Spatiotemporal variation in population dynamics of a narrow endemic, Ranunculus austro-oreganus.

Premise: Understanding how population dynamics vary in space and time is critical for understanding the basic life history and conservation needs of a species, especially for narrow endemic species whose populations are often in similar environments and therefore at increased risk of extinction under climate change. Here, we investigated the spatial and temporal variation in population dynamics of Ranunculus austro-oreganus, a perennial buttercup endemic to fragmented prairie habitat in one county in southern Oregon.

Methods: We performed demographic surveys of three populations of R.

Experience in a PHTS Expertise Centre: Yield of Thyroid Ultrasound Surveillance in Children with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome.

Objective: Children with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) are at increased risk for developing thyroid abnormalities, including differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). The Dutch PHTS guideline recommends ultrasound surveillance starting from age 18. Since the literature describes PHTS patients who developed DTC before age 18, the Dutch PHTS expertise centre has initiated annual ultrasound surveillance starting from age 12.

Histopathological phenotyping of cancers in PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome for improved recognition: A single-center study.

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) has a broad clinical spectrum including various benign and malignant tumors at varying age of diagnosis. Many patients remain unrecognized, unaware of their increased cancer risk. We aimed to describe the cancer spectrum, age of onset and histopathological cancer characteristics to assess whether specific cancer characteristics could improve PHTS recognition.

Lifestyle Factors and Breast Cancer in Females with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS).

Females with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) have breast cancer risks up to 76%. This study assessed associations between breast cancer and lifestyle in European female adult PHTS patients. Data were collected via patient questionnaires (July 2020-March 2023) and genetic diagnoses from medical files.

Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia (AMP® SCZ): Rationale and Study Design of the Largest Global Prospective Cohort Study of Clinical High Risk for Psychosis.

This article describes the rationale, aims, and methodology of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia (AMP® SCZ). This is the largest international collaboration to date that will develop algorithms to predict trajectories and outcomes of individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and to advance the development and use of novel pharmacological interventions for CHR individuals. We present a description of the participating research networks and the data processing analysis and coordination center, their processes for data harmonization across 43 sites from 13 participating countries (recruitment across North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America), data flow and quality assessment processes, data analyses, and the transfer of data to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Data Archive (NDA) for use by the research community.

Evaluating completion rates of COVID-19 contact tracing surveys in New York City.

Importance: Contact tracing is the process of identifying people who have recently been in contact with someone diagnosed with an infectious disease. During an outbreak, data collected from contact tracing can inform interventions to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Understanding factors associated with completion rates of contact tracing surveys can help design improved interview protocols for ongoing and future programs.

Osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins synergize to establish homeostasis in offspring.

Many physiological osteocalcin-regulated functions are affected in adult offspring of mothers experiencing unhealthy pregnancy. Furthermore, osteocalcin signaling during gestation influences cognition and adrenal steroidogenesis in adult mice. Together these observations suggest that osteocalcin may broadly function during pregnancy to determine organismal homeostasis in adult mammals.

Osteocalcin of maternal and embryonic origins synergize to establish homeostasis in offspring.

Many physiological functions regulated by osteocalcin are affected in adult offspring of mothers experiencing an unhealthy pregnancy. Furthermore, osteocalcin signaling during gestation influences cognition and adrenal steroidogenesis in adult mice. Together these observations suggest that osteocalcin functions during pregnancy may be a broader determinant of organismal homeostasis in adult mammals than previously thought.

Development of the PSYCHS: Positive SYmptoms and Diagnostic Criteria for the CAARMS Harmonized with the SIPS.

Aim: To harmonize two ascertainment and severity rating instruments commonly used for the clinical high risk syndrome for psychosis (CHR-P): the Structured Interview for Psychosis-risk Syndromes (SIPS) and the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS).

Methods: The initial workshop is described in the companion report from Addington et al. After the workshop, lead experts for each instrument continued harmonizing attenuated positive symptoms and criteria for psychosis and CHR-P through an intensive series of joint videoconferences.

Challenges and enablers for implementation of WHO 'Best buys' interventions targeting risk factors of diabetes and hypertension in South Africa: a mixed methods study.

Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the implementation of 'Best buys', cost-effective interventions that address risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, country responses to the implementation of these have been slow and undocumented. The aim of this study was to identify and understand challenges and enablers for the implementation of WHO 'Best buys' for risk factors of diabetes and hypertension in South Africa (SA).

Strain-specific responsiveness of hepatitis D virus to interferon-alpha treatment.

Background & Aims: Pegylated interferon alpha (pegIFNα) is commonly used for the treatment of people infected with HDV. However, its mode of action in HDV-infected cells remains elusive and only a minority of people respond to pegIFNα therapy. Herein, we aimed to assess the responsiveness of three different cloned HDV strains to pegIFNα We used a previously cloned HDV genotype 1 strain (dubbed HDV-1a) that appeared insensitive to interferon-α , a new HDV strain (HDV-1p) we isolated from an individual achieving later sustained response to IFNα therapy, and one phylogenetically distant genotype 3 strain (HDV-3).

The impact of faith-based organizations on maternal and child health care outcomes in Africa: taking stock of research evidence.

This evidence synthesis aimed at assessing the effectiveness of Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) outcomes; and explore the perceptions and experiences of the users and providers of MCH services delivered by FBOs in Africa. This review considered studies from African countries only. Both reviews and primary studies focusing on MCH services provided by FBOs were considered.

Decision makers perceptions and experiences of developing population-level interventions targeting risk factors for hypertension and diabetes in South Africa: a qualitative study.

Background: People in low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected by Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCD's such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are the leading cause of premature death worldwide and represent an emerging global health threat. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore decision makers perceptions of developing population-level interventions (policies and programmes), targeting risk factors for hypertension and diabetes, in South Africa.

Cancer risks by sex and variant type in PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome.

Background: PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) is a rare syndrome with a broad phenotypic spectrum, including increased risks of breast (BC, 67%-78% at age 60 years), endometrial (EC, 19%-28%), and thyroid cancer (TC, 6%-38%). Current risks are likely overestimated due to ascertainment bias. We aimed to provide more accurate and personalized cancer risks.

Storyboarding HIV Infected Young People's Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Lower- to Upper Middle-Income Countries: A New-Materialist Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.

Young people living with perinatal infections of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (YLPHIV) face a chronic disease, with treatment including adherence to lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART). The aim of this QES was to explore adherence to ART for YLPHIV as an assemblage within the framework of the biopsychosocial model with a new materialist perspective. We searched up to November 2021 and followed the ENTREQ and Cochrane guidelines for QES.

Oral Cryotherapy for Oral Mucositis in Patients Receiving Busulfan: A Retrospective/Prospective Descriptive Study.

Objectives: To determine whether oral cryotherapy (OC) mitigates oral mucositis (OM) resulting from busulfan chemotherapy.

Sample & Setting: Electronic health records of patients undergoing busulfan conditioning for blood and marrow transplantation were reviewed for this descriptive study. The post-OC group received OC with busulfan, but the pre-OC group did not.

Catch them if you are aware: PTEN postzygotic mosaicism in clinically suspicious patients with PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome and literature review.

PTEN germline variants cause PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS). Of individuals fulfilling diagnostic criteria, 41-88% test negative for PTEN germline variants, while mosaicism could be an explanation. Here we describe two individuals with PTEN mosaicism.

Population-level interventions targeting risk factors of diabetes and hypertension in South Africa: a document review.

Background: South Africa bears an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The objective of this study was to identify which population-level interventions, implemented at the level of governmental or political jurisdictions only, targeting risk factors of diabetes and hypertension were included in policies in South Africa. We also looked at whether these have been implemented or not.

Testing for saturation in qualitative evidence syntheses: An update of HIV adherence in Africa.

Background: A systematic review of randomised trials may be conclusive signalling no further research is needed; or identify gaps requiring further research that may then be included in review updates. In qualitative evidence synthesis (QES), the rationale, triggers, and methods for updating are less clear cut. We updated a QES on adherence to anti-retroviral treatment to examine if thematic saturation renders additional research redundant.