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Background: Calls to action addressing the interconnections between physical (in)activity and the climate crisis are increasing. The current study aimed to investigate public support for policy actions that potentially have co-benefits for physical activity promotion and climate change mitigation. Methods: In 2023, a survey through the Angus Reid Forum was completed by 2507 adults living in Canada. Binary logistic regressions were conducted. Separate models were created to reflect support or opposition to the 8 included policy items. Several covariates were included in the models including age, gender, political orientation, physical activity levels, income, urbanicity climate anxiety, and attitudes surrounding physical activity and climate change. The data were weighted to reflect the gender, age, and regional composition of the country. Results: Most individuals living in Canada strongly or moderately supported all actions (ranging from 71% to 85%). Meeting the physical activity guidelines, higher self-reported income, and scoring high on personal experience of climate change were associated with higher odds of supporting the policy actions related to climate actions. Conclusions: Most adults living in Canada support policies that align with the recommended policy actions related to physical activity and climate change. National campaigns enhancing awareness and understanding of the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and climate change are warranted, and these should consider the consistent demographic differences (eg, gender, age, and political orientation) seen in public support for physical activity-related policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The built environments in which we work, live, and play can influence physical activity behaviors, and perceptions of these environments are associated with walking behavior. This study's objective is to compare national-level data on perceptions of the near-home walking environment from the 2015 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey. Methods: Adults in 2015 (n = 30,811) and 2020 (n = 29,636) reported perceptions of walkable supports (roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails; sidewalks on most streets), destinations (shops, stores, or markets; bus or transit stops; movies, libraries, or churches; places that help you relax, clear your mind, and reduce stress), and barriers to walking (traffic; crime; animals). Age-adjusted prevalence estimates, prevalence differences, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated overall and by demographic characteristics. Results: The reported prevalence of roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails for walking increased overall (85.3% in 2015 to 88.0% in 2020) and for many subgroups. Perceived places to walk to for relaxation, to clear your mind, and to reduce stress increased overall (72.1% in 2015 to 77.1% in 2020) and for all subgroups. Perceptions of crime as a barrier to walking decreased overall (12.5% in 2015 to 11.2% in 2020) and for some subgroups. From 2015 to 2020, the proportion of adults perceiving roads, sidewalks, paths, or trails; places to relax; and crime as a barrier to walking improved. Conclusions: Continuing to monitor perceptions of the walking environment could contribute to progress toward national walking and walkability goals in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors conducted a survey containing the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory to explore the degree and type of burnout experienced by academic librarians in the spring of 2023. The average burnout score of the respondents (N = 267) was found to be middling (M = 45.68142). When subtypes of burnout were explored, academic librarians showed the most personal burnout, followed closely by work-related burnout. Client-related burnout was low. Analyses were conducted to explore differences due to demographic or workplace characteristics; however, the only significant relationship observed was between the duration of a librarian's career and their degree of client-related burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the relationship between socioeconomic inequalities and oral health among adults in the Guangxi province of China. Materials and Methods: The present work was designed as a cross-sectional study, and comprises a secondary analysis of the Fourth National Oral Health Survey from 2015–2016. A multistage cluster sampling method was adopted for this survey, conducted in three urban and three rural districts Guangxi province. Dental examinations were conducted to determine oral health indicators: decayed teeth (DT), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and missing teeth (MT). The outcome measures were DT, CAL and MT. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status (SES). Multiple logistic regression models were used to analyse the relationship between SES and oral health by adjusting covariates. Results: The sample consisted of 651 participants aged 35–74 years. Logisitic analysis showed a statistically significant association between SES and oral health indicators. In the fully adjusted model, participants with primary education were more likely to suffer more DT (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.17–6.10), teeth with CAL ≥ 4 mm (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.25–3.67) and MT (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.65–5.60) compared to the higher education group. Participants with secondary education exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing increased MT compared to those in the higher education group in the fully adjusted model (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.78–5.76). Household income was associated with DT and MT in the unadjusted model only. Conclusions: There was strong relationship between SES and oral health of adults. The survey suggested a relationship between low educational attainment and oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football season, eight of the 65 Power-5 head coaches were Black. The racial composition of assistant coaches, however, was nearly 50% Black and 50% White. While the head coach of a Power-5 football team serves as the leader of the program, the 10 assistant coaches permitted by the NCAA oversee a variety of critical roles; the most valuable of which is recruiting. This study extends previous work by examining the racial composition of Power-5 football coaching staffs and recruiting responsibilities through the lens of racial tasking. An analysis of Power-5 football recruiting classes from 2019 and 2020 illustrates that assistant coaches are tasked with recruiting prospective athletes racially similar to themselves 58% of the time. Furthermore, Black assistant coaches are disproportionately tasked with recruiting Black recruits and higher rated recruits (i.e., five- and four-star) compared to their White counterparts. We contend such racialized responsibilities and expectations may affect opportunities for advancement among Black assistant coaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing awareness and knowledge of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (Guidelines), released in 2018, is important for monitoring factors that contribute to increasing physical activity. Methods: We estimated prevalence of awareness and knowledge of the adult aerobic guideline (≥150 min/wk of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic physical activity preferably spread out over a week) among adults (n = 3471) and of the youth aerobic guideline (≥60 min/d of mostly moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity) among a subset of parents (n = 744) from a nationwide sample of US adults in the 2019 FallStyles survey. We estimated odds ratios using logistic regression, adjusting for demographic and other characteristics. Results: Approximately 1 in 10 US adults and parents reported being aware of the Guidelines. Only 3% of adults knew the correct adult aerobic guideline. The most common responses were "don't know/not sure" (44%) and "30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week" (28%). Among parents, 15% knew the youth aerobic guideline. Awareness and knowledge tended to be lower with lower education and income. Conclusions: Limited awareness and knowledge of the Guidelines suggest communication about the Guidelines could be strengthened, especially among adults with low income or education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of virtual reality (VR)-based biofeedback (BF), a relatively new intervention, is a non-pharmacological treatment of depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, studies on VR-based BF are lacking and inconclusive. A total of 131 adults were recruited from the community. Participants who scored ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) or ≥9 on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were included in the group with depressive or anxiety symptoms (DAS group), and others as the healthy control group (HC group). Participants from the DAS group were randomly assigned to VR-based or conventional BF intervention. All individuals visited at three times (weeks 0, 2, and 4), and completed the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a visual analog scale (VAS) before and after the intervention, and PHQ-9 at the beginning and final visit. The analysis included a total of 118 participants (DAS/VR: 40, DAS/BF: 38, HC/VR: 40). There was no significant difference in demographic variables among the three groups. After the intervention, the DAS/VR group exhibited significant decreases in MADRS (70.0 %), PHQ-9 (64.1 %), STAI (29.5 %), and VAS (61.7 %) scores compared to the baseline (p <0.001). There were no significant differences between the effects of VR-based BF and conventional BF with a therapist. The HC group also showed significant decreases in the measures of depression and anxiety after receiving VR-based BF. VR-based BF was effective in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms, even for subthreshold depression and anxiety symptoms in the HC group. • Our study revealed that VR-based Biofeedback (BF) was effective in adults with depressive and anxiety symptoms. • Depression and anxiety symptoms decreased after the intervention of VR-based BF compared to before. • Healthy subjects also demonstrated significant decreases in depression and anxiety measures after receiving VR-based BF. • This finding suggests that VR-based BF seems to be a promising intervention for treating depression and anxiety symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent classification model is a class of statistical methods for identifying unobserved class membership among the study samples using some observed data. In this study, we proposed a latent classification model that takes a censored longitudinal binary outcome variable and uses its changing pattern over time to predict individuals' latent class membership. Assuming the time‐dependent outcome variables follow a continuous‐time Markov chain, the proposed method has two primary goals: (1) estimate the distribution of the latent classes and predict individuals' class membership, and (2) estimate the class‐specific transition rates and rate ratios. To assess the model's performance, we conducted a simulation study and verified that our algorithm produces accurate model estimates (ie, small bias) with reasonable confidence intervals (ie, achieving approximately 95% coverage probability). Furthermore, we compared our model to four other existing latent class models and demonstrated that our approach yields higher prediction accuracies for latent classes. We applied our proposed method to analyze the COVID‐19 data in Houston, Texas, US collected between January first 2021 and December 31st 2021. Early reports on the COVID‐19 pandemic showed that the severity of a SARS‐CoV‐2 infection tends to vary greatly by cases. We found that while demographic characteristics explain some of the differences in individuals' experience with COVID‐19, some unaccounted‐for latent variables were associated with the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures has substantially increased, but its effect on vascular access recreation (VAR) remains inconclusive. We conducted a population-based retrospective analysis of Taiwan hemodialysis (HD) centers from 2004 to 2012. Data was accumulated into center-level characteristics, including patients' demographics, baseline characteristics, PTA procedures, and VAR. Center-level characteristics were summarized annually using appropriate measures. A mixed model assessed the association between PTA frequency and VAR rates, considering within-center correlation and adjusting for potential confounders. A total of 82,005 patients (mean age 62.7 ± 13.9 years, 50.5% male, 48.5% with diabetes mellitus) from 820 HD centers were analyzed. From 2004 to 2012, PTA frequency significantly increased from 1.24 to 3.23 per 1000 HD sessions, while VAR rates did not decline as expected (0.5–0.8 per 1000 HD sessions). Compared with the HD centers of infrequent use of PTA (annual lowest quartile, range 0.39–1.20 per 1000 HD sessions), the ones of frequent use (annual highest quartile, range 2.52–5.10 per 1000 HD sessions) didn't have lower VAR (range 0.54–0.99 vs. 0.50–0.91 per 1000 HD sessions, respectively). After controlling the potential confounders, the HD centers' PTA rates were not significantly associated with lower VAR rates (− 2.6, 95% confidence interval: − 30.3; 25.0, p = 0.85). Frequent use of PTA does not seem to improve VA patency at the center level, with no significant association identified with lower VAR. The indication of PTA in daily practice should be re-evaluated in terms of its efficiency in lowering VAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Statins, which are effective in preventing ASCVD, are underused, particularly for primary prevention. This study examined trends in statin use for primary ASCVD prevention from 1999 to 2020, focusing on demographic variations. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the present study includes individuals aged 18 years and older who had a greater than 10% risk of ASCVD over 10 years, and excluded patients with existing ASCVD. Subgroup analyses by demographic categories were performed. We calculated the changes in statin usage and used linear and quadratic tests to assess the linear and nonlinear trends in those changes. Results: A total of 10,037 participants were included. Statin usage increased from 16.16% in 1999 to 36.24% in 2010, and 41.74% in 2020 (quadratic P-value < 0.001). In the 18–44 years age group, statin usage increased from 2.52% in 1999 to 8.14% in 2020 (linear P-value = 0.322), showing no significant linear trend. In the "never-married" group, statin usage increased from 19.16% in 1999 to 30.05% in 2020 (linear P-value = 0.256). Conclusion: Statin usage has shown a positive trend among populations requiring primary prevention for ASCVD. Currently, health policies are proving effective. However, the overall statin usage rate remains less than 50%. Additionally, young and never-married individuals should also receive special attention regarding statin usage as primary treatment for ASCVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Quality of life (QoL) may be affected due to various reasons such as low back or leg pains with accompanying neurologic problems. Lumbar disk surgery is one of the most common performed surgeries to relieve those symptoms. Various anesthetic techniques can be used safely to perform lumbar disk surgeries. Properties that make an anesthetic technique good are mainly the quick onset and returning of the effects. This large retrospective study with patients who have undergone lumbar disk surgery under spinal anesthesia aims to evaluate the perioperative and postoperative parameters of the spinal anesthesia and review the literature. Methods Cases operated under spinal anesthesia between January 2017 and December 2020 were investigated, and 617 patients who underwent simple lumbar disk surgery were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of the patients were recorded. Visual analog scale (VAS) and QoLscores were obtained before and after the operation. Results There were 282 (45.7%) male and 335 (54.3%) female patients with a mean age of 39.48 ± 16.71 years (range: 18–58 years) at symptom onset. The mean operating time was 46.3 minutes (range: 22–68 minutes). Average blood loss was 85 mL (range: 55–125 mL). All the patients were mobilized 6 to 12 hours after surgery. In our patient group, there were both high- and normal-risk groups in terms of the ASA physical status. During the clinical follow-up, a statistically significant improvement was found for the VAS and QoL scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions In this large retrospective study, our results have confirmed that spinal anesthesia is at least comparable to general anesthesia and even superior to it in some aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to test the hypothesis that disease duration may affect the response to generic tofacitinib (TOF) and investigate the influence of concomitant medications with TOF on elderly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study retrospectively collected 76 elderly patients (age > 60) treated with TOF from 2019 to 2023 and grouped them according to age of disease onset. Data were collected from baseline to the last follow-up visit within 24 months. The demographic characteristics and follow-up results were compared. TOF retention and the effect of concomitant drugs (methotrexate, MTX, prednisone) were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier plots and COX regression analysis. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to explore the correlation among demographic characteristics, medication regimen, and improved clinical outcomes. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients achieving low disease activity (LDA) between different disease duration groups. Patients in the group of MTX had a shorter time of using TOF in follow-up (log-rank p = 0.041). Prednisone dosage at baseline had a predictive value for functionally disabled situation. We found significant associations between discontinuation of TOF in the last follow-up and getting LDA. A total result of CCA yielded a significant positive correlation with set 1 (demographic characteristics and medication regimen) and set 2 (improved clinical outcomes) (canonical coefficient = 0.887, p < 0.001). Disease duration may not affect response to generic TOF and medication regimen was the factor related to efficacy of generic TOF in elderly RA in the real world. Demographic characteristics and medication regimen were correlated positively with improved clinical outcomes. Key Points • There is scarce data from the western area of China regarding the use of tofacitinib in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients, despite widespread use. • In this retrospective analysis of 76 elderly patients at a single center, we found disease duration may not affect response to generic TOF. • Concomitant MTX might contribute to better control of the disease activity. • Concomitant prednisone dosage at baseline was the independent risk factor for functionally disabled situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there have been calls to build a more inclusive knowledge base of the home numeracy environment (HNE) by diversifying the populations in our descriptive research. Given that Latine children are the fastest-growing population in the U.S. it is of the utmost importance to include Latine families and children in these efforts. The present study examined how U.S. Latine families support their children’s early math learning by: (1) identifying distinct numeracy engagement patterns, and (2) examining if these patterns were related to families’ demographic characteristics. Participants were 488 caregivers (Mchild-age = 4.29 years, SD = 1.23). We found two profiles of Latine family numeracy engagement: a Balanced Numeracy Engagement and a Non-Play-Numeracy Engagement. Caregivers’ formal educational level and relationship to the child were significantly associated with the profiles. Findings reflect the importance of understanding the variability within Latine families when engaging in numeracy activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fun and social affiliation are good predictors of long-term intention to use game-based interventions including those for motivating physical activity, yet current player matching algorithms are poor at facilitating social connectedness. In this paper, we report on the results of a study investigating how different player traits are associated with interest in social features of an exercise game for improving player experience through better player matching using common and complementary characteristics. Twelve conceptual scenarios were illustrated using storyboards and data was collected from 196 respondents who rated their attitudes and preferences towards gamification elements. Correlational results showed that all scenarios, except for cutting corners, were perceived as persuasive, enjoyable, engaging and are likely to increase future exercise intention for players who score high on Philanthropist- and Socialiser-oriented traits. Results also showed that many players favour the altruistic donation feature. Furthermore, qualitative results underscore that it is the player's partner that matters more than the players' personalities. We conclude with practical recommendations for designing more personalised exercise games that can include more socially engaging game mechanics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV have been shown to have lower rates of viral load testing and viral suppression as compared to older adults. We examined trends over time and predictors of HIV viral load monitoring and viral suppression among AYA in a large HIV treatment programme in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: We analysed longitudinal data of AYA aged 10–24 years initiated on antiretroviral therapy between January 2017 and October 2022. Trend models were used to assess changes in HIV viral load testing and viral suppression by calendar year. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine the relationship of sociodemographic and clinical factors with HIV viral load testing and viral suppression. Results: Out of 15,759 AYA, the percentage of those who received a 6‐month HIV viral load testing increased from 40.6% in 2017 to 64.7% in 2022 and, a notable annual increase of 5.6% (p < 0.001). A higher HIV viral load testing uptake was observed among 20‐ to 24‐year‐olds (87.7%) compared to 10‐ to 19‐year‐olds (80.2%) (p < 0.001). The likelihood of not receiving an HIV viral load test within 12 months of antiretroviral therapy initiation was higher among 10‐ to 19‐year‐olds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–2.0), advanced HIV disease (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.12–1.53), normal nutrition status at enrolment aOR 2.6 (95% CI = 1.59–4.26) and initiation of non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors regimen aOR 1.2 (95% CI = 1.08–1.34). The proportion of AYA with viral suppression increased from 83.0% in 2017 to 94.6% in 2022. Notably, the overall trend in viral suppression increased significantly at 2.4% annually. The risk of not achieving viral suppression was greater among 10‐ to 14‐year‐olds (aOR = 2; 95% CI = 1.75–2.43) and 15‐ to 19‐year‐olds (aOR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.24–1.58) as compared to 20–24 years; being male (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.02–1.32); undernourished (aOR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.17–1.99); in WHO Stage II (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.02–1.33) and III (aOR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.03–1.42) and being on an non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors regimen (aOR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.18–1.48). Conclusion: HIV viral load testing uptake at 6 months of antiretroviral therapy initiation and viral suppression increased from 2017 to 2022; however, overall HIV viral load testing was suboptimal. Demographic and clinical characteristics can be used to identify AYA at greater risk for not having HIV viral load test and not achieving viral suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current post-truth era is characterized by the rapid spread of conspiracy theories which has been exacerbated by public's lack of agreement on objective facts and presentation of unverified information without supportive evidence. Existing research has examined a myriad of factors which explain the causes of conspiratorial thinking. To extend current research, this study examines the effects of institutional trust and demographic factors (i.e., age, gender, political ideology, household income and education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM]) in explaining conspiracy orientation (i.e., the dispositional tendency to subscribe to different conspiracy theories) and conspiracy attribution (i.e., the situational tendency to subscribe to conspiracy theories about specific problematic situations). A survey dataset (N = 720) was collected in South Korea. The findings showed that institutional trust had greater effects than STEM education in explaining conspiracy orientation and attribution. On the other hand, different demographic factors had different effects on conspiracy orientation and attribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burn registers are an important source of surveillance data on injury intent. These data are considered essential to inform prevention activities. In South Asia, intentional burn injuries are thought to disproportionately affect women. Assessment of injury intent is difficult because it is influenced by personal, family, social, and legal sensitivities. This can introduce misclassification into data, and bias analyses. We conducted a descriptive, hypothesis generating study to explore misclassification of injury intent using data from a newly digitised single centre burn register in south India. Data from 1st February 2016 to 28th February 2022 were analysed. All patients in the data set were included in the study (n = 1930). Demographic and clinical characteristics for patients are described for each classification of injury intent. All data cleaning and analyses were completed using RStudio. Injury intent data were missing for 12.6% of cases. It was the most commonly missing variable in the data set. "Accidental" injuries had a similar distribution over time, age, and total body surface area (TBSA) for males and females. "Homicidal" injuries were more common in females. Injuries reported as "Suicidal" affected men and women equally. A decrease in reporting of "Suicidal" injuries in females corresponded to an increase in high TBSA injuries classified as 'Other' or with missing data. Overwriting of injury intent was present in 1.5% of cases. The overwritten group had a greater proportion of females (62.1% vs. 48.5%) and higher median TBSA (77.5% vs. 27.5%) compared to the group where intent was not overwritten. Our findings indicate that some subgroups, such as females with high TBSA burns, appear to be more likely to be misclassified and should be the focus of future research. They also highlight that quality of surveillance data could be improved by recording of clinical impression, change in patient reported intent, and use of a common data element for intent to standardise data collection. We also recommend that injury intent is recorded as a unique variable and should not be mixed with other elements of injury causation (e.g. mechanism). Although this is a single centre study, the methods will be of interest to those who utilise routinely collected data and wish to reduce misclassification of this important variable. • We explored misclassification of injury intent using burn register data from India. • Injury intent was the most commonly missing variable in the data set (12.6%). • Patients with overwriting of intent predominantly included females and large burns. • Females with burns categorised as 'other' or with missing data may be misclassified. • These findings highlight opportunities to improve quality of surveillance data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to compare the acute effects of different methods on ankle joint range of motion (ROM) in older adults. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight older adults were randomly divided into three groups. After the warming-up, static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) contract-relax, and roller massage were applied, at the same period. Before application, immediately after, 10 and 20 min after application, ankle joint dorsiflexion ROM was measured in the weight-bearing position. Results: No statistically significant difference between the groups in demographic characteristics and baseline ankle ROM (p = 0.413). In all groups, post-application measurements revealed increased ankle joint motion (p < 0.0125). Groups were compared, and a statistically significant difference between the three groups was found (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the change of ROM between the Static Stretching and PNF Stretching Groups in the change of ROM group comparisons (p = 0.089). There was a statistically significant difference in ROM changes Roller Massage Group and both Static Stretching and the PNF Stretching Group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The acute effects of roller massage, on ankle ROM, were superior to static and PNF stretching. The application of roller massage, which was shown to be an effective method for increasing ROM, can be safely applied in physiotherapy programs for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries around the world are working to develop social protection floors to help reduce poverty. Ensuring workers can earn adequate wages is an important component of social protection floors. In this paper, we explore who receives minimum, poverty, median, and living wages in Jordan, comparing 2010 and 2016, and in Tunisia in 2014. We demonstrate that while the majority of workers do earn at least minimum and poverty wages, only a minority of workers earn a living wage. The chances of earning minimum, poverty, median, and living wages depend on the characteristics of workplaces, specific work characteristics (especially job formality and skills required), and the demographic characteristics of workers. While results are consistent with wages reflecting, in part, workers' productivity, they may also reflect rents, efficiency wages, and for minimum wages issues with enforceability and policy design. These findings highlight which workers are vulnerable to low earnings and where greater enforcement or redesign of minimum wage legislation might be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of familial MS (fMS) in Belgrade MS population, discern the differences between the persons with fMS and sporadic MS, and to detect the presence of anticipation phenomenon in fMS patients. Methods: The data on the demographic and clinical characteristics of MS patients was obtained from the Belgrade MS population Registry. In cases of vertical transmission of MS, the family members were divided into the younger and older generation, in order to assess the potential presence of anticipation phenomenon. To adjust for follow-up time bias, a secondary analysis including only patients who had the onset of symptoms before 39 years (75.percentile), and those who were 39 + years, was performed. Results: The prevalence of fMS in Belgrade MS population is 6.4%. FMS cases had earlier age at MS symptom onset (30.4 vs. 32.3 years) compared to sporadic MS cohort. When comparing fMS cases across generations, the younger generation had significantly lower age at onset compared with the older one (25.8 vs. 35.7 years, p < 0.001). After adjustment for the different length of the follow-up, the difference in age at symptom onset between the groups was reduced, but it still existed and was statistically significant (30.0 years in younger vs. 36.4 years in older generation, p = 0.040). Conclusion: In our study, the analysis of fMS cases across generations, showed an earlier age of symptom onset in the younger generation, even after adjustment. These results indicate the possibility of existence of anticipation phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a psychologically-informed concept of social health to join physical and mental components in a more comprehensive assessment of human health. Although there is an extensive literature on the importance of social relationships to health, a theoretical framework is needed to coalesce this work into a codified conceptualisation of social health, defined here as adequate quantity and quality of relationships in a particular context to meet an individual's need for meaningful human connection. Informing this novel conceptualisation, we outline eight key propositions to guide future research and theory on social health, including five propositions focused on the conceptualisation of social health and three focused on its population patterning. The former five propositions include that social health is an outcome in its own right, that health interventions can have divergent effects on social versus physical and mental aspects of health, that social health has independent effects on quality of life, that it is a dynamic and contextual construct, and that it is embedded and encoded in the human body (and mind). The utility of the social health concept is further revealed in its significance for understanding and addressing population health concerns, such as health inequalities experienced by marginalised groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the computational burden, especially in high-dimensional settings, sequential imputation may not be practical. In this paper, we adopt computationally advantageous methods by sampling the missing data from their perspective predictive distributions, which leads to significantly improved computation time in the class of variable-by-variable imputation algorithms. We assess the computational performance in a comprehensive simulation study. We then compare and contrast the performance of our algorithm with commonly used alternatives. The results show that our method has a significant advantage over the commonly used alternatives with respect to computational efficiency and inferential quality. Finally, we demonstrate our methods in a substantive problem aimed at investigating the effects of area-level behavioral, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics on poor birth outcomes in New York State among singleton births. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of demographic characteristics and social determinants on cancer outcomes is widely recognized in various malignancies but remains understudied in myelofibrosis (MF). This study aims to investigate social and demographic variables associated with MF survival. We retrospectively reviewed data of biopsy-proven MF patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (2000–2021) and Montefiore Medical Center (2000–2023), an underserved inner-city hospital. The SEER cohort included 5,403 MF patients and was predominantly Non-Hispanic (NH) White (82%) with a median age of 69 years. The age-adjusted incidence rate of MF was 0.32 cases per 100,000 person-years, increasing annually by 1.3% from 2000 to 2021. Two- and five- year overall survival rates were 69% and 42%, respectively. Worse cause-specific survival was associated with older age, male sex, and diagnosis before 2011 (year of Ruxolitinib approval). NH-Black ethnicity, unmarried status and lower median income were independent predictors of worse overall survival. The single-center analysis included 84 cases, with a median age of 66 years. NH-White patients comprised 37% of the sample, followed by NH-Black (28.5%). Two- and five- year overall survival rates were 90% and 61%, respectively, with NH-Black patients exhibiting the lowest median survival, although the difference was not statistically significant. Age was a significant predictor of worse survival in this cohort. NH-Black and Hispanic patients lived in areas with higher socioeconomic and demographic stress compared to NH-White patients. Overall, this study highlights the association of social and demographic factors with MF survival and emphasizes the need for equitable healthcare and further exploration of social-demographic factors affecting MF survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the clinical and demographic characteristics and associated factors leading to bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) syndrome. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with BAIT syndrome was performed. Results: Thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of BAIT were identified. The median age at presentation was 53 years; 80% of the patients were female. Twenty-six patients (74%) had recent histories of systemic antibiotic treatment. Of those with such a history, 24 patients (92%) had been receiving moxifloxacin. Two patients within our cohort were prescribed moxifloxacin prophylactically prior to a systemic surgical procedure and had no evidence of systemic illness or recent viral illness. Conclusions: Our data support the notion that moxifloxacin might be associated with the onset of BAIT syndrome. Notably, within our cohort, two patients received moxifloxacin as surgical prophylaxis and subsequently developed BAIT syndrome. This could suggest a potential association between moxifloxacin and the onset of BAIT, though further studies are needed to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To use choice-based conjoint survey methodology to evaluate patient values and decision making regarding immediate compared with delayed placement of postpartum intrauterine devices (IUDs). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which we surveyed 200 nonpregnant, parous patients. Participants chose between hypothetical postpartum IUDs varying in multiple attributes (hormonal or non-hormonal IUD type, placement timing, 1-year efficacy, expulsion risk, risk of lost strings, and malposition risk). The primary outcome was preference for immediate compared with delayed postpartum IUD placement and importance of placement timing relative to other attributes. Secondarily, we evaluated whether demographic and neighborhood characteristics were associated with timing preference and attribute importance. RESULTS: We included 190 participants for analysis. Most participants (62.6%) preferred delayed placement. There was no significant difference in timing preference by race (P5.28) or block-level Area Deprivation Index score (P5.27). Patients who preferred immediate placement were more likely to have public insurance than private insurance (70.4% vs 29.6%, P5.04); however, the majority of patients (55.1%) with public insurance still preferred delayed placement. Attributes of IUD type, malposition risk, 1-year efficacy, and expulsion risk all had greater effects on patient decision making than placement timing. There was no difference in attribute importance by race (P5.30), Area Deprivation Index score (P5.88), or insurance type (P5.22). CONCLUSION: Patients preferred the higher efficacy and lower complication rates of delayed postpartum IUD placement over the convenience of immediate placement. Insurance considerations may affect these timing preferences. There was no difference in attribute importance between demographic groups or based on neighborhood-level factors, indicating that, although both immediate and delayed postpartum IUD placement should be offered, counseling should not vary according to individual demographic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify profiles of demographic, clinical, and oral health impact characteristics of individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Methods: Four hundred ninety-six TMD patients (260 females) and 30 young controls were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) data were gathered and analyzed by Cluster, ANOVA, and regression analyses. Results: Three clusters were identified: "Pain and depression symptoms" with participants with higher pain, depression, and OHIP-14 scores (59% females); "Chronic diseases" included older participants with current chronic diseases and medical treatment; "Healthier individuals" included younger individuals with lower chronic diseases, pain, and depression frequencies, whose OHIP-14 scores did not differ from controls (p = 0.079). OHIP-14 scores were predicted by age, pain, and depression. Conclusion: Distinct profiles of individuals with TMD were identified, emphasizing the complex interactions between coping ability, general health, and psychosocial aspects that must be monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers and advocates have long called for improved research methods that better include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but challenges to doing so persist. Proxy responses are frequently used to circumvent some of these challenges, but may not fully capture the perspectives of people with IDD. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the possibility of consequences due to a lack of research about health outcomes for people with IDD, with documented disproportionate impact but little understanding about specific experiences for people with IDD. Using exploratory graph analysis (EGA) we explored the use of proxy responses on the COVID-19 Supplement of the National Core Indicators In-Person Survey. Findings suggest significant differences in response patterns between people who answered independently, via proxy, and with a mix of response types beyond what would be expected due to demographic differences in participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is most common in childhood because children are exposed to the parasite early and, unlike adults, do not have immunity to CL. Since CL is less common in geriatric patients, clinical and epidemiological data in this age group are limited. This study aims to compare the clinical and demographic characteristics of geriatric patients diagnosed with CL with young patients. Methods In this retrospective study, 622 patients aged 65 and over and 6350 patients aged 19–64, who applied to Şanlıurfa Oriental Boil Diagnosis and Treatment Center between January 2013 and February 2024 and were diagnosed with CL by parasitological examination, were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with CL, such as age, gender, location of the lesion, lesion size, duration of the lesion, and treatments applied due to the diagnosis of CL, were recorded. Clinical and demographic characteristics of geriatric and young patients were compared. Results The mean age of elderly CL cases was 72.95 ± 6.54 years, and 65.2% were female. The most common clinical forms were ulcers (51.9%) and plaques (41%), respectively, in young and elderly patients. The most common locations of the lesions were upper limbs (54.8%) in all patients. The most preferred treatment method was intralesional (IL) meglumine antimoniate (MA) treatment (98.3%) in all patients. There were no difference between young and elderly CL cases in terms of mean number of lesions, average lesion duration, average lesion size, lesion location, clinical forms of lesions, and treatments options (P  > 0.05). Conclusions Based on the results of our study, it can be said that the clinical and demographic characteristics of CL are similar in young and old patients and systemic MA treatment shows similar clinical benefit in both age groups. In addition, it can be said that systemic MA therapy can be used safely in young patients and elderly patients without contraindications. IL MA therapy can be used in elderly patients where systemic MA therapy is contraindicated. Key message What is already known on this topic? Cutaneous leishmaniasis is less common in geriatric patients, clinical and epidemiological data in this age group are limited. What this study adds? Clinical and demographic characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis are similar in young and old patients, and systemic MA treatment shows similar clinical benefit in both age groups. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy? Systemic MA therapy can be used safely in young patients and elderly patients without contraindications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Obesity is a crucial risk factor for asthma. Observational studies have examined the association between abdominal obesity and asthma symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and asthma and its potential as an independent indicator. Methods This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2011–8. Multivariable logistic regression and stratified variable selection were employed to identify associations between asthma and VAT. Moreover, a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, using 221 genetic variants as instrumental variables, was conducted to assess this relationship further. Results Our findings indicated that individuals with higher VAT levels were more likely to develop asthma. Visceral obesity remained a significant risk factor for asthma after adjusting for demographic characteristics. Genetic predictions suggest a positive association between VAT and an elevated risk of asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.393, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.266–1.534, and P  = 1.43E−11). No significant polymorphisms were detected using the Mendelian randomization-Egger intercept test. Conclusions This study presents potential evidence supporting the causal role of VAT in asthma development. Furthermore, the findings from the Mendelian randomization analysis further reinforce the relationship between VAT and asthma risk. Key message What is already known on this topic Obesity is a well-established risk factor for asthma, with previous observational studies examining the association between abdominal obesity and asthma symptoms. What this study adds Individuals with higher visceral fat are more likely to develop asthma. Furthermore, even after adjusting for demographic factors, visceral obesity remains a significant risk factor for asthma. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy This study offers additional evidence associating visceral fat with asthma and further validates the causal relationship between the two conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: early detection of dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) have an utmost significance nowadays, and smart conversational agents are becoming more and more capable. DigiMoCA, an Alexa-based voice application for the screening of MCI, was developed and tested. Objective: to evaluate the acceptability and usability of DigiMoCA, considering the perception of end-users and cognitive assessment administrators, through standard evaluation questionnaires. Method: a sample of 46 individuals and 24 evaluators participated in this study. End-users were fairly heterogeneous considering demographic and neuro-psychological characteristics. Evaluators were mostly health and social care professionals, relatively well-balanced in terms of gender, career background and years of experience. Results: end-users acceptability ratings were generally positive (rating above 3 in a 5-point scale for all dimensions) and it improved significantly after the interaction with DigiMoCA. Administrators also rated the usability of DigiMoCA, with an average score of 5.86/7 and with high internal consistency (α = 0.95). Conclusion: although there is still room for improvement in terms of user satisfaction and voice interface, DigiMoCA is perceived as an acceptable, accessible and usable cognitive screening tool, both by individuals being tested and test administrators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we use transaction data from a large grocery store retailer to describe changes in grocery shopping behavior associated with the progression of the COVID‐19 pandemic before and after the vaccines were developed. We find that in general, households increased their spending and decreased their number of transactions early in the pandemic. Further, most households increased their reliance on online shopping during the pandemic and this shift persisted into the post‐vaccine period. We find somewhat mixed results on how overall healthfulness of grocery store purchases changed during the pandemic, and we find that changes in healthfulness vary with market and household demographics. Perhaps most interestingly, we find that changes in a store's spending and transactions, along with the healthfulness of these purchases, vary significantly with the racial composition of a store's market and that these differential changes persisted after vaccines were available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, is associated with high economic burden. This study estimates per‐worker medical and incremental medical costs associated with treated asthma by socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, industries, medical events, and sources of payments for workers aged ≥18 years. Methods: We analyzed Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data from 2018 to 2020 to assess medical costs for treated asthma among workers using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code for asthma (J45). We used two‐part regression models to estimate medical and incremental medical costs controlling for covariates. All results are adjusted for inflation and presented in 2022 US dollar values. Results: An estimated annual average of 8.2 million workers out of 176 million had at least one medical event associated with treated asthma. The annualized estimated per‐worker incremental medical costs for those with treated asthma was $457 and was highest among: those in the age group of 35–44 years ($534), in the western region ($768), of Hispanic ethnicity ($693), employed in the utility and transportation industries ($898), males ($650), and for inpatient admissions ($754). The total annualized medical costs of treated asthma was $21 billion and total of incremental medical costs was $3.8 billion. Conclusion: Findings of higher incremental medical costs for treated asthma among workers in certain socioeconomic, demographic, and industry groups highlight the economic benefit of prevention and early intervention to reduce morbidity of asthma in working adults. Our results suggest that the per‐person incremental medical costs of treated asthma among workers are lower than that for all US adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distracted driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes, and cell phone use is a major source of in-vehicle distraction. Many states in the United States have enacted cell phone use laws to regulate drivers' cell phone use behavior to enhance traffic safety. Numerous studies have examined the effects of such laws on drivers' cell phone use behavior based on self-reported and roadside observational data. However, little was known about who actually violated the laws at the enforcement level. This study sought to uncover the demographic characteristics of drivers cited for cell phone use while driving and whether these characteristics changed over time since the enactment of cell phone laws. We acquired useable traffic citation data for 7 states in the United States from 2010 to 2020 and performed descriptive and regression analyses. Male drivers were cited more for cell phone use while driving. Handheld and texting bans were associated with a greater proportion of cited drivers aged 40 and above, compared to texting-only bans. Trends in the citations issued based on drivers' age group following the enactment of different cell phone laws were also uncovered. The proportion of citations issued to drivers aged 60 and above increased over time but the temporal trend remained insignificant when population effect was considered. This study examined the demographic characteristics of drivers cited for cell phone use while driving in selected states with texting-only bans or handheld and texting bans. The results reveal policy-based differences in trends in the proportion of citations issued to drivers in different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusion Although the antidepressant effect of ketamine on treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) has been frequently reported in North American and European countries, evidence is scarce among the Asian population. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous ketamine in Japanese patients with TRD.In this double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial, 34 Japanese patients with TRD were randomized to receive either intravenous ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo, administered over 40 min, twice a week, for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from baseline to post‐treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in other depressive symptomatology scores and remission, response, and partial response rates. We also examined the association between baseline clinical demographic characteristics and changes in the MADRS total score.Intention‐to‐treat analysis indicated no significant difference in the decrease in MADRS total score between the groups (−8.1 ± 10.0 vs −2.5 ± 5.2, t[32] = 2.02, P = 0.052), whereas per‐protocol analysis showed a significant reduction in the ketamine group compared to the placebo group (−9.1 ± 10.2 vs −2.7 ± 5.3, t[29] = 2.22, P = 0.034). No significant group differences were observed in other outcomes. Adverse events were more frequent in the ketamine group than in the placebo group, and no serious adverse events were reported. A higher baseline MADRS total score and body mass index were associated with a greater reduction in the MADRS total score.Intravenous ketamine outperformed placebo in Japanese patients with TRD who completed the study, suggesting that ketamine could alleviate depressive symptoms of TRD across diverse ethnic populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the prevalence of deliberate firesetting in an un-apprehended New Zealand sample and factors that differentiate firesetting and non-firesetting individuals. An anonymous online survey assessing demographic and background characteristics, history of firesetting and psychological characteristics was advertised on Facebook community groups and pinboards across New Zealand. A total of 626 adults completed the survey. One-hundred and three participants (16.45%) self-reported having deliberately set at least one fire over the age of 14 years. When controlling for all other variables in a logistic regression model, having a high-school qualification as the highest level of educational attainment (odds ratio, OR = 2.24), history of a mental health diagnosis (OR = 1.91), fearful attachment style (OR = 1.16) and fire interest (OR = 1.05) showed the strongest unique association with un-apprehended firesetting. Further research is needed to examine the full range of behavioural and psychological characteristics associated with un-apprehended firesetting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of naps on tinnitus was systematically assessed by exploring the frequency, clinical and demographic characteristics of this phenomenon. 9,724 data from two different tinnitus databases (Tinnitus Hub: n = 6115; Tinnitus Research Initiative (TRI): n = 3627) were included. After separate analysis of the databases, these results were then compared with each other. In the Tinnitus Hub survey database, a total of 31.1% reported an influence on tinnitus by taking a nap (26.9% in the TRI database), with much more frequent worsening after a nap than improvement (23.0% a little or a lot worse; TRI: 17.7% worse; 8.1% a little or a lot better; TRI: 9.2% better). The influence of napping on tinnitus was associated in both databases with other clinical features, such as the dependence of tinnitus on night quality, stress and somatosensory maneuvers. The present study confirms the clinical observation that more tinnitus sufferers report worsening after a nap than tinnitus sufferers reporting an improvement. It was consistently shown that tinnitus sufferers reporting nap-induced modulation of tinnitus also report more frequently an influence of night sleep on their tinnitus. Further clinical and polysomnographic research is warranted to better understand the interaction between sleep and tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing burden of dementia, there has been no evaluation of the level of dementia knowledge among the general public in Turkiye. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the public's knowledge regarding dementia and the factors predicting this knowledge. This is a community‐based cross‐sectional study.A survey was conducted with 1106 participants between April and August 2023.The research tools were demographic characteristics form, a Turkish version of the dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS‐T), and a form focusing on sociodemographic information and questions related to the degree of dementia knowledge. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression.The mean score on the DKAS‐T was 12.32 ± 6.05 (min: 0 points, max: 33 points) out of 34. The sample recorded an incorrect response for less than half of the items in the dementia knowledge scale. Adjusted R2 was used as explanatory power. Moreover, the results of the multiple regression analysis identified various factors that significantly predicted dementia knowledge scores: age, prior education about dementia, experience of caring for a PwD, interaction with a PwD, and self‐reported risk of being diagnosed with dementia in the future. These variables accounted for 18.1% of the total variance of dementia knowledge.Dementia is not well known in the public. The finding underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance dementia knowledge in the Turkish population. Interventions should focus on addressing specific areas of deficiency identified in the DKAS‐T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of inappropriate use of emergency services among young adults in Vitória, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 30 consecutive days in November and December 2019, involving systematic random sampling of young adults (aged 18–39) visiting the municipal emergency care unit. Data were collected through structured interviews, utilizing the Hospital Urgency Appropriateness Protocol (HUAP) to identify inappropriate use. Demographic characteristics, healthcare utilization patterns, and medical diagnoses were assessed. Poisson regression models were employed to explore associations between variables. Results: Among the 631 young adults surveyed, 30.6% exhibited inappropriate use of the emergency care unit. Factors associated with higher rates of inappropriate use included not seeking previous care in other healthcare services; having specific medical diagnoses like diseases of the respiratory system (PR: 2.03), diseases of the skin (PR: 4.13), and diseases of the ear and mastoid (PR: 3.74). Conclusion: The study underscores the significance of addressing inappropriate use of emergency services among young adults. Though the prevalence of inappropriate use was not significantly different from other age groups, the demographic characteristics and healthcare utilization patterns of young adults contribute to their unique challenges. To mitigate inappropriate use, efforts should focus on improving access to primary healthcare services, enhancing continuity of care, and raising awareness about appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviors among young adults. Ultimately, these interventions can foster a more effective and sustainable healthcare system that better serves the needs of the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultConclusionTranslation of research is requisite for speech-language pathologists; however, barriers have been reported. This review aimed to identify the extant literature published on communication for autistic children, and examine the replicability and translatability of communication interventions for speech-language pathologists providing services to children with autism.A scoping review was conducted using a six-stage protocol. Following initial database searching and screening, data were extracted from included studies for demographic characteristics and Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist elements. Stakeholder consultation interviews with 13 speech-language pathologists who work with autistic children were also undertaken.The database search revealed 4719 studies on the topic of communication in autistic children, of which 762 were communication intervention studies. Of these included intervention studies, 30% were considered replicable according to the TIDieR checklist. Stakeholder consultation revealed that poorly described intervention studies hindered translation efforts.The vast amount of autism communication intervention literature and the variable quality of intervention description reporting are barriers to accessing high quality literature for translation to practice. Improved reporting of intervention descriptions in autism communication intervention studies would support research translation into clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cities globally, including Tokyo, face challenges in managing small urban green spaces due to limited land, aging infrastructure, and rising maintenance costs. This study explores effective community engagement strategies for park revitalization as cities focus on improving existing green spaces rather than expanding them. Methods: This research investigates community park revitalization in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, using a case study approach involving three parks. Data were collected through interviews with seven park management stakeholders and a survey of 176 residents. The study aimed to identify key factors for successful community participation, evaluate perceptions of engagement activities, and assess residents' willingness to participate. Results: Key factors for effective park revitalization include public buildings inside and outside the parks, sufficient greenery and open spaces, and local responsible persons. Despite these conditions, challenges such as high maintenance costs and low resident engagement persist. Among 176 respondents, 55 had participated in park events. Both genders noted increased use by parents and children and enhanced motivation to visit as significant impacts, with mean ratings of 4.36 and 4.37, respectively. Age differences were observed: respondents aged 18-39 emphasized increased use by parents and children (mean 4.75), while those aged 40-59 and over 60 valued motivation to visit (means 4.64 and 4.00). Long-term residents (over 10 years) reported lower impact ratings than newer residents, and larger families rated activities more positively than smaller or single-person households. Key issues included insufficient publicity (60%), restriction of normal use (20%), increased waste (14.5%), and noise (12.7%). Discussion: The study highlights the need to address demographic differences in engagement preferences and barriers. Tailoring activities to diverse groups, including seniors and single-person households, can improve participation and effectiveness. These findings can guide localized park management strategies and foster more inclusive urban green space initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemoptysis resulting from rupture of the pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is massive and fatal, while factor contributing to the rupture of pseudoaneurysm remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical and radiological features of PAP and identify the risk factors associated with rupture. Methods: Patients who developed hemoptysis with PAP were collected from January 2019 to December 2022 retrospectively. Clinical data of the demographic characteristics, radiological findings, treatment strategies, and prognosis were collected. A comparative analysis was performed on the characteristics in the ruptured and non-ruptured cases. Results: A total of 58 PAPs were identified in the 50 patients. The most common causes were infection (86%) and cancer (8%). The PAPs were located predominantly in the upper lobes of both lungs, and 57 (99.3%) were distributed in the segmental or subsegmental pulmonary arteries. The median diameter was 6.1(4.3–8.7) mm. A total of 29 PAPs were identified adjacent to pulmonary cavitations, with the median diameter of the cavity being 18.9 (12.4–34.8) mm. Rupture of pseudoaneurysm occurred in 21 cases (42%). Compared to unruptured group, the ruptured group had a significantly higher proportion of massive hemoptysis (57.1% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001), larger pseudoaneurysm diameter (8.1 ± 3.2 mm vs. 6.0 ± 2.3 mm, p = 0.012), higher incidence of pulmonary cavitation (76.2% vs. 44.8%, p = 0.027), and larger cavitation diameters (32.9 ± 18.8 mm vs. 15.7 ± 8.4 mm, p = 0.005). The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) in the ruptured group was also significantly higher than that in the unruptured group [23.9 ± 7.4 mmHg vs. 19.2 ± 5.0 mmHg, p = 0.011]. Endovascular treatment was successfully performed in all 21 patients with ruptured PAP, of which the clinical success rate was 96.0%. Five patients experienced recurrent hemoptysis within one year. Conclusions: Massive hemoptysis, pseudoaneurysm diameter, pulmonary cavitation, and elevated mPAP were the risk factors for rupture of pseudoaneurysm. Our findings facilitate early identification and timely intervention of PAP at high risk of rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Pneumonia accounts for over half a million older adult emergency department (ED) visits annually, but ED pneumonia diagnosis is inaccurate. Geriatric‐specific pneumonia diagnostic criteria exist for other settings; no prospective data exist to determine if application in the older adult ED population is feasible. The objective was to prospectively evaluate the utility of four current diagnostic criteria (Loeb; Modified McGeer; Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society; American College of Emergency Physicians) in older adult ED patients.This was a prospective, observational cohort study of older adult ED patients ≥65 years of age in two U.S. EDs with suspected pneumonia defined as having chest radiography ordered and treating physician suspicion. The standard we used for defining the presence, absence, or inability to determine a diagnosis of pneumonia diagnosis was expert physician chart adjudication. We report the summary statistics for demographic characteristics and symptoms/exam findings and sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios with 95% confidence intervals of the existing diagnostic criteria. Pre‐specified cutoff values of a positive LR >10 and a negative LR <0.3 were considered clinically significant.Of 135 patients enrolled, 27 had pneumonia by adjudicator review. Typical patient‐reported pneumonia symptoms, such as fever (18.5%) and new/worse cough (51.9%), were not consistently present in pneumonia. The IDSA/ATS and ACEP criteria had positive LR >10 and negative LR <0.3; however, all confidence intervals included pre‐specified cutoffs.Older adults presented to the ED with low frequency of typical pneumonia symptoms. Although existing diagnostic definitions had promising test characteristics, they may not perform well enough for clinical application without refinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with a negative impact on patients' quality of life in occupational and non‐occupational settings. Up‐to‐date, data on HE in Italian patients referred for patch testing are lacking.To characterise the profile in terms of demographics, aetiology and patch test results of Italian patients affected by HE referred for patch testing.A retrospective descriptive study on consecutive patients affected by HE who underwent patch testing from 2016 to 2023 in eight dermatology clinics was performed. HE patients were divided into two groups according to the exclusive (HE‐only group) and not‐exclusive (HE+ group) hand involvement, and compared to patients with eczema localised in body areas other than hands (NHE group).One thousand five hundred and ninety‐seven patients were affected by HE (35.3% males; mean age 42.7 years), 60.2% belonging to the HE‐only group and 39.8% to the HE+ group. Occupational dermatitis was diagnosed in 33.2% of HE‐only patients, 25.0% of HE+ patients and 5.2% of NHE patients (p < 0.001). HE‐only patients presented: Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD), atopic HE in 48.1%, 47.5% and 7.1%, respectively; hyperkeratotic palmar, acute recurrent vesicular and nummular clinical subtypes in 52.2%, 43.9% and 11.9%, respectively; relevant positive patch test reactions in 48.1% (nickel sulphate 18.9%, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone 10.6%, methylisothiazolinone 8.6%, p‐phenylenediamine 6.0% and potassium dichromate 4.7%).HE patients, and particularly those with exclusive hand involvement, show a particular profile in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies and relevant positive patch test reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: childbearing is a key component of population movements and sustainable development in low-fertility nations. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the impact of multimedia education on the childbearing intention in One-child women of Maragheh city. Method: In this intervention study in Maragheh in 2023, 94 women with one child were randomly selected and placed in two intervention and control groups. Before the intervention, people were examined using demographic information and Miller's questionnaire of desire to have children. Then, For the intervention group, three 60-minute multimedia training videos were shown in person for three weeks, and the control group did not receive any training. The data were collected using the researcher's demographic questionnaire and Miller's childbearing questionnaire in three stages before the intervention, immediately after and six weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 16 software. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the average score of desire to have children and demographic variables (p > 0.05). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the demographic characteristics of the subjects and the average score of women's willingness to have children in the positive and negative dimensions. While after the multimedia educational intervention, the average score of desire to have children in positive and negative dimensions, immediately after the intervention and six weeks after the intervention, had a significant difference compared to before the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that carrying out multimedia educational interventions to single-child women can have a positive effect on their desire to have children. It seems that the implementation of such programs is effective in the conscious decision of families to have children and ultimately increases the intention of the individual to carry out the behavior. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20230227057549N1. Date of registration: 16/04/2023. URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionThis study investigated clinical characteristics, burden of uncontrolled seizures, and seizure-related healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among individuals living with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (FE) in the United States (US).Medical charts of adults with drug-resistant FE who initiated third-line (3 L) anti-seizure medication were extracted from clinical practices in the US (1/1/2013–1/31/2020). The index date, defined as the date of 3 L initiation, was used to indicate the emergence of drug resistance. Individuals on cenobamate were followed for any length of time from the index date. Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed descriptively. Primary clinical outcomes included seizure burden (i.e. change in seizure frequency and time to the first and second seizure events) and epilepsy-related HRU.Overall, 189 neurologists/epileptologists contributed 345 charts of individuals living with drug-resistant FE (66% male; average age 24 years at diagnosis and 32 years at index date). 66% had ≥1 neurologic/neuropsychiatric comorbidity at baseline. Average monthly seizure rate decreased from 6.1 at baseline to 3.8 at follow-up; however, nearly half of individuals experienced worse/no change or only some improvement (<50% reduction) in seizure frequency. Most individuals (91%) had ≥1 epilepsy-related outpatient visit during follow-up. Unplanned HRU included emergency department visits (43%) and hospitalizations (24%), primarily due to breakthrough seizure events.Despite the availability of many anti-seizure medications in the US, people living with drug-resistant FE continue to experience multiple seizures per month and incur substantial healthcare resources. Novel pharmacotherapies may help individuals living with drug-resistant epilepsy achieve seizure freedom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Discussion This study aimed to compare the demographic differences between Māori and NZ Europeans with neck of femur fracture (NOF), identify any differences in management, surgical and post‐op care and outcomes.All cases in New Zealand between 2018 and 2020 were collected from the Australia & New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR). Basic demographics, management factors, and surgical factors were collected. Key outcomes at 120 days post‐fracture included walking status, residential status and survival. Univariate analysis was performed to compare differences in demographics, and management factors between ethnicities. Multivariable analysis was conducted on key outcome comparisons and management differences.Data from 9432 patients were analyzed. 305 patients were Māori (3.2%). Age‐standardized incidence between Māori and NZ European were similar (103 (95% CI 91–115) vs. 95 (95% CI 92–99)/100 000/year). Māori had a longer time to theatre (38.7 vs. 34.5 h, P = 0.01). The only difference between Māori and NZ European in the key outcomes was private residential status (67% vs. 62% P < 0.01). There was no difference in survival (87% vs. 87% P = 0.68) and decrease in walking status (0.43 vs. 0.41 P = 0.99). Following multivariable analysis, Māori ethnicity was an independent risk factor for time to theatre >48 hours after adjustment for other factors (OR 1.44 (95% CI 1.07, 1.93), P = 0.016).Although Māori were a small percentage of patients with NOFs, there was similar age‐standardized incidence compared to NZ Europeans. While there were no differences in key outcomes, identifying reasons for longer time to theatre for Māori patients is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and ongoing practices of plagiarism among the journal editors of Nepal. Methods: This web-based questionnaire analytical cross-sectional was conducted among journal editors working across various journals in Nepal. All journal editors from NepJOL-indexed journals in Nepal who provided e-consent were included in the study using a convenience sampling technique. A final set of questionnaires was prepared using Google Forms, including six knowledge questions, three practice questions (with subsets) for authors, and four (with subsets) for editors. These were distributed to journal editors in Nepal via email, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and WhatsApp. Reminders were sent weekly, up to three times. Data analysis was done in R software. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for the demographic variables, correct responses regarding knowledge, and practices related to plagiarism. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare mean knowledge with demographic variables. For all tests, statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 147 participants completed the survey.The mean age of the participants was found to be 43.61 ± 8.91 years. Nearly all participants were aware of plagiarism, and most had heard of both Turnitin and iThenticate. Slightly more than three-fourths correctly identified that citation and referencing can avoid plagiarism. The overall mean knowledge score was 5.32 ± 0.99, with no significant differences across demographic variables. As authors, 4% admitted to copying sections of others' work without acknowledgment and reusing their own published work without proper citations. Just over one-fifth did not use plagiarism detection software when writing research articles. Fewer than half reported that their journals used authentic plagiarism detection software. Four-fifths of them suspected plagiarism in the manuscripts assigned through their journal. Three out of every five participants reported the plagiarism used in the manuscript to the respective authors. Nearly all participants believe every journal must have plagiarism-detection software. Conclusions: Although journal editors' knowledge and practices regarding plagiarism appear to be high, they are still not satisfactory. It is strongly recommended to use authentic plagiarism detection software by the journals and editors should be adequately trained and update their knowledge about it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of asymptomatic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) presents a clinical challenge, requiring a delicate balance between rupture risk, patient comorbidities, and intervention-related complications. International guidelines recommend intervention for specific AAA size thresholds, but these are based on historical trials with limited female representation. We aimed to analyse disease characteristics, AAA size at rupture, and intervention outcomes in patients with ruptured AAA from 2009 to 2023 to investigate the gap between guidelines and local realities. Methods: This single-centre retrospective cohort study analysed electronic health records of patients treated for a ruptured AAA, excluding those who were managed palliatively. The study assessed patients' demographics, risk factors, comorbidities, clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, and outcomes. Results: Of 164 patients (41 females, 123 males, median age 73.5), 93.3% presented with abdominal or back pain. The median AAA size at rupture was 8.0 cm in males and 7.6 cm in females. No significant correlations were found between demographic characteristics, risk factors, AAA size, repair modality, and outcomes. Trends show a decline in AAA prevalence and rupture rates, aligning with global health initiatives. Post-intervention survival rates at 30 days were 70.7% (67.5% in males and 80.0% in females), and at 2 years were 65.85% (61.7% in males and 70.0% in females). Conclusion: Evolving AAA trends and improved post-intervention survival rates warrant a critical reassessment of existing intervention recommendations. Adjusting intervention thresholds to larger sizes may be justified to optimise the risk-benefit ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionThe present study aimed to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics, damage to perceived needs, post-traumatic stress symptoms, general effect of flood and behavior problems among flood-affected children.Cross-sectional research design was used. A sample of 76 children (aged 8–16 years, experienced extreme hazard flood event) was collected from two schools in a flood-affected rural community in South Punjab-Pakistan through purposive sampling. Children revised impact of event scale-13 and a pediatric symptom checklist were used to screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and internalizing, externalizing or inattention behavior problems respectively.Primary school children who reported financial loss in terms of damage to houses, difficulty faced by parents in building new houses and living in tents were more affected by the flood. Age was a significant positive predictor of the general effect of flood on children. Female children positively predicted arousal PTSD and pediatric behavior problems including inattention problems. Moreover, children who lost their pets had more post-traumatic stress symptoms, as well as externalizing and inattention behavior problems. Number of times previously exposed to floods positively predicted arousal PTSD. Post-traumatic stress symptoms positively predicted behavior problems.Primary school children affected by a flood are at greatest risk of developing behavior and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]