Rural-urban disparities and trends in cancer screening: an analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (2018-2022).

Background: Despite evidence of the benefit of routine cancer screenings, data show a concerning decline in cancer screening uptake for multiple cancers. This analysis aimed to examine rural-urban differences in recent trends for being up-to-date with screenings for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers.

Methods: We used 2018, 2020, and 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to assess up-to-date cancer screening status among eligible adults in the United States.

Exploring Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among Women in the United States: Impact of Social Determinants of Health and Psychosocial Determinants.

Several non-medical factors, such as income, education, and access to care, directly or indirectly affect adherence to cancer screening guidelines. We examined the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) and psychosocial factors on screening behavior in a nationally representative sample of women in the US. A retrospective population-level cross-sectional sample was extracted from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey.

Prevalence of schistosomiasis among school children at Esuekyir community in the Central Region of Ghana.

Schistosomiasis, an endemic neglected tropical disease in areas with poor sanitation, causes physical and mental defects in both children and adults. Various strategies, especially drug administration for morbidity control, have been implemented to combat the disease in Ghana and globally. Despite these efforts, schistosomiasis remains prevalent in Ghana, negatively impacting children's academic performance, growth, and overall quality of life.

Elemental composition of post-wildfire biomass ashes and partly burned woody species in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic.

The study explored the post-wildfire elemental composition of parts (wood, bark, branch, cone, trunk, litter, twig, needle, sward, fallow, sapling, etc.) and by-products (biomass ashes, partly burnt parts, and char) of different woody species in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic, and considered their effects on soils. Multi-elemental analysis of the fire by-products of the woody species was determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry and compared with control biomass samples unaffected by wildfire.

Potential of herbaceous plant species for copper (Cu) accumulation.

The removal of copper (Cu) in soils by green technology is less treated with urgency, as it is a plant micronutrient. We examined the efficiency of Cu shoot accumulation by herbaceous plants in Cu-contaminated and non-contaminated soils in Trhové Dusniky and Podles, respectively, in the Czech Republic. The total soil Cu content of 81 mg kg in Trhové Dusniky indicated a slight contamination level compared to 50 mg kg, the permissible value by WHO, and < 35 in Podlesí, representing a clean environment.

An intervention to increase cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV: A mixed methods study.

Objective: We examined the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention in promoting cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Ghana.

Methods: A Mixed-methods study was conducted involving 83 WLWH, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 42) to receive voice-recorded messages based on the 3 R model (Reframing, Reprioritizing, and Reforming) or a control group (n = 41) to receive standard care. The primary outcomes were screening uptake and HPV prevalence.

Hospitalization Trends and Outcomes of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in the United States: A Decade-Long Nationwide Analysis.

Background Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic antigen-mediated esophageal disease characterized by infiltration of the esophageal mucosa by eosinophils. The prevalence of EoE continues to rise worldwide. However, certain aspects of the epidemiology and pathogenesis remain unclear.

Determinants of Low-Income Women's Participation in Self-Collected Samples for Cervical Cancer Detection: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Background: Low-income women (LIW) are underrepresented in physician-provided cervical cancer screening. Providing women with an option for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling would increase cervical cancer screening. However, little is known about LIW's attitude towards self-sampling for cervical cancer.

Melatonin Confers NaCl Tolerance in L. by Maintaining Na/K Homeostasis, Strengthening the Antioxidant Defense System and Modulating Withanolides Synthesis-Related Genes.

Unlabelled: As a multifunctional signaling molecule, melatonin (ML) is widely considered to induce the defense mechanism and increase the accumulation of secondary metabolites under abiotic stresses. Here, the effects of different concentrations of ML (100 and 200 µM) on the biochemical and molecular responses of L. in hydroponic conditions under 200 mM NaCl treatment were evaluated.

Assessing the Efficacy of the 3R (Reframe, Reprioritize, and Reform) Communication Model to Increase HPV Vaccinations Acceptance in Ghana: Community-Based Intervention.

The study examined whether the 3R (reframe, prioritize, and reform) communication model intervention can impact parents' and adolescents' HPV vaccination acceptability. We used face-to-face methods to recruit participants from three local churches in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention assessments based on the validated Theory of Planned Behavior survey.

High-risk human papillomavirus genotype distribution among women living with HIV; implication for cervical cancer prevention in a resource limited setting.

Background: For women living with HIV (WLHIV), the burden of persistent HPV infection, cervical pre-cancerous lesions and cancer have been demonstrated to be higher than among HIV-negative women. As Ghana and other lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) work toward developing national cervical cancer programmes, it is essential that local scientific evidence be provided to guide policy decisions, especially for such special populations. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of high-risk HPV genotype and related factors among WLHIV and its implication for the prevention of cervical cancer prevention efforts.

Intervention to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Behavior among Medically Underserved Women: Effectiveness of 3R Communication Model.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling has the potential to increase Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS) and reduce the cervical cancer burden in Medically Underserved Women (MUW). However, interventions promoting self-sampling are limited. We examined the effectiveness of an intervention study in increasing CCS among MUW.

The fate of secondary metabolites in plants growing on Cd-, As-, and Pb-contaminated soils-a comprehensive review.

The study used scattered literature to summarize the effects of excess Cd, As, and Pb from contaminated soils on plant secondary metabolites/bioactive compounds (non-nutrient organic substances). Hence, we provided a systematic overview involving the sources and forms of Cd, As, and Pb in soils, plant uptake, mechanisms governing the interaction of these risk elements during the formation of secondary metabolites, and subsequent effects. The biogeochemical characteristics of soils are directly responsible for the mobility and bioavailability of risk elements, which include pH, redox potential, dissolved organic carbon, clay content, Fe/Mn/Al oxides, and microbial transformations.

Sunflower Oil as a Renewable Resource for Polyurethane Foams: Effects of Flame-Retardants.

Currently, polyurethane (PU) manufacturers seek green alternatives for sustainable production. In this work, sunflower oil is studied as a replacement and converted to a reactive form through epoxidation and oxirane opening to produce rigid PU foams. Confirmatory tests such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and hydroxyl value among others were performed to characterize the synthesized polyol.

Perspectives of Pharmacists on the Structure, Decision-Making, and Communication Practices of Multidisciplinary Cancer Teams in Alabama.

A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach within cancer care settings is increasingly being adopted to improve patient outcomes due to the rising complexity of diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to explore the perspective of pharmacists on the structure, decision-making process, and communication practices of cancer MDTs. A 25-item online questionnaire was distributed to oncology-related clinical pharmacists in Alabama.

Evaluation of the fluorescent-thin layer chromatography (f-TLC) for the diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease in Ghana.

Background: Buruli ulcer is a tissue necrosis infection caused by an environmental mycobacterium called Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU). The disease is most prevalent in rural areas with the highest rates in West and Central African countries. The bacterium produces a toxin called mycolactone which can lead to the destruction of the skin, resulting in incapacitating deformities with an enormous economic and social burden on patients and their caregivers.

HPV Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Living with HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What Do We Know and What Can Be Done?

Introduction: Self-sampling has the potential to increase cervical cancer (CC) screening among women with HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, our understanding of how HPV self-collection studies have been conducted in women with HIV is limited. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the extent to which the HPV self-sampling has been applied among women with HIV in LMICs.

Assessing Attitudes and Beliefs Toward HPV Vaccination among Ghanaian Parents with Unvaccinated Adolescents: Application of Multi-Theory Model of Behavior Change.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the attitudes and beliefs towards HPV vaccination among Ghanaian parents with unvaccinated adolescents using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of behavior change. Additionally, we used MTM constructs to predict the likelihood of parents allowing their adolescents to initiate and complete the recommended HPV vaccine series.

Methods: A 44-item validated survey was administered among parents with unvaccinated adolescents living in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Coping in the Time of COVID-19: Buffering Stressors With Coping Strategies.

Policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are negatively impacting the psychological well-being of the general population. This cross-sectional study explores the associations of coping strategies with symptoms of depression and anxiety among adults residing in the United States. Our results showed that participants who turned to religion were less depressed or anxious.

Exploring Patterns of the Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems among Adolescents in High-Risk Appalachian (U.S.A) Communities.

 Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among adolescents in the United States (U.S.) has surpassed conventional tobacco products (CTPs), including cigarettes.

Can the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change Explain the Intent for People to Practice Meditation?

Meditation is gaining popularity as adjuvant therapy for many chronic ailments, mental well-being, and spiritual growth. Behavioral theories have been underutilized in understanding meditation behavior. This study aimed to test if a fourth-generation multi-theory model (MTM) could explain the intent for starting and maintaining meditation behavior in a sample of US adults.

Application of theoretical frameworks on human papillomavirus vaccine interventions in the United States: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Theoretical frameworks are useful tools to explain the dynamics of behavioral change, develop, and implement intervention studies. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the application of theoretical frameworks and models to HPV vaccination intervention studies in the United States (US) from January 2006 to December 2019.

Methods: A comprehensive search across databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, ERIC, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, was conducted.

Testing Multi-Theory Model (MTM) in Explaining Sunscreen Use among Florida Residents: An Integrative Approach for Sun Protection.

Florida residents have the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the nation. Sunscreen usage was found to be the one of the most effective integrative health approaches for reducing risk of skin cancer. Given the limited information on the likelihood of adopting and continuing sunscreen usage behavior, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlates of initiating and sustaining sunscreen usage behavior among Florida dwellers, using the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of behavior change.

Feasibility of Utilizing Social Media to Promote HPV Self-Collected Sampling among Medically Underserved Women in a Rural Southern City in the United States (U.S.).

Background: Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter) as communication channels have great potential to deliver Human papillomavirus self-test (HPVST) intervention to medically underserved women (MUW) such as women of low income. However, little is known about MUW's willingness to participate in HPVST intervention delivered through social media. We evaluated factors that contribute to MUW's intention to participate in the social media-related intervention for HPVST.