Publications by authors named "Rademacher K"

Article Synopsis
  • Parkinson's disease involves the death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, but the mechanisms behind this degeneration are still unclear.
  • Researchers developed a chemogenetic mouse model to increase dopamine neuron activity, discovering that this led to changes in locomotor activity and early degeneration of specific neuron projections.
  • This study suggests that excessive neural activity contributes to the vulnerability and eventual death of dopamine neurons, providing new insights into the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease.
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Purpose: This exploratory study described facilitators and barriers to reducing tobacco disparities in 2 small rural communities and identified ways to reduce tobacco use.

Methods: This was a descriptive design using qualitative methods. We created a resource database for 2 rural Kentucky counties, using a Culture of Health Framework.

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Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, yet few Americans test their homes for radon, particularly in rural areas. The academic team and community partners engaged the public library systems in four rural counties to offer digital radon detectors for check-out as a means of increasing the public's access to free radon testing. The check-out procedures and instructional materials were created through an iterative process, and library personnel were educated on radon and home radon testing prior to launching the lending program.

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Neural activity is finely tuned to produce normal behaviors, and disruptions in activity likely occur early in the course of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, how neural activity is altered, and how these changes influence neurodegeneration is poorly understood. Here, we focus on evidence that the activity of dopamine neurons is altered in Parkinson's disease (PD), either as a compensatory response to degeneration or as a result of circuit dynamics or pathologic proteins, based on available human data and studies in animal models of PD.

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Background: In Nigeria, in-service trainings for new family planning (FP) methods have typically been conducted using a combination of classroom-based learning, skills labs, and supervised practicums. This mixed-methods study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, provider competency, and costs associated with a hybrid digital and in-person training model for the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD).

Methods: The study was conducted in Enugu, Kano, and Oyo states, Nigeria, and enrolled FP providers previously trained on non-hormonal IUDs.

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Introduction: Science communication plays a crucial role in tackling pressing regional, national, and global health issues. Effective communication with various audiences is integral to dissemination of science findings.

Purpose: This study evaluates changes in self-efficacy and attitudes toward science communication skills over time and also assesses program outcomes and satisfaction with a Faculty Fellows in Science Communication (FFSC) program among faculty (N = 30) with interest in environmental health science and/or education in Appalachia Kentucky.

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: The hormonal intrauterine device, a long-acting reversible contraceptive method, is being introduced to pilot sites in the private and public sector in Nigeria by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health since 2019. To inform training of health care providers, a study was conducted on a hybrid digital and in-person training which utilized Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to assess competency of provider trainees. This study represents one of few documented experiences using OSCE to assess the effectiveness of a digital training.

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FP and menstrual health integration has the potential to improve individuals' health and well-being. The authors describe potential ways to integrate FP and menstrual health, outlining steps that stakeholders can take in designing integrated approaches.

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Article Synopsis
  • Indoor tobacco smoke and radon exposure are known causes of lung cancer, with radon originating from uranium decay in bedrock.
  • The study aimed to analyze how geological factors (like soil radon and bedrock type) and seasonal changes affect indoor radon levels in homes, while accounting for other variables.
  • Results indicated that homes on carbonate bedrock had significantly higher radon levels, and those built within the last 40 years were more likely to have dangerous radon concentrations, highlighting the need for predictive models for indoor radon based on geology.
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Unlabelled: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder affecting brain and spinal cord motor neurons. Mutations in the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase gene ( ) are associated with ∼20% of inherited and 1-2% of sporadic ALS cases. Much has been learned from mice expressing transgenic copies of mutant SOD1, which typically involve high-level transgene expression, thereby differing from ALS patients expressing one mutant gene copy.

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The HIV prevention landscape is on the cusp of an unprecedented era of multiple biomedical prevention products available for distribution. Several HIV prevention options, such as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), dapivirine vaginal rings, and injectable cabotegravir for PrEP, are becoming more widely available. Although the future HIV prevention market promises to be rich in options, it would benefit from a core set of principles that uphold choice in all phases of product development, assessment, and introduction.

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Introduction: Concerns about contraceptive-induced menstrual changes (CIMCs) contribute to nonuse and discontinuation of family planning (FP). Current counseling materials inadequately address these concerns. After obtaining initial feedback, we field-tested an adapted version of the NORMAL job aid that guides community health workers on how to counsel women about CIMCs.

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Introduction: Market size estimations and demand forecasts use a variety of methodological approaches to inform decision-making around new (and lesser-used) contraceptive methods. For contraceptive products already available at scale in a market, historical procurement and consumption data can help to inform these forecasts. However, little published guidance is available on appropriate approaches to estimating contraceptive demand in the absence of historical data.

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Exposure to radon is a leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. However, few test their homes for radon. There is a need to increase access to radon testing and decrease radon exposure.

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Article Synopsis
  • A global learning agenda for hormonal IUDs was established in 2015 to explore their use in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on research and access strategies.
  • Evidence shows high user satisfaction and continuation rates for hormonal IUDs, with many users preferring this option over other short-acting methods or no contraception at all.
  • Scaling up access requires mobilizing resources and conducting implementation research to effectively launch the method, while ensuring sustainable and affordable supply from quality-assured providers.
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Objective: Medicaid recipients are vulnerable to increased morbidity and mortality secondary to high tobacco use prevalence and barriers to accessing tobacco treatment. The purpose of the pilot study was to explore managed care administrators' perceptions of the facilitators and barriers to tobacco treatment for Medicaid recipients.

Methods: Focus groups with key informants (n = 14) from managed care organizations were conducted in fall 2018.

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: Contraceptive-induced menstrual changes (CIMCs) can affect family planning (FP) users' lives in both positive and negative ways, resulting in both opportunities and consequences. Despite this, and despite the important links between FP and menstrual health (MH), neither field adequately addresses CIMCs, including in research, product development, policies, and programs globally. : In November 2020, a convening of both MH and FP experts reviewed the existing evidence on CIMCs and identified significant gaps in key areas.

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Background: The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)-also known as the hormonal IUD-is a highly effective contraceptive method that has not been widely available in the public sector in Zambia. Early introduction efforts can provide critical insights into the characteristics of users, reasons for method choice, and experiences getting their method.

Methods: We conducted a survey with 710 public sector clients who received a hormonal IUD, copper IUD, implant or injectable in two provinces of Zambia, and additional in-depth interviews with 29 women.

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Objectives: This study aims to identify anatomical variants of the proximal tibia shaft and to develop a novel classification system for proximal tibia.

Patients And Methods: Between October 2019 and April 2020, a total of 200 patients with standard knee anteroposterior radiographs were included in this study. We measured the inner diameter of the tibia 16 cm distally from the tibial plateau and 3 cm distally from the tibial spine.

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Article Synopsis
  • Tobacco dependence is a common addiction that healthcare providers often feel unprepared to treat, which can lead to serious health consequences.
  • The study investigated an online training program for Tobacco Treatment Specialists (TTS) to improve healthcare providers' effectiveness and comfort in treating tobacco dependence.
  • Results showed that participants who previously discussed quitting less frequently reported increased knowledge and satisfaction from the program, with about half planning to pursue national certification in the next two years.
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Older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities suffer disproportionately from health conditions caused or worsened by secondhand smoke. Long-term care facilities in many states and municipalities permit smoking. Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights compiles data on smoke-free policies only in institutional facilities (e.

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Background: Despite the positive characteristics of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)-a long-acting, highly effective contraceptive with important non-contraceptive attributes-the method has not been widely available in low- and middle-income countries. This study of hormonal IUD, copper IUD, implant and injectable users in Nigeria compares their characteristics, reasons for method choice, and experiences obtaining their method.

Methods: We conducted a phone survey with 888 women who received a hormonal IUD, copper IUD, contraceptive implant or injectable from 40 social franchise clinics across 18 states in Nigeria.

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Background: 30 years after the introduction of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in Europe, several sub-Saharan African countries are seeking to broaden access to this contraceptive method. In this study, we aimed to assess 12-month continuation of the hormonal intrauterine device, copper intrauterine device, and implants, as well as to assess women's experiences and satisfaction using these methods in the private sector in Nigeria and the public sector in Zambia.

Methods: We did a prospective cohort study of long-acting reversible contraceptive users across 40 private sector clinics in Nigeria and 21 public sector clinics in Zambia.

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