Breast Cancer and Obesity: a Qualitative Analysis of a Diverse Population of Breast Cancer Patients' Perspectives on Weight Management.

PURPOSE: Obesity and weight gain in breast cancer survivors leads to a greater risk of recurrence and a decreased chance of survival. A paucity of data exists regarding strengths, weaknesses, and barriers for implementing culturally sensitive, patient-centered interventions for weight management among minority communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate breast cancer patients' experience and perspectives regarding weight management in a racially diverse population. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with breast cancer patients with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 regarding their experience with weight management. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Participants (n = 17) most commonly self-identified as non-Hispanic Black (70.6%). Nearly all participants felt comfortable being approached about weight management, yet less than half (41.2%) reported that they knew about the link between breast cancer and body weight prior to the interview. Four themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge regarding the link between body weight and breast cancer risk, (2) barriers to weight management including family stressors, high cost, mental health issues, and chronic medical conditions, (3) previous attempts at weight loss including bariatric surgery, and (4) best practices for approaching weight management including discussion of weight management prior to survivorship. CONCLUSION: There is a need for a multidisciplinary, patient-centered weight management program for minority breast cancer patients that improves awareness of the link between weight and breast cancer risk. Weight management should be introduced early on as an element of the treatment plan for breast cancer.

Surveillance of Vermont wildlife in 2021-2022 reveals no detected SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA.

Previous studies have documented natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 in various domestic and wild animals. More recently, studies have been published noting the susceptibility of members of the Cervidae family, and infections in both wild and captive cervid populations. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in mammalian wildlife within the state of Vermont. 739 nasal or throat samples were collected from wildlife throughout the state during the 2021 and 2022 harvest season. Data was collected from red and gray foxes (Vulpes vulples and Urocyon cineroargentus, respectively), fishers (Martes pennati), river otters (Lutra canadensis), coyotes (Canis lantrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus rufus), black bears (Ursus americanus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 via quantitative RT-qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set and/or the WHO-E gene primer set. Surprisingly, we initially detected a number of N1 and/or N2 positive samples with high cycle threshold values, though after conducting environmental swabbing of the laboratory and verifying with a second independent primer set (WHO-E) and PCR without reverse transcriptase, we showed that these were false positives due to plasmid contamination from a construct expressing the N gene in the general laboratory environment. Our final results indicate that no sampled wildlife were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and highlight the importance of physically separate locations for the processing of samples for surveillance and experiments that require the use of plasmid DNA containing the target RNA sequence. These negative findings are surprising, given that most published North America studies have found SARS-CoV-2 within their deer populations. The absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in populations sampled here may provide insights in to the various environmental and anthropogenic factors that reduce spillover and spread in North American's wildlife populations.

Surveillance of Vermont wildlife in 2021-2022 reveals no detected SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA.

Previous studies have documented natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 in various domestic and wild animals. More recently, studies have been published noting the susceptibility of members of the Cervidae family, and infections in both wild and captive cervid populations. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in mammalian wildlife within the state of Vermont. 739 nasal or throat samples were collected from wildlife throughout the state during the 2021 and 2022 harvest season. Data was collected from red and gray foxes ( Vulpes vulples and Urocyon cineroargentus , respectively), fishers ( Martes pennati ), river otters ( Lutra canadensis ), coyotes ( Canis lantrans ), bobcats ( Lynx rufus rufus ), black bears ( Ursus americanus ), and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 via quantitative RT-qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set and/or the WHO-E gene primer set. Our results indicate that no sampled wildlife were positive for SARS-CoV-2. This finding is surprising, given that most published North America studies have found SARS-CoV-2 within their deer populations. The absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in populations sampled here may provide insights in to the various environmental and anthropogenic factors that reduce spillover and spread in North American's wildlife populations.

Trends in Tattoo-Related Google Search Data in the United States: Time-Series Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tattoos are becoming increasingly common in the United States. However, little information is available to help clinicians anticipate where, when, and on what topics patients will seek guidance regarding tattoo care, complications, and removal. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to model web searches concerning general interest in tattoo application, tattoo removal, and the geolocation of tattooing services. METHODS: Relative search volumes (RSVs) were elicited from Google Trends, filtered to web searches made in the United States between January 15, 2008, and October 15, 2022. Longitudinal data were analyzed in GraphPad Prism and geospatial data were visualized with Datawrapper for general interest searches (tattoo and tattoo removal), aggregated geolocating searches (eg, tattoo shops near me), and symptomatic searches relating to adverse effects (eg, itchy tattoo). Results were compared to previous global literature and national surveys of tattoo prevalence. RESULTS: In the United States, the search terms tattoo and tattoo removal have experienced stable RSVs over the past 14 years, with both showing peaks in the summer and troughs in the winter. RSVs for search terms that geolocate tattooing services have experienced a general increase in use since 2008. A compilation of results for all collated geolocating search terms localized these searches mainly to the American South, with lesser involvement in the eastern Midwest and inland West. Increased search interest in the Southeast at the expense of more populous coastal states and Great Plains or western Midwest states reflects the ongoing harmonization of tattoo prevalence across regions, as shown by national surveys. Searches for symptoms related to adverse reactions to tattooing experienced an increase over the period of interest, with the same distribution as previous global findings. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware of an increase in search interest regarding tattoos and their removal, especially during the summer months in the Southeast and Midwest. This increase in interest is occurring together with increased tattoo prevalence and increased search interest for adverse reactions in a country lagging behind in tattoo ink regulation.

'I'm always walking on eggshells, and there's no chance of me ever being free': The mental health implications of Imprisonment for Public Protection in the community and post-recall.

BACKGROUND: Despite its abolition in 2012, the indeterminate sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) still casts a long shadow over the justice system. Recall is a growing problem: In June 2020, there were 1,359 recalled IPP prisoners. Research documents the negative mental health implications of initial imprisonment under an IPP sentence; however, little is known about experiences on licence, or post-recall. AIMS: To explain how recalled IPP prisoners perceive being on licence, and in prison post-recall, to affect their mental wellbeing. METHODS: We draw on 31 interviews with recalled IPP prisoners, conducted for a wider project exploring the high rates of IPP recall. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: a perpetual state of anxiety about recall and spending additional years behind bars; self-imposed social isolation, both in the community and in prison; and a profound sense of hopelessness. People often feel trapped in an unjust and inevitable cycle of imprisonment, with little faith in a positive future. CONCLUSIONS: The government must make structural changes to stop the revolving door of IPP recall. In the short term, confidential mental health support should be available to people serving IPPs in prison and the community.