Parameter estimation and assessment of bias in genetic evaluation of carcass traits in Hanwoo cattle using real and simulated data.

Most carcass and meat quality traits are moderate to highly heritable, indicating that they can be improved through selection. Genetic evaluation for these types of traits is performed using performance data obtained from commercial and progeny testing evaluation. The performance data from commercial farms are available in large volume, however, some drawbacks have been observed.

Trends in Fatal Opioid-Related Overdose in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, 1999-2021.

Introduction: Opioid-related overdose mortality rates have increased sharply in the U.S. over the past two decades, and inequities across racial and ethnic groups have been documented.

Opioid-related mortality: Dynamic temporal and spatial trends by drug type and demographic subpopulations, Massachusetts, 2005-2021.

Background: Fatal opioid-related overdoses (OOD) present significant public health challenges. Intuitive and replicable analytical approaches are needed to inform targeted public health responses.

Methods: We obtained fatal OOD data for 2005-2021 from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

induced fulminant sepsis in an immunocompromised host: A case report and the case-specific literature review.

is an obligate intra-erythrocytic parasite transmitted by infected ticks. is a eukaryote much larger than prokaryotic microbes and more similar to human hosts in their biochemistry and metabolism. Moreover, spp.

Machine learning-based outcome prediction and novel hypotheses generation for substance use disorder treatment.

Objective: Substance use disorder is a critical public health issue. Discovering the synergies among factors impacting treatment program success can help governments and treatment facilities develop effective policies. In this work, we propose a novel data analytics approach using machine learning models to discover interaction effects that might be neglected by traditional hypothesis-generating approaches.

Gut microbiotas and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy response: a causal or coincidental relationship?

As the largest immune organ, human gut microbiome could influence the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICI). However, identifying contributory microbes from over 35,000 species is virtually impossible and the identified microbes are not consistent among studies. The reason for the disparity may be that the microbes found in feces are markers of other factors that link immune response and microbiotas.

Oral and Systemic Effects of Xylitol Consumption.

Recent results of randomized trials testing the efficacy of xylitol in caries prevention have been conflicting. This narrative review reveals the sources of discrepancy. The following databases were searched for the terms "xylitol" or "artificial sweeteners" restricted to the English language: PubMed, Web of Science, Evidenced-Based Medicine, Scopus, and the Cochrane database.

Lower risk for cardiovascular mortality for patients with root filled teeth in a Finnish population.

Aim: To investigate the relationship of radiographic evidence of root filled teeth to cardiovascular outcomes.

Methodology: Baseline data for 506 subjects including 256 angiographically verified heart disease patients and 250 matched cardiologically healthy controls participating in the Kuopio Oral Health and Heart study were collected in 1995-1996. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortalities were accrued until 31 May 2015 and appended to the baseline data.

Effects of decreased dopamine transporter levels on nigrostriatal neurons and paraquat/maneb toxicity in mice.

How genetic variations in the dopamine transporter (DAT) combined with exposure to environmental toxins modulate the risk of Parkinson's disease remains unclear. Using unbiased stereology in DAT knock-down mice (DAT-KD) and wild-type (WT) littermates, we found that decreased DAT caused a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (dopaminergic) neurons in subregions of the substantia nigra pars compacta at 3-4 days, 5 weeks, and 18 months of age. Both genotypes lost dopaminergic neurons with age and remaining neurons at 11 months were resilient to paraquat/maneb.

Viral protein requirements for assembly and release of human parainfluenza virus type 3 virus-like particles.

To understand the roles of human parainfluenza virus 3 (HPIV3) proteins in assembly and release, viral proteins were expressed individually and in combination in 293T cells. Expression of the matrix (M) protein triggered release of enveloped, matrix-containing virus-like particles (VLPs) from cells. When M was co-expressed with the nucleocapsid (N), fusion (F) or haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) proteins, VLPs that contained M+N, M+F and M+HN, respectively, were generated, suggesting that M can independently interact with each protein to facilitate assembly and release.

Bariatric surgery results: reporting clinical characteristics and adverse outcomes from an integrated healthcare delivery system.

Background: Limited data have been reported on bariatric surgery within a large, high-volume regional multicenter integrated healthcare delivery system.

Objectives: Review clinical characteristics and short- and intermediate-term outcomes and adverse events from a bariatric surgery program within an integrated healthcare delivery system.

Setting: Single high-volume, multicenter regional integrated healthcare delivery system.

Is there a greater maternal than paternal influence on offspring adiposity in India?

Previous research has provided conflicting evidence regarding fetal roots of adiposity in India. To compare the strength of association between maternal and paternal body mass indexes (BMIs) corrected for height with offspring BMI in India to examine the potential for intrauterine mechanisms to influence offspring adiposity in India, we analysed a sample of 16,528 mother-father-offspring trios from the 2005 to 2006 Indian National Family Health Survey. Children were aged 0-59 months with parents aged 15-49 years (mothers) and 15-54 years (fathers).

Oral steroids for acute radiculopathy due to a herniated lumbar disk: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Oral steroids are commonly used to treat acute sciatica due to a herniated disk but have not been evaluated in an appropriately powered clinical trial.

Objective: To determine if oral prednisone is more effective than placebo in improving function and pain among patients with acute sciatica.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted from 2008 to 2013 in a large integrated health care delivery system in Northern California.

Oral Infections, Metabolic Inflammation, Genetics, and Cardiometabolic Diseases.

Although several epidemiologic studies reported plausible and potentially causal associations between oral infections and cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), controversy still lingers. This might be due to unrecognized confounding from metabolic inflammation and genetics, both of which alter the immune responses of the host. Low-grade inflammation termed metainflammation is the hallmark of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and CMDs.

What is passing through toll gate 4: lipids or infection?

In this issue of the journal, Zhou and colleagues reported that hyperlipidemia might play a role in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β which are associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and periodontitis. Not only hyperlipidemia but many obesity-related conditions such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome are perceived as "threats" or as a "danger" by the innate immune system and express these cytokines. T2D is one of these conditions that elicit metabolic inflammation (meta-inflammation) and the hallmark of meta-inflammation is low grade inflammation.

Higher levels of cystatin C are associated with worse cognitive function in older adults with chronic kidney disease: the chronic renal insufficiency cohort cognitive study.

Objectives: To determine the association between cognition and levels of cystatin C in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Cognitive Study.

Effect of medical oncologists' attitudes on accrual to clinical trials in a community setting.

Purpose: Oncology clinical trials (OCTs) are crucial in evaluating new cancer treatments, but only 2% to 3% of US adult patients with cancer enter OCTs. This study assessed barriers to participation in clinical trials among oncologists in a large integrated health care delivery system with an active clinical trials program. Although many studies have identified major physician barriers to enrollment, few have examined how these barriers affect actual trial accrual.

Prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity from 2003 to 2010 in an integrated health care delivery system.

An observational study of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) BMI coding distributions was conducted to ascertain the trends in overweight and obesity prevalence among KPNC members aged 2-19 between the periods of 2003-2005 and 2009-2010. A decrease in the prevalence of overweight (-11.1% change) and obesity (-3.

Adequacy of lymph node examination in colorectal surgery: contribution of the hospital versus the surgeon.

Background: Examination of at least 12 lymph nodes (LNs) in the staging of colon cancer (CC) was recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in 2000; however, rates of an adequate examination remain low. This study compares the impact of the hospital contextual variance against that of the operating surgeon on delivery of an adequate LN examination.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of California Cancer Registry data for all CC operations (2001-2006).

Effectiveness and reach of the FLU-FIT program in an integrated health care system: a multisite randomized trial.

Objectives: We tested the effectiveness of offering home fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) during influenza vaccination clinics to increase colorectal cancer screening (CRCS).

Methods: In a clinical trial at Kaiser Permanente Northern California influenza clinics in Redwood City, Richmond, South San Francisco, Union City, and Fresno, we randomly assigned influenza clinic dates to intervention (FIT offered) or control (FIT not offered) and compared subsequent CRCS activity.

Results: Clinic staff provided FITs to 53.

Validation of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) US Spanish and English versions in a cohort of Hispanics with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: Evaluate the reliability and validity of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) in Hispanics with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design: Cross-sectional

Setting: Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study

Participants: 420 Hispanic (150 English- and 270 Spanish-speakers), and 409 non-Hispanic White individuals, matched by age (mean 57 years), sex (60% male), kidney function (mean estimated glomerular filtration rate 36ml/min/1.73m2), and diabetes (70%).