Holy Name Medical Center

Immersion in natural environments supports health and well-being; yet, research in this domain often does not adequately reflect the experiences of diverse communities. Given the ways in which individuals’ identities and cultural backgrounds influence human–nature relationships, it is imperative to explore and document these dynamics. This study furthers this aim by amplifying the nature-based perspectives of Black men in the United States who completed a multiday outdoor retreat program led by the nonprofit organization Boyz N The Wood. This collaborative study uses a participatory mental modeling approach to ascertain the types of impacts the retreat had on participants and which activities and broader characteristics of the program facilitated those impacts. Thematic analysis of 19 mental modeling interviews revealed six impact types and three nature-based activity categories that gave rise to the identified impacts. We also identified a series of enabling and constraining characteristics that influenced the extent to which exposure to nature might influence the health and well-being of participants. We discuss these findings in depth and share the implications for both research and practice in the field of nature, health, and well-being.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) hold significant promise for revolutionizing the management of neurological diseases. These technologies enable enhanced diagnostic accuracy, personalized treatment plans, and innovative rehabilitation strategies. AI-driven systems can analyze complex neuroimaging data, track disease progression, and assist in neuroprosthetic interventions, while AR improves surgical precision and supports interactive, immersive training for healthcare professionals. This narrative review explores the current and potential applications of AI and AR in neurology, focusing on their impact on diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and other neurological conditions. We also address the challenges of data security, bias in AI models, and the high cost of AR devices, along with the ethical implications of integrating these technologies into clinical practice. The review concludes with a discussion of future directions, emphasizing the need for larger, long-term studies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and policy frameworks to ensure the safe, equitable, and effective implementation of AI and AR in neurological care.

Violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Caribbean continues to prevail yet remains underreported. Our aim is to determine the cause, traits, and consequences of violence on HCWs in the Caribbean. To determine the cause, traits, and consequences of violence on HCWs in the Caribbean. This research adopted an online cross-sectional survey approach, spanning over eight weeks (between June 6th and August 9th, 2022). The survey was generated using Research Electronic Data Capture forms and followed a snowballing strategy to contact individuals using emails, social media, text messages, etc. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the variables that influence violence, including gender, age, years of experience, institution type, and night shift frequency. The survey was completed by 225 HCWs. Females comprised 61%. Over 51% of respondents belonged to the 21 to 35 age group. Dominica (n = 61), Haiti (n = 50), and Grenada (n = 31) had the most responses. Most HCWs (49%) worked for government academic institutions, followed by community hospitals (23%). Medical students (32%), followed by attending physicians (22%), and others (16%) comprised the most common cadre of respondents. About 39% of the participants reported experiencing violence themselves, and 18% reported violence against colleague(s). Verbal violence (48%), emotional abuse (24%), and physical misconduct (14%) were the most common types of violence. Nearly 63% of respondents identified patients or their relatives as the most frequent aggressors. Univariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that female gender (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.16-3.76, P = 0.014) and higher frequency of night shifts (OR = 2.22; 95%CI: 1.08-4.58, P = 0.030) were associated with significantly higher odds of experiencing violence. More than 50% of HCWs felt less motivated and had decreased job satisfaction post-violent conduct. A large proportion of HCWS in the Caribbean are exposed to violence, yet the phenomenon remains underreported. As a result, HCWs' job satisfaction has diminished.

Mobility and cognitive impairment are prevalent and co-occurring in older adults with multiple sclerosis (OAMS), yet there is limited research concerning the role of disability status in the cognitive control of gait among OAMS. We investigated the levels of prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation, using oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), during cognitively-demanding tasks in OAMS with lower and higher disability using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to: (1) identify PFC activation differences in single task walk and cognitively-demanding tasks in OAMS with different levels of disability; and (2) evaluate if disability may moderate practice-related changes in neural efficiency in OAMS. We gathered data from OAMS with lower (n = 51, age = 65 ± 4 years) or higher disability (n = 48, age = 65 ± 5 years), using a cutoff of 3 or more, in the Patient Determined Disease Steps, for higher disability, under 3 different conditions (single-task walk, Single-Task-Alpha, and Dual-Task-Walk [DTW]) administered over 3 counterbalanced, repeated trials. OAMS who had a lower disability level exhibited decreased PFC activation levels during Single-Task-Walk (STW) and larger increases in PFC activation levels, when going from STW to a cognitively-demanding task, such as a DTW, than those with higher disability. OAMS with a lower disability level exhibited greater declines in PFC activation levels with additional within session practice than those with a higher disability level. These findings suggest that disability moderates brain adaptability to cognitively-demanding tasks and demonstrate the potential for fNIRS-derived outcome measures to complement neurorehabilitation outcomes.

Atherectomy Before Angioplasty or Stenting for Peripheral Arterial Disease: Point—The Data Indicate That Atherectomy Before Definitive Endovascular Therapy Is BeneficialKevin Herman, MD1 and John H. Rundback, MD1Audio Available | Share