Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: The Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE-ε4) allele is common in the population, but acts as the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite the strength of the association, there is notable heterogeneity in the population including a strong modifying effect of genetic ancestry, with the APOE-ε4 allele showing a stronger association among individuals of European ancestry (EUR) compared to individuals of African ancestry (AFR). Given this heterogeneity, we sought to identify genetic modifiers of APOE-ε4 related to cognitive decline leveraging APOE-ε4 stratified and interaction genome-wide association analyses (GWAS).

Transposon-triggered epigenetic chromatin dynamics modulate EFR-related pathogen response.

Infectious diseases drive wild plant evolution and impact crop yield. Plants, like animals, sense biotic threats through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Overly robust immune responses can harm plants; thus, understanding the tuning of defense response mechanisms is crucial for developing pathogen-resistant crops.

Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Clinics Serving California Farmworker Communities: NACES Pilot Project Evaluation.

The No More Adverse Childhood Experiences (NACES) pilot project addresses Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in rural farmworker communities in central California. Informed by engagement of farmworkers, the project included a clinic-based intervention that provided ACE education, screening, and response services during routine health visits with adult and pediatric patients. To understand the impact of the clinic-based intervention, the evaluation team developed a mixed-methods approach that collected and analyzed administrative data on ACE education and screening; clinic readiness for trauma informed health care self-assessments; staff training surveys; and interviews with staff, adult patients, and caregivers of pediatric patients.

An online educational resource to support infection prevention and control in schools: Results from a pilot study in Missouri.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need to provide schools with support for implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services engaged the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology to develop the IPC Toolkit for Missouri Schools to train school-based IPC teams.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted with Missouri school staff and IPC professionals, among other partners.