National Experience of Technology-based Eye Care Services: A Comprehensive Ophthalmology Telemedicine Initiative.

Purpose: Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) is a tele-ophthalmology program operating in the Veterans' Health Administration since 2015. This study explores characteristics of the national TECS population, evaluates implementation and sustainability of TECS, and analyzes possible associations and effects of demographic characteristics and social determinants of health on being diagnosed with a vision-threatening (VT) disease.

Design: Implementation and sustainability of TECS from 2015 to 2022 were examined along with the sociodemographic characteristics of veterans served through TECS in 2021.

Measuring the Collective Community Capacity of a Network to Address Health Inequities during a Public Health Emergency: Findings from the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network.

Objective: This study assesses the collective community capacity of the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network (NCRN), a multisectoral network mitigating the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minoritized populations.

Methods: From January to April 2022, we used two concurrent data collection methods: a Collective Community Capacity (C3) survey (n=65) and key informant interviews (KIIs) (n=26). The C3 assessed capacity for creation of a shared vision, engagement in community change, and distributive leadership.

Disparities in Health Outcomes in Surgical Oncology.

Cancer health disparities refer to the unequal burden, treatment, and outcomes of cancer care experienced by specific populations. These disparities are systemic and often preventable, impacting diverse populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, medically underserved populations, populations in rural areas, individuals from the LGBT communities, disabled persons, extremes of age, and those living in persistent poverty. Addressing this topic is essential and timely to ensure equitable oncologic outcomes for all populations.

Projected impact of climate change on human health in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) contribute relatively little to global carbon emissions but are recognised to be among the most vulnerable parts of the world to health-related consequences of climate change. To help inform resilient health systems and health policy strategies, we sought to systematically analyse published projections of the impact of rising global temperatures and other weather-related events on human health in LMICs. A systematic search involving multiple databases was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify studies with modelled projections of the future impact of climate change on human health.

Mentoring Networks in Academic Medicine: A Longitudinal Exploration.

The importance of ethnic and gender representation in academic medicine is of paramount importance. While mentoring effectively attracts and retains underrepresented individuals, scientists from underrepresented groups face barriers to high-quality mentorship. The developmental network model by Higgins and Kram suggests that a variety of people with unique knowledge, connections, and resources can help propel an individual's career and personal growth.

Evaluating Receipt of Optimal Medical Therapy Among Structurally Disadvantaged Groups Undergoing Amputation.

Background: Optimal medical therapy (OMT) for peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with decreased major amputation and mortality. OMT has several components, including antiplatelet and high-intensity statin therapy, blood pressure control, etc. While there are disparities in receipt of OMT among PAD patients, it is unknown if patients from disadvantaged neighborhoods, measured by the area deprivation index (ADI), are less likely to be on OMT.

MoMo30 Binds to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Variants and Blocks Infection by SARS-CoV-2 Pseudovirus.

MoMo30 is an antiviral protein isolated from aqueous extracts of L. (Senegalese bitter melon). Previously, we demonstrated MoMo30's antiviral activity against HIV-1.

The Impact of Environmental Health Determinants in Surgical Oncology.

Environmental determinants of health refer to external factors in our surroundings that influence health outcomes. It is estimated that healthier environments could prevent almost one-quarter of the global burden of disease. Additionally, environmental factors, including lifestyle factors, air pollution, chemical exposures, and natural exposures, are responsible for a significant incidence of cancers and premature cancer deaths.

Neuregulin 1 Signaling Attenuates Tumor Necrosis Factor α-Induced Female Rat Luteal Cell Death.

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient ovarian endocrine structure that maintains pregnancy in primates during the first trimester and in rodents during the entire pregnancy by producing steroid hormone progesterone (P4). CL lifespan, growth, and differentiation are tightly regulated by survival and cell death signals through luteotrophic and luteolytic factors, including the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like factor family. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), a member of the EGF family, mediates its effect through ErbB2/3 receptors.

The Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Diabetes in Adult African Americans and Whites: An NHANES Study.

Objective: The primary objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and diabetes and see if this association is the same for adult (age ≥ 20) African Americans (AAs) and Whites. The secondary objective is to examine the distribution of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test among AAs and Whites and to evaluate the appropriateness of using the same cut-off point for both groups to diagnose VDD.

Methods: Our analysis is based on the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES).

Differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis: considerations in people from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds in North America, northern Europe, and Australasia.

The differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis has been developed using data from North America, northern Europe, and Australasia, with a focus on White populations. People from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds in regions where prevalence of multiple sclerosis is high are more often negatively affected by social determinants of health, compared with White people in these regions. A better understanding of changing demographics, the clinical characteristics of people from minority ethnic or racial backgrounds, and the social challenges they face might facilitate equitable clinical approaches when considering a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Colorectal cancer care continuum: Navigating screening, treatment, and outcomes disparities.

This review investigates the disparities in colorectal cancer screening, treatment, and outcomes among different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic groups. Although there has been progress, notable disparities continue to exist as a result of socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and systemic prejudices. Approaches to tackle these challenges involve expanding screening access, enhancing healthcare utilization, addressing socioeconomic obstacles, ensuring fair treatment, and boosting representation in research.

Parsimonious immune-response endotypes and global outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background: The inflammatory response in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) offers opportunities for stratification and intervention. Previous unselected approaches to immunomodulation in patients with TBI have not improved patient outcomes.

Methods: Serum and plasma samples from two prospective, multi-centre observational studies of patients with TBI were used to discover (Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research [CENTER-TBI], Europe) and validate (Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury [TRACK-TBI] Pilot, USA) individual variations in the immune response using a multiplex panel of 30 inflammatory mediators.

AGTR1 variant rs2638355 is associated with increased salt sensitivity of blood pressure: a female-specific effect in individuals from the HyperPath cohort.

Objective: Salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH) affects approximately half of the hypertensive population, increasing the risk of vascular complications. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of SSH remain complex and need to be fully elucidated. Our prior research has identified genetic factors contributing to the salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP), particularly involving genes regulating volume and blood pressure.