A genome-wide association study identifies new loci for factor VII and implicates factor VII in ischemic stroke etiology.

Factor VII (FVII) is an important component of the coagulation cascade. Few genetic loci regulating FVII activity and/or levels have been discovered to date. We conducted a meta-analysis of 9 genome-wide association studies of plasma FVII levels (7 FVII activity and 2 FVII antigen) among 27 495 participants of European and African ancestry.

Efficient Variant Set Mixed Model Association Tests for Continuous and Binary Traits in Large-Scale Whole-Genome Sequencing Studies.

With advances in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technology, more advanced statistical methods for testing genetic association with rare variants are being developed. Methods in which variants are grouped for analysis are also known as variant-set, gene-based, and aggregate unit tests. The burden test and sequence kernel association test (SKAT) are two widely used variant-set tests, which were originally developed for samples of unrelated individuals and later have been extended to family data with known pedigree structures.

Does timeframe adjustment of the Life Orientation Test-Revised assess optimism as a state?: Data from the PEACE-III trial in patients with heart disease.

Optimism is prospectively associated with superior health outcomes in cardiac patients, making it an attractive target for well-being interventions in this population. However, optimism measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) has largely been considered a static, dispositional construct. Among 125 patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome who received a positive psychology intervention, we assessed the properties of a modified LOT-R that changed the timeframe of items from general dispositional statements to queries about 'right now.

Synthesis of hydroxyethyl tetrathiatriarylmethyl radicals OX063 and OX071.

We report the synthesis of hydroxyethyl tetrathiatriarylmethyl radical and its deuterated analogue for biomedical EPR applications.

The role of spousal support for dietary adherence among type 2 diabetes patients: a narrative review.

Healthy eating is key to successful management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). As discussed in this narrative review, there are strong indications that spousal support is an important element affecting dietary adherence in T2D. To provide a synthesized review of this evidence, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched, 28 relevant studies were selected, and the results were narratively summarized.

Real-time monitoring technology in single-case experimental design research: Opportunities and challenges.

Single-case experimental design (SCED) is a rigorous method of studying behavior and behavior change. A key characteristic of SCED is repeated, systematic assessment of outcome variables, which is critical to achieving high internal validity, collecting a sufficient number of observations to conduct adequately powered statistical analyses, capturing dynamic and fine-grained changes in outcomes, and tailoring interventions at the individual level. Recent advances in real-time monitoring technology, such as digital ecological momentary assessment, passive smartphone-based behavioral tracking, and physiological assessment with wearable biosensors, are extremely well-suited to conducting these repeated, systematic measurements.

Prevalence and Levels of Parasitemia of sp. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) in Four Gopher Tortoise () Populations of South FLORIDA, USA.

prevalence (occurrence) and parasitemia (intensity) levels were documented in 67 individuals of the threatened gopher tortoise () for the first time in four South Florida, US, locations: Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP), Pine Jog Preserve (PJP), Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP), and Blazing Star Preserve (BSP). Sex ratios (males:females) per site were 0.44 at JDSP, 0.

Reprint of: Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Health Promotion Series.

Facets of positive psychological well-being, such as optimism, have been identified as positive health assets because they are prospectively associated with the 7 metrics of cardiovascular health (CVH) and improved outcomes related to cardiovascular disease. Connections between psychological well-being and cardiovascular conditions may be mediated through biological, behavioral, and psychosocial pathways. Individual-level interventions, such as mindfulness-based programs and positive psychological interventions, have shown promise for modifying psychological well-being.

Well-being interventions for individuals with diabetes: A systematic review.

In patients with diabetes, psychological well-being constructs (e.g., optimism, positive affect) have been associated with superior medical outcomes, including better glucose control and lower mortality rates.

Examining the current standards for genetic discovery and replication in the era of mega-biobanks.

With the recent deluge of mega-biobank data, it is time to revisit what constitutes "replication" for genome-wide association studies. Many replication samples are unavailable or underpowered, therefore alternatives beyond strict statistical replication are needed until the required resources become available.

Development and Theoretical Approach to an Adaptive Text Message Program to Promote Well-Being and Health Behaviors in Primary Care Patients.

A majority of individuals with chronic medical conditions do not fully follow recommendations about health behaviors, and deficits in health education, motivation, support, and well-being all likely play a role. This report describes the theory, programming, development, and implementation process for a machine learning-based, adaptive, once-daily text message intervention to address this public health problem. The intervention aims to promote psychological well-being and provide education and support around health behaviors.

Pharmacoeconomic impact of an alternative workflow process for stroke.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a new multidisciplinary process in which intravenous alteplase (tPA) waste, used for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), was salvaged in an attempt to maximize cost effectiveness without impacting door-to-needle (DTN) administration times.

Design: This was a retrospective cohort between May 2017 and February 2018. The primary endpoint evaluated for this study was the total tPA salvaged and total cost savings in U.

Publisher Correction: Genetic analysis of over 1 million people identifies 535 new loci associated with blood pressure traits.

In the version of this article originally published, the name of author Martin H. de Borst was coded incorrectly in the XML. The error has now been corrected in the HTML version of the paper.

Bipolar Disorder and Obesity: Contributing Factors, Impact on Clinical Course, and the Role of Bariatric Surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe, common, and chronic affective disorder. This review highlights the BD and obesity connection and the role of treatments for obesity in this population.

Recent Findings: Patients with BD are at a significantly increased risk for obesity, as compared to those without BD, with obesity serving as a proxy for severity and predictor of poorer outcome.

A positive psychology intervention for patients with bipolar depression: a randomized pilot trial.

There are few effective treatments for bipolar depression, a common and debilitating illness. We aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a four-week, telephone-delivered positive psychology (PP) intervention for patients with bipolar depression. Twenty-five patients hospitalized for bipolar depression were randomized to receive a PP ( = 14) or control condition (CC;  = 11) intervention.

Large-scale whole-exome sequencing association studies identify rare functional variants influencing serum urate levels.

Elevated serum urate levels can cause gout, an excruciating disease with suboptimal treatment. Previous GWAS identified common variants with modest effects on serum urate. Here we report large-scale whole-exome sequencing association studies of serum urate and kidney function among ≤19,517 European ancestry and African-American individuals.

Positive Psychological Constructs and Health Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: A Systematic Review.

Positive psychological constructs (eg, optimism, positive affect) have been independently associated with superior health outcomes across many medical populations. However, there has been little synthesis of the literature examining these associations among patients with hematologic malignancies receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To address this gap we completed a systematic review, using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, of studies examining relationships between positive psychological constructs and health-related outcomes (eg, psychiatric symptoms, function, health-related quality of life [HRQoL], or treatment compliance) after HSCT.

Outbreak of Salmonella Chailey Infections Linked To Precut Coconut Pieces - United States and Canada, 2017.

Foodborne salmonellosis causes an estimated 1 million illnesses and 400 deaths annually in the United States (1). In recent years, salmonellosis outbreaks have been caused by foods not typically associated with Salmonella. On May 2, 2017, PulseNet, CDC's national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, identified a cluster of 14 Salmonella Chailey isolates with a rare pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern.

Genetics of blood lipids among ~300,000 multi-ethnic participants of the Million Veteran Program.

The Million Veteran Program (MVP) was established in 2011 as a national research initiative to determine how genetic variation influences the health of US military veterans. Here we genotyped 312,571 MVP participants using a custom biobank array and linked the genetic data to laboratory and clinical phenotypes extracted from electronic health records covering a median of 10.0 years of follow-up.

A Positive Psychology Intervention to Promote Health Behaviors in Heart Failure: A Proof-of-Concept Trial.

Unlabelled: Patients with heart failure (HF) frequently struggle to adhere to health behaviors, and psychological factors may contribute to nonadherence. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week, positive psychology (PP)-based intervention to promote health behavior adherence in patients (N = 10) with mild to moderate HF and suboptimal health behavior adherence. Participants engaged in weekly phone sessions, completed PP exercises (e.