Risk profile and mode of transmission of monkeypox: A rapid review and individual patient data meta-analysis of case studies

Since May 2022, an outbreak of monkeypox in non-endemic countries has become a potential public health threat. The objective of this rapid review was to examine the risk profile and modes of transmission of monkeypox. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception through July 30 to collect case reports/series on patients with monkeypox infection. For meta-analysis, data on the total number of participants and deaths by binary categories of exposure (age, sex, country, other co-infections or existing conditions, and mode of contagion) were used. A total of 62 studies (4659 cases) were included. Most cases came from Africa (84.3%), followed by Europe (13.9%). In 63.6% of the cases, the mode of contagion was human contact, while 22.8% of the cases were by animal contact, and 13.5% were unknown or not reported. The mortality rate was 6.5% throughout these studies. The risk of mortality was higher in the younger age group (risk difference: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.02–0.36), in cases with other co-infections or current chronic conditions (risk difference: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01–0.05) and in the category of low- and middle-income countries (risk difference: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.05–0.08). There were no significant differences with respect to sex or mode of contagion. These results help to understand the major infection pathways and mortality risk profiles of monkeypox and underscores the importance of preventing outbreaks in specific settings, especially in settings densely populated by children, such as day care centres and schools

Dose-response association between handgrip strength and hypertension: a longitudinal study of 76,503 european older adults

To examine the prospective dose-response association between handgrip strength and the incidence of hypertension in a representative sample of older European adults. We retrieved data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) waves 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Handgrip strength was measured and participants reported whether they had a medical diagnosis of hypertension. We assessed the longitudinal dose‐response associations of handgrip strength with hypertension using restricted cubic splines. During the follow-up, 27,149 (35.5%) were diagnosed with incident hypertension. At the fully adjusted model, the minimum and optimal dose of handgrip strength for a significant reduction in the risk of hypertension was 28 Kg (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89-0.96) and 54 Kg (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.78-0.89), respectively. There exists an association between increased handgrip strength and reduced risk of developing hypertension in older European adults

Handgrip strength and work limitations:A prospective cohort study of 70,820 adults aged 50 and older

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between handgrip strength and the incidence of work limitations in European adults aged 50 and older. We conducted a prospective cohort study among adults aged 50 and older from 27 European countries and Israel. Data were collected from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) waves 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Handgrip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer (Smedley, S Dynamometer, TTM) and participants replied to questions about work limitations. Cox regression was conducted for statistical analyses. A total of 70,820 older adults (mean age 61 ± 7.7 years; 54.3 % women) were followed during a mean of 3.8 ± 2.9 years. The fully adjusted model showed that participants with low handgrip strength (<16 kg in women and <27 kg in men) had a significantly higher risk of work limitations compared with participants with normal values of handgrip strength (hazard ratio: 1.36; 95 % confidence interval: 1.28–1.44). Kaplan-Meier trajectories revealed that the survival probability to experience work limitations in the normal handgrip category was 20 % lower than in the low handgrip category in most of the follow-up period. We identified low level of handgrip strength as a risk factor for work limitations in adults aged 50 years or older. This could be used as an accessible measure to screen workers at risk of developing work limitations

Trends in adherence to the muscle-strengthening activity guidelines in the US over a 20-year span

urpose Purpose to evaluate the prevalence and temporal trends in adherence to muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines among the US population from 1997 to 2018 (pre-Covid 19). Methods We used nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey of the US (NHIS; a cross-sectional household interview survey). We pooled data from 22 consecutive cycles (1997 to 2018) and estimated prevalence and trends of adherence to MSA guidelines among adults aged 18–24 years, 25–34 years, 35–44 years, 45–64 years, and ≥ 65 years. Results A total of 651,682 participants (mean age 47.7 years [SD = 18.0], 55.8% women) were included. The overall prevalence of adherence to MSA guidelines significantly increased (p < .001) from 1997 to 2018 (19.8% to 27.2%, respectively). Adherence levels significantly increased (p < .001) for all age groups from 1997 to 2018. Compared with their white non-Hispanic counterparts, the odds ratio for Hispanic females was 0.5 (95% CI = 0.4–0.6). Conclusions It is over a 20-year span, adherence to MSA guidelines increased across all age groups, although the overall prevalence remained below 30%. Future intervention strategies to promote MSA are required with a particular focus on older adults, women, Hispanic women, current smokers, those with low educational levels, and those with functional limitations or chronic conditions

Handgrip strength measurement protocols for all-cause and cause-specific mortality outcomes in more than 3 million participants: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Background & aims: Handgrip strength is a strong predictor of the risk of mortality. The objective of this systematic review was to analyse handgrip strength measurement protocols used in all-cause and cause-specific mortality studies. Method: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus was conducted from inception to February 2022. Prospective cohort studies with objective measures of handgrip strength were included. Studies had to report at least one all-cause, cancer, or cardiovascular mortality outcome. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Meta-regression was used to quantify the bias associated with handgrip strength values in relation to the use of different measurement protocols. Results: Forty-eight studies with a total of 3,135,473 participants (49.6% women) were included. Half of the studies controlled body position, 39.6% arm position, 33.3% elbow position, 12.5% wrist position, 13% handgrip duration, 23% hand-adjustment to dynamometer and 12.5% verbal encouragement. The number of measurements, the laterality of the hand tested, and the estimation method of the handgrip strength value varied considerably between the study protocols. The spline regression model showed a non-linear inverse association between the values of handgrip strength and the number of protocol items controlled. Handgrip strength was higher when the number of measurements per hand or arm position was not controlled. Conversely, handgrip strength was lower when elbow position was not controlled or verbal encouragement were not provided. Conclusion: In general, the protocols used to assess handgrip strength in mortality studies are incomplete and highly heterogeneous. Handgrip strength values were higher when studies controlled fewer handgrip strength measurement protocol variables. There is a need to improve the controlling of handgrip strength measurement protocols and to standardise the method to enhance the accuracy of mortality risk estimates associated with handgrip strength

Representaciones sociales de los conceptos de empleo y desempleo de habitantes de Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Con la base teórico metodológica de las representaciones sociales (RS) analizamos los conceptos de empleo y desempleo en habitantes de Santa Cruz, Tenerife. Utilizamos la técnica asociativa de listados libres para conocer el contenido y estructura de las RS, así como la identificación del núcleo central y los elementos periféricos. Para los participantes el empleo es un oficio permite el acceso a dinero para la satisfacción de necesidades, personales y familiares y de bienes materiales. Tiene efectos personales como el aprendizaje, crecimiento y emociones positivas. Requiere de responsabilidad, compromiso y es una oportunidad de desarrollo personal y profesional. El desempleo es un tiempo libre que implica la falta de dinero, genera pobreza y problemas, dependencia, estrés, penas, preocupación, miedo y desesperanza. Tiene efectos sociales como caos, migración, segregación y delincuencia. Responsabilizan a los políticos de la crisis económica actual. Las formas de afrontarlo son formación académica y organización de los trabajadores.With the theoretical and methodological background of social representations (SR), we analyzed the concepts of employment and unemployment in inhabitants of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. We used the associative technique of free listings for to learn about the content and structure of SR, as well as the identification of the core and the peripheral items. For the participants, the employment is a trade allows the access for the satisfaction of needs, personnel and family and of material goods. It takes personal effects as learning, growth and positive emotions. Requires responsibility, commitment and is an opportunity for personal and professional development. The unemployment is a free time, which implies the lack of money, generates poverty and problems, dependence, stress, sorrow, worry, fear and hopelessness. It takes social effects as chaos, migration, segregation and crime. They blame the politicians in the current economic crisis. The ways of confronting it are academic training and organization of workers

La Influencia del orden de las preguntas en los exámenes de primer curso

El orden de las preguntas en un examen no debería tener influencia en sus resultados. Sin embargo, los autores tenemos la sensación de que los estudiantes de primero suelen ser secuenciales a la hora de resolver los exámenes. ¿Lo son realmente?, y si lo son ¿afecta esta manera de contestar los exámenes a los resultados finales? En este artículo analizamos estas cuestiones con un experimento realizado en la asignatura Estructura de Computadores, de primer curso del grado en Ingeniería Informática.SUMMARY -- The order of the questions on a test should have no influence on the final results. However, the authors had the feeling that students often solve the exam sequentially. Is this assumption true? If so, how does it affect the final results? In this paper we analyze the results of an experiment we designed to answer these questions. The experiment took place in the Computer Organization subject, a first-year course in the Computer Science Degree

Thresholds of handgrip strength for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality: A systematic review with dose-response meta-analysis

Background While handgrip strength is associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality, whether such associations are dose-dependent is largely unknown. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review on the dose-response relationship of handgrip strength with all-cause mortality, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. Methods The data source included three electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus) from inception to 8 February 2022. Prospective cohort studies of healthy adults with objective measures of handgrip strength were included. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We used estimates regarding handgrip strength categories to conduct a random forest model, and a two-stage random-effects hierarchical meta-regression model pooling study-specific estimates for dose-response relationship. Outcomes included all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. Reults Forty-eight studies comprising 3,135,473 participants (49.6% women, age range 35–85 years) were included. Random forest models showed a significant inverse association between handgrip strength and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Dose-response meta-analyses showed that higher levels of handgrip strength significantly reduced the risk of all-cause mortality within 26–50 kg (Higgin´s I2 =45.7%) in a close-to-linear inverse fashion. Cancer and cardiovascular mortality displayed a trend towards a U-shaped association with a significant risk reduction between 16 and 33 kg (Higgin´s I2 =77.4%), and a close-to-linear inverse shaped and significant risk reduction ranging from 24 to 40 kg (Higgin´s I2 =79.7%) respectively. Conclusion There is strong evidence for an association between lower handgrip strength with higher all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality risk. The dose-response relationship of handgrip strength substantially varies depending on the cause of mortality

Can Vitality and Mental Health Influence Upper Extremity Pain? A Prospective Cohort Study of 1185 Female Hospital Nurses

Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity are among the most common occupational problems affecting nurses. The aim of this study was to analyze the prospective association between vitality and mental health and increased upper extremity pain intensity in female hospital nurses during a 1-year follow-up. A prospective cohort of 1185 female nurses from 19 hospitals in Denmark was conducted using baseline and 12-month follow-up questionnaires to identify potential associations between levels of vitality and mental health (SF-36 subscales) with pain intensity (0–10 scale) in the shoulder, elbow and hand/wrist regions. Associations were modeled using cumulative logistic regression. The fully adjusted model included the variables of age, baseline pain, body mass index, smoking status, years of occupation, leisure time physical activity level, number of daily patient transfers/handlings, as well as recognition and influence at work. The mean age was 48.3 (SD: 10.4) years. In the fully adjusted model, significant associations between low vitality levels and the odds of shoulder pain (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.43–2.68) and hand/wrist pain (OR = 2.32; 95%CI: 1.58–3.42) were observed. Likewise, moderate levels of mental health was associated with increased odds of shoulder pain at follow-up (OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.16–1.93). These results provide an important incentive for nursing managers to assess vitality and mental health among hospital nurses and to consider this factor in prevention strategies to ensure good worker health and, by extension, high-quality care.Author L.L.A. obtained a grant from the Danish Working Environment Research Fund (Arbejdsmiljøforskningsfonden) for this study. Grant number 26-2015-09. Author R.N.-C. is supported by the National Research and Development Agency of Chile (ANID/2020-72210026). Author R.L.-B. is supported by the European Union—Next Generation EU

Social determinants of health and physical activity are related to pain intensity and mental health in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy of the upper limb and a frequent cause of disability. Objective: To analyze the association between social determinants of health (SDH) and physical activity with pain intensity and mental health in patients with CTS. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with CTS awaiting surgery in two public hospitals in Chile. Methods: The SDH collected included: employment status, educational level and monetary income. The level of physical activity was defined according to compliance with WHO recommendations. Outcome measures included: Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), Symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and catastrophic thinking (Pain Catastrophizing Scale). The adjusted regression coefficient (β) for the association between SDH and physical activity with each outcome was obtained using multivariable linear regression models controlling for age, sex, body mass index and symptom duration. Results: Eighty-six participants were included (mean age 50.9 ± 10 years, 94% women). A high level of physical activity was associated with a 12.41 mm decrease in pain intensity (β = −12.41, 95%CI: −23.87 to −0.95) and a 3.29 point decrease in depressive symptoms (β = −3.29, 95%CI: −5.52 to −1.06). In addition, being employed was associated with a 2.30 point decrease in anxiety symptoms (β = −2.30; 95%CI: −4.41 to −0.19) and a high educational level was associated with a 7.71 point decrease in catastrophizing (β = −7.71; 95%CI: −14.06 to −1.36). Conclusion: Multidisciplinary care teams should be aware of the association between SDH and physical activity with physical and mental health