Associations between neighborhood built-environment characteristics and hepatic steatosis: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Objective: To characterize the spatio-temporal association between features of the built environment and subclinical liver disease.

Design: We used data from a large community-based population, the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000-2002, N = 5542) with linked historical residential data that characterized past exposure to alcohol outlets (bars and liquor stores), healthy foods stores, and physical activity facilities (1990-2001). We examined whether and how past residential relate to hepatic steatosis (proxied by liver attenuation measured using computed tomography, with lower attenuation indicating higher hepatic steatosis).

Implementing Entrustable Professional Activities in Pediatric Fellowships: Facilitating the Process.

Background And Objectives: Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) will be used for initial certification by the American Board of Pediatrics by 2028. Less than half of pediatric fellowships currently use EPAs for assessment, yet all will need to adopt them. Our objectives were to identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation of EPAs to assess pediatric fellows and to determine fellowship program directors' (FPD) perceptions of EPAs and Milestones.

Diabetes screening outcomes in youth presenting for paediatric weight management: A report of the Paediatric Obesity Weight Evaluation Registry.

Objective: Rising prevalence of obesity has led to increased rates of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus (DM) in children. This study compares rates of prediabetes and diabetes using two recommended screening tests (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] and haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]).

Study Design: Data were collected prospectively from 37 multi-component paediatric weight management programs in POWER (Paediatric Obesity Weight Evaluation Registry).

Exploring Factors for Implementation of EPAs in Pediatric Subspecialty Fellowships: A Qualitative Study of Program Directors.

Objective: To understand fellowship program directors' (FPDs) perspectives on facilitators and barriers to using entrustable professional activities (EPAs) in pediatric subspecialty training.

Methods: We performed a qualitative study of FPDs, balancing subspecialty, program size, geographic region and current uses of EPAs. A study coordinator conducted 1-on-1 interviews using a semistructured approach to explore EPA use or nonuse and factors supporting or preventing their use.

Artificial neural network identification of exercise expiratory flow-limitation in adults.

Identification of ventilatory constraint is a key objective of clinical exercise testing. Expiratory flow-limitation (EFL) is a well-known type of ventilatory constraint. However, EFL is difficult to measure, and commercial metabolic carts do not readily identify or quantify EFL.

Non-calcified plaque in asymptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is growing interest in understanding the coronary atherosclerotic burden in asymptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score (CACS). In this population, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of non-calcified coronary plaques (NCP) as detected by coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and to analyze the associated clinical predictors.

Methods: This was a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies indexed in PubMed/Medline and Web of Science from inception of the database to March 31st, 2023.

Right and left ventricular mass development in early infancy: Correlation of electrocardiographic changes with echocardiographic measurements.

Background: Right ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (RVMI) decreases and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) increases rapidly and substantially during early infancy. The relationship between these sizeable mass transformations and simultaneous electrocardiographic changes have not been previously delineated.

Methods: Normal term infants (#45 initially enrolled) were prospectively evaluated at 2 days and at 2-week, 2-month, and 4-month clinic visits.

Statins influence the relationship between ATP-binding cassette A1 membrane transporter-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity and coronary atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is the main antiatherogenic function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). ATP-binding-cassette A1 (ABCA1) membrane transporter initiates cholesterol export from arterial macrophages to pre-β HDL particles fostering their maturation; in turn, those accept cholesterol through ABCG1-mediated export. Impaired pre-β HDL maturation may disrupt the collaborative function of the two transporters and adversely affect atherosclerosis.

ATP-binding cassette G1 membrane transporter-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity influences coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) measures the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to remove cholesterol from macrophages and reduce the lipid content of atherosclerotic plaques. CEC inversely associated with cardiovascular risk beyond HDL-cholesterol levels. CEC through the ATP-binding-cassette G1 (ABCG1) membrane transporter is impaired in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Blood culture procedures and practices in the neonatal intensive care unit: A survey of a large multicenter collaborative in California.

Objective: To describe variation in blood culture practices in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design: Survey of neonatal practitioners involved with blood culturing and NICU-level policy development.

Participants: We included 28 NICUs in a large antimicrobial stewardship quality improvement program through the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative.

Precision nephrology identified tumor necrosis factor activation variability in minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

The diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome relies on clinical presentation and descriptive patterns of injury on kidney biopsies, but not specific to underlying pathobiology. Consequently, there are variable rates of progression and response to therapy within diagnoses. Here, an unbiased transcriptomic-driven approach was used to identify molecular pathways which are shared by subgroups of patients with either minimal change disease (MCD) or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

Role of Lipoprotein Levels and Function in Atherosclerosis Associated with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

Immune and inflammatory mediators in autoimmune rheumatic diseases induce modification in the activity of enzymes pivotal for lipid metabolism and promote a proatherogenic serum lipid profile. However, disturbances in low- and high-density lipoprotein composition and increased lipid oxidation also occur. Therefore, lipoprotein dysfunction causes intracellular cholesterol accumulation in macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and platelets.

Clinical competency committee perceptions of entrustable professional activities and their value in assessing fellows: A qualitative study of pediatric subspecialty program directors.

Objectives: To examine the composition and processes of Clinical Competency Committees (CCCs) assigning entrustable professional activity (EPA) levels of supervision for pediatric subspecialty fellows and to examine fellowship program director (FPD) perspectives about using EPAs to determine fellows' graduation readiness.

Methods: A qualitative study was performed using one-on-one interviews with a purposeful sample of pediatric subspecialty FPDs to yield a thematic analysis. Semi-structured interview guides were used for participants who self-identified as EPA users or non-users.

Effect of barometric pressure on single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity.

Background: Single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (D) quantifies gas transfer in the lungs. D measurement is affected by barometric pressure (Pb) and alveolar partial pressure of oxygen (PAO). The current equations for adjusting D for Pb and PAO may not be accurate given advances in test performance and technology.

Sleep, testosterone and cortisol balance, and ageing men.

Sleep serves important biological functions, and influences health and longevity through endocrine and metabolic related systems. Sleep debt, circadian misalignment and sleep disruption from obstructive sleep apnea is widespread in modern society and accumulates with life because recovery sleep is not completely restorative. Accumulated disordered sleep throughout life impacts the ageing process and the development of age-related diseases.

Serum cholesterol loading capacity of macrophages is regulated by seropositivity and C-reactive protein in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: Excessive cholesterol accumulation in macrophages is the pivotal step underlying atherosclerotic plaque formation. We here explore factors in the serum of patients with RA, and mechanisms through which they interact with and influence cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) of macrophages.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational cohort of 104 patients with RA, CLC was measured as intracellular cholesterol content in human THP-1-derived macrophages after incubation with patient serum.

Further characterization of tryptophan metabolism and its dysregulation in fibroids.

Objective: To determine the expression of enzymes in tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in fibroids and matched myometrium and determine the effects of race and mediator complex subunit 12 gene (MED12) mutation on their expression.

Design: Experimental laboratory study.

Setting: Academic research laboratory.

Differential Expression of Super-Enhancer-Associated Long Non-coding RNAs in Uterine Leiomyomas.

Super-enhancer-associated long non-coding RNAs (SE-lncRNAs) are a specific set of lncRNAs transcribed from super-enhancer (SE) genomic regions. Recent studies have revealed that SE-lncRNAs play essential roles in tumorigenesis through the regulation of oncogenes. The objective of this study was to elucidate the expression profile of SE-lncRNAs with concurrent assessment of associated mRNAs in leiomyomas and paired myometrium.

Maternal N-Acetyl-Cysteine Prevents Neonatal Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury in a Rat Model.

Perinatal hypoxia is a major cause of infant brain damage, lifelong neurological disability, and infant mortality. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that acts directly as a scavenger of free radicals. We hypothesized that maternal-antenatal and offspring-postnatal NAC can protect offspring brains from hypoxic brain damage.

Long Noncoding RNA MIAT Modulates the Extracellular Matrix Deposition in Leiomyomas by Sponging MiR-29 Family.

The objective of this study was to determine the expression and functional role of a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MIAT (myocardial infarction-associated transcript) in leiomyoma pathogenesis. Leiomyoma compared with myometrium (n = 66) expressed significantly more MIAT that was independent of race/ethnicity and menstrual cycle phase but dependent on MED12 (mediator complex subunit 12) mutation status. Leiomyomas bearing the MED12 mutation expressed higher levels of MIAT and lower levels of microRNA 29 family (miR-29a, -b, and -c) compared with MED12 wild-type leiomyomas.

Conserved L464 in p97 D1-D2 linker is critical for p97 cofactor regulated ATPase activity.

p97 protein is a highly conserved, abundant, functionally diverse, structurally dynamic homohexameric AAA enzyme-containing N, D1, and D2 domains. A truncated p97 protein containing the N and D1 domains and the D1-D2 linker (ND1L) exhibits 79% of wild-type (WT) ATPase activity whereas the ND1 domain alone without the linker only has 2% of WT activity. To investigate the relationship between the D1-D2 linker and the D1 domain, we produced p97 ND1L mutants and demonstrated that this 22-residue linker region is essential for D1 ATPase activity.