Association of cardiovascular health and epigenetic age acceleration.

Background: Cardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) as the presence of the "Life's Simple 7" ideal lifestyle and clinical factors. CVH is known to predict longevity and freedom from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States. DNA methylation markers of aging have been aggregated into a composite epigenetic age score, which is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in People Living With HIV.

Background Hospitalization with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients uninfected with HIV. We evaluated whether people living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher risk of CVD or mortality than individuals uninfected with HIV following hospitalization with CAP. Methods and Results We analyzed data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study on US veterans admitted with their first episode of CAP from April 2003 through December 2014.

Brief Report: Cystatin C-Based Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate and Association With Atherosclerosis Imaging Markers in People Living With HIV.

Introduction: Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV (PLWH). It is unclear whether eGFR equations incorporating cystatin C (CysC) measurements are more predictive of preclinical cardiovascular disease than those using only creatinine (Cr).

Objectives: The study aimed to determine which of the 3 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) eGFR equations is most associated with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score.

HIV- and HCV-specific markers and echocardiographic pulmonary artery systolic pressure among United States veterans.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may increase pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk among people living with HIV (PLWH). Prior studies on this topic have been relatively small and examined selected populations. We determine whether HIV/HCV coinfection is associated with higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and prevalent echocardiographic PH.

Inter-facility transfer for patients with acute large vessel occlusion stroke receiving mechanical thrombectomy.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the preferred treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) ischemic stroke, and neurological outcome improves with earlier treatment. Patients with LVO frequently require inter-facility transfer to access MT but delays at transferring EDs may worsen neurological outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study to evaluate the association of time spent and transferring EDs with 90-day neurological outcomes among patients who were transferred from an outside ED to the Comprehensive Stroke Center and received MT.

Fall Prevention Decision Making of Acute Care Registered Nurses.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine acute care registered nurses' (RNs') fall prevention decision-making.

Background: The RN decision-making process related to fall prevention needs to be investigated to ensure that hospital policies align with nursing workflow and support nursing judgment.

Methods: Qualitative semistructured interviews based on the Critical Decision Method were conducted with RNs about their planning and decision making during their last 12-hour shift worked.

Association of smoking with abdominal adipose deposition and muscle composition in Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) participants at mid-life: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Smokers have lower risk of obesity, which some consider a "beneficial" side effect of smoking. However, some studies suggest that smoking is simultaneously associated with higher central adiposity and, more specifically, ectopic adipose deposition. Little is known about the association of smoking with intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), an ectopic adipose depot associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and a key determinant of muscle quality and function.

Ecological momentary assessment of temptations and lapses in non-daily smokers.

Rationale: Little is known about relapse among non-daily, intermittent smokers (ITS), who have difficulty quitting, despite a lack of dependence.

Objectives: To analyze situations associated with temptations to smoke and smoking lapses among ITS trying to maintain abstinence.

Methods: Participants were 130 initially abstinent ITS in the placebo arm of a smoking cessation study.

Comparative effectiveness of post-discharge strategies for hospitalized smokers: Study protocol for the Helping HAND 4 randomized controlled trial.

Background: Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the US. A hospital admission provides smokers with a unique opportunity to stop smoking because it requires temporary tobacco abstinence while illness may enhance motivation to quit. Hospital interventions must continue post-discharge to increase tobacco abstinence long-term, but how best to accomplish this remains unclear.

Effectiveness of nicotine gum in preventing lapses in the face of temptation to smoke among non-daily smokers: a secondary analysis.

Background And Aims: Non-daily smokers (NDS) comprise a large fraction of US smokers. Despite little or no dependence, as typically assessed, intermittent smokers (ITS) have difficulty quitting smoking. A randomized clinical trial comparing the effect of nicotine gum with placebo on quitting smoking in non-daily smokers did not find an effect on overall abstinence.

Precision nicotine metabolism-informed care for smoking cessation in Crohn's disease: A pilot study.

Introduction: Smoking is a strong risk factor for disease severity in Crohn's disease (CD) and cessation improves outcomes. The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) predicts cessation success with pharmacotherapy: varenicline doubles cessation over nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for "normal", but not "slow" metabolizers. Varenicline side effects are heightened in slow metabolizers.

A Standard Numbering Scheme for Class C β-Lactamases.

Unlike for classes A and B, a standardized amino acid numbering scheme has not been proposed for the class C (AmpC) β-lactamases, which complicates communication in the field. Here, we propose a scheme developed through a collaborative approach that considers both sequence and structure, preserves traditional numbering of catalytically important residues (Ser, Lys, Tyr, and Lys), is adaptable to new variants or enzymes yet to be discovered and includes a variation for genetic and epidemiological applications.

The ABCDEF Bundle for the Respiratory Therapist.

The clinical approach to the critically ill patient has changed dramatically over the last several decades from one of deep sedation to that of mobilizing patients on mechanical ventilation and limiting sedation. The ABCDEF bundle is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to the holistic management of critically ill patients that aims to optimize patient recovery, minimize iatrogenesis, and engage and empower the patient and family during their hospitalization. To achieve this goal, the bundle includes assessments for pain, delirium, and readiness to stop sedation and to start spontaneous breathing trials.

Association of Smoking Cessation With Subsequent Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.

Importance: The time course of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk after smoking cessation is unclear. Risk calculators consider former smokers to be at risk for only 5 years.

Objective: To evaluate the association between years since quitting smoking and incident CVD.

Cognitive resilience among APOE ε4 carriers in the oldest old.

Objectives: Relatively few APOE ε4+ carriers survive to old age (age 80+) without cognitive impairment (CI); thus, little is known about distinguishing characteristics of resilient APOE ε4+ carriers. Herein, we describe the sociodemographic characteristics of a large sample of resilient APOE ε4+ women from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) and compare them to noncarriers and APOE ε4+ women who developed CI before age 80.

Methods: Women were recruited for clinical trials evaluating postmenopausal hormone therapy and incidence of dementia.

Association of Syndemic Unhealthy Alcohol Use, Cigarette Use, and Depression With All-Cause Mortality Among Adults Living With and Without HIV Infection: Veterans Aging Cohort Study.

Background: The prevalence and risk of concurrent unhealthy drinking, cigarette use, and depression on mortality among persons living with HIV (PLWH) is unclear. This study applied a syndemic framework to assess whether these co-occurring conditions increase mortality and whether such risk is differential by HIV status.

Methods: We evaluated 6721 participants (49.

Optimism may moderate screening mammogram frequency in Medicare: A longitudinal study.

Higher trait optimism and/or lower cynical hostility are associated with healthier behaviors and lower risk of morbidity and mortality, yet their association with health care utilization has been understudied. Whether these psychological attitudes are associated with breast cancer screening behavior is unknown. To assess the association of optimism and cynical hostility with screening mammography in older women and whether sociodemographic factors acted as mediators of these relationships, we used Women's Health Initiative (WHI) observational cohort survey data linked to Medicare claims.

Nacubactam Enhances Meropenem Activity against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Producing KPC.

Carbapenem-resistant (CRE) are resistant to most antibiotics, making CRE infections extremely difficult to treat with available agents. carbapenemases (KPC-2 and KPC-3) are predominant carbapenemases in CRE in the United States. Nacubactam is a bridged diazabicyclooctane (DBO) β-lactamase inhibitor that inactivates class A and C β-lactamases and exhibits intrinsic antibiotic and β-lactam "enhancer" activity against In this study, we examined a collection of meropenem-resistant isolates carrying or ; meropenem-nacubactam restored susceptibility.

Attitudes toward Precision Treatment of Smoking in the Southern Community Cohort Study.

Background: Precision interventions using biological data may enhance smoking treatment, yet are understudied among smokers who are disproportionately burdened by smoking-related disease.

Methods: We surveyed smokers in the NCI-sponsored Southern Community Cohort Study, consisting primarily of African-American, low-income adults. Seven items assessed attitudes toward aspects of precision smoking treatment, from undergoing tests to acting on results.

Using Nicotine Gum to Assist Nondaily Smokers in Quitting: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Non-daily intermittent smokers (ITS) comprise 30% of US adult smokers. ITS smoke for nicotine and have trouble quitting, but tend to smoke in particular situations. This study tested the effect of nicotine gum, used to prevent or react to situational temptations, for helping ITS quit.