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Evaluating the effectiveness of teledermatology for undeserved populations during and post-COVID-19
Get PDFIntroduction: Teledermatology, a subset of telemedicine, has gained prominence as a means to increase access to dermatologic care while reducing costs and improving patient satisfaction. The swift expansion of teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic was driven by the necessity to limit physical contact and adapt to public health restrictions. This technological shift aimed to address longstanding disparities in dermatology access, especially in rural and underserved populations, and to respond to the rising demand for dermatologic services amid provider shortages.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects that teledermatology following the COVID-19 pandemic had on provider and patient satisfaction scores along with access, cost of care, and diagnostic accuracy results compared to in-person dermatology appointments.
Methodology: A systematic review was conducted using multiple academic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and others, to gather relevant articles published between 2015 and 2025. Keywords such as “teledermatology,” “quality of care,” “patient satisfaction,” and “access to care” guided the search. After initial screening, 39 peer-reviewed articles were included based on their relevance, methodological rigor, and focus on measures such as satisfaction, cost savings, and diagnostic accuracy. The collected data were validated by collaborative assessment employing the PRISMA framework to ensure systematic inclusion and bias reduction.
Results: Findings demonstrated that teledermatology effectively increased access to dermatologic care, especially in rural and underserved areas, with reported increases in dermatology visits and service utilization. Patient satisfaction scores were notably high and comparable to in-person visits, with some studies indicating slight preferences for in-person physical examinations due to perceived differences in examination quality. Cost analyses revealed significant savings per visit, often ranging from 147 to186, primarily due to reduced travel and wait times. Diagnostic accuracy remained comparable between teledermatology and traditional care, although physical examination limitations were acknowledged. The surge in teledermatology during the pandemic led to a substantial shift in practice patterns, with a dramatic increase in teleconsultations, driven by regulatory adjustments and expanded insurance coverage.
Discussion/Conclusion: Teledermatology has demonstrated significant potential to improve healthcare accessibility, satisfaction, and cost-efficiency in dermatology. Despite some limitations regarding physical examinations, the evidence supports its role as a complementary modality capable of addressing provider shortages and healthcare disparities. Widespread adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted its value, suggesting that teledermatology could serve as a sustainable, long-term component of dermatologic care delivery. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, mental health impacts, and the integration of advanced diagnostic tools to enhance effectiveness further. Overall, teledermatology emerges as an adaptable, patient-centered solution aligned with contemporary healthcare priorities
“To Prepare the Mind for Wonder”: Popular Science and Mass Media in the 1920s
Get PDFThis article examines the creation and development of the Science Service, a 1920s initiative aimed at popularizing science through mass media. Founded by biologist William Ritter and newspaper magnate Edward Scripps, the wire service sought to disseminate accurate scientific information to the American public via newspapers, radio, and other popular media. While Scripps favored a commercially viable, accessible style that used entertainment to hook readers, Ritter envisioned science journalism as a tool for democratic education and intellectual empowerment. These conflicting philosophies created lasting tensions within the organization around how to address challenges such as sensationalism, editorial independence, and public skepticism. Contributors like Mary Austin promoted the idea of citizen science and criticized the Service’s drift toward superficiality. Despite these debates, the Science Service established foundational practices in science communication, emphasizing clarity, accessibility, and journalistic integrity. Ultimately, it became a precursor to today’s Society for Science, with a legacy rooted in balancing public appeal and scientific rigor. The article highlights how mass media became a contested but powerful venue for shaping scientific literacy and civic engagement in the early 20th century
Optimization of chitosan nanoemulsion and its application in delivering 5-Fluorouracil and Quercus infectoria for wound healing
No full textBACKGROUND: Chitosan-based nanoemulsions are increasingly recognized for their potential in enhancing drug delivery for wound healing applications. The integration of Quercus infectoria (Qi) extract, known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, with 5- fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent that regulates abnormal cell proliferation, presents a synergistic approach for treating chronic and non-healing wounds. Ensuring long-term physicochemical stability of these nanoemulsions is critical for their therapeutic viability.
OBJECTIVE: To optimize and characterize a chitosan-based nanoemulsion for the codelivery of 5-FU and Quercus infectoria extract, with emphasis on physicochemical properties including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. The study also aimed to assess the long-term stability of nanoemulsions formulated with low and medium molecular weight chitosan under varying temperature conditions.
METHODS: Nanoemulsions were formulated by adjusting chitosan concentration, oilto-surfactant ratios, and pH. Physicochemical characterization included measurements of particle size, PDI, zeta potential, pH and Log P. The stability of formulations was assessed over time under controlled storage conditions (~4°C, 25°C, and 35°C) using both low and medium molecular weight chitosan. Samples were analyzed at regular intervals to monitor changes in pH, conductivity, zeta potential, and physical appearance.
RESULTS: The optimized nanoemulsion displayed nanoscale particle size with a low PDI, indicating a uniform droplet distribution, and exhibited a stable, positively charged surface due to chitosan’s inherent cationic properties. Long-term stability studies revealed that nanoemulsions stored at 4°C maintained pH and conductivity over time, particularly those formulated with low molecular weight chitosan. Elevated temperatures (40°C) led to increased droplet aggregation and decreased stability, especially in formulations with low molecular weight chitosan.
CONCLUSIONS: The chitosan-based nanoemulsion effectively encapsulated both 5-FU and Quercus infectoria, exhibiting favorable physicochemical characteristics and the potential for applicable biological activity. The low molecular weight chitosan at 1% conferred superior longterm stability, especially under skin temperature conditions. These results highlight the potential of this nanoemulsion system for wound healing applications, with future studies planned to further validate in vitro and in vivo performance
Participant 011: Reiki Master with 21 years of experience (Turkish; Female; Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Get PDFThis is an interview about Reiki and its connection with overall well-being with a Reiki Master holding 21 years of experience (Turkish; Female; Dubai, United Arab Emirates). She was interviewed on May 15, 2025. The participant agreed to the terms outlined in the verbal informed consent form before this interview. Some of the broad conversations during this interview were about her use of Reiki and other healing modalities; experiences as a corporate trainer; the many miracles she has experienced with others as a conduit of Reiki (e.g. MS patients and women with fertility issues); and Reiki\u27s ability to help her go with the flow and see overall better mental and physical health. Lindsey Harper was the interviewer and the primary investigator for this project. Please download this document to read the full de-identified interview.https://mds.marshall.edu/reikiconversations/1012/thumbnail.jp
Chenoweth prevails: the connection between social standards and the marimba’s development in the Western art music tradition
No full textAmong percussionists, the names of many marimbists come to mind before that of Vida Chenoweth (1928-2018), the pioneer of the modern marimba recital. Chenoweth began her first recital tour in the early 1950s at a time when the marimba did not yet have a dedicated solo repertoire, and women were largely excluded from performing on orchestral instruments. This thesis explores the musical and social contexts in which Chenoweth performed and worked, with particular attention to her recital history, critical reviews, and, through works written specifically for her performance, her technical abilities. She not only sparked the evolution of marimba technique but also dictated a rise in the expectations for quality compositions for the instrument. Ultimately, she proved a model for a burgeoning feminism and paved the way for women to enter male-dominated musical institution
Scorpions of the Horn of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part XLIII. \u3ci\u3eLanzatus fuscipalpis\u3c/i\u3e sp. n. from Ethiopia (Buthidae)
No full textThe rare Horn of Africa buthid genus Lanzatus Kovařík, 2001, known only from Somalia and Somaliland, is recorded for the first time from Ethiopia. We describe a new species Lanzatus fuscipalpis sp. n. fully illustrated with color photographs showing its morphology, habitus, hemispermatophore, and collection sites
The genus \u3ci\u3eAndroctonus\u3c/i\u3e Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Oman
No full textThe taxonomic position of Androctonus populations in Oman was investigated by analyzing morphological variation in a comprehensive sample representing 150 records gathered from 95 localities spread throughout the country. Two new allopatric species are described, separated by multivariate morphometric analysis and meristic characters: (1) A. omanensis sp. n., distributed across most of Oman, is characterized by wider, deeper metasomal segments IV–V, shorter legs, more robust pedipalps, more granules on lateral inframedian carinae of metasoma II–III, and sparser setation on basitarsal spurs; and (2) A. ammophilus sp. n., distributed in the dunes of the Rub’ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of northwest Oman, and adjacent Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, is characterized by narrower, shallower metasomal segments IV–V, longer legs, more elongate pedipalps, fewer granules on lateral inframedian carinae of metasoma II–III, and denser setation on basitarsal spurs. The emergence of the Rub’ al-Khali sand system during Pleistocene glaciations, and the transition to hyper-arid conditions in the region, are hypothesized to be abiotic factors promoting ecological speciation of A. ammophilus sp. n., and vicariant speciation of A. omanensis sp. n
Two new species of \u3ci\u3eUroplectes\u3c/i\u3e Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique
No full textTwo new species, Uroplectes elmii sp. n. from Somaliland and U. mossambicensis sp. n. from Mozambique are described, fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology. Both species are similar to Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879) from which they differ mainly in finger dentition (Uroplectes elmii sp. n.) and strongly reduced tibial spurs on legs III–IV (U. mossambicensis sp. n.). Uroplectes elmii sp. n. is also compared with U. pardii Kovařík, 2003, from which it differs mainly by extremely reduced to absent metasomal punctation. A distribution map of all discussed species is included