Research on social and economic factors influencing regional mortality patterns in China.

Regional population mortality correlates with regional socioeconomic development. This study aimed to identify the key socioeconomic factors influencing mortality patterns in Chinese provinces. Using data from the Seventh Population Census, we analyzed mortality patterns by gender and urban‒rural division in 31 provinces. Using a functional regression model, we assessed the influence of fourteen indicators on mortality patterns. Main findings: (1) China shows notable gender and urban‒rural mortality variations across age groups. Males generally have higher mortality than females, and rural areas experience elevated mortality rates compared to urban areas. Mortality in individuals younger than 40 years is influenced mainly by urban‒rural factors, with gender becoming more noticeable in the 40-84 age group. (2) The substantial marginal impact of socioeconomic factors on mortality patterns generally becomes evident after the age of 45, with less pronounced differences in their impact on early-life mortality patterns. (3) Various factors have age-specific impacts on mortality. Education has a negative effect on mortality in individuals aged 0-29, extending to those aged 30-59 and diminishing in older age groups. Urbanization positively influences the probability of death in individuals aged 45-54 years, while the impact of traffic accidents increases with age. Among elderly people, the effect of socioeconomic variables is smaller, highlighting the intricate and heterogeneous nature of these influences and acknowledging certain limitations.

Unpacking the Drivers of LGBT+ Legislation.

This paper stems from the hypothesis that there are various key factors rooted in economic, political, and social grounds which actively influence and determine the adoption and evolution of LGBT+ rights in the legal framework of any country. The goal of this research is to analyze these factors and understand how they channel the LGBT+ legislation in our present world. Assuming there is an asymmetry in this application and by extension in LGBT+ individuals' human rights, which are often ignored if not deprived in many parts of the world, this study seeks to understand the reasons behind that asymmetry. Based on a sample of 127 countries, a correlation analysis and a Panel data model were developed to analyze the real impact of these factors.

Factores asociados a la anemia en gestantes de un centro de salud de Lima Metropolitana / Factors associated with anemia in pregnant women at a health center in Metropolitan Lima

Fundamentos: El embarazo representa un período de gran vulnerabilidad desde el punto de vista de la salud,principalmente si se padece de anemia, que es multifactorial. La anemia en gestantes en Perú permanece sinmayores cambios durante los últimos años.Métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional y correlacional, efectuado en 125 gestantes asistentes a uncentro de salud del primer nivel de atención en una zona periurbana de Lima. Se analizaron factoressociodemográficos de la gestante, factores socioeconómicos del hogar, factores alimentario - nutricionales yfactores del sistema de salud relacionados con anemia en gestantes sin anemia, anemia leve y anemiamoderada.Resultados: el 92,5% de las gestantes tenían entre nivel educativo secundario a superior, la mitad de ellastenía algún nivel de pobreza económica. Respecto a las necesidades básicas insatisfechas, se encontróque hogares sin desagüe de ningún tipo tuvo relación significativa con anemia. Por otro lado, la mayoríareconocía correctamente los alimentos fuente de hierro y que las menestras debían combinarse con algúnalimento cárnico o con alimentos fuente de vitamina C. Se halló relación entre consumo de menestras convísceras, con pescado y con alimentos fuente de carotenos, con infusiones y entre bebidas industrializadas ycomida rápida. No se halló relación entre los otros factores con anemia.Conclusiones: Algunos factores alimentarios y socioeconómicos se relacionaron con anemia en las gestantesparticipantes. Es indispensable mejorar el sistema de desagüe en los hogares y continuar con difundirinformación sobre alimentación saludable.(AU)

Background: Pregnancy represents a period of great vulnerability from a health point of view, mainly if yousuffer from anemia, which is multifactorial. Anemia in pregnant women in Peru remains without majorchanges in recent years.Methods: Cross-sectional, observational and correlational study, carried out on 125 pregnant womenattending a primary care health center in a peri-urban area of Lima. Sociodemographic factors of the pregnantwoman, socioeconomic factors of the home, food-nutritional factors and health system factors related toanemia were investigated in pregnant women without anemia, mild anemia and moderate anemia.Results: 92.5% of the pregnant women had a secondary to higher educational level, half of them had somelevel of economic poverty. Regarding unsatisfied basic needs, it was found that homes without drainage ofany kind had a significant relationship with anemia. On the other hand, the majority correctly recognized thefoods that were sources of iron and that the stews should be combined with some meat food or with foodsthat were a source of vitamin C. A relationship was found between the consumption of stews with organmeats, with fish and with foods that were sources of carotenes, with infusions and between industrializeddrinks and fast food. No relationship was found between the other factors and anemia.Conclusions: Some dietary and socioeconomic factors were related to anemia in the participating pregnantwomen. It is essential to improve the drainage system in homes and continue to disseminate informationabout healthy eating.(AU)

Blood donation practice and its associated factors among Polish population: secondary data analysis.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is an intervention widely used in therapeutics (e.g., in the perioperative period), thus, knowledge about factors associated with blood donation is important. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sociodemographic factors, personal values and life satisfaction on blood donation in Poland. Methods: Secondary analysis of data. A multiple logistic regression was carried out to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors, life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), personal values (Personal Values List) and blood donation. Results: Of the 770 respondents aged 18-65 years, 262 respondents (34%) donated blood at least once in their lives. Respondents who believed that blood donation is safe (OR = 1.71; Cl95%: 1.20 to 2.43), were male (OR = 1.47; Cl95%: 1.26 to 1.72), married (OR = 1.31; Cl95%: 1.11 to 1.54) and those with high school education (OR = 0.81; Cl95%: 0.66 to 0.99) were more often blood donors. Conclusion: Perceived blood donation safety and sociodemographic factors such as gender, marital status, and education level may influence blood donation. Health education is necessary to increase knowledge and shape positive attitudes toward blood donation among the society.

Insights into the Methodological, Biotic and Abiotic Factors Influencing the Characterization of Xylem-Inhabiting Microbial Communities of Olive Trees.

Vascular pathogens are the causal agents of some of the most devastating plant diseases in the world, which can cause, under specific conditions, the destruction of entire crops. These plant pathogens activate a range of physiological and immune reactions in the host plant following infection, which may trigger the proliferation of a specific microbiome to combat them by, among others, inhibiting their growth and/or competing for space. Nowadays, it has been demonstrated that the plant microbiome can be modified by transplanting specific members of the microbiome, with exciting results for the control of plant diseases. However, its practical application in agriculture for the control of vascular plant pathogens is hampered by the limited knowledge of the plant endosphere, and, in particular, of the xylem niche. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of how research on the plant microbiome has evolved during the last decades to unravel the factors and complex interactions that affect the associated microbial communities and their surrounding environment, focusing on the microbial communities inhabiting the xylem vessels of olive trees (Olea europaea subsp. europaea), the most ancient and important woody crop in the Mediterranean Basin. For that purpose, we have highlighted the role of xylem composition and its associated microorganisms in plants by describing the methodological approaches explored to study xylem microbiota, starting from the methods used to extract xylem microbial communities to their assessment by culture-dependent and next-generation sequencing approaches. Additionally, we have categorized some of the key biotic and abiotic factors, such as the host plant niche and genotype, the environment and the infection with vascular pathogens, that can be potential determinants to critically affect olive physiology and health status in a holobiont context (host and its associated organisms). Finally, we have outlined future directions and challenges for xylem microbiome studies based on the recent advances in molecular biology, focusing on metagenomics and culturomics, and bioinformatics network analysis. A better understanding of the xylem olive microbiome will contribute to facilitate the exploration and selection of specific keystone microorganisms that can live in close association with olives under a range of environmental/agronomic conditions. These microorganisms could be ideal targets for the design of microbial consortia that can be applied by endotherapy treatments to prevent or control diseases caused by vascular pathogens or modify the physiology and growth of olive trees.

A Cross-Sectional Study: Determining Factors of Functional Independence and Quality of Life of Patients One Month after Having Suffered a Stroke.

(1) Background: loss of quality of life (QoL) and functional independence are two of the most common consequences of suffering a stroke. The main objective of this research is to study which factors are the greatest determinants of functional capacity and QoL a month after suffering a stroke so that they can be considered in early interventions. (2) Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted which sample consisted of 81 people who had previously suffered a stroke. The study population was recruited at the time of discharge from the Neurology Service and Stroke Unit of the hospitals of Burgos and Córdoba, Spain, through a consecutive sampling. Data were collected one month after participants experienced a stroke, and the main study variables were quality of life, measured with the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Measure (NEWSQOL), and functional independence, measured with the Functional Independence Measure-Functional Assessment Measure (FIM-FAM). (3) Results: the factors associated with a worse QoL and functional capacity one month after having suffered a stroke were living in a different dwelling than the usual flat or house (p < 0.05), a worse cognitive capacity (p < 0.001) and a worse functional capacity of the affected upper limb (p < 0.001). A higher age was related to a worse functional capacity one month after suffering a stroke (p = 0.048). (4) Conclusions: the type of dwelling, age, cognitive ability and functional capacity of the affected upper limb are determining aspects in functional independence and QoL during the first weeks after a stroke.

The Determinants of Consanguineous Marriages among the Arab Population: A Systematic Review.

Background: Inbreeding continues to account for a significant proportion of marriages among the Arab populations. Consanguinity is recognized in many studies as a significant factor affecting the health of the individual over several generations and poses a real public health problem. This systematic review was conducted to identify the determinants of consanguineous marriage among the Arab population published in the literature. Methods: This systematic review of the determinants of consanguinity among Arab populations was conducted using databases: PubMed, Medline, Direct Science, Scopus, Web of sciences, Springer, Google scholar between 2000 and 2020. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were set. The selection steps were carried out based on PRISMA guidelines. Disagreements in article selection and data extraction were resolved by discussion or recourse to a third reviewer. Results: Overall, 25 studies were selected. The synthesis of the results concerning the determinants of Arab inbreeding revealed that several economic, socio-cultural and demographic factors seem to be associated with the choice of this type of marriage, such as socioeconomic status, low level of education especially among women, early age at first marriage, place of residence especially in rural areas, and women's status in the labor market. Conclusion: The relationship between consanguinity and economic, socio-cultural, and demographic factors may be country-specific and highly dependent on the cultural context. Public awareness of genetic risks associated with inbreeding is indispensable.

Determinants of mechanical restraint in an acute psychiatric care unit.

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous attempts to reduce the use of mechanical restraint (MR), this technique continues to be widely applied in many acute psychiatric care settings. In order to reduce MR, a better understanding of the variables associated with its use and duration in different clinical environments is essential. AIM: To determine the proportion of patients subjected to MR and the duration thereof in two acute care psychiatric units; and to identify the variables associated with the use and duration of MR. METHODS: Descriptive study of all patients admitted to the acute psychiatric units at the Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona, Spain) in the year 2018. The number and percentage of patients subjected to MR, as well as the duration of each episode were assessed. The following data were also registered: sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric diagnosis, and presence of cultural and/or language barriers. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess determinants of MR and its duration. RESULTS: Of the 464 patients, 119 (25.6%) required MR, with a median of 16.4 h per MR. Two factors - a diagnosis of psychotic disorder [Odds ratios (OR) = 0.22; 95%CI: 0.06-0.62; P = 0.005] and the presence of a language barrier (OR = 2.13; 95%CI: 1.2-3.7; P = 0.007) - were associated with a significantly higher risk of MR. Male sex was associated with a longer duration of MR (B = -19.03; 95%CI: -38.06-0.008; P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of a language barrier and a psychotic disorder diagnosis are associated with a significantly higher risk of MR. Furthermore, male sex is associated with a longer duration of MR. Individualized restraint protocols that include the required tools are necessary to ultimately limit the use of mechanical restraint.

[The determining factors of qualitative training of students in public health and health care].

The inclusion of public health and health care measures in labor functions of professional standards of medical specialists increased significance of mastering of these standards by students during specialty training, since on this depends their successful completion of primary accreditation of specialists and implementation of job descriptions in the course of daily activities. The purpose of the study was to analyze factors determining qualitative of mastering the discipline "Public health and Health Care" by students of medical educational organizations. The analytical, logical, statistical, questionnaire survey and direct ranking methods were applied. The sampling of 316 students of the Sechenov University was involved in survey using questionnaire of 17 closed questions. The study established that the determining factors effecting quality of mastering by students the discipline "Public health and Health Care" are the need to use by physicians this knowledge in the course of their daily activities; the need of students to pass profile exam; the determination of up to 40% of trainees to work as heads of structural units or professionals of health care and public health; the dedication of student; organization of educational process at the Chair; the professionalism of faculty; the application of active learning methods in classroom; organization of career guidance among students.

Fatores determinantes do controle da criminalidade em gestão de políticas de segurança pública / Determinantes del control de la criminalidad en la gestión de políticas de seguridad pública / Determinants of crime control in public security policy management

Resumo É alvo central de discussões a temática relacionada à segurança pública no país, especialmente, no tocante aos índices de criminalidade. Este estudo aborda a temática a partir da Teoria Econômica da Escolha Racional e de teorias de base sociológica que buscam explicar as causas do crime. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores determinantes para o controle dos índices de criminalidade a partir de dados do estado do Espírito Santo. Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem quantitativa. Foram utilizados dados secundários, tendo como referência o modelo teórico proposto. Adotou-se, ainda, como método de teste de hipóteses, o modelo de regressão linear, com o auxílio do software SPSS Statistics, versão 25. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que o elemento relativo à empregabilidade da população influencia direta e significativamente o controle dos índices de crimes de homicídios dolosos e de crimes contra o patrimônio. Ademais, conjugado ao emprego (atividades laborais formais), os fatores renda e educação da população demonstraram influenciar positivamente no controle dos crimes contra o patrimônio.

Resumen La temática relacionada con la seguridad pública en el país es objeto central de discusión, especialmente con respecto a los índices de criminalidad. Este estudio aborda el tema a partir de la teoría económica de la elección racional y las teorías sociológicas que buscan explicar las causas del delito. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los factores determinantes para el control de los índices de criminalidad con base en datos del estado de Espírito Santo. Este es un estudio con un enfoque cuantitativo. Se utilizaron datos secundarios, basados en el modelo teórico propuesto. El modelo de regresión lineal también se adoptó como método de prueba de hipótesis, con la ayuda del software SPSS Statistics versión 25. Los resultados de la investigación muestran que el elemento relacionado con la empleabilidad de la población influye directa y significativamente en el control de los índices de homicidios dolosos y delitos contra la propiedad. Además, combinado con el empleo (actividades laborales formales), los factores ingresos y educación de la población han demostrado tener una influencia positiva en el control de los delitos contra la propiedad.

Abstract The topic related to public security in Brazil is central in discussions regarding crime rates. This study approaches the theme from the economic theory of rational choice and sociological theories that seek to explain the causes of crime. The study's objective was to identify determining factors for controlling crime rates based on data from the state of Espírito Santo. This is a study with a quantitative approach. Secondary data were used, based on the proposed theoretical model. The linear regression model was also adopted as a hypothesis testing method, with the aid of the SPSS Statistics software version 25. The results show that the element related to the population's employability directly and significantly influences the control of crime rates, intentional homicides, and crimes against property. Furthermore, combined with employment (formal labor activities), the population's income and education positively influence the control of crimes against property.

Producers' access to agricultural credit in Turkey: the case of Adana province / Fatores que determinam o acesso dos produtores ao crédito agrícola na Turquia: o caso da província de Adana

ABSTRACT: The issue of producers' access to agricultural credit is the key word in contemporary debates in the sense that this theme is increasingly addressed at conferences and scientific congresses. This is explained by the fact that agricultural credit is today considered as an important key to the development of the agricultural sector in developing countries. This study examined the factors influencing producers' access to agricultural credit in Turkey, precisely in the province of Adana. Questionnaire-based surveys were conducted on a sample of 101 producers trained in a simple random. From the analysis of the results obtained, we deduced that socio-economic factors such as the total area of land used, the irrigated area, the ratio between the total share of land used and the total owned land, then the ratio between the number of agricultural assets of the household and the total number household members play a preponderant role in the access of producers to agricultural credit. Since agricultural credit is perceived as an important lever in terms of the development of the agricultural sector in Turkey; it is therefore imperative, based on these research results, to develop policies aiming to improve producers' access to agricultural credit.

RESUMO: A questão do acesso dos produtores ao crédito agrícola é palavra-chave nos debates contemporâneos, na medida em que este tema é cada vez mais abordado em conferências e congressos científicos. Isso se explica pelo fato de que o crédito agrícola é hoje considerado uma importante chave para o desenvolvimento do setor agrícola nos países em desenvolvimento. Este estudo examina os fatores que influenciam o acesso dos produtores ao crédito agrícola na Turquia, precisamente na província de Adana. Pesquisas baseadas em questionário foram realizadas em uma amostra de 101 produtores treinados de forma aleatória simples. A partir da análise dos resultados obtidos, deduzimos que fatores socioeconômicos como a área total de terra usada, a área irrigada, a proporção entre a parcela total de terra usada e o total de terras possuídas, então a proporção entre o número de ativos agrícolas da família e o número total de membros da família desempenham um papel preponderante no acesso dos produtores ao crédito agrícola. Como o crédito agrícola é percebido como uma alavanca importante em termos de desenvolvimento do setor agrícola na Turquia, é, portanto, imperativo, com base nesses resultados da pesquisa, desenvolver políticas destinadas a melhorar o acesso dos produtores ao crédito agrícola.

Workplace Ostracism in Nurses and Its Determining Factors.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to identify workplace ostracism in nurses and its determining factors. BACKGROUND: Ostracism, which is a form of mistreatment in the nursing workplace, is neglected in the nursing profession although it can affect the quality of healthcare services. DESIGN: The present study was a descriptive correlational study. METHODS: Nurses in healthcare centers (n = 340) that had at least 12 months of clinical care experience were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling for the period from 2018 to 2019. The study instruments were a modified questionnaire based on the workplace ostracism scale and a questionnaire that assessed personal-social factors. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. RESULTS: Participants' average ostracism score was 9.03 ± 36.63, and there were statistically significant relationships between ostracism and employment status, university of education, a record of getting an incentive, nurses' current physical disorders, and feelings of colleagues' envy and managers' discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Applying some approaches to educate nurses about interpersonal relationships and clearly communicating mutual expectations between the staff and nursing management could help solve this problem. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The study results will serve to guide legislators and managers in developing interventions to create supportive and safe work environments, both for nurses and patients.

Unraveling the Hierarchy of cis and trans Factors That Determine the DNA Binding by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor essential for adipocyte development and the maintenance of the alternatively polarized macrophage phenotype. Biochemical studies have established that as an obligate heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR), PPARγ binds directly repeated nuclear receptor half sites spaced by one nucleotide (direct repeat 1 [DR1]). However, it has not been analyzed systematically and genome-wide how cis factors such as the sequences of DR1s and adjacent sequences and trans factors such as cobinding lineage-determining transcription factors (LDTFs) contribute to the direct binding of PPARγ in different cellular contexts. We developed a novel motif optimization approach using sequence composition and chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) densities from macrophages and adipocytes to complement de novo motif enrichment analysis and to define and classify high-affinity binding sites. We found that approximately half of the PPARγ cistrome represents direct DNA binding; both half sites can be extended upstream, and these are typically not of equal strength within a DR1. Strategically positioned LDTFs have greater impact on PPARγ binding than the quality of DR1, and the presence of the extension of DR1 provides a remarkable synergy with LDTFs. This approach of considering not only nucleotide frequencies but also their contribution to protein binding in a cellular context is applicable to other transcription factors.

Factores determinantes para la atención clínica odontológica de pacientes con discapacidad / Determining factors for the clinical dental care of patients with disabilities

Objetivo: identificar los factores, inherentes a la práctica clínica, que determinan la atención odontológica de pacientes con discapacidad. Métodos: realización de estudio descriptivo, de alcance explicativo, cuantitativo y corte transversal; aplicación de en-cuesta dirigida a odontólogos que ejercen como profesionales independientes, con la cual se midieron variables de caracterización, conocimientos, habilidades, percepción, infraestructura y atención del paciente con discapacidad. También, se desarrolló un análisis descriptivo, correlacional y multivariado. Resultados: no todos los odontólo-gos recibieron formación para la atención clínica de personas con discapacidad; algu-nos conocen los métodos de comunicación alternativa y aumentativa y, de estos, una mayoría representativa no los sabe manejar. Sobre la infraestructura, se identificó que esta cumple parcialmente con la normatividad y que la mayoría de los profesionales se sienten medianamente preparados para llevar a cabo esta atención, por lo que el 67,3% (99) afirmó atender esta población con sus protocolos clínicos habituales, pero, el 83,7% (123) manifestó brindar la atención solo en casos de urgencia odontológica. Los factores que determinan la atención del paciente con discapacidad están relacio-nados con la cantidad de pacientes asistentes, las experiencias negativas previas, las habilidades en el manejo de la consulta, la sensación de preparación y los años de ex-periencia clínica. Conclusiones: las experiencias negativas previas en la práctica clínica con pacientes con discapacidad son determinantes; para su disminución se sugiere la urgente implementación de técnicas comunicativas, la adecuación de infraestructura y el desarrollo de habilidades para la atención integral e inclusiva.

Objective: Identify the factors that establish dental clinic care for patients with disabilities, that are inherent to the professional and to the clinical practice. Methods:A descriptive study of explanatory quantitative cross-cutting score was done. It was applied to dentists that worked independently where characterization variables, abilities, perception, infrastructure were measured, and attention to the patient in a situation of disability. A descriptive, correlational, multivariate analysis. Results: Only some dentists received the I information for the clinic care of patients in a situation of disability. Only some of them know the methods of alternative and augmentative communication and most of them don't know how to work with them. The infrastructure partially complies with the regulations and most of the professionals feel moderately prepared, so 67,3%(99) attend those patients in their usual clinical practice, but 83,7%(123) would attend them only in an emergency case. The factors that establish dental clinic care for patients with disabilities are related with the quantity of patients in a situation of disability, the previous, negative experiences, management skills in the consult, preparation sensation and the years of clinical experience. Conclusions: The previous negative experiences in the clinical practice with patients in a situation of disability are the most important factor for the dental clinic care for patients with disabilities, these experiences should decrease a from implementation of communication techniques, infrastructure adjustments and the development of abilities for the comprehensive and inclusive attention.

The EMPCAN study: protocol of a population-based cohort study on the evolution of the socio-economic position of workers with cancer.

BACKGROUND: The improvements in cancer control led to an increase in the number of cancer survivors, notably, in the working age population (16-64 years). There is a strong need to assess and understand their reintegration on the labour market, which underlines and ensures their social integration and quality of life. The objectives of the EMPCAN study is therefore to measure the scale of return-to-work after cancer and to identify the determining factors, allowing for the implementation of an adequate socio-professional support. METHODS: We requested data from the Belgian Cancer Registry and the Crossroad Bank for Social Security. We included all socially insured Belgian workers diagnosed between 2004 and 2011 with colorectal, breast, head & neck, prostate, testis, lung and corpus uteri cancer. The end of (administrative) follow-up was 31st December 2012. We include demographic, health-related and work-related factors in the analysis and observed how these factors interplay to determine the working status. After having solved legal, ethical and technical issues for the coupling, we will perform survival analysis with competing risks using the Fine and Gray model; we will also perform a multistate model using transitions probabilities; and finally, a group-based modeling for longitudinal data using the 'proc traj' package in SAS. DISCUSSION: The results of the EMPCAN study will allow the provision of an evidence-based support to professional reintegration policies. It will also bring some key features for the prediction of the cancer-related social security needs. Besides the raise of awareness among health professionals and policy makers, this study could lead to a better planning and organization of vocational rehabilitation programs.

Level of happiness and happiness-determining factors perceived by women aged over 60 years.

The aim of this article is to present the level of happiness perceived by women aged over 60 years (N = 100), to indicate the factors that determine the perception of happiness, and to determine the possibilities for strengthening the feeling of happiness. For the purposes of this article and the analysis of the obtained empirical data, the authors of this article assumed the structural theory of happiness, which allows for study participants to be viewed as biological, psychological, social, and spiritual beings.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in different common sole (Solea solea) tissues from the North Adriatic Sea peculiar impacted area.

This study extends our knowledge of the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine organisms and investigates its possible determinants. PAH levels were measured in Solea solea tissue and in marine sediments collected from three areas of the northern Adriatic Sea characterized by different anthropic impacts (Venetian Lagoon, Po Delta, and fishing grounds off Chioggia). The possibility of differential PAH bioaccumulation in different tissues (muscle, liver and gills) was investigated by seeking relationships between mean individual and total PAH concentrations in tissue and sediment samples, the physicochemical properties of PAHs (rings and Kow), and some key biological variables (lipid content of tissues, body size, habitat). The present study demonstrated that the lipid content might not be the only determinant of PAH bioaccumulation in common sole tissues. The habitat characteristics, the tissue types and some physicochemical properties of compounds were closely related to PAH bioaccumulation.

Metabolic syndrome and atypical antipsychotics: Possibility of prediction and control. / Síndrome metabólico y antipsicóticos atípicos. Posibilidad de predicción y control.

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are associated with high morbidity and mortality, due to inherent health factors, genetic factors, and factors related to psychopharmacological treatment. Antipsychotics, like other drugs, have side-effects that can substantially affect the physical health of patients, with substantive differences in the side-effect profile and in the patients in which these side-effects occur. To understand and identify these risk groups could help to prevent the occurrence of the undesired effects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study, with 24 months follow-up, was conducted in order to analyse the physical health of severe mental patients under maintenance treatment with atypical antipsychotics, as well as to determine any predictive parameters at anthropometric and/or analytical level for good/bad outcome of metabolic syndrome in these patients. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the physical and biochemical parameters individually analysed throughout the different visits. The baseline abdominal circumference (lambda Wilks P=.013) and baseline HDL-cholesterol levels (lambda Wilks P=.000) were the parameters that seem to be more relevant above the rest of the metabolic syndrome constituents diagnosis criteria as predictors in the long-term. CONCLUSIONS: In the search for predictive factors of metabolic syndrome, HDL-cholesterol and abdominal circumference at the time of inclusion were selected, as such that the worst the baseline results were, the higher probability of long-term improvement.

Multi-center survey of House officers' choice of Medical specialties in Nigeria: preferences and determining factors.

The objective of the study was to determine preferences and factors influencing the choice of medical specialties by House officers. Questionnaires were distributed to House-officers in 4 tertiary hospitals namely: the National hospital, Abuja, the University of Port-Harcourt, the Jos University, and the University of Uyo Teaching Hospitals. The data were simultaneously collected and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 version. Of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 129(86%) were duly filled. The mean age was 22.4 years (range 21-40 years), 79(61.2%) of the respondent were male. Fifty-nine(45.7%) chose training within the country while 32(24.8%) preferred outside as 107(86%) chose training in Teaching Hospitals. Teachers, Resident doctors and parents influenced choices in 34(26.3%), 17(13.1%) and 16(12.4%) respectively. Thirty-four(26.3%), 28 (21.7%), 13(10.1%) and 15(11.6%) preferred obstetrics, surgery, internal medicine and paediatrics respectively. Seventy (46.7%) chose specialties for personal likeness and 17(11.3%) for role models in that specialty. House officers preferred to pursue medical specialty in teaching hospitals within the country and they are motivated by personal fulfillment, independence of practice and role models while more prefer to specialize in more Obstetrics/ Gyaenocology and surgery.

Health-related quality of life in patients with Chagas disease: a review of the evidence

Chagas disease (ChD), a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), remains a serious public health issue in Latin America and is an emerging disease in several non-endemic countries, where knowledge of the condition and experience with its clinical management are limited. Regionally, the disease is the major cause of disability secondary to tropical diseases in young adults. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment is common in patients with ChD, especially in those with Chagas dilated cardiomyopathy, the most severe manifestation of the disease, which frequently leads to heart failure. The aim of this review was to conduct a literature search for studies that have evaluated the determining factors of HRQoL in ChD patients. We included cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, and experimental studies, as well as clinical trials that evaluated the HRQoL in ChD patients aged 18 to 60 years and are presenting an explicit description of statistical analysis. Using a combination of keywords based on Descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) for searches in PubMed and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), 148 studies were found. After exclusions, 12 studies were selected for analysis. Three main findings were extracted from these studies: 1) cardiac involvement is associated with a worse HRQoL in ChD patients; 2) HRQoL is associated with the patients' functional capacity; and 3) simple and inexpensive therapeutic measures are effective for improving HRQoL in ChD patients. Hence, ChD patients' functional capacity, the effectiveness of non-surgical conservative treatment, and cardiac involvement are important determining factors for the HRQoL in ChD patients.