Mixed-effects polygenic risk score Phenome-wide association study detects genetic correlation between colorectal cancer risk and phenotype data extracted from the electronic health record.

Many factors, including environmental and genetic variables, contribute to Colorectal Cancer (CRC) risk. Some of these risk factors may share underlying genetics with CRC. We investigated potential shared genetics by performing a Phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) with a multi-ancestry CRC polygenic risk score (PRS).

Ergodic seismic precursors and transfer learning for short term eruption forecasting at data scarce volcanoes.

Seismic data recorded before volcanic eruptions provides important clues for forecasting. However, limited monitoring histories and infrequent eruptions restrict the data available for training forecasting models. We propose a transfer machine learning approach that identifies eruption precursors-signals that consistently change before eruptions-across multiple volcanoes.

Reefs of Brachidontes exustus and Petaloconchus spp. as traps and sink for microplastics in tropical coastal areas.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in marine environments. This study quantified, chemically identified, and described MPs in reefs of Brachidontes exustus and Petaloconchus spp. on the tropical coast of Brazil.

Cost-savings and health impact of strategies for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus with nirsevimab in Chile based on the integrated analysis of 2019-2023 national databases: A retrospective study.

Background: In the latter half of 2023, the northern hemisphere initiated the rollout of nirsevimab immunization strategies for infants, yielding promising early results. As Chile prepared for its 2024 strategy implementation, we retrospectively evaluated the potential cost-saving nature of various immunization strategies.

Methods: Leveraging comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and sentinel programs data, we conduct a simulation-based retrospective analysis to evaluate the net cost savings of various immunization strategies based on nirsevimab.

Translating measurement into practice with PHQ-9 calculator: an open tool to assess depression levels in the Brazilian population.

Objective: We aim to create a web-based calculator for assessing depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), utilizing IRT-based standardized scores, to improve measurement precision, standardization, and practical application in clinical practice.

Methods: This study developed a web-based calculator using a graded response IRT model for assessing depressive symptoms with the PHQ-9, using data from the Brazilian National Health Survey 2019 (n = 90,846, aged 15 to 107 years old, 52.8% female).

Annual Estimation of Seasonal Influenza Burden in 6 South American Countries: A Retrospective Analysis of SARInet Surveillance Data to Inform Policies.

Background: We estimate annual viral influenza-associated mild-to-moderate illness, hospitalizations, and deaths in 6 South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay) during the 2015-2019 influenza seasons as a first step in evaluating the full value of influenza vaccination in the subregion.

Methods: We applied a multiplier method using monthly hospital discharge and vital statistics death records, influenza surveillance data, and population projections to estimate mild-to-moderate influenza-associated illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. We estimated the uncertainty bounds based on the 2.

A new electoral bottom-up model of institutional governance.

The sustainable governance of Global Risky Commons (GRC)-global commons in the presence of a sizable risk of overall failure-is ubiquitous and requires a global solution. A prominent example is the mitigation of the adverse effects of global warming. In this context, the Collective Risk Dilemma (CRD) provides a convenient baseline model which captures many important features associated with GRC type problems by formulating them as problems of cooperation.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic periphyton responses to warming, nutrient enrichment and small omnivorous fish: A shallow lake mesocosms experiment.

Global change stressors, including climate warming, eutrophication, and small-sized omnivorous fish, may exert interactive effects on the food webs and functioning of shallow lakes. Periphyton plays a central role in the primary production and nutrient cycling of shallow lakes but constitutes a complex community composed of eukaryotes and prokaryotes that may exhibit different responses to multiple environmental stressors with implications for the projections of the effects of global change on shallow lakes. We analyzed the effects of warming, nutrient enrichment, small omnivorous fish and their interactions on eukaryotic and prokaryotic periphyton structures in shallow lake mesocosms.

Sarcoidosis as an Uncommon Cause of Chest Pain: A Case Report.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Despite primarily affecting the lung, sarcoidosis can affect any organ, resulting in various clinical manifestations. We present a case of a 56-year-old man who developed thoracic pain over several months along with skin lesions.

WHOQOL-BREF in Measuring Quality of Life Among Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Leg Ulcers.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) presents complex clinical manifestations influenced by genetic, social, environmental, and healthcare access factors as well as socioeconomic status. In this context, sickle cell leg ulcers (SLUs) are a debilitating complication of SCD. We aimed to describe sociodemographic data and evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of SCD patients with and without SLUs.

Genomic analysis of surgical patients to identify patients at risk for postoperative sepsis and surgical site infection.

Background: Early and accurate diagnosis of sepsis and the ensuing organ dysfunction remain a challenge in the postoperative setting. Susceptibility to infections, as well as the subsequent immunological response, are driven to some extent by the genetic predisposition of the patient. The purpose of this study was to identify novel genetic variants associated with postoperative sepsis (POS) and surgical site infections (SSIs).

The Relationship of HbA1c Serum Levels with the Severity of Periodontal Disease in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective:  According to the evidence, the level of glycemic control is of key importance in determining the increased risk of periodontal disease (PD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of metabolic control as a key factor leading to the development and severity of periodontitis and compare the periodontal and oral hygiene status with the glycated hemoglobin levels.

Materials And Methods:  The evaluation was undertaken with diabetic patients (59 uncontrolled diabetics and 36 controlled diabetics) from a patient cohort of the Hospitalar Center of Tâmega e Sousa and subjects without diabetes ( = 95).

Co-evolution of risk and cooperation in climate policies under wealth inequality.

Worldwide cooperation is necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change. Many previous investigations employed the so-called collective risk dilemma, where the risk of losing everything whenever a target is not met was fixed from the outset, rendering predictions dependent on snapshot values assumed for this parameter, whose importance was found to be paramount. Here, we couple risk with the overall success of mitigation, investigating the co-evolution of risk and cooperation in a world where countries are partitioned in two different wealth classes, allowing us to further assess the impact of wealth inequality and homophily on the co-evolutionary dynamics.

Policing Black autistic children: A qualitative approach to understanding Black caregivers' concerns.

In the United States, Black autistic youth face elevated risk of negative outcomes during police interactions. Although the outcomes of these interactions are well-documented, less is known about Black autistic youths' experiences during police encounters, as the current literature has largely examined the experiences of autistic adults, mostly White American samples, and/or autistic youth abroad. This study utilizes qualitative methods to examine the perceptions and concerns of 43 Black caregivers (N = 43; 98% parents; 2% legal guardians; 93% mothers) of Black autistic children (mean age: 16.

Assessment of methodologies based on the formation of antiparallel triplex DNA structures and fluorescent silver nanoclusters for the detection of pyrimidine-rich sequences.

In this work, strategies for the detection of pyrimidine-rich DNA target sequences based on the formation of duplex and antiparallel triplex structures are studied. The presence of the target is detected from the changes in fluorescence of silver nanoclusters stabilized by the corresponding complementary DNA probes. In all cases, the formation of intermolecular structures has been assessed by means of melting experiments and multivariate analysis.

Interstitial lung disease: retrospective study of the prognostic impact of acute exacerbations.

Background: Interstitial lung diseases have high mortality associated with hospitalization for decompensation. There are doubts about the factors involved in the progression of fibrosis, for example the role played by acute exacerbations.  With this work, the authors intend to analyze whether there are predictive parameters of mortality related to exacerbations.

Hidden life cycle stages of the trypanosomatid Blastocrithidia triatomae Cerisola et al. 1971 (Protista: Excavata: Kinetoplastea) unveiled by a new cultivation method.

Blastocrithidia triatomae is a monoxenic trypanosomatid parasite of triatomines, sharing the same insect vectors with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 and T. rangeli Tejera, 1920. It is known to cause a complex syndrome in insects which induces severe metabolic disorders and increasing in mortality rates.

Despair and Voter Turnout in the United States.

Context: Deaths of despair, a term used to capture rising mortality rates among Americans who appear to be suffering from growing mental and physical distress, have received added attention from those seeking to understand this disturbing trend. Yet it is unclear how, if at all, despair influences the political behavior of the people and communities where it is most prominent. The authors contribute to the health and politics literature by examining whether personal and community-level despair shapes political participation.

A Highly Linear Ultra-Low-Area-and-Power CMOS Voltage-Controlled Oscillator for Autonomous Microsystems.

Voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) can be an excellent means of converting a magnitude into a readable value. However, their design becomes a real challenge for power-and-area-constrained applications, especially when a linear response is required. This paper presents a VCO for smart dust systems fabricated by 65 nm technology.

Combining Imaging and Electrophysiology to Visualize and Record Spreading Depolarizations in Mice.

Spreading Depolarizations (SDs) are massive events in the brain that often go undetected due to their slow propagation through gray matter. Because SD detection can be elusive, it is optimally confirmed using multiple methods. This protocol describes methods for combining imaging and electrophysiology to detect SDs in a manner that most laboratories can reliably and easily adopt.