Publications by authors named "D B Ferguson"

Background: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a greater prevalence and disease burden in patients who identify as African American and those with a family history of HS, suggesting a strong genetic component to its pathogenesis.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between plasma inflammatory protein expression, HS disease severity, and genetic ancestry in a diverse cohort of patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Methods: We performed a case-control study of patients with HS compared to age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls.

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Article Synopsis
  • Around 28% of species worldwide are currently at risk of extinction due to global warming and human activities, prompting increased focus on conservation efforts.
  • The study focuses on an endangered plant species native to the Helan Mountains in northwestern China, assessing its geographic distribution and conservation status using the MaxEnt model under different climate scenarios.
  • Findings reveal significant reduction and westward migration of the species' range over time, with only 15.1% of its populations currently protected in nature reserves, indicating a critical need for improved conservation strategies.
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Mitosis in eukaryotes involves reorganization of the nuclear envelope (NE) and microtubule-organizing centres (MTOCs). In , the causative agent of malaria, male gametogenesis mitosis is exceptionally rapid and divergent. Within 8 minutes, the haploid male gametocyte genome undergoes three replication cycles (1N to 8N), while maintaining an intact NE.

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This case study describes findings from an exercise conducted in April 2023 to assess the readiness of the National Quarantine Unit (NQU) and identify opportunities for improvement. The exercise is part of a multiyear effort to assess the readiness of quarantine and transport capabilities at the NQU through annual workshops, discussion-based exercises, and functional and full-scale exercises. The April 2023 exercise tested interagency coordination and decisionmaking, transport of individuals for monitoring, quarantine unit operations, and escalation of care for symptomatic individuals out of quarantine to high-level isolation units in the United States.

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While physical activity reduces the risk for chronic disease development, evidence suggests those experiencing early life growth-restriction do not express positive adaptations in response to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low birthweight (LBW) on markers of chronic disease, adult physical activity, and the response to physical activity engagement in a longitudinal human cohort study. Data from the Framingham Offspring Cohort were organized to include participants with birthweight, physical activity, and chronic disease biomarker/treatment data available at two timepoints (exam 5 and exam 9, 19-year difference).

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