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Objectives: Despite recommendations to increase the uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, trends in CRC screening vary with sociodemographic status. We aimed to evaluate trends in CRC screening in the US population and subpopulations. Methods: A total of 1,082,924 participants aged 50 to 75 from five cycles (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020) of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were involved. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to evaluate linear trends in CRC screening utilization from 2012 to 2018. Rao-Scott chi-square tests were used to assess the differences in CRC screening utilization between 2018 and 2020. Results: The estimated percentage reporting up-to-date with CRC screening increased significantly (P for trend <0.001), from 62.8% (95% CI, 62.4%−63.2%) in 2012 to 66.7% (95% CI, 66.3%−67.2%) in 2018 and 70.4% (95% CI, 69.8%−71.0%) in 2020, in accordance with 2008 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. Trends followed similar patterns in most subgroups, although with different magnitudes in several subgroups, primarily those underweight showed a stable percentage over time (P for trend = 0.170). In 2020, 72.4% of participants reported they were up to date with CRC screening, including the utilization of stool DNA tests and virtual colonoscopy. Colonoscopy was the most commonly used test in 2020 (64.5%), followed by FOBT (12.6%), stool DNA test (5.8%), sigmoidoscopy (3.8%), and virtual colonoscopy (2.7%). Conclusions: In this nationally representative survey of the US population from 2012 through 2020, the percentage reporting up to date with CRC screening has increased, but not equally among all subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the roles of epidemic-spread-related behaviors, vaccination status and weather factors during the COVID-19 epidemic in 50 U.S. states since March 2020. Data from March 1, 2020 to February 5, 2022 were incorporated into panel model. The states were clustered by the k-means method. In addition to discussing the whole time period, we also took multiple events nodes into account and analyzed the data in different time periods respectively by panel linear regression method. In addition, influence of cluster grouping and different incubation periods were been discussed. Non-segmented analysis showed the rate of people staying at home and the vaccination dose per capita were significantly negatively correlated with the daily incidence rate, while the number of long-distance trips was positively correlated. Weather indicators also had a negative effect to a certain extent. Most segmental results support the above view. The vaccination dose per capita was unsurprisingly proved to be the most significant factor especially for epidemic dominated by Omicron strains. 7-day was a more robust incubation period with the best model fit while weather had different effects on the epidemic spread in different time period. The implementation of prevention behaviors and the promotion of vaccination may have a successful control effect on COVID-19, including variants' epidemic such as Omicron. The spread of COVID-19 also might be associated with weather, albeit to a lesser extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandatory minimums limit judicial discretion in many jurisdictions in the United States, often compelling judges to impose harsh incarcerative terms. Using qualitative interviews with 41 criminal term judges presiding in a state in the United States, we explore how mandatory minimums influence the judicial sentencing function. We find that judges vary in their approaches to sentencing and that their approaches correspond with their perceptions of mandatory minimum statutes. While our respondents consider case-level, systemic, and pragmatic factors, the majority of judges are focused on the case level and perceive that mandatory minimums often strip away the flexibility they need to craft appropriate sentences in individual cases, leading to punishments that are unduly harsh, and sometimes preventing the imposition of promising alternatives to incarceration. Some judges experience moral dilemmas and guilt feelings during this process. In contrast, judges who highlight pragmatic factors (e.g., public perceptions) are more receptive to statutory restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little has been known on the effect of chronic glyphosate exposure on osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between glyphosate exposure and OA and to further investigate the different moderating effects of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and body mass index (BMI) types on the association between glyphosate exposure and OA., Methods: Cross-sectional data from 2540 participants in the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to explore the association between glyphosate exposure and OA. Multivariate logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline models were used to investigate the association between glyphosate exposure and OA, and further analyses were conducted to determine the association between glyphosate exposure and OA under different LTPA and BMI types., Results: Of the 2540 participants, 346 had OA. Participants with the highest glyphosate concentration (Q4) had a higher incidence of OA compared to participants with the lowest glyphosate concentration (Q1) (OR, 1.88; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.13, 3.13), there was no nonlinear association between glyphosate and OA (non-linear P = 0.343). In the no LTPA group, glyphosate concentration in the Q4 group was correlated with OA (OR, 2.65; 95%CI: 1.27, 5.51). In the obese group, glyphosate concentration in the Q4 group was correlated with OA (OR, 2.74; 95 % CI: 1.48, 5.07). Among people with high BMI and inactive in LTPA, glyphosate concentrations in Q4 were associated with OA (OR, 2.19; 95 % CI: 1.07, 4.48)., Conclusions: Glyphosate is associated with OA odd, and physical activity and moderate weight loss can mitigate this association to some degree. This study provides a scientific basis for rational prevention of OA by regulation of LTPA and BMI under glyphosate exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)