Implementation Of Preventive Measures Research Articles

Different etiological entities of liver cancer across populations: Implications from age-period-cohort analysis on incidence trends.

The incidence of liver cancer has shown different temporal trends across populations, while the underlying reasons remain unclear. We examined temporal trends in the incidence of liver cancer in Hong Kong, Sweden, and the United States since the 1970s through 2021 using joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort analysis. The age-standardized incidence rate of liver cancer in Hong Kong steadily decreased (average annual percentage change [AAPC] -2.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.8% to -1.7% in men; AAPC -2.1%, 95%CI -3.1% to -1.1% in women) in 1983-2020. The rate in Sweden increased on average by 0.8% (95%CI 0.2% to 1.4%) per year in men and was stable in women (AAPC 0.2%, 95%CI -0.9% to 1.4%) in 1970-2021. The rate in the United States increased by 2.1% (95%CI 1.5% to 2.8%) per year in men and by 2.1% (95%CI 1.6% to 2.5%) in women in 1975-2020, but decreasing trends were noted in 2015-2020 (AAPC -6.6%, 95%CI -8.3% to -4.9% in men; AAPC -4.2%, 95%CI -7.5% to -0.5% in women). Stratified analysis by histological type showed such decrease in recent years was limited to hepatocellular carcinoma, rather than intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We observed distinct changes in trends across age groups and different trends across birth cohorts. The incidence of liver cancer has decreased in Hong Kong but increased in Sweden and the United States since the 1980s, despite decreasing incidence in the United States since 2015. Such disparities may be explained by different etiology and implementation of preventive measures across populations.

B - 30 Influence of Military Blast Exposure on Subjective Post-Concussion Symptom Reporting

Abstract Objective Repeated subconcussive blast exposure associated with explosive breaching, mortars, and shoulder-fired artillery weapons is commonly seen in the military/veteran population and has been found to contribute to adverse neurological outcomes; however, the extent is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of blast exposure during military or other training exercises on neurobehavioral symptom endorsement. Method Cross-sectional data from 48 nonclinical post-deployment Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans prospectively-recruited for a study examining posttraumatic stress and cognitive correlates at an urban VA Medical Center were examined (M age = 36.02; SD = 6.12; M years of education = 14.94; SD = 1.84). The sample was 96% male, 41% White, 39% Black, 4% Asian, and 16% Other. The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) was used to assess self-reported vestibular, somatosensory, cognitive, and affective post-concussion symptoms, and the Boston Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury-Lifetime semi-structured clinical interview assessed military-related blast exposure. Results There was a significant difference in neurobehavioral symptoms based on blast exposure, F(4,43) = 3.49, p = 0.015; Wilk’s Λ = 0.755, partial η2 = 0.25. Follow-up analyses showed that veterans with history of blast exposure endorsed significantly higher levels of somatosensory (F(1,47) = 7.69, p = 0.008, η2 = 0.143); affective (F(1,47) = 12.66, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.216); cognitive (F(1,47) = 5.97, p = 0.018, η2 = 0.115); and vestibular (F(1,47) = 7.21, p = 0.010, η2 = 0.136) post-concussive symptoms on the NSI compared to those without history of military blast exposure. Conclusion Veterans with blast exposure during military service reported significantly greater levels of post-concussion symptoms. This demonstrates the need to assess history of blast exposure, implement prevention measures through safeguards and decreased exposure when possible, and establish treatment modalities to improve outcomes.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATE OF RORAIMA

This research highlights the safety of work in civil construction in the state of Roraima, with the objective of analyzing the safety practices adopted in the sector, identifying the main risks faced and assessing the effectiveness of implemented preventive measures. The methodology was based on the analysis of regulatory standards, local case studies and workers’ perception. The results showed that Roraima’s climate and geographical particularities impose additional security challenges, highlighting the importance of adapted practices and effective risk management. The conclusion points to the need to strengthen security culture in companies, with emphasis on workers’ education and training, as a way to reduce accidents and improve working conditions.

Bayesian-optimized extreme gradient boosting models for classification problems: an experimental analysis of product return case

Purpose Product returns are a major challenge for e-businesses as they involve huge logistical and operational costs. Therefore, it becomes crucial to predict returns in advance. This study aims to evaluate different genres of classifiers for product return chance prediction, and further optimizes the best performing model. Design/methodology/approach An e-commerce data set having categorical type attributes has been used for this study. Feature selection based on chi-square provides a selective features-set which is used as inputs for model building. Predictive models are attempted using individual classifiers, ensemble models and deep neural networks. For performance evaluation, 75:25 train/test split and 10-fold cross-validation strategies are used. To improve the predictability of the best performing classifier, hyperparameter tuning is performed using different optimization methods such as, random search, grid search, Bayesian approach and evolutionary models (genetic algorithm, differential evolution and particle swarm optimization). Findings A comparison of F1-scores revealed that the Bayesian approach outperformed all other optimization approaches in terms of accuracy. The predictability of the Bayesian-optimized model is further compared with that of other classifiers using experimental analysis. The Bayesian-optimized XGBoost model possessed superior performance, with accuracies of 77.80% and 70.35% for holdout and 10-fold cross-validation methods, respectively. Research limitations/implications Given the anonymized data, the effects of individual attributes on outcomes could not be investigated in detail. The Bayesian-optimized predictive model may be used in decision support systems, enabling real-time prediction of returns and the implementation of preventive measures. Originality/value There are very few reported studies on predicting the chance of order return in e-businesses. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to compare different optimization methods and classifiers, demonstrating the superiority of the Bayesian-optimized XGBoost classification model for returns prediction.

Formation of Methane Hazards During Underground Coal Production in the Longwall Area Ventilated by System Y

Abstract The article addresses a critical and timely issue: improving safety in underground coal mining. The primary objective of the paper was to develop a research methodology based on modelling studies to identify and assess the state of methane hazards during mining operations. To achieve this, structural modelling of the physical and chemical phenomena occurring in mining regions was conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The core research was performed using the finite volume method on a real longwall exploitation site ventilated by a Y-system. This approach enabled the determination of methane and oxygen concentration distributions in the mining region and goafs, treated as a porous and permeable medium. Based on these findings, potential fire and/or methane explosion hazard zones were identified in the goaf. The model test results underwent a validation process, comparing them with actual measurements. The determined errors were within an acceptable range, confirming the accuracy of the developed model of the mining region and the phenomena within it. Furthermore, the model was used to predict the locations of zones at risk of fire and/or methane explosion in the goafs, particularly in areas with potentially increased gas emissions. The results clearly demonstrate the significant potential of using model studies to diagnose and forecast methane hazards in underground mining operations. Identifying these potential danger zones allows for the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of dangerous incidents.

Risk factors for biliary strictures and leaks after living-donor liver transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundLiver transplantation is the only curative treatment of end-stage liver disease. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients on the organ waitlist die waiting for an organ. Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an approach that has been used to expand organ availability. Although LDLT has excellent outcomes, biliary complications remain a significant drawback. This meta-analysis aimed to precisely assess the predictors of biliary stricture and leak after LDLT. MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to January 2024. Only studies that used a multivariate model to assess risk factors for post-LDLT biliary stricture or leak in adult participants were included. Studies reporting unadjusted risk factors were excluded. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs for risk factors reported in ≥2 studies were obtained within a random-effects model. ResultsOverall, 22 studies with 9442 patients who underwent LDLT were included. The post-LDLT biliary stricture rate was 22%, whereas the post-LDLT biliary leak rate was 14%. In addition, 13 unique risk factors were analyzed. Postoperative bile leak (OR, 4.10 [95% CI, 2.88–5.83]; HR, 3.88 [95% CI, 2.15–6.99]) was the most significant predictor of biliary stricture after LDLT. Other significant predictors of biliary stricture after LDLT were right lobe graft (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.23–5.32), multiple ducts for anastomosis (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.08–2.43), ductoplasty (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.36–3.13), ABO incompatibility (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16–1.81), and acute cellular rejection (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 2.88–5.83). Donor bile duct size (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.91; P = .001, I2 = 0%) was found to be significantly associated with reduced risk of post-LDLT biliary stricture. Donor age, recipient age, recipient male sex, and duct-to-duct anastomosis were not associated with an increased risk of post-LDLT biliary strictures. Multiple ducts for anastomosis (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.43–2.43) was a significant predictor of post-LDLT biliary leak. Recipient age, warm ischemia time, and duct-to-duct anastomosis were not associated with an increased risk of post-LDLT biliary leak. ConclusionIn this meta-analysis, 7 unique risk factors were shown to be predictive of post-LDLT biliary stricture, one of which was associated with both post-LDLT biliary stricture and leak. Donor bile duct size was found to be protective against post-LDLT biliary strictures. Identifying reliable predictors is crucial for recognizing high-risk patients. This approach can facilitate the implementation of preventive measures, surveillance protocols, and targeted interventions to reduce the incidence of biliary strictures after LDLT.

Screening analysis of the prevalence of leading endocrine diseases in Tajikistan

Aim. To clarify the epidemiology of endocrine diseases in different regions of Tajikistan.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the medical history of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) admitted to two medical centres in Dushanbe over a 10-year period (2011-2020) was used, along with data from an epidemiological analysis conducted by the Republican Endocrinology Clinical Centre from 2016 to 2021.Results. More than 50,000 cases of diabetes were registered in Tajikistan between 2016 and 2021, including 3,424 cases of type 1 diabetes (6.8%) and 47,094 cases of type 2 diabetes (93.2%). There is a consistent trend towards an increasing prevalence of diabetes. There has also been an increase in the prevalence of thyroid pathology, particularly endemic goiter and related endocrine disorders. An increase in obesity was observed in both adults and children.Conclusions. The epidemiological analysis indicates a high prevalence and increasing trend of endocrine disorders in Tajikistan. This underlines the importance of early diagnosis and timely implementation of preventive measures. The observed increase in obesity rates calls for additional attention to programmes aimed at improving the diet and lifestyle of the population. Continued basic research is needed to improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities, especially in the context of expanding national programmes for diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Computed Tomography of Contemporary Occupational Lung Disease: A Pictorial Review.

Occupational lung disease remains one of the most common work-related illnesses and accounts for most deaths from occupational illness. Occupational lung diseases often have delayed manifestation over decades and nonspecific clinical presentations, making it challenging for clinicians to promptly identify the disease and implement preventive measures. Radiologists play a crucial role in identifying and diagnosing occupational lung diseases, allowing for removal of the exposure and early medical intervention. In this review, we share our clinical and radiologic approach to diagnosing occupational lung disease and its subtypes. A collection of sample cases of occupational lung diseases commonly encountered in the modern era at a large Canadian university hospital is included to facilitate understanding. This review will provide radiologists with valuable insights into recognizing and diagnosing occupational lung diseases.

Airborne pollen and spore monitoring for seasonal trends and dynamic interconnection with meteorological parameters in Rawalpindi city, Pakistan

Aerobiological studies are essential to understand the pollen and spore diversity and allergy hazards. Airborne pollen/spore assemblages seasonally and regionally are affected by weather variables. Local vegetation plays an integral role in atmospheric pollen loads. This study identified the pollen taxa families and spore types in conjunction with influencing meteorological parameters e.g. temperature, rainfall, wind speed, relative humidity. Daily airborne pollen and spore were monitored to estimate seasonal diversity and intensity (measured in grains/m3) by using volumetric method throughout the year 2023. Daily weather updates and monthly reports of Pakistan Meteorological Department were assessed to collect meteorological data. Results revealed that pollen and spore concentration were low in the start and end months of the year. First pollen and spore peak were observed on 14 February and 23 April respectively. Maximum pollen concentration was observed in February–April, August–September. Spore concentration was high during March–May, August–October. Total 34 pollen families and 10 spore types were identified on morphological basis with Pinaceae (18%) found abundantly followed by Poaceae (11%) and Betulaceae (8%). Fall season prominent pollen families were Asteraceae and Cannabaceae. Some families with very low concentration were also identified categorized as “others”. Among spores, Alternaria and Aspergillus conidia were found maximum in April and September respectively. Statistical and qualitative investigation of dynamic interrelation between airborne pollen/spore and meteorological parameter explored the significant association with temperature and not-significant with rainfall and relative humidity. Wind speed was highly significant parameter for pollen loads but did not majorly affect the spore counts. It was observed from p-values obtained by single-factor ANOVA test. This study concluded that airborne pollen and spore loads influenced by variations in weather conditions and surrounding flora. Healthcare professionals can utilize findings of such researches for implementation of preventive measures to vulnerable population.

The Frequency of Risk Factors for Cleft Lip and Palate in Mexico: A Systematic Review.

Cleft lip and palate is an anomaly that affects both women and men. It is considered to be among the most frequent congenital abnormalities and is related to modifications in chromosomal DNA and multiple genetic alterations. This anomaly can also be associated with various environmental factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, medication use, and exposure to different environmental and industrial toxic substances. The objective of this study was to document the frequency of risk factors related to cleft lip and palate through a systematic review of Mexican studies. In this systematic review, a bibliographic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines in the databases Scielo, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and EBSCO. Keywords related to cleft lip and palate, epidemiology, and risk factors were used. In all, 3 independent reviewers (J.A.S.L., S.L.V., and N.M.F.) selected and evaluated a total of 17 articles included in this analysis, achieving a coefficient of κ = 0.84. The analysis revealed that the highest frequency of conducted studies was in the State of Mexico. The most common risk factors identified were environmental, pharmacological, consumption habits, and gynecological factors. Identifying the main risk factors for cleft lip and palate in the Mexican population will enable the implementation of preventive measures aimed at reducing exposure to these factors. Additionally, early intervention can improve the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

Disposable Carbon Electrochemical Sensor Modified with Gold Nanoparticles for Creatinine Detection

The social and economic impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on global health systems is devastating. It is estimated that annual spending on the treatment of Chronic Kidney Patients is in the order of 2 to 3% of annual health budgets. (1) In 2015, considering the United States, medical expenses for individuals with chronic kidney diseases were more than 64 billion dollars (1). Indeed, the early diagnosis of chronic kidney diseases is very important for the implementation of preventive measures that delay or even interrupt the progression to more advanced stages of the disease. In this context, this work aims to develop a disposable electrochemical sensor aimed at detecting creatinine for diagnosing kidney diseases. The flexible disposable lab made carbon sensor has been modified with gold nanoparticles. Morphological and electrochemical characterizations were carried out to better understand the proposed device. From cyclic voltammetry measurements, the proposed sensor showed reduction and oxidation peaks related to gold oxides formed on its surface. When adding creatinine there is a decrease in the electrochemical signal due to the adsorption of the target analyte. Therefore, it was inferred that it was possible to detect creatinine present in the solution from the reduction in the analytical response of the gold-modified electrode. Using the square wave voltammetry technique, in accordance with what was previously presented, when CNN was added to the solution, the Au-CNN interaction caused a reduction in the analytical response, therefore, with the increase in CNN concentration, this reduction increased linearly in the range of 0.5 to 10 µmol L-1 with a limit of detection and quantification, 0.15 and 0.45 µmol L-1, respectively, were calculated. Furthermore, it presented a sensitivity of 0.97 µA mol-1 L with a linear equation of Ipeak (µA) = 0.97 x C(CNN) + 0.23. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to determine creatinine in human serum samples and the recovery results were close to 100%. Therefore, the device modified with gold nanoparticles is an interesting alternative for creatinine detection.References(1) Luyckx V. A. et al. The global burden of kidney disease and the sustainable development goals, Bulletin of the World Health Organization Published online: 20 April 2018.

Cervical cancer screening practice and associated factors among female health care professionals in Ethiopia 2024: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCervical cancer, ranking as the fourth most common gynecological cancer worldwide, claimed an estimated 570,000 lives and resulted in 311,000 new cases in 2018. This disease disproportionately affects those living in poverty and is more prevalent in countries with weak healthcare systems. Low and middle-income nations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, face higher incidence and mortality rates due to limited access to vaccines, screening, and treatment. The world health organization recommends regular screening for women from age 25, setting a 90-70-90 target for low- and middle-income countries by 2030. Despite limited previous knowledge, the study aims to assess the pooled prevalence of cervical cancer screening practices and associated factors among female healthcare professionals in Ethiopia in 2024.ObjectiveThe study aimed to synthesize the existing literature on cervical cancer screening practice and associated factors among female health workers in Ethiopia.MethodsStudies were searched through the search engine of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Searching was made using Keywords/ MeSH terms Cervical cancer; utilization; Preventive practice. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics. A random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval was used for the pooled prevalence and odds ratio estimations.ResultSeven studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of cervical cancer screening practice among female health workers in Ethiopia was 18%. Work place(OR = 2.858;95% CI: 0.412, 5.305),knowledge(OR = 3.457; 95% CI: 2.314, 4.601), work experience(OR = 5.421; 95% CI:4.178,6.664),being diagnosed(OR = 10.787; 95% CI: 06.197,15.377) and ever cared of cervical cancer patient (OR = 2.93; 95% CI: 2.004, 3.856) were the pooled associated factors that are significantly associated with cervical cancer screening practice among female health care worker.ConclusionThe implementation of preventive measures for cervical cancer screening was found to be suboptimal. Our findings underscore the importance of enhancing awareness among this demographic, which is crucial in mobilizing local communities. It is imperative to provide continuous education to female health workers regarding cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health should collaborate with various organizations to ensure the accessibility of cost-effective screening services in all healthcare facilities.

Chronic challenges: picturing chronic disease by the World Health Organization

Chronic diseases are among the leading causes of mortality in the world, the subject of major regional and international efforts to tackle shared risk factors, implement prevention and control measures...

AI-Generated Graffiti Simulation for Building Façade and City Fabric

Graffiti represents a multi-disciplinary social behavior. It is used to annotate urban landscapes under the assumption that building façades will constantly evolve and acquire modified skins. This study aimed to simulate the interaction between building façades and generative AI-based graffiti using Stable Diffusion® (SD v 1.7.0). The context used for graffiti generation considered the graffiti as the third skin, the remodeled façade as the second skin, and the original façade as the first skin. Graffiti was created based on plain-text descriptions, representative images, renderings of scaled 3D prototype models, and characteristic façades obtained from various seed elaborations. It was then generated from either existing graffiti or the abovementioned context; overlaid upon a campus or city; and judged based on various criteria: style, area, altitude, orientation, distribution, and development. I found that rescaling and reinterpreting the context presented the most creative results: it allowed unexpected interactions between the urban fabric and the dynamics created to be foreseen by elaborating on the context and due to the divergent instrumentation used for the first, second, and third skins. With context awareness or homogeneous aggregation, graphic partitions can thus be merged into new topologically re-arranged polygons that enable a cross-gap creative layout. Almost all façades were found to be applicable. AI generation enhances awareness of the urban fabric and facilitates a review of both the human scale and buildings. AI-based virtual governance can use generative graffiti to facilitate the implementation of preventive measures in an urban context.

Geographical Patterns in Mortality Impacts Due To Heatwaves of Different Characteristics in Spanish Cities.

The impact of heatwaves (HWs) on human health is a topic of growing interest due to the global magnification of these phenomena and their substantial socio-economic impacts. As for other countries of Southern Europe, Spain is a region highly affected by heat and its increase under climate change. This is observed in the mean values and the increasing incidence of extreme weather events and associated mortality. Despite the vast knowledge on this topic, it remains unclear whether specific types and characteristics of HW are particularly harmful to the population and whether this shows a regional interdependency. The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between HW characteristics and mortality in 12 Spanish cities. We used separated time series analysis in each city applying a quasi-Poisson regression model and distributed lag linear and non-linear models. Results show an increase in the mortality risk under HW conditions in the cities with a lower HW frequency. However, this increase exhibits remarkable differences across the cities under study not showing any general pattern in the HW characteristics-mortality association. This relationship is shown to be complex and strongly dependent on the local properties of each city pointing out the crucial need to examine and understand on a local scale the HW characteristics and the HW-mortality relationship for an efficient design and implementation of prevention measures.

Epidemiology of Viral Infectious Diseases Reported in Saudi Arabia.

Efficient epidemiological monitoring of virus diseases is crucial in evaluating general public health, the prevalence of specific diseases, the pattern of spread, and implementing preventative and control strategies into action. This study analyzed data obtained from the Field Epidemiology Program (FETP) which is part of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Saudi Arabia, which contained reported cases of infectious diseases over four years, from January 2018 to December 2021, to investigate and highlight the significant trend and incidence rate for each viral infectious disease. Of the reported viral infectious diseases, hepatitis B and C, dengue fever (DF), influenza, chickenpox, and measles were the highest reported viral cases over four years. For the aforementioned diseases, males were often more susceptible to viral infections than females. Except for DF, this viral infection was more common in Saudi citizens. Viral illnesses like hand, foot, and mouth disease were less prevalent, while neurological viral disorders such as acute flaccid paralysis were rarely detected. There was an overall reduction in viral cases recorded during 2020-2021, which may be attributed to the implementation of preventive measures during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic or an underreporting of cases during the lockdown of that time. The prevalence of these common viral infections in the Saudi population suggests that understanding the mechanisms influencing changes in these viruses, methods of transmission, and the burden of these diseases is a priority for health policy. This understanding is necessary to develop effective intervention and preventive strategies.

Exploring the association between metabolic syndrome, its components and subsequent cancer incidence: A cohort study in Catalonia.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) has emerged as a significant global health concern. The relationship between MS and the risk of cancer doesn't seem clear, whether examining by components or in combination. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between MS, its components, and the overall risk of cancer, including the risk of 13 specific cancer types. We included 3,918,781 individuals aged 40 years or older sourced from the SIDIAP database between 2008 and 2017. Cox models were employed with MS components and their combinations. A subsample was created using a matched cohort (by age and sex). Incidence curves were computed to determine the time elapsed between the date of having 1-5 MS components and cancer incidence, compared to matched participants with no MS components, which showed that individuals who had one MS component experienced a greater incidence of cancer over 5 and 10 years than individuals with no MS, and the incidence rose with an increase in the number of MS components. Individuals exposed to MS components were diagnosed with cancer earlier than those who were not exposed to them. In the Cox model, HDL (HR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.41-1.52) and Glycemia (HR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.37-1.44) were the individual combinations with the highest risk of overall cancer. In combinations with two components, the highest HR was HDL+Glycemia (HR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.45-1.59) and Glycemia+HBP (HR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.45-1.50). In combinations with three components, the highest HR was HDL+Glycemia+HBP (HR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.55-1.62). In summary, having one or more MS components raises the risk of developing at least 11 cancer types and these risk differ according to type of component included. Some sex differences are also observed. Our findings suggest that implementing prevention measures aimed at specific MS components may lower the risk of various cancer types.

Establishment and validation of a predictive model for peripherally inserted central catheter-related thrombosis in patients with liver cancer.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are commonly used in hospitalized patients with liver cancer for the administration of chemotherapy, nutrition, and other medications. However, PICC-related thrombosis is a serious complication that can lead to morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Several risk factors have been identified for the development of PICC-related thrombosis, including cancer type, stage, comorbidities, and catheter characteristics. Understanding these risk factors and developing a predictive model can help healthcare providers identify high-risk patients and implement preventive measures to reduce the incidence of thrombosis. To analyze the influencing factors of PICC-related thrombosis in hospitalized patients with liver cancer, construct a predictive model, and validate it. Clinical data of hospitalized patients with liver cancer admitted from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected. Thirty-five cases of PICC-related thrombosis in hospitalized patients with liver cancer were collected, and 220 patients who underwent PICC placement during the same period but did not develop PICC-related thrombosis were randomly selected as controls. A total of 255 samples were collected and used as the training set, and 77 cases were collected as the validation set in a 7:3 ratio. General patient information, case data, catheterization data, coagulation indicators, and Autar Thrombosis Risk Assessment Scale scores were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed on relevant factors, and the value of combined indicators in predicting PICC-related thrombosis in hospitalized patients with liver cancer was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in age, sex, Karnofsky performance status score (KPS), bedridden time, activities of daily living impairment, parenteral nutrition, catheter duration, distant metastasis, and bone marrow suppression between the thrombosis group and the non-thrombosis group. Other aspects had no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years, KPS score ≤ 50 points, parenteral nutrition, stage III to IV, distant metastasis, bone marrow suppression, and activities of daily living impairment were independent risk factors for PICC-related thrombosis in hospitalized patients with liver cancer (P < 0.05). Catheter duration of 1-6 months and catheter duration > 6 months were protective factors for PICC-related thrombosis (P < 0.05). The predictive model for PICC-related thrombosis was obtained as follows: P predictive probability = [exp (Logit P)]/[1 + exp (Logit P)], where Logit P = age × 1.907 + KPS score × 2.045 + parenteral nutrition × 9.467 + catheter duration × 0.506 + tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging × 2.844 + distant metastasis × 2.065 + bone marrow suppression × 2.082 + activities of daily living impairment × 13.926. ROC curve analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.827 (95%CI: 0.724-0.929, P < 0.001), with a corresponding optimal cut-off value of 0.612, sensitivity of 0.755, and specificity of 0.857. Calibration curve analysis showed good consistency between the predicted occurrence of PICC-related thrombosis and actual occurrence (P > 0.05). ROC analysis showed AUCs of 0.888 and 0.729 for the training and validation sets, respectively. Age, KPS score, parenteral nutrition, TNM staging, distant metastasis, bone marrow suppression, and activities of daily living impairment are independent risk factors for PICC-related thrombosis in hospitalized patients with liver cancer, while catheter duration is a protective factor for the disease. The predictive model has an AUC of 0.827, indicating high predictive accuracy and clinical value.

Arterial stiffness as a screening tool for cardiovascular risk in health and disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for approximately one-third of all deaths worldwide. The incidence of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infraction has been reported to be progressively increasing with age, especially with existing comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Assessing arterial stiffness indices may serve as a screening tool in identification of population at risk of cardiovascular diseases and assist in implementation of preventive measures and early treatment in this population. To measure and compare the arterial stiffness indices in healthy adults with diabetes, hypertension and obesity. A total of 184 adults in the age group of 30-50 years were included in the study who were divided into 4 groups: Group I (n = 64) (diabetic), group II (n = 40) (hypertensives), group III (n = 40) (obese) and group IV (n = 40) (control). The arterial stiffness indices were measured by using a certified oscillometric device in all the participants. The arterial stiffness indices were assessed by using a certified oscillometric device in all the participants. The mean values of right baPWV and left baPWV are found to be significantly higher in hypertensive subjects compared with obese, diabetic and healthy controls. The pulse wave velocity, ASI and pulse pressure serve as independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality and outcomes in hypertension, diabetes and obesity as well as healthy individuals.

Typhoid and paratyphoid fever epidemiological indicators and spatiotemporal analysis in China from 2004 to 2019

Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are systemic infections caused by Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi. These diseases are endemic in many parts of China, occurring periodically throughout the year. Epidemiological features, temporal trends, and spatial distribution of these fevers were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9 with data collected by China's Public Health Science Data Center from 2004 to 2019. Charts were generated to depict their incidence across provinces, years, age groups, and occupations. Spatial clustering was assessed using ArcGIS 10.5 and Moran's I index. SaTScan 9.5 was employed to analyze their spatiotemporal distribution. From 2004 to 2019, China reported 197,623 cases of typhoid fever, resulting in 72 deaths, and 84,583 cases of paratyphoid fever, with 17 fatalities, showing a yearly reduction. Epidemic zones for these diseases are primarily in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and other southwestern regions, affecting predominantly peasants and students. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable. Due to the epidemic nature of these diseases, they can occur year-round, with peaks in the summer months. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of their epidemiological characteristics and geographic distribution in China, emphasizing the need for authorities to improve living conditions, implement preventive measures, and develop effective treatments and vaccines in these high-risk areas.