A Generalized Bayesian Stochastic Block Model for Microbiome Community Detection.

Advances in next-generation sequencing technology have enabled the high-throughput profiling of metagenomes and accelerated microbiome studies. Recently, there has been a rise in quantitative studies that aim to decipher the microbiome co-occurrence network and its underlying community structure based on metagenomic sequence data. Uncovering the complex microbiome community structure is essential to understanding the role of the microbiome in disease progression and susceptibility.

Carcinogenic air pollutants and breast cancer risk in the Arkansas rural community health study: A nested case-control study.

Background: Previous epidemiological studies on the associations between hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and breast cancer (BC) have largely neglected rural, medically underserved areas in the United States, which differ in exposures and disparities compared to urban areas.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the associations between carcinogenic HAPs and BC risk in a rural population.

Methods: Using a nested case-control design, 574 cases and 2295 incidence density-sampled controls matched 1:4 on index age and race were included from the Arkansas Rural Community Health study.

Derivation and Validation of D-RISK: An Electronic Health Record-Driven Risk Score to Detect Undiagnosed Dysglycemia in Clinical Practice.

Objective: We derive and validate D-RISK, an electronic health record (EHR)-driven risk score to optimize and facilitate screening for undiagnosed dysglycemia (prediabetes + diabetes) in clinical practice.

Research Design And Methods: We used retrospective EHR data (derivation sample) and a prospective diabetes screening study (validation sample) to develop D-RISK. Logistic regression with backward selection was used to predict dysglycemia (HbA1c ≥5.

Motivators and Barriers to Seeking Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Among Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

Background: The prevalence of severe obesity among adolescents has increased the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) as a therapeutic option. Understanding factors influencing adolescent MBS choice and the support needed to undergo MBS is crucial for improving health outcomes. This study examines the motivations and support needs of a diverse sample of adolescents seeking MBS via the patient voice.

Once-weekly IcoSema versus once-weekly semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes: the COMBINE 2 randomised clinical trial.

Aims/hypothesis: COMBINE 2 assessed the efficacy and safety of once-weekly IcoSema (a combination therapy of basal insulin icodec and semaglutide) vs once-weekly semaglutide (a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue) 1.0 mg in individuals with type 2 diabetes inadequately managed with GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) therapy, with or without additional oral glucose-lowering medications.

Methods: This 52 week, randomised, multicentre, open-label, parallel group, Phase IIIa trial was conducted across 121 sites in 13 countries/regions.

VISTA-induced tumor suppression by a four amino acid intracellular motif.

VISTA is a key immune checkpoint receptor under investigation for cancer immunotherapy; however, its signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Here we identify a conserved four amino acid (NPGF) intracellular motif in VISTA that suppresses cell proliferation by constraining cell-intrinsic growth receptor signaling. The NPGF motif binds to the adapter protein NUMB and recruits Rab11 endosomal recycling machinery.

Factors Associated With Minority Patient Enrollment in a Gastric Cancer Biobank.

Introduction: Human tissue samples are essential for translational cancer research. However, less than 20% of current biobank and genomic samples were obtained from minority patients, which may lead to biased understanding of cancer biology. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with patient enrollment in our institution's gastric cancer biobank.

Comparison of Associations of Food Security Instruments and Mediators With Premature All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Death in US Adults.

Background: Food insecurity is associated with high morbidity and mortality and is typically measured with the 10-item US Adult Food Security Survey Module. Shorter instruments may capture similar information, but this has not been validated against mortality in general populations.

Methods: A nationally representative sample of individuals aged 20 to 74 years from the US National Health Interview Survey 2011 to 2018 was included, with deaths linked to the National Death Index through 2019.

Genetically Labeled Premyelinating Oligodendrocytes: Bridging Oligodendrogenesis and Neuronal Activity.

To myelinate axons, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) must stop dividing and differentiate into premyelinating oligodendrocytes (preOLs). PreOLs are thought to survey and begin ensheathing nearby axons, and their maturation is often stalled at human demyelinating lesions. Lack of genetic tools to visualize and manipulate preOLs has left this critical differentiation stage woefully understudied.

Cooperative integration of spatially resolved multi-omics data with COSMOS.

Recent advancements in biological technologies have enabled the measurement of spatially resolved multi-omics data, yet computational algorithms for this purpose are scarce. Existing tools target either single omics or lack spatial integration. We generate a graph neural network algorithm named COSMOS to address this gap and demonstrated the superior performance of COSMOS in domain segmentation, visualization, and spatiotemporal map for spatially resolved multi-omics data integration tasks.

The American Rescue Plan Act and Access to Health Care for Latinos According to Citizenship Status.

Objective: We studied patterns in health care access between Latino and non-Latino White adults according to citizenship status before and after the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 was enacted to determine whether inequities changed.

Methods: This study used 2019-2022 National Health Survey Interview data. Differences in predicted probabilities from logistic regression models were used to estimate changes in health care access outcomes (any insurance coverage, private insurance coverage, delaying care due to cost, and having a usual source of care) among Latino citizens, Latino noncitizens, and non-Latino White citizens in periods before and after ARPA's enactment (2019-2020 vs 2021-2022).

Evaluation of methotrexate Pharmacogenomic variation to predict acute neurotoxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Methotrexate is an important component of curative therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but the role of genetic variation influencing methotrexate clearance and transport in toxicity susceptibility in children with ALL is not well established. Therefore, we evaluated the association between suspected methotrexate pharmacogenomic variants and methotrexate-related neurotoxicity.

Methods: This study included children (aged 2-20 years) diagnosed with ALL (2005-2019) at six treatment centers in the southwest United States.

Neighborhood Factors Related to Cancer Screening in Texas: A Spatioecological Study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to examine the associations of neighborhood socioeconomic status, ethnic enclaves, and residential Black segregation with screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers across the state of Texas.

Methods: Using an ecologic study design, spatial clustering of low breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening rates were identified across Texas census tracts using local Moran's I statistics. Binomial spatial probit regression was used to estimate the associations between nSES, Hispanic/Latino and Asian American ethnic enclave neighborhoods and residential Black segregation with geospatial clusters of low screening, adjusting for behavioral characteristics.

Variant reclassification and recontact research: A scoping review.

Purpose: A primary challenge in clinical genetics is accurate interpretation of identified variants and relaying the information to patients and providers. Inconsistencies around handling variant reclassifications and notifying patients, combined with the lack of prescriptive guidelines on re-evaluation, reanalysis, and return of variants, has created practice challenges. Although relevant empirical work has emerged, the scope and outcomes of this research have not been characterized.

Outcomes of children transferred to a pediatric trauma center after blunt abdominal trauma: A 10-year experience.

Background: Most injured children are initially seen at non-pediatric hospitals, then transferred to a pediatric trauma center for definitive care. Published outcomes of transferred children with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) are sparse. Our objective is to describe this population and their disposition at a pediatric trauma center.

Impact of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities on presentation and survival of HCC: A multicenter study.

Background: Racial and ethnic disparities have been reported for HCC prognosis, although few studies fully account for clinically important factors and social determinants of health, including neighborhood socioeconomic status.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients newly diagnosed with HCC from January 2010 through August 2018 at 4 large health systems in the United States. We used multivariable logistic regression and cause-specific Cox proportional hazard models to identify factors associated with early-stage HCC presentation and overall survival.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Efficacy and Hypoglycemia Rate When Switching From Once-Daily Basal Insulin to Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec Without or With a One-Time Additional Dose in Insulin-Experienced Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective: Insulin icodec (icodec), a once-weekly basal insulin analog, has been investigated in the phase 3a ONWARDS clinical trial program. This pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling analysis of data from the ONWARDS 2 and 4 trials investigated efficacy outcomes and hypoglycemia rate in insulin-experienced individuals with type 2 diabetes when switching from daily basal insulin to icodec without or with a 50% one-time additional dose for the first injection only.

Methods: Data from 2 randomized, 26-week, phase 3a trials of insulin-experienced individuals with type 2 diabetes on a basal (ONWARDS 2) or basal-bolus (ONWARDS 4) insulin regimen were used for PK/PD model development and validation.