Cigarette Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Heart Failure Subtypes: Insights From the Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Cigarette smoking has been associated with incident heart failure (HF). However, the association between cigarette smoking and smoking cessation with HF subtypes has not been well elucidated, particularly among Black people.

Methods And Results: We investigated 4189 (never smoker n=2934, former smoker n=761, current smoker n=464) Black participants (mean age 54 years, 64% women) without a history of HF or coronary heart disease at baseline in the Jackson Heart Study.

Benchmark Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Mutants' Immune Escape with 2B04 Murine Antibody: A Step Towards Unraveling a Larger Picture.

Even though COVID-19 is no longer the primary focus of the global scientific community, its high mutation rate (nearly 30 substitutions per year) poses a threat of a potential comeback. Effective vaccines have been developed and administered to the population, ending the pandemic. Nonetheless, reinfection by newly emerging subvariants, particularly the latest JN.

Low Lung Function Is Associated with High Population Attributable Fraction for Cardiovascular Mortality.

Rationale: Chronic lung diseases are associated with increased risk of mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD). Nonetheless, the population attributable fraction (PAF) of lung function impairment relative to other established cardiovascular risk factors is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the PAF of low lung function for CHD mortality Methods: We harmonized and pooled lung function and clinical data across 8 US general population cohorts.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Spectral Shift in Zebrafish Cone Opsins.

Visual pigments are essential for converting light into electrical signals during vision. Composed of an opsin protein and a retinal-based chromophore, pigments in vertebrate rods (Rh1) and cones (Rh2) have different spectral sensitivities, with distinct peak absorption wavelengths determined by the shape and composition of the chromophore binding pocket. Despite advances in understanding Rh1 pigments such as bovine rhodopsin, the molecular basis of spectral shifts in Rh2 cone opsins has been less studied, particularly the E122Q mutation, which accounts for about half of the observed spectral shift in these pigments.

Computational Approach for the Development of pH-Selective PD-1/PD-L1 Signaling Pathway Inhibition in Fight with Cancer.

Immunotherapy, particularly targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, holds promise in cancer treatment by regulating the immune response and preventing cancer cells from evading immune destruction. Nonetheless, this approach poses a risk of unwanted immune system activation against healthy cells. To minimize this risk, our study proposes a strategy based on selective targeting of the PD-L1 pathway within the acidic microenvironment of tumors.

An on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS method for quantification of nucleobases and nucleosides present in biological fluids.

Solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatographic (LC) separation of nucleobases and nucleosides are challenging due to the high hydrophilicity of these compounds. Herein we report a novel on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS method for their quantification after pre-column derivatization with chloroacetaldehyde (CAA). The method proposed is selective and sensitive with limits of detection at the nano-molar level.

In Silico Study on Natural Chemical Compounds from Citric Essential Oils as Potential Inhibitors of an Omicron (BA.1) SARS-CoV-2 Mutants' Spike Glycoprotein.

Background: SARS-CoV-2's remarkable capacity for genetic mutation enables it to swiftly adapt to environmental changes, influencing critical attributes, such as antigenicity and transmissibility. Thus, multi-target inhibitors capable of effectively combating various viral mutants concurrently are of great interest.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate natural compounds that could unitedly inhibit spike glycoproteins of various Omicron mutants.

Promoting Cardiovascular Health in the Community: Training the Next Generation of Scientists in the Jackson Heart Study.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to show the impact of the use of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research supplements in the training of African American students affiliated with the Jackson Heart Study (JHS).

Recent Findings: The JHS Undergraduate Training and Education Center (UTEC) at Tougaloo College has had 19 students to be awarded research supplements. The awardees gained invaluable skills while working on the research supplements.

Selective Near-Infrared Blood Detection Driven by Ionic Liquid-Dye-Albumin Nanointeractions.

Due to its abundance in blood, a great deal of research has been undertaken to develop efficient biosensors for serum albumin and provide insight into the interactions that take place between these biosensing molecules and the protein. Near-infrared (NIR, >700 nm) organic dyes have been shown to be effective biosensors of serum albumin, but their effectiveness is diminished in whole blood. Herein, it is shown that an NIR sulfonate indolizine-donor-based squaraine dye, SOSQ, can be strengthened as a biosensor of albumin through the addition of biocompatible ionic liquids (ILs).

A novel one-pot fluorescence tagging and depyrimidination strategy for quantification of global DNA methylation.

DNA methylation is intensively studied in medical science. Current HPLC methods for quantification of global DNA methylation involve digestion of a DNA sample and HPLC determination of both cytosine (C) and 5-methylcytosine (5mC) so that percentage of 5mC in total cytosine can be calculated as DNA methylation level. Herein we report a novel HPLC method based on a one-pot fluorescence tagging and depyrimidination reaction between DNA and chloroacetaldehyde (CAA) for highly sensitive quantification of global DNA methylation.

Living through their first pandemic: Mississippi young adults reveal COVID-19 concerns and challenges.

The study aimed to understand the perceptions, knowledge, information sources, and coping skills pertaining to COVID-19 among two groups of African American young adults. African American ages 18-29 years enrolled in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and non-college enrolled young adults in Mississippi were the participants. : Focus groups were conducted from February through May 2021.

Homology Modeling and Molecular Dynamics-Driven Search for Natural Inhibitors That Universally Target Receptor-Binding Domain of Spike Glycoprotein in SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 required immediate actions to control the transmission of the virus and minimize its impact on humanity. An extensive mutation rate of this viral genome contributes to the virus' ability to quickly adapt to environmental changes, impacts transmissibility and antigenicity, and may facilitate immune escape. Therefore, it is of great interest for researchers working in vaccine development and drug design to consider the impact of mutations on virus-drug interactions.

Efficient aqueous molybdenum removal using commercial Douglas fir biochar and its iron oxide hybrids.

Molybdenum (Mo) is a naturally-occurring trace element in drinking water. Most commonly, molybdate anions (MoO) are in well water and breast milk. In addition, it is used in medical image testing.

Reliability of COVID-19 data: An evaluation and reflection.

Importance: The rapid proliferation of COVID-19 has left governments scrambling, and several data aggregators are now assisting in the reporting of county cases and deaths. The different variables affecting reporting (e.g.

Thinking Ahead to the Next Generation of Cardiometabolic Investigators: What It Takes to Successfully Engage Underrepresented Minorities in Biomedical and Public Health Careers.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to examine the existing information regarding cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) manifestations among underrepresented minority populations, underrepresented minorities' representation in the cardiometabolic workforce, and the models that successfully recruit and retain underrepresented minorities in the field.

Recent Findings: The scientific literature is replete with information on methods to recruit and train URM in research careers. However, there are few programs that are specifically designed to train URM to become diabetes researchers, or more specifically cardiometabolic researchers.

Lung function impairment and risk of incident heart failure: the NHLBI Pooled Cohorts Study.

Aims: The aim is to evaluate associations of lung function impairment with risk of incident heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: Data were pooled across eight US population-based cohorts that enrolled participants from 1987 to 2004. Participants with self-reported baseline cardiovascular disease were excluded.

Pooled Cohort Probability Score for Subclinical Airflow Obstruction.

Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a public health priority. Airflow obstruction is the single most important risk factor for adverse COPD outcomes, but spirometry is not routinely recommended for screening. To describe the burden of subclinical airflow obstruction (SAO) and to develop a probability score for SAO to inform potential detection and prevention programs.

Psychometric Testing of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) Among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Sexual Minority Men (SMM) and Black Transwomen in the Deep South: The MARI Study.

Spirituality is a well-established protective psychosocial determinant of health. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) among Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men (SMM) and Black transwomen (TW) in the Deep South. Data were collected via self-interview technology and analyzed using factor analyses and correlation coefficients.

Association Between Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry and Clinical Outcomes in US Adults.

Importance: Chronic lung diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Unlike chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, clinical outcomes associated with proportional reductions in expiratory lung volumes without obstruction, otherwise known as preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), are poorly understood.

Objective: To examine the prevalence, correlates, and clinical outcomes associated with PRISm in US adults.

The association of prostatic lipids with progression, racial disparity and discovery of biomarkers in prostate cancer.

Background: It remains under-investigated whether prostatic lipid profiles are associated with pathogenesis, progression, racial disparity, and discovery of biomarkers in prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: The electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry was applied to quantitate prostatic lipids in human and mouse PCa and non-cancer prostatic tissues. Biostatistics and bioinformatics were used to compare the concentrations of prostatic lipids at levels of total lipid, group, class and individual species between PCa and benign prostatic tissues, between races, and among pathological conditions of PCa.

Expression of Drosophila Matrix Metalloproteinases in Cultured Cell Lines Alters Neural and Glial Cell Morphology.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc- and calcium- dependent endopeptidases that play pivotal roles in many biological processes. The expression of several MMPs in the central nervous system (CNS) have been shown to change in response to injury and various neurological/neurodegenerative disorders. While extracellular MMPs degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate cell surface receptor signaling, the intracellular functions of MMPs or their roles in CNS disorders is unclear.