Exploring reduction of prolonged binocular vision testing time: the agreement between the first and second thirty seconds within one minute of accommodative and vergence facility tests.

The study sought to compare the number of cycles (NOS) for the first and second thirty-seconds (FASTS) within 1 min of accommodative facility (AF) and vergence facility (VF) testing to explore possibilities of reducing testing time to 30 s. In this cross-sectional study, a multistage sample of school children (aged 8-17 years) was taken through ocular-visual screening. Eligible participants (586) underwent refraction, stereo-acuity measurement, AF testing using ± 2D lens flippers, and VF testing using 3 BI/12 BO flipper prisms.

Pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative activities of cassane diterpenoids on squamous carcinoma cells: An in vitro and in silico study.

Squamous carcinoma of the head and neck is characterized by aberrant apoptosis that prolongs the proliferative capacity of the cells and by uncontrolled cell growth. This study aimed to examine the pro-apoptotic and antiproliferative effects of cassane diterpenoids on squamous carcinoma cells . The cytotoxicity of four (4) cassane diterpenoids {Six-cinnamoyl- 7-hydroxyvouacapen-5-ol(1), pulcherrimin A(2), C(3), and E(4)} isolated from C.

Understanding the financial barriers to treatment among individuals with opioid use disorder: a focus group study.

Introduction: Despite the established effectiveness and relatively widespread availability of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, individuals seeking treatment frequently encounter various structural and social barriers, including costs of treatment. This study aimed to understand the financial barriers that affect treatment continuation in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Methods: In this qualitative study, seven semi-structured in-depth focus group interviews were conducted among 28 participants in treatment for OUD.

Comparative effectiveness of high-efficacy and moderate efficacy disease-modifying agents in reducing the annualized relapse rates among multiple sclerosis patients in the United States.

Objective: The optimal treatment strategy for the management of multiple sclerosis is widely discussed due to the increasing availability of high-efficacy disease-modifying agents (heDMAs). This study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of heDMA and moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs) use in reducing annualized relapse rate (ARR) among multiple sclerosis patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the 2015-2019 United States Merative MarketScan Commercial Claims Data.

Infection Risk Associated with High-Efficacy Disease-Modifying Agents in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), infections represent a significant concern, particularly given the immunomodulatory effects of disease-modifying agents (DMAs). High-efficacy DMAs (heDMAs) play a pivotal role in delaying MS progression, yet their use also raises concerns regarding the risk of infection. This study aimed to compare the infection risk with the use of heDMA and moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs) in MS patients.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Perceived Health Status Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease.

Introduction: Understanding health outcomes among people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is crucial for improving treatment strategies and patient quality of life. This study investigated racial and ethnic disparities in perceived health status among non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White adults with CVD.

Methods: The study had a retrospective cross-sectional design and used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey spanning 8 calendar years (2014-2021).

Factors associated with the initiation of high-efficacy disease-modifying agents over moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents in multiple sclerosis.

Background: With multiple treatment options, choosing the initial disease-modifying agent (DMA) could be crucial to managing multiple sclerosis (MS). Common treatment strategies recommend starting patients with moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs), while others advocate initiating high-efficacy disease-modifying agents (heDMAs). However, limited real-world evidence exists regarding the factors associated with utilizing differing treatment strategies in the MS.

Impact of adherence on the cost-effectiveness of apixaban and rivaroxaban in stroke prevention among patients with atrial fibrillation in the United States.

Objective: Despite the beneficial effects of DOACs, suboptimal adherence is widely documented, and real-world adherence is lower than in clinical trials. The objective of this study is to compare the cost-effectiveness of apixaban versus rivaroxaban for stroke prevention by incorporating real-world adherence from the US payer's perspective.

Methods: We developed a Markov model with three health states to evaluate the total costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) at a willingness to pay threshold of $100,000.

Group-based trajectory modeling to identify adherence patterns for direct oral anticoagulants in Medicare beneficiaries with atrial fibrillation: a real-world study on medication adherence.

Background: Suboptimal adherence to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains currently a major concern due to the increased risk of cardiac and thromboembolic events.

Aim: To identify longitudinal distinct trajectories of DOAC adherence and sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with each trajectory.

Method: Patients with AF who were prescribed with DOAC from July 2016-December 2017 were identified among patients enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Plan.

Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Healthcare Expenditure and Resource Utilization Among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Despite extensive research, significant gaps remain in understanding racial disparity among individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These disparities, influenced by factors such as access to care and comorbid conditions, necessitate further investigation to develop targeted interventions.

Aim: To evaluate the factors contributing to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare resource utilization and total healthcare expenditure among individuals with CVD.

Marginated Neutrophils in the Lungs Effectively Compete for Nanoparticles Targeted to the Endothelium, Serving as a Part of the Reticuloendothelial System.

Nanomedicine has long pursued the goal of targeted delivery to specific organs and cell types but has yet to achieve this goal with the vast majority of targets. One rare example of success in this pursuit has been the 25+ years of studies targeting the lung endothelium using nanoparticles conjugated to antibodies against endothelial surface molecules. However, here we show that such "endothelial-targeted" nanocarriers also effectively target the lungs' numerous marginated neutrophils, which reside in the pulmonary capillaries and patrol for pathogens.

Disparities in Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Metastatic Melanoma in Texas: Implications for Policy and Interventions in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Objectives: Disparities exist in the length and quality of survival from melanoma. This study evaluated, in a Texas cohort, patient factors associated with melanoma survival and examined if newer immune-oncologic agents extend survival compared with conventional therapies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma from 2011 to 2018 in the Texas Cancer Registry database.

Diagnostic accuracy of high-frequency ultrasound for cutaneous neoplasms: a narrative review of the literature.

High-frequency ultrasound has been used to visualize depth and vascularization of cutaneous neoplasms, but little has been synthesized as a review for a robust level of evidence about the diagnostic accuracy of high-frequency ultrasound in dermatology. A narrative review of the PubMed database was performed to establish the correlation between ultrasound findings and histopathologic/dermoscopic findings for cutaneous neoplasms. Articles were divided into the following four categories: melanocytic, keratinocytic/epidermal, appendageal, and soft tissue/neural neoplasms.

Pattern and causes of missed appointments in a Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital: A cross-sectional study.

Psychiatric patients exhibit a higher rate of missed appointments compared to other medical specialities, leading to provider frustration, increased relapse, and suboptimal outcomes. This study investigates the patterns and correlates of missed appointments among outpatients at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 403 consecutive outpatient clinic attendees was conducted.

Associations of Homelessness With Primary Care and Acute Care Utilization Among Medicaid-Enrolled Youth.

Background: Youth comprise one-third of the US homeless population. However, little is known about how homelessness affects health care utilization.

Objective: Examine associations of homelessness with hospitalization, primary care, and ED visits, varying by race/ethnicity, among Medicaid-enrolled youth.

Essential oil composition of L. (passifloraceae) flowers and chemical-biology study of the leaves extracts and isolated compound.

is a climbing herb employed in ethno-medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The essential oil from flowers of was obtained by hydrodistillation. The ethanol extract of the leaves was dissolved in water, then partitioned with -hexane and -butanol to obtain the various fractions; the fractions and isolated compound were subjected to antioxidant activity.

Lipid Nanoparticle-Associated Inflammation is Triggered by Sensing of Endosomal Damage: Engineering Endosomal Escape Without Side Effects.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as the dominant platform for RNA delivery, based on their success in the COVID-19 vaccines and late-stage clinical studies in other indications. However, we and others have shown that LNPs induce severe inflammation, and massively aggravate pre-existing inflammation. Here, using structure-function screening of lipids and analyses of signaling pathways, we elucidate the mechanisms of LNP-associated inflammation and demonstrate solutions.

The role of implementing instructional design principles on learner experience with training in current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).

Introduction: The objective of the study was to assess if improvement of the learner experience could be achieved through the use of instructional design strategies in current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) training. This is a novel application in a topic that is known to be boring but is critical to ensuring patient safety.

Methods: An experimental randomized controlled repeated measures cross-over design was utilized in a sample of pharmacy students to determine the effect of an intervention training strategy (which utilized a mix of strategies including weeding, signaling, use of multimedia, and optimized space and type) on the learner experience (Evaluation, Overall Satisfaction, Perceived Knowledge, and Future Recommendation) compared with a control.

Prevalence and correlates of medical student mistreatment in Nigeria: A narrative review.

Mistreatment in medical education encompasses various forms of abusive behavior, often indicating a disregard for students' dignity and interfering with the learning process. This review paper aims to investigate the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of medical student mistreatment in Nigerian medical education and shed light on its impact on students' well-being. A literature search was conducted in August 2023 using Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies on the mistreatment of Nigerian medical students.

Workforce migration and brain drain - A nationwide cross-sectional survey of early career psychiatrists in Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria's shortage of psychiatrists is exacerbated due to health worker migration.

Aim: This study explores migration experiences and tendencies among early-career psychiatrists in Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey covering Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, using a 61-item online questionnaire assessing short-term mobility, long-term migration experiences and migration attitudes.

Antimicrobial resistance genetic determinants and susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical samples in a tertiary hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: Genetic determinants are known to promote antibiotic resistance through horizontal gene transfer.

Methods: We molecularly characterized integrons, plasmid replicon types and metallo-β-lactamase-encoding genes of 38 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical samples.

Results: The P.