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Background: South Africa is reporting higher rates of adolescent pregnancy as compared to other countries. There are different types of interventions that are in place to address teenage pregnancy. However, these interventions were developed using top-down strategy without the inclusion of different stakeholders and adolescents which makes it hard to implement those interventions particularly in countries like South Africa. Hence, this study aimed to develop strategies to enhance sexual health education for prevention of teenage pregnancy in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Methods: The research design of this study will be Co-operative Inquiry.The study will take place in Vhembe District in Limpopo province of South Africa through collaborating with a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO). The study population will be the teenagers and all the different stakeholders caring for teenagers in their areas of specialization. Purposive sampling will be used to sample the targeted participants of the study. The data collection method will be done in phases and focus group discussions will be used to collect data. Content analysis will be used to analyse data. Discussion: This study will add to the body of knowledge regarding the strategies that maybe used to enhance sexual health education for prevention of teenage pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) represent a considerable burden for healthcare systems. They are largely preventable and multiple interventions have been proposed over past years in an attempt to prevent SSI. We aim to provide a position paper on Operative Room (OR) prevention of SSI in patients presenting with intra-abdominal infection to be considered a future addendum to the well-known World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Guidelines on the management of intra-abdominal infections. Methods: The literature was searched for focused publications on SSI until March 2019. Critical analysis and grading of the literature has been performed by a working group of experts; the literature review and the statements were evaluated by a Steering Committee of the WSES. Results: Wound protectors and antibacterial sutures seem to have effective roles to prevent SSI in intra-abdominal infections. The application of negative-pressure wound therapy in preventing SSI can be useful in reducing postoperative wound complications. It is important to pursue normothermia with the available resources in the intraoperative period to decrease SSI rate. The optimal knowledge of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics of antibiotics helps to decide when additional intraoperative antibiotic doses should be administered in patients with intra-abdominal infections undergoing emergency surgery to prevent SSI. Conclusions: The current position paper offers an extensive overview of the available evidence regarding surgical site infection control and prevention in patients having intra-abdominal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life in Europe and globally. The pandemic affects both individuals and the broader society across many domains, including physical and psychological health, the economy and general welfare. The measures taken to counteract the pandemic have significantly altered daily life and, along with the threat of contracting the coronavirus and uncertainties surrounding future developments, created a complex system of stressors with a negative impact on public mental health. This paper aims to outline the ESTSS strategy to address mental health issues related to COVID-19 and focuses on (1) trauma-informed policies, (2) capacity building, (3) collaborative research and (4) knowledge-exchange. To facilitate implementation of a trauma-informed approach and appropriate measures, ESTSS has developed a toolkit of recommendations on mental health and psychosocial assistance to be provided during the different phases of crisis and its aftermath. To promote capacity building, ESTSS offers a certification programme based on a curriculum in psychotraumatology and corresponding on-line training to the European community of mental health professionals. To assure evidence-based approaches and methods tailored to current circumstances, ESTSS has initiated a pan-European research project with international cooperation aimed at studying the mental health consequences of the pandemic, with a focus on psychological trauma and other stress-related reactions. To foster knowledge-exchange, the European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT), the official journal of ESTSS, is publishing a special issue on COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in sows results in reduced animal welfare, poor breeding herd performance, and economic loss to farmers. The best way to reduce the effects of PRRSV is to prevent its entry into swine breeding herds through improvements in farm biosecurity. To accomplish this goal, the concept of Next Generation Biosecurity (NGB) was developed. A recent publication demonstrated that the practice of a comprehensive, science-based program of biosecurity (NGB COMPLETE) which incorporated science-based biosecurity protocols targeting direct and indirect routes of PRRSV transmission, significantly reduced PRRSV incidence risk in breeding herds compared to a partial program (NGB INCOMPLETE). This new communication follows up on this earlier paper and brings new information by reporting significant differences in key performance indicators between NGB COMPLETE breeding herds versus NGB INCOMPLETE herds over that original 2-year period across the same swine production system. It also supplements the earlier paper with data from a third consecutive year of reduced PRRSV incidence risk, resulting in a PRRSV incidence risk of 8.0% across all breeding herds for the entire three years. In closing, this is further evidence demonstrating that NGB, while not perfect, brings value to farmers through sustainable prevention of PRRS and improved productivity. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a globally significant pathogen of pigs. Preventing the entry of PRRSV into swine breeding herds enhances animal health and welfare. A recently published retrospective cohort study reported significant differences in PRRSV incidence risk between breeding herds that practiced Next Generation Biosecurity (NGB) COMPLETE, versus herds that practiced a partial approach (NGB INCOMPLETE) over a 2-year period. This follow-up communication builds on this previous publication and brings new information regarding statistical differences in key performance indicators (KPIs) from 43 NGB COMPLETE herds and 19 NGB INCOMPLETE herds during disease years 1 and 2. Statistically significant differences included higher total born/farrow and pigs weaned/female along with a reduced pre-weaning mortality and wean to 1st service interval, as well as a 0.91 increase in the number of pigs weaned/mated female/year. In addition, this communication reports that PRRSV incidence risk throughout disease years 1–3 was 8.0%, and that the association of NGB status (COMPLETE vs. INCOMPLETE) and disease burden for the cumulative 3-year period was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). These findings support previously published data that NGB, while not perfect, provides sustainable prevention of PRRSV, and may help improve herd productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinicians and researchers should consider the expected benefits and potential harms of an intervention. Parenting programmes are a widely used evidence-based intervention for child behaviour problems. However, few data are available on potential negative effects. The aims of this paper were to increase systematic knowledge of adverse event (AE) assessment in parenting programmes and to provide an AE assessment tool. Methods: As part of the RISE project (prevention of child mental health problems in South-eastern Europe—adapt, optimise, test and extend parenting for lifelong health), we developed and tested an AE assessment procedure in three sequential studies for parents of children with child behaviour problems aged 2 to 9 years in North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, and Romania. This paper reports on the development of the assessment tool in phase 1 (N = 140), phase 2 (N = 835), and the final experiences with using the optimised procedures in phase 3 (multisite randomised controlled trial, N = 823) in which AEs were assessed before, three times during intervention delivery, and at 1 year follow-up. At each time point, the participants completed a 12-item AE checklist. If moderate-to-severe problems of parent or child were reported, a structured follow-up interview was conducted. Results: The response rate on the AE assessment tool increased from 6% (phase 1) to 100% (phase 3) indicating improvement in collecting these data based on the experiences of each phase. Results of the RCT (phase 3) showed generally low (S)AE frequencies with the finally optimised procedure: During the intervention, no serious adverse events (SAE) were registered; at least one AE was reported by 10% (after the first session), 7% (after the third session), and 4% (after the last fifth session) of participants. None of the identified (S)AEs was causally related to the study or intervention. Cost–benefit considerations are needed to determine the best way to ensure participant safety in parenting programmes. Conclusion: The applied active AE assessment procedure provides a comprehensive AE assessment tool that can be used by others—with adaptations for the specific context, if needed. Based on our experiences, we outline recommendations for future studies. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number phase 1: NCT03552250; phase 2: NCT03865485, phase 3: . Registered on 13 January 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus argenteus and Staphylococcus schweitzeri, previously known as divergent Staphylococcus aureus clonal lineages, have been recently established as novel, difficult-to-delimit, coagulase-positive species within the S. aureus complex. Methicillin-resistant strains of S. argenteus are known from Australia and the UK. Knowledge of their epidemiology, medical significance and transmission risk is limited and partly contradictory, hampering definitive recommendations. There is mounting evidence that the pathogenicity of S. argenteus is similar to that of 'classical' S. aureus , while as yet no S. schweitzeri infections have been reported. To provide decision support on whether and how to distinguish and report both species. PubMed, searched for S. argenteus and S. schweitzeri. This position paper reviews the main characteristics of both species and draws conclusions for microbiological diagnostics and surveillance as well as infection prevention and control measures. We propose not distinguishing within the S. aureus complex for routine reporting purposes until there is evidence that pathogenicity or clinical outcome differ markedly between the different species. Primarily for research purposes, suitably equipped laboratories are encouraged to differentiate between S. argenteus and S. schweitzeri. Caution is urged if these novel species are explicitly reported. In such cases, a specific comment should be added (i.e. 'member of the S.aureus complex') to prevent confusion with less- or non-pathogenic staphylococci. Prioritizing aspects of patient safety, methicillin-resistant isolates should be handled as recommended for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In these cases, the clinician responsible should be directly contacted and informed by the diagnosing microbiological laboratory, as they would be for MRSA. Research is warranted to clarify the epidemiology, clinical impact and implications for infection control of such isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a paper-based low cost single cell HaloChip assay that can be used to assess drug- and radiation-induced DNA damage at point-of-care. Printing ink on paper effectively blocks fluorescence of paper materials, provides high affinity to charged polyelectrolytes, and prevents penetration of water in paper. After exposure to drug or ionizing radiation, cells are patterned on paper to create discrete and ordered single cell arrays, embedded inside an agarose gel, lysed with alkaline solution to allow damaged DNA fragments to diffuse out of nucleus cores, and form diffusing halos in the gel matrix. After staining DNA with a fluorescent dye, characteristic halos formed around cells, and the level of DNA damage can be quantified by determining sizes of halos and nucleus with an image processing program based on MATLAB. With its low fabrication cost and easy operation, this HaloChip on paper platform will be attractive to rapidly and accurately determine DNA damage for point-of-care evaluation of drug efficacy and radiation condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heart failure epidemic is growing and its prevention, in order to reduce associated hospital readmission rates and its clinical and economic burden, is a key issue in modern cardiovascular medicine. The present position paper aims to provide practical evidence-based information to support the implementation of effective preventive measures. After reviewing the most common risk factors, an overview of the population attributable risks in different continents is presented, to identify potentially effective opportunities for prevention and to inform preventive strategies. Finally, potential interventions that have been proposed and have been shown to be effective in preventing heart failure are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In endocrine diseases, hormonal changes, electrolyte abnormalities, and the deterioration of heart structure can lead to various arrhythmias. In diabetic patients, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hypokalemia can trigger arrhythmias, and diabetic cardiomyopathy can also cause electrical and structural remodeling to form substrates for arrhythmias. The risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases in hyperthyroidism; however, the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in hypothyroidism is higher. Besides AF and ventricular tachycardias, bradycardias and atrioventricular blocks can also be seen in pheochromocytoma due to the desensitization of adrenergic cardiovascular receptors. The correction of metabolic and electrolyte disturbances in patients with adrenal cortex disease should be the main approach in the prevention and treatment of arrhythmias. Early initiation of treatment in patients with acromegaly seems to decrease the development of cardiac remodeling and ventricular arrhythmia. Early and late after depolarizations due to hypercalcemia in hyperparathyroidism can lead to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. This elegant position paper provides important recommendations regarding prevention and treatment of arrhythmias for specific endocrine disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Maintaining a sustainable supply of animal protein is the mission of the global swine production industry. The entry of infectious pathogens to swine populations can cause significant animal welfare issues, increase the use of antibiotics, challenge environmental stability, and interrupt/reduce the supply of pork; therefore, preventing pathogen entry is critical to achieve its mission using science-based biosecurity programs. Biosecurity is the application of science-based protocols to minimize the risk of pathogen entry. The objective of this review is to summarize basic biosecurity terms and concepts, review the transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the biosecurity protocols designed to mitigate these risk factors, and discuss how the swine industry is applying Next Generation Biosecurity to prevent PRRSV infection of the breeding herd. The prevention of disease introduction into swine herds requires the practice of science-based protocols of biosecurity that have been validated to reduce the risk of the entry of targeted pathogens. The fundamental pillars of biosecurity include bio-exclusion, biocontainment, and bio-management. Biosecurity protocols must be science-based, a way of life, continuously validated, cost-effective, and benchmarked over time. This paper will review these concepts, the direct and indirect routes of transmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and the interventions that have been designed and validated to prevent infection of the breeding herd. It will close with a review of Next Generation Biosecurity, describing how a science-based approach is being used to prevent PRRSV infection in breeding herds from a large commercial pork production system in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Anthracycline drugs, as a class of commonly used antitumor chemotherapeutics, play a significant role in the treatment of various cancers. However, they possess notable cardiotoxicity, which seriously undermines the quality of life for cancer patients. Therefore, early monitoring and mitigation of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) have become urgent clinical issues to address. This study summarizes the mechanisms of AIC, encompassing oxidative stress, apoptosis, cardiac microenvironment remodeling, ferroptosis, and autophagy. Meanwhile, we have discovered that in addition to traditional medical imaging techniques that can monitor cardiotoxicity, emerging diagnostic tools such as advanced imaging technologies and human induced pluripotent stem cells demonstrate immense potential for early identification of subclinical toxicity and timely pharmacological intervention prior to the occurrence of irreversible cardiac damage. In terms of prevention and treatment of AIC, on the one hand, we can select appropriate drugs based on the molecular mechanisms of AIC to reduce cardiotoxicity. On the other hand, we can use derivatives with lesser cardiotoxicity, such as liposomes and nanoparticles, to prevent AIC, thereby improving the prognosis of cancer patients. Anthracyclines represent a highly efficacious class of chemotherapeutic agents employed extensively in antitumor therapy. They are universally recognized for their potency in treating diverse malignancies, encompassing breast cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, and lymphomas. Nevertheless, the accumulation of anthracyclines within the body can lead to significant cardiac toxicity, adversely impacting both the survival rates and quality of life for tumor patients. This limitation somewhat restricts their clinical utilization. Determining how to monitor and mitigate their cardiotoxicity at an early stage has become an urgent clinical problem to be solved. Therefore, this paper reviews the mechanism of action, early monitoring, and strategies for the prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity for clinical reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2018, the Dutch government initiated the Solid Start program to provide each child with the best start in life. Key program elements are a biopsychosocial perspective on pregnancy and children's development and stimulating local collaborations between social and health domains, with a specific focus on (future) families in vulnerable situations. Two programs for interprofessional collaboration between maternity and social care professionals to optimize care for pregnant women in vulnerable situations were developed and implemented, in Groningen in 2017 and in South Limburg in 2021. This paper describes the extent of implementation of these programs and the perceptions of involved professionals about determinants that influence program implementation. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study in 2021 and 2022 in two Dutch regions, Groningen and South Limburg. Questionnaires were sent to primary care midwives, hospital-based midwives, obstetricians (i.e. maternity care professionals), (coordinating) youth health care nurses and social workers (i.e. social care professionals), involved in the execution of the programs. Semi-structured interviews were held with involved professionals to enrich the quantitative data. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using Fleuren's implementation model. Results: The findings of the questionnaire (n = 60) and interviews (n = 28) indicate that professionals in both regions are generally positive about the implemented programs. However, there was limited knowledge and use of the program in Groningen. Promoting factors for implementation were mentioned on the determinants for the innovation and the user. Maternity care professionals prefer a general, conversational way to identify vulnerabilities that connects to midwives' daily practice. Low-threshold, personal contact with clear agreements for referral and consultation between professionals contributes to implementation. Professionals agree that properly identifying vulnerabilities and referring women to appropriate care is an important task and contributes to better care. On the determinants of the organization, professionals indicate some preconditions for successful implementation, such as clearly described roles and responsibilities, interprofessional training, time and financial resources. Conclusions: Areas for improvement for the implementation of interprofessional collaboration between maternity care and social care focus mainly on determinants of the organization, which should be addressed both regionally and nationally. In addition, sustainable implementation requires continuous awareness of influencing factors and a process of evaluation, adaptation and support of the target group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) remains a frustrating challenge for both patients and physicians. The aim of this paper is to focus on IA in pediatric ages and suggest possible diagnostic algorithms according to specific age ranges (infants, children, and adolescents). In fact, in a variable percentage of patients, despite extensive diagnostic tests, the cause of anaphylactic episodes cannot be identified. Moreover, the lack of a unanimous IA definition requires a careful and detailed diagnostic workup. Prompt recognition of signs and symptoms, especially in younger children, and an accurate clinical history often allow a choice of the most appropriate diagnostic tests and a correct differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The infodemic accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an overwhelming amount of information, including questions, concerns and misinformation. Pandemic fatigue has been identified as a concern from early in the pandemic. With new and ongoing health emergencies in 2022, it is important to understand how pandemic fatigue is being discussed and expressed by users on digital channels. This study aims to explore and report on key narrative themes associated with expressions of pandemic fatigue by users on digital platforms. Methods: This paper describes the collection of publicly available data over a 3-month period from multiple online sources using the Meltwater and CrowdTangle platforms to source data from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Product Reviews, Twitch, blogs & forums. A comprehensive search strategy was developed and tested. A total of 1,484,042 social media posts were identified during the time-period that included the defined search terms for pandemic fatigue. These data were initially sorted by highest levels of engagement and from this dataset, analysts reviewed the identified posts to isolate and remove irrelevant content and identify dominant narratives. A thematic analysis was carried out on these narratives to identify themes related to expression of pandemic fatigue. Two researchers reviewed the data and themes. Results: The thematic analysis of narratives identified six main themes relating to expression of pandemic fatigue, and one theme of counter narratives against pandemic fatigue. Data volume increased concurrent with the time of the mpox emergency announcement. Emergent themes showed the different ways users expressed pandemic fatigue and how it was interlaced with issues of trust, preventative measure acceptance and uptake, misinformation, and being overwhelmed with multiple or sustained emergencies. Conclusions: This paper has identified the different ways users express pandemic fatigue on digital channels over a 3-month period. Better understanding the implications of the information environment on user's perceptions, questions, and concerns regarding pandemic and more broadly emergency fatigue is vital in identifying relevant interventions and, in the longer term, strengthening the global architecture for health emergency preparedness, prevention, readiness and resilience, as evidenced in this paper. There are clear pathways for further research, including incorporating additional languages and reviewing these themes over longer time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischaemic spinal cord injury (SCI) remains the Achilles heel of open and endovascular descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal repair. Neurological outcomes have improved coincidentially with the introduction of neuroprotective measures. However, SCI (paraplegia and paraparesis) remains the most devastating complication. The aim of this position paper is to provide physicians with broad information regarding spinal cord blood supply, to share strategies for shortening intraprocedural spinal cord ischaemia and to increase spinal cord tolerance to transitory ischaemia through detection of ischaemia and augmentation of spinal cord blood perfusion. This study is meant to support physicians caring for patients in need of any kind of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic repair in decision-making algorithms in order to understand, prevent or reverse ischaemic SCI. Information has been extracted from focused publications available in the PubMed database, which are cohort studies, experimental research reports, case reports, reviews, short series and meta-analyses. Individual chapters of this position paper were assigned and after delivery harmonized by Christian D. Etz, Ernst Weigang and Martin Czerny. Consequently, further writing assignments were distributed within the group and delivered in August 2014. The final version was submitted to the EJCTS for review in September 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic respiratory illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, pose significant challenges to public health worldwide. Mounting evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between respiratory health and oral health, with periodontal disease emerging as a potential risk factor for the development and exacerbation of respiratory conditions. This review paper explores the complex interplay between periodontal disease and chronic respiratory illness, highlighting the importance of oral health maintenance in promoting respiratory well‑being. By examining recent advancements in the prevention and diagnosis of periodontal disease, particularly in the context of chronic respiratory conditions, this paper aims to elucidate novel solutions and strategies for improving oral health outcomes and respiratory outcomes simultaneously. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature and emerging research trends, this review sheds light on the potential benefits and challenges of integrating oral health into the management of chronic respiratory illnesses and identifies opportunities for future research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a recommendation to include preeclampsia as an indicator for improving maternal health and reducing the rate of child mortality in response to a call for papers from the World Health Organization (WHO) related to the post-2015 development agenda measurement of progress towards health goals. It explores the etiology of preeclampsia and the role of seminal priming in sustaining a healthy pregnancy by repeated deposits of seminal fluid on sexual intercourse with the same man.

The open abdomen (OA) procedure is a significant surgical advance, as part of damage control techniques in severe abdominal trauma. Its application can be adapted to the advantage of patients with severe abdominal sepsis, however its precise role in these patients is still not clear. In severe abdominal sepsis the OA may allow early identification and draining of any residual infection, control any persistent source of infection, and remove more effectively infected or cytokine-loaded peritoneal fluid, preventing abdominal compartment syndrome and deferring definitive intervention and anastomosis until the patient is appropriately resuscitated and hemodynamically stable and thus better able to heal. However, the OA may require multiple returns to the operating room and may be associated with significant complications, including enteroatmospheric fistulas, loss of abdominal wall domain and large hernias. Surgeons should be aware of the pathophysiology of severe intra-abdominal sepsis and always keep in mind the option of using open abdomen to be able to use it in the right patient at the right time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As chronic illness is common among older people, self-care practices for older people are needed to control health status, to prevent possible complications and to ensure optimal quality of life. The literature has demonstrated that integrated care approaches are one key success factor for delivering person-centered and sustainable care for older people, with rehabilitation being a cornerstone in tertiary care prevention for older citizens. The current paper addresses the state of the literature for person-centered geriatric rehabilitation (GR) and the importance of personalized and participatory goal setting. In accordance with the bio–psycho–social model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), social participation and the related goals are of particular importance for the entire rehabilitation process. The social participation of individuals enrolled into GR is therefore one of the milestones to be achieved during GR. Personalized goal setting during the entire rehabilitation process, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and shared decision making allow a comprehensive care approach separate from solely function-based rehabilitation. The review also focusses on recent developments in digitalization in healthcare and delivers insights into how healthcare professionals' collaborative practice supports sustainable rehabilitation results in patients of advanced chronological age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associations of exertional heat exhaustion (EHE)-related symptoms with lifestyle habits and health factors specific to female athletes, ranked by relative risks from high to low, remain elusive. Addressing this issue would benefit athletes and coaches, ensuring safer practices during summer sports activities. To address this issue, we distributed paper-based questionnaires to seven universities in Japan, and 983 respondents completed our survey. The questionnaires covered various personal characteristics, lifestyle habits, perceived health factors, perceived athletic activity, and EHE-related symptoms. In this retrospective case–control study, we analyzed the relationships of EHE-related symptoms (objective variables) with lifestyle habits, health factors, and athletic activity conditions (explanatory variables) using the partial proportional odds model. The questionnaire responses revealed that perceived dehydration, sickness, loss of appetite, perceived accumulated fatigue, perceived mental stress, lack of ambient wind, and insufficient rest breaks were positively associated with EHE-related symptoms, with relative risks ranging from high to low. Using an air conditioner during sleep and having a sleep duration of ≥ 6 h were associated with a reduced risk of EHE-related symptoms. The study results suggest that female athletes should be allowed to postpone exercise or reduce its intensity and volume based on their perceptions of dehydration, sickness, loss of appetite, accumulated fatigue, and mental stress in summer to prevent heat-related illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known either about either physical activity patterns, or other lifestyle‐related prevention measures in heart transplantation (HTx) recipients. The history of HTx started more than 50 years ago but there are still no guidelines or position papers highlighting the features of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx. The aims of this scientific statement are (i) to explain the importance of prevention and rehabilitation after HTx, and (ii) to promote the factors (modifiable/non‐modifiable) that should be addressed after HTx to improve patients' physical capacity, quality of life and survival. All HTx team members have their role to play in the care of these patients and multidisciplinary prevention and rehabilitation programmes designed for transplant recipients. HTx recipients are clearly not healthy disease‐free subjects yet they also significantly differ from heart failure patients or those who are supported with mechanical circulatory support. Therefore, prevention and rehabilitation after HTx both need to be specifically tailored to this patient population and be multidisciplinary in nature. Prevention and rehabilitation programmes should be initiated early after HTx and continued during the entire post‐transplant journey. This clinical consensus statement focuses on the importance and the characteristics of prevention and rehabilitation designed for HTx recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Despite recent advances in diagnosis and therapy, malignant melanoma poses a significant problem both to clinicians and cancer researchers due to its resistance to therapy and unpredictable behavior. In this review, we discuss etiology, risk factors, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of melanoma, with a focus on new developments in these areas including bioinformatics. These are analyzed in the context of its unique metabolic characteristics and of recent advances in vitamin D biology with implications for melanoma. Active forms of vitamin D can prevent or inhibit melanoma development and progression, and can be used in therapy of this disease. Knowledge of patient vitamin D status and vitamin D signaling in the tumoral tissue can help in predicting the progression of the disease and in primary or adjuvant therapy. Therefore, vitamin D signaling represents a realistic target for the prevention or therapy of malignant melanoma. Melanoma, originating through malignant transformation of melanin-producing melanocytes, is a formidable malignancy, characterized by local invasiveness, recurrence, early metastasis, resistance to therapy, and a high mortality rate. This review discusses etiologic and risk factors for melanoma, diagnostic and prognostic tools, including recent advances in molecular biology, omics, and bioinformatics, and provides an overview of its therapy. Since the incidence of melanoma is rising and mortality remains unacceptably high, we discuss its inherent properties, including melanogenesis, that make this disease resilient to treatment and propose to use AI to solve the above complex and multidimensional problems. We provide an overview on vitamin D and its anticancerogenic properties, and report recent advances in this field that can provide solutions for the prevention and/or therapy of melanoma. Experimental papers and clinicopathological studies on the role of vitamin D status and signaling pathways initiated by its active metabolites in melanoma prognosis and therapy are reviewed. We conclude that vitamin D signaling, defined by specific nuclear receptors and selective activation by specific vitamin D hydroxyderivatives, can provide a benefit for new or existing therapeutic approaches. We propose to target vitamin D signaling with the use of computational biology and AI tools to provide a solution to the melanoma problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug overdose deaths in the United States increased to historic levels in recent years, with provisional estimates indicating more than 111,000 deaths in the 12 months ending July 2023. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Overdose Prevention in collaboration with the National Association of City and County Health Officials, funded local health departments (LHDs) to work on overdose prevention activities. This paper aims to: 1) describe the overdose prevention activities that LHDs implemented during the four eighteen-month funding cycles; 2) identify programmatic successes and areas of opportunity for LHDs to consider when implementing future overdose prevention activities; and to 3) inform policy considerations and future overdose prevention programming at the local level. Methods: We used programmatic data to identify overdose prevention activities implemented by 45 LHDs. Activities were double-coded according to the social-ecological model and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Overdose Prevention Strategies and Guiding Principles. We analyzed final codes to identify distribution and overlap of the Strategies and Guiding Principles across the social ecological model co-occurrences. Results: Approximately 55.9% (n=123) of the 220 overdose prevention activities that were coded took place at the community level, 32.3% (n=71) at the individual level, 8.6% (n=19) at the relationship level, and 3.2% (n=7) at the policy level. Most of the activities were coded as coordination, collaboration, and integration (n=52, 23.6%), harm reduction (n=51, 23.1%), data and evidence (n=47, 21.4%) or reducing stigma (n=24, 10.9%). Few activities were related to primary prevention (n=14, 6.4%), equity (n=14, 6.4%), recovery support (n=11, 5.0%), and evidence-based treatment (n=7, 3.2%). Conclusions: Localities have primarily implemented activities focused on the community and individual levels, with most of these centered around coordination, collaboration, and integration; harm reduction; or data and evidence. This study identified gaps in overdose prevention for LHDs related to treatment and health equity and that more interventions should be implemented at the relationship and policy levels. Continuing these efforts is important as LHDs explore opportunities to enhance and expand their work in various strategy areas across the social ecology. Findings from this study may be used to inform localities as they design and implement future overdose prevention activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer, along with other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) conditions, poses a significant burden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Despite the availability of effective preventive methods such as vaccinations, particularly against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), awareness about such preventive methods and HPV vaccination remains alarmingly low in the KSA, even with governmental effort and support. While many women are aware of the risks, the uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below 10% (7.6%) at the country level. This highlights the urgent need for Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) at the community level to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions, and empower women to embrace vaccinations. Additionally, there is a need to revitalize the cancer registry system to better track and monitor cervical cancer cases. This short communication aims to map these barriers while identifying opportunities for impactful research. Drawing from the scientific literature, government reports, and expert insights, we highlight the challenges surrounding the tackling of HPV. By exploring diverse sources of knowledge, this paper not only highlights current obstacles but also proposes actionable solutions for future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health concern and are the most common cause of death and disability, necessitating preventive interventions targeting modifiable risk factors. Recently, mobile-health technology has been developed to improve the delivery of cardiovascular prevention by risk factor modification. The "Green Heart" mobile application (app) was designed to aid in risk factor control among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods: This parallel-group, single-blinded randomized controlled trial enrolled 1590 CAD patients, including 668 current smokers, randomly assigned to control (paper-based education) and intervention (application-based) groups. The app encompassed three modules targeting smoking cessation, dyslipidemia control, and blood pressure management. This study evaluated the impact of the smoking cessation module on behavioral change among current smokers. Green Heart assesses nicotine dependence, offering personalized quit plans, educational content, motivational messages, and automated progress tracking. The odds of smoking behavior changes during the 24-week follow-up underwent assessment. Results: The intention-to-treat analysis highlighted significantly elevated rates of smoking cessation and reductions in the intervention group versus the control group. Adherence to the app (per-treatment analysis) also demonstrated significantly more favorable smoking behavior changes among the application users. Logistic regression emphasized higher odds of quitting and reduction in smoking in the application group, showing an odds ratio of 2.14 (95% CI: 1.16-3.97) compared to those not using the app (P = 0.015). Conclusion: Our results confirmed that complete adherence to the app for at least 24 weeks was linked to alterations in cigarette smoking behavior among CAD patients. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20221016056204N1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health policy frameworks for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases have largely been developed for application in high-income countries. Limited attention has been given to the policy exigencies in lower- and middle-income countries where the impacts of these conditions have been most severe, and further clarification of the policy requirements for effective prevention is needed. This paper presents a policy approach to prevention that, although relevant to high-income countries, recognizes the peculiar situation of lowand middle-income countries. Rather than a narrow emphasis on the implementation of piecemeal interventions, this paper encourages policymakers to utilize a framework of four embedded policy levels, namely health services, risk factors, environmental, and global policies. For a better understanding of the non-communicable disease challenge from a policy standpoint, it is proposed that a policy framework that recognizes responsible health services, addresses key risk factors, tackles underlying health determinants, and implements global non-communicable disease conventions, offers the best leverage for prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an idiopathic cardiomyopathy presenting with heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery, where no other cause for heart failure is identified. Outcome varies from full recovery to residual left ventricular systolic dysfunction and even death. Many women return to their physician to acquire information on their long-term prognosis, to seek medical advice regarding contraception, or when planning a subsequent pregnancy. This position paper summarizes current evidence for long-term outcome, risk stratification of further pregnancies and overall management. Based on the best available evidence, as well as the clinical experience of the European Society of Cardiology Study Group on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy members, a consensus on pre- and postpartum management algorithms for women undergoing a subsequent pregnancy is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Health Service Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) was commissioned by NHS England in 2016 and rolled out in three 'waves' across the whole of England. It aims to help people with raised blood glucose levels reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes through behaviour change techniques (e.g., weight loss, dietary changes and exercise). An independent, longitudinal, mixed methods evaluation of the NHS DPP was undertaken. We report the findings from the implementation work package: a qualitative interview study with designated local leads, responsible for the local commissioning and implementation of the programme. The aim of the study was to explore how local implementation processes were enacted and adapted over time. Methods: We conducted a telephone interview study across two time-points. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews with local leads across 19 sampled case sites were undertaken between October 2019 and January 2020 and 13 interviews with local leads across 13 sampled case sites were conducted between July 2020 and August 2020. Interviews aimed to reflect on the experience of implementation and explore how things changed over time. Results: We identified four overarching themes to show how implementation was locally enacted and adapted across the sampled case sites: 1. Adapting to provider change; 2. Identification and referral; 3. Enhancing uptake in underserved populations; and 4. Digital and remote service options. Conclusion: This paper reports how designated local leads, responsible for local implementation of the NHS DPP, adapted implementation efforts over the course of a changing national diabetes prevention programme, including how local leads adapted implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper highlights three main factors that influence implementation: the importance of facilitation, the ability (or not) to tailor interventions to local needs and the role of context in implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental control and supervision is considered one of the key factors in raising children. There are numerous studies and researches in the literature that have tried to prove the correlation between parental control and juvenile delinquency. The results of these studies have varied, sometimes confirming and sometimes denying a direct link between parental control and certain forms of juvenile delinquent behavior. However, the modern child and family go through a new socialization process that brings challenges for both children and parents. The goal of our paper is to clarify the terminological confusions present in this area and highlight the actuality of the issue of parental control over the behavior of minors. Through a review of existing domestic and foreign scientific literature, using quantitative and qualitative content analysis, comparative analysis and comparative and historical methods, we want to point out the importance of parental control and supervision in shaping the behavior of minors, with special reference to the manifestation of delinquent patterns. The results of our research indicate a significant correlation between different forms of parental control and supervision with the behavior of minors, with noticeable changes compared to traditional methods of control. The obtained results emphasize the need for educating and advising parents about modern achievements in this area, as well as providing support in adapting to new trends and security challenges, including the impact of information technology, social media and other factors that are now part of everyday life and were not present in the past. The practical importance of our research implies that the theoretical conclusions can be used as a basis for further research in the field of parental control and supervision, as well as juvenile delinquency, with the aim of developing measures for its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging causes progressive degenerative changes in many organs, particularly the auditory system. Several attempts have been conducted to investigate preventive and therapeutic strategy/strategies for age-related auditory dysfunction, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition, lower anxiety levels, and noise exposure, different pharmacological approaches, gene and cell therapy, and other strategies. However, it is not clear which approach is the best to slow down these dysfunctions because several different underlying mechanistic pathways are associated with presbycusis which eventually leads to different types of this disease. A combination of several methods is probably required, whereas the effectiveness for some people needs to be monitored. The effectiveness of treatments will not be the same for all; therefore, we may need to have a unique and personalized approach to the prevention and treatment of ARHL for each person. In addition, each method needs to specify what type of presbycusis can prevent or treat and provide complete information about the extent, duration of treatment, persistency of treatment, side effects, and whether the approach is for treatment or prevention or even both. This paper reviews the updated literature, which targets current interventions for age-related hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious, deadly disorders that emerge in adolescence and early adulthood. Further, reported incidences of EDs are increasing worldwide. As such, accessible, affordable, and effective early intervention and prevention efforts are critical. The Body Project is a well-established ED prevention program with demonstrated success at reducing ED symptom severity and the risk of onset of EDs in young females. However, it has not yet been formally evaluated in an Australian population, nor have the benefits of the treatment for young people of all genders been thoroughly investigated. This protocol paper outlines the design for a study which aims to investigate the outcomes and feasibility of the Body Project as a brief ED prevention program within an Australian youth mental health service: headspace Camperdown. This pragmatic trial will compare outcomes between a Body Project treatment group and a Treatment-as-usual control group. Primary outcomes include body image concerns, ED symptomatology and general psychological distress, measured pre- and post-treatment, and at one-month follow-up. All young people attending headspace Camperdown for care are eligible for participation in the trial. The Body Project program is comprised of four group-based 1.5 h sessions run over 4 consecutive weeks. Overall, a trial of the Body Project as an ED prevention program is warranted to investigate the outcomes of the intervention in this sample and will provide valuable information about the feasibility for widespread implementation of the treatment as part of a stepped-care approach to intervention for EDs at youth mental health service locations across Australia. ANZCTR Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12623000695606 (registered 29 June 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, which has become a serious threat to human health worldwide. This article exhaustively reviews colorectal cancer's incidence and relevance, carcinogenesis molecular pathways, up-to-date treatment opportunities, prophylaxis, and screening program achievements, with attention paid to its regional variations and changes over time. This paper provides a concise overview of known CRC risk factors, including familial, hereditary, and environmental lifestyle-related risk factors. The authors take a closer look into CRC's molecular genetic pathways and the role of specific enzymes involved in carcinogenesis. Moreover, the role of the general practitioner and multidisciplinary approach in CRC treatment is summarized and highlighted based on recent recommendations and experience. This article gives a clear understanding and review of the gains and challenges of modern medicine towards CRC. The authors believe that understanding the current patterns of CRC and its revolution is imperative to the prospects of reducing its burden through cancer prevention and cancer-adjusted treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control with specialist, nonindigenous, herbivorous insects is an important option for controlling invasive exotic plants in wildlands and nature reserves. It is assumed that biological control agents will reduce the dominance of the target weed, thereby increasing the native diversity of the associated plant community. However, this hypothesis has rarely been tested. We introduced Aphthona nigriscutis into grassland sites infested with the invasive exotic species Euphorbia esula L. on a nature reserve in Montana (U.S.A.). Two sites with better soil had been treated previously with herbicide, whereas two other sites had not. We measured the density and biomass of Euphorbia vegetative and flowering stems and number of native and exotic shrubs, grass-like plants, and forbs in 48 microplots in Aphthona release and control macroplots at each site. After 5 years, Aphthona release was associated with a 33–39% decline in Euphorbia aboveground biomass compared with controls at all sites. Other effects of the biocontrol depended on the site. Biocontrol slowed the recovery of species diversity at the sites previously treated with herbicide but slowed the loss of diversity at sites without a history of herbicide. Biocontrol introduction was not associated with a disproportionate increase in nontarget exotic species. Release of Aphthona caused a decline in the biomass of flowering stems relative to controls at good-soil, previous-herbicide sites but was associated with a relative increase in flower stem mass at poor-soil, no-herbicide sites. Our results suggest that biocontrol reductions in weed dominance will not always be associated with increased species diversity. More emphasis should be placed on conserving desirable communities and less on simple weed control. Monitoring of community-level effects should accompany biocontrol introductions on nature reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emerging and reemerging zoonotic diseases have become a global concern due to their frequent occurrence. Large delays between onset of emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks and their reporting and control are indicative of weak animal and human health systems. Objectives: The objective of this paper is to tackle the time delay by suggesting a One Health Early Warning and Response System (OH‐EWRS) aiming at improving the surveillance and notification of zoonotic diseases by strengthening 'bottom‐up' approaches and systems for early detection, especially in hot spot areas where they emerge. Methods: In this conceptual paper, we searched online database including PubMed, Google and Google Scholar to explore the scientific landscape for zoonotic diseases and One Health Early Warning and Response Systems published in English up to December, 2020. In addition, the authors made use of their own expertise and critically reviewed the retrieved papers that were found to be of relevance as the three authors are experts in their own fields, coming from different backgrounds, but are all working to improve the prevention and control of zoonotic disease outbreak. Results: The OH‐EWRS advocates for collaboration between relevant stakeholders including nongovernmental organisations, country offices of international and intergovernmental technical organisations, governmental bodies, research institutes, the private sector and local communities with the aim of an integrated One Health prevention and control system. The OH‐EWRS considers various priorities and objectives of the different stakeholders, taking into account possible conflict of interests and considering the need for trust, transparency and mutual benefits. Conclusions: Although the operationalisation, governance and institutionalisation of the OH‐EWRS should be the responsibility of government bodies, inputs from and feedback to relevant stakeholders through a bottom‐up and top‐down approach are essential elements for the application of the successful operationalisation of a OH‐EWRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the potentially increased cardiovascular risk factors after spinal cord injury (SCI). Taking into account the pathophysiological mechanism of SCI, clinical presentation, and short- and long-term effects, this paper evaluates the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders. Reduced physical activity, low HDL cholesterol, an increase in body fat percentage, poor glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, psychosocial factors, and the hypothesised impacts of SCI on emerging risk factors are all potential increased cardiovascular risk factors following SCI. Nutritional counselling and intervention are especially crucial because people with SCI frequently eat less than is ideal. Screening for risk factors and a worldwide assessment of the risk of coronary heart disease are the first steps in prevention. People with chronic SCI are more likely to have poor glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia, according to reports. Important therapies for these patients include weight management, dietary adjustments, exercise, and glycemic control. Successful prevention to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease requires both patient and physician motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stored under optimal conditions, paper can last for hundreds of years; however, paper is also susceptible to numerous agents of deterioration as it is primarily made of cellulose fibre derived from plant cell walls. Paper is especially vulnerable under conditions with high temperature and humidity, which together can encourage mould growth and foster insect pests. Pest infestation is a common type of deterioration responsible for significant damage to paper and books. Endsheets prepared with red lead and sewn into traditional Chinese bookbindings are a historical method used to minimise insect damage to books in southern China. Samples of red-coloured papers from the Fung Ping Shan Library at the University of Hong Kong were assessed. Two types of so called wan nian hong papers (萬年紅紙), (1) damaged and (2) undamaged by insects, were analysed with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence detector. The chemical analyses reveal high concentrations of red lead (lead tetroxide, Pb3O4) in the undamaged papers, and only very few traces of lead in the damaged papers. The orange papers with insect feeding tunnels seem to have been only coloured in orange, and not treated with red lead as a biocide. These results are discussed and compared with modern treatment methods in the integrated pest management of books, archive, and library materials in (a) Europe and (b) Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: By reviewing the literature analyzing vancomycin powder for preventive surgery, the effect of this method on reducing the infection rate after TJA was systematically evaluated to provide a basis for future clinical work. Methods: Using PubMed, Medline, Elsevier, and CNKI, with the following mesh words: "vancomycin", "local / intraoperative / topical / intrawound", "TJA", "TKA", "THA", "total joint arthroplasty", "total knee arthroplasty", "total hip arthroplasty", "infection", and "SSI", to search for case-control research papers on the impact of prophylactic application of vancomycin powder on the incidence of postoperative infection, we compared the overall infection rate in the literature by using RevMan 5.3 meta-analysis software and analyzed the impact of vancomycin on the infection rate of different parts and types of TJA according to different subgroups. Results: A total of 22 qualified studies were selected; twenty-five studies compared the effect of prophylactic use of vancomycin powder on infection rates after TJA. There were 23,363 cases in total, including 9545 cases in the vancomycin group and 13,818 cases in the control group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the possibility of postoperative infection after prophylactic use of vancomycin powder was significantly lower than that without vancomycin risk ratio: 0.38 [0.23,0.59], P < 0.01). However, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed no significant effect of vancomycin on postoperative infection (P = 0.52). Conclusion: Based on the retrospective studies, local prophylactic use of vancomycin powder in TJA can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative infection. High-quality RCTs should be carried out to further evaluate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing epidemiological evidence supporting the association between onchocerciasis and seizures, reinforcing the concept of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). The aim of this paper is to provide an update on the new knowledge about OAE and to propose recommendations to the World Health Organization how to address this public health problem. Main text: During the 2nd International Workshop on OAE held on 19–21 September, 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium, participants recognised OAE as a substantial yet neglected public health problem, particularly in areas of sub-Saharan Africa where onchocerciasis remains hyperendemic. Evidence from prospective population-based studies suggest that strengthening onchocerciasis elimination efforts leads to a significant reduction of OAE incidence. There is a need to validate an OAE case definition to estimate the burden of disease and identify onchocerciasis-endemic areas requiring intensification of onchocerciasis elimination programmes and integration of epilepsy care. It is expected that raising awareness about OAE will boost the population uptake of ivermectin. The implementation of a community-based epilepsy treatment programme offering free anti-seizure medications (ASMs) has shown high effectiveness in reducing the frequency of seizures and improving the overall quality of life of people with epilepsy. Conclusions: To reduce OAE burden, enhanced collaboration between onchocerciasis and mental health programmes at community, national, and international levels is required. Urgent efforts are needed to ensure the uninterrupted provision of free ASMs in onchocerciasis-endemic areas. Furthermore, OAE should be included in the quantification of the onchocerciasis disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Breast cancer is a global public health issue. The disease can be diagnosed in both older and younger women, with the latter facing several dilemmas. Breastfeeding is of general concern to the scientific community as well as its connection with the prevention of breast cancer is being sought. The purpose of this review is to search for studies investigating the relationship between breast cancer and breastfeeding. Material and methods: The articles included in the present paper were searched in PubMed and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. This systematic review sought primary studies investigating the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer and that were published in English between 2017-2022. Results: Seventeen articles that investigated the relationship of breast cancer with lactation duration, women's age, family history and lifestyle were included in the present review. Conclusions: It was found that, in most studies, breastfeeding could be evaluated as a protective factor of the disease. From all studied articles, the need for the design of additional studies investigating the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer emerges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the Motor Transport Institute's research to set out road safety indicators of behaviors and opinions on one of the increasingly important road traffic problems. Two types of studies on the unsafe use of mobile phones and others on board devices (distraction) by road users in Poland between 2014 and 2023 are presented. Safety Performance Indicators (SPI) on handheld mobile phone use from roadside observations and declared opinions on talking, reading messages, checking social media/news, and listening to headphones while driving, cycling, and walking are presented. Overall, 306,240 passenger car drivers observed on all road types all week long in Poland showed a dropping trend (1.8%) between before the study in 2014 SPI 4.1% distracted drivers to SPI 2.3% after the study in 2022. More drivers used mobile phones on single carriageways both in built-up and outside built-up areas. On motorways outside built-up areas, where vehicles are speeding, drivers of passenger cars rarely talk on their handheld mobiles. Results from the first European Union (EU) Baseline project to collect road indicators produced a Key Performance Indicator of 3.8% distracted passenger car (all types of roads, all weekdays and weekend) from 44,011 observed in Poland in 2021. Results from the EU project E-Survey on Road Users' Attitude, third edition (ESRA3), showed declared opinions of mobile use while driving, cycling, and walking down the street in Poland in 2023 compared to 2018 (ESRA2). A positive trend is seen among car drivers who declared lower use of handheld mobile phones than in 2018 (a drop of 11.2%). The survey showed Polish cyclist used more often headphones to listen to music, checked news and messages than cyclists in Europe in 2023. More by 10.1% pedestrians in Europe than in Poland declared checking social media/news, reading messages/emailing while walking down the street in 2023. This lower rate in Poland can be explained by pedestrian's legal prohibition of mobile phone use while crossing the street since 2021. There is strong support for policy measures forbidding all drivers of motorized vehicles to use handheld mobile phone use while driving in all of Europe. Enforcement measures are twice as strong in Europe than in Poland. As the number of accidents and fatalities on distraction is unknown, calculating SPI during roadside observations and questionnaire surveys gives in-depth knowledge of the problem. The authors of the paper represent the Motor Transport Institute's (MTI's) research institution, which systematically analyzes trends in road safety in Poland during its own, national, and international projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lebanon is a middle-income country facing substantial fragility features. Its health profile shows a high burden of NCD morbidity and mortality. This paper intends to analyse the political economy of NCD prevention and control in Lebanon. Methods: This study adopted a literature-based case study research design using a problem-driven political economy analysis framework. A total of 94 peer-reviewed articles and documents from the grey literature published before June 2019 were retrieved and analysed. Results: Lebanon's political instability and fragile governance negatively affect its capacity to adapt a Health-in-All-Policies approach to NCD prevention and enable the blocking of NCD prevention policies by opposed stakeholders. Recent economic crises limit the fiscal capacity to address health financing issues and resulting health inequities. NCD care provision is twisted by powerful stakeholders towards a hospital-centred model with a powerful private sector. Stakeholders like the MOPH, UN agencies, and NGOs have been pushing towards changing the existing care model towards a primary care model. An incremental reform has been adopted to strengthen a network of primary care centres, support them with health technologies and improve the quality of primary care services. Nevertheless, outpatient services that are covered by other public funds remain specialist-led without much institutional regulation. Conclusion: Our study revealed a locked equilibrium in NCD prevention policymaking in Lebanon, but with an incremental progress in service delivery reforms towards a primary care model. Advocacy and close monitoring by policy entrepreneurs (such as civil society) could initiate and sustain the implementation of policy change and care model reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop pests reduce productivity, so managing them through early detection and prevention is essential. Data from various modalities are being used to predict crop diseases by applying machine learning methodology. In particular, because growth environment data is relatively easy to obtain, many attempts are made to predict pests and diseases using it. In this paper, we propose a model that predicts diseases through previous growth environment information of crops, including air temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and CO2 concentration, using deep learning techniques. Using large-scale public data on crops of strawberry, pepper, grape, tomato, and paprika, we showed the model can predict the risk score of crop pests and diseases. It showed high predictive performance with an average AUROC of 0.917, and based on the predicted results, it can help prevent pests or post-processing. This environmental data-based crop disease prediction model and learning framework are expected to be universally applicable to various facilities and crops for disease/pest prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution has become a major global concern with profound implications for public health worldwide. Among the most significant air pollutants are particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, and ammonia, which have serious and wide-ranging effects on human health. Respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia, are frequently associated with air pollution, while the risk of developing other serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems is also elevated. Of particular concern is the exposure of children to air pollution, as their immune systems are not fully developed, and they spend more time outdoors, where pollution concentrations are often higher. In Serbia, as in many other countries, integrated intersectoral measures are necessary to reduce air pollution and protect the health of citizens. This paper aims to provide a basic overview of air pollution issues in Serbia and explore control and measurement measures to better understand the fundamental concepts and make progress in addressing this serious problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to identify differences in impact in the prevention of second-degree ankle sprain recurrence, more precisely agonist-antagonist muscle rebalance, recovery of proprioception junior footballers will have a different impact on patients undergoing rehabilitation program with the help of Biodex 4 Pro and Biodex balance compared to those who perform physical therapy using classical exercise programs. (2) Methods: the study included 30 subjects divided into two equal groups according to the agreement to practice modern exercise programs and soccer-specific exercises: the experimental group which performed exercises through Biodex 4 pro and biodex balance and the control group which performed classical exercises. Part evaluations included: Biodex balance for a range of stability assessments and the PodoSmart device for running assessment. (3) Results: Analyzing the data of the present scientific research, it can be concluded that the athletes belonging to experimental group 1, for which the intervention was carried out using modern means, did not register any recurrence at the level of the ankle, compared to the athletes included in the experimental group 2 for which the intervention was carried out with the help of classic means of recovery and which recorded an average of 1.46 recurrences (sprains) at the level of the ankle.(4) Conclusion: The study has shown that the Biodex System 4 Pro and Biodex Balance (together with the other modern therapies mentioned in the current paper) are very helpful in the recovery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviewed the most effective strategies for preventing work absence due to back pain (BP) and BP episodes (the number of people reporting back pain). We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of prevention strategies for BP from previous meta-analyses, PubMed, CENTRAL, and Embase and conducted a network meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs (2033 participants) were included. Low- to high-quality evidence showed that exercise combined with ergonomics, education, back belts, and education combined with ergonomics did not prevent sickness absenteeism or BP episodes. There was moderate-quality evidence that exercise, especially resistance exercise, was the best prevention strategy to reduce the number of people reporting absenteeism due to BP (risk ratio [RR] = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.69). Moderate-quality evidence suggested that resistance and stretching exercises combined with education was the best prevention strategy to reduce pain (RR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.96) and the number of absenteeism days for BP (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.39; 95% CI: −0.77 to −0.02). In conclusion, exercise, especially resistance and stretching exercises, and exercise combined with education were ranked as the best interventions to prevent sickness absenteeism and BP episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child abuse and exploitation pose significant threats to the health and well-being of children. While the Taiwanese government introduced the Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Act in 2011 to address these issues, progress has been slow. This paper aims to examine the evolution of Taiwan's child protection system (CPS), with a particular focus on interdepartmental collaboration. Through the collection of legislation, statistics, conference proceedings, and reports, this study analyzes the working model between law enforcement and public health. Three cases of collaboration between law enforcement and public health at the community level are presented: social safety net programs, early intervention for child abuse, and trauma-informed training for first responders. The accomplishments and challenges of each project are discussed, along with a review of the CPS in relation to the United Nations (UN) strategy INSPIRE's approaches. Although Taiwan has shown a commendable emphasis on prevention and family support, the collaboration between law enforcement and public health is still in its early stages. The next crucial step is to strengthen integration in the early stages of identifying, assessing, and referring cases of child abuse and neglect. This can be achieved by generating more evidence on effective working models and promoting their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of formative research conducted from January to June 2020 in the Department of Atlántico, Caribbean region of Colombia, whose findings were used as inputs to design the national strategy for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) outside school – Tírala Plena – including its curriculum. This is within the framework of the multi-country project coordinated by UNFPA and WHO aimed at generating evidence on the role of facilitators in the delivery of CSE in non-school contexts. The research was carried out in four municipalities in northern Colombia, in rural and marginal urban contexts with conditions of vulnerability for the adolescent population, including a strong presence of migrant populations from Venezuela. A total of 150 male and female adolescents ages 10–17 participated in the formative research. Workshops such as patchwork quilt, body mapping and talking maps were used as methods to gather information. The groups were divided by sex and age (10–13 years old and 14–17 years old). Knowledge, attitudes and social norms regarding adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus, and gender-based violence, were identified in adolescents (schooled and not schooled, but with minimal or no access to CSE). All of the above enabled us to establish a set of recommendations for the strengthening of the CSE strategy Tírala plena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]