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Interactive app books are increasingly part of young children's literacy ecosystem. However, most previous studies examined buddy reading with traditional print books or CD-ROM books. Little is known about whether and how buddy reading with app books might be related to subsequent individual reading. To address this, informed by multimodal literacy and sociocultural theories, we investigated how 53 kindergarteners' (ages 5--6 years) buddy reading behaviors were related to their subsequent individual reading behaviors and comprehension outcomes while reading app books. Multivariate mixed response analysis yielded these findings: (1) buddy reading monitoring behaviors (asked questions, drew attention to book content, debated, or negotiated) were associated with higher inference/critical thinking and vocabulary meaning generation scores; (2) buddies who read in triads had lower individual-prompted retelling scores than buddies who read in dyads. The findings highlight the importance of promoting monitoring during buddy reading and paying attention to group size.

Foregrounding the lived experiences and voices of children from refugee backgrounds, the authors adapted culturally sustaining pedagogy and refugee critical race theory frameworks to investigate how Nepali, Somali, and South Sudanese children from refugee backgrounds whose families resettled in western New York perceive family storytelling. The authors analyzed their perspectives based on interviews of siblings following family storytelling at their houses. The authors found that the children in this study intuitively identified unique ways of family telling stories (e.g., remembering and repeated storytelling, narrative structure, and performative nuances) and internalized family storytelling as an important culturally and linguistically sustaining practice. In addition, the children made powerful connections between family and school storytelling practices (e.g., suggesting cross-cultural literacy strategies, identifying common genres, and noticing similar values taught at both settings). However, they also identified challenges to incorporating family storytelling at school, including the loss of native languages and the need for more knowledge of the stories' cultural context among peers. The authors draw implications for culturally sustaining pedagogy and research.

To address the lack of research in early science learning and young children's informal science experiences, this exploratory case study investigated a 7-year-old girl's (Abigail) emergent science competencies and how they are related to her science experiences in everyday family contexts. Data sources included observations, interviews, parent journals, and the child's digital journals that were collected over six months. Open-ended coding and constant comparison were used to analyse data. Findings revealed that Abigail's emergent science competencies were naïve but playful and included a developing, but sophisticated, understanding of the nature of science; family learning included both spontaneous and purposeful learning that contributed to her naïve theories and islands of expertise; and her mother's scaffolding played an important role in her emergent science competencies. The study suggests ways to connect formal science learning with informal science engagement to further young children's science competencies.

Increased systemic oxidative stress, implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mothers and fetuses, has been associated with gestational exposure to air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). However, it is unclear whether exposure to pollutants at levels below the current air quality standards can increase oxidative stress in pregnant women. In a cohort of 305 pregnant persons residing in western New York, we examined the association between exposure to PM 2.5 , NO 2 , and PAHs (measured as urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA] and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]) measured in each trimester. After controlling for gestational stage, maternal age, lifestyles, and socioeconomic factors, each interquartile range (IQR) increase in 1-hydroxypyrene concentration (65.8 pg/ml) was associated with a 7.73% (95%CI: 3.18%,12.3%) higher in MDA levels throughout the pregnancy and in the first and second trimester. An IQR increase in PM 2.5 concentration (3.20 μg/m 3 ) was associated with increased MDA levels in the first trimester (8.19%, 95%CI: 0.28%,16.1%), but not the 2nd (-7.99%, 95% CI: 13.8%, -2.23%) or 3rd trimester (-2.81%, 95% CI: 10.0%, 4.38%). The average cumulative PM 2.5 exposures in the 3-7 days before urine collection were associated with increased 8-OHdG levels during the second trimester, with the largest difference (22.6%; 95% CI: 3.46%, 41.7%) observed in relation to a one IQR increase in PM 2.5 concentration in the previous 7 days. In contrast, neither oxidative stress biomarker was associated with NO 2 exposure. Observed in pregnant women exposed to low-level air pollution, these findings expanded previously reported associations between systemic oxidative stress and high-level PM 2.5 and PAH concentrations. Further, the first and second trimesters may be a susceptible window during pregnancy for oxidative stress responses to air pollution exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Remnant cholesterol (RC) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) are associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the association between RC, non-HDL-C, and CHD patients with T2DM has not been comprehensively investigated. We analyzed the association between RC, non-HDL-C, and cardiac function in CHD patients with T2DM. Of the 22 022 CHD patients from six hospitals in Tianjin, 5373 (24.4%) patients with T2DM had higher levels of RC and non-HDL-C ( P < .001) than those without T2DM. Among CHD patients with T2DM, RC and non-HDL-C were positively associated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅱ [RC: odds ratio (OR), 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-2.01; P < .01; non-HDL-C: OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.15-1.31; P < .01]. After adjusting for confounding factors, this association remained (RC: OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03-1.45; P < .05; non-HDL-C: OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17; P < .05). These findings provide evidence of an independent positive association between RC, non-HDL-C, and NYHA functional classes. More research is warranted to confirm these findings and determine the mechanisms involved.

Background: The distribution of Clostridioides difficile strains and transmission dynamics in the United States are not well defined. Whole-genome sequencing across 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emerging Infections Program C. difficile infection (CDI) surveillance regions (Minnesota and New York) was performed to identify predominant multilocus sequence types (MLSTs) in community-associated (CA) and healthcare-associated (HCA) disease and assess transmission., Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed on C. difficile isolates from patients with CDI over 3 months between 2016 and 2017. Patients were residents of the catchment area without a positive C. difficile test in the preceding 8 weeks. CDI cases were epidemiologically classified as HCA or CA., Results: Of 422 isolates, 212 (50.2%) were HCA and 203 (48.1%) were CA. Predominant MLSTs were sequence type (ST) 42 (9.3%), ST8 (7.8%), and ST2 (8.1%). MLSTs associated with HCA-CDI included ST1 (76%), ST53 (83.3%), and ST43 (80.0%), while those associated with CA-CDI included ST3 (76.9%) and ST41 (77.8%). ST1 was more frequent in New York than in Minnesota (10.8% vs 3.1%). Thirty-three pairs were closely related genomically, 14 of which had potential patient-to-patient transmission supported by record review., Conclusions: The genomic epidemiology of C. difficile across 2 regions of the United States indicates the presence of a diverse strain profile and limited direct transmission., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency is an inherited metabolic disorder that impairs the synthesis of creatine (CRE). Lack of CRE in the brain can cause intellectual disability, autistic-like behavior, seizures, and movement disorders. Identification at birth and immediate therapy can prevent intellectual disability and seizures. Here we report the first two cases of GAMT deficiency identified at birth by newborn screening (NBS) in Utah and New York., Methods: NBS dried blood spots were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using either derivatized or non-derivatized assays to detect guanidinoacetate (GUAC) and CRE. For any positive samples, a second-tier test using a more selective method, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) combined with MS/MS, was performed to separate GUAC from potential isobaric interferences., Results: NBS for GAMT deficiency began in Utah on June 1, 2015 using a derivatized method for the detection of GUAC and CRE. In May 2019, the laboratory and method transitioned to a non-derivatized method. GAMT screening was added to the New York State NBS panel on October 1, 2018 using a derivatized method. In New York, a total of 537,408 babies were screened, 23 infants were referred and one newborn was identified with GAMT deficiency. In Utah, a total of 273,902 infants were screened (195,425 with the derivatized method, 78,477 with the non-derivatized method), three infants referred and one was identified with GAMT deficiency. Mean levels of GUAC and CRE were similar between methods (Utah derivatized: GUAC = 1.20 ± 0.43 μmol/L, CRE = 238 ± 96 μmol/L; Utah non-derivatized: GUAC = 1.23 ± 0.61 μmol/L, CRE = 344 ± 150 μmol/L, New York derivatized: GUAC = 1.34 ± 0.57 μmol/L, CRE = 569 ± 155 μmol/L). With either Utah method, similar concentrations of GUAC are observed in first (collected around 1 day of age) and the second NBS specimens (routinely collected at 7-16 days of age), while CRE concentrations decreased in the second NBS specimens. Both infants identified with GAMT deficiency started therapy by 2 weeks of age and are growing and developing normally at 7 (Utah) and 4 (New York) months of age., Conclusions: Newborn screening allows for the prospective identification of GAMT deficiency utilizing elevated GUAC concentration as a marker. First-tier screening may be incorporated into existing methods for amino acids and acylcarnitines without the need for new equipment or staff. Newborn screening performed by either derivatized or non-derivatized methods and coupled with second-tier testing, has a very low false positive rate and can prospectively identify affected children. SummaryCerebral creatine deficiency syndromes caused by defects in creatine synthesis can result in intellectual disability, and are preventable if therapy is initiated early in life. This manuscript reports the identification of two infants with GAMT deficiency (one of the cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes) by newborn screening and demonstrates NBS feasibility using a variety of methods., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis is a regulated pest posing a serious threat to potato production worldwide. Although the endemic pathotype (Ro1) of G. rostochiensis has been confined to New York State for several decades as a result of quarantine regulations and management with resistant potato cultivars, a virulent pathotype, Ro2, has emerged, for which control measures are scarce. The ability to detect Ro2 early in fields is necessary to sustain the success of G. rostochiensis quarantine in the United States. Here, we report the comparative analysis of whole-genome sequences of multiple single-cyst-derived Ro1 and Ro2 lines, propagated from original field populations. The identified discriminant variants are good targets for developing molecular diagnostic tools for differentiating G. rostochiensis pathotypes in New York.

Importance: The optimal conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remain controversial in multivessel coronary artery disease., Objective: To compare the long-term clinical outcomes of total arterial revascularization (TAR) vs non-TAR (CABG with at least 1 arterial and 1 saphenous vein graft) in a multicenter population-based study., Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter population-based cohort study using propensity score matching took place from October 2008 to March 2017 in Ontario, Canada, with a mean and maximum follow-up of 4.6 and 9.0 years, respectively. Individuals with primary isolated CABG were identified, with at least 1 arterial graft. Exclusion criteria were individuals from out of province and younger than 18 years. Patients undergoing a cardiac reoperation or those in cardiogenic shock were also excluded because these conditions would potentially bias the surgeon toward not performing TAR. Analysis began April 2019., Exposures: Total arterial revascularization., Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was time to first event of a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeated revascularization (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events). Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome., Results: Of 49 404 individuals with primary isolated CABG, 2433 (4.9%) received TAR, with the total number of bypasses being 2, 3, and 4 or more vessels in 1521 (62.5%), 865 (35.6%), and 47 individuals (1.9%), respectively. The mean (SD) age was 61.2 (10.4) years and 1983 (81.5%) were men. After propensity score matching, 2132 patient pairs were formed, with equal total number of bypasses (mean [SD], 2.4 [0.5]) but with more arterial grafts in the TAR group (mean [SD], 2.4 [0.5] vs 1.2 [0.4]; P < .01). In-hospital death (15 [0.7%] vs 21 [1.0%]; P = .32) did not differ between TAR vs non-TAR groups after propensity score matching. Throughout 8 years, TAR was associated with improved freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.89), death (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97), and myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.92). There was no difference in stroke and repeated revascularization., Conclusions and Relevance: Total arterial revascularization was associated with improved long-term freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, death, and myocardial infarction and may be the procedure of choice for patients with reasonable life expectancy requiring CABG.

Objective: We sought to evaluate whether automated coregistration of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with angiography reduces geographic miss (GM) during coronary stenting., Background: Previous intravascular ultrasound or OCT studies have showed that residual disease at the stent edge or stent edge dissection was associated with stent thrombosis or edge restenosis. This has been termed GM., Methods: Two hundred de novo coronary lesions were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to OCT-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with versus without automated coregistration of OCT with angiography. GM, the primary endpoint, was defined as angiographic ≥type B dissection or diameter stenosis >50% or OCT minimum lumen area <4.0 mm 2 with significant residual disease or dissection (dissection flap >60°) within 5 mm from the stent edge., Results: The prevalence of GM was not different comparing OCT-guided PCI with versus without automated coregistration (27.6% vs 34.0%, P = 0.33). However, there was a trend toward a reduced prevalence of significant distal stent edge dissection in lesions with automated coregistration (11.1% vs 20.8%, P = 0.07). The discrepancy in the distance between planned versus actual implanted stent location with automated coregistration was significantly shorter than without coregistration (1.9 ± 1.6 mm vs 2.6 ± 2.7 mm, P = 0.03), especially the prevalence of ≥5 mm discrepancy that was less frequent with automated coregistration., Conclusions: Automated coregistration of OCT with angiography did not reduce the primary endpoint of GM after stent implantation., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Geographic information systems (GIS) have been widely used in mapping health data and analyzing the geographic distribution of disease. Mapping and spatially analyzing data normally begins with geocoding, a process of assigning geographic coordinates to an address so that it can be displayed and analyzed on a map. The objectives of this project were to develop Web-based geocoding applications for the New York State birth defects surveillance system to geocode, both automatically and interactively, the birth defect cases of the Congenital Malformations Registry (CMR) and evaluate the geocoding results. Geocoding software, in conjunction with a Java-based development tool (J Server), was used to develop the Web-based applications on the New York State Department of Health's Health Commerce System. The Web-based geocoding applications have been developed and implemented for the New York State birth defects surveillance system. These menu-driven applications empower users to conduct geocoding activities using only a PC and a Web browser without the installation of any GIS software. These powerful tools provide automatic, real-time, street-level geocoding of the routinely collected birth defects records in the CMR. Up to 92% of the CMR records have been geocoded with addresses exactly matched to the reference addresses on house number, street name, and city or zip code.

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) can cause toxin-mediated disease, and those that function as superantigens are implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. The prevalence of 19 enterotoxin genes was determined by PCR in clinical S. aureus strains derived from wounds (108) and blood (99). We performed spa typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine clonal origin, and for selected strains staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Strains carried a median of five SE genes. For most SE genes, the prevalence rates among methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus isolates, as well as wound- and blood-derived isolates, did not differ. At least one SE gene was detected in all except two S. aureus isolates (>99%). Complete egc clusters were found in only 11% of S. aureus isolates, whereas the combination of sed, sej, and ser was detected in 24% of clinical strains. S. aureus strains exhibited distinct combinations of SE genes, even if their pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and MLST patterns demonstrated clonality. USA300 strains also showed considerable variability in SE content, although they contained a lower number of SE genes (mean, 3). By contrast, SE content was unchanged in five pairs of serial isolates. SEB production by individual strains varied up to 200-fold, and even up to 15-fold in a pair of serial isolates. In conclusion, our results illustrate the genetic diversity of S. aureus strains with respect to enterotoxin genes and suggest that horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements encoding virulence genes occurs frequently.

Knowledge of associations between biomedical entities, such as disease-symptoms, is critical for many automated biomedical applications. In this work, we develop automated methods for acquisition and discovery of medical knowledge embedded in clinical narrative reports. MedLEE, a Natural Language Processing (NLP) system, is applied to extract and encode clinical entities from narrative clinical reports obtained from New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH), and associations between the clinical entities are determined based on statistical methods adjusted by volume tests. We focus on two types of entities, disease and symptom, in this study. Evaluation based on a random sample of disease-symptom associations indicates an overall recall of 90% and a precision of 92%. In conclusion, the preliminary study demonstrated that this method for knowledge acquisition of disease-symptom pairs from clinical reports is effective. The automated method is generalizable, and can be applied to detect other clinical associations, such as between diseases and medications.

The goal of this study was to ascertain why patients are maintained on conventional antipsychotics and whether the risks/benefits and alternative treatments with novel antipsychotics are discussed with these patients. We reviewed the charts of 117 outpatients maintained on conventional antipsychotics at three New York hospitals: Hutchings Psychiatric Center (HPC), Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SVA), and the Continuing Day Treatment Program (CDT). The major reasons for maintaining patients on conventional antipsychotics were good response (50%), patient choice (45%), and physician choice (36%). Despite the high incidence of tardive dyskinesia at all three hospitals (range: 12%-50%), physicians often did not discuss the risks/benefits of continuing conventional antipsychotics with the patients. The treating psychiatrist discussed alternative treatments with 37% of patients at SVA, 58% at HPC, and 68% at CDT (P = 0.066, df = 2, Pearson chi(2) test). For patients who are receiving any antipsychotic therapy, discussions about the risks/benefits of treatments are integral for optimal treatment and medicolegal purposes.