The fear of COVID-19 scale: Its structure and measurement invariance across 48 countries.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been a source of fear around the world. We asked whether the measurement of this fear is trustworthy and comparable across countries. In particular, we explored the measurement invariance and cross-cultural replicability of the widely used Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), testing community samples from 48 countries (N = 14,558). The findings indicate that the FCV-19S has a somewhat problematic structure, yet the one-factor solution is replicable across cultural contexts and could be used in studies that compare people who vary on gender and educational level. The validity of the scale is supported by a consistent pattern of positive correlations with perceived stress and general anxiety. However, given the unclear structure of the FCV-19S, we recommend using latent factor scores, instead of raw scores, especially in cross-cultural comparisons. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Structure of Dark Triad Dirty Dozen Across Eight World Regions.

The Dark Triad (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism) has garnered intense attention over the past 15 years. We examined the structure of these traits' measure-the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD)-in a sample of 11,488 participants from three W.E.I.R.D. (i.e., North America, Oceania, Western Europe) and five non-W.E.I.R.D. (i.e., Asia, Middle East, non-Western Europe, South America, sub-Saharan Africa) world regions. The results confirmed the measurement invariance of the DTDD across participants' sex in all world regions, with men scoring higher than women on all traits (except for psychopathy in Asia, where the difference was not significant). We found evidence for metric (and partial scalar) measurement invariance within and between W.E.I.R.D. and non-W.E.I.R.D. world regions. The results generally support the structure of the DTDD.

The Relation of Erythropoietin Towards Hemoglobin and Hematocrit in Varying Degrees of Renal Insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxia is a basic stimulant in production of erythropoietin (EPO). The primary function of erythrocytes is the transport of oxygen to tissues. Erythropoietin stimulates erythropoiesis which leads to increased production of erythrocytes- their total mass. This increases the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen, reduces the hypoxic stimulus and provides a negative feedback of stopping EPO production. The aim of this study was to establish a quantitative relationship between the concentration of erythropoietin, hemoglobin and hematocrit in different values of renal insufficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey was conducted on 562 subjects divided into two groups: with and without renal insufficiency. EPO, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum creatinine and additional parameters iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid were determined by using immunochemical and spectrophotometric methods and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated as well. RESULTS: EPO values (median) grow to the first degree of renal insufficiency, as compared to EPO values of healthy subjects, this increase is statistically significant, p=0.002. With further deterioration of renal function the values of EPO between all pathological groups are decreasing, and this decrease is statistically significant between first and second degree of renal insufficiency (RI) p<0.001. In the group of healthy subjects EPO is correlated rho = -0.532, p <0.0005 with hematocrit. The correlations are negative and strong and can be predicted by regression line (EP0 = 41.375- Hct * .649; EPO = 61.41-Hb * 0.355). In the group of subjects with the first degree of renal insufficiency EPO is in correlation with hematocrit rho=-0.574, p<0, 0005. It is also correlated with hemoglobin rho=-0.580, p< 0.0005. The correlation is negative (EP0= 42.168- Hct * 0.678). In the group of subjects with the third degree of renal insufficiency EPO is in correlation with hemoglobin rho=0.257, p=0.028. The correlation is medium strong and positive. In the group of subjects with third and fourth degree of renal insufficiency EPO is not in correlation with hemoglobin and hematocrit p>0.05. CONCLUSION: Renal dysfunction, depending on the level of RI effects differently on the biosynthesis of EPO in a diseased kidney, and consequently it also has a different effect on biosynthesis of HB in bone marrow and its content in the blood.

Assessments of the socioeconomic status and diet on the prevalence of dental caries at school children in central bosnian canton.

AIM: The main aim of this research was to determine the influence of socioeconomic status and residence/living conditions on the status of oral health (e.g. health of mouth and teeth) in primary school students residing in Canton Central Bosnia. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Our research included two-phased stratified random sample of 804 participants. The quantitative research method and newly designed survey instrument were utilized in order to provide data on the oral health of the examined children. The alternate hypothesis foresaw that "there were significant statistical differences between the levels of incidence of dental caries in comparison to the incidence in children of different socioeconomic status. RESULTS: The Chi square () of 22.814, degree of freedom (Df) = 8, coefficient of contingency of 0.163 and T-test (Stat) of-0.18334 showed that there were no significant statistical differences at p < 0.05 level between the primary school children from urban and rural areas. The obtained results showed that the caries indexes in elementary schools in Central Bosnia Canton were fairly uniform. Research showed that there were a difference in the attitudes towards a regular dental visits, which correlated with social-educational structure of the children's' families. CONCLUSION: According to the results, we can see that the socioeconomic status of patients had an effect on the occurrence of dental caries and oral hygiene in patients in relation to the rural and urban areas, because we can see that by the number of respondents, the greater unemployment of parents in both, rural and urban areas, caused a host of other factors, which were, either, directly or indirectly connected with the development of caries.

Financial aspects and the future of the pharmaceutical industry in the United States of america.

INTRODUCTION: The U.S. pharmaceutical industry is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as "companies engaged in researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing of medicines and biological for human or veterinary use". Besides its main role in improving human health, the US pharmaceutical industry represents one of the most critical, key decision makers' lobbying prone and competitive sectors in the economy. The cost in the environment of very limited government price regulation remains one of the major problems fuelling aggregate health care cost inflation. Pharmaceuticals have created huge benefits for public health and economic productivity by the means of saving lives, increasing life expectancy, reducing illness related suffering, preventing surgeries and decreasing hospital stays. PURPOSE: The goal of this review paper is to show the present conditions and future trends of the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S. METHODOLOGY: THIS PAPER REPRESENTS A THOROUGH LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE MULTIFACETED SOURCES INCLUDING: studies, books, peer reviewed journals, U.S. government sources (i.e. U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, etc.). DISCUSSION: In the thirty years pharmaceutical companies have consistently developed and launched new medicines, bringing hope to sick or - at risk patients. They also usually provide above the average financial returns for its shareholders. U.S. pharmaceutical companies had as their goal to discover blockbuster drugs. Blockbuster drugs are generally defined as drugs that solve medical problems common to hundreds of millions of people and, at the same time generate large sales increases and profits for the pharmaceutical companies. The main approach of these companies includes huge investments in research and development (R&D), innovation, marketing and sales. The trend analysis shows that for the most part the era of blockbuster drugs is nearing an end. CONCLUSION: Numerous blockbuster drugs will be coming off patent in the next few years, opening the way to generics and eliminating a major source of the industry's profits. Still, there is plenty of room for improvement in the medications people take while there is no shortage of human suffering to alleviate. It is doubtful whether big pharmaceutical firms will be able to pursue these goals within the old model of developing exclusive new drugs that can be sold further in the future. In the past, medicines for the ailments that were never before addressed, like anti-cholesterol or anti-depression drugs were developed. Currently, and in the future, it is expected that only blockbuster modifications will be developed. This phenomenon is expected to create market saturation, which will significantly reduce profits. The business model that drove the major drug makers' success is not working anymore. Pharmaceutical companies must create new ways and to bring new ideas. The survivors will be those that market strategies supported by innovative approaches and winning capabilities.

Medical malpractice in connecticut: defensive medicine, real problem or a red herring - example of assessment of quality outcomes variables.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Using the survey data obtained from doctors in Connecticut, we estimate the "true" costs of defensive medicine and medical malpractice awards via litigation in the overall aggregate picture of U.S. national annual health expenditures. RESULTS AND DISCUSION: Progressives claim that these costs amount only to approximately 2% of total annual health expenditures, while conservatives claim that these costs are much higher, in the neighborhood of 10%. Conservatives want to reform the current medical malpractice system because the savings could be significant. Progressives claim that this issue is a "red herring" in the overall picture of health care reform and that other factors such as hospital costs, payments to physicians and pharmaceutical prices are the largest contributors to runaway health care costs, currently amounting to 18% of GDP. The health of the national economy, deficit reduction and future prosperity will depend upon the speed and quality of the cost reducing solutions. CONCLUSION: An in-depth look into cost and profit structure of each provider's procedure and legislative push for price and quality transparency of the informed and educated constituents are recommended to improve this serious national, socio-economic problem.

Comparisons of health care systems in the United States, Germany and Canada.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESEARCH PAPER IS TO COMPARE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN THREE HIGHLY ADVANCED INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES: The United States of America, Canada and Germany. The first part of the research paper will focus on the description of health care systems in the above-mentioned countries while the second part will analyze, evaluate and compare the three systems regarding equity and efficiency. Finally, an overview of recent changes and proposed future reforms in these countries will be provided as well. We start by providing a general description and comparison of the structure of health care systems in Canada, Germany and the United States.

Financial aspects of the immunosuppressive therapy.

INTRODUCTION: In this study the authors have analyzed the costs associated with the immunosuppressive therapy in patients who underwent organ transplantation in two countries: the United States of America and Bosnia and Herzegovina (i.e. the entity Federation B&H). AIMS OF THE STUDY: The goal of this paper is to compare and contrast the costs of the immunosuppressive therapy in two countries against the total costs of the organ transplantation. Further, the costs, dosages and effectiveness of the particular types of immunosuppressant were also analyzed. Problem of the Study: Immunosuppressive medications are essential in preventing kidney transplant rejection. Most available pharmaco-economic information to date is for induction and maintenance therapies, while the data on the financial impacts of the rejection are still limited. Immunosuppressive regiments are expensive in the socio-economic environment of limited resources and constraints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This academic article has utilized the publicly available sources of information from the Federation Entity of B&H, (i.e. Federal Department of Insurance and Reinsurance) in period 2006 to 2010, as well as peer-reviewed academic articles, books, private and government data from the United States of America from 2006 to 2010, including projections for 2011. RESULTS: In the U.S. the cost of the immunosuppressive medications for the major types of organ transplantations typically range from US $19,300 to $34,600 per year based on commonly prescribed doses at average wholesale prices. In the Federation entity of B&H in 2009, the average cost per patient in F.B&H in 2010 was 6,009.00 KM (U.S.$4,292.00), which represents an absolute cost decrease of 740 KM or 11.00%, when compared to the higher average cost per patient in 2009, which was 6,749.00 KM (US $4,821.00). DISCUSSION: The process of finding the ideal medication regiments to minimize morbidity and mortality, while maximizing quality of life and optimizing the cost is the major challenge to the transplantation community. Pharmaco-economic analysis can provide valuable insight toward achieving of these, rather difficult goals. CONCLUSION: A sensitive pharmaco-economic analysis must be undertaken in order to achieve the best results in the world of limited/constrained resources and increasing demands for the expensive and quality of life improving immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation.