Changes in Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Cancer Survivors: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Cancer survivors face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, with physical inactivity after cancer treatment potentially worsening this risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity before and after a cancer diagnosis and the risk for heart disease.

Methods: A nationwide cohort of 269,943 cancer survivors (mean age 56.

Physical Activity Amid a Pandemic: How Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Shaped Behaviors During COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant shifts in societal norms and individual behaviors, including changes in physical activity levels. This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors and changes in physical activity levels during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels among adult Arkansans. Survey data were collected from 1,205 adult Arkansans in July and August 2020, capturing socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics and information on physical activity changes since the onset of the pandemic.

The Association Between Dietary Supplement Use and COVID-19 Symptoms.

The scientific evidence supporting recommendations for dietary supplement use to prevent or treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) is not well‑established. This cohort study investigates the relationship between dietary supplement usage and COVID‑19 symptoms among 27,181 adults tested for COVID‑19. Using data from surveys following COVID‑19 testing, conducted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, associations between dietary supplement usage, symptomatology, and COVID‑19 status were explored.

Vaccine hesitancy or hesitancies? A latent class analysis of pediatric patients' parents.

Vaccine hesitancy is an attitude of indecision toward vaccination that is related to but not determinative of vaccination behaviors. Although theories of vaccine hesitancy emphasize it is often vaccine-specific, we do not know the extent to which this is true across sociodemographic groups. In this study, we asked: What latent classes of vaccine hesitancy might exist when examining parents' attitudes toward vaccines in general and COVID-19 and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination specifically? Which sociodemographic, health access, and health-related variables are predictive of membership in those classes? To answer those questions, we analyze online survey data from parents of pediatric patients recruited through eight clinics within the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Rural Research Network.

Weight change and cardiovascular disease incidence in breast cancer survivors: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to treatment-related cardiotoxicity and pre-existing conditions. We investigated how post-diagnosis weight changes and obesity impact CVD risk in this population.

Method: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2010-2019), BCS without previous history of CVD were enrolled.

Exploring LGBTQ+ youth well-being: Utilizing a mixed-method approach to uncover insights, needs, and strategies of LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas.

Objective: This study investigates the well-being and needs of LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas, aiming to understand factors influencing their quality of life and inform supportive policies and practices.

Methods: This exploratory, descriptive evaluation used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to explore LGBTQ+ youth well-being and needs in Northwest Arkansas. 218 online survey respondents and six interviewees under 21 who self-identified as LGBTQ+ participated.

Neighborhood Factors related to Cancer Screening in Texas: a spatioecological study.

Introduction: To examine the associations of neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES), ethnic enclaves, residential Black segregation with screening for breast, cervical and colorectal (CRC) cancers across the state of Texas (TX).

Methods: Using an ecologic study design, spatial clustering of low breast, cervical and CRC screening rates were identified across TX census tracts using local Moran's I statistics. Binomial spatial probit regression was used to estimate the associations between nSES, Hispanic/Latino and Asian American (AA) ethnic enclave neighborhoods and residential Black segregation with geospatial clusters of low screening, adjusting for behavioral characteristics.

Services Provided in Spanish in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities: Limited Access in Communities with Fast-Growing Spanish-Speaking Populations.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is increasing among primary Spanish-speaking populations, and treatment use is disproportionately low. Patient-provider Spanish language concordance is associated with SUD treatment initiation and better outcomes. Recent geographic shifts within primary Spanish-speaking populations are important considerations in identifying gaps in SUD service delivery in Spanish.

A Case-Control Study of Dietary Choline Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer Modified by Dietary B-Vitamin Intake.

Background/objectives: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is rising, and Western diets high in red and processed meats may be contributing. It is important to identify dietary nutrients that increase CRC risk and perhaps interventions that may modulate such risk. The relationship between dietary choline intake and CRC is still unclear.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a small rural southern state: Results of a weighted random sample survey.

Objective: COVID-19 remains a significant health threat to the United States (U.S.) and the world even after the development of effective vaccines.

The impact of climate change on respiratory health: current understanding and knowledge gaps.

Purpose Of Review: To present an overview of the impact of climate change upon human respiratory health.

Recent Findings: Climate change is directly impacting air quality. Particulate matter clearly increases mortality rates.

Association between two common SNPs, rs6564851 and rs6420424, and lutein and zeaxanthin levels in a cohort of US postmenopausal women with a family history of breast cancer.

A better understanding of the factors contributing to systemic concentrations of carotenoids is necessary given the weak correlations between circulating levels and dietary intake of carotenoids. Although genetic variation may play a key role in the interindividual variability in carotenoid concentrations, few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have focused on carotenoids. We used a random sample ( = 519) of postmenopausal participants in the Sister Study with data on genotypes and plasma carotenoid levels to conduct GWAS for each of five carotenoids (mcg/mL): alpha-carotene, beta- carotene, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin.

Caregiver restrictions on child access to tobacco in the home and home Smoking/Vaping bans among Black/African American women caregivers who smoke and live in Resource-limited, rural areas.

Objective: This study examined relationships between home smoking/vaping bans and caregiver restrictions on child access to tobacco in the home among rural, Black/African American caregivers who smoke.

Methods: Data were from the baseline survey of a randomized trial conducted in 2020-2022 among caregivers who smoke cigarettes and/or little cigars/cigarillos (N = 188). Logistic regressions examined associations between independent variables (tobacco product-specific and comprehensive home smoking/vaping bans) and dependent variables (caregiver keeps tobacco in the home; among caregivers with tobacco at home, caregiver restricts child tobacco access at home) Models were adjusted for caregiver tobacco use, income, and additional covariates based on stepwise selection.

Healthcare provider recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination: Prevalence, disparities, and correlates.

Objective: We assessed healthcare provider recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination, disparities across sociodemographic factors, and associations with health care coverage, social norms, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and Fox News preference.

Methods: We utilized random sample survey data of Arkansas residents (N = 2201) collected in October 2022 to identify adults with a personal provider who make up the analytical sample of this study (n = 1804).

Results: Over a third (37.

Serum Glutamate dehydrogenase activity enables sensitive and specific diagnosis of hepatocellular injury in humans.

Serum activities of alanine- and aspartate- aminotransferases (ALT and AST) are considered the "gold standard" biomarkers of hepatocyte injury in clinical practice and drug development. However, due to expression of ALT and AST in myocytes, the diagnosis of hepatocellular injury in patients with underlying muscle diseases, including drug-induced muscle injury, is severely limited. Thus, we proposed glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) as a liver-specific alternative to serum ALT and AST.

First-year evaluation of a campus-wide, cross-disciplinary scholarly writing development program supported by a center for biomedical research excellence (COBRE).

Background: Scholarly publications are important indicators of research productivity and investigator development in Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBREs). However, no information is available to describe implementation and evaluation of writing development programs within COBREs. Therefore, this paper aimed to evaluate the first year of a campus-wide COBRE-supported writing program.

Differing needs for Advance Care Planning in the Veterans Health Administration: use of latent class analysis to identify subgroups to enhance Advance Care Planning via Group Visits for veterans.

Background: Advance Care Planning via Group Visits (ACP-GV) is a patient-centered intervention facilitated by a clinician using a group modality to promote healthcare decision-making among veterans. Participants in the group document a "Next Step" to use in planning for their future care needs. The next step may include documentation of preferences in an advance directive, discussing plans with family, or anything else to fulfill their ACP needs.

DSHEA 1994 - Celebrating 30 Years of Dietary Supplement Regulation in the United States.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 defined the FDA's statutory authority to regulate dietary supplement products as a category of food in the United States. As we celebrate 30 years post-DSHEA, it is important to reflect on its significance for public health, influence on the continuously evolving and expanding product category, the current regulatory framework, and potential opportunities or modernizing oversight to ensure a strong and well-regulated marketplace. An estimated three-fourths of U.

Association of Allergy Specialty Care and Asthma Outcomes for Medicaid-Enrolled Children.

Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of allergy specialist care for children with asthma enrolled in the Arkansas Medicaid program.

Study Design: We used the Arkansas All-Payers Claims Database to identify Medicaid-enrolled children with asthma who had an allergy specialist visit in 2018. These children were propensity score matched to children without an allergy specialist visit to evaluate differences in asthma-related adverse events (AAEs), specifically emergency department visits and/or hospitalizations in 2019.

Association Between Patient-Level Factors and Positive Treatment Response Among Individuals With a Psychostimulant Use Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide insights into which patient-level characteristics are associated with a positive treatment response among patients whose primary drug of choice was a psychostimulant with a particular emphasis on understanding the impact of age at first use and co-occurring psychiatric comorbidities.

Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design and the 2019 US Treatment Episode Data Set: Discharges (n = 167 802) to identify outpatient treatment episodes for which the primary drug of choice was a psychostimulant. We defined a positive treatment response as (1) a reduction in drug use between treatment admission and discharge or (2) no use at both admission and discharge.