DR Congo: Health Cluster Situational Report #1 (17 May 2026) - ReliefWeb

Background It is important for paramedics to have strong interpersonal and cognitive skills. Despite the importance of such skills, the paramedic field has incorporated few tools to evaluate these attributes. Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs) are psychometric tools that use scenario-based questions to quantify personal and cognitive attributes. Though extensive literature exists on the use of SJTs, few studies explore the current state of SJT use in the paramedic field. Methods In this national survey study, we aimed to understand the current use of SJTs and other tools in the hiring of frontline paramedics by Canadian paramedic services. The survey also included questions about the use of Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), which are station-based interviews that have been found to validly evaluate the interpersonal and cognitive skills of paramedics for the purpose of hiring decisions. Results A total of 21 services left unique, complete responses. Neither SJTs nor MMIs are widely used in Canada. Only smaller paramedic services reported that they were using SJTs and MMIs, despite these tools being designed for mass testing. Conclusions Though a role has been identified for SJTs in par

The plight of the hedge fund says more about them than about its 24-year-old founder

A common liver disease affecting nearly 30% of adults worldwide is far more complex than previously understood. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified five biologically distinct forms of the condition, each associated with different risks of serious health complications, including heart disease, liver failure, cancer, and the need for a liver transplant. The findings, published in Nature Communications, come from a collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Virginia Tech. Scientists discovered that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, can develop through several different biological pathways. Some are closely connected to obesity and diabetes, while others appear to be driven by inherited genetic differences.

IntroductionHypertension is a major global health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality [1]. It is estimated that more than 19 million annual deaths are attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide [2]. In Japan, high blood pressure (BP) has been consistently identified as a strong risk factor for the national burden of CVD, in terms of notable incidence, mortality, direct/indirect healthcare costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with this condition [3, 4]. Although age-specific mean BP declined in Japan over recent decades [5], hypertension remains a critical public health issue, particularly because of the rapid aging population. The proportion of individuals aged ≥65 years is projected to reach approximately 35% by 2040 in Japan [6], highlighting a potentially higher future burden of hypertension in this country. While the prevalence of hypertension increases with age, population aging may offset the benefits of declining BP levels in each age group. As a result, the future burden of hypertension in Japan remains uncertain.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis classically involving the upper and lower respiratory tracts and kidneys. Timely diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion for the presenting symptoms. Otolaryngologic manifestations are commonly reported but most often involve the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as the sole initial manifestation of GPA is uncommon and may contribute to diagnostic delay. We report a case of a 67-year-old male who presented with rapidly progressive bilateral SNHL that preceded pulmonary and renal manifestations by several months, during which the patient was treated for otitis externa and Eustachian tube dysfunction without improvement. Development of pulmonary symptoms prompted additional workup, which demonstrated markedly elevated cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA) and proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA), raising concern for GPA. Histopathology then confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids and rituximab with serologic remission; however, his hearing loss was largely irreversible. This case