The impact of parental migration on screen exposure among children aged 1-66 months in rural China.

BACKGROUND: Screen exposure, particularly recreational screen exposure, is an integral part of children's lives. However, little is known about how family factors influence children's excessive screen exposure, especially in the context of 69 million left-behind children experiencing parent-child separation in China. This study mainly concentrates on the correlation between parental migration, type of caregiver, depression and disciplinary practices of the caregiver and children's screen exposure, including average daily screen time (on weekdays or weekends) and screen content (recreational activities or learning activities). METHODS: For a cross-sectional study, we collected data of family basic features, parental migration status and children's screen use in the past week from caregivers of 1,592 children aged 1-66 months in Anhui province. Children were classified into left-behind children (LBC), previously left-behind children (PLBC) and never left-behind children (NLBC) based on their parental migration. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used to identified the association between family factors and children's screen exposure. RESULTS: Overall, PLBC had higher rates of screen exposure, as well as higher average daily exposure times, than NLBC and LBC. The results of logistic regression showed that PLBC had a higher likelihood of excessive screen use compared to NLBC (60 min/day, OR = 1.40, p < 0.05; 120 min/day, OR = 1.76, p < 0.05). The higher the score of disciplinary practices, the less time children spent on screens for entertainment (B = -3.37, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide insights into the risks of children's screen exposure in different contexts of parental migration. The study emphasizes the urgent need to pay attention to PLBC's screen use and to strengthen caregivers' discipline and supervision over children's screen exposure.

[H3K27me3 Expression Level and Its Epigenetic Regulation Mechanisms in Th17 Cell Differentiation in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis]. / å¼ºç›´æ€§è„ŠæŸ±ç‚Žæ‚£è€ H3K27me3è¡¨è¾¾æ°´å¹³åŠå ¶è°ƒæŽ§Th17ç»†èƒžåˆ†åŒ–çš„è¡¨è§‚é—ä¼ æœºåˆ¶.

Objective: To investigate the roles of histone H3K27me3 methylation and its regulatory enzymes JMJD3 and EZH2 in the differentiation of Th17 cells in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), to unveil their potential involvement in the pathogenesis of AS, and to provide new strategies and targets for the clinical treatment of AS by analyzing the methylation state of H3K27me3 and its interactions with Th17-related factors. Methods: A total of 84 AS patients (42 active AS patiens and 42 patients in the stable phase of AS) were enrolled for the study, while 84 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the controls. Blood samples were collected. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. ELISA assay was performed to examine Th17 cells and the relevant cytokines IL-21, IL-22, and IL-17. The mRNA expressions of RORc, JAK2, and STAT3 were analyzed by RT-PCR, the protein expressions of RORc, JAK2/STAT3 pathway protein, H3K27me3 and the relevant protease (EZH2 and JMJD3) were determined by Western blot. Correlation between H3K27me3, EZH2 and JMJD3 and the key signaling pathway molecules of Th cell differentiation was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The mRNA expressions of RORc, JAK2, and STAT3 were significantly higher in the active phase group than those in the stable phase group ( P<0.05). The relative grayscale values of H3K27me3 and EZH2 in the active phase group were lower than those of the stable phase group, which were lower than those of the control group, with the differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). The relative grayscale values of JMJD3, RORc, JAK2, pJAK2, STAT3, and pSTAT3 proteins were significantly higher in the active phase group than those in the stable phase group, which were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The proportion of Th17 and the expression level of inflammatory factors in the active period group were higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). H3K27me3 was negatively correlated with RORc, JAK2, STAT3, and IL-17, JMJD3 was positvely correlated with JAK2, STAT3, and IL-17, and EZH2 was negatively correlated with JAK2, STAT3, and IL-17 (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The low expression of H3K27me3 in AS is influenced by the gene loci JMJD3 and EZH2, which can regulate the differentiation of Th17 cells and thus play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of AS.

The Chinese version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire: translation and cross-cultural adaptation.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) is a validated instrument, with good psychometric properties, to measure Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in workers using Video Display Terminals (VDTs). To date, there are no known valid instruments in Chinese for the assessment of CVS despite the high exposure to VDTs at work that this population presents. For this, the purpose of this study is to translate and cross-culturally adapt the CVS-Q© into Chinese. METHODS: A study with five consecutive stages: direct translation, synthesis of translations, back translation, consolidation by a committee of experts, and pre-test. During the pre-test, a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on VDT users (n = 44) who completed the Chinese version of the questionnaire plus an ad hoc post-test to assess the comprehensibility of the scale and to verify aspects of its applicability and feasibility. Data concerning sociodemographic information, general and ocular health, use of optical correction and varying exposure to VDTs was also collected. RESULTS: The entire sample considered the Chinese version of the CVS-Q© simple, clear, and easy to understand and 95.5% also found it easy to complete. 88.7% considered that the scale did not need any improvement. The final version of the Chinese scale to measure CVS was obtained (the CVS-Q CN©). The mean age of participants was 31.3 ± 9.8 years, 47.6% were women, and 57.1% used VDTs to work for more than 8 h/day. CONCLUSIONS: The CVS-Q CN© can be considered an easy tool to assess CVS in workers exposed to digital devices in China. This version would facilitate research, its use in clinical practice, and the prevention of occupational hazards in the workplace.

Mortality by cause of death and risk behaviors in farmers versus non-farmers: the importance of avoiding the healthy worker effect.

OBJECTIVES: To compare mortality by cancer sites and by other specific causes of death, and the prevalence of risk behaviors in farmers and non-farmers in Spain. METHODS: Mortality by cause of death was calculated based on a longitudinal study with 10-years follow-up of 9.5 million men and 6 million women aged 20-64 years who were employed in 2001. The prevalence of risk behaviors was calculated from the 2001 National Health Survey in the 6464 employed men and 5573 employed women aged 20-64. The study subjects were grouped as farmers and non-farmers. For each cause of death, we estimated the ratio of age-standardized mortality rates, and for each risk behavior we estimated the age-standardized prevalence ratio in farmers versus non-farmers. RESULTS: In men, the mortality rate for most cancer sites did not differ significantly between farmers and non-farmers, except for cancers of the lip, oral cavity, stomach, larynx and skin epidermoid carcinoma-which was higher in farmers-and cancers of the liver, pancreas and mesothelioma-which was lower in farmers. In contrast, farmers had a higher rate of mortality from most other diseases and from external causes of death. In women, farmers showed lower mortality from lung cancer, breast cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease, and higher mortality from external causes. The prevalence of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and obesity was higher in farmers than in non-farmers, except smoking and excessive alcohol consumption in women where prevalence was lower in farmers. CONCLUSIONS: Findings are different from those found in other studies. In men, greater exposure to the sun and the higher prevalence of risk behaviors in farmers could explain their excess mortality from some cancer sites and the other causes of death. However, other factors may be behind this excess risk of mortality from these causes, given that farmers did not show higher mortality from some cancers related to smoking. In women, no differences were observed in mortality rate for majority of causes of death between farmers and non-farmers.

Parental migration and cyberbullying victimization among Chinese left-behind children: understanding the association and mediating factors.

Introduction: Parental absence is greatly associated with school bullying victimization of left-behind children (LBC) in migrant families. With the increasing popularity of the Internet, little is known about the association between parental migration and cyberbullying victimization, and potential mediators. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Anhui and Zhejiang Province, China, in 2020. With a sample of 792 currently left-behind children (CLBC), 541 previously left-behind children (PLBC), and 628 never left-behind children (NLBC), path analysis was used to explore the association between parental migration and cyberbullying victimization among children, while considering the independent and sequential mediating roles of parent-child communication, and time spent online. Results: The prevalence of cyberbullying victimization was 29.3% among CLBC, 29.2% among PLBC, and 23.4% among NLBC. Path analysis showed that current left-behind status was positively associated with cyberbullying victimization among children (p = 0.024). Furthermore, current left-behind status was associated with worse parent-child communication, which, in turn, predicted a higher prevalence of cyberbullying victimization [95% CI = (0.007, 0.036)]. Similarly, the previous left-behind experience was associated with worse parent-child communication, which, in turn, predicted a higher prevalence of cyberbullying victimization [95% CI = (0.013, 0.043)]. Current left-behind status was associated with increased time spent online, which, in turn, predicted a higher prevalence of cyberbullying victimization [95% CI = (0.013, 0.038)]. Additionally, the current left-behind status positively predicted cyberbullying victimization among children through the serial mediating roles of parent-child communication and time spent online [95% CI = (0.001, 0.006)]. Similarly, previous left-behind experience positively predicted cyberbullying victimization among children through the serial mediating roles of parent-child communication and time spent online [95% CI = (0.002, 0.007)]. Discussion: We propose that to protect CLBC and PLBC from cyberbullying victimization, it is of great importance for migrant parents to regulate children's time spent online and promote daily parent-child communication.

A machine learning-based prediction of hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is vital for critically ill ICU patients but carries significant mortality risks. This study aims to develop a predictive model to estimate hospital mortality among MV patients, utilizing comprehensive health data to assist ICU physicians with early-stage alerts. METHODS: We developed a Machine Learning (ML) framework to predict hospital mortality in ICU patients receiving MV. Using the MIMIC-III database, we identified 25,202 eligible patients through ICD-9 codes. We employed backward elimination and the Lasso method, selecting 32 features based on clinical insights and literature. Data preprocessing included eliminating columns with over 90% missing data and using mean imputation for the remaining missing values. To address class imbalance, we used the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE). We evaluated several ML models, including CatBoost, XGBoost, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Logistic Regression, using a 70/30 train-test split. The CatBoost model was chosen for its superior performance in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, AUROC metrics, and calibration plots. RESULTS: The study involved a cohort of 25,202 patients on MV. The CatBoost model attained an AUROC of 0.862, an increase from an initial AUROC of 0.821, which was the best reported in the literature. It also demonstrated an accuracy of 0.789, an F1-score of 0.747, and better calibration, outperforming other models. These improvements are due to systematic feature selection and the robust gradient boosting architecture of CatBoost. CONCLUSION: The preprocessing methodology significantly reduced the number of relevant features, simplifying computational processes, and identified critical features previously overlooked. Integrating these features and tuning the parameters, our model demonstrated strong generalization to unseen data. This highlights the potential of ML as a crucial tool in ICUs, enhancing resource allocation and providing more personalized interventions for MV patients.

[Finite element analysis of effect of different treatment methods on vertebral stability of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures].

Objective: To investigate the effect of different treatment methods on the vertebral stability of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) by finite element analysis. Methods: Ten patients with thoracolumbar OVCF admitted between January 2020 and June 2021 were selected, 5 of whom underwent operation (operation group), 5 underwent conservative treatment (conservative treatment group). Another 5 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender and age between groups ( P>0.05). The operation group and the conservative treatment group received CT examination of the fractured vertebral body and adjacent segments before and after treatments, while the control group received CT examination of T 12-L 2. By importing CT data into Mimics 10.01 software, the finite element model was constructed. After comparing the finite element model of control group with the previous relevant literature measurement results to verify the validity, the spinal structural stress and range of motion (ROM) in each group under different conditions were measured. Results: The three-dimensional finite element model was verified to be valid. There were significant differences in spinal structural stress after treatment between groups under different conditions ( P<0.05). Before treatment, the ROMs of operation group and conservative treatment group under difference conditions were significantly lower than those of control group ( P<0.05), and there was no difference between conservative treatment group and operation group ( P>0.05). After treatment, the ROMs of the control group and the operation group were significantly higher than those of the conservative treatment group ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the operation group and the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusion: For patients with OVCF, the minimally invasive operation can achieve better results. Compared with conservative treatment, it can reduce the effect on spinal stability, and can be as a preferred treatment method, which is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients.

Mother's and Father's Migrating in China: Differing Relations to Mental Health and Risk Behaviors Among Left-Behind Children.

Background: In China, the figure for left-behind children (LBC) of migrants stood at 68. 77 million in 2015. Despite being seen as a whole in the last few decades, LBC today differ broadly in parental migrating status. This study focused on LBC with both parents migrating (BLBC), LBC with only mothers migrating (MLBC), LBC with only fathers migrating (FLBC), and previous LBC with one or both parents migrating (PLBC), separately. We aimed at exploring the extent to which LBC were being affected by each migrant parent on both mental health and risk behaviors. Methods: Data from 4,832 children were collected by a school-based survey in both rural and urban areas of China's Anhui province. Each participant anonymously completed a self-administered questionnaire containing the sociodemographics, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the items from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), and Young's Internet Addiction Test for Chinese (YIAT-C). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Chi-squared test. Associations were estimated by multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses adjusted for several confounders. Results: The results suggested that BLBC (p < 0.001), MLBC (p < 0.05), FLBC (p < 0.01), and PLBC (p < 0.001) significantly scored higher for total difficulties along with emotional symptoms and conduct problems than never left-behind children (NLBC). Besides, BLBC, FLBC, and PLBC further reported a significantly higher rate of smoking (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively) and drinking (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively) than did NLBC. Also, MLBC appeared higher risks of smoking problems [OR = 2.31, 95% CI (1.45-3.69), p < 0.001] and the internet addiction [OR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.24-3.72), p < 0.01], when compared to NLBC. Conclusions: The findings provided insight into LBC within the different contexts of parental migrations and contributed to a better understanding of their specific and potentially persistent health risks. Correspondingly, the study highlighted the implications for differentiating LBC to capture the more vulnerable group and tailored interventions to prioritize.

Health Status and Association With Interpersonal Relationships Among Chinese Children From Urban Migrant to Rural Left-Behind.

Background: To date, numerous studies have examined the health status of Chinese left-behind children and migrant children. However, the impact of children's diverse migration/left-behind experiences on their health is still unclear. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2020 in Nanling country (Anhui province) and Kaihua country (Zhejiang province) in China. School children from grade 5 to 8 reported their socio-demographic, interpersonal relationships, self-rated health, suicidal ideation, and depression. Participants were divided into four groups based on their migrant patterns, namely rural left-behind children with previous migration experience (ME-LBC), rural children with previous migration experience (ME-NLBC), rural left-behind children without migration experience (LBC), and rural children without migration experience (NLBC). Results: Among 2,323 participants included in the present study, there were 336 ME-LBC (14.5%), 283 ME-NLBC (12.2%), 561 LBC (24.1%) and 1,143 NLBC (49.2%). Compared with NLBC, ME-LBC reported significantly poorer self-rated health (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.53-0.97], p < 0.05), higher risk of depression (ß = 0.90, 95% CI [0.02-1.77], p < 0.05) with adjustment of socio-demographic and interpersonal relationships. There was no significant difference in suicidal ideation among different groups of children. The better interpersonal relationship was associated with a better self-rated health, and lower prevalence of depression and suicidal intention. Conclusions: Compared to ordinary rural children, ME-LBC tended to experience higher levels of depression and poorer self-rated health. These research findings imply developing intervention programs about psychological adjustment tailored to different migrant patterns of Chinese rural children. The keys might be to strengthen the relationships with peer and teacher in school and improve the quality of parent-child communication in family for LBC.

Suicide in Spanish Farmers in Two Geographical Areas with Differing Rates of Pesticide Use.

This study assesses whether farmers' suicides were associated with the pesticide use in Spain. The cohort study followed 9.5 million men aged 20-64 years who were employed in 2001. The mortality among farmers and non-farmers during the period 2001-2011 was estimated in a geographical area with high pesticide use and in an area with low pesticide use. For three major causes of death (suicide, unintentional accidents, and rest of causes of death), we estimated the age-standardized mortality rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between farmers and non-farmers in both areas. Farmers in the high pesticide use area showed a lower mortality rate of suicide and unintentional accidents than farmers in the rest of Spain, with mortality rate ratios of 0.74 (95% CI 0.65-0.85) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.52-0.62), respectively. Our findings on pesticide use and farmers' suicide are different from those observed in several previous investigations.

Mortality Among Firefighters in Spain: 10 Years of Follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare mortality rates for the main causes of death and the most frequent sites of cancer in firefighters and all other occupations. METHODS: Mortality was calculated from a longitudinal study conducted between 2001 and 2011 following a total of 9.5 million men aged 20-64 years old who were in employment in 2001. The age-standardized mortality rate for firefighters was calculated for cancer and other causes of death and compared with that for all other occupations using the mortality rate ratio (MRR). RESULTS: No differences were observed between firefighters and all other occupations for overall mortality [MRR = 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-1.07] or for mortality from cancer in general (MRR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.89-1.12). No significant differences were observed in mortality by site of cancer, except for mortality from cancer of larynx (MRR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.01-3.09) and hypopharynx (MRR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.31-6.69), which presented a higher magnitude in firefighters. Neither was any significant differences observed between the two groups in mortality due to cardiovascular, respiratory, or digestive diseases or in mortality due to external causes. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to carcinogens combined with a possible failure to use respiratory protection when fighting fires may be responsible for excess mortality from laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer in firefighters. In the future, more research is needed on the health of firefighters and strengthening preventive policies for these workers.

Cardiovascular Disease, Digestive Diseases, Traffic Accidents, and Suicides: Leading Causes of Death Responsible for Excess Mortality in Farmers in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare mortality from the leading causes of death in farmers and in all other workers. METHODS: Mortality by cause of death was calculated from a longitudinal study in which 9.5 million men were followed up for 10 years. We estimated the contribution of the causes of death to the difference in all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Most of the excess in all-cause mortality in farmers was due to cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, and external causes, which contributed 22.3%, 17.2%, and 53.3% to the difference in all-cause mortality, respectively. Traffic accidents and suicide were the main contributors to the excess mortality from external causes. CONCLUSION: Farmers are a vulnerable group in terms of health, thus there is a need to identify the factors that influence excess mortality from cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, traffic accidents, and suicide.

Tomar medidas preventivas inmediatamente: evidencia de China sobre el COVID-19 / Taking preventive measures immediately: evidence from China on COVID-19

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Aspectos importantes de prevención del personal sanitario en los hospitales durante la epidemia del nuevo coronavirus 2019 / Important aspects of prevention of health personnel in hospitals during the epidemic novel coronavirus 2019

Al día de hoy, el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 se ha extendido ampliamente por el mundo y plantea nuevos desafíos para garantizar la salud y seguridad del personal sanitario. Debido a que dicho personal está en primera línea de la lucha contra el nuevo coronavirus, siendo uno de los grupos más afectados y vulnerables durante la pandemia, es necesario tener en cuenta que las medidas preventivas adoptadas por ellos son fundamentales. Especialmente en situaciones de emergencia, hay que tomar las medidas imprescindibles para la prevención de la exposición ocupacional durante esta nueva pandemia. Los profesionales sanitarios están trabajando con una gran intensidad y una enorme responsabilidad social pero, además de los aplausos, merecen más atención

Today, the novel coronavirus has spread widely throughout the world and poses new challenges to ensure the health and safety of health personnel. Because health personnel are at the frontlines in the fight against the novel coronavirus, which is one of the groups most affected and vulnerable during the pandemic, it is necessary to remind that the preventive measures adopted by health personnel are essential. Especially in emergency situations, essential measures must be taken to prevent occupational exposure during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Health professionals are working with great intensity and enormous social responsibility. In addition to the applause, they deserve more attention