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Abstract Background In consideration of patient out-of-pocket costs in low- and middle-income countries, this observational cohort study sought to quantify the travel expenses associated with receiving free cardiac services in India and create a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) referral model. Methods In a tertiary hospital that offers free services in Bangalore, India, we interviewed outpatients awaiting cardiac evaluation regarding their out-of-pocket expenses. A subgroup underwent POCUS for signs of left atrial enlargement, inferior vena cava plethora, and extravascular lung water, and subsequent chart review for significant findings on echocardiography or need for immediate care. A model was tested in which a normal POCUS would negate the requirement for referral. Results Patients (N = 219), of age (mean ± SD) 49.0 ± 12.9 y, traveled [median (IQR)] 1178 miles (248–1240), spent $104 ($26-$195), and lost 4.5 (0–10) days of work at a daily wage of $3.90 ($1.95-$6.50). The one-way travel cost equated to 27 days of daily pay. In the POCUS subgroup, symptoms were commonly chest pain (57%) and dyspnea (48%) and were less than moderate in severity (71%). Abnormal echo findings were present in 54% of patients, of whom 29% needed immediate care, and 71% were dismissed without follow-up. POCUS signs were related to an abnormal echo (p

Abstract Background Pulmonary complications are common among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, there is little literature on associated lung function abnormalities in Uganda. We aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with abnormal lung function among children with SCD in a tertiary care hospital in Uganda. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 6 to 18 years at the SCD clinic (SCC) of Mulago National Super-Specialized Hospital between January 2020 and April 2021. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Laboratory investigations, including a complete blood count and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were done. Spirometry was performed following the ATS/ERS standards. Multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with abnormal lung function. Results A total of 332 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 11.7 ± 3.4 years, and 184 (55.4%) were female. Overall, 126 (37.9%) participants had abnormal lung function: 67/126 (53.2%) restrictive, 57/126 (45.2%) obstructive, and 2/126 (1.6%) mixed-ventilatory patterns. Factors associated with abnormal lung function were; serum LDH level > 600UL (aIRR: 1.89 95% CI: 1.2 — 7.4, p = 0.049), a history of acute chest syndrome (aIRR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.06–2.25, p = 0.024), wasting (aIRR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.02 — 1.72, p = 0.032), and use of charcoal for household cooking (aIRR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.03–2.15, p = 0.035). Conclusion More than one-third of children with SCD in Uganda have lung function abnormalities. Strategies to improve nutrition, reduce exposure to charcoal smoke, and monitoring serum LDH levels may be important in preventing or managing abnormal lung function in this population. The identification of reversible and irreversible airway obstruction in children with sickle cell disease also highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these specific patterns of abnormal lung function.

Abstract The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are neuromodulatory family C G protein coupled receptors which assemble as dimers and allosterically couple extracellular ligand binding domains (LBDs) to transmembrane domains (TMDs) to drive intracellular signaling. Pharmacologically, mGluRs can be targeted at the LBDs by glutamate and synthetic orthosteric compounds or at the TMDs by allosteric modulators. Despite the potential of allosteric compounds as therapeutics, an understanding of the functional and structural basis of their effects is limited. Here we use multiple approaches to dissect the functional and structural effects of orthosteric versus allosteric ligands. We find, using electrophysiological and live cell imaging assays, that both agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) can drive activation and internalization of group II and III mGluRs. The effects of PAMs are pleiotropic, boosting the maximal response to orthosteric agonists and serving independently as internalization-biased agonists across mGluR subtypes. Motivated by this and intersubunit FRET analyses, we determine cryo-electron microscopy structures of mGluR3 in the presence of either an agonist or antagonist alone or in combination with a PAM. These structures reveal PAM-driven re-shaping of intra- and inter-subunit conformations and provide evidence for a rolling TMD dimer interface activation pathway that controls G protein and beta-arrestin coupling.

Purpose. The structure of the Sarmatia`s llithospheric plate was studied based on the latest integrated geological, geophysical, tectonophysics, aerocosmo-geological, neo-tectonic data and the gravity, magnetic, dense and seismic (GSZ, seismotomography) modeling data. The aim of the study to reveal the nature of heterogeneities of the Sarmatia Lithosphere and their influence on the nature of the process of structural and material differentiation of the Earth's continental crust. Method. A comparative geotectonic analysis of the structure, composition, and relationships of individual layers of the consolidated crust, the Moho section, and the sub-crustal mantle was performed. According to the results of the analysis, the nature of the relationship between the structure and composition of the Lithosphere component surfaces and the layers of the Earth's crust, the peculiarities of the tectonic division of the Pre-Rifean craton core of Sarmatia were clarified. Results. The relationship and regularities of the spatial distribution of individual floors of the Lithosphere, the layers of the Earth's continental crust and the core-mantle mixture, the structure of the Moho interface and the sub-crustal mantle on the territory of Ukraine have been clarified. Based on the comparison of the modern segmentation of the consolidated crust with the structure of the lithosphere layers, it was established that the modern structural and material heterogeneity of the Sarmatia plate core is determined by the original, "built-in" anisotropy of the Lithosphere, while the structure of the Earth's crust does not have an unequivocal connection with the relief of the sole of the modern seismic lithosphere. Exceptions are its rise with the formation of mantle dome structures in separate areas of the Western and Eastern micro-plates and under the Lokhvytskyi segment of the Dnipro-Donetsk Avlacogen. Scientific novelty. The nature of the impact of the heterogeneity of the Sarmatia`s lithosphere, "frozen" during the stabilization of the Pre-Rifean craton core of the East European Platform, on the modern segmentation and structural-material differentiation of the Earth's continental crust has been clarified. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a conclusion was made about the deformational nature of the structural differentiation of the continental crust of Sarmatia, which was formed against the background of the initial anisotropy of the Lithosphere under the influence of processes of mantle activation at the stages of tectonic evolution in the Phanerozoic. Practical significance. The obtained data on the geodynamic relationship between the structural surfaces of the lithosphere, the layers of the Earth's crust and the coromantium mixture can be used for geological interpretation when elucidating the geodynamic conditions of the formation and tectonic evolution of the intra-plate geostructures of Sarmatia in the Phanerozoic.

Abstract The FRESHAIR4Life study aims to reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden by implementing preventive interventions targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco use and air pollution (AP) worldwide. This paper presents the FRESHAIR4Life methodology and initial rapid review results. The rapid review, using various databases and PubMed, aimed to guide decision-making on risk factor focus, target areas, and populations. It showed variable NCD mortality rates related to tobacco use and AP across the participating countries, with tobacco as the main risk factor in the Kyrgyz Republic, Greece, and Romania, and AP prevailing in Pakistan and Uganda. Adolescent exposure levels, sources, and correlates varied. The study will continue with an in-depth situational analysis to guide the selection, adaptation, and integration of evidence-based interventions into the FRESHAIR4Life prevention package. This package will be implemented, evaluated, assessed for cost-effectiveness, and iteratively refined. The research places a strong emphasis on co-creation, capacity building, and comprehensive communication and dissemination.

The human brain undergoes rapid development during the first years of life. Beginning in utero, a wide array of biological, social, and environmental factors can have lasting impacts on brain structure and function. To understand how prenatal and early life experiences alter neurodevelopmental trajectories and shape health outcomes, several NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices collaborated to support and launch the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. The HBCD Study is a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, that will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. Influenced by the success of the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (ABCD Study®) and in partnership with the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, the HBCD Study aims to establish a diverse cohort of over 7000 pregnant participants to understand how early life experiences, including prenatal exposure to addictive substances and adverse social environments as well as their interactions with an individual’s genes, can affect neurodevelopmental trajectories and outcomes. Knowledge gained from the HBCD Study will help identify targets for early interventions and inform policies that promote resilience and mitigate the neurodevelopmental effects of adverse childhood experiences and environments.

Abstract This study investigates the humoral and cellular immune responses and health-related quality of life measures in individuals with mild to moderate long COVID (LC) compared to age and gender matched recovered COVID-19 controls (MC) over 24 months. LC participants show elevated nucleocapsid IgG levels at 3 months, and higher neutralizing capacity up to 8 months post-infection. Increased spike-specific and nucleocapsid-specific CD4+ T cells, PD-1, and TIM-3 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were observed at 3 and 8 months, but these differences do not persist at 24 months. Some LC participants had detectable IFN-γ and IFN-β, that was attributed to reinfection and antigen re-exposure. Single-cell RNA sequencing at the 24 month timepoint shows similar immune cell proportions and reconstitution of naïve T and B cell subsets in LC and MC. No significant differences in exhaustion scores or antigen-specific T cell clones are observed. These findings suggest resolution of immune activation in LC and return to comparable immune responses between LC and MC over time. Improvement in self-reported health-related quality of life at 24 months was also evident in the majority of LC (62%). PTX3, CRP levels and platelet count are associated with improvements in health-related quality of life.

Abstract Time for post-exercise phosphocreatine-recovery (PCr-R), deemed a robust index of mitochondrial function in vivo, was previously reported to be elevated (signifying impaired ATP production) in veterans with Gulf War illness (GWI). Here we sought to replicate the finding and assess the impact of contravening previous eligibility requirements. The replication sample comprised white males. Cases reported ≥ moderate muscle-weakness to match the organ assessed to an organ affected; controls lacked recent headache or multiple symptoms. The expansion sample added cases without muscle-weakness, controls with recent headache, females, nonwhites. PCr-R, following pedal-depression-exercise, was compared in veterans with GWI versus controls (sample N = 38). In the replication sample, PCr-R results closely matched the prior report: PCr-R veterans with GWI mean(SD) = 47.7(16.5); control mean(SD) = 30.3(9.2), p = 0.017. (Prior-study PCr-R veterans with GWI mean(SD) = 46.1(17.9), control mean(SD) = 29.0(8.7), p = 0.023. Combined replication + prior samples: p = 0.001.) No case–control difference was observed in the expansion sample. In cases, PCr-R related to muscle-weakness: PCr-R = 29.9(7.1), 38.2(8.9), 47.8(15.2) for muscle-weakness rated none/low, intermediate, and high respectively (p for trend = 0.02), validating desirability of matching tissue assessed to tissue affected. In controls, headache/multiple symptoms, sex, and ethnicity each mattered (affecting PCr-R significantly). This study affirms mitochondrial/bioenergetic impairment in veterans with GWI. The importance of careful case/control selection is underscored.

Abstract In this work, we use a simple multi-agent-based-model (MABM) of a social network, implementing selfish algorithm (SA) agents, to create an adaptive environment and show, using a modified diffusion entropy analysis (DEA), that the mutual-adaptive interaction between the parts of such a network manifests complexity synchronization (CS). CS has been shown to exist by processing simultaneously measured time series from among organ-networks (ONs) of the brain (neurophysiology), lungs (respiration), and heart (cardiovascular reactivity) and to be explained theoretically as a synchronization of the multifractal dimension (MFD) scaling parameters characterizing each time series. Herein, we find the same kind of CS in the emergent intelligence of groups formed in a self-organized social interaction without macroscopic control but with biased self-interest between two groups of agents playing an anti-coordination game. This computational result strongly suggests the existence of the same CS in real-world social phenomena and in human–machine interactions as that found empirically in ONs.

ABSTRACTObjectives We tested the hypothesis that Parkinson’s disease (PA) alters the periodontitis-associated oral microbiome.Method Patients with periodontitis with Parkinson’s disease (PA+P) and without PA (P) and systemically and periodontally healthy individuals (HC) were enrolled. Clinical, periodontal and neurological parameters were recorded. The severity of PA motor functions was measured. Unstimulated saliva samples and stool samples were collected. Next-generation sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (V1-V3 regions) was performed.Results PA patients had mild-to-moderate motor dysfunction and comparable plaque scores as those without, indicating that oral hygiene was efficient in the PA+P group. In saliva, there were statistically significant differences in beta diversity between HC and PA+P (p = 0.001), HC and P (p = 0.001), and P and PA+P (p = 0.028). The microbial profiles of saliva and fecal samples were distinct. Mycoplasma faucium, Tannerella forsythia, Parvimonas micra, and Saccharibacteria (TM7) were increased in P; Prevotella pallens, Prevotella melaninogenica, Neisseria multispecies were more abundant in PA+P group, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans, Dialister succinatiphilus, Butyrivibrio crossotus and Alloprevotella tannerae were detected in fecal samples in P groups compared to healthy controls.Conclusions No significant differences were detected between Parkinson’s and non-Parkinson’s gut microbiomes, suggesting that Parkinson’s disease modifies the oral microbiome in periodontitis subjects independent of the gut microbiome.

HIV persistence in the brain is a barrier to cure, and potentially contributes to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Whether HIV transcription persists in the brain despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and is subject to the same blocks to transcription seen in other tissues and blood, is unclear. Here, we quantified the level of HIV transcripts in frontal cortex tissue from virally suppressed or non-virally suppressed people with HIV (PWH). HIV transcriptional profiling of frontal cortex brain tissue (and PBMCs where available) from virally suppressed (n = 11) and non-virally suppressed PWH (n = 13) was performed using digital polymerase chain reaction assays (dPCR). CD68+ myeloid cells or CD3+ T cells expressing HIV p24 protein present in frontal cortex tissue was detected using multiplex immunofluorescence imaging. Frontal cortex brain tissue from PWH had HIV TAR (n = 23/24) and Long-LTR (n = 20/24) transcripts. Completion of HIV transcription was evident in brain tissue from 12/13 non-virally suppressed PWH and from 5/11 virally suppressed PWH, with HIV p24+CD68+ cells detected in these individuals. While a block to proximal elongation was present in frontal cortex tissue from both PWH groups, this block was more extensive in virally suppressed PWH. These findings suggest that the brain is a transcriptionally active HIV reservoir in a subset of virally suppressed PWH.

Abstract Studying brain‐wide hemodynamic responses to different stimuli at high spatiotemporal resolutions can help gain new insights into the mechanisms of neuro‐ diseases and ‐disorders. Nonetheless, this task is challenging, primarily due to the complexity of neurovascular coupling, which encompasses interdependent hemodynamic parameters including cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral oxygen saturation (SO2). The current brain imaging technologies exhibit inherent limitations in resolution, sensitivity, and imaging depth, restricting their capacity to comprehensively capture the intricacies of cerebral functions. To address this, a multimodal functional ultrasound and photoacoustic (fUSPA) imaging platform is reported, which integrates ultrafast ultrasound and multispectral photoacoustic imaging methods in a compact head‐mountable device, to quantitatively map individual dynamics of CBV, CBF, and SO2 as well as contrast agent enhanced brain imaging at high spatiotemporal resolutions. Following systematic characterization, the fUSPA system is applied to study brain‐wide cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) at single‐vessel resolution via relative changes in CBV, CBF, and SO2 in response to hypercapnia stimulation. These results show that cortical veins and arteries exhibit differences in CVR in the stimulated state and consistent anti‐correlation in CBV oscillations during the resting state, demonstrating the multiparametric fUSPA system's unique capabilities in investigating complex mechanisms of brain functions.

Introduction Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is one of the more common procedures performed by urologists. It is often described as an ‘incision-free’ and ‘well-tolerated’ operation. However, many patients experience distress and discomfort with the procedure. Substantial opportunity exists to improve the TURBT experience. An enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol designed by patients with bladder cancer and their providers has been developed.Methods and analysis This is a single-centre, randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of an ERAS protocol compared with usual care in patients with bladder cancer undergoing ambulatory TURBT. The ERAS protocol is composed of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative components designed to optimise each phase of perioperative care. 100 patients with suspected or known bladder cancer aged ≥18 years undergoing initial or repeat ambulatory TURBT will be enrolled. The change in Quality of Recovery 15 score, a measure of the quality of recovery, between the day of surgery and postoperative day 1 will be compared between the ERAS and control groups.Ethics and dissemination The trial has been approved by the Johns Hopkins Institutional Review Board #00392063. Participants will provide informed consent to participate before taking part in the study. Results will be reported in a separate publication.Trial registration number NCT05905276

Introduction: The use of a reliable scoring system for quality assessment (QA) is imperative to limit inconsistencies in measuring ultrasound acquisition skills. The current grading scale used for QA endorsed by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is non-specific, applies irrespective of the type of study performed, and has not been rigorously validated. Our goal in this study was to determine whether a succinct, organ-specific grading scale designed for lung-specific QA would be more precise with better interobserver agreement. Methods: This was a prospective validation study of an objective QA scale for lung ultrasound (LUS) in the emergency department. We identified the first 100 LUS performed in normal clinical practice in the year 2020. Four reviewers at an urban academic center who were either emergency ultrasound fellowship-trained or current fellows with at least six months of QA experience scored each study, resulting in a total of 400. The primary outcome was the level of agreement between the reviewers. Our secondary outcome was the variability of the scores given to the studies. For the agreement between reviewers, we computed the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) based on a two-way random-effect model with a single rater for each grading scale. We generated 10,000 bootstrapped ICCs to construct 95% confidence intervals (CI) for both grading systems. A two-sided one-sample t-test was used to determine whether there were differences in the bootstrapped ICCs between the two grading systems. Results: The ICC between reviewers was 0.552 (95% CI 0.40–0.68) for the ACEP grading scale and 0.703 (95% CI 0.59–0.79) for the novel grading scale (P

Controlling invasive species is imperative due to their significant roles in spreading diseases, preying on threatened species, and diminishing biodiversity. Crewed aircraft are proficient at dispersing toxic bait across vast expanses to combat small pest mammals such as possums and rats. However, their utility diminishes significantly in small, remote areas typified by rugged terrain due to impracticality and prohibitive costs. Similarly, while ground control operations are effective in compact, easily reachable locations, they encounter formidable obstacles like costly labour expenses, safety hazards, and the peril of worker injuries while navigating treacherous landscapes. An innovative approach to address these limitations is to use uncrewed aerial systems that are unhampered by the terrain to deploy bait at precise locations. Our team engineered a purpose-built system designed specifically for deploying bait using innovative bait pods. Two field trials were conducted in New Zealand to validate our systems’ efficacy, assessing deployment precision and accuracy against predefined ground targets. While the initial trial yielded mixed results, significant improvements were observed in the subsequent trial, featuring enhancements to the bait pod design. The median deployment accuracy achieved was 1.91 m from the target (n = 63), with no statistically significant difference in deployment accuracy between open and forested areas (p = 0.76). This advanced system permits the precise placement of bait pods to any location, facilitating effective pest control within complex landscapes, challenging terrain, and dense vegetation. With its smart functionality and adaptability, this system can be utilised across various aircraft and autopilot systems to ensure maximum accuracy and efficiency in delivering bait pods for pest control operations. Therefore, this innovative tool possesses tremendous potential for managing small mammalian invasive species, particularly in specialised environments such as reserves, gullies, and islands, complementing existing pest control strategies to expedite the restoration of ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity.

Abstract Novel perioperative strategies are needed to reduce recurrence rates in patients undergoing nephrectomy for high-risk, non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We conducted a prospective, phase I trial of neoadjuvant nivolumab prior to nephrectomy in 15 evaluable patients with non-metastatic ccRCC. We leveraged tissue from that cohort to elucidate the effects of PD-1 inhibition on immune cell populations in ccRCC and correlate the evolving immune milieu with anti-PD-1 response. We found that nivolumab durably induces a pro-inflammatory state within the primary tumor, and baseline immune infiltration within the primary tumor correlates with nivolumab responsiveness. Nivolumab increases CTLA-4 expression in the primary tumor, and subsequent nephrectomy increases circulating concentrations of sPD-L1, sPD-L3 (sB7-H3), and s4-1BB. These findings form the basis to consider neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) for high-risk ccRCC while the tumor remains in situ and provide the rationale for perioperative strategies of novel ICI combinations.

Abstract Background Mixed M. tuberculosis (MTB) infection occurs when one is infected with more than one clonally distinct MTB strain. This form of infection can assist MTB strains to acquire additional mutations, facilitate the spread of drug-resistant strains, and boost the rate of treatment failure. Hence, the presence of mixed MTB infection could affect the performance of some rapid molecular diagnostic tests such as Line Probe Assay (LPA) and GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assays. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that used sputum specimens collected from participants screened for STREAM 2 clinical trial between October 2017 and October 2019. Samples from 62 MTB smear-positive patients and rifampicin-resistant patients from peripheral health facilities were processed for Xpert and LPA as screening tests for eligibility in the trial. From November 2020, processed stored sputum samples were retrieved and genotyped to determine the presence of mixed-MTB strain infection using a standard 24-locus Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit–Variable Number Tandem-Repeat (MIRU-VNTR). Samples with at least 20/24 MIRU-VNTR loci amplified were considered for analysis. Agar proportional Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) was performed on culture isolates of samples that had discordant results between LPA and Xpert. The impact of the presence of mixed-MTB strain on Xpert and LPA test interpretation was analyzed. Results A total of 53/62 (85%) samples had analyzable results from MIRU-VNTR. The overall prevalence of mixed-MTB infection was 5/53 (9.4%). The prevalence was highest among male’s 3/31 (9.7%) and among middle-aged adults, 4/30 (33.3%). Lineage 4 of MTB contributed 3/5 (60.0%) of the mixed-MTB infection prevalence. Having mixed MTB strain infection increased the odds of false susceptible Xpert test results (OR 7.556, 95% CI 0.88–64.44) but not for LPA. Being HIV-positive (P = 0.04) independently predicted the presence of mixed MTB infection. Conclusions The presence of mixed-MTB strain infection may affect the performance of the GeneXpert test but not for LPA. For patients with high pre-test probability of rifampicin resistance, an alternative rapid method such as LPA should be considered.

Fractal time series have been argued to be ubiquitous in human physiology and some of the implications of that ubiquity are quite remarkable. One consequence of the omnipresent fractality is complexity synchronization (CS) observed in the interactions among simultaneously recorded physiologic time series discussed herein. This new kind of synchronization has been revealed in the interaction triad of organ-networks (ONs) consisting of the mutually interacting time series generated by the brain (electroencephalograms, EEGs), heart (electrocardiograms, ECGs), and lungs (Respiration). The scaled time series from each member of the triad look nothing like one another and yet they bear a deeply recorded synchronization invisible to the naked eye. The theory of scaling statistics is used to explain the source of the CS observed in the information exchange among these multifractal time series. The multifractal dimension (MFD) of each time series is a measure of the time-dependent complexity of that time series, and it is the matching of the MFD time series that provides the synchronization referred to as CS. The CS is one manifestation of the hypothesis given by a “Law of Multifractal Dimension Synchronization” (LMFDS) which is supported by data. Therefore, the review aspects of this paper are chosen to make the extended range of the LMFDS hypothesis sufficiently reasonable to warrant further empirical testing.

Background: Severe asthma is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization, but its burden in Africa is unknown. Objective: We sought to determine the burden (prevalence, mortality, and activity and work impairment) of severe asthma in 3 countries in East Africa: Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Methods: Using the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society case definition of severe asthma, we analyzed for the prevalence of severe asthma (requiring Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] steps 4-5 asthma medications for the previous year to achieve control) and severe refractory asthma (remains uncontrolled despite treatment with GINA steps 4-5 asthma medications) in a cohort of 1086 asthma patients who had been in care for 12 months and had received all GINA-recommended medications. Asthma control was assessed by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ). Results: Overall, the prevalence of severe asthma and severe refractory asthma was 25.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.1-28.3) and 4.6% (95% CI, 3.5-6.0), respectively. Patients with severe asthma were (nonsevere vs severe vs severe refractory) older (39, 42, 45 years, P = .011), had high skin prick test reactivity (67.1%, 76.0%, 76.0%, P = .004), had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage (81%, 61%, 55.5%, P < .001), had lower quality of life score (129, 127 vs 121, P < .001), and had higher activity impairment (10%, 30%, 50%, P < .001). Factors independently associated with severe asthma were hypertension comorbidity; adjusted odds ratio 2.21 (1.10-4.47), P = .027, high bronchial hyperresponsiveness questionnaire score; adjusted odds ratio 2.16 (1.01-4.61), P = .047 and higher ACQ score at baseline 2.80 (1.55-5.08), P = .001. Conclusion: The prevalence of severe asthma in Africa is high and is associated with high morbidity and poor quality of life.

Abstract Objectives Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important public health problem resulting in significant death and disability. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel often provide initial treatment for TBI, but only limited data describe the long‐term course and outcomes of this care. We sought to characterize changes in neurologic status among adults with TBI patients enrolled in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Hypertonic Saline (ROC‐HS) trial. Methods We used data from the TBI cohort of the ROC‐HS trial. The trial included adults with TBI, with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8, and excluded those with shock (systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≤70 or SBP 71–90 with a heart rate [HR] ≥108). The primary outcome was Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended (GOS‐E; 1 = dead, 8 = no disability) determined at (a) hospital discharge and (b) 6‐month follow‐up. We assessed changes in GOS‐E between hospital discharge and 6‐month follow‐up using descriptive statistics and Sankey graphs. Results Among 1279 TBI included in the analysis, GOS‐E categories at hospital discharge were as follows: favorable (GOS‐E 5–8) 220 (17.2%), unfavorable (GOS‐E 2–4) 664 (51.9%), dead (GOS‐E 1) 321 (25.1%), and missing 74 (5.8%). GOS‐E categories at 6‐month follow‐up were as follows: favorable 459 (35.9%), unfavorable 279 (21.8%), dead 346 (27.1%), and missing 195 (15.2%). Among initial TBI survivors with complete GOS‐E, >96% followed one of three neurologic recovery patterns: (1) favorable to favorable (20.0%), (2) unfavorable to favorable (40.3%), and (3) unfavorable to unfavorable (36.0%). Few patients deteriorated from favorable to unfavorable neurologic status, and there were few additional deaths. Conclusions Among TBI receiving initial prehospital care in the ROC‐HS trial, changes in 6‐month neurologic status followed distinct patterns. Among TBI with unfavorable neurologic status at hospital discharge, almost half improved to favorable neurologic status at 6 months. Among those with favorable neurologic status at discharge, very few worsened or died at 6 months. These findings have important implications for TBI clinical care, research, and trial design.

BackgroundTo date, studies investigating the association between pre-biologic biomarker levels and post-biologic outcomes have been limited to single biomarkers and assessment of biologic efficacy from structured clinical trials.AimTo elucidate the associations of pre-biologic individual biomarker levels or their combinations with pre-to-post biologic changes in asthma outcomes in real-life.MethodsThis was a registry-based, cohort study using data from 23 countries, which shared data with the International Severe Asthma Registry (May 2017-February 2023). The investigated biomarkers (highest pre-biologic levels) were immunoglobulin E (IgE), blood eosinophil count (BEC) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Pre- to approximately 12-month post-biologic change for each of three asthma outcome domains (i.e. exacerbation rate, symptom control and lung function), and the association of this change with pre-biologic biomarkers was investigated for individual and combined biomarkers.ResultsOverall, 3751 patients initiated biologics and were included in the analysis. No association was found between pre-biologic BEC and pre-to-post biologic change in exacerbation rate for any biologic class. However, higher pre-biologic BEC and FeNO were both associated with greater post-biologic improvement in FEV1 for both anti-IgE and anti-IL5/5R, with a trend for anti-IL4Rα. Mean FEV1 improved by 27-178 mL post-anti-IgE as pre-biologic BEC increased (250 to 1000 cells/µL), and by 43-216 mL and 129-250 mL post-anti-IL5/5R and -anti-IL4Rα, respectively along the same BEC gradient. Corresponding improvements along a FeNO gradient (25-100 ppb) were 41-274 mL, 69-207 mL and 148-224 mL for anti-IgE, anti-IL5/5R, and anti-IL4Rα, respectively. Higher baseline BEC was also associated with lower probability of uncontrolled asthma (OR 0.392; p=0.001) post-biologic for anti-IL5/5R. Pre-biologic IgE was a poor predictor of subsequent pre-to-post-biologic change for all outcomes assessed for all biologics. The combination of BEC + FeNO marginally improved the prediction of post-biologic FEV1 increase (adjusted R2: 0.751), compared to BEC (adjusted R2: 0.747) or FeNO alone (adjusted R2: 0.743) (p=0.005 and

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is capable of intoxicating lymphocytes macrophages, mast cells and epithelial cells. Following Cdt binding to cholesterol, in the region of membrane lipid rafts, the CdtB and CdtC subunits are internalized and traffic to intracellular compartments. These events are dependent upon, cellugyrin, a critical component of synaptic like microvesicles (SLMVCg+). Target cells, such as Jurkat cells, rendered unable to express cellugyrin are resistant to Cdt-induced toxicity. Similar to Cdt, SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is initiated by binding to cell surface receptors, ACE-2, also associated with cholesterol-rich lipid rafts; this association leads to fusion and/or endocytosis of viral and host cell membranes and intracellular trafficking. The similarity in internalization pathways for both Cdt and SARS-CoV-2 led us to consider the possibility that cellugyrin was a critical component in both processes. Cellugyrin deficient Calu-3 cells (Calu-3Cg-) were prepared using Lentiviral particles containing shRNA; these cells were resistant to infection by VSV/SARS-CoV-2-spike pseudotype virus and partially resistant to VSV/VSV-G pseudotype virus. Synthetic peptides representing various regions of the cellugyrin protein were prepared and assessed for their ability to bind to Cdt subunits using surface plasmon resonance. Cdt was capable of binding to a region designated the middle outer loop (MOL) which corresponds to a region extending into the cytoplasmic surface of the SLMVCg+. SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins were assessed for their ability to bind to cellugyrin peptides; SARS-CoV-2 full length spike protein preferentially binds to a region within the SLMVCg+ lumen, designated intraluminal loop 1A. SARS-CoV-2-spike protein domain S1, which contains the receptor binding domains, binds to cellugyrin N-terminus which extends out from the cytoplasmic surface of SLMV. Binding specificity was further analyzed using cellugyrin scrambled peptide mutants. We propose that SLMVCg+ represent a component of a common pathway that facilitates pathogen and/or pathogen-derived toxins to gain host cell entry.

Abstract International wildlife trade data are frequently used by government agencies, conservation organizations, and scientific researchers to study and protect species from overexploitation and prevent the spread of invasive species and introduction of zoonotic pathogens. Inaccurate data can lead to mistaken conclusions by researchers, the development of unsuccessful remedial conservation actions, and provide government officials with incorrect views of detrimental trade. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) maintains the world's most comprehensive national dataset of legal and illegal international wildlife trade recorded by individual shipments and species in its Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS). Although the importance of LEMIS data is not to be understated, the errors and inconsistencies contained therein have not previously been adequately recognized or studied. Based on firsthand experiences with the creation and application of LEMIS data, this manuscript describes a variety of errors, biases, omissions, and an overall lack of data quality assurance. An independent audit of the LEMIS wildlife trade database and the service's policies, procedures, and protocols for managing this system is needed. Additional recommendations are also offered to develop better management standards and bring greater resources for managing LEMIS, asking the nongovernmental organization and intergovernmental organization user communities to play a role.

We explore the use of the parallel-plate resonator for the study of thin cuboid samples over a wide range of magnetic resonance frequencies. The parallel-plate resonator functions at frequencies from tens to hundreds of MHz. Seven parallel-plate resonators are presented and discussed in a frequency range from 8 to 500 MHz. Magnetic resonance experiments were performed on both horizontal and vertical bore magnet systems with lithium and hydrogen nuclei. Parallel-plate radiofrequency (RF) probes are easy to build and easy to optimize. Experiments and simulations showed good sensitivity of the parallel-plate RF probe geometry with a small decrease in sensitivity at higher frequencies.

Our research explores the interplay between Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) and the host’s inflammatory response in molar/incisor pattern periodontitis (MIPP). Cdt disrupts phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) signaling, influencing cytokine expression through canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation as well as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, leading to inflammation in MIPP. THP-1 differentiated macrophages (TDMs) exposed to Cdt exhibited an upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes and subsequent cytokine release. We analyzed the ability of a small molecule therapeutic, LGM2605, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce pro-inflammatory gene expression and cytokine release in Cdt-exposed and Aa-inoculated TDMs. LGM2605’s mechanism of action involves inhibiting NF-κB while activating the Nrf2–transcription factor and antioxidants. Herein, we show that this small molecule therapeutic mitigates Cdt-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and secretion. Our study also further defines Cdt’s impact on osteoclast differentiation and maturation in MIPP. Cdt promotes increased TRAP+ cells, indicating heightened osteoclast differentiation, specific to Cdt’s phosphatase activity. Cathepsin K levels rise during this process, reflecting changes in TRAP distribution between control and Cdt-treated cells. Exploring LGM2605’s effect on Cdt-induced osteoclast differentiation and maturation, we found TRAP+ cells significantly reduced with LGM2605 treatment compared to Cdt alone. Upon LGM2605 treatment, immunocytochemistry revealed a decreased TRAP intensity and number of multinucleated cells. Moreover, immunoblotting showed reduced TRAP and cathepsin K levels, suggesting LGM2605’s potential to curb osteoclast differentiation and maturation by modulating inflammatory cytokines, possibly involving Nrf2 activation. In summary, our research reveals the intricate connections between Cdt, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and osteoclast differentiation, offering novel therapeutic possibilities for managing these conditions.

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and natural history of post‐acute COVID‐19 objective cognitive impairment and function, and their relationship to demographic, clinical factors, post‐acute sequelae of COVID‐19 (PASC), and biomarkers. Methods A total of 128 post‐acute COVID‐19 patients (age = 46 ± 15; 42% women, acute disease severity: not hospitalized: 38.6% mild: 0–1 symptoms, 52% 2+ symptoms; 9.4% hospitalized) completed standard cognition, olfaction, and mental health examinations 2‐, 4‐, and 12‐month post diagnosis. Over the same time frame, WHO‐defined PASC was determined. Blood cytokines, peripheral neurobiomarkers, and kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites were measured. Objective cognitive function was demographically/practice corrected, and impairment prevalence was determined using the evidence‐based Global Deficit Score method to detect at least mild cognitive impairment (GDS > 0.5). Linear mixed effect regression models with time effect (month post diagnosis) evaluated the relationships to cognition. Results Across the 12‐month study period, mild to moderate cognitive impairment ranged from 16% to 26%, and 46.5% were impaired at least once. Impairment associated with poorer work capacity (p

Abstract High performance computing has a great potential to provide a range of significant benefits for investigating biological systems. These systems often present large modelling problems with many coupled subsystems, such as when studying colonies of bacteria cells. The aim to understand cell colonies has generated substantial interest as they can have strong economic and societal impacts through their roles in in industrial bioreactors and complex community structures, called biofilms, found in clinical settings. Investigating these communities through realistic models can rapidly exceed the capabilities of current serial software. Here, we introduce BMX, a software system developed for the high performance modelling of large cell communities by utilising GPU acceleration. BMX builds upon the AMRex adaptive mesh refinement package to efficiently model cell colony formation under realistic laboratory conditions. Using simple test scenarios with varying nutrient availability, we show that BMX is capable of correctly reproducing observed behavior of bacterial colonies on realistic time scales demonstrating a potential application of high performance computing to colony modelling. The open source software is available from the zenodo repository https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8084270 under the BSD-2-Clause licence.

Abstract Accurate cell type identification is a key and rate-limiting step in single-cell data analysis. Single-cell references with comprehensive cell types, reproducible and functionally validated cell identities, and common nomenclatures are much needed by the research community for automated cell type annotation, data integration, and data sharing. Here, we develop a computational pipeline utilizing the LungMAP CellCards as a dictionary to consolidate single-cell transcriptomic datasets of 104 human lungs and 17 mouse lung samples to construct LungMAP single-cell reference (CellRef) for both normal human and mouse lungs. CellRefs define 48 human and 40 mouse lung cell types catalogued from diverse anatomic locations and developmental time points. We demonstrate the accuracy and stability of LungMAP CellRefs and their utility for automated cell type annotation of both normal and diseased lungs using multiple independent methods and testing data. We develop user-friendly web interfaces for easy access and maximal utilization of the LungMAP CellRefs.

Abstract Gulf War illness (GWI) is an important exemplar of environmentally-triggered chronic multisymptom illness, and a potential model for accelerated aging. Inflammation is the main hypothesized mechanism for GWI, with mitochondrial impairment also proposed. No study has directly assessed mitochondrial respiratory chain function (MRCF) on muscle biopsy in veterans with GWI (VGWI). We recruited 42 participants, half VGWI, with biopsy material successfully secured in 36. Impaired MRCF indexed by complex I and II oxidative phosphorylation with glucose as a fuel source (CI&CIIOXPHOS) related significantly or borderline significantly in the predicted direction to 17 of 20 symptoms in the combined sample. Lower CI&CIIOXPHOS significantly predicted GWI severity in the combined sample and in VGWI separately, with or without adjustment for hsCRP. Higher-hsCRP (peripheral inflammation) related strongly to lower-MRCF (particularly fatty acid oxidation (FAO) indices) in VGWI, but not in controls. Despite this, whereas greater MRCF-impairment predicted greater GWI symptoms and severity, greater inflammation did not. Surprisingly, adjusted for MRCF, higher hsCRP significantly predicted lesser symptom severity in VGWI selectively. Findings comport with a hypothesis in which the increased inflammation observed in GWI is driven by FAO-defect-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. In conclusion, impaired mitochondrial function—but not peripheral inflammation—predicts greater GWI symptoms and severity.

Abstract Herein we address the measurable consequences of the network effect (NE) on time series generated by different parts of the brain, heart, and lung organ-networks (ONs), which are directly related to their inter-network and intra-network interactions. Moreover, these same physiologic ONs have been shown to generate crucial event (CE) time series, and herein are shown, using modified diffusion entropy analysis (MDEA) to have scaling indices with quasiperiodic changes in complexity, as measured by scaling indices, over time. Such time series are generated by different parts of the brain, heart, and lung ONs, and the results do not depend on the underlying coherence properties of the associated time series but demonstrate a generalized synchronization of complexity. This high-order synchrony among the scaling indices of EEG (brain), ECG (heart), and respiratory time series is governed by the quantitative interdependence of the multifractal behavior of the various physiological ONs’ dynamics. This consequence of the NE opens the door for an entirely general characterization of the dynamics of complex networks in terms of complexity synchronization (CS) independently of the scientific, engineering, or technological context. CS is truly a transdisciplinary effect.

Abstract Objectives Microglial activation is critical for modulating the neuroinflammatory process and the pathological progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia are involved in forming barriers around extracellular neuritic plaques and the phagocytosis of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that periodontal disease (PD) as a source of infection alters inflammatory activation and Aβ phagocytosis by the microglial cells. Methods Experimental PD was induced using ligatures in C57BL/6 mice for 1, 10, 20, and 30 days to assess the progression of PD. Animals without ligatures were used as controls. Maxillary bone loss and local periodontal tissue inflammation associated with the development of PD were confirmed by morphometric bone analysis and cytokine expression, respectively. The frequency and the total number of activated microglia (CD45+ CD11b+ MHCII+) in the brain were analyzed by flow cytometry. Mouse microglial cells (1 × 105) were incubated with heat-inactivated bacterial biofilm isolated from the ligatures retrieved from the teeth or with Klebsiella variicola, a relevant PD-associated bacteria in mice. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, toll-like receptors (TLR), and receptors for phagocytosis was measured by quantitative PCR. The phagocytic capacity of microglia to uptake β-amyloid was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Ligature placement caused progressive periodontal disease and bone resorption that was already significant on day 1 post-ligation (p

An exploratory multinuclear magnetic resonance (MR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was performed on lithium-ion battery cells with 7Li, 19F, and 1H measurements. A variable field superconducting magnet with a fixed frequency parallel-plate radiofrequency (RF) probe was employed in the study. The magnetic field was changed to set the resonance frequency of each nucleus to the fixed RF probe frequency of 33.7 MHz. Two cartridge-like lithium-ion cells, with graphite anodes and LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 (NMC) cathodes, were interrogated. One cell was pristine, and one was charged to a cell voltage of 4.2 V. The results presented demonstrate the great potential of the variable field magnet approach in multinuclear measurement of lithium-ion batteries. These methods open the door for developing faster and simpler methods for detecting, quantifying, and interpreting MR and MRI data from lithium-ion and other batteries.

Background: It is of utmost importance to monitor any change in the epidemiology of fungal diseases that may arise from a change in the number of the at-risk population or the availability of local data. Objective: We sought to update the 2015 publication on the incidence and prevalence of serious fungal diseases in Uganda. Methods: Using the Leading International Fungal Education methodology, we reviewed published data on fungal diseases and drivers of fungal diseases in Uganda. Regional or global data were used where there were no Ugandan data. Results: With a population of ~45 million, we estimate the annual burden of serious fungal diseases at 4,099,357 cases (about 9%). We estimated the burden of candidiasis as follows: recurrent Candida vaginitis (656,340 cases), oral candidiasis (29,057 cases), and esophageal candidiasis (74,686 cases) in HIV-infected people. Cryptococcal meningitis annual incidence is estimated at 5553 cases, Pneumocystis pneumonia at 4604 cases in adults and 2100 cases in children. For aspergillosis syndromes, invasive aspergillosis annual incidence (3607 cases), chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (26,765 annual cases and 63,574 5-year-period prevalent cases), and prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis at 75,931 cases, and severe asthma with fungal sensitization at 100,228 cases. Tinea capitis is common with 3,047,989 prevalent cases. For other mycoses, we estimate the annual incidence of histoplasmosis to be 646 cases and mucormycosis at 9 cases. Conclusion: Serious fungal diseases affect nearly 9% of Ugandans every year. Tuberculosis and HIV remain the most important predisposition to acute fungal infection necessitating accelerated preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions for the management of these diseases.

ABSTRACTRecent studies uncovered that Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a common, opportunistic bacterium in the oral cavity, is associated with a growing number of systemic diseases, ranging from colon cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. However, the pathological mechanisms responsible for this association are still poorly understood. Here, we leverage recent technological advances to study the interactions between Fn and neutrophils. We show that Fn survives within human neutrophils after phagocytosis. Using in vitro microfluidic devices, we determine that human neutrophils can protect and transport Fn over large distances. Moreover, we validate these observations in vivo by showing that neutrophils disseminate Fn using a zebrafish model. Our data support the emerging hypothesis that bacterial dissemination by neutrophils is a mechanistic link between oral and systemic diseases. Furthermore, our results may ultimately lead to therapeutic approaches that target specific host-bacteria interactions, including the dissemination process.

ABSTRACTThe oral cavity is an unique ecosystem formed by different structures, tissues, and a complex microbial community formed by hundreds of different species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, phages, and the candidate phyla radiation (CPR) group, all living in symbiosis with healthy individuals. In an opposite state, dental caries is a biofilm-mediated dysbiosis that involves changes in the core microbiome composition and function, which leads to the demineralization of tooth tissues due to the fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, producing acid by select oral bacteria. The cariogenic biofilm is typically characterized by bacterial species with the ability of adhering to the saliva-coated tooth surface, production of exopolysaccharides-rich matrix (which will limit the diffusion of acidic products of carbohydrate fermentation), and the ability of surviving in this acidic environment. Besides years of research and dental treatment, dental caries remains the most common chronic disease in children worldwide. This article aims to bring an insightful discussion about important questions that remain unanswered in the Cariology and Oral Microbiology fields, to move Science forward, characterize the interrelationships of these communities, and understand mechanistic functions between microorganisms and the host, therefore leading to translatable knowledge that benefits the provision of care to our pediatric patients. [Figure: see text]

ABSTRACTBackground Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon disease with high morbidity and mortality rates, which often develops from oral bacterial species entering circulation.Objective We compared oral microbiome profiles of three groups: IE patients (N 9 patients; n = 27 samples), disease controls at risk for IE (N = 28; n = 84), and healthy controls (N = 37; n = 111). Bacterial species in IE patients’ blood cultures were identified for comparison with matched oral samples.Design Oral microbiome profiles were obtained from buccal mucosa, saliva, and tongue samples for all three groups and from sub- and supra-gingival plaque samples of the IE group (N = 9; n = 16) and disease controls (N = 28; n = 54). Alpha- and beta-diversities were determined based on relative abundance data. Discriminative species were identified by LEfSe, post hoc Mann-Whitney, and ROC analyses. Identity of the bacterial species in IE patients’ blood cultures was confirmed by 16S-rRNA gene Sanger sequencing.Results Alpha- and beta-diversities differed between groups. Discriminative IE-associated species were identified, e.g. Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus sanguinis. Two blood isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, also identified in one matched saliva sample. Streptococcus mutans was present in one patient’s plaque samples and blood culture.Conclusions Oral microbiomes of IE, non-IE disease controls, and healthy controls differed significantly. A better understanding of IE-related bacterial-host interactions is warranted.

Abstract Background Prolonged exposure to HIV and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has been linked with endothelial cell activation which subsequently predisposes people living with HIV (PLWH) to cardiovascular diseases. Serum biomarkers of endothelial cell activation such as E-Selectin and endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) could aid in early detection of PLWH at a risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, there is a paucity of data on these biomarkers like E-selectin and endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) among PLWH on long term ART (≥ 10 years) in Uganda. The aim of this study is to determine the serum levels of these biomarkers in this population. Methods This was a cross-sectional study where we randomly sampled 73 stored serum samples of PLWH who were enrolled in the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) ART long term (ALT cohort). We measured serum levels of E-selectin and ESM-1 by ELISA. Data was summarized using median and interquartile range. Inferential statistics were performed to determine predictors of elevated levels of E-selectin. Results Of the 73 samples analyzed, 38 (52.1%) were from female participants. The mean age was 54 ± 9.0 years. Twenty participants (27.4%) had a history of smoking while 52 (71.2%) had a history of alcohol intake. Twenty-five (34.3%) of the participants were overweight whereas 4 (5.6%) were obese. Fifty-four (74%) had an undetectable viral load (≤ 0 copies/ml) and the mean duration of ART at the time of sampling (2014/2015) was 10.4 ± 0.4 years. While serum levels of ESM-1 were not detectable in any of our samples, the median E-selectin levels was 147.6 μm/L ranging from 8.44 μm/L and 1,979.36 μm/L. Sixty-seven participants (91.8%) had elevated levels of E-selectin (> 39 μm/L). CD4 count > 500 cells/µl compared to lower counts was a predictor of elevated levels of E-Selectin (adjusted Odd Ratio 12.5, 95% CI (1.03 — 149.95, p 500 cells/µl) was predictive of elevated levels of E-Selectin. Future work should longitudinally assess the trend of levels of E-selectin and ESM-1 while assessing for cardiovascular diseases endpoint.

The role of keratinocyte subpopulations in the different phases of the viral cycle during HPV16 infection remains to be characterised. Here, single cell RNA sequencing of HPV16 infected and uninfected organoids identifies 12 distinct keratinocyte populations including an HPV-reprogrammed keratinocyte subpopulation that is linked to cancer.

Introduction Children and adolescents are increasingly prescribed antipsychotic medications off-label in the treatment of behavioural disorders. While antipsychotic medications are effective in managing behavioural issues, they carry a significant risk of adverse events that compromise ongoing physical health. Of particular concern is the negative impact antipsychotic medications have on cardiometabolic health. Interventions that aim to modify lifestyle habits have the potential to alleviate the adverse effects of antipsychotic medication by enhancing weight management, increasing physical activity, promoting better nutritional practices, improving dietary habits and promoting healthier sleep patterns and sleep hygiene. However, a comprehensive review has not been performed to ascertain the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for children and adolescents who are at increased risk of antipsychotic-induced compromises to their physical health.Methods and analysis This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Four databases will be searched without any year constraints to identify randomised controlled trials that are published in the English language and report a lifestyle intervention compared with usual care with any physical health outcome measure. Trial registers and results repositories will be scoured to identify additional studies. Two reviewers will independently conduct screening, data extraction and quality assessment and compare the results. Quantitative data will be synthesised, where appropriate, through a random-effects meta-analysis model. Otherwise, data will be reported in a qualitative (narrative) synthesis. Heterogeneity will be quantified using the I2 statistic. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool will be used for risk of bias assessment. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to evaluate the cumulative body of evidence.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not required. The publication plan will target high-impact, peer-reviewed journals that fall under the scope of Psychiatry and Mental Health.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022380277.

Summary: Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It remains unclear how MIS-C phenotypes vary across SARS-CoV-2 variants. We aimed to investigate clinical characteristics and outcomes of MIS-C across SARS-CoV-2 eras. Methods: We performed a multicentre observational retrospective study including seven paediatric hospitals in four countries (France, Spain, U.K., and U.S.). All consecutive confirmed patients with MIS-C hospitalised between February 1st, 2020, and May 31st, 2022, were included. Electronic Health Records (EHR) data were used to calculate pooled risk differences (RD) and effect sizes (ES) at site level, using Alpha as reference. Meta-analysis was used to pool data across sites. Findings: Of 598 patients with MIS-C (61% male, 39% female; mean age 9.7 years [SD 4.5]), 383 (64%) were admitted in the Alpha era, 111 (19%) in the Delta era, and 104 (17%) in the Omicron era. Compared with patients admitted in the Alpha era, those admitted in the Delta era were younger (ES −1.18 years [95% CI −2.05, −0.32]), had fewer respiratory symptoms (RD −0.15 [95% CI −0.33, −0.04]), less frequent non-cardiogenic shock or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (RD −0.35 [95% CI −0.64, −0.07]), lower lymphocyte count (ES −0.16 × 109/uL [95% CI −0.30, −0.01]), lower C-reactive protein (ES −28.5 mg/L [95% CI −46.3, −10.7]), and lower troponin (ES −0.14 ng/mL [95% CI −0.26, −0.03]). Patients admitted in the Omicron versus Alpha eras were younger (ES −1.6 years [95% CI −2.5, −0.8]), had less frequent SIRS (RD −0.18 [95% CI −0.30, −0.05]), lower lymphocyte count (ES −0.39 × 109/uL [95% CI −0.52, −0.25]), lower troponin (ES −0.16 ng/mL [95% CI −0.30, −0.01]) and less frequently received anticoagulation therapy (RD −0.19 [95% CI −0.37, −0.04]). Length of hospitalization was shorter in the Delta versus Alpha eras (−1.3 days [95% CI −2.3, −0.4]). Interpretation: Our study suggested that MIS-C clinical phenotypes varied across SARS-CoV-2 eras, with patients in Delta and Omicron eras being younger and less sick. EHR data can be effectively leveraged to identify rare complications of pandemic diseases and their variation over time. Funding: None.

Summary: Background: Characterizing Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (SARS-CoV-2 Infection), or PASC has been challenging due to the multitude of sub-phenotypes, temporal attributes, and definitions. Scalable characterization of PASC sub-phenotypes can enhance screening capacities, disease management, and treatment planning. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multi-centre observational cohort study, leveraging longitudinal electronic health record (EHR) data of 30,422 patients from three healthcare systems in the Consortium for the Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE). From the total cohort, we applied a deductive approach on 12,424 individuals with follow-up data and developed a distributed representation learning process for providing augmented definitions for PASC sub-phenotypes. Findings: Our framework characterized seven PASC sub-phenotypes. We estimated that on average 15.7% of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients were likely to suffer from at least one PASC symptom and almost 5.98%, on average, had multiple symptoms. Joint pain and dyspnea had the highest prevalence, with an average prevalence of 5.45% and 4.53%, respectively. Interpretation: We provided a scalable framework to every participating healthcare system for estimating PASC sub-phenotypes prevalence and temporal attributes, thus developing a unified model that characterizes augmented sub-phenotypes across the different systems. Funding: Authors are supported by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute on Aging, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Medical Research Council, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, European Union, National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

Abstract Scientist-teacher partnerships are highly beneficial to K-12 STEM education. While much is known about the benefits for teachers in these partnerships, the corresponding benefits for scientists are less well known. With emphasis on the scientists’ perspective, here we describe our NSF RET (Research Experiences for Teachers) project consisting of five successive cohorts from 2012 to 2016. Coincident with a “once-in-a-century” expansion of the Panama Canal, the science research focused on the paleontology, evolutionary biology, and geology of this region to better understand the ancient Neotropical biota related to the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI). In the field, scientists and teachers worked together collecting fossils and geological samples. Back in the K-12 classrooms, lesson plans related to their experiences were implemented and the teachers hosted scientist role-model visits. More than 30 scientists and 44 teachers participated in this Panama “GABI RET” project. Using a new validated survey developed during this project and focus groups, we explored the impact of this project, and in particular the perceived benefits accrued by the scientists. Our study confirmed that scientists felt they improved their communication skills, had a better appreciation for the K-12 teaching professions, greatly enjoyed working with the teachers, considered them colleagues, and many wanted to continue K-12 outreach as part of their careers. Overall, scientists perceived that they greatly benefited from these partnerships. In addition to describing their activities, they had numerous recommendations for similar partnerships in the future. For example, these include: (1) having more teachers participate in multiple cohorts, (2) continued opportunities for teachers to be involved in professional meetings, (3) ongoing webinars and face-to-face engagement, and (4) more diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds, subjects taught, and regions represented. Although this case study was focused on the GABI RET, our results also potentially inform other projects that involve scientists’ education and outreach activities.

Abstract Hydrogel-encapsulated catalysts are an attractive tool for low-cost intensification of (bio)-processes. Polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate hydrogels crosslinked with boric acid and post-cured with sulfate (PVA-SA-BS) have been applied in bioproduction and water treatment processes, but the low pH required for crosslinking may negatively affect biocatalyst functionality. Here, we investigate how crosslinking pH (3, 4, and 5) and time (1, 2, and 8 h) affect the physicochemical, elastic, and process properties of PVA-SA-BS beads. Overall, bead properties were most affected by crosslinking pH. Beads produced at pH 3 and 4 were smaller and contained larger internal cavities, while optical coherence tomography suggested polymer cross-linking density was higher. Optical coherence elastography revealed PVA-SA-BS beads produced at pH 3 and 4 were stiffer than pH 5 beads. Dextran Blue release showed that pH 3-produced beads enabled higher diffusion rates and were more porous. Last, over a 28-day incubation, pH 3 and 4 beads lost more microspheres (as cell proxies) than beads produced at pH 5, while the latter released more polymer material. Overall, this study provides a path forward to tailor PVA-SA-BS hydrogel bead properties towards a broad range of applications, such as chemical, enzymatic, and microbially catalyzed (bio)-processes.

Abstract Objective To analyze how the COVID‐19 pandemic has influenced trends in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presentation and diagnosis—including referral patterns, stage at presentation, and time to diagnosis—over a longitudinal time course. Setting Multicenter tertiary care academic institution. Methods A retrospective review of patients with HNSCC presenting between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 was performed. Patients were stratified into pre‐COVID and COVID cohorts based upon presentation date either before or after the COVID pandemic was declared a national emergency. Data was collected on demographics, referral site, symptoms, tumor characteristics, and time to diagnosis. Results Of 203 patients with HNSCC identified, 77.3% (157/203) were in the pre‐COVID cohort and 22.7% (46/203) were in the COVID cohort. Patients in the COVID cohort were more likely to present through inpatient or ER consultation (26% vs. 11%) than outpatient setting. There was a greater than 50% decrease in new tumor board case presentations per month in the COVID cohort (4.8) relative to the pre‐COVID (10.9) cohort. Cancer stage at presentation was similar between cohorts. Time from presentation to diagnosis was similar between the cohorts at approximately 30 days. Conclusions These results suggest that patients presenting during the COVID pandemic may have unique referral patterns. A significant decrease in tumor board presentations was noted, which may contribute to more delayed presentations that have yet to be observed. Further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted. Lay Summary The COVID‐19 pandemic may have changed where and how patients with head and neck cancer initially seek care. We found that patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer more often were initially seen in urgent settings than before the pandemic. Level of Evidence 3

Abstract Both cerium (Ce) and praseodymium (Pr) undergo a volume collapse transition under compression that originate from similar electronic mechanisms. Yet the outcome could not be more different. In the case of Ce with one affected 4f electron the volume collapse leaves the crystal symmetry intact, whereas for Pr with two 4f electrons the crystal symmetry changes from a distorted face centered cubic structure to a lower symmetry orthorhombic structure. In this paper, we present a study of the effect of strain/compression rate spanning nearly 4 orders of magnitude on the volume collapse phase transitions in Ce and Pr. These dynamic compression experiments in a diamond anvil cell also reveal kinetic differences between the phase transformations observed in these two materials. The transition cannot be overdriven in pressure in Ce, which indicates a fast kinetic process, whereas fast compression rates in Pr lead to a shift of the phase boundary to higher pressures, pointing to slower kinetics possibly due to the realization of a new crystal structure.

Cytolethal distending toxins (Cdt) are a family of toxins produced by several human pathogens which infect mucocutaneous tissue and induce inflammatory disease. Human macrophages exposed to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) Cdt respond through canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation to stimulate cytokine release. The inflammatory response is dependent on PI3K signaling blockade via the toxin’s phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) phosphatase activity; converting PIP3 to phosphatidylinsoitol-3,4-diphosphate (PI3,4P2) thereby depleting PIP3 pools. Phosphoinositides, also play a critical role in phagosome trafficking, serving as binding domains for effector proteins during phagosome maturation and subsequent fusion with lysosomes. We now demonstrate that AaCdt manipulates the phosphoinositide (PI) pools of phagosome membranes and alters Rab5 association. Exposure of macrophages to AaCdt slowed phagosome maturation and decreased phago-lysosome formation, thereby compromising macrophage phagocytic function. Moreover, macrophages exposed to Cdt showed decreased bactericidal capacity leading to increase in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans survival. Thus, Cdt may contribute to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. These studies uncover an underexplored aspect of Cdt function and provide new insight into the virulence potential of Cdt in mediating the pathogenesis of disease caused by Cdt-producing organisms such as Aa.

Summary: CD4+ T cells recognize a broad range of peptide epitopes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which contribute to immune memory and limit COVID-19 disease. We demonstrate that the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 peptides, in the context of the model allotype HLA-DR1, does not correlate with their binding affinity to the HLA heterodimer. Analyzing six epitopes, some with very low binding affinity, we solve X-ray crystallographic structures of each bound to HLA-DR1. Further structural definitions reveal the precise molecular impact of viral variant mutations on epitope presentation. Omicron escaped ancestral SARS-CoV-2 immunity to two epitopes through two distinct mechanisms: (1) mutations to TCR-facing epitope positions and (2) a mechanism whereby a single amino acid substitution caused a register shift within the HLA binding groove, completely altering the peptide-HLA structure. This HLA-II-specific paradigm of immune escape highlights how CD4+ T cell memory is finely poised at the level of peptide-HLA-II presentation.

Spatially resolved motion-sensitized magnetic resonance (MR) is a powerful tool for studying the dynamic properties of materials. Traditional methods involve using large, expensive equipment to create images of sample displacement by measuring the spatially resolved MR signal response to time-varying magnetic field gradients. In these systems, both the sample and the stress applicator are typically positioned inside a magnet bore. Portable MR instruments with constant gradients are more accessible, with fewer limitations on sample size, and they can be used in industrial settings to study samples under deformation or flow. We propose a view in which the well-controlled sensitive region of a magnet array acts as an integrator, with the velocity distribution leading to phase interference in the detected signal, which encodes information on the sample’s dynamic properties. For example, in laminar flows of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, the velocity distribution can be determined analytically and used to extract the fluid’s dynamic properties from the MR signal magnitude and/or phase. This review covers general procedures, practical considerations, and examples of applications in dynamic mechanical analysis and fluid rheology (viscoelastic deformation, laminar pipe flows, and Couette flows). Given that these techniques are relatively uncommon in the broader magnetic resonance community, this review is intended for both advanced NMR users and a more general physics/engineering audience interested in rheological applications of NMR.