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Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the validity of an easy‐to‐calculate chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk score developed by the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV Drugs (D:A:D) group in a longitudinal observational study of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the USA. Methods: PLWH (2002–2016) without prior exposure to potentially nephrotoxic antiretroviral agents and with at least three estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test results were identified in the Observational Pharmaco‐Epidemiology Research and Analysis (OPERA®) cohort. Three samples were drawn independently using the same eligibility criteria but each using a different eGFR equation, specifically the Cockcroft–Gault (C‐G), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) or Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) eGFR estimation method. Full and short D:A:D risk scores were applied. CKD was defined as a confirmed decrease in eGFR to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (stages 3–5). Poisson models estimated the association between CKD incidence and a one‐point increase in the continuous risk score. The incidence rate ratio (IRR), adjusted IRR (aIRR), and Harrell's discrimination statistic were used to assess validity. Results: There were 19 444, 22 727 and 22 748 PLWH in the OPERA C‐G, CKD‐EPI and MDRD samples, respectively. The median (minimum–maximum) follow‐up duration was 6.1 (0.3–9.1) years in the D:A:D cohort and ranged from 3.2 to 3.5 (0.2–15.5) years in the OPERA validation samples. The observation time for the majority of PLWH in the D:A:D cohort began prior to 2006, in stark contrast to the OPERA validation samples, where the majority of PLWH were observed after 2011. The CKD incidence ranged from 7.3 per 1000 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.8, 7.9 per 1000 person‐years] in OPERA C‐G to 11.0 (95% CI 10.4, 11.6 per 1000 person‐years) in OPERA MDRD. In OPERA samples, IRRs by risk group and adjusted IRRs (full risk score) were similar to those in the D:A:D derivation cohort (adjusted IRR 1.3; 95% CI 1.3, 1.3). Harrell's c‐statistic ranged from 0.87 to 0.92 in the OPERA samples, comparable to that in the derivation cohort (0.92). Results for short scores were similar. Conclusions: The findings support the validity of the D:A:D risk scoring method for assessing CKD (stages 3–5) probability in an exclusively USA‐based sample regardless of eGFR method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the screening methods for drugs and heavy metals in Chinese patent medicines. The increase in health care costs coupled with the skyrocketing prices for prescription drugs in the United States has forced some individuals to search for alternative remedies for treating their ailments. In San Francisco communities where over-the-counter (OTC) Chinese Patent Medicines (CPM) from Asia are readily available to the public and at affordable prices, more people, other than ethnic minorities are turning to these cheaper alternatives. CPM are extracts of herbal (botanical, animal and mineral origins) formulae in the form of pills, tablets, and/or liquids.

Over the past year the Manitoba Telephone System. working with both Catel in California and Cabletel in Toronto has developed a unique optical architecture In comparison to conventional fibre architectures, this structure has reduced the cost and complexity while increasing the reliability and capacity without sacrificing technical performance. This multinode, multichannel, bi-directional, single wavelength video conference structure is in use between hospitals in the province of Manitoba. Details of this configuration along with its performance are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Case investigation and contact tracing (CI/CT) are fundamental public health efforts widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate transmission. This study investigated how state, local, and tribal public health departments used CI/CT during the COVID-19 pandemic, including CI/CT methodology, staffing models, training and support, and efforts to identify or prioritize populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19., Methods: During March and April 2022, we conducted key informant interviews with up to 3 public health officials from 43 state, local, and tribal public health departments. From audio-recorded and transcribed interviews, we used the framework method to analyze key themes., Results: Major adjustments to CI/CT protocols during the pandemic included (1) prioritizing populations for outreach; (2) implementing automated outreach for nonprioritized groups, particularly during COVID-19 surges; (3) discontinuing contact tracing and focusing exclusively on case investigation; and (4) adding innovations to provide additional support. Key informants also discussed the utility of having backup staffing to support overwhelmed public health departments and spoke to the difficulty in "right-sizing" the public health workforce, with COVID-19 surges leaving public health departments understaffed as case rates rose and overstaffed as case rates fell., Conclusions: When addressing future epidemics or outbreaks, public health officials should consider strategies that improve the effectiveness of CI/CT efforts over time, such as prioritizing populations based on disproportionate risk, implementing automated outreach, developing models that provide flexible additional staffing resources as cases rise and fall among local public health departments, incorporating demographic data in laboratory reporting, providing community connections and support, and having a system of self-notification of contacts., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: Hispanics living in the United States have higher rates of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations compared with Non-Hispanic Whites. While this higher incidence is like Asian patients living in the United States, the outcomes for Hispanic patients differ. We looked to compare the variances in mutational profiles between Hispanics and Asians in Los Angeles., Patients and Methods: Three hundred ninety three non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California (LAC + USC) Medical Center and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center who received comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) were evaluated from July 2017 to August 2020. CGP was done using tissue biopsies (n = 211) from Caris Life Sciences and liquid biopsies (n = 231) from Guardant Health. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated the role of race between Hispanics and Asians., Results: In the Hispanic cohort (n = 90), 50.0% were male, median age of diagnosis was 62, 54.5% were non-smokers, and 85.5% had adenocarcinoma. In Asians (n = 142), 47.5% were male, median age of diagnosis was 65, 59.6% were non-smokers, and 83.8% had adenocarcinoma. Hispanic patients had greater prevalence of Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutations (odds ratio [OR] 4.42, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.63-12.83) and lesser prevalence of EGFR mutations (OR 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16-0.59). There were a greater proportion of Hispanic smokers with KRAS mutations (14/41; 34.1%) than Asian smokers (4/58; 6.9%)., Conclusion: We saw a greater percentage of Hispanics with KRAS mutations despite similar smoking percentages along with a greater percentage of Asians with EGFR mutations. This study shows that ethnic and racial backgrounds of the patient can influence the effects of potentially carcinogenic exposures leading to variances of mutation frequency of NSCLC among different ethnicities., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Asians and/or Pacific Islanders (APIs) are at high risk of thyroid cancer, hence we examined thyroid cancer's incidence among disaggregated API subgroups in the United States (U.S.) to identify potential ethnic-specific disparities., Methods: Data from 1990 to 2014 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) were used to compare age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs) of thyroid cancer for seven API ethnic subgroups to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) using incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sex, age, tumor histotype, and year of diagnosis were considered. Trends were evaluated using average annual percent change (AAPC) statistics., Results: The highest AAIRs (per 100,000 person-years) were among Filipinos (female AAIR=20.49, male AAIR=7.06) and the lowest among Japanese (female AAIR=8.36, male AAIR=3.20). However, Filipinos showed significantly lower incidence of medullary tumors when compared to NHWs (female IRR=0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.87, male IRR=0.26, 95% CI 0.26-0.51). The largest increasing trends were among Asian Indians and/or Pakistanis for females (AAPC=5.19, 95% CI 3.81 to 6.58) and Koreans for males (AAPC=4.57, 95% CI 3.14 to 6.03)., Conclusions: There are clear differences in thyroid cancer incidence and trends when U.S. API ethnic subgroups are examined separately. Disaggregating APIs in research can provide critical information for understanding thyroid cancer risk., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

With obesity on the rise among people living with HIV (PLWH), there is growing concern that weight gain may result as an undesired effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This analysis sought to assess the association between ART regimens and changes in body mass index (BMI) among ART-experienced, virologically suppressed PLWH. ART-experienced, virologically suppressed PLWH ≥18 years of age in the Observational Pharmacoepidemiology Research and Analysis (OPERA) cohort were included for analysis if prescribed a new regimen containing one of the following core agents: dolutegravir (DTG), elvitegravir/cobicistat (EVG/c), raltegravir (RAL), rilpivirine (RPV), or boosted darunavir (bDRV), for the first time between August 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between regimen and mean changes in BMI at 6, 12, and 24 months after switch. In unadjusted analyses, BMI increases ranged from 0.30 kg/m 2 (bDRV) to 0.83 kg/m 2 (RPV) at 24 months following switch, but gains were observed with every regimen. In adjusted analyses, compared to DTG, only bDRV was associated with a smaller increase in BMI at all time points, while EVG/c and RAL were associated with smaller increases in BMI at 6 months only. Overall, results were consistent in analyses stratified by baseline BMI category. BMI increases were relatively small but followed an upward trend over time in this cohort of treatment-experienced, suppressed PLWH. Gains were attenuated with a longer period of follow-up. BMI gains did not differ by regimens, except for bDRV regimens, which were consistently associated with smaller BMI increases than DTG.

Background & Aims: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is used commonly for treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs), although prospective safety data are limited and real-world FMT practice and outcomes are not well described. The FMT National Registry was designed to assess FMT methods and both safety and effectiveness outcomes from North American FMT providers., Methods: Patients undergoing FMT in clinical practices across North America were eligible. Participating investigators enter de-identified data into an online platform, including FMT protocol, baseline patient characteristics, CDI cure and recurrence, and short and long-term safety outcomes., Results: Of the first 259 participants enrolled at 20 sites, 222 had completed short-term follow-up at 1 month and 123 had follow-up to 6 months; 171 (66%) were female. All FMTs were done for CDI and 249 (96%) used an unknown donor (eg, stool bank). One-month cure occurred in 200 patients (90%); of these, 197 (98%) received only 1 FMT. Among 112 patients with initial cure who were followed to 6 months, 4 (4%) had CDI recurrence. Severe symptoms reported within 1-month of FMT included diarrhea (n = 5 [2%]) and abdominal pain (n = 4 [2%]); 3 patients (1%) had hospitalizations possibly related to FMT. At 6 months, new diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome were made in 2 patients (1%) and inflammatory bowel disease in 2 patients (1%)., Conclusions: This prospective real-world study demonstrated high effectiveness of FMT for CDI with a good safety profile. Assessment of new conditions at long-term follow-up is planned as this registry grows and will be important for determining the full safety profile of FMT., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives A sonographic short cervix is one of the strongest predictors of preterm delivery. However, the cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid in women with a short cervix has not yet been described. Herein, we determined cellular and soluble immune responses in amniotic fluid from pregnant women with a mid-trimester asymptomatic short cervix. Methods Amniotic fluid samples (n=77) were collected from asymptomatic women with a cervical length between 15 and 25 mm (n=36, short cervix) or ≤15 mm (n=41, severely short cervix) diagnosed by ultrasound. Flow cytometry and multiplex measurement of cytokines/chemokines were performed. Results (1) The cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid did not differ between women with a severely short cervix (≤15 mm) and those with a short cervix 15-25 mm; (2) amniotic fluid concentrations of multiple cytokines/chemokines were higher in women with a severely short cervix (≤15 mm) than in those with a short cervix 15-25 mm; (3) the cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid did not differ between women with a severely short cervix (≤15 mm) who ultimately underwent preterm delivery and those who delivered at term; and (4) amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-2, but not other immune mediators, were increased in women with a severely short cervix (≤15 mm) who ultimately delivered preterm compared to those who delivered at term. Conclusions Women with a severely short cervix (≤15 mm) have increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators in the amniotic cavity; yet, these do not translate to changes in the cellular immune response.

Background: Considerable geographic variation exists in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease across the United States. While some of this variability can be explained by differences in patient-level risk factors, substantial variability still exists. We hypothesize this may be due to understudied environmental exposures such as air pollution., Methods: Using data on 1.1 million persons from the 2010 5% Medicare sample and Environmental Protection Agency air-quality measures, we examined the association between county-level particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and the prevalence of diagnosed CKD, based on claims. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate associations (prevalence ratios [PR]) between county PM2.5 concentration and individual-level diagnosis of CKD, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes, and urban/rural status., Results: Prevalence of diagnosed CKD ranged from 0% to 60% by county (median = 16%). As a continuous variable, PM2.5 concentration shows adjusted PR of diagnosed CKD = 1.03 (95% CI: 1.02-1.05; p<0.001) for an increase of 4 μg/m3 in PM2.5. Investigation by quartiles shows an elevated prevalence of diagnosed CKD for mean PM2.5 levels ≥14 μg/m3 (highest quartile: PR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07), which is consistent with current ambient air quality standard of 12 μg/m3, but much lower than the level typically considered healthy for sensitive groups (~40 μg/m3)., Conclusion: A positive association was observed between county-level PM2.5 concentration and diagnosed CKD. The reliance on CKD diagnostic codes likely identified associations with the most severe CKD cases. These results can be strengthened by exploring laboratory-based diagnosis of CKD, individual measures of exposure to multiple pollutants, and more control of confounding., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Aim: The aim of this study was to critically appraise and synthesize findings from studies on the attitudes of nursing students toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons., Background: There is paucity of research to assess the attitudes of nursing students toward LGBT persons., Method: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, EbscoHost, PsycInfo, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature using medical subject headings terminologies. Search terms used included gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, LGBT, nursing students, baccalaureate nursing, undergraduate nursing, homophobia, homosexuality, sexual minority, attitudes, discrimination, and prejudice., Results: Less than 50 percent of the studies (5 out of 12) suggested positively leaning attitudes of nursing students toward LGBT persons; six studies reported negative attitudes, and one study reported neutral attitudes., Conclusion: There are some indications that student attitudes may be moving toward positively leaning. Studies published before 2000 reported a preponderance of negative attitudes.

Unlabelled: Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes a diversity of severe and debilitating diseases worldwide. Sporadic and ongoing outbreaks of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) strains among men who have sex with men (MSM) support the need for research on virulence factors associated with these organisms. Previous analyses have been limited to single genes or genomes of laboratory-adapted reference strain L(2)/434 and outbreak strain L(2)b/UCH-1/proctitis. We characterized an unusual LGV strain, termed L(2)c, isolated from an MSM with severe hemorrhagic proctitis. L(2)c developed nonfusing, grape-like inclusions and a cytotoxic phenotype in culture, unlike the LGV strains described to date. Deep genome sequencing revealed that L(2)c was a recombinant of L(2) and D strains with conserved clustered regions of genetic exchange, including a 78-kb region and a partial, yet functional, toxin gene that was lost with prolonged culture. Indels (insertions/deletions) were discovered in an ftsK gene promoter and in the tarp and hctB genes, which encode key proteins involved in replication, inclusion formation, and histone H1-like protein activity, respectively. Analyses suggest that these indels affect gene and/or protein function, supporting the in vitro and disease phenotypes. While recombination has been known to occur for C. trachomatis based on gene sequence analyses, we provide the first whole-genome evidence for recombination between a virulent, invasive LGV strain and a noninvasive common urogenital strain. Given the lack of a genetic system for producing stable C. trachomatis mutants, identifying naturally occurring recombinants can clarify gene function and provide opportunities for discovering avenues for genomic manipulation., Importance: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a prevalent and debilitating sexually transmitted disease in developing countries, although there are significant ongoing outbreaks in Australia, Europe, and the United States among men who have sex with men (MSM). Relatively little is known about LGV virulence factors, and only two LGV genomes have been sequenced to date. We isolated an LGV strain from an MSM with severe hemorrhagic proctitis that was morphologically unique in tissue culture compared with other LGV strains. Bioinformatic and statistical analyses identified the strain as a recombinant of L(2) and D strains with highly conserved clustered regions of genetic exchange. The unique culture morphology and, more importantly, disease phenotype could be traced to the genes involved in recombination. The findings have implications for bacterial species evolution and, in the case of ongoing LGV outbreaks, suggest that recombination is a mechanism for strain emergence that results in significant disease pathology.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the incidence of transplant coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese heart recipients., Background: The prevalence of transplant CAD detected by angiography at 1, 2 and 4 years after heart transplantation was 11%, 22% and 45%, respectively. The incidence of transplant CAD in Chinese heart recipients has not been reported., Methods: For those recipients surviving for more than 1 year after transplantation, coronary angiography was performed annually for surveillance of transplant CAD. The recipient characteristics, donor characteristics, rejection episodes, medication and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches were recorded., Results: Fifty patients were included in this study. Thirteen (26%) recipients had ischemic heart disease. Two patients (4%) had active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after transplantation. The mean number of rejection episodes in the 1st year after transplantation was 1.15. Among 47 patients with complete data of donor and recipient histocompatibility antigens, there were seven patients (14.9%) with two or fewer HLA mismatches. Among 74 angiograms of 50 patients reviewed, only one patient had discrete stenosis less than 50% in the middle portion of the left anterior descending artery at 1 year after transplantation. The cumulative incidence of transplant CAD was 2% at 1 year and 2% at 2 and 4 years after transplantation., Conclusions: The incidence of transplant CAD was low in Chinese heart transplant recipients. Low percentage of ischemic heart disease in recipients, low occurrence of active CMV infection and rejection episodes after transplantation, less racial disparity, and lower HLA mismatches may be the important factors.