Cooking with confidence for autistic youth: outcomes from a pilot program evaluation model.

Objective: This article outlines the evaluation model for the Cooking with Confidence (CWC) program, developed using Bandura's Social Learning Theory as its conceptual framework. The evaluation aimed to: (1) Examine participant characteristics in the CWC program, (2) Assess changes in cooking knowledge, skill acquisition, self-efficacy, and confidence, and (3) Identify barriers and facilitators to participant engagement. CWC is a community-based educational program designed to help autistic young adults develop independent living skills and promote health through hands-on cooking classes.

Estimating health state utilities for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCd) in the United States.

Background: AADCd is a rare neurometabolic disorder presenting in infancy. Children with AADCd have motor dysfunction and development delays that result in the need for lifelong care; quality of life is greatly impacted. Current characterizations of health-related quality of life and associated health state utilities (HSUs) may be underestimated in AADCd.

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a social network-based, peer-led HIV self-testing intervention among men in two Ugandan fishing communities, 2022.

Background: Social network-based interventions can improve uptake of health interventions. However, limited evidence exists on their feasibility and acceptability in fishing community settings. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a social network-based, peer-led HIV self-testing (HIVST) intervention among men in Uganda.

Association between white blood cell count and coronary artery bypass graft failure: an individual patient data analysis of clinical trials.

Background: Baseline systemic inflammation is associated with worse long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG], but the mechanisms of this association are unclear. This study aims to explore the association between pre-operative white blood cell [WBC] count and CABG graft failure.

Methods: We pooled individual patient data from two randomized clinical trials with systematic CABG graft imaging.

Social-structural barriers to primary care among sex workers: findings from a community-based cohort in Vancouver, Canada (2014-2021).

Background: Due to social-structural marginalization, sex workers experience health inequities including a high prevalence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, mental health disorders, trauma, and substance use, alongside a multitude of barriers to HIV and substance use services. Given limited evidence on sex workers' broader primary healthcare access, we aimed to examine social-structural factors associated with primary care use among sex workers over 7 years.

Methods: Data were derived from An Evaluation of Sex Workers Health Access (AESHA), a community-based open prospective cohort of women (cis and trans) sex workers in Metro Vancouver, from 2014 to 2021.

Photodynamic and photothermal bacteria targeting nanosystems for synergistically combating bacteria and biofilms.

The escalating hazards posed by bacterial infections underscore the imperative for pioneering advancements in next-generation antibacterial modalities and treatments. Present therapeutic methodologies are frequently impeded by the constraints of insufficient biofilm infiltration and the absence of precision in pathogen-specific targeting. In this current study, we have used chlorin e6 (Ce6), zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), polydopamine (PDA), and UBI peptide to formulate an innovative nanosystem meticulously engineered to confront bacterial infections and effectually dismantle biofilm architectures through the concerted mechanism of photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) therapies, including in-depth research, especially for oral bacteria and oral biofilm.

Balancing the risks: continuous vs. interrupted anticoagulation during TAVI - what does the evidence say?

Anticoagulation therapy is a critical component of post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) management, aimed at reducing the risk of thromboembolic events and mortality. This review examines the efficacy of continuous versus interrupted anticoagulation strategies in TAVI patients, focusing on mortality, stroke rates, and composite events. A literature review was conducted, analyzing recent studies that evaluate the impact of different anticoagulation regimens on clinical outcomes in TAVI patients.

Understanding malaria treatment patronage from informal healthcare providers in Nigerian urban settlements: insights from community members and providers.

Background: Informal Healthcare Providers (IHCPs), including Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), drug peddlers, traditional healers, and herbal drug sellers are often the first choice for malaria treatment, especially in urban slums. Unplanned urbanization significantly impacts malaria transmission by creating cities with inadequate safety nets and healthcare access, increasing reliance on IHCPs. While the World Health Organization recognizes IHCP's crucial role and emphasizes integrating them into formal healthcare for improved malaria care, they lack requisite training in malaria management and operate outside official regulations, raising concerns about the quality of care they provide.

Fecal microbiota changes associated with pathogenic and non-pathogenic diarrheas in foals.

Objectives: Diarrhea is a common disease that could threaten the welfare of newborn foals. While there are several forms of foal diarrhea, the etiologies can be considered known pathogenic or non-pathogenic in nature. Moreover, there are likely differences in the composition of microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tracts of foals depending upon the etiology of diarrhea.

Emerging targets of α-synuclein spreading in α-synucleinopathies: a review of mechanistic pathways and interventions.

α-Synucleinopathies constitute a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and Alzheimer's disease concurrent with LBD (AD-LBD). These disorders are unified by a pathological hallmark: aberrant misfolding and accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn). This review delves into the pivotal role of α-syn, the key agent in α-synucleinopathy pathophysiology, and provides a survey of potential therapeutics that target cell-to-cell spread of pathologic α-syn.

Bridging animal models and humans: neuroimaging as intermediate phenotypes linking genetic or stress factors to anhedonia.

Background: Intermediate phenotypes, such as characteristic neuroimaging patterns, offer unique insights into the genetic and stress-related underpinnings of neuropsychiatric disorders like depression. This study aimed to identify neuroimaging intermediate phenotypes associated with depression, bridging etiological factors to behavioral manifestations and connecting insights from animal models to diverse clinical populations.

Methods: We analyzed datasets from both rodents and humans.

Cross-species comparisons between pigs and mice reveal conserved sex-specific intraspinal inflammatory responses after spinal cord injury.

Objective: Therapeutic translation is challenging in spinal cord injury (SCI) and large animal models with high clinical relevance may accelerate therapeutic development. Pigs have important anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Intraspinal inflammation mediates SCI pathophysiology.

Effects of movement behaviors on preschoolers' cognition: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Movement behaviors, including physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep, are fundamental to early childhood development. These behaviors interact dynamically within a 24-hour period, creating a complex balance that influences not only physical health but also cognitive and emotional well-being in young children. While the physical health benefits of movement behaviors are well-documented, systematic evaluations of how interventions targeting these behaviors affect cognitive development in preschool-aged children remain limited.

Socioeconomic Inequity in Access to Medical and Long-Term Care Among Older People.

Background: Ensuring equitable access to medical and long-term care (LTC) is critical to enable older people to maintain their health and well-being even after they undergo a decline in their intrinsic capacity.

Methods: We used data from five waves of the National Survey of the Japanese Elderly, conducted between 2002 and 2021, to assess gradients in access to medical care and LTC by income and education among Japanese individuals aged 60 years and above. Specifically, we assessed self-reported unmet needs for medical care and LTC, and public LTC use, and estimated the concentration indices (CI) to evaluate the degree of inequality and inequity.

Translation of PET radiotracers for cancer imaging: recommendations from the National Cancer Imaging Translational Accelerator (NCITA) consensus meeting.

Background: The clinical translation of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers for cancer management presents complex challenges. We have developed consensus-based recommendations for preclinical and clinical assessment of novel and established radiotracers, applied to image different cancer types, to improve the standardisation of translational methodologies and accelerate clinical implementation.

Methods: A consensus process was developed using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) to gather insights from a multidisciplinary panel of 38 key stakeholders on the appropriateness of preclinical and clinical methodologies and stakeholder engagement for PET radiotracer translation.

Developing a comprehensive inventory to define harm reduction housing.

Background: The City of Boston has faced unprecedented challenges with substance use amidst changes to the illicit drug supply and increased visibility of homelessness. Among its responses, Boston developed six low threshold harm reduction housing (HRH) sites geared towards supporting the housing needs of people who use drugs (PWUD) and addressing health and safety concerns around geographically concentrated tent encampments. HRH sites are transitional supportive housing that adhere to a "housing first" approach where abstinence is not required and harm reduction services and supports are co-located.

Lower electronic health record adoption and interoperability in rural versus urban physician participants: a cross-sectional analysis from the CMS quality payment program.

Background: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 introduced the Meaningful Use program to incentivize the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) in the U.S. This study investigates the disparities in EHR adoption and interoperability between rural and urban physicians in the context of federal programs like the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 and the 21st Century Cures Act.

Histopathology of the tongue in a hamster model of COVID-19.

Objective: With altered sense of taste being a common symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the main objective was to investigate the presence and distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the tongue over the course of infection.

Methods: Golden Syrian hamsters were inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 and tongues were collected at 2, 3, 5, 8, 17, 21, 35, and 42 days post-infection (dpi) for analysis. In order to test for gross changes in the tongue, the papillae of the tongue were counted.

Differences in influenza testing and treatment in micropolitan versus metropolitan areas in the U.S. using medicare claims data from 2010 to 2016.

Background: To improve understanding of influenza and rurality, we investigated differences in influenza testing and anti-viral treatment rates between micropolitan (muSAs) and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using national medical claims data over multiple influenza seasons.

Methods: Using billing data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for those aged 65 years and older, we estimated weekly rates of ordered rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDT) and antivirals (AV) among Medicare enrollees by core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) during 2010-2016. We used Negative Binomial generalized mixed models to estimate adjusted rate ratios (aRR) between MSAs and muSAs, adjusting for clustering by CBSA plus explanatory variables.

The effectiveness of providing training and ongoing support to foster cultural humility in volunteers serving as mentors to youth of color: a mixed-methods study protocol.

Background: The aim of this randomized control trial is to test the impact of providing additional training and support to volunteers who are paired with youth of color in the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) community-based mentoring program. The aim of the intervention activities is to enhance the capacity of mentors to have more culturally responsive and informed interactions with their mentees of color, thereby strengthening the youth's ethnic/racial identity and abilities to both cope with experiences of racism and contribute to causes that advance social justice.

Methods: Recruitment started in June 2022, with a goal of enrolling 240 dyads (i.

Socioeconomic disparities in child malnutrition: trends, determinants, and policy implications from the Kenya demographic and health survey (2014 - 2022).

Background: Child malnutrition remains a critical public health problem, with socioeconomic factors playing a significant role. Socioeconomic factors include household income, parental education, and access to healthcare, which influence a child's nutritional status. Despite overall progress in reducing under-five child malnutrition in Kenya, disparities persist.

Latent profile analysis of sense of coherence and relationship with meaning of life and professional identity among nursing undergraduate.

Background: Enhancing nursing undergraduates' sense of coherence is crucial for the growth of the nursing workforce. Yet, existing research primarily examines the aggregate level of sense of coherence among nursing undergraduates and its correlations with other variables, overlooking the individual heterogeneity in nursing undergraduates' sense of coherence in nursing. This study aimed to identify different subgroups of nursing undergraduates' sense of coherence and explore the influencing factors pertinent to each subgroup.

Relationship between handgrip strength and timed up-and-go test on hospitalization costs in older adults: a population-based study.

Background: Weak handgrip strength and slow timed up-and-go (TUG) time are known risk factors for hospitalization among older adults; however, few studies have investigated the relationships between these physical tests and future hospitalization costs.

Methods: We used data from 13,613 participants in the population-based Singapore Chinese Health Study who underwent assessment for handgrip strength and TUG time at a mean age of 74 years. Hospitalization costs for the subsequent year, among those who survived for at least one year thereafter, were ascertained via linkage with administrative healthcare finance data.

Assessment of the impact of HIV infection on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and pubertal development among adolescent girls at a tertiary centre in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Proper planning of reproductive health needs for HIV-infected adolescents requires a clear understanding of the effects of HIV infection on adolescents' pubertal development.

Objective: To assess the effects of HIV infection on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, ovarian reserve and pubertal development in adolescent girls at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected adolescent girls aged 10-19 years, with available CD4 + count results at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe.

Chronic inflammation in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 modulates gut microbiome: a review of literature on COVID-19 sequelae and gut dysbiosis.

Background: Long COVID or Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 is an emerging syndrome, recognized in COVID-19 patients who suffer from mild to severe illness and do not recover completely. Most studies define Long COVID, through symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and headache prevailing four or more weeks post-initial infection. Global variations in Long COVID presentation and symptoms make it challenging to standardize features of Long COVID.