Digital biobanks are underutilized in dermatology and create opportunities to reduce the burden of skin disease.

Digital biobanks that integrate genetic data with health data captured by digital sources are used routinely to discover genes, biomarkers, gene–environment interactions and pharmacogenetic relationships across many clinical areas. There remain many opportunities in dermatology to further use biobank data to increase our knowledge about the genetic architecture of skin disease, to resolve disease mechanisms that can be modulated by medical interventions and to discover genetically derived disease relationships that inform on drug repurposing and adverse events. Such knowledge promises to reduce the global burden of skin disease and facilitates the development of tailored medical care.

Biomarkers of Vitamin D Metabolism and Hip and Vertebral Fracture Risk: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Studies on associations between biomarkers of vitamin D metabolism and fracture risk have focused predominantly on White or elderly populations and may not be generalizable to relatively healthy multiethnic populations. We tested associations of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), the ratio of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D metabolite ratio, VDMR), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) concentrations measured in serum with risk of hip and vertebral fractures in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Neighborhood Blighted Property Removal and 311 Calls for Non-Emergency Services: A Test of a Marker of Social Control.

Many studies have demonstrated that collective efficacy is associated with positive health outcomes, lower crime, and violence in urban communities, and residents' emotional connection to their community. Remediation of blighted properties has been theoretically linked to increases in collective efficacy. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of blighted property remediation on city non-emergency 311 calls for public incivilities and deterioration, as potential markers of collective efficacy.

Comparative Clinical Effectiveness of Population-Based Atrial Fibrillation Screening Using Contemporary Modalities: A Decision-Analytic Model.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening is endorsed by certain guidelines for individuals aged ≥65 years. Yet many AF screening strategies exist, including the use of wrist-worn wearable devices, and their comparative effectiveness is not well-understood. Methods and Results We developed a decision-analytic model simulating 50 million individuals with an age, sex, and comorbidity profile matching the United States population aged ≥65 years (ie, with a guideline-based AF screening indication).

Differences in use of inhalants among sexual minorities in the USA in 2015-2018.

Objectives: Inhalants are substances with underestimated abuse potential associated with cardiac problems, dizziness, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness. Inhalants are commonly used by the LGB population, who are vulnerable to their harms. US epidemiologic inhalants data are scarce.

Alzheimer-related altered white matter microstructural integrity in Down syndrome: A model for sporadic AD?

Introduction: Virtually all adults with Down syndrome (DS) develop Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated neuropathology by the age of 40, with risk for dementia increasing from the early 50s. White matter (WM) pathology has been reported in sporadic AD, including early demyelination, microglial activation, loss of oligodendrocytes and reactive astrocytes but has not been extensively studied in the at-risk DS population.

Methods: Fifty-six adults with DS (35 cognitively stable adults, 11 with mild cognitive impairment, 10 with dementia) underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), amyloid imaging, and had assessments of cognition and functional abilities using tasks appropriate for persons with intellectual disability.

The AT(N) framework for Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome.

The National Institute on Aging in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) recently proposed a biological framework for defining the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. This new framework is based upon the key AD biomarkers (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, AT[N]) instead of clinical symptoms and represents the latest understanding that the pathological processes underlying AD begin decades before the manifestation of symptoms. By using these same biomarkers, individuals with Down syndrome (DS), who are genetically predisposed to developing AD, can also be placed more precisely along the AD continuum.

Seasonality of Influenza-Like-Illness and Acute Cardiovascular Events Are Related Regardless of Vaccine Effectiveness.

Background Influenza has been identified as a trigger for stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) with prior studies demonstrating that influenza vaccination may decrease risk of stroke and MI. Methods and Results We used data from the New York Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System to evaluate whether annual variability in influenza vaccination effectiveness (VE) would be associated with cardiovascular events. Daily and monthly counts of outpatient and inpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI), stroke, and MI were identified using () codes; VE data for each year are publicly available.

Sex differences in risk of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome.

Introduction: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) older than 40 have Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology and high risk for dementia, but little is known about the relationship of sex to AD risk in this population.

Methods: Using nonparametric methods and Cox proportional hazards models we analyzed differences in incidence of dementia, by sex, presence of an apolipoprotein E () ε4 or ε2 allele, and dementia duration and decline in 246 adults over 40 with DS.

Results: There was no significant sex difference in risk of AD or rate of cognitive decline.

Proteomic profiles of incident mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease among adults with Down syndrome.

Introduction: We sought to determine if proteomic profiles could predict risk for incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) among adults with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: In a cohort of 398 adults with DS, a total of n = 186 participants were determined to be non-demented and without MCI or AD at baseline and throughout follow-up; n = 103 had incident MCI and n = 81 had incident AD. Proteomics were conducted on banked plasma samples from a previously generated algorithm.

Incidence of Hypertension Among US Hispanics/Latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, 2008 to 2017.

Background Among US Hispanics/Latinos, the largest ethnic minority population in the United States, hypertension incidence has not been thoroughly reported. The goal of this study was to describe the incidence of hypertension among US Hispanic/Latino men and women of diverse Hispanic/Latino background. Methods and Results We studied 6171 participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, a diverse group of self-identified Hispanics/Latinos from 4 US urban communities, aged 18 to 74 years, and free from hypertension in 2008 to 2011 and re-examined in 2014 to 2017.

Differences in plasma metabolites related to Alzheimer's disease, ε4 status, and ethnicity.

Introduction: We investigated metabolites in plasma to capture systemic biochemical changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Metabolites in plasma were measured in 59 AD cases and 60 healthy participants of African American (AA), Caribbean Hispanic (CH), and non-Hispanic white (NHW) ancestry using untargeted liquid-chromatography-based ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Metabolite differences between AD and healthy, ethnic groups and apolipoprotein E gene () ε4 status were analyzed.

Current Perspectives on Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Cardiovascular Disease: A White Paper by the Editors.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 3.0 million people worldwide and killed more than 200,000 as of April 27, 2020. In this White Paper, we address the cardiovascular co-morbidities of COVID-19 infection; the diagnosis and treatment of standard cardiovascular conditions during the pandemic; and the diagnosis and treatment of the cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19 infection.

Association of Heart Rate Variability With Cognitive Performance: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background Heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with vascular risk factors for dementia, but whether HRV is associated with specific domains of cognitive performance is unclear. Methods and Results In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (N=3018; mean age 59.3±9.

Aortic Stiffness and White Matter Microstructural Integrity Assessed by Diffusion Tensor Imaging: The ARIC-NCS.

Background Changes in white matter microstructural integrity are detectable before appearance of white matter lesions on magnetic resonance imaging as a manifestation of cerebral small-vessel disease. The information relating poor white matter microstructural integrity to aortic stiffness, a hallmark of aging, is limited. We aimed to examine the association between aortic stiffness and white matter microstructural integrity among older adults.

Placental morphometry in relation to daughters' percent mammographic breast density at midlife.

Intrauterine and early-life exposures, including intrauterine smoke exposures and infant growth are associated with mammographic breast density (MBD), a strong breast cancer risk factor. We investigated whether placental morphometry, which is affected by intrauterine smoke exposure and also influences infant growth, predicts %MBD at ages 37-47. In 247 daughters in the Child Health and Development Studies, we found that larger placental surface area and placental thickness were associated with lower %MBD (-0.

RW-2018-Research Workshop: The Effect of Nutrition on Epigenetic Status, Growth, and Health.

The goal of the 2018 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) Research Workshop was to explore the influence of nutrition and dietary exposure to xenobiotics on the epigenome during critical periods in development and how these exposures influence both disease incidence and severity transgenerationally. A growing compendium of research indicates that the incidence and severity of common and costly human diseases may be influenced by dietary exposures and deficiencies that modify the epigenome. The greatest periods of vulnerability to these exposures are the periconception period and early childhood.

Information on teeth whitening from employees at establishments in New York City.

Teeth whitening (bleaching) is a popular cosmetic procedure in the United States and the potential side-effects are well-documented. Establishments offering whitening procedures in New York City were found online and 148 were successfully contacted to inquire about the benefits, side effects, and eligibility criteria of their whitening procedures. Most had no eligibility criteria and the only stated benefit was brighter teeth.

Self-reported health conditions and related driving reduction in older drivers.

We surveyed self-reported lifetime health conditions (using National Health and Aging Trends Study questions) and related driving reduction in a large multi-site older driver cohort (n = 2990) from the AAA Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) Study's baseline assessment. Those reporting reduced driving (n = 337) largely attributed reduction to musculoskeletal (29%), neurologic (13%), and ophthalmologic (10%) conditions. Women reported health condition-related driving reduction more often than men (14% versus 8%, p<.

Whole-exome sequencing in 20,197 persons for rare variants in Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: The genetic bases of Alzheimer's disease remain uncertain. An international effort to fully articulate genetic risks and protective factors is underway with the hope of identifying potential therapeutic targets and preventive strategies. The goal here was to identify and characterize the frequency and impact of rare and ultra-rare variants in Alzheimer's disease, using whole-exome sequencing in 20,197 individuals.

Influenza-like illness as a trigger for ischemic stroke.

Objective: We hypothesized that ILI is associated with risk of incident stroke, and that the risk would be highest closest in time to the event.

Methods: This case-crossover analysis utilized data obtained from the California State Inpatient Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The outcome of interest was ischemic stroke.

Depressive symptoms and hazardous/harmful alcohol use are prevalent and correlate with stigma among TB-HIV patients in Lesotho.

Setting: Limited data exist on the prevalence and correlates, including stigma, of mental health conditions, including depressive symptoms and alcohol use, among patients co-infected with tuberculosis (TB) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa, despite their negative impact on health outcomes.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms and hazardous/harmful alcohol use among TB-HIV patients in the Start TB patients on ART and Retain on Treatment (START) study.

Design: START, a mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial, evaluated a combination intervention package vs.