Assessing the Difficulty and Long-Term Retention of Factual and Conceptual Knowledge Through Multiple-Choice Questions: A Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are the mainstay in examinations for medical education, physician licensing, and board certification. Traditionally, MCQs tend to test rote recall of memorized facts. Their utility in assessing higher cognitive functions has been more problematic to determine.

The Validation of the Sinclair Compassion Questionnaire (SCQ) and SCQ Short Form in an English-Speaking U.S. Population: A Patient-Reported Measure of Compassion in Healthcare.

Compassion is recognized as a key component of high-quality healthcare. The literature shows that compassion is essential to improving patient-reported outcomes and fostering health care professionals' (HCPs) response and resilience to burnout. However, compassion is inherently difficult to define, and a validated tool to reliably quantify and measure patients' experience of compassion in healthcare settings did not exist until recently.

Unlocking the Mechanisms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Inflammation and miRNA Insights.

Inflammatory skin diseases impose a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Among these, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is particularly notable for its chronic and recurrent nature. Recurrent nodules, abscesses, and scarring in apocrine gland-rich areas characterize the disease, including the groin, axillae, and perianal regions.

The impact of insurance status on psoriasis patients' healthcare-seeking behavior: a population-based study in the United States.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition requiring long-term care. However, many psoriasis patients may not regularly receive care. Several factors affect access to care in the United States, including health insurance status.

The Discourse Surrounding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on TikTok: A Social Media Analysis.

Background/objectives: Individuals are turning increasingly towards online resources, such as TikTok, to educate themselves on their medical conditions. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prominent example, as women report dissatisfaction with the diagnosis process and treatment options. This study aims to provide a content analysis of the quality of PCOS health information on TikTok.

Cognitive Functioning Influences Mortality Risk Among Older Adults with COPD.

Unlabelled: Background/Objeectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality in the United States (U.S.), with rates varying by disease severity, comorbidities, and sociodemographic factors.

What works when working together?: Cross-sector collaboration barriers & facilitators of a built environment Health Impact Assessment in Southern Nevada.

Purpose: Cross-sector collaboration can improve community health because decisions made across sectors influence health. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) and other health-focused, cross-sector collaborations encounter challenges. This case study uses a completed HIA to explore factors impeding and supporting health-related cross-sectoral collaboration.

Effects of Music on Pain and Anxiety During Otolaryngology Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: Patients undergoing surgery commonly experience anxiety during their procedure which can negatively affect surgical outcomes. Music therapy has emerged as a promising noninvasive approach to reducing anxiety particularly in patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures.The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on anxiety and pain during these procedures.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults hospitalizations in the United States; evaluating patient characteristics, COVID-19 associations, and mortality.

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is thought to be closely linked with COVID-19 infection. This study aims to elucidate the demographics and clinical characteristics of MIS-A, aiding in timely diagnosis and management.

Methods: Utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2021), patients were stratified into MIS-A and non-MIS-A groups.

From Plaques to Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease: The Mitochondrial-Neurovascular-Metabolic Hypothesis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a public health challenge due to its progressive neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and memory loss. The amyloid cascade hypothesis, which postulates that the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides initiates a cascade leading to AD, has dominated research and therapeutic strategies. The failure of recent Aβ-targeted therapies to yield conclusive benefits necessitates further exploration of AD pathology.

Exploring Social Support Strategies and Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Social Isolation and Loneliness: The Role of Digital Literacy.

Background/objectives: Social isolation (SI) and loneliness (L) are the long-standing critical concerns impacting the mental well-being of older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leading to a notable rise in perceived social isolation (PSI) and its associated risks among an aging population. Reportedly, nearly 35% of older Americans felt lonely before the pandemic, with the pandemic further intensifying these feelings.

Climate and Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Comprehensive Review and Future Research Guidelines.

Purpose: Does weather affect the rate of developing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD)? This comprehensive review investigates the findings of the most recent studies on the relationship between RRD and climatic or seasonal factors.

Methods: An extensive search across PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases resulted in 112 initial results, from which 18 studies published between 1980 and 2024 were selected. The selection criteria were based on the studies' relevance to our topic.

Laparoscopic resection of a spontaneous gastrocutaneous fistula in an adult - A case report.

Introduction: Persistent gastrocutaneous fistula (GCF) remains a rare but known complication after gastrostomy tube removal. In children, the gold standard of treatment is surgical through an open fistula takedown. Adults, on the other hand, have a much smaller incidence rate, creating a more difficult dilemma in management.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Telehealth and In-Person Primary Care Visits for People Living with Alzheimer's Disease-Related Disorders in the State of Nevada.

To people living with Alzheimer's Disease-Related Disorders (ADRD), timely and coordinated communication is essential between their informal caregivers and healthcare providers. In provider shortage areas, for example, the state of Nevada, telehealth can be an effective primary care delivery alternative to in-person visits. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of telehealth visits for people living with ADRD in the state of Nevada, a decision-analytic Markov model was developed from healthcare system perspectives with a 10-year horizon/1-year cycle.

Theory-Based Determinants of Stopping Drowsy Driving Behavior in College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Drowsy driving among college students is a critical public health issue due to its significant impact on road safety. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the determinants of stopping drowsy driving behavior among college students using the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. Data for this study were collected from September to October 2023 via a 42-item psychometric valid, web-based survey disseminated via Qualtrics, involving 725 students from a large southwestern university.

The Association of Dietary Micronutrient Intake and Systemic Inflammation among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This study sought to document how the systemic biomarkers of inflammation varied based on food choices among patients with T2DM. This cross-sectional study enrolled ambulatory patients with T2DM.

Advancements in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Review.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by excessive growth of myocardial tissue, most commonly due to genetic mutations in sarcomere proteins. This can lead to complications such as heart failure, mitral regurgitation, syncope, arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and myocardial ischemia. While we have come a long way in our understanding of the pathophysiology, genetics, and epidemiology of HCM, the past 10 years have seen significant advancements in diagnosis and treatment.