Previous Occupation Research Articles

Self-care and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis at Sulaimaniyah Province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a significant and growing public health issue globally with a negative impact on self-care and quality of life (QoL). Self-care and QoL are essential aspects of controlling the adverse effects of the illness.
 
 Objectives: To assess self-care and QoL of patients with CRF who undergo hemodialysis (HD).
 
 Patients and Methods: A descriptive-analytical design was carried out in Sulaimani Province Hemodialysis Centers/Unit from March to September 2022. About 150 patients with CRF undergoing hemodialysis consented to participate in the study. Non-probability convince sample technique was used to select the participants. The data were collected through a questionnaire by direct interview.
 
 Results: Most patients were ≥60 years, males, married, illiterate, lived in an urban area and had barely sufficient economic status with 4-6 family members. The study's findings revealed inadequate self-care in >50% of patients. A significant correlation between self-care and QoL in limitation of activities was found for CRF patients who underwent Hemodialysis with no correlation for general health, physical and emotional, and energy and emotion. Also, there was a significant difference between QoL and age (for the general health domain), gender, and level of education (for the limitations of the activities domain). Mean self-care measurement was significantly associated between previous occupation and duration of Hemodialysis.
 
 Conclusions: Most patients had inadequate self-care and poor QoL, which means that higher self-care performance was associated with better QoL in the limitation of activities only and no other QoL domains.

Social Problems and Expectations of Elderly Citizens: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jorhat District of Assam

The present study investigates the social problem and expectations of elderly citizens in Jorhat district of Assam. A total of 400 elderly citizens were selected for the present study from five wards of Jorhat Municipality Board under Jorhat sub-division. A multistage random sampling procedure was followed for the present study. It was found that most of the respondents faced problems related to less elderly friendly public places (35.50%) and majority (40.75%) of the respondents expected the society to create separate clubs, association and other social networks catering to the need of the elderly people. It was further found from the results of the Chi square test that three variables i.e., age, family type and previous occupation shows a significant relationship (p<0.05) with the social problems of the respondents. In case of expectations of the elderly from the society, there was a significant relationship (p<0.05) between respondents’ educational status, family type and previous occupation.

Pollinators and plants as ecosystem engineers: post‐dispersal fruits provide new habitats for other organisms

Ecosystem engineering consists of a ubiquitous and fundamental class of interactions where some organisms promote state changes in biotic and abiotic materials which indirectly affect others. Since the concept was created as a counterpoint to traditional flux‐based models, pollinators have never been considered to promote ecosystem engineering because they modulate the supply of resources used by seed/fruit consumers. However, dry fruits may persist in the environment for long periods after seed dispersion as empty structures that are an additional alternative for occupancy. These increase the realized niche of some organisms, being a clear example of biogenic habitats. Here, we demonstrate how pollination may boost ecosystem engineering using an illustrative case study based on a specialized interaction between a bee and an orchid with characteristic capsular fruits. We demonstrate that the orchid is fully dependent on the pollinator to set fruits. Post‐dispersal fruits are voluminous and remain attached to the plant for several years. By investigating the occupation patterns of arthropods, we show that post‐dispersal fruits are highly suitable for occupants when compared to pre‐dispersal and dispersing fruits. Only 13.3% of post‐dispersal fruits were never occupied, 33.3% had organisms inside and 53.3% showed signs of previous occupation. We propose that pollinators are allogenic engineers and plants autogenic, since they promote state changes through their actions and their own physical structure, respectively. Thus, pollination is a case of cooperative ecosystem engineering whereby the effects of the interaction between two or more species expand habitat suitability. Since most plants rely on pollination to set fruits, we suggest that pollination‐mediated engineering constitutes a widespread phenomenon. This offers a new perspective about the effects of pollination in nature, highlighting the importance of pollinators and opening new avenues of investigation of ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity maintenance.

Assessment of menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among prisoners in South Nation Nationalities and peoples region, Ethiopia

IntroductionMenstrual hygiene management practice is the requirements and necessities; such as the use of a sanitary pad or clean and mushy absorbents, sufficient washing of the genital area, proper disposal of the used absorbents, and other special needs for the women during menstruation. ObjectiveTo assess menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among prisoners in south Nation Nationalities and Peoples Region, Ethiopia, 2022. MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to July 30/2022. The total sample size was 605 and a simple random sampling technique was used to select prison institutions and women. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered using Epi data 4.6 version and analyzed by using SPSS version 26 software. Multicollinearity was checked and the goodness of fit test was done by using the Hosmer Lemeshow model of goodness fit test. Univariate analysis was done and variables with p value less than 0.25 were taken to bivariate logistic regression analysis. Adjusted odds ratio with the 95% confidence interval was considered and statistical significance was at a p-value less than 0.05 in bivariate logistic regression analysis. ResultThe prevalence of menstrual hygiene management practice was 50.6% (95% CI 47.3–54.4). Age 19–29 years old [AOR: 5.03, 95% CI 1.73–14.62], educational status; not formally educated [AOR: 0.05, 95% CI 0.02–0.13], educational status; primary level [AOR: 0.17, 95% CI 0.07–0.39], previous occupation; student [AOR: 2.56, 95% CI 1.06–6.21], previous occupation; a private employee [AOR: 4.11, 95% CI 1.48–11.42], previous occupation; government employee [AOR: 3.46, 95% CI 1.18–10.14], absence of support from family [AOR: 0.14, 95% CI 0.08–0.24] and absence of work engagement in prison [AOR: 0.44, 95% CI 0.25–0.78] were associated with MHMP. ConclusionIn this study, about five from ten women in prison practice menstrual hygiene management. Age, educational status, previous occupation, support from family, and work engagement in prison were important risk factors for MHMP. Therefore, support from family and engaging the women to work in prison institutions may increase the MHMP in prison institutions.

Kilometer 101 by Maxim Osipov

Reviewed by: Kilometer 101 by Maxim Osipov Robert Allen Papinchak MAXIM OSIPOV Kilometer 101 Ed. Boris Dralyuk. Trans. Boris Dralyuk, Nicolas Pasternak Slater & Alex Fleming. New York. New York Review Books Classics. 2022. 296 pages. MAXIM OSIPOV'S stunning second collection of six short stories and four essays, Kilometer 101, follows his scintillating Rock, Paper, Scissors and Other Stories. The title refers to the inauspicious demarcation line for former convicts who are only allowed to live one hundred kilometers from Moscow, usually in small country towns. There, they can continue previous occupations or professions but under the painful psychological endurance of isolation, discrimination, and arresting memories of prior identities and earlier lives. Cardiologist Osipov knows the circumstances well. His great-grandfather, a physician, was imprisoned as part of the fabricated conspiratorial Doctors' Plot (1951-53). The government attack was primarily against Jewish doctors from Moscow. On his release, Osipov's ancestor chose to live in Tarusa, which Osipov also chose, practicing there until finally immigrating to Germany to escape complicit involvement with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The brief opening, "Sventa: In Lieu of a Foreword," dedicated in memory of his parents, establishes the prominent, recurring themes of remembrance and home. During a book launch in Zarasai, Lithuania, Osipov recognizes everything. Things loved and lost generate melancholy reminiscences. He recalls an adolescent "maritime adventure" during a summer visit with a classmate. A two-story stone house and a "wooden, dilapidated bathhouse" that no longer exist. Two hundred thousand Lithuanian Jews buried in "shabby and sickly" forest ravines. Sventa, itself in Latvia, was a childhood side trip for picking blueberries and mushrooms. The six successive short stories underscore the varieties and consequences of exile (physical and emotional) and the enduring nature of compassion amidst emigration and death. In "Little Lord Fauntleroy," an empathetic visiting cardiologist in a Moscow suburb, which is "neither one thing nor the other," is accused of illegal organ transplantation. The lengthy, leisurely "Pieces on a Plane" details reflections of a translator on the death of his father in a country where patronyms determine identity. In "Cape Cod," a character who changes his surname feels parental responsibility and questions the "need [of] a homeland for something . . . But what?" Emigration becomes a "disaster, a mental illness." The brutal irony of the American Dream is that while avoiding Russian conscription, his son enters West Point to learn how to kill people. A psychiatrist in "Luxemburg" recounts the anti-Semitic vandalism and persecution a former schoolmate encounters in a small town after he retreats there and discovers the "life experience we gained in the Soviet Union prepared us only for life in the Soviet Union." A "chatty . . . unlicensed cabbie" extols "Big Opportunities" to a passenger seeking escape to freedom. In "The Whilst," a scholar in ancient languages and [End Page 83] cultures becomes attuned to the "separate and rather painful question . . . [of] the extended sleep of emigration." The four autobiographical essays ("My Native Land"; "A Sin to Complain"; "A Non-Easter Joy"; "The Children of Dzhankoy") reiterate the struggles exposed in the short fictions. Osipov lists positive and negative philosophical impressions of the "provincial life" as the resident physician in N. The bottom line is "Wherever you go, everything's the same. It's easy to see why we have such miserable lives and such a wonderful literature." Throughout—in fiction or nonfiction—Osipov deftly combines illuminating insights of modern Russia with the poignancies of emigrating. Robert Allen Papinchak Valley Village, California Copyright © 2023 World Literature Today and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

Environmental Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case–Control Study in Canada and France (P2-5.025)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To evaluate the association between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and potential environmental risk factors, especially head traumas and pesticides, in two populations from Canada and France. <h3>Background:</h3> Despite extensive research in the last decades, environmental risk factors for ALS are still largely unknown, owing to the difficulties of studying a rare disease whose pathophysiology is likely to be heterogeneous and to involve a complex interaction of environmental triggers acting upon a susceptible genetic background. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> A case–control study was performed in tertiary-care centers. Consecutive ALS cases were recruited along with a control group from the same age distribution and region. Participants answered a phone-administered questionnaire. Head trauma exposure was censored at age of symptom onset, and a sensitivity analysis considering old head traumas that occurred more than 3 years before onset was performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 404 ALS cases and 381 controls completed the questionnaire. Previous head trauma was more frequently reported by cases (adjusted OR 1.50 (1.05–2.18)) with a dose-response relationship. This association was driven by a strong effect in men (adjusted OR 2.06 (1.22–3.55)) and was consistent for old traumas, but there was no association in women. For pesticides, a previous high-risk occupation was associated with ALS (adjusted OR 2.08 (1.36–3.24)), although reported occupational exposure to pesticides was not statistically significant in the multivariate model (adjusted OR 1.67 (0.97–2.97)). Past electrocution was associated with ALS (adjusted OR 1.79 (CI 1.13–2.87)), especially spinal-onset ALS. Residential exposure to pesticides, neck trauma, and welding were not associated with ALS. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Head trauma is a risk factor for ALS in men only. Previous occupation at high risk for pesticides exposure and electrocution are also risk factors for ALS. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Beaudin has nothing to disclose. Francois Salachas has nothing to disclose. Pierre-Francois PRADAT, PhD has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dupre has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Akcea Therapeutics Canada. The institution of Dr. Dupre has received research support from ARSACS Foundation. The institution of Dr. Dupre has received research support from CHUdeQuebec Foundation.

Populism in the eye of the beholder? A conjoint experiment on citizens’ identification of populists

AbstractDespite decades of research on the nature and characteristics of populism, and on how political actors interpret populist attitudes, the study of how the public identify populist politicians remains a largely unexplored topic. Is populism in the eye of the beholder? What causes voters to perceive a political actor as populist? Is there any systematic heterogeneity in the evaluation of candidates among citizens according to their individual characteristics? We fill this gap by analysing what characteristics of politicians, and the political statements they make, drive citizens to classify them as populist. Furthermore, we investigate how the cognitive, ideological and attitudinal profiles of citizens shape their perceptions. To this end, we report results of a conjoint experiment embedded in a survey administered to a nationally representative sample of Italian citizens. Respondents were asked to evaluate different political statements by politicians, of whom we manipulated a variety of relevant attributes (e.g., their ideological profile, gender, previous occupation). Results indicate two clear trends: (i) More than the profile of politicians, what matters for their identification as populist is their rhetoric. (ii) The cognitive (with the partial exception of education) and ideological profiles of respondents are largely inconsequential. At the same time, populist voters are substantively less likely to identify populism as such.

Arriving at a Good Port: Urban and Historical Archaeology in Three Cities of the Colombian Caribbean

Colombian urban archaeology has been growing since the 1990s, particularly in Caribbean cities such as Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta. The investigations generally respond to the need to comply with protection regulations of archaeological heritage in restoration projects of Assets of Cultural Interest (BIC, the Spanish acronym for Bienes de Interés Cultural), located in historic centers or urban infrastructure works. The results have allowed for the reconstruction of various aspects of daily life in these cities since their foundation, but they have also uncovered data on previous occupations of those same spaces during the pre-Hispanic period. There is still a need to consolidate adequate work strategies adjusted to the needs and particularities of these contexts, which increasingly require the execution of this type of archaeology project.

An epidemiological study on skin tumors of the elderly in a community in Shanghai, China

The morbidity of skin tumors (ST) in China is a great concern as the population ages. No epidemiological survey on ST in elderly communities in China has been reported. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the residents over 60 years old in a community in Shanghai, China from May 1, 2011 to November 30, 2011. The prevalence of cutaneous tumors and associated factors were analyzed. Among 2038 valid cases, a total of 78 (3.8%, 95% CI 3.0–4.7) skin cancers (SC) were confirmed. According to the final multivariate regression analysis, age, gender and previous occupation were the significantly influential factors for SC. Actinic keratosis (AK) accounted for the largest proportion (63, 3.1%) in SC. The head and neck was the physiological site with the highest incidence of SC (64, 82.1%), and AK was the most common (55, 87.3%) in head and neck SC. The common concomitant diseases of SC were hypertension (26, 33.3%) and diabetes mellitus (9, 11.5%). Seborrheic keratosis (SK) was the most common benign skin tumor with a prevalence of 100%. Men and women developed SK in significantly different parts of the body (P < 0.0001). The incidence of ST in the elderly population in Shanghai community increased with age. ST preferred to occur in the head and neck, which might be attributed to excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure in these areas. Therefore, early diagnosis and sun-protection education are essential interventions for ST in the elderly.

Improvement in clinical outcome and quality of life after arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis in paralytic foot drop

BackgroundParalytic foot-drop is a disabling deformity that results from nerve or direct muscle injuries. Palliative surgeries such as tendon transfer and ankle arthrodesis are reserved for permanent deformity, with the arthroscopic technique had not been widely studied before. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome and quality of life after arthroscopic ankle fusion of paralytic foot-drop deformity.Materials and MethodsThe patients who were retrospectively enrolled in this study underwent arthroscopic ankle fusion for paralytic foot-drop deformity between March 2017 and December 2021. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle–hindfoot score and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) were the measures used for clinical assessment. To judge the union, serial plain radiographs of the ankle were obtained. The preoperative and postoperative means were analyzed utilizing a two-tailed paired t-test, with a p value of less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance.ResultsThis study included 21 consecutive patients with a mean follow-up of 35.09 ± 4.5 months and a mean age of 41.5 ± 6.1 years. Highly significant improvements were observed between the preoperative and final follow-up means of the AOFAS score (from 57.6 ± 4.6 to 88.3 ± 2.7) and CAIT (from 12.1 ± 2.2 to 28.9 ± 1.01; p ˂ 0.00001 for both). All patients attained radiographic union and resumed their previous occupations without reporting serious adverse effects.ConclusionsArthroscopic ankle fusion is an effective, minimally invasive palliative surgery for patients suffering from permanent paralytic foot-drop deformity. This technique was shown to provide good functional and radiologic outcomes without significant complications.Level of evidenceRetrospective cohort; level of evidence (IV).

Profiling today’s and tomorrow’s interpreters: Previous occupational experiences, levels of work and motivations

This paper has people as its focus, namely 80 trainee interpreters and 80 practitioners, with the following questions: where they come from occupationally – what their current/previous occupations are; how much they (wish to) work; and why they wish to become/remain an interpreter. Data were collected from Australia-based informants who will or currently work in public service interpreting. Matching the current occupations of trainees and the previous occupations of practitioners according to a classification system of occupations, we see that substantial percentages of trainees currently work in the ‘community and personal workers’ and ‘professionals’ categories, while for practitioners, their previous work belonged to the ‘professionals’ and ‘clerical and administrative workers’ categories. Projected and reported levels of work are often not full-time with only some indication that this is related to the general level of demand for work in their languages. In relation to the feature of motivation, we employ Self-Determination Theory as a model to examine informants’ stated motivations and find that amongst trainees, this is extrinsic with a focus on community activism, while practitioners’ motivations are more intrinsic. By linking three key features in a cohesive way, this paper gives a comprehensive description of today and tomorrow’s interpreters.

Coracoid Process Fractures of the Scapula Treated by Baseplate Three-Column Glenoid Fixation: A Retrospective Study of 24 Patients.

BACKGROUND This retrospective study from a single center aimed to evaluate 24 patients with coracoid process fractures of the scapula treated by baseplate three-column glenoid fixation of the 3 columns attached to the glenoid, or the scapula-glenoid construct, which includes the base of the coracoid, the scapular spine, and the lateral/scapular pillar. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four patients with 24 coracoid process fractures were treated from March 2018 to August 2020 in our hospital; 11 cases were treated with the modified technique and 13 with the conventional technique. The patients had comparable screw length, bone union time, fracture reduction, and Constant-Murley shoulder outcome scores. The significant differences between variables were tested using the t test and Fisher's exact test, while bone union and reduction position were confirmed with X-ray and CT scans. The average follow-up time was 12 months. RESULTS The mean Constant-Murley shoulder outcome score and fracture reduction did not differ significantly (P>0.05), and all patients returned to their previous occupations and levels of activity, with no loss of reduction or surgical revision at the last follow-up. Bone union time for the modified group was longer than that of the conventional group (P<0.05). However, 1 patient had a screw broken at 5 months from heavy manual labor and showed delayed union at 8 months. The lengths of the coracoid process screws in the modified group were longer than in the conventional group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The findings from this retrospective study showed that baseplate three-column glenoid fixation of the coracoid process was a good surgical option for coracoid process fractures.

Living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights into identity from the IDEAL cohort

Abstract The continuing COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions have impacted on the cognitive decline and mental health of people with dementia. Social isolation and loss of activities due to social restrictions may also have implications as to sense of identity for people with dementia. As part of the INCLUDE (Identifying and Mitigating the Individual and Dyadic Impact of COVID-19 and Life Under Physical Distancing on People with Dementia and Carers) component of the IDEAL (Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life) cohort study, the overall aim of this subtle realist qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of people with dementia on living through the COVID-19 pandemic within the context of the ‘post-vaccine’ period and the national lockdowns in England and Wales; and to determine perceived challenges to and facilitators of ‘living well’ during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond as restrictions were eased. In addition, the study findings are considered in relation to understandings of identity in dementia which the broader accounts of living through the pandemic have highlighted. Seven people with mild-to-moderate dementia were interviewed and themes were derived using framework analysis. Themes suggest interviewees' stoic acceptance of the pandemic and social restrictions but also fear of decline related to the temporality of their condition as well as loss of self-confidence to re-engage with the world. Interviewees managed threats to social identity by striving to maintain social and emotional connections, where the importance of a shared, social identity, particularly for people with young-onset dementia, was also apparent. Unlike in previous studies during the pandemic, the relevance of occupation for identity was observed, where maintaining previous or new activities or occupations was important to facilitate identity as well as to keep a sense of purpose. Therefore, as well as supporting people with dementia as the pandemic eases, future research into occupation and identity in dementia is of potential value.

The potential influence of prior work experience on unfair dismissal arbitration decisions related to employee misconduct: an exploratory study of decision styles

This article reports on an exploratory aspect of a larger study that examines unfair dismissal arbitration decisions relating to misconduct derived dismissals made by Australia's federal industrial tribunal. The central proposition explored is that an association occurs between the arbitrator's work history and their decision to overturn a dismissal. The arbitrators' previous occupations were classified based on their alignment with unitarist (employer harmony) and pluralist (worker interests) frameworks, or the ‘blended’ place in between. Subsequent logistic regression modelling allowed us to identify three types of arbitral decision styles: systems‐driven, evidence‐based and restorative‐voice. These decision styles offer our readership a descriptive framework that consolidates statistically significant decision factors. Australian media reports and professional forums scrutinise the appointment of members to its national industrial tribunal and the decisions that they make. The decision styles presented here can inform organisational stakeholders, including workers, HR managers, supervisors, unions and industry bodies who need to apply and/or respond to misconduct‐driven dismissal processes or formulate relevant policies, processes and systems such as codes of conduct or performance management.

Search and reallocation in the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from the UK

The impact of the pandemic on the UK labour market has been extremely heterogeneous across occupations and industries. Using novel data on job search, we document how individuals adjust their job search in response to changing employment patterns across occupations and industries in the UK. We observe that workers changed their search direction in favour of expanding occupations and industries as the pandemic developed. However, non-employed workers are more attached to their previous occupations and workers with low education are more likely to target declining occupations. We also observe workers from declining occupations making fewer transitions to expanding occupations than those who start in expanding occupations, despite targeting these jobs relatively frequently. This suggests those at the margins of the labour market may be least able to escape occupations that declined during the pandemic.

Padma Bridge and Livelihood Sustainability of the Launch Workers: A Study Among Launch Workers in Mawa and Kathalbari Ghat

Padma multipurpose bridge, one of the most challenging tasks in the history of bridge construction, has alters the previous launch communication. Launch communication is involved with thousands of launch workers and their livelihood sustainability. It is quite sure that the launch workers have lost their previous occupation but most of the respondents mentioned that they are optimistic about the current situation will provide them some extra facilities for finding their new source of income. Many government and non-government organizations has already started their activity in the surrounding area of Padma bridge. Moreover, industries will transfer their organizations to the southern part of the country, and this will broaden earning facility for the launch works in industrial sector. This study discovered the livelihood sustainability of launch workers and their everyday challenges to adjust with the new mode of communication. At the same time, the researcher also explored the economic and social prospects of Padma Bridge for the launch workers. The research followed a survey (N=102) for collecting quantitative data from Mawa and Kathalbari Ghat. Besides survey, case studies, were also applied to document launch workers’ livelihood sustainability from the workers and some key informant’s respondents. Following the findings, this study recommended some need-based policies to minimize the livelihood vulnerability of the launch workers.

Higher Infection Risk among Health Care Workers and Lower Risk among Smokers Persistent across SARS-CoV-2 Waves-Longitudinal Results from the Population-Based TiKoCo Seroprevalence Study.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was reported as substantially increased in medical personnel and decreased in smokers after the first wave in spring 2020, including in our population-based Tirschenreuth Study (TiKoCo). However, it is unclear whether these associations were limited to the early pandemic and whether the decrease in smokers was due to reduced infection or antibody response. We evaluated the association of occupation and smoking with period-specific seropositivity: for the first wave until July 2020 (baseline, BL), the low infection period in summer (follow-up 1, FU1, November 2020), and the second/third wave (FU2, April 2021). We measured binding antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (N), viral spike protein (S), and neutralizing antibodies at BL, FU1, and FU2. Previous infection, vaccination, smoking, and occupation were assessed by questionnaires. The 4181 participants (3513/3374 at FU1/FU2) included 6.5% medical personnel and 20.4% current smokers. At all three timepoints, new seropositivity was higher in medical personnel with ORs = 1.99 (95%-CI = 1.36-2.93), 1.41 (0.29-6.80), and 3.17 (1.92-5.24) at BL, FU1, and FU2, respectively, and nearly halved among current smokers with ORs = 0.47 (95%-CI = 0.33-0.66), 0.40 (0.09-1.81), and 0.56 (0.33-0.94). Current smokers compared to never-smokers had similar antibody levels after infection or vaccination and reduced odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 result among tested. Our data suggest that decreased seroprevalence among smokers results from fewer infections rather than reduced antibody response. The persistently higher infection risk of medical staff across infection waves, despite improved means of protection over time, underscores the burden for health care personnel.

Experiences of people with Alzheimer’s disease, relatives, and dementia trainers on the usability of a tablet‐based dementia training

AbstractBackgroundNon‐pharmacological interventions for people with dementia, like tablet‐based cognitive trainings, are increasingly popular to counteract the disease progression. Usability research on such trainings in the field of dementia is essential to raise acceptance and increase training intensity, as regular practice may contribute to their effectiveness. The aim was to explore the experiences of people with Alzheimer’s disease (PwAD), relatives, and dementia trainers regarding the usability of a tablet‐based dementia training.MethodThis qualitative study is part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial (project multimodAAL) which investigates the effects of an individually performed tablet‐based dementia training program (i.e., physical and cognitive exercises) in PwAD living at home. Individual interviews were conducted with people with mild AD (n = 5), relatives (n = 5) and dementia trainers (n = 5) who had been performing the training for at least 6 months. A qualitative content analysis was conducted.ResultParticipants were predominantly women (73.3%), with an average age of 73.4±11.4 years for PwAD, 66.2±10.7 years for relatives, and 43.1±10.4 years for trainers. Participants confirmed a good feasibility of the video‐provided physical exercises (e.g., coordination, strength), but some PwAD reported feeling unchallenged. Relatives and trainers wished for exercises to be more motivating (e.g., direct motivational address by the gymnast in the video, colorful sportswear). Regarding cognitive exercises, participants appreciated the varied and alternating types of exercises (e.g., puzzle, quiz) within the training sessions. Trainers and relatives recognized that PwAD particularly enjoyed exercises related to topics of their past/biography (e.g., hobbies, previous occupation) and to religious/seasonal traditions (e.g., Easter). Relatives and trainers highlighted that most PwAD needed support during the physical and cognitive exercises in terms of (technical) guidance, motivation/feedback/praise, as well as hints/tips/thought‐provoking impulses to perform their training successfully and to avoid frustration and cancellation of the training. Some suggested to extend the program regarding written and verbal support (e.g., hint button, voice assistant). Furthermore, participants emphasized a good sensitivity of the tablet‐PCs’ touch screen.ConclusionResults show that the presented tablet‐based dementia training is received well by participants, but there is still potential for (technical) enhancements regarding support through the exercises and motivational strategies

Perceived Stress in Relation to Demographics and Clinical Forms among Patients with Infective Endocarditis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease of the endocardial surface of the heart, caused by infection of the native or prosthetic valve or an indwelling cardiac device. Apart from IE predisposing risk factors that include heart conditions and medical procedures, the novel trajectories from demographic factors to perceived stress conditions have been under investigation in recent years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between perceived stress and demographic characteristics as well as clinical forms of IE among survivors of IE in Kaunas, Lithuania. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study among IE cases (n = 135) at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics Cardiology department during the period 2014-2017 was performed. Data about IE clinical features, sociodemographic characteristics and perceived stress level (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)) upon diagnosis were collected. Package "SPSS 25.0" was used in the statistical analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed including gender, previous occupation, place of residence and clinical forms of IE in the analysis of perceived stress among survivors of IE. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was used in this study. (3) Results: Perceived stress was experienced by 54.8 percent of the respondents. In the final model, the OR (odds ratio) of perceived stress for females was 2.07 as compared to men; for rural residents, the OR was 2.25 as compared to urban residents. These results were statistically significant. A tendency for increased OR of perceived stress for low-skilled workers as compared to high-skilled ones and classical IE clinical form as compared to non-classical form was observed, but these results were not statistically significant. (4) Conclusions: The present study is an attempt to focus the attention of IE researchers on the effects of psychological state in the disease development. Differences in perceived stress and some demographic characteristics, as well as tendencies of IE clinical forms, were observed among survivors of IE in Kaunas, Lithuania.

The Degree of Meeting the Needs of Older People with Frailty Syndrome in the Residential Environment in Relation to Interventions-Experimental Study.

The study aimed to determine the degree of satisfaction with health, psychological, environmental, and social needs and to determine the effects of a nutritional intervention, physical activity, and comprehensive activity (nutritional intervention plus physical activity) on the degree of satisfaction of the needs of older people with frailty syndrome (FS). The study included 188 residents (140 women and 48 men) and was conducted using the Fried scale and Camberwell’s modified brief needs assessment. In addition, data were collected on age, sex, educational level, type of the previous occupation, marital status, remaining in a relationship, co-residents, place of residence, work status, financial situation, and help with housework. Intervention groups were formed: G1-diet, G2-physical activity, G3-comprehensive therapy, and G4-control. Stage 1 (T1)-3 months after the first examination, stage 2 (T2)-after another three months, the measurements from stage 0. In all groups, the majority were women, respondents with a low or medium level of education in relationships. The degree of need satisfaction in groups G2, G3, and G4 depended on the measurement time (p = 0.019, p = 0.007, p = 0.016). The introduction of physical activity and physical activity in combination with dietary changes most effectively influenced the increase in the level of need satisfaction in elderly patients with frailty.