Physical Consequences Research Articles

The citizen perspective on challenges and rehabilitation needs among individuals treated for head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

PurposeIn Denmark, the prevalence of head and neck cancer is approximately 17.000, and the incidence is increasing. The disease and treatment of this condition may lead to severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. However, the literature indicates a lack of rehabilitation services and insufficient professional resources in the municipal setting resulting in unmet rehabilitation needs. The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the challenges and rehabilitation needs experienced by citizens treated for head and neck cancer.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was employed. Paul Ricoeur’s interpretation theory was used to analyze the data.FindingsCitizens treated for head and neck cancer experience the need for targeted assistance to manage the consequences following treatment for head and neck cancer and the need for adequate information and specialized professional competencies in municipal rehabilitation. The findings highlight a dual need: support from healthcare professionals and opportunities for patients to connect with others who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancer, as part of municipal rehabilitation.ConclusionThe study contributes to an understanding of the citizen perspective on rehabilitation needs and informs and enhances knowledge about municipal rehabilitation interventions for citizens treated for head and neck cancer. However, the findings also indicate the complexity of the referral process, highlighting the need for further research on barriers and facilitators to referral and access to municipal rehabilitation.

Construction of the Closed Form Wave Solutions for TFSMCH and (1 1) Dimensional TFDMBBM Equations via the EMSE Technique+

The purpose of this study is to investigate a series of novel exact closed form traveling wave solutions for the TFSMCH equation and (1 + 1) dimensional TFDMBBM equation using the EMSE technique. The considered FONLEEs are used to delineate the characteristic of diffusion in the creation of shapes in liquid beads arising in plasma physics and fluid flow and to estimate the external long waves in nonlinear dispersive media. These equations are also used to characterize various types of waves, such as hydromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, and acoustic gravity waves. Here, we utilize the Caputo-type fractional order derivative to fractionalize the considered FONLEEs. Some trigonometric and hyperbolic trigonometric functions have been used to represent the obtained closed form traveling wave solutions. Furthermore, here, we reveal that the EMSE technique is a suitable, significant, and dominant mathematical tool for finding the exact traveling wave solutions for various FONLEEs in mathematical physics. We draw some 3D, 2D, and contour plots to describe the various wave behaviors and analyze the physical consequence of the attained solutions. Finally, we make a numerical comparison of our obtained solutions and other analogous solutions obtained using various techniques.

Care intertwined with anxiety and helplessness: the experiences of ICU nurses from COVID-19 disease’s end of life—a qualitative study

ObjectiveDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for end-of-life care has increased. This type of care is different for patients with COVID-19 compared with other patients. This study aims to explain...

Grasp Pattern Recognition Using Surface Electromyography Signals and Bayesian-Optimized Support Vector Machines for Low-Cost Hand Prostheses

Every year, thousands of people undergo amputations due to trauma or medical conditions. The loss of an upper limb, in particular, has profound physical and psychological consequences for patients. One potential solution is the use of externally powered prostheses equipped with motorized artificial hands. However, these commercially available prosthetic hands are prohibitively expensive for most users. In recent years, advancements in 3D printing and sensor technologies have enabled the design and production of low-cost, externally powered prostheses. This paper presents a pattern-recognition-based human–prosthesis interface that utilizes surface electromyography (sEMG) signals, captured by an affordable device, the Myo armband. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, optimized using Bayesian techniques, is trained to classify the user’s intended grasp from among nine common grasping postures essential for daily life activities and functional prosthetic performance. The proposal is viable for real-time implementations on low-cost platforms with 85% accuracy in grasping posture recognition.

Population-Based vs. Health System and Insurer Records: Significant Underdiagnosis of Pcos - A Systematic Review.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent cardio-metabolic disorders in women. However, PCOS diagnosis is often missed or delayed, which may have serious physical and mental health consequences. The extent of underdiagnosis remains unknown. To estimate the extent to which PCOS is underdiagnosed. We systematically searched PubMed and Embase through July 2023 for studies reporting PCOS prevalence in the general population and the Health System or Insurer Records (HSIR). We identified 6,583 records of which we included seven population-based studies and eleven HSIR-based studies from the same populations in three countries. In the USA, population-based studies reported PCOS prevalence between 4% and 19.6%, while HSIR-based studies reported 0.2% to 5.2%. In the UK, an HSIR-based study reported a PCOS prevalence of 1.34%, compared to around 8% prevalence in the population. In South Korea, two population-based studies reported a PCOS prevalence of 4.9% and 7%, compared to 0.12%-0.33% in one HSIR, and 4.3% in another. When data was available, PCOS detection in HSIR appeared to improve over time, although it was still far from reflecting the actual prevalence in the population. Our data revealed a substantially lower rate of PCOS in HSIR relative to population-based studies in the USA, the UK, and South Korea, likely indicating that PCOS is underdiagnosed and/or underreported. Overall, these findings highlight the critical need to improve the awareness of healthcare practitioners and payers, and likely the public at large, regarding PCOS.

A comprehensive review of conservative therapies for female stress urinary incontinence: Advancements, efficacy, and future directions

Abstract Pelvic floor dysfunction poses a significant challenge to women worldwide. Female urinary incontinence is one of the most prevalent types of pelvic floor dysfunctions, affecting at least 50% of females, particularly those who are pregnant or menopausal. Among the various UI subtypes, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) takes the lead, characterized by involuntary urine leakage during activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, or exercising. This comprehensive review explores the latest advancements and critical insights into conservative treatments for SUI. SUI symptoms result in profound physical and psychological consequences for individuals and impose a substantial medical and economic burden on society; however, only 5%–10% seek professional help. This narrative review meticulously examines a spectrum of interventions, ranging from lifestyle modifications to emerging modalities, such as laser treatment and electroacupuncture.

Gravitational Wave and Quantum Graviton Interferometer Arm Detection of Gravitons

This paper explores the quantum and classical descriptions of gravitational wave detection in interferometers like LIGO. We demonstrate that a graviton scattering and quantum optics model succeeds in explaining the observed arm displacements, while the classical gravitational wave approach and a quantum graviton energy method also successfully predict the correct results. We provide a detailed analysis of why the quantum graviton energy approach succeeds, highlighting the importance of collective behavior and the quantum–classical correspondence in gravitational wave physics. Our findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about the quantum nature of gravity and its observable effects in macroscopic physics.

A fight on your own – experiences of rehabilitation after traumatic brachial plexus injuries

Purpose Individuals with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPI) may experience lifelong physical and psychosocial consequences. With or without surgical treatment, the rehabilitation is considered important. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists face challenges due to the scarcity of evidence-based rehabilitation protocols after TBPI. There is limited knowledge about patients’ experiences with rehabilitation. This study aims to explore and describe patients’ experiences of rehabilitation after a TBPI. Method Transcripts from five focus groups with 21 participants after TBPI and rehabilitation were coded and analysed with a qualitative content analysis. The discussion guide contained questions regarding experience of rehabilitation. Results The analysis revealed one overarching theme: “A fight on your own”, and three themes that include 1) Lack of tailored rehabilitation in a life-changing situation, 2) Crucial prerequisites for engagement in rehabilitation, and 3) Life will never be the same. The results highlighted the importance of healthcare professionals engaging with patients and advocates for comprehensive, person-centred rehabilitation programs across healthcare levels. Furthermore, participants value peer interaction, psychosocial support and up-to-date technology. Conclusion Patients struggle to access person-centred rehabilitation from engaged and knowledgeable occupational and physiotherapists. Addressing both psychosocial and physical aspects and daily activities is crucial.

Muscle Strength Loss in Women with COVID-19 and the Restorative Role of Physiotherapy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week physiotherapy program on muscle strength, functional capacity, respiratory function, and quality of life in women recovering from COVID-19. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 42 women aged 18-65 who experienced muscle strength loss and functional impairments post-COVID-19. Participants underwent personalized physiotherapy interventions, including resistance training, respiratory therapy, and functional mobility exercises, for 8 weeks. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention, including handgrip strength, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), forced vital capacity (FVC), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and SF-36 scores. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Significant improvements were observed in muscle strength, with right-handgrip strength increasing from 18.5 ± 4.2 kg to 22.8 ± 4.6 kg (p < 0.001) and left-handgrip strength from 17.2 ± 4.1 kg to 21.1 ± 4.5 kg (p < 0.001). Functional capacity improved, as evidenced by a 6MWT distance increase from 382 ± 62 m to 438 ± 57 m (p < 0.001). Respiratory function parameters, including FVC and FEV1, also showed significant gains (p < 0.01). Quality of life scores improved significantly, particularly in physical functioning and vitality domains, while fatigue levels decreased markedly (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results demonstrate the effectiveness of physiotherapy in addressing the physical and functional consequences of COVID-19 in women. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating physiotherapy into post-COVID-19 rehabilitation protocols to enhance recovery and quality of life.

Nowhere to Feel Safe Anymore Mapping Public and Organisational Violence Against Journalists in Belgium

Violence against journalists is on the increase around the world: murders, physical assaults, verbal abuse, etc. (Brambila and Hughes 2019; Waisbord 2020). As this has been more likely to occur in countries in extreme risk situations (Frère 2015), the situation in Belgium has never quite been a cause for concern. However, in recent years, Belgian journalists have also been experiencing situations of violence. In a national survey, 5069 Belgian journalists were questioned, 27.5% of whom responded. This article focuses on three specific points: (a) considering the importance of diverse forms of violence (intimidation, verbal violence, physical assault and sexual transgressive behaviours); (b) identifying to what extent certain social and professional identities are more affected, by looking at the gender, age and professional status; (c) analysing the psychological, physical, professional, and legal consequences of this violence and the ways in which journalists react to and cope. Our contribution suggests to study violence against journalists as a whole, not just in public terms but also organisational terms. Finally, we discuss the different dimensions of violence: the experience of, the production of, the resignation to, and the resistance to violence in journalism.

Assessment of the Effects of Harvesting Period of Clusia fluminensis Planch. and Triana Fruits on Neutralization of the Toxic Activities of Bothrops jararacussu Snake Venom.

Snakebite envenomation is a public health issue that can lead to mortality and physical consequences. It is estimated that 5.4 million venomous snake bites occur annually, with 130000 deaths and 400000 amputations. The available treatment is serotherapy, which is inefficient in preventing physical sequelae. Thus, it is critical to seek efficient treatments. Here, we assessed the efficacy of fruits from Clusia fluminensis harvested at different time periods over 1 year against the toxicity of Bothrops jararacussu venom. The extracts were incubated with B. jararacussu venom, and the in vitro (coagulant and proteolytic) and in vivo (hemorrhagic, edematogenic, and lethal) activities of the venom were assessed. Moreover, B. jararacussu venom was injected 30min before the extract injection to evaluate hemorrhagic activity. Little variation in the chemical composition of the fruit extracts from C. fluminensis or their ability to inhibit the toxic effects of B. jararacussu venom was observed. When administered after venom injection, the C. fluminensis extracts inhibited hemorrhage caused by B. jararacussu venom. Thus, the plant collection period should be considered to achieve the highest antivenom potential.

Alcohol Use Disorder and the Gut-Brain Axis: A Narrative Review of the Role of Gut Microbiota and Implications for Treatment.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects millions of people worldwide and can lead to deleterious physical and social consequences. Recent research has highlighted not only the effect of alcohol on the gut microbiome, but also the role of the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis in the development and maintenance of alcohol use disorder. This review provides an overview of the reciprocal relationship between alcohol consumption and the gut microbiome, including the effects of alcohol on gut microbial composition, changes in gut microbial metabolites in response to alcohol consumption, and how gut microbial metabolites may modulate alcohol use behavior. We also discuss the gut-mediated mechanisms of neuroinflammation that contribute to and result from AUD, including disruption of the intestinal barrier, toll-like receptor signaling, and the activation of glial cells and immune cells. Finally, we review the current evidence on gut microbial-directed therapies for AUD and discuss the implications of this research for our understanding of the pathophysiology of AUD and future research directions.

Removing spurious degrees of freedom from EFT of gravity

In the effective field theory approach to gravity, the Lagrangian density forgeneral relativity is supplemented by generally covariant terms of higher orderin the Riemann tensor and its derivatives. At face value, these terms will resultin higher derivative equations of motion and additional degrees of freedombeyond those of general relativity. This is seemingly at odds with the goal ofeffective field theory which is to encode ultraviolet correctionsin terms of existing low energy degrees of freedom. Here we apply anaction-based procedure for the removal of spurious degrees of freedom for thecase of general relativity supplemented by a term cubic in the Riemanntensor.To the order we work in, the resulting reduced theory takes the form ofminimally modified gravity, which is a class of modifiedgravity theories that propagate just the massless spin-2 graviton, but exhibit a preferredframe at short distances due to a deformation of time diffeomorphisms.Our work suggests that this class of theories can be understood as aneffectivetheory of gravity, capturing effects of unknown ultraviolet physics.

Insomnia Prevalence and Correlates in Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disturbance among cancer patients undergoing active treatment. If untreated, it is associated with significant physical and psychological health consequences. Prior efforts to determine insomnia prevalence and correlates have primarily assessed patients in clinical trials, in limited disease groups, and excluding important patient subgroups. These findings are likely to be influenced by research participation effects, which could bias outcomes. We sought to address these limitations in a large, real-world sample. Between 2018 and 2021, all patients seen at our institution were offered an electronic patient-reported outcomes (PRO) questionnaire where they could self-report on a range of symptoms based on the National Cancer Institute's PRO-CTCAE. Medical records were abstracted for demographics and cancer diagnosis/treatment. We evaluated N=9350 patients for whom there was complete data. During cancer treatment, 21% of patients reported insomnia symptoms. Demographically, prevalence was higher in patients who were female (22% vs. 19%), younger than 60years of age (22% vs. 20%), non-White (24% vs. 20%), and on public insurance (22% vs. 20%). Medically, patients undergoing palliative treatment were more likely to report insomnia symptoms, irrespective of cancer site (23% vs. 19%). The prevalence of insomnia symptoms ranged from 18% (genitourinary) to 23% (gastrointestinal). More than 1 in 5 cancer patients suffer from symptoms of insomnia. It is important that oncologists and cancer centers routinely assess insomnia severity in their patients. Leveraging the use of existing patient-reported outcomes at an institution may be important to help with the identification of insomnia symptoms.

Loneliness is positively associated with populist radical right support.

The mental and physical health consequences of loneliness are well documented. However, loneliness's socio-political ramifications have been largely unexplored. We theorize that loneliness, due to its physiologically dysregulating impact on the nervous system, facilitates greater susceptibility towards populist radical right parties. We tested our hypothesis in 25 unique tests in four population-based samples (N=40852), spanning nine countries - the Netherlands (15 tests, 2008-2023), Germany (two samples; 2017, 2018), Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Hungary, Sweden, and Switzerland (all in 2017). Logistic regressions were run per year and per country. Two internal meta-analyses were run, the first for the Dutch sample and the second for the cross country dataset. In the Netherlands, lonelier individuals were more likely to support the populist radical right across 15 tests spanning 15 years of data, with 11 tests reaching statistical significance - odds ratios ranging from 1.1 to 1.38. For the cross country analysis, Denmark reached statistical significance (OR=1.2, 90% CI=1.01, 1.42). Due to smaller sample sizes however, the cross country tests were underpowered to reliably detect small effects. Loneliness is positively associated with support for the populist radical right in the Netherlands. The effect sizes are comparable to common health correlates of loneliness - high blood pressure, heart diseases, and depression - emphasizing their socio-political relevance. Going forward, well-powered cross-national replications are needed.

The experience of living with human immunodeficiency virus among adolescents at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Bahir-Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, A phenomenological study.

Adolescents who have the human immunodeficiency virus face difficulties in their lives not just from the physical consequences of the illness but also from social stigma and discrimination. The quantitative side of this issue was the focus of earlier Ethiopian research. However, there hasn't been any prior research done extensively in Ethiopia on the real-life experiences of teenagers infected with HIV. Therefore, in order to address the real issues that these teenagers encounter, it is imperative that we investigate their lived experiences as HIV-positive adolescents. The goal is to investigate the experiences that adolescents at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital who are infected with HIV have on a daily basis. A phenomenological approach was conducted among thirteen purposively selected adolescents at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir-Dar, northwest Ethiopia, from March 25 to April 30, 2023. Information saturation was used to estimate the sample size. Data was gathered through semi-structured open-ended interview guides and in-depth interview techniques. The talk was recorded using an audio recorder. The data was transcribed verbatim. The conceptual translation approach was used to translate the transcribed data from Amharic to English. For additional analysis, the translated data was entered into the Atlas.ti.8 program. To demonstrate findings, the inductive thematic analysis technique was applied using illustrative quotes. Colleague feedback, member checks, and a debriefing were used to guarantee the quality of the data. Eleven subthemes, including main theme of "lived with burdens of immunodeficiency virus," "disclosure," "ART adherence," and "future aspiration," were used to describe the findings. The participants discussed how difficult it has been for them to deal with social, emotional, and psychological difficulties in addition to living with the HIV infection. They kept their illness a secret from others out of fear of prejudice and stigma. In conclusion, adolescents infected with the human immunodeficiency virus faced a variety of difficulties related to their mental health, relationships, emotions, and compliance. It is advised that the community get ongoing, comprehensive health education in order to prevent stigmatization and discrimination against young people who have the virus.

First measurement of heavy flavour femtoscopy in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV by STAR

In the very beginning stages of heavy-ion collisions, hard partonic scatterings yield heavy quarks, which go through the entire Quark-Gluon Plasma medium evolution. Femtoscopic correlation is characterized as a two particle correlation at low relative momentum that depends on the size of the region from which the correlated particles are emitted and on the final-state interaction. Such correlations between identifiable charged hadrons and charmed mesons could provide insights into their interactions with the medium and charm quarks in the hadronic phase. We describe the first femtoscopic correlation measurements made by the STAR experiment between D0/D¯0 - π± pairs at mid-rapidity in Au+Au collisions at √sNN The discussion of the physics consequences involves a comparison to theory calculations.

The Impact of Korea’s ‘Hagwon’ Culture on Academic Pressure Among High School Students

South Korea’s hagwon culture, characterized by private academies offering supplementary education, has become a cornerstone of its competitive academic system. While hagwon provide tailored support and intensive preparation for high-stakes exams like the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), their prevalence has led to heightened academic pressure, socio-economic disparities, and significant psychological and physical consequences for students. This paper explores the core features of hagwon culture, including its integration into daily life, financial demands, and its dual role in academic support and test preparation. Comparative analysis with similar systems in Japan and China highlights the unique aspects of Korea’s education landscape. Furthermore, the study examines parental motivations, societal expectations, and public attitudes toward the sustainability of hagwon. The paper concludes by proposing policy reforms, such as enhancing public education, promoting holistic learning approaches, and addressing socio-economic inequities, to reduce reliance on private academies and foster a more equitable and balanced education system.

WHEN RESILIENCE BECOMES RISK: PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCE PROFILES AND ALLOSTATIC LOAD AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN

Abstract There is a well-established link between psychosocial risks and psychological health among African American (AA) men. The psychosocial sources and physical health consequences of resilience (i.e., the ability to maintain good health despite adversity) remain underexplored. Using data from 283 AA men in the Nashville Stress and Health Study, the present study investigated the links between psychosocial resilience and allostatic load (AL), a biological indicator of physiological dysregulation. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified distinct resilience profiles comprised of eight psychosocial resources across four categories: coping strategies, sense of control, racial identity, and social support. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests determined significant class differences in men’s AL scores. LCA results confirm a four-class model was the best fit: Class 1 (high resources, 32%); Class 2 (high coping but low control, 13%); Class 3 (low resources but high racial identity, 20%); and Class 4 (low resources but high mastery, 34%). Results reveal lower AL (better health) among Classes 4 (m=0.31) and 1 (m=0.35), and higher AL among Classes 2 (m=0.44) and 3 (m=0.44). Findings indicate that the “quality” rather than the “quantity” of psychosocial resources matters for physical health among AA men, as positive health outcomes were observed among both low and high resource classes. Results suggest different resource combinations produce distinct patterns of resilience among AA men and underscore the need to further elucidate complex resilience processes among this population.

Abortion In The Context Of The Weighing Of Rights: A Doctrinal And Theoretical Analysis

The right to decide about one's own body and reproductive health is an essential human rights issue. When abortion in cases of rape is addressed, the discussion becomes more complex due to the profound physical, psychological and emotional consequences that this act of violence has on women. In many cases, rape results in unwanted pregnancies, which raises a controversial debate in society and the scientific community. This article analyzes abortion due to rape from a medical and scientific perspective, considering its physical and psychological implications and the options available to affected women