Using starling murmuration as a model for creating a global health community of practice to advance equity in scholarship.

Background: Disparities in scholarship exist between authors in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries. Recognizing these disparities in our global network providing pediatric, adolescent, and maternal healthcare to vulnerable populations in LMIC, we sought to improve access and provide resources to address educational needs and ultimately impact the broader scholarship disparity.

Methods: We created a virtual community of practice (CoP) program underpinned by principles from starling murmuration to promote interdisciplinary scholarship.

selection in non-human primates identifies superior AAV capsids for on-target CSF delivery to spinal cord.

Systemic administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for spinal cord gene therapy has challenges including toxicity at high doses and pre-existing immunity that reduces efficacy. Intrathecal delivery of AAV vectors into the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can avoid many of the issues of systemic delivery, although achieving broad distribution of the vector and transgene expression throughout the spinal cord is challenging and vector entry to the periphery occurs, sometimes initiating hepatotoxicity. Here we performed two rounds of biopanning in non-human primates (NHPs) with an AAV9 peptide display library injected intrathecally and performed insert sequencing on DNA isolated from either whole tissue (conventional selection), isolated nuclei, or nuclei from transgene-expressing cells.

An Engineered Adeno-Associated Virus Capsid Mediates Efficient Transduction of Pericytes and Smooth Muscle Cells of the Brain Vasculature.

Neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease share an underlying microvascular dysfunction that may be remedied by selective transgene delivery. To date, limited options exist in which cellular components of the brain vasculature can be effectively targeted by viral vector therapeutics. In this study, we characterize the first engineered adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid mediating high transduction of cerebral vascular pericytes and smooth muscle cells (SMCs).

Evolution of a Continuing Professional Development Program Based on a Community of Practice Model for Health Care Professionals in Resource-Limited Settings.

Introduction: The Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) Network supports a network of independent nongovernmental organizations providing health care for children and families in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Using a community of practice (CoP) framework, a continuing professional development (CPD) program was created for health professionals to enhance knowledge and exchange best practices.

Methods: An online learning platform (Moodle), videoconferencing (Zoom), instant messaging systems (Whatsapp), and email listserv facilitated learning and interaction between program participants.

Realizing the Promise of Dolutegravir in Effectively Treating Children and Adolescents Living With HIV in Real-world Settings in 6 Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Background: Despite encouraging results from clinical trials and in high-income countries, large-scale data on the effectiveness and safety of dolutegravir (DTG) in children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) are lacking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed among CALHIV 0-19 years old and weighing greater than or equal to 20 kg who received DTG from 2017 to 2020 at sites in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda to determine effectiveness, safety and predictors of viral load suppression (VLS) among CALHIV using DTG, including through single drug substitutions (SDS).

Results: Among 9419 CALHIV using DTG, 7898 had a documented post-DTG VL, and VLS post-DTG was 93.

COVID-19 Impact on Disparity in Childhood Immunization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Through the Lens of Historical Pandemics.

Purpose Of Review: The COVID-19 pandemic, since 2020, has affected health care services and access globally. Although the entire impact of COVID-19 pandemic on existing global public health is yet to be fully seen, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global childhood immunization programs is of particular importance.

Recent Findings: Disruptions to service delivery due to lockdowns, challenges in vaccination programs, vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, and political and social economic inequalities all posed a threat to existing childhood immunization programs.

Disparities in Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Rights Among Adolescents and Young People During COVID-19 Pandemic: Culture, Economic, and Gender Perspectives.

Purpose Of Review: As the world grapples with the health systems' challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the needs of the already vulnerable adolescents and young people is vital. This narrative synthesis is aimed to highlight the current gender, cultural, and socioeconomic dynamics fueling inequalities to accessing sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services among adolescents and young people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Recent Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic has in most countries exacerbated already existing inequalities due to economic, gender, cultural, and legal aspects.

Health Disparities in Children and Adolescents Living in LMIC During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this editorial is to introduce the pediatric global health issue focusing on health disparities emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Recent Findings: As the COVID-19 pandemic ensues, children and adolescents living in LMIC have been disproportionately affected by socio-economic and mitigation practices, leading to widening disparities in health and the social determinants of health that influence their well-being.

Summary: This pediatric global health issue brings to bare the extent, range, and nature of these health disparities, integrated with expert viewpoints, to prompt critical dialogue to address these complex problems.

Global community of practice: A means for capacity and community strengthening for health professionals in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Low- and middle-income countries face distinct challenges in providing health care services and training. The community of practice (CoP) has been described as a method of facilitating much-needed connections and conversations on this topic and has been adapted over time to include virtual CoPs. We describe the development and evaluation of a global Clinical Lead Forum (CLF) using a CoP framework to structure informal continuing professional development (CPD) and enhance the capacity of health care professionals in low- and middle-income countries.

Achieving Antiretroviral Therapy Uptake and Viral Suppression Among Children and Adolescents Living With HIV in the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Era Across Six Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa-Lessons From the BIPAI Network.

Background: Although achievements have been made globally since the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets were announced, paediatric data remain sparse. We describe achievements toward antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and viral load (VL) suppression, existing gaps, and potential best practices among children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) across 6 Eastern and Southern African countries.

Setting: Baylor College of Medicine International Paediatric AIDS Initiative Network sites in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The cancer-testis antigen, sperm protein 17, a new biomarker and immunological target in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a deadly and locally aggressive malignancy that frequently portends a poor prognosis. Since current treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are heavily debilitating and often result in recurrence intense efforts have been put into the development of novel less toxic and more lasting treatment strategies. Recently, immunotherapy has been proposed as a promising alternative that could potentially meet these requirements.

Cancer testis antigen Sperm Protein 17 as a new target for triple negative breast cancer immunotherapy.

Breast carcinoma is a major health issue for millions of women. Current therapies have serious side effects, and are only partially effective in patients with metastatic tumors. Thus, the need for novel and less toxic therapies is urgent.

Addressing health disparities in Hispanic breast cancer: accurate and inexpensive sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Background: Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for 20-25 % of inherited breast cancers and about 10 % of all breast cancer cases. Detection of BRCA mutation carriers can lead to therapeutic interventions such as mastectomy, oophorectomy, hormonal prevention therapy, improved screening, and targeted therapies such as PARP-inhibition. We estimate that African Americans and Hispanics are 4-5 times less likely to receive BRCA screening, despite having similar mutation frequencies as non-Jewish Caucasians, who have higher breast cancer mortality.

Galectins in cancer: carcinogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.

A major breakthrough in the field of medical oncology has been the discovery of galectins and their role in cancer development, progression and metastasis. In this review article we have condensed the results of a number of studies published over the past decade in an effort to shed some light on the unique role played by the galectin family of proteins in neoplasia, and how this knowledge may alter the approach to cancer diagnosis as well as therapy in the future. In this review we have also emphasized the potential use of galectin inhibitors or modulators in the treatment of cancer and how this novel treatment modality may affect patient outcomes in the future.

Galectin-3 inhibition suppresses drug resistance, motility, invasion and angiogenic potential in ovarian cancer.

Objective: Ovarian cancer is the most deadly gynecologic malignancy worldwide. Since the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer is incompletely understood, and there are no available screening techniques for early detection, most patients are diagnosed with advanced, incurable disease. In an effort to develop innovative and effective therapies for ovarian cancer, we tested the effectiveness of Galecti-3C in vitro.

The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in non-anogenital cancer and the promise of immunotherapy: a review.

Over the past 30 years, human papilloma virus (HPV) has been shown to play a role in the development of various cancers. Most notably, HPV has been linked to malignant progression in neoplasms of the anogenital region. However, high-risk HPV has also been suggested to play a significant role in the development of cancers in other anatomic locations, such as the head and neck, lung, breast and bladder.

Anti-galectin-3 therapy: a new chance for multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer?

Here we review the role of Galectins in the molecular pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer, with a special focus on Glectin-3. Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. Because the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma is still incompletely understood, there is no ultimately effective cure, and this cancer results fatal.

Mast cells and the liver aging process.

It has now ascertained that the clinical manifestations of liver disease in the elderly population reflect both the cumulative effects of longevity on the liver and the generalized senescence of the organism ability to adjust to metabolic, infectious, and immunologic insults. Although liver tests are not significantly affected by age, the presentation of liver diseases such as viral hepatitis may be subtler in the elderly population than that of younger patients.Human immunosenescence is a situation in which the immune system, particularly T lymphocyte function, deteriorates with age, while innate immunity is negligibly affected and in some cases almost up-regulated.

Changes in FDA enforcement activities following changes in federal administration: the case of regulatory letters released to pharmaceutical companies.

Background: The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the protection of the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness and security of human drugs and biological products through the enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and related regulations. These enforcement activities include regulatory letters (i.e.

Cancer testes antigens in breast cancer: biological role, regulation, and therapeutic applicability.

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women across the world. The last few decades have seen significant reduction in mortality owing to earlier detection and better adjuvant treatments that were developed based on clinical staging and morphological features. As these treatments have evolved, the heterogeneity of breast cancer poses a new challenge, since there is no standard gold-therapy suitable for all tumors of the mammary gland.

Immunological treatment options for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) are usually treated by a multimodal approach with surgery and/or radiochemotherapy as the mainstay of local-regional treatment in cases with advanced disease. Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy have the disadvantage of causing severe side effects, while the clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with HNSCC has remained essentially unchanged over the last decade. The potential of immunotherapy is still largely unexplored.

Perspective for prophylaxis and treatment of cervical cancer: an immunological approach.

As the second most common cause of cancer-related death in women, human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines have been a major step in decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer. An estimated 490,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Increasing knowledge of the HPV role in the etiology of cervical cancer has led to the development and introduction of HPV-based vaccines for active immunotherapy of cervical cancer.