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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: Inadequate treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might have a negative impact on their progression. Inhalation therapy is the...
: Inadequate treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might have a negative impact on their progression. Inhalation therapy is the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for these conditions. However, challenges such as low adherence, negative attitudes, and misconceptions about inhaled medications still persist, impeding effective disease management. This study aimed to evaluate adherence, ascertain the level of disease control in asthma and COPD, explore potential misconceptions surrounding inhalation therapy among patients with obstructive lung diseases and the general population in Vojvodina, and evaluate the reliability of newly developed questionnaires employed in the study. : This cross-sectional study utilized a battery of questionnaires encompassing sociodemographic data, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), along with two novel questionnaires-one for assessing adherence and another for analyzing attitudes toward inhalation therapy. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, version 25.0. : The average ACT score among patients with asthma was 17.31, while it was 19.09 for the CAT questionnaire among COPD patients. The composite score on the newly developed adherence assessment questionnaire was 2.27, exhibiting a reliability coefficient lower than recommended (α = 0.468). Significant statistical differences emerged among sample subgroups regarding attitudes and misconceptions toward inhalation therapy. The reliability coefficient for this questionnaire was deemed satisfactory (α = 0.767). : Adherence rates were notably suboptimal in both subgroups of the studied population. The disease control levels were higher among asthma patients, while they exhibited less prevalent misconceptions regarding inhalation therapy compared to COPD patients and the healthy population.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Adult; Administration, Inhalation; Aged; Medication Adherence; Asthma; Respiratory Therapy; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 38929470
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060853 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024Equine Assisted Interventions (EAIs) integrate the active participation of horses in therapeutic or educational interventions. A bibliometric analysis was carried out on... (Review)
Review
Equine Assisted Interventions (EAIs) integrate the active participation of horses in therapeutic or educational interventions. A bibliometric analysis was carried out on this topic, using traditional bibliometric laws and recommendations. For this purpose, a search on the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database was carried out, obtaining 333 documents. Annual publications followed an exponentially increasing trend (R = 86%), pointing out that this topic is a growing interest among researchers, publishers, and journals. The USA was the most productive country worldwide and Jeong-yi Kwon and Ji Lee were the prolific co-authors. The WoS category with the highest number of papers was Rehabilitation (84 papers). The , and were the journals with the highest number of publications. The most cited paper was "State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy". The most used author keywords were rehabilitation, balance, and those related to specific populations such as Cerebral Palsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder. These results suggest that EAIs is a topic of increasing interest for researchers, editors, and professionals.
PubMed: 38929395
DOI: 10.3390/ani14121776 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2) is the most common motor assessment in Korea. The BOT-2-Short Form (SF) is preferred over the...
The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2) is the most common motor assessment in Korea. The BOT-2-Short Form (SF) is preferred over the complete form (CF) in settings with limited time. The present study aimed to assess the validity of the BOT-2 SF in Korean school-age children. First, we verified that the BOT-2 SF reflects developmental changes in motor skills. Second, we compared the BOT-2 SF scores to those of the BOT-2 CF. A total of 283 Korean school-age children performed the BOT-2. The differences in the BOT-2 SF point according to age group (7 years, 8-9 years, and 10-12 years) were analyzed. A correlation analysis of the standard scores between the BOT-2 SF and CF was conducted. The sensitivity and specificity of the BOT-2 SF were calculated in reference to its CF. Overall, the BOT-2 SF point scores increased with age. The correlation between the total scores of the BOT-2 SF and CF was strong. The BOT-2 SF had a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 92%. This study has demonstrated the validity of the BOT-2 SF in Korean school-age children. The BOT2 SF can be useful in screening Korean school-age children with motor skills problems.
PubMed: 38929303
DOI: 10.3390/children11060724 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024The emerging concern about chemicals in electronic cigarettes, even those without nicotine, demands the development of advanced criteria for their exposure and risk...
The emerging concern about chemicals in electronic cigarettes, even those without nicotine, demands the development of advanced criteria for their exposure and risk assessment. This study aims to highlight the sensitivity of lung nuclear receptors (NRs) to electronic cigarette e-liquids, independent of nicotine presence, and the influence of the sex variable on these effects. Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to electronic cigarettes with 0%, 3%, and 6% nicotine daily (70 mL, 3.3 s, 1 puff per min/30 min) for 14 days, using the inExpose full body chamber (SCIREQ). Following exposure, lung tissues were harvested, and RNA extracted. The expression of 84 NRs was determined using the RT profiler mRNA array (Qiagen). Results exhibit a high sensitivity to e-liquid exposure irrespective of the presence of nicotine, with differential expression of NRs, including one (females) and twenty-four (males) in 0% nicotine groups compared to non-exposed control mice. However, nicotine-dependent results were also significant with seven NRs (females), fifty-three NRs (males) in 3% and twenty-three NRs (female) twenty-nine NRs (male) in 6% nicotine groups, compared to 0% nicotine mice. Sex-specific changes were significant, but sex-related differences were not observed. The study provides a strong rationale for further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pilot Projects; Mice; Lung; Aerosols; Nicotine; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38929056
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060810 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a...
BACKGROUND
Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a comprehensive WHP project on the back health of hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work and compared its effects on sedentary and physically active hospital workers.
METHODS
Study assessments were carried out before and six months after participation in the WHP intervention. The primary outcome parameter was back pain (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI). Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), work ability (Work Ability Index), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), and quality of life (Short Form-36) were assessed via questionnaires as secondary outcome parameters. Physical performance was measured via the 30 seconds Sit-to-Stand test (30secSTS).
RESULTS
Sixty-eight healthcare workers with non-specific back pain were included in the evaluation study of the WHP project "Back Health 24/7/365". After six months, back pain, physical performance, and self-perceived physical functioning (SF-36 Physical Functioning subscale) improved significantly in both groups. Not a single parameter showed an interaction effect with the group allocation.
CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive WHP-intervention showed significant positive effects on hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work.
Topics: Humans; Health Promotion; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Back Pain; Occupational Health; Personnel, Hospital; Workplace; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38929018
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060772 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Studies examining occupational exposures and cancer risk frequently report mixed findings; it is thus imperative for researchers to synthesize study results and identify...
Studies examining occupational exposures and cancer risk frequently report mixed findings; it is thus imperative for researchers to synthesize study results and identify any potential sources that explain such variabilities in study findings. However, when synthesizing study results using meta-analytic techniques, researchers often encounter a number of practical and methodological challenges. These challenges include (1) an incomparability of effect size measures due to large variations in research methodology; (2) a violation of the independence assumption for meta-analysis; (3) a violation of the normality assumption of effect size measures; and (4) a variation in cancer definitions across studies and changes in coding standards over time. In this paper, we first demonstrate these challenges by providing examples from a real dataset collected for a large meta-analysis project that synthesizes cancer mortality and incidence rates among firefighters. We summarize how each of these challenges has been handled in our meta-analysis. We conclude this paper by providing practical guidelines for handling challenges when synthesizing study findings from occupational cancer literature.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Occupational Exposure; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Occupational Diseases; Firefighters; Research Design; Incidence
PubMed: 38928988
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060742 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Engineered stone (ES) is a popular building product, due to its architectural versatility and generally lower cost. However, the fabrication of organic resin-based ES... (Review)
Review
Engineered stone (ES) is a popular building product, due to its architectural versatility and generally lower cost. However, the fabrication of organic resin-based ES kitchen benchtops from slabs has been associated with alarming rates of silicosis among workers. In 2024, fifteen years after the first reported ES-related cases in the world, Australia became the first country to ban the use and importation of ES. A range of interacting factors are relevant for ES-associated silicosis, including ES material composition, characteristics of dust exposure and lung cell-particle response. In turn, these are influenced by consumer demand, work practices, particle size and chemistry, dust control measures, industry regulation and worker-related characteristics. This literature review provides an evidence synthesis using a narrative approach, with the themes of product, exposure and host. Exposure pathways and pathogenesis are explored. Apart from crystalline silica content, consideration is given to non-siliceous ES components such as resins and metals that may modify chemical interactions and disease risk. Preventive effort can be aligned with each theme and associated evidence.
Topics: Silicosis; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Construction Materials; Dust
PubMed: 38928930
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060683 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Children functioning at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV-V cannot maintain an aligned standing position or take steps without support....
Children functioning at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV-V cannot maintain an aligned standing position or take steps without support. Upright positioning and mobility devices have psycho-social significance for these children and their families, enhancing use of vision, communication, functioning and emotional well-being. Standers and supported stepping devices facilitate opportunities for biomechanical loading, potentially helping to build and maintain muscle and bone integrity, and they promote physical development. However, families are often required to choose between these two devices for their young child. This study aims to synthesize evidence for use and benefits of both supported standing and stepping devices through the lens of two contemporary theoretical frameworks to support clinical reasoning and implementation. The F-words for childhood development (functioning, family, fitness, fun, friends, future) and the interdependence-Human Activity Assistive Technology (iHAAT) models were combined to illustrate the complex interactions between the child, family, caregivers, peers and contextual factors when implementing standing and stepping devices with children at GMFCS levels IV and V. Supported standing and stepping devices provide complementary benefits, and both may be necessary starting at 9-15 months. We propose they both be included ON-Time, along with other age-appropriate positioning and mobility devices, to promote more equitable developmental opportunities for children with non-ambulant cerebral palsy.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Cerebral Palsy; Self-Help Devices; Standing Position
PubMed: 38928915
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060669 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The purposes of this study were to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model for future breast cancer risk prediction based on mammographic images, investigate the...
The purposes of this study were to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model for future breast cancer risk prediction based on mammographic images, investigate the feasibility of the AI model, and compare the AI model, clinical statistical risk models, and Mirai, a state of-the art deep learning algorithm based on screening mammograms for 1-5-year breast cancer risk prediction. We trained and developed a deep learning model using a total of 36,995 serial mammographic examinations from 21,438 women (cancer-enriched mammograms, 17.5%). To determine the feasibility of the AI prediction model, mammograms and detailed clinical information were collected. C-indices and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for 1-5-year outcomes were obtained. We compared the AUCs of our AI prediction model, Mirai, and clinical statistical risk models, including the Tyrer-Cuzick (TC) model and Gail model, using DeLong's test. A total of 16,894 mammograms were independently collected for external validation, of which 4002 were followed by a cancer diagnosis within 5 years. Our AI prediction model obtained a C-index of 0.76, with AUCs of 0.90, 0.84, 0.81, 0.78, and 0.81, to predict the 1-5-year risks. Our AI prediction model showed significantly higher AUCs than those of the TC model (AUC: 0.57; < 0.001) and Gail model (AUC: 0.52; < 0.001), and achieved similar performance to Mirai. The deep learning AI model using mammograms and AI-powered imaging biomarkers has substantial potential to advance accurate breast cancer risk prediction.
PubMed: 38928628
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14121212 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Noninvasive tracking devices are widely used to monitor real-time posture. Yet significant potential exists to enhance postural control quantification through walking...
Noninvasive tracking devices are widely used to monitor real-time posture. Yet significant potential exists to enhance postural control quantification through walking videos. This study advances computational science by integrating OpenPose with a Support Vector Machine (SVM) to perform highly accurate and robust postural analysis, marking a substantial improvement over traditional methods which often rely on invasive sensors. Utilizing OpenPose-based deep learning, we generated Dynamic Joint Nodes Plots (DJNP) and iso-block postural identity images for 35 young adults in controlled walking experiments. Through Temporal and Spatial Regression (TSR) models, key features were extracted for SVM classification, enabling the distinction between various walking behaviors. This approach resulted in an overall accuracy of 0.990 and a Kappa index of 0.985. Cutting points for the ratio of top angles (TAR) and the ratio of bottom angles (BAR) effectively differentiated between left and right skews with AUC values of 0.772 and 0.775, respectively. These results demonstrate the efficacy of integrating OpenPose with SVM, providing more precise, real-time analysis without invasive sensors. Future work will focus on expanding this method to a broader demographic, including individuals with gait abnormalities, to validate its effectiveness across diverse clinical conditions. Furthermore, we plan to explore the integration of alternative machine learning models, such as deep neural networks, enhancing the system's robustness and adaptability for complex dynamic environments. This research opens new avenues for clinical applications, particularly in rehabilitation and sports science, promising to revolutionize noninvasive postural analysis.
PubMed: 38927784
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060548