Search Results (3,819)

Background/Objective: Nutritionists play a crucial role in guiding individuals toward healthier lifestyles through personalized meal planning; however, this task involves navigating a complex web of factors, including health conditions, dietary restrictions, cultural preferences, and socioeconomic constraints. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) offers a valuable framework for structuring these multi-faceted decisions but inconsistencies can hinder its effectiveness in pairwise comparisons. Methods: This paper proposes a novel hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization–Simulated Annealing (PSO-SA) algorithm to refine inconsistent AHP weight matrices, ensuring a consistent and accurate representation of the nutritionist’s expertise and client preferences. Our approach merges PSO’s global search capabilities with SA’s local search precision, striking an optimal balance between exploration and exploitation. Results: We demonstrate the practical utility of our algorithm through real-world use cases involving personalized meal planning for individuals with specific dietary needs and preferences. Results showcase the algorithm’s efficiency in achieving consistency and surpassing standard PSO accuracy. Conclusion: By integrating the PSO-SA algorithm into a mobile app, we empower nutritionists with an advanced decision-making tool for creating tailored meal plans that promote healthier dietary choices and improved client outcomes. This research represents a significant advancement in multi-criteria decision-making for nutrition, offering a robust solution to the inconsistency challenge in AHP and paving the way for more effective and personalized dietary interventions. Full article

Background: As the elderly population rapidly grows, age-related health issues are increasing. Telemedicine helps older adults adapt by providing efficient and accessible health management and medical services. Objectives: This study employs bibliometric analysis to examine research focus areas, emerging trends, and collaboration networks in telemedicine for older adults over the past three decades. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection served as the primary data source for the publications on telemedicine and the elderly since the database’s inception through June 2024. Using CiteSpace.6.2.R4 software, keyword and collaboration network visualizations were generated, including clusters, co-authors, and co-citations. Results: This study analyzed 586 papers from 252 countries or regions, which were published across 246 journals and written by 2750 authors. Conclusions: The analysis revealed three primary research directions encompassing 42 clusters: (1) health literacy and technology adaptation; (2) telemedicine technology and health management; and (3) social interaction and economic impact. Research hotspots include elderly fitness, mobile health, technology acceptance, telemedicine, elderly care, and health literacy. Despite the potential benefit of telemedicine, challenges persist in areas such as technology acceptance, usability, effectiveness, service quality, and privacy concerns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current research on telemedicine for the elderly and highlights emerging trends in the field. Full article

Many fields, where human health and life are at risk, are increasingly utilizing mobile robots and UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles). They typically operate in teleoperation mode (control based on the projected image, outside the operator’s direct field of view), as autonomy is not yet sufficiently developed and key decisions should be made by the man. Fast and effective decision making requires a high level of situational and action awareness. It relies primarily on visualizing the robot’s surroundings and end effectors using cameras and displays. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of three solutions of robot area imaging systems using the simultaneous transmission of images from three cameras while driving a UGV in complex terrain. Full article

Background: Despite clinical interventional studies on the influence of diet on periodontal inflammatory parameters, there has been no practice-based cross-sectional study from a German population to date that has conducted both a comprehensive dental and periodontal examination and a thorough validated assessment of dietary behavior. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate, in a proof of concept, whether there is a correlation between the overall periodontal inflammatory surface area (PISA), periodontal clinical parameters (pocket probing depths (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), furcation involvement (FI), tooth mobility (TM)), and the dietary behavior of patients with periodontal disease when utilizing a practice-based research network. The primary outcome was the correlation between the periodontal inflammatory surface (PISA) and the dietary assessment data. Materials and Methods: The practice-based research network, consisting of eight Master’s graduates, recruited patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and performed a periodontal examination together with the assessment of dietary behavior using a digital version of the validated retrospective dietary recall (DEGS/RKI). Statistical analyses included linear regression models adjusted for age and smoking and unpaired t-tests, conducted using STATA 17.0 with a significance level of 5%. In addition, the data obtained were classified according to the currently recommended amounts of daily intake. Results: A total of 1283 teeth were analyzed, with 60.25% (773 teeth) requiring treatment. The average PISA was 753.16 mm² (SD ± 535.75 mm). Based on dietary guidelines, the studied population consumed excessive amounts of extrinsic sugars and fats, while their fiber and legume intake was insufficient. The intake of certain nutrients, including water-soluble fibers, specific fatty acids, vitamins (D, B1, B2, B6, and B12), iron, and zinc, was associated with reduced PISA, PPD, CAL, and BOP. Conclusion: Within the limits of the current study, including its cross-sectional design and cohort size, the outcomes demonstrated the influence of nutrition on periodontal health. Full article

Climate change originating from anthropogenic activities is a key challenge of our time, with unsustainable mobility patterns representing one of the main contributors to polluting emissions in the atmosphere. The situation is particularly critical in urban areas, where traditional mobility paradigms based on private mobility and endothermic vehicles lead to road congestion, environmental degradation, health issues, and economic loss. Many policies are being implemented worldwide to support the envisaged transition to cleaner mobility paradigms, like the EU Fit for 55 Package, which is bound to ban sales of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035. In this context, electrification emerges as the most promising alternative, although battery electric vehicles represent a growing yet small niche, and the market is still expressing many concerns. Through a case study of Italy, a country with a strong automotive tradition and severe air pollution in urban centers, this research investigates consumer attitudes and barriers to electric vehicle adoption, providing crucial insights for future policy and market strategies. This study consists of a survey-based empirical investigation (N = 1533). The findings suggest that skepticism is still strong and requires a joint effort (carmakers, government, media) to frame sound communicational strategies and policies addressing market apprehensions about actual environmental performance, economic convenience, range anxiety, and availability of adequate charging infrastructures. Full article

Exposure to high levels of radiation can cause acute, long-term health effects, such as acute radiation syndrome, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. This is an important occupational hazard in different fields, such as the aerospace and healthcare industry, as well as a crucial burden to overcome to boost space applications and exploration. Protective bulky equipment made of heavy metals is not suitable for many advanced purporses, such as mobile devices, wearable shields, and manned spacecrafts. In the latter case, the in-space manufacturing of protective shields is highly desirable and remains an unmet need. Composites made of polymers and high atomic number fillers are potential means for radiation protection due to their low weight, good flexibility, and good processability. In the present work, we developed electrospun composites based on polycaprolactone (polymer matrix) and tungsten powder for application as shielding materials. Electrospinning is a versatile technology that is easily scalable at an industrial level and allows obtaining very lightweight, flexible sheet materials for wearables. By controlling tungsten powder size, we engineered homogeneous, stable and processable suspensions to fabricate radiation composite shielding sheets. The shielding capability was assessed by an in vivo model on prototype composite sheets containing 80 w% of W filler in a polycaprolactone (PCL) fibrous matrix by means of irradiation tests (X-rays) on mice. The obtained results are promising; as expected, the shielding effectivity of the developed composite material increases with the thickness/number of stacked layers. It is worth noting that a thin barrier consisting of 24 layers of the innovative shielding material reduces the extent of apoptosis by 1.5 times compared to the non-shielded mice. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between healthcare providers without chronic diseases and participants with chronic diseases presenting with one of the four different primary diagnoses on the health-related quality of life with six domains (HRQ-6D) scale. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study to compare the HRQOL between healthcare providers without chronic diseases and participants with chronic diseases. Data collection was performed from May 2022 to May 2023. Data for the comparison group were taken from healthcare providers without chronic diseases, and for the participant group with chronic diseases, the data were collected from actual patients with one of four types of primary diagnoses who were recruited from specialist cardiology, oncology, psychiatry, and nephrology clinics. All the participants of this study filled in the HRQ-6D. Results: There were 238 (58.6%) healthcare providers without chronic diseases who participated in this study, as well as 41 (10.1%) patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), 48 (11.8%) patients with cancer, and 40 (9.9%) patients who were depressed, and the remaining patients had heart disease. The means (SD) of HRQ-6D scores among healthcare providers without chronic diseases for pain, physical strength, emotion, mobility, self-care, perception of future health, and overall HRQ-6D score were 75.3% (19.8), 74.5% (21.1), 85.6% (18.4%), 93.0% (12.3), 91.6% (13.9), 74.2% (23.3), and 82.4% (13.6), respectively. In comparisons between healthcare providers without chronic diseases and participants with chronic diseases, all mean differences of the overall HRQ-6D score and its domains and dimensions were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The overall score of the HRQ-6D, as well as its domains and dimensions are sensitive in detecting the study participants with chronic diseases from among those without chronic diseases. Therefore, the HRQ-6D is a reliable and valid scale to measure HRQOL. Future studies may use this scale for interventional, observational, and cost-effectiveness studies. Full article

Wetlands are ecosystems that are essential to ecological balance and biodiversity; nevertheless, human activity is a constant threat to them. Excess nutrients are caused by intensive livestock and agricultural operations, pollution, and population growth, which in turn leads to uncontrolled microbiological development. This impairment in water quality can constitute a risk to animal, human, and environmental health. To thoroughly characterize the microbial communities, shotgun metagenomics was used to characterize the taxonomic and functional pattern of microorganisms that inhabit urban wetlands in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. The main objective was to identify microorganisms of veterinary relevance, assess their potential antibiotic resistance, and characterize the main virulence mechanism. As expected, a high diversity of microorganisms was identified, including bacteria described as animal or human pathogens, such as Pasteurella multocida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Also, a diverse repertory of antimicrobial-resistant genes (ARGs) was detected in metagenomic assembled sequences and inside the sequence of mobile genetic elements, genes that confer mainly resistance to beta-lactams, consistent with the families of antibiotics most used in Chile. In addition, a diverse collection of virulence mechanisms was also identified. Given the significance of the relationship between environmental, animal, and human health—a concept known as One Health—there is a need to establish molecular surveillance programs that monitor the environmental biohazard elements using molecular tools. This work is the first report of the presence of these harmful biological elements in urban wetlands subjected to anthropogenic pressure, located in the south of Chile. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to examine the impact of reduced human activity on air quality. This study assesses the levels of particulate matter (PM₁₀) in three cities—Bucharest, Brașov, and Iași—during the pandemic restrictions in 2020, comparing them with data from the pre-pandemic period (2017–2019) and post-lockdown period (2021–2022). The results show a significant decrease in PM₁₀ levels during the lockdown, which is closely associated with reduced traffic and mobility. Notably, while PM₁₀ concentrations initially spiked at the beginning of 2020, they markedly declined following the enforcement of lockdown measures, during which mobility to workplaces in these cities decreased by about 60% in Bucharest, 50% in Brașov, and 45% in Iași. Health risks related to PM₁₀ exposure were evaluated using the hazard quotient method, following EU and WHO guidelines. Despite the reduction in pollution levels in 2020, the findings suggest long-term human health risks for residents of these cities. This research highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies to address air quality issues in urban areas and protect public health. Full article

The proportion of older adults is increasing globally, yet many of them experience food insecurity. Technological innovations, such as increased access to internet- and mobile-based food delivery apps (FDAs), may help mitigate food insecurity. However, this topic has been understudied. This scoping review searched for publications and online technical reports from around the world using interdisciplinary databases like ScienceDirect and internet sources like government websites, respectively. Eligible references were published recently (2019–present) and focused on general technology use, including apps, among older adults (≥50 years) or FDAs for food insecurity or nutritional health generally or specifically among older adults. The search identified 19 studies from 10 countries and extracted relevant information for summary tables. A limited number of studies supported the idea that FDAs can help address food insecurity, but there are important equity considerations for older adults living in rural areas or with constrained physical abilities. Consistently, customized app features and functions increased the intention to use FDAs. In addition, FDAs may have health and environmental impacts, such as food waste and increased access or promotion of ultraprocessed foods. Additional research is needed to elucidate the potential of FDAs to address food insecurity generally and specifically among older adults. Full article

Many Chinese migrant older adults are more prone to mental health problems due to their “migrant” status. During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on their mobility exacerbated these conditions. Mental health is a crucial dimension of healthy aging. Network analysis offers a novel method for exploring interactions between mental health problems at the symptom level. This study employs network analysis to examine the interactions between comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms across different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys were conducted from September 2019 to January 2020 (T1), September 2020 to January 2021 (T2), and September 2021 onwards (T3). Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A). Expected Influence (EI) and Bridge Expected Influence (Bridge EI) were used to identify central and bridge symptoms in the network. Network stability and accuracy tests were performed. Among the Chinese migrant older adults, the anxiety prevalence was 18.50% at T1, 21.11% at T2, and 9.38% at T3. The prevalence of depression was 26.95% at T1, 55.44% at T2, and 60.24% at T3. The primary central symptoms included ‘Afraid something will happen’ (A2), ‘Irritability’ (A6), ‘Panic’ (A7), ‘Feeling of worthlessness’ (D6), ‘Anhedonia’ (D1), and ‘Feeling of fear’ (A5). The major bridge symptoms included ‘Feeling of fear’ (A5), ‘Panic’ (A7), ‘Irritability’ (A6), ‘Fatigue’ (D4), ‘Anhedonia’ (D1), and ‘Depressed or sad mood’ (D2). Differences in network structure were observed across the periods. The network analysis further revealed the evolving relationships between central and bridge symptoms over time, highlighting the importance of targeted intervention strategies for central and bridge symptoms of comorbid depression and anxiety at different periods. Full article

The given research employs high-resolution air quality monitoring and contemporary statistical methods to address gaps in understanding the urban air pollution in Pavlodar, a city with a significant industrial presence and promising touristic potential. Using mobile air quality sensors for detailed spatial data collection, the research aims to quantify concentrations of particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ground-level ozone (O₃); assess their distribution; and identify key influencing factors. In this study, we employed Geographic Information Systems (GISs) for spatial analysis, integrating multi-level B-spline interpolation to model spatial variability. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were utilized to explore the relationships between variables, while regression analysis was conducted to quantify these relationships. These techniques were crucial for accurately mapping and interpreting spatial patterns and their underlying factors. The study identifies PM_2.5 and NO₂ as the primary contributors to air pollution in Pavlodar, with NO₂ exceeding the 24 h threshold in 87.38% of locations and PM_2.5 showing the highest individual air quality index (AQI) in 75.7% of cases. Correlation analysis reveals a positive association between PM_2.5 and AQI and a negative correlation between NO₂ and AQI, likely due to the dominant influence of PM_2.5 in AQI calculations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) further underscores PM_2.5 as the most significant impactor on AQI, while NO₂ shows no significant direct impact. Humidity is positively correlated with AQI, though this relationship is context-specific to seasonal patterns observed in May. The sectoral analysis of landscape indices reveals weak correlations between the green space ratio (GSR) and air quality, indicating that while vegetation reduces pollutants, its impact is minimal due to urban planting density. The road ratio (RR) lacks sufficient statistical evidence to draw conclusions about its effect on air quality, possibly due to the methodology used. Spatial variability in pollutant concentrations is evident, with increasing PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and AQI towards the east-northeast, likely influenced by industrial activities and prevailing wind patterns. In contrast, NO₂ pollution does not show a clear geographic pattern, indicating vehicular emissions as its primary source. Spatial interpolation highlights pollution hotspots near industrial zones, posing health risks to vulnerable populations. While the city’s overall AQI is considered “moderate”, the study highlights the necessity of implementing measures to improve air quality in Pavlodar. This will not only enhance the city’s attractiveness to tourists but also support its sustainable development as an industrial center. Full article

Objective: With advancements in treatment, the increasing number of women with breast cancer has led to a growing focus on enhancing their well-being by understanding health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to investigate the association between comorbidities and HRQoL in middle-aged and older community-dwelling Korean women with breast cancer. Methods: Data from the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys between 2014 and 2020 were used to analyze 12,218 women aged ≥50 years (244 women with breast cancer vs. 11,974 women without breast cancer). HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L tool and the EQ-5D index. Associations between comorbidities (arthritis, depression, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) and HRQoL were examined. Results: Among women with breast cancer, arthritis was associated with problems in mobility (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.39–7.53) and pain/discomfort (OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 3.62–14.73). Depression was associated with problems in self-care (OR, 7.02; 95% CI, 1.97–25.01), usual activities (OR, 5.73; 95% CI, 1.52–21.59), pain/discomfort (OR, 5.58; 95% CI, 1.49–20.87), and anxiety/depression (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.14–12.72). Arthritis and depression were also considerably associated with overall HRQoL, as measured by the EQ-5D index. Hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease were not independently associated with HRQoL. Conclusions: Arthritis and depression were markedly associated with HRQoL in middle-aged and older women in the community who suffer from breast cancer. Public health interventions that focus on managing these comorbidities can enhance the well-being of women with breast cancer. Full article

Background: Postpartum depression is a public health problem that affects a considerable percentage of women. Despite the proliferation of related apps, there are limited data available on the best apps to prevent postpartum depression. We identified which apps available in Spanish could be recommended by midwives based on their content, quality, and behaviour change techniques, as a complementary tool for preventing postpartum depression in women. Methods: A systematic search was performed to identify apps available on iOS App Store and Google Play, which were used to replicate how patients’ access “postpartum depression prevention” apps. Apps’ quality, behaviour change potential, and contents were assessed. Results: A total of 1408 apps were identified, of which 7 were retrieved for assessment (0.5%). The mean objective and subject quality were 3.1 (SD = 1.01) and 2.7 (SD = 1.27), respectively. A total of 24 topics were identified. The mean ABACUS score was 6.6 (SD = 3.64), and the mean number of topics addressed by the apps was 9.9 (SD = 5.90). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that a specific free app is not available in Spanish for the prevention of postpartum depression, and only a small percentage of free apps should be recommended based on their quality, BCTs, and contents. The systematic review protocol was not registered. Full article

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to antibiotics in the environment presents significant public health, economic, and societal risks. This study addresses the need for effective strategies to reduce antibiotic residues, focusing on ciprofloxacin degradation. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs), approximately 13 nm in size, were synthesized and functionalized with branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) to obtain a positive charge. These IO-bPEI NPs were combined with negatively charged titanium dioxide NPs (TiO₂@CA) to form magnetically photocatalytic IO-TiO₂ nanocomposites. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrokinetic measurements, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), confirmed the successful formation and properties of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites exhibited a high specific surface area, reduced mobility of photogenerated charge carriers, and enhanced photocatalytic properties. Testing the photocatalytic potential of IO-TiO₂ with ciprofloxacin in water under UV-B light achieved up to 70% degradation in 150 min, with a degradation rate of 0.0063 min⁻¹. The nanocomposite was magnetically removed after photocatalysis and successfully regenerated for reuse. These findings highlight the potential of IO-TiO₂ nanocomposites for reducing ciprofloxacin levels in wastewater, helping curb antibiotic resistance. Full article