Annals of medicine
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Due to the rising prevalence of alcohol use disorders among young adults, the need for effective and accessible interventions has become increasingly imperative. In acknowledgment of this issue, we developed a novel intervention known as contingency management plus problem solving therapy (CM-PST). The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the perspectives on the effectiveness of the newly developed CM-PST using focus group discussion among young adults who consume alcohol regularly. ⋯ The results of this study contribute to the growing body of literature on innovative intervention approaches for young adults facing alcohol use issues. The findings shed light on the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of the CM-PST intervention from the perspective of the target population.
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Vector-borne diseases are a growing burden worldwide. In particular, the risks of allergic reactions to bites are associated with growing arthropod populations in contact with the public. The diversity of allergic reactions associated with host and arthropod factors difficult disease diagnosis, prognosis and prevention. Therefore, arthropod-associated allergies are underdiagnosed and require better surveillance of arthropod populations and disease diagnosis and management. ⋯ Allergic reactions and symptoms in response to arthropod bites vary in association with host and arthropod factors. Herein we propose recommendations to control allergic symptoms, associated disease risk factors and the way forward to advance in the prevention and control of arthropod-associated allergies.
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Plant-based diets reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease but also increase the risk of certain micronutrient deficiencies, particularly, of vitamin B12 (B12). The extent to which the unsupervised use of oral nutrient supplements is sufficient to prevent these deficiencies is not well established. We analyzed nutrient intake, laboratory biomarkers, supplementation behavior, and B12 status adequacy amongst young, healthy, physically active omnivores, lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans from Germany. ⋯ Even amongst homogeneously healthy Germans, each diet manifested with measurable differences in dietary intakes and biomarkers of health. Plant-based diets, in particular the vegan diet, exhibited the most favorable patterns of lipid metabolism and glycemic control, but the lowest food intake of B12. Supplementation of healthy vegans with B12 (median 250 µg B12/day, over 2 years) secured an adequate B12 status that was comparable to that of healthy omnivores.Clinical Trial Registry: German Clinical Trial register number: DRKS00027425.
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Morphometric vertebral fractures (VFs) and osteopathy are prevalent and clinically significant complications of Cushing disease (CD). However whether they represent an early occurrence in the natural progression of the disease is an ongoing debate. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of VFs in patients newly diagnosed with CD. ⋯ This is the first study reporting a high prevalence of radiologic VFs in recently diagnosed CD patients. VFs may represent an early manifestation of CD and may be related to cortisol levels. Therefore, VF assessment should be included in the workup during CD diagnosis.
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Hypertension has become increasingly prevalent in Chinese children and adolescents in recent decades, which affects growth and development of children, leads to cognitive decline and multiple target organ damage. Here, we assessed the impact of different body mass index (BMI) trajectories on the occurrence of hypertension in children and adolescents using a cohort study in Northeast China. ⋯ The potential of developing hypertension varies among groups of children aged 5-18 with different BMI trajectories. Children and adolescents in the normal BMI range (the slow growth group) still need to be aware of the change in BMI trajectory to stop or slow down the progression of BP abnormalities.