Recent Changes Research Articles

Changing patterns of cigarette and ENDS transitions in the USA: a multistate transition analysis of youth and adults in the PATH Study in 2015–2017 vs 2017–2019

IntroductionIt is unknown how recent changes in the tobacco product marketplace have impacted transitions in cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use.MethodsA multistate transition model was applied to 24...

On the impacts of higher tobacco taxes in Argentina: a computable general equilibrium approach

ObjectivesWe analyse the employment effects of increasing tobacco taxation in Argentina by building a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model.MethodsIn line with recent changes in tobacco taxation in the country, the...

How to use the regulatory data from Health Canada for secondary analyses on new drugs, biologics and vaccines

Incorporating clinical data held by national health product regulatory authorities into secondary analyses such as systematic reviews can help combat publication bias and selective outcome reporting, in turn, supporting more...

A digital health intervention to support patients with chronic pain during prescription opioid tapering: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Recent changes in opioid prescribing guidelines have led to an increasing number of patients with chronic pain being recommended to taper. However, opioid tapering can be challenging, and many patients require support. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a codesigned digital health intervention to support patients with chronic pain during voluntary prescription opioid tapering. In a pilot randomised controlled trial, participants received a psychoeducational video and 28 days of text messages (2 SMS/day) in addition to their usual care (intervention) or usual care alone (control). The feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the intervention were evaluated. The primary outcome was opioid tapering self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes were pain intensity and interference, anxiety and depression symptom severity, pain catastrophising, and pain self-efficacy. Of 28 randomised participants, 26 completed the study (13 per group). Text message delivery was high (99.2%), but fidelity of video delivery was low (57.1%). Most participants rated the messages as useful, supportive, encouraging, and engaging; 78.5% would recommend the intervention to others; and 64.2% desired a longer intervention period. Tapering self-efficacy (Cohen d = 0.74) and pain self-efficacy (d = 0.41) were higher, and pain intensity (d = 0.65) and affective interference (d = 0.45) were lower in the intervention group at week 4. First evidence supports the feasibility, acceptability, and potentially efficacy of a psychoeducational video and SMS text messaging intervention to support patients with chronic pain during voluntary prescription opioid tapering. Definitive trials with longer intervention duration are warranted.

A Snapshot of Sport Management Courses in Australia

To prepare sport management students, curricula should align with industry. Given recent changes in sport management, the first step in aligning curricula with industry is to review current curricula. This study reviewed Australian sport management curricula using content analysis of the Common Professional Components based on the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation. From 39 universities, 11 (28%) undergraduate sport management programs were identified. The most common required sport management course was management concepts, followed by sport marketing and finance, budgeting, accounting, and economics. Public relations and ethical aspects were the least common required courses. Technology and sport sales were not offered. Results indicate that the current curricula may not be keeping pace with the sport management industry.

Nuclear moments: recent developments

The author has for many years kept a watching brief on the experimental study of nuclear electro-magnetic moments. Accurate values of nuclear magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments are a major product and the life blood of hyperfine interaction studies and their manifold applications. This paper outlines recent changes in the type of moment measurements being undertaken and the effect of modern complex electronic configuration computation on the extracted moment values.

Scratching beneath the surface: An evaluation of the management of scabies 2017-2023.

Possible resistance to recommended treatments for scabies has emerged recently. In response to anecdotal reports of a recent increase in treatment failure with permethrin, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) released a statement alerting members to this. To examine attendances and the treatment pathways for scabies cases seen at local sexual health clinics. A case note review of scabies attendances between January 2017 and December 2023 was conducted. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical information, and scabies treatment histories. Statistical analysis was performed. 143 patients attended with scabies. The number of scabies cases did not appear to increase significantly from 2017 to 2023 (p = .09). There was significant increase in median number of treatments per case per year over time (p = .013). The number of individuals needing second-line treatments increased significantly over time (p-trend < 0.001). Individuals with scabies are requiring more treatments to clear infection. Use of ivermectin has risen in the last year suggesting that second-line treatment is increasingly needed for eradication. Whilst treatment failure may be due to non-compliance with treatment and decontamination efforts for both index and contacts, the more recent change in findings could be attributed to a fall in permethrin efficacy.

Pain Management in Surgical Treatment of Facial Fractures: Alternative Approaches to Opioid Use

Study Design Literature review. Objective This review aims to explore current opioid use trends for surgical management of facial fractures, as well as methods and alternative treatments to decrease opioid use. Methods Review of selected literature from Medline and Google Scholar. Results Despite the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic and recent policy changes aimed at reducing unnecessary opioid prescription, opioids remain commonly used for pain management after facial fracture repair. Recently, use of multimodal analgesic therapy has been suggested to decrease opioid dosage utilized for post-operative pain control. Alternatives to medication therapies have been proposed for pain management; however, standardized recommendations for pain management in facial fracture patients remain unclear. Conclusions Further research is required to establish evidence-based recommendations for pain management in craniofacial fracture repair.

Recent Changes in Hungarian Criminal Legislation to Address Irregular Migration

The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in international migration, with Europe experiencing a significant influx of individuals from developing countries, especially the Near-East. This phenomenon has led to a spike in irregular migration into the European Union, reaching peak levels in the past four years, profoundly affecting both the EU and its individual member states. Hungary, facing a considerable influx of migrants in 2015, took a decisive political step by adopting specific criminal measures aimed at mitigating this irregular migration. This move resulted in notable modifications to the Hungarian legal framework, especially concerning criminal law and procedures. The Hungarian Criminal Code was expanded to include three novel offenses: the destruction of the border fence, illegal crossing of the border fence, and interference with the construction of the border fence. Furthermore, the general part of the Criminal Code underwent revisions to thoroughly address the issue of irregular migration. This study seeks to explore the adjustments made to Hungarian criminal law in response to irregular migration, focusing on the introduction of new legal definitions and examining criminal statistics from 2015 to 2017. It is important to note that the analysis is based solely on official criminal data from 2015 to 2017, as figures for 2018 were not available at the time due to ongoing consolidation by the Unified Hungarian Criminal Statistics of Investigation Authorities and Prosecution.

Recent Changes in Hungarian Criminal Legislation to Address Irregular Migration

The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in international migration, with Europe experiencing a significant influx of individuals from developing countries, especially the Near-East. This phenomenon has led to a spike in irregular migration into the European Union, reaching peak levels in the past four years, profoundly affecting both the EU and its individual member states. Hungary, facing a considerable influx of migrants in 2015, took a decisive political step by adopting specific criminal measures aimed at mitigating this irregular migration. This move resulted in notable modifications to the Hungarian legal framework, especially concerning criminal law and procedures. The Hungarian Criminal Code was expanded to include three novel offenses: the destruction of the border fence, illegal crossing of the border fence, and interference with the construction of the border fence. Furthermore, the general part of the Criminal Code underwent revisions to thoroughly address the issue of irregular migration. This study seeks to explore the adjustments made to Hungarian criminal law in response to irregular migration, focusing on the introduction of new legal definitions and examining criminal statistics from 2015 to 2017. It is important to note that the analysis is based solely on official criminal data from 2015 to 2017, as figures for 2018 were not available at the time due to ongoing consolidation by the Unified Hungarian Criminal Statistics of Investigation Authorities and Prosecution.

Pediatric Cancer Drug Development: Leveraging Insights in Cancer Biology and the Evolving Regulatory Landscape to Address Challenges and Guide Further Progress.

The discovery and development of anticancer drugs for pediatric patients have historically languished when compared to both past and recent activity in drug development for adult patients, notably the dramatic spike of targeted and immune-oncology therapies. The reasons for this difference are multifactorial. Recent changes in the regulatory landscape surrounding pediatric cancer drug development and the understanding that some pediatric cancers are driven by genetic perturbations that also drive disparate adult cancers afford new opportunities. The unique cancer-initiating events and dependencies of many pediatric cancers, however, require additional pediatric-specific strategies. Research efforts to unravel the underlying biology of pediatric cancers, innovative clinical trial designs, model-informed drug development, extrapolation from adult data, addressing the unique considerations in pediatric patients, and use of pediatric appropriate formulations, should all be considered for efficient development and dosage optimization of anticancer drugs for pediatric patients.

Preclinical Evidence Synthesis Facilitates Open Science

Evidence synthesis methodology, particularly preclinical evidence synthesis reviews, provides substantial benefits by reducing research waste, enhancing the quality of research, and providing comprehensive and objective overviews of specific fields. These reviews also allow for the contribution of citizen scientists, who represent an important facet of open science. Recent policy changes by the Biden-Harris Administration require that researchers receiving federal funding immediately make their publications and data available to the public without an embargo, highlighting the importance placed upon the open science principles of transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility. Despite this, the following assessment highlights two challenges for evidence synthesis reviews that are at odds with open science principles: (1) the lack of funding available for evidence synthesis reviews, particularly preclinical reviews, despite their demonstrated value and (2) the slow and expensive traditional publication model. I recommend allocating funding for preclinical evidence synthesis reviews as they are beneficial to both the researchers conducting the review and the field that is being reviewed. I also recommend supporting publication platforms that employ the quick release of preprints with a transparent peer review process and/or creating a federally funded and run publication platform characterized by open access and minimal publication costs.

Unraveling Skin Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Examination of Diagnosis, Treatment Strategies, and Emerging Therapeutic Avenues in Skin Cancer Management.

Cancer that begins in the skin is by far the most common kind of skin cancer found everywhere in the globe. It is further subdivided into groups, such as basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, in addition to other, less common types of skin cancer. In this article, the diagnostic aspects that need to be taken into consideration when utilizing these new guidelines, go over the essential features of cutaneous SCC, conduct an analysis of recent changes in the category of cutaneous SCC, and speak about recent advancements in the categorization of cutaneous SCC. Over the course of the past decade, photodynamic therapy has developed into a potentially effective treatment for a variety of solid tumors that may be found in people. The combination of metallic nanoparticles and phytoconstituents as a therapy for skin cancer has the potential to be more successful than each treatment used independently. In this article, the various treatment modalities for skin cancer were examined. This included excision surgery, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. These were then followed by targeted therapy or immunotherapy, in addition to surgery, radiation, or photodynamic therapy. Since excision surgery is the most typical procedure used to eradicate skin cancer, we concentrate on it in particular.

Iowa Newborn Screening Program Experience with Hemoglobinopathy Screening over the Last Two Decades and Its Increasing Global Relevance.

Hemoglobinopathies are the commonest monogenic disorder worldwide, with approximately seven percent of the world population being carriers of hemoglobinopathies. The healthcare utilization impact of thalassemia has resulted in global public health initiatives to screen for hemoglobinopathies, especially sickle cell disease (SCD). The Iowa Newborn Screening Program (INSP) has been in place for more than 50 years with a primary focus on detecting SCD. Recent changes in migration patterns have led to a global distribution of hemoglobinopathies in the western world, which has translated to an increase in the diagnosis of SCD and the incidental detection of non-sickling hemoglobinopathies within the INSP. This study documents the birth prevalence of hemoglobinopathies diagnosed in newborns through the INSP and highlights the need for newborn screening programs to evolve to meet the healthcare needs of underserved, minority populations.

Biogeochemistry of greenhouse gases in coastal upwelling systems: Processes and sensitivity to global change

Major coastal upwelling systems are among the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. They contribute disproportionately to the cycling of carbon and nutrients in the ocean and influence marine biogeochemistry beyond their productive regions. Characterized by intense microbial respiration (both aerobic and anaerobic), major coastal upwelling systems are also hotspots for the production and outgassing of potent greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2, N2O, and CH4. Quantifying and understanding these roles in the context of a changing climate is therefore a subject of great interest. Here we provide a short synthesis of the current knowledge of the contributions of major coastal upwelling systems to the cycling of GHG. Despite variations within and among different systems, low-latitude coastal upwelling systems typically act as a net carbon source to the atmosphere, while those at higher latitudes function as weak sinks or remain neutral regarding atmospheric CO2. These systems also significantly contribute to oceanic N2O and CH4 emissions, although the extent of their contribution to the latter remains poorly constrained. We also overview recent and future changes to upwelling systems in the context of a warmer climate and discuss uncertainties and implications for GHG production. Although rapid coastal warming is anticipated in all major coastal upwelling systems, the future changes in upwelling-favorable winds and their implications within the context of increased stratification are uncertain. Finally, we examine the major challenges that impede our ability to accurately predict how major coastal upwelling systems will respond to future climate change, and present recommendations for future research to better capture ongoing changes and disentangle natural and forced variability.

Bordering Democracies, Democratising Borders

Over the past 30 years, border scholars have written extensively on what borders are, where they are located, and how they operate, not just to critically understand their changing role, but also to criticise and denounce their violence and discrimination. Yet borders continue to proliferate, in particular as a response to alleged crises affecting Europe. If borders have always constituted markers of social and cultural identity, the more recent process of European re-bordering, I argue, constitutes a challenge for the democratic system as a whole. Implemented by left-wing and right-wing parties alike, this process seems indeed to have been taken away from public discourse and treated as a technical necessity to solve the crises. Far from being neutral or non-political, however, it has disclosed new forms of racial discrimination, political and economic power, and colonial violence. In order to substantiate my argument, I will 1) provide a brief examination of the recent changes in the concept and practice of democracy, as well as their interrelations with the process of European re-bordering, 2) investigate the socio-political and economic conditions under which the current process of European re-bordering has come about, with particular attention to the increasing role of media and political discourses in shaping public opinion, and 3) discuss the repercussions of the process of European re-bordering on the democratic system. The article will conclude by inviting scholars, civil society members, and any interested party to open up a more open and democratic debate around the unequal and discriminatory practices of bordering.

Risk factors for loss to follow-up after traumatic injury: An updated view of a chronic problem

BackgroundLoss to follow-up after traumatic injury occurs at rates of up to 47%. However, the most recent data are over a decade old, and recent changes in traumatic injury patterns necessitate an updated assessment of risk factors for loss to follow-up after trauma. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of trauma admissions from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 analyses, and continuous variables were analyzed using Mann–Whitney Wilcoxon tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for relevant factors identified on unadjusted analysis. ResultsAmong 3,034 patients, overall loss to follow-up was 36.9%. Non-White patients, patients who underwent operations or non-surgical procedures, and patients discharged to rehabilitation facilities were more likely to have follow-up appointments within 30 days. Patients with substance use disorder and, among White patients, those with public insurance had higher loss to follow-up rates. Having a follow-up appointment scheduled with a primary care provider was the single most significant factor associated with attending a follow-up appointment. ConclusionSocial determinants of health, such as insurance status and substance use disorder, are associated with loss of follow-up after trauma. Primary care appointments are associated with the highest attendance rates, supporting that all patients should be offered primary care appointments after traumatic injury.

Insights into the metabolism of CH-PIATA - a novel synthetic cannabinoid featuring an acetamide linker.

The recent change from the popular carboxamide to an acetamide (ATA) linker scaffold in synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) can be interpreted as an attempt to circumvent legal regulations, setting new analytical challenges. Metabolites of N-cyclohexyl-2-(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)acetamide: CH-PIATA, the second ATA type SCRA detected in the EU, were investigated in urine and serum samples by LC-HRMS-MS and LC-MS-MS. Two different in vitro models: a pHLM assay and HepG2-cells as well as an in silico prediction by GLORYx freeware assisted in metabolite formation/identification. CH-PIATA was extensively metabolized, leading to metabolites formed primarily by mono- and dihydroxylation. For urine and serum specimens, monohydroxylation at the indole core or the methylene spacer of the acetamide linker (M1.8), carboxylic acid formation at the N-pentyl side chain (M3.1), and degradation of the latter leading to a tentatively identified N-propionic acid metabolite (M5.1) are suggested as reliable markers for substance intake. The N-propionic acid metabolite could not be confirmed in the in vitro assays as it includes multiple consecutive metabolic reactions. Furthermore, CH-PIATA could be detected as parent substance in blood samples, but not in urine. Both in vitro assays and the in silico tool proved suitable for predicting metabolites of CH-PIATA. Considering effort and costs, pHLM incubations seem to be more effective for metabolite prediction in forensic toxicology. The highlighted phase I metabolites serve as reliable urinary targets for confirming CH-PIATA use. The in silico approach is advantageous when reference material is unavailable.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Development of Inland Waterway Transport in Brazil

Despite the presence of numerous navigable rivers in Brazil, they remain underutilized for Inland Waterway Transport (IWT). Given the recent changes in transport systems which aim to reduce reliance on highways due to their high cost and lack of sustainability, it becomes crucial to explore new transport models in Brazil, shifting part of the transport from roads to railways and mainly to waterways. To fill this gap in Brazil’s transport system, it was decided to check why waterways are little used and what challenges cause them to be underutilized and, additionally, what opportunities could leverage their use in the country. In this sense, in this study, we identify the biggest challenges and opportunities faced by IWT in Brazil. To achieve this objective, interviews were conducted using content analysis with managers who work in public and private IWT organizations active in Brazil. Results show that IWT has seen a recovery in interest in recent years due to the need for cheaper and greener logistics. It was also found that the main challenges that IWT faces are a lack of public policies followed by precarious infrastructure of waterways, ports and locks, as well as modest integration with other transport modes. Conversely, the most significant opportunity lies in the potential reduction in transport costs, coupled with the enhanced sustainability of transport activities via the utilization of IWT, thereby fostering greener transport practices. These results can contribute to a better understanding of practical and theoretical approaches related to IWT in Brazil, and they can serve as a reflection for new research focusing on the development of IWT especially in other emerging countries facing similar issues.

Updated RDP taxonomy and RDP Classifier for more accurate taxonomic classification.

The RDP Classifier is one of the most popular machine learning approaches for taxonomic classification due to its robustness and relatively high accuracy. Both the RDP taxonomy and RDP Classifier have been updated to incorporate newly described taxa and recent changes to prokaryotic nomenclature.