Strategies to strengthen COVID-19 vaccine uptake and improve vaccine equity in U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States during the first six months of vaccine rollout.

The eight U.S. territories and freely associated states (TFAS) have historically faced unique social and structural barriers in the implementation of vaccination programs due to geographic remoteness, a high prevalence of socioeconomic disparities, increasing prevalence of natural disasters, limited vaccine providers and clinics, difficulties with procurement and shipping, and difficulty tracking highly mobile populations.

Comparison of adult hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines in general in the USA.

Background: Adults who are hesitant toward routinely recommended vaccines for adults may also be hesitant toward COVID-19 vaccines. However, the distribution and differences in hesitancy between routinely recommended vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines, and the association of hesitancy regarding routinely recommended vaccines and hesitancy with COVID-19 vaccination status and intent, is unknown.

Methods: Using the Research and Development Survey (RANDS) during COVID-19, Round 3, a probability-sampled, nationally representative, web and phone survey fielded from May 17 - June 30, 2021 (n = 5,434), we examined the distribution and difference in prevalence of hesitancy towards COVID-19 and vaccines in general, beliefs associated with vaccine hesitancy, and factors impacting plans to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Establishment and characterization of patient-derived xenograft of a rare pediatric anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) bearing a CDC42SE2-BRAF fusion.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare subset of primary pediatric glioma with 70% 5-year disease free survival. However, up to 20% of cases present with local recurrence and malignant transformation into more aggressive type anaplastic PXA (AXPA) or glioblastoma. The understanding of disease etiology and mechanisms driving PXA and APXA are limited, and there is no standard of care.

A Case of Intraventricular Coronary Artery Perforation Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Setting of Myocardial Bridge of Left Anterior Descending Artery.

Coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Intraventricular rupture is more commonly seen in setting of myocardial bridging where the epicardial coronary artery takes an intramuscular course. We describe a case of acute thrombotic in-stent restenosis of the intramyocardial (myocardial bridge) distal left anterior descending artery complicated by intraventricular perforation in the setting of an anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction managed by covered stenting.

Complex Coronary Intervention - When Time Is of Essence: Ping Pong Technique.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. The prognosis and treatment of which is dependent on various factors including type, size, localization and extent of the coronary plaque and severity of the stenosis.

Integrative Multi-OMICs Identifies Therapeutic Response Biomarkers and Confirms Fidelity of Clinically Annotated, Serially Passaged Patient-Derived Xenografts Established from Primary and Metastatic Pediatric and AYA Solid Tumors.

Establishment of clinically annotated, molecularly characterized, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from treatment-naïve and pretreated patients provides a platform to test precision genomics-guided therapies. An integrated multi-OMICS pipeline was developed to identify cancer-associated pathways and evaluate stability of molecular signatures in a panel of pediatric and AYA PDXs following serial passaging in mice. Original solid tumor samples and their corresponding PDXs were evaluated by whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq, immunoblotting, pathway enrichment analyses, and the drug−gene interaction database to identify as well as cross-validate actionable targets in patients with sarcomas or Wilms tumors.

Contraception claims by medication for opioid use disorder prescription status among insured women with opioid use disorder, United States, 2018.

Objective(s): To understand how contraception method use differed between women prescribed and not prescribed medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among commercially-insured and Medicaid-insured women.

Study Design: IBM Watson Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database and the Multi-State Medicaid database were used to calculate the (1) crude prevalence, and (2) adjusted odds ratios (adjusted for demographic characteristics) of using long-acting reversible or short-acting hormonal contraception methods or female sterilization compared with none of these methods (no method) in 2018 by MOUD status among women with OUD, aged 20 to 49 years, with continuous health insurance coverage through commercial insurance or Medicaid for ≥6 years. Claims data was used to define contraception use.

Sexual and reproductive health needs and practices of female sex workers in Papua New Guinea: findings from a biobehavioral survey Kauntim mi tu ('Count me too').

Background: Little research has explored the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) experience of female sex workers (FSW), including girls aged < 18 years who are commercially sexually exploited (CSE), in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This paper describes the SRH history of FSW and CSE girls and factors associated with their use of moderately or highly effective contraceptive methods in three settings in PNG.

Methods: From 2016 to 2017, respondent-driven sampling (RDS) surveys were conducted among FSW and CSE girls in Port Moresby, Lae, and Mt.

Association of Prepregnancy Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders with Pregnancy Timing and Intention.

Limited research exists on the association between substance use disorders (SUDs) and dimensions of pregnancy intention. This study sought to examine the independent relationships between prepregnancy substance use and SUDs with pregnancy timing and intentions. Secondary analysis of data from three prenatal care sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Michigan, 2016-2017.

Progress toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets among female sex workers and sexually exploited female adolescents in Juba and Nimule, South Sudan.

Background: Little is known about HIV in South Sudan and even less about HIV among female sex workers (FSW). We characterized progress towards UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets among female sex workers (FSW) and sexually exploited female adolescents in Juba and Nimule, South Sudan.

Methods: We conducted a biobehavioral survey of FSW and sexually exploited female adolescents using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Juba (November 2015-March 2016) and in Nimule (January-March 2017) to estimate achievements toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets (90% of HIV-positive individuals know their status; of these, 90% are receiving antiretroviral therapy [ART]; and of these, 90% are virally suppressed).

Proprotein Convertase Subtilism/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitors: Adding to the Armamentarium of the Primary Care Physician.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its prevalence is expected to further increase in the next decade. It imparts a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Dyslipidemia, defined as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, triglycerides, or lipoprotein levels more than 90th percentile, or an HDL level less than the 10th percentile, is significant risk factor for ASCVD and offers a therapeutic target to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with ASCVD.

Approach to high intracoronary thrombus burden in the era of COVID-19.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several cases have reported extensive multivessel coronary thrombosis as a cardiovascular manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This case describes a patient who developed non-ST elevation myocardial infarction during hospitalization for acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19. We review the immediate and delayed revascularisation strategies of culprit and non-culprit lesions in the setting of high intracoronary thrombus burden induced by SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, Intent, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs among Essential Workers, United States.

We assessed coronavirus disease vaccination and intent and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among essential workers during March-June 2021. Coverage was 67%; 18% reported no intent to get vaccinated. Primary concerns were potential side effects, safety, and lack of trust in vaccines, highlighting the importance of increasing vaccine confidence in this population.

Postpartum Marijuana Use, Perceptions of Safety, and Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration: An Analysis of PRAMS Data From Seven States, 2017.

Background: Little is known about breastfeeding initiation and duration in the context of postpartum marijuana use and safety beliefs.

Research Aims: (1) To describe characteristics of women who used marijuana postpartum; (2) to evaluate the relationship between postpartum marijuana use and breastfeeding behaviors; and 3) to assess, among women who used marijuana postpartum, how safety perceptions are associated with breastfeeding behaviors.

Methods: Data from the cross-sectional Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a United States national governmental survey, 2017, were analyzed for participants with infants aged ≥ 12 weeks (seven states, unweighted = 4604).

Frequency of cannabis use during pregnancy and adverse infant outcomes, by cigarette smoking status - 8 PRAMS states, 2017.

Background: Research on prenatal cannabis use and adverse infant outcomes is inconsistent, and findings vary by frequency of use or cigarette use. We assess (1) the prevalence of high frequency (≥once/week), low frequency (
Methods: Cross-sectional data from 8 states' 2017 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (n = 5548) were analyzed.

High prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender women in Papua New Guinea.

Background: Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a tuberculosis (TB) case notification rate of 333 cases per 100,000 population in 2016 and is one of the 14 countries classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "high-burden" for TB, multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and TB/HIV. HIV epidemic is mixed with a higher prevalence among key populations, female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender women (TGW).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional HIV biobehavioral survey (BBS) using respondent-driven sampling method among FSW, MSM, and TGW in Port Moresby, Lae, and Mt.

The SPaCE diagnostic: a pilot study to test the accuracy of a novel point of care sensor for point of care detection of burn wound infection.

Background: Wound infection in burn patients is common and has an impact on outcomes. There is no objective method to diagnose infection at point of care (PoC). Early diagnosis prevents progression to sepsis.

Systems Biology Approach Identifies Prognostic Signatures of Poor Overall Survival and Guides the Prioritization of Novel BET-CHK1 Combination Therapy for Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma (OS) patients exhibit poor overall survival, partly due to copy number variations (CNVs) resulting in dysregulated gene expression and therapeutic resistance. To identify actionable prognostic signatures of poor overall survival, we employed a systems biology approach using public databases to integrate CNVs, gene expression, and survival outcomes in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult OS patients. Chromosome 8 was a hotspot for poor prognostic signatures.

Characteristics of Marijuana Use During Pregnancy - Eight States, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2017.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance under federal law in the United States (1); however, many states have legalized medical and adult nonmedical use. Evidence regarding the safety and health effects of cannabis use during pregnancy is largely inconclusive (2). Potential adverse health effects to exposed infants (e.

Swab: Point-of-Care Sensor for Simple and Rapid Detection of Acute Wound Infection.

Wound infection is commonly observed after surgery and trauma but is difficult to diagnose and poorly defined in terms of objective clinical parameters. The assumption that bacteria in a wound correlate with infection is false; all wounds contain microorganisms, but not all wounds are clinically infected. This makes it difficult for clinicians to determine true wound infection, especially in wounds with pathogenic biofilms.

Consensus demonstrates four indicators needed to standardize burn wound infection reporting across trials in a single-country study (ICon-B study).

Introduction: Evidence-based interventions are needed to treat burn wound infection (BWI). Evidence syntheses have been limited by heterogeneity of indicators used to report BWI across trials. Consistent reporting of BWI would be facilitated by an agreed minimum set of indicators.

Gaps in HIV Testing and Treatment Among Female Sex Workers in Lae and Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea.

We conducted biobehavioral surveys among female sex workers (FSW) in Lae and Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea (January-December 2017). Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit FSW aged ≥ 12 years, who were assigned female sex at birth, who spoke English or Tok Pisin, and who sold or exchanged sex for money, goods, or services in the last 6 months.