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ObjectiveGranulomatous mastitis (GM) is a benign breast disease that can have an extended clinical course impacting quality of life and causing breast disfigurement. Granulomatous mastitis has been studied throughout the world; however, less is known about GM patients in the United States. We aim to identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with GM in the United States.MethodsAn IRB-approved retrospective case-control study was performed of 92 patients with biopsy-proven GM at two institutions in Los Angeles, California: a safety-net hospital and an academic institution. Age-matched controls were selected from patients presenting for diagnostic breast imaging. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were collected. Data were analyzed using univariable test for odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and multivariable conditional logistic regression.ResultsPatients with GM were more likely to prefer Spanish language (OR 6.20, 95% CI: 2.71%–14.18%), identify as Hispanic/Latina (OR 5.18, 95% CI: 2.38%–11.30%), and be born in Mexico (OR 3.85, 95% CI: 1.23%–12.02%). Cases were more likely to have no primary care provider (OR 3.76, 95% CI: 1.97%–7.14%) and use California Medicaid for undocumented adults (OR 3.65, 95% CI: 1.89%–7.08%). In the multivariable analysis, participants who preferred Spanish language had four times higher odds of GM versus those who preferred English language (OR 4.32, 95% CI: 1.38%–13.54%).ConclusionPatients with GM may have barriers to health care access, such as preferring Spanish language, being an undocumented immigrant, and not having a primary care provider. Given these health care disparities, further research is needed to identify risk factors, etiologies, and treatments for this subset of GM patients.

Hepatic steatosis (HS) is a growing problem in adults worldwide, with racial/ethnic disparity in the prevalence of the disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize the racial/ethnic prevalence of the stages (normal/mild [S0/S1], moderate [S2], and severe [S3]) of HS in Mexican Americans and other Hispanics compared to other racial/ethnic groups. We analyzed data for 5,492 individuals 12 years and older from the newly released National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017‐2018, which is a representative sample of the US adult population. HS was diagnosed by FibroScan using controlled attenuation parameter values: S0, 290. We analyzed the data using the bivariate chi‐squared test and multinomial regression. The prevalence of HS overall was 46.9% (S2,16.6%; S3, 30.3%). The prevalence of S3 was highest among Mexican Americans (42.8%), lowest among Blacks (21.6%), 27.6% in other Hispanics, and 30.6% in Whites (P, Hepatic steatosis is a growing global epidemic that it has long been thought that Hispanics are at higher risk for hepatic steatosis than other racial/ethnic groups.However, previous studies have often not taken the diverse ethnic origins of Hispanics into account.Our study shows that particularly Hispanics of Mexican descent are at increased risk for hepatic steatosis, while Hispanics of non‐Mexican descent are not.

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with elevated urinary albumin (UA) excretion and C-reactive protein (CRP). However, potential differences in CRP levels on the association between individual components of the MetS and microalbuminuria (MA; 30–300 μg/mL) and/or UA (0–300 μg/mL) by race/ethnicity is unknown. Methods: We analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) data, (1999–2010) for adults (≥20 years of age) with the MetS (N = 5700). The Sobel–Goodman mediation test examined the influence of CRP on the association between individual MetS components and both MA and UA by race/ethnicity. We applied machine learning models to predict UA. Results: CRP mediated the association between waist circumference (WC) and MA in Whites and Hispanics but not in Blacks. However, in general, the proportion of the total effect of MetS components on UA, mediated by CRP, was: 11% for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and 40% for WC (P

Background: This study aims to examine and determine the role of race/ethnicity in chronic conditions in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during any of their previous pregnancies. Methods: We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from2007–2016 to identify women who self-reported prior GDM and chronic disease diagnoses such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, depression, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).We used bivariate analysis using the chi-square test (χ²) and multiple logistic regressions to perform statistical test for associations, taking into consideration design and sample weight. Results: Among participants with prior GDM diagnoses, black women had a 74.4% prevalence of chronic disease, followed by Whites, 58.5% Hispanics, 58.0%, and Asians, 51.9% (P=0.009).Black women with prior GDM diagnoses had 2.4 odds of having chronic conditions compared to Whites (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28-4.50). In addition, they had higher odds of being former smokers (AOR=1.73, 95% CI=1.01-2.96),current smokers (AOR=1.96, 95% CI=1.06-3.61), having a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9(AOR=2.55, 95% CI=1.10-5.87), or a BMI ≥30 (AOR=4.09, 95% CI = 2.05-8.17) compared to their White counterparts. Hispanic women had lower odds of being diagnosed with GDM and associated chronic diseases. Conclusion: Black women with GDM were disproportionally affected and at higher risk to be diagnosed with chronic conditions. Smoking and obesity were strongly associated with chronic disease diagnoses. Our findings also suggest a ‘Hispanic Paradox’, requiring further study. These findings inform primary care clinicians and Obstetricians, and Gynecologists of at-risk patients who could benefit from lifestyle modification recommendations and counseling.

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients have various metastasis patterns, which reflect diverse biological characteristics of different patient subgroups. We analyse the prognosis of mCRC patients according to the metastatic site and clarify the relationship between tumor or patient characteristics and the metastatic sites. The whole sequencing and clinical data of 2329 CRC patients were obtained from TCGA and a database of the MSKCC. Kruskal Wallis Tests were used to analyse measurement data. Survival was illustrated by Kaplan-Meier curves, with P value determined by Log-rank Test. Hazard’s ratio was determined through the univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazards regression model. The mortality rate of CRC patients with liver-only metastasis (mCRC-liver) did not increase versus nonmetastatic patients. The survival rate of patients with non-regional lymph node-only metastasis (mCRCNRLN) was lower versus mCRC-liver. Mutations of KRAS and TCF7L2 genes were associated with mortality of mCRC-liver. APC mutation was associated with reduced mortality in mCRC-lung and mCRCNRLN. BRAF mutation was associated with increased mortality of mCRC-peritoneum. In a multivariate COX analysis, gender affected the survival rate of mCRC-liver. Age and the number of gene mutations affected the survival rate of mCRC-lung and mCRC-NRLN respectively. Receiving chemotherapy is an unfavourable factor for prognosis of mCRC-liver, but the length of chemotherapy treatment is an advantageous prognosis factor. This study depicts the long-term survival features of a group of mCRC patients. These findings promoted our understanding of the prognosis characteristics of CRC and have positive guiding significance for clinical management of CRC patients.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more severe form of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) that is characterized by inflammation and liver damage. Previous studies have identified a strong association between NAFLD and race/ethnicity, but there has been less investigation of a racial disparity specifically in NASH. We tested the association between NASH and race/ethnicity in the adult US population of NHANES 17-18 (n=5492). Hepatic steatosis (HS) was diagnosed by FibroScan® using controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values (stages): S0 290. Participants with moderate/severe steatosis without the exclusion criteria (elevated transferrin level >50%, chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, excessive alcohol use, or prescription medications that might cause HS) were considered to have NAFLD (n=3,292). Subjects with NAFLD and a HAIR score (defined by HOMA-IR, hypertension, and ALT) of ≥ 2 were considered to have NASH, as opposed to simple NAFLD. Data were analyzed using Chi square and multinomial regression adjusting for the other independent variables [demographics: (age, gender, education, poverty), physical activity, smoking, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose, HbA1c, C-reactive protein (hsCRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and healthy eating index (HEI)] using SAS (Release V.9.1.3, 2002; SAS) and including sample weights and design. The overall prevalence of NASH was 7.6% and it varied by race/ethnicity. Mexican Americans had the highest prevalence (10.6%), followed by other Hispanics (9.1%); Non-Hispanic Whites had the lowest prevalence (6.8%) (p0.05). We concluded that the prevalence of NASH was highest among Mexican American males relative to the other groups. Targeted interventions for Mexican American males are needed to increase awareness, management and prevention related to NASH. Grants: R01MD012579, R24DA017298, U54MD007598, S21MD000103, UL1TR001881 Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The abnormal PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is one of the most common genomic abnormalities in breast cancers including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and pharmacologic inhibition of these aberrations has shown activity in TNBC patients. Here, we designed and identified a small-molecule Comp34 that suppresses both AKT and mTOR protein expression and exhibits robust cytotoxicity towards TNBC cells but not nontumorigenic normal breast epithelial cells. Mechanically, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) AL354740.1-204 (also named as NUDT3-AS4) acts as a microRNA sponge to compete with AKT1/mTOR mRNAs for binding to miR-99s, leading to decrease in degradation of AKT1/mTOR mRNAs and subsequent increase in AKT1/mTOR protein expression. Inhibition of lncRNA-NUDT3-AS4 and suppression of the NUDT3-AS4/miR-99s association contribute to Comp34-affected biologic pathways. In addition, Comp34 alone is effective in cells with secondary resistance to rapamycin, the best-known inhibitor of mTOR, and displays a greater in vivo antitumor efficacy and lower toxicity than rapamycin in TNBC xenografted models. In conclusion, NUDT3-AS4 may play a proproliferative role in TNBC and be considered a relevant therapeutic target, and Comp34 presents promising activity as a single agent to inhibit TNBC through regulation of NUDT3-AS4 and miR-99s.

Objective(s): 1) to determine whether the proportion of alcohol-impaired patients involved in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) varies by race/ethnicity within different age groups; 2) to explore the re...

Confusing health messages and environmental changes intended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus have affected the dietary behavior of older African Americans. We investigated the impact of COVID-19-related factors on diet quality and the relationship between food access and diet quality. We surveyed 150 African Americans aged 55 years and above during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data obtained included socio-demographic and health information, and COVID-19-related knowledge and perceptions. Dietary intake data was obtained using the Diet History Questionnaire III. Analyses included bivariate and multivariable statistics. Overall, based on United States Department of Agriculture guidelines, the diet quality of older African Americans was poor. Lower knowledge and a lower perceived threat of COVID-19 were significantly associated with poor diet quality. Additionally, older African Americans with chronic diseases and food insecurity had poor diet quality. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of diet quality. The combined impact of poor knowledge and perceived threat of COVID-19, chronic disease, and food insecurity contribute to poor diet quality in this population. This study adds to the well-known need for strategies to support the right to a healthy diet, particularly during COVID-19 and future pandemics. Proactive interventions to counteract the potential consequences of poor diets are needed.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious condition whose prevalence differs by race/ethnicity. Studies have suggested that consumption of high-fructose corn syrup is likely a risk factor for NAFLD. We investigated the associations between fructose consumption and NAFLD, and its distribution by race/ethnicity in the adult US population using NHANES 2017-2018 data (n=3292). NAFLD was diagnosed by FibroScan® using controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values of =>260 and no exclusion criteria. Fructose consumption was calculated from 24-hour dietary recall data in combination with USDA food nutritional content data files. Fructose consumption was categorized into tertiles (low= 0.95-2.1 g). We analyzed data in SAS 9.4 using Chi squared tests and multinomial logistic regression, adjusting for demographics, behavioral, and laboratory data, and including sample weights and design. Of the 3292 participants, 31.3% were in the middle tertile of the fructose consumption and 35.5% were in the high tertile. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of NAFLD by fructose consumption group [low=44%; middle=48%, and high=51%] (p=0.094). The highest percentage of participants in the high tertile of fructose consumption were in Mexican Americans (48%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (44%), with a much lower percentage of non-Hispanic Whites (33%) (p Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a public health concern, especially given its increasing prevalence. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from simple NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), followed by fibrosis and cirrhosis. There is a known health disparity for NAFLD with Mexican-Americans having a higher prevalence and Blacks having a lower prevalence compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. The objective of this study is to examine the association between race/ethnicity and hepatic fibrosis. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2018) was used for the analysis. The analytic sample was restricted to participants who were at least 18 years of age (N=5492). Hepatic fibrosis was diagnosed by FibroScan®. Fibrosis stages were F0-F1 (14 kPa). Data were analyzed using Chi square and multinomial regression to determine the association between race/ethnicity and hepatic fibrosis adjusting for the other independent variables [demographics (age, gender, education, poverty), physical activity, smoking, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, HbA1c, C-reactive protein (hsCRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and healthy eating index (HEI)] using SAS (Release V.9.1.3, 2002; SAS) and including sample weights and design. The overall prevalence of hepatic fibrosis was 20.8% (F2=12.7%, F3=4.6%, F4=3.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in hepatic fibrosis prevalence by race/ethnicity (p=0.817). F2 stage was highest among Blacks (14.9%) and other Hispanics (14.8%) and 13.0% in Non-Hispanic Whites. F3 stage was highest among Blacks (5.3%) and Whites (4.9%). F4 was highest among "other Hispanics (4.7%) but none of the differences was statistically significant. In the multinomial adjusted model, race/ethnicity was not associated with having F2 or F3 stages, but it was associated with F4 stage where "other race/ethnic" group were 3 times more likely than Non-Hispanic Whites to have F4 stage (adjusted odds ratio=3.2, 95% confidence interval=1.1-9.4, p=0.03). In the adjusted model, factors associated with high adjusted odds of F4 stage were high waist to hip ratio, low HDL (1 mg/dL, high AST (>40 U/L), HbA1c=>6.5% (diabetes mellitus) (p Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Background and aimsNutritionally adequate diets can slow the progression of diabetes, but adherence to recommended dietary choices can be hindered by food insecurity. We examined the relationship between dietary quality, food insecurity, and glycemic control among adults with Type 2 Diabetes.MethodsWe analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2016) for 1682 adults=>20 years old with Type 2 diabetes. Glycemic control was measured by HbA1c. Dietary quality was computed using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 score. Food security was assessed by a questionnaire. We analyzed the data using multinomial regression models.ResultsAbout 16% of the population had an HbA1c≥9; 31.8% had food insecurity; 68.3% consumed a poor quality diet. About 24% consumed a poor quality diet and had food insecurity. In the multinomial model, an HbA1c of 8

BACKGROUND: It is essential to identify factors that predict helmet use, so as to mitigate the injury and mortality from bicycle accidents. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between helmet use and the bicycle-related trauma injury outcomes among bicyclists with head/neck injury in the US. METHODS: Data from the 2002–2012 National Trauma Data Bank were used, including all trauma bicycle riders involved in bicycle-related accidents whose primary reason for the hospital or Intensive Care Unit stay was head or neck injury. Using multiple logistic regression, the association between helmet use, Injury severity score (ISS), length of stay in hospital (HLOS) and Intensive Care Unit (ICULOS), and mortality was examined. RESULTS: Of the 76,032 bicyclists with head/neck injury, 22% worn helmets. The lowest was among Blacks, Hispanics, and

Mentoring continues to be a salient conversation in academia among junior and senior faculty and administrators. Mentors provide guidance and structure to junior faculty so that they can meet their academic and professional goals. Mentors also convey skills in balancing life and academic pursuits. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to provide additional insight from a training program called Leading Emerging and Diverse Scientists to Success (LEADS) regarding successful strategies and challenges of mentoring relating to lessons learned from the scholars and mentees’ perspective. The LEADS program provided multiple training platforms to increase skills and knowledge regarding research to promote expertise in grant writing and submission for funding opportunities among diverse scientists. These findings reinforce the knowledge about the value of a mentor in helping define the research pathway of their mentee and underscoring the importance of mentoring.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious liver condition marked by hepatic steatosis (HS), cell damage and inflammation. Patients with NASH are at risk for developing cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. Currently, the definitive method of diagnosing NASH is by liver biopsy. To avoid the costs and risks associated with biopsy procedures, there has been considerable effort to develop a non-invasive method of identifying patients with NASH. However, none of these methods has become accepted as a “gold standard.” Our objective was to compare three non-invasive methods of identifying NASH by using data from NHANES III (1988-1994) to determine variables associated with published formulas to identify NASH. We used ultrasound data to identify subjects with moderate - severe HS. Among those with HS, we identified the NASH population using either the HAIR score, the NASH liver fat score, or the Gholam score. The HAIR score was developed in a sample of obese patients, is based on hypertension, insulin resistance and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and had an AUROC of 0.9, a sensitivity of 0.8, and a specificity of 0.89. The NASH liver fat score was developed in a Finnish population undergoing gastric bypass, and validated in an Italian population of liver biopsy patients. This score incorporates metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, serum insulin, AST, and ALT. In the Finnish and Italian populations, respectively, it had AUROCs of 0.73 and 0.74, sensitivities of 59.5 and 92.9, and specificities of 79.7 and 32.7. The Gholam score was developed in a sample of obese patients and uses aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and type 2 diabetes diagnosis. It had an AUROC of 0.82, a sensitivity of 0.76, and a specificity of 0.66. We performed multinomial logistic regression to compare each NASH population to the normal population (those with no or only mild HS). We identified 1236 subjects as having NASH by at least one method. 18% of these were identified by all 3 methods, while 20% were identified by 2 methods. All three methods identified significant risk factors for NASH (p

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver condition. It is manifested by hepatic steatosis (HS) that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and even liver failure. Interestingly, it is marked by racial/ethnic disparities, with a high prevalence in Hispanics. We aimed to identify the risk factors for these chronic conditions in the US. To this end, we analyzed data from NHANES III (1988-1994) using multiple or multinomial logistic regression considering the design and sample weight. HS was identified by ultrasound. NAFLD was defined as HS in the absence of viral hepatitis or excessive use of alcohol or hepatotoxic drugs. The NAFLD population was further divided into those with NASH (defined by the HAIR score), or with simple NAFLD. The prevalence of HS was 19.8%, 16.6%, and 27.9%; of NAFLD was 17.8%, 14.7%, and 25.5%; and of NASH was 3.2%, 2.5%, and 5.1% in non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics, respectively. Race/ethnicity was a significant predictor of HS, NAFLD and NASH, with Hispanics having the highest odds for all conditions, and non-Hispanic Blacks having the lowest odds relative to Whites (p0.05), current smokers had lower odds of NAFLD & NASH than non-smokers (p0.05). Our results showed an independent association between race/ethnicity and HS, NAFLD, and NASH, whereby Hispanics had the highest odds for every condition relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Providers should consider the race/ethnicity of their patients when evaluating the risk for NAFLD and NASH, and also be aware of the other risk factors, such as BMI and levels of C-peptide, glucose, and triglycerides.

Objectives To examine the relationship between homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and cognitive test performance among population ≥ 60 years in a national database. Hypothesis Higher insulin resistance is associated with lower cognitive test performance score in the population ≥ 60 years. Participants We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2000 and 2001–2002. Measurements Cognitive test performance was measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) exercise score. The main independent variable was the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We used bivariate analysis and generalized linear model adjusting for age, gender, race, education, body mass index, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures; total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels; and physical activity, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and congestive heart failure. STATA 14 was used to analyze the data taking into consideration the design, strata and weight. Results Of the 1028 participants, 44% were male and 85% were white. The mean age was 70.0 ± 0.28 (SE) years. Their average HOMA-IR was 3.6 ± 0.14 and they had a mean of 49.2 ± 0.8 correct DSS score in the cognitive test. Adjusting for the confounding variables, HOMA-IR was associated with decline in DSS score (B = − 0.30, 95% confidence interval = − 0.54 and − 0.05, p = 0.01). The model explained 44% of the variability of the DSS score (R2 = 0.44). Significant predictors of decline in DSS score were age, gender, race, and education (p = 0.01). Conclusion Insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR was independently associated with lower cognitive test performance score among elderly participants aged ≥ 60 years. Longitudinal studies are needed to test the mechanism and the causal relationship.

Previous studies have examined the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients with diabetes but few studies examined the relationship between hepatic steatosis and prediabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hepatic steatosis and prediabetes in a representative sample of the U.S. adult 20 years and older. Data from 5,492 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 were analyzed. Participants were considered normal if they have hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 6.5. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed using fibroscan. We analyzed the data using descriptive, bivariate Chi square, and multiple logistic regression to determine the association between diabetes status, prediabetes status and hepatic steatosis, adjusting for confounding variables and considering the design and sample weights. Of the 5,492 participants, 8.5% had diabetes and 22.6% had prediabetes. The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 70% among population with diabetes, 46% among the prediabetes group, and 21% in the normal group (p=200 mg/dL) (AOR=4.2, 95% CI=2.6–6.6, p

The National Institutes of Health has made considerable investments to diversify the biomedical research workforce. Towards this goal, the authors partnered with representatives from several minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to develop training for the next generation of researchers. To ensure the most effective training program, the authors conducted a needs assessment with junior and senior investigators from the partnering MSIs. In 2016, the authors conducted focus groups and interviews with 23 junior investigators as well as in-depth interviews with 6 senior investigators from the partnering institutions with the goal of identifying specific areas of training and support that would help junior investigators at MSIs develop and sustain research careers. The data were transcribed and coded, and thematic analysis was conducted. The authors determined four areas in which training and support were needed: training in the "informal curriculum" (skills not covered in traditional clinical research courses), protected time for research training, opportunities to create career-advancing work products, and networking opportunities. The themes that were identified informed the development of the LEADS (Leading Emerging and Diverse Scientists to Success) program. The program consists of 10 instructor-led online modules each lasting approximately one month in duration with weekly synchronous sessions. Scholars are expected to be able to devote at least 20% of their time to the program.

Hepatic steatosis is a serious problem worldwide and it affects Hispanics at a higher rate than Blacks. This disparity is an important public health problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the trend in the racial/ethnic disparity of hepatic steatosis among a representative sample of the U.S. adult ≥20 years old in two time-periods. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988–1994) and NHANES 2017–2018 were analyzed. The sample size in the two respective cycles was 13,910 and 5,492 respectively. Hepatic steatosis in NHANES III was diagnosed using ultrasound while in NHANES 2017–2018, fibroscan was used. We analyzed the data using bivariate Chi square, and multiple logistic regression to adjusting for confounding variables and considering the design and sample weights. In both time-periods, Mexican American had the highest prevalence of hepatic steatosis (28% in NHANES III and 43% in NHANES 2017–2018) compared to the other racial/ethnic groups (p

Current treatments for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have severe side effects and are very expensive. There is a need to explore effective natural therapies against HCV that are less toxic and more cost-effective. In the current study, 37 chronic HCV patients were randomized into two groups and treated with either pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) plus ribavirin (n = 21) or Biobran, an arabinoxylan from rice bran (1 g/day) (n = 16). We examined viremia, liver enzymes, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in serum, and toxicity before and three months after treatment. Both groups showed a significant and similar reduction in viral load after three months of treatment relative to the baseline viral load ( P

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Asthma is a life-long, chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Its effects on quality of life in children can be exacerbated. The goal of this study was to investigate the link between asthma, family structure and demographics and how it impacts quality of life in children. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We analyzed data from a cross sectional study of the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children’s Health, NSCH, to assess the relationship between determinants of health variables and the outcome variable of parent’s report of child’s perceived health status (quality of life). The study population was children under the age of 18. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate analysis using Chi square, and multiple logistic regression of quality of life and family structure adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The study included 5,687 children. Significant predictors of asthmatic children’s quality of life were severity of asthma, self-perceived mental/physical health status of adults, neighborhood safety for children (p

Background The earliest sign of an ongoing change in a man’s erectile function (EF) is the increase in his refractory period. This is due to the onset of an aging related apoptosis of the corporal smooth muscle cells (CSMC) as a result of oxidative stress (ROS) within the CSMC itself. In response, the CSMC begin to upregulate the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme presumably to achieve high levels of nitric oxide (NO) used to combat ROS. Treatment of aged rats for 2 months with the nutraceutical Revactin®, known to stimulate the iNOS-NO-cGMP pathway in CSMC, resulted in (I) an increase in CSMC content with a decrease in corporal fibrosis, (II) decrease in systemic ROS, and (III) improvement in EF. To determine whether Revactin® could be used in the clinical setting, a pilot safety study was conducted. Methods Fifty-four middle aged men (mean age 57.8±10.7; range, 33–77 years) were recruited for this safety study. Patients were given Revactin® twice daily (total daily dose of 500 mg of ginger root, muira puama, and Paullinia cupana and 1,600 mg of L-citrulline) and were asked to complete the IIEF-15 questionnaire [domains: EF, orgasmic function (OF), sexual desire (SD), intercourse satisfaction (IS), overall satisfaction (OS)] at baseline (B), 1 month (M1), 2 months (M2) and 3 months (M3) and report any side effects. Those on erectogenic medications at B were requested to stop taking them during the trial. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon paired test and Friedman rank test for trend. Results Revactin® was safe with only 5 patients reporting treatment side effects (e.g., dyspepsia, heartburn, migraine) and none considered severe. For those who stayed on the regimen (M1 =32; M2 =22; M3 =16), there was an increase in median domain scores for EF, OF, SD, IS, and OS over 3 months compared to baseline median scores but statistical significance was found only in the EF, IS, and OS median domain scores. Trend analysis indicated significant trend in EF, OS & IS (P

Background:The earliest sign of an ongoing change in a man's erectile function (EF) is the increase in his refractory period. This is due to the onset of an aging related apoptosis of the corporal smooth muscle cells (CSMC) as a result of oxidative stress (ROS) within the CSMC itself. In response, the CSMC begin to upregulate the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme presumably to achieve high levels of nitric oxide (NO) used to combat ROS. Treatment of aged rats for 2 months with the nutraceutical Revactin®, known to stimulate the iNOS-NO-cGMP pathway in CSMC, resulted in (I) an increase in CSMC content with a decrease in corporal fibrosis, (II) decrease in systemic ROS, and (III) improvement in EF. To determine whether Revactin® could be used in the clinical setting, a pilot safety study was conducted. Methods:Fifty-four middle aged men (mean age 57.8±10.7; range, 33-77 years) were recruited for this safety study. Patients were given Revactin® twice daily (total daily dose of 500 mg of ginger root, muira puama, and Paullinia cupana and 1,600 mg of L-citrulline) and were asked to complete the IIEF-15 questionnaire [domains: EF, orgasmic function (OF), sexual desire (SD), intercourse satisfaction (IS), overall satisfaction (OS)] at baseline (B), 1 month (M1), 2 months (M2) and 3 months (M3) and report any side effects. Those on erectogenic medications at B were requested to stop taking them during the trial. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon paired test and Friedman rank test for trend. Results:Revactin® was safe with only 5 patients reporting treatment side effects (e.g., dyspepsia, heartburn, migraine) and none considered severe. For those who stayed on the regimen (M1 =32; M2 =22; M3 =16), there was an increase in median domain scores for EF, OF, SD, IS, and OS over 3 months compared to baseline median scores but statistical significance was found only in the EF, IS, and OS median domain scores. Trend analysis indicated significant trend in EF, OS & IS (P

Aging is associated with a decline in natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cell function that may contribute to increased susceptibility to malignancy and infection. A preliminary investigation was conducted examining the hypothesis that arabinoxylan rice bran (Biobran/MGN-3), a denatured hemicellulose with known immunomodulatory activity, could counteract this decline in NK/NKT cell activity in geriatrics. A total of 12 healthy geriatric subjects of both sexes and over 56 years old, participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of six subjects served as control and six subjects ingested Biobran/MGN-3 (500 mg/day) for 30 days. The effect of Biobran/MGN-3 supplementation on NK/NKT cell activity was assessed using the degranulation assay. All study subjects were monitored for the development of any inadvertent side effects. In addition, the pharmacological effects of Biobran/MGN-3 on blood cell components and liver and kidney functions were also assessed. Results demonstrated that Biobran/MGN-3 had no effect on the total percentage of NK cells, however it enhanced the cytotoxic activity of induced NK cell expression of cluster of differentiation 107a, when compared with baseline values and with the placebo group (P