Publications by authors named "KA Pierce"

Background: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during childhood has been associated with altered growth and adiposity in children. The effects of prenatal exposure to PAHs on developmental programming of growth and adiposity are still unknown.

Objective: To study the association of prenatal exposure to PAHs with early childhood growth and adiposity measures.

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Introduction: Bisphenols are endocrine-disrupting chemicals known to contribute to chronic disease across the lifespan. With increased awareness of their health effects, changes in regulation and health behaviors have contributed to reductions in urinary bisphenol A (BPA) levels in the United States, Canada, and Europe. However, global trends in bisphenols outside these regions, especially bisphenol S (BPS) exposure, have been less studied.

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Purpose: To investigate longitudinal associations between the presence of early childhood routines- predictable and repeatable functional practices that promote healthy growth, development, and relationships - and adolescent health outcomes.

Design: Secondary data analysis.

Setting: 20 large U.

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Background And Objectives: Housing insecurity is associated with adverse effects on child growth and development cross-sectionally; less is known about its cumulative, long-term effects. This study describes longitudinal experiences of housing insecurity during childhood from infancy (age 1 year) to adolescence (age 15 years) and examines their associations with adolescent health outcomes.

Methods: Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we created a composite measure of housing insecurity using 5 indicators (eg, skipping a rent or mortgage payment, eviction) for participants at ages 1, 3, 5, 9, and 15 years.

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Objective: To examine whether a cultural adaptation of an early childhood obesity prevention program promotes healthy infant feeding practices.

Methods: Prospective quasi-experimental study of a community-engaged multiphasic cultural adaptation of an obesity prevention program set at a federally qualified health center serving immigrant Chinese American parent-child dyads (N = 298). In a group of historical controls, we assessed early infant feeding practices (breastfeeding, sugar-sweetened beverage intake) in 6-month-olds and then the same practices alongside early solid food feeding practices (bottle weaning, fruit, vegetable, sugary or salty snack consumption) in 12-month-olds.

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Partial reprogramming by cyclic short-term expression of Yamanaka factors holds promise for shifting cells to younger states and consequently delaying the onset of many diseases of aging. However, the delivery of transgenes and potential risk of teratoma formation present challenges for in vivo applications. Recent advances include the use of cocktails of compounds to reprogram somatic cells, but the characteristics and mechanisms of partial cellular reprogramming by chemicals remain unclear.

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Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key population for treatment with direct-acting antiviral medications (DAAs) to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV). We developed a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) for delivery of HCV treatment; this study describes clinical outcomes related to HCV treatment (initial evaluation, treatment initiation, completion, and cure), as well as patient satisfaction.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm prospective pilot study of adult PWID living with HCV.

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Partial reprogramming by cyclic short-term expression of Yamanaka factors holds promise for shifting cells to younger states and consequently delaying the onset of many diseases of aging. However, the delivery of transgenes and potential risk of teratoma formation present challenges for applications. Recent advances include the use of cocktails of compounds to reprogram somatic cells, but the characteristics and mechanisms of partial cellular reprogramming by chemicals remain unclear.

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Unlabelled: One hour plasma glucose (1-hr PG) concentration during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is steadily emerging as an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: We applied the current cut off thresholds reported in the pediatric literature for the 1-hr PG, 132.5 (7.

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Unlabelled: Oncocytic (Hürthle cell) carcinoma of the thyroid (HCC) is genetically characterized by complex I mitochondrial DNA mutations and widespread chromosomal losses. Here, we utilize RNA sequencing and metabolomics to identify candidate molecular effectors activated by these genetic drivers. We find glutathione biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial unfolded protein response, and lipid peroxide scavenging to be increased in HCC.

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Lupus anti-coagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) is a rare condition that can be difficult to treat. It increases the risk of thrombosis and bleeding due to the presence of lupus anti-coagulant and factor II deficiency, respectively. There are a limited number of cases described in the literature.

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How phosphate levels are detected in mammals is unknown. The bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) lowers blood phosphate levels by reducing kidney phosphate reabsorption and 1,25(OH)2D production, but phosphate does not directly stimulate bone FGF23 expression. Using PET scanning and LC-MS, we found that phosphate increases kidney-specific glycolysis and synthesis of glycerol-3-phosphate (G-3-P), which then circulates to bone to trigger FGF23 production.

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Article Synopsis
  • Schools in the U.S. closed in early 2020 due to COVID-19 and struggled to implement consistent testing to minimize transmission when reopening.* -
  • The study introduces a test allocation method that tailors testing levels to different campuses, aiming to reduce infection rates and disparities among schools within diverse districts.* -
  • By applying this optimized method in a Texas school district, the researchers demonstrated a significant reduction in infection rate disparities, creating a model for future proactive testing against COVID-19 and other pathogens.*
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Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, yet barriers among people who inject drugs (PWID) remain. Having pharmacists provide care through collaborative drug therapy agreements (CDTAs) offers a promising solution. We developed and piloted a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator-Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) which utilized pharmacists to directly deliver HCV care at community organizations serving PWID.

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Objective: Objective structured clinical exams (OSCE) are used to train and assess resident foundational family-centered communication skills incorporating key stakeholders. In 2020 encounters were conducted virtually. We sought to compare standardized patient (SP) and family faculty (FF) assessment across OSCE and virtual OSCE (VOSCE) formats.

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Colonization of the intestine by oral microbes has been linked to multiple diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, yet mechanisms allowing expansion in this niche remain largely unknown. Veillonella parvula, an asaccharolytic, anaerobic, oral microbe that derives energy from organic acids, increases in abundance in the intestine of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Here we show that nitrate, a signature metabolite of inflammation, allows V.

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Article Synopsis
  • Dyslipidemia and autophagy are involved in the development of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD), with the VLDL receptor (VLDLR) playing a key role in fatty acid uptake in photoreceptors.
  • Circulating excess lipids inhibit autophagy in the retina, leading to energy deficiency and promoting pathological vascular growth in a mouse model resembling NV-AMD.
  • Targeting FFAR1, which regulates autophagy and metabolism, may enhance photoreceptor function and offer new therapeutic strategies for treating NV-AMD.
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The Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST) examines the level of partner engagement in research studies. This study used mixed methods, including web-based surveys (N = 336), a modified Delphi process (N = 18), and cognitive response interviews (N = 16), with convenience sampling to develop and validate a short version of the REST. We conducted factor analysis and calculated internal consistency for the condensed REST.

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Article Synopsis
  • Non-genetic factors play a crucial role in why some cancer therapies fail, allowing a subset of cancer cells to enter a reversible drug-tolerant state.
  • Researchers developed a tool called Watermelon to trace the origins and behaviors of these resistant cancer cell populations, revealing that cycling and non-cycling persisters come from different lineages with unique metabolic and transcriptional activities.
  • The study found that certain gene programs related to antioxidants and fatty acid metabolism support the ability of these persisters to proliferate, highlighting potential new targets for therapies to improve treatment outcomes and reduce cancer recurrence.
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Genetic variation of the 16p11.2 deletion locus containing the gene and of is linked with autism. This genetic connection suggested that substrates of a CUL3-KCTD13 ubiquitin ligase may be involved in disease pathogenesis.

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The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late 2019 and spread globally in early 2020. Initial reports suggested the associated disease, COVID-19, produced rapid epidemic growth and caused high mortality. As the virus sparked local epidemics in new communities, health systems and policy makers were forced to make decisions with limited information about the spread of the disease.

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Background: Whereas regular exercise is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, mechanisms of exercise-mediated health benefits remain less clear. We used metabolite profiling before and after acute exercise to delineate the metabolic architecture of exercise response patterns in humans.

Methods: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and metabolite profiling was performed on Framingham Heart Study participants (age 53±8 years, 63% women) with blood drawn at rest (n=471) and at peak exercise (n=411).

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers found that glycerol-3-phosphate (G-3-P) in the renal veins is strongly linked to FGF23 levels, and in mice, G-3-P stimulates FGF23 production by promoting a specific chemical process that involves lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).
  • * Conditions like acute kidney injury (AKI) not only raise FGF23 levels but also lead to a quick increase in G-3-P, suggesting that targeting this pathway could help manage FGF23 production
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Background: The pandemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) requires the identification of new predictor biomarkers. Biomarkers potentially modifiable with lifestyle changes deserve a special interest. Our aims were to analyze: (a) The associations of lysine, 2-aminoadipic acid (2-AAA) or pipecolic acid with the risk of T2D or CVD in the PREDIMED trial; (b) the effect of the dietary intervention on 1-year changes in these metabolites, and (c) whether the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) interventions can modify the effects of these metabolites on CVD or T2D risk.

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