Unemployment and retirement and ill-health: a cross-sectional analysis across European countries

Objective To determine the associations between different measures of health and labor market position across ten European countries. Methods We studied 11,462 participants of the Survey on Health and Ageing in Europe (SHARE) who were 50–64 years old. Logistic regression was used to calculate the associations between health and other determinants and being retired, unemployed, or a homemaker. Results A large variation across European countries was observed for the proportion of persons 50–65 years with paid employment, varying among men from 42% in Austria to 75% in Sweden and among women from 22% in Italy to 69% in Sweden. Among employed workers 18% reported a poor health, whereas this proportion was 37% in retirees, 39% in unemployed persons, and 35% in homemakers. A perceived poor health was strongly associated with non-participating in labor force in most European countries. A lower education, being single, physical inactivity and a high body mass index were associated with withdrawal from the labor force. Long-term illnesses such as depression, stroke, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and musculoskeletal disease were significantly more common among those persons not having paid employment. Conclusion In many European countries a poor health, chronic diseases, and lifestyle factors were associated with being out of the labor market. The results of this study suggest that in social policies to encourage employment among older persons the role of ill-health and its influencing factors needs to be incorporated

Faunistic Study of the Rodents of North Khorasan Province, North East of Iran, 2011–2013

Background: Rodents are one of the most important hosts for some zoonotic diseases and also act as a reservoir of some ectoparasites and endoparasites. They cause damage to the farms and inflict public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the faunal composition of rodent in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran.Methods: The sampling was carried out between 2011 to 2013. The specimens were collected using different methods including rodent death and live traps, digging of their burrow, and hand net from 75 different sample sites.Results: The total number of 396 specimens belonging to 22 species and six families were identified. The results illustrated the high numbers and densities of Meriones persicus (17.68%), Meriones libycus (15.15%), Nesokia indica (7.32%) and Rhombomys opimus (6.82%), as the most important reservoirs for different zoonotic diseases. Moreover, significant number of other rodent species including Mus musculus (15.66%), Apodemus witherbyi (13.89%), A. hyrcanicus (0.25%), Rattus norvegicus (1.01%), Meriones crassus (0.25%), Gerbillus nanus (0.51%), Microtus paradoxus (2.27%), M. transcaspicus (0.76%), Ellobius fuscocapillus (0.25%), Cricetulus migratorius (4.29%), Calomyscus elburzensis (4.29%), C. mystax (1.26%), Spermophilus fulvus (0.25%), Dryomys nitedula (3.54%), Allactaga elater (3.54%), Jaculus blanfordi (0.25%), Meriones zarudnyi (0.25%), M. meridianus (0.51%), and Hystrix indica as hosts for parasites and zoonotic diseases were identified.Conclusion: The high biodiversity including at least 22 species and six families of rodents were found in North Khorasan Province, some of them were medically important species.</p

Effect of mobile application types on stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review

Abstract Background Stroke is a significant contributor of worldwide disability and morbidity with substantial economic consequences. Rehabilitation is a vital component of stroke recovery, but inpatient stroke rehabilitation programs can struggle to meet the recommended hours of therapy per day outlined by the Canadian Stroke Best Practices and American Heart Association. Mobile applications (apps) are an emerging technology which may help bridge this deficit, however this area is understudied. The purpose of this study is to review the effect of mobile apps for stroke rehabilitation on stroke impairments and functional outcomes. Specifically, this paper will delve into the impact of varying mobile app types on stroke rehabilitation. Methods This systematic review included 29 studies: 11 randomized control trials and 18 quasi-experimental studies. Data extrapolation mapped 5 mobile app types (therapy apps, education apps, rehab videos, reminders, and a combination of rehab videos with reminders) to stroke deficits (motor paresis, aphasia, neglect), adherence to exercise, activities of daily living (ADLs), quality of life, secondary stroke prevention, and depression and anxiety. Results There were multiple studies supporting the use of therapy apps for motor paresis or aphasia, rehab videos for exercise adherence, and reminders for exercise adherence. For permutations involving other app types with stroke deficits or functional outcomes (adherence to exercise, ADLs, quality of life, secondary stroke prevention, depression and anxiety), the results were either non-significant or limited by a paucity of studies. Conclusion Mobile apps demonstrate potential to assist with stroke recovery and augment face to face rehabilitation, however, development of a mobile app should be carefully planned when targeting specific stroke deficits or functional outcomes. This study found that mobile app types which mimicked principles of effective face-to-face therapy (massed practice, task-specific practice, goal-oriented practice, multisensory stimulation, rhythmic cueing, feedback, social interaction, and constraint-induced therapy) and education (interactivity, feedback, repetition, practice exercises, social learning) had the greatest benefits. Protocol registration PROPSERO (ID CRD42021186534). Registered 21 February 202