Regular Application Research Articles

Potential health risks to disinfection workers from exposure to active substances in COVID-19 biocidal products

The importance of disinfection has recently been emphasized due to the increasing risk of the spread of infections such as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In addition, disinfection for preventing the spread of COVID-19 is highly recommended. The increased use of biocidal products raises concerns regarding the potential health risks from exposure among disinfection workers. This study aimed to assess these exposure and health risks using questionnaires targeting disinfection workers who were exposed to the active substances in biocidal products used for disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. A follow-up survey was conducted among 271 disinfection workers for 10 working days within two weeks, and exposure factors with reference to disinfection were evaluated through interview-administered questionnaires. An exposure algorithm was used to evaluate the exposure of disinfection workers during disinfection. The hazard index (HI) was calculated by dividing the inhalation concentration obtained using the exposure algorithm and the dermal dose according to occupational exposure limits (OEL). A sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the exposure factors with the greatest impact on the inhalation and dermal exposure algorithms. A logistic regression analysis was performed to verify the relationship with health effects and sociodemographic and exposure characteristics. The average number of disinfections performed during 10 working days was 17.5 ± 12.3 times. The type of disinfection work was divided into 2806 cases of COVID-19 prevention and disinfection and 1956 cases of regular pesticide application to prevent and remove any pests. The HI was ≥1, indicating a potential health risk, with the use of ethanol (6.50E+00), quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs; 1.49E+01), and benzalkonium chloride (BKC; 1.73E+00). Dermal exposure was more hazardous than inhalation exposure for 6 of the 11 active substances in biocidal products. The weight fraction and exposure time were the factors that most significantly influenced the inhalation and dermal exposure algorithms in the sensitivity analysis. Higher exposure concentrations were more likely to affect health (AOR: 3.239, 95% CI: 1.155–9.082). This study provides valuable information regarding the exposure and risk of disinfection workers to 11 biocidal active substances included in common disinfectants. Our results suggest that the use of ethanol, BKC, and QACs has potential health risks to disinfection workers, with a higher possibility of negative health impacts with increasing exposure concentration.

Trends in Physiotherapy Interventions and Medical Costs for Parkinson's Disease in South Korea, 2011-2020.

Physiotherapy (PT), which is an effective strategy for managing Parkinson's disease (PD), can influence health care utilization. We analyzed trends in health care utilization, PT interventions, and medical costs among patients with PD. Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2011 to 2020, we analyzed the number of patients with PD and their health care utilization and assessed the odds ratio (OR) for receiving regular PTs. Over 10 years, 169,613 patients with PD were included in the analysis. The number of patients with PD increased annually from 49,417 in 2011 to 91,841 in 2020. The number of patients with PD receiving PT increased from 4,847 (9.81%) in 2011 to 13,163 (14.33%) in 2020, and the number of PT prescriptions increased from 81,220 in 2011 to 377,651 in 2019. Medical costs per patient with PD increased from 1,686 United States dollars (USD) in 2011 to 3,202 USD in 2020. The medical expenses for each patient with PD receiving PT increased from 6,582 USD in 2011 to 13,475 USD in 2020. Moreover, regular PTs were administered to 31,782 patients (18.74%) and were administered only through hospitalization. Those patients in their 50s with disabilities demonstrated a high OR for regular PTs, whereas those aged 80 years or older and residing outside of Seoul had a low OR. The PD burden increased in South Korea between 2011 and 2020, as did health care utilization and medical costs. A significant increase in medical expenses can be associated with increased PD incidence and PT interventions. Regular PT applications remain restricted and have barriers to access.

Determination of Pesticide Residues in Vine Leaves Using the QuEChERS Method and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Commercial viticulture necessitates regular pesticide applications to manage diseases and pests, raising significant concerns regarding pesticide residues among stakeholders. Due to health risks associated with these residues in Turkish vine leaves, the European Commission has increased the frequency of official control from 20% to 50%. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine multi-class pesticide residues in brined vine leaves from Turkey. A total of 766 samples of vine leaves were collected between May 2022 and June 2023. More than 500 residues were analyzed using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In-house validation data demonstrated that the analytical method exhibits fit-for-purpose performance in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, and measurement uncertainty. Out of 766 samples analyzed, 180 samples (23.5%) contained one (131, 17.1%) or multiple (49, 6.4%) pesticides. Both the frequencies of occurrence and the rate of maximum residue level (MRL) exceedance increased in 2023 compared to 2022, with the MRL exceedance rate rising from 9.5% to 25.2%. Forty-three different residues were found in quantifiable concentrations and eight of them were non-approved. Among the residues, the non-systemic pyrethroid insecticides, lambda-cyhalothrin (8.0%) and cypermethrin (7.2%), were the two most frequently detected, with concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 0.248 mg kg-1 and from 0.011 to 0.533 mg kg-1, respectively. Turkey is a major exporter of vine leaves and these results provide crucial information regarding pesticide occurrence and quality assessment of vine leaves. The significant increase in both pesticide occurrence and MRL exceedance rates between 2022 and 2023 underscores the urgency for regulatory bodies to reassess current pesticide usage and monitoring practices. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing more stringent rules and improving enforcement methods in order to reduce the spread of unapproved pesticides and ensure adherence to global food safety standards.

Ultra-high-resolution UAV-imaging and supervised deep learning for accurate detection of Alternaria solani in potato fields.

Alternaria solani is the second most devastating foliar pathogen of potato crops worldwide, causing premature defoliation of the plants. This disease is currently prevented through the regular application of detrimental crop protection products and is guided by early warnings based on weather predictions and visual observations by farmers. To reduce the use of crop protection products, without additional production losses, it would be beneficial to be able to automatically detect Alternaria solani in potato fields. In recent years, the potential of deep learning in precision agriculture is receiving increasing research attention. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are currently the state of the art, but also come with challenges, especially regarding in-field robustness. This stems from the fact that they are often trained on datasets that are limited in size or have been recorded in controlled environments, not necessarily representative of real-world settings. We collected a dataset consisting of ultra-high-resolution modified RGB UAV-imagery of both symptomatic and non-symptomatic potato crops in the field during various years and disease stages to cover the great variability in agricultural data. We developed a convolutional neural network to perform in-field detection of Alternaria, defined as a binary classification problem. Our model achieves a similar accuracy as several state-of-the-art models for disease detection, but has a much lower inference time, which enhances its practical applicability. By using training data of three consecutive growing seasons (2019, 2020 and 2021) and test data of an independent fourth year (2022), an F1 score of 0.93 is achieved. Furthermore, we evaluate how different properties of the dataset such as its size and class imbalance impact the obtained accuracy.

Effects of a leave-on product on the strength of the dermoepidermal junction: An exploratory, intraindividual, randomized controlled trial in older adults with dry skin.

Skin aging is associated with dry skin and a decrease of the strength of the dermoepidermal adhesion, which increases the risk for lacerations (skin tears). Application of leave-on products improves dry skin and seems to reduce skin tear incidence. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of a humectant containing leave-on product on the strength of the dermoepidermal junction in older adult participants with dry skin. A randomized controlled trial using a split body design was conducted. One forearm was randomly selected and treated with a lipophilic leave-on product containing 5% urea for 8 weeks. The other forearm was the control. The parameters stratum corneum hydration (SCH), transepidermal water loss, pH, roughness, epidermal thickness and skin stiffness were measured at the baseline, Weeks 4 and 8. At Week 8, suction blisters were created and time to blistering was measured. Blister roofs and interstitial fluid were analyzed for Interleukin-1α, 6 and 8. Twelve participants were included. After 8 weeks treatment, SCH was higher (median difference 11.6 AU), and the overall dry skin score (median difference -1) and median roughness (Rz difference -12.2 µm) were lower compared to the control arms. The median group difference for Interleukin-1α was -452 fg/µg total protein (TP) in the blister roofs and -2.2 fg/µg TP in the blister fluids. The median time to blister formation was 7.7 min higher compared to the control arms. The regular application of humectant containing leave-on products improves dry skin and seems to lower inflammation and contribute to the strengthening of the dermoepidermal adhesion. This partly explains how the use of topical leave-on products helps to prevent skin tears.

Patient perspectives on topical minoxidil for hair loss: a survey-based study from the University of Michigan Alopecia Clinic.

Topical minoxidil is a widely used therapy for alopecia. Its availability over the counter in the United States makes it easily accessible. Various factors impact whether an individual decides to pursue treatment and/or continue long-term use. Our study aimed to investigate patient awareness, opinions, and hesitations regarding topical minoxidil use for hair loss treatment. The study also aimed to identify information sources influencing these viewpoints. A survey was administered to new patients seeking evaluation for alopecia aged 18 and above at the University of Michigan Alopecia Clinic. Data collection occurred between August 2022 and August 2023. Demographics, patient-reported hair loss diagnosis, history of minoxidil use, opinions on minoxidil, influential information sources, and concerns about minoxidil were collected. A total of 47 surveys were completed, primarily by females (78.7%) ages 18-40years (44.7%). Respondents were aware of minoxidil (97.9%), with 63.8% reporting they had heard of minoxidil, but had not used it. Medical professionals were the most influential information source (34%), followed by close contacts (17%), internet searches (10.6%), and television (10.6%). Overall, positive opinions on minoxidil were expressed by 51.1%, negative opinions by 31.9%, and neutral opinions by 17%. Most common concerns included the need for continuous use (46.8%), required regular application (31.9%), skepticism about hair regrowth (29.8%), and expense (25.5%). Addressing personalized concerns and tailoring communication based on hair loss type and information sources may lead to more informed decisions and improved adherence. Gauging the opinions of this population provides valuable insights, aiding dermatologists in patient education and counseling strategies.

Assessment of pesticide contamination in groundwater bodies in the Jucar River Basin (Spain) and its spatial distribution

Exposure to the pesticides used in agriculture is a threat to human health and the environment. Nowadays, the world experiences a number of global changes, such as anthropogenic climate change and agricultural expansion which are associated to an increased consumption of water, fertilisers, and pesticides. This has increased the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. In this study, the model Pesticide Root Zone Model 5 (PRZM 5) has been applied to model the behaviour of pesticides in groundwater bodies within the Júcar River Basin (JRB) in Spain. We consider a groundwater body to be at risk of contamination if pesticide estimated concentrations exceed the Maximum Concentration Levels (MCL) and two additional indicators. We identified that Mancha Oriental groundwater body presents a high risk of Atrazine contamination. In the case of the Bromacil risk indicators, Castellón groundwater body was the most likely to be contaminated. Regarding Terbuthylazine risk maps, the probability of exceeding the threshold is low, thus posing a minimal risk in the studied area. Conversely Terbumeton risk maps, showed a high risk of contamination, detecting new areas of contamination that had not been studied for contamination for any pesticide. The spatial distribution of pesticides corresponds to areas mostly dedicated to irrigated agriculture which are associated to regular pesticide applications. Therefore, it can be concluded that the amount of pesticide applied on the field is the most important factor influencing pesticide concentration in groundwater bodies.

Antiseptic, Hemostatic, and Wound Activity of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-Iodine Gel with Trimethyl Chitosan.

Wound management practices have made significant advancements, yet the search for improved antiseptics persists. In our pursuit of solutions that not only prevent infections but also address broader aspects of wound care, we investigated the impact of integrating trimethyl chitosan (TMC) into a widely used poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-iodine gel (PVP-I gel). Our study assessed the antimicrobial efficacy of the PVP gel with TMC against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug-resistant S. aureus MRSA, and Candida albicans. Additionally, we compared hemostatic effects using a liver puncture bleeding model and evaluated wound healing through histological sections from full-thickness dermal wounds in rats. The results indicate that incorporating TMC into the commercially available PVP-I gel did not compromise its antimicrobial activity. The incorporation of TMC into the PVP-I gel markedly improves its hemostatic activity. The regular application of the PVP-I gel with TMC resulted in an increased blood vessel count in the wound bed and facilitated the development of thicker fibrous tissue with a regenerated epidermal layer. These findings suggest that TMC contributes not only to antimicrobial activity but also to the intricate processes of tissue regeneration. In conclusion, incorporating TMC proves beneficial, making it a valuable additive to commercially available antiseptic agents.

Three-Year Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Use in a Chinese University Hospital.

To evaluate the prevalence and quality of antimicrobial prescriptions using a Global Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) tool and help identify targets for improvement of antimicrobial prescribing and inform the development of antimicrobial stewardship activities. Antimicrobial prescriptions for inpatients staying at a hospital overnight were surveyed on one weekday in October 2018, November 2019, and November 2020. Data including basic patient information, antimicrobial drugs, quality evaluation of antimicrobial drug prescription, and the risk factors of nosocomial infection were collected from doctor network workstation. Patient information was anonymized and entered in the PPS Web application by physicians. A total of 720 patients (median age, 62 years) were surveyed. Of them, 246 (34.2%) were prescribed antimicrobials on the survey days. Hospital-wide antimicrobial use had a significantly decreasing trend (P < 0.001). The most commonly prescribed antimicrobial drugs were third-generation cephalosporins (40.5%), followed by quinolones (21.8%) and second-generation cephalosporin (12.5%). In our study, cefoperazone/sulbactam, ceftazidime, and levofloxacin were the most commonly used antimicrobials. The most common indication for antimicrobial use was pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infection (159/321, 49.5%). Antimicrobial for surgical prophylaxis represented 16.2% of the total antibiotic doses. Of those, 67.3% were administered for more than 24 h. The rate of adherence to antibiotic guidelines was 61.4%. The indications for antimicrobials were not documented in 54.5% of the prescriptions. Stop/review date was documented for 36.8% of prescriptions. The PPS tool is useful in identifying targets to enhance the quality of antimicrobial prescriptions to improve the adherence rate in hospitals. This survey can be used as a control to assess the rational application quality of antimicrobial after regular application of antimicrobial intervention.

Evaluation of Zepp’s Procedure in Management of Chronic Otitis Externa in Dogs

The study was conducted on 10 dogs presented at VCC, VSR, CVAS Bikaner with the owner complaint of consistent shaking of head and scratching of ear, rubbing of ear to hard object, purulent foul smelling discharge from ear and also had history of long medicinal treatment using NSAIDS, steroids and antibiotics. Clinical otoscopic examination of the ears revealed purulent odoriferous discharge, with stenosis and calcification of lateral ear canal in some cases. For definitive diagnosis ear exudate was collected in sterile swabs inserted in lateral ear canal using otoscope, and it was evaluated for parasites, bacteria, fungi, yeast. Skull radiography was performed to evaluate calcification in the ear canal and involvement of middle ear. After thorough examination it was concluded that the animals were suffered from chronic otitis externa and decided to perform zepps procedure (lateral ear canal resection) to increase drainage, facilitate ventilation of ear canal and easy placement of topical agents into horizontal ear canal. Zepp’s procedure was performed under general anaesthesia; post-operative care was done using regular application of topical steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics along with systemic antibiotics. After one month of post-operative care four ear showed excellent healing and dryness of the ear, Infection subsided in three ears and no improvement was seen in three ears. Microbiology suggested mixed bacterial infection in 6 dogs. Zepp’s procedure is a conservative surgical operation found to be a choice of surgical management in cases of early stages of otitis externa which has not been progressed to otitis media.

Efficacy and safety of geranium-oregano-thymol formulations to control of dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato under laboratory and field conditions

The present study evaluated, in laboratory and field, the efficacy and safety of formulations of Pelargonium graveolens (geranium – G), Origanum majorana (oregano - O) commercial essential oils (EO) and thymol (T) to control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. In the laboratory, three formulas (A: 2% tween 80%, B: powder and C: nanoemulsion) by a mixture of these components (GOT) were prepared and evaluated, and the best one was used to assess its safety and field application against R. sanguineus s. l. on naturally infested dogs. Besides the major compounds of the EO used were identified. The results of the lab study showed that formula A (2.5 g of each G + O + T + 2% tween 80 to complete 100 mL) was significantly more effective than the other two formulas tested and exhibited highly effective adulticidal, larvicidal, and ovicidal activity against R. sanguineus s.l. Significant LC50 and LC90 values of GOT were evaluated (13.4 and 21.5 mg/mL, respectively) for the adulticidal activity, (2.81 and 4.46 mg/mL, respectively) for ovicidal activity and (2.44 and 4.45 mg/mL, respectively) for larvicidal activity. The safety of formula A has been proven by the absence of its cytotoxicity on a cell line of human epidermoid carcinoma. Citronella and carvacrol were the major compounds identified in the commercial essential oils of P. graveolens and O. majorana, respectively. Formula A was used in a field control trial for almost 8 months, during the tick infestation season (April to November, 2022). Fourteen naturally infested dogs were divided into two groups, each with seven dogs. One group received formula A spraying five times during an experiment that continued for 8 months, while the other group received treatment with commercially available malathion acaricide. The animals were sprayed on five occasions throughout the experiment (April, June, July, August, and September). The results showed a substantial percentage of effectiveness after the first application of formula A with a 99.3% reduction in tick count at day 28 post-application (PA). In the case of severe infestation 60 days after the first application of formula A (more than 180 ticks per dog), the second application was done, achieving an efficacy of 54.9% at day 3 PA, so an emergency spray was done at day 5 PA to combat the rest of the tick infestation, achieving efficacy of 99% after 3 days. Consequently, a regular spray (third, fourth, and fifth application) was done every 35 days. This regular spray revealed 100% effectiveness at 14 days PA. Biochemical parameters of treated dogs were evaluated to confirm the safety of formula A. Creatinine, ALT, and albumin of the dogs treated with formula A were within the normal range of dogs, while urea and AST were higher than the normal range. In conclusion, formula A can safely treat R. sanguineus s.l. infestations in dogs with regular application every 5 weeks.

Physiological and Molecular Responses of Pyrus pyraster Seedlings to Salt Treatment Analyzed by miRNA and Cytochrome P450 Gene-Based Markers.

Physiological and molecular marker-based changes were studied in the tissues of two-year-old Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd. seedlings under salt treatment. For 60 days, 5 mL of 100 mM NaCl solution was applied to each plant per day to a cumulative volume of 300 mL in the substrate. In response to osmotic stress, the seedlings increased their water use efficiency (WUE) on day 20 of regular NaCl application and maintained a stable net photosynthetic rate (An) per unit area. Under conditions of increasing salinity, the young plants maintained a balanced water regime of the leaf tissues (Ψwl). The seedlings invested mass to their root growth (R/S), retained a substantial portion (72%) of Na+ ions in the roots, and protected their leaves against intoxication and damage. A significant decrease in the leaf gas exchange parameters (gs, E, An) was manifested on day 60 of the experiment when the cumulative NaCl intake was 300 mL per plant. The variability in the reactions of the seedlings to salinity is related to the use of open-pollinated progeny (54 genotypes) in the experiment. Lus-miR168 showed tissue- and genotype-specific genome responses to the applied stress. Polymorphic miRNA-based loci were mostly detected in the root samples on the 20th and 35th days of the experiment. The cumulative effect of the salt treatment was reflected in the predominance of polymorphic loci in the leaves. We can confirm that miRNA-based markers represent a sensitive detection tool for plant stress response on an individual level. The screening and selection of the optimal type of miRNA for this type of research is crucial. The cytochrome P450-Based Analog (PBA) techniques were unable to detect polymorphism among the control and treated seedlings, except for the primer pair CYP2BF+R, where, in the roots of the stressed plant, insertions in the amplicons were obtained. The expression ratios of cytochrome P450 in the salt-stressed plants were higher in the roots in the case of 20/100 mL and in the leaves with higher doses. The observed physiological and molecular responses to salinity reflect the potential of P. pyraster seedlings in adaptation to osmotic and ionic stress.

Cellulose nanofibrils as a bio-based binder for wood fiber composite insulation panels with enhanced thermo-mechanical properties for structural wall sheathing applications

A low-density wood fiber insulation panel (WIP) composite was developed with 100 % petrochemical-free, bio-based binder with high mechanical strength, water resistance and thermal insulation properties. This study investigated the manufacturing process of composite WIPs made with mechanical pulp fibers with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), lignin-containing CNFs (LCNFs), hybridized CNFs-LCNFs, and CNFs-starch as a binder on different scales and evaluated the effects of binder type and content on the panels’ physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. All panels had excellent thermal resistivity values, which increased with the decrease in density. The WIPs made with LCNFs as binder had lower mechanical properties, but it was possible to replace 20 % CNFs with LCNFs to obtain the same performance as neat CNFs as the binder. Untreated panels had poor water resistance but the water absorption properties were significantly improved with the addition wax. The WIPs made with 5 % and 7.5 % binder content and 2 % wax addition could fulfill the criteria of regular and structural wall sheathing applications, respectively. Overall, the results confirm the potential of CNFs and LCNFs to be used as 100 % bio-based adhesives to produce eco-friendly composite WIPs with excellent thermo-mechanical properties to be used for regular and structural wall sheathing applications.

In vitro photoprotective potential of aryl-sandwiched (thio)semicarbazones against UVA mediated cellular and DNA damage

The most prevalent solar ultraviolet radiation is ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation. It is the inducer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a potent mediator of inflammation and photocarcinogenesis. Regular application of sunscreens containing UVA filters is an effective preventive measure in mitigating the risk associated with the formation of dermal carcinoma. Therefore, the development of new photoprotective agents is of great need. The current work examined the in vitro photoprotection of the aryl-linked (thio)semicarbazone derivatives against UVA-mediated DNA damage, inflammation, reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and ROS. Except for the inflammatory cytokine assay, which was carried out on the human monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cell line, all tests were conducted on the human dermal fibroblast (BJ) cell line. In comparison to benzophenone (reference compound), the compound (2Z, 2′Z)-2,2′-(1,3-Phenylenebis (methanylylidene)) bis (hydrazine-1-carbothioamide) (DD-21) demonstrated considerable protection against UVA-induced damage. Compared to the UVA-irradiated control, DD-21 significantly decreased the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and ROS (p < 0.001). In the presence of DD-21, the release of UVA-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), was also significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Moreover, it was observed that DD-21 protected the cells from UVA-mediated DNA strand breaks and also inhibited the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) upon comparison to the UVA-exposed control cells (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the findings of this study revealed that DD-21 exhibits remarkable photoprotective properties, thus demonstrating its potential as a candidate UVA filter.

Effect of the health and wellness Kneipp concept on health promotion and reduction of sick days for kindergarten children: a cluster randomized controlled trial protocol.

The holistic health and wellness Kneipp concept, has a long tradition in Europe with demonstrated health benefits. Based on the five elements of the Kneipp concept, kindergartens in and around Germany are used to certify "Kneipp Kindergartens" that practice regular Kneipp applications and activities: cold water applications, exercise, nutrition, herbs and mind-body interventions. Little is known about the potential health benefits for children, however. This study protocol describes our study design and intervention of the Kita Kneipp Study to investigate the effect of the Kneipp concept on kindergarten children aged 2-6 years. The Kita Kneipp Study, registered with the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00029275), is a confirmatory, mixed-method, two-armed, waitlist, clinical, cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT). Kindergartens in Berlin, Germany that would like to implement the Kneipp concept into their facility will be recruited and randomized to the intervention or control group. Changes in the number of kindergarten sick days will be the primary outcome measure. Kindergarten attendance and reason for absence including illness will be collected on a weekly basis at two time points for 6 weeks from the parents and kindergarten directors: baseline and 1 year after baseline. Secondary outcomes will measure cold symptoms through the Common Cold Questionnaire (CCQ) and National Cancer Institute - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) Scales describing gastroenterological-based symptoms Kindergarten educator sick days will be aggregately reported for the same time period. Kneipp concept activities will be recorded on a weekly basis over the one-year intervention period. To understand the experience of Kneipp concept implementation and possible changes in the kindergarten, expert interviews will be conducted with intervention kindergarten educators and focused ethnographies will be planned to observe and analyze the intervention activities. This mixed method study design has potential to help identify if the Kneipp concept can be used for salutogenic purposes among young children and provide insights and experience of the implementation and practicing a holistic health and wellness concept in a kindergarten setting.

Values of a novel comprehensive prognostic nutritional index (FIDA) in the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

This study focuses on determining the prognostic and predictive value of the comprehensive prognostic nutrition index (FIDA) in individuals undergoing treatment for Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC). This retrospective analysis encompassed 474 of NSCLC patients treated from January 2010 through December 2019. Employing the Lasso-COX regression approach, eight blood parameters were identified as significant prognostic indicators. These parameters contributed to the formulation of the comprehensive prognostic nutrition index FIDA. Utilizing X-tile software, the patient cohort was categorized into either a high or low FIDA group based on an established optimal threshold. The cohort was then randomly segmented into a training set and a validation set using SPSS software. Subsequent steps involved conducting univariate and multivariate regression analyze to develop a prognostic nomogram. The effectiveness of this nomogram was evaluated by calculating the AUC. Analysis of survival curves for both the training and validation sets revealed a poorer prognosis in the high FIDA group compared to the low FIDA group. This trend persisted across various subgroups, including gender, age, and smoking history, with a statistical significance (p<0.05). Time-dependent ROC and diagnostic ROC analyses affirmed that FIDA serves as an effective diagnostic and prognostic marker in NSCLC. Moreover, Cox regression multivariate analysis established FIDA as an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC. The prognostic nomogram, integrating FIDA and clinical data, demonstrated substantial prognostic utility and outperformed the traditional TNM staging systemin predicting overall survival (OS). FIDA emerges as a dependable predictor of outcomes for patients with NSCLC. It offers a practical, cost-effective tool for prognostication in regular clinical applications.

The Influence of Sleep Hygiene on the Sleep Disorders of Elderly at Integrated Long Term Care

Background: Sleep hygiene is the most effective non-pharmacological therapy as a simple behavior of several individual environmental factors and as a healthy sleep aid. Sleep hygiene is a very easy, inexpensive, and comprehensive therapy that can be used to improve sleep disorders in the elderly. Methods: The design of this study used a quantitative method. Quasi Experiment: Pre- test and Post-test with a control group. Results: Showed that the average value of the control group before was 3.42 and the average value afterward was 3.76, which means there's no significant relationship between sleep hygiene and sleep disorders, but in the intervention group, the average value before the sleep hygiene intervention was carried out was 3.88 and the average value after the sleep hygiene intervention was carried out was 8.48, which means that there was an increase in the average value before and after the sleep hygiene intervention was given. Based on statistical calculations using the Wilcoxon test, a P-value of 0.000 &lt;0.05 was obtained, so there was a relationship between sleep hygiene and sleep disorders. Conclusion: Regular application of sleep hygiene is effective in promoting good sleep and can overcome sleep disturbances in various populations of the elderly age group.

The Influence of Sleep Hygiene on the Sleep Disorders of Elderly at Integrated Long Term Care

Sleep hygiene is the most effective non-pharmacological therapy as a simple behavior of several individual environmental factors and as a healthy sleep aid. Sleep hygiene is a very easy, inexpensive, and comprehensive therapy that can be used to improve sleep disorders in the elderly. Methods:The design of this study used a quantitative method. Quasi Experiment: Pre-test and Post-test with a control group. Results: Showed that the average value of the control group before was 3.42 and the average value afterward was 3.76, which means there's no significant relationship between sleep hygiene and sleep disorders, but in the intervention group, the average value before the sleep hygiene intervention was carried out was 3.88 and the average value after the sleep hygiene intervention was carried out was 8.48, which means that there was an increase in the average value before and after the sleep hygiene intervention was given. Based on statistical calculations using the Wilcoxon test, a P-value of 0.000 &lt;0.05 was obtained, so there was a relationship between sleep hygiene and sleep disorders. Conclusion:Regular application of sleep hygiene is effective in promoting good sleep and can overcome sleep disturbances in various populations of the elderly age group

On a Stochastic Approach to Extensions of the Susceptible‐Infected‐Susceptible (SIS) Model Applied to Malaria

This work presents a stochastic model of malaria spread. We first calculated the basic reproduction number R0 of the models (ShIhRhSh‐SvIv) and (ShLhIhRhSh‐SvLvIv) in order to show that the malaria‐free equilibrium is asymptotically stable; then, we used a finite Markov chain model to describe the interactions between the different compartments of the model (SeLeIeReSe‐SaLaIaRaSa‐SvIv). We carried out numerical simulations of our results for two types of transmission zones: a zone with low malaria transmission and an endemic zone. Through these simulations, we first determined the invariant stationary distribution π∗ of the model, and then, we found that the use of the indoor residual spraying (IRS) method by regular application of insecticides is more effective for the elimination of malaria than the use of long‐acting impregnated mosquito nets (LLINs).

Soil health and carbon storage in community gardens in the Perth metropolitan area, Australia

AbstractCommunity gardens, as common spaces where people gather to grow food, help foster public health, greener urban environments, life‐long learning and vibrant communities. However, despite being promoted as sustainable horticulture and conservation agriculture, their soil health and carbon (C) sequestration potential, with implication for climate change mitigation, remains underexplored. This study assessed soil samples collected from raised beds (gardening area) and adjacent bare ground (control) at six community gardens in the Perth metropolitan area, Australia. These sites covered three soil mapping units (SMUs): calcareous deep sands, coloured sand and pale sands The soil in raised beds exhibited superior characteristics than surrounding urban soil including lower bulk density, higher pH buffering capacity, available nutrients including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total C and microbial biomass. Notably, we estimated that raised bed soils accumulated significant levels of C in the top 10 cm layer (0.55 kg/m2 or 5.5 T/ha). Our findings also indicate no significant heavy metal contamination in any of the community garden soils. Although the global area of community gardens is marginally small, these results suggest they hold potential for carbon sequestration, especially in urban and peri‐urban environments. The improved soil health and C storage potential in community garden soil are largely attributed to the regular application of compost produced within the community gardens.