Appropriateness of using numeric rating scales to assess risk perceptions for individuals with limited health numeracy.

Objective: Numeric rating scales (NRSs) could be inappropriate for assessing constructs such as risk perception if individuals with limited health numeracy (LHN) have difficulty expressing their perceptions on such scales. This paper compares the psychometric functioning of numerical risk perception ratings for an e-cigarette obtained from LHN individuals, comparing them to those from individuals with adequate health numeracy (AHN).

Methods: In a randomized trial of a risk-related message (not evaluated here), participants (N = 12,557) used NRSs to rate their perception of (1) overall risk of harm (from 0 %-100 % harmful to health), and (2) likelihood (0-100 %) of suffering four tobacco-related diseases from using e-cigarettes; and used a 4-point adjectival scale ('not at all harmful' to 'very harmful') to rate the harm of using e-cigarettes.

Person-centered abortion care in public health facilities across four regions of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional quantitative study of client experiences.

Introduction: Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in expanding access to and provision of comprehensive abortion care. However, complications due to unsafe abortion persist. As efforts to increase quality of comprehensive abortion care continue, evaluating service quality is critical.

Characterization of Use Behavior of Nicotine Pouches.

Actual use of nicotine pouch products is not well studied. The objectives of this study were to characterize ® nicotine pouch (Test Products (TP)) use behavior, including association with cigarette and smokeless tobacco (ST) product use. Adults who smoke cigarettes (AS) and/or adults who use ST (ASTU) (N=1147) that were not planning to quit and had expressed interest in trying and using TP after a 5-day trial were offered use of TPs (7 flavors at 5 nicotine levels) for 6 weeks.

A New Questionnaire to Assess Respiratory Symptoms (The Respiratory Symptom Experience Scale): Quantitative Psychometric Assessment and Validation Study.

Background: Smokers often experience respiratory symptoms (eg, morning cough), and those who stop smoking, including those who do so by switching completely to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), may experience reductions in symptoms. Existing respiratory symptom questionnaires may not be suitable for studying these changes, as they are intended for patient populations, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: This study aimed to develop a respiratory symptom questionnaire appropriate for current smokers and for assessing changes when smokers stop smoking.

Replacement of Lost Substance P Reduces Fibrosis in the Diabetic Heart by Preventing Adverse Fibroblast and Macrophage Phenotype Changes.

Reduced levels of the sensory nerve neuropeptide substance P (SP) have been reported in the diabetic rat heart, the consequence being a loss of cardioprotection in response to ischemic post-conditioning. We considered whether this loss of SP also predisposes the heart to non-ischemic diabetic cardiomyopathy in the form of fibrosis and hypertrophy. We report that diabetic Lepr mice have reduced serum SP and that administration of exogenous replacement SP ameliorated cardiac fibrosis.

The impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on rural and small-town Survivors' return-to-work and quality of life: A multiple-case study.

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a lifelong condition. Millions who develop breast cancer are younger than retirement age and at a lifetime risk for developing BCRL. Rural and small-town survivors may face unique challenges in terms of access to health care and BCRL/survivorship resources.

Development and validation of behavioral intention measures of an E-vapor product: intention to try, use, dual use, and switch.

Background: The harm caused by tobacco use is primarily attributable to cigarette smoking. Switching completely to non-combustible products may reduce disease risks in adult cigarette smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit. Before a new tobacco product can enter the market or can be marketed as a modified risk tobacco product, the manufacturer must determine the impact that the product will have on the likelihood of changes in tobacco use behavior among both tobacco users and nonusers.

Beyond Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Care: Care Experiences of Patients Aged 25-39 Years Old in the UK National Health Service.

Aims: Adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 years with cancer face unique medical, practical and psychosocial issues. In the UK, principal treatment centres and programmes have been designed to care for teenage and young adult patients aged 13-24 years in an age-appropriate manner. However, for young adults (YAs) aged 25-39 years with cancer, little access to age-specific support is available.

The Histamine 3 Receptor Is Expressed in the Heart and Its Activation Opposes Adverse Cardiac Remodeling in the Angiotensin II Mouse Model.

Histamine is a basic amine stored in mast cells, with its release capable of activating one of four histamine receptors. The histamine 3 receptor (HR) is known to be cardioprotective during acute ischemia by acting to limit norepinephrine release. However, a recent study reported that myofibroblasts isolated from the infarct zone of rat hearts responded to HR activation by up-regulating collagen production.

Integrating Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Resilience in Fire-Prone Landscapes.

Resilience has become a common goal for science-based natural resource management, particularly in the context of changing climate and disturbance regimes. Integrating varying perspectives and definitions of resilience is a complex and often unrecognized challenge to applying resilience concepts to social-ecological systems (SESs) management. Using wildfire as an example, we develop a framework to expose and separate two important dimensions of resilience: the inherent properties that maintain structure, function, or states of an SES and the human perceptions of desirable or valued components of an SES.

A Modular Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument for Electronic Assessment and Treatment Monitoring: Web-Based Development and Psychometric Validation of Core Thrive Items.

Background: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures describe natural history, manage disease, and measure the effects of interventions in trials. Patients themselves increasingly use Web-based PRO tools to track their progress, share their data, and even self-experiment. However, existing PROs have limitations such as being: designed for paper (not screens), long and burdensome, negatively framed, under onerous licensing restrictions, either too generic or too specific.

The natural history of prescription opioid abuse: A pilot study exploring change in routes of administration and motivation for changes.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective, observational pilot study was to explore change in route of administration (RoA) and motivation for changing RoA during the course of opioid abuse.

Design: This retrospective pilot study involved collecting and analyzing semistructured interview data.

Setting: Interviews were conducted with patients undergoing outpatient substance abuse treatment at a buprenorphine clinic.

Measurement of Quality of Life in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides/Sézary Syndrome Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Development of an Electronic Instrument.

Background: Although the quality of life (QoL) plays an important role in treatment decision making and clinical management of mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sézary syndrome (SS) subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (MF/SS-CTCLs), an MF- or SS-specific measure of QoL does not exist.

Objective: The objective of this research was to develop and validate the first QoL instrument for MF/SS-CTCL using a patient-centered approach.

Methods: A conceptual framework for the MF/SS-CTCL QoL was developed through a literature review and interviews with key opinion leaders.

Understanding 'Good Health care' from the Patient's Perspective: Development of a Conceptual Model Using Group Concept Mapping.

Background: There is an increasing focus on measuring performance indicators of health care providers, but there is a lack of patient input into what defines 'good care.'

Objective: The primary objective was to develop a conceptual model of 'good health care' from the patient's perspective. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to investigate (1) differences in patient priorities based on demographic and clinical factors, and (2) differences between patients and health stakeholders (e.

The effect of manual therapy and neuroplasticity education on chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To determine if a neuroplasticity educational explanation for a manual therapy technique will produce a different outcome compared to a traditional mechanical explanation.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were recruited for the study. Following consent, demographic data were obtained as well as pain ratings for low back pain (LBP) and leg pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), fear-avoidance (Fear-Avoidance-Beliefs Questionnaire), forward flexion (fingertips-to-floor), and straight leg raise (SLR) (inclinometer).

Psychometric evaluation of the PainCAS Interference with Daily Activities, Psychological/Emotional Distress, and Pain scales.

Purpose: The PainCAS is a web-based clinical tool for assessing and tracking pain and opioid risk in chronic pain patients. Despite evidence for its utility within the clinical setting, the PainCAS scales have never been subject to psychometric evaluation. The current study is the first to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PainCAS Interference with Daily Activities, Psychological/Emotional Distress, and Pain scales.

Development of a Brief Version of the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM): The COMM-9.

Objective: The Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is a commonly used self-report instrument to identify and monitor aberrant opioid-related behavior in chronic pain patients on opioid therapy. However, the length of the COMM may limit its clinical utility. Additionally, this paper-and-pencil screener requires hand scoring, which increases paperwork and staff burden.

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? Or Should I Wait and See? Influences on Wildfire Evacuation Decisions.

As climate change has contributed to longer fire seasons and populations living in fire-prone ecosystems increase, wildfires have begun to affect a growing number of people. As a result, interest in understanding the wildfire evacuation decision process has increased. Of particular interest is understanding why some people leave early, some choose to stay and defend their homes, and others wait to assess conditions before making a final decision.

Development and Validation of an Eight-Item Brief Form of the SOAPP-R (SOAPP-8).

Objective: Although the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R) has become a widely used screener for aberrant opioid-related behavior in adults, the length of the instrument may limit its utility. The purpose of the current study was to develop a short form of the SOAPP-R by retaining as few items as possible while maximizing predictive accuracy.

Methods: Participants (N = 555), recruited from pain clinics, completed the 24-item SOAPP-R and participated in a five-month follow-up visit to evaluate aberrant drug-related behaviors.

A computer adaptive testing version of the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV): The Addiction Severity CAT.

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a computer adaptive testing (CAT) version of the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV), the Addiction Severity CAT. This goal was accomplished in 4 steps. First, new candidate items for Addiction Severity CAT domains were evaluated after brainstorming sessions with experts in substance abuse treatment.

Tap water iontophoresis in the treatment of pediatric hyperhidrosis.

Aim Of The Study: The treatment options for localized hyperhidrosis include antiperspirants, anticholinergics, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin and surgery. Tap water iontophoresis (TWI) involves immersing the affected area in tap water and passing a small electrical current through the area. Our aim was to assess the success of this therapy in a pediatric cohort.

An Ecosystems and Vulnerable Populations Perspective on Solastalgia and Psychological Distress After a Wildfire.

We studied the relationship between psychological distress and relative resource and risk predictors, including loss of solace from the landscape (solastalgia), one year after the Wallow Fire, in Arizona, United States. Solastalgia refers to the distress caused by damage to the surrounding natural environment and it has not been examined for its relationship to psychological health. Doing so opens avenues of research that inquire into how land management might be able to support improved community resilience and psychological health outcomes after a wildfire.

Collaborative implementation for ecological restoration on US Public Lands: implications for legal context, accountability, and adaptive management.

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP), established in 2009, encourages collaborative landscape scale ecosystem restoration efforts on United States Forest Service (USFS) lands. Although the USFS employees have experience engaging in collaborative planning, CFLRP requires collaboration in implementation, a domain where little prior experience can be drawn on for guidance. The purpose of this research is to identify the ways in which CFLRP's collaborative participants and agency personnel conceptualize how stakeholders can contribute to implementation on landscape scale restoration projects, and to build theory on dynamics of collaborative implementation in environmental management.

Learning to coexist with wildfire.

The impacts of escalating wildfire in many regions - the lives and homes lost, the expense of suppression and the damage to ecosystem services - necessitate a more sustainable coexistence with wildfire. Climate change and continued development on fire-prone landscapes will only compound current problems. Emerging strategies for managing ecosystems and mitigating risks to human communities provide some hope, although greater recognition of their inherent variation and links is crucial.