Factors related to social inferencing performance in moderate-severe, chronic TBI.

OBJECTIVE: Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), deficits in social cognition are common. Social inferencing is a crucial component of social cognition that enables an individual to understand the thoughts, feelings, and intentions of a communication partner when this information is not explicitly stated. Existing literature suggests a variety of factors contribute to social inferencing success (e.g. biological sex, executive functioning), yet findings are not conclusive, largely because these factors have been examined in isolation. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, stepwise regression with cross validation was used to examine the extent that several theoretically motivated factors were associated with social inferencing (measured by performance on The Awareness of Social Inference Test [TASIT]) in adult participants with TBI (n = 105). Demographic information, executive functioning, aggression, emotional functioning measures, and participation in society were all examined in relation to social inferencing performance. RESULTS: The findings confirm the importance of higher-level cognitive skills (i.e. executive functioning) in social inferencing, and advance the literature by underlining the potential importance of productive participation in social inferencing performance. CONCLUSION: This study innovatively highlights factors linked with social inferencing skills and, in doing so, how deficits in social inferencing might manifest in the lives of individuals with TBI.

Trauma THOMPSON: Clinical Decision Support for the Frontline Medic.

INTRODUCTION: U.S. Military healthcare providers increasingly perform prolonged casualty care because of operations in settings with prolonged evacuation times. Varied training and experience mean that this care may fall to providers unfamiliar with providing critical care. Telemedicine tools with audiovisual capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR) can enhance inexperienced personnel's competence and confidence when providing prolonged casualty care. Furthermore, implementing offline functionality provides assistance options in communications-limited settings. The intent of the Trauma TeleHelper for Operational Medical Procedure Support and Offline Network (THOMPSON) is to develop (1) a voice-controlled mobile application with video references for procedural guidance, (2) audio narration of each video using procedure mentoring scripts, and (3) an AI-guided intervention system using AR overlay and voice command to create immersive video modeling. These capabilities will be available offline and in downloadable format. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Trauma THOMPSON platform is in development. Focus groups of subject matter experts will identify appropriate procedures and best practices. Procedural video recordings will be collected to develop reference materials for the Trauma THOMPSON mobile application and to train a machine learning algorithm on action recognition and anticipation. Finally, an efficacy evaluation of the application will be conducted in a simulated environment. RESULTS: Preliminary video collection has been initiated for tube thoracostomy, needle decompression, cricothyrotomy, intraosseous access, and tourniquet application. Initial results from the machine learning algorithm show action recognition and anticipation accuracies of 20.1% and 11.4%, respectively, in unscripted datasets "in the wild," notably on a limited dataset. This system performs over 100 times better than a random prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Developing a platform to provide real-time, offline support will deliver the benefits of synchronous expert advice within communications-limited and remote environments. Trauma THOMPSON has the potential to fill an important gap for clinical decision support tools in these settings.

An improved, optimised and robust keratin azure assay for accurate assessment of keratinase activity.

Keratin, in the form of coarse sheep wool, has been identified as an undervalued natural resource, which with the appropriate tools (e.g. a keratinase biocatalyst) can be repurposed for various textile and industrial biotechnology applications. For these purposes, we describe a novel method for identifying keratinase activity through the use of α-keratin azure (KA), an anthraquinone dyed substrate. A colourimetric method monitored the keratinase activity of Proteinase K (PK), which degrades the KA substrate and releases soluble products that are observed at 595 nm. Initially, the azure dye standard, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), was used to calibrate the assay and allowed the kinetics of the keratinase-catalysed reaction to be determined. The assay was also used to investigate substrate pre-treatment, as well as different reaction quenching/work up conditions. Milling and washing of the KA substrate provided the best reproducibility and centrifugation was the most effective method for removing unreacted starting material. This assay was then applied to investigate the reduction of the keratin disulfide bond on keratinase-catalysed degradation. This optimised, improved and robust method will enable identification of keratinases ideally suited for application in the valorisation of the α-keratin found in natural wool fibres.

Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide Associated With Hyponatremia and Hepatotoxicity.

Cyclophosphamide (CY) is an alkylating agent often used as a chemotherapeutic agent, with increasing use as an immunosuppressant. Cyclophosphamide has many established adverse effects, including hyponatremia and limited reports of hepatotoxicity, particularly in high-dose treatment. A case of simultaneous hyponatremia and acute liver injury associated with the initiation of cyclophosphamide two weeks prior is discussed here. A 73-year-old male with acquired hemophilia A/factor VIII deficiency presented to the emergency department (ED) with four days of hip pain and was found to have jaundice and confusion. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated hyponatremia and an acute liver injury associated with his recent cyclophosphamide use. With the discontinuation of the offending agent and sodium correction, he made a full recovery. Cyclophosphamide-induced hyponatremia is likely secondary to the nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD) and is most often associated with high-dose regimens. While the mechanism of hepatotoxicity requires further study, it is likely dose-dependent and related to excess levels of 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (HCY). The management of cyclophosphamide-induced water toxicity and hepatotoxicity is centered around the discontinuation of medication, the correction of electrolyte abnormalities, and supportive treatment.

Content Quality of YouTube Videos About Pain Management After Cesarean Birth: Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: YouTube is an increasingly common source of health information; however, the reliability and quality of the information are inadequately understood. Several studies have evaluated YouTube as a resource during pregnancy and found the available information to be of poor quality. Given the increasing attention to postpartum health and the importance of promoting safe opioid use after birth, YouTube may be a source of information for birthing individuals. However, little is known about the available information on YouTube regarding postpartum pain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the quality of YouTube videos as an educational resource for postpartum cesarean pain management. METHODS: A systematic search of YouTube videos was conducted on June 25, 2021, using 36 postpartum cesarean pain management-related keywords, which were identified by clinical experts. The search replicated a default YouTube search via a public account. The first 60 results from each keyword search were reviewed, and unique videos were analyzed. An overall content score was developed based on prior literature and expert opinion to evaluate the video's relevance and comprehensiveness. The DISCERN instrument, a validated metric to assess consumer health information, was used to evaluate the reliability of video information. Videos with an overall content score of ≥5 and a DISCERN score of ≥39 were classified as high-quality health education resources. Descriptive analysis and intergroup comparisons by video source and quality were conducted. RESULTS: Of 73 unique videos, video sources included medical videos (n=36, 49%), followed by personal video blogs (vlogs; n=32, 44%), advertisements (n=3, 4%), and media (n=2, 3%). The average overall content score was 3.6 (SD 2.0) out of 9, and the average DISCERN score was 39.2 (SD 8.1) out of 75, indicating low comprehensiveness and fair information reliability, respectively. High-quality videos (n=22, 30%) most frequently addressed overall content regarding pain duration (22/22, 100%), pain types (20/22, 91%), return-to-activity instructions (19/22, 86%), and nonpharmacologic methods for pain control (19/22, 86%). There were differences in the overall content score (P=.02) by video source but not DISCERN score (P=.45). Personal vlogs had the highest overall content score at 4.0 (SD 2.1), followed by medical videos at 3.3 (SD 2.0). Longer video duration and a greater number of comments and likes were significantly correlated with the overall content score, whereas the number of video comments was inversely correlated with the DISCERN score. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals seeking information from YouTube regarding postpartum cesarean pain management are likely to encounter videos that lack adequate comprehensiveness and reliability. Clinicians should counsel patients to exercise caution when using YouTube as a health information resource.

Not Like the Textbook: An Atypical Case of Ectopic Pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening outcome of pregnancy that occurs with the implantation of an embryo outside of the endometrial cavity. Classically considered a "must not miss" diagnosis, ectopic pregnancy is a common emergency department presentation, associated with a symptom triad of amenorrhea, vaginal bleeding, and abdominal pain. However, varied presentations of ectopic pregnancy or lack of typical risk factors can complicate the evaluation and diagnosis of this condition. This case report describes an atypical presentation of ectopic pregnancy after a reported spontaneous abortion, in which the patient was initially discharged with a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease. This case provides an illustration of ectopic pregnancy that presented without classically associated symptoms, and also highlights how anchoring bias and pre-emptive closure, among other cognitive biases, contributed to a missed diagnosis.

Content Quality of YouTube Videos About Gestational Diabetes: Systematic Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: People with gestational diabetes have enhanced learning requirements during pregnancy, and management of their disease often requires the translation of health information into new health behavior changes. Seeking information from the internet to augment learning from health professionals is becoming more common during pregnancy. YouTube is a popular free and accessible web-based resource, which may be particularly useful for individuals with low health literacy or other barriers to receiving high-quality health care; however, the quality and content of YouTube videos varies, and little is known about those covering gestational diabetes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically evaluate the quality, content, and reliability of YouTube videos about gestational diabetes. METHODS: A systematic search of YouTube videos was conducted over the course of 1 week in April 2020 using the following keywords: "gestational diabetes," "gestational diabetes management," "gestational diabetes treatment," and "pregnancy and diabetes." The search results were displayed by relevance, replicating a default YouTube search attempt. The first 60 results from each keyword were reviewed (n=240). Exclusion criteria were videos unrelated to gestational diabetes, videos not in English, and those for which the full video was not available at the time of review. For each unique video, a gestational diabetes content score was used to rate video comprehensiveness and accuracy, and the DISCERN instrument, a validated metric to assess consumer health information, was used to evaluate the reliability of information presented. Videos were further categorized by quality: videos with DISCERN scores lower than 3 (out of 5) or a content score less than 4 (out of 7) were categorized as low quality, and all others were designated high quality. We performed descriptive analysis and compared video characteristics by source and quality rating. RESULTS: For 115 unique videos, the mean content score (out of 7) was 3.5 (SD 2.0) , and the mean DISCERN score (out of 5) was 2.7 (SD 0.7), representing low to moderate information comprehensiveness and reliability respectively. Video sources were categorized as personal vlog (12/115, 10.4%), web-based education (37/115, 32.2%), medical (52/115, 45.2%), business or company (13/115, 11.3%), and media clip (1/115, 0.9%). DISCERN and content scores trended higher among medical and web-based education videos. The majority of videos (n=88) were categorized as low quality, while 27 videos were categorized as high quality. Video duration was longer for high-quality videos (P<.001); high- and low-quality videos otherwise had similar views and viewer interaction numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Although high-quality videos about gestational diabetes exist, reliability, accuracy, and comprehensiveness were low overall, and higher quality was not associated with increased viewer interaction. It is important to acknowledge the limitations of this platform and to assist patients in accessing high quality content and differentiating the quality of information sources.

Identifying Mobile Health Technology Experiences and Preferences of Low-Income Pregnant Women with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Rapid expansion of mobile technology has resulted in the development of many mobile health ("mHealth") platforms for health monitoring and support. However, applicability, desirability, and extent of tailoring of these platforms for pregnant women, particularly in populations who experience the greatest health inequities-such as women with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or those with greater socioeconomic barriers-remains unknown. The objective is to understand low-income pregnant women's experiences and preferences for mHealth tools to support DM health and improve DM self-management during pregnancy. METHODS: Low-income pregnant and postpartum women were included in individual interviews or focus groups; women with type 2 DM, gestational DM, or no DM were included. Analysis was performed with the constant comparison method. RESULTS: In this population of 45 (N=37 with DM) low-income, largely minority, pregnant and postpartum women, 100% reported access to smartphones and prior experience with apps. Interest in mHealth to support health and engagement during pregnancy was high. Preferences for general mHealth features included education that reduces uncertainty, support communities, visualizing progress, convenient access to information, and support for better management of pregnancy-related tasks. Preferred design elements included personalization, interactive features, and integrated graphics. Women with DM expressed multiple additional DM-specific needs, including support tools for DM self-management and self-regulation tasks. CONCLUSION: Pregnant and postpartum women, especially those with DM, desire mHealth technology to support engagement and to adapt lifestyle guidelines and treatment requirements for a healthy pregnancy. Further work to develop mHealth interventions tailored for target populations remains a key step in reducing health inequities and promoting access to evidence-based perinatal health interventions.

Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases in Urban Areas: A Review of Challenges, Strategies and Research Directions for Successful Mass Drug Administration.

Since 1950, the global urban population grew from 746 million to almost 4 billion and is expected to reach 6.4 billion by mid-century. Almost 90% of this increase will take place in Asia and Africa and disproportionately in urban slums. In this context, concerns about the amplification of several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are warranted and efforts towards achieving effective mass drug administration (MDA) coverage become even more important. This narrative review considers the published literature on MDA implementation for specific NTDs and in-country experiences under the ENVISION and END in Africa projects to surface features of urban settings that challenge delivery strategies known to work in rural areas. Discussed under the thematics of governance, population heterogeneity, mobility and community trust in MDA, these features include weak public health infrastructure and programs, challenges related to engaging diverse and dynamic populations and the limited accessibility of certain urban settings such as slums. Although the core components of MDA programs for NTDs in urban settings are similar to those in rural areas, their delivery may need adjustment. Effective coverage of MDA in diverse urban populations can be supported by tailored approaches informed by mapping studies, research that identifies context-specific methods to increase MDA coverage and rigorous monitoring and evaluation.

Exploring treatment decision-making in cancer management for rural residents: Patient and provider perspectives on a recently established regional radiotherapy service.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine stakeholders' views of how the establishment of the South West Radiation Oncology Service in Bunbury, Western Australia, has affected treatment decision-making, and the extent to which patients are involved in the decision-making process. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with 21 service providers involved in the treatment and care of people with cancer, and 17 adults diagnosed with cancer who opted to undergo radiotherapy (RT) treatment at the Service. Data were subject to thematic analysis using the qualitative data analysis software NVivo 10. RESULTS: Patients were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences at the Service, praising the quality of the care provided and noting the convenience associated with receiving treatment locally. Most patients reported feeling involved in decision-making, but tended to rely on and generally adopt advice from medical professionals regarding type and location of treatment. Although service providers in the region had become more aware of the regional RT service and referrals had increased, some patients continued to travel to the metropolitan area for treatment. Reasons identified for this included the need for more specialized RT treatment and the more extensive range of allied health services offered. CONCLUSION: Increased convenience and a lower financial burden are key reasons why rural cancer patients prefer treatment at a regional RT service rather than travelling to metropolitan centers. These factors highlight the need for ongoing improvement in access to local RT services so that disparities in cancer outcomes between rural and metropolitan patients are reduced.

Smartphones in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) and secondary prevention are effective components of evidence-based management for cardiac patients, resulting in improved clinical and behavioural outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) is a rapidly growing health delivery method that has the potential to enhance CR and heart failure management. We undertook a systematic review to assess the evidence around mHealth interventions for CR and heart failure management for service and patient outcomes, cost effectiveness with a view to how mHealth could be utilized for rural, remote and Indigenous cardiac patients. METHODS: A comprehensive search of databases using key terms was conducted for the years 2000 to August 2016 to identify randomised and non-randomised trials utilizing smartphone functionality and a model of care that included CR and heart failure management. Included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias and data extraction was undertaken by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Nine studies described a mix of mHealth interventions for CR (5 studies) and heart failure (4 studies) in the following categories: feasibility, utility and uptake studies; and randomised controlled trials. Studies showed that mHealth delivery for CR and heart failure management is feasible with high rates of participant engagement, acceptance, usage, and adherence. Moreover, mHealth delivery of CR was as effective as traditional centre-based CR (TCR) with significant improvement in quality of life. Hospital utilization for heart failure patients showed inconsistent reductions. There was limited inclusion of rural participants. CONCLUSION: Mobile health delivery has the potential to improve access to CR and heart failure management for patients unable to attend TCR programs. Feasibility testing of culturally appropriate mHealth delivery for CR and heart failure management is required in rural and remote settings with subsequent implementation and evaluation into local health care services.