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Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern globally. World health organization aims at eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Among the hepatitis causing viruses, hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted via contaminated blood. Hepatitis A and E, which gets transmitted primarily via the feco-oral route, are the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis. Although vaccines are available against some of these viruses, new cases continue to be reported. There is an urgent need to devise a potent yet economical antiviral strategy against the hepatitis-causing viruses (denoted as hepatitis viruses) for achieving global elimination of viral hepatitis. Although zinc was known to mankind for a long time (since before Christ era), it was identified as an element in 1746 and its importance for human health was discovered in 1963 by the pioneering work of Dr. Ananda S. Prasad. A series of follow up studies involving zinc supplementation as a therapy demonstrated zinc as an essential element for humans, leading to establishment of a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 15 milligram zinc [United States RDA for zinc]. Being an essential component of many cellular enzymes and transcription factors, zinc is vital for growth and homeostasis of most living organisms, including human. Importantly, several studies indicate potent antiviral activity of zinc. Multiple studies have demonstrated antiviral activity of zinc against viruses that cause hepatitis. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the findings on antiviral activity of zinc against hepatitis viruses, discusses the mechanisms underlying the antiviral properties of zinc and summarizes the prospects of harnessing the therapeutic benefit of zinc supplementation therapy in reducing the disease burden due to viral hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A substantial disparity in breast cancer incidence and mortality exists between African American (AA) and European American (EA) women. However, the basis for these disparities is poorly understood. In this article, we describe that gene–environment interactions mediated through epigenetic modifications may play a significant role in racial disparities in BC incidence and outcomes. Our in silico analyses and an in-depth literature survey suggest that there exists a significant difference in epigenetic patterns between AA and EA women with breast cancer. Herein, we describe the environmental factors that contribute to these epigenetic changes, which may underlie the disparate racial burden in patients with breast cancer. We suggest that AA women with higher basal epigenetic changes, may have higher pre-disposition to cancer onset, and an aggressive disease course. Pre-existing racial differences in epigenetic profiles of breast tissues raises the possibility of examining these profiles for early diagnosis. Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Despite advancements in BC screening, prevention, and treatment, BC incidence and mortality remain high among African American (AA) women. Compared with European American (EA) women, AA women tend to be diagnosed with more advanced and aggressive tumors and exhibit worse survival outcomes. Most studies investigating the determinants of racial disparities in BC have focused on genetic factors associated with African ancestry. However, various environmental and social stressors over an individual's life course can also shape racial stratification in BC. These social and environmental exposures result in long-term changes in gene expression mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetics is often portrayed as an intersection of socially patterned stress and genetic expression. The enduring nature of epigenetic changes makes them suitable for studying the effects of different environmental exposures over an individual's life course on gene expression. The role of differential social and environmental exposures in racial disparities in BC suggests varied epigenetic profiles or signatures associated with specific BC subtypes in AA and EA women. These epigenetic profiles in EA and AA women could be used as biomarkers for early BC diagnosis and disease prognosis and may prove valuable for the development of targeted therapies for BC. This review article discusses the current state of knowledge regarding epigenetic differences between AA and EA women with BC. We also discuss the role of socio-environmental factors, including psychosocial stress, environmental toxicants, and dietary factors, in delineating the different epigenetic profiles in AA and EA patients with BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The current United States opioid epidemic resulted from the overprescribing of opioids by physicians and surgeons in response to deceptive and unlawful marketing campaigns by pharmaceutical companies seeking to profit from opioid sales. Surgeons have a moral obligation to employ evidence-based opioid-sparing analgesia protocols for management of perioperative pain., Recent Findings: Recent evidence strongly supports the use of NSAIDs in perioperative pain management, with large studies demonstrating no increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage or renal insult., Summary: We present an evidence-based approach for opioid-sparing perioperative pain management, including multimodal analgesia guidelines used at our center for patients undergoing free flap facial reanimation procedures., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

There is a need for evidence-based contextualized mental health interventions for persons living with HIV/AIDS. In the current study, the primary researcher conducted open trials with African American women living with HIV/AIDS (AAWLWHA) to examine the acceptability and feasibility of Project UPLIFT, a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention that has demonstrated effectiveness in persons living with epilepsy. Women were recruited for a tele-delivered phone intervention group separated by gender identity, as well as participated in pre- and post-test assessments. Additionally, data on acceptability was collected. Both cis- and transgender women were highly satisfied with the intervention and demonstrated improvement in depressive and stress symptoms. The intervention seemed to be particularly feasible for cisgender women, though more qualitative mental health research may be warranted with transgender women. The current research has implications for the utility of mindfulness-based interventions such as UPLIFT, with AAWLWHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, increasing ethnic diversity has been apparent. However, the epidemiology and trends of BKV genotypes remain unclear. This meta‐analysis was conducted with the aim to assess the prevalence of BKV genotypes among kidney transplant (KTx) recipients in the United States. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted through October 2018 utilizing MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database to identify studies that reported the prevalence of BKV subtypes and/or subgroups in KTx recipients in the United States. Pooled prevalence rates were combined using random effects, generic inverse variance method. The protocol for this study is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42019134582). Results: A total of eight observational studies with a total of 193 samples (urine, blood, and kidney tissues) from 188 BKV‐infected KTX recipients were enrolled. Overall, the pooled estimated prevalence rates of BKV subtypes were 72.2% (95% confidence of interval [CI]: 62.7‐80.0%) for subtype I, 6.8% (95% CI: 2.5‐16.9%) for subtype II, 8.3% (95% CI: 4.4‐15.1%) for subtype III, and 16.1% (95% CI: 10.4‐24.2%) for subtype IV, respectively. While metaregression analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between year of study and the prevalence of BKV subtype I (slopes = +0.1023, P = .01), there were no significant correlations between year of study and percentages of BKV subtype II‐IV (P > .05). Among KTx recipients with BKV subtype I, the pooled estimated percentages of BKV subgroups were 22.4% (95% CI: 13.7‐34.5%) for subgroup Ia, 30.6% (95% CI: 17.7‐47.5%) for subgroup Ib1, 47.7% (95% CI: 35.8‐59.9%) for subgroup Ib2, and 4.1% (95% CI:1.2‐13.3%) for subgroup Ic, respectively. Conclusion: BKV subtype I is the most prevalent subtype among KTx recipients in the United States and its prevalence seems to increasing overtime. Subgroup Ib2 is the most common subgroup among BKV subtype I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: This study was designed to assess the effect of gynecological morbidities on Mexican women's self-rated health status and emotional health. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among Mexican women aged 25-54. We analyzed information on 1,303 participants living in Hermosillo, Mexico. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of having any one of three kinds of pelvic pain, urinary incontinence or both of these conditions on women's self-rated health. Additionally, we conducted analysis of variance and multiple linear regression to test the effect of these gynecological morbidities on women's self-reported emotional health. Results: Nearly one-third (31.2%) of participants rated their health as fair to very poor. Women reporting of at least one gynecological morbidity were more likely to rate their health as fair to very poor. In adjusted analyses, in addition to older age, low educational attainment, marital status other than single, lack of access to medical care, recurrent kidney infection, asthma, diabetes, and, reporting one or concurrent gynecological morbidities were associated with increased odds (adjusted odds ratios = 1.53-3.91) of reporting fair to very poor self-rated health. Women who did not report any gynecological morbidity had significantly lower mean scores for anxiety/fear 0.30 (±0.30) than women with two to four conditions (anxiety/fear 0.45 ± 0.31). Conclusion: Pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and the co-occurrence of these conditions have a negative impact on women's perception of their health status and their emotional health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]