Comparison of methods to normalize urine output in critically ill patients: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: Oliguria diagnosis includes the normalization of urine output (UO) by body weight. However, the rational and the method to apply to normalize UO to body weight are unclear. We aimed to explore the impact of the method applied to normalize UO on oliguria incidence and association with outcomes.

A multi-stage approach to support timely health policy decisions during crisis: the fast-track Delphi.

Background: Scientists can play an important role in policymaking by providing evidence and consensual expert opinion on the state of scientific knowledge. Delphi surveys have been widely used to develop consensus on a topical issue, yet not compatible with public health crisis situations requiring rapid decisions. We developed a fast-track Delphi process, providing experts with a structured approach to rapidly develop and quantify consensus in support of informed policy decisions.

The impact of self-report inaccuracy in the UK Biobank and its interplay with selective participation.

Although the use of short self-report measures is common practice in biobank initiatives, such a phenotyping strategy is inherently prone to reporting errors. To explore challenges related to self-report errors, we first derived a reporting error score in the UK Biobank (UKBB; n = 73,127), capturing inconsistent self-reporting in time-invariant phenotypes across multiple measurement occasions. We then performed genome-wide scans on the reporting error score, applied downstream analyses (linkage disequilibrium score regression and Mendelian randomization) and compared its properties to the UKBB participation propensity.

Introducing the OECD guidance document on occupational biomonitoring: A harmonized methodology for deriving occupational biomonitoring levels (OBL).

Derivation of occupational biomonitoring levels (OBLs) is needed to effectively utilize biomonitoring for assessing exposures to chemical substances, and consequently, implement risk reduction measures to reduce health risks among workers. OBLs are the appropriate option for chemical substances that can be absorbed through the skin. This methodology for derivation of OBLs has been developed in collaboration with scientific and regulatory experts from more than 40 institutes in 15 countries within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) framework.

Patient reactions to proactive tobacco cessation counseling using a decision aid in primary care: A qualitative study.

Medications for smoking cessation can double quit rates but are underused in primary care. This qualitative study aimed to explore: (1) patients' perspectives regarding having their general practitioner (GP) use a proactive approach to smoking cessation treatment using an encounter decision aid (DA), and (2) their expectations regarding their GP's role. We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with participants of the FIRST randomized trial (adults who smoke daily with any level of motivation for tobacco quitting).

Associations between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors according to age and sex.

Context: Subclinical thyroid dysfunction (ScTD) comprising subclinical hypothyroidism (SHypo) and subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHyper) has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events.

Objective: To assess associations between ScTD and cardiovascular risk factors (cvRFs) according to age and sex.

Design And Setting: Pooled individual participant data analysis of large prospective cohort studies from the Thyroid Studies Collaboration.

Estimating the effect of COVID-19 vaccination and prior infection on Ct values as a proxy of SARS-CoV-2 viral load.

Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 viral load could be an important parameter for transmission potential. Here, we use RT-qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values as a proxy for viral load. We assess the effect of COVID-19 vaccination and prior infection status on Ct value, while accounting for the virus variant.

Diagnosis and treatment of occupational burnout in the Swiss outpatient sector: A national survey of healthcare professionals' attributes and attitudes.

We aimed to describe the attributes and attitudes of Swiss health professionals who treat persons with occupational burnout (POB) in the outpatient sector and explore associated determinants. The study design was descriptive cross-sectional survey, distributed to the 16,883 general practitioners (GP), psychiatrist-psychotherapists (PP), occupational physicians (OP) and psychologists registered in the Swiss Medical Association, the Swiss Federation of Psychologists, and other specialized associations. Using an online questionnaire, we identified professionals who consult and treat POB, their attributes, volume of POB consultations, diagnostics and treatment modalities and outcomes (OB severity, average proportion of POB who returned to work and who relapsed).

In Vitro Hepatic Metabolism Input Parameters Support Toxicokinetic Simulations for the Formation of Methoxy Propionic Acid From β-Isomer Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether.

Propylene glycol ethers (PGEs) are organic solvents commonly found as technical grade on the commercial market, as mixtures of secondary (α-isomer) and primary (β-isomer, generally < 5%) alcohols. After handling products containing PGEs, they readily enter the human body where they are metabolized. The minor β-isomer is oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) followed by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to a potentially harmful metabolite.

Perception of antimicrobial stewardship interventions in Swiss primary care: a mixed-methods survey.

Background: With most of the antibiotic prescriptions occurring in primary care, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions must be known, welcomed, and used by primary care physicians (PCPs).

Aim: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the present awareness about, use of, and perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of a broad range of interventions.

Design & Setting: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to Swiss PCPs from December 2023 to February 2024.

Oxidative Properties of Atmospheric Particles and their Biological Effects.

Particulate Matter (PM) is the most toxic component in polluted air causing over 6 million deaths per year worldwide according to World Health Organisation estimates. Due to the highly complex composition of PM in the atmosphere, with thousands of inorganic and especially organic components, it is unknown which particle sources are responsible for their toxicity. In recent years it emerged that overall oxidising particle properties might directly link particle composition with health effects.

Differential effects of thiamine and ascorbic acid in clusters of septic patients identified by latent variable analysis.

Background: Thiamine and ascorbic acid have been proposed to mitigate the devastating consequences of sepsis and septic shock. To date, randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate a benefit of these therapies and heterogeneity of treatment effect is suspected. In this study, we aimed at assessing the heterogeneity of treatment effect of thiamine (B1) and the combination of B1 plus ascorbic acid (AA + B1) in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Non-drinking and social life in adolescence: a qualitative study in Switzerland.

Background: Alcohol consumption is popular among adolescents and young people and adolescent non-drinkers may be socially excluded and/or stigmatized. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the social life of young non-drinkers (14-20 years old), to understand how they live their non-drinking and how they are perceived by their drinking peers.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative research on non-consumption of alcohol in the French-speaking region of Switzerland.

"There is a way to work together": A qualitative study on complementary medicine therapists' perceptions of their role in the Swiss healthcare system.

Background And Purpose: Complementary medicine has been undergoing a process of regulation and professionalization in many countries where the biomedical model is dominant. However, little is known about therapists' opinions regarding these changes. The aim of the study was thus to explore therapists' views on the regulation of their practice and on collaboration between CM and biomedicine.

Age of tobacco, nicotine and cannabis use initiation in Switzerland: a sequence analysis among adolescents and young adults.

Background: To explore at what age youth start using tobacco and/or nicotine products, which product is used first, product initiation sequences, and whether some socio-demographic characteristics are associated with substance use initiation.

Methods: Data were collected from an online questionnaire disseminated through social media and professional partners, targeting youth aged 14-25 in French-speaking Switzerland in August 2022. The final sample included 1362 participants.

Psychotropic-induced weight gain and telomere length: results from a one-year longitudinal study and a large population-based cohort.

Weight-inducing psychotropic treatments are risk factors for age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, which are associated with both inflammation and telomere length shortening. With a longitudinal design, the present study evaluates telomere length trajectories after 1 year of weight-inducing psychotropic medication, accounting for weight changes and the inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Among 200 patients, an overall median telomere shortening of -41.

Weight status change during four years and left ventricular hypertrophy in Chinese children.

Objective: It is well-established that overweight/obesity is a major risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in childhood. However, it is still unclear if reversing from overweight/obesity to normal weight is associated with decreased LVH in children. This study aimed to examine the association between weight status change during four years and LVH among Chinese children based on a prospective cohort study.

Fecal Immunochemical Test Positivity Thresholds: An International Survey of Population-Based Screening Programs.

Background: The fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin (FIT) is now a widely used non-invasive test in population-based organized screening programs for colorectal neoplasia. The positivity thresholds of tests currently in use are based on the fecal hemoglobin concentration (f-Hb), but the rationale for the adopted thresholds are not well documented. To understand current global usage of FIT in screening programs we conducted an international survey of the brands of FIT used, the f-Hb positivity threshold applied and the rationale for the choice.