Social determinants of health and mild cognitive impairment in a diverse community sample.

Background: The associations between community-wide social determinants of health and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among individuals warrant investigation.

Methods: Among 2830 dementia-free individuals aged 65+ years in a community-based US study, we examined cross-sectional associations of MCI (Clinical Dementia Rating = 0.5) with the following potential social determinants of health: at the census tract or block group level obtained from public sources: neighborhood disadvantage (Area Deprivation Index, ADI), air pollution with fine particulate matter (PM), greenspace, Walkability Index, ambulatory healthcare availability per square mile, homicide rate; and at the individual participant level, birth/schooling in a southern US state.

Distinct Non-Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibody Signatures Correlate with Endothelial Crossmatch Status in Lung and Renal Transplant Recipients.

Non-HLA antibodies against heterogeneous targets on endothelial cells have been associated with allograft injuries. The endothelial cell crossmatch (ECXM) is used in the detection of non-HLA antibodies but remains non-discriminatory for specific antibody identification. The primary objective of this study was to delineate the specific non-HLA antibody signatures associated with ECXM positivity and to determine the correlation of ECXM status and non-HLA antibody signatures on allograft health.

Acvr1b Loss Increases Formation of Pancreatic Precancerous Lesions From Acinar and Ductal Cells of Origin.

Background & Aims: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma can develop from precursor lesions, including pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Previous studies indicated that loss of Acvr1b accelerates the Kras-mediated development of papillary IPMN in the mouse pancreas; however, the cell type predominantly affected by these genetic changes remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the contribution of cellular origin by inducing IPMN associated mutations (KRAS expression and Acvr1b loss) specifically in acinar (Ptf1a;Kras;Acvr1b mice) or ductal (Sox9CreER;Kras;Acvr1b mice) cells in mice.

Ethnoracial Identity and Cognitive Impairment: A Community Study.

Background: Identifying potentially modifiable risk factors associated with MCI in different ethnoracial groups could reduce MCI burden and health inequity in the population.

Methods: Among 2845 adults aged 65+ years, we investigated potential risk exposures including education, physical and mental health, lifestyle, and sensory function, and their cross-sectional associations with MCI. We compared proportions of exposures between Black and White participants and explored relationships among race, MCI, and exposures.