Parents ASSIST: Acceptability and Feasibility of a Video-Based Educational Series for Sexuality-Inclusive Communication between Parents and Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Sons

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) between the ages of 13 and 24 are a key population for HIV prevention. The parents of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) adolescent males and the sex communication they have with their sons has yet to be explored as an HIV prevention intervention. We developed an online video series called Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks) to educate parents about sexual health topics pertinent to GBQ males. We pilot tested the series with a sample of 54 parents of GBQ males using a single-group post-test design. Participants viewed the videos and completed a survey measuring the acceptability and feasibility of an online video series to educate parents. Most of the parents (70.4%) believed that the videos would make parents more likely to initiate talking about sex with their sons. The results suggest that online videos are an acceptable way for parents to learn about GBQ sexual health topics.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Cartoon Videos on Post Operative Pain and Discomfort among 5 to 10 Years Children

Introduction: A study to evaluate to assess the effectiveness of cartoon videos on post-operative pain and discomfort among 5-to-10-year children. It’s needed for the improvement in health as well as a diversion from pain and wellbeing of children. The important part of every person’s life is to understand children, without understanding we cannot communicate with children. Our whole life has been greatly influenced by our childhood and our experiences. In the hospital, children frequently encounter unpredictable and acute procedure-related pain, which can have detrimental emotional and psychological consequences. Objective: To assess the level of pain among the children of the control group. To evaluate the effectiveness and compare of cartoon videos on post-operative pain and discomfort among 5-to-10-year children in experimental group and control group. To associate the level of pain score of the control group and experimental group with selected demographic variables. Methodology: An interventional research strategy is used in this study. The true-experimental two-group post-test control design is used in this research. This research was carried out in Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH) on Postoperative youngsters aged 5 to 10 years. Conclusion: The statistical analysis will lead to a conclusion.

The Influence of Root Canal Preparation with ProTaper Next, WaveOne Gold, and Twisted Files on Dentine Crack Formation

(1) Background: Root canal preparation constitutes an important factor for success in endodontics. However, various complications may occur during this stage. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of cracks within radicular dentin after instrumentation with ProTaper Next (PTN), WaveOne Gold (WOG), and Twisted Files (TF), which utilize different kinematics. (2) Methods: Eighty single-rooted teeth were classified into four groups (n = 20). Three groups were instrumented using PTN (X1, X2), WOG (Primary), and TF (SM1–3). The non-instrumented group constituted the control group. Post-preparation, the roots were sectioned 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex using a low-speed saw (Southbay Technology Inc., San Clemente, CA, USA). The specimens were viewed through a microscope at x25 magnification (Leica M320, Wetzlar, Germany), and their surface was assessed tactilely to determine the presence of the crack. (3) Results: Partial cracks within radicular dentine were observed in all study groups (PTN: n = 4/20%, WOG: n = 3/15%, TF: n = 4/20%); no cracks were observed in the control group. No significant differences were observed among experimental groups. OR values for the incidence of cracks were: OR = 11.182 for PTN, OR = 8.2 for WOG, and OR = 8.2 for TF. (4) Conclusions: Instrumentation with PTN, WOG, and TF may result in dentinal cracks formation.

Patientenzufriedenheit nach geschlechtsangleichender Mastektomie in Frau-zu-Mann-transidenten Patienten – eine Analyse unter Verwendung eines modifizierten BREAST-Q-Fragebogens

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Mastektomie ist essenzieller Bestandteil der geschlechtsangleichenden Operationen in der Gruppe Frau-zu-Mann(FM)-transidenter Patienten. Einschlägige Studien zeigen eine hohe Patientenzufriedenheit in dieser Kohorte, allerdings etablierte sich bisher kein standardisiertes Verfahren zur Evaluation der Effektivität. Methoden Anhand des etablierten Breast-Q-Fragebogens entwickelten wir eine modifizierte Version unter Berücksichtigung spezifischer Fragestellungen hinsichtlich FM-transidenter Patienten. Demnach erfolgte die Anpassung aller Fragen, welche gezielt die Physiologie von Cis-Frauen adressieren. Im Sinne eines „One-Group Post-Test Only“-Designs kontaktierten wir Patienten nach stattgehabter Mastektomie im Zeitraum von 1991 bis 2017 und evaluierten die Ergebnisse des Fragebogens von insgesamt 28 Patienten. Letzterer beinhaltet 57 Fragen hinsichtlich der grundlegenden Zufriedenheit mit der Brustregion, ebenso wie spezifische Fragen zur Zufriedenheit mit dem Mamillen-Areola-Komplex und hinterfragt Themen wie Erwartungen, Selbstbewusstsein, Sexualleben und Bedauern nach erfolgter Mastektomie. Ergebnisse Insgesamt zeigte sich ein hohes Maß an Patientenzufriedenheit nach stattgehabter Mastektomie. Alle befragten Patienten würden den Eingriff wiederholen und nur wenige äußerten Bedauern. Konklusion Die Mastektomie spielt eine entscheidende Rolle hinsichtlich geschlechtsangleichender Eingriffe bei Trans-Männern und zeigt eine hohe postoperative Zufriedenheit als Ausdruck einer Lebensqualitätsverbesserung.

Finger stick blood test to assess post vaccination SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response against variants

There is clinical need for a quantifiable point-of-care (PoC) SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (nAb) test that is adaptable with the pandemics changing landscape. Here, we present a rapid and semi-quantitative nAb test that uses finger stick or venous blood to assess the nAb response of vaccinated population against wild-type, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variant receptor binding domains. It captures a clinically relevant range of nAb levels, and effectively differentiates pre-vaccination, post 1st dose and post 2nd dose vaccination samples within 10 minutes. The data observed against alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants agrees with published results evaluated in established serology tests. Finally, our test revealed a substantial reduction in nAb level for beta, gamma, and delta variants between early BNT162b2 vaccination group (within 3 months) and later vaccination group (post 3 months). This test is highly suited for PoC settings and provides an insightful nAb response in a post-vaccinated population.

Respiratory, Hepatic, Renal and Hematological Disorders Among Adolescent Females Environmentally Exposed To Pesticides, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Adolescent females are often environmentally exposed to pesticides by living near agricultural fields, by using pesticides at home, or by having contact with contaminated clothes and pesticide application work tools. This study assessed respiratory, hepatic, renal and hematological health disorders that might arise due to environmental exposure to pesticides among adolescent females. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 adolescent females environmentally exposed to pesticides who had one or more of their family members working as seasonal pesticides' applicators and 50 non- exposed (control) adolescent females from Menoufia governorate, Egypt. The studied period of pesticide application season of cotton crop was from May 1st to the end of September 2017. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about pesticide exposure and respiratory, hepatic, renal and hematological disorders. In addition, serum acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), spirometry, complete blood count, liver and kidney functions' tests were measured pre and post pesticide application season. The control adolescent females had a higher AChE activity, a lower prevalence of respiratory symptoms and higher means of spirometric measurements than the exposed group. During the pre and postseason, the exposed group presented a prevalence of (6%, 24%) for cough, (4%, 11%) for rhinitis, and (6%, 26%) for dyspnea during the pre and postseason; respectively. In addition, there was a decrease in means of spirometric measurements (FEV1%, FEV1/FVC%, FEF 25-75% and PEF%) in post season compared to preseason among the exposed group. Also, there were significant associations between (AChE) activity and both the prevalence of respiratory manifestations and spirometric measurements among the exposed females. On the other hand, there were significantly increased red blood corpuscles (RBCs) and lymphocytes counts, and a significantly lower mean hemoglobin level among the exposed group (post season) than each of their pre-season values and the control group (P<0.05). AChE level, total protein, albumin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio levels were significantly lower, while SGPT, SGOT, and globulin, blood urea and serum creatinine mean levels were significantly higher among the exposed group (post season) than either of their pre-season or the control group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between AChE level and all studied CBC parameters for the exposed group reaching a significant level with basophils (P<0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between AChE level and each of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, globulin, blood urea and serum creatinine for the exposed group reaching a significant level with each of SGPT and SGOT (P<0.05). At the same time, a non-significant positive correlation was found between AChE level and each of total protein, albumin and A/G ratio (P>0.05). So, environmental exposure to organophosphorus pesticides has a detrimental impact on respiratory, hepatic, renal and hematological systems of adolescent females living in rural districts at Menoufia governorate. Educational and training intervention programs on pesticide handling and safety precautions are recommended for protecting both pesticides' workers and their family members who might be exposed.

Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Self-Regulation in Typically Developing Preschool-Aged Children: Results of the Omega Kid Pilot Study—A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Supplementation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) may enhance self-regulation (SR) and executive functioning (EF) in children of preschool age. The aim of the Omega Kid Study was to investigate the effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on SR and EF in typically developing preschool-aged children. A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial was undertaken, the intervention was 12 weeks and consisted of 1.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day compared to placebo. The HS-Omega-3 Index® was assessed by capillary blood samples at baseline and post-intervention. Seventy-eight children were enrolled and randomised to either the n-3 LCPUFA treatment (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) group. Post intervention, there was a significant three-fold increase in the HS-Omega-3 Index® in the n-3 LCPUFA group (p < 0.001). There were no improvements in SR or EF outcome variables for the n-3 LCPUFA group post intervention compared to the placebo group determined by linear mixed models. At baseline, there were significant modest positive Spearman correlations found between the HS-Omega-3 index® and both behavioural self-regulation and cognitive self-regulation (r = 0.287, p = 0.015 and r = 0.242, p = 0.015 respectively). Although no treatment effects were found in typically developing children, further research is required to target children with sub-optimal self-regulation who may benefit most from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation.

Decreased frontotemporal connectivity in patients with parkinson’s disease experiencing face pareidolia

The precise neural underpinnings of face pareidolia in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) remain unclear. We aimed to clarify face recognition network abnormalities associated with face pareidolia in such patients. Eighty-three patients with PD and 40 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Patients with PD were classified into pareidolia and nonpareidolia groups. Volumetric analyses revealed no significant differences between the pareidolia (n = 39) and nonpareidolia (n = 44) patient groups. We further observed decreased functional connectivity among regions of interest in the bilateral frontotemporal lobes in patients with pareidolia. Seed-based analysis using bilateral temporal fusiform cortices as seeds revealed significantly decreased connectivity with the bilateral inferior medial prefrontal cortices in the pareidolia group. Post hoc regression analysis further demonstrated that the severity of face pareidolia was negatively correlated with functional connectivity between the bilateral temporal fusiform and medial prefrontal cortices. Our findings suggest that top-down modulation of the face recognition network is impaired in patients with PD experiencing face pareidolia.

The improving of monitoring the condition of vehicles organization during mandatory technical inspection

The task of combining operations into technologically compatible groups and optimally distributing them to separate posts of the diagnostic line of the vehicle technical inspection point is solved. Planning solution for production line for trucks and buses diagnostics and a formula that allows to determine that performance are proposed. Keywords: technical inspection operator, technologically compatible group, post, production line, operation, diagnostic equipment

Impact of different activities on learning the subjects in the course ‘Introduction to Education’

This study aims to determine how the activities applied within the course ‘Introduction to Education’ affect learning the subjects about education. The research had the one-group post-test-only design, a type of quasi-experiment design. The study group of the research consisted of 97 prospective teachers. ‘Introduction to Education’ covered the discussion of 11 fundamental subjects, as well as different activities conducted in regard to each topic. Based on the results of the research, it was concluded that the activities used in the courses ensured effective learning, were appreciated by the prospective teachers and increased participation. The factors that decreased the effects of the activities, however, were found to have been mostly student-originated. Finally, it was recommended that instructors use effective activities that would increase the participation of students during the classes. Keywords: Activities, introduction to education, teacher education.