Past Year Research Articles

Disparities in healthcare access experienced by Hispanic chronic kidney disease patients: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health concern, and the disease disproportionately affects Hispanics. Improved healthcare access for Hispanic CKD patients can reduce the disease burden. This study assesses the healthcare access disparities experienced by Hispanic CKD patients compared to Whites.MethodsWe analyzed three National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) datasets for 2013–2014, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018. The primary predictor variable was race, and the outcome variable was three domains of healthcare access: insurance status, having any routine place for healthcare, and having any health visits in the past year. Chi-square tests and unadjusted and adjusted multivariate logistic regressions were conducted. The models were adjusted for age, education, income, and CKD stages and were weighted to account for the sampling strategy.ResultsThe sample size was 1864 CKD patients from three two-year cycles of NHANES datasets (2013–2014, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018). The final adjusted model found that Hispanic CKD patients were more likely to be uninsured (OR: 2.52, CI 1.66–3.83) and have no routine place for healthcare (OR: 1.68, CI 1.03–2.75) than White CKD patients, but did not have differences in healthcare visits in the past year.ConclusionsHispanic CKD patients have limited healthcare access compared to White populations showing existing care access disparities experienced by them. Improved programs and policies are required to enhance kidney health among Hispanics and promote equity in CKD.

Ageing in Place: Ensuring Home Safety and Adaptations for the Well-Being of Seniors

This paper investigated the living considerations in ageing, emphasizing the importance of ensuring home safety and adaptations for senior well-being. When ageing in place, seniors' desire to remain in their familiar homes is explored to preserve independence and autonomy. This study delved into the existing literature on home safety for seniors, employing methodologies such as home safety assessments and fall incident surveys. The literature review emphasized the significance of home safety for seniors, particularly in preventing falls, a leading cause of injuries among older adults. Strategies such as home modifications, including the installation of grab bars and non-slip flooring, are examined, along with the integration of assistive technology like wearable devices and smart home automation. The study's methodology involves a comprehensive evaluation of home safety through standardized assessment tools, surveying seniors and analyzing the impact of home modifications and assistive technology on safety and well-being. The study revealed variations in home safety assessment scores among seniors, with higher scores corresponding to safer home environments. The number of fall incidents reported by participants in the past year underscores the need for proactive fall prevention strategies. Home modifications and usage of assistive technology, including wearable devices and smart home automation, positively influenced home safety scores. Recommendations include regular home safety assessments, prioritizing fall prevention strategies, education and awareness, individualized solutions, and continuous monitoring. The study concluded that by implementing these recommendations, seniors' safety and quality of life could be enhanced, enabling them to age comfortably and independently while reducing the risks associated with ageing.

Primakov Readings-2023: modern realities, results and recommendations

The article examines the results and recommendations of the Primakov Readings held on November 27–28, 2023, which are the main scientific and expert forum for international diplomats, economists and lawyers in our country and abroad. They confirmed this reputation in the past year, bringing some clarity to the current state of the international relations environment, the content and nature of the world order, the situation around globalization and other trigger points in the theory and practice of international relations, foreign policy and diplomacy. In particular, in the speeches of the heads of various international structures and organizations, a new assessment was made of the passing era of globalization, the state of the world order and the system of international relations as a whole; a conclusion was made about the inevitability of changing the unipolar world order to a multipolar one, and the main participants in the transformation of the modern world order and those influencing this the process is factual.

워케이션 참여자의 관광경험 고찰

This study aims to examine the concept of workation and develop a theory accordingly. Grounded theory was employed as the research methodology, and theoretical sampling was used as the sampling method. Participants in this study included Koreans who had engaged in workation activities within the past year, selected based on their level of involvement in both work and tourism activities. Data were collected from 16 individuals through two rounds of interviews conducted between September 2nd and October 13th, 2022. The analysis yielded a total of 93 concepts, 24 subcategories, and 9 categories. Workation was found to be a convergence concept that encompasses tourism, work, and daily life. Attributes that differentiate it from existing tourism include proactive, impromptu, independent, local, and daily tourism experiences.The core category emerged as 'tourism + work + everyday long-term tourism experience as a new stimulus,' leading to the formulation of the 'TWD (Tourism + Work + Daily) long-term stay theory. This study differentiates itself from prior research by departing from a binary categorization of workation as either work or tourism. Instead, it explores the concept of workation within the context of a blend of tourism, work, and daily life. Furthermore, this study holds academic significance in its revelation of the distinct characteristics of the tourism experiences associated with workation, setting them apart from conventional tourism experiences, and subsequently proposing a theory to capture these distinctions. From a political and practical perspective, this research offers valuable insights into leveraging workation to stimulate regional tourism, as evidenced by the contents of the interviews. This study is expected to make a valuable contribution to the innovative growth of the tourism industry by proactively addressing emerging social phenomena and discussing workation as a new and local tourism trend.

Relations between Russia and China in the context of the formation of a new world order

The article examines Russian-Chinese relations in the context of the emergence of a new world order. The author emphasizes that Russia and China consider each other as priority partners, always respect each other’s interests, becoming a model of relations between great powers. The countries maintain close exchanges and contacts at all levels, exchange views on major issues of mutual interest, strengthen mutual trust and develop cooperation in various fi elds. Russia and China have always adhered to the principles of non-alignment with blocs, non-confrontation, and they are not directed against a third party. They develop bilateral relations and cooperation in various fi elds on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefi t, which brings tangible benefi ts to the people of the two countries and also contributes to global development. China and Russia take common positions on most issues on the international agenda and are strengthening cooperation within the UN, SCO, BRICS, APEC, G20 and other multilateral platforms. They cooperate closely on global and regional issues, such as the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the situation in Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear issue. When Russia and China join forces, global multipolarity and democratization of international relations will receive new impetus, which will guarantee global strategic balance and stability. Meetings between the leaders of Russia and China become the compass and anchor of Russian-Chinese relations, laying a solid foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation. Under the strategic leadership of the two heads of state, the Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation will continue to move forward in the new era. The leaders of China and Russia agree that against the backdrop of unprecedented changes taking place today in the system of international relations, Russian-Chinese relations have reached unprecedented heights. The author comes to the conclusion that, in general, Russian-Chinese relations have not only withstood many new challenges, but have also strengthened signifi cantly over the past year.

Associations of past-year overall trauma, sexual assault and PTSD with social support for young adult sexual minority women.

Background: Young adult sexual minority women (SMW) are at elevated risk for sexual assault (SA), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and inadequate social support. While SA and PTSD can lead to reductions in social support from close significant others, the impact of SA and PTSD on SMWs' social support has not previously been assessed.Objective: This study examined the associations of past year SA and PTSD with SMW's social support from intimate partners, family, and friends. It was hypothesized that SA and PTSD would be negatively associated with support from partners, family and friends, and that PTSD would moderate the effect of SA on support in early adulthood.Method: Young adult SMW in the United States (N = 235) who were M = 23.93 (SD = 2.15) years old, primarily lesbian or bisexual (n = 186, 79.1%) and White (n = 176, 74.9%) completed measures on past year exposure to SA and non-SA trauma, PTSD, and social support from intimate partners, family and friends.Results: PTSD was associated with less social support from partners, ( = -0.06, SE = 0.02, p = .010, R2change = .02), family, ( = -0.06, SE = 0.03, p = .025, R2change = .02), and friends, ( = -0.07, SE = 0.02, p = .008, R2change = .02). There was a significant interaction between PTSD and SA on social support from partners ( = -0.01, SE = 0.01, p = .047, R2change = .01). Neither non-SA nor SA trauma was associated with support from family or friends.Conclusions: Results underscore the potential impact of recent SA on intimate partnerships for young adult SMW with more severe PTSD. Future work should explore how addressing PTSD and improving social support quality may help SMW recover from traumatic experiences and ameliorate the effects of SA on intimate partnerships.

Prevalence of taeniasis and sero - prevalence of anti - cysticercus antibody among residents in Tibetan agricultural areas of Sichuan Province

To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of taeniasis and cysticercosis among residents in Tibetan agricultural areas of Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights for the prevention and control of taeniasis and cysticercosis. From 2016 to 2022, Kangding City, Daocheng County, Derong County, Ruoergai County and Muli Tibetan Autonomous County were sampled from Tibetan agricultural areas of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, and 1 to 6 townships were sampled from each county (district), followed by 4 to 7 villages sampled from each township. Primary school children were sampled using a cluster sampling method, and permanent residents at ages of over 16 years were randomly sampled from each village. Participants' demographics, history of tapeworm excretion during the past year and clinical symptoms and signs of cysticercosis were collected through questionnaire surveys, and participants' stool and venous blood samples were collected. Taenia eggs were detected in stool samples using the direct smear method, and deworming was performed among taeniasis patients with areca nut-squash seeds. The tapeworm species were identified using a multiplex PCR assay, and serum specific IgG antibody against cysticercus was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 5 249 respondents participated in the questionnaire survey, including 603 respondents (11.5%) with a self-reported history of proglottids secretion during the past year. A total of 3 976 residents were subjected to stool examinations, and the detection of Taenia eggs was 6.5%. Of 258 participants undergoing deworming, there were 403 cases (94.2%) with excretions of Taenia worms or proglottids. The mean prevalence of taeniasis was 10.9% (439/4 043), and there were gender-, age- and region-specific prevalence rates of taeniasis (χ2 = 36.73, 126.31 and 163.41, all P values < 0.05). Multiplex PCR assays detected 41 cases with T. solium infections (12.5%), 197 cases with T. saginata infections (59.9%) and 91 cases with T. asiatica infections (27.6%) among 329 patients undergoing deworming, and there were region-specific prevalence rates of T. solium, T. saginata and T. asiatica infections (χ2 = 45.39, P < 0.05). In addition, the sero-prevalence of anti-cysticercus IgG antibody was 7.0% (345/4 933), and there were age- and region-specific sero-prevalence rates of anti-cysticercus IgG antibody (χ2 = 13.49 and 51.76, both P values < 0.05). Multiple Taenia species are prevalent in Tibetan agricultural areas of Sichuan Province and the sero-prevalence of anti-cysticercus antibody is high among residents. Monitoring and control of taeniasis and cysticercosis should be strengthened.

Vyresnio amžiaus asmenų naudojimasi internetu, laisvalaikio veiklų ir atminties gebėjimų lyginamoji analizė Baltijos šalyse

Advances in the healthcare system and socioeconomic progress have led to longer life expectancy, resulting in an ageing population and societal challenges for policymakers. Active ageing, promoted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe through the Active Ageing Index, highlights Capacity and Enabling Environment for Active Ageing. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use is crucial, enabling participation in social, economic, and cultural activities (UNECE, 2020). Research indicates cognitive changes in ageing, especially memory deterioration, associating these changes with genetics, education, and professional and leisure activities (Stern, 2009). According to research, ICT positively affects cognition, enhancing memory (Almeida et al., 2012; Benge et al., 2023), but may also pose cognitive issues (Nagam, 2023). Prioritizing cognitive health among the elderly in social policies is vital, with ICT playing a key role. The present study aimed to assess the links between Internet use and memory performance after controlling for demographic factors and leisure activities. Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe’s 8th Wave (Börsch-Supan, 2022) included 2320 individuals aged 65–100 from Baltic countries. Memory was assessed using a modified Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Participation in leisure activities was assessed by asking respondents if they had taken part in any of the listed activities in the past year, and Internet use was assessed by asking about Internet use in the past 7 days. Significant associations were found between memory, leisure activities, and Internet use. Internet use predicted memory capacity in older adults, remaining significant after controlling for demographics, health, and leisure activities. The current findings show that Internet use might be valuable in predicting memory functioning among older adults and can potentially contribute to the protection of cognitive function.

Alcohol Use and Abstinence throughout Adolescence: The Changing Contributions of Perceived Risk of Drinking, Opportunities to Drink, and Self-Control

Objective: Adolescence is characterized by psychosocial and cognitive changes that can alter the perceived risk of negative effects of alcohol, opportunities to drink, and self-control. Few studies have investigated whether these factors change in their contribution to adolescent drinking over time. This study examined associations between perceived risk, opportunities to drink, self-control, and past-year drinking and investigated whether self-control buffers the effect of lower perceived risk and frequent drinking opportunities on the probability of past-year drinking. Method: Data from a four-wave longitudinal study (2015–2020) of 2,104 North Carolina adolescents (Mage = 12.36, SDage = 1.12, at Time 1) were used to assess changes in associations between self-control, perceived risk of drinking, and drinking opportunities on the frequency of past-year drinking. Hypotheses were tested using latent trajectory models. Results: At all timepoints, greater perceived risk, fewer drinking opportunities, and higher self-control were associated with drinking abstinence in the past year. Self-control buffered the impact of frequent drinking opportunities and lower perceived risk on the probability of alcohol use at Times 1–3. Conclusions: Despite expectations that adolescents’ ability to navigate their environments improves as they age, associations between risk, protective factors, and past-year drinking were relatively stable over time. Nevertheless, self-control protected against frequent drinking opportunities and lower perceived risk. Strategies that support or relieve the need for self-control (e.g., situation modification) may protect against alcohol use throughout adolescence.

Incidence, severity, and clinical characteristics of lower respiratory tract infections in children before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown: a Dutch single-center study

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health measures reduced the incidence of pediatric lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in 2020. An inter-seasonal surge in the LRTI has occurred after relaxation of restrictions. We aimed to compare characteristics and disease severity of children with LRTI before, during, and after COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: All LRTI-related visits to emergency department (ED) of a large pediatric hospital in the Netherlands between 2019 and 2021 were included. Variables were compared between 2019 and 2020, and between 2019 and 2021, respectively. The variables included demographic characteristics, condition upon ED arrival, diagnosis, applied treatment, and follow-up.Results: In 2019, 2020, and 2021, numbers of the visits were 573, 280, and 519, respectively, comprising the study population (n = 1,372). In 2020, the patients were older, and showed higher frequencies of preterm birth history, co-occurring symptoms of obstructive lung disease, and salbutamol therapy in the ED, than in 2019. In 2021, the patients were younger, showed higher frequencies of desaturation, bronchiolitis, co-occurring symptoms of obstructive lung disease, salbutamol therapy, and hospitalization, and showed lower frequencies of respiratory ED visits or hospitalization in the past year, and antibiotic therapy. During hospitalization in 2020, the patients were older, and showed shorter duration of oxygen support and length of hospital stay, as well as lower frequencies of nasogastric tube insertion, compared to 2019. In 2021, compared to 2019, the patients showed a higher frequency of bronchiolitis and lower frequencies of underlying medical conditions and antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: The children presenting with LRTIs in 2021 seem to have had a more severe clinical phenotype, possibly explained by immunity debt after the COVID-19 lockdown, stricter referral policy, or changes in healthcare-seeking behavior. Future research is needed to evaluate the long-term consequences of growing up during the lockdown.

Mediating Role of Liver Dysfunction in the Association between Arsenic Exposure and Diabetes in Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study of China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) 2017-2018.

Inconsistent results have been reported regarding the association between low-to-moderate arsenic (As) exposure and diabetes. The effect of liver dysfunction on As-induced diabetes remains unclear. The cross-sectional study included 10,574 adults from 2017-2018 China National Human Biomonitoring. Urinary total As (TAs) levels were analyzed as markers of As exposure. Generalized linear mixed models and restricted cubic splines models were used to examine the relationships among TAs levels, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations, and diabetes prevalence. Mediating analysis was performed to assess whether liver dysfunction mediated the association between TAs and diabetes. Overall, the OR (95% CI) of diabetes in participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of TAs were 1.08 (0.88, 1.33), 1.17 (0.94, 1.45), and 1.52 (1.22, 1.90), respectively, in the fully adjusted models compared with those in the lowest quartile. Serum ALT was positively associated with TAs and diabetes. Additionally, mediation analyses showed that ALT mediated 4.32% of the association between TAs and diabetes in the overall population and 8.86% in the population without alcohol consumption in the past year. This study suggested that alleviating the hepatotoxicity of As could have implications for both diabetes and liver disease.

Confirming Eight-Factor Structure of the Substance Use Motives Measure in a Sample of US College Students.

The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use indicates nearly three quarters of individuals ages 18-25 have used substances in the past year. Research suggests individuals who use substances to cope with negative mood states are typically more substance-involved, report more psychological distress, and have a more extensive treatment history. Additionally, the high rate of polysubstance use among substance using adults in the U.S. highlights the need for broadband measures that can adequately capture use, consequences, and motivations for use of multiple substances. However, most measures assessing motives for use are typically substance specific. Recently, Biolcati and Passini (2019) developed a brief, but comprehensive model of broad substance use motives (i.e., Substance Use Motives Measure, SUMM) based on well-established motives questionnaires (e.g., DMQ-R, MMQ). They found support for their proposed eight-factor model in an online sample of Italian citizens (ages 18-60). No studies to date have examined the psychometric properties of the SUMM with an English-speaking or US college student sample. The current study evaluates the factor structure of the SUMM in a sample of 143 college students (74.8% female, 77.6% White, and 94.4% non-Hispanic/Latinx) at a large, southeastern university in the United States. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis showed support for the previously identified eight-factor structure for the SUMM, with acceptable model fit and internal consistency of each factor found. Findings support using the SUMM as a broad measure of substance use motives, but more research is needed to assess measurement invariance across different groups and to evaluate external, concurrent, and convergent validity using other well-established measures of substance use motives, severity, and psychiatric symptomatology.

Editorial

Editorial

Mental health disorders among Thai farmers: occupational and non-occupational stressors

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify occupational and non-occupational factors that impact levels of stress, depression, and anxiety among farmers located in the northern part of Thailand, including the potential psychological impacts of pesticide use. The participants (N = 270) were interviewed with a survey adopted and modified from peer-reviewed articles and questionnaires. The survey consists of four parts, including demographic information and pesticide exposure; perceived farm stressors employing Farm Stressor Survey (FSS); mental health disorder utilizing Srithanya Stress Scale (ST5), Nine-Questions Depression- Rating Scale (9Q), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS21); in addition to COVID-related stress utilizing COVID Stress Scale (CSS). The participants were categorized into two groups i.e., Spray and No Spray based on their self-reported occupational use of pesticide spraying within the past year. No significant associations were observed between occupational pesticide exposures and mental health disorder scores. Being female, having a second job besides a farmer, having applied pesticides for greater than 20 years, and having a higher farm stressor perception showed a significant positive association with self-reported mental health disorders; while having a good agricultural practice and PPE use showed a significant negative association with those outcomes. This pilot study scrutinized expanded sources of stress in farm work and provided information for the development of more effective mental disorder intervention programs for Thai farmers.

Stress and alcohol-related coping mechanisms linking lifetime suicide ideation and attempt to multidimensional quality of life

BackgroundSuicide ideation and attempt are linked to adverse mental health outcomes, but few studies have examined their associations with quality of life (QoL). This study examined the impact of lifetime history of suicidal ideation and attempt on four QoL domains via perceived stress and problematic drinking. MethodsParticipants were drawn from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Natural History Protocol (N = 1055), including those with no history of suicidality (78.6 %), suicidal ideation only (15.3 %), and a history of suicide attempt (6.2 %). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to test perceived stress and drinking as mediational pathways to multidimensional QoL. ResultsIndividuals with a history of suicide ideation and/or attempt reported higher perceived stress in the past month, more problematic drinking in the past year, and lower QoL domains in the past two weeks. SEM showed significant mediation effects through dimensions of perceived stress (helplessness, lack of self-efficacy) and alcohol problems. When these mediators were considered simultaneously, the mediation effects through alcohol problems were attenuated, while several direct effects of suicidality on physical, psychological, and social QoL were weakened but remained significant. LimitationsCross-sectional data with retrospective report of suicidality history. ConclusionsA lifetime history of suicidality was associated with lower multidimensional QoL. These associations were partially explained by stress and alcohol-related coping mechanisms such as feeling helpless or inadequate when encountering stressors and problematic drinking. Perceived stress and drinking to cope may be important intervention targets to improve QoL among those with a history of suicidality.

Experiences of stigma and subsequent reduced access to health care among women who inject drugs.

Research into stigma and injecting drug use has typically involved predominantly male participants, with limited research about the unique experience of women who inject drugs. This study used survey methods to assess reduced access to health care due to stigma among a sample of women who inject drugs. Women (n = 232) completed a survey as part of a broader national study of people who inject drugs. Only 46 (19.9%) women reported that they had not experienced any injecting drug use-related stigma in the past year and most commonly noted 'sometimes' experiencing injecting-related stigma (36.8%) with more than 75% of women reporting that health workers had treated them negatively because of their injecting drug use. Most women undertook strategies to prevent experiencing stigma, such as not disclosing drug use to a health worker (81.3%), not attending follow-up appointments (76.7%) and delaying accessing health care (76.8%). Women with lower levels of personal wellbeing, who had experienced poorer treatment by health workers, had engaged in greater past month injecting, were employed and identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) reported more reduced access to health care. Stigma has concerning health care implications for women who inject drugs and this research highlights the importance of understanding the impact of stigma in impeding health care access. Public health interventions should focus on addressing the systemic factors that reduce health care access for women who inject and take account of the impact of stigma in diminishing the quality and accessibility of health care for this group.

Transgender Women Experiencing Homelessness - National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women, Seven Urban Areas, United States, 2019-2020.

Transgender women experience high prevalence of homelessness, which can affect their likelihood of acquiring HIV infection and can lead to poor medical outcomes. CDC analyzed data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women to identify whether personal characteristics and social factors affecting transgender women were associated with duration of homelessness during the past 12 months. Longer duration and chronic homelessness might indicate greater unmet needs, which increases their likelihood for acquiring HIV infection. Ordinal logistic regression was conducted to calculate adjusted prevalence odds ratios and 95% CIs for transgender women from seven urban areas in the United States experiencing homelessness 30-365 nights, 1-29 nights, and zero nights during the past 12 months. Among 1,566 transgender women, 9% reported 1-29 nights homeless and 31% reported 30-365 nights homeless during the past 12 months. Among participants who reported physical intimate partner violence or forced sex, 50% and 47%, respectively, reported experiencing 30-365 nights homeless. Furthermore, 55% who had been evicted or denied housing because of their gender identity and 58% who had been incarcerated during the past year experienced 30-365 nights homeless. The odds of transgender women experiencing longer duration of homelessness was associated with being younger and having a disability; higher psychological distress scores were associated with longer duration of homelessness. Analysis of social determinants of health found transgender women experiencing longer homelessness to be less educated, living below the Federal poverty level, and having lower social support. Therefore, focusing on HIV prevention and interventions addressing housing instability to reduce the duration of homelessness among transgender women is important. Further, integrating housing services with behavioral health services and clinical care, specifically designed for transgender women, could reduce HIV acquisition risk and improve HIV infection outcomes.

P1006 Assessing sexual health care needs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Background Optimal care of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should encompass both physical and mental health. Sexual health is often overlooked, despite contributing significantly to patient quality of life. This study aims to further characterise the impacts of IBD on sexual health using an IBD specific scale and assess patient interest in accessing relevant expertise. Methods An electronic survey was emailed to patients with IBD at a tertiary public hospital using REDCap. Assessment of disease severity was based on clinical disease indices: Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) for patients with Crohn’s disease (CD); and the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The survey also contains de-identified demographic data, basic information about the participant’s IBD and questions derived from both the validated IBD-Specific Female Sexual Dysfunction and IBD-Male Sexual Dysfunction Scales. Comparisons of patient responses from those with clinically active versus inactive disease were made using Fisher’s exact test. Analysis was exploratory and no correction for multiple comparisons was made. Results A total of 101 participants took the survey, including 53 females and 48 males which comprised of 38 patients with UC, 57 with CD, three with indeterminate colitis (and three unsure of diagnosis). Age ranged from 18 to 81 years old with a median of 38; 90% of patients had a disease duration of at least 2 years. Patients with CD recorded a median HBI of five (interquartile range three to nine). Patients with UC recorded a median SCCAI of two (interquartile range one to four). Patients with clinically active CD trended toward more significant sexual dysfunction than those in remission across all domains in the sexual dysfunction scale. Patients with active CD were more likely to report that their disease had prevented engagement in sexual activity in the past year (p=0.04) and more likely to be afraid to participate in sexual activity (p=0.01) compared to those in remission. Patients with active UC were more likely to report that pelvic pain affected sexual activity (p=0.03) compared to those in remission. Regarding seeking additional support, 47% of all patients expressed interest in gaining assistance though only 20% have attempted to seek this advice. 36% of participants would wish to be contacted by their treating team if a sexual health service became available at their hospital. Conclusion Patients with more active IBD were more likely to report that their illness negatively impacts their sexual health. 74% of participants reported interest in accessing expert advice regarding sexual health, highlighting the need for services specifically addressing sexual health for IBD patients.

Applicability of Online Chat-Based Artificial Intelligence Models to Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Over the past year, studies have shown potential in the applicability of ChatGPT in various medical specialties including cardiology and oncology. However, the application of ChatGPT and other online chat-based AI models to patient education and patient-physician communication on colorectal cancer screening has not been critically evaluated which is what we aimed to do in this study. We posed 15 questions on important colorectal cancer screening concepts and 5 common questions asked by patients to the 3 most commonly used freely available artificial intelligence (AI) models. The responses provided by the AI models were graded for appropriateness and reliability using American College of Gastroenterology guidelines. The responses to each question provided by an AI model were graded as reliably appropriate (RA), reliably inappropriate (RI) and unreliable. Grader assessments were validated by the joint probability of agreement for two raters. ChatGPT and YouChat™ provided RA responses to the questions posed more often than BingChat. There were two questions that > 1 AI model provided unreliable responses to. ChatGPT did not provide references. BingChat misinterpreted some of the information it referenced. The age of CRC screening provided by YouChat™ was not consistently up-to-date. Inter-rater reliability for 2 raters was 89.2%. Most responses provided by AI models on CRC screening were appropriate. Some limitations exist in their ability to correctly interpret medical literature and provide updated information in answering queries. Patients should consult their physicians for context on the recommendations made by these AI models.

Levels, distribution, sources and human exposure pathways of alkylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylates in indoor dust in Turkiye

Environmental phenolic chemicals, due to their widespread occurrence and potent estrogenic properties, pose a risk to human exposure. The phenolic organic contaminants alkylphenols (APs) and alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEs) are used in various household applications, and they may enter to the environment during production and use, potentially appearing in indoor dust. However, little is known about the levels of environmental phenolics in indoor environments. In this study, five of these compounds namely octylphenol (OP), 4-Octylphenol Monoethoxylate (4-OPME), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) and nonylphenol diethoxylate (di-NPE) were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in household dust samples (n = 148) collected from Ankara, the capital of Turkiye. OP and 4-OPME was not present in any of the analyzed samples. The median concentrations of the 148 settling dust samples were 35, 520, and 1910 ng g−1 dust for 4-t-OP, 4-n-NP, and di-NPE, respectively. An assessment of the human (children and adults) exposure pathway to APs and APEs, which are recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in residential dust, revealed that it was approximately 3 times higher for children than for adults at both moderate and heavy exposure levels. The association between chemical exposure, house characteristics, and family lifestyle was investigated using a multivariate logistic regression model. According to the results of this model, while the high concentrations measured for 4-t-OP were not found to be associated with any of the household parameters, high levels of 4-n-NP and di-NPE were associated with the frequency of house cleaning, repairs made during the previous year, residential type, the number of occupants, flooring materials, and the purchase of new household items within the past year. This study provides a basis for prioritizing toxicology and exposure studies for EDCs and mixtures and may offer new tools for exposure assessment in health studies.