Assessing cardiovascular disease risk and social determinants of health: A comparative analysis of five risk estimation instruments using data from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network.

Background: Accurate assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is crucial for effective prevention and resource allocation. However, few CVD risk estimation tools consider social determinants of health (SDoH), despite their known impact on CVD risk. We aimed to estimate 10-year CVD risk in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network Cohort Study (ECS) across multiple risk estimation instruments and assess the association between SDoH and CVD risk.

Combating trade in illegal wood and forest products with machine learning.

Trade in wood and forest products spans the global supply chain. Illegal logging and associated trade in forest products present a persistent threat to vulnerable ecosystems and communities. Illegal timber trade has been linked to violations of tax and conservation laws, as well as broader transnational crimes.

A spatial interpolation method based on 3D-CNN for soil petroleum hydrocarbon pollution.

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution causes significant damage to soil, so accurate prediction and early intervention are crucial for sustainable soil management. However, traditional soil analysis methods often rely on statistical methods, which means they always rely on specific assumptions and are sensitive to outliers. Existing machine learning based methods convert features containing spatial information into one-dimensional vectors, resulting in the loss of some spatial features of the data.

Unveiling diabetes onset: Optimized XGBoost with Bayesian optimization for enhanced prediction.

Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, necessitates early intervention to prevent severe complications. While accurately predicting diabetes onset or progression remains challenging due to complex and imbalanced datasets, recent advancements in machine learning offer potential solutions. Traditional prediction models, often limited by default parameters, have been superseded by more sophisticated approaches.

Lateral olivocochlear neurons modulate cochlear responses to noise exposure.

The sense of hearing originates in the cochlea, which detects sounds across dynamic sensory environments. Like other peripheral organs, the cochlea is subjected to environmental insults, including loud, damage-inducing sounds. In response to internal and external stimuli, the central nervous system directly modulates cochlear function through olivocochlear neurons (OCNs), which are located in the brainstem and innervate the cochlear sensory epithelium.

First insights into the life history of the early Miocene deer Procervulus ginsburgi from Spain.

The small-sized cervid Procervulus is considered as the most basal member of the Cervidae and one of the earliest ruminants bearing antler-like appendages. The Iberian Miocene record of this stem-cervid is extensively documented and largely overlaps with the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO), a transient period of global warming of particular interest when comparing present and near future conditions. Despite receiving a substantial amount of attention, histological studies on Procervulus are very scarce and only limited to postcranial remains of Procervulus praelucidus from Germany (MN3).

Design and Discovery of Preclinical Candidate LYG-409 as a Highly Potent and Selective GSPT1 Molecular Glue Degraders.

Molecular glue degraders induce "undruggable" protein degradation by a proximity-induced effect. Inspired by the clinical success of immunomodulatory drugs, we aimed to design novel molecular glue degraders targeting GSPT1. Here, we report the design of a series of GSPT1 molecular glue degraders.

Capecitabine and temozolomide or temozolomide alone in patients with atypical carcinoids.

Background: Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent about 20% of all lung cancers. Few therapeutic options are available for atypical carcinoids (ACs). Single-agent temozolomide (TEM) is active in lung NENs, but whether the addition of capecitabine (CAPTEM) is associated with improved outcomes, is unknown.

Spinal cord cross sign: a potential marker for hereditary spastic paraplegia type 5.

Purpose: Spastic paraplegia type 5 (SPG5) is a rare neurodegenerative disease diagnosed primarily through genetic testing.We identified a specific spinal cord sign on conventional MR imaging to help narrow the scope of genetic screening.

Methods: In 25 patients with SPG5 and 21 healthy controls (HCs), the spinal cord cross sign was evaluated on T2*-weighted imaging.

Efficacy, Safety and Retention in Care Among Adolescents and Youth With HIV on Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine Treatment: Real-World Observational Cohort Outcomes.

Background: Long-acting injectable (LAI) cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) can improve adherence among adolescents and youth with HIV (AYHIV). We evaluated LAI CAB/RPV treatment outcomes among AYHIV.

Methods: An observational cohort study of AYHIV <25 years initiated LAI CAB/RPV from October 2021 to June 2024 as a standard of care.

Different PD-L1 Assays Reveal Distinct Immunobiology and Clinical Outcomes in Urothelial Cancer.

Testing for PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used to predict immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) benefit but has performed inconsistently in urothelial cancer (UC) clinical trials. Different approaches are used for PD-L1 IHC. We analyzed paired PD-L1 IHC data on UC samples using the SP142 and 22C3 assays from the phase 3 IMvigor130 trial and found discordant findings summarized by four phenotypes: PD-L1 positive by both assays (PD-L1 double positive; PD-L1DP), PD-L1 positive by the SP142 assay only (SP142 single positive; SP142SP), PD-L1 positive by the 22C3 assay only (22C3 single positive; 22C3SP), and PD-L1 negative by both assays double negative (PD-L1 double negative; PD-L1DN).

Lessons Learned in Virtual Launch of an Antenatal Opioid Exposure Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted researchers to develop new ways to design and launch studies and recruit and retain participants. Pregnant women and infants are considered vulnerable populations in research, and families affected by substance use are particularly difficult to recruit and retain. Recruitment for studies involving medical technologies such as MRI can also be difficult due to misconceptions and fear of the technologies.

Development, Reliability, and Concurrent Validity of the American Sign Language Version of the Computerized Revised Token Test.

Purpose: The present study assessed the test-retest reliability of the American Sign Language (ASL) version of the Computerized Revised Token Test (CRTT-ASL) and compared the differences and similarities between ASL and English reading by Deaf and hearing users of ASL.

Method: Creation of the CRTT-ASL involved filming, editing, and validating CRTT instructions, sentence commands, and scoring. Deaf proficient (DP), hearing nonproficient (HNP), and hearing proficient sign language users completed the CRTT-ASL and the English self-paced, word-by-word reading CRTT (CRTT-Reading-Word Fade [CRTT-R-wf]).

Regional challenges to optimize the management of patients with severe asthma type 2 inflammation: a Delphi consensus in seven countries.

Severe asthma burdens patients and presents clinical management challenges for healthcare professionals. Biologics are crucial interventions for severe type two (T2) patients with high eosinophil counts. We conducted a Delphi consensus in seven developing or typically underrepresented countries to understand expert agreement on managing severe asthma with type two (T2) inflammation.

Responses of an Coculture Alveolar Model for the Prediction of Respiratory Sensitizers (ALIsens) Following Exposure to Skin Sensitizers and Non-Sensitizers.

In recent years, a global increase in allergy incidence following chemical exposure has been observed. While the process of skin sensitization is well characterized through the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework, the immunological mechanisms underlying respiratory sensitization remain less well understood. Respiratory sensitizers are classified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) under the European Union (EU) regulation for the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH), emphasizing the importance of evaluating respiratory tract sensitization as a critical hazard.

An Enigmatic Wild Passerine Mortality Event in the Eastern United States.

The ability to rapidly respond to wildlife health events is essential. However, such events are often unpredictable, especially with anthropogenic disturbances and climate-related environmental changes driving unforeseen threats. Many events also are short-lived and go undocumented, making it difficult to draw on lessons learned from past investigations.

Characterization of the Population of Ovarian Preantral Follicles in Juvenile Six-Banded Armadillos Infected or Not by .

The objective of this study was to characterize and estimate the population of ovarian preantral follicles in juvenile six-banded armadillos. Pairs of ovaries from five armadillos were collected during a routine epidemiological survey of leprosis (three healthy and two infected females). Ovaries weighed approximately 0.

Molecular Mechanism of VSV-Vectored ASFV Vaccine Activating Immune Response in DCs.

The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-vectored African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccine can induce efficient immune response, but the potential mechanism remains unsolved. In order to investigate the efficacy of recombinant viruses (VSV-p35, VSV-p72)-mediated dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and the mechanism of inducing T-cell immune response, the functional effects of recombinant viruses on DC activation and target antigens presentation were explored in this study. The results showed that surface-marked molecules (CD80, CD86, CD40, and MHC-II) and secreted cytokines (IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ) were highly expressed in the recombinant virus-infected DCs.

Strengthening National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups: Twelve Years of Progress (2012-2023).

Introduction: Well-functioning National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) are valuable contributors to decision-making processes in the complex immunization policy arena. This paper describes the progress made globally on the establishment and strengthening of these key advisory groups and discusses some of their strengths, challenges, and opportunities.

Methods: The data submitted annually by countries to the World Health Organization (WHO) via the WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form (JRF) were analyzed, comparing the NITAG functionality criteria in 2012 and 2023.

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Adaptive Immune Response Induced by OVA/PDDA Nanoparticles.

: Cationic polymers were shown to assemble with negatively charged proteins yielding nanoparticles (NPs). Poly-diallyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (PDDA) combined with ovalbumin (OVA) yielded a stable colloidal dispersion (OVA/PDDA-NPs) eliciting significant anti-OVA immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs), as sentinels of foreign antigens, exert a crucial role in the antigen-specific immune response.

Strategic and Technical Considerations in Manufacturing Viral Vector Vaccines for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Threats.

Over the past few decades, the world has seen a considerable uptick in the number of new and emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The development of new vaccines, vaccine technologies, and platforms are critical to enhance our preparedness for biological threats and prevent future pandemics. Viral vectors can be an important tool in the repertoire of technologies available to develop effective vaccines against new and emerging infectious diseases.

Delirium Management Quality Improvement Project to Improve Awareness and Screening in a Medical ICU.

Although delirium is common during critical illness, standard-of-care detection and prevention practices in real-world intensive care unit (ICU) settings remain inconsistent, often due to a lack of provider education. Despite availability for over 20 years of validated delirium screening tools such as the Confusion Assessment Method in the ICU (CAM-ICU), feasible and rigorous educational efforts continue to be needed to address persistent delirium standard-of-care practice gaps. Spanning an 8-month quality improvement project period, our single-ICU interdisciplinary effort involved delivery of CAM-ICU pocket cards to bedside nurses, and lectures by experienced champions that included a live delirium detection demonstration using the CAM-ICU, and a comprehensive discussion of evidence-based delirium prevention strategies (e.

Optimizing Bioaugmentation for Pharmaceutical Stabilization of Sewage Sludge: A Study on Short-Term Composting Under Real Conditions.

A significant concentration of pharmaceuticals has been detected within composted sewage sludge. Their uncomplete removal and lack of monitoring during composting neglects their potentially toxic effects when used as a soil organic amendment. Previously, we successfully implemented a bioaugmentation-composting system focused on toxicity and pharmaceuticals' concentration reduction.

Effects of Polysaccharide on Gut Microbiota, the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier, and Inflammation in Diabetic Mice.

Polysaccharides produced by the edible fungus can regulate blood sugar levels and may represent a suitable candidate for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. However, there is limited information available about the mechanism of how polysaccharide (CCP) might improve diabetic conditions. This study investigated its effects on the intestinal microbiota, intestinal mucosal barrier, and inflammation in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by streptozotocin, and its potential mechanisms.