Frequent Exposure Research Articles

A systematic evidence map protocol for mapping global exposure to bisphenols and their alternatives and social and environmental justice implications

BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest-volume chemicals produced worldwide, and human exposure to BPA is thought to be ubiquitous. Stricter regulations around the use of BPA have led many manufacturers to switch to other bisphenol chemicals with similar functions such as bisphenol S and F. Even though exposure to BPA, other bisphenol chemicals and bisphenol alternatives poses a health risk for humans, very little is known about the granular exposure levels of different populations around the world. AimThis systematic evidence map (SEM) will identify human studies reporting concentrations of bisphenols and their alternatives measured in human bio-samples with the aim to chart the global human exposure levels by country and population characteristics to identify research gaps and discuss any social and environmental injustice implications. Search strategy and eligibility criteriaMEDLINE®, Embase and Web of Science (WoS) databases as well as grey literature sources will be searched using predefined search strings. The database search results will be supplemented by backward and forward citation tracking on included studies. A scoping exercise conducted during planning identified 90 bisphenol chemicals and alternatives used in plastics. These include BPA, other bisphenol chemicals with/without similar functions to BPA as well as alternatives with similar functions to bisphenol chemicals. Eligible studies must report concentrations of at least one relevant bisphenol chemical/alternative measured in human bio-samples. Study selectionOnly primary studies published in English since 2010 will be considered. The title, abstract and keywords will be screened by the DistillerAI tool and two independent reviewers. Grey literature will be screened by two reviewers for inclusion and exclusion. The full text of the included studies will then be screened by two independent reviewers. Study appraisalStudy quality will not be evaluated in this SEM. Data extraction and codingData extraction and coding will be performed by two independent reviewers. Parameters of interest will include the following: study characteristics (e.g., year of publication, sampling timepoints and study design), population information (e.g., country, age, sex, ethnicity, number of participants) and exposure information (sources of exposure, bio-sample analyzed, chemical name, concentration, and detection frequencies). Synthesis and visualizationThe results will be presented using a narrative summary, tables, bar plots and color-coded maps. The interactive database will be available on a dedicated freely accessible website. Systematic map protocol registry and registration numberThis protocol has been registered on Open Science Framework (OSF) and is available at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MNWTD.

Comparison of Resistance Acquisition and Mechanisms in Erwinia amylovora against Agrochemicals Used for Fire Blight Control.

Agrochemicals containing antibiotics are authorized to manage fire blight that has been occurring in Korea since 2015. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each antibiotic against Erwinia amylovora, the causal pathogen of fire blight, has increased over the years due to the pathogen's frequent exposure to antibiotics, indicating the necessity to prepare for the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In this study, E. amylovora was exposed to stepwise increasing concentrations of eight different agrochemicals, each containing single or mixed antibiotics, and gene mutation and changes in MIC were assessed. Streptomycin and oxolinic acid induced an amino acid substitution in RpsL and GyrA, respectively, resulting in a rapid increase in MIC. Oxytetracycline initially induced amino acid substitutions or frameshifts in AcrR, followed by substitutions of 30S small ribosomal protein subunit S10 or AcrB, further increasing MIC. E. amylovora acquired resistance in the order of oxolinic acid, streptomycin, and oxytetracycline at varying exposure frequencies. Resistance acquisition was slower against agrochemicals containing mixed antibiotics than those with single antibiotics. However, gene mutations conferring antibiotic resistance emerged sequentially to both antibiotics in the mixed formulations. Results suggested that frequent application of mixed antibiotics could lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant E. amylovora isolates. This study provided essential insights into preventing the emergence of antibiotic-resistant E. amylovora and understanding the underlying mechanisms of resistance acquisition.

Prevalence of work place violence and its impact on doctors in some Iraqi hospitals.

To estimate the prevalence of workplace violence and its impact on doctors in hospitals. The cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 to January 2022 in Baghdad and Karbala governorates of Iraq, and comprised resident doctors at a number of hospitals. Data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire that focussed on the frequency of exposure to violence, type, source, most common time, and other details about violence as well as its impact on doctors and their careers. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Of the 1,079 subjects working at 18 participating hospitals and having a mean age 30.0±5.72 years, 567(52.5%) were females and 512(47.5%) were males, while 570(52.8%) were aged <30 years and 509(47.2%) were aged >30 years. Overall, violence exposure was reported by 811(75.2%) subjects; 427(52.6%) females and 384(47.4%) males. Gender was not significantly associated with exposure to violence (p>0.05). Due to missing data, further analysis was limited to 792(97.6%) subjects who faced exposure to workplace violence. In 671(85%) cases, the assaults were nonphysical. However, 110(14%) doctors reported physical attacks and severe consequences. There were 673(85%) doctors with exposure to violence who expressed their intention to change their job, workplace, or leave the country because of violence. The problem of violence against Iraqi doctors was found to be highly prevalent with a seriously negative impact on the medical professionals.

Heavy Metals and Cosmetics Industry: A Review Article

Trace amounts of heavy metals are present during cosmetic products manufacturing. (1) Therefore, they should be kept to a minimum acceptable level as stated by the FDA and pharmacopeias. (2) It is so far known that human external contact with these substances rarely result in a significant systemic exposure. However, many research studies showed that frequent local exposure to cosmetic products containing heavy metals may pose a risk of heavy metal contamination. (1,2) Heavy metals such as mercury (Hg) are added to skin-whitening products, causing acute or chronic damage to human skin cells. (1) Moreover, contamination of hair dyes and deodorants with Aluminum (Al) and Lead (Pb) threaten consumers' health dangerously for carcinogenic effects. Other possible side effects included microcytic anemia and osteomalacia. (3) Additionally, it was found that Al provokes further side effects on human mental health as dialysis dementia and it has also been associated with the neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD) in adults. (4) Furthermore, Pb is a core component of many lipsticks, which reflects a high systemic absorption due to wrong consumers' habits. Frequent use of lipsticks containing Pb specially by children and adolescents has been significantly linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. (5) Therefore, strict regulations should be set for cosmetics manufacturing and quality control measurements should be assigned for pre- and post-marketed cosmetic products.

Association Between Cigarette and Bidi Purchase Behavior (Loose vs Pack) and Health Warning Label Exposure: Findings From the Tobacco Control Policy India Survey and In-Depth Interviews With People Who Smoke.

The sale of loose cigarettes or bidis can undermine the purpose of requiring health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette packs and bidi bundles by diminishing their visibility and legibility. This mixed-methods study aims to examine the association between purchase behavior (loose vs pack or bundle), HWL exposure, and responses to HWLs among Indian adults who smoke. Data were analyzed from the 2018-2019 India Tobacco Control Policy Survey and from 28 in-depth interviews conducted with Indian adults who smoked in 2022. The Tobacco Control Policy Survey sample included tobacco users who bought cigarettes (n=643) or bidis (n=730), either loose or in packs or bundles at their last purchase. Ordinal regression models were fit separately for cigarettes and bidis, whereby HWL variables (noticing HWLs, reading and looking closely at HWLs, forgoing a cigarette or bidi because of HWLs, thinking about health risks of smoking, and thinking about quitting smoking cigarettes or bidis because of HWLs) were regressed on last purchase (loose vs packs or bundles). In-depth interviews with participants from Delhi and Mumbai who purchased loose cigarettes in the last month were conducted, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Survey findings indicated that about 74.3% (478/643) of cigarette users and 11.8% (86/730) of bidi users reported having bought loose sticks at their last purchase. Those who purchased loose cigarettes (vs packs) noticed HWLs less often (estimate -0.830, 95% CI -1.197 to -0.463, P<.001), whereas those who purchased loose bidis (vs bundles) read and looked closely at HWLs (estimate 0.646, 95% CI 0.013-1.279, P=.046), thought about the harms of bidi smoking (estimate 1.200, 95% CI 0.597-1.802, P<.001), and thought about quitting bidi smoking (estimate 0.871, 95% CI 0.282-1.461, P=.004) more often. Interview findings indicated lower exposure to HWLs among those who purchased loose cigarettes, primarily due to vendors distributing loose cigarettes without showing the original cigarette pack, storing them in separate containers, and consumers' preference for foreign-made cigarette brands, which often lack HWLs. While participants were generally aware of the contents of HWLs, many deliberately avoided them when purchasing loose cigarettes. In addition, they believed that loose cigarette purchases reduced the HWLs' potential to deliver consistent reminders about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking due to reduced exposure, an effect more common among those who purchased packs. Participants also noted that vendors, especially small ones, did not display statutory health warnings at their point of sale, further limiting exposure to warning messages. Survey and interview findings indicated that those who purchased loose cigarettes noticed HWLs less often. Loose purchases likely decrease the frequency of exposure to HWLs' reminders about the harmful effects of smoking, potentially reducing the effectiveness of HWLs.

A Case Study on the Odor Preferences and Influencing Factors in Chinese Residential Environments

Research on odor preference is needed to improve indoor environment quality. There-fore, to create a better odor environment in the living space, it is necessary to determine the common characteristics of odor preferences in the living environment for individuals with a similar cultural background. In this study, representative odors that are found in Chinese living spaces were selected and the odor preferences and individual traits were examined using online surveys. A total of 1236 valid responses were collected and the factors affecting odor preferences were assessed, including social, geographic, and behavioral attributes, using correlation and descriptive analysis. The results revealed that gender, age, occupation, income, mode, and frequency were correlated with odor preference characteristics in the living environment and were the primary factors for the odor preference characteristics. Further analysis revealed that the odor preferences across the gender, age, income, and frequency groups were consistent with the trend for the overall characteristics. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences in odor preferences in the living environment across occupations and living patterns. Different occupational groups showed different characteristics in odor preferences, while the complexity of living patterns and the frequency of odor exposure also had a significant impact on odor preferences. These research findings will enable us to develop customized fragrance solutions based on specific olfactory preferences related to gender, age, occupation, income level, and lifestyle. Integrating the study conclusions into the spatial layout, selection of decorative materials, and ventilation design of residential spaces has practical significance for creating living environments that better meet the needs of residents.

Study of the effect of technological clearances on electrophysical parameters of heated polymer materials

Among the reasons for the rejection of products made of polymer materials manufactured using HF electrothermy, an important place is occupied by the lack of available reference data on the modes of their processing. The inaccuracy of some electrical parameters, e.g., the dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) and the dielectric constant (ε) are attributed to neglecting the effect of gaps in granular multicomponent polymer materials or technological system, as well as subjective factors of the control process. We present the results of studying the impact of gaps of a technological system on the electrophysical parameters of polymer and composite materials. We studied samples of granular materials «Bimodal polypropylene» and «Basco» stabilizing additive which are used in production of UV-resistant films for packaging. It is shown that a resonance method with the possibility of using two- and three-electrode system is most appropriate when determining the electrophysical parameters of polymer materials, their multicomponent mixtures and the optimal frequency of exposure. Refined (determined with allowance for gaps) electrophysical data for the materials under study obtained at a frequency of 27.12 MHz and heating to 120°C are presented. Comparison of the results obtained with and without taking into account the impact of gaps revealed that the difference reaches up to 12 (for tan δ) and 9% (for ε) of their absolute value. Note that the parameter tan δ has the greatest effect on the heating efficiency. The optimal temperature of polymer heating at which tan δ reaches the maximum value is 50°C. The results obtained can be used to improve the quality of products produced from a wide range of multicomponent polymer and composite materials by optimizing the modes of their electrothermal processing.

Public safety personnel’s perceptions of mental health training: an assessment of the Emotional Resilience Skills Training

ABSTRACT Public safety personnel (PSP) work experiences necessitate diverse and frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) and other occupational stressors, which may explain the higher prevalence of mental health disorders and suicidal ideation among PSP relative to the general population. Consequently, PSP require emotional coping skills and evidence-informed mental health training to navigate arduous situations. The Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST) is a pilot 13-week mental health training program led by a peer and based on the robustly evidenced Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Mental Disorders. The study assessed whether PSP: perceived the ERST as improving their mental health or their management of stressors; applied the associated knowledge and skills; and would recommend ESRT to other PSP. Data were collected using a self-report survey and focus groups. A total of 197 PSP (58% male) completed a self-report survey and 72 PSP (33% female) participated in a sector-specific focus group to assess the ERST. The results indicate that PSP perceived ERST as helpful when applied. Almost all participants would recommend the training to other PSP. PSP expressed the ongoing need for mental health skills and knowledge, but also identified mental health training gaps during early-career training and stages.

From conceptualising to modelling structural determinants and interventions in HIV transmission dynamics models: a scoping review and methodological framework for evidence-based analyses

Abstract Background Including structural determinants (e.g. criminalisation, stigma, inequitable gender norms) in dynamic HIV transmission models is important to help quantify their population-level impacts and guide implementation of effective interventions that reduce the burden of HIV and inequalities thereof. However, evidence-based modelling of structural determinants is challenging partly due to a limited understanding of their causal pathways and few empirical estimates of their effects on HIV acquisition and transmission. Methods We conducted a scoping review of dynamic HIV transmission modelling studies that evaluated the impacts of structural determinants, published up to August 28, 2023, using Ovid Embase and Medline online databases. We appraised studies on how models represented exposure to structural determinants and causal pathways. Building on this, we developed a new methodological framework and recommendations to support the incorporation of structural determinants in transmission dynamics models and their analyses. We discuss the data and analyses that could strengthen the evidence used to inform these models. Results We identified 17 HIV modelling studies that represented structural determinants and/or interventions, including incarceration of people who inject drugs (number of studies [n] = 5), violence against women (n = 3), HIV stigma (n = 1), and housing instability (n = 1), among others (n = 7). Most studies (n = 10) modelled exposures dynamically. Almost half (8/17 studies) represented multiple exposure histories (e.g. current, recent, non-recent exposure). Structural determinants were often assumed to influence HIV indirectly by influencing mediators such as contact patterns, condom use, and antiretroviral therapy use. However, causal pathways’ assumptions were sometimes simple, with few mediators explicitly represented in the model, and largely based on cross-sectional associations. Although most studies calibrated models using HIV epidemiological data, less than half (7/17) also fitted or cross-validated to data on the prevalence, frequency, or effects of exposure to structural determinants. Conclusions Mathematical models can play a crucial role in elucidating the population-level impacts of structural determinants and interventions on HIV. We recommend the next generation of models reflect exposure to structural determinants dynamically and mechanistically, and reproduce the key causal pathways, based on longitudinal evidence of links between structural determinants, mediators, and HIV. This would improve the validity and usefulness of predictions of the impacts of structural determinants and interventions.

New spacious SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy nanohybrids and their electrochemical and photocatalytic activities.

A novel SrWO4-poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite was synthesized via chemically oxidative polymerization and considered by using numerous method of the techniques. The resulting SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy nanocomposite demonstrated remarkable electrochemical sensing capabilities for sulfadiazine (SFA). As a modified glassy carbon electrode (SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy/GCE) revealed for superior catalytic activity in the electrochemical oxidation of sulfadiazine, enabling sensitive detection with quantification and detection limits of 1.0936 × 10-9M µA-1 and 2.2104 × 10-9M µA-1, respectively. This technique effectively determined SFA content in real samples. Additionally, SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy demonstrated extraordinary photocatalytic ability, achieving a Methylene Blue (MB) degradation rate of up to 99.1% under halogen light irradiation within 80min. Hybrid photocatalyst has exhibited to strong reusability and photocatalytic stability under frequent light exposure. A contrivance for the photocatalytic deprivation of MB by SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy is proposed. These results underscore the crucial role of SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy in practical environmental remediation analysis. The fluorescence investigations have betrothed to terephthalic acid radical formations of SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy hybrids, which were modulated by different approaches, and its mainly driven for higher illumination aptitudes. Meanwhile, this was more supporting for physio-chemical properties of the phenomenon, at this consequential with significantly well improved to the photocatalytic performances. Because of this, SrWO4/PEDOT-PPy hybrid materials were comprehended to deliver excellent kinetics, and better recyclable activities.

Risk hotspots and influencing factors identification of heavy metal(loid)s in agricultural soils using spatial bivariate analysis and random forest

Heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in agricultural soils not only affect soil function and crop security, but also pose health risks to residents. However, previous concerns have typically focused on only one aspect, neglecting the other. This lack of a comprehensive approach challenges the identification of hotspots and the prioritization of factors for effective management. To address this gap, a novel method incorporating spatial bivariate analysis with random forest was proposed to identify high-risk hotspots and the key influencing factors. A large-scale dataset containing 2995 soil samples and soil HMs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) was obtained from across Henan province, central China. Spatial bivariate analysis of both health risk and ecological risks revealed risk hotspots. Positive matrix factorization model was initially used to investigate potential sources. Twenty-two environmental variables were selected and input into random forest to further identify the key influencing factors impacting soil accumulation. Results of local Moran's I index indicated high-high HM clusters at the western and northern margins of the province. Hotspots of high ecological and health risk were primarily observed in Xuchang and Nanyang due to the widespread township enterprises with outdated pollution control measures. As concentration and exposure frequency dominated the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. Anthropogenic activities, particularly vehicular traffic (contributing ∼37.8 % of the total heavy metals accumulation), were the dominant sources of HMs in agricultural soils. Random forest modeling indicated that soil type and PM2.5 concentrations were the most influencing natural and anthropogenic variables, respectively. Based on the above findings, control measures on traffic source should be formulated and implemented provincially; in Xuchang and Nanyang, scattered township enterprises with outdated pollution control measures should be integrated and upgraded to avoid further pollution from these sources.

Do First Language, Word Frequency and Input Matter in Bilingual’s Language Acquisition?

The acquisition of morphosyntactic features, such as third-person singular (3SG) inflection, is a critical aspect of language development. While much research has focused on monolingual children’s acquisition of 3SG inflection, less is known about how bilingual children navigate this process, particularly those from non-inflectional first language (L1) backgrounds. Furthermore, two well established characteristics found in other bilingual groups: word frequency and L1 transfer are still remain unclear in the acquisition of 3SG inflection in Chinese-English bilingual groups. Addressing these gaps are crucial for understanding the unique challenges bilingual children face and the factors influencing their acquisition of English morphosyntatic feature. In this study, we employed corpus to analyze longitudinal naturalistic data from three Chinese-English bilingual children and one English monolingual child. We investigated the children’s use of 3SG inflection across obligatory contexts, examining the frequency of verb exposure in both parental input and a large corpus (COCA). Our results indicate that bilingual children, especially those from a non-inflectional L1 background, demonstrated delayed acquisition of 3SG inflection compared to monolingual counterparts. However, both groups showed better accuracy with high-frequency verbs, underscoring the importance of input frequency. Additionally, L1 transfer effects were evident in both monolingual children and bilingual children, with the bilingual children struggling more with verbs whose L1 lacked verb agreement. These findings suggest that both input frequency and L1 transfer play significant roles in shaping bilingual children’s acquisition of 3SG inflection. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of bilingual language development, with implications for language acquisition theory and educational practices, particularly in addressing the needs of children from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

The Relationship Between Political Entertainment Media Use and Political Efficacy: A Comparative Study in 18 Countries

Abstract Political entertainment programs have gained worldwide popularity, prompting research on their effects. One area of interest has been whether this media programming has an impact upon political efficacy. However, existing literature has only examined the impact of a limited number of programs, has failed to consider the simultaneous influence of different genres, and has focused primarily on the US. To address these limitations, we conducted a comparative survey in 18 democracies in 2022, with a sample size of N = 26,000. The findings revealed that viewers of political talk shows exhibited higher levels of both external and internal political efficacy in most countries. Additionally, frequent exposure to political comedy news or satire was positively related to internal political efficacy in certain countries. Finally, the consumption of fictional political dramas was also linked to political efficacy, but only in a few countries.

Extreme Heat, Functional Disability, and Social Isolation: Risk Disparity Among Older Adults.

This study examines how functional disability worsens among older adults exposed to extreme heat, particularly those socially isolated. Analyzing data from over 35,000 older adults aged 50 or older from the Health and Retirement Study from 1996-2018, this study found that more frequent exposure to extreme heat is associated with an increase in the number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) that older adults find difficulty in performing over time. This heat-related disability progression is greater among those living alone and not working. However, findings indicate that maintaining contact with children and receiving higher levels of support from friends can alleviate the risk of IADL disability progression amidst extreme heat days for older adults with limited social relationships at home and work. By examining various aspects of social isolation and their nuanced effects, this study underscores the need for social support and assistance for older adults during extreme heat.

How can exposure assessment for pesticides in epidemiological studies be improved? Insights from the IMPRESS project

The IMPRoving Exposure aSSessment Methodologies for Epidemiological Studies on Pesticides (IMPRESS) project (http://www.impress-project.org/) aimed to further the understanding of the performance of pesticide exposure assessment methods (EAMs). To achieve this the IMPRESS project used two approaches to assess EAM performance, using existing and newly collected data from five studies from three different countries and use of published secondary data to undertake three meta-analyses for selected chronic health outcomes. Based on the findings of the IMPRESS project we provide in this paper insights on the overarching research question “How can exposure assessments for pesticides in epidemiological studies be improved”? Exposure assessment is a critical component of pesticide epidemiological studies. EAMs used and epidemiological practices employed need to reflect the changing nature and complexities of pesticide exposure in various occupational settings. To properly assess the association between exposure and selected health outcomes, the choice of EAM should provide a clear exposure contrast within the study population. Acquiring a practical understanding of the pesticide use practices is crucial to determine whether factors such as frequency or intensity of exposure have to be considered in planned analyses. Biomonitoring may be more beneficially applied intensively in a focussed exposure assessment analysis of a particular cohort, which can be used to determine the most relevant exposure factors within that cohort-specific context. Overall, improving pesticide exposure assessment in epidemiological studies requires a multi-disciplinary approach. A next step for the wider scientific community may be to consider the development of a decision tree to aid the selection of suitable EAMs. Such a decision tree would need to consider and be based on multiple parameters including, but not limited to, study type, health endpoint, socio-demographic context, farming system, pesticide used, and application methods.

Examining the Influence of Digital Media Marketing on Consumer Purchase Intentions

Digital marketing tactics, such as social media advertisements and online promotions, have an impact on customers' propensity to make purchases, influencing their purchasing decisions and behaviors. The effect of digital media marketing on consumers' intentions to purchase, is the term used to describe this phenomenon. Digital media marketing tactics have a problem that they can't take into consideration the variety of customer behaviors, which could result in generalized findings that are not applicable to certain market personal preferences. Randomly collected 180 participants for this study to find the impact of digital media marketing on customer buying intentions, and randomly questionnaires were collected. There are some factors depicted in this study that Consumer Purchase Intension (CPI) is a dependent variable, and independent variables such as Perceived Relevance (PR), Frequency of Exposure (FE), Content Quality (CQ), Platform Trust (PT), and Social Proof (SP). Digital media marketing's effect on consumers' ability to make purchases is investigated using statistical analysis using PLS-SEM, CFA, reliability, and Cronbach's alpha. The results of this investigation indicate a strong connection between CPI and digital media marketing and with reliable structures and believable models, it has successfully influenced consumer behavior and decision-making processes.

Trust a few: Natural disasters and the disruption of trust in Africa

Individuals are at their most mental plasticity in their impressionable years (ages 18–25 years) forming long-term attitudes and behaviours essential to functioning in a society, such as trust. In this paper we ask how exposure to natural disasters within the impressionable years may affect the formation of trust by matching data from over 1,000 disaster occurrences with data from 88,670 individuals across 36 African nations. Exploiting the frequency of disaster exposure across the impressionable years, we show that disaster exposure has a negative and significant association with generalized trust. Additionally, we show that disasters experienced during the impressionable years have an impact on other dimensions of interpersonal and institutional trust. Our findings are robust to a battery of tests and add to the evidence base on the lasting impacts of natural disasters on individuals and societies.

Percutaneous functional spinal unit cementoplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty for severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture complicated with endplate-disc complex injury: A retrospective case-control study.

Severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (SOVCF) is frequently complicated by endplatedisc complex (EDC) injury. While percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) can offer rapid analgesia and facilitate early activity, it does not restore vertebral height and may result in intervertebral leakage and untreated EDC injury. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous functional spinal unit cementoplasty (PFSUP) for SOVCF complicated by EDC injury and compare its clinical and imaging outcomes with PKP. This was a retrospective case-control study. Patients with SOVCF complicated with EDC injury between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, were recruited and assigned to the PKP group and PFSUP group based on their treatment procedures Back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and daily life activities were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). X-rays were employed to observe the presence and location of cement leakage, as well as to measure the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and local kyphosis angle (LKA). Loss of correction was calculated by subtracting the LKA after surgery from that at the final follow-up visit Subsequent vertebral fracture (SVF) was confirmed using the Genant semi-quantitative method and/or MRI. A total of 64 patients were included in this study. Among them 41 cases were assigned to the PKP group (28 females, 74.8 years on average), while the remaining 23 cases were assigned to the PFSUP group (15 females, 76.3 years on average). All surgical interventions were successfully completed without major complications. Compared to the PKP group, the PFSUP group had longer operation time (70.28 ± 11.44 vs 44.5 ± 10.12, P< 0.001) higher frequencies of radiation exposure (97.6 ± 19.85 vs 38.6 ± 9.53, P< 0.001), and a lower cement leakage rate (26.1% vs. 41.5%, P< 0.001). One day after surgery and at the final follow-up the PFSUP group had lower VAS and ODI scores, as well as lower LKA and Sva values compared with the PKP group (all P< .001). At the final follow-up visit, the PFSUP group demonstrated a lower loss of correction (4.38 ± 2.71 vs. 10.19 ± 3.41 P< 0.001) and a lower SVF rate compared to the PKP group (21.7% vs. 31.7%, P< 0.001). PFSUP outperformed PKP in alleviating pain restoring and maintaining sagittal balance, and lowering the incidence of cement leakage and SVF for SOVCF with EDC injury However, PFSUP was associated with longer operation time and high radiation exposure frequencies.

Measurement Invariance of the Four-Item Entrapment Scale Short-Form (E-SF): A Transnational Examination Across Race/Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Suicide Attempt History Among Minoritized Adults.

Feelings of entrapment-posited to arise when attempts to escape from defeating or humiliating circumstances are blocked-may confer increased risk for psychopathology and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB), particularly among minoritized individuals who often have more frequent exposure to such experiences. Including entrapment in empirical models may aid research efforts in further exploring its role in minority mental health. The Entrapment Scale Short-Form (E-SF), a brief version of the 16-item Entrapment Scale, is one tool that may be utilized toward this end; however, to do so meaningfully, its psychometric properties and measurement invariance must be evaluated in diverse samples. This study aimed to examine the factor structure, measurement invariance, and convergent validity of the E-SF across race/ethnicity and sexual orientation in a combined transnational sample of minoritized adults (total N = 1,194). Results supported a one-factor model of the E-SF that was invariant across samples, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and history of suicide attempt. Furthermore, significant positive correlations observed between theoretically relevant constructs of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms supported its convergent validity. Implications include disproportionate levels of entrapment experienced by minoritized individuals-particularly by sexual minorities-which likely reflect the discrimination frequently endured by these individuals.

Night Shift Work Associates with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Large Prospective Cohort Study.

Health problems associated with shift work and night shift work are gaining increasing public attention. To investigate the association between night shift work and the hazard of mortality. Prospective cohort study. A total of 283,579 individuals with paid employment or self-employment aged 37-73years were included from the UK Biobank with a median follow-up period of 14.0years. Participants were divided into day workers and shift workers, including the frequency of night shifts, to evaluate the association between baseline work schedules and all-cause and cause-specific mortality using the Cox proportional hazards model. Additionally, 75,760 participants with work histories were assessed for the association between average frequency and cumulative years of exposure to night shift work and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Compared with that of day workers, the adjusted hazard of all-cause mortality was increased by 12.0% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.18) in shift workers, particularly in those with no or rare night shifts (approximately 16.1%; HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.25) and those with irregular night shifts (approximately 9.2%; HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.19). Moreover, a non-linear relationship was identified between cumulative night shift years and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Only individuals who worked night shifts for 20-30years exhibited a substantially increased hazard of all-cause (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.15-2.00) and cardiovascular disease (CVD; HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.16-3.71) mortality. Shift workers, particularly those with rare or irregular night shifts, exhibited an increased hazard of mortality. Additionally, participants who worked night shifts for 20-30years exhibited a substantially increased hazard of all-cause and CVD mortality.