Examining the Relationship Between Mental Health Conditions and Risk Perception in Determining COVID-19 Preventative Health Behaviors

Depression and anxiety are relatively common among college students and research suggests that risk perceptions may be modulated by these mental health conditions. In addition, studies have demonstrated that higher perception of risk predicts more frequent practice of preventative health behaviors, and this relationship may also be modulated by depression and anxiety. The present study examined the relationship between these factors in the context of COVID-19. Using survey data from undergraduate students, risk perceptions about COVID-19, self-reported practice of COVID-19 preventative behaviors, and their relationship were compared between those with and without the common mental health conditions of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Results indicated that risk perceptions predicted self-reported use of preventative health behaviors across groups, and those with MDD and/or GAD had relatively greater affective than cognitive risk perceptions related to COVID-19. Critically, however, those with MDD and/or GAD did not show enhanced self-reported use of preventative health behaviors to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19. In addition, mental health condition status did not modulate the relationship between risk perception and preventative health behaviors. Together, these findings suggest that while affective risk perceptions related to COVID-19 may be elevated in college students with common mental health conditions, perceived risk does not translate into behaviors that will reduce their risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19

Exploring Mechanism of Actions for Eugenol and Beta-Caryophyllene to Combat Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy Using Network Pharmacology

This study explores the potential of essential oils, Eugenol (EUG), and Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) in enhancing the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Pharmacokinetic assessment through ADMET analysis indicates that EUG and BCP adhere to the rule of five with good bioavailability, ensuring their drug-likeness properties. The study employs a multitarget strategy to reduce drug dosage and enhance effectiveness, testing the compounds on the HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell line. MTT assay revealed in-vitro cytotoxic effects of EUG, BCP, and 5-FU, with a noteworthy reduction in IC50 values observed when combining the compounds, indicating synergistic effects (CI < 1) as depicted in the Fa-CI plot. Network pharmacology-based analysis of the compound-disease-target (C-D-T) network identifies 58, 24, and 49 target proteins for EUG, BCP, and 5-FU, respectively, in metastatic CRC. Venn diagram intersection reveals 11 common target proteins, and the merged C-D-T network highlights 84 target proteins, with 16 selected based on edge count, including HSP90AA1, IGF-1R, ESR1, and CASP3. Molecular docking studies indicate that EUG, BCP, and 5-FU effectively inhibit the core target protein HSP90AA1 within the C-D-T network, suggesting their potential as modulators for CRC metastasis. These findings propose a promising approach for developing drugs targeting specific proteins to mitigate metastasis in colorectal cancer

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

Self-reported selected zoonotic diseases among animal handlers in Urban Ahmedabad, India

Background and Aim: Out of all global microbial pathogens, 61% are zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases (Z/D/S) are responsible for a large burden on the public health, livestock economies, and wildlife of India. Data on burden and knowledge about Z/D/S among animal handlers are limited for urban and peri-urban areas of India. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported selected Z/D/S and knowledge about those diseases among animal handlers in the urban area of Ahmedabad city, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 animal handlers from three zones of Ahmedabad city, India, from February to May 2017. Data were collected on sociodemographic, different exposure, knowledge, practices about animal handling, and self-reported Z/D/S condition. Results: Majority of study participants were females. Participants had numbers of animals, and it ranged from 1 to 70. However, the majority of them were cattle. Average experience and hours/day spent for handling animal were reported 22±15 years and 5±2 h, respectively. From all participants, about one-third perceived that handling animal could be a cause of disease. Average knowledge on the mode of transmission of Z/D/S was found 4.1%. Most common high risk and preventive practices found consumption of raw milk (72%) and handwashing (83%). The proportion of self-reported Z/D/S in the past 5 years was found to be 23% among respondents and 17% among family members. However, the proportion of existing self-reported Z/D/S or symptomatic Z/D/S was 17% among respondents and 18% among family members. Most common self-reported Z/D/S were vector-borne, animal bite, and respiratory disorders. Conclusion: The knowledge and prevalence of Z/D/S were found low as compared to other studies from India. Further awareness and screening of animal handlers can be useful to increase the reporting and prevention and control of Z/D/S among them

Impending scope of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the post COVID19 pandemic era: An opportunity call

COVID19 pandemic is now testing health systems of countries globally irrespective of geographical location, environmental conditions, and population demographics. Among various prevention strategies as suggested by WHO and others, hand hygiene has emerged as the most important public health preventive measure to control similar outbreaks in the past (SARS & MERS) also including the current COVID19 pandemic. The COVID19 pandemic provides a well-timed opportunity to stress the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in the healthcare facilities (HCFs) and optimize infection prevention control across the globe. It also gives an opportunity to extend beyond conventional WASH and includes domains of biomedical waste management, Infection Prevention, and Control activities and also environmental hygiene. This perspective piece elaborates on the importance of optimal WASH and future scopes in HCFs during the post COVID19 pandemic era

Evidence of Antimicrobial Resistance from Maternity Units and Labor Rooms: A Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Study from Gujarat, India

The main objective of this study was to determine the microbial contamination and antimicrobial resistance pattern among isolated bacteria from the environment surfaces of maternity units and labor rooms of healthcare facilities in the Gujarat state of India. The cross-sectional study was conducted in ten healthcare facilities, where the microbiological swab samples were collected from various pre-decided environmental surfaces of the maternity and labor rooms as part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) assessment. The swabs were analyzed by conventional microbiological culture methods to identify microorganisms, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The study provides an insight into the microbial contamination of the visibly clean areas, i.e., the maternity ward, labor room, and general wards of the healthcare facilities. The labor rooms were found to be highly contaminated in comparison to other selected sites. The microbiological findings revealed a predominance of Gram-negative bacteria, specifically Pseudomonas species. The antibiotic susceptibility testing indicates resistance against many commonly used antibiotics. This study produces an identified necessity for enhancing microbiological surveillance in labor rooms and maternity units. This study also highlights the importance of microbiological status along with the WASH status of healthcare facilities

Evidence of Antimicrobial Resistance from Maternity Units and Labor Rooms: A Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Study from Gujarat, India

The main objective of this study was to determine the microbial contamination and antimicrobial resistance pattern among isolated bacteria from the environment surfaces of maternity units and labor rooms of healthcare facilities in the Gujarat state of India. The cross-sectional study was conducted in ten healthcare facilities, where the microbiological swab samples were collected from various pre-decided environmental surfaces of the maternity and labor rooms as part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) assessment. The swabs were analyzed by conventional microbiological culture methods to identify microorganisms, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The study provides an insight into the microbial contamination of the visibly clean areas, i.e., the maternity ward, labor room, and general wards of the healthcare facilities. The labor rooms were found to be highly contaminated in comparison to other selected sites. The microbiological findings revealed a predominance of Gram-negative bacteria, specifically Pseudomonas species. The antibiotic susceptibility testing indicates resistance against many commonly used antibiotics. This study produces an identified necessity for enhancing microbiological surveillance in labor rooms and maternity units. This study also highlights the importance of microbiological status along with the WASH status of healthcare facilities