Understanding the benefits of art therapy for cancer-related pain: a call for action

A cancer diagnosis and treatment plan present significant physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, with pain being one of the most distressing symptoms affecting quality of life. Given the complexity of cancer-related pain, interest has grown in complementary therapies alongside conventional treatment. Research suggests that creative activities can activate neurobiological mechanisms linked to pain relief while improving mood and reducing anxiety. The therapeutic process of artmaking provides a nonverbal outlet for emotions, helping patients reframe experiences and find relief from distressing symptoms. In this commentary, we argue that art therapy can be beneficial in reducing patient’s pain, but more research is needed on the benefits of art therapy in reducing pain among cancer patients. Realizing the potential benefit of art therapy, Henry Ford Cancer has created an Arts in Health program. The Arts in Health program offers art therapy opportunities for adult cancer patients who participate after provider referrals or as a personal decision. Each 90-minute group session, held in a hybrid, synchronous in-person and virtual format, begins and ends with a well-being check-in. By integrating art therapy into cancer care, patients may benefit from an additional course to healing that not only fosters well-being through expression and emotional processing but also reduces pain. This commentary highlights the importance of continued research into art therapy as a valuable addition to conventional pain management, improving the patient experience during treatment.

The role of epigenetics in hypertension of children and adolescents: a systematic review

This systematic review study aimed to discuss about the possibility role of epigenetic in HTN of children and adolescent. This evidence-based research is implemented within the scope of the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020. The data were analyzed qualitatively to assess the risk of bias, with the New Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) criteria as the thresholds. Our research highlights in particular showed that there is a role for epigenetics in HTN in children and adolescents. Fourteen journals were included to be qualitatively assessed. Eleven journals (78.5%) stated that there was a correlation between epigenetic and BP in children and adolescents, however each study examined different genes or loci. In summary, epigenetic modifications of various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other genes were associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP in children and adolescents.

How Did Brexit Impact UK Trading at the Country Level? Evidence from Real Data

This study aims to assess the effect of Brexit on bilateral trade between the UK and its trading partners by applying the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood approach. The results suggest that Brexit’s impact is disparate across countries. UK imports from many EU countries decrease due to Brexit, but the TCA eases the decrease. There is some recovery in imports from some EU countries, but much weaker evidence of recovery for exports to EU countries. While the results suggest a more vibrant positive effect on imports from non-EU countries, the effect on the UK’s exports to non-EU countries is much weaker.

A new, geologically old record of the extinct camelid Camelops in Utah

The extinct camelid Camelops hesternus , a prominent member of the late Pleistocene fauna of western North America, was among the megafauna that became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene. The recovery of a tibia of an adult Camelops from a gravel pit near Vernal, Uintah County, Utah, adds to the 10 records of the species previously documented in Utah. Only a few radiocarbon dates are available for Camelops , so the radiocarbon date of the Vernal specimen at 28,750 ± 190 rcy (33,760-32,225 cal year), while not close in time to the North American megafaunal extinct event, is the oldest radiocarbon date for the species and aids documenting its geographical distribution in time prior to its extinction.

Predatory Mining, Conflict and Political Spaces: The Case of Grasberg Mine in West Papua

Located in West Papua, Grasberg mine is one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines. Over nearly six decades of activities, the mine has contributed significantly to Indonesia’s economy. However, the indigenous communities living in the proximity of the mega-project have suffered the brunt of socio-environmental impacts and ongoing conflicts. The paper examines the successive governance regimes that have overseen the operations of Grasberg and asks why local conflicts have endured. Drawing on political economy insights, as well as data collected during field research, the paper demonstrates that the Indonesian state has selected certain strategies and actors aligned with corporate interests and absented itself in key developmental responsibilities while leaving local communities with limited political spaces to seek redress for loss of land, livelihood, and environmental harm. In such a context, the plural corporate social responsibility schemes established by the mine’s corporation have remained ill-equipped to quell local conflict.

Rejoinder

COVID vaccine data quality, cleaning, and management

When COVID-19 vaccines were introduced in late 2020 and widely distributed in early 2021, states were responsible for collecting and managing the data. In the best situation, states kept accurate records of each person who received the vaccine, including the age and the county of residence. States reported the cumulative number of those vaccinated in each county, although there were substantial numbers of vaccine recipients (within a given state) whose county of residence was unknown. Some states have very low numbers of vaccine recipients with unknown county, while other states reported upwards of 50% “unknown county of residence.” At the extreme, Texas did not report the county of residence until October 2021, although they did report the state-wide total. There were a number of states that reported a nearly simultaneous jump in the cumulative number of those vaccinated whose county of residence was known and a drop in the number of “unknowns,” likely caused by a retrospective analysis and reallocation of those whose county of residence was unknown. A further problem occurs when the cumulative number of vaccines drops . We describe how we created a database for county-level vaccine data that addresses these data quality issues.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a Delphi-validated educational video in enhancing awareness and understanding of predatory journals among residents and medical students

This study seeks to assess the impact of a Delphi-validated educational video on improving comprehension of predatory journals among medical students and residents. Participants completed pre-video (11 questions) and post-video (19 questions) questionnaires on the same day after viewing our Delphi-validated video, with a subsequent follow-up assessment 30 days later (19 questions). Each of the three assessments included a core set of questions focused on predatory journals. Additionally, both post-video assessments incorporated the EDUCATOOL questionnaire. A total of 64 participants completed the survey (from a total of 83), including 51 medical students (79.6%) and 13 residents (20.3%). Analyses using Wilcoxon tests indicated that self-perceived knowledge increased from pre- to post-video (4 vs 8, p  < 0.0001) and remained stable at 30 days (8 vs 7, p  = 0.38). A similar trend was seen in assessment scores, with the Total Score increasing (7 vs 14.5, p  < 0.0001) and sustaining at 30 days (14.5 vs 13, p  = 0.92). The video received consistently high ratings across both EDUCATOOL questionnaires, with participants finding it highly relevant, engaging, and satisfactory. Our Delphi-validated video enhances understanding of predatory journals and could complement U.S. NIH training guidelines.

Smoking and Risk of Uveitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Uveitis is a relatively common eye condition that can lead to substantial symptoms and visual impairment. Identifying modifiable risk factors is essential for effective prevention and management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the causal role of smoking in uveitis by summarizing existing evidence on its impact on pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase in December 2024. Studies were eligible if they included an ophthalmologist-confirmed diagnosis of uveitis and reported on smoking exposure. Exclusion criteria were pediatric populations, case reports/series, interventional studies, and studies involving patients with systemic disease to minimize confounding. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and a pre-registered PROSPERO protocol (CRD42025641517). Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by another. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan, with heterogeneity evaluated by I 2 . Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE methodology. Of 892 articles screened, seven met inclusion criteria: four retrospective case-control studies, one retrospective cohort study, and two cross-sectional studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between smoking and uveitis was 1.97 (95% CI, 1.71–2.27) across 1557 individuals with uveitis and 4293 controls. The effect was statistically significant (Z = 9.42; p  < 0.00001). Former smokers also had an increased risk (OR 1.23), and smokers showed a tendency toward more complications. Smoking is a significant and modifiable risk factor for uveitis. These findings support the integration of smoking cessation into clinical management and prevention strategies.

Clinical Features and Risk Factors for Chronic Syphilitic Uveitis

To investigate clinical features and identify risk factors associated with chronic syphilitic uveitis. A retrospective chart review was performed of patients diagnosed with syphilitic uveitis at the University of Illinois Hospital and the University of Nebraska Medical Center between January 2015 and July 2024. Patients aged 18+ with syphilitic uveitis and at least 3 post-penicillin treatment follow-ups were included. Chronic uveitis was defined as inflammation persisting longer than 3 months or recurring within 3 months post-treatment. Of 74 patients with syphilitic uveitis (mean age 46.7 years, 71.6% male), 54 patients had sufficient follow-up. Of these patients, 20 (37%) patients developed chronic uveitis, with panuveitis being the most common presentation (50%). The chronic group had significantly longer mean symptom duration before treatment ( p  = 0.006), worse visual acuity at diagnosis ( p  = 0.023), and higher rate of cystoid macular edema (CME) at diagnosis ( p  = 0.004) compared to the non-chronic group. Univariate analysis confirmed that CME ( p  = 0.007) and longer symptom duration ( p  = 0.002) correlated significantly with chronic uveitis. Multivariate analysis identified CME and longer symptom duration prior to treatment as significantly correlated with chronic uveitis ( p  = 0.043 and p  = 0.036, respectively). CME is significantly associated with the development of chronic syphilitic uveitis. Patients with worse presenting visual acuity and longer symptom duration prior to treatment may be at higher risk. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and prompt management in preventing chronic inflammation and preserving visual outcomes.