Design and conduct of a randomized controlled feeding trial in a residential setting with mitigation for COVID-19.

Background: Evaluating effects of different macronutrient diets in randomized trials requires well defined infrastructure and rigorous methods to ensure intervention fidelity and adherence.

Methods: This controlled feeding study comprised two phases. During a Run-in phase (14-15 weeks), study participants (18-50 years, BMI, ≥27 kg/m) consumed a very-low-carbohydrate (VLC) diet, with home delivery of prepared meals, at an energy level to promote 15 ± 3% weight loss.

False negative AUDIT screening results among patients in rural primary care settings.

: The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of false-negative screening results on a tool measuring alcohol use - the United States Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test Consumption (US-AUDIT-C).: A sample of patients (n = 4,023) in Alabama completed the US-AUDIT-C prior to a medical visit as part of a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (AL-SBIRT) program. We calculated the incidence of false negative US-AUDIT-C screens based on recommendations for safe alcohol consumption.

Evaluation of the Effect of Routine Antibiotic Administration after Uterine Artery Embolization on Infection Rates.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of routine administration of post-procedural antibiotics following elective uterine artery embolization (UAE) on infectious complication rates.

Materials And Methods: The charts of patients who underwent UAE between January 2013 and September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Prior to January 15, 2016, all patients received post-procedural antibiotics with 500 mg of ciprofloxacin twice a day orally for 5 days.

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on insulin resistance and β-cell function in prediabetes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Observational studies have suggested an inverse association between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and development of type 2 diabetes. High-quality trials are required to test the hypothesis that vitamin D is a direct contributor to type 2 diabetes pathogenesis.

Objective: The purpose of this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function in people with prediabetes and suboptimal vitamin D status (<50 nmol/L).

Case Series: Redefining Severe Grade 5 Vaginismus.

Introduction: Vaginismus is poorly understood and relatively unknown among health care providers. For those who understand and treat vaginismus, few make an assessment of the severity of this condition. The importance of classifying the severity of vaginismus impacts the clinician's ability to diagnose and treat vaginismus, and understanding of the patient's experience.

Abundance estimates and habitat preferences of bottlenose dolphins reveal the importance of two gulfs in South Australia.

Informed conservation management of marine mammals requires an understanding of population size and habitat preferences. In Australia, such data are needed for the assessment and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts, including fisheries interactions, coastal zone developments, oil and gas exploration and mining activities. Here, we present large-scale estimates of abundance, density and habitat preferences of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.

Regulatory and Legislative Disparities With Cannabis Present Challenges to P&T Committees and Health Care Providers.

Increased cannabis use has brought about a sea change in policy and attitudes toward regulation, and a multitude of rules that vary widely between states. The disparity has stymied any effective response to the problems surrounding access to cannabis products for those in need. Health care providers and practitioners, as well as P&T committees, must carefully undertake decisions on rational drug use, whether or not their patients are using cannabis while under their care.

Predictors of surgical intervention following initial surveillance for acute ureteric colic.

Purpose: To identify clinical and stone-related factors predicting the need for surgical intervention in patients who were clinically considered appropriate for non-surgical intervention.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a contemporary cohort of patients who were selected for surveillance following presentation with acute ureteric colic. Data on patient demographic and stone variables, inpatient management and long-term outcomes were evaluated.

A collaborative university model for employee wellness.

Universities are taking a more active approach in understanding and monitoring employees' modifiable health risk factors and chronic care conditions by developing strategies to encourage employees to start and sustain healthy behaviors. WellBama, the University of Alabama's signature health and wellness program, utilizes a collaborative model in partnership with select colleges and departments to implement strategies to improve employees' health status. The program provides onsite health screenings and assessments, timely health advising sessions, assistance in setting and monitoring individual health goals to promote improved health, and preventive examination referrals.

Force feedback in limb lengthening.

A new variable-rate distraction system using a motorized distractor driven by feedback from the distraction force was designed. The distractor was mounted on a unilateral fixator and attached to the tibiae of 6 sheep that underwent distraction osteogenesis. The sheep were divided equally into 3 groups.

Utility of an abbreviated questionnaire to identify individuals with ADHD at risk for functional impairments.

Objective: To discern whether a subset of items from the 99-item Current Behavior Scale (CBS) of behaviorally defined Executive Function Deficits (EFDs) in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can identify a group at risk for poor outcome.

Methods: Subjects were 200 adults with ADHD participating in a family study of ADHD in adults. Factor analysis was used to reduce the number of items in the 99-item CBS.