American Institute of Biological Sciences

Transurethral bulking agent (TBA) injections and single incision slings (SIS) are low risk, minimally invasive options increasingly being used in the treatment of primary stress urinary incontinence (SUI); however, comparative trials are lacking. We describe the study design and rationale for the Transurethral Bulking Agent Injection versus Single-Incision Sling for Stress Urinary Incontinence (BASIS) trial. The study methods, inclusion criteria, assessments, safety and efficacy outcomes, and follow-up are reported. We also present methods for selection of surgical devices and public private partnerships for product donation. The engagement of anesthesia co-investigators to develop an office-based protocol is also described. The BASIS trial is a multicentered, double-blind, randomized controlled, superiority study of up to 2 injections of TBA (Bulkamid) versus SIS (Solyx) at 12 months, with follow-up through 36 months. Women with primary, stress-predominant urinary incontinence without indication for general or regional anesthesia are eligible. A patient-centered primary outcome of Patient Global Impression of Improvement was used to calculate the sample size of 358. Secondary efficacy and safety outcomes of objective and subjective success, retreatment, and adverse events (including de novo pelvic floor muscle tenderness and dyspareunia), and cost-effectiveness analyses are planned. The feasibility of an office-based anesthesia protocol with sedation and local anesthesia will also be evaluated. Results from the BASIS study will provide level 1 evidence on the comparative-effectiveness of 2 minimally invasive office-based treatments. Important safety data and 3-year outcomes will help clinicians and patients make informed decisions about primary SUI procedure options.

Abstract During clinical training, student nurses are at a higher risk of blood-borne infections due to needlestick injuries (NSIs). Medical sharp instruments like syringe needles, stitches, puncture needles, scalpels, and ampoules can lead to sharp injuries by causing deep skin wounds that result in bleeding. Nursing students must know every facet of NSIs to safeguard themselves from the dangers. Nevertheless, due to their inexperience in handling needles and sharp items in a clinical setting, nursing students are more likely to suffer from NSIs than more seasoned nurses. This review aimed to determine how often and to what degree nursing students understood NSIs. A thorough search was carried out for relevant English research papers released from January 2013 to January 2024 in the databases of Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and CINAHL. The research focused on the prevalence, knowledge, and recognition of NSIs among nursing students and associated factors. This analysis showed that the high prevalence rate of NSIs varies widely between 6.2% and 67% worldwide and that nursing students have low to moderate awareness of them. The literature review emphasized many variables that might increase the frequency of NSIs, such as gender, time, education level, training location, characteristics of the injury, educational background, and workload.

In a digitalized world, accessing disease information through online platforms has become essential in influencing health-promoting behaviors among patients with heart failure. Patients must possess sufficient digital health literacy to obtain accurate and reliable information from digital platforms; however, there is no known data about the mediating role of digital health literacy in the relationship between health behaviors and symptom burden among persons with heart failure. To examine the relationship between digital health literacy, health behaviors, and symptom status (frequency, severity, and level of discomfort) in persons with heart failure and the mediating role of digital health literacy in the relationship between health behaviors and symptom status. This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted between November 2023 and June 2024 with 250 persons diagnosed with heart failure. Data were collected using the Heart Failure Health Behavior Scale, e-Health Literacy Scale, and Heart Failure Symptom Status Scale. Pearson correlation analysis, linear regression, and hierarchical regression analysis with PROCESS Model 4 were used to analyze the continuous variables. Digital health literacy was positively but weakly correlated with health behavior and negatively correlated with symptom status. The mediation analysis revealed that part of the effect of health behaviors on symptom status was mediated by digital health literacy. Health behaviors directly affected symptom status and indirectly affected symptom status through digital health literacy. Strategies developed by nurses to enhance digital health literacy could play a critical role in improving the health of persons with heart failure by reducing symptom burden and promoting health behaviors. Research is needed on the influence of various predictors on symptom burden and assessing whether interventions to enhance digital health literacy can improve health outcomes among those with heart failure.

This study investigates the seasonal variations in the relationship between particulate matter (PM) concentrations and rainwater quality in an urban area of South Korea. Rainwater samples (n = 216) were collected during summer (June to August 2020) and winter (December 2020 to February 2021) at Pukyong National University, Busan, and analyzed for pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in the field, and water-soluble ions (Na+, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, NH4+, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-) were determined using an Ion Chromatography (IC, HIC-ESP, Shimadzu, Japan) at the Integrated Analytical Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences of Pukyong National University. Atmospheric concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were obtained from the Automated Weather System (AWS) of the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The results showed significant seasonal differences in PM concentrations and rainwater quality. In summer, daily average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were relatively low (about 18 μg/m³ and 7 μg/m³) with higher rainwater EC (about 26 µS/cm) and moderate levels of cations (about 10 mg/L) and anions (8 mg/L). In contrast, winter showed increased PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (27 μg/m³ and 18 μg/m³), accompanied by lower EC (15.6 µS/cm) but higher cation (15 mg/L) and anion (12 mg/L) concentrations. Rainfall intensity was markedly higher in summer (3.01 mm/h) than in winter (0.63 mm/h), reflecting seasonal differences in pollutant washout processes. Correlation analysis revealed stronger relationships between PM concentrations and rainwater quality in summer, particularly for pH (r = 0.75), NH4+ (r = 0.67), and K+ (r = 0.43). These findings indicate that rainfall during summer plays a critical role in transporting atmospheric pollutants to the surface, while in winter, meteorological factors such as wind and humidity have a greater influence. This study highlights the importance of considering seasonal and meteorological variations when assessing the environmental impacts of PM.This research was supported by Particulate Matter Management Specialized Graduate Program through the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute(KEITI) funded by the Ministry of Environment(MOE)

This study aimed to compare the clinical accuracy of maxillary positioning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery based on the method of virtual surgical planning (VSP) implementation, specifically contrasting the use of the wafer-only versus the customized guide-plate system. Thirty-four patients who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery were retrospectively analyzed and divided into 2 groups: a control group (wafer-only, n=17) and a study group (wafer+guide+plate, n=17). Surgical accuracy was quantitatively evaluated by comparing the 3-dimensional coordinates of 5 maxillary landmarks between the virtual surgical plan (Tv) and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography (T1) using dedicated 3D analysis software. In addition, postoperative skeletal stability was evaluated by comparing T1 and T2. The study group showed significantly better accuracy in transverse (0.36mm versus 0.86mm) and anterior vertical dimensions (0.51mm versus 1.45mm). Both groups experienced challenges with posterior vertical positioning and sagittal accuracy. Six-month stability analysis revealed no significant differences between groups, with mean absolute changes of 0.39-1.41mm (study) and 0.44-1.39mm (control). The guide-plate system offers a clinically meaningful improvement in maxillary positioning accuracy over the wafer-only approach, particularly in complex cases requiring high precision. Both methods demonstrated comparable 6-month stability, indicating that the enhanced initial accuracy does not compromise postoperative stability.

Cancer and its physiological and psychological effects are well defined, but how these factors impact health system navigation for people living with cancer (PLWC) is lacking. To develop a theory explaining how PLWC navigate health systems to meet their health and well-being needs. This study used multi-grounded theory to explain how PLWC navigate health systems to meet their needs. Individuals more than 6 months postdiagnosis participated in semistructured interviews. The theory was grounded with the Health Beliefs Model and Socioecological Model to generate a candidate theory. Eighteen participants were interviewed (n = 12 female); the most prominent cancer type was breast (50%). The theory comprised 5 components describing how PLWC navigate health services: (1) "being on the journey" referenced a core care team and differing utilization over time; (2) "adjusting to a new identity" addressed feeling lost and isolated and a desire to be around people who have experienced cancer; (3) "assimilating knowledge" included knowledge about cancer, timing, and source of information; (4) "navigating the health system" found health-seeking attitudes and behaviors dictated whether services were accessed; and (5) "policy environment" acknowledged how policy set the context within which all theory components exist. The candidate theory depicts core factors influencing how PWLC navigate health and well-being services over their cancer journey and into survivorship. The theory identifies factors that influence access to healthcare, including trust and knowledge, which can form the basis of navigational initiatives and programs.

The two terms of our title have long been destined for each other but, in the style of a Hollywood romantic comedy, have taken their sweet time to merge in an embrace. This special issue wants to be a setting for such a moment. We come into this with a double-pronged hypothesis: that “Beat time” is queer time, as it disrupts and rearranges the chronological patterns of straight society, and that recent critical work on queer temporality—the particular rhythms and tempos of queer minorities—c...