IL33 protects from recurrent C. difficile infection by restoration of humoral immunity.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) recurs in one of five patients. Monoclonal antibodies targeting the virulence factor TcdB reduce disease recurrence, suggesting that an inadequate anti-TcdB response to CDI leads to recurrence. In patients with CDI, we discovered that IL33 measured at diagnosis predicts future recurrence, leading us to test the role of IL33 signaling in the induction of humoral immunity during CDI.

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Prostate Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Among Ethnically Diverse Black Men Through Community Town Halls.

We present findings from town hall meetings held with ethnically diverse Black prostate cancer (CaP) survivors in 2022 and 2023. Four town halls (total participants, N = 265) focused on diagnosis, treatment, psychosocial support, and overall survivorship. Moderated by a long-term CaP survivor, each session featured a panel that included medical providers (urologic oncologists and clinical psychologists), as well as CaP survivors of American, Caribbean, and African origin and their spouses.

Enhanced immunogenicity of a Clostridioides difficile TcdB vaccine adjuvanted with a synthetic dual-TLR ligand adjuvant.

We report a comprehensive evaluation of the toxin B (TcdB) vaccine adjuvanted with a dual Toll-like receptor ligand liposome adjuvant for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The vaccine completely protected mice from a lethal infection. Compared to alum adjuvanted TcdB, it generated functionally superior systemic antibodies and supported strong memory B cell and gut IgA responses.

From Unheard to Empowered: Utilizing Communication Accommodation Theory to Address Black Men's With Prostate Cancer Healthcare Preferences.

Objectives: Communication barriers, such as channels, comfort, and location, can negatively impact Black prostate cancer survivors' experiences and health outcomes after treatment. Addressing these barriers promotes a survivor-centric approach that views survivors as active partners in their care. This study explored the communication preferences of Black prostate cancer survivors, focusing on preferred channels, sources, and locations for enhanced quality of life.

Using predictive models to identify kelp refuges in marine protected areas for management prioritization.

Kelp forests serve as the foundation for shallow marine ecosystems in many temperate areas of the world but are under threat from various stressors, including climate change. To better manage these ecosystems now and into the future, understanding the impacts of climate change and identifying potential refuges will help to prioritize management actions. In this study, we use a long-term dataset of observations of kelp percentage cover for two dominant canopy-forming species off the coast of Victoria, Australia: Ecklonia radiata and Phyllospora comosa.

Enhanced immunogenicity of a TcdB vaccine adjuvanted with a synthetic dual-TLR ligand adjuvant.

We report a comprehensive evaluation of the toxin B (TcdB) vaccine adjuvanted with a dual Toll-like receptor ligand liposome adjuvant for infection (CDI). The vaccine completely protected mice from a lethal infection. Compared to alum adjuvanted TcdB, it generated functionally superior systemic antibodies and supported strong memory B cell and gut IgA responses.

FMT Restores Colonic Protein Biosynthesis and Cell Proliferation in Patients with Recurrent Disease.

Recurrent infection (CDI) is a major health threat with significant mortality and financial costs. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is an effective therapy, however the mechanisms by which it acts, particularly on the host, are poorly understood. Here we enrolled a prospective cohort of human patients with recurrent CDI (n=16) undergoing FMT therapy.

Bridging the Gap: A Community Advisory Board Promoting Community Engagement in Cancer Research for Ethnically Diverse Populations.

Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men in the United States, leading to higher mortality rates and health disparities. In addition, based on historical mistreatment and discrimination and the resulting distrust of the medical system, Black populations are consistently underrepresented in health care-related research. Addressing these challenges requires community-driven approaches integrating diverse perspectives and fostering equitable health outcomes.

Health-related quality of life in ethnically diverse Black prostate cancer survivors: a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach.

Purpose: This study examined the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among ethnically diverse Black men (BM) with prostate cancer (CaP) in the United States.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design, employing both qualitative and quantitative research, involved recruiting Black CaP survivors through multiple channels. The target population was native-born BM (NBBM), African-born BM (ABBM), and Caribbean-born BM (CBBM).

Voices of Black men: reflecting on prostate cancer survivorship care plans.

Purpose: This study addresses the critical issue of survivorship care for Black prostate cancer survivors. The aim was to explore their awareness of survivorship care plans to improve prostate cancer care and survivorship within this high-risk group.

Methods: Utilizing a thematic analysis approach, we conducted in-depth interviews focused on analyzing post-treatment experiences of Black prostate cancer survivors by applying interpretive explanations to data collected from participants.

Quality of life assessment among ethnically diverse Black prostate cancer survivors: a constructivist grounded theory approach.

Purpose: Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common cancer in Black men (BM), and the number of Black CaP survivors is rapidly increasing. Although Black immigrants are among the fastest-growing and most heterogeneous ethnic groups in the USA, limited data exist regarding their CaP experiences. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and model the experiences of ethnically diverse Black men with CaP.

The impact of existing total anti-toxin B IgG immunity in outcomes of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.

Late anti-toxin-B humoral immunity acquired after treatment is important for preventing recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. We prospectively-measured anti-toxin-B IgG and neutralization titers at diagnosis as potential early predictors of recurrence. High anti-toxin-B-IgG/neutralizing antibodies were associated with short-lasting protection within 6-weeks, however, no difference in recurrence risk was observed by 90-days post-infection.

Systemic neutrophil degranulation and emergency granulopoiesis in patients with Clostridioides difficile infection.

Objectives: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is characterized by neutrophilia in blood, with a high leukocyte count accompanying severe infection. In this study, we characterized peripheral blood neutrophil activation and maturity in CDI by (i) developing a method to phenotype stored neutrophils for disease-related developmental alterations and (ii) assessing neutrophil-associated biomarkers.

Methods: We stored fixed leukocytes from blood collected within 24 h of diagnosis from a cohort of hospitalized patients with acute CDI.

Quality of Life Assessment Among Ethnically Diverse Black Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach.

Purpose: Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common cancer in Black men (BM), and the number of Black CaP survivors is rapidly increasing. Although Black immigrants are among the fastest-growing and most heterogeneous ethnic groups in the US, limited data exist regarding their CaP experiences. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and model the experiences of ethnically diverse Black men with CaP.

Pulmonary Function and Survival 1 Year After Dupilumab Treatment of Acute Moderate to Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Follow-up Study From a Phase 2a Trial.

Background: We previously conducted a phase 2a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 40 subjects to assess the efficacy and safety of dupilumab use in people hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NCT04920916). Based on our preclinical data suggesting that downstream pulmonary dysfunction with COVID-19 induced type 2 inflammation, we contacted patients from our phase 2a study at 1 year for assessment of post-COVID-19 conditions.

Methods: Subjects at 1 year after treatment underwent pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomographic imaging, symptom questionnaires, neurocognitive assessments, and serum immune biomarker analysis, with subject survival also monitored.

Pulmonary function and survival one year after dupilumab treatment of acute moderate to severe COVID-19: A follow up study from a Phase IIa trial.

Background: We previously conducted a Phase IIa randomized placebo-controlled trial of 40 subjects to assess the efficacy and safety of dupilumab use in those hospitalized with COVID-19 (NCT04920916). Based on our pre-clinical data suggesting downstream pulmonary dysfunction with COVID-19 induced type 2 inflammation, we contacted patients from our Phase IIa study at 1 year for assessment of Post Covid-19 Conditions (PCC).

Methods: Subjects at 1 year after treatment underwent pulmonary function testing (PFTs), high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging, symptom questionnaires, neurocognitive assessments, and serum immune biomarker analysis, with subject survival also monitored.

TRAFfic signals: High-throughput CAR discovery in NK cells reveals novel TRAF-binding endodomains that drive enhanced persistence and cytotoxicity.

Natural killer (NK) cells are a promising alternative therapeutic platform to CAR T cells given their favorable safety profile and potent killing ability. However, CAR NK cells suffer from limited persistence , which is, in part, thought to be the consequence of limited cytokine signaling. To address this challenge, we developed an innovative high-throughput screening strategy to identify CAR endodomains that could drive enhanced persistence while maintaining potent cytotoxicity.

Novel Biomarkers, Including PCR Cycle Threshold, for Predicting Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Traditional clinical models for predicting recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection do not perform well, likely owing to the complex host-pathogen interactions involved. Accurate risk stratification using novel biomarkers could help prevent recurrence by improving underutilization of effective therapies (i.e.

Quantifying blue carbon stocks and the role of protected areas to conserve coastal wetlands.

Vegetated coastal ecosystems, in particular mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses are highly efficient at sequestering and storing carbon, making them valuable assets for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The state of Queensland, in northeastern Australia, contains almost half of the total area of these blue carbon ecosystems in the country, yet there are few detailed regional or state-wide assessments of their total sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) stocks. We compiled existing SOC data and used boosted regression tree models to evaluate the influence of environmental variables in explaining the variability in SOC stocks, and to produce spatially explicit blue carbon estimates.

Investigating the relationship between cancer and orofacial clefts using GWAS significant loci for cancers: A case-control and case-triad study.

Background: Several population-based case-control studies have reported concurrent presentation of cancer and congenital malformations. Many associations have been made between oral clefting and cancers, though some of these results are conflicting. Some studies have reported an increased risk of cancer among 1st-degree relatives of cleft cases and vice versa, and also an excess risk of cancers of the breast, lung, and brain among those with oral clefts.

Repressed Ang 1-7 in COVID-19 Is Inversely Associated with Inflammation and Coagulation.

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which belongs to an anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic counter-regulatory arm of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). ACE2 dysfunction and RAS dysregulation has been explored as a driving force in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but data from COVID-19 patients has been inconsistent and inconclusive. We sought to identify disruptions of the classical (ACE)/angiotensin (Ang) II/Ang II type-1 receptor (ATR) and the counter-regulatory ACE2/Ang 1-7/ Receptor (R) pathways in patients with COVID-19 and correlate these with severity of infection and markers of inflammation and coagulation.

Binary Toxin Expression by Is Associated With Worse Disease.

Background: The incidence of infection (CDI) has increased over the past 2 decades and is considered an urgent threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypervirulent strains such as ribotype 027, which possess genes for the additional toxin binary toxin (CDT), are contributing to increased morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We retrospectively tested stool from 215 CDI patients for CDT by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).