Molecular heterogeneity in human stroke - What can we learn from the peripheral blood transcriptome?

Stroke is a multifaceted disease with genetic and environmental components like diet and lifestyle. The central nervous and immune systems display complex interactions, with the peripheral immune response participating in brain injury and repair mechanisms following stroke. The bidirectional communication between the injured brain and peripheral blood presents an opportunity to investigate the molecular changes in the latter.

Cardiovascular Health, Lifestyle Factors, and Social Determinants Among Hispanic or Latino Adults in the United States.

Background: Among Hispanic/Latino subgroups residing in the US, disparities in cardiovascular health status remain largely uncharacterized.

Methods: This national study used the National Health Interview Survey to assess the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes) and cardiovascular diseases (history of heart attack, coronary heart disease, angina, stroke) across Hispanic/Latino subgroups (Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Central/South American), and the extent to which differences are related to lifestyle factors (physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and/or social determinants of health (income, education, food security, and health insurance status).

Results: The weighted study population included 35,549,841 Hispanic/Latino adults (26,008 respondents).

Link of TMPRSS2 expression with tumor immunogenicity and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancers.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses rely on the protease function of the TMPRSS2 protein to invade host cells. Despite cancer patients often experience poorer outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the role of TMPRSS2 in different cancer types has not yet been analyzed in detail. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the expression, function and clinical relevance of TMPRSS2 in tumors.

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact Analysis of the Use of Faricimab in Diabetic Macular Edema and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Colombia.

Retinal diseases are major contributors to disability, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. Diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) represent a significant disease and economic burden in Colombia. Assessing the economic evaluation of available treatments is essential for the efficient allocation of healthcare resources.

Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to Improve Classification of Atrial Septal Defects in Electronic Health Records.

Background: International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes can accurately identify patients with certain congenital heart defects (CHDs). In ICD-defined CHD data sets, the code for secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common, but it has a low positive predictive value for CHD, potentially resulting in the drawing of erroneous conclusions from such data sets. Methods with reduced false positive rates for CHD among individuals captured with the ASD ICD code are needed for public health surveillance.