World Health Organization Research Articles

Monitoring and Assessment of Toxicological Risks of Poultry Meat Contaminated with Heavy Metals.

This study aimed to investigate the heavy metal contamination in poultry meat of Kotli Sattian, Rawalpindi. The meat samples from ten sites were analyzed for lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, arsenic, nickel, zinc, iron, sodium, and calcium. The possible health risks of these metals were also observed. Mean lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and nickel concentrations were higher than the permissible limits of the World Health Organization (WHO). Metals in meat samples showed the trend of Fe > Na > Zn > Ni > Ca > As > Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd. All the studied metals except lead were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). The hazard quotient (HQ) values of all the metals were below one, except iron. Iron showed chronic health risks in both adults (1.63) and children (3.64). Moreover, the cumulative hazard index (HI) of the metals indicated that meat consumption can pose a significant chronic toxic risk in both adults and children as the HI value was 2.06 for adults and 4.61 for children, which is greater than one. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of arsenic in meat for adults and children exceeded the acceptable range, making it a metal of concern. This means that the consumption of small concentrations of metal through meat may be the source of severe toxicological consequences. It can be concluded that meat is contaminated with metals; therefore, appropriate precautions should be taken to minimize this contamination.

Differences in Drug Shortages in the US and Canada

Drug shortages are a persistent public health issue that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the US and Canada follow similar regulatory standards and require reporting of drug-related supply chain issues that may result in shortages. However, it is unknown what proportion are associated with meaningful shortages (defined by a significant decrease in drug supply) and whether differences exist between Canada and the US. To compare how frequently reports of drug-related supply chain issues in the US vs Canada were associated with drug shortages. Longitudinal cross-sectional study conducted from January 2023 to March 2024 using drug-related reports of supply chain issues from 2017 to 2021 that were less than 180 days apart in Canada and the US. Shortages were assessed using data from the IQVIA Multinational Integrated Data Analysis database, comprising 89% of US and 100% of Canadian drug purchases. Country (Canada vs US), timing of report issuance (before vs after the COVID-19 pandemic), and characteristics of the supply chain prior to the reports of drug-related supply chain issues (including World Health Organization essential medicine status, Health Canada tier 3 medicine [moderate risk classification], whether there was sole-source manufacturing of the drug, the formulation, the price per unit, ≥20 years since drug approval, and the number of therapeutic alternatives). A drug shortage (a decrease of ≥33% in monthly purchased standardized drug units) within 12 months, relative to the average units purchased during the 6 months prior to the report of supply chain issues to a US or Canadian reporting system. Among the 104 drug-related reports of supply chain issues in both countries, 49.0% (95% CI, 39.3%-59.7%) were associated with drug shortages in the US vs 34.0% (95% CI, 25.0%-45.0%) in Canada (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.53 [95% CI, 0.36-0.79]). The lower risk of drug shortages in Canada vs the US was consistent before the COVID-19 pandemic (adjusted HR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.30-0.75]) and after the pandemic (adjusted HR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.15-0.66]). After combining reports of supply chain issues in both countries, the shortage risk was double for sole-sourced drugs (adjusted HR, 2.58 [95% CI, 1.57-4.24]) and nearly half for Canadian tier 3 medicines (moderate risk) (adjusted HR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.32-0.98]). Drug-related reports of supply chain issues were 40% less likely to result in meaningful drug shortages in Canada compared with the US. These findings highlight the need for international cooperation between countries to curb the effects of drug shortages and improve resiliency of the supply chain for drugs.

The Critical Role of Folate in Prenatal Health and a Proposed Shift from Folic Acid to 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Supplementation

Folate, or vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin essential in periconceptional nutrition. In its active form, tetrahydrofolate, it plays a vital role in DNA methylation and homocysteine breakdown. Maintenance of normal serum folate levels is crucial during pregnancy; deviation from these levels, either in dearth or excess, can lead to various pregnancy and infant complications. This article analyzes existing literature on folate’s absorption pathway in human physiology and reviews the evidence surrounding prenatal supplementation guidelines for folic acid. Prior research supports these guidelines because, in the absence of folate during pregnancy, research has shown an increased incidence of neurodevelopmental defects, food allergies, ophthalmic deficits, and other adverse effects for both mother and child. This significant body of evidence has driven most developed countries to implement folic acid supplementation initiatives, with the World Health Organization recommending a daily 400-µg folic acid supplementation for periconceptional women. As progress continues on a global scale, further efforts should be made to improve folic acid levels in pregnant populations among demographic subgroups. Research supports the use of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in place of traditional folic acid prenatal supplements based on the increased bioavailability, resistance to genetic polymorphisms, and avoidance of several potential risks associated with folic acid supplements. More research and product development should be done to drive and support this shift in prenatal supplementation trends.

Effectiveness of cryotherapy in preventing oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients in Jordan: a randomized controlled trial.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cryotherapy in preventing oral mucositis in pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy. An evidence-based practice project utilized a randomized control trial design with two groups (experimental and control groups). Fifty-nine pediatric patients with cancer in Jordan, aged 8-18 years, were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=29) or the control group (n=30). The intervention was conducted from June 2022 to December 2022. The severity of oral mucositis among pediatric cancer patients was assessed using the World Health Organization oral mucositis grade. There were no significant differences in sex or disease type among the groups. On days 7, 14, and 21, we observed notable between-group differences in treatment responses and the intensity of oral mucositis, highlighting the efficacy of cryotherapy in diminishing the severity of oral mucositis. This study supports the use of cryotherapy as a preventive measure for oral mucositis among pediatric oncology patients in Jordan. The findings suggest that cryotherapy effectively reduces the severity of oral mucositis. Further research is necessary to investigate the broader impacts of cryotherapy.

The Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between Adherence to 24-Hour Movement Behavior Guidelines and Bone Health in Young Children

Background: Adherence to the World Health Organization’s 24-hour movement behavior (24-HMB) guidelines is associated with various health outcomes. However, its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) in young children has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adherence to the 24-HMB guidelines and BMD in young children. Methods: A total of 120 children aged 3–5 years were recruited from three kindergartens in Changsha, Hunan, China. Physical activity (PA) was objectively measured using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers, and BMD was assessed using the Sunlight Omnisense 7000P ultrasound device. Screen time (ST) and sleep duration (SD) were reported by parents. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between guideline adherence and BMD. Results: Only 5.5% of the participants met all three guidelines for PA, ST, and SD, while 16.5% did not meet any. In the cross-sectional analysis, young children who met both ST and SD guidelines (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.95) had a lower risk of insufficient BMD compared to those who met none. In the one-year cohort follow-up, young children who met the PA guideline at baseline (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.71), as well as those who met both the PA and ST guidelines (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.83) or all three (OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.69), had a lower risk of insufficient BMD at one year. Conclusions: Adherence to the 24-HMB guidelines may promote bone health in young children. Future research should prioritize achievable goals, such as limiting ST and ensuring adequate SD, while gradually increasing MVPA to optimize bone development.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of a Newly Proposed Criteria for Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease

Background/Objectives: Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder traditionally diagnosed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 1998. Recently, Hermann et al. proposed updated diagnostic criteria incorporating advanced biomarkers to enhance early detection of sCJD. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Hermann’s criteria compared with those of the WHO criteria in a large cohort of patients suspected of prion disease in Japan. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we examined the new criteria using data of 2004 patients with suspected prion disease registered with the Japanese Prion Disease Surveillance (JPDS) between January 2009 and May 2023. Patients with genetic or acquired prion diseases or incomplete data necessary for the diagnostic criteria were excluded, resulting in 786 eligible cases. The sensitivity and specificity of the WHO and Hermann’s criteria were calculated by comparing diagnoses with those made by the JPDS Committee. Results: Of the 786 included cases, Hermann’s criteria helped identify 572 probable cases compared with 448 by the WHO criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of the WHO criteria were 96.4% and 96.6%, respectively. Hermann’s criteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 99.3% and a specificity of 95.2%, indicating higher sensitivity but slightly lower specificity. Fifty-five cases were classified as “definite” by both criteria. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Hermann’s criteria could offer improved sensitivity for detecting sCJD, potentially reducing diagnostic oversight. However, caution is advised in clinical practice to avoid misdiagnosis, particularly in treatable neurological diseases, by ensuring thorough exclusion of other potential conditions.

Understanding content dissemination on sensemaking: WHO’s social listening strategy on X during the initial phase of COVID-19

Abstract Purpose Guided by the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication model (CERC, Reynolds and Seeger 2005. Crisis and emergency risk communication as an integrative model. Journal of Health Communication 10(1). 43–55.), the present study aimed to study how X (formerly Twitter) users sensemaking and efficacy based message. Additionally, the study also aimed to understand how the World Health Organization (WHO) responded to the emerging conversation. Methods Unsupervised machine learning was conducted on 6.1 million tweets between January and March 2020 to understand sensemaking about COVID-19 among X users. Additionally, content analysis was used to examine if the World Health Organization (WHO) responded to popular emerging conversations via content on their own X handle. Findings The majority of dominant topics in COVID-19 tweets from January to March 2020 related to understanding the virus and the crisis it caused. X users tried to make sense of their surroundings and re-create their familiar world by framing events. Content analysis revealed that WHO engaged in effective social listening and responded quickly to dominant X conversations to help people make sense of the situation. Practical Implications The initial stage of COVID-19 pandemic was marked with uncertainty. However, WHO had a robust communication strategy and addressed the dominant conversation during the time frame including debunking misinformation. Originality/Value The present study fills the research gap by situating the themes in the context of the health crisis and extending the CERC model to user-generated content via the lens of sensemaking and efficacy messages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the study segmented the timelines into smaller time intervals to understand how sensemaking evolved over time.

Temporal muscle thickness is not a prognostic predictor in patients with high-grade glioma, an experience at two centers in China.

Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) serves as an indicator of sarcopenia and holds predictive value for various cancers. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of TMT for high-grade glioma patients. A retrospective review of 172 high-grade glioma patients from January 2015 to December 2022 was conducted. TMT value was measured based on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance images before surgery. Pearson analysis was used to evaluate potential correlations. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate overall survival for high-grade glioma patients. In our study, the cutoff value of TMT was determined as 7.4 mm. TMT value was not a significant prognostic predictor for high-grade glioma patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.151, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9299-1.424, p = 0.196). World Health Organization (WHO) VI and high body mass index (BMI) value were significantly associated with poorer survival outcomes (HR: 2.6689, 95% CI: 1.5729-4.528, p < 0.001; HR: 1.120, 95% CI: 1.0356-1.211, p = 0.005). TMT did not show a significant association with other factors (p > 0.05). Notably, age demonstrated a significant difference between the thicker and thinner groups (p = 0.019). Our study revealed that WHO grade and BMI demonstrated significant prognostic value for survival outcomes. Consequently, TMT does not appear to be a significant or applicable predictor in patients with high WHO grades.

Critical Evaluation of Neglected Consensus Risk Factors Causing the Recurrent Upsurge of Cholera Outbreaks in Some Regions in Cameroon: A Systematic Review

Background: Cameroon is a developing nation and has been enlisted amongst the several countries in sub-Sahara Africa situated in West and Central Africa to be experiencing the recurrent cholera outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO), Cameroon health authorities and others researchers have considered a few risk factors that are believed to be contributing to the current and on-going cholera outbreaks in Cameroon. These risk factors include the wide circulation of Vibrio cholerae in the country, limited access to safe-drinking water in some areas, a seasonal pattern of cholera re-occurrence and inadequate water, sanitation and hygienic (WASH) conditions, unstable political atmosphere that have resulted to internally displayed persons, very poor and vulnerable persons, refugees and humanitarian crises and continued unnecessary imposed lock-downs and road-blocks. However, despite these enormous efforts made by Cameroon health authorities so far and its partners over the past decades in responding and tackling all these risk factors, the recurrent outbreak of cholera in Cameroon still remained a great challenge and potential humanitarian crisis, an unendingly reality with bewilderment amid uncertainty, threatening and vulnerability to many affected regions. Aim: This systematic review seeks to critically evaluate, identify and classify some previously overlooked consensus risk factors driving cholera endemicity, pandemicity or epidemicity in Cameroon. By highlighting these neglected factors, this review hopes to inform evidenced -based intervention to finally combat the persistence recurrent upsurge and burden of future outbreaks of cholera in Cameroon. Methodology: The current Systematic reviews gathered information from various sources using different search engines provide a comprehensive overview of existing research. These include Academic Search Engines, Specialized Search Engines, Grey Literature, Primary Sources, Secondary Sources, Registers and Repositories, Open Access Sources, Hand Searching and Other Sources. Results: The current systematic review gathered information from diverse sources and identified and classified six groups of neglected consensus risk factors, along with their associated variables, contributing to cholera outbreaks in Cameroon. Additionally, the review assessed the level of intervention and preventive measures offered by the Cameroon health authorities and other stakeholders, categorizing them as either low or high, for both documented and undocumented strategies. All data sources were thoroughly referenced accordingly ensuring transparency and accountability. Conclusion: In spite of extensive research by the World Health Organization and Cameroonian health authorities identifying and documenting numerous risk factors contributing to Cameroon's ongoing cholera outbreaks, these efforts have not prevented or eradicated recurring episodes. Decades of enormous work and efforts by Cameroonian health authorities have been incapable to eradicate cholera. This systematic review unequivocally shows that without addressing the neglected consensus risk factors and variables, Cameroon could face a high likelihood of continued cholera outbreaks. Therefore, this review underscores the urgent need for Cameroon health authorities to adopt a multifaceted approach, addressing the identified neglected consensus risk factors and variables. Implementation of targeted interventions, strengthened health infrastructure, and community engagement are crucial to prevent future cholera outbreaks. Future research should focus on developing context-specific solutions, enhancing existing strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.

Clearing the Air to Address Pollution's Cardiovascular Health Crisis.

Air pollution is a critical global health issue that significantly impacts cardiovascular health. The air pollutant PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less) has been positioned as a leading environmental risk factor for morbidity and mortality, especially from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Using data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Global Health Observatory, and the United Nations Environment Programme, we explored global trends in air pollution, with a focus on PM2.5 levels, the implications for cardiovascular health, and the policy measures aimed at reducing their impact. Despite progress in reducing pollution levels in high-income countries, global trends show a limited annual reduction in PM2.5 concentration. The analysis highlights disparities between regions, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of air pollution-related CVDs. In 2019 alone, ambient air pollution was responsible for approximately 4.2 million deaths worldwide. Of these, 70% were caused by CVDs, with approximately 1.9 million deaths from ischemic heart disease and 900,000 deaths from stroke. Policy gaps remain a challenge, with many countries lacking adequate legally binding air quality standards. We recommend the adoption of WHO air quality guidelines, enhanced monitoring of air pollution levels, and increased investment in interdisciplinary research to understand the full scope of air pollution's effects on cardiovascular health. Addressing the global cardiovascular crisis linked to air pollution will require coordinated efforts from policymakers, healthcare systems, and global health organisations.

International Trends in Zinc Treatment for Diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a leading cause of death among children <5 years of age and can have long-term adverse consequences for human development. The World Health Organization has recommended the therapeutic use of zinc for the treatment of diarrhea, along with oral rehydration solutions, since 2004. We studied recent trends in the use of zinc to treat diarrhea in 23 low- and middle-income countries. A repeated cross-sectional design of 46 Demographic and Health Surveys from 23 countries was used to estimate the average annual change in zinc treatment across recent years. The earlier surveys were conducted in different years from 2009 to 2014, and the latest surveys were conducted in different years from 2015 to 2023, with an average gap of 6 years between surveys. A diarrhea episode during the 2 weeks before the survey and the treatment of diarrhea using zinc and oral rehydration solutions among children <5 years old was identified using an interview with mothers. In the pooled sample, the treatment of diarrhea in children <5 years of age using zinc increased from 2% in the earlier surveys to 27% in the more recent surveys, or an average annual increase of 4 percentage points (pp). The prevalence of zinc treatment increased in all 23 countries, ranging from 9 pp per year on average in Sierra Leone to 1 pp in Cambodia. A large increase in the use of therapeutic zinc to treat diarrhea in children was observed in recent years. However, coverage remains incomplete.

Modeling Cs-137 Migration in Groundwater due to Low Probability Event of Leaching from Near Surface Disposal Facility for Low Level Solid Radioactive Waste

In this paper, we present impact of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) disposal in a Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) with respect to groundwater migration and its consumption for drinking. We employ the Multiple Area Source Model for simulating the fate of radionuclide in groundwater to evaluate its potential contamination due to extremely low probability event of leaching from the NSDF. The assessment conservatively assumes direct interaction between disposal trenches and the underlying aquifer neglecting the barrier provided by the unsaturated zone. Temporal profiles of concentration of Cs-137 at different down flow distances in groundwater are obtained over a period extending several years post-disposal. The results indicate that even under such a worst-case conservative scenario and for an annual disposal rate of 3 TBq/y for a period of 50y, the maximum Cs-137 concentration in groundwater remains significantly below the safe drinking water threshold of 10 Bq/L recommended by the World Health Organization. It is found that amount of Cs-137 generally disposed in NSDF is significantly lower than the allowable disposal limit corresponding to concentration defined for safe drinking water limit.

Estimated Plasmodium 18S ribosomal RNA prevalence in asymptomatic blood donors from three African countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region accounts for 94% of malaria cases globally, with variability recognized within endemic regions. To determine the detection rate of Plasmodium RNA in blood donors resident in malaria-endemic areas, samples from three African countries were tested using a Plasmodium nucleic acid test. Whole blood (WB) samples collected from routine donors in Cameroon, Madagascar and Mali were shipped frozen to the United States. Samples were tested individually from WB lysates with the Procleix Plasmodium assay (transcription-mediated amplification [TMA]). Reactive samples were considered either repeat reactive or initial reactive only, depending on TMA-retest results. When available, matching plasma samples were tested for Plasmodium antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Plasmodium repeat reactivity ranged from 41% (91/223 tested) in Cameroon to 12% (26/216) in Mali and 1% (3/249) in Madagascar. Initially reactive samples, where reactivity did not repeat, were identified from Cameroon (5/223; 2%) and Mali (2/216; 1%). The matched-plasma subgroup had EIA reactivity ranging from 86% (113/131 tested) in Cameroon to 59% (10/17) in Mali and 27% (68/248) in Madagascar. Plasmodium ribosomal RNA (rRNA) detection and antibody rates varied greatly in the three countries studied. Detection of Plasmodium rRNA can provide an additional tool to address malaria risk in blood donors.

ВЗАИМОСВЯЗЬ УТОЛЩЕНИЯ СВОДА СТОПЫ И РАЗВИТИЯ ЦНС У ДЕТЕЙ. (ОБЗОР ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ)

Today, the World Health Organization believes that musculoskeletal disorders in children occupy a leading position. According to statistics provided by Russian orthopedists over the past year, 24.2 - 67.3% of schoolchildren, depending on the region, have longitudinal or transverse flat feet. The second most common disorder in children is developmental disorders in the field of intellectual activity. Motor activity is a natural need for people to move. Intellectual development is understood as a set of various cognitive functions of an individual in society: from thinking, as well as perception, to the imagination and thinking of a person. Therefore, studying the relationship between the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in children is an important task of our time. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between thickening of the arch of the foot and the development of the central nervous system in children, through the prism of scientific works of orthopedists, pediatricians, neurologists and psychologists. Our review of the literature proves the importance of studying this problem and the need for a clinical study. To improve diagnostics, it is necessary to create a combined universal assessment system that will allow comparing results and conducting a mathematical analysis of the initial state of the musculoskeletal system and intellectual level in children, as well as to analyze changes in the course of therapy. Also, in our opinion, it is necessary to develop a set of exercises for therapeutic physical training that will not only strengthen muscles, form the arches of the feet, but also simultaneously train the frontal lobes of the brain, which will enhance concentration and develop memory. Therefore, we consider it necessary to expand the range and conduct extensive studies with a large sample size.

Prevalence and Level of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among Frontliners Using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)-21 in a Tertiary Hospital in Manila, Philippines During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. It has affected millions globally and remains as a public health concern until today. Objectives: The study aims to identify the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among UST hospital frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)-21 scale. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 frontliners in a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines using the DASS-21 scale. Results: Based on data gathered from the responses of participants using the DASS-21 scale, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among the frontliners were 28.68%, 35.66% and 14.71%, respectively. Being single, living alone, higher degree of educational attainment (postgraduate), trainees (residents and fellows) and those having pulmonary comorbidities were associated with increasing level of depression and stress. Respondents who had less work experience (less than 5 years) had significant depression; being single presented with higher anxiety; and those who had a previous COVID-19 infection had higher degree of stress. Conclusion: Several demographic and occupational characteristics, in accordance to the COVID-19 pandemic, yielded significant results regarding the presence of depression, anxiety and stress. The study recommends closer follow-up of participants which recorded high severity scores in the DASS-21 scale as well as regular psychological briefing and counseling to assess if there are other contributory factors to such responses. Ultimately, this may enlighten us on how to provide holistic care to our own hospital staff. Keywords: COVID-19, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, DASS-21 scale

Current antibiotic resistance of Enterobacteriaceae isolated at Avicenna military hospital of Marrakesh

Enterobacteriaceae are bacteria found in the digestive system, known for causing infections and displaying antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies strains resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems as priority pathogens. This study, conducted at Avicenne Military Hospital of Marrakech, aimed to assess the epidemiological and antibiotic resistance profiles of Enterobacteriaceae over a two-year period (May 2020 - April 2022) to inform updated antibiotic use recommendations. This retrospective study analyzed 1,626 positive bacterial isolates from various hospital departments, including medical, surgical, intensive care, emergency units, and external samples. Of these, 1,163 (71.5%) were Enterobacteriaceae, predominantly Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae, primarily isolated from urine, pus, and blood cultures. Antibiotic resistance was assessed, revealing that 614 (52.8%) of Enterobacteriaceae were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers (ESBL-E), and 115 (9.9%) were carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). The study’s findings align with existing literature, showing a higher prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae in males and frequent isolation of Escherichia coli. The rise in multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, particularly ESBL-E and CPE, poses risks such as therapeutic failure, increased morbidity and mortality, and significant economic impacts. To address this, the study emphasizes the importance of early detection, infection control measures, responsible antibiotic prescribing, and collaborative efforts across hospital departments to reduce the spread of resistant strains.

An Awareness, Courage, and Love Online Group Intervention for Chinese Older Adults in the Post-Pandemic Era: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

Background. Social connections not only contribute to psychological and emotional well-being but also positively impact physical health, with social isolation and loneliness linked to early mortality and detrimental health outcomes. Objectives. This study aims to evaluate an online Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) group intervention designed to enhance social connectedness and subjective well-being while reducing loneliness, depression, and anxiety among older adults. Methods. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will involve an intervention group receiving a 2 h ACL session via videoconferencing. Eligible participants selected after screening will be assigned randomly to either a treatment or waitlist-control group. Participants in both conditions will complete the assessments at three time points, including baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Tools for assessing the concerned variables include the Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale, de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) Scale, and World Health Organisation—Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Conclusions. This study will offer a robust framework for investigating the impact of the online ACL intervention on loneliness and social connectedness among Chinese older adults. The result of this study will reach theoretical, empirical, practical, and teaching significance on mental health care strategies for Chinese older adults.

Targeting COVID-19 and Human Resources for Health News Information Extraction: Algorithm Development and Validation.

Global pandemics like COVID-19 put a high amount of strain on health care systems and health workers worldwide. These crises generate a vast amount of news information published online across the globe. This extensive corpus of articles has the potential to provide valuable insights into the nature of ongoing events and guide interventions and policies. However, the sheer volume of information is beyond the capacity of human experts to process and analyze effectively. The aim of this study was to explore how natural language processing (NLP) can be leveraged to build a system that allows for quick analysis of a high volume of news articles. Along with this, the objective was to create a workflow comprising human-computer symbiosis to derive valuable insights to support health workforce strategic policy dialogue, advocacy, and decision-making. We conducted a review of open-source news coverage from January 2020 to June 2022 on COVID-19 and its impacts on the health workforce from the World Health Organization (WHO) Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) by synergizing NLP models, including classification and extractive summarization, and human-generated analyses. Our DeepCovid system was trained on 2.8 million news articles in English from more than 3000 internet sources across hundreds of jurisdictions. Rules-based classification with hand-designed rules narrowed the data set to 8508 articles with high relevancy confirmed in the human-led evaluation. DeepCovid's automated information targeting component reached a very strong binary classification performance of 98.98 for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) and 47.21 for the area under the precision recall curve (PR-AUC). Its information extraction component attained good performance in automatic extractive summarization with a mean Recall-Oriented Understudy for Gisting Evaluation (ROUGE) score of 47.76. DeepCovid's final summaries were used by human experts to write reports on the COVID-19 pandemic. It is feasible to synergize high-performing NLP models and human-generated analyses to benefit open-source health workforce intelligence. The DeepCovid approach can contribute to an agile and timely global view, providing complementary information to scientific literature.

Age-friendly cities enhancing ageing: accelerating digital inclusion for India’s elderly

Purpose This exploration begins with understanding the concept of age-friendly cities and communities as guided by the World Health Organisation. The purpose of this study is to assesses the potential of the concept of age-friendly cities and how these initiatives are driven by commitments to create an environment that promotes active ageing, leveraging digital tools and technologies to enhance connectivity, accessibility and overall well-being of the older. Design/methodology/approach The viewpoint discussed the diverse ways in which the unique concept of age-friendly cities or living areas can be explored in India. Such concepts will create a more inclusive society for the older people around us. Findings The viewpoint highlighted a few global cases of age-friendly cities. It emphasised their innovative approaches, lessons learned, best practices and challenges. These real-time examples inspire, showing us the potential and success of such initiatives. They also help us understand the areas we must work on to create such environments for our older people. The chapter also evaluates the initiatives and projects undertaken in India so far to enhance the living experience of the older, integrating digital technologies. By analysing India’s journey towards age-friendly initiatives, the discussion provides detailed insights for policymakers and other societal stakeholders to broaden the development framework that holistically incorporates the ageing population’s needs. Originality/value The concept of age-friendly cities in India is not just a new approach but a crucial one in the near future. Owing to the existing diversity in our country, this discussion presented in this viewpoint will help to emphasise the need to create separate policies and implement the same at various levels. Ageing is inevitable, and this study’s reflections will also allow families and society to prioritise the needs of older adults in their families and around them. This work will also create an opportunity for all society’s stakeholders to look at older adults’ needs differently and more practically, underlining the urgency and importance of this issue.

Cathepsin K-Positive Cell Lineage Promotes In Situ Dentin Formation Controlled by Nociceptive Sonic Hedgehog.

Oral diseases affect nearly half of the global population throughout their lifetime causing pain, as estimated by the World Health Organization. Preservation of vital pulp is the therapeutic core as well as a challenge to protect natural teeth. Current bottleneck lies in that the regenerative capacity of injured pulp is undetermined. In this study, we identified a lifelong lineage that is labelled by cathepsin K (Ctsk) contributing to the physiological, reactionary and reparative odontogenesis of mouse molars. Ctsk+ cell-mediated dentin formation is regulated by nociceptive nerve-derived Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), especially rapidly responsive to acute injury. Notably, exogenous Shh protein to the injury pulp can preserve Ctsk+ cell capacity of odontogenesis for the nearby crown pulp and even remote root apex growth, alleviating conventionally developmental arrest in youth pulpitis. Exposed to chronical attrition, aged pulp Ctsk+ cells still hold the capacity to respond to acute stimuli and promote reparative odontogenesis, also enhanced by exogenous Shh capping. Therefore, Ctsk+ cells may be one of the lineages for accelerating precision medicine for efficient pulp treatment across ages. Shh application can be a candidate for vital pulp preservation and pulp injury repair by promoting regenerative odontogenesis to a certain extent from young adults to older individuals.