Pathway Polygenic Risk Scores (pPRS) for the Analysis of Gene-environment Interaction.

Unlabelled: A polygenic risk score (PRS) is used to quantify the combined disease risk of many genetic variants. For complex human traits there is interest in determining whether the PRS modifies, i.e.

Genome-scale evolution in local populations of wild chimpanzees.

Analysis of genome-scale evolution has been difficult in large, endangered animals because opportunities to collect high-quality genetic samples are limited. There is a need for novel field-friendly, cost-effective genetic techniques. This study conducted an exome-wide analysis of a total of 42 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) across six African regions, providing insights into population discrimination techniques.

Change in depression and anxiety symptoms among university students, staff, and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic: Trojan pandemic response initiative.

Objective, Participants, & Methods: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges of university students, staff, and faculty alike. We used linear mixed models to examine demographic predictors of, and change over time in, self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms of a cohort of university students and staff/faculty between surveys administered in August-November 2021 and December 2021-March 2022.

Results: Students who identified as "other" race/ethnicity, Lesbian Gay Bisexual or Queer, and female, reported high baseline levels of both depression and anxiety.

Living on the edge: Role of adjuvant therapy after resection of primary lung cancer within 2 millimeters of a T-stage cutoff.

Objectives: To evaluate the use of systemic therapy and overall survival in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer whose pathologic tumor size was within 2 mm of a T-stage cutoff.

Methods: This was retrospective cohort study using the National Cancer Database of patients who underwent resection of tumors within 2 mm of the T1c/T2a, T2a/T2b, and T2b/T3 T-stage cutoffs. Patients with nodal involvement or whose T stage was determined on the basis of pathologic features other than tumor size were excluded.

A regularized Cox hierarchical model for incorporating annotation information in predictive omic studies.

Background: Associated with high-dimensional omics data there are often "meta-features" such as biological pathways and functional annotations, summary statistics from similar studies that can be informative for predicting an outcome of interest. We introduce a regularized hierarchical framework for integrating meta-features, with the goal of improving prediction and feature selection performance with time-to-event outcomes.

Methods: A hierarchical framework is deployed to incorporate meta-features.

Comparison of waitlist and post-transplant outcomes in patients supported with total artificial heart versus continuous biventricular assist devices.

Background: Durable biventricular support may be necessary to bridge patients with end-stage biventricular failure to heart transplantation. This study compares waitlist and post-transplant outcomes between patients supported with continuous flow, durable biventricular assist devices (BiVAD), and total artificial heart (TAH).

Methods: Using the UNOS registry, we analyzed adult (≥18 years old), first-time transplant candidates with TAH or BiVAD at the time of listing or transplantation from 10/1/2010-10/31/2020, with follow-up through 3/31/2022.

A Regularized Cox Hierarchical Model for Incorporating Annotation Information in Predictive Omic Studies.

Background: Associated with high-dimensional omics data there are often "meta-features" such as biological pathways and functional annotations, summary statistics from similar studies that can be informative for predicting an outcome of interest. We introduce a regularized hierarchical framework for integrating meta-features, with the goal of improving prediction and feature selection performance with time-to-event outcomes.

Methods: A hierarchical framework is deployed to incorporate meta-features.

Downshift of the Ni d band center over Ni nanoparticles confined within an amorphous silicon nitride matrix.

Herein, nanocomposites made of Ni nanoparticles distributed in an amorphous silicon nitride (Ni/a-SiN) matrix, on the one hand, and within an amorphous silicon dioxide (Ni/a-SiO) matrix, on the other hand, were synthesized from the same Ni-modified polysilazane precursor. In both compounds, the Ni/Si atomic ratio (0.06-0.

Association between levels of receptor binding domain antibodies of SARS-CoV-2, receipt of booster and risk of breakthrough infections: LA pandemic surveillance cohort study.

Prevention of COVID-19 with vaccine requires multiple doses and updated boosters to maintain protection; however currently there are no tests that can measure immunity and guide clinical decisions about timing of booster doses. This study examined the association between the risk of COVID-19 breakthrough infections and receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody levels and receipt of booster of COVID-19 vaccines. A community sample of Los Angeles County adults were surveyed between 2021 and 2022 to determine if they had a self-reported breakthrough infection.

Characteristics associated with attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Trojan Pandemic Response Initiative.

Background: Attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing may influence the ability to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases.

Methods: University students, staff, and faculty (N = 9653) responded to an email invitation to complete electronic surveys (November 2021 and April 2022). Surveys included 19 items measuring attitudes and behaviors towards mask wearing from the Understanding America Study.

The Differential Experience of COVID-19 on Asian American Subgroups: The Los Angeles Pandemic Surveillance Cohort Study.

Data from Asian Americans (AsA) are commonly aggregated in research studies and reporting, obscuring the significant differences across AsA subgroups. We investigated the differential experience of AsA subgroups in COVID-19 testing, vaccination, engagement in risky and protective behaviors and mental health status against this infectious disease. We surveyed a representative sample of the Los Angeles County population (N = 5500) in April 2021 as part of the Los Angeles Pandemic Surveillance Cohort Study and focused on participants who self-identified as AsA (N = 756).

A note on p-value multiple-testing adjustment for two-step genome-wide gene-environment interactions scans.

Two-step testing is the state-of-the art approach for performing genome-wide interaction scans (GWIS). It is computationally efficient and yields higher power than standard single-step-based GWIS for virtually all biologically plausible scenarios. However, while two-step tests control the genome-wide type I error rate at the desired level, the lack of associated valid p-values can make it difficult for users to compare with single step-results.

New UNOS allocation system associated with no added benefit in waitlist outcomes and worse post-transplant survival in heart-kidney patients.

Background: The 2018 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) heart transplant policy change (PC) sought to improve waitlist risk stratification to decrease waitlist mortality and promote geographically broader sharing for high-acuity patients awaiting heart transplantation. Our analysis sought to determine the effect of the UNOS PC on outcomes in patients waiting for, or who have received, a heart-kidney transplantation.

Methods: We analyzed adult (≥18 years old), first-time, heart-only and heart-kidney transplant candidates and recipients from the UNOS Registry.

Istradefylline Improves Impaired Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibit alterations in eye movement control, primarily diverse oculomotor deficits which include hypometric saccade and impaired smooth pursuit with reduced pursuit-gain necessitating catch-up saccades. The effects of dopaminergic treatment of PD on eye movements are controversial. Previous studies suggest that smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEMs) are not directly influenced by the dopaminergic system.

Effect of the UNOS policy change on rates of rejection, infection, and hospital readmission following heart transplantation.

Background: The 2018 adult heart allocation policy sought to improve waitlist risk stratification, reduce waitlist mortality, and increase organ access. This system prioritized patients at greatest risk for waitlist mortality, especially individuals requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS). Posttransplant complications are significantly higher in patients on tMCS before transplantation, and early posttransplant complications impact long-term mortality.

Trust in science and scientists among university students, staff, and faculty of a large, diverse university in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trojan Pandemic Response Initiative.

Background: Mistrust in science and scientists may adversely influence the rate of COVID-19 vaccination and undermine public health initiatives to reduce virus transmission.

Methods: Students, staff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an electronic survey. Surveys included 21-items from the Trust in Science and Scientists Inventory questionnaire.