Evaluating the ingress of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) specifically naphthalene through firefighter hoods and base layers.

Structural firefighters are exposed to an array of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a result of incomplete combustion of both synthetic and natural materials. PAHs are found in both the particulate and vapor phases in the firefighting environment and are significantly associated with acute and chronic diseases, including cancer. Using a fireground exposure simulator (FES) and standing mannequins dressed in four different firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) conditions, each with varying levels of protective hood interface and particulate-blocking features, the efficacy of the hoods was assessed against the ingress of PAHs (specifically, naphthalene).

Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, characterized by recurrent manic episodes that can lead to neurodegenerative brain changes and functional decline. While several oral second-generation antipsychotics are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for mania, adherence to maintenance treatment is frequently poor due to factors such as anosognosia, cognitive dysfunction, impulsivity, side effects aversion, and substance use. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, approved for adults with bipolar mania or schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type), offer a potential solution for adolescents with similar conditions.

Apnea After 2-Month Vaccinations in Hospitalized Preterm Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Preterm infants are recommended to receive most vaccinations at the same postnatal age as term infants. Studies have inconsistently observed an increased risk for postvaccination apnea in preterm infants.

Objective: To compare the proportions of hospitalized preterm infants with apnea and other adverse events in the 48 hours after 2-month vaccinations vs after no vaccinations.

Factors and Strategies Influencing Chemotherapy Safety Among Oncology Nurses: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

The purpose of this research is to describe the factors affecting hazardous chemotherapy exposure and strategies to foster chemotherapy safety among oncology nurses. Fifteen oncology nurses and 5 oncology nurse managers were recruited from 2 medical centers in the Midwest United States through convenience purposive sampling. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed.

Quality and impact of youtube for patient education on prostatic artery embolization.

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of YouTube videos on patient education concerning prostatic artery embolization (PAE).

Methods: All PAE videos on YouTube were evaluated in December 2023. The quality of the videos was evaluated utilizing the DISCERN Scale Criterion.

A phase I study of convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of liposomal-irinotecan using real-time magnetic resonance imaging in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma.

Background: Irinotecan demonstrates anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical glioma models but clinical results are modest due to drug delivery limitations. Convection enhanced delivery (CED) improves drug delivery by increasing intratumoral drug concentration. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging of infusate delivery during CED may optimize tumor coverage.

Outpatient dermatology appointment wait times for United States military veterans, 2014-2021.

Trends in outpatient dermatology appointment wait times for United States (US) veterans are poorly characterized. Given concerns surrounding prolonged wait times at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facilities, the federal government introduced the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Outside Networks (MISSION) Act in 2018, allowing veterans to receive VHA-reimbursed community care if VHA specialty care appointments cannot be scheduled within 28 days. Considering this expanded access to community care, we characterized among US veterans the (1) overall demand for dermatology appointments, (2) trends in average wait times, and (3) facility/geographic variation in wait times.

Efficacy of facilitative interpersonal and relational skills training for teletherapy: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Therapists report a lack of confidence and competence in teletherapy compared to in-person therapy. Training focusing on teletherapy skills is scarce. This study reports on (a) the development of a training workshop for facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) in teletherapy (tele-FIRST) and (b) a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of tele-FIRST.

Validating the revised Attitudes Toward People With Disabilities Scale with health care professionals.

Objective: Disability stigma has been linked with adverse chronic and acute health outcomes in people with disabilities. The present study updated the widely used Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons measure (to the revised Attitudes Toward People With Disabilities [ATPD] scale) among health care professionals and validated the measure using a disability stigma framework.

Design: A survey with 272 health care professionals and students was conducted.

Electron temperature measurement from neutral atomic tungsten emission line ratio.

A method to determine electron temperature within a plasma by the spectral analysis of atomic tungsten emission has been explored. The technique was applied to a post-discharge region immediately following a high voltage nanosecond pulsed discharge in air with tungsten electrodes. Atomic tungsten lines are readily observed in the weak emission spectrum within the post-discharge region for many microseconds.

Growth, Body Composition, and Strength of Children With Cystic Fibrosis Treated With Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI).

Objective: We prospectively monitored rates of change for growth, body mass and composition, muscle strength, and FEV1 in 6-11-year-olds initiating ETI therapy, comparing them to those of US reference children. We assessed factors potentially contributing to rate of change and report ranges of individual variation.

Methods: Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and rates of change were analyzed using linear mixed effects regression models.

Peri-implant tissue definition and registration with a 3D-printed emergence profile former on titanium stock healing abutment: A dental technique and clinical report.

Recent focus has shifted toward refining the soft tissue emergence profile to enhance aesthetics, support peri-implant health, and ensure long-term success. Traditionally, titanium stock healing abutments or chairside-customized abutments were used to shape peri-implant tissues and develop the emergence profile for implant-supported prostheses. However, advancements in digital dentistry now allow for more precise customization and increased treatment efficiency.

Atypical Fibroxanthoma and Pleomorphic Dermal Sarcoma: A Retrospective Review and Survival Analysis at a Single Academic Institution.

Background: Prognostication of atypical spindle cell neoplasms, including atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS), is challenging; outcomes vary widely, and further identification of prognostic features is crucial.

Objective: To evaluate prognostic factors that may portend worse outcomes in patients with AFX and PDS.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with AFX and PDS was conducted.

Flow-Through Flaps as a Robust Method for Advanced Free Flap Reconstruction in the Head and Neck: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

Background: Flow-through flaps (FTFs) are an advanced technique in which a free flap is anastomosed to the pedicle of another free flap to reconstruct extensive head and neck defects when recipient vessels are scarce.

Methods: A multi-institutional cohort of FTFs used for head and neck reconstruction were reviewed. For comparison, FTF outcomes were compared to free flaps that required vein grafts (VG) to reach distant recipient vessels.

Klotho mutation does not accelerate intervertebral disc aging in mice.

Aging is a risk factor for several chronic conditions, including intervertebral disc degeneration and associated back pain. Disc pathologies include loss of reticular-shaped nucleus pulposus cells, disorganization of annulus fibrosus lamellae, reduced disc height, and increased disc bulging. Sonic hedgehog, cytokeratin 19, and extracellular matrix proteins are markers of healthy disc.

The Exposome and Cardiovascular Health: Webcast December 12 2024.

This 61-minute webcast features a conversation about "The Exposome and Cardiovascular Health"-the focus of Issue 20.5. Led by the issue's editors, the discussion engages the authors on emerging themes and lessons learned while researching and writing the articles.

Propensity Score Analysis of Possible Medication Effects on Outcomes in Patients With Systemic Right Ventricles.

Background: Patients with systemic right ventricle (SRV), either d-transposition of the great arteries following an atrial switch procedure or congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, develop severe right ventricular dysfunction, prompting appropriate medical therapy. However, the efficacy of beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) in SRV patients is unproven.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ACEI/ARB and beta-blockers on outcomes in SRV patients after accounting for likely cofounders affecting their use.

Hurricanes, industrial animal operations, and acute gastrointestinal illness in North Carolina, USA.

North Carolina (NC) ranks third among US states in both hog production and hurricanes. NC's hogs are housed in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the eastern, hurricane-prone part of the state. Hurricanes can inundate hog waste lagoons, transporting fecal bacteria that may cause acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI).

Demystifying visual word form area visual and nonvisual response properties with precision fMRI.

The visual word form area (VWFA) is a region in the left ventrotemporal cortex (VTC) whose specificity remains contentious. Using precision fMRI, we examine the VWFA's responses to numerous visual and nonvisual stimuli, comparing them to adjacent category-selective visual regions and regions involved in language and attentional demand. We find that VWFA responds moderately to non-word visual stimuli, but is unique within VTC in its pronounced selectivity for visual words.

Nicotine and cannabis vaping among early high school adolescents: Disparities of use across sociodemographic characteristics and associations with psychosocial factors.

This study examines whether adolescent nicotine and cannabis vaping types (i.e., nicotine-only, cannabis-only, and dual use) differ across sociodemographic and school characteristics (e.

Feasibility of a Low-Intensity Intervention to Influence Antibiotic Prescribing Rates Use in Outpatient Settings: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Primary care providers (PCPs) may modify their antibiotic prescription practices if aware of their potentially damaging impact.

Methods: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial at 12 Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinics. PCPs at clinics randomized to the intervention group received quarterly antibiotic use reports with feedback about antibiotics prescribed for acute respiratory infections and adverse event letters alerting about infection or antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria among their patients.