Recent uci_publichealth items

Adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol impairs testicular function in young adult male mice

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cannabis use typically starts in early to mid-adolescence. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, targets cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) to exert its pharmacological effects. Expression of CBRs has been observed in human and rodent testes, but their potential role in the control of reproductive function remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate how THC exposure during adolescence or young adulthood affects the reproductive health of males. C57BL/6N male mice were given THC (5 mg/kg) or vehicle, once daily by intraperitoneal injection from postnatal day (PND) 30 to PND 43 (adolescent exposure) or PND 70 to PND 83 (adult exposure), and testes were harvested at PND 70 and PND 110, respectively. Results showed that CBRs (CB1R and CB2R) and enzymes that biosynthesize or inactivate the endocannabinoids anandamide-N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D or fatty acid amide hydrolase, respectively-are expressed in the mouse testis. THC exposure...

Airborne contaminant exposure and bone development: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Air pollution, including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and airborne metals (Cd, Hg, As, Pb) are a systemic health hazard, but osteotoxic effects remain underrecognized. We systematically synthesized human, animal, and in vitro evidence on airborne contaminants and outcomes to skeletal health. Following Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) guidance, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar (2014-2024; final search November 24, 2024) for English-language studies relating PM or airborne metals to skeletal outcomes, excluding studies limited to adult occupational exposures, age-related bone disease, or non-peer-reviewed reports. Studies were screened and data extracted in Covidence. Risk of bias was assessed using tools from the Quality Assessment and Risk of Bias Tool Repository, and certainty of evidence was graded with GRADE. We used a random-effects meta-analyses model to estimate relative risks (RRs) interpreted as directional consistency hazards for bone loss,...

Single-Cell Transcriptomic Dissection of Bisphenol-Induced Disruption in Human Osteogenic Differentiation: Implications for Environment-Associated Skeletal Birth Defects

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Single-Cell Transcriptomic Dissection of Bisphenol-Induced Disruption in Human Osteogenic Differentiation: Implications for Environment-Associated Skeletal Birth Defects

Fine Particulate Matter Disrupts Human Stem Cell Osteogenesis and Reprograms Metabolism to Promote a Developmental Skeletal Risk

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Fine Particulate Matter Disrupts Human Stem Cell Osteogenesis and Reprograms Metabolism to Promote a Developmental Skeletal Risk

Investigating the Developmental Toxicity of Bisphenols: Effects on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Osteoblast Differentiation

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Investigating the Developmental Toxicity of Bisphenols: Effects on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Osteoblast Differentiation

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Mechanisms of Particulate Matter-Induced Disruption of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Osteogenesis

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Mechanisms of Particulate Matter-Induced Disruption of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Osteogenesis

Exposure to Cigarette Smoke Impedes Human Osteoblast Differentiation Independently of Nicotine

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking has been implicated in an array of adverse health outcomes, including those that affect adult bone. However, little is known about the impact of tobacco products on developing bone tissue as it develops in the embryo. AIMS AND METHODS: Here, human embryonic stem cells were differentiated into osteoblasts in vitro and concomitantly exposed to various concentrations of smoke solutions from two conventional, one additive-free and two harm-reduction brands of cigarettes. Differentiation inhibition was determined by calcium assays that quantified matrix mineralization and compared to the cytotoxicity of the tobacco product. RESULTS: Exposure to mainstream smoke from conventional and additive-free cigarettes caused no inhibition of cell viability or mineralization, while sidestream smoke (SS) concentration-dependently produced cell death. In contrast, mineralization was inhibited only by the highest mainstream concentration of harm-reduction smoke solution....

Characterizing Developmental Bone Toxicity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Characterizing Developmental Bone Toxicity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

MicroRNA network regulation of developmental bone toxicity in a human embryonic stem cell osteogenic model

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Developmental exposure to environmental toxicants is a cause of skeletal abnormalities. Yet the molecular mechanisms linking early exposure to impaired bone formation remain undefined. Skeletal tissues arise from both neural crest- and mesoderm-derived lineages that rely on shared osteogenic differentiation programs, suggesting that disruption of common regulatory processes may contribute to diverse skeletal outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene networks and have appeared as indicators of toxicant-induced perturbation. In this study, we examined whether developmentally relevant toxicants are associated with miRNA regulatory networks during osteogenic differentiation. Using a human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based osteogenic differentiation model, we assessed the effects of nine toxicants spanning distinct primary mechanisms. Toxicant exposure impaired osteogenic differentiation at their IC50, as reflected by altered expression of osteogenic...

Pluripotent Stem Cells as Tools to Assess Developmental Toxicity: Diversity Instead of Consolidation

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries develop more potentially toxic compounds, traditional methods of toxicity screening cannot keep up. A conventional approach of screening compounds for their toxic and teratogenic potential heavily relies on multitudes of animal models, which have proven to be timely and expensive and bring forth ethical challenges. These limitations of animal testing have created an eagerness among researchers to develop more predictive in vitro alternative screening assays. The most promising in vitro approach at modernizing toxicity tests is the embryonic stem cell test (EST). The EST assesses toxicity on the naive embryonic cell and also the effect of the putative toxicant on the genesis of a specific tissue endpoint. Importantly, unlike other in vitro models, the EST obviates the need to sacrifice pregnant animals. Although determined suitable for regulatory standards, the classic EST, which is based on mouse cells, is limited in its endpoint...

Complete genome of Bacillus anthracis strain ter21 from an infected zoo pony in Ternopil, Ukraine, 2021.

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Using rapid nanopore whole-genome sequencing, we assembled the genome of Bacillus anthracis strain ter21 (5,229,480 bp), a Tsiankovskii-I group isolate cultured from a fatal case in 2021 of a pony from a zoo in Ternopil, Ukraine, identifying virulence plasmid pXO1 that encodes anthrax toxin, and pXO2.

Nighttime lights as a proxy for conflict intensity and infrastructure recovery in Yemen and Ukraine

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Quantifying the impacts of armed conflict on civilians and infrastructure remains a major challenge, particularly where reporting is limited. Most conflict measurement tools require affected populations to report events and are limited by short time series, under-reporting, and varying methods. These tools do not capture infrastructural rebuilding, which has important health implications. Given this, we demonstrate the utility of nighttime lights (NTL) as a complementary tool for measuring conflict dynamics and infrastructure recovery with an epidemiological application. Methods: We used monthly NASA Black Marble data to analyze NTL patterns in Yemen (2012–2022) and Ukraine (2019–2024) before and after the onset of large-scale military operations. We calculated month-specific NTL ratios relative to pre-event baselines and assessed the alignment of structural breakpoints, identified using BFAST methods, with aerial attack onset. Generalized additive models were used...

Assessing the Impact of Sharrows on Bicyclist Behavior: A three-year natural experiment in Santa Ana, California.

Wed, 1 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Bicycle infrastructure preferences vary by rider experience and comfort, yet both bicyclists and motorists perceive separated bicycle lanes as safer than shared lane markings (sharrows). Despite widespread adoption, evidence on the real-world behavioral impacts of sharrows remains limited. This study evaluates a natural experiment in Santa Ana, California, where sharrows were installed in a downtown commercial corridor when separated bicycle lanes were not feasible. Researchers collected baseline data in September 2015 and follow-up data in February 2016 and early 2017, totaling 54 hours of direct bicycle observation across two target areas. Results revealed a mixed and cautionary pattern of change. West-to-East mean bicycle counts increased significantly from 0.986 (2015) to 1.734 (2016; p = 0.045) but declined to 1.500 by 2017. East-to-West counts showed modest, non-significant year-over-year growth. Critically, sidewalk riding increased significantly from 2015 to 2016 (p =...

Structural disadvantage and HIV risk – comparing risk factors between trans women’s partnerships with cis men and trans women sexual partners

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

IntroductionLittle is known about differences in HIV risk for trans women by partner gender, particularly with respect to social determinants of health and partner-level factors that affect behavior. We examined differences in demographic, social determinants, and HIV-related risk behaviors for trans women with cisgender men and trans women sexual partners.Materials and methodsData are from a cross-sectional survey of trans women and their sexual partners conducted between April 2020 and January 2021. Interviews were held remotely via videoconference during shelter-in-place ordinances due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This analysis characterized associations between HIV risk and preventive behaviors comparing trans women with cisgender men partners to trans women with trans women partners.ResultsA total of 336 sexual partners were identified from 156 trans women. Trans women with cisgender men partners were significantly more likely to be from racial/ethnic minority populations and...

The Associations of Social Engagement with Cognitive and Physical Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Adults

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AbstractBackground

Research on social engagement, community connectedness, and health outcomes in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults is limited. This study examined associations of social engagement and community overlap with cognitive function, distress, and mental and physical health in middle‐aged and older AI/AN adults.

Method

Data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey conducted from 2019‐2023 among urban and rural AI/AN volunteers aged 45+ years residing in the Rocky Mountain area. Social engagement was measured using a five‐item social frequency instrument, and community overlap was assessed using the Inclusion of Community in Self scale. Health outcomes included the number of “Yes” responses to culturally tailored Ascertain Dementia 8‐item Questionnaire (i.e., AD8 scores), distress measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), and self‐reported mental and physical health. Mental and physical health assessments were based on a four‐point...

Changes in Type 2 Diabetes Medications Among Primary Care Patients After California's 2022 Medicaid Expansion.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

OBJECTIVE: In May 2022, California expanded full-scope Medicaid (Medi-Cal) to low-income undocumented immigrants aged 50 years or older, which provided access to newer type 2 diabetes (T2D) medications. This study examined whether the expansion led to more prescriptions of newer therapies like glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors among older undocumented immigrants. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used patient records between January 2019 to June 2023 from two Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Los Angeles County. We compared prescriptions among 1) older undocumented immigrants newly eligible for Medi-Cal, 2) younger undocumented immigrants not eligible for Medi-Cal, and 3) documented patients (n = 20,420 encounters and 4,601 patients). We used generalized linear mixed models with patient-level random intercepts to examine whether the patient groups differed in their likelihood of being prescribed newer medications...

Young‐Onset Dementia in Medicare Beneficiaries: Prevalence and Comorbidities by Race and Ethnicity

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AbstractBackground

Young‐onset dementia (YOD), which develops before age 65, can bring additional challenges to patients and their caregivers. The prevalence of YOD and its associated comorbidities across U.S. racial/ethnic populations remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of YOD and examine associations between past and current comorbidities (called comorbidities hereafter) and YOD among Medicare beneficiaries in various racial/ethnic groups.

Method

This cross‐sectional study included Medicare beneficiaries aged 45‐64 years with almost‐continuous fee‐for‐service coverage in 2022. Data were extracted from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2022 Medicare Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF). MBSF race/ethnicity data were used to identify non‐Hispanic White (White), non‐Hispanic Black (Black), Hispanic, non‐Hispanic Asian (Asian), and non‐Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Comorbidities examined include diabetes,...

Cognitive Impairment and Its Associated Comorbidities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AbstractBackground

Relationships between comorbidities and cognitive impairment among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults remain unclear. This study explored the proportion of cognitive impairment and its association with various comorbidities in AI/AN communities across different age groups.

Method

In 2019, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted among AI/AN volunteers aged 45+ residing in urban and rural areas across the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Northern Plains. Data on demographics, responses to culturally tailored Ascertain Dementia 8‐item Questionnaire (AD8), and self‐reported medical history of comorbidities were collected. Comorbidities included distress, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, head injury, alcohol use disorder, and obesity. Cognitive impairment was defined as answering “Yes” to 2 or more AD8 questions, with the total number of “Yes” responses counted as the AD8 score. Higher AD8 scores indicate poorer cognitive...

Limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy, but Not Alzheimer's Disease, neuropathological changes are associated with Physical Performance Decline in the Oldest Old: Insights from The 90+ Study

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AbstractBackground

To examine physical performance longitudinal trajectories in relation to Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathological Changes (ADNC) and Limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy neuropathological changes (LATE‐NC) at autopsy. ADNC and LATE‐NC have similar cognitive presentations, but it is unclear whether physical presentation is similar as well.

Method

Participants were from The 90+ Study, a longitudinal study of aging among individuals 90 years and older with evaluations every 6 months. We used 4 physical performance measures including gait speed, the Five Times Sit to Stand test (5XSST), grip strength, balance, and a composite summing the 4 measures. Each measure was scored from 0 (unable to perform) to 4 (best performance), the composite from 0 to 16. Neuropathological changes from brain autopsies were dichotomized: ADNC as intermediate/high versus none/low and LATE‐NC as present versus absent. To examine the longitudinal association of ADNC...

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia and Related Health Conditions Among American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare Beneficiaries

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AbstractBackground

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples face a rising burden of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). The 2024 Lancet Commission identified modifiable risk factors for dementia for the general population; however, a comprehensive understanding of risk factors associated with ADRD among AI/AN peoples is missing. This study utilizes a national database to estimate the prevalence of health conditions associated with ADRD and examine disparities between older AI/AN and White populations.

Method

We analyzed 2019 Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File data for Medicare beneficiaries aged 68 and older, including all AI/AN beneficiaries and a 5% random sample of White beneficiaries. Two types of health conditions were examined: Lancet risk factors available in the Medicare data and other conditions that have been associated with ADRD (Table 1). Prevalence of ADRD and each condition was reported. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions...

We Need Granular Sharing of De-Identified Data—But Will Patients Engage? Investigating Health System Leaders' and Patients' Perspectives on A Patient-Controlled Data-Sharing Platform

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Patient-controlled data-sharing systems are increasingly promoted as a way to empower patients with greater autonomy over their health data. Yet it remains unclear how different stakeholders, especially patients and health system leaders, perceive the benefits and challenges of enabling granular control over the sharing of de-identified medical data for research. To address this gap, we developed a high-fidelity prototype of a patient-controlled, web-based consent platform and conducted a two-phase mixed-methods study: semi-structured interviews with 16 health system leaders and a survey with 523 patient participants. While both groups appreciated the potential of such a platform to enhance transparency and autonomy, their views diverged in meaningful ways. Leaders viewed transparency and granular control through the lens of informed consent and institutional ethics, whereas patients interpreted these factors as safeguards against potential risks and uncertainties. Our findings...

Wildfire and Smoke Risk Communication: A Systematic Literature Review from a Health Equity Focus

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Effective wildfire smoke risk and evacuation communication is urgently needed to avert unnecessary deaths as wildfires increase in frequency and intensity. Human exposure to wildfires has doubled in the last two decades. Low-income, marginalized communities are the most disadvantaged in their ability to respond. A systematic literature review of wildfire and wildfire smoke risk communication research between 2014 and 2024 was conducted. Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched using the keywords "wildfire", "communication", "wildfire smoke", "risk", and "public health", resulting in 23 studies. The findings revealed marginalized communities were ill-prepared to respond to wildfires and take protective action against wildfire smoke. The findings were summarized across eight areas: the needs of marginalized communities to respond to wildfires, the role of trusted messengers to disseminate wildfire and smoke risk messaging, using diverse channels, timing and frequency considerations...

COVID-19 and HPV Vaccine Knowledge Attitudes, and Behaviour among Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: This study examined HPV and COVID-19 vaccination uptake, attitudes, risk perceptions, and exposure to vaccine misinformation among young adults enrolled at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Methods: Surveys and focus groups were conducted at three southeastern HBCUs. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Wilcoxon rank and ANOVA for group comparisons. Qualitative data were examined through content analysis. Results: Most participants identified as religious and female. A majority (86.2%) reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 56.3% reporting a COVID-19 booster. For HPV vaccination, only 56.3% reported having received at least one dose. Vaccinated students reported higher perceived risk, stronger social support, greater peer motivation, lower endorsement of misinformation, and more positive vaccine attitudes than unvaccinated peers. Unvaccinated participants reported low vaccine confidence and...

Correction: The social amplification and attenuation of COVID-19 risk perception shaping mask wearing behavior: A longitudinal twitter analysis

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257428.].

Reducing Supply Chain Dependencies for Viral Genomic Surveillance: Get by with a Little HELP from Commercial Enzymes already in your Lab Freezer.

Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in global laboratory supply chains, disrupting the availability of key reagents and jeopardising the continuity of genomic surveillance essential for epidemic response. Sustaining sequencing capacity during supply shortages requires practical, locally accessible alternatives to commercial kits.

Methods

We developed ARTIC HELP (Homebrew Enzymes for Library Preparation), an open-source adaptation of the ARTIC nanopore sequencing protocol for viral genomic surveillance. We described cost-effective, generic replacements for all enzyme mixes used in tiling multiplex RT-PCR and the nanopore native barcoding workflow, including end-prep (EP), barcode ligation (BL), and adapter ligation (AL). Through systematic evaluation, we tested wild-type M-MLV reverse transcriptase and two types of proofreading DNA polymerases, (i) B-family Pfu-based polymerases fused to an Sso7d DNA-binding domain, and (ii) blends of...

Addition of pulsed electric field ablation to SBRT for lung tumors: effect on health-related quality of life

Wed, 3 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Treatment indications for oligometastatic/oligoprogressive lung tumors are growing. Safety and lack of detrimental effect on patients' quality of life are critical for novel local therapies. METHODS: We tested that the additive effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation with lower-dose stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as a secondary endpoint in a prospective clinical trial. FACT-Lung Cancer Subscale (FACT-LCS) and FACT-General domain surveys were collected at screening, 3 months, and 12 months. Functional clinical data included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). RESULTS: Six patients with eight tumors were enrolled. Baseline well-being domain scores were: Physical 25.9 (Std Dev 2.3), Social 21.0 (Std Dev 6.9), Emotional 17.3 (Std Dev 4.7), Functional 21.2 (Std Dev 5.8), and LCS 19.4 (Std Dev 5.3). There were...

Assessing the Impact of Sharrows on Bicyclist Behavior

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Bicycle infrastructure preferences vary by user experience and comfort, but evidence suggests both cyclists and drivers perceive separated bike lanes as safer than shared lane markings (sharrows). Little is known about sharrows impact in real-world settings, as no observational studies have evaluated their before and after installation impact. Santa Ana, California, incorporated sharrows into its active transportation plan to increase and encourage safe riding in a downtown commercial corridor where separated bike lanes were not feasible. Researchers conducted a natural experiment using a pre-post study design, collecting baseline data in 2015 before installation, and follow-up data in 2016 and 2017. A total of 54 hours of direct bicycle observation was conducted across two target areas over three years (2015 – 2017). A modest increase in bicycling was observed from 2015 to 2016, but was not sustained into 2017. Sidewalk and wrong-way riding increased slightly over time, while...

Unraveling the Self: A Scoping Review of Moral Injury and Professional Nursing Identity

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Moral injury increasingly describes the distress nurses experience when systemic constraints prevent them from practicing in alignment with their professional values. Moral injury has been theoretically presented as an injury to one’s identity. Professional identity in nursing is “a sense of oneself in relationship to others” which results in an individual “thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse.” This scoping literature review explores contemporary understandings of nursing professional or moral identity and the association between moral injury and identity among nurses in the United States.

Peer influence decay and behavioral diffusion in adolescent networks: A simulation approach.

Fri, 8 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

How far does peer influence spread through social networks before dissipating? This study investigates the diffusion of smoking behavior in adolescent friendship networks using longitudinal data from two schools (n = 3154 students) in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Using Stochastic Actor-Oriented Models, we simulate interventions targeting heavy smokers using various strategies (random, in-degree, eigenvector centrality) and coverage (10 to 100%). A new exponential decay model quantifies influence attenuation, revealing indirect peer influences, or spillover effects, up to three steps from targets. Targeting 10 to 30% of central individuals maximizes smoking reductions, but gains plateau beyond 40 to 50% owing to network saturation. In our analyses, the denser network exhibits broader diffusion and slower decay than the larger, sparser network. This decay metric optimizes intervention design across diverse network structures.

Reducing Supply Chain Dependencies for Viral Genomic Surveillance: Get by with a Little HELP from Commercial Enzymes already in your Lab Freezer

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in global laboratory supply chains, disrupting the availability of key reagents and jeopardising the continuity of genomic surveillance for epidemic response. Sustaining sequencing capacity during shortages requires locally accessible alternatives to commercial kits. Methods We developed ARTIC HELP (Homebrew Enzymes for Library Preparation), an open-source adaptation of the ARTIC nanopore sequencing protocol for viral genomic surveillance. We described cost-effective, generic replacements for enzyme mixes used in tiling multiplex RT-PCR and the nanopore native barcoding workflow, including end-prep (EP), barcode ligation (BL), and adapter ligation (AL). Through systematic evaluation, we tested wild-type M-MLV reverse transcriptase and two types of proofreading DNA polymerases, (i) B-family Pfu-based polymerases fused to an Sso7d DNA-binding domain, and (ii) blends of A-family (Taq-based) and B-family (Pfu-based)...

Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance and vaccine targets in high-transmission settings in Africa

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The spread of antimalarial drug resistance and the potential emergence of vaccine-escape variants in Plasmodium falciparum threaten progress toward malaria elimination in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we applied a scalable, Oxford Nanopore-based amplicon sequencing platform to profile five resistance genes (crt, dhfr, dhps, mdr1, k13) and the vaccine target csp in clinical isolates from northern Nigeria. We identified high frequencies of dhfr-IRNI (90%) and dhps-SGKAA (45%) haplotypes, consistent with molecular markers of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance. However, no dhfr/dhps quintuple or sextuple mutation combinations associated with SP-IPTp failure were detected, supporting its continued preventive use in pregnancy. The chloroquine-resistant Pfcrt-76T allele persisted at ~ 25% frequency, suggesting both sustained resistant lineages and a potential re-expansion of chloroquine-susceptible parasites. No WHO-validated Pfk13 mutations linked to artemisinin partial resistance...

Application of FreezeTB, a targeted nanopore sequencing assay, for identification of drug resistance and lineages among pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Alaska

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Alaska has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States, with 8% mortality while undergoing TB treatment. With a quarter of TB cases lacking sputum culture to enable drug resistance testing, FreezeTB aimed to develop tools tailored to meet the challenges in Alaska while being translatable to other settings. We designed a rapid and cost-effective laboratory workflow and software to identify drug-resistant mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis using targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS). FreezeTB, a Fast, Reliable, Economical Evaluation tool to Zap Endemic Tuberculosis, amplifies 22 gene loci associated with resistance to 16 anti-tuberculosis drugs. M. tuberculosis isolates from Alaska (2011-2024) were blinded and underwent analysis with FreezeTB, then compared with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Compared with WGS (n = 79), FreezeTB provided the same mutations in 96% (n = 76/79)...

Genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 carriage in a cohort of schoolchildren in Côte d’ivoire during COVID-19 pandemics: insights from pre-delta emergence

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BackgroundAfter the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Côte d’Ivoire in March 2020, the virus spread significantly, with several epidemic waves. During a carriage study conducted from November 2020 to April 2021 to examine the oropharyngeal microbiome of school children, the presence of several other pathogens was investigated. This study characterised the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 detected in a cohort of school children in Côte d’Ivoire.MethodsOropharyngeal swabs from participants in Korhogo (n = 37) and Abidjan (n = 39) were analysed. RNA was extracted from the samples, followed by RT-qPCR detection of Coronaviruses. Sequencing was done on an Oxford Nanopore platform and data analysed in GISAID.ResultsOut of 445 samples collected, 15 (3.37%; 5 in Abidjan and 10 in Korhogo) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and were sequenced. Genomic coverage of over 70% was obtained for 12 genome sequences (80%). There was a significant difference in SARS-CoV-2 carriage over season per sampling...

Alzheimers disease and related dementias and related health conditions among American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries.

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

Alzheimers disease and related dementias (ADRD) and its associated factors are not well understood in the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population.

Methods

We analyzed Medicare 2019 data for 112,280 AI/AN and 1,010,862 White beneficiaries aged 68+, examining the prevalence of ADRD-related health conditions and their associations with ADRD through logistic regressions.

Results

AI/AN beneficiaries had higher age-adjusted ADRD prevalence (15.6% vs. 13.3%), and a higher prevalence of 5 of 9 Lancet risk factors: diabetes, alcohol use disorder (AUD), tobacco use disorder, visual and hearing impairments. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), AUD, and visual and hearing impairments had stronger associations with ADRD among AI/AN beneficiaries, while depression, diabetes, and hypertension had stronger associations among White beneficiaries.

Discussion

Our findings highlight disparities in ADRD and related health conditions between AI/AN...

Abstract 5031: Integrating real-world wearable data into breast cancer risk assessment: Evidence from the All of Us Research Program

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract Lifestyle and genetic factors are known contributors to breast cancer risk, yet their integration with clinical data into breast cancer risk assessment remains limited. Traditional, self-reported lifestyle measures are subject to recall bias, whereas wearable devices provide objective, continuous measurements of physical activity and sleep behaviors. Using data from the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program (n=633,540 participants), we conducted a retrospective matched case-control study to evaluate the association between objectively captured wearable data and breast cancer risk, and to establish a scalable analytical framework for causal and machine learning modeling. Females diagnosed with breast cancer at age ≥50 years with at least five valid weeks of Fitbit data (two or more days per week) within the five years preceding diagnosis (n=154) were each matched to up to 20 cancer-free controls by date of birth (±1 year) and availability of wearable...

Circulating Asprosin Concentrations and Body Weight Changes in Postmenopausal Women: Findings from the Women’s Health Initiative

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BACKGROUND: Weight changes after menopause contribute to cardiometabolic risk, yet hormonal determinants of long-term weight trajectories remain incompletely understood. Asprosin, a fasting-induced adipokine involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis and appetite regulation, has been associated with metabolic disease, although its prospective role in affecting weight change remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine whether plasma asprosin concentrations are directly and prospectively associated with changes in body weight and body composition among postmenopausal women. METHODS: In a case-control study of 4020 postmenopausal women (1987 newly developed/incident diabetes cases and 2033 matched controls) nested within the Women's Health Initiative, we prospectively evaluated participants' baseline plasma concentrations of asprosin in relation to 3-y changes in weight, measures of central obesity, and the risk of major weight gain or loss (≥7% of baseline weight). Associations...

Social Network Typology and Cognitive Status Among African Americans: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Social Network Typology and Cognitive Status Among African Americans: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study

Challenges and responses of malaria elimination in a high-endemic area along the Thai-Myanmar border: A health systems perspective.

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Despite Thailands progress under the 1-3-7 malaria elimination framework, border districts such as Tha Song Yang in Tak Province continue to experience persistent transmission due to high population mobility, geographic constraints, and health system challenges. Understanding how local health systems respond to these pressures is critical for sustaining malaria elimination in complex border settings. This mixed-methods study applied the World Health Organizations Six Building Blocks framework to examine challenges and responses in malaria elimination in Tha Song Yang District. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 24 key informants from district health offices, vector-borne disease units, malaria posts and clinics, hospitals, and local authorities. Quantitative data included household surveys assessing malaria-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (n = 388), and secondary surveillance data on adherence to the 1-3-7 strategy from 2018 to 2022. Adherence...

Race, Obesity, and Mental Health Among Older Adults in the United States: A Literature Review.

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rising rates of obesity among older adults in the United States are a serious public health concern. While the physical health consequences of obesity are well documented, the mental health consequences are less understood. This is especially the case among older adults in general and among racial and ethnic minority older adults in particular. Available studies document a link between obesity and a variety of mental health disorders. However, findings from this body of evidence are inconsistent, especially when race and ethnicity are considered. This article examines research on obesity and mental health among older adults and identifies risk factors, causal mechanisms, and methodological approaches that help clarify the equivocal nature of the literature. Promising research and future directions include studies that consider a wide array of contextual factors and population heterogeneity.

Food pantry organizational features, nutrition environments, and partnerships: a community-engaged study in Southern California

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

BackgroundCharitable food organizations are critical community hubs for promoting food security and nutrition. Few studies have examined whether food pantry organizational features (e.g., setting and size) are associated with the use of health promotion strategies.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used a validated survey instrument (Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool+, NEFPAT+) in partnership with a southern California regional food bank to examine pantry consumer nutrition environments, including client choice models, marketing, and partnership/referral practices. Eligible pantries were: food bank partners, open at least 1/week for public distribution, and in high-poverty cities. We collected surveys from 27 of 35 eligible sites in 2024. We used descriptive statistics to summarize NEFPAT+ objective outcomes and conducted exploratory analyses to assess differences for specific objective results. Mann‒Whitney U tests and Kruskal‒Wallis tests were used to compare...

Electric vehicle adoption, gentrification, and housing prices: a longitudinal study in California

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Increasing adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) has raised concerns about potential disparities, including increased gentrification in low-income communities. As a first step in unraveling this rarely studied relationship, we examined the association between ZEV adoption and measures of gentrification. We addressed two questions: (1) How do ZEV adoption trends vary by neighborhood-level gentrification and disadvantage in California metropolitan areas? and (2) Among neighborhoods that are not already gentrified, is prior ZEV adoption associated with subsequent changes in housing prices? We obtained census tract-level data on longitudinal counts of battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) registrations, median home value and monthly rent, disadvantaged communities (DACs) designations, and gentrification status ('none/early,' 'advanced/stable,' or 'exclusive'). Linear mixed models estimated BEV (or PHEV) adoption trajectories (2015-2023) across...

Epidemiology of Aspergillosis Diagnoses in US Adults Using a National EHR Database, 2013–2023

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Aspergillosis is a fungal infection associated with rising hospitalizations and substantial morbidity and mortality. In the United States, data remain fragmented due to the absence of centralized surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate demographic, geographic, and temporal trends in aspergillosis diagnoses across the United States and evaluate changes in those patterns following the emergence of COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data from 142 US healthcare systems (Oracle Health), including adults aged ≥18 years who received care between 2013 and 2023. The cohort included over 76 million patients and 127 million person-years. Aspergillosis prevalence was calculated using post-stratification weights. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated via quasi-Poisson and Bayesian spatiotemporal regression. COVID-19-related shifts were evaluated using estimated marginal means. Results: From 2013 to 2023, aspergillosis...

Quantifying mean, variability, and uncertainty in indoor radon exposure in Pennsylvania using random forest and quantile regression forest models

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that poses a serious health risk as the primary cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Despite the well-known adverse association with health outcomes, current radon exposure assessments are limited to county-level or average-level estimates, which fail to capture regional variability. This study uses Machine Learning models, including Random Forest (RF) and Quantile Regression Forest (QRF), to estimate the indoor radon concentrations at the ZCTA (Zip code tabulation area)-level and characterize uncertainties in model estimates. Incorporating geological, meteorological, and building-specific data, the models aim to improve radon risk assessment by capturing mean exposure, variability, and extreme concentration levels. Processed radon test data (n = 718,111) were analyzed using average, variability, and quantile prediction methods. Models that estimate the average radon exposure at the ZCTA-level can yield promising model-fit results,...

Evaluating county-level lung cancer incidence from environmental radiation exposure, PM2.5, and other exposures with regression and machine learning models

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Characterizing the interplay between exposures shaping the human exposome is vital for uncovering the etiology of complex diseases. For example, cancer risk is modified by a range of multifactorial external environmental exposures. Environmental, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors all shape lung cancer risk. However, epidemiological studies of radon aimed at identifying populations at high risk for lung cancer often fail to consider multiple exposures simultaneously. For example, moderating factors, such as PM2.5, may affect the transport of radon progeny to lung tissue. This ecological analysis leveraged a population-level dataset from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results data (2013–17) to simultaneously investigate the effect of multiple sources of low-dose radiation (gross γ$$\gamma$$ activity and indoor radon) and PM2.5 on lung cancer incidence rates in the USA. County-level factors (environmental, sociodemographic, lifestyle)...

When AI Writes Back: Ethical Considerations by Physicians on AI-Drafted Patient Message Replies.