Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Counseling on Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Weight: A Secondary Analysis of the BP-CATCH Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Pediatric obesity and hypertension are highly correlated. To mitigate both conditions, provision of counseling on nutrition, lifestyle, and weight to children with high blood pressure (BP) measurements is recommended.

Objective: To examine racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of nutrition, lifestyle, and weight counseling among patients with high BP at pediatric primary care visits stratified by patients' weight status.

Benzodiazepine-Free Cardiac Anesthesia for Reduction of Postoperative Delirium: A Cluster Randomized Crossover Trial.

Importance: Delirium is common after cardiac surgery and associated with adverse outcomes. Intraoperative benzodiazepines may increase postoperative delirium but restricting intraoperative benzodiazepines has not yet been evaluated in a randomized trial.

Objective: To determine whether an institutional policy of restricted intraoperative benzodiazepine administration reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium.

Implicit and Explicit Race and Weight Biases Among Physician Assistant Preceptors and Trainees.

Introduction: As new equity, diversity, and inclusion programs emerge in physician assistant/associate (PA) education, there is a need to assess baseline levels of implicit and explicit biases among PA preceptors' and trainees. The objectives of this study were (1) to measure implicit and explicit race (Black/White) and weight (fat/thin) biases among PA preceptors and trainees and (2) to identify potential gaps in PA preceptor and trainee education.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of PA preceptors and trainees from one program operating in several US states; implicit and explicit race and antifat biases and receipt of prior education were measured.

Developing an Intervention to Enhance Aging in Place for Older Veterans Living in Permanent Supportive Housing.

Background And Objectives: The Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program provides rental subsidies, case management, and supportive services to Veterans who are currently or formerly homeless, 77% of whom are ages ≥50. Few interventions have been developed to address the needs of older Veterans in HUD-VASH.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a 2-stage study to inform the development of an intervention to promote aging in place in HUD-VASH.

A Commitment to Gender Equity in Medicine: An American Medical Women's Association Position Paper.

The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) highlights the ongoing gender inequities in the medical profession, particularly in pay, leadership roles, workplace treatment, and work-life integration. To present evidence of gender disparities in medicine, analyze their root causes, and propose strategies for fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment. Despite progress, women physicians continue to face significant disparities, including lower salaries, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and discrimination.

Identifying emerging drivers and interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy among long-term care facility nursing staff.

Background And Objectives: The study aimed to identify key drivers of vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) employed at Long-term care facilities (LTCF) within selected states. It also sought to determine which interventions, policies, and programs effectively reduced HCW vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 and influenza.

Research Design And Methods: The study employed a mixed methods approach, combining secondary analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, survey research, and focus groups.

Refractory and Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Mucocutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Literature Review and Proposed Definitions for Use in Clinical Trials.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most prevalent viral infections worldwide. In general, host immunity is sufficient to clear viral shedding and recurrences, although it is insufficient to prevent subsequent virologic reactivations. In immunocompromised patients, prolonged and difficult-to-treat HSV infections may develop.

Plasma Circulating Metabolites Associated With Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Enzymes: A Multiplatform Population-Based Study.

Background And Aims: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is the most common chronic liver disease strongly associated with metabolic dysfunction, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Exploring plasma circulating metabolites may help in elucidating underlying mechanisms and identifying new biomarkers for SLD.

Methods: We examined cross-sectionally the association between plasma metabolites and SLD as well as liver enzymes using data from 4 population-based cohort studies (Rotterdam study, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study, and Study of Latinos).

Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters and naloxone distribution from syringe services programs: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs in the United States.

Background: In response to the recent and growing shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the United States are distributing safer smoking supplies. There is a lack of research on whether safer smoking supply distribution is associated with increased SSP engagement and naloxone distribution from SSPs. Therefore, we aimed to assess predictors of safer smoking supply distribution by SSPs and estimate associations between safer smoking supply distribution and scale of harm reduction services.

Optimal timing for lithium levels.

Reddy and Reddy (2014) discuss the optimal timing for lithium levels in patients taking once-daily extended-release lithium formulations. They argue for blood sampling 24 h after the previous dose rather than the standard 12 h. I interpret the data quite differently.

Creating a family health history interview protocol for use with undergraduate health professional students: A scoping review.

Background: Family health history can be used as a health promotion tool to assess health risk, improve data collection and disease prevention, initiate interventions, and motivate behavioral change, but its utility as a public health tool has not been fully explored. Collecting information for a family health history can be a challenging task. However, it is an important skill for undergraduate students to learn, particularly those in pre-health majors.

Rectovaginal Fistula Repair Following Vaginoplasty in Transgender Females: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques.

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) remains a complex complication following gender-affirming vaginoplasty. This review aims to evaluate RVF repair techniques and outcomes following vaginoplasty. A systematic review was performed per PRISMA guidelines.

A Prototype "Smart" 3-Dimensionally Printed Model Showcasing Interactivity: Implementing Voice Command for the Ventricular and Cisternal Systems.

The next step in the evolution of static 3-dimensionally (3D) printed models may be the creation of "smart" models, where subcomponents can be seamlessly interacted with through a feedback mechanism, with potential applications in trainee education and patient counseling. Considering the complexity of the ventricular and cisternal systems, they were chosen for segmentation, using Materialize InPrint with outward hollowing using 2.5-mm wall thickness.

Practical management of adverse events in patients receiving tarlatamab, a delta-like ligand 3-targeted bispecific T-cell engager immunotherapy, for previously treated small cell lung cancer.

Tarlatamab is a bispecific T-cell engager immunotherapy targeting delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) and the cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) molecule. In the phase 2 DeLLphi-301 trial of tarlatamab for patients with previously treated small cell lung cancer, tarlatamab 10 mg every 2 weeks achieved durable responses and encouraging survival outcomes. Analyses of updated safety data from the DeLLphi-301 trial demonstrated that the most common treatment-emergent adverse events were cytokine release syndrome (53%), pyrexia (38%), decreased appetite (36%), dysgeusia (32%), and an emia (30%).

Perspectives and experiences regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a community sample of Veterans with unhealthy alcohol use: overall and across sexual orientation and gender identity.

Background: Unhealthy alcohol use is an independent, modifiable risk factor for HIV, but limited research addresses alcohol use and HIV prevention synergistically. Groups that experience chronic stigma, discrimination, and/or other marginalization, such as sexual and gender minoritized groups, may have enhanced HIV risk related to unhealthy alcohol use. We described awareness of and experiences with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among a community sample of Veterans reporting unhealthy alcohol use (relative to those without), overall and across self-reported sexual orientation and gender identity.

Species- and strain-specific microbial modulation of interferon, innate immunity, and epithelial barrier in 2D air-liquid interface respiratory epithelial cultures.

Background: The microbiome regulates the respiratory epithelium's immunomodulatory functions. To explore how the microbiome's biodiversity affects microbe-epithelial interactions, we screened 58 phylogenetically diverse microbes for their transcriptomic effect on human primary bronchial air-liquid interface (ALI) cell cultures.

Results: We found distinct species- and strain-level differences in host innate immunity and epithelial barrier response.

Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in premature exits from permanent supportive housing among residents with substance use disorders.

Background: Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is an evidence-based practice for reducing homelessness that subsidizes permanent, independent housing and provides case management-including linkages to health services. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common contributing factors towards premature, unwanted ("negative") PSH exits; little is known about racial/ethnic differences in negative PSH exits among residents with SUDs. Within the nation's largest PSH program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), we examined relationships among SUDs and negative PSH exits (for up to five years post-PSH move-in) across racial/ethnic subgroups.

Cardiovascular disease, bone fracture, and all-cause mortality risks among postmenopausal women by arthritis and veteran status: A multistate Markov transition analysis.

Arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and bone fracture, is more frequent among military veterans and postmenopausal women. This study examined correlates of arthritis and relationships of arthritis with risks of developing CVD, bone fractures, and mortality among postmenopausal veteran and non-veteran women. We analyzed longitudinal data on 135,790 (3,436 veteran and 132,354 non-veteran) postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative who were followed-up for an average of 16 years between enrollment (1993-1998) and February 17, 2024.

Structural basis for human NKCC1 inhibition by loop diuretic drugs.

Na-K-Cl cotransporters functions as an anion importers, regulating trans-epithelial chloride secretion, cell volume, and renal salt reabsorption. Loop diuretics, including furosemide, bumetanide, and torsemide, antagonize both NKCC1 and NKCC2, and are first-line medicines for the treatment of edema and hypertension. NKCC1 activation by the molecular crowding sensing WNK kinases is critical if cells are to combat shrinkage during hypertonic stress; however, how phosphorylation accelerates NKCC1 ion transport remains unclear.