Part II. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?

Creatine monohydrate supplementation (CrM) is a safe and effective intervention for improving certain aspects of sport, exercise performance, and health across the lifespan. Despite its evidence-based pedigree, several questions and misconceptions about CrM remain. To initially address some of these concerns, our group published a narrative review in 2021 discussing the scientific evidence as to whether CrM leads to water retention and fat accumulation, is a steroid, causes hair loss, dehydration or muscle cramping, adversely affects renal and liver function, and if CrM is safe and/or effective for children, adolescents, biological females, and older adults.

Navigating challenges and cultivating connections: Faculty experiences teaching RN-BSN students.

Background: Success in completing an RN to BSN program largely depends on program quality, flexibility, and accessibility, as well as faculty ability to help students navigate several complex factors. Research specific to the RN-BSN student experience suggests that faculty teaching in RN-BSN programs must be respectful of diverse learners' needs, mindful to avoid bias and reduce stigma, and capable in creating equitable learning spaces. Faculty must also make content relevant to support immediate use by students in the workplace.

Effects of acute creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular responses in older men; a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: In the recent years creatine has been shown promising results in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, myopathies and dystrophies. Cardiovascular diseases could be another pathology that can benefit from creatine supplementation, considering the influence on the risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases including reduction in chronic inflammation, and improved control of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of short-term creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular health in older adults.

Methods: Males between the ages of 55-80 were randomly assigned to three groups: creatine, placebo and control.

Supporting nursing faculty to teach veteran's care: a mixed method, multi-intervention study.

Objectives: This study aimed to (a) describe nurse educators' attitudes towards veterans after workshop participation, (b) evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop and timed digital interventions (TDI) on nurse educators' integration of veteran-centered content into their courses and curricula, and (c) describe nurse educators' experiences with transferring learning from the workshop to teaching practice.

Methods: A longitudinal multi-intervention, multi-method pilot study was conducted using pre- and post-workshop surveys and interviews.

Results: Twenty-six nurse faculty reported a neutral attitude toward working with veterans during the pre-workshop survey period.

CCK Receptor Inhibition Reduces Pancreatic Tumor Fibrosis and Promotes Nanoparticle Delivery.

The poor prognosis for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients is due in part to the highly fibrotic nature of the tumors that impedes delivery of therapeutics, including nanoparticles (NPs). Our prior studies demonstrated that proglumide, a cholecystokinin receptor (CCKR) antagonist, reduced fibrosis pervading PanIN lesions in mice. Here, we further detail how the reduced fibrosis elicited by proglumide achieves the normalization of the desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) and improves nanoparticle uptake.

Influencing leadership in nursing education and practice: A qualitative study of military nurse officers.

Background: The potential positive impact military nurse officers (MNOs) make on the nursing profession, as well as lessons learned, often is unknown beyond inner military circles.

Purpose: Describe the experiences of MNOs in the advancement of the profession of nursing and nursing education, and how military service influenced nurse leaders' impact on civilian practice.

Method: A descriptive-interpretive qualitative study using semistructured interviews of MNOs (N = 21).

RN-to-BS Nursing Education Research: A Scoping Review.

Aim: The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the extent, range, and nature of RN-to-BS nursing education research.

Background: The state of nursing education science specific to RN-to-BS education is not available.

Method: Scoping review methodology was used to identify categories and types of published research related to RN-to-BS nursing education.

A Novel Gait Event Detection Algorithm Using a Thigh-Worn Inertial Measurement Unit and Joint Angle Information.

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a novel, threshold-based gait event detection algorithm utilizing only one thigh inertial measurement unit (IMU) and unilateral, sagittal plane hip and knee joint angles. The algorithm was designed to detect heel strike (HS) and toe off (TO) gait events, with the eventual goal of detection in a real-time exoskeletal control system. The data used in the development and evaluation of the algorithm were obtained from two gait databases, each containing synchronized IMU and ground reaction force (GRF) data.

Metal Ion-Induced Large Fragment Deactivation: A Different Strategy for Site-Selectivity in a Complex Molecule.

Complex natural product functionalizations generally involve the use of highly engineered reagents, catalysts, or enzymes to react exclusively at a desired site through lowering of a select transition state energy. In this communication, we report a new, complementary strategy in which all transition states representing undesirable sites in a complex ionophore substrate are simultaneously energetically increased through the chelation of a metal ion to the large fragment we wish to neutralize. In the case of an electrophilic, radical based fluorination reaction, charge repulsion (electric field effects), induced steric effects, and electron withdrawal provide the necessary deactivation and proof of principle to afford a highly desirable natural product derivative.

Occupational Justice: Staff Member's Understanding of the Role of Occupational Therapy within Organizations Serving Persons Experiencing Homelessness.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the understanding of occupational justice and occupational therapy's role among staff members working within organizations serving persons experiencing homelessness. A survey was developed to determine if staff ( = 43) understood what occupational therapists can do to help persons experiencing homelessness. Responses were split almost equally between agree/strongly agree and disagree/strongly disagree.

Conducting and Writing Quantitative and Qualitative Research.

Comprehensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research systematizes scholarly research and enhances the quality of research output. Scientific researchers must be familiar with them and skilled to conduct their investigation within the frames of their chosen research type. When conducting quantitative research, scientific researchers should describe an existing theory, generate a hypothesis from the theory, test their hypothesis in novel research, and re-evaluate the theory.

Subthreshold white noise vibration alters trembling sway in older adults.

Background: Somatosensory deficit is a significant contributor to falls in older adults. Stochastic resonance has shown promise in recent studies of somatosensation-based balance disorders, improving many measures of stability both inside and outside of the clinic. However, our understanding of this effect from a physiological perspective is poorly understood.

A crosswalk of foundational BSN population health documents and the AACN essentials.

To guide the development of entry-level nursing education, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) published the Essentials document in 2021 with a broadened scope of competencies. Community, population, and public health (CPPH) nurse educators use a number of foundational documents to crosswalk for gaps in the AACN principles, highlighting the need of including these contemporary documents within the baccalaureate CPPH nursing curriculum. In this crosswalk, the authors highlight important capabilities and knowledge exclusive to these fundamental documents and tools, as well as the relevance of these competencies and knowledge to CPPH baccalaureate nursing education.

Nigerians in poverty consume little wheat and wheat self-sufficiency programmes will not protect them from price shocks related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has prompted calls for resource diversification and wheat self-sufficiency programmes in import-dependent regions. Here we show that this approach would have minimal impact on poor Nigerians as wheat constitutes only 4% of their total food consumption and 8% of their starchy staple consumption. In contrast, millets, rice, cassava and tubers are ten times more important-highlighting the need for careful consideration of country-context consumption patterns in response to external food system shocks.

Electromyography as a surrogate for estimating metabolic energy expenditure during locomotion.

Minimizing metabolic energy expenditure (MEE) plays an important role in increasing mobility in people with locomotor disabilities, as movements that require high energy lead to less activity. Rehabilitation programs and devices use MEE to determine how effective they are, but using indirect calorimetry is limiting due to time delays and non-real-world conditions. Electromyography (EMG) offers insight into how muscles activate; thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a real-time MEE feedback system through the utilization of EMG signals.

Effectiveness of synchronous action observation and mental practice on upper extremity motor recovery after stroke.

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group study was to examine the effect of group synchronous action observation/mental practice intervention compared to usual rehabilitation care on upper extremity motor recovery after stroke. The intervention group ( = 25) received usual care, consisting of a minimum of 3 hours of rehabilitation services per day, 5 days a week, plus group synchronous action observation/mental practice sessions 3 times per week and the control group ( = 26) received usual care. Outcome measures included the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire Short Version (KVIQ-10), the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) of affected upper extremity motor function only and The Box and Block Test (BBT).

Peristomal Complications.

Patients with new ostomies are being discharged from the hospital without enough hands-on training for ostomy care. Maintaining healthy peristomal skin is one of the greatest challenges for patients with an ostomy. Unfortunately, peristomal complications are very common and affect quality of life.