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A Special Interest in Current and Developing Male Contraceptives
No full textHistorically, the burden of contraception has largely fallen on women, with limited options available for men. This imbalance in reproductive responsibility has become increasingly relevant following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade and reignited national discussion on reproductive rights. Currently available male contraceptive methods—behavior modification, barrier methods, and vasectomy—each carry limitations in terms of effectiveness, permanence, or user acceptability. Research into novel male contraceptives has been ongoing for decades. One promising candidate is the Nestorone/Testosterone transdermal gel, which has demonstrated high efficacy and reversibility in its recently concluded Phase II trial and is now progressing to Phase III. Despite these advancements, significant challenges persist, including limited public acceptance and insufficient funding for research and development. Expanding male contraceptive options is essential to promote shared reproductive responsibility, support partners, and address global public health needs by reducing unintended pregnancies and enhancing reproductive autonomy for all genders
Illicit Xylazine Use: Trends, Acute and Chronic Management
No full textXylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, has emerged as a significant substance of abuse in Philadelphia,
complicating the landscape of substance use disorder. Its pharmacological effects, particularly when combined with opioids, present unique challenges in acute care. Patients often exhibit symptoms such as hypotension, bradycardia, and respiratory depression, alongside severe complications like necrotic skin ulcers, which require specialized wound care. Diagnosing Xylazine exposure is challenging due to the absence of routine testing, necessitating clinical vigilance. Acute management includes stabilization, respiratory support, and overdose treatments, often involving naloxone. Long-term care focuses on treating chronic ulcers and addressing substance use disorder. The public health implications are profound, with rising Xylazine use driving new research and initiatives by Philadelphia\u27s hospitals and public health organizations, highlighting the urgent need for updated clinical guidelines and community-based interventions
Mocking the Malicious: Investigating John Heartfield’s Anti-Nazi Photomontages
Full text linkIn this paper, I will discuss John Heartfield’s Dada infused photomontages, which he made in the 1930s following the rise of Adolf Hitler. During their ascension to power the Nazi regime used propaganda to glorify Hitler. The Nazi party also used a visual campaign to attack their enemies and people they deemed “inferior.” Throughout this time of media poisoning, John Heartfield created his photomontages that attacked everything the Nazis stood for. His anti-Nazi works for the Communist magazine Arbeiter Illustriere Zeitung (AIZ), covered a variety of angles including mocking Hitler as a person, pointing out the party’s greed, and exposing the illogical Nazi ideology about a pure Aryan race. In this paper, I will investigate pro-Nazi propaganda in order to compare how Heartfield\u27s satirical portrayals of the party counteracted the idealized image of Hitler and his campaign. I will also explore Heartfield\u27s photomontages in the context of events happening in Germany surrounding the Nazi rise to power
Privacy and Data Protection In Africa: An Analysis of The Adequacy of The Nigerian Data Protection Laws
Full text linkThe concept of personal data is rooted in the universal human right to privacy and confidentiality. In today’s jurisprudence, the right to privacy is paramount, especially in light of evolving technological advancements. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR), implemented in 2018, established a global standard for the collecting, using, storing and processing of personal data. This development prompted numerous countries, including several African nations, to address data protection concerns, particularly in transborder data transfer.
African countries faced significant challenges in this endeavor as they grappled with inadequate laws, enforcement mechanisms, and technological infrastructure. Recognizing the legal and security issues associated with personal data processing in the global economy, African countries began enacting data protection laws to complement the rights to privacy enshrined in their respective constitutions. South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya have already implemented personal data protection legislation, while Nigeria has, until recently, only issued binding regulations.
Given Nigeria’s status as a populous black nation and Africa’s largest economy, it was imperative to enact comprehensive legislation to safeguard personal data. This led to the enactment of the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, providing a framework for data protection in Nigeria. This research offers an overview of Nigeria’s current state of privacy and data protection laws, with a comparative analysis of these laws. This study suggests that the existing legal framework in Nigeria falls short of effectively protecting personal data collection, usage, storage and processing, especially when compared to the EU GDPR
Role of Community Health Workers in Preventing Adverse Outcomes in Pregnant Individuals Living in Underserved Communities in the United States
No full textCommunity health workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers that are trusted members of the community they serve. They usually share ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, and/or life experiences of similar community members and work within the local health care system to provide care to patients in their community.2 CHWs offer interpretation services, provide culturally appropriate health education, advocate for health needs, and provide direct medical services.2 Their work is centered on improving health outcomes, promoting health equity, and addressing the unique needs other communities they serve in.2 In underserved areas, health disparities and adverse health outcomes are seen in pregnant individuals. Those who live in rural areas compared to urban areas face an increased risk of negative maternal health outcomes.3 CHWs play a crucial role in bridging the gap between healthcare providers and the community, especially in underserved or marginalized populations in low- and middle-income countries.4 While CHWs are well utilized in other countries, the Unites States (U.S.) underutilizes them.5 CHWs may provide a solution to counter disparities seen in pregnant individuals living in underserved communities in the U.S. This article addresses ways CHWs can support pregnant individuals living in underserved areas in the U.S. through various stages of pregnancy to improve pregnancy outcomes
Special Considerations for Common Dermatologic Conditions in Skin of Color
No full textThere is a documented lack of training among physicians on how to examine skin of color (SOC) and lack of representation of SOC in images of dermatologic textbooks and online resources. These shortcomings in medical training contribute to missed or underdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and disproportionate morbidity and mortality from skin pathologies in people with SOC. This CME will explore the history of, challenges presented by, and special considerations for examining SOC with a particular focus on some of the most prevalent skin conditions in the United States including acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, rosacea, and non-melanoma skin cancers
Stress-Induced Pruritus in Chronic Urticaria
No full textChronic urticaria is a recurrent skin condition impacting patients\u27 quality of life. The disorder involves external and/or internal triggers which cause the activation of mast cells. Among its triggers, stress has a major role that often leads to stress-induced pruritus alongside mast cell activity and histamine release. Research underscores the link between stress and immune responses in chronic urticaria. Current management guidelines recommend stepwise pharmacologic options, including antihistamines and biologics therapy such as omalizumab. Additionally, incorporating interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy can further improve patient outcomes
Updated Guidelines for Screening and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer
No full textColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common forms of cancer, typically manifesting in the later stages of life. Through ongoing technological advances and research, the medical field continues to make breakthroughs in CRC treatment.1 CRC rates are declining in people over age 65, while cases have increased by 2% in those aged 50-64 since 2011.2 Healthcare providers need to update their CRC screening guidelines to reflect changing patient demographics, environmental factors, and evolving lifestyle patterns. These updates are crucial as they directly impact early detection and treatment outcomes. Physician assistants (PAs) have emerged as key players in fighting CRC by developing and implementing comprehensive management practices. These practices emphasize patient education and adherence to screening guidelines, which are essential for improved detection rates. PAs serve as vital intermediaries, providing initial screenings and assessments while facilitating appropriate referrals for specialized treatment based on individual patient needs and conditions. This article conducts a thorough review of current, evidence-based CRC guidelines to demonstrate the pressing need for primary care PAs to integrate these updated protocols into their daily practice, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes
“Knowing with” the Unknowable Woman: The Body as Protest in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian
Full text linkDuring an interview from 2020, South Korean writer Han Kang pointed to the “impossible riddle” of humanity as the reason she finds it so difficult to look at human beings without becoming overwhelmed.1 She acknowledged that while humans have committed horrific atrocities against one another, we also possess a certain dignity which suggests that we have a desire for goodness within us. As a countermeasure to the distress and hopelessness that we may feel as a result of this dichotomy, Han proposes that “[when] we are confronted by the horror of humanity, we have to question ourselves that [sic] what is the meaning that we are human;” we need to actively engage in moments of self-reflection to understand how we comprehend our interactions with one another and choose to define being human.2 Before we decide who we want to become, it is crucial that we recognize who we currently are, starting with the ways in which we have oppressed groups of people for our advantage. While women, in particular, have always been subjected to violence and exploited for the benefit of patriarchal societies, we have more recently witnessed a nearly universal crackdown — specifically perpetrated by national governments — on women’s bodies. Women’s agency and bodily autonomy are slowly shrinking as governments have adopted legislation designed to limit a woman’s right to determine how to care for her body and to express her sense of self under the guise of moral and ethical superiority
Theory and Applications Surrounding Markov Chains
Full text linkThis capstone project explores the Markov Chain – a mathematical model used to describe systems that transition between states based on probabilities. It begins by introducing the fundamental concepts, including transition matrices, state classifications, and stationary distributions. The paper then applies Markov Chain theory to real-world scenarios, such as simulating Snakes and Ladders games, predicting soccer match outcomes for Manchester United, and generating texts from movie lines. Finally, it discusses key findings, challenges, and potential areas for future research in the field