Development and evaluation of sex-specific thoracolumbar spine finite element models to study spine biomechanics.

Musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain (LBP) are common global afflictions, with a higher prevalence observed in females. However, the cause of many LBP cases continues to elude researchers. Current approaches seldom consider differences in male and female spines.

Biomechanical evaluation of the thoracolumbar spine comparing healthy and irregular thoracic and lumbar curvatures.

Background: The geometric alignment of the spine plays an integral role in stability, biomechanical loading, and consequently, pain, and a range of healthy sagittal curvatures has been identified. Spinal biomechanics when sagittal curvature is outside the optimal range remains a debate and may provide insight into the load distribution throughout the spinal column.

Method: A thoracolumbar spine model (Healthy) was developed.

Gender-Affirming Mental Health Care Access and Utilization Among Rural Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults in Five Northeastern U.S. States.

Purpose: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations are burdened by substantial mental health disparities. The mental health needs of TGD people in rural areas remain largely unknown. This study sought to characterize gender-affirming mental health service access and utilization in a sample of TGD adults from predominantly rural areas in the northeastern United States.

A Critical Comparison of Comparators Used to Demonstrate Credibility of Physics-Based Numerical Spine Models.

The ability of new medical devices and technology to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, and consequently acquire regulatory approval, has been dependent on benchtop, in vitro, and in vivo evidence and experimentation. Regulatory agencies have recently begun accepting computational models and simulations as credible evidence for virtual clinical trials and medical device development. However, it is crucial that any computational model undergo rigorous verification and validation activities to attain credibility for its context of use before it can be accepted for regulatory submission.

Gender-Affirming Primary Care Access Among Rural Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults in Five Northeastern U.S. States.

Little is known about the prevalence and predictors of gender-affirming primary care (GAPC) access among rural transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults. This study therefore sought to characterize the prevalence and predictors of GAPC within a sample of rural TGD adults. A nonprobability convenience sample ( = 244) of rural TGD adults was recruited across five Northeastern U.