Assessing and Addressing Cardiovascular and Obstetric Risks in Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is growing, both to assist individuals with infertility and for fertility preservation. Individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD), or risk factors for CVD, are increasingly using ART. Thus, knowing how to care for patients undergoing ART is important for the cardiovascular clinician.

Challenges in the food supply chain following the great earthquake disaster in Turkey: A study of the regions of Malatya, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş.

Background: The consequences of natural disasters, such as damage to food systems, destruction of transport infrastructure, and organizational issues, can threaten the food security of people. Hence, food security measures are among the most important responses in the management of natural disasters. This study was conducted to identify the challenges in food security response following a great earthquake in Turkey.

Frontal plane mechanical leg alignment estimation from knee x-rays using deep learning.

Objective: Lower limb malalignment can complicate symptoms and accelerate knee osteoarthritis (OA), necessitating consideration in study population selection. In this study, we develop and validate a deep learning model that classifies leg alignment as "normal" or "malaligned" from knee antero-posterior (AP)/postero-anterior (PA) radiographs alone, using an adjustable hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle threshold.

Material And Methods: We utilized 8878 digital radiographs, including 6181 AP/PA full-leg x-rays (LLRs) and 2697 AP/PA knee x-rays (2292 with positioning frame, 405 without).

An analysis of the global burden of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer attributable to high BMI in 204 countries and territories: 1990-2021.

Background: Gallbladder and biliary tract cancers (GBTCs) are aggressive with poor prognosis, often undetected until advanced stages. High Body Mass Index (BMI) is a significant risk factor, contributing substantially to GBTC mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). This study aimed to quantify the global burdens of GBTCs attributable to high BMI from 1990 to 2021, thereby developing more rational prevention and treatment strategies for GBTC.

Urinary biomarkers for diagnosing acute kidney injury in sepsis in the emergency department.

Background: Development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with sepsis is associated with increased mortality, highlighting the importance of early detection and management. However, baseline creatinine or urine output measurements are required for AKI diagnosis, which can be challenging in emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to evaluate the association between urinary biomarkers and the AKI diagnosis or 30-day survival status in patients with sepsis in the ED.

Iron management and exercise training in individuals with chronic kidney disease: lived experiences.

Background: Non-anaemic iron deficiency is highly prevalent in people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but is underdiagnosed and undertreated, especially in earlier stages of CKD. A multicentre trial assessing the effect of intravenous iron supplementation in iron-deficiency but not anaemic people with CKD included a qualitative sub-study that aimed to explore the patient experience and psychosocial impact of living with CKD and iron deficiency, and the experience of the therapeutic intervention (intravenous iron and exercise).

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 trial participants blinded to treatment.

Care for end-stage kidney disease in China: progress, challenges, and recommendations.

This review comprehensively evaluates China's progress in care of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by identifying achievements and gaps, reviewing ESKD-related policy initiatives, and proposing policy recommendations. In the past decade, China has made laudable progress in access to ESKD care with narrowed difference between the number of patients needing and receiving kidney replacement therapies (KRT). China has also experienced significant improvements in clinical quality and outcomes of ESKD care.

Standardized Multimodal Pain Protocol Minimizes Inpatient Opioid Administration in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Population.

Background: Optimal management of post-operative pain is a critical component of orthopedic surgical care. There is a heightened awareness of narcotic prescribing habits given the current "opioid epidemic." The lack of standardized protocols has led to increased errors, delayed access to prescribed medications, and excessive narcotic prescribing.

Efficacy of Probiotic Supplements and Topical Applications in the Treatment of Acne: A Scoping Review of Current Results.

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent dermatological condition characterized by comedones, papules, and pustules, with significant physical and psychological implications. Conventional treatments for this condition, including antibiotics and retinoids, face challenges, such as side effects and antibiotic resistance, necessitating alternative treatments. Recent studies show the potential of probiotics to modulate skin microbiome and alleviate acne symptoms.

Effectiveness of a stepped-care programme of WHO psychological interventions in a population of migrants: results from the RESPOND randomized controlled trial.

Migrant populations - including labour migrants, undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, internationally displaced persons, and other populations on the move - are exposed to a variety of stressors that affect their mental health. We designed and tested the effectiveness of a stepped-care programme consisting of two scalable psychological interventions developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and locally adapted for migrant populations. A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted in Italy.

The status of care for youth with type 1 diabetes within and coming from humanitarian crises settings: a narrative review.

Background: Humanitarian crises bring unique, and potentially growing challenges to people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We aimed to determine, in youth with T1D (mean age (± 1SD) 0-17.9 years) within and coming from humanitarian crises settings (HCS), the reported prevalence that meet international consensus targets for glycaemic, blood pressure and lipid management, and incidence of severe hypoglycaemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Exploring the contribution of integrated healthcare practices to malaria control in Ghana: perspectives of medical herbalists.

Background: The integration of herbal and orthodox medicines has gained momentum in global health, ensuring improved management of infectious diseases like malaria. This study explored the experiences of medical herbalists working in Ghana's diverse ecological zones to understand the contributions of integrated healthcare to malaria control.

Methods: A phenomenological design was employed to conduct in-depth interviews with 19 purposively sampled medical herbalists.

Use of virtual reality to remotely train healthcare professionals in paediatric emergency tracheostomy skills: protocol for a multi-centre, non-inferiority educational interventional study with historical controls.

Background: The insertion of a tracheostomy is an established technique used to wean patients off ventilatory support, manage secretions in complex conditions, and as a potentially life-saving procedure to bypass upper airway obstruction. Life-threatening complications during aftercare are not uncommon and may be influenced by a lack of education of carers or healthcare providers of children and young people living with a tracheostomy. Education programmes designed and supported by the National Tracheostomy Safety Project are effective, but resources are not available to educate the workforce at scale.

Comparative analysis of C-Reactive protein levels among Non-comorbid, Comorbid, and Multimorbid Hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most commonly monitored inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19 to gain insight into the inflammation level in the body and to adopt effective disease management and therapeutic strategies. COVID-19 is now less prevalent, and the study of CRP as a biomarker of inflammation still needs deeper understanding, particularly in understanding its role among patients with comorbidities, which are known to influence inflammatory responses and increase the risk of severe outcomes during acute and chronic infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of major comorbidities such as ischemic heart diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and lung infections e.

Determinants of traditional Korean medicine utilization by individuals with physical disabilities: inference of causal relationships using Korea health panel data.

Background: The demand for health management services has grown among individuals with physical disabilities. It is noteworthy that a significant proportion of this demographic has sought the services of traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Nevertheless, there is a lack of research on the characteristics of TKM utilization within this population.

A multi-site feasibility study of a stepped-care telehealth intervention for depression and anxiety in post-treatment cancer survivors at community cancer clinics (WF-30917CD).

Purpose: This feasibility study estimated accrual, retention, adherence, and summarized preliminary efficacy data from a stepped-care telehealth intervention for cancer survivors with moderate or severe levels of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms.

Methods: Participants were randomized to intervention or enhanced usual care (stratified by symptom severity). In the intervention group, those with moderate symptoms received a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) workbook/6 bi-weekly check-in calls (low intensity) and severe symptoms received the workbook/12 weekly therapy sessions (high intensity).

Compartmental Models Driven by Renewal Processes: Survival Analysis and Applications to SVIS Epidemic Models.

Compartmental models with exponentially distributed lifetime stages assume a constant hazard rate, limiting their scope. This study develops a theoretical framework for systems with general lifetime distributions, modeled as transition rates in a renewal process. Applications are provided for the SVIS (Susceptible-Vaccinated-Infected-Susceptible) disease epidemic model to investigate the impacts of hazard rate functions (HRFs) on disease control.

Genetic predisposition to altered blood cell homeostasis is associated with glioma risk and survival.

Glioma is a highly fatal and heterogeneous brain tumor with few known risk factors. Our study examines genetically predicted variability in blood cell indices in relation to glioma risk and survival in 3418 cases and 8156 controls. We find that increased platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) confers an increased risk of glioma (odds ratio (OR) = 1.

Global, regional and national burden of depressive disorders and attributable risk factors, from 1990 to 2021: results from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study.

Background: Depressive disorders pose a significant global public health challenge, yet evidence on their burden remains insufficient.

Aims: To report the global, regional and national burden of depressive disorders and their attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 were analyzed for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021.

Chronic Cough and Hyperpnea: Clinical Approach to Equine Asthma.

Exercise intolerance, chronic cough, and hyperpnea are the clinical hallmarks of equine asthma. Diagnosis of severe equine asthma in horses is multistep; determination of the phenotype will help guide future recommendations. Management of equine asthma is largely reduction/elimination of triggering agents/conditions.

Nation-wide cohort of device-measured sedentary time and physical activity in the USA-the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) Accelerometry Substudy: cohort profile.

Purpose: This paper describes the data collection and management methods for the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) Accelerometry Substudy, a nested cohort of device-based physical activity and sedentary time data.

Participants: US-based CPS-3 participants (initially enrolled 2006-2013) who completed the 2018 follow-up survey and had a valid email address were invited to the Accelerometry Substudy (n=109 780). Among the 23 111 participants who registered and were shipped an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer, 21 219 participants returned the device with a complete wear log (91.

Diffuse soil pollution from agriculture: Impacts and remediation.

Agricultural activities are essential for sustaining the global population, yet they exert considerable pressure on the environment. A major challenge we face today is agricultural pollution, much of which is diffuse in nature, lacking a clear point of origin for chemical discharge. Modern agricultural practices, which often depend on substantial applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water, are key contributors to this form of pollution.

Risk factors for the incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus into poultry and other captive bird holdings in Denmark from 2020 to 2023: A case-control study.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a major concern in terms of animal and human health. Between October 2020 and September 2023, there were 36 HPAI outbreaks detected in poultry and other captive birds in Denmark. However, it is often not possible to determine the exact route of introduction.