The effect of individuals' oral hygiene habits and knowledge levels on peri-implant health and disease: a questionnaire-based observational study.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implant disease and health are associated with microbial dental plaque. Therefore, oral hygiene plays a role in preventing and treating these diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationships among knowledge of peri-implant status, oral hygiene habits, and peri-implant disease and health. METHODS: A total of 144 implants in nonsmokers with controlled systemic disease were included in the study. Peri-implant disease and the conditions of the implants were determined with periodontal indices and radiographs based on the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions and The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. Individuals were asked 66 questions regarding demographic information, oral hygiene habits and history, and knowledge of peri-implant diseases. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the three peri-implant disease and condition categories. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between groups regarding toothpaste type (p < 0.05). Gum protection toothpaste was greater in the peri-implant health group. Patients' use of interdental products was very low; often, no products were used for implant prosthesis. There was no significant difference among the groups regarding oral hygiene product use or oral hygiene habits (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between groups regarding frequency of visit (p < 0.05). The frequency of visits to the dentist for pain was greater for individuals with peri-implantitis. There is a significant difference between the groups' answers for the causative and initiating factors of peri-implant disease (p < 0.05). The peri-implant health group answered that microbial dental plaque is the most crucial initiating factor of peri-implant diseases, and bleeding on probing is the most critical determinant of peri-implant diseases at a higher rate than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' oral hygiene habits and knowledge levels are almost similar according to peri-implant status. Knowledge does not reflect a patient's oral hygiene behavior. Clinicians should ensure that individuals' oral hygiene practices align with their increased awareness regarding peri-implant illnesses.

Exercise Promotion System for Single Households Based on Agent-Oriented IoT Architecture.

People living alone encounter well-being challenges due to unnoticed personal situations. Thus, it is essential to monitor their activities and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyle habits without imposing a mental burden, aiming to enhance their overall well-being. To realize such a support system, its components should be simple and loosely coupled to handle various internet of things (IoT)-based smart home applications. In this study, we propose an exercise promotion system for individuals living alone to encourage them to adopt good lifestyle habits. The system comprises autonomous IoT devices as agents and is realized using an agent-oriented IoT architecture. It estimates user activity via sensors and offers exercise advice based on recognized conditions, surroundings, and preferences. The proposed system accepts user feedback to improve status estimation accuracy and offers better advice. The proposed system was evaluated from three perspectives through experiments with subjects. Initially, we demonstrated the system's operation through agent cooperation. Then, we showed it adapts to user preferences within two weeks. Third, the users expressed satisfaction with the detection accuracy regarding their stay-at-home status and the relevance of the advice provided. They were also motivated to engage in exercise based on a subjective evaluation, as indicated by preliminary results.

Does compulsion explain addiction?

One of the leading drug addiction theories states that habits and the underlying neural process of a ventral to dorsal striatal shift are the building blocks of compulsive drug-seeking behaviour and that compulsion is the maladaptive persistence of responding despite adverse consequences. Here we discuss that compulsive behaviour as defined primarily from the perspective of animal experimentation falls short of the clinical phenomena and their neurobiological correlates. Thus for the human condition, the concept of compulsive habbits should be critically addressed and potentially revised.

[A survey of parents of preschool children on their perception of bad oral habits].

PURPOSE: Through questionnaire survey, parents' cognition of children's bad oral habits and their related influencing factors were explored, in order to provide a reference for science popularization and education in future work. METHODS: With a self-designed questionnaire, 247 parents of children at first visit were surveyed on basic information and problems related to bad oral habits. Descriptive statistics were used for the counting data. Logistic regression analysis was used for the relevant factors affecting the parents' cognition of children's bad oral habits with SPSS 26.0 software package. RESULTS: Among 247 parents of preschool children, 17.4% of the parents took their children to the hospital for treatment because of bad oral habits. The prevalence of oral unhealthy habits was 44%. Parents' knowledge of bad oral habits was not high, less than half of the parents (46.6%) knew about bad oral habits, of which 82.6% of the parents thought that bad oral habits would affect the development of children's teeth, jaws, face and mental health, including facial contour (62.1%), dentition (34.7%), masticatory function (48.4%), and mental health (21.1%). 78.3% of the parents thought that bad oral habits needed to be corrected; 69.6% of the parents thought that they needed to go to the hospital for treatment, and 30.4% of the parents thought that it was ok as long as their children giving up bad oral habits. 61.7% of the parents would seek medical treatment in time when their children had bad oral habits. The ways for parents to obtain knowledge about bad oral habits were hospital education (61.5%). Parents with different characteristics had different cognition of bad oral habits. Logistic regression analysis showed that parents' education background was a risk factor affecting parents' cognition of bad oral habits(P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Parents' awareness of bad oral habits is not high, and parents' educational background is a risk factor for parents' awareness of bad oral habits. It is necessary to improve parents' awareness of oral habits, strengthen health education of bad oral habits, especially for parents with special signs, and improve the attention to oral health care, to achieve early detection, early prevention, early treatment and timely treatment, so as to prevent the occurrence and development of malocclusion.

Fairness and bias correction in machine learning for depression prediction across four study populations.

A significant level of stigma and inequality exists in mental healthcare, especially in under-served populations. Inequalities are reflected in the data collected for scientific purposes. When not properly accounted for, machine learning (ML) models learned from data can reinforce these structural inequalities or biases. Here, we present a systematic study of bias in ML models designed to predict depression in four different case studies covering different countries and populations. We find that standard ML approaches regularly present biased behaviors. We also show that mitigation techniques, both standard and our own post-hoc method, can be effective in reducing the level of unfair bias. There is no one best ML model for depression prediction that provides equality of outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of analyzing fairness during model selection and transparent reporting about the impact of debiasing interventions. Finally, we also identify positive habits and open challenges that practitioners could follow to enhance fairness in their models.

Effect of prebiotic oligosaccharides on bowel habit and the gut microbiota in children with functional constipation (Inside study): study protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial.

BACKGROUND: Functional constipation (FC) in children is a common gastrointestinal disorder with a worldwide-pooled prevalence of 9.5%. Complaints include infrequent bowel movements, painful defecation due to hard and/or large stools, faecal incontinence, and abdominal pain. Prebiotic oligosaccharides have been shown to relieve constipation symptoms in young adults and elderly. However, sufficient evidence is lacking linking additional prebiotic intake to improve symptoms in children with FC. We hypothesise that prebiotic oligosaccharides are able to relieve symptoms of constipation in young children as well. METHODS: In the present randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre study, we will study the effects of two prebiotic oligosaccharides in comparison to placebo on constipation symptoms in children of 1-5 years (12 to 72 months) of age diagnosed with FC according to the Rome IV criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders. The primary outcome measure will be change in stool consistency. Secondary outcomes include stool frequency and stool consistency in a number of cases (%). Tertiary outcomes include among others painful defecation, use of rescue medication, and quality of life. In addition, the impact on gut microbiome outcomes such as faecal microbiota composition and metabolites will be investigated. Participants start with a run-in period, after which they will receive supplements delivered in tins with scoops for 8 weeks, containing one of the two prebiotic oligosaccharides or placebo, followed by a 4-week wash-out period. DISCUSSION: This randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-centre study will investigate the effectiveness of prebiotic oligosaccharides in children aged 1-5 years with FC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04282551. Registered on 24 February 2020.

Sustaining Healthy Habits: The Enduring Impact of Combined School-Family Interventions on Consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Pilot Chinese Schoolchildren.

This study assesses the enduring impact of combined school- and family-based interventions on reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among schoolchildren in China. Two primary schools were assigned at random to either the Intervention Group or the Control Group, in Nanjing, eastern China. All students were in grade three and received an invitation to participate. In the first year, students in the Intervention Group received one-year intervention measures, including monthly monitoring, aiming to decrease the consumption of SSBs. Students in the Control Group only received regular monitoring without interventions. In the second year, both groups received only regular monitoring, without active interventions. A generalized estimating equations model (GEE) was used to assess the intervention effects. After two years, relative to the Control Group, the Intervention Group had a significantly improved knowledge of SSBs and an improved family environment with parents. In the Intervention Group, 477 students (97.3%) had adequate knowledge about SSBs, compared to 302 students (83.2%) in the Control Group (X2 = 52.708, p < 0.001). Two years later, the number of students who stated 'my home always has SSBs' in the Intervention Group (7.8%) was fewer than that in the Control Group (12.4%), which was a statistically significant finding (p < 0.05). One year later, both the frequency and the quantity of SSB consumption in the Intervention Group were less than those in the Control Group; such differences between the groups remained statistically significant for the quantity but not for the frequency of SSB consumption two years later. In the Intervention Group, the frequency of SSB consumption was significantly reduced by 1.0 times per week, compared to a reduction of 0.1 times per week in the Control Group in the first year (p < 0.05). In the second year, the frequency of SSB consumption was reduced by 0.8 times per week in the Intervention Group, compared to 0.5 times per week in the Control Group (p > 0.05). In the first year, the volume of SSB consumption was significantly reduced by 233 mL per week in the Intervention Group, compared to an increase of 107 mL per week in the Control Group (p < 0.05). In the second year, the volume of SSB consumption was reduced by 122 mL per week in the Intervention Group compared to an increase of 31 mL per week in the Control Group (p > 0.05). The combined school-based and family-based interventions had a positive effect on the students' knowledge of SSBs and their family dynamics during the first and second year. Relative to the Control Group, the Intervention Group had a statistically significant reduction in SSB consumption after 1 year, but not after 2 years.

Effect of education on sun-safe behaviour in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplant recipients (OTR) are more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population. One of the main components of the exposome that triggers the development of skin tumours is solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To reduce the incidence of harmful consequences of sun exposure, sun protection education is needed for patients taking long-term immunosuppressive drugs. METHODS: In a previous study, we assessed the sun-safe behaviour of 221 OTR using a questionnaire before and after transplantation and personally educated the patients about proper sun protection. After the education, there were no further reminder presentations. Presently, the sun protection and sun seeking habits of the available 176 of these patients were questioned to assess the long-term effect of the previous sun protection education. RESULTS: Two-four years after the education, more patients wore hats and protected their skin with long-sleeved clothing than before the education. In terms of sun seeking habits, both occupational and recreational sun exposure decreased significantly. Significantly fewer people went on holiday after transplantation, but those who went on holiday spent significantly less time in the sun. CONCLUSION: The long-term positive effects of education can be seen both in the patients' sun protection and in their sun seeking habits. However, the long-term goal is to maintain these results and thereby reduce the likelihood of skin tumours and consequently the associated tumour death.

Associations between nonnutritive sucking habits, developing malocclusion, and various feeding practices in 3-6-year-old Indian urban children: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Nutritive sucking and nonnutritive sucking (NNS) may affect the craniofacial development, differently. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated associations between NNS habits (NNSHs), developing malocclusion, and various feeding practices in 3-6-year-old children. METHODOLOGY: A sample of 350 children 3-6-year-old from various preschools were selected for this case-control study (94 with NNSH and 256 without NNSH). NNSH (outcome) and feeding practices and developing malocclusions (exposures) were assessed using a structured study tool. RESULTS: The prevalence of NNSH in 3-6-year-old children was 26.8%. The odds (95% [confidence interval (CI)]) of boys compared to girls having NNSH were 0.66 (0.4121-1.706) (P = 0.0290). The overall prevalence of developing malocclusion in 3-6-year-old children was 34.01% out of which open bite was most commonly reported with 12.57% followed by spacing 8.5%, increased overjet 6.8%, crowding 2.2%, posterior crossbite and rotation 1.4%, and overbite 1.14%. Breastfeeding was found to be the most commonly used mode of feeding reported by 53.42% of mothers. It was found that the odds (95% [CI]) of subjects having NNSH were 0.66 (0.4694-0.9460) (P < 0.0001) who were not breastfed as compared to those who were breastfed. Among developing malocclusions, increased overjet with P = 0.0019, open bite with P = 0.0416, and spacing with P = 0.0243 were found to be associated with feeding practices. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NNSH and developing malocclusions (increased overjet, open bite, and spacing) was 26.8% and 34.01%, respectively. Breastfeeding played a protective role against developing NNSH.

New trends on personalized sunscreens.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Nowadays, there are emerging trends in customized and personalized photoprotection, focusing on the innovative approaches to enhance sun protection efficacy tailored to individual needs. METHODS: We conducted an electronic search of the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Skin Register, and TESEO. Specific search terms related to personalized photoprotection and the variables of age, genetic predisposition, skin phototype, photodermatosis, and physiological conditions such as pregnancy, as well as lifestyle habits were used. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The article highlights the challenges and opportunities in adopting personalized photoprotection strategies, aiming to promote skin health and prevent the harmful effects of UV radiation in the era of precision medicine.

Determinants of physical activity habit formation: a theory-based qualitative study among young adults.

PURPOSE: Engagement in physical activity significantly contributes to reducing the onset and severity of chronic diseases. Nonetheless, establishing habits around this behaviour remains a persistent challenge. This research endeavours to discern the determinants influencing the formation of physical activity habit among young adults in Israel, drawing upon a socio-ecological model. METHODS: A qualitative approach with phenomenological-hermeneutical method was used. In-depth interviews were carried to cover four levels of the socio-ecological model. RESULTS: Interviewees were categorized into three subgroups according to their physical activity habit strength: Habitually physically active (n = 8), Variably physically active (n = 11), and physically inactive (n = 6). The content analysis yielded four overarching themes associated with physical activity habit formation. Intrapersonal determinants encompassed personal traits, perceptions and attitudes, perceived benefits, and emotional responses related to physical activity. Interpersonal determinants encompassed social support, modelling support, and peer pressure. Community determinants pertained to social norms, resource availability, and accessibility. Finally, public policy considerations encompassed educational policies as well as workplace policies and cultural influences. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the unique determinants contributing to the formation of physical activity habit. As intrapersonal and interpersonal factors are significant determinants, interventions should focus on these elements in order to promote this behaviour among young adults.

Development of a Questionnaire on Knowledge, Habits, and Attitudes on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Teenagers and Young Adults / Generación de un cuestionario sobre conocimientos, hábitos y actitudes sobre infecciones de transmisión sexual en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes

Communication with teenagers who are significantly affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is essential for the sake of prevention. The aim of this study is to develop a specific questionnaire for surveying the degree of knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of current teenagers and young adults on STIs to come up with the proper training tools. We conducted the study following the Delphi method, a 2-round critical assessment score (from 1 to 9) of all domains and items. Only domains and items with median scores ≥8 were selected. A total of 8 panelists were involved in this survey. After establishing a median score ≥8, a total of 14 domains and 40 items were eventually selected. This is the first questionnaire ever conducted to study the knowledge, habits, and attitudes of contemporary teenagers and young adults on STIs, and stands as a valuable tool for future training on STI prevention in teenagers and young adults. (AU)

La comunicación con los adolescentes, quienes están marcadamente afectados por las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) es imprescindible para diseñar programas de prevención. El objetivo de este estudio es desarrollar un cuestionario específico para estudiar el grado de conocimiento, los hábitos y las actitudes de los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes frente a las ITS. El estudio se desarrolló siguiendo el método Delphi con un panel de expertos. Posteriormente se realizó una evaluación crítica (puntuación de 1 a 9) de todos los dominios e ítems a través de 2 vueltas, seleccionándose dominios y elementos con una puntuación mediana ≥8. Participaron un total de 8 panelistas. Al establecerse la mediana de puntuación en ≥8, quedaron finalmente aceptados 14 dominios y 40 ítems. Este es el primer cuestionario que analiza los conocimientos, los hábitos y las actitudes de los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes actuales sobre las ITS, y una valiosa herramienta para la formación futura sobre la prevención de las ITS en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. (AU)

[Artículo traducido] Generación de un cuestionario sobre conocimientos, hábitos y actitudes sobre infecciones de transmisión sexual en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes / Development of a Questionnaire on Knowledge, Habits, and Attitudes on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Teenagers and Young Adults

La comunicación con los adolescentes, quienes están marcadamente afectados por las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) es imprescindible para diseñar programas de prevención. El objetivo de este estudio es desarrollar un cuestionario específico para estudiar el grado de conocimiento, los hábitos y las actitudes de los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes frente a las ITS. El estudio se desarrolló siguiendo el método Delphi con un panel de expertos. Posteriormente se realizó una evaluación crítica (puntuación de 1 a 9) de todos los dominios e ítems a través de 2 vueltas, seleccionándose dominios y elementos con una puntuación mediana ≥8. Participaron un total de 8 panelistas. Al establecerse la mediana de puntuación en ≥8, quedaron finalmente aceptados 14 dominios y 40 ítems. Este es el primer cuestionario que analiza los conocimientos, los hábitos y las actitudes de los adolescentes y los adultos jóvenes actuales sobre las ITS, y una valiosa herramienta para la formación futura sobre la prevención de las ITS en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. (AU)

Communication with teenagers who are significantly affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is essential for the sake of prevention. The aim of this study is to develop a specific questionnaire for surveying the degree of knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of current teenagers and young adults on STIs to come up with the proper training tools. We conducted the study following the Delphi method, a 2-round critical assessment score (from 1 to 9) of all domains and items. Only domains and items with median scores ≥8 were selected. A total of 8 panelists were involved in this survey. After establishing a median score ≥8, a total of 14 domains and 40 items were eventually selected. This is the first questionnaire ever conducted to study the knowledge, habits, and attitudes of contemporary teenagers and young adults on STIs, and stands as a valuable tool for future training on STI prevention in teenagers and young adults. (AU)

Tobacco use, self-reported professional dental cleaning habits, and lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis are associated with bronchial and lung microbiome alpha diversity.

RATIONALE: The lung microbiome is an inflammatory stimulus whose role in the development of lung malignancies is incompletely understood. We hypothesized that the lung microbiome associates with multiple clinical factors, including the presence of a lung malignancy. OBJECTIVES: To assess associations between the upper and lower airway microbiome and multiple clinical factors including lung malignancy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of upper and lower airway microbiome samples from 44 subjects undergoing lung lobectomy for suspected or confirmed lung cancer. Subjects provided oral (2), induced sputum, nasopharyngeal, bronchial, and lung tissue (3) samples. Pathologic diagnosis, age, tobacco use, dental care history, lung function, and inhaled corticosteroid use were associated with upper and lower airway microbiome findings. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Older age was associated with greater Simpson diversity in the oral and nasopharyngeal sites (p = 0.022 and p = 0.019, respectively). Current tobacco use was associated with greater lung and bronchus Simpson diversity (p < 0.0001). Self-reported last profession dental cleaning more than 6 months prior (vs. 6 or fewer months prior) was associated with lower lung and bronchus Simpson diversity (p < 0.0001). Diagnosis of a lung adenocarcinoma (vs. other pathologic findings) was associated with lower bronchus and lung Simpson diversity (p = 0.024). Last professional dental cleaning, dichotomized as ≤ 6 months vs. >6 months prior, was associated with clustering among lung samples (p = 0.027, R2 = 0.016). Current tobacco use was associated with greater abundance of pulmonary pathogens Mycoplasmoides and Haemophilus in lower airway samples. Self-reported professional dental cleaning ≤ 6 months prior (vs. >6 months prior) was associated with greater bronchial Actinomyces and lung Streptococcus abundance. Lung adenocarcinoma (vs. no lung adenocarcinoma) was associated with lower Lawsonella abundance in lung samples. Inhaled corticosteroid use was associated with greater abundance of Haemophilus among oral samples and greater Staphylococcus among lung samples. CONCLUSIONS: Current tobacco use, recent dental cleaning, and a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma are associated with lung and bronchial microbiome α-diversity, composition (ß-diversity), and the abundance of several respiratory pathogens. These findings suggest that modifiable habits (tobacco use and dental care) may influence the lower airway microbiome. Larger controlled studies to investigate these potential associations are warranted.

Relationship between exercise habits and physical function in children aged 9-12 years.

Exercise improves physical health and positively impacts physical functions in children. Additionally, the habitual exercise established during childhood often continues into adulthood. Therefore, childhood is an important period for establishing healthy habits. Investigating the relationship between the presence or absence of daily exercise and physical functions may provide important information to confirm poor physical function in children with poor exercise habits. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between exercise habits as defined by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and physical function in children aged 9-12 years. Approximately 239 children were included in this study. Participants answered a questionnaire about their exercise habits. We evaluated the skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, standing broad jump, one-leg standing time, and gait deviation index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess exercise habit association with skeletal muscle mass index, physical function, and gait deviation index after adjusting for sex. Of the 239 children, 75.5% (n = 178) had exercise habits. A significant association was noted between exercise habits and skeletal muscle mass index and standing broad jump (skeletal muscle mass index: OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.01-3.36 and p<0.05; standing long jump: OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04 and p<0.05). In conclusion, exercise regardless of exercise level for at least 30 min per day, 2 days per week, for at least 1 year is important for skeletal muscle mass and instantaneous lower limb muscular strength development in school-aged children.

Generation Pep - study protocol for an intersectoral community-wide physical activity and healthy eating habits initiative for children and young people in Sweden.

Background: There is overwhelming evidence for the preventive effects of regular physical activity and healthy eating habits on the risk for developing a non-communicable disease (NCD). Increasing attention has been paid to community-wide approaches in the battle against NCDs. Communities can create supportive policies, modify physical environments, and foster local stakeholder engagement through intersectoral collaboration to encourage communities to support healthy lifestyles. The Pep initiative is based on intersectoral community-wide collaboration among Sweden's municipalities. Primary targets are municipality professionals who work with children and young people as well as parents of children <18 years. The goal is to spread knowledge and create commitment to children's and young people's health with a special focus on physical activity and healthy eating habits to facilitate and support a healthy lifestyle. The overarching aim of the research project described in this study protocol is to investigate factors that influence the implementation of the Pep initiative in Sweden, to inform tailored implementation strategies addressing the needs and local prerequisites of the different municipalities. Methods: The project includes a qualitative and a quantitative study and is framed by a theoretical model involving four complementary forms of knowledge, explicitly recognized in the Pep initiative: knowledge about the issue; knowledge about interventions; knowledge about the context; and knowledge about implementation. Study 1 is a focus group study exploring barriers and facilitators for implementing the Pep initiative. The study will be carried out in six municipalities, selected purposively to provide wide variation in municipality characteristics, including population size and geographical location. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Study 2 is a cross-sectional web-based survey investigating the implementability of the Pep initiative in Sweden's 290 municipalities. Conditions for implementing different areas of the Pep initiative will be examined in terms of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility, three predictors of implementation success. Data will be analyzed using non-parametric statistics. Discussion: The findings of the two studies will increase understanding of the prerequisites for implementing the Pep initiative in Swedish municipalities, which will provide valuable input into how implementation of the Pep initiative can best be facilitated in the different municipality settings.

Collecting behavioral evidence from a highly mobile and seasonal population: A protocol for a survey on quad bike injuries.

BACKGROUND: Quad bikes are popular recreational, four-wheeled bikes in the Middle East. Injury prevention programs targeting quad bike crashes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) need evidence about the risk factors and behaviours associated with these crashes in the target population. This is a protocol for a study aiming to investigate quad bike rider behaviours and to assess the risk factors associated with related injuries in the UAE. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study aiming to describe a seasonal sport in a desert environment. With an estimated sample size of 451, the survey will follow a three-stage, location-based sampling strategy using the line-transect method. A sampling frame of desert locations with high injury incidences was developed, using Dubai ambulance injury records. Further expansion of the sampling frame was participatory, involving police, enthusiasts, emergency responders and gas station employees. The data collection will be limited to the winter months in fifteen high-injury desert locations across three major Emirates in the UAE. Trained researchers will observe the riders directly in the desert to note their riding habits, followed by a researcher-administered interview on riding and injury history. The interviews will be administered in Arabic and English using Qualtrics software on handheld tablets with offline and online entry mode. In addition, paper-based entry with the same format will be used as a contingency in busy quad bike locations. CONCLUSION: The objective of this study protocol is to develop a comprehensive survey that will furnish substantial evidence for the formulation of effective injury prevention strategies. To enhance the credibility of the recorded riding behaviors, field observations will be employed. The uniqueness of this study lies in its innovative sampling strategy, custom-tailored to accommodate the highly mobile and transient population of desert bikers in the UAE.

Survey of Dermatology Practitioners' Opinions and Prescribing Habits of Oral Minoxidil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of low-dose oral minoxidil has increased in recent years in association with several clinical studies that have shown its efficacy in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA).  Objective: To assess dermatology providers' attitudes and recommendation behaviors of oral minoxidil for the treatment of AGA. METHODS: An online survey gauging the professional opinions, prescribing behaviors, and use of oral minoxidil was sent using the Orlando Dermatology Aesthetic and Clinical Conference email listserv which included multiple levels of dermatology practitioners including MD/DOs, NPs, and PAs across the United States. RESULTS: Overall, the survey was sent to 2200 providers, and 201 (9.1%) responses were collected. 81% (n=139) of respondents supported the use of oral minoxidil for AGA. Support varied significantly (P=.03) by providers' number of years in practice with those in practice for greater than 30 years with the least amount of support. 92% of respondents (130, n=141) reported feeling comfortable prescribing oral minoxidil, and 83% (116, n=140) found oral minoxidil to be better than its topical formulation. 78% (108, n=139) felt their patients were satisfied with their results, and 89% (124, n=140) felt oral minoxidil was well tolerated by their patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that most prescribers use oral minoxidil as a treatment for AGA and find it to be an effective and tolerable option for patients. Support for oral minoxidil was significantly impacted by providers' years in practice. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(3): doi:10.36849/JDD.7519.

Foraging habits of Northwest Atlantic hooded seals over the past 30 years: Future habitat suitability under global warming.

The Arctic is a global warming 'hot-spot' that is experiencing rapid increases in air and ocean temperatures and concomitant decreases in sea ice cover. These environmental changes are having major consequences on Arctic ecosystems. All Arctic endemic marine mammals are highly dependent on ice-associated ecosystems for at least part of their life cycle and thus are sensitive to the changes occurring in their habitats. Understanding the biological consequences of changes in these environments is essential for ecosystem management and conservation. However, our ability to study climate change impacts on Arctic marine mammals is generally limited by the lack of sufficiently long data time series. In this study, we took advantage of a unique dataset on hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) movements (and serum samples) that spans more than 30 years in the Northwest Atlantic to (i) investigate foraging (distribution and habitat use) and dietary (trophic level of prey and location) habits over the last three decades and (ii) predict future locations of suitable habitat given a projected global warming scenario. We found that, despite a change in isotopic signatures that might suggest prey changes over the 30-year period, hooded seals from the Northwest Atlantic appeared to target similar oceanographic characteristics throughout the study period. However, over decades, they have moved northward to find food. Somewhat surprisingly, foraging habits differed between seals breeding in the Gulf of St Lawrence vs those breeding at the "Front" (off Newfoundland). Seals from the Gulf favoured colder waters while Front seals favoured warmer waters. We predict that foraging habitats for hooded seals will continue to shift northwards and that Front seals are likely to have the greatest resilience. This study shows how hooded seals are responding to rapid environmental change and provides an indication of future trends for the species-information essential for effective ecosystem management and conservation.