Digital Gamification Tool (Let's Control Flu) to Increase Vaccination Coverage Rates: Proposal for Algorithm Development.

BACKGROUND: Influenza represents a critical public health challenge, disproportionately affecting at-risk populations, including older adults and those with chronic conditions, often compounded by socioeconomic factors. Innovative strategies, such as gamification, are essential for augmenting risk communication and community engagement efforts to address this threat. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to introduce the "Let's Control Flu" (LCF) tool, a gamified, interactive platform aimed at simulating the impact of various public health policies (PHPs) on influenza vaccination coverage rates and health outcomes. The tool aligns with the World Health Organization's goal of achieving a 75% influenza vaccination rate by 2030, facilitating strategic decision-making to enhance vaccination uptake. METHODS: The LCF tool integrates a selection of 13 PHPs from an initial set proposed in another study, targeting specific population groups to evaluate 7 key health outcomes. A prioritization mechanism accounts for societal resistance and the synergistic effects of PHPs, projecting the potential policy impacts from 2022 to 2031. This methodology enables users to assess how PHPs could influence public health strategies within distinct target groups. RESULTS: The LCF project began in February 2021 and is scheduled to end in December 2024. The model creation phase and its application to the pilot country, Sweden, took place between May 2021 and May 2023, with subsequent application to other European countries. The pilot phase demonstrated the tool's potential, indicating a promising increase in the national influenza vaccination coverage rate, with uniform improvements across all targeted demographic groups. These initial findings highlight the tool's capacity to model the effects of PHPs on improving vaccination rates and mitigating the health impact of influenza. CONCLUSIONS: By incorporating gamification into the analysis of PHPs, the LCF tool offers an innovative and accessible approach to supporting health decision makers and patient advocacy groups. It enhances the comprehension of policy impacts, promoting more effective influenza prevention and control strategies. This paper underscores the critical need for adaptable and engaging tools in PHP planning and implementation. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/55613.

Synthesis of lignin-based carbon/graphene oxide foam and its application as sensors for ammonia gas detection.

The present study highlights the integration of lignin with graphene oxide (GO) and its reduced form (rGO) as a significant advancement within the bio-based products industry. Lignin-phenol-formaldehyde (LPF) resin is used as a carbon source in polyurethane foams, with the addition of 1 %, 2 %, and 4 % of GO and rGO to produce carbon structures thus producing carbon foams (CFs). Two conversion routes are assessed: (i) direct addition with rGO solution, and (ii) GO reduction by heat treatment. Carbon foams are characterized by thermal, structural, and morphological analysis, alongside an assessment of their electrochemical behavior. The thermal decomposition of samples with GO is like those having rGO, indicating the effective removal of oxygen groups in GO by carbonization. The addition of GO and rGO significantly improved the electrochemical properties of CF, with the GO2% sensors displaying 39 % and 62 % larger electroactive area than control and rGO2% sensors, respectively. Furthermore, there is a significant electron transfer improvement in GO sensors, demonstrating a promising potential for ammonia detection. Detailed structural and performance analysis highlights the significant enhancement in electrochemical properties, paving the way for the development of advanced sensors for gas detection, particularly ammonia, with the prospective market demands for durable, simple, cost-effective, and efficient devices.

The effects of nature-based vs. indoor settings on the adaptability, performance and affect of calisthenics exercisers. A registered report.

Comparisons of the beneficial effects of nature-based versus indoor physical activity have been extensively reported, but existing research addresses mainly aerobic activity (running, jogging), not resistance or mixed (aerobic and resistance) exercise. It is unclear if the psychological benefits extend to functionality, i.e., if participants perform their activities better in nature, and how movement is expressed in nature-based and indoor environments, during similar exercise. The present registered report was a randomized controlled trial investigating how engaging in similar resistance-based exercise (calisthenics) in nature-based and indoor settings differed in affective valence, perceived exertion, visual attention, movement adaptability, heart rate variability, and performance. Nature-based exercisers (N = 51) showed increased performance output than indoor exercisers (N = 53) (p < 0.001). There were no group differences in affective valence, perceived exertion, or visual attention. However, psychological states of nature-based exercisers showed stronger associations to performance output (r < 0.33) than those of indoor exercisers (r < 0.03). Nature-based exercisers' movement variability and structure, measured with non-linear and fractal techniques (Sample Entropy and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis), were more regular (p < 0.001) and more functionally adaptive (long-term Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, p = 0.022) to achieve better performance output. Heart rate variability measures were not different between groups. Distinct environments can influence movement adaptability in a calisthenics exercise routine, and ultimately contribute to better performance. These results show how action is specific to task environment, and how action implies not only the task, but also the characteristics of the environment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05090501 (Clinicaltrials.gov). Registered October 21, 2021.

Epidemiological Modeling of the Impact of Public Health Policies on Hepatitis C: Protocol for a Gamification Tool Targeting Microelimination.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is a disease with a strong social component, as its main transmission route is via blood, making it associated with lifestyle. Therefore, it is suitable to be worked on from the perspective of public health policy, which still has a lot of room to explore and improve, contrary to diagnoses and treatments, which are already very refined and effective. OBJECTIVE: An interactive gamified policy tool, designated as Let's End HepC (LEHC), was created to understand the impact of policies related to hepatitis C on the disease's epidemiology on a yearly basis until 2030. METHODS: To this end, an innovative epidemiological model was developed, integrating Markov chains to model the natural history of the disease and adaptive conjoint analysis to reflect the degree of application of each of the 24 public health policies included in the model. This double imputation model makes it possible to assess a set of indicators such as liver transplant, incidence, and deaths year by year until 2030 in different risk groups. Populations at a higher risk were integrated into the model to understand the specific epidemiological dynamics within the total population of each country and within segments that comprise people who have received blood products, prisoners, people who inject drugs, people infected through vertical transmission, and the remaining population. RESULTS: The model has already been applied to a group of countries, and studies in 5 of these countries have already been concluded, showing results very close to those obtained through other forms of evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The LEHC model allows the simulation of different degrees of implementation of each policy and thus the verification of its epidemiological impact on each studied population. The gamification feature allows assessing the adequate fulfillment of the World Health Organization goals for the elimination of hepatitis C by 2030. LEHC supports health decision makers and people who practice patient advocacy in making decisions based on science, and because LEHC is democratically shared, it ends up contributing to the increase of citizenship in health. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/38521.

A systematic scoping review of digital health technologies during COVID-19: a new normal in primary health care delivery.

This scoping review compiled information concerning digital health technologies (DHTs) evolution to support primary health care (PHC) during COVID-19 and lessons for the future of PHC. The identified literature was published during the COVID-19 peak years (2019-2021), retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, as well as hand searched on the internet. Predefined inclusion criteria were used, thematic analysis was applied, and reporting followed the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews. A total of 46 studies were included in the final synthesis (40 articles, one book, two book chapters, one working paper, and two technical reports). These studies scrutinized various aspects of DHTs, entailing 19 types of DHTs with 20 areas of use that can be compressed into five bigger PHC functions: general PHC service delivery (teleconsultations, e-diagnosis, e-prescription, etc.); behavior promotion and digital health literacy (e.g., combating vaccine hesitancy); surveillance functions; vaccination and drugs; and enhancing system decision-making for proper follow-up of ongoing PHC interventions during COVID-19. DHTs have the potential to solve some of the problems that have plagued us even prior to COVID-19. Therefore, this study uses a forward-looking viewpoint to further stimulate the use of evidence-based DHT, making it more inclusive, educative, and satisfying to people's needs, both under normal conditions and during outbreaks. More research with narrowed research questions is needed, with a particular emphasis on quality assurance in the use of DHTs, technical aspects (standards for digital health tools, infrastructure, and platforms), and financial perspectives (payment for digital health services and adoption incentives). Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12553-023-00725-7.

Improvement of UV stability of thermoplastic starch matrix by addition of selected lignin fraction - Photooxidative degradation.

This paper examines the additivation of thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix by selected fractions of kraft lignin (KL) and correlates its structure-performance when exposed to photooxidative degradation. KL from Eucalyptus urograndis wood was refined by a sequential fractionation process in ethyl acetate (EtOAc). Films were prepared by mixing lignin fractions as additive in TPS matrix by casting and pressing. The lignin employed were KL, fraction of KL insoluble in EtOAc (INS) and fraction of KL soluble in EtOAc (SOL). The samples were exposed to accelerated aging with Ultraviolet-C light (UV-C) for 432 h. Structural changes were measured by FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) spectra. Thermal properties, such as melting enthalpy, glass transition temperature and thermal decomposition, were evaluated by DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) and TG (Thermogravimetry). Morphology of the films was obtained by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Surface property of wettability was measured by contact angle. Mechanical properties were explored before and after exposure to UV-C light. It was observed that the least photodegraded films were those resulting from the addition of the lignin fraction with higher phenolic hydroxyl group content. According to structural and morphological observations, the soluble fraction (TSOL) presented the highest photoprotection and stabilizing effect as an UV-C light blocker additive on TPS matrix.

Prevalência de risco de síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono e fatores associados / Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk prevalence and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults

Objetivos: avaliar a prevalência do risco da Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono e seus fatores associados em idosos da comunidade atendidos em uma academia-escola universitária. Métodos: trata-se de estudo epidemiológico transversal, realizado com idosos participantes do Projeto da Terceira Idade da Universidade de Rio Verde, realizado entre abril e maio de 2019. A coleta de dados foi executada por meio da aplicação de questionário composto por avaliação sociodemográfica, antropométrica, das condições prévias de saúde, de autopercepção de saúde, de sonolência diurna excessiva, da qualidade do sono, além da avaliação de risco para desenvolver Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono. Resultados: entre os 75 indivíduos analisados, 50,7% apresentaram risco de Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono. Obesidade (p=0,001), aumento da circunferência de pescoço (p=0,004), baixo nível socioeconômico (p=0,034), baixa qualidade do sono (p=0,007) e sonolência diurna excessiva (p=0,006) apresentaram associação estatisticamente significativa com o diagnóstico da Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono. Conclusão: a maior parte dos indivíduos avaliados apresentou algum grau da Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono. Sugere-se que aqueles idosos que apresentaram algum dos fatores associados a esta condição possam passar por avaliação específica, como a polissonografia, e a criação de medidas para que a promoção da reduçã o de peso seja imediatamente instituída a fim de minimizar os riscos, a piora da síndrome bem como suas possíveis complicações.

Objectives: to evaluate the prevalence of the risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and its associated factors in elderly individuals from the community who attended a University School Academy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study carried out with elderly participants of the Third Age Project at the University of Rio Verde, conducted between April and May 2019. Data collection was performed through the application of a questionnaire composed of sociodemographic, anthropometric assessment, previous health conditions, self-perception of health, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality, in addition to risk assessment for developing Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Results: among the 75 individuals analyzed, 50.7% were at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Obesity (p=0.001), increased neck circumference (p=0.004), low socioeconomic status (p=0.034), poor sleep quality (p=0.007), and excessive daytime sleepiness (p=0.006) were statistically associated with the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Conclusion: most of the evaluated individuals presented some degree of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, it is suggested that those elderly individuals who presented any of the factors associated with this condition may undergo specific evaluation, such as polysomnography, and the creation of measures for weight reduction promotion is immediately instituted in order to minimize the risks, the worsening of the syndrome as well as its possible complications.

Associations between the COVID-19 Pandemic and Hospital Infrastructure Adaptation and Planning-A Scoping Review.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on the hospital sector around the world. It has shown the importance of preparing and planning in the future for an outbreak that overwhelms every aspect of a hospital on a rapidly expanding scale. We conducted a scoping review to identify, map, and systemize existing knowledge about the relationships between COVID-19 and hospital infrastructure adaptation and capacity planning worldwide. We searched the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed and hand-searched gray papers published in English between December 2019 and December 2021. A total of 106 papers were included: 102 empirical studies and four technical reports. Empirical studies entailed five reviews, 40 studies focusing on hospital infrastructure adaptation and planning during the pandemics, and 57 studies on modeling the hospital capacity needed, measured mostly by the number of beds. The majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries and published within the first year of the pandemic. The strategies adopted by hospitals can be classified into short-term (repurposing medical and non-medical buildings, remote adjustments, and establishment of de novo structures) and long-term (architectural and engineering modifications, hospital networks, and digital approaches). More research is needed, focusing on specific strategies and the quality assessment of the evidence.

Perfil epidemiológico nutricional dos pacientes em hemodiálise / Nutritional epidemiological profile of hemodialysis patients

A insuficiência renal crônica compromete as funções fisiológicas dos rins, e leva o paciente à diálise como terapia; contudo, essa condição gera suscetibilidade à desnutrição. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil epidemiológico e nutricional dos pacientes em hemodiálise e compará-los em relação à doença renal de base. É estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e transversal. Foram coletados dados demográficos, clínicos, antropométricos e laboratoriais de pacientes que estiveram em diálise. Foram incluídos pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica e excluídos menores de 18 anos, com dados insuficientes ou com comorbidades que alterassem processo nutricional. Em conclusão, observaram-se 4 principais causas para doença renal crônica: hipertensão arterial crônica, doença renal policística, doença renal terminal e nefropatia diabética, que foi a mais prevalente, com pouca evidência de desnutrição

Chronic renal failure compromises the physiological functions of the kidneys and leads the patient to dialysis as a therapy; however, this condition generates susceptibility to malnutrition. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and nutritional profile of patients on hemodialysis and to compare them in relation to the underlying renal disease. It is a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Demographic, clinical, anthropometric and laboratory data were collected from patients who were on dialysis. Patients with chronic renal failure were included and those under 18 years of age, with insufficient data or with comorbidities that altered the nutritional process, were excluded. In conclusion, 4 main causes of chronic kidney disease were observed: chronic arterial hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease and diabetic nephropathy, which was the most prevalent, with little evidence of malnutrition

Perfil epidemiológico nutricional dos pacientes em hemodiálise / Nutritional epidemiological profile of patients in hemodialysis

A insuficiência renal crônica compromete as funções fisiológicas dos rins, e leva o paciente à diálise como terapia; contudo, essa condição gera suscetibilidade àdesnutrição. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil epidemiológico e nutricional dos pacientes em hemodiálise e compará-los em relação à doença renal de base. Éestudo retrospectivo, descritivo e transversal. Foram coletados dados demográficos, clínicos, antropométricos e laboratoriais de pacientes que estiveram em diálise. Foram incluídos pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica e excluídos menores de 18 anos, com dados insuficientes ou com comorbidades que alterassem processo nutricional. Em conclusão, observaram-se 4 principais causas para doença renal crônica: hipertensão arterial crônica, doença renal policística, doença renal terminal e nefropatia diabética, que foi a mais prevalente, com pouca evidência de desnutrição

Chronic renal failure compromises the physiological functions of the kidneys and leads the patient to dialysis as a therapy; however, this condition generates susceptibility to malnutrition. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and nutritional profile of patients on hemodialysis and to compare them in relation to the underlying renal disease. It is a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Demographic, clinical, anthropometric and laboratory data were collected from patients who were on dialysis. Patients with chronic renal failure were included and those under 18 years of age, with insufficient data or with comorbidities that altered the nutritional process, were excluded. In conclusion, 4 main causes of chronic kidney disease were observed: chronic arterial hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease and diabetic nephropathy, which was the most prevalent, with little evidence of malnutrition.