Volume 4, Issue 1

Background Depression can impact both the administration and efficacy of vaccines. Identifying social factors that contribute to depression, especially during a pandemic, is important for both current and future public health issues. Publicly available data can help identify key social factors contributing to depression. Method For each US state, information regarding their change in depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire 2, predominant political affiliation, coronavirus disease 19 cases/100k, and lockdown severity were gathered. Structural equation modeling using latent change scores was conducted to assess the longitudinal relationships among depression, cases/100k, and state social restrictions. Results Higher initial levels of lockdown severity and depression predicted rank-order decreases in themselves over time. Correlations among the latent change variables reveal that changes in lockdown severity are negatively related to changes in cases/100k and changes in lockdown severity are positively related to changes in depression after controlling for the other variables. Conclusion Significant rank-order decreases in depression from T1 to T2 in blue states (who tend to vote for Democrats) vs red states (who tend to vote for Republicans) suggest that decreases in depression may be impacted by the population density and/or political views of that state. Rank-order increases in lockdown measures were negatively associated with rank-order increases in COVID-19 infections, demonstrating strong evidence that lockdown measures do help decrease the spread of COVID-19. Political affiliation and/or population density should be measured and assessed to help facilitate future public health efforts.

Objectives This research aimed to determine the prevalence of diaper need and diaper dermatitis (DD) and associated risk factors in children aged 1–24 months. Methods Data were collected through face-to-face exit interviews with 456 mothers at a Child Welfare Clinic. A chi-square, correlation, and multivariate logistic regression analyses at a significance level of p < 0.05 were conducted. Results The prevalence of diaper need was found to be 53.5%, with lower odds observed in households with monthly incomes greater than $167 and in children on breastmilk only. Diaper need was higher in parents with no formal education and use of disposable diapers. The prevalence of DD was 27.4%, with lower odds observed in households with monthly incomes greater than $167 and in children less than 6 months old and on breastmilk only. There was a moderately positive correlation between diaper need and DD. Conclusion The researchers recommend affordable alternative diapering methods and educating parents on the importance of frequent diaper changes to improve the prevalence of diaper need and DD. Overall, this study highlights the significant prevalence of diaper need and DD among children and identifies the important associated risk factors.

Pandemics disrupt the global economy. Understanding the transmission pattern of pandemics informs policies to prevent or reduce the catastrophic consequences associated with pandemics. In this study, we applied the gravity model of trade to investigate the transmission pattern of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across countries. The results suggest an outbreak in a country is likely to spread faster (slower) from a shrinking (booming) economy to a booming (shrinking) economy.

This article recommends social science research-based recommendations for improving first responder safety and occupational health by assessing cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) for use by emergency services and law enforcement. This involves vehicles using digital technologies to inform each other or via objects such as roadworks signs about traffic situations and dangerous circumstances. The application of information and communication technologies to the road transport sector and its interfaces with other modes of transport shall make a significant contribution to improving environmental performance, efficiency, including energy efficiency, safety, and security of road transport. This article investigates which social science aspects must be considered when implementing C-ITS, so that emergency vehicles such as ambulances can be given automated priority. Since emergency vehicles can communicate with traffic signal systems or other vehicles, safety requirements play a particularly important role. This leads to the question of which challenges subjective safety and technology perceptions regarding first responders are essential for the introduction of C-ITS for first responder organizations and which factors can lead to rejection.

This article presents reflections on the consequence of remote work in social welfare professions in the case of family assistants. Web surveys focused on changes that came with the pandemic crisis in social welfare programs, such as family assistants. The article presents conclusions from the pilot web survey study among family assistants in June 2020 using the Survey Monkey online web survey questionnaire. Family assistants of Lower Silesia (part of the region in Poland) represent a category of professions in the social welfare system in Poland. They are employed in social welfare centers and work in the local community. The assistant has different tasks and eligibility than social workers. The family assistant knows the background of family problems, and, with them, he composes a working plan for better-functioning families. Personal contact with families before the epidemiological crisis has been replaced by remote work, replaced by changed tools, indirect contact with clients, and changing attitudes among workers. All changes have led to a transformation of daily work and organization in the workplace.

Background Human cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) is fortified with the biotransformation of the antimalarial, artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Owing to emerging reports of Plasmodium species resistance to ACT in other climes, CYP2B6*6 genotype significantly alters ACT metabolism. In North-Central Nigeria, the distribution of the CYP2B6*6 variant is poorly documented. This study investigated the distribution of CYP2B6 c.516G>T variants and its relationship with certain malaria pathogenesis among a cohort of clinical-malaria outpatients in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods A total of 50 symptomatic P. falciparum malaria-positive samples were genotyped for CYP2B6 c.516G>T using restriction fragment length polymorphism and a specific haplotype population was established. The allele frequencies and genotype distributions were analyzed. Haplotypes were clustered using Ward’s method. Correlations determined include defective CYP2B6 versus parasitemia densities and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Results Forty-five samples show genotypic ratios and nine CYP2B6 genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified. The following haplotypes (64C>T = *1/*2, 785A>G = *1/*4, and 1459C>T = *1/*5) occurred and *2, *3, and *18 alleles harbor 64C>T, 777C>A, −82T>C, and 499C>G. The codon 64CT, 516GT, and 785AG; −82TC and 777CA; and 499CG, 516GT, and 785AG were identified as *2/*6 heterozygotes. Samples with 516GT and 785GG genotypes occurred with *4/*6 heterozygotes. Mutant trait alleles recorded high parasitemia 72 h post-ACT regimen. Only individuals with CYP2B6*6 alleles had severe malaria and thrombocytopenia. Conclusion This report contributes to the growing knowledge of CYP2B6*6 genotype frequency and its relationship with malaria pathogenesis among a Nigerian population.

Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of prolonged medically supervised fasting (PMSF) for 6 months on vitamin D levels and diabetes-related clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods This is an open-label, parallel arm, randomized control trial; 170 T2DM patients from a complementary medicine setting, aged between 20 and 70 years, with a body mass index >25 kg/m 2 and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels >6% and <12%, treated with lifestyle advice and/or oral hypoglycemic drugs, will be randomized to receive PMSF or a diabetic diet (DD), along with their usual care. The patients will be initially trained in PMSF and DD for a duration of 10 days in the study setting, followed by 5 months of practice at their respective residences. The PMSF will fast for five days a month for three consecutive months after the initial exposure, whereas the DD group will follow the same diet for 6 months. Other than fasting days, the PMSF group will follow the same DD as the control group. The primary outcome is an improvement in vitamin D levels, and the secondary outcomes include serum calcium, insulin levels, insulin resistance, blood cell counts, anthropometrics, quality of life, medication score, compliance rate, and disease perception. Discussion In this study, we hypothesize that PMSF would gradually increase vitamin D levels, which would increase calcium levels, which would promote insulin secretion and upregulate its function. This may help reduce the need for diabetic medication and result in diabetic remission.

With the research sex gap impacting available data on women’s health and the growing popularity of social media, it is not rare that individuals will seek health-related information on such platforms. Understanding how women use social media for perinatal-specific issues is crucial to gain knowledge on specific needs and gaps. The Tumblr platform is an excellent candidate to further understand the representation and discourse regarding perinatal health on social media. The objective was to identify specific themes to assess the present discourse pertaining to perinatal health. Posts were collected using Tumblr’s official API client over a 4-day period, from August 18 to 21, 2023, inclusively. A sentiment analysis was performed using the Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner sentiment analysis toolkit and a deductive thematic analysis. In total, 235 posts were analyzed, and 11 individual categories were identified and divided into two main concepts; Women’s Health (Endometriosis; Postpartum Depression, Menopause, Miscarriage, Other Health Problems, Political Discourse) and Pregnancy/Childbirth (Maternal Mortality, Personal Stories, Pregnancy Symptoms, and Fitness/diet/weight). The last category was classified as Misinformation/Advertisement. Findings revealed that users used the Tumblr platform to share personal experiences regarding pregnancy, seek support from others, raise awareness, and educate on women’s health topics. Misinformation represented only 3% of the total sample. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using in-depth data from Tumblr posts to inform us regarding current issues and topics specific to perinatal and women’s health. More research studies are needed to better understand the impact of social support and misinformation on perinatal health.

In this study, we examine the spatial analysis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) instances in Turkey. As a result, this analysis reveals that the geographic distribution of COVID-19 instances is associated with disparities in education, socioeconomic status, and population within individual provinces. By utilizing a composite indicator of development level based on provinces, we employ multivariate local Geary and multivariate local neighbor match tests to demonstrate the association between COVID-19 instances and the demographic and socioeconomic similarities or contrasts in provinces of Turkey. In addition, we provide an extremely randomized tree regression model to show how demographic and socioeconomic disparities affect COVID-19 instances. According to this model, the average household size, the proportion of the working-age population to the nonworking-age population, and the GDP per capita are the most important variables. The study’s main finding is that the important variables that were attained were also used to create an index for the degree of development in the Turkish regions. In other words, the same variables correlate with the degree of provincial development and the distribution of COVID-19 cases.

Background Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by the development of tumours that may affect the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves that send signals between the brain and spinal cord and all other parts of the body. The disease burden on Greek patients and caregivers is unknown. Objective The aim of this study is to determine the societal economic burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of families with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in Greece. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in which an online questionnaire was completed by NF1 patients and their caregivers. A cost of illness model was developed in which costs per NF1 patient were calculated from a societal perspective and extrapolated to the total affected population in Greece. Finally, the 36-item PedsQL™ Family Impact Module was used to measure the HRQoL of families with NF1 members. Results The economic burden of NF1 was estimated at €21,594 per patient in 2022. When extrapolating this outcome across all affected persons, the average annual cost was €56,319,583. Out-of-pocket expenses accounted for 10% of the total. Results of the analysis on HRQoL indicated a significant burden on family members representing the caregivers of NF1 patients with the majority of scores falling below 50 and a mean total score of 45. Conclusions The results highlight the considerable burden of NF1 not only in terms of the high costs but also in terms of reduced HRQoL for patients’ families.

It is difficult to achieve diverse representation within surgical settings, including within the ranks of physician assistants (PAs) despite research indicating that diversity improves patient outcomes and experience and benefits the workplace. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate interventions used to support diversity among surgical PAs. Databases including PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for publications that described interventions for increasing underrepresented in medicine and gender diversity among surgical PAs. While 20 studies were identified, none met the inclusion criteria. The absence of literature on surgical PAs led to an exploration of research conducted among surgeons, nonsurgical PAs, and PA students. While not directly applicable, results from these studies offered valuable insights into factors that impact diversity as well as strategies that foster diversity. Factors such as gender bias, discrimination, and harassment may contribute to lower numbers of underrepresented groups working in surgery. Efforts to support increased diversity include recruitment, leadership support, and mentorship programs. This systematic review highlights the need for further research to foster diversity among PAs working in surgery. While existing surgical literature offers some contextual insights, future studies on and increased attention toward this topic will improve inclusivity and create a more equitable healthcare system.

About 40% of people with diabetes experience diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is the main cause of renal problems. The aberrant urine albumin excretion rate, diabetic glomerular lesions, and a reduction in glomerular filtration rate are its defining characteristics. Numerous studies have found a strong link between eating animal protein and conditions like glucagon activation, insulin resistance, proteinuria, microalbuminuria, and the worsening of kidney problems in diabetic individuals. A vegan diet, which forgoes all animal products including leather and other non-edibles like fish, shellfish, and insects as well as dairy, eggs, and honey, has demonstrated significant benefits. It has been connected to enhanced insulin sensitivity, less glucagon activation, a decreased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), and a slowed rate of DN progression. According to several studies, avoiding animal products and switching to plant-based protein sources can be a better nutritional plan than simply limiting dietary protein. This change may prove very helpful in reducing the risk of kidney and cardiovascular illnesses, especially for those who have diabetes and severe insulin resistance in addition to CKD. A vegan diet contains considerable benefits for those with diabetes and CKD, acting as a brake on the advancement of DN and renal failure, according to the literature evaluation done for this study. Nevertheless, more interventional studies involving humans are needed to elucidate the processes underlying the increased insulin sensitivity brought on by vegan diets. It is also advised to conduct more research to fully explore the effectiveness and security of vegan diets in people with diabetes and DN.

The World Heart Federation highlights that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Indeed, women have unique female-specific risk factors for stroke, which include pregnancy, history of preeclampsia/eclampsia or gestational diabetes, duration of reproductive life, oral contraceptive use, and postmenopausal hormone therapy. In light of the female-specific risk factors and/or predisposing conditions, there is need to sensitize health professionals and the public in general on CVD in women. This clinical case is being shared with the written consent of the patient so as to avoid misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis of CVD among women.

Preserving eyesight in the presence of diabetic retinopathy, a subtle complication of diabetes, requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. This condition, characterized by the gradual deterioration of the blood vessels in the retina, can quietly advance and pose a significant threat to vision. Effectively managing this issue involves careful control of blood glucose levels through medications, dietary choices, and physical activity. By preventing prolonged high blood sugar levels, the main culprit behind retinal damage, individuals can slow down the progression of diabetic retinopathy and minimize its impact on vision. Medical interventions, such as laser therapies and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, offer targeted measures to address abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Regular eye assessments are crucial, providing early detection opportunities even in the absence of obvious symptoms and allowing for timely intervention before irreversible damage occurs. Prevention is equally important, emphasizing proactive measures to avoid diabetic retinopathy. Monitoring blood pressure and lipid levels, along with adopting a health-conscious lifestyle, strengthens cardiovascular health, indirectly protecting the fragile retinal blood vessels. By following diabetes management protocols, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use, individuals can significantly reduce their vulnerability to diabetic retinopathy. Combined with efforts to increase community awareness and educate about the importance of regular eye check-ups, this comprehensive approach empowers individuals to actively manage their eye health, ultimately preserving the precious gift of sight.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, vaccination became a contested issue between politicians at both national and state levels as well as among the public, which became increasingly polarized over this matter. Across the country, a large number of bills were proposed in state legislatures that had the potential to reduce vaccination rates. This short commentary mapped the growth of anti-vaccination legislation in two Midwestern states: South Dakota and Minnesota. We documented the increased volume and scope of anti-vaccination bills and discussed the implications for politics, health, and society. More specifically, it is likely that similar anti-vaccination bills will be proposed in future legislative sessions, which will impose further challenges on public health officials seeking to restore the public’s trust in vaccines.

An early use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in polytrauma patients has long been emphasized, although several conflicting evidence make its applicability still controversial and claims debate. Several multicenter trials have been conducted and the latter appear to collide with recent evidence published in the literature. In particular, the putative effects of early prognostic and hospitalization are still far from a common recommendation. We believe conflicting evidence derives from an unproper standardization of the pre-hospital setting, where non-diversified demographic factors, such as sociodemographic ones and accessibility to resources, still play a significant and detrimental role in patients’ outcomes. Moreover, evaluation and investigation of the real benefits of TXA administration in the trauma patient according to the different settings or scenarios are required, as the availability of resources could represent a non-negligible bias that could lead to evidence too far from universal applicability and accessibility.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the federal government in the United States required some population groups to be vaccinated. Other countries imposed even more comprehensive vaccination requirements. We conducted a preregistered randomized survey experiment that evaluated whether emphasizing the societal or economic benefits could shift popular support for a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all adults. The experiment was embedded in a survey conducted in May 2022 on a sample of 1,199 registered voters in South Dakota. Participants were randomly assigned into a control group ( n = 394), communitarian frame group ( n = 403), or economic frame group ( n = 379). Results of difference-of-means tests and multivariate regression analyses showed that neither of the experimental treatments had a statistically significant impact on support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. We found that these attitudes were primarily driven by partisan self-identification. Our results underscored the political nature of attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and particularly mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.