Uncovering Patterns in Overdose Deaths: An Analysis of Spike Identification in Fatal Drug Overdose Data in Massachusetts, 2017-2023.

Objectives: Yearly rolling aggregate trends or rates are commonly used to analyze trends in overdose deaths, but focusing on long-term trends can obscure short-term fluctuations (eg, daily spikes). We analyzed data on spikes in daily fatal overdoses and how various spike detection thresholds influence the identification of spikes.

Materials And Methods: We used a spike detection algorithm to identify spikes among 16 660 drug-related overdose deaths (from any drug) reported in Massachusetts' vital statistics from 2017 through 2023.

Prosthesis and health-related factors of mobility in people with nontraumatic unilateral transtibial amputation.

Background: Numerous factors can affect mobility of individuals with lower limb amputation, including prosthesis-dependent, physical and psychological determinants.Objective:This study aimed to investigate the prosthesis and health-related factors of mobility in people with nontraumatic unilateral transtibial amputation.Study Design:Cross-sectional observational study.

Synergistic effects of incorporated additives in multifunctional dressings for chronic wound healing: An updated comprehensive review.

Detailed reviewing of the complicated process of wound healing reveals that it resembles an orchestrated symphony via a precise and calculated collaboration of relevant cells at the wound site. The domino-like function of various cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and small biological molecules such as antibacterial peptides all come together to successfully execute the wound healing process. Therefore, it appears that the use of a wound dressing containing only a single additive with specific properties and capabilities may not be particularly effective in treating the complex conditions that are usual in the environment of chronic wounds.

A 2-year longitudinal study of anxiety caused by COVID-19 and job burnout among Iranian healthcare workers.

Limited longitudinal studies can be found to describe the psychological effects of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCW); Therefore, the present study aimed to investigating the anxiety caused by COVID-19 (COV-anxiety) and job burnout (JB) among a sample of Iranian HCW during this pandemic longitudinally. This longitudinal study performed on 310 Iranian HCW. The data collection is done twice during 2020 and 2022.

A Network Analysis of Depression and Cognitive Impairments in Fibromyalgia: A Secondary Analysis Study.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition often accompanied by cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with sustained attention, and emotional disturbances, particularly depression and anxiety. Understanding how these emotional and cognitive factors interact is crucial to improving treatment for fibromyalgia patients. This study aimed to investigate the network structure of these interactions, focusing on the relationship between depression, anxiety, and cognitive performance.

Comparison of Supra-Alar Crease Deepening Following Septorhinoplasty in Two Techniques: Lateral Crura Steal Versus Lateral Crura Overlay.

Background: Nasal tip correction is one of the most challenging parts of rhinoplasty. The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of supra-alar crease deepening in lateral crura steal (LCS) and lateral crura overlay (LCO) techniques.

Methods: In this prospective study, eligible patients referred to a university hospital for septorhinoplasty during 2022 were included.

Health-related quality of life dynamics: modeling insights from immunotherapy.

Background: Understanding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) dynamics is essential for assessing and improving treatment experiences; however, clinical and observational studies struggle to capture their full complexity. We use simulation modeling and the case of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy-a type of cancer immunotherapy that can prolong survival, but carries life-threatening risks-to study HRQoL dynamics.

Methods: We developed an exploratory system dynamics model with mathematical equations and parameter values informed by literature and expert insights.

The association between low carbohydrate dietary score (LCDS) and cardiovascular risk factors: results from the Shiraz Heart Study (SHS).

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and recent studies have highlighted the potential role of dietary carbohydrate indices in cardiovascular health. Given the controversial results in this field, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between low carbohydrate dietary score (LCDS) and CVD risk factors in a population of Iranian adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of the Shiraz Heart Study (SHS) including 1982 adults.

Heat stress, thermal comfort and control strategy in a warm-humid workplace.

The purpose of this study was to design a local ventilation system (LVS) to help reduce the moisture content of a Scalder hall, evaluate its comfort and thermal stress before and after implementation of LVS and introduce an appropriate index to evaluate warm and humid workplaces. The design of the LVS was performed according to the ACGIH standard (VS-30-01). Heat stress and thermal comfort assessment were performed before and after LVS using humidity index (Humidex), discomfort index (DI), heat index (HI), wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted mean vote index (PMV) indices and the results were compared with predicted mean vote index-predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PMV-PPD) subjective indices.

Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in the mountainous regions of Semnan Province, Iran.

In mountainous areas, wild edible plants are an important part of the local diet. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have profound effects on wild edible plants in these areas. Ethnobotanical studies are important for understanding the use patterns and harvest impacts on these plants.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics of wild red-fleshed apples (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) in the North and Northeast of Iran.

Background: Red-flesh apples (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana) have attracted attention from consumers and researchers due to their pleasant appearance and taste. These exotic apples are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting polyphenols and phenolics.

Volumetric analysis of the hypothalamic subunits in obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder that is associated with structural brain damage and cognitive impairment. The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and wakefulness. We aimed to evaluate hypothalamic subunit volumes in patients with OSA.

State Mandates On Naloxone Coprescribing Associated With Short-Term Increase In Naloxone Codispensing.

In the midst of the opioid crisis in the US, efforts to mitigate overdose risks have become paramount, leading some states to introduce mandates for coprescribing the life-saving overdose reversal drug naloxone. These mandates were designed to specifically address people receiving opioid analgesics who had an elevated risk for overdose. This included people receiving high opioid dosages, those concurrently using benzodiazepines, or those with a history of substance use disorder or overdose.

Prevalence, incidence and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders before and during the Covid-19 pandemic in faculty members: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the broad acceptance of distance education (DE), with university professors and students conducting the teaching-learning process remotely from their homes. The propose of this study to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify risk factors associated with DE that may contribute to an increased incidence of these disorders among university professors.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study took a comparative approach and involved 310 university professors in Iran.

Improving Estimates of the Prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder in the United States: Revising Keyes et al.

Objectives: The United States faces an ongoing drug overdose crisis, but accurate information on the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) remains limited. A recent analysis by Keyes et al used a multiplier approach with drug poisoning mortality data to estimate OUD prevalence. Although insightful, this approach made stringent and partly inconsistent assumptions in interpreting mortality data, particularly synthetic opioid (SO)-involved and non-opioid-involved mortality.

The effect of vibration-hinged ankle foot orthoses on gait and spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized clinical trial design.

Background: Hinged ankle foot orthoses (HAFO) are commonly prescribed for children with cerebral palsy (CP) to improve their ambulatory function.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of vibration-HAFO with that of the same orthosis without vibration on gait, function, and spasticity in hemiplegic CP children.

Study Design: Randomized Control Trial Design (a pilot study).

The life history consequences of host switching in Ooencyrtus egeria (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of stink bug eggs.

The stink bugs Acrosternum arabicum Wagner and Brachynema germari Kolenati (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) damage developing pistachio nuts in Iran. Ooencyrtus egeria Huang and Noyes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) parasitizes eggs of both species, alternating between them seasonally. We compared the biological and life history attributes of O.

State-level racial and ethnic disparities in buprenorphine treatment duration in the United States.

Background And Objectives: National trends reveal a concerning escalation in racial and ethnic disparities in buprenorphine treatment duration for opioid use disorder. However, the extent of such disparities at the state level remains largely unexplored. This study aims to examine such disparities at the state level.

Epidemiology of Candidemia in Mashhad, Northeast Iran: A Prospective Multicenter Study (2019-2021).

Candidemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in health care settings, and its epidemiology is changing. In the last two decades, the proportion of non- (NAC) yeasts in candidemia has increased. These yeasts more often display resistance to common antifungals.

The short-term effect of COVID-19 infection history on semen parameters in men referred to infertility centres.

Context In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic became a threat to human health and induced global concern. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes various disorders in the body's systems, and the reproductive system is no exception. Further, the rate of infertile couples is increasing and part of this is related to male infertility.