An Enhanced Social Network Strategy to Increase the Uptake of HIV Services: Protocol for Type I Hybrid Implementation Study (Carolinas RESPOND).

Background: In the United States, persisting new HIV diagnoses among gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women make it unlikely that the United States will meet the Ending the HIV Epidemic's (EHE) goal to reduce new HIV diagnoses by 90% by 2030. Innovative strategies are needed to address this challenge, particularly in the US South, where Black and Latinx GBMSM and transgender women are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Social network approaches have led to increased HIV testing uptake.

Frailty Trajectories and Social Determinants of Health of Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas in the U.S.

Older adults, aged 65 years and older, develop and experience frailty at different rates. Yet, this heterogeneity is not well understood, nor are the factors, such as geographical residence, that influence different frailty trajectories and subsequent healthcare outcomes. We aim to identify factors that impact older adult frailty trajectories, skilled nursing facility (SNF) placement, and death.

Harnessing Egocentric Networks to Inform an Enhanced Social Network Strategy in a Southern US "Ending the HIV Epidemic" Region.

Background: The HIV epidemic in the United States disproportionately impacts sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities. Social networks shape health behaviors. Understanding the structure and dynamics of SGM networks could enhance engagement with HIV-related services.

Effects of Exercise Snacks on Cardiometabolic Health and Body Composition in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the impact of exercise snacks (ExSn), which involve incorporating short bursts of high-intensity physical activity into daily routines, on improving cardiometabolic health and body composition in adults. Six online databases [PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, and Scopus] were searched from inception through 22 May 2025, and relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) were identified. Outcomes were analyzed using standardized mean differences and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.

High mortality rates after distal femur fractures in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Objectives: Hip fractures in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are associated with high mortality rates. The effect of ESRD on mortality after operative treatment of distal femur fractures is not known. Our hypothesis was that distal femur fractures carry a similar mortality risk and complication rate compared with proximal femur fractures in patients with ESRD.

Scaling up the Med-South Lifestyle Program in public health settings to reduce chronic disease risk: a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study.

Introduction: Major disparities persist in heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, with rates highest among those living in the southeastern and central parts of the US. Intervening to improve lifestyle behaviors represents an opportunity to address health inequities. Although the scientific rationale for lifestyle interventions is robust, evidence is limited on how to implement these interventions at scale.

Children with hepatitis B virus infections, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Objective: To characterize childhood hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology to inform elimination efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the most populous African countries.

Methods: Using the most recent (2013-2014) nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey, we analysed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on dried blood spots and associated survey data from children aged 6-59 months. We estimated HBsAg-positivity prevalence nationally, regionally and by potential correlates of infection.

The Association of Neonatal Respiratory Distress With Ciliary Ultrastructure and Genotype in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between ciliary ultrastructure/genotype and prevalence of neonatal respiratory distress (NRD) in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).

Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis from a multicenter, prospective study of children and adults with PCD. Participants were classified by ultrastructural defect associated with their diagnostic genetic variants: 1) outer dynein arm defect alone (ODA), 2) outer plus inner dynein arm defect (ODA/IDA), 3) inner dynein arm defect with microtubular disorganization (IDA/MTD), 4) DNAH11 (encodes ODA protein but has normal ultrastructure), and 5) normal/near-normal/other.

Epidemiology of Relapsing and Falciparum Malaria in the Highlands of Cameroon: An Integrated Community Survey of Human Infection and Vector Abundance.

Despite global malaria control efforts, the disease caused 263 million cases and 597,000 deaths in 2023. While accounts for most cases in Africa, non-falciparum species, such as spp. and , can cause relapse infections and are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to human disease.

Impact of Plantar Massage and Ankle Mobilization on Visual Reliance in Those With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: Those with chronic ankle instability (CAI) rely more on visual information to maintain postural control. Plantar massage and ankle joint mobilization are moderately successful at improving CAI-associated postural control impairments. Manual therapies may have a larger influence on the underlying sensory strategy used to maintain postural control, but their effect on these strategies remains unknown.

A discrete-time split-state framework for multi-state modeling with application to describing the course of heart disease.

In chronic disease epidemiology, the investigation of disease etiology has largely focused on an endpoint, while the course of chronic disease is understudied, representing a knowledge gap. Multi-state models can be used to describe the course of chronic disease, such as Markov models which assume that the future state depends only on the present state, and semi-Markov models which allow transition rates to depend on the duration in the current state. However, these models are unsuitable for chronic diseases that are largely non-memoryless.

Progression of Otologic and Nasal Symptoms in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Throughout Childhood.

Objective: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is characterized by upper and lower airway disease. Multiple studies have demonstrated the progression of pulmonary disease; however, longitudinal changes in the otologic and nasal symptoms have not been well described in patients. This study defines age-related prevalence, age of onset, and age-related trends in self-reported otologic and sinonasal comorbidities in individuals with PCD.

Disparities in the utilization of genetic testing for non-acquired infantile epileptic spasms syndrome in a single healthcare center in North Carolina.

Objective: To investigate disparities in the utilization of genetic sequencing among children with Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS), a severe early-onset epilepsy where timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes, previous studies have highlighted disparities in the evaluation and management of IESS. Genetic sequencing has emerged as a crucial tool in diagnosing unexplained epilepsies, offering precise etiological insights that can guide management. Despite guidelines recommending genetic sequencing for all unexplained epilepsies, little is known about how demographic and clinical factors influence the utilization of genetic sequencing in children with IESS.

Investigating context-specific sedentary behaviours and cardiometabolic health in college-based young adults (CONTEXT-SB): a protocol for a longitudinal observational study.

Background: Sedentary behaviour (SB) is detrimental to cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk, which can begin in young adulthood. To devise effective SB-CMD interventions in young adults, it is important to understand which context-specific SB (CS-SB) are most detrimental for CMD risk, the lifestyle behaviours that cluster with CS-SBs and the socioecological predictors of CS-SB.

Methods And Analysis: This longitudinal observational study will recruit 500 college-aged (18-24 years) individuals.

Fractional Dolphin Tenotomy for Boutonniere Deformity: A Cadaveric Study.

Purpose: Terminal extensor tenotomy or Dolphin tenotomy, is a described treatment for the management of distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint hyperextension in chronic boutonniere deformity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of incremental partial Dolphin tenotomy in correcting boutonniere deformity, with a focus on evaluating the improvement in DIP joint hyperextension deformity and documenting the development of iatrogenic mallet finger.

Methods: Thirty-eight fingers from 10 cadaveric hands were used.

Tech + touch: A pilot study to facilitate access to health information technology for Spanish-speaking parents.

Objectives: As Spanish-speaking parents face many barriers to care, we sought to: (1) understand HIT experiences and preferences; (2) pilot test a tablet/navigator intervention; (3) understand HIT uses and barriers.

Methods: Prospective, uncontrolled, non-randomized, pilot intervention examining facilitated access to a patient portal for Spanish-speaking parents. Parents were recruited from pediatric specialty clinics in an academic center.

Coaching Pediatricians for Wellbeing: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

Objective: Organization-sponsored interventions have the potential to promote, and destigmatize seeking help for, wellbeing. Our study objective was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a coaching intervention to improve wellbeing among faculty.

Methods: We conducted a pilot, pre/post design, study in a convenience sample of pediatric faculty at an academic medical center.

Community-engaged implementation of a safety bundle for pregnancy-related severe hypertension in the outpatient setting: protocol for a type 3 hybrid study with a multiple baseline design.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in the U.S., with rates highest among birthing people who are Black, rural residents, and/or have low-income.

mHealth Physical Activity and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Cluster Analysis.

Background: Regular physical activity is associated with improved quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), although much of the existing research is based on self-reported data. Wearable devices provide objective data on many rich physical activity dimensions including steps, duration, distance, and intensity. Little is known about how patients with IBDs engage in these varying dimensions of exercise and how it may influence their symptom and disease-specific patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Serum Fructosamine as an Indicator of Perioperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Background: Patients with poor glycemic control are at increased risk of postoperative complications. Hemoglobin A (HbA) has traditionally been used to assess preoperative glycemic control, but with limitations. More recently, fructosamine has been tested preoperatively in patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty.

A two-year prospective study to compare the peri-implant parameters of posterior implant-supported single crowns with and without mesial proximal contact loss.

Background/purpose: Interproximal contact loss may lead to food impaction and result in subsequently periodontal complications. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the peri-implant parameters of posterior implant-supported single crowns (SCs) with and without mesial proximal contact loss after 2 years of follow-up.

Material And Methods: Twenty-six patients with a total of 40 posterior implant-supported SCs with mesial adjacent natural teeth were observed for 24 months after crown insertion.

Trends in Continuation of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Adolescents Receiving Medicaid.

Purpose: Despite increasing use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) among U.S. adolescents, there is limited literature on factors affecting intrauterine device (IUD) or subdermal implant use.

Protocol for a Study Investigating Context-Specific Sedentary Behaviors and Cardiometabolic Health in College-Based Young Adults (CONTEXT-SB).

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is detrimental to cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk, which can begin in young adulthood. To devise effective SB-CMD interventions in young adults, it is important to understand which context-specific sedentary behaviors (CS-SB) are most detrimental for CMD risk, the lifestyle behaviors that co-exist with CS-SBs, and the socioecological predictors of CS-SB.

Methods: This longitudinal observational study will recruit 500 college-aged (18-24 years) individuals.