Pancreaticoduodenectomy in trauma patients with grade IV-V duodenal or pancreatic injuries: a post hoc analysis of an EAST multicenter trial.

Introduction: The utility of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for high-grade traumatic injuries remains unclear and data surrounding its use are limited. We hypothesized that PD does not result in improved outcomes when compared with non-PD surgical management of grade IV-V pancreaticoduodenal injuries.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter analysis from 35 level 1 trauma centers from January 2010 to December 2020.

Outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury after stress ulcer prophylaxis: a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Stress ulcers in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) present significant morbidity and mortality risks. Despite the low reported stress ulcer rates, stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is widely administered in neurocritical care. It was hypothesized that universal SUP administration may not be associated with reduced rates of complications across all neurocritical care patients.

Hybrid nanomaterial composed of chitosan, curcumin, ZnO and TiO for antibacterial therapies.

Metal nanoparticles have been tremendously utilised, such as; antibacterial and anticancer agents. Although metal nanoparticles exhibits antibacterial and anticancer activity, but the drawback of toxicity on normal cells limits their clinical applications. Therefore, improving the bioactivity of hybrid nanomaterial (HNM) and minimizing toxicity is of paramount importance for biomedical applications.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic disease management and patient reported outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension: The Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry.

To better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension, we conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating health insurance status, healthcare access, disease severity, and patient reported outcomes in this population. Using the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry (PHAR), we defined and extracted a longitudinal cohort of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients from the PHAR's inception in 2015 until March 2022. We used generalized estimating equations to model the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient outcomes, adjusting for demographic confounders.

Novel Functionalized Spiro [Indoline-3,5'-pyrroline]-2,2'dione Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, Drug-Likeness, ADME, and Anticancer Potential.

A highly stereo-selective, one-pot, multicomponent method was chosen to synthesize the novel functionalized 1, 3-cycloaddition spirooxindoles (SOXs) (-). Synthesized SOXs were analyzed for their drug-likeness and ADME parameters and screened for their anticancer activity. Our molecular docking analysis revealed that among all derivatives of SOXs (-), has a substantial binding affinity (∆G) -6.

The significance of biomacromolecule alginate for the 3D printing of hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Natural biopolymers have been widely employed as biomaterial ink hydrogels for three-dimensional (3D) extrusion bioprinting in the preparation of the next generation of bioengineering materials for healthcare applications. Alginate is a linear anionic polysaccharide with favourable properties, such as: typical rheological (gelling, viscosifying, and stabilizing dispersions) characteristics, biodegradability and biocompatibility properties. However, in order to improve alginate applicability for practical biomaterial/bio ink for advanced medical applications, it is often modified and functionalized with several polymers and nanomaterials in order to obtain better printability of alginate-based biomaterial/bio ink hydrogels.

Limited Impact of the Protein Corona on the Cellular Uptake of PEGylated Zein Micelles by Melanoma Cancer Cells.

The formation of a protein layer "corona" on the nanoparticle surface upon entry into a biological environment was shown to strongly influence the interactions with cells, especially affecting the uptake of nanomedicines. In this work, we present the impact of the protein corona on the uptake of PEGylated zein micelles by cancer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Zein was successfully conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of varying chain lengths (5K and 10K) and assembled into micelles.

Evaluation of Healthy South Texas Asthma Program on improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities among the underserved Hispanic population: using the RE-AIM model.

Background: In the United States, childhood asthma prevalence is higher among low-income communities and Hispanic populations. Previous studies found that asthma education could improve health and quality of life, especially in vulnerable populations lacking healthcare access. This study aims to describe Healthy South Texas Asthma Program (HSTAP), an evidence-based asthma education and environmental modification program in South Texas, and evaluate its associations with health-related outcomes among Hispanic children with asthma and their families.

A topography of immunotherapies against gastrointestinal malignancies.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although various approaches are implemented to improve the health condition of GI patients, none of the treatment protocols promise for eradicating cancer. However, a treatment mechanism against any kind of disease condition is already existing executing inside the human body.

Implementing a Diabetes Education Program to Reduce Health Disparities in South Texas: Application of the RE-AIM Framework for Planning and Evaluation.

Health disparities in diabetes management and control are well-documented. The objective of this study is to describe one diabetes education program delivered in the United States in terms of the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) Planning and Evaluation Framework. Questionnaires, clinical data, and administrative records were analyzed from 8664 adults with diabetes living in South Texas, an area characterized by high health disparities.

Assessing Impact of Household Intervention on Indoor Air Quality and Health of Children with Asthma in the US-Mexico Border: A Pilot Study.

Few studies have investigated household interventions to enhance indoor air quality (IAQ) and health outcomes in relatively low-income communities. This study aims to examine the impact of the combined intervention with asthma education and air purifier on IAQ and health outcomes in the US-Mexico border area. An intervention study conducted in McAllen, Texas, between June and November 2019 included 16 households having children with asthma.

APE1 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Proliferation through GFRα1/Src/ERK Axis-Cascade Signaling in Response to GDNF.

Pancreatic cancer is the worst exocrine gastrointestinal cancer leading to the highest mortality. Recent studies reported that aberrant expression of apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APE1) is involved in uncontrolled cell growth. However, the molecular mechanism of APE1 biological role remains unrevealed in pancreatic cancer progression.

Regional Disparity in Asthma Prevalence and Distribution of Asthma Education Programs in Texas.

Objectives: To identify the distribution of asthma education programs that are currently active in Texas and examine whether there is a geographical disparity between asthma prevalence and locations of asthma education programs in the Public Health Regions (PHRs) of Texas.

Methods: The data for adult asthma prevalence in PHRs was obtained from the Texas Department of State and Health Services (DSHS) 2015 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Public Use Data File. The Geographic Information System (GIS) program was used to show the distribution of asthma education programs and visually identify the isolated areas for asthma education programs on the maps.

Level of Physical Activity and Knowledge about the Physical Activity Guidelines in a Group of Medical Residents from Puerto Rico.

Objective: Physicians who know about physical activity guidelines (PAG) and those who adhere to the PAG themselves may have a greater tendency to recommend physical activity (PA) to their patients. This study was aimed at evaluating the level of PA in a group of medical residents from Puerto Rico and to assess their knowledge regarding the PAG for adults.

Methods: A total of 104 medical residents from Puerto Rico completed a selfadministered questionnaire designed to obtain standardized estimates of their PA and to determine their level of knowledge regarding the PAG.

Expanding Bicycle Infrastructure to Promote Physical Activity in Hidalgo County, Texas.

The role of the built environment as both an asset and a barrier in promoting physical activity is well documented. However, literature on the role of communities in catalyzing policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change to address gaps in the built environment is scant. We describe a community-driven PSE intervention, resulting in expanded bicycle infrastructure and physical activity opportunities in a South Texas border community.

Effects of the home-based educational intervention on health outcomes among primarily Hispanic children with asthma: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Childhood asthma is a significant health issue with 8.3% prevalence in the U.S.

Asthma prevalence and school-related hazardous air pollutants in the US-México border area.

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and has been linked to high levels of ambient air pollution and certain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Outdoor pollutants such as benzene, released by car emissions, and organic chemicals found in diesel exhaust, as well as particles and irritant gases, including nitrogen dioxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO), and ozone (O), contribute to an increased prevalence of respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: 1) conduct a screening survey to identify high risk for asthma among school-age children in Hidalgo County, and, 2) study the potential health impact of school-related exposure to HAPs pertaining to asthma risk.

The Benefits and Challenges of Managing Asthma in Hispanic Families in South Texas: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Understanding the experience of Hispanic parents of children diagnosed with asthma can be useful in the delivery of effective and meaningful asthma education. In order to assess the needs of Hispanic families with asthmatic children in South Texas, investigators utilized a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Objectives: This study aimed (1) to assess the impact of asthma in the quality of life of Hispanic children and their families and (2) to identify barriers and challenges to asthma management as perceived by parents of children diagnosed with asthma.

Relative Association of Multi-Level Supportive Environments on Poor Health among Older Adults.

: The aging of the United States population poses significant challenges to American healthcare and informal caregiving systems. Additional research is needed to understand how health promotion programs and policies based on a socio-ecological perspective impact the health and well-being of older persons. The purpose of this study was to investigate personal characteristics and supportive environments associated with poor health among older individuals aged 65 and over.

Ethnoracial Variation in Depression Symptoms.

Introduction: While there is a long-standing tradition of research on the predictors of depression among women exposed to violence, little of this research has been conducted across ethnic and racial groups.

Method: A cross-sectional study comparing a total of 191 women with a history of intimate partner violence were recruited from commercial, medical, and educational settings and by contact with agencies serving the needs of abused women, for example, shelters, community outreach. The study examined intimate partner violence and the adjustment of mothers of children ages 5 to 12 to explore both commonalities and differences in the ways in which four groups of women (African American, Biracial, Latina, and White women) cope with violence in their lives.

Impacting Environmental and Public Health through the Use of Dual Targeted and Tailored Asthma Educational Interventions.

Home-based asthma environmental education for parents of asthmatic children is needed since many health professionals lack the time to offer it. However, developing targeted and tailored education is important in order to address the individual needs of participants. This nonrandomized longitudinal study examined knowledge on asthma with an Asthma and Healthy Homes educational intervention training offered to parents of children from low income families who reside in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Does injury prevention education initiate household changes in a Spanish-speaking minority population?

Young children from low income families are among the most affected population of unintentional injury. This non-randomized longitudinal study examined knowledge for home and child safety with an injury prevention training offered to parents of children who reside in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Eighty eight parents received the training and pre-and post-test surveys were used to measure knowledge outcomes.

Factors influencing health care utilization in older Hispanics with diabetes along the Texas-Mexico border.

Little is known about predictors of health care utilization for older Hispanics with chronic conditions. This study aimed to determine: (1) the level of health care access for older Hispanics with type 2 diabetes living in a US-Mexico border area; and (2) personal and health correlates to health care utilization (ie, physician visits, eye care, emergency room [ER] use). This was a cross-sectional study based on a community assessment conducted at a clinic, senior centers, and colonias.

Pilot of a diabetes primary prevention program in a hard-to-reach, low-income, immigrant Hispanic population.

An immigrant Hispanic population in the Texas-Mexico border region urgently requested assistance with diabetes. The project team implemented an exploratory pilot intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes in the general population through enhanced nutrition and physical activity. Social networks in low-income rural areas(colonias) participated in an adaptation of the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program.

A qualitative case study examining intervention tailoring for minorities.

Objectives: To explore issues of intervention tailoring for ethnic minorities based on information and experiences shared by researchers affiliated with the Health Maintenance Consortium (HMC).

Methods: A qualitative case study methodology was used with the administration of a survey (n = 17 principal investigators) and follow-up telephone interviews. Descriptive and content analyses were conducted, and a synthesis of the findings was developed.