Respiratory virus disease and outcomes at a large academic medical center in the United States: a retrospective observational study of the early 2023/2024 respiratory viral season.

Respiratory disease, attributed to influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, was reported nationally during the 2023/2024 respiratory viral season. The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants was considered a significant factor contributing to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Data from the Johns Hopkins Hospital System (JHHS) showed that enterovirus/rhinovirus had also been circulating at high rates.

Availability and geographic access to breast cancer pathology services in Ghana.

Introduction: Breast cancer poses a significant health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where late-stage diagnoses and limited healthcare access contribute to elevated mortality rates. This study focuses on the crucial role of pathology and laboratory medical (PALM) services in the timely diagnosis of breast cancer within Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of hospitals was completed from November 2020 to October 2021, with 94.

Trends in Plant-Based Diets among United States Adults, 1999-March 2020.

Background: Interest in plant-based eating has increased alongside increased variety and availability of highly processed plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. The impact of the shifting commercial landscape and public interest in plant-based eating on dietary intake is unknown.

Objectives: To examine trends in the consumption and composition of plant-based diets in the United States adults.

Mass vaccination with reassortment-impaired live H9N2 avian influenza vaccine.

Avian influenza poses a severe threat to poultry production and global food security, prompting the development of vaccination programs in numerous countries. Modified live virus (MLV) vaccines, with their potential for mass application, offer a distinct advantage over existing options. However, concerns surrounding reversion, recombination, and unintended transmission have hindered the progress of MLV development for avian influenza in poultry.

Hydroxyurea to prevent brain injury in children with sickle cell disease (HU Prevent)-A randomized, placebo-controlled phase II feasibility/pilot study.

Central nervous system (CNS) injury is common in sickle cell disease (SCD) and occurs early in life. Hydroxyurea is safe and efficacious for treatment of SCD, but high-quality evidence from randomized trials to estimate its neuroprotective effect is scant. HU Prevent was a randomized (1:1), double-blind, phase II feasibility/pilot trial of dose-escalated hydroxyurea vs.

Baseline Sociodemographic Characteristics and Mental Health Status of Primary Caregivers and Children Attending Schools on the Navajo Nation During COVID-19.

Background: Despite historical and contemporary trauma, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN; Indigenous) communities responded with resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, AIANs experienced disproportionate rates of infection, hospitalization, death, and reduced life expectancy. School closures exacerbated disparities, leading to learning loss, economic instability, and mental health challenges among AIAN youth.

Use of Oral and Emergency Contraceptives After the US Supreme Court's Dobbs Decision.

Importance: The US Supreme Court Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision allowed states to strengthen restrictions on abortion access, triggering the closure of family planning clinics and leading to confusion about the legality of emergency contraceptives (ECs).

Objectives: To evaluate the association between the Dobbs decision and fills for oral and emergency contraceptives in states that enacted the most restrictive abortion policies after Dobbs.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used data on contraceptive fills for women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the US from IQVIA's National Prescription Audit PayerTrak and data from the Guttmacher Institute were used to categorize changes in abortion restrictions in each state.

Incidence and Remission of Post-Surgical Cystoid Macular Edema Following Cataract Surgery in Eyes With Intraocular Inflammation.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence, remission, and relapse of post-surgical cystoid macular edema (PCME) following cataract surgery in inflammatory eye disease.

Methods: A total of 1859 eyes that had no visually significant macular edema prior to cataract surgery while under tertiary uveitis management were included. Standardized retrospective chart review was used to gather clinical data.

HIV self-testing in India: implementation and qualitative evaluation of a web-based programme with virtual counsellor support.

Introduction: To achieve epidemic control of infectious diseases, engaging higher-burden populations with accessible diagnostic services is critical. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising option.

Methods: We implemented an online HIVST programme for key populations across India.

Global predictors of tracheostomy-related pressure injury in the COVID-19 era: A study of secondary data.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and risk factors of tracheostomy-related pressure injuries (TRPI) and examine the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on TRPI incidence.

Design: Secondary analysis of Global Tracheostomy Collaborative database and a multi-center hospital system's electronic medical records.

Setting: 27 hospitals, primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australasia.

Midpoint of sleep is associated with sleep quality in older adults with and without symptomatic Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Disrupted sleep is common in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be a marker for AD risk. The timing of sleep affects sleep-wake activity and is also associated with AD, but little is known about links between sleep architecture and the midpoint of sleep in older adults. In this study, we tested if the midpoint of sleep is associated with different measures of sleep architecture, AD biomarkers, and cognitive status among older adults with and without symptomatic AD.

Effect of Bonding Agents on the Shear Bond Strength of Tooth-colored Restorative Materials to Dentin: An Study.

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the difference in the shear bond strengths to dentin among dental composite (Filtek Z350®, 3M), compomer (Dyract Flow®, Dentsply) and Giomer (Beautifil®, Shofu) with 3M Single Bond Universal Adhesive (SBU) (7th generation, self-etch, single solution adhesive) and Adper Single Bond 2 Adhesive (ASB) (5th generation, total-etch, two solution adhesive).

Materials And Methods: Sixty extracted human permanent teeth were collected, cleansed of debris, and placed in distilled water. The samples were segregated into two groups depicting the two bonding agents-Adper (ASB) and 3M Single Bond Universal (SBU) and sub-grouped into three groups depicting the three restorative materials (Composite, Giomer, and Compomer) used.

A pandemic agreement is within reach.

At the end of May, 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) will meet for the World Health Assembly. Negotiations underway now will determine whether they vote then to adopt a pandemic agreement. For the past 2 years, discussions have focused on articulating essential components of a robust and equitable architecture for pandemic preparedness and response.

Risk Compensation After Initiation of Daily Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Sexual and Gender Minorities in Nigeria.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use may be associated with risk compensation. We enrolled and provided PreP to sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in Abuja, Nigeria between April 2018 and May 2019. Behavioral information and samples for urogenital and anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were collected at baseline.

Inaccuracy of Initial Clinical Mobility Assessment in Venous Thromboembolism Risk Stratification.

Background: Venous thromboembolism risk increases in hospitals due to reduced patient mobility. However, initial mobility evaluations for thromboembolism risk are often subjective and lack standardization, potentially leading to inaccurate risk assessments and insufficient prevention.

Methods: A retrospective study at a quaternary academic hospital analyzed patients using the Padua risk tool, which includes a mobility question, and the Johns Hopkins-Highest Level of Mobility (JH-HLM) scores to objectively measure mobility.

The Psychosocial, Organizational, and Environmental Stressors Experienced by Food Service Workers in a Hospital Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To identify stressors faced by hospital food service workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic and effective interventions mitigating these stressors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we conducted surveys ( n = 305) and interviews ( n = 9) in the summer and fall of 2022 with employees in hospital settings to determine the psychosocial, organizational, and environmental stressors they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and interventions that improved health and well-being. Findings: The main stressors reported were fear of infection, increased work demands and schedule unpredictability, and financial insecurity.

Genetic factors associated with age-related macular degeneration modulating plasma inflammatory biomarker levels in patients with AIDS.

Introduction: Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have an increased prevalence and incidence of intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Several elevated plasma inflammatory biomarkers are associated with increased incidence of intermediate-stage AMD in this population. We evaluated the association between AMD risk alleles and plasma inflammatory biomarker levels in persons with AIDS.

Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Kidney Health Assessed in the Population-Based CHRIS Study Using Reduced Rank Regression.

Objective: While diet plays a key role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) management, the potential for diet to impact CKD prevention in the general population is less clear. Using a priori knowledge, we derived disease-related dietary patterns (DPs) through reduced rank regression (RRR) and investigated associations with kidney function, separately focusing on generally healthy individuals and those with self-reported kidney diseases, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Eight thousand six hundred eighty-six participants from the population-based Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol study were split into a group free of kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes (n = 6,133) and a group with any of the 3 conditions (n = 2,553).