VIKING II, a worldwide observational cohort of volunteers with northern isles ancestry.

Introduction: The purpose of VIKING II is to create an observational cohort of volunteers with ancestry from the Northern Isles of Scotland, primarily for identifying genetic variants influencing disease. The new online protocol is separate to, but follows on from, earlier genetic epidemiological clinic-based studies in the isolated populations of Orkney and Shetland. These populations are favourable for the study of rarer genetic variants due to genetic drift, the large number of relatives, and availability of pedigree information.

Clinical case study meets population cohort: identification of a BRCA1 pathogenic founder variant in Orcadians.

We multiply ascertained the BRCA1 pathogenic missense variant c.5207T > C; p.Val1736Ala (V1736A) in clinical investigation of breast and ovarian cancer families from Orkney in the Northern Isles of Scotland, UK.

DecodeME: community recruitment for a large genetics study of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a common, long-term condition characterised by post-exertional malaise, often with fatigue that is not significantly relieved by rest. ME/CFS has no confirmed diagnostic test or effective treatment and we lack knowledge of its causes. Identification of genes and cellular processes whose disruption adds to ME/CFS risk is a necessary first step towards development of effective therapy.

Interpreting blood GLUcose data with R package iglu.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) data play an increasing role in clinical practice as they provide detailed quantification of blood glucose levels during the entire 24-hour period. The R package iglu implements a wide range of CGM-derived metrics for measuring glucose control and glucose variability. The package also allows one to visualize CGM data using time-series and lasagna plots.

Perceived Benefits and Harms of Involuntary Civil Commitment for Opioid Use Disorder.

Involuntary civil commitment (ICC) to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) prevents imminent overdose, but also restricts autonomy and raises other ethical concerns. Using the Kass Public Health Ethics Framework, we identified ICC benefits and harms. Benefits include: protection of vulnerable, underserved patients; reduced legal consequences; resources for families; and "on-demand" treatment access.

The role of work in gender identity, stress and health in low-income, middle-aged African-American men.

Although progress has been made in reducing disparities in life expectancy, addressing the persistence of health inequities by race remains a high priority for public health professionals. The purpose of this research was to refine a minority stress model (MSM) by identifying previously unrecognized factors contributing to stress and chronic disease health disparities among low-income middle-aged African-American men. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research approach, we conducted semi-structured individual health interviews with 42 low-income middle-aged African-American men in a mid-size New England city.

Precarious Work, Health, and African-American Men: A Qualitative Study on Perceptions and Experiences.

Precarious work has steadily grown in the United States since the rise of neoliberal policies. The continued expansion of this type of work has led to precarious employment as a recognized category within social determinants of health work and to a growing literature within public health research. African-American men are disproportionately vulnerable to precarious work, which in turn contributes to adverse health effects.

A culturally and gender responsive stress and chronic disease prevention intervention for low/no-income African American men: The MOCHA moving forward randomized control trial protocol.

Low/no-income, African American men are disproportionally burdened by chronic disease resulting from a complex interplay of systemic, sociocultural, and individual factors. These disparities are related to poverty, racism, gender role strain, high levels of stress, low levels of physical activity, and malnutritious diet. Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) is a community-driven movement to address the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of men of color.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cannabis Use in Massachusetts after Cannabis Legalization and before Retail Sales.

We determined the prevalence and correlates of cannabis use in Massachusetts after recreational use was passed, but before recreational cannabis stores opened. A cross-sectional, population-based survey of Massachusetts adults, age 18 years or older, (n = 3,022) was conducted in November-December, 2017. We estimated population-level prevalence and correlates of past 30-day cannabis use.

Development of a Smartphone App for Regional Care Coordination Among High-Risk, Low-Income Patients.

Despite widespread adoption of health information technology, U.S. providers face persistent barriers to coordination of care.

Linking food insecurity and smoking cessation: In response to "Food insecurity transitions and smoking behavior among older adults who smoke".

This Letter to the Editor raises questions regarding a recently published article, "Food insecurity transitions and smoking behavior among older adults who smoke."

Participant Engagement and Ethical Digital Storytelling: The MOCHA Moving Forward Study.

African-American men continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of health disparities, in general, and chronic diseases, in particular. The Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Moving Forward study seeks to determine the effectiveness of an innovative, community-driven program to improve the health and quality of life of low-income African-American men between the ages of 35 to 70 years by reducing identified social risk factors for chronic disease for these men. The project uses digital storytelling (DST) to encourage African-American men to tell their stories, especially related to stress, gender role stereotypes, and mental and physical health and well-being.

Clinical audit research and evaluation of motor neuron disease (CARE-MND): a national electronic platform for prospective, longitudinal monitoring of MND in Scotland.

: Launched in 1989, the Scottish Motor Neuron Disease Register (SMNDR) has provided a resource for prospective clinical data collection. However, in 2015 we aimed to evolve a system to allow: i) A patient-centered approach to care based on recognized standards, ii) Harmonized data sharing between Scottish health professionals in "real-time", iii) Regular audit of care to facilitate timely improvements in service delivery, and iv) Patient participation in a diverse range of observational and interventional research studies including clinical trials. : We developed a standardized national electronic data platform-Clinical Audit Research and Evaluation of MND (CARE-MND) which integrates clinical audit and research data fields.

Aspects of Depression Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged African American Young Adults.

The purpose of this phronetic/pragmatic, mixed-methods study was to integrate quantitative data with qualitative data in examining the complex relations among depression, exercise, screen-viewing time, and life plans among 14 socioeconomically disadvantaged African American young adults. Based on the thematic analysis, the two emerging themes were as follows: life priorities (passing the General Educational Development [GED] test, pursuing profession/career, and being dedicated to church/ministry) and challenges in passing GED examination (e.g.

The cascade of social determinants in producing chronic disease in low-income African-American men.

Purpose: There is a dearth of effective, evidence-based programs to reduce chronic disease in low-income African-American men. We report on the results of formative research in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded MOCHA Moving Forward project on factors identified by the participants to drive health disparities.

Methods: Based on individual interviews with 42 middle-aged (40-65 years), low-income African-American men, three themes emerged.

Changes in Food Insecurity and Smoking Status over Time: Analysis of the 2003 and 2015 Panel Study of Income Dynamics.

Purpose: To examine whether food insecurity longitudinally affects smoking status.

Design: Population-based prospective study.

Setting: Data from the 2003 and 2015 Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID).

"The Doctor Needs to Know": Acceptability of Smartphone Location Tracking for Care Coordination.

Background: Care coordination can be highly challenging to carry out. When care is fragmented across health systems and providers, there is an increased likelihood of hospital readmissions and wasteful health care spending. During and after care transitions, smartphones have the potential to bolster information transfer and care coordination.

Outreach Strategies to Recruit Low-Income African American Men to Participate in Health Promotion Programs and Research: Lessons From the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project.

African American men continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of disease. Engaging these men in health research and health promotion programs-especially lower-income, African American men who are vulnerable to chronic disease conditions such as obesity and heart disease-has historically proven quite difficult for researchers and public health practitioners. The few effective outreach strategies identified in the literature to date are largely limited to recruiting through hospital clinics, churches, and barbershops.

Differential Partitioning of Triterpenes and Triterpene Esters in Apple Peel.

Apple peel is a rich source of secondary metabolites, and several studies have outlined the dietary health benefits of ursane-type triterpenes in apple. Changes in triterpene metabolism have also been associated with the development of superficial scald, a postharvest apple peel browning disorder, and postharvest applications of diphenylamine and 1-methylcyclopropene. Previously, studies have generated metabolite profiles for whole apple peel or apple wax.

Delayed response to cold stress is characterized by successive metabolic shifts culminating in apple fruit peel necrosis.

Background: Superficial scald is a physiological disorder of apple fruit characterized by sunken, necrotic lesions appearing after prolonged cold storage, although initial injury occurs much earlier in the storage period. To determine the degree to which the transition to cell death is an active process and specific metabolism involved, untargeted metabolic and transcriptomic profiling was used to follow metabolism of peel tissue over 180 d of cold storage.

Results: The metabolome and transcriptome of peel destined to develop scald began to diverge from peel where scald was controlled using antioxidant (diphenylamine; DPA) or rendered insensitive to ethylene using 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) beginning between 30 and 60 days of storage.

Complexity of Exercise Behavior Among Older African American Women.

Despite the exercise benefits, disparities among diverse older adults continue to exist, where African American women have the lowest percentage of any population group in meeting national recommended activity guidelines. Drawing on the philosophical tradition of phronesis (practical reasoning) introduced by Aristotle, we studied perceptions of the exercise value among 14 older African American women. Three themes included: (1) exercise goals (e.

Detecting Dysglycemia Using the 2015 United States Preventive Services Task Force Screening Criteria: A Cohort Analysis of Community Health Center Patients.

Background: In 2015, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended targeted screening for prediabetes and diabetes (dysglycemia) in adults who are aged 40 to 70 y old and overweight or obese. Given increasing prevalence of dysglycemia at younger ages and lower body weight, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities, we sought to determine whether the current screening criteria may fail to identify some high-risk population subgroups.

Methods And Findings: We investigated the performance of the 2015 USPSTF screening recommendation in detecting dysglycemia among US community health center patients.

Delays in antiretroviral therapy initiation among HIV-positive individuals: results of the positive living with HIV study.

Background: Lack of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a major health concern due to increased risk of premature mortality and further HIV transmission. This study explored CD4+ cell count monitoring in relation to delays in ART initiation among HIV-positive individuals in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, where ART coverage was only 23.7% in 2011.

Diagnostic colonoscopy following a positive fecal occult blood test in community health center patients.

Purpose: Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is a pragmatic screening option for many community health centers (CHCs), but FOBT screening programs will not reduce mortality if patients with positive results do not undergo diagnostic colonoscopy (DC). This study was conducted to investigate DC completion among CHC patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from three CHCs in the Midwest and Southwest.