Recovery Residences Are an Innovative Site for HIV Prevention Interventions Targeting People Who Inject Drugs: Preliminary Data From Project HOMES.

Of 1.2 million Americans who would benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), only 36% were prescribed PrEP in 2023. Project HOMES is an ongoing study that evaluates recovery residences for individuals in medication-assisted recovery from opioid use disorder across five Texas cities.

Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on daily function and quality of life in markedly treatment-resistant major depression: Findings from a one-year, randomized, sham-controlled trial.

Background: Depression treatments aim to minimize symptom burden and optimize quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial function.

Objective: Compare the effects of adjunctive versus sham vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on QoL and function in markedly treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 493 adults with TRD and ≥4 adequate but unsuccessful antidepressant treatment trials (current episode) were randomized to active (n = 249) or sham (n = 244) VNS (plus treatment as usual) over a 12-month observation period.

Systemic Administration of a Site-Targeted Complement Inhibitor Attenuates Chronic Stress-Induced Social Behavior Deficits and Neuroinflammation in Mice.

Chronic stress, a risk factor for many neuropsychiatric conditions, causes dysregulation in the immune system in both humans and animal models. Additionally, inflammation and synapse loss have been associated with deficits in social behavior. The complement system, a key player of innate immunity, has been linked to social behavior impairments caused by chronic stress.

Associations of Muscle-Strengthening Activity and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Objective: To determine the associations between muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2973 participants aged ≥55 in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study. Participants self-reported leisure-time physical activity.

Further delineation of the SCAF4-associated neurodevelopmental disorder.

While mostly de novo truncating variants in SCAF4 were recently identified in 18 individuals with variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes, knowledge on the molecular and clinical spectrum is still limited. We assembled data on 50 novel individuals with SCAF4 variants ascertained via GeneMatcher and personal communication. With detailed evaluation of clinical data, in silico predictions and structural modeling, we further characterized the molecular and clinical spectrum of the autosomal dominant SCAF4-associated neurodevelopmental disorder.

Training protocol and calibration of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System in a school-based clinical trial of elementary school-age children.

Objectives: This paper demonstrates International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) training procedures and inter/intra-examiner reliability for lesion severity, activity, and filling criteria in an elementary school setting.

Methods: ICDAS training was conducted in December 2021 prior to a school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial. A total of 59 children (6-8 years old) in grades 1-2 from one school in Houston, Texas were recruited.

Community Disparities in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Prehospital Antiarrhythmic Practices.

Objectives: Antiarrhythmic administration is an important treatment for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with a shockable rhythm, but little is known about disparities in such antiarrhythmic practices. We sought to investigate the association between community race/ethnicity and prehospital antiarrhythmic administration for OHCA.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a national prehospital database, NEMSIS, linked to Census data.

Relationship Between Intrapartum Continuous Glucose Monitoring Values and Neonatal Hypoglycemia in Individuals with Diabetes.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between intrapartum continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and neonatal hypoglycemia (NH) in individuals with diabetes.

Study Design: a multicenter prospective study (11/2021-12/2022) of laboring individuals with pregestational or gestational diabetes at ≥ 34 weeks. Cohorts had a blinded CGM placed from admission through delivery and were monitored with fingersticks (FS) according to usual care.

Design and Framework of a Technology-Based Closed-Loop Referral Project for Care Coordination of Social Determinants of Health.

Screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) has been mandated by health systems nationwide. However, a gap exists in closed-loop referral for care coordination between health care and social services. This article presents the framework of a technology-based project to facilitate closed-loop referral between health care and social service agencies in Greater Houston by leveraging and connecting the existing care coordination technology infrastructure.

Postpartum Hemorrhagic Morbidity with Scheduled versus Unscheduled Cesarean Delivery at Term.

Objective:  This study aimed to compare the composite maternal hemorrhagic outcomes (CMHOs) among term (≥37 weeks) singletons who had scheduled versus unscheduled cesarean deliveries (CDs). A subgroup analysis was done for those without prior uterine surgeries.

Study Design:  Retrospectively, we identified all singletons at term who had CDs.

Biomarkers Unveiling the Interplay of Mind, Nervous System, and Immunity.

The field of psychoneuroimmunology has significantly expanded in the last few decades and so has our understanding of the bidirectional communications between the immune and central nervous systems (CNS). There is a preponderance of evidence supporting the fact that immunological pathways and neuroinflammation are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple neurological and mental health conditions. In this chapter, we have explored various neuroimmunological biomarkers involved in these pathways, responsible for developing and perpetuating different neuropsychiatric disorders.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats dependent on NLRP3 activation.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), a complication following procedures such as orthopedic surgery, is associated with a worsened prognosis, especially in the elderly population. Several mechanisms have been proposed for communication between the immune system and the brain after surgery. In an experimental tibial fracture (TF) model, we aimed to understand the role of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as mechanisms underlying POCD in aged and adult rats.

COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response in Latin American Countries: Scoping Review and Analysis Based on World Health Organization Standards.

Objective: To describe COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response in 6 countries during 2020 and 2021.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, LILACS, and Google Scholar regarding the measures adopted to face the COVID-19 pandemic; the checklist of the international World Healths Organization's (WHO) guide "COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan" was applied.

Results: Most countries coordinated their response at the central level with the establishment of management teams and the activation of emergency operations centers for the coordination of the response to the pandemic.

Boosting Acetylcholine Signaling by Cannabidiol in a Murine Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a challenging medical issue that requires efficacious treatment options to improve long-term quality of life. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabis-derived phytocannabinoid with potential health benefits, including reports from our laboratory and others showing a therapeutic role in the pre-clinical treatment of AD; however, the mechanisms whereby CBD affects AD progression remain undefined. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are recently discovered immune cells that initiate and orchestrate inflammatory responses.

Bridging Public Health Research and State-Level Policy: The Texas Research-to-Policy Collaboration Project.

Purpose And Objectives: Significant barriers to the implementation of evidence-based policy exist. Establishing an infrastructure and resources to support this process at the state level can accelerate the translation of research into practice. This study describes the adaptation and initial evaluation of the Texas Research-to-Policy Collaboration (TX RPC) Project, focusing on the adaptation process, legislative public health policy priorities, and baseline researcher policy knowledge and self-efficacy.

Associations between metabolic disorders and Sjögren's disease.

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by dry eyes and mouth caused by chronic inflammation and is often accompanied by various extra-glandular manifestations, including fatigue and diffuse pain. Although the pathogenesis of the disease remains elusive, several factors (e.g.

Mitigating neuroinflammation in cognitive areas: exploring the impact of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Existing literature suggests that infection-specific mechanisms may play a significant role in the onset and progression of dementia, as opposed to the broader phenomenon of systemic inflammation. In addition, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for sepsis, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) by analyzing neurodegenerative markers, mitochondrial respiration, and neuronal tracing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) of sepsis survivor animals.

Diversity and Inclusion in Anesthesia Practice.

The concept of diversity is vital to the practice of medicine and anesthesia practice due to its beneficial effects on multiple aspects of health care practice. However, the current reality is that the workforce fails to adequately reflect the changing demographics of society and the patient population. This article aims to elucidate the benefits, evaluate and provide suggestions identifying some of the obstacles encountered when attempting to advance diversity efforts, and explore and confront challenges that are on the horizon for diversity efforts.

A Qualitative Assessment of Changes in Occupational Exposures Among Healthcare Facility Workers.

Adult-onset asthma, notably prevalent among healthcare professionals, especially nurses, is often attributed to occupational factors such as exposure to cleaning agents. Studies consistently underscore the substantial role of such exposure in work-related asthma among hospital staff. We aimed to (a) identify and characterize current practices in cleaning and aerosolized medication administration; (b) assess changes in practices since a similar 2003 study of Texas healthcare workers; and (c) identify factors contributing to diverse exposures within healthcare job categories.

Nutrition Management in Children Less than 5 Years of Age with Glycogen Storage Disease Type I: Survey Results.

Nutrition management for GSD Type I (GSDI; OMIM #232200, 232220) is complex, with the goal being to maintain euglycemia while minimizing metabolic derangements. Management guidelines were published in 2002 and 2014. However, there is limited information on the nuances of nutrition management and the unique feeding challenges of children.