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Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the complementary and alternative medicinal (CAM) choices of international college students in the U.S. Participants: A total of 192 international college students participated in this study. Methods: Participants completed a survey with demographic and background information, such as gender, age, years living in the U.S., country of origin, cultural and religious influences on health decision-making, CAM usage, and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Beliefs Inventory (CAMBI). Results: Results showed that there was a significant difference in CAMBI scores and age groups with those in the age groups of 20-29 and 30+ having higher CAMBI scores than those in the 18-19 age group. Participants had high scores on the CAMBI. Conclusion: Overall, participants showed a wide range of CAM usage with most participants indicating a need for CAM options on university campuses.

Learning cardiac morphology largely involves spatial abilities and studies indicate benefits from innovative 3D visualization technologies that speed up and increase the learning output. Studies comparing these teaching tools and their educational output are rare and few studies include complex congenital heart defects. This study compared the effects of 3D prints, mixed reality (MR) viewing of 3D meshes and standard cardiac CT slice images on medical students' understanding of complex congenital heart defect morphology, measuring both objective level of understanding and subjective educational experience. The objective of this study was to compare morphological understanding and user experiences of 3D printed models, MR 3D visualization and axial 2D CT slices, in medical students examining morphological details in complex congenital heart defects. Medical students in the median 4th year of study (range 2nd to 6th) examined three of five different complex congenital heart defects by three different modalities: 3D printed model, MR viewed 3D mesh, and cardiac CT slices, answering a questionnaire on morphology and user experience. Time to complete task, diagnostic accuracy, and user experience data were collected and compared on group level. Task times were similar for all modalities. The percentage of correct answers was higher with MR visualization, which was also the preferred modality overall. Medical students both prefer and better understand the morphology of complex congenital heart disease with 3D models viewed using MR, without spending more time than with 3D prints or 2D CT images.

Despite ongoing efforts to increase the number of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in medicine, Hispanic women remain severely underrepresented in these fields. This disparity not only hinders scientific innovation and the delivery of culturally competent medical care but also perpetuates a systemic exclusion. Research specifically addressing the challenges faced by Hispanic women, the extent of underrepresentation in these disciplines, and strategies to mitigate these issues is sparce. The authors conducted a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed articles to address this gap. The findings reveal a stark underrepresentation of Hispanic women across all examined fields, particularly compared with White women. In addition, the underrepresentation persists when compared with Hispanic men, although the disparity is less pronounced. The authors identify ongoing disparities in promotion, compensation, and retention rates for Hispanic women; present data for barriers to entry and retention; and highlight existing programs and strategies aimed at addressing this underrepresentation. Finally, a framework is presented for future studies and actionable initiatives, and the broader implications of these findings for the field of oncology are highlighted.

INTRODUCTION: As pharmacological strategies remain limited for relieving fatigue and associated cognitive symptoms, integrative modalities such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could be explored as therapeutic strategies in cancer survivors. Here, we evaluate and report the efficacy and safety of a TCM concoction, modified Xiang Bei Yang Rong Tang (XBYRT), on quality of life (QOL), cancer-related fatigue (CRF), and cognitive symptoms, compared to placebo. METHODS: In a single-centered, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot trial conducted from 2019 to 2022, fatigued cancer survivors ≥21 years old were recruited to receive the XBYRT intervention or placebo (5% diluted) once daily for the duration of 8 weeks. Patient-reported outcomes for QOL, CRF, cognition, blood samples for biomarker testing, and adverse events were collected at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2), and 10 weeks (T3) after baseline. Linear regression was performed to evaluate differences between groups at T2 and T3. RESULTS: A total of 1502 patients were screened, with 672 patients considered eligible. Of the eligible, 15 XBYRT and 13 placebo subjects with similar mean ages (58.5 vs 58.4) were recruited. Both groups were predominantly Chinese (93% vs 62%), breast cancer patients (87% vs 62%), and diagnosed with stage 2 cancer (60% vs 46%). Although no significant difference was found in QOL between groups, the XBYRT group exhibited improved emotional fatigue at T3 (P = .045) and higher BDNF levels at T2 (P = .047) and T3 (P = .029). After baseline adjustment, XBYRT was associated with better perceived cognitive impairment at T2 (P = .011) and T3 (P = .017), as well as overall perceived cognitive function at T3 (P = .028). XBYRT is well tolerated, with grade 3 adverse events reported in three XBYRT (20%) and two placebo (15%) subjects. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, XBYRT as an integrative therapy is safe and generates encouraging improvements in cognitive and fatigue symptoms. Difficulties with recruitment limited the generalizability of trial findings, thus findings should be verified through a larger, multi-centered trial.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the top risk factors for death and disability. Meteorological conditions have an effect on IS attack. In this study, we try to develop models of medical meteorological forecast for IS attack based on machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The medical meteorological forecast would be beneficial to public health in IS events prevention and treatment. We collected data on IS attacks and climatology in each day from 18th September 2016 to 31th December 2020 in Haikou. Data on IS attacks were from the number of hospital admissions due to IS attack among general population. The random forest (RF) regression and long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithms were respectively used to develop the predictive model based on meteorological data. Performance of the model was assessed by mean squared error (MSE) and root mean squared error (RMSE). A total of 42849 IS attacks was included in this study. IS attacks were significantly decreased in winter. The pattern of climatological data was observed the regularity in seasons. For the performance of RF regression model, the MSE is 243, and the RMSE is 15.6. For LSTM model, the MSE is 36, and the RMSE is 6. In conclusion, LSTM model is more accurate than RF regression model to predict IS attacks in general population based on meteorological data. LSTM model showed acceptable accuracy for the prediction and could be used as medical meteorological forecast to predict IS attack among population according to local climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare prompts the need to measure its proficiency relative to human experts. This study evaluates the proficiency of ChatGPT, an OpenAI language model, in offering guidance concerning bariatric surgery compared to bariatric surgeons. Five clinical scenarios representative of diverse bariatric surgery situations were given to American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)-accredited bariatric surgeons and ChatGPT. Both groups proposed medical or surgical management for the patients depicted in each scenario. The outcomes from both the surgeons and ChatGPT were examined and matched with the clinical benchmarks set by the ASMBS. There was a high degree of agreement between ChatGPT and physicians on the three simpler clinical scenarios. There was a positive correlation between physicians' and ChatGPT answers for not recommending surgery. ChatGPT's advice aligned with ASMBS guidelines 60% of the time, in contrast to bariatric surgeons, who consistently aligned with the guidelines 100% of the time. ChatGPT showcases potential in offering guidance on bariatric surgery, but it does not have the comprehensive and personalized perspective that doctors exhibit consistently. Enhancing AI's training on intricate patient situations will bolster its role in the medical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infection has always been a severe challenge for mankind. The use of antibacterial nonwoven materials provides a lot of convenience in daily life and clinical practice grammar revision, it has become an important solution to avoid bacterial infection in clinical and daily life. This review systematically examines the spin bonding, melt blown, hydroneedling and electrospinning methods of nonwoven fabrication materials, and summarizes the antibacterial nonwoven materials fabrication methods. Finally, the review discusses the applications of antibacterial nonwoven materials for medical protection, external medical and healthcare, external circulation medical care implantable medical and healthcare and intelligent protection and detection. This comprehensive overview aims to provide valuable insights for the advancement of antibacterial nonwoven materials in the domain of medicine and health care. In the future, antibacterial nonwoven materials are expected to evolve towards biodegradability, composite materials, functionalization, minimally invasive techniques, diversification, and intelligence, thereby holding immense potential in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through close reading of medical and cultural texts, this article demonstrates how the narrativisation of relational harm underpinned the emerging categorisation of 'addiction' in the 19th century: excessive consumption was conceived through its detrimental impact upon others, and more specifically, upon the family. The problem was portrayed as physiological, psychological, and social: 'addiction' could not be located securely within a single individual, nor was it conceived simply as a social vice. While other societal themes emerge in the medical writing of the period, such as the relationship between drinking and criminality, and the visibility of drinking in the working-classes, these are not presented as proto-diagnostic criteria in the same way as relational harm. In theorising addiction, medicine relied upon rhetorical devices and narrative modes, and authors and artists took an active role in defining the terms of the debate around drinking, drug use, and gambling. Charles Dickens and George Cruikshank represent childhood through the adult's compulsive behaviour, which the child witnesses, while the adult's behaviour itself is conceived as harm directed towards child. The article demonstrates how 21st-century attitudes, particularly located in the fields of psychiatric diagnosis and child protection social work, echo debates established by 19th-century narratives, arguing that that the disease model of addiction was closely associated with the medico-legal production of childhood. Nineteenth-century narratives of addiction therefore anticipate late 20th- and 21st-century attitudes regarding the impact of parental substance use upon children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the immediate post-war persistence and subsequent rejection of eugenics in East-Central European socialist states, exploring the case of premarital medical certificates. Building our analysis on published and archival sources, we show that immediately after the war, policies formulated at the governmental level were informed by eugenic ideas in medical expertise. Premarital medical certificates were aimed at combatting contagious diseases and thus securing a healthy population. Their legal status varied: in Poland, they were formally introduced; in the Soviet Occupied Zone and East Germany, Nazi law was abolished, but local officials still advocated for the introduction of certificates; and in Czechoslovakia, medical certificates were planned but not introduced. Despite these differences, after a short period between 1949 and 1950, the attempts to put a measure into practice ended in all three countries. We argue that the communist takeover and consolidation of power played a decisive role. After 1950, premarital medical certificates were not discussed again in Czechoslovakia or East Germany; in Poland, the debate re-emerged in 1959–60 during political liberalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The education literature suggests that there are rural–urban differences in educational achievement. Lower educational achievement in rural schools may impact entry into highly competitive medical programmes and disadvantage rural students. Within this study, the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and University Entrance (UE) attainment rates are compared across Aotearoa New Zealand secondary schools for 2012–2021. High schools were classified as urban or rural according to the two rural admission schemes used in the medical programmes at the University of Otago and the University of Auckland. Descriptive statistics were calculated and regression models created to adjust for a range of variables. The data demonstrates that rural high schools have lower NCEA and UE attainment. Lower Māori student NCEA and UE attainment, greater socioeconomic disadvantage and differing characteristics account for the majority of differences between rural and urban schools. The lower UE attainment rate for rural schools will likely mean that rural students will have greater difficulty in entering medical programmes and that this inequity is worse for rural Māori students. Medical programme admission pathways need to undergo a fundamental shift–from workforce pathways to workforce and equity pathways in order to address rural workforce issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, irrational uses of medicines becoming global problem largely in developing countries like Ethiopia. Inappropriate prescribing is a major cause for poor treatment outcome and higher costs. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate medicine prescribing practice and prescription errors using WHO medicine-utilization core indicators. Methods: A hospital based retrospective cross sectional study design was used to evaluate prescribing practices and prescription errors from September to October, 2024 at the OPD pharmacy using systematic random sampling technique while a prospective approach was employed for facility indicators. Presence of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were evaluated using Medscape Online Drug Interaction Checker. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and interpreted as tables and figures. Results: A total of 1019 medicines were prescribed in 524 prescriptions and 81.6% (n = 832) were actually dispensed. The percentage of antibiotic, injections and medicine prescribed from Essential Drug List was 33.9% (n = 345),3.5% (n = 36) and 92.3% (n = 941) respectively. The most frequently prescribed class of medicine were antibiotics 33.9% (n = 345). 65.1% (n = 341) were ≥2 medicines and 8.3% (n = 85) had at least one potential DDIs. Among overall DDIs, the monitor closely and serious level was 60% (n = 51) and 11.8% (n = 10) respectively. The average prescription error was 4.3. Prescription errors due to failure to mention diagnosis was 40.6% (n = 213). Conclusion: Based on findings, the prescribing practices had defects to the optimum value recommended by WHO and showed high prescription errors. Antibiotics prescribing was the major problem in practice. Remarkable DDIs were observed in prescribed medicines. Therefore, designing and implementing policy to improve medicine use practice is highly indispensable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our nationwide postal survey analyzing 190 responses from Japanese bereaved who had responded a year earlier found that funeral dissatisfaction rose during the second year after the funeral. Controverting previous research advocating participation in funeral planning, elderly bereaved spouses forced to decide about and/or pay for the funeral showed elevated grief as much as 2 years later. While not reaching levels diagnosed as prolonged, traumatic, or complicated grief, nevertheless one out of three of our bereaved sample showed continuing daily symptoms of grief from 14 to 24 months after their bereavement, with continued or increasing use of tranquillizers or antidepressants. The medical and pharmaceutical costs incurred by mourners more than a year after bereavement warrant further research into what factors improve or exacerbate the health of grieving bereaved, not limited to a single year after the bereavement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the 1950s to the 1980s, French TV reports about rural medicine and ‘country doctors’ structured their narratives with a typical and recurrent scene: the car journeys the general practitioners have to make to reach their patients. The medical coverage of a geographically dispersed rural population became a major issue for European national health services after 1945. The recurrent scene is revealing of the particular relationship rural doctors had to the space connecting their patients in isolated areas. Beyond staging physicians’ dedication to their dispersed patients, television programming further dramatised a representation of rural areas to TV spectators as places of desertification, ageing and decline. Finally, yet importantly, medical road movie sequences work as seductive, cinematic, confession-like film elements intimately addressing doctors’ need to find a time of solitude, recollection and self- reflection, herein echoing professional endurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of herbal medicine with modern pharmaceuticals offers a novel approach to addressing complex healthcare challenges. This study investigates the role of dielectric spectroscopy in analysing key physicochemical properties such as solubility, stability, and molecular interactions. The findings reveal that combining herbal extracts with pharmaceutical agents enhances solubility and stability. It also reduces adverse effects, improving therapeutic efficacy. Dielectric spectroscopy is highlighted as a powerful analytical tool in this process. The study demonstrates how traditional herbal knowledge can be effectively linked with modern scientific methods. This approach enables the development of innovative therapeutic solutions that address safety and efficacy challenges. The results underline the potential of combining advanced analytical techniques with ethnopharmacological practices. This integration paves the way for the creation of safe, effective, and scientifically validated formulations for improved healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through a close reading of Gertrude Stein’s depiction of illness in Three Lives (1909), this article argues that the text addresses the emerging problems posed by the advancement of modern medicine and critiques some of the dominant medical discourses at the turn of the century. This article discusses the text’s challenge to the dominant medical discourses of the time from three perspectives: its problematisation of modern medicine’s tendency to ignore the context in which the patient is situated; its exposure of the hierarchical relationship between the physician and the patient; and its questioning of medical ideals such as objectivity, certainty, and cure. The article also demonstrates Stein’s fusion of feminist and medical critiques and her integration of racial, ethnic, and national dynamics into her reflection on turn-of-the-century medical culture. It thus proposes Three Lives as an archive of turn-of-the-century medical culture, particularly modern medicine’s entanglement with gender, racial, ethnic, and national tensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to elucidate the determinants of healthcare utilization in South Korea's dual healthcare system, encompassing both Western medicine and Korean medicine, through the Andersen Model. An integrative non-recursive path model of healthcare utilization determinants was proposed and analyzed. Methods: A path analysis using structural equation modeling, followed by mediation analysis, was conducted to determine the magnitude of the effect for each pathway. The 2020 data from the Korea Health Panel were used. Results: Structural equation modeling revealed that need factors, such as chronic diseases, disability, and self-rated health status, were the most significant drivers of both WM and KM utilization, while enabling factors significantly impacted WM utilization. Interestingly, WM and KM utilization were found to positively influence each other, contradicting the assumption of substitutional healthcare use. Mediation analysis further highlighted the interconnected nature of healthcare utilization pathways, with enabling and need factors showing significant indirect effects on utilization via the counterpart system. These findings underscore the importance of considering mutual influences in healthcare policy and resource allocation to enhance accessibility and efficiency. While the cross-sectional nature of the data limits causal inference, this study offers a robust theoretical framework and practical insights for addressing the complexities of healthcare utilization in dual-system contexts. Conclusion: The findings reveal that when traditional medicine functions within the national healthcare system, both Western medicine and traditional medicine are influenced by similar determinants in the same environment. Future research should explore longitudinal data to confirm these findings and investigate potential moderating effects of predisposing and enabling factors on WM and KM interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to map key trends in the digitalization of medicine, a rapidly evolving field that incorporates advancements such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and Big Data. The analysis aims to identify the most prolific authors, highly cited works, leading countries, and contributions from research institutions, while also exploring emerging trends through keyword analysis. Methods: A dataset comprising 2606 scientific papers was retrieved from the Web of Science database. The analysis was performed using bibliometric techniques and VOSviewer software to evaluate citation patterns, author productivity, country activity, and institutional contributions. Results: The findings reveal a substantial increase in research activity on the digitalization of medicine, with notable contributions from Germany, the USA, and China. These countries host leading academic institutions actively driving the field. Keyword analysis highlights emerging trends in artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and Big Data. Extensive international collaborations further underscore the global nature of this research domain. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and current trends in the digitalization of medicine. Conclusions: It highlights the significant role of international collaboration and identifies key areas of development, offering valuable insights for future research directions in this dynamic sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipopeptides (LPs) are widely sourced surface-active natural products with a wide range of functions and low toxicity, high potency, and good biodegradability. In this paper, we summarize, for the first time, the plant, animal, microbial, and synthetic sources of LPs. We also introduce the applications of LPs in food and human health, including (1) LPs can inhibit the growth of food microorganisms during production and preservation. They can also be added to food packaging materials for preservation and freshness during transportation, and can be used as additives to improve the taste of food. (2) LPs can provide amino acids and promote protein synthesis and cellular repair. Due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, they exhibit good anticancer effects and biological activities. This review summarizes, for the first time, the sources of LPs and their applications in food and human health, laying the foundation for the development and application of LPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates self-medication behaviors during upper respiratory tract infections among Armenian residents, with a focus on age, gender, and education to identify vulnerable groups and provide evidence-based recommendations. From March to June 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured, anonymous questionnaires. The sample size, determined by the Cochran equation based on the population of Armenia, was 1308, with a confidence level of 97% and a margin of error of 3%. The survey had a 99% response rate, resulting in 1291 participants. The ages of the research participants were primarily between 24 and 35 years, with women comprising 67% of respondents. Educational levels showed that 36% had higher education, and 30% had vocational education. Our study reveals that self-medication is common among all ages, genders, and education levels. Developing educational resources and fostering public trust in pharmacists are recommended to enhance self-medication management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective pharmacotherapy requires strong collaboration between physicians and pharmacists, highlighting the need for interprofessional education (IPE) in university curricula. This study evaluated the impact of an IPE program on medical and pharmacy students, focusing on their perceived development of interprofessional collaborative competencies, perceived learning outcomes, and clinical collaboration perceptions. Methods: A mixed-method approach was employed to evaluate an IPE program that consisted of three mandatory activities with increased complexity and autonomy, that were integrated into the medical and pharmacy students' curricula. From September 2022 to June 2023, using a retrospective pre-post approach, students rated their competence levels after an educational activity using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale (ICCAS). The participants also answered open-ended survey questions about their learning outcomes. Medical students participated in both uniprofessional education (UPE) and IPE, while pharmacy students participated exclusively in IPE. Effect sizes for competency development were estimated, and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the impact of multiple IPE activities. Semi-structured interviews provided additional qualitative insights, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Of the 309 surveys completed (response rate 64%, with 274 medical and 35 pharmacy students), all 21 ICCAS items showed statistically significant improvement in both UPE (n = 127) and IPE (n = 182) (p < 0.05). While effect sizes for UPE were small across all items, IPE had medium effect sizes for six items and large effect sizes for two items. Overall, students rated themselves as more capable of interprofessional collaboration after IPE, with 55% (n = 124) reporting feeling 'somewhat better' and 6% (n = 14) feeling 'much better,' compared to 16% (n = 12) and 0%, respectively, after UPE. Competency development seems to improve slightly with an increased number of IPE activities. Pharmacy students reported somewhat higher post-activity scores than medical students did. Qualitative data from open-ended survey responses and interviews with six medical students and four pharmacy students highlighted a deeper understanding of professional roles and a greater appreciation for collaborative work through this program. Conclusions: This IPE program focused on pharmacotherapy improved self-perceived interprofessional collaborative competencies among medical and pharmacy students. Through multiple interprofessional activities, students can develop a deeper understanding of professional roles and improve collaborative skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Graft rupture is a significant cause of graft failure in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). To address this issue, clinicians have combined the internal tension relieving technique (ITRT) with ACLR to improve graft stiffness, aiming to reduce the risk of graft failure. The purpose of this study is to compare the graft failure rates and clinical functional outcomes between ITRT-assisted ACLR and conventional ACLR. Methods: Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a search was conducted in databases including Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, CNKI, and VIP Medical Database for clinical controlled trials comparing the ITRT combined with ACLR to conventional ACLR. The search period spanned from the establishment of the databases to September 2024. Studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected, with two independent reviewers conducting literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. The evaluated outcomes included graft failure rate, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, Tegner activity score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), return to sport (RTS) rate, and knee joint laxity. Results: A total of 11 studies were included in the final analysis, with 1,339 patients (592 patients with ITRT-assisted ACLR and 747 patients with conventional ACLR). The combined analysis results indicated that, compared to conventional ACLR, ITRT-assisted ACLR showed significant advantages in reducing graft failure rates (RR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.83; P = 0.01), increasing return-to-sport rates (MD = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.91; P = 0.03), and improving knee scores (including KOOS score and Tegner activity score) (all P values < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two approaches in terms of Lysholm knee score, VAS score, IKDC score, and knee joint laxity. Conclusions: This meta-analysis highlighted the significance and superiority of combining ITRT with ACLR compared to conventional ACLR, particularly in reducing graft failure rate and improving knee function outcomes. The ITRT-assisted ACLR procedure may represent the optimal approach for minimizing graft failure. However, given the limitations of short-term follow-up and reliance on retrospective studies, more randomized controlled trials and longer follow-up periods are needed to further evaluate the long-term graft failure rates and functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extemporaneous compounding for dermatological use is an important therapeutic alternative for patients whose clinical needs are not met by approved drug products circulated in the market. Evaluating patients' perceptions and levels of satisfaction towards such services is an important factor for the adherence of patients and maintaining the quality of healthcare services. The current study aimed to assess patients' perception and level of satisfaction with the compounding service and extemporaneous preparations rendered at ALERT hospital. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients receiving compounding pharmacy services at ALERT hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 10th April to 10th May 2023. A consecutive sampling technique was used to recruit the study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, entered into the EPI info, exported and analyzed using SPSS. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine possible predictors of patient satisfaction and p-value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 422 patients recruited and most were predominantly females (64.4%) and aged between 26 and 35 years (38.4%). Nearly 2/3rd had a previous history of compounded medicine use. Majority of the respondents strongly agreed with their satisfaction with price (51.4%), the adequacy of information provided (67.8%), the ease and smoothness of communication with staff (72.0%), and the politeness and supportiveness of staff (73.2%). However, 39.1% of participants disagreed towards the fairness of compounding service waiting time. The overall positive perception and satisfaction level of patients at ALERT hospital receiving the compounding service for their dermatological preparations were 84.41% and 78.57%, respectively. Conclusions: The patients' perception and satisfaction towards the compounding service at ALERT hospital indicated that the dermatological preparations and the services are optimal. Hence, health professionals and the hospital management should take further steps to improve service quality and enhance patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In United States v. Skrmetti, the Supreme Court's conservative justices are poised to uphold bans on medicine for transgender minors. According to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, who is defending his state's ban, trans youth are not a vulnerable minority deserving of civil rights protections. Rather, they are the victims of dangerously uncertain medical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialists in forensic medicine assist in crime scene investigations. The forensic medicine experts include anthropologists, ballistic analysts, entomologists, odontologists, and osteologists. The experts are usually not at the crime scene; they provide an evaluation of evidence that is sent to them. After they complete their assessment of the evidence, they prepare a specialized presentation of their findings: a forensic expert analytical report. The format of the report is variable depending on which forensic expert is writing it; however, there are certain mandatory sections that are included: the chain of evidence, the methods of evidence evaluation, the results of the evaluation of the evidence, and the discussion (including the conclusion) of what the evidence demonstrates. Forensic dermatology is an emerging subfield of medicine. Dermatologists are experts in evaluating the skin, mucosa, hair, and nails. It is anticipated that the demand for forensic dermatology will increase as individuals who currently evaluate crime scenes become aware of the potential benefit of consulting a forensic dermatologist. An illustrative hypothetical forensic dermatology expert analytical report is presented. Like other forensic expert analytical reports, the forensic dermatology expert analytical report has four primary sections. The chain of evidence section is a chronologic documentation that not only identifies the protected care and control of the evidence but also the transfer of the evidence to another individual. The methods section is a comprehensive presentation of the analysis of the evidence; it comprises the majority of an analytical report. The results section provides the information obtained after the evidence has been evaluated; it should be written in plain language, so it is readily able to be understood by not only the other investigators but also the members of the legal profession (including the judge and the attorneys) and the members of the jury. The discussion section includes the opinion of the dermatologist and should be a summary of the investigation findings that puts the analysis of the evidence into context; it can include a conclusion section and should also be written in plain language. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, the template of the illustrative forensic dermatology expert analytical report can be modified by the dermatologists who is preparing their analytical report. In conclusion, an excellent forensic dermatology expert report will aid both other investigators and the members of the legal system—such as the attorneys, judge, and jury—who are involved in the case. In addition, when the forensic dermatology expert testifies as an expert witness in court, the report will be an asset for the dermatologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The transcriptional regulation of BCL11A shows stage-specific characteristics and plays an important role in the development of hematopoietic lineages, which is closely related to the occurrence of blood cell diseases. We aim to summarize the functions of BCL11A within the hematopoietic system and related diseases and discuss its feasibility as a therapeutic target for the treatment of hematological disorders. B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) is a crucial transcriptional regulator, widely recognized for its role in controlling fetal hemoglobin and its potential as a gene therapy target for inherited hemoglobinopathies. Beyond this, recent studies have also highlighted its key role in the maturation and function of immune cells and erythrocytes, mediated through the regulation of various molecules during hematopoietic development. The dysregulation of BCL11A disrupts downstream molecular pathways, contributing to the development of several hematological malignancies, particularly leukemias. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of BCL11A in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, details the hematological disorders associated with its dysregulation and explores the current therapeutic strategies targeting this transcription factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-COVID-19, the emergence of newer technologies has taken center stage. One such technology is metaverse, which is an extension of existing technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) that enables a fully immersive communication platform through the utilization of digital twins and avatars in a three-dimensional digital space. Literature review has shown that the adoption of such technologies in the field of clinical trials can help in improving the therapeutic outcomes in patients while having numerous other benefits. Despite its early stages of adoption, the application of metaverses in clinical trials through the use of AR, VR, and digital twins holds the ability to revolutionize key tasks in clinical trials, such as patient enrollment, engagement, monitoring, and counseling, by removing barriers to study participation. This review article focuses on the concepts of metaverse, its use in clinical trials, its inherent benefits, and limitations and serves as a starting point for clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and technology firms to conceptualize and develop metaverse solutions that stand to significantly benefit the broader landscape of clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]