Predicting cardiovascular disease risk using photoplethysmography and deep learning.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for a large proportion of premature deaths in low- and middle-income countries. Early CVD detection and intervention is critical in these populations, yet many existing CVD risk scores require a physical examination or lab measurements, which can be challenging in such health systems due to limited accessibility. We investigated the potential to use photoplethysmography (PPG), a sensing technology available on most smartphones that can potentially enable large-scale screening at low cost, for CVD risk prediction.

The methylome and cell-free DNA: current applications in medicine and pediatric disease.

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that contributes to cell regulation and development, and different methylation patterns allow for the identification of cell and tissue type. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is composed of small circulating fragments of DNA found in plasma and urine. Total cfDNA levels correlate with the presence of inflammation and tissue injury in a variety of disease states.

Virtual Reality after Surgery-A Method to Decrease Pain After Surgery in Pediatric Patients.

Background: Virtual Reality (VR) is used as an effective tool for distraction and as an adjunct for pain management. This study was conducted to compare VR to standard iPad use after surgery and examine its effect on pain score and opioid consumption.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled study, with stratification by surgery type, age group (7-12yo, 13-18yo) and gender.

Tracking neonicotinoids following their use as cotton seed treatments.

Neonicotinoids are a leading class of insecticides on the global market, accounting for nearly 25%. They are widely used in both agricultural and residential settings. Causing neuron failure by irreversibly binding to the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, neonicotinoids offer broad spectrum efficacy against a variety of pests.

Soda Consumption Among Methamphetamine Users in the USA: Impact on Oral Health.

Purpose: Dental disease is associated with methamphetamine (MA) use and partly attributed to excessive consumption of sugared sodas. Hence, the purpose of this study was to verify patterns of sugared soda intake and their relationship to oral health.

Materials And Methods: Detailed assessments with 541 MA users at two dental clinics were conducted.

Dental disease patterns in methamphetamine users: Findings in a large urban sample.

Background: The authors used a large community sample of methamphetamine (MA) users to verify the patterns and severity of dental disease and establish a hierarchy of caries susceptibility by tooth type and tooth surface.

Methods: Using a stratified sampling approach, 571 MA users received comprehensive oral examinations and psychosocial assessments. Three calibrated dentists characterized dental and periodontal disease by using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey protocols.

Performance of a quality assurance program for assessing dental health in methamphetamine users.

Background: Systematic characterization of the dental consequences of methamphetamine (MA) abuse presupposes a rigorous quality assurance (QA) program to ensure the credibility of the data collected and the scientific integrity and validity of the clinical study. In this report we describe and evaluate the performance of a quality assurance program implemented in a large cross-sectional study of the dental consequences of MA use.

Methods: A large community sample of MA users was recruited over a 30 month period during 2011-13 and received comprehensive oral examinations and psychosocial assessments by site examiners based at two large community health centers in Los Angeles.

A Comparison of Methamphetamine Users to a Matched NHANES Cohort: Propensity Score Analyses for Oral Health Care and Dental Service Need.

Dental problems are among the most frequently reported health issues of drug users. This study describes, among the largest population of methamphetamine (MA) users to date (N = 459, including both HIV-negative and HIV-positive participants) oral hygiene practice, dental care access, and dental quality of life. A matched control group from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was utilized.

Saliva sampling method affects performance of a salivary α-amylase biosensor.

Objectives: Prompted by the discordance between a standardized salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) biosensor applied in clinical settings and a reference laboratory analyzer, we examined the impact of the saliva sampling method on the analytic performance of the biosensor.

Methods: Direct mouth readings using the biosensor from 31 normal, healthy volunteers were compared to biosensor and conventional assay readings obtained from saliva samples collected concurrently by passive drool and processed in three different ways (unprocessed, thawed, and thawed and centrifuged).

Results: The direct readings from the mouth showed consistently lower sAA values (Ps < 0.

Feasibility of recruiting peer educators for an online social networking-based health intervention.

Objective: This study aims to determine the feasibility of recruiting peer leaders to deliver a community-based health intervention using social media.

Method: We recruited sixteen African American and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) as peer leaders for either an HIV prevention or general health intervention using social media. Inclusion criteria required that peer leaders were African American or Latino MSM health communication experts experienced using social media.

Utility of a salivary biosensor for objective assessment of surgery-related stress.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical utility of a salivary α-amylase (sAA) biosensor for assessing oral surgery-related stress responses and the differential effect of the personality trait of pain catastrophizing.

Patients And Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 76 healthy subjects who underwent elective removal of their third molars. Along with subjects' self-reports of anxiety and pain, biosensor-facilitated measurements of sAA levels were obtained at multiple time points during the preoperative consult, surgery, and postsurgical follow-up visits.