Positive Selection of Mitochondrial Gene in the Marine Bivalve (Bivalvia, Cardiidae).

The mitochondrial genome provides valuable data for phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary research. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the mitochondrial genome of using the Illumina platform. The genome spanned 16,967 bp and included 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs.

Transcriptome and functional analyses of phenotypic plasticity in sea grape Caulerpa okamurae.

Caulerpa is a marine green macroalga distinguished by a large single cell with multiple nuclei. It also exhibits remarkable morphological intraspecies variations, in response to diverse environmental types. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic plasticity remain poorly understood.

Role of Cerebral Embolic Protection Devices in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cerebral embolic protection devices (CEPD) capture embolic material in an attempt to reduce ischemic brain injury during transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Prior reports have indicated mixed results regarding the benefits of these devices. With new data emerging, we performed an updated meta-analysis examining the effect of CEPD during transcatheter aortic valve replacement on various clinical, neurological, and safety parameters.

The effect of heterogeneous severe drought on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the Northern Rockies and Plains of the United States.

Drought is a distinct and complicated climate hazard that regularly leads to severe economic impacts. Changes in the frequency and occurrence of drought due to anthropogenic climate change can lead to new and unanticipated outcomes. To better prepare for health outcomes, more research is needed to develop methodologies to understand potential consequences.

Outcomes of Prediabetes Compared with Normoglycaemia and Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

: Patients with prediabetes are at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between prediabetes and adverse clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is inconsistent, in contrast to outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Thus, this meta-analysis evaluated the impact of dysglycaemia on PCI outcomes.

The Association between Drought Exposure and Respiratory-Related Mortality in the United States from 2000 to 2018.

Climate change has brought increasing attention to the assessment of health risks associated with climate and extreme events. Drought is a complex climate phenomenon that has been increasing in frequency and severity both locally and globally due to climate change. However, the health risks of drought are often overlooked, especially in places such as the United States, as the pathways to health impacts are complex and indirect.

Prediction of Stability during Walking at Simulated Ship's Rolling Motion Using Accelerometers.

Due to a ship's extreme motion, there is a risk of injuries and accidents as people may become unbalanced and be injured or fall from the ship. Thus, individuals must adjust their movements when walking in an unstable environment to avoid falling or losing balance. A person's ability to control their center of mass (COM) during lateral motion is critical to maintaining balance when walking.

Drought and all-cause mortality in Nebraska from 1980 to 2014: Time-series analyses by age, sex, race, urbanicity and drought severity.

Background: Climate change will increase drought duration and severity in many regions around the world, including the Central Plains of North America. However, studies on drought-related health impacts are still sparse. This study aims to explore the potential associations between drought and all-cause mortality in Nebraska from 1980 to 2014.

Urinary BA Indices as Prognostic Biomarkers for Complications Associated with Liver Diseases.

Hepatobiliary diseases and their complications cause the accumulation of toxic bile acids (BA) in the liver, blood, and other tissues, which may exacerbate the underlying condition and lead to unfavorable prognosis. To develop and validate prognostic biomarkers for the prediction of complications of cholestatic liver disease based on urinary BA indices, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze urine samples from 257 patients with cholestatic liver diseases during a 7-year follow-up period. The urinary BA profile and non-BA parameters were monitored, and logistic regression models were used to predict the prognosis of hepatobiliary disease-related complications.

Wearable Sensor-Based Prediction Model of Timed up and Go Test in Older Adults.

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test has been frequently used to assess the risk of falls in older adults because it is an easy, fast, and simple method of examining functional mobility and balance without special equipment. The purpose of this study is to develop a model that predicts the TUG test using three-dimensional acceleration data collected from wearable sensors during normal walking. We recruited 37 older adults for an outdoor walking task, and seven inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based sensors were attached to each participant.

Vehicle Control as a Measure of Real-World Driving Performance in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To quantify vehicle control as a metric of automobile driving performance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Naturalistic driving assessments were completed in patients with active RA and controls without disease. Data were collected using in-car, sensor-based instrumentation installed in the participants' own vehicles to observe typical driving habits.

Meta-Analysis of Transradial vs Transfemoral Access for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Transradial access (TRA) has emerged as an alternative to transfemoral access (TFA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. However, the rate of TRA adoption has been much slower in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patient population. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess clinical outcomes of TRA compared with TFA in STEMI patients undergoing PCI.

Multivessel Versus Culprit-Only Revascularization in STEMI and Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

Objectives: The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of contemporary randomized trials addressing the efficacy and safety of multivessel versus culprit vessel-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease.

Background: Multivessel coronary artery disease is present in about one-half of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Randomized controlled trials comparing multivessel and culprit vessel-only PCI produced conflicting results regarding the benefits of a multivessel PCI strategy.

Safety and efficacy of leadless pacemaker for cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope.

Background: Single-chamber leadless pacemakers (LPs) have been shown to be an effective alternative to conventional transvenous pacemakers (CTPs), but their benefit in the context of cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (CI-VVS) is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LP compared with dual-chamber CTP for CI-VVS.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study comparing patients who received LP or dual-chamber CTP for drug-refractory CI-VVS.

Network meta-regression for ordinal outcomes: Applications in comparing Crohn's disease treatments.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a life-long condition associated with recurrent relapses characterized by abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia, and persistent diarrhea. In the US, there are approximately 780 000 CD patients and 33 000 new cases added each year. In this article, we propose a new network meta-regression approach for modeling ordinal outcomes in order to assess the efficacy of treatments for CD.

Plasma and intracellular pharmacokinetics of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine in transgender women receiving feminizing hormone therapy.

Background: Transwomen have an increased risk of HIV acquisition compared with other adults. Drug-drug interactions between pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and gender-affirming therapy are cited as a reason for poor PrEP uptake among transwomen. We evaluated plasma tenofovir and emtricitabine pharmacokinetics and their active intracellular anabolites, tenofovir-diphosphate and emtricitabine-triphosphate, in transwomen receiving feminizing hormones.

The power prior: theory and applications.

The power prior has been widely used in many applications covering a large number of disciplines. The power prior is intended to be an informative prior constructed from historical data. It has been used in clinical trials, genetics, health care, psychology, environmental health, engineering, economics, and business.