What role does wealth play in the racial health gap in the United States? Examining differences among African Americans, Latinos, and non-Hispanic Whites.

Wealth resources has received little attention when studying how socioeconomic status shapes health outcomes. In the United States (USA), there is a growing body of evidence acknowledging a widening racial/ethnic wealth gap. However, little is known about wealth's role in shaping health inequity.

Healthy individuals genetically at-risk for the development of Pemphigus vulgaris or Alopecia areata share disease-like cytokine dysregulation.

Autoimmune diseases (AID) are defined by immune dysregulation characterized by specific humoral and/or cell mediated responses directed against the body's own tissues. Cytokines in particular play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AID, with proinflammatory cytokines contributing to the initiation and propagation of autoimmune inflammation, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines facilitate regression of inflammation and recovery from acute phases of the disease. Parallel work by our group evaluating a comprehensive set of pro- and anti-inflammatory serum cytokines in Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) as well as Alopecia areata (AA) uncovered a similar pattern of inheritance specific immune dysregulation in these two distinct autoimmune skin diseases.

Increasing cellular NAD protects hepatocytes against palmitate-induced lipotoxicity by preventing PARP-1 inhibition and the mTORC1-p300 pathway activation.

Hepatic lipotoxicity, resulting from excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various metabolic liver diseases. Despite recent progress, the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Employing excessive exposure to palmitate in hepatocytes as our primary experimental model and mice studies, we aimed to uncover the mechanisms behind hepatic lipotoxicity, thereby developing potential treatments.

Rethinking the residual approach: leveraging statistical learning to operationalize cognitive resilience in Alzheimer's disease.

Cognitive resilience (CR) describes the phenomenon of individuals evading cognitive decline despite prominent Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. Operationalization and measurement of this latent construct is non-trivial as it cannot be directly observed. The residual approach has been widely applied to estimate CR, where the degree of resilience is estimated through a linear model's residuals.

A probe-based capture enrichment method for detection of A-to-I editing in low abundance transcripts.

Exactly two decades ago, the ability to use high-throughput RNA sequencing technology to identify sites of editing by ADARs was employed for the first time. Since that time, RNA sequencing has become a standard tool for researchers studying RNA biology and led to the discovery of RNA editing sites present in a multitude of organisms, across tissue types, and in disease. However, transcriptome-wide sequencing is not without limitations.

In vitro comparative analysis of metabolic capabilities and inhibitory profiles of selected CYP2D6 alleles on tramadol metabolism.

Tramadol, the 41st most prescribed drug in the United States in 2021 is a prodrug activated by CYP2D6, which is highly polymorphic. Previous studies showed enzyme-inhibitor affinity varied between different CYP2D6 allelic variants with dextromethorphan and atomoxetine metabolism. However, no study has compared tramadol metabolism in different CYP2D6 alleles with different CYP2D6 inhibitors.

Babesiosis and Sickle Red blood Cells: Loss of Deformability, Heightened Osmotic fragility, and Hypervesiculation.

Babesiosis in sickle cell disease (SCD) is marked by severe anemia but the underlying red blood cell (RBC) rheological parameters remain largely undefined. Here, we describe altered RBC deformability from both primary (host RBC sickle hemoglobin mediated) and secondary changes (Babesia parasite infection mediated) to the RBC membrane using wild type AA, sickle trait AS and sickle SS RBCs. Our ektacytometry (LORRCA) analysis demonstrates that the changes in the host RBC bio-mechanical properties, pre- and post- Babesia infection, reside on a spectrum of severity, with wild type infected AA cells, despite showing a significant reduction of deformability under both shear and osmolarity gradients, exhibiting only a mild phenotype; compared to infected AS RBCs which show median changes in deformability and infected SS RBCs which exhibit the most dramatic impact of infection on cellular rheology, including an increase in Point of Sickling values.

Association between change in alcohol use reported during routine healthcare screening and change in subsequent hospitalization: A retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: Primary care systems often screen for unhealthy alcohol use with brief self-report tools such as the 3-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for consumption (AUDIT-C). There is little research examining whether change in alcohol use measured on the AUDIT-C captures meaningful change in outcomes affected by alcohol use. This study aimed to measure the association between change in AUDIT-C and change in all-cause hospitalization risk, measured in the year after each AUDIT-C.

Chromosome-level assembly of basil genome unveils the genetic variation driving Genovese and Thai aroma types.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum L., is a widely cultivated aromatic herb, prized for its culinary and medicinal uses, predominantly owing to its unique aroma, primarily determined by eugenol for Genovese cultivars or methyl chavicol for Thai cultivars. To date, a comprehensive basil reference genome has been lacking, with only a fragmented draft available.

A multi-cohort study of longitudinal and cross-sectional Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired older adults.

Introduction: The generalizability of neuroimaging and cognitive biomarkers in their sensitivity to detect preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and power to predict progression in large, multisite cohorts remains unclear.

Method: Longitudinal demographics, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cognitive scores of 3036 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults (amyloid beta [Aβ]-negative/positive [A-/A+]: 1270/1558) were included. Cross-sectional and longitudinal cognition and medial temporal lobe (MTL) structural measures were extracted.

Alcohol use and HIV suppression after completion of financial incentives for alcohol abstinence and isoniazid adherence: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In a recent randomized trial, six months of financial incentives contingent for recent alcohol abstinence led to lower levels of hazardous drinking, while incentives for recent isoniazid (INH) ingestion had no impact on INH adherence, during TB preventive therapy among persons with HIV (PWH). Whether the short-term incentives influence long-term alcohol use and HIV viral suppression post-intervention is unknown.

Methods: We analyzed twelve-month HIV viral suppression and alcohol use in the Drinkers' Intervention to Prevent Tuberculosis study, a randomized controlled trial among PWH with latent TB and unhealthy alcohol use in south-western Uganda.

Developing an Emergency Medical Services Resilience Assessment Tool in Climate Change: A Study Protocol.

Background: Climate change poses significant threats to the health and safety of communities worldwide. Extreme weather events can disrupt critical infrastructure and overwhelm emergency medical services (EMS) systems. As the frequency and intensity of these climate-related disasters continue to increase, it is essential that EMS organizations develop robust strategies to enhance their resilience.

Low-cost physiology and behavioral monitor for intravital imaging in small mammals.

Significance: Functional brain imaging experiments in awake animals require meticulous monitoring of animal behavior to screen for spontaneous behavioral events. Although these events occur naturally, they can alter cell signaling and hemodynamic activity in the brain and confound functional brain imaging measurements.

Aim: We developed a centralized, user-friendly, and stand-alone platform that includes an animal fixation frame, compact peripheral sensors, and a portable data acquisition system.

Safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S co-administered with a quadrivalent standard-dose or high-dose seasonal influenza vaccine: a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial.

Background: Vaccine co-administration can increase vaccination coverage. We assessed the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of concomitant administration of Ad26.COV2.

Characterization of Pancreatic Collagen-Expressing Fibroblasts in Mouse Acute Pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are critical mediators in chronic pancreatitis with an undefined role in acute pancreatitis (AP). PSCs consist of a heterogenous group of cells and are considered interchangeable with pancreatic fibroblasts. This study explored the heterogeneous nature of PSCs by characterizing pancreatic collagen-expressing fibroblasts (PCFs) via lineage tracing in mouse normal and AP pancreas and determining the effect of PCF depletion in AP.

Neurocognitive Markers during Maximum Alcohol Use in Late Adolescence as Predictors of Change in Later Drinking Behaviors.

Background: The influence of alcohol use on later neurocognitive functioning is well researched, yet few studies have investigated whether neurocognition post-drinking initiation in adolescence predicts changes in later alcohol use.

Objective: Investigate neurocognitive task performance during maximum alcohol use in late adolescence as predictors of drinking behaviors 3-7 years later.

Methods: Analyses () were conducted on a longitudinal dataset involving adolescents (12-13 years-old) who were followed for 16 years.

SNaP-C: Development of a Silver Nanoparticle Antioxidant Assay for the Selective Quantitative Analysis of Vitamin C in Beverages.

The development of a sensitive and selective silver nanoparticle assay for the quantitation of vitamin C (SNaP-C), as ascorbic acid (AA) and total ascorbic acid (TAA = AA + dehydroascorbic acid, DHAA), is described. Three assay parameters were investigated and optimized: (1) synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to produce a reliable enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the presence of specific added antioxidants; (2) ensuring long-term stability of AA and DHAA in aqueous solutions; and (3) SNaP-C assay conditions to allow for rapid analysis of samples (beverages) by monitoring the enhanced LSPR. The synthesis of AgNPs using soluble starch as a capping agent and d-arabinose as a reducing agent was optimized in a CEM Discover SP laboratory microwave.

Insights into the flexibility of the domain-linking loop in actinobacterial coproheme decarboxylase through structures and molecular dynamics simulations.

Prokaryotic heme biosynthesis in Gram-positive bacteria follows the coproporphyrin-dependent heme biosynthesis pathway. The last step in this pathway is catalyzed by the enzyme coproheme decarboxylase, which oxidatively transforms two propionate groups into vinyl groups yielding heme b. The catalytic reaction cycle of coproheme decarboxylases exhibits four different states: the apo-form, the substrate (coproheme)-bound form, a transient three-propionate intermediate form (monovinyl, monopropionate deuteroheme; MMD), and the product (heme b)-bound form.

RADAR-AD: assessment of multiple remote monitoring technologies for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide, leading to cognitive and functional decline. Early detection and intervention are crucial for enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families. Remote Monitoring Technologies (RMTs) offer a promising solution for early detection by tracking changes in behavioral and cognitive functions, such as memory, language, and problem-solving skills.

Cardio-renal effect of dapagliflozin and dapagliflozin- saxagliptin combination on CD34 + ve hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and podocyte specific markers in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) subjects: a randomized trial.

Introduction: Effects of Dapagliflozin (Dapa) and Dapagliflozin-Saxagliptin combination (Combo) was examined on peripheral blood derived CD34 + Hematopoetic Stem Cells (HSCs) as a cellular CVD biomarker. Both Dapa (a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 or SGLT2, receptor inhibitor) and Saxagliptin (a Di-peptydl-peptidase-4 or DPP4 enzyme inhibitor) are commonly used type 2 diabetes mellitus or T2DM medications, however the benefit of using the combination has not been evaluated for cardio-renal risk assessment, in a real-life practice setting, compared to a placebo.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that Dapa will improve the outcomes when compared to placebo and the Combo maybe even more beneficial.

Changes in the treatment and outcomes of different severities of neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in California: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Evaluate the changes in management and outcomes of Californian infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Study Design: Infants with HIE were identified from a California administrative birth cohort using ICD codes and divided into two epochs, Epoch 1 (2010-2015) and Epoch 2 (2016-2019). Risk ratios (RR) for induced hypothermia (IH) in each epoch and their outcomes were calculated using log-linear regression.

Fluid flow impacts endothelial-monocyte interactions in a model of vascular inflammatory fibrosis.

The aberrant vascular response associated with tendon injury results in circulating immune cell infiltration and a chronic inflammatory feedback loop leading to poor healing outcomes. Studying this dysregulated tendon repair response in human pathophysiology has been historically challenging due to the reliance on animal models. To address this, our group developed the human tendon-on-a-chip (hToC) to model cellular interactions in the injured tendon microenvironment; however, this model lacked the key element of physiological flow in the vascular compartment.

The Impact of Optical Undersampling on the Ca Signal Resolution in Ca Imaging of Spontaneous Neuronal Activity.

Background: In neuroscience, Ca imaging is a prevalent technique used to infer neuronal electrical activity, often relying on optical signals recorded at low sampling rates (3 to 30 Hz) across multiple neurons simultaneously. This study investigated whether increasing the sampling rate preserves critical information that may be missed at slower acquisition speeds.

Methods: Primary neuronal cultures were prepared from the cortex of newborn pups.