6.07%-2021).

Conclusions
The spread of COVID-19 and the containment measures,such as lockdown,caused a significant decrease in ED access.The increase LOS&gt;8h could be primarily due to the time needed to perform laboratory investigations for the search for SARS-CoV-2 but also to the overflow of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients rapidly saturating the ED boxes and hospital bed capacity,with the need sometimes to dedicate other medical areas to manage COVID patients.

Key messages
• ED-LOS is a proxy indicator to monitor emergency care quality.
• Further investigations should be performed to analyze the leading causes of ED LOS increase during the pandemic period.
Teachers at vocational schools as ambassadors for physical activity? Developing an empowering webinar
Authors: Kaiser V , Foitzik E , Hassel H 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Childcare centres have the potential to promote health-enhancing physical activity (PA) in children. However, institutions with need for action seem to be hard to reach. During the project “QueB 2 - developing quality with and through physical activity” different strategies to empower multipliers in spreading awareness for PA were tested. Currently, the aim of the project is to involve teachers at vocational schools for early childhood education in order to sensitize prospective educators and ensure quality in planning interventions.

Methods
The webinar was developed in three steps: (1) Four workshops were implemented in two vocational schools by participating 80 future educators to train them in planning PA interventions. (2) The collected students’ recommendations and sample projects were categorized in eight steps of a theoretical model for project planning. (3) After finalizing the webinar, questionnaires were used to reflect on its application, utilization, and design.

Results
The results of the second step were summarized in a manual for planning PA interventions in childcare centres. This forms the basis of the webinar to enable teachers to disseminate PA promotion in class. The developed modules were installed at a website and provided for free in order to be used by the interested public. In step three, teachers tested the webinar and filled in the questionnaire. The majority perceived the webinar as useful, appreciated its clear structure and appealing design, and expressed an increased awareness of factors concerning PA in childcare centres.

Conclusions
Teachers at vocational schools perceived the webinar as useful to integrate parts of planning PA interventions in childcare settings in the curriculum. Transferring developed manuals and training modules to multipliers by providing an appealing, informative webinar seem to be a successful and sustainable way to ensure quality in planning processes.

Key messages
• Involving teachers at vocational schools as multipliers for PA in childcare centres by performing a webinar is a sustainable strategy to maintain quality in intervention planning.
• Early childhood education students can act as ambassadors for PA.
What do future public health doctors know about the One Health concept in Portugal?
Authors: Alho AM , Vasconcelos R , Gomes B , Nunes AB 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The One Health (OH) approach brings together a transdisciplinary collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health, to tackle emerging zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety. Therefore, incorporating of OH principles in the education of health care providers is fundamental.

Methods
To assess OH knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP), an anonymous, multiple-choice, online self-administered survey was sent to 1st year Portuguese Public Health Medical Residents (PPHMR), during an online congress targeted to them. A descriptive analysis was performed.

Results
A 50.0% response rate was obtained out of the 42 PPHMR attendees. Only 33.3% were familiar with OH concept; 57,1% had heard of it but were not aware of its meaning, and 9.5% had never heard of it. Concerningly, 9,5% believed zoonosis were diseases transmitted between animals and 42.9% considered that “antimicrobial resistance” is applied to antibiotics only. Regarding major zoonosis, etiologic agents were not recognized for Cryptosporidiosis (47.6%), Echinococcosis (42.9%), Toxoplasmosis and Leptospirosis (38.1%), Dermatophytosis (33.3%), Rabies (28.6%), Borreliosis/Brucellosis (23.8%). Half (52.4%) were unaware of the transmission route of Brucellosis/Dermatophytosis, followed by Leptospirosis (38.1%), Toxoplasmosis (28.6%) and Borreliosis/Rabies (23.8%). Remarkably, all participants showed willingness to be informed on OH issues and agreed that prevention and speed of intervention would be higher with greater collaboration between health technicians. About education towards OH throughout their medical curricula, 61.9% classified it as low, 23.8% as absent, 14.3% as sufficient and none classified it as adequate or very adequate.

Conclusions
This is the first study assessing KAP regarding the OH concept among PPHMR. Results highlight the need to bring OH to the Portuguese medical schools’ agenda to better prepare the next generation of PPHMR to the emerging health crisis.

Key messages
• Despite the interest shown by 1st year Portuguese Public Health Medical Residents concerning One Health, a general lack of knowledge on the topic was found.
• The majority qualified as insufficient their training on this subject, highlighting the need for medical schools to improve education and raise awareness regarding this transdisciplinary approach.
Masculinity norms and help-seeking intentions after experiences of interpersonal violence
Authors: Komlenac N , Lamp E , Maresch F , Hochleitner M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
High levels of self-compassion might increase men’s willingness to seek formal help, including those men, who rigidly conform to masculinity norms (CMN). However, self-compassion has rarely been considered as an enabling factor for women’s help-seeking intentions. The current study analyzed the links between CMN, self-stigma, self-compassion and willingness to seek formal help after experiences of interpersonal violence (IPV) in women and men.

Methods
A cross-sectional online-questionnaire study was conducted with 491 German-speaking participants (65.6% women/34.4% men; age: M = 36.1 years; SD = 14.2). Participants read three vignettes about experienced IPV. Afterwards, they indicated how likely they would be to seek medical or psychological help if they were in the main characters’ situation. The Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory, Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale, Self-Compassion Scale were used. Separate manifest path models were calculated for women and men.

Results
CMN and low self-compassion were linked to strong self-stigma. In turn, strong self-stigma was associated with reduced help-seeking intentions. In men, the interaction term Self-Compassion x CMN on self-stigma indicated that strong CMN was linked to increased self-stigma, especially in men with low self-compassion. Also, indirect links between CMN and help-seeking intentions via self-stigma have been found. However, in people with strong self-compassion, direct links between CMN and help-seeking intentions became evident.

Conclusions
In women and men self-compassion was linked to reduced self-stigma. As is suggested from past research, self-compassion might “buffer” the link between CMN and self-stigma, especially in men. However, there might be an influence of strong CMN on help-seeking intentions also in people with strong self-compassion. This route might not be mediated by self-stigma and therefore, future research is needed to detect other potential mediators.

Key messages
• Self-compassion might “buffer” the link between CMN and self-stigma in men.
• Future research is needed to study mediators between strong CMN and help-seeking intentions in people with strong self-compassion.