Population Lives Research Articles

Edentulism and quality of life in the Salvadoran population: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionEdentulism is the partial or total loss of teeth, it is irreversible and disabling due to its sequelae in the masticatory, phonetic and aesthetic function that affect the quality of life.ObjectiveTo establish the impact of edentulism and sociodemographic factors on the quality of life of the Salvadoran population.Materials and methodsSecondary cross-sectional analysis of data in 3322 users of the Public Health System of El Salvador, aged 15 to > 60 years. The variables under study were sociodemographic, edentulismo and quality of life. Edentulism was determined by clinical examination using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance scale. The statistical analysis was performed using χ2, OR, multiple regression analysis and set the significance threshold at p < 0.05.ResultsPartial edentulism in the upper jaw was present in 68.24% people, partial edentulism in the lower jaw was present in 72.42% people and complete edentulism was observed in 2.02% people. There were significant sex differences and a relationship between sex and quality of life (p < 0.004); the self-perception of severe/very severe impacts was greater in women. People without education or with primary or secondary education only were the most affected (p < 0.05). Tooth loss increases with age, affecting quality of life in a severe/very severe manner. Complete edentulism had greater impacts on quality of life in terms of eating (25.64%), speaking (21.15%), and socializing/enjoying contact with people (10.90%). A severe/very severe impact on quality of life of teeth lost was reported mainly by those over 60 years of age, with an average of 11 missing posterior teeth, 6 missing anterior teeth and 13 missing teeth per patient. Those missing up to 6 anterior teeth were times more likely to perceive severe/very severe impacts on quality of life than those without any missing teeth (OR:5.788). Edentulism affected the quality of life of those examined, especially the loss of upper anterior teeth.

Gamification Attributes to Enhance Socio-Vocational Readiness Among People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities: A Conceptual Paper

People with disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) may experience obstacles in social, communication, vocational, and behavioral skills that limit their participation. Video modeling (VM) entails demonstrating desired behaviors through video simulation. Its effectiveness in encouraging adaptive behaviors in work-related social activities has been demonstrated for ASD and IDD. Gamification is the application of game attributes to nongame situations. Within health care, education, and rehabilitation, gamification has included simulations of real-life events to engage clients and improve function. In this conceptual paper, we examined the link between gamification’s intrinsic attributes and the VM paradigm through examples of our evolving VM studies for individuals with ASD and IDD. The discussed interfaces demonstrate gamification attributes that likely contributed to their usability and effectiveness. This conceptual framework illustrated a new perspective concerning the effectiveness of VM paradigms. We encourage clinicians and technology developers to consider the value of incorporating gamification when designing VM interventions to enhance independence in the daily lives of vulnerable populations. Embracing gamified VM can promote engaging interventions, enhancing skill acquisition across diverse populations.

Leadership Challenges in The Era of Globalization for Poverty Alleviation in Sabu Raijua District, East Nusa Tenggara

Globalization has developed into a cliché where some people think that globalization is a force to reduce adversity, others think that globalization has negative implications and is seen as an increase in inequality, poverty, unemployment and environmental destruction. Globalization has played a key role in the standard of living and development of a country. Global poverty is one of the worst problems facing the world today. The world's poorest people are often hungry, have far less access to education, are regularly without light at night, and suffer from far poorer health. Therefore, making progress against poverty is one of the most pressing global goals. About 8 percent of the world's population lives in extreme poverty. Most of the population in Sabu Raijua Regency, 82.3 percent work as farmers out of a total population of 74,403 people, although they work as farmers, the number of paddy fields in Sabu Raijua Regency is only 2.49 percent and the rest is dry land with a percentage of 97.52 percent. This shows that some of the people of Sabu Raijua has just reached the stage of subsistence farming, where this method of production has a high level of demand for water. This means that the agricultural sector has not been able to save the people of Sabu Raijua in alleviating poverty.

Understanding the factors of accessibility to the neighborhood green spaces that contribute to social cohesion: A systematic literature review

Green spaces are vital for urban health and quality of life, promoting social cohesiveness and interpersonal dynamics. However, 56% of the world’s population lives in cities without green spaces, affecting their health and psychological well-being. The limited number of neighborhood parks highlights the need to consider accessibility and its relationship with social cohesiveness. Social cohesion is crucial for community well-being and is linked to public spaces, especially in urban areas. Neighborhood green spaces promote social connections, reduce inequalities, and enhance community health. This research acknowledges the connection between accessibility and urban green spaces, but does not directly evaluate its impact. This systematic literature review aims to understand the factors of accessibility to neighborhood green spaces that contribute to social cohesion and their impact on physical and mental well-being, highlighting the lack of research on the interdependencies between these variables and their combined impact. The study utilized a keyword search on databases like Scopus, Research Gate, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Lens.org, and PubMed to identify 123 empirical research studies published between 2013 and 2022, conducted by 213 authors in 5 countries and 66 journals. The findings explore the factors influencing social cohesion, including socio-demographics, physical characteristics, non-physical variables, environmental perceptions, and usage patterns. It uses Vos viewer keyword co-occurrences analysis to create clusters, proposes a model to understand how these factors are linked to accessibility and directly influence social cohesion and provides insights into the relationship between these factors. Understanding these factors is essential for urban planning and policy-making.

Factors Associated With the Initiation of Comfort-Focused Nutrition Care Orders for Long-Term Care Residents at End of Life.

Comfort-focused nutrition orders are recommended to manage eating changes among long-term care (LTC) residents nearing the end of life, though little is known about their current use. This investigation aims to describe current practices and identify resident-level and time-dependent factors associated with comfort-focused nutrition orders in this context. Data were retrospectively extracted from resident charts of decedents (≥65 years at death, admitted ≥6 months) in 18 LTC homes from two sampling frames across southern Ontario, Canada. Observations occurred at 6 months (baseline), 3 months, 1 month and 2 weeks prior to death. Extracted data included functional measures (e.g. cognitive performance, health instability) at baseline, formalised restorative and comfort-focused nutrition care interventions at each timepoint and eating changes reported in the progress notes in 2 weeks following each timepoint. Logistic regression and time-varying logistic regression models determined resident-level (e.g. functional characteristics) and time-dependent factors (e.g. eating changes) associated with receiving a comfort-focused nutrition order. Less than one-third (30.5%; n = 50) of 164 participants (61.0% female; mean age = 88.3 ± 7.5 years) received a comfort-focused nutrition order, whereas most (99%) received at least one restorative nutrition intervention to support oral food intake. Discontinuation of nutrition interventions was rare (8.5%). Comfort orders were more likely with health instability (OR [95% CI] = 4.35 [1.49, 13.76]), within 2 weeks of death (OR = 5.50 [1.70, 17.11]), when an end-of-life conversation had occurred since the previous timepoint (OR = 5.66 [2.83, 11.33]), with discontinued nutrition interventions (OR = 6.31 [1.75, 22.72]), with co-occurrence of other care plan modifications (OR = 1.48 [1.10, 1.98]) and with a greater number of eating changes (OR = 1.19 [1.02, 1.38]), especially dysphagia (OR = 2.59 [1.09, 6.17]), at the preceding timepoint. Comfort-focused nutrition orders were initiated for less than one-third of decedents and most often in the end stages of life, possibly representing missed opportunities to support the quality of life for this vulnerable population. An increase in eating changes, including new dysphagia, may signal a need for proactive end-of-life conversations involving comfort nutrition care options. Early and open conversations with residents and family about potential eating changes and comfort-focused nutrition care options should be encouraged and planned for among geriatric nursing teams working in LTC. These conversations may be beneficial even as early as resident admission to the home.

Development of a prediction model for frailty among older Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes residing in the community.

The study employed a retrospective survey of 458 older individuals with T2D residing in a Chinese community, conducted between June 2020 and May 2021, to develop a predictive model for frailty. Among the participants, 83 individuals (18.1%) were diagnosed with frailty using modified frailty phenotypic criteria. The predictors of frailty in this community-dwelling older population with T2D were determined using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariable logistic regression. These predictors were utilized to construct a nomogram. The discrimination, calibration, and medical usefulness of the prediction model were assessed through the C-index, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Additionally, internal validation of the prediction model was conducted using bootstrapping validation. The developed nomogram for frailty prediction predominantly incorporated age, smoking status, regular exercise, depression, albumin (ALB) levels, sleep condition, HbA1c, and polypharmacy as significant predictors. Our prediction model demonstrated excellent discrimination and calibration, as evidenced by a C-index of 0.768 (95% CI, 0.714-0.822) and strong calibration. Internal validation yielded a C-index of 0.732, further confirming the reliability of the model. DCA indicated the utility of the nomogram in identifying frailty among the studied population. The development of a predictive model enables a valuable estimation of frailty among community-dwelling older individuals with type 2 diabetes. This evidence-based tool provides crucial guidance to community healthcare professionals in implementing timely preventive measures to mitigate the occurrence of frailty in high-risk patients. By identifying established predictors of frailty, interventions and resources can be appropriately targeted, promoting better overall health outcomes and improved quality of life in this vulnerable population.

Ameliorative effects of mesenchymal stromal cells on senescence associated phenotypes in naturally aged rats

BackgroundAging is a multifaceted process that affects all organ systems. With the increasing trend of population aging, aging-related diseases have resulted in significant medical challenges and socioeconomic burdens. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), due to their antioxidative stress, immunoregulatory, and tissue repair capabilities, hold promise as a potential anti-aging intervention.MethodsIn this study, we transplanted MSCs into naturally aged rats at 24 months, and subsequently examined levels of aging-related factors such as β-galactosidase, superoxide dismutase, p16, p21 and malondialdehyde in multiple organs. Additionally, we assessed various aging-related phenotypes in these aged rats, including immune senescence, lipid deposition, myocardial fibrosis, and tissue damage. We also conducted a 16 S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) analysis to study the composition of gut microbiota.ResultsThe results indicated that MSCs significantly reduced the levels of aging-associated and oxidative stress-related factors in multiple organs such as the heart, liver, and lungs of naturally aging rats. Furthermore, they mitigated chronic tissue damage and inflammation caused by aging, reduced levels of liver lipid deposition and myocardial fibrosis, alleviated aging-associated immunodeficiency and immune cell apoptosis, and positively influenced the gut microbiota composition towards a more youthful state. This research underscores the diverse anti-aging effects of MSCs, including oxidative stress reduction, tissue repair, metabolic regulation, and improvement of immune functions, shedding light on the underlying anti-aging mechanisms associated with MSCs.ConclusionsThe study confirms that MSCs hold great promise as a potential anti-aging approach, offering the possibility of extending lifespan and improving the quality of life in the elderly population.

The court and judicial proceedings in the villages of Galychyna (between the end of the XVIIIth and the first half of the XIXth century)

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the functioning of the judicial system and the peculiarities of the judicial proceedings in the rural communities of Galicia between the end of the XVIIIth century and the first half of the XIXth century. The development of legal institutions following the annexation of Galicia to the Habsburg Monarchy is examined, particularly the introduction of the Austrian judicial system, which replaced traditional forms of rural adjudication. The primary focus is on the changes in the structure of courts, the jurisdiction of judges, the process of case hearings, and the participation of peasants in judicial proceedings. The article also characterizes the influences of political, social as well economic factors on judicial procedures and decisions. Special attention is given to the role of peasant self-governance and its integration into new legal norms. The article highlights a significant contribution to understanding the evolution of judicial proceedings in the rural areas of Galicia, which will foster a deeper comprehension of the processes of legal modernization in the Austrian Empire. It describes the impact of the Austrian administration on the judicial system, including a series of reforms aimed at unifying judicial proceedings and implementing Austrian law. This led to significant changes in the structure of the courts, their jurisdiction, and the procedures for implementing their decisions, as the peasants of Galicia had their own traditional legal customs and norms, which often conflicted with Austrian legislation. The integration processes associated with the introduction of the new justice system substantially affected the unique legal culture of the peasants, as rural courts had specific characteristics compared to urban and district courts. The article analyzes legislative acts and reforms introduced by the Austrian authorities in the field of judicial proceedings, their role, and their impact on judicial practice. It identifies the specific features of courts and judicial proceedings in the villages of Galicia during the period under study. The importance of researching this issue lies in understanding the evolution of legal norms, judicial practice, and their impact on the lives of the rural population. The study of the declared problem allows for a better understanding of the legal and social processes that took place in this part of Europe during the specified period. This not only supplements the general picture of the history of law but also helps to identify the roots of contemporary legal traditions and issues.

Abstract Mo038: Exploring clinically meaningful change in health-related quality of life and heart problems in a Black population: A Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA)

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures quantify the impact of heart problems on HRQoL changes over time. Previous research has shown Black individuals are more likely to have negative HRQoL changes over time, compared to their White counterparts. However, little research has clarified how sex differences within Black populations, and perceived heart problems play a role in HRQoL changes using the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Hypothesis: Black women reporting perceived heart problems will have a higher odds of clinically meaningful HRQoL decline over a 15-year period, compared to Black men with perceived heart problems. Methods: We used data from the longitudinal, multicentered study of 853 Black participants attending the years 15, 20, 25, and 30 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) examinations. Perceived heart problems were self-reported; HRQoL was measured through the 12-Item Short Form Survey consisting of mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component surveys. For the MCID, we used 0.5 standard deviation of the change score between Year 15 and 30, and then created a binary clinically meaningful decline variable. Mixed effects logistic regression models assessed the impact of race and perceived heart problems on HRQoL changes. Results: At year 30, 66% of women and 34% of men had a clinically meaningful decline in MCS. In PCS, 64% of women and 36% of men had a meaningful decline at year 30. After adjusting for heart problems and sociodemographic factors, Black men have a higher odds of a clinically meaningful decline between years 20 and 25 compared to years 15 and 20 (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.99), but this significance was not found in women (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.46). We found no significance after adjustment for either men or women in PCS model. Discussion: Previous studies found Black women report lower HRQoL compared to Black men, but few adjust for the impact of heart problems, which are known to impact Black men more frequently. Finding perceived heart problems impact HRQoL changes overtime in Black men, could signify greater issues including lack of care for their heart conditions, and other psychosocial factors. More research may be necessary to understand this association.

Exploring the relationship between perceived social support and quality of life among Indian elderly population: A cross-sectional study

The function of society is vital in influencing the quality of life (QOL) for the elderly population. With this context, the influence of perceived social support on enhancing the QOL among the geriatric population is substantial. This study sought to explore the relationship between perceived social support and QOL, employing a descriptive correlational study method. A multi-stage random sampling method was employed, involving 476 elderly persons. Data collection was conducted utilizing three organized interview schedules: The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (BREF version), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data were tabulated and subsequently analyzed using STATA version 16.0, with categorical data presented as percentages (%) and quantitative data as mean &amp;plusmn; standard deviation. The ages of the respondents ranged from 60 to 96 years. Pearson correlation analysis assessed the associations among numerical variables, with statistical significance set at a p &amp;le; 0.05. The findings revealed that physical health-related QOL was lower among the elderly participants, while social relationship QOL was the highest. More importantly, the family emerged as the primary source of social support. Significant positive correlations were identified between total QOL and total social support, emphasizing the pivotal role of social support in enhancing the well-being of the elderly. The study highlighted that active social engagement is instrumental in mitigating age-related health issues. Through the sharing of experiences, elderly individuals can support each other, derive meaning in life, and collectively improve their QOL. By fostering social connections and encouraging open communication, these strategies can contribute to a more fulfilling and healthier life for the elderly population.

The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health and quality of life among individuals diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

It has long been documented that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has positive impacts on improving mental health (MH) and quality of life (QoL) in the general population, but investigations on its effect on cancer survivors remain limited, especially for QoL outcomes. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the effects of CBT as compared to control on cancer patients' MH and QoL outcomes. Control is defined in this study as standard therapy, waitlist control, and active/alternative therapy. In total, 154 clinical trials creating a sample size of 1627 individuals were collected. Analysis focusing on MH and QoL excluded 29 clinical trials resulting in a final analysis of 132 clinical trials (and 1030 effect sizes). R Statistical Software (version 4.2.2) and the robumeta package were utilized to complete analysis, which entailed robust variance estimation (RVE) in intercept-only meta-regression, and univariate meta-regression (for moderator analysis). Across 132 clinical trials and 1030 effect size estimates, we identified that CBT moderately improves MH and QoL in cancer patients d = 0.388, 95% CI 0.294-0.483, p < 0.001. Additionally, age and delivery format can influence the efficacy of CBT in this patient population. CBT statistically improves the MH and QoL psychosocial parameters in cancer patients with greater efficacy in younger patients. Important clinical and intervention-related factors, that is, age and delivery, should be considered when oncologists consider CBT as a psychotherapeutic intervention for individuals with cancer.

Mobility and the use of littoral resources in the Late Mesolithic of Northern Spain: the case of La Chora cave (Voto, Cantabria, N Spain)

Littoral resources have been consumed by humans since at least the Middle Palaeolithic. Examples of the use of molluscs have been documented along the shores of Europe during that period but it was not until many millennia later that European hunter-fisher-gatherer societies exploited those resources intensively—see the case of Nerja cave during the Younger Dryas. This economic activity caused the accumulation of shells at archaeological sites during the Mesolithic, resulting in the formation of the so-called shell middens, a very common type of deposit along the Atlantic seaboard of Europe. Despite the large number of research projects that have studied the exploitation of coastal environments and the way of life of Mesolithic populations, questions such as the relationship between human mobility and mollusc exploitation patterns still remain. The archaeomalacological study of the shell midden in La Chora cave (Cantabria, Spain) confirms that people foraged for shellfish at several places along the coast, mainly in the estuary of the River Asón. The main difference between La Chora and other Mesolithic sites is its longer shellfish collection radius as the inhabitants travelled over 10 km to the open coast to collect shellfish. This study has expanded the available data about the subsistence strategies of Mesolithic groups in a little-studied area and improved our knowledge of mobility patterns among Mesolithic societies in the northern Iberian Peninsula.

Perception of Community Mobility Among Older Adults

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 Community mobility has been deemed to be essential for the overall well-being and quality of life of the older adult population. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the community mobility experiences and perceptions among older adults. Primary Author and Speaker: Megan Edwards Collins Additional Authors and Speakers: Davina Jones Contributing Authors: Connor Boyd, Keshira Cobb, Lazaria Goodman, Jasmine Pankey, Lundan Winchester

Hypopressive Exercise for the Treatment of Adults with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Chronic non-specific low back (NSCLBP) pain significantly affects the population, being the main cause of disability, work absenteeism, early retirement, and a serious public health problem that affects the quality of life of the adult population and its economy. Physiotherapy presents itself as an alternative for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP), through different modalities and specific exercises aimed at proper functioning of the trunk muscles. Within this area are hypopressive exercises (HE). The aim of this article is to determine the effectiveness of HE in the treatment of NSCLBP adults, conducting an exploratory and descriptive bibliographic study that compiled evidence from bibliographic sources PubMed, Scielo, Ebsco, Dialnet, Elsevier, Science Direct, PEDro, and SAGE Journals, with quartile between Q1 and Q4, in an observation window between 2018 and 2024, with no age, gender, and language restriction. The results yielded 5 articles which met the eligibility criteria. It was possible to recognize that 4 of these articles affirm a significant decrease in the Numerical Rating Scale that was used to measure low back pain after an intervention of HE. In conclusion, according to these studies, HE represents a non-invasive alternative to address NSCLB and have significant effects to reduce pain and improve functionality in people who suffer from these symptoms that are currently affecting the adult population.

Functional limitations among adult cancer survivors in the United States.

Using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), this study examined the odds of functional limitations across nine domains by cancer status (with vs. without cancer history) and age group (18-44, 45-64, 65 + years). Participants were 151,509 adults in the 2014-2018 NHIS. Functional limitations included self-reported difficulty conducting nine activities. Data were analyzed using age-stratified multivariate logistic regression (no limitation vs. limited in any way; minor limitation vs. major limitation) and are reported as covariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). To gather insight on the influence of cancer, compared to aging without a history of cancer, on functional limitations, we also conducted exploratory regression analyses comparing all cancer by age groups to 18-44year-olds without a cancer history. Cancer survivors (n = 12,518) were more likely to report a limitation than adults without cancer (n = 138,991). Age-stratified ORs for 1 + limitation were 2.75 (95% CI 1.98, 3.81) among 18-44year-olds, 2.42 (95% CI 2.00, 2.93) among 45-64year-olds, and 1.59 (95% CI 1.39, 1.82) among 65 + year-olds. Cancer survivors were more likely to report major limitations across multiple domains, with age-stratified ORs ranging from 1.18 (65 + year-olds, stooping limitation) to 2.28 (18-44year-old, sitting limitation). ORs from exploratory analyses were lowest among 45-64year-old adults without a cancer history (2.69-4.42) and highest among older adult cancer survivors (3.42-14.73). Cancer was associated with limitations across age groups, with the highest age-stratified ORs observed among younger adults and for mobility and lower-extremity limitations. Stronger efforts to assess limitations as part of routine care and implement targeted interventions to address limitations are needed. Functional limitations have been linked with poorer aging trajectories and lower quality of life in cancer and non-cancer populations. Routine screening to identify and discuss functional limitations with cancer patients may help reduce the burden of such limitations on survivors.

Features of Funding Rural Communities and Territories Development Financed by EU Common Budget

This publication substantiates European approaches to financial support for the sustainable development of rural communities and territories. The current state of financial support for the sustainable development of rural communities in the EU is identified using such methods as financial analysis, system analysis, content analysis, case studies, abstract and logical analysis, international policy analysis, etc. It is argued that budgetary policy is the main instrument of influence on the social and economic spheres of life of the EU member states, which determines their own resources (revenues) and influences the eligibility conditions and criteria for the allocation of funds for each expenditure programme. It is proved that by determining the directions of budgetary financing, the joint budget reflects the EU's political priorities. It is established that rural areas cover the majority of the EU territory, and a significant part of the EU population lives in rural areas. It is emphasised that the key challenges of rural settlements are demographic changes, insufficient access to transport and digital infrastructure, high unemployment, dependence of the economy on agricultural production, low income of rural residents, limited access to social services, etc. It is emphasised that structural funds and member states' national budgets actively finance rural communities' development. Funding depends on the type of territory, the direction of funding, and national development strategies. It is substantiated that the application of an integrated approach to solving the problems of rural communities in the EU, which involves cooperation at all levels - from the European to the local level, efficient use of financial resources, introduction of innovations, development of infrastructure and support for local initiatives, contributes to the creation of favourable conditions for sustainable development of rural communities and improvement of the quality of life of their residents.

The Demographic Profile of The Population in Small, Medium and Large-Sized Cities in Romania

The present study analyzes the demographic profile of the population by categories of urban localities, categories established according to the number of inhabitants, respectively very small, small, medium and large-sized cities. The main conclusions from this study would be that approximately 40% of the Romanian population lives in medium and large cities, the average age of the population in very small and small towns is lower than that in larger cities, the share of the population whose domicile coincides with residence is higher in smaller cities compared to larger ones, and the distribution of the main ethnicities highlights a slightly asymmetric territorial distribution within the Hungarian ethnic group (there are localities with very high percentages of this ethnic group) and a symmetrical distribution for the Romany ethnic group.

Evaluation of the hemoglobin cutoff point for anemia in adult women residents of different altitudinal levels in Peru.

Anemia prevalence is high in countries where high proportion of the population lives at high altitude (HA) due perhaps to the unsuitability hemoglobin correction factor proposed by the WHO. The present study has been designed to evaluate a new approach to establish thresholds of hemoglobin (Hb) when defining anemia at HA. Cross-sectional study evaluating 217 women aged 18 to 75 years-old, residents of 2 cities at low altitude (LA) (130 and 150 meters) and 2 at HA (3800 and 4300 meters). Hb, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), arterial oxygen content (CaO2), and inflammatory markers were measured. Three definitions of anemia diagnoses were used: uncorrected Hb, WHO-corrected Hb, and Silubonde's criteria based on ferritin as a gold standard. STATA v18.0 was use for data analysis, p<0.05 indicated significant difference. HA residents present higher Hb values than at LA. Likewise, the highest area under the curve (AUC) ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) was observed for uncorrected Hb (AUC = 0.8595; CI95% 0.858-0.86) for the diagnosis of anemia using serum ferritin as the gold standard. Anemia prevalence was higher when using WHO-corrected Hb, 27%, and Silubonde's criteria, 41% (Hb cut-off of 11.10, 12.73, 15.80 and 16.60 g/dl for altitudes of 130, 150, 3800 and 4300 meters, respectively), than using uncorrected Hb to define anemia (7.7%). Serum Ferritin and CaO2 values are lower only in the group with anemia defined with uncorrected Hb than in the groups of anemia using the WHO-corrected Hb or the Silubonde´s criteria. The correction factor of hemoglobin for altitude of residence overestimates the prevalence of anemia in adult women. Likewise, CaO2 could be a potential marker to determine the transport of oxygen in LA and HA populations. Further studies in adult men are required to confirm the present findings.

Patent Invalidation Procedures in the WTO Member BRICS Countries: India Provides a Model Legislation

Eighty percent of the world’s population lives in emerging markets, and a significant portion of this population is not receiving healthcare or at least is not receiving the healthcare they need. This is an issue experienced in all of the BRICS countries as well. The BRICS countries particularly need drugs for the treatment and management of infectious and communicable diseases. The affordability of healthcare is one of the key priorities of the BRICS countries. These goals may not necessarily be in line with the patent laws of the BRICS countries which are also members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This article examines the patent invalidation procedures of the four WTO member BRICS countries, namely India, China, Brazil, and South Africa with the aim of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their procedural safeguards and learning from their experiences. The presence of a functional patent opposition model is of utmost importance for the BRICS countries, since this allows for the invalidation or opposition of patents that have been granted in their respective jurisdictions. However, except for India, none of the other WTO member BRICS countries have developed a well-thought-out patent opposition model. This study argues that the BRICS group provides a viable forum for India to promote its distinguished patent invalidation model. In turn, the WTO member BRICS countries can learn from India’s pro-health patent opposition model and reform their national patent laws to align with their public health priorities. This is especially important in the context of the pandemic like COVID-19, for example.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the elderly in the United Kingdom: A review study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered the lives and lifestyles of several older populations in the United Kingdom. It was important to note how it has affected their physical, mental, and social health and well-being during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. To study the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the imposed restrictions on the day-to-day lives of the elderly population in the United Kingdom. A review of the published literature on the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences on the older population in the United Kingdom is done. Search engines used for medical databases were Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Internet Explorer. It was found that physical as well as mental well-being was affected in the elderly citizens of the United Kingdom. Mental health studies noted an obvious increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social isolation and reduced access to healthcare services had a deteriorating impact on their social health. Covid-19-related lockdown and pandemic-associated physical, mental, and social well-being effects have been evident in the elderly population in the United Kingdom. The reasons identified for such findings are lack of physical activity, poor social interactions, social isolation, the perceived threat of a pandemic, and poor access to healthcare facilities.