Vaccine efficacy of NVX-CoV2373 against SARS-CoV-2 infection in adolescents in the USA: an ancillary study to a phase 3, observer-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Although existing COVID-19 vaccines are known to be highly effective against severe disease and death, data are needed to assess their ability to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to estimate the efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 protein subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of symptoms, among adolescents.

Methods: We performed an ancillary observational study (SNIFF) to the phase 3, observer-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled PREVENT-19 trial that assessed vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 in the USA.

Automated insulin delivery during the first 6 months postpartum (AiDAPT): a prespecified extension study.

Background: Clinical guidelines in the UK and elsewhere do not specifically address hybrid closed loop (HCL) use in the postpartum period when the demands of caring for a newborn are paramount. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HCL use during the first 6 months postpartum compared with standard care.

Methods: In this prespecified extension to a multicentre, randomised controlled trial, pregnant women with type 1 diabetes at nine UK sites were followed up for 6 months postpartum.

Trauma-informed HIV prevention for forcibly displaced adolescents and young adults.

The number of people forcibly displaced due to conflict is rising rapidly each year. Previous studies have documented associations between mental ill health, HIV risk, and poor engagement with HIV care in conflict-affected populations. Most people forced to migrate are adolescents and young adults, who might already be affected by a high burden of mental ill health due to factors such as high trauma exposure during the developmental period.

Experience using conventional compared to ancestry-based population descriptors in clinical genomics laboratories.

Various scientific and professional groups, including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG), and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), have appropriately clarified that certain population descriptors, such as race and ethnicity, are social and cultural constructs with no basis in genetics. Nevertheless, these conventional population descriptors are routinely collected during the course of clinical genetic testing and may be used to interpret test results. Experts who have examined the use of population descriptors, both conventional and ancestry based, in human genetics and genomics have offered guidance on using these descriptors in research but not in clinical laboratory settings.

Amygdalo-cortical dialogue underlies memory enhancement by emotional association.

Emotional arousal plays a critical role in determining what is remembered from experiences. It is hypothesized that activation of the amygdala by emotional stimuli enhances memory consolidation in its downstream brain regions. However, the physiological basis of the inter-regional interaction and its functions remain unclear.

Structure of a zoonotic H5N1 hemagglutinin reveals a receptor-binding site occupied by an auto-glycan.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has spilled into many mammals, most notably cows and poultry, with several dozen human breakthrough infections. Zoonotic crossovers, with hemagglutinins mutated to enhance viral ability to use human α2-6-linked sialic acid receptors versus avian α2-3-linked ones, highlight the pandemic risk. To gain insight into these crossovers, we determined the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the hemagglutinin from the zoonotic H5N1 A/Texas/37/2024 strain (clade 2.

Health risk assessment of potential heavy metals bioaccumulation in specialty crops grown in farm soils amended with dredged material.

This research examined the potential human health risk associated with heavy metal bioaccumulation in specialty crops (lettuce, tomato, carrot) grown in soils amended with dredged material (DM) from the Toledo Harbor in Ohio, USA. The specialty crops were chosen to expand the scope of the study of dredged material, especially in Northwest Ohio. Previous studies have been focused on corn and soybeans, which are the major crops planted in the area.

Risk of increasing soil nitrous oxide emissions by chemical oxidation modification on biochar.

Biochar is widely recognized as a soil amendment capable of mitigating soil nitrous oxide (NO) emissions. However, the effects of biochar modification, particularly through chemical oxidation, remain relatively unexplored. This study modified wood and corn straw biochars using HO and acid (HSO/HNO).

Can we rely on machine learning algorithms as a trustworthy predictor for recurrence in high-grade glioma? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Early prediction of recurrence in high-grade glioma (HGG) is critical due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Distinguishing true recurrence from treatment-related changes, such as radionecrosis, is a major diagnostic challenge. Machine learning (ML) offers a novel approach, leveraging advanced algorithms to analyze complex imaging data with high precision.

Sustainable removal of gaseous Hg using sulfur functionalized biochar: Adsorption experiment and life cycle assessment.

Maximizing the sorption capacity of gaseous Hg by sulfur-functionalized biochar can lead to increased energy consumption and the production of secondary environmental pollutants such as greenhouse gases. This study evaluates the environmental impact of producing sulfurized biochar through a life cycle assessment (LCA), weighing these impacts against the benefits of enhanced Hg removal efficiencies. The biochar's Hg adsorption capacity, which ranges between 3 and 22 μg-Hg/g-biochar, is influenced by several factors: it increases with higher sulfur loading (0-15 %), higher O levels (0-21 %), and longer pyrolysis times (1-5 h).

McDonald criteria application by German neurologists suggests a need for further training.

Background: McDonald criteria (MC) are a globally accepted standard for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Misdiagnosis of MS is a common problem that has significant clinical consequences for patients. Misapplication of MC is a potential source of MS misdiagnosis.

The relationship between trajectories of intrinsic capacity and differences in the risk of functional ability decline in community-dwelling older adults: A socio-ecological approach.

Background: Functional ability (FA), a key determinant of healthy aging, is determined by intrinsic capacity (IC), environmental factors, and their interactions. IC is a composite of physical and mental capacities that undergo constant change. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence IC requires a multi-level analysis of individuals to optimize its trajectory.

A solvent-free thermal desorption-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method (TD-GC-MS/MS) for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gas phase airborne samples.

A solvent-free, thermal extraction method for analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in gas phase airborne samples was developed. A fully automated thermal desorber (TD) coupled with highly selective and sensitive gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to determine the concentration of trace level PAHs. Air sampling was conducted to tune the sampling and analytical conditions.

Anticipation augments distal leg muscle neuromechanics before, during, and after treadmill-induced perturbations applied during walking.

We investigated the effect of anticipation on the proactive and reactive neuromechanical responses of the distal leg muscles in 20 young adults to anticipated and unanticipated rapid anterior or posterior treadmill-induced balance perturbations applied during walking. We quantified local medial gastrocnemius (MG) and tibialis anterior (TA) neuromechanics using cine B-mode ultrasound and surface electromyography before, during, and after the perturbation. Our findings partially supported the hypothesis that anticipated perturbations would elicit greater proactive agonist muscle adjustments than unanticipated perturbations.

Prospective trial of the Oncobox platform RNA sequencing bioinformatic analysis for personalized prescription of targeted drugs.

Interrogating gene expression in tumor can identify up- and downregulated molecular targets of cancer drugs. Here we report the results of prospective clinical investigation of using RNA sequencing analysis for personalized cancer therapy. Transcriptomic profiles were analyzed using Oncobox platform that identifies altered expression of drug target genes and molecular pathways and builds a personalized rating of targeted therapeutics.

Effect of postpartum oral furosemide use on postpartum readmissions and blood pressure trends.

Background: Oral furosemide postpartum improves the time to hypertension resolution in randomized control trials. Further investigation is needed to determine the impact of furosemide in routine clinical practice.

Objective: Real world study to assess impact of furosemide on rates of postpartum hypertension and readmissions for patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Long-term, continuous, subcutaneous levodopa/carbidopa infusion with ND0612 in Parkinson's disease: 3-year outcomes from the open-label BeyoND study.

Introduction: ND0612 is being investigated as a continuous, subcutaneous levodopa/carbidopa infusion, in combination with oral levodopa/carbidopa, for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease (PD). One-year data from the ongoing BeyoND study (NCT02726386) showed that the ND0612 regimen was safe and well tolerated and provided a sustained ≥2-h improvement in daily Good ON-time through 12 months of treatment.

Methods: We describe 3-year safety and efficacy outcomes for participants who completed 12 months of ND0612 treatment in the core study period and entered the extension phase.

Muscle imaging in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy research: A scoping review and expert recommendations.

Clinical trial readiness is an important topic in the field of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). As FSHD is a slowly progressive and clinically heterogeneous disease, imaging biomarkers have been proposed to complement clinical outcome measures. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) have been used to measure disease severity, activity and progression.

Association between plasma perfluoroalkyl substances and high-grade serous ovarian cancer overall survival: A nested case-control study.

Background: Although evidence suggests that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are positively correlated to several disease risks, no studies have proven if plasma PFASs are related to ovarian cancer survival.

Objective: To explore the association between plasma PFASs and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) overall survival (OS) in the population who did not smoke.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study within the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study, matching 159 dead patients and 159 survival ones based on body mass index, sample date, and age at diagnosis.

Alemtuzumab and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Analysis of an international surveillance database and systematic literature review.

Objectives: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy associated with severe deficiency in ADAMTS13. ADAMTS13 deficiency may be secondary to absent or dysfunctional protein production due to mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene (congenital TTP) or autoantibody-mediated clearance and/or inhibition (immune-mediated TTP). This autoimmunity may, albeit rarely, occur secondary to certain medications (eg, ticlopidine).

Flavobacterium plantiphilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizophilum sp. nov., Flavobacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov., Chryseobacterium terrae sp. nov., and Sphingomonas plantiphila sp. nov. isolated from salty soil showing plant growth promoting potential.

Members of the genera Flavobacterium, Chryseobacterium and Sphingomonas constitute a group of microorganisms in the rhizosphere associated with plant growth promoting (PGP) features. A polyphasic approach was employed to ascertain the taxonomic status of five selected strains. Overall genome relatedness indices of digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) between the strains and the other members of the genera Flavobacterium, Chryseobacterium and Sphingomonas were found to be below the established thresholds, respectively.

Exploring the impact of a pain assessment information visualization tool on provider-patient pain discussion with limited English proficiency Hmong patients.

Objective: This pilot study examines the impact of the Pain Assessment Information Visualization (InfoViz) Tool on the length of the patient visit for Hmong patients with limited English proficiency (LEP).

Methods: A static design study was used to collect data from a triad of 20 Hmong patients with LEP, medical interpreters, and clinicians in the usual care group followed by 20 triads in the intervention group in primary care. We analyzed patient-clinician communication audio-recorded visits in primary care, examining both the length of the visit and the nature of the clinician efforts to gather more information using Svarstad's clinician conversation conceptualization to explore probing frequencies for three pain categories: pain location, severity, and quality in the intervention group (Pain InfoViz Tool) and usual care group.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Accelerated Epigenetic Aging in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos: Nativity as an Effect Modifier.

Background: Whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging over time among the Hispanic/Latino population remains unknown. This study examined the longitudinal association between ACEs and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), as well as potential effect modifiers, among a sample of Hispanic/Latino adults.

Methods: We analyzed 960 Hispanic/Latino adults with DNA methylation (DNAm) profile data from two visits (approximately six years apart) sampled from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

A DFT study of pure and Si-decorated boron nitride allotrope Irida monolayer as an effective sensor for hydroxyurea drug.

Investigating effective nanomaterials for the detection of hydroxyurea anticancer drugs is essential for promoting human health and safeguarding environmental integrity. This research utilized first-principles estimations for examining the adhesion and electronic characteristics of hydroxyurea (HU) on both pristine and Si-decorated innovative two-dimensional boron nitride allotrope, known as Irida analogous (Ir-BNNS). Analyzing the adsorption energy revealed that the HU molecule has a significant interaction (E = -1.

Traumatic arthrotomy: A systematic review evaluating diagnostic strategies.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review available strategies for diagnosing traumatic arthrotomy.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on October 8th, 2023 using Ovid Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Embase Classic. Studies were included in the review if they evaluated a diagnostic strategy for traumatic arthrotomy.