Probable Risk Factors Research Articles

Consumption of Milk a Probable Risk Factor of Hypertension in India: A Study Based on National Family Health Survey-5

Introduction: Chronic high blood pressure, often known as hypertension, can cause a number of cardiovascular issues due to its higher blood pressure levels. A growing body of research points to a possible link between the use of dairy products and a higher risk of hypertension. Objectives: The present study aims to provide information regarding a probable association between dairy consumption and hypertension among the population of India. Methodology: The current study uses data from the fifth series of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019–21 in order to examine this association. The sample size is 724115 in total. This study included eight factors in total: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, age, religion, ethnicity, education, wealth index, and frequency of milk/curd consumption. IMB-SPSS version 26.0 was used for all data analysis. Results: It was found that those consuming milk products daily and weekly have very strong chances of having stage 1(95.3% and 93.2%, respectively in 95% CI) and stage 2 hypertension (92.4% and 90.4%, respectively in 95% CI). daily consumption of milk products also significantly increases 80.3% the chance of having stage 3 hypertension as well (95% CI). Conclusion: It is abundantly obvious from the current study that consuming milk and curd on a daily and weekly basis considerably raises your risk of developing stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 hypertension. Given that India consumes the most milk globally and that the bulk of it is unpasteurized, it is crucial to consider the connection between milk consumption and hypertension discovered in the current study.

Monitoring the frequency and risk factors of birth of children with congenital cleft lip and palate in the Volgograd region

The results of a study of the frequency, prevalence, structure, and probable risk factors of congenital cleft lip and palate (CCLP) in the Volgograd region for 2010–2021 are presented. There were no dynamics of increase or decrease in the birth rate of children with congenital cleft lip and palate. Over the past decade, the birth rate of children with CCHD varied from (1.25 ± 0.35) to (1.72 ± 0.41) per 1000 live births. Risk factors for the formation of CCLP in the form of an infectious disease suffered by the mother in the first trimester of pregnancy and taking drugs have been confirmed.

Phthalate Exposure and Pediatric Asthma: A Case Control Study Among Egyptian Children

Background: Phthalates, which are diesters of phthalic acid, are commonly used as plasticizers and additives in various consumer products. Several phthalates have been identified as substances of high concern. Exposure to phthalate esters (PAEs) has been linked to asthma in children, but the specific impacts of PAEs on asthmatic children were not well understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare urinary phthalate concentrations in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children and to identify potential sources of exposure as risk factors for asthma. Methods: A case control study was conducted for 100 Egyptian children aged 8-16 years (50 asthmatics and 50 healthy controls). Asthma was identified using GINA guidelines. Socio-demographic and probable risk factors were assessed, in addition to measuring phthalate levels in urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results and conclusion: Mean urinary Mono-methyl as well as Mono-benzyl levels were highly significant in asthmatic children compared to control group (895.26ng/ mL vs 548.55 ng/mL and 13.5 ng/mL vs 2.07 ng/mL respectively) (p= 0.001). The number of asthmatic children living in houses painted with non-plastic paint was significantly lower (P<0.05) than children living in houses painted with other paints. No association between floor type and asthma was reported. The frequent use of personal care products and plastic painting of walls were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis as the highly significant predictors of asthma in the studied subjects. The declared higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites (Mono-methyl and Mono-benzyl) in Egyptian asthmatic children may reveal the probable risk of phthalate exposure in triggering bronchial asthma.

An estimation of the tower crane safety risk factors in the Vietnamese construction industry

The construction industry is among the riskiest sectors worldwide due to its involvement in complex and hazardous activities, primarily because of the use of tower cranes. Tower cranes are considered the most hazardous construction machinery, contributing to a high rate of serious accidents, including fatalities and disabling injuries, not only in Vietnam but also globally. In this paper, we identify and evaluate 42 tower crane safety risk factors specific to the Vietnamese construction industry based on their probability of occurrence, severity of impact, and associated risk levels. The paper reveals that the most probable risk factor is “Unfavorable winds (including intensity, direction, etc.)” with a mean value of 3.641. The factor with the highest severity is “Wire rope is broken” with a mean value of 4.179. Furthermore, the study shows that twenty-five out of forty-two (59.52%) factors present a moderate risk level, with a Relative Significant Index Score (RSIS) ranging from 8.019 to 13.047. Among these, the factor “Bad maintenance management of the tower crane and auxiliary aids” poses the highest risk level, with an RSIS value of 13.047. This paper aims to enhance the understanding oftower crane safety among subcontractors, government safety regulators, main contractors, maintenance personnel, and workers in the Vietnamese construction industry. Additionally, the methodology presented in this paper can be adapted for assessing safety risk factors in other industries within Vietnam.

Elucidating the effect of drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction on insulin signaling and glucose handling in skeletal muscle cell line (C2C12) in vitro.

Efavirenz, tenofovir, rifampicin, simvastatin, lamotrigine and clarithromycin are known potential mitochondrial toxicants. Mitochondrial toxicity has been reported to disrupt the chain of events in the insulin signalling pathway. Considering the upward trajectory of diabetes mellitus prevalence, studies which seek to uncover probable risk factors for developing diabetes should be encouraged. This study aimed to evaluate the intracellular mechanisms leading to the development of insulin resistance in the presence of various conventional pharmacological agents reported as potential mitochondrial toxicants in skeletal muscle cell line. Differentiated C2C12 preparations were exposed to multiple concentrations of efavirenz, tenofovir, rifampicin, simvastatin, lamotrigine, and clarithromycin, separately. Glucose handling was evaluated by observing the changes in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and assessing the changes in GLUT4 translocation, GLUT4 expression and Akt expression. The changes in mitochondrial function were evaluated by assessing mitochondrial membrane integrity, cellular ATP production, generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, expression of tafazzin and quantification of medium malonaldehyde. Insulin stimulated glucose uptake was perturbed in C2C12 pre-treated with potential mitotoxicants. Additionally, ATP synthesis, alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential, excessive accumulation of ROS and malonaldehyde were observed in the presence of potential mitotoxicants. Particularly, we observed suppression of proteins involved in the insulin signalling pathway and maintenance of mitochondrial function namely GLUT4, Akt and tafazzin. Mitochondrial toxicants can potentially induce insulin resistance emanating from mitochondrial dysfunction. These new findings will contribute to the understanding of underlying mechanisms involved in the development of insulin resistance linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

'Cheering on from the side-lines': The perceived impact of romantic partner's commentary and behaviour on maintaining women's appearance anxiety.

Appearance anxiety (AA) is a probable risk factor for body dysmorphic disorder and a prevalent and debilitating concern. Extant literature suggests that romantic partners' commentary and accommodation behaviour may contribute to women's appearance concerns. The aim of this study is to explore how women experience and make sense of romantic partner feedback about their appearance. Qualitative semi-structured interview study. Semi-structured interviews with 13 cis-gender women explored how they make sense of appearance anxiety in the context of romantic relationships. Reflexive thematic analysis with a hybrid inductive-deductive coding approach was utilised, drawing on cognitive behavioural theory (CBT) as a theoretical lens to interpret the data. Four themes were created from the data: (1) 'Then he said to me … you could probably tone up a bit': Maintaining cycles; (2) 'I think those comments down the line do eventually help': breaking out of maintenance cycles, (3) 'It's like they're talking in a foreign language'; beliefs as a filter and (4) 'Cheering me on from the side-lines'; romantic partner a supportive coach. These themes highlight the perceived unhelpful (e.g. accommodation of behaviours) and helpful (e.g. affection) impact of romantic partners' behaviours and commentary on participants' AA. Romantic partners are perceived by women to have a potent impact on their AA. Clinical practice implications include involving romantic partners in treatment, and clinicians using their formulation and CBT skills (e.g. Socratic questioning), to understand and target these possible maintenance processes within couples.

Impact on the nervous system of long COVID-19 infection in children.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound global impact, raising concerns about its long-term effects, particularly neurological complications. While studies have highlighted such complications in adults, there is a paucity of research focusing on children. To examine the medium- to long-term neurological and cognitive symptoms in 18 year old children and below with positive versus negative COVID-19 antigens and to identify the probable risk factors to promote specific health actions. An observational study was carried out to determine neurological symptoms in the medium and long terms after COVID 19. A random sample of 124 children, both symptomatic or asymptomatic, tested positive or negative for COVID-19 through swab tests. Neurological symptoms were assessed between 6 to 12 months and 2 years after the infection. Acute symptoms, including headache, anosmia, ageusia, and myalgia, were observed in more than 20% of the children, but they generally resolved within 6 to 12 months. Persistent functional difficulties, such as in studying, paying attention, and socializing, were reported in 3% of the cases. Behavioral symptoms at baseline were noted in 7.8% of children, but they were remitted in most cases, except for those with prior involvement. These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of children following COVID-19 infection and the importance of tailored health interventions.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis among high-risk individuals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious, neglected zoonotic disease of major importance worldwide. The disease is endemic in many countries, burdening healthcare systems and the livestock industry and representing a persistent public health concern in these countries. Brucellosis is considered an important occupational hazard for livestock workers. Limited studies have investigated human brucellosis in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis among employees of high-risk brucellosis professions, including veterinarians, animal herders, and abattoir workers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and to determine the associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, during the period of January-March 2023. Ninety blood samples were collected from individuals occupationally at risk of exposure to Brucella infections. Serum samples were examined for immunoglobulins (Ig)M and IgG antibodies against Brucella using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before sample collection, a predesigned online questionnaire was used to collect the participants' sociodemographic characteristics and the probable risk factors for human brucellosis. A Chi-square test was used to compare the differences among groups; p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Among the 90 participants among the high-risk individuals, Brucella IgM and IgG seropositivity were found in 8 (8.8%) and 11 (12.12%) cases, respectively. IgM mono antibody positivity was observed in 4 (4.44%) and 7 (7.77%) of the study population who tested positive for IgG only. Dual positivity for IgM and IgG antibodies was observed in 4 (4.44%) participants. No significant association was determined between seropositivity and age, urbanicity, education, occupation, and duration of exposure (p > 0.05). Brucellosis is a high-risk occupational disease among workers with close contact with livestock. This study demonstrates that the seroprevalence of brucellosis among occupationally high-risk individuals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is relatively low compared to other countries in the region. Nevertheless, educational programs should be implemented to improve knowledge regarding brucellosis, particularly among high-risk individuals.

Diabetes Mellitus and Gynecological and Inflammation Disorders Increased the Risk of Pregnancy Loss in a Population Study.

(1) Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) induces oxidative stress and inflammation with negative effect on pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether DM increases the risk of pregnancy loss and to identify other potential risk factors; (2) Methods: We identified female patients diagnosed with DM from 2000-2015 in the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) code 250. The event was pregnancy loss, defined as ICD-9 CM codes 630-639, which was tracked until 31 December 2015. The control group included 4-fold more non-DM female patients who were matched for age and disease severity. Multivariate Cox regression was employed to determine the risk factors associated with pregnancy loss; (3) Results: The hazard ratio (HR) for the risk of pregnancy loss due to DM was 1.407 (95% confidence interval: 1.099-1.801, p = 0.007), and the risk factors for older age, gynecological disorders and inflammation disorders were included. (4) Conclusions: The study concluded that women with DM have a greater risk of experiencing pregnancy loss. Healthcare providers should proactively manage and educate diabetic patients to reduce their risk of pregnancy loss. Understanding other probable risk factors can help in developing targeted interventions and support systems for women to improve pregnancy outcomes.

The causal relationship of serum uric acid on colorectal cancer: A Mendelian randomization study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public health issue owing to its widespread occurrence and substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Recent studies have highlighted serum uric acid (SUA) level as a probable risk factor for CRC; however, the inconsistency in these findings has created doubt. We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) study utilizing extensive cohort data from the UK BioBank and the NHGRI-EBI Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) Catalog to investigate the causal connection between SUA levels and CRC incidence. Our MR study addresses the constraints of earlier studies, including limited sample sizes and inconsistent results. Considering SUA levels as the exposure and CRC as the outcome, the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) approach in MR showed that the odds ratios (ORs) for CRC for each unit increase in SUA were 0.232 (95% confidence interval [CI] of OR 0.094-0.570; P = .001) and 0.551 (95% CI of OR 0.325-0.934; P = .027). Pleiotropic tests and sensitivity analysis confirmed minimal horizontal pleiotropy and the robustness of causality. Our research deepens the understanding of the association between SUA levels and CRC, offering insights into prevention strategies and patient outcomes prediction.

Long-term results of arthroscopic capsulolabral revision repair for failed anterior shoulder instability repair using suture anchors at a minimum of 10 years follow-up.

Arthroscopic revision anterior shoulder instability repair has been proposed, and early clinical results have been promising. However, long-term results after this procedure and the probable risk factors for failure have not been sufficiently discussed in the literature. Thirty-eight patients who were diagnosed with recurrent anteroinferior shoulder instability after failed Bankart repair, treated with ACRR between September 1998 and November 2003 and able to be contacted were included. Of these patients, 2 were excluded from the study due to the use of SureTak anchors for fixation, and 5 other patients refused to participate in the study due to lack of interest (3 patients) or lack of time (2 patients). The remaining shoulders were clinically examined at a minimum of ten years after surgery via the ASES, Constant, AAOS, Rowe, Dawson and VAS scores for pain and stability. Degenerative arthropathy was assessed with the modified Samilson-Prieto score. All 31 remaining shoulders were evaluated at a mean time of 11.86 years (142.4 months) after surgery. Six patients (19.35%) reported redisolcation after the revision procedure, 4 of whom were affected by a new significant shoulder trauma. The ROWE and Constant scores improved significantly. Moderate to severe dislocation arthropathy was observed in 19.4% of patients. Five patients (16.2%) were not satisfied with the procedure. Long-term follow-up after ACRR shows predictable results, with a high degree of patient satisfaction, good to excellent patient-reported outcome scores and minimal radiological degenerative changes. However, with an average recurrence rate of 19.3% after 11.86 years, the redislocation rate appears high. With careful patient selection, recurrence rates can be significantly reduced.

Epidemiologic Features and Risk Factors for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Dhi Qar Province, Iraq.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is endemic in Iraq, where recurrent epidemics have been constantly observed during the last five years. The present study aimed to determine the factors associated with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases in Dhi Qar province during the year 2022. A test-negative case-control design was used to analyze 621 CCHF patients, of which 162 were confirmed and 459 were suspected cases. To identify the confirmed and suspected cases, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used. Suspected patients whose PCR test results were negative were selected as the control group. Data on potential risk factors for CCHF were collected as existing data for previous years for the same geographical locations in Dhi Qar province. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between probable risk factors and confirmed CCHF cases. The incidence rate of CCHF was 6.8% per 100,000 people. The total number of deaths was 48 for patients with a case fatality rate of 7.7%. The patients' ages ranged from one year to 65 years, with an overall mean ± SD of 36.08 ± 18.29 years. A total of 98.2% of the patients were between 15 and 65 years of age; 58% of the reported patients were male, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1. Additionally, contact with raw meat, animal contact, and tick bite had the highest percentages for CCHF positivity cases. Male gender, high-risk jobs like housewives, health staff, shepherds, butchers, animal dealers, slaughterhouse workers, veterinary staff, and farmers, tick bites, and contact with raw meat were statistically significant predictors for increasing CCHF incidence in Dhi Qar province during the year 2022.

Association of Pregnant Women's Perinatal Depression with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Perinatal and Postnatal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: In recent decades, the incidence of depression has gradually increased in the general population globally. Depression is also common during gestation and could result in detrimental gestational complications for both the mother and the fetus. The survey presented aimed to evaluate whether pregnant women's perinatal depression could be associated with socio-demographic, anthropometry and lifestyle factors, and perinatal and postnatal outcomes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted on 5314 pregnant women. Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were recorded by relevant questionnaires via face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric parameters were measured by qualified personnel. Perinatal depressive symptomatology status was evaluated by Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) questionnaire. Results: Depressive symptoms throughout gestation were found in 35.1% of the enrolled women. Perinatal depression was significantly associated with lower educational and economic level, pre-pregnancy regular smoking and reduced levels of Mediterranean diet adherence levels, a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes and preterm birth, as well as a higher incidence of delivering by caesarean section and abnormal childbirth weight. Perinatal depression was also significantly associated with a higher prevalence of maternal postpartum depression and lower prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practices, as well as with a higher incidence of childhood asthma. Conclusions: Pregnant women's perinatal depression appears to be associated with various socio-demographic, anthropometry, and lifestyle characteristics and with a higher frequency of several adverse pregnancy complications. The present findings emphasize the importance of pregnant women's perinatal mental health, highlighting the need to develop and apply public strategies and policies for psychological counseling and support of future mothers to minimize probable risk factors that may trigger perinatal depression. Novel well-organized, follow-up surveys of enhanced validity are highly recommended to establish more definitive conclusions.

Clinical features and prognostic analysis of checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who developed checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) and to explore potential prognostic factors. Methods: NSCLC patients who were complicated with CIP after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy in our institute were enrolled in this study from 1 July 2018 to 30 November 2022. Clinical data of NSCLC-CIP patients were collected, including clinical and radiological features and their outcomes. Results: Among the 70 enrolled NSCLC-CIP patients, there were 57 males (81%) and 13 females (19%). The mean age at the diagnosis of CIP was (65.2±6.3) years. There were 46 smokers (66%), 26 patients (37%) with emphysema, 19 patients (27%) with previous interstitial lung disease, and 26 patients (37%) with a history of thoracic radiation. The mean interval from the first application of checkpoint inhibitor to the onset of CIP was (122.7±106.9) days (range: 2-458 days). The main chest CT manifestations were coincided with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern and organizing pneumonia (OP) pattern. Most patients had grade 2 (21 cases) or grade 3 (34 cases) CIP. Seventeen patients had been concurrent with other immune-related adverse events such as rash, hepatitis, colitis, and thyroiditis. Half of the enrolled patients (36 patients/51%) had fever, and most patients had elevated C-reactive protein (52 patients/72%) and all patients had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (70 patients/100%). Serum lactate dehydrogenase was elevated in 34 CIP patients. Prednisone≥1 mg·kg-1·d-1 (or equivalent) was the most commonly used initial treatment in CIP patients (50 patients/71.4%). Complications with pulmonary infections (OR=4.44, P=0.03), use of anti-fungal drugs (OR=5.10, P=0.03) or therapeutic dose of sulfamethoxazole (OR=4.86, P=0.04), longer duration of prednisone≥1 mg·kg-1·d-1 (or equivalent) (Z=-2.33, P=0.02) were probable potential risk factors for poor prognosis. Conclusions: Older males with smoking history might be predisposed to develop NSCLC-CIPs after ICIs therapy. NSIP pattern and OP pattern were common chest CT manifestations. Complications with pulmonary infections (especially fungal infection or Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia), longer duration, longer duration of high-dose corticosteroids were likely potential risk factors for poor prognosis.

Meat and meat products - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Meat is not only a source of several nutrients but also a proposed risk factor for several non-communicable diseases. Here, we describe the totality of evidence for the role of meat intake for chronic disease outcomes, discuss potential mechanistic pathways, knowledge gaps, and limitations of the literature. Use of the scoping review is based on a de novo systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis on the association between poultry intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), qualified SRs (as defined in the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 project) on meat intake and cancer by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and a systematic literature search of SRs and meta-analyses. The quality of the SRs was evaluated using a modified AMSTAR 2 tool, and the strength of evidence was evaluated based on a predefined criteria developed by the WCRF. The quality of the SRs was on average critically low. Our findings indicate that the evidence is too limited for conclusions for most of the chronic disease outcomes. However, findings from qualified SRs indicate strong evidence that processed meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer and probable evidence that red meat (unprocessed, processed, or both) increases the risk. The evidence suggests that both unprocessed red meat and processed meat (also including processed poultry meat) are probable risk factors for CVD mortality and stroke, and that total red meat and processed meat are risk factors for CHD. We found no sufficient evidence suggesting that unprocessed red meat, processed red meat, total red meat, or processed meat (including red and white meat) would be protective of any chronic disease. There was also no sufficient evidence to conclude on protective effect of poultry on any chronic diseases; effects on the risk of CVD, stroke, and T2D, to any direction, were regarded as unlikely.

Risk factors, susceptibility vessel sign and thrombosis pathology for prognosis inpatients with different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy

Abstract Purpose This study highlights the relationship between stroke subtypes, thrombosis pathology, and SVS and identifies probable risk factors affecting recanalization and outcomes in endovascular treatment. Methods A prospective study was conducted in which 53 AIS patients received intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) from January 2017 to December 2019 in a native Hospital. The recanalization was evaluated using modified cerebral infarction thrombolysis grade and prognosis at 3 months using modified rankin Scale (mRS). The risk factors were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The thrombus samples were stained to determine their composition. Magnetic SWI was used to determine SVS. Results Age, locations of occlusion, and treatments were significantly different of TOAST subtypes (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The time from door to puncture (TDP) and time of operation (TO) were significantly lower in the successful recanalization group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), MT, TDP, time from onset to recanalization (TOR), and TO have significant differences between the two groups of mRS ≤ 2 and &amp;gt; 3. The occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) significantly affected the mRS score. The red and mixed thrombi were common in patients with positive SVS whereas the white thrombi were associated with the negative SVS. Conclusion Improved recanalization and prognosis was observed in early MT and when endovascular operations time was reduced.

Seroprevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Toxocariasis among General Population in Southwest Iran: Implications on the One Health Approach.

Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases distributed worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and the associated risk factors among general populations living in urban and rural areas of Abadan and Khorramshahr cities in Khuzestan Province, Southwest Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2022. There were 363 participants (190 females and 173 males) aged from <20 to ≥60 years old. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in serum samples were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A structured questionnaire was employed to collect information regarding sociodemographic status and probable risk factors associated with toxocariasis. It was found that the seroprevalence rate in males (15.0%, 95% CI = 10.47-21.11) was higher than in females (10.5%, 95% CI = 6.92-15.70). Moreover, we observed that the seroprevalence was higher in participants at younger ages compared to other age ranges (COR = 2.55, 95% CI = 0.92-7.12, p =0.073). The findings of the univariate analysis revealed that residency in rural areas (p < 0.001), using unpurified water (p < 0.001), contact with dog (p =0.002), contact with soil (p < 0.001), consumption of improperly washed vegetables (p < 0.001), and history of drinking untreated water (p < 0.001) were risk factors associated with toxocariasis. Further comprehensive studies with a focus on humans and animals should be designed in different areas of the Province. The data represented by the current study are useful to health policymakers to consider precise surveillance and effective prevention measures to control this zoonotic infection among general populations.

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among women attending primary healthcare centers in northern of West Bank/ Palestine: a cross-sectional study, 2022

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) has a huge negative impact on the health of the mother and the family, both physically and mentally. Few postpartum depression studies have been done in Palestine. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and the most probable risk factor of PDD among Palestinian women in the northern West Bank.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study of 380 mothers, ages 18 and 44 years, visiting vaccination clinics with their infants after 7-12 weeks of delivery between 1 May 2022 and 30 June 2022. Postpartum women seeking care at the seven largest primary health care centers of the Ministry of Health in four cities in the Northern West Bank in Palestine were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and demographic and birth details. A score of 13 or higher was used to indicate PPD risk. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. The level of significance was set at 5%.ResultsThe median age of the participants was 27 years with a range of 26 years. A total of 129 women had an EPDS score of 13 or more, giving a prevalence rate of post-partum depression of 33.9%. The predictors of postpartum depression were stressful life events during pregnancy (p-value 0.003, OR: 2.1, 95% CI [1.27-3.4]), vacuum use during delivery p-values 0.002, OR: 4, 95% CI: [1.64-9.91]), low social support (p-value less than 0.001, OR: 2.5, 95%CI: [1.7-4.2]) and husband’s low level of education (p-value less than 0.001, OR: 5.2, 95%CI: [2.7-10]).ConclusionThe study showed a high prevalence of PPD among Palestinian mothers in the northern West Bank. Our study found that PPD risk factors include lack of social support, the husband’s low education, and stressful events during pregnancy. This will emphasize the importance of PPD screening and early intervention, especially among vulnerable women.

Outcome of pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract Background Over the past three decades, hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT)has been widely and increasingly used as standard of care for patients with congenital or acquired hematopoietic disorders. Serious systemic complications, especially pulmonary complications (PCs) both infectious and noninfectious, may occur post transplantation and may be fatal. Objective To study the incidence, types, chronology, probable risk factors as well as outcome of posttransplantation PCs in a cohort of HSCT patients who were followed-up for one year. Methods This is a prospective observational study conducted on 80 HSCT recipients who were followed-up for one year for occurrence of any respiratory symptom. A diagnostic algorithm was then followed to reach etiology of both infectious and noninfectious causes. Results Fourteen (17.5%) patients had pulmonary symptoms, 12 (86%) were due to infections and 2 (14%) were due to noninfectious causes (a case of engraftment syndrome and another of pulmonary embolism), 67% of infectious PCs and all of noninfectious PCs occurred within the first 100 days post HSCT, 60% of infectious PCs were mixed, the most common isolated pathogen was Mycoplasma pneumoniae (60%), PCs related mortality was 21%. Conclusion Post HSCT PCs are common, constituting an important cause for mortality, highlighting the necessity for appropriate clinical diagnosis and management.

Prevalence of periodontitis among young adults with mental disorders

Introduction/Objective. Previous investigations pointed to a notable frequency of periodontitis appearance in persons with mental disorders, but almost none of them were addressed to the periodontitis among young adults with mental disorders as a target group, which can have high public health significance. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to estimate the prevalence of periodontitis among young adults suffering mental disorders and to determine probable risk factors for their overall periodontal health. Methods. The investigation included two groups of patients, each group having 81 participants-the study group (young adults with mental disorders) and the control group (mentally healthy young adults). The study instruments included a questionnaire (age, gender, psychoactive substances use, and maintaining oral hygiene) and community periodontal index for both groups, and the data concerning primary disease of mentally deceased patients (diagnostic category, mental disorder duration, number of hospitalizations, and psychotropic medications). Results. In terms of psychoactive substances use and maintaining oral hygiene, statistically significant differences were observed between groups in all independent variables. Young adults with mental disorders shown a high prevalence of periodontitis compared to the mentally healthy young adults. Also, gender, smoking habits, and the use of antipsychotics exhibited as possible risk factors contributing current periodontal health of young mentally deceased patients. Conclusion. This study indicates the need for more consideration for periodontal health among people with mental disorders and determination of potential models for its improvement.