Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Mounting evidence suggests that acute and past exposure to the environmental toxicant lead (Pb) results in longitudinal decline in cognitive function and brain atrophy. In animals, chronic Pb exposure can increase brain Aβ deposition. However, it remains unclear how Pb induces different natures of amyloid depositions and underlying mechanisms to contribute to the pathogenesis of AD and related dementia.

Treatment and treatment outcomes of snakebite envenoming in Uganda: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in rural sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a notable lack of data concerning the management and treatment outcomes for those affected. This study addresses this gap by examining the management and treatment outcomes of snakebite victims in Uganda.

Health care systems and policies for older adults in Nepal: new challenges for a low-middle income country.

Background: Nepal, like other low- and middle-income countries, is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of older adults and the rate of aging in the population. This has increased the number of older adults with age-associated chronic illnesses, which in turn will escalate the demand for specialized healthcare and long-term care in Nepal. However, very little is known regarding the current healthcare system and health policies for older adults in Nepal.

The effect of dance and massage applied by spouses during childbirth on labor pain, comfort, and satisfaction.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of endorphin massage and dance applied by spouses during labor on labor pain, satisfaction with childbirth, postpartum comfort, and person-centered maternity care.

Materials And Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled experimental study consists of 105 pregnant women in their second childbirth (35 in the birth dance group,35 in the endorphin massage group, and 35 in the control group). The endorphin massage taught by the researcher to the pregnant women and their spouses was applied for 10 min.

Clinical validation and experiences of the microfluidics sperm selection device ZyMōt™ for standard IVF.

Objective: Clinical validation of sperm selection device ZyMōt™ for standard IVF.

Methods: The pre-clinical validation of ZyMōt™ included several steps. First, split semen preparation compared density gradient centrifugation (DGC) to ZyMōt™ with primary outcome fraction and absolute number of progressive motile sperm.

Integrated Multidisciplinary Approach to Acute Chest Pain: Perspectives From Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine.

Background: Acute chest discomfort is a common clinical problem that has to be well understood and managed collaboratively by specialists from many fields of medicine.

Objective: This study aimed to explore and evaluate the perspectives of healthcare professionals in family, emergency, and internal medicine regarding the management of acute chest pain, with a specific focus on diagnostic practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and protocol adherence to establish best practices for a unified approach.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study, conducted from June 2022 to July 2024, included 218 healthcare professionals with over a year of experience in family, emergency, and internal medicine, selected through convenient sampling from hospitals such as Lady Reading Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Mardan Medical Complex, and Government Mian Meer Hospital.

Nursing students' metaphorical perceptions of professional communication and the concept of nursing in their first clinical practice: qualitative research.

Background: Nursing education combines theoretical knowledge and clinical practice to prepare nursing students to meet the evolving demands of healthcare services. Understanding nursing students' metaphorical perceptions of the nursing profession and professional communication during their first clinical experiences can provide valuable insights into their professional identity and communication skills, as well as giving information about necessary improvements in nursing education. This study aimed to reveal the metaphorical perceptions of nursing students regarding the concepts of professional communication and nursing during their first clinical practices.

All-Inside Arthroscopic Anatomic Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability and Injury at the Talar Attachment: Surgical Technique.

Recently, arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair has become popular, and favorable outcomes have been reported. In general, ATFL injuries are often caused by fibular attachment, and there are no reports of arthroscopic ligament repair of talar attachment injuries. We present a surgical technique for arthroscopic ligament repair via the anterolateral portal, accessory anterolateral portal, and far accessory anterolateral portal for ATFL injuries on the talar side.

Longitudinal changes following the introduction of socially assistive robots in nursing homes: a qualitative study with ICF framework and causal loop diagramming.

Background: Socially assistive robots introduced in nursing care settings have multidimensional psychological impacts on care recipients and caregivers. This study aims to explore the longitudinal changes induced by socially assistive robots, focusing on a chain of human behaviors.

Methods: In this qualitative study, nine participants from two nursing homes who had experience in manipulating socially assistive robots were interviewed in a semi-structured focus group using a topic guide to explore the changes in care recipients and caregivers.

Environmental predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence in Catalonia (northwestern Mediterranean).

Numerous studies have explored whether and how the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), responds to environmental conditions without reaching consistent answers. Sociodemographic factors, such as variable population density and mobility, as well as the lack of effective epidemiological monitoring, make it difficult to establish robust correlations. Here we carry out a regional cross-correlation study between nine atmospheric variables and an infection index ( ) estimated from standardized positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test cases.

Retirement, Social Engagement, and Post-Retirement Changes in Cognitive Function.

Objectives: This study examines whether social engagement at the time of retirement is associated with better cognitive function and slower cognitive decline.

Methods: Data come from 10 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, linked with data from the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS). Respondents included those who had transitioned from working full-time to partial or full retirement.

The effects of Korean hand acupressure on postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, and retching after thyroidectomy: A randomized controlled study protocol.

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Korean hand acupressure applied after thyroidectomy on postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, and retching of number and severity.

Materials And Methods: The type of study is a randomized study with a post-test-control group. The protocol was prepared according to the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) 2013 checklist.

A Case of Deep Vein Thrombosis Complicated by Right Atrial Clot-in-Transit and Pulmonary Embolism in an Alcoholic Male.

This report presents the case of a 62-year-old male with a history of chronic alcohol abuse who developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complicated by extensive bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE) and a right atrial thrombus. The presence of a right atrial thrombus in conjunction with PE and DVT is a rare and serious clinical presentation, often associated with a high thrombotic burden and increased risk of mortality. The patient initially presented with worsening shortness of breath following an occupational injury that resulted in a left heel laceration, subsequently leading to a significant thromboembolic event.

Turkish nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices in the management of incontinence associated dermatitis: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to determine nurses' current knowledge, attitudes, and practices in adult intensive care units and palliative care clinics regarding incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

Materials And Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 355 nurses in adult intensive care and palliative services at two hospitals. Data were collected between 5.

Effect of increased fear of falling on falls in patients undergoing HD: A narrative review.

Increased fear of falling (FOF) increases the risk of falling and is an important issue for living an independent life.　Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) frequently fall, and this may be attributed to increased FOF due to common fall risk factors as well as severe chronic kidney disease and HD-related factors.　The purpose of this narrative review was to summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms of increased FOF leading to falls in patients undergoing HD.

Laws for health and care worker protection and rights: A study of 182 countries.

The unprecedented and multi-faceted challenges health and care workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the world's health ministers to call for a new Global Health and Care Worker Compact at the 74th World Health Assembly in 2021. The Care Compact identifies key areas where governments can use law and policy to prevent harm, provide support, ensure inclusivity, and safeguard rights of health and care workers toward improving population health. Using policy surveillance methods, we conducted an empirical analysis of the national law and policy environments on health and care workers' protection and rights in 182 countries.

Time Isn't your FoCUS, do cardiac POCUS!

Background: Physicians often cite time as a limitation to performing a focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) exam. The primary outcome of this study was to determine the amount of time to complete a quality FoCUS exam. Secondary outcomes evaluated time differences between different training levels.

Implementing Goals of Care Notes in a Statewide Health System: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background: Goals of care (GOC) documentation for seriously ill patients is integral to patient-centered care but not standardized. Collaborative efforts within the health system to improve the frequency and documentation of GOC to communicate patient preferences and values are essential to ensure both quality of life and quality of death.

Measures: We created a standard GOC note type and location in the electronic medical record for a large, statewide health system in the Midwest.

Prognostic implication of sarcopenia diagnosed by updated Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria in older patients with heart failure: Utility and limitation.

Objectives: The utility of the updated Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria in diagnosing sarcopenia in older patients with heart failure (HF) remains unclear.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and prognostic impact of sarcopenia diagnosed by the updated AWGS criteria in older patients with HF.

Design: Ambispective cohort study.

From I to We: The Evolution of Individual Students from Seven Health Professions Programs to a Functioning Interprofessional Team.

This study presents a qualitative thematic analysis of the conversations between students from clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), occupational therapy (OT), nursing, physician assistant (PA), physical therapy (PT), social work (SW), and speech-language pathology (SLP) programs at an interprofessional education (IPE) symposium. The analysis describes the evolution from individuals to a collaborative interprofessional team, capturing the evolution as it unfolded. During a 1-day IPE symposium, conversations from one table of 11 students and a faculty facilitator were recorded and analyzed.

Disparities in Thyroid Cancer Mortality Across Racial and Ethnic Groups: Assessing the Impact of Socioeconomic, Clinicopathologic, and Treatment Variations.

Background: Thyroid cancer remains a significant public health concern, with disparities in mortality rates observed across racial/ethnic groups. We quantified the extent to which socioeconomic, clinicopathologic, and treatment variations explain racial/ethnic disparities in thyroid cancer mortality.

Methods: We studied a cohort of 109,981 thyroid cancer patients diagnosed from 2006 to 2018 using the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.