Placental Pathology and Blood Pressure at Age 7: A Longitudinal Discordant Twin Analysis.

Background: Evidence suggests that the intrauterine environment shapes offspring cardiovascular disease risk. Although placental dysfunction may be an important pathophysiologic pathway, numerous parental and pregnancy characteristics that influence offspring blood pressure are strong confounders of the mechanistic role of the placenta in observational analyses of singletons. Therefore, we leverage twin- and sibling-based comparison designs to determine whether placental pathology is associated with offspring blood pressure at age 7 while mitigating major sources of confounding.

Population genetic structure of Aedes aegypti subspecies in selected geographical locations in Sudan.

Although knowledge of the composition and genetic diversity of disease vectors is important for their management, this is limiting in many instances. In this study, the population structure and phylogenetic relationship of the two Aedes aegypti subspecies namely Aedes aegypti aegypti (Aaa) and Aedes aegypti formosus (Aaf) in eight geographical areas in Sudan were analyzed using seven microsatellite markers. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) for the two subspecies revealed that Aaa deviated from HWE among the seven microsatellite loci, while Aaf exhibited departure in five loci and no departure in two loci (A10 and M201).

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects of essential amino acid supplementation on exercise and performance.

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of literature surrounding the effects of essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation on skeletal muscle maintenance and performance. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation to athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners as to the benefits of supplemental EAA in both healthy and resistant (aging/clinical) populations. EAAs are crucial components of protein intake in humans, as the body cannot synthesize them.

Genetic Polymorphism and Phylogenetics of from Sudan Based on Mitochondrial Gene Variations.

This study investigated the genetic differences between subspecies ( () and ()) from Sudan using the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 () mitochondrial gene marker. Nineteen distinct haplotypes of the were identified in female mosquitoes from the study sites. The phylogenetic relationship of the 19 haplotypes was demonstrated in a median-joining haplotype network tree with and populations found to share three haplotypes.

Trends in use of specialized formula for managing cow's milk allergy in young children.

Background: Excessive use of specialized formula for cow's milk allergy was reported in England, but complete analysis has not been undertaken and trends in other countries are unknown. Some specialized formula products, especially amino-acid formula (AAF), have high free sugars content. We evaluated specialized formula trends in countries with public databases documenting national prescription rates.

City planning policies to support health and sustainability: an international comparison of policy indicators for 25 cities.

City planning policies influence urban lifestyles, health, and sustainability. We assessed policy frameworks for city planning for 25 cities across 19 lower-middle-income countries, upper-middle-income countries, and high-income countries to identify whether these policies supported the creation of healthy and sustainable cities. We systematically collected policy data for evidence-informed indicators related to integrated city planning, air pollution, destination accessibility, distribution of employment, demand management, design, density, distance to public transport, and transport infrastructure investment.

Variation in global COVID-19 symptoms by geography and by chronic disease: A global survey using the COVID-19 Symptom Mapper.

Background: COVID-19 is typically characterised by a triad of symptoms: cough, fever and loss of taste and smell, however, this varies globally. This study examines variations in COVID-19 symptom profiles based on underlying chronic disease and geographical location.

Methods: Using a global online symptom survey of 78,299 responders in 190 countries between 09/04/2020 and 22/09/2020, we conducted an exploratory study to examine symptom profiles associated with a positive COVID-19 test result by country and underlying chronic disease (single, co- or multi-morbidities) using statistical and machine learning methods.

Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Subspecies across the Sahelian Belt in Sudan.

is the most important arboviral disease vector worldwide. In Africa, it exists as two morphologically distinct forms, often referred to as subspecies, and . There is a dearth of information on the distribution and genetic diversity of these two forms in Sudan and other African Sahelian region countries.

Gut Microbiota and Host Plasma Metabolites in Association with Blood Pressure in Chinese Adults.

Animal studies have revealed gut microbial and metabolic pathways of blood pressure (BP) regulation, yet few epidemiological studies have collected microbiota and metabolomics data in the same individuals. In a population-based, Chinese cohort who did not report antihypertension medication use (30-69 years, 54% women), thus minimizing BP treatment effects, we examined multivariable-adjusted (eg, diet, physical activity, smoking, kidney function), cross-sectional associations between measures of gut microbiota (16S rRNA [ribosomal ribonucleic acid], N=1003), and plasma metabolome (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, N=434) with systolic (SBP, mean [SD]=126.0 [17.

Using FFPE RNA-Seq with 12 marker genes to evaluate genotoxic and non-genotoxic rat hepatocarcinogens.

Introduction: Various challenges have been overcome with regard to applying 'omics technologies for chemical risk assessments. Previously we published results detailing targeted mRNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on a next generation sequencer using intact RNA derived from freshly frozen rat liver tissues. We successfully discriminated genotoxic hepatocarcinogens (GTHCs) from non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogens (NGTHCs) using 11 selected marker genes.

Alcohol use and its consequences in the Czech Republic.

Objective: Alcohol consumption is associated with substantial public health burden. This article summarises available information on the patterns and prevalence of alcohol use in the Czech Republic with a focus on the heavy alcohol use and its health and social consequences.

Methods: A non-systematic literature review was conducted.

Gut Microbiota Composition and Blood Pressure.

Animal models support a role for the gut microbiota in the development of hypertension. There has been a lack of epidemiological cohort studies to confirm these findings in human populations. We examined cross-sectional associations between measures of gut microbial diversity and taxonomic composition and blood pressure (BP) in 529 participants of the biracial (black and white) CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults).

Subsequent Event Risk in Individuals With Established Coronary Heart Disease.

Background: The Genetics of Subsequent Coronary Heart Disease (GENIUS-CHD) consortium was established to facilitate discovery and validation of genetic variants and biomarkers for risk of subsequent CHD events, in individuals with established CHD.

Methods: The consortium currently includes 57 studies from 18 countries, recruiting 185 614 participants with either acute coronary syndrome, stable CHD, or a mixture of both at baseline. All studies collected biological samples and followed-up study participants prospectively for subsequent events.

Colder Weather and Fewer Sunlight Hours Increase Alcohol Consumption and Alcoholic Cirrhosis Worldwide.

Risk of alcoholic cirrhosis is determined by genetic and environmental factors. We aimed to investigate if climate has a causal effect on alcohol consumption and its weight on alcoholic cirrhosis. We collected extensive data from 193 sovereign countries as well as 50 states and 3,144 counties in the United States.

Airway Mucin Concentration as a Marker of Chronic Bronchitis.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic bronchitic and emphysematous components. In one biophysical model, the concentration of mucin on the airway surfaces is hypothesized to be a key variable that controls mucus transport in healthy persons versus cessation of transport in persons with muco-obstructive lung diseases. Under this model, it is postulated that a high mucin concentration produces the sputum and disease progression that are characteristic of chronic bronchitis.

Anaemia in hospitalised preschool children from a rural area in Mozambique: a case control study in search for aetiological agents.

Background: Young children bear the world's highest prevalence of anaemia, the majority of which is of multifactorial aetiology, which in turn hampers its successful prevention. Even moderate degrees of anaemia are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Despite this evidence, there is a lack of effective preventive programs and absence of consensus in the safety of iron supplementation in malaria areas, which reflects the poor understanding of the contribution of different aetiologies to anaemia.

Immunogenicity of a Meningococcal B Vaccine during a University Outbreak.

Backround: In December 2013, a multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine was used before licensure on the basis of special consideration by the Food and Drug Administration to respond to an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis B at a U.S. university.

Time-Varying Effects of Prasugrel Versus Clopidogrel on the Long-Term Risks of Stroke After Acute Coronary Syndromes: Results From the TRILOGY ACS Trial.

Background And Purpose: The role of more intense, sustained platelet inhibition in preventing stroke after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unclear. We observed a signal for reduced stroke risk in the Targeted Platelet Inhibition to Clarify the Optimal Strategy to Medically Manage Acute Coronary Syndromes (TRILOGY ACS) trial after 12 months of treatment with prasugrel versus clopidogrel in medically managed patients with ACS.

Methods: We examined 7243 patients with ACS, aged <75 years and without prior stroke, analyzing differences in baseline characteristics between patients with and without a stroke event through 30 months with a Cox proportional hazards model.

Alcohol-attributable mortality and years of potential life lost in Chile in 2009.

Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate mortality and years of potential life lost (YPLL) attributable to alcohol consumption in 2009 in Chile.

Methods: The population considered for this study included those 15 years and over. Exposure to alcohol in the population was estimated by triangulating the records of alcohol per capita consumption in Chile with information from the Eighth National Study of Drugs in the General Population (2008).

Proportion of neural tube defects attributable to known risk factors.

Background: Recognized risk factors for neural tube defects (NTDs) poorly predict population-level NTD risk. However, the proportion of NTDs that can be attributed to these risk factors is uncertain.

Methods: To determine the proportion of NTD cases that is attributable to known or suspected risk factors (i.