Hepatitis C virus transmission among people who inject drugs in rural United States: mathematical modeling study using stochastic agent-based network simulation (AJE-00824-2024).

People who inject drugs (PWID) account for the majority of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the United States. The injection-equipment-sharing network likely plays an important role in shaping the dynamics of HCV transmission. Recognizing the emerging HCV epidemic in rural communities, we developed an agent-based network simulation model of HCV transmission via injection-equipment-sharing and used data on rural PWID networks to inform model parameterization and calibration.

The role of attachment and parental bonding in the psychosocial assessment of transplant candidates: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Kidney transplant involves profound psychological, relational, and social changes for both the patients and their family context. Occasionally, the family or social support can be deemed "dysfunctional" as it fails to fully comprehend the patient's needs and requirements. Attachment style, which pertains to the motivation to seek proximity and care in relationships with caregivers, has a significative role in the social support system for transplant, therapeutic adherence, and maintenance of the transplanted organ.

Bias recognition and mitigation strategies in artificial intelligence healthcare applications.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is delivering value across all aspects of clinical practice. However, bias may exacerbate healthcare disparities. This review examines the origins of bias in healthcare AI, strategies for mitigation, and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders towards achieving fair and equitable use.

A large-scale benchmark for network inference from single-cell perturbation data.

Mapping biological mechanisms in cellular systems is a fundamental step in early-stage drug discovery that serves to generate hypotheses on what disease-relevant molecular targets may effectively be modulated by pharmacological interventions. With the advent of high-throughput methods for measuring single-cell gene expression under genetic perturbations, we now have effective means for generating evidence for causal gene-gene interactions at scale. However, evaluating the performance of network inference methods in real-world environments is challenging due to the lack of ground-truth knowledge.

Redirecting immune signaling with cytokine adaptors.

Cytokines are signaling molecules that coordinate complex immune processes and are frequently dysregulated in disease. While cytokine blockade has become a common therapeutic modality, cytokine agonism has had limited utility due to the widespread expression of cytokine receptors with pleiotropic effects. To overcome this limitation, we devise an approach to engineer molecular switches, termed cytokine adaptors, that transform one cytokine signal into an alternative signal with a different functional output.

Dopaminergic modulation and dosage effects on brain state dynamics and working memory component processes in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily diagnosed through its characteristic motor deficits, yet it also encompasses progressive cognitive impairments that profoundly affect quality of life. While dopaminergic medications are routinely prescribed to manage motor symptoms in PD, their influence extends to cognitive functions as well. Here we investigate how dopaminergic medication influences aberrant brain circuit dynamics associated with encoding, maintenance and retrieval working memory (WM) task-phases processes.

Tocilizumab for Painful Chronic Pancreatitis (TOPAC trial): Protocol for a phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, investigator-initiated trial.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a fibro-inflammatory disease that damages the pancreas, leading to severe abdominal pain and metabolic complications. Activated macrophages and pancreatic stellate cells drive CP progression, and their activity is regulated by complex immune signals, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). Preclinical studies suggest that blocking IL-6 signalling may have pain-relieving effects in CP.

Complex water networks visualized by cryogenic electron microscopy of RNA.

The stability and function of biomolecules are directly influenced by their myriad interactions with water. In this study, we investigated water through cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) on a highly solvated molecule, the Tetrahymena ribozyme, determined at 2.2 and 2.

Cardiovascular Health, Lifestyle Factors, and Social Determinants Among Hispanic or Latino Adults in the United States.

Background: Among Hispanic/Latino subgroups residing in the US, disparities in cardiovascular health status remain largely uncharacterized.

Methods: This national study used the National Health Interview Survey to assess the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes) and cardiovascular diseases (history of heart attack, coronary heart disease, angina, stroke) across Hispanic/Latino subgroups (Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Central/South American), and the extent to which differences are related to lifestyle factors (physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and/or social determinants of health (income, education, food security, and health insurance status).

Results: The weighted study population included 35,549,841 Hispanic/Latino adults (26,008 respondents).

Genome-scale resources in the infant gut symbiont Bifidobacterium breve reveal genetic determinants of colonization and host-microbe interactions.

Bifidobacteria represent a dominant constituent of human gut microbiomes during infancy, influencing nutrition, immune development, and resistance to infection. Despite interest in bifidobacteria as a live biotic therapy, our understanding of colonization, host-microbe interactions, and the health-promoting effects of bifidobacteria is limited. To address these major knowledge gaps, we used a large-scale genetic approach to create a mutant fitness compendium in Bifidobacterium breve.

Epigenetic enhancement of adoptive T cell immunotherapy.

Isshiki et al. and Porazzi et al. report that inhibiting enhancer of zeste homolog 1 (EZH1) and EZH2 enhances chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)/T cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies by reprogramming tumors to be more immunogenic and improving T cell phenotype and demonstrate the efficacy of this combination in preclinical models across hematologic and solid cancers.

Specialized Cancer Care for Adolescent and Young Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Barriers and Opportunities.

Background: Research has demonstrated that survival of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is superior following treatment at specialized cancer centers (SCCs), such as NCI-designated Cancer Centers or Children's Oncology Group sites. However, a minority of newly diagnosed AYAs with ALL receive care at SCCs. We conducted a qualitative study to better understand provider and policy expert perspectives on this discrepancy and to identify barriers and potential solutions to improving access to SCCs for AYAs with ALL.

Associations of dietary fatty acids with the incidence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque components: A 6-year follow-up study with serial MRI.

Background And Aims: The influence of dietary fatty acids (FAs) on carotid atherosclerotic plaque components remains unknown. We aimed to assess the association of dietary saturated (SFA), mono-unsaturated (MUFA), and poly-unsaturated FAs (PUFA) with the incidence of carotid plaque components.

Methods: Within the population-based Rotterdam Study, 570 stroke-free participants (mean age: 68 years; 47 % women) with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis underwent two serial carotid MRI (mean scan interval: 5.

Patient-specific coronary angioplasty simulations - A mixed-dimensional finite element modeling approach.

Coronary angioplasty with stent implantation is the most frequently used interventional treatment for coronary artery disease. However, reocclusion within the stent, referred to as in-stent restenosis, occurs in up to 10% of lesions. It is widely accepted that mechanical loads on the vessel wall strongly affect adaptive and maladaptive mechanisms.

Dynamic nanostructures at the surface of rising bubbles in amphiphile solutions: Comparison of low-molecular-weight surfactants and proteins.

The formation, stability, and decay of foams occur under dynamic conditions. Given their inherent complexity, an accurate description of these subprocesses necessitates an analysis of multiple factors, with a particular focus on the formation and structure of the adsorption layer. Single rising bubble techniques facilitate a deeper comprehension of the dynamics of diverse phenomena in foams, as they yield experimental data under dynamic conditions.

Zoom-Delivered Empowered Relief for Chronic Pain: Observational Longitudinal Pilot Study Exploring Feasibility and Pain-Related Outcomes in Patients on Long-Term Opioids.

Background: Patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy often face barriers to accessing effective nonpharmacological treatments, including the burden of multiple sessions, lack of trained clinicians, and travel time. Empowered Relief (ER), a 2-hour, single-session pain relief skills class, can improve pain and quality of life among patients with chronic pain when delivered in person or virtually.

Objective: This study examined the impact of Zoom-delivered ER among people with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy.

Underestimation of Follow-Up Infarct Volume by Acute CT Perfusion Imaging.

Background And Objectives: It is unknown whether acute CT perfusion (CTP) core imaging may underestimate the follow-up infarct. We hypothesize that infarct underestimation occurs especially in late-presenting patients and that underestimated infarct can partially be detected on baseline noncontrast CT (NCCT).

Methods: We included patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke who underwent baseline NCCT and CTP imaging, complete endovascular reperfusion, and follow-up MRI from the Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke (DEFUSE 3) trial and a consecutive, monocenter cohort.

Effects of acupuncture on brain metabolism in patients with chronic partial sleep deprivation cognitive dysfunction: A case-control study.

Patients with chronic partial sleep deprivation (SD) may experience cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to explore the pathways of electroacupuncture (EA) by observing the changes in brain metabolites before and after EA treatment in patients with chronic partial SD cognitive dysfunction. The research subjects included 26 chronic partial SD cognitive dysfunction patients and 27 healthy subjects.

Use and Usefulness of Risk Prediction Tools in Urologic Surgery: Current State and Path Forward.

Introduction: While the enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance surgical decision-making continues to grow, the preceding advance of risk prediction tools (RPTs) has had limited impact to date. To help inform the development of AI-powered tools, we evaluated the role of RPTs and prevailing attitudes among urologists.

Methods: We conducted a national mixed methods study using a sequential explanatory design.

Large increases in public R&D investment are needed to avoid declines of US agricultural productivity.

Increasing agricultural productivity is a gradual process with significant time lags between research and development (R&D) investment and the resulting gains. We estimate the response of US agricultural Total Factor Productivity to both R&D investment and weather and quantify the public R&D spending required to offset the emerging impacts of climate change. We find that offsetting the climate-induced productivity slowdown by 2050 will require R&D spending over 2021 to 2050 to grow at 5.

Human stem cells with in vivo high plasticity generated by cell-cell communication.

Stem cells possess inherent properties of self-renewal and differentiation, and thus hold significant promise for regenerating damaged tissues or replacing lost cells. Unless their therapeutic effects are solely mediated by paracrine, transplanted stem cells need to be highly plastic to adapt to the host tissue environment and differentiate into constituent tissue-specific cells for tissue repair. Stem cells used in current cell-based therapies either have limited differentiation potential or are pluripotent but must be strictly restricted to avoid tumorigenicity risk in vivo.

Development of new bilingual oral health behavior social support (OHBSS) scales in English and Spanish.

This paper describes the simultaneous co-development of Oral Health Behavior Social Support (OHBSS) scales in English and Spanish. OHBSS scales assess social support for toothbrushing, flossing, and dental care utilization, which are targets for interpersonal-level interventions to promote oral health among Hispanic/Latino adults. The focus was on Mexican-origin adults, who comprise the largest United States Hispanic/Latino subgroup and experience a high oral disease burden.