Journals
2026 EN
Zajner Chris · Patil Nikhil · Xie Jim S.
+5 more
To investigate the relationships between vision-related functional impairment (VFI) with sociodemographic and healthcare access factors in a representative sample of the United States population. Data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used. The NHIS involves responses from the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population aged 18 years or older. It provides self-reported data on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, health status, and healthcare access. NHIS participants who responded to at least one of our target questions about VFI were included in the study. VFI was defined for participants based on their ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses to target questions about experiencing a VFI. Data analysis was performed through univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Overall, 26,711 participants were included, of which 6926 (25.9%) participants reported experiencing a VFI. In univariable analysis, there were greater odds of VFI among females (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.07–1.26, p < 0.001), and participants with less than a high school degree compared to those with an advanced degree (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.33, p = 0.02). Among economic and healthcare access factors, greater odds of VFI was associated with public health insurance versus private coverage (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07–1.32, p = 0.001), having delayed medical care due to costs (OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.86–2.10, p < 0.001), and being unemployed (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.26–1.53, p < 0.001). Participants whose incomes were lower than the poverty threshold (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.32–1.80, p < 0.001) had higher odds of VFI than those with income >5× poverty threshold. Several demographic and economic factors are associated with VFI in a representative sample of the U.S. population. These results highlight the importance of addressing social and economic factors that are associated with the development of VFI.
Resource
2026 EN
Saponara Stefania · D'Alterio Maurizio Nicola · Di Michele Stefano
+5 more
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a once-daily oral fixed-dose combination of relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg in women with symptomatic adenomyosis coexisting with uterine fibroids. This case series included six women with uterine fibroids and concomitant adenomyosis, diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound according to MUSA criteria. All patients received continuous treatment for 12 months. Clinical outcomes included changes in dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), menstrual blood loss evaluated through the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC), and hemoglobin levels. Ultrasonographic assessment measured uterine volume and adenomyosis-related features before and after treatment. All patients achieved complete resolution of dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain, with VAS scores reduced to zero. Menstrual bleeding ceased in all cases (PBAC = 0), and hemoglobin levels improved after 12 months. Ultrasound examination demonstrated a reduction in uterine volume ranging from 8.6% to 58.3%, along with partial regression of direct adenomyotic features. No adverse events or treatment discontinuations were reported during follow-up. Relugolix/estradiol/norethisterone acetate combination therapy was effective, well-tolerated, and associated with consistent clinical and sonographic improvement in women with adenomyosis and coexisting fibroids. Future larger-scale, controlled studies with extended follow-up are warranted to validate these findings.
Journals
2026 EN
Reeves Jaquetta M. · Paine Jennifer · Johnson Sha’Terra
+3 more
Despite accounting for only 12% of the female population in Texas, Black women account for more than half of all HIV diagnoses among women in the state. The inception of the Texas Black Women’s Health Initiative (TxBWHI) was motivated by the need to address the significantly elevated prevalence of new HIV infections among Black women in the state. TxBWHI employs targeted strategies such as promoting culturally tailored education, expanding access to HIV testing and prevention tools like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and addressing social determinants of health that exacerbate disparities. The initiative also focuses on engaging communities through innovative outreach programs, such as faith-based initiatives and peer-led education campaigns, to reduce stigma and increase care retention. TxBWHI aims to engage local communities in collaborative efforts to devise efficacious ways to address the disproportionately elevated incidence of HIV infection among Black women in the Southern region. Community, public health, and academic collaborations play a key role in HIV prevention among Black women. These collaborations combine academic institutions’ knowledge and abilities, such as research competence and access to financing, with the community’s awareness of social and cultural elements that influence HIV transmission and prevention. This commentary expounds on the importance of community development, building a shared vision, integrating research and expertise, and achieving a greater effect on improved health outcomes among Black women living in the South.
Resource
2026 EN
Feigenbaum Luis A. · Otley Thomas · Kirk-Sanchez Neva
+5 more
This study examined the distribution of board-certified and PhD/EdD faculty, as well as residency, fellowship, and PhD program offerings, across the top 25 physical therapy programs in the United States ranked by U.S. News & World Report, assessing their correlation with rankings and the impact of Research 1 (R1) designation on prestige. Data were sourced from program websites, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), and the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), analyzing faculty specialization, terminal degrees, and post-professional offerings. Statistical analysis included Spearman’s rho correlations and a Mann-Whitney U test. Results showed a predominance of full-time faculty in Orthopedics and Neurology, with no board-certified faculty in Oncology. Significant positive correlations were found between rankings and board-certified faculty (ρ = .455, p = .011), full-time PhD/EdD faculty (ρ = .467, p = .009), and total PhD/EdD faculty (ρ = .434, p = .015), while R1 institutions ranked higher than non-R1 programs (U = 26.000, Z = −2.305, p = .021). However, residency ( p = .664) and fellowship ( p = .286) programs did not influence rankings. A strong presence of PhD/EdD faculty drives higher rankings, with less impact from board-certified faculty, and that specialty gaps may reflect institutional priorities. The study demonstrates that elevated proportions of PhD/EdD and board-certified faculty, alongside R1 designation, boost program rankings. The dominance of Orthopaedics and Neurology, alongside Oncology gaps, suggests targeted development opportunities, emphasizing research-intensive environments and terminal degrees in shaping future physical therapy education strategies.
Journals
2026 EN
Jaiswal Sukanya · Golebiowski Blanka · Duong Ha T
+2 more
Despite exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and gases on the fire ground, little is known about the impact of wildfire smoke on the eye surface of wildland firefighters. This field study investigated the impact of smoke exposure at prescribed burns on the eye surface of Australian wildland firefighters. Twenty-three firefighters (19–60 years, 78% male) were evaluated before and after four prescribed burns for eye symptoms and clinical signs of eye surface damage. Types of protective eyewear used were recorded and a subset of firefighters wore PM2.5 personal monitors. Symptoms of eye discomfort, dryness and foreign body sensation increased after the burns, along with epithelial staining scores, eye surface redness and palpebral conjunctival roughness. Tear film stability reduced after the burns. Group mean PM2.5 exposure during the burns ranged from 130 to 480 µg/m 3 . All firefighters reported wearing sunglasses or goggles 40% to 100% of the time during the burns. Four firefighters (17%) wore no eye protection for 20% to 90% of the time. Wildland firefighters experience increased eye irritation and display eye surface clinical changes consistent with eye surface damage. Evidence-based recommendations on how to prevent and manage eye surface complications in firefighters are urgently needed.
Journals
2026 EN
Laurie Kirsty · Gustafsson Louise · Foster Michele M.
+1 more
To map the 3- and 6-month post-acute rehabilitation and healthcare networks from the perspective of people with Acquired Brain Injury and examine how these relate to funding provision and participation in a specialist transitional rehabilitation service. Fifteen adults with an Acquired Brain Injury (mean age 43; range 20–63) participated in semi-structured telephone interviews at 3- and 6-month post-discharge from inpatient rehabilitation with a total of 29 interviews conducted. The interview guide was based on a social network framework and data were obtained regarding the composition, size, density, and stability of networks. Results indicated that participants’ networks ranged from 3–10 health professionals. Five typologies were apparent including cohesive, cluster, core, star, and kite network. Participants’ networks generally decreased in size and density at 6-month post-discharge. The networks of participants were varied, and differences in network measures were observed when comparing those who were funded by National Injury Insurance Scheme-Queensland and National Disability Insurance Scheme and those that did or did not attend Transitional Rehabilitation Service. The study highlighted the diversity of individuals’ personal networks when assessing their composition and structural characteristics. Through the study, a deeper understanding of the networks and individuals’ experiences of service provision under the existing funding and program frameworks was developed.
Resource
2026 EN
de Sire Alessandro · Marotta Nicola · Sgro Maria
+7 more
Chronic nonspecific neck pain frequently causes disability and absence from work. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of dry needling (DN) on disability and pain in CNSNP patients. We performed a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles included: patients with CNSNP; intervention as DN (eventually as add-on to physiotherapy); comparison as sham DN, physical therapy or nothing; outcomes, Neck Disability Index and visual analogue scale. A pairwise meta-analysis was conducted to pool the effects of dry needling on reducing disability in people with chronic neck pain. Five studies satisfied our eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis showed that DN analyzed was effective in improving functioning in CNSNP patients but not significantly superior to the control group (MD: 3.51; p = 0.14). However, a pain relief was higher compared to the control group (MD: 0.94; p = 0.05) DN is an effective rehabilitative therapy in pain relief but not superior to physical or manual therapy in terms of functioning in patients with CNSNP. Therefore, further high-quality studies are needed to broaden the research on this mini-invasive approach for neck pain.
Journals
2026 EN
Cioeta Matteo · Meroni Roberto · Pellicciari Leonardo
+3 more
To cross-culturally translate the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) in Italian and to assess its psychometric properties in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) BBQ was cross-culturally translated into Italian (BBQ-I) language. The BBQ-I, together to other measurement instruments was administered to adult subjects with chronic LBP. Psychometric properties structural validity (explanatory factor analysis [EFA]) internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (standard error of the measurement [SEM], minimal detectable change [MDC]), and construct validity (hypothesis testing) were studied. 119 subjects with chronic LBP were included. The BBQ-I demonstrated high acceptability. EFA revealed a four-factor structure; however, only first factor was considered for the psychometric analyses. High internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.804) and moderate test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.728) were obtained. A SEM of 3.9 points and a MDC of 10.8 points were reported. Construct validity was moderate, with four out of six (66.7%) hypotheses were met. The BBQ-I exhibited moderate psychometric properties, providing clinicians and researchers with a valuable tool for assessing beliefs about LBP in Italian-speaking populations. However, limitations include data collection in a single setting and the need for further assessment of content validity and responsiveness.
Journals
2026 EN
De Noia Ilaria · van der Waerden Peter · Kemperman Astrid
+1 more
Soil desealing is a relevant adaptation action to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and soil consumption. Recognising the importance of citizens’ involvement towards shared decision processes, surveys have been used to assess citizens’ perceptions and preferences, juxtaposing local and expert knowledge. Stated-choice experiments represent valuable instruments to gain insight into the preferences for the attributes of choice alternatives that describe hypothetical choice situations. While extensively used in the broader sustainability field, they are less employed within climate adaptation, soil desealing and participatory urban planning. This study investigates preferences on soil desealing in Parma, studying the participants’ ‘willingness to accept a certain desealing intervention’ and its procedural, technical, and formal characteristics. To objective is to help draft guidelines for urban planners and policy-makers to align them with the citizens. The results – joined with the socio-demographic characteristics and environmental attitude of the sample – show that, despite a favourable approach towards soil desealing, interventions that directly benefit summer temperatures and new high and medium-rise vegetation are preferred. The desealed area percentage and rainfall absorption are also valued. Citizens’ active involvement, however, does not appear to play a role, suggesting a possible favour towards, at least partially, technocratic approaches.
Journals
2026 EN
Baracani Elena · Danesi Michele
This article sheds light on the foreign policy behaviour of the European Parliament, which is traditionally considered to have a “quite limited” role in this policy domain. It aims to fill a theoretical and empirical gap by using role theory concepts to investigate the behaviour of the Parliament's IX legislature in EU foreign policy towards Ukraine following the Russian war of aggression. It addresses the following research puzzles. How has the EP tried to shape the EU's understanding of its proper response following the Russian war of aggression? What has been the Parliament's foreign policy performance towards Ukraine? Has the EP behaved as a policy entrepreneur advocating foreign policy change to help Ukraine? The empirical analysis is based on the qualitative content analysis of 55 resolutions and in-depth conversations with 27 interviewees. This article makes two main contributions. It suggests a framework, based on role theory concepts, to empirically explore the behaviour of the EP in different cases of EU foreign policy. The specific case examined reveals that the EP behaved as a foreign policy entrepreneur because it was the first EU institution to conceptualise the most critical foreign policy changes that would later become part of the EU response.