The effect of lavender herbal tea on the mental health of individuals with misophonia: A randomized controlled trial.

Structured health education to improve nurses' newborn hearing screening competencies: A quasi-experimental study.

ABSTRACT Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, and discrimination, yet remain underrepresented in psychedelic research. This prospective, naturalistic study explored the impact of an ayahuasca retreat experience on mental health, quality of life, and spiritual well-being among SGM participants. Participants attended a seven-day ayahuasca retreat and completed assessments across six time points from 2–4 weeks pre-ceremony to 2–3 months post-ceremony. Findings revealed significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores, alongside increases in spiritual well-being and quality of life, particularly within the first month following the retreat. Participants consistently described the experience as highly meaningful and spiritually significant, with many identifying the ceremony as among the most meaningful of their lives. Benefits were further supported by reports of positive behavioral changes, including improved interpersonal relationships and reduced substance use. Adverse effects were minimal and transient. Importantly, this study addresses the historical gap in the literature and highlights the need to reconceptualize psychedelic spaces as inclusive and reparative for queer communities. Given the historical misuse of psychedelics in conversion therapy, these findings mark a critical step in reclaiming psychedelics for SGM healing, empowerment, and identity affirmation.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of glepaglutide in patients who have short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF). At the end of the trial, exit interviews were conducted to explore participants' experiences and to assess the impact of the disease and treatment during the trial. Thirty patients from four countries were interviewed over the phone. Data were collected using a semistructured interview manual, and interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis. Patients reported that SBS-IF negatively impacted their lives before the trial, causing loss of freedom, disrupted sleep, limited physical activity, and pain. During the interviews, patients reported that the treatment improved their well-being across multiple domains. Seventy-three percent of the patients receiving glepaglutide (n = 16/22) reported positive changes in health-related quality of life compared with 25% receiving placebo (n = 2/8). Twenty-six patients reported experiencing a reduction in parenteral support (PS) volume. Of these, 21 patients (18 glepaglutide, three placebo) reported a change in overall status, with 94% receiving glepaglutide (n = 17/18) and 67% (n = 2/3) receiving the placebo finding this change meaningful. Although descriptive, these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small number of patients. During exit interviews, patients receiving glepaglutide reported improvements in well-being across multiple domains, noting meaningful reductions in PS volume and a reduced impact of SBS-IF on daily life, which was proportionally greater than in those receiving placebo. These findings underscore the patient-reported positive experiences of glepaglutide and its beneficial effects.

There has been huge positive changes in smart infrastructure management due to the creation of systems that perform real time environmental tracking, and process cyber-physical data. These changes are apparent due to the combination of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) with Internet of Things (IoT). Large WSN deployments face obstacles in scheduling, due to restricted energy supplies and operational environments being too hostile or inaccessible. Genetic Algorithms like Simulated Annealing and Artificial Bee Colony tends to perform in suboptimal standards as these algorithms fail to adapt well to environments that have energy depletion along with changing topologies. Hence, a new method for WSN scheduling known as RL-HAPSO, that utilizes Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms along with the adaptive capability of Q-learning Reinforcement Learning has been addressed in this paper. An energy-efficient node selection by ACO operates during the first phase, followed by PSO optimization, which improves coverage and minimizes redundancy before execution of real-time reinforcement learning algorithm that selects activation schedules based on network states. The model runs multiple simulations, and does performance validation by assessing its execution time and convergence cost along with energy utilization, which is compared to each algorithm independently and the also the hybrid model without RL implementation. Results indicate execution in microseconds interval by each algorithm, yet RL-HAPSO stands out, as it achieves better optimization costs through enhanced fault tolerance, coverage and minimal energy usage. During performance alterations the system automatically adjusts its operations leading to consistent robust behaviour, even in case of node failure and environmental variations. The obtained results indicate that this proposed methodology functions as a viable approach for future-generation IoT applications that support resource-aware and smart WSN scheduling.

Anxiety is characterized by hypervigilance, distractibility and selective processing of negative information. There is growing evidence that prefrontal function underlies biases in threat processing and attention control in anxiety. We examined the effect of 20 min of 2 mA dorsolateral prefrontal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (bipolar-balanced montage) on subjective anxiety, autonomic arousal and threat processing in the 7.5% CO2 experimental medicine model of anxiety. A between-subjects healthy volunteer double-blind randomized design compared 2 mA tDCS stimulation of the PFC versus sham tDCS on subjective anxiety, autonomic arousal and antisaccade performance during 7.5% CO2 challenge. tDCS did not moderate subjective and autonomic response to CO2 challenge. tDCS reduced erroneous eye movements toward threat images relative to neutral images. Twenty minutes of active 2 mA tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may reduce threat processing biases during experimentally induced anxiety and could help target early positive changes in emotion processing.

ABSTRACT Climate change is an existential threat, and it is often difficult to translate the urgency and immediacy of climate catastrophes into common parlance. One way to effectively engage the public in climate change conversations is through effective communication practices, such as persuasive communication. Persuasive communication uses tailored messages to elicit desirable behavioural outcomes in the audience and has great potential to promote positive attitudinal and behavioural changes in the target audience. However, while persuasive communication has potential, recurring evidence suggests that using fear appeals in climate change communication can create unintentional mental health challenges for the audience. In light of the scale and scope of climate crises, positive, personal, and people‐centred persuasive communications may be more suitable for long‐term and sustainable deployment. However, there is a shortage of research in the literature. Bridging this research gap, this paper aims to explore how fear‐based climate communications impact public mental health and how alternative positive messaging frameworks can serve as sustainable interventions. This study seeks to enhance public mental health and cultivate a sense of engagement and responsibility among individuals, thereby facilitating collective action and influencing policymakers to implement more constructive climate‐response strategies. Ultimately, we aspire to offer inclusive and sustainable solutions that empower the public to actively participate in protecting our shared environment while mitigating climate change.

The paper discusses how an English Medium Instruction (EMI) environment, which is based on a Content-Based Instruction (CBI) approach, affects the learning outcomes of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students in Arab world universities. The study adopted a quasi-experimental mixed methods design, comparing the acquisition of listening comprehension skills, motivation, and attitudes towards learning among 125 students from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The findings revealed that the combined EMI/CBI strategy resulted in a significant improvement in the listening skills of all participant groups, with performance levels varying depending on the national environment. Additionally, the intervention led to significant positive changes in student motivation and attitudes, with the most notable attitude shifts observed among cohorts in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The results emphasize the importance of teaching language and content simultaneously in ESP classrooms and highlight the substantial impact of local socio-educational factors on teaching effectiveness. This study provides evidence-based recommendations for educators and policymakers by presenting a model that supports the successful implementation of immersive, content-based language pedagogy tailored to the diverse educational contexts within the Arab region.

Understanding the dynamics of oil price volatility is a growing concern for oil-importing economies like India. Literature has examined the relationship between oil price shocks and economic growth with linear and symmetric assumptions. These assumptions mask the real effects on economic indicators with structural rigidity. This study examines whether oil price shocks cause asymmetric effects on inflation in India, and if so, how these effects differ in the short and long run. The study employed the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag model using monthly data from April 1997 to March 2025 of Brent Crude oil and the Wholesale Price Index of India. The results confirm long-run asymmetry, and positive oil price changes have a stronger and persistent effect on inflation. There is no significant short-run asymmetry observed. The error correction term indicates that 42% of long-run disequilibrium is adjusted within a month. Diagnostics and robustness tests confirmed model stability and prediction accuracy, and the result is not influenced by any structural break shocks. The results emphasize the need for an inflation-forecasting model to integrate the asymmetric transmission and to adjust its trading strategies and the fiscal policy.

BackgroundIn the structure of military traumatism, the number of multiple and combined wounds and injuries has increased significantly due to the increase in the destructive properties of modern weapons. Most blast wounds are characterized by multiple damage to blood vessels and nerve fibers and significant defragmentation of muscles and skin. All such wounds are considered initially infected, which is an additional aggravating factor. The establishment of a correct rehabilitation diagnosis and subsequent stage-by-stage assessment of the results of rehabilitation therapy should be based on adequate functional assessment tools. The FIM is one such tool that had not been previously recommended for use in any Ukrainian guideline.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using the Functional Independence Measure as an additional tool for assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation of military personnel in Ukraine with combined injuries over a long period of time.Material and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted of 807 wounded Ukrainian servicemen with complex injuries of varying severity. Examination included a meticulous analysis of medical records, a comprehensive physical examination, and a survey using the FIM scale. Due to the nature of the injuries, the servicemen were provided with standard rehabilitation programs.ResultsAll patients were classified as lightly injured and moderately injured according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale. The examined wounded had an initial assessment of more than 6 points on the FIM scale. Initial data in the assessment of functioning on the FIM scale allowed the identification of two different subgroups of patients: one with a predominance of motor function impairment, and the other, predominant cognitive impairment. Reliable positive changes of the total FIM indicator were observed in all patient groups. The primary improvement in the groups with traumatic brain injury (TBI) was attributed to enhancements in cognitive abilities. Patients with the lowest initial motor abilities (combined upper and lower extremity trauma group) demonstrated the highest increase in this area.ConclusionsInclusion of the FIM scale in the recommended toolkit for assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation will allow for additional objectification of rehabilitation care and the formulation of individual recommendations for achieving the best rehabilitation results.

(1) Background: Nutrition research in cancer care has largely focused on disease prevention and management, overlooking the importance of food literacy. Culinary cancer care programs may address this gap by facilitating the practical application of nutrition through culinary skills, fostering social connections over nutrient-dense meals, and supporting individuals during periods of physical and social vulnerability. The Not-Just-Supper Club (NJSC) at Gilda's Club Toronto (GT) is a community-based culinary cancer care program delivering evidence-based, plant-forward meals. The objectives of this study were to examine how NJSC supports its members and to provide recommendations to inform future models of culinary cancer care programs. (2) Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. Participants completed a modified food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) assessing major protein food groups since joining NJSC. Semi-structured interviews explored perceived dietary changes, food literacy, and social engagement. Associations between duration of participation and protein food intake were examined using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. Interview field notes and transcripts were coded in NVivo 12 and thematically analyzed. (3) Results: Among 41 participants, 36 (88%) were female and 17 (41%) were of White ethnicity. A total of 38 (93%) participants reported that NJSC had a positive impact on their lives, and 27 (66%) reported positive changes in eating habits. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, longer participation in NJSC was associated with higher nut consumption (β = 0.49 servings/day per year; 95% CI, 0.02-0.96). Interviews were completed by 40 participants. Seven themes described program support across psychosocial domains (social network; social support; emotional support and mental health; impact on health) and practical nutritional domains (improved food literacy and skills; food decisions; inclusion of plant-based foods). Participants described applying program knowledge at home and perceived improvements in well-being and cancer-related symptoms. (4) Conclusions: NJSC was perceived by members as beneficial across psychosocial and nutritional domains and supported food literacy and plant-forward dietary choices. These findings contribute to our understanding of how culinary cancer care programs can complement existing cancer support services and provide insights for designing future programs for cancer survivors and their support networks.

Promoting Healthy Eating Culture through Facebook: Social Media Strategies for Encouraging Positive Changes in Individual Dietary Habits

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is indicated for those with intestinal failure and is often administered via a central line, carrying risk of central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). There is limited evidence regarding the use of an online training package for staff training in the administration of PN. Evaluate the effectiveness of an online staff training package for PN administration measured by staff feedback and incidence of CLABSI. An online training package was developed using Moodle Workplace. Participants completed a tutorial, an instructional video demonstrating Standard Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (Standard-ANTT®) and an assessment. Feedback was collected anonymously via the Moodle programme and analysed using thematic analysis. CLABSI data were collected during 1/4/2024-31/3/2025. Approval was obtained via the organisation's clinical governance process. Of 192 staff, 31% (n = 60) provided feedback; 75% reported high levels of knowledge improvement. Thematic analysis highlighted strengths of the package, including a clear instructional video and clinical relevance. Participants reported planned changes in practice, including improved hand hygiene, strict adherence to the principles of Standard-ANTT and greater confidence in PN administration. CLABSI rates reduced to 0.8/1000 catheter days compared to 1.6/1000days in the year prior to the online training packaged. The online staff training package for PN was well received with staff finding it engaging, informative and practical. Course completion led to intended positive behaviour changes in clinical practice reported by participants, particularly regarding infection prevention and Standard-ANTT compliance.

Young women remain disproportionately vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, partly due to gaps in access to structure and evidence-based sexual health education. Although comprehensive sexual health education is widely advocated, evidence regarding its effectiveness in improving sexually transmitted infection prevention and sexual health knowledge among young women in low- and middle-income settings remains limited. To evaluate the impact of health education on knowledge and sexually transmitted infections prevention in young married women. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 160 young married women aged 18-25years attending a primary healthcare center, Port Said City, Egypt. Participants received a structured sexual health education program focusing on safe sexual practices, contraception, and sexually transmitted infection prevention. Sexual health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and infection-related outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention using validated assessment tools. Following the educational intervention, participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in sexual health-related knowledge and attitudes. Positive changes were also observed in reported health practices, including a reduction in risk-related behaviors and an increase in preventive practices after the intervention (p<0.001). Additionally, overall sexual health outcome scores showed a significant improvement, indicating the effectiveness of the educational program. Comprehensive sexual health education contributes to improved knowledge related to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and supports the adoption of healthier personal health practices among young women. These findings underscore the value of structured educational interventions as an important public health nursing strategy for promoting reproductive health and preventing infection. It is recommended that structured reproductive and sexual health education be integrated into community-based and educational health programs, with ongoing evaluation to ensure responsiveness to young women's sexual and reproductive health needs.

In the current context of digital transformation of public administration, foreign economic activity is taking on new features related not only to technological changes but also to the need for proper legal regulation. Foreign economic activity is one of the most dynamic areas of interaction between business and the state, and customs administration is a key institution through which the rights and obligations of its participants are implemented. The transition to electronic document management, automated solutions and digital platforms is significantly changing the mechanisms of interaction between foreign economic activity entities and customs authorities. The digitisation of customs procedures creates numerous advantages for business: faster customs clearance, reduced costs, minimised corruption risks, and increased transparency of decisions. The modern electronic systems used in Ukraine are designed to ensure the continuity of procedures, the accessibility of services, and the formalisation of relationships in the digital environment. However, along with these positive changes, new legal challenges arise related to the technical vulnerability of IT systems, limited transparency of automated decision-making algorithms, problems with appealing decisions that are not expressed in paper form, and risks of unequal access to digital tools by different market participants. An additional complication arises when innovative approaches to regulation significantly outpace changes in the regulatory framework. As a result, electronic formats do not always have adequate legal support, which creates legal uncertainty on key issues: the scope of rights of entities in the digital environment, the limits of state responsibility in the event of technical failures, and the possibility of effective protection of interests when automated risk management systems are in operation. Digitalisation is significantly transforming the legal conditions for conducting foreign economic activity. It opens up new opportunities, but at the same time requires a profound rethinking of traditional mechanisms for protecting the rights of foreign economic entities, adapting legal instruments to the conditions of electronic interaction, and increasing the resilience of customs control systems in the digital environment.

Purpose: This study aims to explore youth empowerment strategies through a zero-waste movement based on waste bank management, highlighting the role of young people as agents of change in building sustainable urban environment. Methodology: This activity employed the Participatory Action Research method through dialogue, discussion, and hands-on practice in waste management. Fifteen participants, members of the youth organization in Bukit Duri, Jakarta Selatan, actively participated in this activity. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation. The data were then analyzed through data collection, categorization, display, and conclusions. Findings: This community service activity was implemented through the socialization of environmental issues, involving Karang Taruna (youth organization) in the zero-waste movement, and creative practices in waste recycling. The activity also demonstrated that key empowerment strategies contributed to positive behavioral changes regarding sustainable waste management practices. Conclusions: The findings indicate that empowering youth through continuous training, collaboration with waste banks, and participatory practices can strengthen their role as agents of change in promoting zero-waste lifestyles. This approach fosters long-term sustainability and supports the creation of environmentally conscious community. Limitations: This study was limited to a specific urban area and youth group, which may affect the generalizability of the findings to broader populations or rural contexts. Contributions: This study provides insights into effective community-based youth empowerment models in the environmental sector. This study offers practical strategies to enhance youth participation in waste management.

We assessed the environmental design elements of workplace violence (WPV) prevention in emergency department (ED) settings using a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) framework. We identified opportunities for improvement in the design of future ED settings. A case-study design was used to conduct environmental walk-through assessments across 7 EDs. Security plans and committees lacked ED representation. Positive environmental design elements included good interior lighting and the use of closed-circuit television cameras. Opportunities for improvement included separating parking structures for employees from patients/visitors, locking all access points into treatment areas, frequent security patrols, and security response to all panic button activations. EDs require enhanced security and safety measures. The CPTED framework offers a promising approach to preventing WPV. Adopting positive environmental changes can mitigate the risk of WPV.

Yeast enzyme hydrolysis slurry (YS) has the potential to optimize feed utilization efficiency and improve the health of farmed animals, as it contains abundant bioactive components like small-molecule peptides and amino acids. However, its function and application effects in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are unclear. Three hundred and twenty largemouth bass (8.20 ± 0.05g) were randomly divided into four groups (4 replicates of 20 fish). Four isonitrogenous (52%) and isolipidic (10%) diets were formulated: FM group (positive control), SBM group (soybean meal replaced 30% of fish meal protein, negative control), and the SBM group supplemented with 1% YS (SBM + 1% YS) and 2% YS (SBM + 2% YS), respectively. After a 56-day feeding period, the fish were assessed for growth, intestinal health, and metabolic regulation-related indices. Our study found that weight gain rate (P = 0.032) and specific growth rate (P = 0.030) in the SBM + 1% YS and SBM + 2% YS groups were significantly higher than those in the SBM group. Relative to the SBM group, YS-supplemented groups exhibited marked elevations in intestinal folds, goblet cell numbers, serum acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, as well as the activities of key digestive enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, pepsin, chymotrypsin), accompanied by downregulated mRNA expression of anorexigenic genes cholecystokinin and leptin. Meanwhile, these groups showed significantly lower serum D-lactate, diamine oxidase, lipopolysaccharide levels and malondialdehyde content. The abundance of beneficial genus Cetobacterium increased while the abundance of pathogenic genus Edwardsiella (P = 0.0265) significantly reduced in SBM + 1% YS and SBM comparison groups. Metabolomics analysis revealed that protein digestion and absorption (P = 0.0041), and amino acid metabolism pathways (P = 0.0052) were significantly enriched in the comparison between SBM + 1%YS and SBM groups. Correlation analysis further indicated that differential metabolites such as arginine and methionine exhibite a strong negative association with Edwardsiella. Yeast enzyme hydrolysis slurry in soybean meal-based diets with partial fishmeal replacement enhanced the antioxidant capacity, reduced intestinal permeability, altered the abundances of intestinal microbiota and associated core metabolites. These positive changes collectively contributed to improved growth performance in largemouth bass.

Administrative and structural management problems reduce the effectiveness of health policies and systems. In Togo, investments and resource mobilization of various kinds do not alleviate the difficulties faced by populations accessing health services. Despite some progress, many challenges, including the management of health facilities, remain to be addressed to improve the performance of the health sector. In the quest for better strategies to improve the health of populations, the Togolese government experimented with the contractualization of public health facilities. A few years after its launch, questions remain as to whether the implementation of this approach has brought about positive changes. Based on field data analysed using rationalisation theory, this study helps to understand that contracted public health facilities streamline their administrative and financial management and facilitate access to health care.

The health of the pelvic floor depends on the integrity of its muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, and their innervation. The female pelvic floor may be more vulnerable to repetitive heavy loads in a military environment than the male pelvic floor because of anatomical and physiological differences. The study aim was to identify and explore possible differences in the female pelvic floor conditions between active military and civilian women with similar demographics.To identify and explore possible differences in the conditions of the female pelvic floor between active military women and civilian women with similar demographics. Military active and civilian women aged 18-39 years, with no history of pelvic floor surgery and not currently undergoing treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction, were invited to participate in the study under the appropriate regulatory approvals. The following data were acquired for enrolled subjects: age, weight, height, parity, and level of physical exercise. Additionally, urogynecological complaints (prolapse, incontinence, pelvic pain, vaginal tissue atrophy), the subjective questionnaire for the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20, 52 biomechanical parameters with the Vaginal Tactile Imager (VTI), and the Biomechanical Integrity score (BI-score) with its five components were collected to objectively quantify tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and functions. Seventy-three women were enrolled in a civilian group and 100 in a military group. Both groups had similar demographic data. The physical load in the civilian group was significantly lower than in the military group, which included high-intensity training, boot camp, powerlifting, CrossFit, and others. At least one urogynecological disorder was found in 17.8% of the women in the civilian group and 42.0% of the women in the military group. Among them, pelvic organ prolapse was found in 4.1% versus 37.0%; incontinence in 13.7% versus 20.0%; and pelvic pain in 4.1% versus 5.0%. The average pelvic index was 24.7 in the civilian group and 50.0 in the military group (P = 9.3 × 10-5). Further, 23 of 52 biomechanical parameters demonstrated a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between the groups. Among these 23 parameters, 10 VTI parameters showed negative changes for vaginal tissue elasticity, nine parameters showed negative changes in pelvic support strength, and four parameters showed positive changes in pelvic functions in the military versus civilian group (muscle contractive strength and mobility). In terms of the BI-score components (measured in units of standard deviation from normal conditions), the values were 0.28 and -0.42 for tissue elasticity (P = 1.1 × 10-6), 0.19 and -0.41 for pelvic support (P = 3.0 × 10-6), -0.20 and -0.21 for pelvic muscle contraction (P = .42), 0.05 and -0.15 for muscle relaxation (P = .25), and -0.19 and 0.14 for muscle mobility (P = .013). The BI-score was worse in the military group, with an average value of -0.38, compared to the civilian group, which had an average value of 0.03 (P = .015). Collected data suggest a negative association between high-intensity physical training, common in the military, and urogynecological health, compared to that of the civilian cohort with the same demographic. Biomechanical markers have been identified that can objectively detect deterioration of the pelvic floor compared to normal conditions. Women's health in the military requires significant attention and advanced quantitative diagnostic techniques.