Quality of Life Related to the Health of the Population of Los Piletones, of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires during the year 2024

Introduction: Health-related quality of life is increasingly relevant as a way to study population health. This concept refers to the individual\u27s subjective perception of his or her current health situation. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study, in which 45 individuals residing in the Villa Piletones neighborhood of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires were included during September 2024. Health-related quality of life was measured by means of the EQ5D-3L instrument, the visual analog scale and a question from the SF-36 health questionnaire. Results: mean age 44.89 ±14.77. Regarding the EQ-5D-3L, the best possible health status was the most prevalent (28.89%), followed by moderate compromise in the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions (22.22%), and by moderate compromise in the anxiety/depression dimension (15.56%). The value obtained on the visual analog scale was 71.78 ±19.60. Regarding the self-report of health status through the SF36, the most prevalent status was fair or poor, with 48.89%. Conclusion: Disturbances such as anguish and depression and pain perception were the most reported, situations such as poverty, low educational level and age are determinants of health-related quality of life

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment for chronic pain in patients with comorbidities

Introduction: although it is well-known that cognitive-behavioral therapy is efficacious for the treatment of chronic pain patients, studies that have evaluated its efficacy lose external validity because the scenario used in these investigations are highly different from natural settings. Objective: to determine the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for patients with chronic pain in a natural ambulatory setting. Method: a cuasi experimental design with no control group was implemented, in which a 14-session treatment program was used with 6 patients with chronic pain. Results: after the treatment participants showed statistically significant reductions on the worst pain experienced and on pain average. Moreover, patients exhibited increments on health-related quality of life related to role limitations due to emotional problems, emotional wellbeing, loss of energy and fatigue and social functioning. Effect size measures revealed to be from moderate to big (d between 0,44 and 0,81). Conclusion: these results suggest that the treatment program administered showed to be effective to diminish perceived pain and to improve health quality of life among chronic pain patients

Navigating Parental Vaccine Hesitancy in Pahang, Malaysia: Insights into Childhood Vaccination Decisions

Introduction: vaccine hesitancy among parents is on the rise, with some opting for alternative vaccination schedules, selectively vaccinating their children, or rejecting vaccines altogether. Malaysia has reported 1600 cases of parents refusing to vaccinate their children, an increase from 1500 cases in 2015, with Pahang being one of the states experiencing the highest number of vaccine refusals. Method: a quantitative approach was employed, utilizing surveys to collect and analyze data from 333 parents who have at least one child under the age of 16 in Pahang, Malaysia. Results: the findings revealed that attitude and risk perception negatively influenced vaccine hesitancy, while other factors, such as subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and safety perception, positively influenced childhood vaccine intention and negatively influenced vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions: these results have important implications for public health initiatives aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia. Understanding the factors that contribute to parents\u27 decisions can help design targeted interventions that address misconceptions, improve risk perception, and encourage positive attitudes toward vaccination

Understanding the Relationship between Metabolome and Gut Microbiome inAcute Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and development of lung cancer risks

The gut-lung axis links dysbiosis of the gut microbiota to bronchiectasis. Gaining knowledge of the metabolic and microbiological changes can help one understand how a disease develops.  To investigate at how the metabolome, gut microbiota, and bronchiectasis are related, and to find possible biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of disease was the aim of this research.  150 participants\u27 fecal samples (42 Healthy Controls (HC), 48 Stable Patients (SP), and 60 Acute Exacerbation (AE)) were examined using LC-MS-based metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing.  For statistical analysis, SPSS 19.0 were utilized, along with Pearson\u27s correlation and LDA effect size (LEfSe).  Microorganism diversity was reduced in bronchiectasis patients, with firmicutes and Bacteroidetes being less prevalent.  There were changes in several metabolic pathways, such as the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, purines, and tryptophan. Research emphasizes that the pathophysiology of bronchiectasis is influenced by the gut flora. The significance of more longitudinal research is highlighted by the potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets provided by identified microbial and metabolic biomarkers

Psychosocial Factors, And Ergonomic Analysis Musculoskeletal Symptoms Management Personnel In A Public University

Introduction. Musculoskeletal disorders have increased exponentially, affecting various occupations, including administrative staff exposed to prolonged postures and repetitive movements. This study aimed to evaluate psychosocial factors, ergonomic conditions, and their relationship to musculoskeletal symptoms among administrative staff at a public university. Methods. A cross-sectional study with an ergonomic approach and mixed design was conducted. The sample included 149 employees (71% women, 29% men) from 22 departments. Voluntary consent was obtained. The Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (ISTAS 21), and the Helsinki Method for ergonomic assessment were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Results. The average age was 39 years, with 29% overweight and an average tenure of 9 years. Musculoskeletal symptoms were reported in the neck (78%), right shoulder (38%), back (36%), and right wrist (42%). Adverse psychosocial risks included "psychological requirements," "insecurity," "double presence," and "esteem," while favorable factors were "active work," "development potential," and "social support and quality of leadership." The ergonomic analysis indicated a trend of 4 (very inadequate) in workplace design. Conclusions. Musculoskeletal symptoms are highly prevalent, particularly in the neck, shoulders, back, and wrists. Adverse psychosocial conditions and poor ergonomic design contribute to these issues. While some positive psychosocial aspects were observed, it is necessary to optimize job positions through ergonomic interventions and stress management strategies to reduce these risks and improve working conditions.

Assessment of Virulence Genes and Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Poultry Carcasses

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major human pathogen, poses a significant threat to food, particularly meat products, due to its aggressiveness and drug resistance. Research aims to identify and analyze P. aeruginosa samples from poultry carcasses, examining their antimicrobial resistance and potential pathogenicity patterns. A total of 670 samples of poultry carcasses were gathered from slaughterhouses and shopping centers. Biochemical testing, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeted the oprL gene, and culture-based techniques were used to identify the isolates. The virulence factors were identified both genotypically (by PCR amplification of exoS, toxA, and lasB) and phenotypically (by detection of hemolysin, protease, elastase, and biofilm formation). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26) to evaluate the results and determine associations between antibiotic resistance profiles and phenotypic virulence features. P. aeruginosa was identified from 102 samples (15.2%) out of 670 samples. Protease activity was identified in 69.6% of these isolates, hemolysin synthesis in 76.5%, and biofilm formation in 83.3%. According to PCR data, 58.8% of the isolates had exoS, 51.9% had toxA, and 64.7% had lasB. Ceftazidime (61.7%) and ciprofloxacin (52.9%) showed high resistance, with 48.0% of cases being categorized as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Public health is likely to be at risk due to the presence of virulent, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in poultry carcasses, which emphasizes better hygiene management and antimicrobial surveillance in poultry processing

What happens after the funeral: Ergonomic evaluation of the gravedigger\u27s workstation, looking for paths towards a preventive culture

The objective of the research was to evaluate the dysergonomic conditions and factors of musculoskeletal conditions in gravediggers of a private cemetery. Materials and methods: The study was framed in the quantitative, field, non-experimental paradigm of a descriptive level with an ergonomic approach. The population and sample was census type and consisted of eighteen (18) workers, who work as gravediggers/gardeners. Observation and interview were used as data collection techniques and the pain body schema and the REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) method were used as information collection instruments. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using descriptive and correlational statistics. Results: This was a population composed exclusively of men with an average age of 49.4 years. The study revealed that the pain areas, the shoulders were the most affected, followed by the knees, lower back and elbows. The results of the REBA evaluation reflect a work environment with high biomechanical demands, where all the activities evaluated presented "high" or "very high" risk levels. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study reflect a worrying panorama in terms of occupational health for gravediggers, evidencing high levels of biomechanical risk in all the activities evaluated. The activities carried out, characterized by significant daily variability, involve extreme postures and repetitive movements that mainly affect the trunk, shoulders and. the neck, areas that present the highest risk scores according to the REBA metho

Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Failure in Hospitalized Patients: Bridging the Gap between Microbiological Data and Clinical Indicators and possible relevance to therapeutic targets

The peripheral intravenous catheter (PIC) is most commonly used invasive technology among inpatients, frequently associated with hospital procedures worldwide. However, PIC insertion presents multiple challenges, particularly the risk for catheter-related infections (CRI), which remain a preventable concern.  Additionally, catheter failure imposes financial burdens on healthcare system. The goal is to establish a baseline for peripheral intravenous catheter failure (PICF) rates and incidences as part of a larger quality improvement. A total of 450 hospitalized patients diagnosed with PICF were included in the research, with 1263 catheters examined. PICs were placed in patients across hospital wards, ICUs, emergency departments and operating rooms. Among 700 cultured catheter tips, 302 were identified as PICF. The Hospital Length of Stay (HLOS) rate density-adjusted incidence for PICF revealed 35 out of 700 tips with positive isolates. No patients were diagnosed with CRI type three, where microbial development was concordant in tip and blood cultures. However, 12 out of 35 patients had CRI-compatible local signs and symptoms had positive cultures, while 11 exhibited symptoms within 48 hours after the removal of the catheter. The research shows that PICs caused unintended removal, which increases their significance for patient safety, illness and death. Numerous positive tip cultures were detected in the absence of any clinical indications. To emphasize that avoid CRI, it is crucial to eliminate needless PICs

Correlations Between Gut Microbiome Changes, Gut Barrier Function, and Immune Homeostasis in COVID-19 Patients: The Role of Gut Microbiota in Immunity and Cancer Prevention

Systemic inflammation and immunological dysregulation are linked to COVID-19 infection, and there is mounting evidence that gut barrier failure and gut microbiota dysbiosis are related.  Gaining knowledge of these relationships could help explain how diseases develop.  By measuring biomarkers and cytokine levels, this research aims to analyze the relationships among gut microbiota alterations, gut barrier function, and immunological homeostasis in COVID-19 patients. Using IBM SPSS (version 26) with Pearson Correlation, Chi-Square testing, independent t-tests, and Multivariate Regression analysis, a comparative study was conducted using gut barrier biomarkers (Zonulin, LPS, I-FABP) and cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α). In COVID-19 individuals, there were notable variations in gut barrier biomarkers and cytokine levels, with robust associations suggesting a connection between immune dysregulation and gut barrier failure. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut barrier dysfunction are significantly associated with immune homeostasis disturbance in COVID-19 patients, which may be a contributing factor to the disease\u27s severity and progression

Analyzing the Correlation between Symptom Profiles and Patient Outcomes in Cancer Therapy

Cancer treatment outcomes vary significantly among patients due to differences in symptom profiles, which can influence treatment effectiveness, recovery trajectories, and overall quality of life. The research examines the relationship between symptom profiles specifically fatigue, pain, and psychological distress and patient outcomes in cancer therapy. A cohort of 395 cancer patients undergoing treatment was analyzed, representing various cancer types, stages, and treatment modalities, providing a comprehensive assessment of symptom-outcome relationships. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and correlation analysis were utilized to identify symptom patterns and their impact on treatment response as well as patient well-being. The findings reveal that distinct symptom profiles correlate with variations in recovery rates, treatment efficacy, and overall quality of life (QoS). Patients experiencing high levels of fatigue and pain tend to have prolonged recovery times, increased treatment side effects, and a higher likelihood of treatment modifications. Those with severe psychological distress often exhibit lower adherence to treatment regimens, potentially compromising therapeutic effectiveness and long-term survival rates. These insights emphasize the need for tailored symptom management strategies to improve patient-centered care and treatment success. By integrating symptom monitoring into treatment plans, healthcare providers can develop more personalized interventions, optimizing both treatment efficacy and patient well-being. Understanding these relationships can aid in refining cancer care approaches, promoting more effective therapeutic strategies, and enhancing patient recovery. The significance of treating cancer holistically, which takes into account both psychological and physical symptoms, is highlighted by the research. Future research should explore targeted symptom management techniques to further enhance individualized cancer