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15 pages, 1253 KB  
Article
Automated Extraction of Pulsatile Stiffness and Wall Asymmetry from Aortic M-Mode Ultrasound Images
by Cheong-Ah Lee, Dong-Guk Paeng and Joon Hyouk Choi
Bioengineering 2026, 13(7), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13070727 (registering DOI) - 24 Jun 2026
Abstract
Conventional ultrasound-based assessment of aortic stiffness relies on two-point distension metrics using maximum and minimum vessel diameters within a cardiac cycle, which may not fully reflect time-resolved aortic wall dynamics. This retrospective pilot study investigated the feasibility and clinical relevance of a time-series-based [...] Read more.
Conventional ultrasound-based assessment of aortic stiffness relies on two-point distension metrics using maximum and minimum vessel diameters within a cardiac cycle, which may not fully reflect time-resolved aortic wall dynamics. This retrospective pilot study investigated the feasibility and clinical relevance of a time-series-based stiffness parameter, termed pulsatile stiffness-β, derived from automated segmentation of archived aortic M-mode ultrasound images. Seventy-nine cases with available aortic M-mode images were analyzed. Automated image processing was used to segment the anterior and posterior aortic walls and reconstruct diameter waveforms. Conventional stiffness-β, pulsatile stiffness-β, and wall asymmetry-related parameters were calculated and compared with demographic, tonometry-derived, hemodynamic, coronary burden, cardiovascular risk, and echocardiographic variables. Conventional and pulsatile stiffness-β were strongly correlated and showed directionally consistent associations with established vascular functional parameters, including systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, augmentation pressure, age, and cardiovascular risk burden. Pulsatile stiffness-β demonstrated association patterns broadly comparable to conventional stiffness-β, suggesting its role as a waveform-informed extension rather than a superior alternative. Wall asymmetry-related parameters were associated with the Syntax score. Automated analysis of archived aortic M-mode images may provide feasible time-resolved vascular biomarkers for stiffness and wall motion assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosignal Processing)
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12 pages, 208 KB  
Protocol
Type II Workplace Violence in Primary Care: A Cranston Ridge Medical Clinic Improvement Protocol for Implementing a Universal, Risk-Informed Screening and Prevention Programme to Improve Staff Safety
by Tomasz Karczewski, Dawid Karczewski and Mihaela Olsen
Prim. Hosp. Care 2026, 25(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/phc25010007 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 110
Abstract
Background: Type II workplace violence by patients, relatives, or visitors is an occupational health and patient-safety concern in primary care. Cranston Ridge Medical Clinic (CRMC), a single urban family medicine and walk-in primary care clinic in Calgary, Alberta, plans to implement a universal, [...] Read more.
Background: Type II workplace violence by patients, relatives, or visitors is an occupational health and patient-safety concern in primary care. Cranston Ridge Medical Clinic (CRMC), a single urban family medicine and walk-in primary care clinic in Calgary, Alberta, plans to implement a universal, risk-informed workplace-safety bundle that is based on observable behaviour, situational risk, and documented safety concerns rather than demographic profiling. Methods: This article describes a single-site internal quality improvement and workplace-safety evaluation protocol. The comparison is CRMC usual practice during the pre-implementation baseline period; there is no concurrent external control group. The planned evaluation will use aggregate, de-identified operational data from a 12-month pre-implementation baseline, a four-week implementation period, and 12 months of post-implementation monitoring. All clinic staff will receive workplace-safety training as part of routine implementation. No staff, patients, or visitors will be recruited as research participants, and the evaluation will not use individual-level staff survey, interview, or focus-group data. Patient/visitor information will be used only as aggregate operational monitoring data when needed to assess safety, access, patient flow, and complaints. Intervention and analysis: The bundle includes worksite analysis, staff training, a brief arrival safety screen, a response algorithm, standardized reporting, monthly safety huddles, and post-incident support. The primary metric will be the Type II workplace-violence incident rate per 1000 clinic visits. Planned analyses include run charts, pre–post rate ratios, and Poisson or negative binomial segmented regression if monthly counts are sufficient. Implementation learning will be summarized from routine training records, safety-huddle summaries, post-incident debrief themes, and other aggregate de-identified operational indicators. Expected contribution: The protocol contributes a transparent, equity-sensitive, and operationally feasible model for balancing staff safety with patient access in primary care. Full article
18 pages, 443 KB  
Article
Walking Tourism in Destination Management: Analysis and Prediction of Tourist Preferences Using an Integrated Machine Learning Model
by Danka Milojković, Katarina Milojković, Hristina Milojković and Nikola Milojković
Sustainability 2026, 18(12), 6180; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18126180 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 133
Abstract
Walking tourism is an important form of thematic and sustainable tourism, especially in rural and naturally attractive destinations. It contributes to diversifying the tourist environments and improving destination management. This paper analyses the role of walking tourism in destination management and uses an [...] Read more.
Walking tourism is an important form of thematic and sustainable tourism, especially in rural and naturally attractive destinations. It contributes to diversifying the tourist environments and improving destination management. This paper analyses the role of walking tourism in destination management and uses an integrated machine-learning model to predict tourist preferences. A key focus of this study is identifying the key factors influencing walking tourism preferences, including demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, and activity-related variables. The methodology of this study is based on an integrated Machine Learning (ML) approach. CatBoostClassifier was used as the primary predictive model, and hyperparameter optimization was performed using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Model interpretability was ensured through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis, supported by CatBoost feature importance evaluation. This combination enables both high prediction accuracy and transparent explanation of variable influence. The research is based on 467 responses collected through an anonymous online survey. Results confirm that walking tourism is predominantly linked to natural and mountain experiences, which have strong implications for destination planning and tourism product development. The proposed model provides reliable predictions of tourist preferences under class imbalance conditions, achieving a macro-F1 score of 0.5114. Additionally, key factors influencing the choice of walking tours were identified, supporting destination managers in tourist segmentation, tourism product development, and sustainable allocation of destination resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development)
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14 pages, 283 KB  
Article
Fall-Related Extremity Injuries During a Severe Snowfall and Icing Episode in Diyarbakır, Türkiye: Injury Patterns, Treatment Characteristics, and Need for Surgery in the Emergency Department
by Mustafa Altintaş, Remzi Çetinkaya, Mehmet Özel and Habip Balsak
Medicina 2026, 62(6), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62061152 - 13 Jun 2026
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Severe snowfall and icing are associated with weather-related trauma presentations, especially in cities unaccustomed to prolonged winter conditions. However, the clinical characteristics of these injuries and their implications for surgical management remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to describe [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Severe snowfall and icing are associated with weather-related trauma presentations, especially in cities unaccustomed to prolonged winter conditions. However, the clinical characteristics of these injuries and their implications for surgical management remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to describe injury patterns, treatment approaches, and factors associated with the need for surgery among patients presenting with extremity trauma during an intense snowfall and icing episode in Diyarbakır. Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study included patients presenting to the emergency department with extremity trauma during a severe snowfall and icing period. Demographic characteristics, injury features, imaging modality, ambient temperature, anatomical localization, and treatment approaches were analyzed. Patients were categorized according to nonoperative versus operative management. Factors associated with the need for surgery were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the discriminative ability of age and ambient temperature for predicting the need for surgery. Results: A total of 943 patients were included. The largest age group was 18–44 years (38.6%), and 55.9% were male. Fractures were identified in 50.7% of cases, whereas 46.7% had no fracture and 2.7% had joint dislocation. Upper-extremity injuries predominated (65.2%), with distal segment involvement observed in 55.0% of cases. Most presentations occurred on days with mean ambient temperatures ≤ 0 °C (81.5%). Overall, 82.1% of patients were managed nonoperatively, while 17.9% required surgical treatment. In multivariable analysis, increasing age and the use of computed tomography were independently associated with the need for surgery, whereas ambient temperature was not. Conclusions: Fall-related extremity injuries during severe snowfall and icing were predominantly upper-extremity and distal injuries, and most were managed nonoperatively. The need for surgery was more strongly associated with patient age and injury complexity than with ambient temperature alone. These findings describe a distinct trauma profile during short-term winter events in mild-climate cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Orthopedics)
18 pages, 10711 KB  
Article
Chromosome-Scale Genome Architecture and Historical Demography of the Southern White Rhinoceros
by Jiong Zhou, Xiaofang Zhou, Fenglei Zhang, Wu Chen and Lei Chen
Biology 2026, 15(12), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15120924 - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 360
Abstract
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) offers a unique model for investigating the genomic consequences of extreme demographic bottlenecks. However, the fragmented southern white rhinoceros genome assembly has limited chromosome-scale structural and evolutionary comparisons with the functionally extinct northern subspecies. Here, we [...] Read more.
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) offers a unique model for investigating the genomic consequences of extreme demographic bottlenecks. However, the fragmented southern white rhinoceros genome assembly has limited chromosome-scale structural and evolutionary comparisons with the functionally extinct northern subspecies. Here, we report a chromosome-scale genome assembly for the southern white rhinoceros by integrating Oxford Nanopore Technology long-read sequencing, Illumina short-read polishing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) scaffolding. The final assembly spans 2.48 Gb and achieves a contig N50 of 42.06 Mb, representing a 452-fold improvement in contiguity over the previous assembly. In total, 2.46 Gb of sequence was anchored to 40 autosomes plus the X and Y chromosomes. Genome annotation identified 1.13 Gb of repetitive elements (45.7% of the assembly), 22,593 protein-coding genes, and 100.68 Mb of segmental duplications. Inspection of the major histocompatibility complex class II gene region further supported the local assembly and annotation reliability, revealing conserved gene composition and order between the southern and northern white rhinoceroses. Whole-genome comparison with the northern white rhinoceros assembly indicated extensive chromosome-scale synteny, along with localized structural variants between the two subspecies, including 111 inversions spanning 33.48 Mb and 497 translocations spanning 36.48 Mb. Furthermore, coalescent demographic reconstruction indicated asynchronous Pleistocene population dynamics for southern and northern white rhinoceroses, reflecting divergent responses to historical climate oscillations. Both subspecies also exhibit lower recent effective population sizes than estimated Pleistocene ancestral levels, underscoring persistent conservation concern. This assembly provides a useful resource for evaluating the genomic consequences of historical bottlenecks, informing future genomic-rescue plans, and strengthening the comparative framework for rhinoceros conservation and evolutionary genomics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Genomics)
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25 pages, 318 KB  
Article
Cognitive Weighting of Constraints on Exercise Participation: A Conjoint Analysis
by Won-Yong Jang and Eui-Yul Choi
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16060976 - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 193
Abstract
This study examines how adults with recent exercise participation experience cognitively weigh different perceived constraints on exercise participation and whether these weighting structures can be used for meaningful segmentation. The sample included 283 adults aged 19 years and older who had engaged in [...] Read more.
This study examines how adults with recent exercise participation experience cognitively weigh different perceived constraints on exercise participation and whether these weighting structures can be used for meaningful segmentation. The sample included 283 adults aged 19 years and older who had engaged in exercise at least once per week for a minimum of 30 min over the past three months. This study aimed to identify the relative importance of perceived exercise participation constraints among adult exercisers, examine differences according to involvement level, and segment participants based on constraint importance. The results showed that, within this sample, intrapersonal constraints, particularly lack of interest and physical fatigue, were the most influential, followed by structural constraints such as time and cost. Constraint prioritization varied by involvement level: highly involved individuals emphasized time burden, whereas less involved individuals highlighted a lack of interest. Cluster analysis identified four distinct segments: interest-constrained beginners, fatigue-sensitive participants, time-constrained active participants, and cost-sensitive experienced participants. These segments differed significantly in demographic and behavioral characteristics, including age, exercise frequency, and participation duration. Overall, the findings suggest that among adults with recent exercise participation experience, perceived exercise participation constraints are cognitively weighted and vary across individuals. This study contributes by applying conjoint analysis to assess the relative importance of multiple perceived constraints and by providing a segmentation-based perspective on how adult exercisers perceive constraints. Full article
17 pages, 1083 KB  
Article
Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Activity: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study from a Romanian Emergency Hospital
by George Cătălin Alexandru, Loredana-Neli Gligor, Doina Chioran, Marius Octavian Pricop, Raluca Mioara Cosoroabă, Mircea Riviș, Horațiu Cristian Mânea, Andrei Urîtu, Alexandra Roi, Ciprian I. Roi and Tudor Rareș Olariu
Medicina 2026, 62(6), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62061129 - 10 Jun 2026
Viewed by 250
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic disrupted oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) services worldwide because of the high aerosol-generating nature of head-and-neck procedures, restricted access to elective dental care, and systemic reallocation of hospital resources. Continuous longitudinal multi-year data covering both the [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic disrupted oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) services worldwide because of the high aerosol-generating nature of head-and-neck procedures, restricted access to elective dental care, and systemic reallocation of hospital resources. Continuous longitudinal multi-year data covering both the pandemic and the post-pandemic phases from regional Romanian (and more broadly central and southeastern European) emergency centers remain scarce. We aimed to quantify the impact of the pandemic on OMS activity in a large Romanian regional referral center and to evaluate post-pandemic resilience. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of all inpatient admissions to the OMS Clinic of a tertiary emergency hospital in western Romania between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2024. Three periods were pre-specified: pre-pandemic (2018–2019), pandemic (2020–2022) and post-pandemic (2023–2024). A Newey–West segmented interrupted-time-series (ITS) regression and a negative-binomial monthly count model with Fourier seasonality were fitted; length of hospital stay was further analyzed with a multivariable gamma-log generalized linear model adjusted for age, sex, county, primary ICD-10 chapter and total ICD-10 codes. Variables analyzed included case volume, demographics, primary and secondary ICD-10 diagnoses, length of hospital stay (LOS), case complexity (total ICD-10 codes per admission) and in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 11,628 inpatient admissions corresponding to 8084 unique patients (56.5% male; mean age 52.2 ± 19.2 years) were analyzed. Compared with the pre-pandemic baseline (mean 2037 admissions/year), annual volume dropped by 45.1% in 2020, 44.0% in 2021 and 32.3% in 2022, with a nadir of −76% during the first state of emergency (April 2020; n = 34 admissions). Recovery was rapid; 2024 exceeded the pre-pandemic baseline by +10.1% on raw counts and by +16.2% on admissions per 100,000 catchment population using year-specific INS denominators. The segmented ITS regression confirmed an immediate level drop of −114.2 admissions/month in March 2020 (95% CI −133.1 to −95.3; p < 0.001) and a positive post-intervention slope of +2.06 admissions/month (95% CI 1.23–2.88; p < 0.001), with observed monthly volume returning to the counterfactual projection by October 2023. The case mix shifted significantly (χ2 = 406.9, p < 0.0001); elective benign neoplasm admissions were reduced from 7.2% to 2.0%, while neoplasms of uncertain behavior nearly doubled from 15.7% to 27.5%. Case complexity increased during the pandemic (mean ICD codes 4.08 ± 2.42 vs. 3.44 ± 2.30; p < 0.001); after exclusion of administrative codes (whole Z chapter and U07.x), the difference attenuated to 3.34 vs. 3.17 codes (still p < 0.001 by Kruskal–Wallis), indicating that the largest portion of the unadjusted increase was driven by the new mandatory pre-admission SARS-CoV-2 screening code Z11.5 rather than true clinical complexity. Notably, the clinically interpretable proxy R63.3 (feeding difficulty) independently rose from 41.5% to 53.1%. The crude median LOS did not differ between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods (3.07 vs. 3.06 d; p = 0.19) and dropped significantly post-pandemic (2.22 d; p < 0.001); however, after multivariable adjustment for case mix, age, sex, county and code count, the LOS was 15.7% shorter during the pandemic (adjusted ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.82–0.87; p < 0.001) and 22.8% shorter post-pandemic (adjusted ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.75–0.80; p < 0.001) relative to baseline. Conclusions: The pandemic caused a severe but transient contraction of OMS activity accompanied by increased case complexity and a marked shift away from elective surgery. Inpatient volume returned to and exceeded the pre-pandemic baseline by 2024. These results support the value of standing pandemic-preparedness protocols, sustained access to preventive dental care, and integrated tele-triage pathways for future public-health crises. Full article
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25 pages, 1056 KB  
Article
A Case Study of Agritourism in Istria County, Croatia
by Anita Silvana Ilak Peršurić
Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121269 - 8 Jun 2026
Viewed by 200
Abstract
This study investigates the development and current status of agritourism in Croatia, with a specific focus on Istria County, a region characterized by favorable Mediterranean climatic conditions and a long-standing tourism culture. The research aims to assess the structure and success factors of [...] Read more.
This study investigates the development and current status of agritourism in Croatia, with a specific focus on Istria County, a region characterized by favorable Mediterranean climatic conditions and a long-standing tourism culture. The research aims to assess the structure and success factors of agritourism enterprises within the broader Croatian tourism market. An empirical field survey was conducted on a sample of 58 agritourism businesses operating in Istria County. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, and enterprises were segmented into three groups according to their length of business operation. The results reveal significant differences among the identified groups in terms of demographic and professional characteristics, including age, educational attainment, prior tourism experience, years in business, and annual tourist visits. The analysis further identifies three key dimensions influencing agritourism: future development (1), consisting of economic and social variables enhancing the business; limitations (2) of land, capital, and laws that can hinder their future; and state interventions (3), such as incentives and taxes created by state authorities. The findings suggest that the sustainable development of agritourism in Istria depends on coordinated policy support, effective utilization of farm, local nature, and heritage resources, as well as continuous improvement in service provision. This study contributes to a better understanding of agritourism dynamics in emerging rural tourism markets and provides a basis for future research and policy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agritourism: Sustainability, Management, and Socio-Economic Impact)
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21 pages, 16312 KB  
Article
Whole-Genome Resequencing Reveals Deep Genomic Differentiation and Highly Differentiated Segments Between a Composite Domestic Cattle Population and Yak from the Ili River Valley and Other Xinjiang Regions
by Guzalnur Amat, Bo Hu, Yong Tuo, Adiljan Kader, Ablat Sulayman, Zhenghong Zhan, Jianping Zhu, Zhijun Zhang, Bayin Bate, Ziyi Ren, Amat Mamat, Akida Tursun and Tongjun Guo
Animals 2026, 16(11), 1746; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16111746 - 5 Jun 2026
Viewed by 276
Abstract
The Ili River Valley and adjacent Xinjiang regions contain introduced cattle, local cattle, and yak and therefore provide a useful regional system for examining cattle–yak genomic differentiation. Using whole-genome resequencing data from 79 individuals, we analyzed Angus (ANG), Simmental (SIM), Holstein (HOL), Xinjiang [...] Read more.
The Ili River Valley and adjacent Xinjiang regions contain introduced cattle, local cattle, and yak and therefore provide a useful regional system for examining cattle–yak genomic differentiation. Using whole-genome resequencing data from 79 individuals, we analyzed Angus (ANG), Simmental (SIM), Holstein (HOL), Xinjiang Brown Cattle (XH), Kazakh Cattle (KAZ), Altay White-headed Cattle (AWH), and yak (WY). The six domestic cattle groups were merged into a composite domestic cattle group (PTN, n = 69) and compared with WY (n = 10). Sequencing generated 2996.28 Gb of raw data and 2939.56 Gb of clean data. Alignment to the Bos taurus ARS-UCD1.2 reference genome yielded mapping rates of 96.71–99.78% and depths of 5.98×–17.26×. Genome-wide PTN-WY comparisons showed extremely high differentiation: the median weighted F_ST was 0.846 and the 95th percentile was 0.943. The joint F_ST–π scan identified 832 candidate highly differentiated windows and 533 unique ENSBTAG gene IDs, whereas the low-differentiation set contained only five windows and three genes. The longest contiguous highly differentiated segments were located on chromosomes 26, 29, 8, 21, and 7. WY had the highest median Tajima’s D (1.173) and the slowest LD decay, while KAZ had the lowest median Tajima’s D (0.345) and the fastest LD decay. Treemix supported non-tree-like covariance components, and PSMC indicated broadly similar deep-time demographic profiles across individuals. Overall, the dominant genomic signal between PTN and WY is deep phylogenetic divergence, with locally enhanced highly differentiated segments superimposed on this background. These segments were enriched for functions and pathways related to reproductive behavior, neuroendocrine regulation, circadian rhythm, and membrane transport, but they are not interpreted here as recent within-species selective sweeps. The results provide a cautious regional framework for conservation and breeding of bovine genetic resources in Xinjiang. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)
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30 pages, 598 KB  
Article
Between Leisure and Business: A Cluster Analysis of Golf Tourism in Spain
by Miguel Fuentes-Collado, Miguel Ángel Alcaide-Sillero, Paula C. Ferreira-Gomes and David Algaba-Navarro
Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(6), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7060158 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 279
Abstract
In this study, the researchers aim to analyse the motivations of active golf tourists in Spain using the AFE-CFA-Cluster methodology. To this end, a survey was conducted in Spain amongst 381 players, both in person and online, who stated that they had undertaken [...] Read more.
In this study, the researchers aim to analyse the motivations of active golf tourists in Spain using the AFE-CFA-Cluster methodology. To this end, a survey was conducted in Spain amongst 381 players, both in person and online, who stated that they had undertaken one golf trip at least once in their lives. The survey consisted of three sections of questions: the first concerned preferences regarding both the destination and the golf courses; the second comprised 20 questions relating to motivations, divided into five categories: business opportunities, financial benefits, escape and relaxation, learning and challenge, and social interaction and camaraderie; and, finally, the third section focused on socio-demographic aspects. The results obtained from the exploratory factor analysis, which were subsequently confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, revealed the composition of four motivational constructs: business opportunity, financial savings, escape and relaxation, and learning and challenge, resulting in a total of five homogeneous groups of golf tourists: experiential golfers, wellness-oriented golfers, multifunctional golfers, low-involvement golfers and learning-oriented golfers. These results may be useful for companies in the sector and marketing managers in defining the various existing segments of golf tourists and applying specific marketing strategies for each. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Tourism)
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16 pages, 4174 KB  
Article
Trends and Characterization of Hospitalizations with Heart Failure in Italy Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Emanuele Amodio, Giovanni Tinervia, Sofia Bellomo, Michela Conti, Dario Genovese, Gabriele Biagio Marrella, Domenica Matranga, Aurelio Seidita, Giuseppe Vella and Marco Enea
Healthcare 2026, 14(11), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111526 - 30 May 2026
Viewed by 298
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Heart failure (HF) imposes a significant healthcare burden in aging populations. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted care, raising concerns about chronic disease management. We analyzed temporal trends in HF hospitalizations in Italy (2008–2022), assessing the influence of demographics, clinical complexity, seasonality, and the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Heart failure (HF) imposes a significant healthcare burden in aging populations. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted care, raising concerns about chronic disease management. We analyzed temporal trends in HF hospitalizations in Italy (2008–2022), assessing the influence of demographics, clinical complexity, seasonality, and the pandemic. Methods: Using national discharge records, we strictly identified hospitalizations with a primary HF diagnosis via ICD-9-CM codes. Admissions were stratified by age, sex, season, and clinical severity according to the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Temporal trends were analyzed using a Negative Binomial Generalized Linear Mixed Model with the time component modeled through a segmented regression to account for pre-pandemic, pandemic (2020), and late-pandemic dynamics. Results: We identified 3,162,075 primary HF admissions, yielding a crude hospitalization rate of 35.11 per 10,000 person-years. Patients with an intermediate comorbidity burden (Elixhauser 13–20) accounted for 59.3% of the total volume. Multivariable analysis identified male sex (RR = 2.24, p < 0.001 ***), age ≥ 75 years (RR = 95.04 vs. 25–44, p < 0.001 ***), and winter seasonality as strong independent predictors. Trend analysis revealed a structural long-term decline across all severity tiers, driven by a sharp drop in 2020 (RR = 0.80, p < 0.001 ***) coincident with a spike in in-hospital mortality. While patients with low-to-intermediate comorbidity exhibited a partial rebound in 2021–2022 (overall RR = 1.06, p < 0.001 ***), admissions for highly complex patients (score > 20) showed an accelerated late-pandemic decline. Conclusions: HF hospitalizations in Italy remain a substantial burden driven by advanced age and clinical comorbidity. Our 15-year population-level data indicate no sustained, structural late-pandemic surge in HF admissions. The observed fluctuations were likely driven by severe healthcare disruptions and patient care avoidance rather than a true epidemiological shift, highlighting the urgent need for resilient chronic care systems during emergencies. Full article
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23 pages, 332 KB  
Article
Exploring Nonlinear Relationships Between Individual-Level Bank Customer Satisfaction and Revenue
by Cecilia Hermansson, Kent Eriksson and Carin Segerlind
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(6), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19060397 - 30 May 2026
Viewed by 419
Abstract
This study examines the nonlinear relationship between customer satisfaction (CS) and both the levels and growth of customer revenue (CR) at the individual level in the banking sector. Utilizing a unique data on 19,054 Swedish bank customers (2013–2017), the analysis combines subjective satisfaction [...] Read more.
This study examines the nonlinear relationship between customer satisfaction (CS) and both the levels and growth of customer revenue (CR) at the individual level in the banking sector. Utilizing a unique data on 19,054 Swedish bank customers (2013–2017), the analysis combines subjective satisfaction measures with objective financial and demographic register data. Regression models test for diminishing returns at high satisfaction levels while assessing the persistence of these effects over a four-year period. The findings indicate that while CS is positively associated with both revenue level and revenue growth, the relationship with revenue level is nonlinear. Specifically, customers scoring 80–89 generate higher revenues than those scoring 90–100, providing weak evidence of a ceiling effect (at the 10% significance level) that is notably absent for revenue growth. Furthermore, CS explains less than 1% of revenue variation, highlighting the inherent limits of satisfaction-based revenue models. These ceiling effects are more pronounced among older, lower-income women without debt, whereas wealth has no observable impact. Finally, the nonlinear effects fade after one year, though gender remains a consistent moderator. These tentative findings suggest limited financial returns from maximizing satisfaction, thereby supporting the implementation of more differentiated customer segmentation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Banking and Finance)
11 pages, 1225 KB  
Article
Risk Factors for Postoperative Complications in Different Fusion Surgical Approaches for Lumbar Degenerative Diseases
by Zhenbiao Zhu, Anwu Xuan, Cheng Xu, Chaofeng Wang, Qing He, Liang Tang and Dike Ruan
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(11), 4195; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114195 - 29 May 2026
Viewed by 280
Abstract
Objective: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), posterolateral fusion (PLF), and Hybrid fusion are widely used fusion procedures for lumbar degenerative diseases (LDDs). Postoperative complications dominated by cage migration (CM) and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) remain major challenges. This study aimed to identify and [...] Read more.
Objective: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), posterolateral fusion (PLF), and Hybrid fusion are widely used fusion procedures for lumbar degenerative diseases (LDDs). Postoperative complications dominated by cage migration (CM) and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) remain major challenges. This study aimed to identify and compare the independent risk factors for CM and ASD in PLIF, PLF, and Hybrid fusion, so as to provide evidence-based references for preoperative evaluation, surgical selection, and complication prevention in clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients who underwent PLIF, PLF, or Hybrid fusion for LDDs at our institution. Demographic data (age, gender, and body mass index [BMI]), lifestyle factors (smoking and insobriety), comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, osteoporosis, and hypoalbuminemia), surgical parameters (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fusion segments, and lumbar lordosis angle), radiological indices (Pfirrmann grading of intervertebral disc degeneration and relative disc height), and biological markers (C-reactive protein/lymphocyte ratio [CLR], procalcitonin [PCT], and serum amyloid A [SAA]) were collected. Patients were stratified into complication and non-complication groups based on the occurrence of CM or ASD. Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Results: A total of 203 patients were enrolled, including 80 cases with complications in the PLIF group, 64 in the Hybrid group, and 59 in the PLF group. No significant differences were noted in the distribution of complication types among the three groups (p = 0.179). Univariate analysis revealed that BMI, osteoporosis, the Pfirrmann grading of superior adjacent disc degeneration, lumbar lordosis angle, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly associated with postoperative complications across all three surgical groups (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis confirmed that elevated BMI (PLIF: OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.05–4.38; PLF: OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.76–2.18; Hybrid: OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.07–2.54), osteoporosis (PLIF: OR = 6.86; PLF: OR = 7.62; Hybrid: OR = 5.62), advanced superior adjacent disc degeneration (PLIF: OR = 8.04; PLF: OR = 4.49; Hybrid: OR = 2.87), prolonged operative time, and increased intraoperative blood loss were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. In contrast, age, gender, smoking, insobriety, hypertension, diabetes, CLR, PCT, and SAA were not identified as risk factors (p* > 0.05). Conclusions: Elevated BMI, osteoporosis, pre-existing superior adjacent disc degeneration, prolonged operative time, and increased intraoperative blood loss are shared independent risk factors for CM and ASD following PLIF, PLF, and Hybrid fusion for LDDs. Targeted interventions addressing these factors may reduce postoperative complication rates and improve patient outcomes. Full article
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17 pages, 2560 KB  
Article
Association Between Hepatitis C Virus Infection and SYNTAX Score in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
by Ismail Balaban, Seda Tanyeri Uzel, Elif Caglayan, Dogancan Ceneli, Halit Eminoglu, Barkin Kultursay, Mustafa Ferhat Keten and Kadir Biyikli
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(11), 4180; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114180 - 28 May 2026
Viewed by 185
Abstract
Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasingly recognized as a systemic inflammatory condition associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its relationship with coronary anatomical complexity in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains insufficiently defined. Aims: [...] Read more.
Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasingly recognized as a systemic inflammatory condition associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its relationship with coronary anatomical complexity in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains insufficiently defined. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the association between chronic HCV infection and coronary artery disease complexity assessed by the SYNTAX score in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and to investigate its relationship with in-hospital mortality. Methods: In this retrospective single-center cohort study, 1647 STEMI patients treated with pPCI between January 2021 and December 2025 were analyzed; 106 (6.4%) were HCV-positive. Propensity score matching based on baseline demographic and cardiovascular risk factors yielded 105 matched pairs. The primary endpoint was the SYNTAX score, while the secondary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Results: HCV-positive patients demonstrated significantly higher SYNTAX scores than HCV-negative patients before (19.5 ± 8.5 vs. 15.8 ± 9.6; p < 0.001) and after propensity score matching (19.4 ± 8.5 vs. 15.6 ± 9.2; p = 0.002). Coronary artery bypass grafting referral was more frequent among HCV-positive patients both before (11.3% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.010) and after matching (11.4% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.016). Notably, HCV-positive patients exhibited higher coronary anatomical complexity despite lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. In multivariable analyses, HCV positivity remained independently associated with higher SYNTAX scores in both unmatched and matched cohorts. In-hospital mortality rates were comparable between groups, and HCV positivity was not independently associated with mortality. Conclusions: Chronic HCV infection was independently associated with increased coronary anatomical complexity in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI, suggesting a relationship with a more diffuse and structurally complex atherosclerotic phenotype rather than short-term in-hospital outcomes. These findings support the concept of HCV infection as a non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor associated with adverse coronary vascular remodeling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cardiovascular Medicine)
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24 pages, 9448 KB  
Article
BLIDE: Bayesian Learning of Infectious Disease Emerging in COVID-19 Studies
by Avizit Chandra Adhikary, Ziyu Liu, Anisha Das, Rongjie Liu and Chao Huang
Stats 2026, 9(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/stats9030054 - 28 May 2026
Viewed by 269
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped global infrastructure, highlighting the importance of effective infectious disease management. Identifying when and where infection trends change abnormally can aid strategic planning; yet, existing change point detection methods struggle due to the non-linear nature of infection trends, spatial [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped global infrastructure, highlighting the importance of effective infectious disease management. Identifying when and where infection trends change abnormally can aid strategic planning; yet, existing change point detection methods struggle due to the non-linear nature of infection trends, spatial and temporal dependencies, regional demographic and healthcare variations, and differing preventive measures. To address this issue, we propose a Bayesian method that can detect candidate regional disease-related change periods while overcoming these challenges. Specifically, we develop a Bayesian function-on-function regression model that learns from infection trends across multiple regions by incorporating both time-invariant features and the historical effect of time-dependent functional covariates. Temporal dependence in the covariate effects is captured through neighborhood-based spike-and-slab priors, whose latent binary inclusion indicators are, in turn, modeled by Ising priors. A Gibbs sampling framework is derived to approximate the joint posterior distribution of the model parameters. We compared the performance of the proposed framework against two widely used change-point detection methods, BCP and Segmented. In our simulation studies, BLIDE achieves an F1-score of 1.000 under high signal-to-noise conditions and maintains an F1-score above 0.95 even when noise dominates the trends, substantially outperforming BCP (F1-scores 0.454 and 0.131, respectively) and Segmented (F1-scores below 0.05 across all scenarios). Full article
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