Exploring the need for sexually transmitted infection education among university student athletes in Saskatchewan.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in young adults in Canada and their prevalence is rising. Assessing sexual health knowledge among young adults is essential for developing effective STI education strategies. However, there is limited research on the sexual health knowledge of Canadian university athletes, who have increased risks of STIs. Objective: To determine perceived and objective levels of knowledge on STIs among university athletes and their preferred methods of knowledge translation regarding sexual health information. Methods: U SPORTS athletes at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina were invited to complete an electronic survey between January-March 2022. Participants completed the Sexual Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ) and self-reported their confidence in their answers. Participants were asked about testing beliefs, where they receive their sexual health information and their preferred format for STI information delivery. Results: One hundred participants completed the survey (14% response rate). Participants had a median composite self-reported STI knowledge score of 2.8 out of 5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.4-3.6). The median participant scored 12 out of 27 (44%) on the STD-KQ (IQR: 8-17). Sixty-seven percent of participants received sexual health information from a physician. Sixty-one percent of participants believed embarrassment may prevent them from getting tested or screened. The three most popular methods of health information sharing were online modules (34%), in-person lectures/conferences (24%) and self-paced videos (20%). Conclusion: This study highlighted that STI knowledge is limited in university athletes. Comprehensive online educational interventions may be effective at improving knowledge.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Is Associated With Increased Risk of Inflammatory Pouch-Related Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, neutrophilic dermatosis that is a well-established extraintestinal manifestation (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease. The clinical implications of developing PG in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who undergo total proctocolectomy colectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (TPC-IPAA) surgery remain unknown. Methods: Study participants were selected from patients enrolled in the Carlino Family Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Disease Biobank between 1998 and 2021 with a pre-colectomy diagnosis of UC and who underwent TPC-IPAA surgery. A retrospective study comparing patients with PG and those without PG was performed. The outcomes measured included the development of pouchitis, pouchitis classification, presence of pouch fistula, anal fistula, anal stenosis, and pouch failure. Results: In this study, 357 IPAA patients were included, 10 of whom suffered PG. Patients with PG and without PG had similar demographics and clinical characteristics. Both groups had similar rates of pouchitis (80% in PG patients and 64% in patients without PG, P = .504). However, IPAA patients with PG had a higher risk of developing pouch fistula (50% vs 10%, P = .002), anal fistula (40% vs 12%, P = .031), and Crohn's-like disease of the pouch (70% vs 15%, P = .003) compared to patients without PG. Patients who developed PG prior to their first episode of pouchitis were more likely to eventually experience pouch failure (odds ratio: 20.7, 95% confidence interval: 3.9, 110.7, q = 0.003 after false discovery rate adjustment). Conclusions: Among UC patients who undergo TPC-IPAA surgery, the development of PG portends poor pouch outcomes and is predictive of pouch failure.

Effect of salicylic acid supplementation on blood glucose, lipid profile and electrolyte homeostasis in gentamicin sulphate induced nephrotoxicity.

This study was designed to investigate effect of salicylic acid supplementation in gentamicin- induced nephrotoxicity. For this purpose, twenty four male albino rabbits were divided into 4 groups (n=6); control group, healthy untreated rabbits; gentamicin group, received only gentamicin (80mg/kg); gentamicin + salicylic acid group, received gentamicin (80mg/kg) + salicylic acid (80mg/kg) and salicylic acid group, received only salicylic acid (80mg/kg) through intra peritoneal route for 21 consecutive days. Biochemical evaluation was carried out by assessment of body weights and by estimating plasma glucose, lipid profile and electrolyte homeostasis. Gentamicin sulphate induction resulted in increased plasma glucose, plasma TG, plasma cholesterol, plasma LDL, and plasma sodium and in decreased plasma HDL and plasma potassium with significant reduction in body weights in GS-treated group, which were restored by supplementation with salicylic acid in GS+SA treated group. Therefore, these findings confirm the protective role of salicylic acid in gentamicin- induced nephrotoxicity in rabbits.

Dietary Garcinol Arrests Pancreatic Cancer in p53 and K-ras Conditional Mutant Mouse Model.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) patients have poor prognosis and survival rate. Gemcitabine, the drug of choice has a dismal 15% response rate. Earlier, we reported that Garcinol alone and in combination with gemcitabine showed a dose-dependent favorable response on PC cell lines. This study probes the in vivo effects of dietary Garcinol on PC progression in transgenic PC mice (KPC; K-ras and p53 conditional mutant). KPC male mice were divided into: KC- Control diet; KGr-0.05% Garcinol diet; KGm-Gemcitabine injected; KGG - Garcinol diet + Gemcitabine injected groups. Changes in tumor progression, toxicity, or cell morphology were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging, Fore-stomach, and blood smear, respectively. Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (mPanIN) grading with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was conducted on pancreas and validated by immunohistochemistry. The KGr group showed improved survival, no observable toxicity with marked reduction in papilloma formation in the fore-stomach, and a higher ratio of NK and NKT cells compared to Non-NK lymphocytes. Additionally, the KGr, KGm, and KGG groups showed reduction in tumor volumes and reduced number of advanced mouse PanIN3. Dietary Garcinol alone and in combination with gemcitabine retarded the progression of PC in transgenic PC mice, arresting the cancer in the earlier stages, improving prognosis and survival.

Sectarianism and the problem of overpopulation: political representations of reproduction in two low-income neighbourhoods of Beirut, Lebanon.

The role of confessionalism in the Lebanese healthcare sector, especially since the resolution of the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990), has yet to discussed at length in reproductive health research. Using biopolitical and structural violence models to describe how community leaders in two low-income neighbourhoods in Beirut describe reproductive healthcare - specifically through judgments of perceived sect size vis-à-vis perceived use of birth control measures - this paper attempts to provide critical analysis of the state of reproductive health in this setting. By using a theoretical model of analysis, which we refer to as the political anatomy of reproduction, we hope to unmask how confessionalism is perpetuated through discussions of reproductive health and how public health and medical communities can challenge this technique of power.