The need for effective approaches to support aging and homebound adults is recognized internationally and domestically. This exploratory study sought to understand the proximal benefits of an intergenerational program in Delaware, USA that connected homebound individuals with college students. The primary goal was to describe program impacts on home-bound community residents to inform future research, program planning, and implementation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) produce signs and symptoms that are often physically challenging, stigmatizing and have a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of people affected. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), little is known about the mental wellbeing experiences of people affected by skin NTDs and support is lacking. We collaborated with ongoing NTD programs, the Ministry of Health and people affected to evidence experiences and opportunities for change and co-developed a mental wellbeing support package for people affected and local health system actors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Worldwide, persons affected by skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) may experience stigma and discrimination, which could lead to impaired societal functioning and poor mental wellbeing. Evidence of comorbidity of NTDs and mental health conditions is dominated by Leprosy, largely lacking in post-conflict areas, and rarely disaggregated by sex.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey is the first to explore depression, anxiety, stigma, and quality of life amongst people affected by Lymphatic Filariasis, Buruli Ulcer, Onchocerciasis or Leprosy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Kiribati 2019 Integrated Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Integrated HIES) embeds novel ecological and human health research into an ongoing social and economic survey infrastructure implemented by the Pacific Community in partnership with national governments. This study seeks to describe the health status of a large, nationally representative sample of a geographically and socially diverse I-Kiribati population through multiple clinical measurements and detailed socio-economic surveys, while also conducting supporting food systems research on ecological, social, and institutional drivers of change. The specific hypotheses within this research relate to access to seafood and the potential nutritional and health benefits of these foods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Lifestyle (dietary and/or physical activity [PA]) modification is recommended as first-line therapy to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Current recommendations are based on healthy lifestyle practices for the general public since evidence for unique lifestyle approaches in PCOS is limited and low quality.
Objective And Rationale: We aimed to synthesize evidence on dietary and PA behaviors between women with PCOS and those without PCOS.
Background And Objectives: Although studies pointed out that the number of personal care aides (PCAs) at risk of being in informal employment arrangements is sizeable, little is known about its size and worker characteristics. This study aimed to estimate the share of PCAs working as household employees or independent contractors. It also aimed to compare their basic job characteristics against the job characteristics of those working as agency and government employees.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the cervix, is increasing in incidence, particularly in women of reproductive age. Fertility preservation is often desired. In a predominantly Hispanic population, we sought to determine the incidence of occult cervical cancer co-existing with AIS, and evaluate how conization margin status correlates with residual disease upon hysterectomy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively compare cardiometabolic and reproductive health risk between Hispanic and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome in the United States in response to the call by the international guideline for polycystic ovary syndrome to delineate health disparities.
Data Sources: Databases of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus were initially searched through October 25, 2020, and confirmed on February 1, 2021.
Study Eligibility Criteria: Observational studies comparing glucoregulatory, lipid profile, anthropometric, blood pressure, androgen, ovarian morphology, oligoanovulation, and infertility status between Hispanic and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included.
Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and quantitatively pool evidence on cardiometabolic health disparities between Black and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome in the United States in response to the call for further delineation of these disparities in the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Data Sources: Databases of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched initially through March 05, 2020, and confirmed on September 11, 2020.
Study Eligibility Criteria: Observational studies documenting cardiometabolic risk profile (glucoregulatory, lipid profile, anthropometric, and blood pressure status) in Black and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included.
Coordination complexes have emerged as prominent modulators of amyloid aggregation via their interaction with the N-terminal histidine residues of amyloid-β (Aβ). Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel cobalt(III) Schiff base complex with methylamine axial ligands, and we present both computational and experimental data demonstrating the reduction of β-sheet formation by this complex. The computations include molecular dynamics simulations of both monomeric and pentameric Aβ, which demonstrate decreased formation of β-sheet structures, destabilization of preformed β-sheets, and suppression of aggregation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Multisensory approaches and programmes have been developed to improve the quality of both life and dying for people with advanced dementia. However, little is known about the experiences of staff, family and others involved in the use of these programmes, and in the relevant education provided to improve the quality of life of residents living with advanced dementia in long-term care homes.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore early experiences associated with the implementation of a new programme called 'Namaste Care' in two Canadian long-term care homes.
Background: Dysuria following prostate radiation therapy is a common toxicity that adversely affects patients' quality of life and may be difficult to manage.
Methods: Two hundred four patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) from 2007 to 2010 for localized prostate carcinoma with a minimum follow-up of 3 years were included in this retrospective review of prospectively collected data. All patients were treated to 35-36.
Background: Hematuria following prostate radiotherapy is a known toxicity that may adversely affect a patient's quality of life. Given the higher dose of radiation per fraction using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) there is concern that post-SBRT hematuria would be more common than with alternative radiation therapy approaches. Herein, we describe the incidence and severity of hematuria following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer at our institution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly utilized as primary treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. Consensus regarding the appropriate patient-reported outcome (PRO) endpoints for clinical trials evaluating radiation modalities for early stage prostate cancer is lacking. To aid in clinical trial design, this study presents PROs over a 36-month period following SBRT for clinically localized prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Proctitis after radiation therapy for prostate cancer remains an ongoing clinical challenge and critical quality of life issue. SBRT could minimize rectal toxicity by reducing the volume of rectum receiving high radiation doses and offers the potential radiobiologic benefits of hypofractionation. This study sought to evaluate the incidence and severity of proctitis following SBRT for prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. However, prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetics after prostate SBRT have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend in PSA decline following robotic SBRT from a prospective cohort of patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patients with large prostate volumes have been shown to have higher rates of genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities after conventional radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which delivers fewer high-dose fractions of radiation treatment, is unknown for large prostate volume prostate cancer patients. We report our early experience using SBRT for localized prostate cancer in patients with large prostate volumes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Obstructive voiding symptoms (OVS) are common following prostate cancer treatment with radiation therapy. The risk of urinary retention (UR) following hypofractionated radiotherapy has yet to be fully elucidated. This study sought to evaluate OVS and UR requiring catheterization following SBRT for prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) following prostate radiotherapy is a rare toxicity that adversely affects a patient's quality of life. This study sought to evaluate the incidence of UI following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer.
Methods: Between February, 2008 and October, 2010, 204 men with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated definitively with SBRT at Georgetown University Hospital.
Purpose: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly utilized as primary treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. While acute post-SBRT urinary symptoms are well recognized, the late genitourinary toxicity of SBRT has not been fully described. Here, we characterize the clinical features of late urinary symptom flare and recommend conservative symptom management approaches that may alleviate the associated bother.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers high doses of radiation to the prostate while minimizing radiation to adjacent normal tissues. Large fraction sizes may increase the risk of functional decrements. Treatment-related bother may be more important to a patient than treatment-related dysfunction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Erectile dysfunction after prostate radiation therapy remains an ongoing challenge and critical quality of life issue. Given the higher dose of radiation per fraction using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) there is concern that post-SBRT impotency would be higher than conventional radiation therapy approaches. This study sought to evaluate potency preservation and sexual function following SBRT for prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of cancer in men in the United States, which disproportionately affects African American descents. While metastasis is the most common cause of death among PCa patients, no specific markers have been assigned to severity and ethnic biasness of the disease. MicroRNAs represent a promising new class of biomarkers owing to their inherent stability and resilience.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers fewer high-dose fractions of radiation which may be radiobiologically favorable to conventional low-dose fractions commonly used for prostate cancer radiotherapy. We report our early experience using SBRT for localized prostate cancer.
Methods: Patients treated with SBRT from June 2008 to May 2010 at Georgetown University Hospital for localized prostate carcinoma, with or without the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), were included in this retrospective review of data that was prospectively collected in an institutional database.