Guarding Our Guardians: Navigating Adverse Reactions in Healthcare Workers Amid Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage During COVID-19.

The widespread utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been crucial for reducing transmission risk among healthcare workers (HCWs) and the public. However, the extensive use of PPE has brought about potential adverse reactions, particularly among HCWs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of adverse skin reactions associated with PPE use among different categories of HCWs, including faculty, residents, and nursing officers (NOs), in a dedicated tertiary care COVID-19 hospital. The study design was a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study conducted over one month, involving a total of 240 participants. The participants were required to complete a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire that covered demographic information, PPE-related data, preventive measures, observed reactions, and self-management strategies. Results indicated that adverse skin reactions were common among HCWs, with reactions reported by all participants. The most commonly used PPE included N95 masks, goggles, gloves, face shields, isolation gowns, and medical protective clothing. Excessive sweating (60% residents, 21.1% NOs, and 16.25% faculties), facial rash, dry palms (>70% of HCWs), and itching were among the most prevalent adverse reactions. Urticarial lesions (28.5% among NOs), pressure marks and pain (100% on the cheek among all HCWs), fungal infections (18.5% among residents at the web space of fingers), and skin breakdown were also reported. Factors such as age, gender, pre-existing skin problems, and oily/acne-prone skin history were found to be significantly associated with adverse skin reactions. In conclusion, the findings highlight the common adverse reactions reported by HCWs during the use of different PPEs. Certain steps taken by HCWs for the prevention of adverse reactions due to PPE emphasize the importance of tailored preventive measures and strategies to mitigate these adverse reactions, such as proper PPE selection, well-fitting equipment, regular breaks, and appropriate skincare practices. These insights contribute to the development of guidelines for optimal PPE usage and support the well-being of HCWs in their essential roles.

The Moderating Role of Perceived Efficacy of COVID-19 Prevention Measures on the Relation Between Perceived Risk and Perceived Mental Health / El rol moderador de la eficacia percibida de las medidas de prevención frente al COVID-19 en la relación entre la percepción de riesgo y la salud mental percibida

La pandemia del COVID-19 ha llevado a los países a adoptar severas y prolongadas medidas que —junto con el alto número de contagios y muertes y la continua información negativa— ha afectado la salud mental de las personas. Este estudio analiza el impacto de la crisis sanitaria del COVID-19 en España explorando el rol moderador de la eficacia percibida de las medidas de contención en la relación que establece la percepción del riesgo del COVID-19 con el estrés y la depresión. Un total de 478 adultos residentes en España (un 66.9% mujeres; Medad = 36.30, DT = 15.32) completaron un cuestionario con escalas concebidas para medir el riesgo percibido del COVID-19, la eficacia percibida de las medidas de protección, el estrés y la depresión entre el 16 de mayo y el 6 de junio de 2021. Los resultados confirmaron el rol moderador de la eficacia percibida, la cual actuó como un factor protector del estrés y la depresión al disminuir el impacto negativo que la percepción de riesgo del COVID-19 tiene en ambas variables relacionadas con el distrés mental. La percepción que tienen los individuos sobre la efectividad de las medidas de protección parece ser un factor protector relevante en relación con la salud mental durante una pandemia. Se subraya la relevancia de intervenciones psicológicas y de políticas gubernamentales que mejoren la comunicación positiva del riesgo y la información adecuada sobre la eficacia de las medidas de protección.(AU)

The pandemic situation caused by COVID-19 led countries to adopt harsh and prolonged (over time) measures that—along with the high number of infections and deaths and continuous negative information—have affected the mental health of individuals. In this study, the impact on mental health of the COVID-19 health crisis in Spain was explored through the perceived efficacy of pandemic containment measures as a moderator of the relationship that COVID-19 perceived risk establishes with stress and depression. A questionnaire composed of scales conceived to measure COVID-19 perceived risk, perceived efficacy of COVID-19 prevention measures, stress, and depression was completed by 478 adults living in Spain (66.9% females, Mage= 36.30, SD= 15.32) between May 16, 2021, and June 6, 2021. The results confirmed the moderating role of per-ceived efficacy. Perceived efficacy acted as a protective factor for stress and depression by decreasing the negative impact that perceived risk had on both variables related to mentaldistress. Also, the perception that par-ticipants had about the effectiveness of prevention measures appeared to be a relevant protective factor regarding mental health during the pandem-ic. This study highlights the relevance of psychological interventions and government policies that improve positive risk communication and pro-vide adequate information regarding the effectiveness of health-prevention measures.(AU)

Modeling spatial trends and exchange fluxes of contaminants in agricultural soil under pollution prevention measures.

Modeling the long-term trends of contaminants in topsoil under controlled measures is critical for sustainable agricultural environmental management. Traditional mass balance equations cannot predict spatial variation and exchange flux of regional soil contaminants for it lacks a method of assigning input-output parameters to each simulated cell. To overcome this limitation, we allocate the estimated source contribution flux to the spatial grid cell in the regional chemical mass balance by integrated positive matrix factorization (P-RCMB) with historical trends quantification. Focusing on Cd and As, which are elements with elevated risks of food intake and volatilization/infiltration, the model is applied to 30 ha of agricultural land near the enterprise. Predictions indicate an additional 13.5% of the soil is contaminated, and approximately 2.57 ha may accrue after 100 years at the site, with an uncertainty range of 0.98-5.3 ha. Clean water irrigation (CWI) reduces contamination expansion by approximately 42%, including approximately 4813 g ha-1 yr-1 net As infiltration, playing a dominant role in preventing the formation of severely contaminated soil. Stop straw return, green fertilizers use, and reduced atmospheric deposition control the exchange flux of Cd (114.9 g ha-1 yr-1) in moderate/slight contamination areas. For the different contaminants' cumulative trends in dryland and paddy fields, achieving a net cumulative flux close to zero in marginally contaminated areas presents a viable approach to optimize current emission standards. if trade-off straw removal and additional fertilizer inputs, a straw return rate of approximately 40% in Cd-contaminated soil will yield overall benefits. This model contributes valuable insights and tools for policymaking in contaminated land sustainable utilization and emission standard optimization.

How can contamination be prevented during laboratory analysis of atmospheric samples for microplastics?

Microplastics (MPs) in the air and indoor environments are of growing concern and have led to increased testing for MPs. This study draws attention to the quality and quantitative measures of MP studies by conducting laboratory experiments (on solutions, filters, and blank samples) that were rarely or were not adopted in the airborne and indoor MP literature. Experiments have been conducted to identify contaminations that may come from experimental procedures while determining MPs in the air samples. MPs in different matrices during experiments were counted and categorized by their shapes. Chemical characterization was performed by Raman Spectroscopy. Results showed that laminar flow is the best option over a fume hood or standard laboratory environment for detecting air MPs to reduce blank levels. Blue-green and Black-Grey were the dominant colors; fiber was the predominant type of MPs seen, and most of them fall under the size range from (1-1000 µm) in different indoor environments and blanks. Common MPs seen were PP, PVA, PTFE, PVC, and HDPE. Thermal treatment of fresh unused filters at 450 °C for 4 h was effective as it reduced the MP count by 50%. Working solutions are mainly contaminated, and their pre-filtration is essential. The average deposition of MPs in blank samples during seven days was around 55 MPs. There is an urgent need for studies on developing quality control and quality assurance of airborne and indoor MPs. Hence, a standard protocol needs to be accepted; by harmonizing procedures, comparable results can be found, uncovering the correct levels of MP contamination, as required for risk assessment.

Secondary complications in Wassel II & IV thumb duplication: a comprehensive review of preventive measures.

OBJECTIVES: Thumb duplication is one of the most challenging pediatric reconstructive hand surgeries. Wassel types II and IV are the most frequent, but also the most complex reconstructions as the duplication arises at the joint level. Ablation and reconstruction, the most widely used technique, aims at achieving a stable, well-aligned, mobile and esthetically acceptable thumb. The paucity of reliable surgical guidelines leads to high rates of suboptimal surgical outcomes. This review evaluated the various reconstruction techniques detailed in the literature and highlighted useful methods to prevent common secondary complications. METHODS: A comprehensive PubMed and Embase literature search was made. Inclusion criteria were Wassel type II and/or IV, pediatric patients, and primary or secondary surgeries. Exclusion criteria were Bilhaut-Cloquet reconstruction and its modifications. Techniques were screened, collected and analyzed for the following secondary complications: instability, axial deformity, and contour deformity. RESULTS: Thirty-two articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Postoperative instability was prevented by tightening the joint capsule by plication, advancement of the volar plate, or reconstruction of the collateral ligaments using a periosteal flap or the double-breasting technique. Axial deformity was prevented by arthroplasty, shaving a triangular portion of the metacarpal head, centralization of eccentric tendons, pulley reconstruction using flexor pollicis longus, or corrective osteotomies of the phalangeal or metacarpal bones using the wedge or oblique techniques. Limited range of motion was prevented by first webspace Z-plasty, and soft-tissue contouring was addressed by planned skin incisions and soft-tissue augmentation. Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative considerations, including splinting, imaging and immobilization, were also described. CONCLUSION: Despite the ongoing advances and abundant knowledge in reconstructive strategies for thumb duplication, there are few studies that reviewed and analyzed the various reported options. This review provides physicians and trainees with guidance in surgical planning to prevent common secondary complications. Further research should focus on the development of standardized assessment tools, enabling reliable prospective comparative studies on thumb duplication reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Health effects of climate change in Africa: A call for an improved implementation of prevention measures.

The world's climate, particularly in Africa, has changed substantially during the past few decades, contributed by several human activities. Africa is one of the continents that is most vulnerable to climate change globally. Since the beginning of 2022, extreme weather events in Africa have affected about 19 million people and killed at least 4,000 individuals. Cyclones, floods, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and famine were among the severe weather occurrences. Natural disasters and extreme weather events brought on by climate change may compromise access to clean water, sanitation systems, and healthcare facilities, making people more vulnerable to a number of illnesses. Floods and drought can lead to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The African population is more likely to experience more mental health disorders than before because of natural disasters, which result in the loss of property and sometimes loss of lives more frequently. We, therefore, call for an improved implementation of strategies to prevent the health effects of climate change so that the health of the people in Africa can be maintained.

Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Practices in El Salvador and Mexico: A Comprehensive Survey Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the relationship between prevention measures and protective barriers in dental practice in El Salvador and Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted from June 2020 to December 2021, involving 1,719 dentists divided into four groups based on location and year. A 20-question survey in Spanish was utilized and validated with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.84. RESULTS: The use of phone triage (OR = 1.3), thermometers (OR = 1.4), physical distancing (OR = 1.7), and face shields (OR = 2.6) was significantly associated with dental practice in both countries during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: During 2020 and 2021, dental care in El Salvador and Mexico was significantly linked to COVID-19 preventive measures. Phone triage, thermometers, distancing, and face shields positively correlated with dental services. National health agencies should promote the use of minimum preventive measures in dental care, preparing for potential reinfections or new pandemics from emerging virus variants.

[Ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19]. / Oftal'mologicheskie proyavleniya COVID-19.

In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 respiratory virus. The high spread rate of the virus and the severity of the course of the disease are of great clinical and epidemiological significance, making it relevant for ophthalmologists to study the mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 infects ocular structures, as well as possible clinical manifestations of the infection in the organ of vision. This review contains analysis, systematization, and generalization of epidemiological and clinical data on SARS-CoV-2 ocular lesions and was carried out with the data found in scientific abstract databases. The article presents main clinical ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19, lists the utilized schemes of etiotropic and symptomatic therapy, recommended preventive measures, and considers the possible ophthalmic complications after vaccination against COVID-19.

Exposure Assessment to Deoxynivalenol of Children over 3 Years Deriving from the Consumption of Processed Wheat-Based Products Produced from a Dedicated Flour.

Wheat-based products are largely consumed by children worldwide. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is known for its acute and chronic toxicity and is the most common contaminant of cereal grains. Since no legal limits are set for DON in wheat-based products and specific foods intended for children over 3 years on the market, a high risk of overexposure to this contaminant may emerge. The main objective of the study, conducted in 2018-2019, was to produce a wheat flour intended for children over three years, characterized by a high level of safety in terms of DON content, to be used to produce wheat-derived products. The dedicated flour was produced by adopting tailored procedures like the selection of wheat suppliers, the predetermination of the safe contamination of DON in the final products, and the evaluation of the transfer rate from the wheat flour to derived products (bread, breadsticks, biscuits, plumcake, and focaccia). The results showed that the daily exposure of children was considered to be safe, in a range between 7% (biscuits) and 67% (bread) of DON tolerable daily intake (TDI) and that only by producing a flour characterized by DON levels much lower than those in force, can "safe" products be marketed.

Nurses' knowledge on nosocomial infections preventive measures and its associated factors in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections (NCIs) have been associated with several adverse outcomes including extended hospitalization, persistent disability, heightened antimicrobial resistance, amplified socio-economic disruption, and elevated mortality rates. The adoption of infection prevention strategies has the greatest tendency to significantly reduce the risk and occurrence of NCIs among the population, particularly in resource constrained health systems. This study assessed nurses' knowledge on NCI preventive measures and its associated factors in Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2021. A sample of 237 healthcare workers in the Hohoe Municipality was selected to participate in the study. Data was collected with a questionnaire designed in Google Forms and analyzed using Stata version 16.0. RESULTS: Overall, most of the participants (69.2%) were not knowledgeable about the preventive measures of NCIs. Nurses who were within the age group of 20-40 years [aOR = 0.25 (95% CI = 0.09-0.69), p = 0.007] and 41-60 years [aOR = 0.05 (95% CI = 0.01-0.29), p = 0.001] were significantly less likely to be knowledgeable about the preventive measures of NCIs compared to those who those aged less than 20 years. Nurses who attended in-service training or workshop were approximately 10 times more likely to be knowledgeable about preventive measures of nosocomial infection compared to those who had never attended in-service training or workshop [aOR = 9.55 (95% CI = 1.23-74.36), p = 0.031]. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that age and participation in-service training or workshop are significant factors that influence the knowledge of healthcare workers in preventive measures for nosocomial infections. These results highlight the importance of providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to nurses to enhance their knowledge and improve their ability to prevent and control nosocomial infections. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for targeted training programs that consider the age of nurses, to ensure that training is tailored to their specific needs.

External validity of an automated delirium prediction model (DEMO) and comparison to the manual VMS-questions: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that one-third of delirium cases in hospitals could be prevented with appropriate interventions. In Dutch hospitals a manual instrument (VMS-questions) is used to identify patients at-risk for delirium. Delirium Model (DEMO) is an automated model which could support delirium prevention more efficiently. However, it has not been validated beyond the hospital it was developed in. AIM: To externally validate the DEMO and compare its performance to the VMS-questions. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study between July and December 2018 was conducted. Delirium cases were identified through a chart review, and the VMS-questions were extracted from the electronic health records. The DEMO was validated in patients ≥ 60 years, and a comparison with the VMS-questions was made in patients ≥ 70 years. RESULTS: In total 1,345 admissions were included. The DEMO predicted 59 out of 75 delirium cases (sensitivity 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68-0.87; specificity 0.75, 95% CI = 0.72-0.77). Compared to the VMS-questions, the DEMO showed a lower specificity (0.64 vs. 0.72; p < 0.001) and a comparable sensitivity (0.83 vs. 0.80; p = 0.56). The VMS-questions were missing in 20% of admissions, in which the DEMO correctly predicted 10 of 12 delirium cases. CONCLUSION: The DEMO showed acceptable performance for delirium prediction. Overall the DEMO predicted more delirium cases because the VMS-questions were missing in 20% of admissions. This study shows that automated instruments such as DEMO could play a key role in the efficient and timely deployment of measures to prevent delirium.

Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in thirty-two policy measures in Saudi Arabia: A mixed-methods analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has developed rigorous strategies to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the effectiveness of these measures in containing and mitigating the epidemic has yet to be studied. This paper aims to assess the efficiency of preventive policy initiatives that Saudi Arabia has taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which was rapid and progressive in nature. Information on the effectiveness of measures applies to help the Saudi government adjust policy responses when considering which measures to relax once the epidemic is controlled. METHODS: Data for this study were retrieved via publicly available data sources such as the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health and the government's official news agency-Saudi Press Agency (SPA) websites. Other datasets, such as prevention measures, were gathered from the Country Policy Tracker website. Our dataset's time component extends over 590 consecutive days from 20 January 2020-31 August 2021. Moreover, a mixed-method approach combining COVID-19 data and prevention measures was adopted to assess preventative measures practice. We compiled the dataset used in this study in a Microsoft Excel database. The significance of observed differences among implementing effective strategies was determined using ANOVA and Mixed methods approach. Noticeably, the statistical analysis was performed using the open-source statistical system R version 4.2 (available at http://cran.r-project.org). RESULTS: Our analysis showed that only three out of the 32 (9.4%) measures significantly reduced the spread of COVID-19. Our results also show substantial variations in the spread of COVID-19 associated with preventive measures in Saudi Arabia. There was a significant positive correlation between activating and massive testing in communities and cases of COVID-19 (measure effect = 923.086 and p < 0.05). A similar result was found for complete curfew across the Kingdom and cases of COVID-19 (measure effect = 621.389 and p < 0.10). Removing slum areas interrupted the spread of Covid-19 (measure effect = 305.689 and p < 0.01). The other preventive measures did not significantly affect the COVID-19 pandemic distribution. These findings consistently concluded that activating and massive testing in communities, complete curfew across the Kingdom, and removal of slum areas were the most effective measures for reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Only by understanding these correlations will it be possible to control and reduce the rate of COVID-19 spread and, therefore, suggest a possible exit strategy once the epidemic is controlled.

Ash problems and prevention measures in power plants burning high alkali fuel: Brief review and future perspectives.

Large-scale utilization of high-alkali fuels is considered an effective solution for alleviating energy shortages and reducing CO2 emissions. However, combustion of high-alkali fuels in boilers releases alkali metals into the flue gas, which leads to severe ash deposition and corrosion on the heating surface. Consequently, research into the efficient use of highly alkaline fuels has been conducted in recent years. In this review, ash issues and measures for their prevention during high-alkali fuel combustion are summarized. First, the characteristics of fly ash produced from high-alkali fuel combustion are reviewed, and the form, migration, and deposition characteristics of alkali metals are summarized. Subsequently, research progress of high alkali fuel ash is introduced in detail. Mechanisms of slagging, fouling, corrosion on the heating surface and the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit deactivation are summarized. Prevention and control methods for the high-alkali fuel ash problem are then introduced. Finally, based on current research, existing problems and future development directions for high-alkali fuel research are proposed. Through this review, we hope to provide insights into the effective utilization of high-alkali fuels.

[The incidence of artificial stone-related silicosis among interior decoration workers in different countries].

In this paper, 177 cases of artificial stone-related silicosis in interior decoration workers from Israel, Spain, USA, Italy and Australia were analyzed. Interior decoration workers were from small businesses (or workshops), engaged in kitchen and/or bathroom artificial stone countertops cutting, grinding, polishing and other reprocessing. In the working environment, the content of crystalline silica in artificial stone was more than 70%, and the concentration of silica dust exceeded the relevant standards. Most workplaces used dry cutting without ventilation and dust removal and other dust-proof measures, and most workers did not wear qualified respiratory protective equipment. Taking comprehensive measures such as wet operation, ventilation and dust removal, and individual protection can effectively prevent the occurrence of artificial stone-related silicosis.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in exhaled breath and its potential for prevention measures.

Background: To propose infection prevention measures it is essential to understand the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 shedding, particularly in asymptomatic patients. This report compares the viral load progression in exhaled breath (EB) with the symptom severity. We aim to evaluate the adequacy of symptom assessment regarding the infectivity level of individuals. Methods: We observed infected patients since their first positive test during hospitalization. EB samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 14 of hospitalization using a filter-based device. After extraction, viral loads were quantified with qRT-PCR. The infection trajectory was documented after symptom onset. Case Presentation and Discussion: A 34-year old patient showed mild symptoms, e.g. fever, cough, headache, muscle pain and loss of taste and smell across trajectory of infection (Case 1). The viral loads emitted via exhaling were nearly constant and ranged from 8.6 x 103 and 4.1 x 104 RNA copies per hour. After the infection, the patient developed a pneumonia. The second case of a 65-year old patient depicted an asymptomatic infection trajectory for 14 days after the first diagnosis (Case 2). Nevertheless, the patient exhaled up to 2 x 105 SARS-CoV-2 virus copies hourly, approximately 10 fold higher than measured for Case 1. Conclusion: Symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients exhale distinctive amounts of SARS-CoV-2 not necessarily correlating with symptom severity. Particularly, asymptomatic patients might show higher EB viral shedding. Therefore, EB testing should be included in infection prevention measures as it has high potential to reveal the most infectious individuals regardless of their symptoms during infection.

Evaluation of Serial Testing After Exposure to COVID-19 in Early Care and Education Facilities, Illinois, March-May 2022.

OBJECTIVE: To understand SARS-CoV-2 transmission in early care and education (ECE) settings, we implemented a Test to Stay (TTS) strategy, which allowed children and staff who were close contacts to COVID-19 to remain in person if they agreed to test twice after exposure. We describe SARS-CoV-2 transmission, testing preferences, and the number of in-person days saved among participating ECE facilities. METHODS: From March 21 through May 27, 2022, 32 ECE facilities in Illinois implemented TTS. Unvaccinated children and staff who were not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination could participate if exposed to COVID-19. Participants received 2 tests within 7 days after exposure and were given the option to test at home or at the ECE facility. RESULTS: During the study period, 331 TTS participants were exposed to index cases (defined as people attending the ECE facility with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during the infectious period); 14 participants tested positive, resulting in a secondary attack rate of 4.2%. No tertiary cases (defined as a person with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result within 10 days after exposure to a secondary case) occurred in the ECE facilities. Most participants (366 of 383; 95.6%) chose to test at home. Remaining in-person after an exposure to COVID-19 saved approximately 1915 in-person days among children and staff and approximately 1870 parent workdays. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates were low in ECE facilities during the study period. Serial testing after COVID-19 exposure among children and staff at ECE facilities is a valuable strategy to allow children to remain in person and parents to avoid missing workdays.

Stability of SARS-CoV-2 on inanimate surfaces: A review.

The stability of SARS-CoV-2 for varying periods on a wide range of inanimate surfaces has raised concerns about surface transmission; however, there is still no evidence to confirm this route. In the present review, three variables affecting virus stability, namely temperature, relative humidity (RH), and initial virus titer, were considered from different experimental studies. The stability of SARS-CoV-2 on the surfaces of six different contact materials, namely plastic, metal, glass, protective equipment, paper, and fabric, and the factors affecting half-life period was systematically reviewed. The results showed that the half-life of SARS-CoV-2 on different contact materials was generally 2-10 h, up to 5 d, and as short as 30 min at 22 °C, whereas the half-life of SARS-CoV-2 on non-porous surfaces was generally 5-9 h d, up to 3 d, and as short as 4 min at 22 â„ƒ. The half-life on porous surfaces was generally 1-5 h, up to 2 d, and as short as 13 min at 22 °C. Therefore, the half-life period of SARS-CoV-2 on non-porous surfaces is longer than that on porous surfaces, and thehalf-life of the virus decreases with increasing temperature, whereas RH produces a stable negative inhibitory effect only in a specific humidity range. Various disinfection precautions can be implemented in daily life depending on the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on different surfaces to interrupt virus transmission, prevent COVID-19 infections, and avoid over-disinfection. Owing to the more stringent control of conditions in laboratory studies and the lack of evidence of transmission through surfaces in the real world, it is difficult to provide strong evidence for the efficiency of transmission of the contaminant from the surface to the human body. Therefore, we suggest that future research should focus on exploring the systematic study of the entire transmission process of the virus, which will provide a theoretical basis for optimizing global outbreak prevention and control measures.

Recent advances in the identification of related factors and preventive strategies of hip fracture.

Hip fracture is the most devastating type of osteoporosis-related fracture, and is a major worldwide public health problem with a high socioeconomic burden, morbidity rate, and mortality rate. Thus, it is crucial to uncover the risk factors and protective factors to create a hip fracture prevention strategy. In addition to a briefly review of some well accepted risk and protective factors of hip fracture, this review mainly summarized the recent advances in the identification of emerging risk or protective factors for hip fracture, in terms of regional differences in medical services, diseases, drugs, mechanical load, neuromuscular mass, genes, blood types, cultural differences. This review provides a comprehensive review of the associated factors and effective prevention measures for hip fracture, and discusses issues that need further investigation. These issues include the determination of the influencing mechanism of risk factors triggering hip fracture and their interlinked correlation with other factors, as well as the confirmation or correction of emerging factors associated with hip fracture, particularly those that are still controversial. These recent findings will aid in optimizing the strategy for preventing hip fracture.

Transition from physical to online shopping alternatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic - A case study of Italy and Sweden.

Using 530 responses from an online questionnaire, this study aims to investigate the transition from physical to online shopping alternatives during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic at the individual level. The focus areas of the study are Sweden and Italy, two European countries that implemented contrasting prevention measures. This study analyses the impacts of the pandemic on the transition to online shopping activities, and identifies who among the respondents changed their shopping behaviour the most and how; and what the different shopping strategies are and who adopted them. Multivariate statistical analyses, including linear and binary logistic regressions and multinomial logit models, were used to analyse the dataset. In the analysis, the dataset was split between Italy and Sweden to take into account the contrasting prevention measures and the different social and economic backgrounds of the two countries; the results of this study confirm and highlight these differences. Moreover, the socio-demographic and household structures of the respondents were found to influence the amount and the direction of change in shopping behaviour during the first wave of the pandemic. The study also indicates some policies that can be implemented and/or further strengthened to increase the resilience of citizens in facing pandemics and to derive benefit from the behavioural changes that took place during the first wave of the pandemic.