Supporting contraceptive self-care and reproductive empowerment with a digital health game in Barbados: Development and Pre-implementation study for What's My Method?

Effective contraceptive education is essential to reducing unwanted pregnancy, increasing uptake of modern contraceptive methods, and thoughtfully planning desired births. New World Health Organization (WHO) and family planning organization guidelines recommend situating contraceptive education and counseling within a broader context of self-care that emphasizes individual agency and reproductive empowerment. Digital health interventions, and games for health specifically, have been validated as effective and scalable tools for self-guided and interactive health education, especially among younger tech-savvy individuals.

Tibiotalocalcaneal nailing as a treatment for ankle fractures in the elderly population: A systematic review.

This study evaluated patient outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nailing for ankle fractures in an elderly population. A systematic literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified 24 studies involving 657 patients aged over 65. Key outcome measures included union rates, healing time, functional scores, and complications.

Machine learning Hubbard parameters with equivariant neural networks.

Density-functional theory with extended Hubbard functionals (DFT +  + ) provides a robust framework to accurately describe complex materials containing transition-metal or rare-earth elements. It does so by mitigating self-interaction errors inherent to semi-local functionals which are particularly pronounced in systems with partially-filled d and f electronic states. However, achieving accuracy in this approach hinges upon the accurate determination of the on-site and inter-site Hubbard parameters.

Preterm Labor and Hypertensive Disorders in Adolescent Pregnancies With Diabetes Between 2006 and 2019.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the risk of preterm labor and hypertensive disorders in adolescent pregnancies with and without diabetes.

Methods: We evaluated 1,843,139 adolescents (≤20 years old) with labor and delivery admissions in the national Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) in years 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, and 2019. International classification of disease codes was used to identify diabetes and medical factors affecting pregnancy.

Financial Toxicity and Kidney Disease in Children and Adults: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: Social determinants of health have been related with kidney diseases and their outcomes. Financial toxicity (FT) refers to the negative impact of health care costs on clinical conditions. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the literature linking FT with renal diseases.

Relationship between fluid intake, hydration status and cortisol dynamics in healthy, young adult males.

Background: Previous studies have identified links between fluid intake, hydration related hormones and cortisol measured at one timepoint but have not considered how hydration may influence cortisol dynamics throughout the day. This study assessed associations between hydration status (copeptin, urinary osmolality, urine volume) and habitual fluid intake with cortisol dynamics.

Methods: The day before (DB) a 6-h laboratory visit, 29 male participants (age, 23±4y; BMI, 25.

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Feasibility and Efficacy of Mantra-Like Phrase Recitation in Improving Mental Health in Autistic Adults.

Objectives: Mantra recitation has been shown to improve emotional well-being in neurotypical individuals with mental health conditions; however, no research has explored its effect on the autistic population. The private, routine nature of mantra and mantra-like recitation may offer unique advantages for autistic individuals struggling with negative emotions and emotion regulation. The purpose of this study was therefore to conduct a preliminary study of the feasibility and efficacy of a self-guided, online program of reciting secular mantra-like phrases in improving negative emotions and cognitive coping mechanisms.

Polyurethane-grafted graphene oxide from repurposed foam mattress waste.

Polyurethanes (PU) make up a large portion of commodity plastics appearing in applications including insulation, footwear, and memory foam mattresses. Unfortunately, as thermoset polymers, polyurethanes lack a clear path for recycling and repurposing, creating a sustainability issue. Herein, using dynamic depolymerization, we demonstrate a simple one-pot synthesis for preparation of an upcycled polyurethane grafted graphene material (PU-GO).

Immune Profile Differences between IgG4-Related Diseases and Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Purpose: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) share clinical features with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study aimed to identify altered serological parameters and potential biomarkers of IgG4-RD and pSS.

Methods: Forty IgG4-RD patients, 40 pSS patients, and 40 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study.

Kidney Allograft Torsion After Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplantation: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Kidney allograft torsion (KAT) is a rare but critical complication of kidney transplantation that can lead to graft loss due to acute ischemia. This report presents a case of KAT resulting in graft loss 9 months following intraperitoneal simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant and reviews previous reports to identify potential high-risk features. A 38-year-old female with end-stage renal disease secondary to Type 1 diabetes mellitus underwent an intraperitoneal enteric drained SPK transplant.

Systematic review of musculoskeletal ultrasound learning methodologies.

Introduction/purpose: As the frequency and morbidity of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders increase, the use of MSK ultrasound has become an important diagnostic and procedural tool. This has amplified the importance of quality MSK ultrasound training for medical professionals. This systematic review evaluated and compared peer-reviewed journal articles on learning methodologies for MSK ultrasound training.

Case report of recurrent vasa previa.

Introduction: Vasa previa is a complication of pregnancy, which affects approximately 1:1200 pregnancies, and when undiagnosed prenatally, it can be associated with significant perinatal mortality. This condition is thought to be a sporadic entity without known genetic or familial associations and thus considered to carry a negligible recurrence risk.

Key Findings: We present a case of a 42-year-old gravida 3 para 2 diagnosed on transvaginal ultrasound with a vasa previa at 34 weeks associated with vaginal bleeding, which required an urgent caesarean in a prior spontaneous pregnancy.

Identifying enablers and barriers to teleultrasound use for remote settings: A scoping review.

Introduction/purpose: Teleultrasound connects expert point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) users with remote community and rural sites. Evolving technologies including handheld devices, upgraded image quality, and the ability to transmit over low bandwidth connections increase POCUS education, accessibility, and clinical integration. Potential teleultrasound venues include low-resource settings, prehospital care, and austere environments (high altitudes, microgravity, conflict zones, etc.

Integrating biophysical modeling, quantum computing, and AI to discover plastic-binding peptides that combat microplastic pollution.

Methods are needed to mitigate microplastic (MP) pollution to minimize their harm to the environment and human health. Given the ability of polypeptides to adsorb strongly to materials of micro- or nanometer size, plastic-binding peptides (PBPs) could help create bio-based tools for detecting, filtering, or degrading MNP pollution. However, the development of such tools is prevented by the lack of PBPs.

Nonnegligible cascading impacts of global urban expansion on net primary productivity.

Accelerated global urban expansion not only directly occupies surrounding ecosystems, but also induces cascading losses of natural vegetation elsewhere through cropland displacement. Yet, how such effects alter the net primary productivity (NPP) worldwide remains unclear. Here, we quantified the direct and cascading impacts of global urban expansion on terrestrial NPP from 1992 to 2020 and projected the impacts under the shared socioeconomic pathways framework by 2100.

Decreased lymph node estrogen levels cause nonremitting progressive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis disease.

Estrogen, a steroid hormone synthesized by both gonadal and nongonadal tissues, plays a pivotal role in modulating immune responses, including reducing relapse rates in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). This study explored the expression of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for estrogen synthesis, in lymph nodes (LNs) and its potential role in the pathogenesis of MS using a mouse model. We utilized Cyp19-RFP mice where cells that express or have previously expressed the Cyp19 gene (encoding aromatase) are marked by red fluorescent protein (RFP).

Striving for early effective glycaemic and weight management in type 2 diabetes: A narrative review.

Despite the recognition by key guidelines that achieving early glycaemic control has important benefits in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and that addressing excess adiposity is one of the central components of comprehensive person-centred T2D care, a substantial proportion of individuals with T2D do not meet their metabolic treatment goals. Prior treatment paradigms were limited by important treatment-associated risks such as hypoglycaemia and body weight gain. Therefore, a more conservative, sequential approach to treatment was typically utilized.

Key factors associated with oral health services at Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate changes in oral health services from 2012 to 2021 and identify factors influencing the number of different types of services directly provided by all Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Methods: Data from the 2012-2021 Uniform Data System were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effect negative binomial regression models. These models explored associations between oral health staffing, federal grant revenue, and state Medicaid dental policies for adults, and the number of different types of oral health services provided at FQHCs.

Environment, Climate, and Diabetes: An International Topic.

Every person with diabetes is affected by changes in the environment and climate. At the same time, the therapy of many people itself has a negative impact on these factors. One might assume that the relevant professional associations and health organizations, as well as health policymakers, have initiated appropriate activities.

The Impact of Menopause on the Mental Health of Women With an Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review.

Background: Negative mental health implications of menopause found in the general population, combined with high rates of mental health conditions found in women with intellectual disabilities, provide rationale to examine the existing literature to determine the impact of menopause on women with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: The review was conducted using scoping review methodology by Arksey and O'Malley. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases.

Research Best Practices for Eye Stroke Vision Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Central retinal artery occlusion, also known as an eye stroke, results in visual impairment and functional challenges. Our study objectives were to identify meaningful measures and factors that indicate or enable successful recovery after eye stroke and to determine optimal processes to support research, including exploring barriers and facilitators to successful research participation.

Methods: We used qualitative methods including the 5Ts Framework (target population identification, team composition, time considerations, tips to accommodate older adults, tools for inclusive enrollment of older adults) to provide a guide to the development of the semi-structured interviews and to help facilitate the research process such as the set-up of interviews.

Foreword: Progress in Construction Safety and Health.

The construction has always been a large economic sector that is very hazarous to work in. Over the past 40 years there have been major improvements in safety and health practices driven by increased research and more rapid adoption of best practices, not just in the developed countries but also in emerging economices. This special issue aims to showcase a specturm of perspectives from research to practice, about the current state of construction safety and health.

Applications of Cell-Based Protein Array Technology to Preclinical Safety Assessment of Biological Products.

Off-target evaluation is essential in preclinical safety assessments of novel biotherapeutics, supporting lead molecule selection, endpoint selection in toxicology studies, and regulatory requirements for first-in-human trials. Off-target interaction of a therapeutic antibody and antibody derivatives has been historically assessed via the Tissue Cross-Reactivity (TCR) study, in which the candidate molecule is used as a reagent in immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess binding of the candidate molecule to a panel of human tissue sections. The TCR approach is limited by the performance of the therapeutic as an IHC reagent, which is often suboptimal to outright infeasible.

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, Marfan Syndrome, and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency: A Lethal Combination?

The authors present an exceptionally rare case of a newborn in whom total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) had been diagnosed prenatally and in whom genetic testing after neonatal cardiac repair confirmed a missense variant of the gene consistent with Marfan syndrome as well as a gene mutation associated with severe combined immunodeficiency. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case with this unique combination. Neonatal TAPVR repair was undertaken with a good postoperative outcome and survival until the last follow-up.

Two-Year Progressive Cranial Changes Following the Melbourne Technique for Sagittal Craniosynostosis.

Objective: The Melbourne technique for total cranial vault remodeling aims to address all aspects of scaphocephaly in sagittal craniosynostosis. These features include anterior-posterior excessive length, anteriorly displaced vertex position, frontal bossing, vertex narrowing, and occipital bulleting. This study aimed to determine the progressive cranial changes that occur following the Melbourne technique for sagittal craniosynostosis.