Tag: nevin manimala

BMC Public Health. 2023 Jun 19;23(1):1177. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15849-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health and safety protocols have become a requirement to promote rural tourism (PRT). From this perspective, this paper empirically analyses how the health and safety dimensions influence the happiness of hotel managers and rural tourists in the post-Covid 19 era.

METHODS: A theory-based structural equation model will be carried out of activation of norms, that measure variables: sanitary, socioeconomic, and safety. Precisely, we will measure how those three attributes affect the managers-guests’ health in rural areas and their search for happiness at the rural destination. Based on the above, a field of study has been 215 rural tourist accommodations in the Extremadura region (Spain) and a sample population of 443 guests. Data were organised through the SEM-PLS path modelling.

RESULTS: The results achieved statistically show the need to undertake a new model of healthier and safer tourism consumption that values the tourist resources of rural areas, especially nearby and sustainable destinations, based on the guiding principles of safety, health, and happiness.

CONCLUSIONS: The first conclusion is that promoting tourist destinations under safe and healthy conditions has become a priority objective in the tourism industry. The second conclusion that follows from the first is that the variables safety and health and the pursuit of happiness are essential factors in promoting tourist destinations for rural hotel managers and rural tourists. The third conclusion related to the first two is that the opportunity that this study provides to develop strategies of an innovative, sustainable, and creative nature based on the relationships of the new trinomial of health, safety and happiness, from the perspective of happiness management.

PMID:37337150 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-15849-8

BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Jun 19;23(1):445. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-04938-y.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors are prevalent in adolescents and have adverse effects on physical and mental health. However, little is known about the relationship between NSSI and alexithymia, or the underlying mechanisms that could explain this relationship. This study aimed to elucidate the current status of NSSI in adolescent depression, and analyze the relationship between alexithymia, loneliness, resilience, and adolescent depression with NSSI, so as to provide a theoretical basis for psychotherapeutic interventions.

METHOD: The study sample involved inpatients and outpatients from 12 hospitals across China and adolescents with depression who met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for depression episode. The following scales were used: The Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Connor Davidson Resilience Scale.

RESULTS: The detection rate of NSSI in adolescents with depression from 2021.01.01-2022.01.01 was 76.06% (1782/2343). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between alexithymia, loneliness, resilience and NSSI in depressed adolescents, and the results of the non-parametric test showed that the differences between the two groups for each factor were statistically significant. Binary logistic regression results showed that alexithymia (B = 0.023, p = 0.003, OR = 1.023, 95% CI: 1.008-1.038) and depression (B = 0.045, p < 0.001, OR = 1.046, 95% CI: 1.026-1.066) are risk factors for NSSI, resilience (B = – 0.052, p < 0.001, OR = 0.949, 95% CI: 0.935 – 0.964) is a protective factor for NSSI. Alexithymia directly predicted NSSI and also indirectly influenced NSSI through the mediated effect of resilience. Loneliness moderates the first half of the path of this mediated model.

CONCLUSION: The present study confirms a moderated mediation effect: Alexithymia can have an impact on NSSI behaviors in depressed adolescents through the mediating role of resilience. Loneliness, as a moderating variable, moderated the first half of the pathway of the mediating model. We discuss perspectives for future research and interventions based on the findings of the study.

PMID:37337144 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-023-04938-y

Acta Oncol. 2023 Jun 19:1-9. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2023.2224053. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: While certain occupations, such as agriculture and fishery, have been associated with an increased risk of lip cancer, the occupational risk profile of lip cancer and its change over time remain poorly known. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of lip cancer across different occupations in the Nordic countries.

METHODS: The Nordic Occupational Cancer Study (NOCCA) covers 14.9 million people and includes 45 years of cancer incidence data, from 1961 to 2005, linked to occupational categories for all the five Nordic populations. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to quantify the risk of lip cancer across occupational categories relative to the entire national populations.

RESULTS: There were a total of 14,477 male and 3008 female lip cancer patients identified during follow up. The highest SIRs were observed among male fishermen (SIR 2.26, 95% CI: 2.04-2.50), gardeners (SIR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.48-1.72), and farmers (SIR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.55-1.66). A significantly reduced risk of lip cancer (SIR < 0.50) was observed among male physicians, teachers, religious workers, artistic workers, journalists, administrators, printers, waiters, and hairdressers. Among women, no occupations were associated with an increased risk of lip cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lip cancer varies widely between outdoor and indoor occupations. Occupations involving outdoor activity and exposure to sunlight show the most elevated SIRs.

PMID:37337140 | DOI:10.1080/0284186X.2023.2224053

BMC Geriatr. 2023 Jun 19;23(1):378. doi: 10.1186/s12877-023-04072-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity has a significant impact on public health and primary care. Medication adherence is recognized as the most effective measure for managing and preventing multimorbidity. Studies have shown that medication literacy has a positive effect on medication adherence in patients with multimorbidity. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the underlying mechanisms of this relationship in older adults with multimorbidity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy in the association between medication literacy and medication adherence in this population.

METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional design and convenience sampling method to survey older patients with multimorbidity in six communities in Zhengzhou, China, from July 12, 2021, to December 15, 2021. Participants were assessed using a demographic questionnaire, the Chinese Version of the Medication Literacy Scale (C-MLS), the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS), and the Chinese Version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (C-MMAS-8). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and mediation analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 350 elderly patients met the inclusion criteria, and 328 valid questionnaires were collected. The mean age of the participants was 74.90 ± 7.37 years, with a slightly higher proportion of males (55.8%) than females (44.2%). The mean score for medication adherence was 4.85 ± 1.57, indicating poor medication adherence among the participants. Medication adherence scores varied significantly among participants of different ages, education levels, employment statuses and kinds of medication (p < 0.01). Scores for medication literacy and self-efficacy showed a significant positive correlation with medication adherence scores (all p < 0.001). The standardized coefficient for the total effect and direct effect of medication literacy on medication adherence was 0.268 (95% CI: 0.201, 0.335) and 0.187 (95% CI: 0.123, 0.252), respectively. After introducing self-efficacy into the model, the standardized coefficient for the indirect effect was 0.081 (95% CI: 0.049, 0.120), indicating that self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence, accounting for 30.22% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION: This study might suggest that medication literacy indirectly affected medication adherence in older people with multimorbidity through self-efficacy. Health care providers should be aware of the importance of improving medication literacy and implement strategies aimed at increasing self-efficacy to achieve the goal of improving medication adherence in older adults with multimorbidity.

PMID:37337135 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-023-04072-0

BMC Med Imaging. 2023 Jun 19;23(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s12880-023-01044-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive therapy for thyroid nodules (TNs). Understanding the determinants of RFA efficacy can improve treatment and prognosis. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ultrasound parameters of benign TNs and the efficacy of RFA.

METHODS: A pretest-posttest interventional study was conducted in 2021 on 250 randomly sampled patients with benign TNs, receiving RFA. For this purpose, the volume reduction (VR) and the VR ratio (VRR) of the nodules were measured at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods after the RFA completion. The technical success rate (TSR) of this procedure was then categorized into four states, including low (VRR < 25%), moderate (VRR = 25-49%), high (VRR = 50-74%), and very high (VRR ≥ 75). Ordered logistic regression (OLR) was further utilized to investigate the effect of the ultrasound parameters of TNs on the TSR. The analyses were notably performed using Stata 14.2.

RESULTS: The VRR at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods were 38.7%, 53.6%, 59.3%, and 59.9%, respectively. The mean VR was also statistically significant at all follow-ups (p < 0.001). At the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up periods, the VR of over 50% was observed in 28.2%, 52.1%, and 65.2% of the nodules, respectively. The odds ratios (ORs) of the RFA success were found to be 4.3 times higher for the nodules in the left lobe compared to the right lobe (OR: 4.31, p = 0.002), 6.3 times greater for isoechoic nodules compared to hyperechoic nodules (OR: 6.39, p < 0.001), 6.2 times higher for hyper-vascular nodules compared to hypo-vascular nodules (OR: 6.25, p = 0.005), and 2.3 times greater for mixed nodules compared to solid ones (OR: 2.37, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION: The ultrasound parameters of TNs had a statistically significant effect on the efficacy of RFA. Small-sized, isoechoic, and hyper-vascular nodules, as well as those with mixed tissue, were observed to respond better to RFA, leading to a better prognosis in terms of VR after treatment.

PMID:37337132 | DOI:10.1186/s12880-023-01044-z

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Jun 19. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15864. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gluconolactone (GLA) exhibits antioxidant and moisturizing effects. It also presents soothing effects, protects elastin fibers from UV-induced degradation, and improves the function of the skin barrier.

AIMS: Evaluation of skin parameters such as pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum levels before, during, and after a series of applications of 10% and 30% GLA chemical peel in a split-face model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 16 female subjects. Three split-face procedures were performed using two concentrations of GLA solution applied on two sides of the face. The skin parameters were measured before treatments and 7 days after the last procedure at four measurement sites on either side of the face, that is, on the forehead, around the eye, on the cheek, and on the nose wing.

RESULTS: Measurement of sebum demonstrated some statistically significant changes between sebum levels in the cheeks after a series of treatments. The pH measurement showed that the pH value was reduced after each treatment at all measurement points. The level of TEWL after treatments was significantly lower around the eyes, on the left forehead, and on the right cheek. There were no significant differences between the use of different concentrations of the GLA solution.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that GLA has a significant influence on lowering skin pH and TEWL. GLA also has seboregulatory properties.

PMID:37335807 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.15864

J Behav Addict. 2023 Jun 19. doi: 10.1556/2006.2023.00027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gambling in adolescents is a public health concern. This study sought to examine patterns of gambling among Connecticut high-school students using seven representative samples covering a 12-year period.

METHODS: Data were analyzed from N = 14,401 participants in cross-sectional surveys conducted every two years based on random sampling from schools in the state of Connecticut. Anonymous self-completed questionnaires included socio-demographic data, current substance use, social support, and traumatic experiences at school. Chi-square tests were used to compare socio-demographic characteristics between gambling and non-gambling groups. Logistic regressions were used to assess changes in the prevalence of gambling over time and effects of potential risk factors on the prevalence, adjusted for age, sex, and race.

RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of gambling largely decreased from 2007 to 2019, although the pattern was not linear. After steadily declining from 2007 to 2017, 2019 was associated with increased rates of gambling participation. Consistent statistical predictors of gambling were male gender, older age, alcohol and marijuana use, higher levels of traumatic experiences at school, depression, and low levels of social support.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Among adolescents, older males may be particularly vulnerable to gambling that relates importantly to substance use, trauma, affective concerns, and poor support. Although gambling participation appears to have declined, the recent increase in 2019 that coincides with increased sports gambling advertisements, media coverage and availability warrants further study. Our findings suggest the importance of developing school-based social support programs that may help reduce adolescent gambling.

PMID:37335777 | DOI:10.1556/2006.2023.00027

Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2023 Jun 19:1-12. doi: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2224505. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Exportin 1 (XPO1) is overexpressed in several solid tumors, and is associated with poor prognosis. Here, we aimed to evaluate the implication of XPO1 expression in solid tumors through a meta-analysis.

METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for articles published until February 2023. Statistical data of the patients, odds ratios and hazard ratios (HRs), together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to assess clinicopathological features and survival outcomes. Besides, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to explore the prognostic significance of XPO1 in solid tumors.

RESULTS: A total of 22 works, comprising 2595 patients were included in this study. The results suggested that increased XPO1 expression was associated with a higher tumor grade, more lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and progressively worse total clinical stage. Additionally, high XPO1 expression was associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.12-1.81, P = 0.004) and shorter progression-free survival (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.07-1.84, P = 0.01). An analysis using the TCGA dataset showed that high XPO1 expression was associated with poor OS and disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS: XPO1 is a promising prognostic biomarker and may constitute a therapeutic target for solid tumors.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023399159.

PMID:37335774 | DOI:10.1080/14737159.2023.2224505

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2023 Jun 19:1-30. doi: 10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00266. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize test-retest reliability of discourse measures across a battery of common tasks in individuals with aphasia and prospectively matched adults without brain damage.

METHOD: We collected spoken discourse during five monologue tasks at two timepoints (test and retest; within 2 weeks apart) in an aphasia group (n = 23) and a peer group with no brain damage (n = 24). We evaluated test-retest reliability for percentage of correct information units, correct information units per minute, mean length of utterance, verbs per utterance, noun/verb ratio, open/closed class word ratio, tokens, sample duration (seconds), propositional idea density, type-token ratio, and words per minute. We explored reliability’s relationship with sample length and aphasia severity.

RESULTS: Rater reliability was excellent. Across tasks, both groups demonstrated discourse measures with poor, moderate, and good reliability, with the aphasia group having measures demonstrating excellent test-retest reliability. When evaluating measures within each task, test-retest reliability again ranged from poor to excellent for both groups. Across groups and task, measures that appeared most reliable appeared to reflect lexical, informativeness, or fluency information. Sample length and aphasia severity impacted reliability, and this differed across and by task.

CONCLUSIONS: We identified several discourse measures that were reliable across and within tasks. Test-retest statistics are intimately linked to the specific sample, emphasizing the importance of multiple baseline studies. Task itself should be considered an important variable, and it should not be assumed that discourse measures found to be reliable across several tasks (averaged) are likewise reliable for a single task.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.23298032.

PMID:37335766 | DOI:10.1044/2023_JSLHR-22-00266

Diabetes Technol Ther. 2023 Jun 19. doi: 10.1089/dia.2023.0199. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) from diverse and marginalized backgrounds with type 1 diabetes (T1D) generally have higher HbA1c levels and less frequent continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use than AYA from more privileged backgrounds. Further, scant data address the impact of virtual peer groups (VPG) on health-related outcomes for ethnically and racially-diverse AYA with T1D.

METHODS: CoYoT1 to California was a 15-month randomized controlled trial for AYA ages 16-25 years. In this study, AYA were randomized to receive Standard Care (n=28), or CoYoT1 Care (n=40), which consisted of person-centered provider visits and bimonthly VPG. VPG were AYA-driven discussions. AYA completed the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form (DES-SF) scales at baseline and all study visits.

RESULTS: Participants were 50% Latinx and 75% publicly insured. Among CoYoT1 Care participants, 19 attended at least one VPG session (VPG Attendees) and 21 did not attend any VPG sessions. VPG attendees participated in 4.1 VPG sessions on average. VPG Attendees had a relative reduction in HbA1C (treatment effect -1.08%, ES=-0.49, p=0.04) and increase in CGM use (treatment effect +47%, ES=1.00, p=0.02) compared to Standard Care. VPG participation was not associated with statistically significant changes in DDS, CES-D, and DES-SF scores.

CONCLUSIONS: In a 15-month randomized controlled trial, AYA with T1D who participated in VPG reported significant improvements in HbA1c and CGM use. Peer interactions may support unmet needs of AYA with T1D from diverse and marginalized backgrounds.

PMID:37335751 | DOI:10.1089/dia.2023.0199