Journal Description
Medical Sciences Forum
Medical Sciences Forum
is an open access journal dedicated to publishing findings resulting from academic conferences, workshops and similar events in all areas of medical sciences, for advances in basic, translational and clinical research and related disciplines. The conference organizers and proceedings editors are responsible for managing the peer-review process and selecting papers for conference proceedings.
Latest Articles
Risk Factor Prevalence in Handball Athletes with and without Overuse Injury History
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 22(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023022007 - 08 Aug 2023
Abstract
Handball is a demanding sport with risk of overuse injuries. We aimed to compare scapular motion, the external/internal rotator strength ratio, and shoulder rotator range of motion of handball athletes with and without a history of overuse injury. Cross-sectional data were collected from
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Handball is a demanding sport with risk of overuse injuries. We aimed to compare scapular motion, the external/internal rotator strength ratio, and shoulder rotator range of motion of handball athletes with and without a history of overuse injury. Cross-sectional data were collected from male handball athletes. The results showed no differences between groups, except for dyskinesia in final assessment position and external rotation range of motion. Scapular dyskinesis prevalence was high in both groups. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying and addressing these risk factors in injury prevention and rehabilitation programs for handball athletes.
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Predicting Cancer Prognostics from Tumour Transcriptomics Using an Auto Machine Learning Approach
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 22(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023022006 - 08 Aug 2023
Abstract
Cancer prognostics using tumour transcriptomics is a promising precision medicine approach for helping decisions during cancer treatment. However, currently used cancer prognostic biomarkers still have low predictive power. This work tested the potential of applying machine learning (ML) algorithms for generating patients’ survival
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Cancer prognostics using tumour transcriptomics is a promising precision medicine approach for helping decisions during cancer treatment. However, currently used cancer prognostic biomarkers still have low predictive power. This work tested the potential of applying machine learning (ML) algorithms for generating patients’ survival prognostics on lung, breast, and kidney tumour transcriptomics datasets. We evaluated the performance of models generated by ML and reported their optimal sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and computed ROC-AUC. The results support the potential for applying auto ML approaches for the future development of cancer prognostics tools based on transcriptomics data.
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Evaluation of the Morphology of Palatal Rugae in Portuguese Subjects
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 22(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023022003 - 08 Aug 2023
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Palatal Rugae (PR) are disproportionate bilateral protuberances of connective tissue found on each side of the medpalatine raphe posterior to the incisive papilla. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern and sexual dimorphism of PR. The prevalence and pattern of
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Palatal Rugae (PR) are disproportionate bilateral protuberances of connective tissue found on each side of the medpalatine raphe posterior to the incisive papilla. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern and sexual dimorphism of PR. The prevalence and pattern of PR of 120 Portuguese individuals attending the Orthodontic Clinic of Egas Moniz were categorized. The sample comprised 44.2% males and 55.8% females with similar PR frequencies among sex and age. The total number PR was 624. Straight and wavy PR morphologies were the most frequently observed. There was no sexual dimorphism related to the PR pattern.
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Open AccessProceeding Paper
The Treatment of Anterior Open Bite Associated with a Thumb Sucking Habit: A Case Report
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 22(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023022002 - 08 Aug 2023
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Anterior open bite malocclusion, defined as a lack of vertical overlap or contact between the maxillary and mandibular incisors, has a multifactorial etiology. A 17-year-old female patient came to the Egas Moniz University Clinic complaining of anterior open bite. The patient had posterior
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Anterior open bite malocclusion, defined as a lack of vertical overlap or contact between the maxillary and mandibular incisors, has a multifactorial etiology. A 17-year-old female patient came to the Egas Moniz University Clinic complaining of anterior open bite. The patient had posterior crossbite on the left side, second premolar agenesis, the presence of a primary molar, and a thumb-sucking habit. This case report describes a nonsurgical orthodontic treatment of an anterior open bite, applying a fixed appliance and bonded acrylic expander.
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Open AccessProceeding Paper
Intra-Oral Halitosis in Periodontitis: The Role of Tongue Coating—A Cross-Sectional Study
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 22(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023022001 - 08 Aug 2023
Abstract
Halitosis is an unpleasant breath odor that interferes with self-confidence and with people’s professional and social lives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the impact of tongue coating on intra-oral halitosis in patients with periodontitis. The Winkel Tongue Coating Index
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Halitosis is an unpleasant breath odor that interferes with self-confidence and with people’s professional and social lives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the impact of tongue coating on intra-oral halitosis in patients with periodontitis. The Winkel Tongue Coating Index (WTCI) score was found to be positively and significantly correlated with VSC values (rho = 0.473, p < 0.001). WTCI may be associated with levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) when other causes of extra-oral halitosis are excluded.
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Antimicrobial Resistance: Professional and Public Education, Engagement, and Training Activities 2021–2022 (ESPAUR Report)
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Med. Sci. Forum 2022, 15(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2022015019 - 05 Jul 2023
Abstract
This is a summary of initiatives to engage and educate the general public and healthcare professionals about antimicrobial use, stewardship and resistance, as covered in the 2021–2022 English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report. Activities led by the UK Health
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This is a summary of initiatives to engage and educate the general public and healthcare professionals about antimicrobial use, stewardship and resistance, as covered in the 2021–2022 English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report. Activities led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and collaborating organisations are highlighted.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of ESPAUR Report Webinar and Antibiotic Guardian Shared Learning Awards)
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Open AccessProceeding Paper
Lean Six Sigma: Application of the Methodology in Data Processing for Cancer Registry
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019012 - 30 Jun 2023
Abstract
Since 2020, the Catania-Messina-Enna Cancer Registry (CR) has operated a transformational and incremental program while also applying a Lean Six Sigma methodology (LSS) to optimize the processes and reduce waste. Each project aimed to raise the performance of the CR while also providing
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Since 2020, the Catania-Messina-Enna Cancer Registry (CR) has operated a transformational and incremental program while also applying a Lean Six Sigma methodology (LSS) to optimize the processes and reduce waste. Each project aimed to raise the performance of the CR while also providing the opportunity for human resources to express their talent. In this context, a machine learning project was developed to reduce the time spent on raw free-text histopathological reports that contain relevant information for cancer evaluation. The ability to extract meaningful information from histopathology reports is really important because reports provide crucial insights into the morphology and topography of cancer, enabling operators to validate oncology cases with the utmost diagnostic precision. However, the CR faced a significant challenge due to the extensive volume of written natural language reports, where only a small fraction contains pertinent information for cancer evaluation. In this paper, we describe how we applied the LSS method, the observed difficulties, and the benefits achieved by adopting a machine learning algorithm as a strategic solution in the Improve phase.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of International One Health Conference)
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In Silico Study of Mangrove Triterpenoids as SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 21(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/ECB2023-14332 - 29 Jun 2023
Abstract
Aim: In the present study, we performed an in silico study on the triterpenoid compounds from the mangrove plant as potential COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors, which can be used as a potential medicine target. Methods: In this study we performed molecular docking
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Aim: In the present study, we performed an in silico study on the triterpenoid compounds from the mangrove plant as potential COVID-19 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors, which can be used as a potential medicine target. Methods: In this study we performed molecular docking using AutoDock software. Results: The binding energies obtained through the docking of 6LU7 with beta-amyrin, betulin, germanicol, taraxerol, lupeol, lupane, simiarenol, tirucallol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and alpha-amyrin were -8.37, −8.73, −8.06, −7.71, −8.32, −8.49, −8.16, −8.99, −9.24, −8.87, and −8.89 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, these results were also confirmed with drug-likeness properties by using Swiss ADME software. Conclusion: This study showed that triterpenoid compounds seemed to have the best potential to act as COVID-19 Mpro inhibitors, and that they contain a potential lead compound for the development of drugs, which can be used against SARS-CoV-2.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Biomedicines)
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Healthcare Quality Indicators as a Tool for Safeguarding Patients with Limited Capacity and Physician Rights
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019011 - 27 Jun 2023
Abstract
In line with the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable development goal, value-based healthcare (VBHC) aims to deliver outcomes that truly matter to patients at a reasonable cost. A reimbursement system in VBHC encourages physicians to refrain from activities that do not contribute to achieving
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In line with the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable development goal, value-based healthcare (VBHC) aims to deliver outcomes that truly matter to patients at a reasonable cost. A reimbursement system in VBHC encourages physicians to refrain from activities that do not contribute to achieving the goals and to meet the quality indicators (QI) This transforms person–physician relationships and restricts patients’ and physicians’ professional autonomy. Therefore, patients with limited capacity become especially vulnerable, lacking legal protection and dignity. Such practices do not comply with the principles and requirements set out in national and international legislation. The aim of this article is to explore if the legal framework and healthcare QI in Latvia correspond to the principles of patient-centered care and respect the physician’s professional autonomy as enshrined in the law. This research has been implemented by applying a literature review methodology for collecting and analyzing data from legal and medical research focused on the safety, quality of treatment, protection of persons with limited capacity, freedom from coercion; normative legal basis—law and regulations of the Republic of Latvia, case law and policy documents. Within this article, we can conclude, that the current QI do not represent the outcomes and the ability to reach the patient-centered goals, limit physician autonomy and place an excessive administrative burden, jeopardize the patient’s risk of unnecessary interventions. Therefore, patient-centered care standards, clear care goals, and novel QI must be developed. In order to implement international legal norms binding on Latvia, the clash of values between the physician’s right to fair pay and the prohibition of unnecessary medical intervention has to be eliminated.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of International One Health Conference)
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COVID-19 Societal Effects and Perceptions: A Case Study of Italy
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019010 - 19 Jun 2023
Abstract
This study employs a survey to investigate the societal response to COVID-19 in Italy. Data were collected via snowball sampling during the period April 2020 to April 2021 using the ArcGIS Survey 123 survey instrument. The study collected and analyzed 64 responses to
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This study employs a survey to investigate the societal response to COVID-19 in Italy. Data were collected via snowball sampling during the period April 2020 to April 2021 using the ArcGIS Survey 123 survey instrument. The study collected and analyzed 64 responses to investigate various aspects related to COVID-19. The areas covered in the analysis include socioeconomics, changing symptoms, relocation, physical distancing, health, social behaviors (past and future), personal attitudes, perceptions of government/public response and efficacy, beliefs, travel habits, well-being, current event worries, pandemic challenges, depression, vaccine, public opinion, personality, public health measures, social media preference, and contact with others. The study’s results provide a snapshot of how people across Italy experienced the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and can help public health organizations, decision-makers, and the general public address policies related to symptoms, social distance, policy measures/regulations, and social behaviors during the different policy phases and wave measures related to COVID-19 effects.
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In Silico Study of the Functional Effects of TNRC6B Polymorphic Loci Associated with the Risk of Developing Uterine Leiomyomas According to Genome-Wide Studies
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 21(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023021032 - 16 Jun 2023
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is the most common benign tumor causing considerable morbidity during the reproductive years in women with contributions from environmental and genetic factors. According to the GWAS studies, there are many genes and polymorphisms that are related with and are somehow
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Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is the most common benign tumor causing considerable morbidity during the reproductive years in women with contributions from environmental and genetic factors. According to the GWAS studies, there are many genes and polymorphisms that are related with and are somehow responsible for the UL pathogenesis, but the biological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the published GWAS studies of UL to recognize the significant functionality of TNRC6B polymorphism linked with UL. Six SNPs were selected based on the seven GWAS published on their association with UL by PubMed database. For their analyses, including their epigenetic effects, expression and splicing patterns, we used in silico approach and bioinformatics tools (HaploReg, GTEx-portal and Gene Ontology Resource). Based on HaploReg, several epigenetic effects regulating these SNPs were found as: rs12484776 (one motif changed, sixteen enhancers and four DNAs histone markers), rs4821939 (three motifs changed, eleven enhancers, four protein bounds and five DNAs histone markers), rs733381 (two motifs changed, eleven enhancers, one protein bound and two DNAs histone markers), rs12484951 (one motif changed histone markers), rs3830738 (five motifs changed histone markers) and rs17332320 (two motifs changed and two DNAs histone markers). Based on on GTEx, it was inferred that rs12484776, rs4821939, rs733381, rs3830738, rs12484951 and rs17332320 are associated with the expression of genes/in tissues as 4/4, 4/4, 4/4, 3/3, 4/4 and 2/2, respectively. These loci do not regulate the expression level of any genes in the UL pathophysiology important tissues, and are not associated with the alternative splicing traits (sQTL) of any gene in any tissue. Gene Ontology Resource indicated that no statistically significant biological pathways for genes associated with the studied polymorphisms have been identified. The in silico analysis of GWAS TNRC6B gene polymorphisms significant for fibroids have pronounced epigenetic effects and affect the expression of six genes (RP51042K10.10, FAM83F, TNRC6B, RP51042K10.13, SLC25A17 and XPNPEP3), which may be the basis of their involvement in the pathophysiology of fibroids.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Biomedicines)
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Evaluation of Microplastic in Caged Fish from Turkish and Iranian Waters with Health Risk Assessment for Human Consumers
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019009 - 15 Jun 2023
Abstract
The biting behavior of farmed fish on nylon netting raises concerns for microplastic accumulation in caged fish with potential influences on human health via consumption. Indeed, the reason for net biting is due to biofouling on the mesh being a tasty food that
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The biting behavior of farmed fish on nylon netting raises concerns for microplastic accumulation in caged fish with potential influences on human health via consumption. Indeed, the reason for net biting is due to biofouling on the mesh being a tasty food that attracts fish. Hence, it is highly possible that a certain amount of microplastics from the mesh is ingested by fish, which can eventually enter the digestive system of humans through consumption. Caged fish may further receive microplastics from terrestrial flows or marine currents or through the food chain in the oceans. Therefore, the level of microplastic contamination in caged fish has been investigated by drawing a comparison with natural populations of Turkish and Iranian waters, in order to reveal the risks of microplastic transmission from fish to humans. Analyses of water samples, sediments, diets, zooplankton and fish tissues have been conducted and the amounts of microplastics in diets were evaluated. The identification of polymeric materials in collected microplastics was performed by FT-IR spectrometer, and Raman spectrometry was employed to determine the shape, size and polymer type of microplastics. Based on the preliminary results, the impact of cage nets on microplastic accumulation in fish digestive system and the interaction with human health risks upon consumption of contaminated fish have been assessed. The findings in this study may help to establish safe food strategies for future generations, with a healthy material selection approach in sustainable cage aquaculture management.
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Promotion of Safe Food to Consumers of Milk and Dairy Products in Kibaha Town Council
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019008 - 12 Jun 2023
Abstract
A cross-sectional baseline survey was conducted at Kibaha Town Council (KTC), Pwani Region (Tanzania), to assess the awareness and practices of smallholder dairy producers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), a major cause of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock production systems. The aim was
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A cross-sectional baseline survey was conducted at Kibaha Town Council (KTC), Pwani Region (Tanzania), to assess the awareness and practices of smallholder dairy producers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), a major cause of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock production systems. The aim was to improve consumers’ confidence in the consumption of milk and other dairy products. Quantitative data were collected from a total of 30 randomly selected respondents from a sampling frame of households keeping dairy cattle in 3 administrative wards of Tumbi, Picha ya Ndege, and Maili Moja. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face conversations between the interviewer and the interviewees. Six other respondents participated in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for qualitative data collection. The quantitative data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS, Version 16) and MS Office Excel 2010 for window packages. There were more male respondents (63.3%) than female respondents, whereas the level of education was primary for 46.7%, secondary for 33.3%, and tertiary level for the remaining 20%. About 76.6% of them were using antimicrobials to treat lactating dairy cows, mainly oxytetracycline (OTC 20%), penicillin, and Peni-Strep. Twice the number of males (53.3%) used antimicrobials compared to females (23.3%). Respondents with tertiary education rarely administered antimicrobials themselves. The common diseases being treated were diarrhea (46.7%), mastitis (43.3%), and respiratory diseases (36.7%). A proportion of milk from sick animals (those treated with antimicrobials) was fed to calves (33.3%), sold to milk collection centers (26.7%) where it goes through normal market channels, 26.7% fed to other animals while little is consumed by the family at home (6.7%). In conclusion, it should be noted that milk producers administer antimicrobials themselves even when the animals are being milked. This situation poses health challenges among milk consumers. We advise dairy producers to avoid unnecessary AMU.
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Identification of Potential Protein Biomarkers in a Depressed Chinese Malaysian University Student Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 21(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/ECB2023-14089 - 09 Jun 2023
Abstract
Depression is a serious psychological disorder with high prevalence rates, especially among university students. Serum proteins related to the immune system and oxygen and lipid transfer could have contributing roles in the development of depression and could act as biomarkers for depression. Currently,
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Depression is a serious psychological disorder with high prevalence rates, especially among university students. Serum proteins related to the immune system and oxygen and lipid transfer could have contributing roles in the development of depression and could act as biomarkers for depression. Currently, there is a lack of accurate biological methods that can be used to diagnose depression. Biomarkers could be an inexpensive and convenient way to predict depression and understand its pathophysiology. This study aimed to screen the serum proteome profile of a depressed student for the identification of potential depression biomarkers. A Malaysian private university student who was recruited from the pre-test study (n = 10) was further analyzed for serum proteome due to the fact that he was depressed, with scores of 15 out of 27 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). After depleting the high-abundance proteins from the serum sample, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed to identify the expressed proteins. A total of 224 proteins were identified. Globins, globulins, apolipoproteins and glycoproteins were most commonly detected. Here, we show the potential biomarkers that can be used to identify depression vulnerable individuals. These findings may be relevant to the development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and healthy controls are needed to confirm the role of these candidate biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of depression.
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(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Biomedicines)
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Climate Change, Sustainable Health and COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: The Legal Issues in Perspective
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019007 - 08 Jun 2023
Abstract
The paper examined legal impediments to sustainable health in Nigeria due to the impact of climate change (CC) exacerbated by coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 has presented the world with a crisis greatly accentuated by the urgency with which we need to fight the CC
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The paper examined legal impediments to sustainable health in Nigeria due to the impact of climate change (CC) exacerbated by coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 has presented the world with a crisis greatly accentuated by the urgency with which we need to fight the CC debacle, making the need for sustainable development (SD) more obviously acute than ever and requiring a response rooted in the principles of SD. On 29 September 2020, a total of 1 million COVID-19 deaths had occurred worldwide, while in Africa, there were about 35,954 cumulative fatalities. In Nigeria, the situation was similar. This paper found that despite the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, health is still a low priority in Nigeria; 4.526 percent of the country’s budget was appropriated to the health sector in 2021 and 4.3 percent in 2022, contrary to the 2001 Abuja Declaration by African leaders and the 15 percent value stipulated by the WHO. The challenge is that Nigeria’s efforts in attaining sustainable health and eradication of COVID-19 are arbitrary and have been hampered by the absence of tested laws on CC andCOVID-19, thereby resulting in avoidable fatalities. Using analytical research methodology and drawing from global best practices to achieve sustainable health, this paper recommended the incorporation of legal and institutional frameworks to combat COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
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Embracing the SDG 2030 and Resilience for Monitoring and Learning in Emergency and Developing Projects
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019006 - 23 May 2023
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The Project Planning, Monitoring, Systematizing, and Learning (PlaMSyL) method was developed in a period of ten years (1996–2005) and has expanded since then to improve the results of development and emergency projects in developing countries, focusing mainly on the monitoring and learning process
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The Project Planning, Monitoring, Systematizing, and Learning (PlaMSyL) method was developed in a period of ten years (1996–2005) and has expanded since then to improve the results of development and emergency projects in developing countries, focusing mainly on the monitoring and learning process of different local stakeholders beyond the deliverables into the changes and impacts of outcomes. It has been applied in different countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America between 2006 and 2016. Today, it is taught in universities to students of pre- and post-grade levels. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are part of the UN Agenda 2030, signed by 193 governments in 2015, contain 169 Targets, and 232 indicators of social well-being (health, education, zero hunger, equality, and gender), and for economic (food production, industry, zero poverty, consumption, infrastructure, and technology), and ecological development (water, climate, governance, and biodiversity) preserving the planet from a collapse and ensuring the sustainable well-being of all. The SDGs provide the framework for a new circular economy based on clean energy and zero greenhouse gases. One basic principle of the SDG 2030 is “Leave No One Behind” and is what drives to work with the local governments and communities in a bottom-up approach, coordinating with the national level to set up appropriate policies. The PlaMSyL method has been practiced by different professional teams of education, health, engineering, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and ecologists, and for this reason, the paper explains the use of the PlaMSyL method with the indicators and targets of the SDGs, and the resilience to facilitate local project teams and stakeholders to use the SDGs participatively as a framework, and as a metrics and communication tool.
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Heat Waves and Cardiovascular Events in Milan, Italy: A Geospatial Case-Crossover Approach Using Data from Emergency Medical Services
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019005 - 15 May 2023
Abstract
Heat waves (HWs) are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Their impact on cardiovascular (CV) health has been widely studied, and results vary depending on the disease and the geographic area. Our aim was to study this phenomenon using emergency medical service
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Heat waves (HWs) are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Their impact on cardiovascular (CV) health has been widely studied, and results vary depending on the disease and the geographic area. Our aim was to study this phenomenon using emergency medical service (EMS) data relevant to CV events that occurred out-of-hospital during May–Sept in 2020 and 2021 in Milan, Italy. Mean daily temperature (MDT) was computed in the city, and normal (NL), HW, or extreme HW were defined as days with MDT <90th, ≥90th, and ≥98th percentiles, respectively, resulting in 232 NL and 74 HW days, of which 16 were extreme. In total, 20,266 CV events were reported by EMS (53% in women, 55% in ≥65 yo). A case-crossover design was applied to calculate the odds ratio of the events in HW and extreme HW compared to NL days, accounting for diagnosis and geolocation. Increased odds were found for acute myocardial infarction (1.53 and 1.56), congestive heart failure (2.47 and 2.81), and intermediate coronary syndrome (2.08 and 6.11). Our study showed the potential of using EMS for analyzing the effects of HW on CV health, thus the confirming negative impact of rising temperature.
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Workplace Environment and Burnout in Public Health Workforce Inspection Services in Greece during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019004 - 15 May 2023
Abstract
Evidence regarding the strong links between emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, depersonalization, total occupational burnout and workplace environment, and their consequences for the general well-being of employees in public health inspection workforce services, is limited. The aim of this study was to report the
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Evidence regarding the strong links between emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, depersonalization, total occupational burnout and workplace environment, and their consequences for the general well-being of employees in public health inspection workforce services, is limited. The aim of this study was to report the burnout of the public health workforce in Greece and investigate possible relationships with the workplace environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, nationwide research study in Greece, conducted in the second quarter of 2021. An online survey was conducted. The response rate was 27%. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Questionnaire; 19.46% of participants reported low burnout levels, 37.84% of participants reported medium burnout levels, and 42.70% reported high (above average) burnout levels. The total burnout score of rural environments was higher compared to all other groups (χ2 = 16.017), (β = 0.455), p < 0.001. Medium levels of emotional exhaustion were reported. Depersonalization scores were low. The personal accomplishment score was higher in rural environments compared to all other groups (χ2 = 26.417). The depersonalization score was higher in semi-urban environments compared to all other groups (χ2 = 6.188). The findings indicate that burnout has proven to be an issue. This study contributes to the limited evidence supporting links associations and correlations between burnout and workplace environment and adds new information regarding occupational health and safety factors for workplace environment, which could be exploited to advance the quality of public health services provision during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece.
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A Growing Problem: Incidence of Cancer in Foreign Citizens Residing in the Provinces of Catania, Messina, Siracusa, and Enna in 2003–2017
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Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019003 - 15 May 2023
Abstract
Introduction: The “migrant” term indicates a resident born in a country other than the host country. Resident foreigners made up 8.4% of the total Italian population in 2020. The Sicilian trend reflects the national one, with 190,974 resident foreigners as of 1th January
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Introduction: The “migrant” term indicates a resident born in a country other than the host country. Resident foreigners made up 8.4% of the total Italian population in 2020. The Sicilian trend reflects the national one, with 190,974 resident foreigners as of 1th January 2020. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of tumors in foreign patients residing in the RTI’s provinces of interest in 2003–2017 and to analyze the clinical-biological variables. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 3541 foreign patients with tumors (out of a total of 160,912 patients) residing in the RTI’s provinces of interest in 2003–2017. Foreign patients were identified by tax code. Tumors are described ((number and percentage). Results: Of the 3541 foreign patients, 36% were male and 64% were female. They resided in the provinces of Catania (42.6%), Messina (29.9%), Siracusa (20.7%), and Enna (6.6%). They came from Europe (57%), Africa (22.4%), the Americas (12.03%), Asia (5.08%), and Oceania (1.80%); 0.3% were stateless. The average age was 58 for males and 54.4 for females. The number of tumors (excluding non-melanoma skin tumors) was 3715. Sixty-two males and 98 females had one or more multiple tumors. In foreign females, the three most common tumors were breast (28%), thyroid (9%), and cervical (6%) tumors. Most breast cancers were diagnosed as stage T1 (35%) or T2 (26%). In foreign males, the three most common tumors were lung (13%), bladder (12%), and prostate (11%) tumors. Conclusions: The growing presence of foreign citizens in the provinces studied calls for more attention on oncology-related problems and more careful surveillance of changes in incidence and mortality by the RTI.
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Open AccessProceeding Paper
Occupational Hazards Associated with the Quality and Training Needs of Public Health Inspectors in Greece
by
and
Med. Sci. Forum 2023, 19(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/msf2023019002 - 15 May 2023
Abstract
In terms of evidence of the strong links between occupational risks, training needs, and quality, research on the occupational risks and their consequences to the general wellbeing of public health inspectors has been very limited, despite the fact that the nature of the
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In terms of evidence of the strong links between occupational risks, training needs, and quality, research on the occupational risks and their consequences to the general wellbeing of public health inspectors has been very limited, despite the fact that the nature of the work presents a range of threats to physical and psychological health. The aim of this study was to report the risks presented to public health inspectors (PHIs’) and to investigate their possible relationships with training needs. The study was a cross-sectional, nationwide investigation in Greece, conducted in one phase during the third quarter of 2021. For data collection, an online survey was created, and the web link was distributed to respondents by email. A number of participants were contacted, providing N = 185 responses, which accounted for 27% (185/684) of the population under study. Job risks were measured using a novel instrument, classification, a checklist for risk assessment, and an instrument was developed for measuring training needs and training quality. The findings indicated that 87% of participants provided high ratings in response to psychosocial risks and ergonomic risks, followed by 78% for organizational risks and 74% for biological risks. Physical risks and chemical risks were 55% and 56%, respectively. For organizational risks (β = −0.282, p = 0.001) and perceived training quality (β = 0.195, p = 0.002), 65.41% reported high training requirements. PHIs face a variety of job risks, these findings were among the first to address the occupational health and safety of PHIs worldwide. Adding new information to PHI occupational health and safety could be used to advance the quality of public health services provision.
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