Ear disease, hearing loss, and cognitive outcomes in high school children who were previous participants in a randomized placebo controlled trial of an 11 valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine administered in infancy.

Background: The WHO estimates that close to 1.7 billion people worldwide have hearing loss; 34 million of whom are children, with 90% residing in low- and middle-income countries. While the effects of ear disease and hearing loss on language, academic, and behavioral development are established, there is remarkably little data on intellectual and other cognitive differences.

Association Between Pharmacy Proximity With Cardiovascular Medication Use and Risk Factor Control in the United States.

Background: Poor neighborhood-level access to health care, including community pharmacies, contributes to cardiovascular disparities in the United States. The authors quantified the association between pharmacy proximity, antihypertensive and statin use, and blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) among a large, diverse US cohort.

Methods And Results: A cross-sectional analysis of Black and White participants in the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study during 2013 to 2016 was conducted.

Memory and language cognitive data harmonization across the United States and Mexico.

Introduction: We used cultural neuropsychology-informed procedures to derive and validate harmonized scores representing memory and language across population-based studies in the United States and Mexico.

Methods: Data were from the Health and Retirement Study Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HRS-HCAP) and the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) Ancillary Study on Cognitive Aging (Mex-Cog). We statistically co-calibrated memory and language domains and performed differential item functioning (DIF) analysis using a cultural neuropsychological approach.

Serology Assays Used in SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Surveys Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Assay Features, Testing Algorithms, and Performance.

Background: Many serological assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences in the detection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 serological assays limited the comparability of seroprevalence estimates for populations being tested. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of serological assays used in SARS-CoV-2 population seroprevalence surveys, searching for published articles, preprints, institutional sources, and grey literature between 1 January 2020, and 19 November 2021.

Reference Values for Point-of-Care Echocardiographic Measurements of Preterm Infants in China.

Background: Few studies have examined the reference value of the left ventricular structure and function in preterm infants. This study was designed to establish a point-of-care echocardiographic reference range of left ventricular structure and function based on different gestational age, weight, and body surface area (BSA) for preterm infants within 7 days after birth.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 489 patients with traditional echocardiographic data of left ventricular (LV) M-mode: LV end diastolic dimensions (LVED), LV end systolic dimension (LVES), end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSd), end diastolic LV posterior wall thickness (LVPWd), left atrial (LA) and aortic root (AO) diameters, and index of LA/AO, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV fractional shortening (LVFS), and pulsed wave Doppler: aortic valve flow rate (AV), peak mitral valve flow rate E(MV-E), peak mitral valve flow rate A(MV-A), and MV-E/A.

[Distributive characteristics of HBV DNA CpG islands in HBsAg positive mothers and its relationship with intrauterine transmission].

To investigate the type, length, and CG loci of HBV DNA CpG islands in HBsAg positive maternal C genotype and its relationship with intrauterine HBV transmission, so as to provide a new perspective for the study of intrauterine transmission of HBV. From June 2011 to July 2013, HBsAg-positive mothers and their newborns who delivered in the obstetrics and gynecology department of the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan were collected. Epidemiological data were collected through face-to-face questionnaires and electronic medical records.

Body Composition and Incident Heart Failure in Older Adults: Results From 2 Prospective Cohorts.

Background Aging is associated with central fat redistribution and skeletal muscle decline, yet the relationships of tissue compartments with heart failure (HF) remain incompletely characterized. We assessed the contribution of body composition to incident HF in elders. Methods and Results Participants from 2 older cohorts who completed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and, in one cohort, computed tomography were included.

Mapping Heat Vulnerability Index Based on Different Urbanization Levels in Nebraska, USA.

Heatwaves cause excess mortality and physiological impacts on humans throughout the world, and climate change will intensify and increase the frequency of heat events. Many adaptation and mitigation studies use spatial distribution of highly vulnerable local populations to inform heat reduction and response plans. However, most available heat vulnerability studies focus on urban areas with high heat intensification by Urban Heat Islands (UHIs).

[Reference ranges for Doppler echocardiographic measurements within seven days of age in preterm infants].

To establish reference ranges for Doppler echocardiography in preterm infants within 7 days after birth based on different gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW) and body surface area (BSA). This retrospective study analyzed Doppler echocardiographic measurements of 489 premature infants, who were admitted to the neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to February 2020. These infants were divided into four groups according to GA:<28 weeks, 28-31 weeks, 32-33 weeks and 34-36 weeks; and five groups according to BW:<1 000 g, 1 000-1 499 g, 1 500-1 999 g, 2 000-2 499 g and ≥ 2 500 g;and 14 groups according to BSA from 0.

Healthy Lifestyle and Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential: Results From the Women's Health Initiative.

Background Presence of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. The relationship between a healthy lifestyle and CHIP is unknown. Methods and Results This analysis included 8709 postmenopausal women (mean age, 66.

[Reference ranges for M-mode echocardiographic measurements within seven days after birth in preterm infants].

To establish reference ranges for M-mode echocardiography in preterm infants within 7 days after birth based on different gestational age (GA) and birth weight. This retrospective study analyzed M-mode echocardiographic values of 489 premature infants, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Department of Pediatrics, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to February 2020. These infants were divided into four groups according to GA:<28 weeks, 28-31weeks, 32-33weeks and 34-36weeks; and five groups according to birth weight:<1 000 g, 1 000-1 499 g, 1 500-1 999 g, 2 000-2 499 g and ≥2 500 g.

Estimation and correction of bias in network simulations based on respondent-driven sampling data.

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is widely used for collecting data on hard-to-reach populations, including information about the structure of the networks connecting the individuals. Characterizing network features can be important for designing and evaluating health programs, particularly those that involve infectious disease transmission. While the validity of population proportions estimated from RDS-based datasets has been well studied, little is known about potential biases in inference about network structure from RDS.

A consensus statement on birth defects surveillance, prevention, and care in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Birth defects contribute up to 21% of the mortality in those under 5 years of age in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and that burden has been compounded by the Zika virus epidemic. In 2001, the March of Dimes launched a series of biennial assemblies called the International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World (ICBD). The latest ICBD, in 2017, convened in Bogotá, Colombia, and was attended by over 300 professionals, policymakers, and donors.

Large-scale otoscopic and audiometric population assessment: A pilot study.

Objective: Large-scale otoscopic and audiometric assessment of populations is difficult due to logistic impracticalities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We report a novel assessment methodology based on training local field workers, advances in audiometric testing equipment and cloud-based technology.

Methods: Prospective observational study in Bohol, Philippines.

The respiratory syncytial virus vaccine landscape: lessons from the graveyard and promising candidates.

The global burden of disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognised, not only in infants, but also in older adults (aged ≥65 years). Advances in knowledge of the structural biology of the RSV surface fusion glycoprotein have revolutionised RSV vaccine development by providing a new target for preventive interventions. The RSV vaccine landscape has rapidly expanded to include 19 vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in clinical trials, reflecting the urgency of reducing this global health problem and hence the prioritisation of RSV vaccine development.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 DNA Decay Dynamics With Early, Long-term Virologic Control of Perinatal Infection.

Background.: Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) limits proviral reservoirs, a goal for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remission strategies. Whether this is an immediate or long-term effect of virologic suppression (VS) in perinatal infection is unknown.

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive Factor Attachment Receptor (SNARE) Protein Involved in the Remission of Depression by Acupuncture in Rats.

This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of acupuncture in the remission of depression. A depressive disorder model was induced by exposing Sprague-Dawley rats to chronic unpredictable stress. The rats were divided into five groups: healthy (blank group) and stressed rats (model group), and stressed rats treated with acupuncture (acupuncture group), riluzole (riluzole group), acupuncture combined with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection (acupuncture+BTX-A group) or riluzole combined with BTX-A injection (riluzole+BTX-A group).

Worksite nutrition supports and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

Objective: This study examined the link between worksite environmental supports for nutrition behaviours and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and offers insight into potential intervention points for reducing SSB consumption and combatting overweight and obesity.

Methods: Perceived worksite supports for healthy nutrition and self-reported SSB consumption were analysed for 2,015 working adults in the state of Missouri using a subset of questions from the Supports at Home and Work for Maintaining Energy Balance (SHOW-ME) study.

Results: Employees' use of vending facilities and the availability of water coolers/water bottles was significantly associated with increased SSB consumption, while use of cafeterias was significantly associated with decreased SSB consumption.

Time From Infection to Disease and Infectiousness for Ebola Virus Disease, a Systematic Review.

We systematically reviewed the literature to estimate the incubation and latent periods of Ebola virus disease. We found limited epidemiological data from individuals with discrete 1-day exposures. Available data suggest that the incubation and latent periods may differ, and mathematical models may be improved by distinguishing between the two periods.

FTO genetic variants, dietary intake and body mass index: insights from 177,330 individuals.

FTO is the strongest known genetic susceptibility locus for obesity. Experimental studies in animals suggest the potential roles of FTO in regulating food intake. The interactive relation among FTO variants, dietary intake and body mass index (BMI) is complex and results from previous often small-scale studies in humans are highly inconsistent.