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Disparities in Ownership and Use of Digital Health Technology Between Rural and Urban Adults
An article published in Cureus was recently picked up by mHEALTH INTELLIGENCE. "Published in Cureus, new research indicated that although rural residents were just as likely as their urban counterparts to own and utilize digital health tools, they used these resources for communication with providers less, prompting the need for investigation of geographical digital access disparities. Specifically, the researchers indicated that more research into differences in broadband access, plus development of “low connectivity” apps, will be key to closing technology access disparities. Despite the constant growth of digital health tools, there is limited research surrounding differences in adoption between rural and urban residents. In this study, researchers used a National Inpatient Survey to examine statistics on the ownership and use of digital health tools among patients in various geographies..." Read the full article here.
May 11, 2023
Video Abstract Submissions
Submit a Video Abstract As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, our attention spans have shortened, and we've grown accustomed to receiving information in condensed formats. This shift in information consumption extends to scientific research, necessitating a change in how content is presented. This guide offers a comprehensive walkthrough for creating a video abstract, from its inception to production, and finally, submission. It aims to help you produce your own video abstracts, regardless of your available equipment or budget. You will be in charge of the project from start to finish. Be aware that our team will evaluate all video abstracts for appropriateness, and publication is not guaranteed. In some instances, you may be asked to make minor adjustments to your video. Remember that you may only submit a video abstract after your paper has been accepted. Do not send a video abstract when initially submitting your manuscript. If you have any questions during the process, please reach out to [email protected], and our Digital Marketing Manager will contact you. What is a Video Abstract? A video abstract is a supplementary feature for research articles designed to capture viewers' interest in the scientific paper. The purpose of a video abstract is to showcase the key findings of your research or case report. Ideally it should not only present the main results and conclusions but also offer something unique compared to the written paper. A successful video abstract engages viewers by narrating a story, often starting with a specific discovery, question, or theme around which the story develops. Creating a compelling video about a serious subject doesn't require a large budget or cutting-edge technology. Modern technology allows for the production of high-quality videos at a relatively low cost, as detailed in these guidelines. The focus should be on capturing your audience's attention and inspiring them to read your paper. Top Tips for an Effective Video Abstract Maintain a relaxed and friendly tone in your video. When writing a script, use conversational language as if explaining your research to a non-expert. Video abstracts target a scientific audience but should be accessible to a broader audience, including journalists and students. While writing your paper, consider potential footage and other media for your video abstract. You can often find relevant stock videos on websites like Adobe that can be used to help make your video more engaging. To ensure your message is effectively communicated and keeps the viewer's attention, aim for a concise video, no longer than 4 minutes. The full research details can be found in the written article, so the video should not detract from the paper itself. Budget Solutions for Video Abstracts High-End Budget (Up to 4 minutes in length) Creating a comprehensive story with top-quality elements If you have access to advanced equipment, whether personally, through your university's media department, or by outsourcing production, your video abstract can incorporate (some of) the following features: Author(s) appearing on camera Engaging footage and/or graphics 3D animations Re-enactments to demonstrate medical procedures or consultations Contextual footage (laboratories, key aspects of the study) General footage relevant to the medical or scientific context Medium to Low Budget (Up to 4 minutes in length) Innovative storytelling with limited video elements A video abstract in this budget range may feature the author(s) providing a voiceover alongside professional animations (avoid using PowerPoint presentations or low-quality images/graphics). Potential components include: Author(s) on camera Engaging footage Graphics (with simple animations rather than static images) Contextual footage (laboratories, key aspects of the study) General footage relevant to the medical or scientific context You can email your video to [email protected]. Please include any social media handles for you, your co-authors, and your institution so we can tag everyone properly. Don't forget to click below to subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Apr 26, 2023
Cureus April 2023 Newsletter
Hi, We recently hosted a call for submissions contest for case reports, but our authors didn’t submit alone. They had help from ChatGPT, the cutting-edge language model trained to assist with natural language processing. With the Chat GPT case report contest coming to a close, we'd like to remind everyone of our policies regarding the use of Chat GPT and other large language model (LLM) tools: No LLM tool will be accepted as a credited author. Why? Attribution of authorship carries with it accountability for the work, and AI tools cannot take such responsibility. Researchers using LLM tools should document this use in the methods or acknowledgements sections. If an article does not include these sections, the introduction or another appropriate section can be used to document the use of the LLM.
Apr 14, 2023
Peptide Therapy
There are many potential benefits of peptide therapy in different medical fields. This Cureus article explores the expression of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines in the human omentum following abdominal surgery, with the aim of understanding how these peptides can aid in the prevention of postoperative infections. The article below focuses on the effects of Mechano-Growth Factor (MGF) peptide, which has been shown to have favorable impacts on muscle growth, wound healing, cartilage repair, and brain development in animal studies. MGF peptide has also been shown to activate muscle stem cells and enhance heart health, among other benefits. There is a growing interest in peptide therapy as a potential solution to various medical problems, from muscle loss to postoperative infections. Sponsored Content Cardiological Effects of MGF Peptide Mechano-Growth Factor (MGF) peptide is a splice variant of insulin-like growth factor [i] that has been demonstrated to have cardiological effects, favorably influencing muscle growth, wound healing, cartilage repair, and brain development in animal studies. MGF C-terminal has been shown to enhance muscle healing after damage and hasten recovery time. Moreover, some evidence is that it helps shield tissues from the mechanical stressors incurred during weight training and jogging, according to research. Do you have a Ph.D. or MD and need to purchase MGF peptides for your research? You can find high-quality, affordable peptides online. What is the Mechano Growth Factor? In contrast to IGF1, the peptide known as Mechano growth factor (MGF) [ii] have a slightly modified sequence. According to studies, it significantly impacts youngsters' growth and development. There's more, however. Animal studies support that MGF peptide may promote tissue repair and development by activating muscle stem cells and increasing protein synthesis for tissue growth. Researchers are now exploring this peptide as a potential therapy for disorders that cause muscle loss and wasting in animals. Mechanism of Action of the MGF Peptide According to research, IGF and muscle growth factor (MGF) work together to cause hypertrophy and speed up the healing process after muscle injury. Overtraining the muscle and increasing tissue healing are two ways that MGF shows itself. Muscle satellite cells, also known as stem cells, are activated with their help, per clinical trial results. [v] The IGF-1Eb isoform, as it's more often known, protects neurons, mitigates the atrophying effects of insulin, and speeds up the healing of damaged muscle tissue in animals. Studies in rats have shown the efficacy of this peptide. After muscular damage, high levels of MGF were found in the rats' muscles, which promoted skeletal muscle cell development. Research on MGF treatment for disorders that cause muscle wasting or tissue damage is limited, but early results are encouraging. Advantages of MGF Peptides According to the scientific community's findings, MGF peptides have a wide range of applications. In a nutshell, here's what it can do, according to animal studies: Encourage the growth of new muscle by stimulating stem cells Facilitate healing, repair, and cell division Facilitate the reduction of inflammation Maximize workouts Improve mental well-being and growth Enhance heart health Muscle Growth Factor's Effects Recent studies have shown that MGF (Mechanical growth factor) may stimulate satellite cells in the body, leading to increased hypertrophy, larger muscles, and even muscle regeneration. According to animal studies, MGF administered to mice for three weeks resulted in a 25% increase in muscle growth. Researchers think this peptide has the potential to double the health benefits of exercise and cure muscle-wasting disorders. An animal's basal metabolic rate and the pace at which it burns calories at rest benefit from muscle gain. Thus the animal may see more than simply an aesthetic advantage from exercising. Animal studies have demonstrated that increased lean body mass helps alleviate various diseases and health problems linked to obesity. Transplantation of myogenic precursor cells enhances dystrophin expression, which may explain why MGF therapy is effective in the context of some muscle-wasting illnesses like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). As a result, the negative consequences of these states are mitigated. Despite the treatment's encouraging name, post-transplant survival statistics are dismal. Animal studies suggest that C-terminal peptide may improve transplant outcomes by increasing the number of myogenic precursor cells that survive the procedure. Results of MGF on Injury Repair Injuries, inflammatory diseases like arthritis, and overuse of joints may all lead to cartilage breakdown. Experts agree that poor blood flow and a lack of stem cells prevent cartilage from regenerating properly. Yet, research on MGF peptides in animals showed that they might assist in overcoming many of the obstacles to cartilage regeneration. Research indicates that C-terminal [iii] MGF helps chondrocytes (cells that promote cartilage health and repair) endure exposure to noxious stimuli, including damage and physical stress. By increasing cell survival, MGF supplementation aids in protecting and repairing cartilage when mechanical stress is applied, as per studies. Rodent studies showed that MGF peptide might stop disc degeneration by stopping cell apoptosis. [iv] Cardiological Consequences Evidence from animal trials of acute myocardial infarction in sheep suggests that MGF peptide therapy may prevent heart muscle damage caused by ischemia. Researchers also found that cardiomyocyte damage was reduced by 35% when MGF peptide was administered. Effects on Neuronal Health In 2010, scientists proved that MGF peptide was present in the brains of rats, proving the medication's potent neuroprotective properties. Research in mice further indicates that MGF protein is expressed in the context of brain hypoxia and that it may protect neurons. Studies show that treatment with MGF peptide relieves the increasing muscular weakness seen in Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and slows down the underlying cause of the illness, the degeneration of motor neurons. Researchers have observed that Mechano-growth factor peptide protects neurons from disease progression more effectively than any other isoform. It may also aid in the recovery of brain tissue damaged by ischemia. Scientists have high hopes that MGF peptide, with further study, may prove to be therapeutic that can save motor neurons from dying. References [i] Philippou A, Papageorgiou E, Bogdanis G, Halapas A, Sourla A, Maridaki M, Pissimissis N, Koutsilieris M. Expression of IGF-1 isoforms after exercise-induced muscle damage in humans: characterization of the MGF E peptide actions in vitro. In Vivo. 2009 Jul-Aug;23(4):567-75. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19567392/ [ii] Moriggl, R, V Gouilleux-Gruart, R Jähne, S Berchtold, C Gartmicen, X Liu, L Hennighausen, A Sotiropoulos, B Groner, and F Gouilleux. “Deletion of the Carboxyl-Terminal Transactivation Domain of MGF-Stat5 Results in Sustained DNA Binding and a Dominant Negative Phenotype.” Molecular and Cellular Biology 16, no. 10 (October 1996): 5691–5700. doi:10.1128/mcb.16.10.5691. [iii] Esposito, Simone, Koen Deventer, and Peter Van Eenoo. “Characterization and Identification of a C-Terminal Amidated Mechano Growth Factor (MGF) Analogue in Black Market Products.” Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 26, no. 6 (February 10, 2012): 686–692. doi:10.1002/rcm.6144. [iv] Liu X, Zeng Z, Zhao L, Chen P, Xiao W. Impaired Skeletal Muscle Regeneration Induced by Macrophage Depletion Could Be Partly Ameliorated by MGF Injection. Front Physiol. 2019 May 17;10:601. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31164836/ [v] Mills P, Dominique JC, Lafrenière JF, Bouchentouf M, Tremblay JP. A synthetic mechano growth factor E Peptide enhances myogenic precursor cell transplantation success. Am J Transplant. 2007 Oct;7(10):2247-59. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17845560/ Editor's Note: This blog post was sponsored by Core Peptides LLC.
Mar 28, 2023
Slowing MS Progression by Targeting The Gut Microbiome
An article published in Cureus was recently mentioned by Healthdigest.com "Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. People with MS will suffer symptoms such as numbness, mood changes, memory problems, or paralysis. MS affects up to 1 million people in the United States. Because there is no cure for MS, researchers are looking for new ways to treat the progression of the disease. According to a 2022 article in Cureus, using interferons to treat MS can aggravate MS, cause depression, or affect a person's walking. Other treatments have side effects, ranging from urinary tract infections to cancer. Eating a diet rich in fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidants such as vitamin D, curcumin, and vitamin A help reduce oxidative stress to ease MS. However, researchers are turning to the gastrointestinal tract because the central nervous system and GI tract are linked..." Read the full article here.
Mar 13, 2023
Introducing a Better Way to Read Cureus Articles
Our brand new article pages are now live! Cureus is delighted to share our new article page design with you! Our new layout frames your articles in a fresh and pleasing way, and includes a number of exciting features. We’ve highlighted the improvements below. Article banner image sourced from your article’s figures No figures in your article? No problem! We will instead display an attractive image related to your article’s category. Highlight and quote text in comments or a tweet You can now highlight a specific phrase, sentence or paragraph via automatic quote in a tweet or your comment at the bottom of the article, providing helpful context in your discussion with other readers and the authors. New floating toolbar featuring citation tool The new toolbar enables you to save, share, and cite articles with the click of a button. Options include liking the article, downloading the citation or entire article as a PDF, and sharing it via email, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and many other social platforms. Let's make an impact! Citing a Cureus article has never been easier. Download the citation using the toolbar and add it to your preferred citation manager. Article endorsement Is there a particular article you found interesting or enjoyable to read? Maybe it added something new to the literature? Endorse the article by clicking the "Cureus claps" button under the title. Updated SIQ look and tiers Articles will receive a ribbon around their SIQ scores if their score exceeds 5. Silver ribbons are awarded to articles with SIQs ranging from 5-7.9 and gold ribbons awarded to articles with scores of 8-10. Article navigation Jump to the Comments section by clicking the comment button under the article title. Automatically scroll back to the top of the article by clicking the arrow in the bottom right corner. Unfold the Table of Contents on the left side bar to quickly scroll to a specific section. Category classification clarity and search Article categories are now expanded and displayed prominently on the left sidebar. Click an article category to explore related articles. For a more focused search, expand the Keyword section below and click to search by keyword. Recommended reading The insatiable scholars among us can find popular articles on the right side bar. Cureus will recommend Call for Submissions articles and other collections in our new Cureus Promotions space in the top right corner. Finally, quench your curiosity by searching for related topics and finding relevant "Further Reading" at the bottom of the article
Jan 24, 2023
Cureus January 2023 Newsletter
Hi, In celebration of the new year, we want to take a moment to review our growth as a journal as well as the many improvements made to our platform. 2022 was the biggest and most exciting year yet for Cureus. Joining Springer Nature is just one of many milestones made possible by your support. Click below to view our team's celebratory "Cureus Wrapped" video.
Jan 13, 2023
Do Daith Piercings Actually Have Wellness Benefits?
A Cureus article from 2020 was recently mentioned in a Glam article that explores whether or not daith piercings have any real wellness benefits. "One Medical internal medicine physician Hemalee Patel, DO, told PopSugar, 'While it is an acupressure point and the idea is that keeping pressure on a point like that can stimulate that area and reduce pain and anxiety, there is no medical evidence to support it.' A 2020 journal article published in Cureus on the subject of daith piercings for migraine treatment reveals that the daith piercing may lead to a placebo effect, which may explain the anecdotal evidence in support of the supposed health benefits..." Read the Glam article.
Dec 21, 2022
Cureus December 2022 Newsletter
Hi, In case you missed last week's big announcement, we are delighted to share with you that Cureus is now part of Springer Nature! Springer Nature is a German-British academic publishing company considered to be a leader in global research, educational, and professional publishing. As of December 2021, they had published 16% of all Open Access primary research, which is 29% more than any other publisher. The Cureus mission and editorial policies will remain the same. We will continue eliminating barriers to the generation and dissemination of medical knowledge, only now as part of Springer Nature. Their backing and trust will enable Cureus and our community of readers, authors and peer reviewers to grow even more quickly. We are thrilled to join with Springer Nature in paving the way towards an open science future.
Dec 15, 2022
