Digital Commons Network^™

Persistent Advanced Hiv Disease In Rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Trends, Characteristics, And The Urgent Need For Targeted Interventions, Marcel K. Kitenge, Geoffrey Fatti, Ingrid Eshun-Wilson, Peter S. Nyasulu

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Advanced HIV disease (AHD) remains a persistent public health challenge. Data regarding the burden, characteristics and predictors of AHD is scarce specifically for rural settings of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to describe trends in annual CD4 count distribution and to characterise adult persons living with HIV (PLWH) on ART who have AHD in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort design of annual CD4 count distribution was conducted among antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients aged 18 years and older. We used routinely collected data from adults receiving ART in Eshowe and Mbongolwane areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between …

Location And Extent Of Disease Predicts Outcome Of Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Related Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas, Sneha M Chaturvedi, Arohi Saxena, Ahmad Hassan, Ali Mian, Chelsea Kotch, Nicole M Brossier

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Revisiting Abdominal Wall "Morbidity" Of The Extensile Anterolateral Approach To The Thoracolumbar Spine, Alekos A Theologis, Andrew P Collins, Kanwar Parhar, Munish C Gupta

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: To assess patients' perceptions of their abdominal wall following extensile anterolateral approaches to the thoracolumbar spine for adult spinal deformity (ASD) using validated questionnaires.

METHODS: Adults who underwent anterior-posterior thoracolumbar spinal operations to the pelvis for ASD in which the anterior fusion was performed through an extensile anterolateral approach were reviewed. Three questionnaires were administered at least 1 year following surgery and included The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative Survey (AHS-QC), The Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), and The Anterior Abdominal Incision Questionnaire (AAIQ).

RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (80.4% female, median age 65 years) were included. Average follow-up was 2.8 …

The Cross-Sectional Association Between State-Level Public Health Funding Per Capita And Physical Health Among Adults In The United States, Stephen Hunter, Sze Y. Liu, Daniel M. Cook, Kia L. Davis, Brendan T. Smith, Roman Pabayo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between state-level public health funding per capita and the odds of poor physical health.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

METHODS: Data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used. Participants' self-reported physical health was reported using the CDC Healthy Days Core Module. State-level public health funding per capita was obtained from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center website. Multilevel logistic regression was used to adjust for self-reported individual-level characteristics and state-level characteristics from the 2018 American Community Survey. We also tested whether household income or education attainment moderated any observed associations.

RESULTS: …

Testing Job Wellbeing Indicators Among Community Behavioral Health Workers: Community-Based Participatory Research, Sadaaki Fukui, Wei Wu, Jennifer Garabrant, Michelle P. Salyers, Nathaniel Dell, Emily Bass, Jaime Greenfield, Gary Morse

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Many community behavioral health organizations (CBHOs) continue to struggle with their employees' reduced job wellbeing and job disengagement (i.e., turnover intentions, actual turnover). Understanding employees' job wellbeing priorities in their organizational contexts is essential to address the challenges, especially for workers in diverse work settings such as CBHOs. We used community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategies to develop and test job wellbeing indicators. The current study implemented 11 indicators with 168 people employed at a CBHO through initial and 6-month follow-up surveys. Positive endorsement of job wellbeing indicators differed based on employees' demographic (e.g., race, education, marital status) and job (e.g., …

The Role Of Telehealth In Sepsis Care In Rural Emergency Departments: A Qualitative Study Of Emergency Department Sepsis Telehealth User Perspectives, Nicholas M. Mohr, Kimberly A. S. Merchant, Brian M. Fuller, Brett Faine, Luke Mack, Amanda Bell, Katie Dejong, Edith A. Parker, Keith Mueller, Elizabeth Chrischilles, Christopher R. Carpenter, Michael P. Jones, Steven Q. Simpson, Marcia M. Ward

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: Sepsis is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in the United States, and rural patients are at particularly high risk. Telehealth has been proposed as one strategy to narrow rural-urban disparities. The objective of this study was to understand why rural emergency department (ED) staff use provider-to-provider telehealth (tele-ED) and how tele-ED care changes the care for rural patients with sepsis.

METHODS: We conducted a qualitative interview study between February 15, 2022, and May 22, 2023, with participants from upper Midwest rural EDs and tele-ED hub physicians in a single tele-ED network that delivers provider-to-provider consultation for sepsis …

Clinical Trials For Wolfram Syndrome Neurodegeneration: Novel Design, Endpoints, And Analysis Models, Guoqiao Wang, Zhaolong Adrian Li, Ling Chen, Heather Lugar, Tamara Hershey

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: Wolfram syndrome, an ultra-rare condition, currently lacks effective treatment options. The rarity of this disease presents significant challenges in conducting clinical trials, particularly in achieving sufficient statistical power (e.g., 80%). The objective of this study is to propose a novel clinical trial design based on real-world data to reduce the sample size required for conducting clinical trials for Wolfram syndrome.

METHODS: We propose a novel clinical trial design with three key features aimed at reducing sample size and improve efficiency: (i) Pooling historical/external controls from a longitudinal observational study conducted by the Washington University Wolfram Research Clinic. (ii) Utilizing …

Examining And Classifying Reasons For Missing Viral Loads Among Adults Living With Hiv: An Extended Outcome Investigation And Ascertainment Approach In Western Kenya, Harriet Fridah Adhiambo, Jayne Lewis-Kulzer, Edwin Nyagesoa, Sarah Gimbel, Eliud Akama, Dorothy Mangale, Lina Montonya, Ingrid Eshun-Wilson, Sarah Iguna, Everlyne Nyandieka, Elizabeth Bukusi, Lisa Abuogi, Thomas Odeny, Maya L. Petersen, Elvin H. Geng

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Gaps in HIV RNA monitoring persist globally impeding the ability to determine clinical progress and outcomes. This study systematically evaluated provider (e.g., guideline non-adherence), system (e.g., laboratory error) and participant-level (e.g., refusal) drivers of missed viral load (VL) monitoring measurements among people with HIV in Kenya. Adults aged 18-65 years were followed across five health facilities in Kenya as part of a clinical trial (NCT#02338739) where HIV RNA monitoring was done routinely. Instances of missed VL despite being indicated per Kenyan guidelines were identified. An algorithm for assessing root causes of missing HIV RNA was developed and generalized linear models …

Association Of Item-Level Responses To Cognitive Function Index With Tau Pathology And Hippocampal Volume In The A4 Study, Idris Demirsoy, Elham Ghanbarian, Babak Khorsand, Bhargav T Nallapu, Kellen K Petersen, Richard B Lipton, S Ahmad Sajjadi, Laura A Rabin, Ali Ezzati

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a long preclinical phase in which individuals may accumulate amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathology without noticeable cognitive impairment. Subjective cognitive impairment reports can provide early insights into cognitive decline.

METHODS: In the A4 Study, 339 cognitively unimpaired, Aβ-positive individuals underwent tau positron emission tomography imaging. Tau status was classified based on medial temporal lobe tau standardized uptake value ratios (tau

RESULTS: Higher tau

DISCUSSION: These findings support the utility of participant- and study partner-reported concerns as early indicators of preclinical AD pathology, with potential value for early detection and trial enrichment strategies.

HIGHLIGHTS: Higher …

Characterization Of Plasma At(N) Biomarkers Among A Racial And Ethnically Diverse Community-Based Cohort: An Habs-Hd Study, Melissa E Petersen, Beau M Ances, Et Al

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers of Amyloid(A), Tau(T), and Neurodegeneration(N) have been increasingly studied to fill the gap in our understanding of racial and ethnic differences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between plasma AT(N) biomarkers and (1) AT(N) neuroimaging biomarkers, (2) demographics, (3) medical comorbidities, and (4) cognitive diagnosis.

METHODS: Data were analyzed from

RESULTS: Differences in the AT(N) biomarkers were found across racial/ethnic groups. Plasma Aβ42/40 was found to be associated with PET amyloid positivity only among NHW participants, while plasma NfL was found to correlate with Meta-ROI among NHB and Hispanic participants. Ptau181 was associated with …

Protocol For The Asian Cohort For Alzheimer's Disease (Acad) Study, Pei-Chuan Ho, Walter A Kukull, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: To address knowledge gaps in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) Study will recruit over 5000 participants of Asian descent aged 60 or older in the United States and Canada. The current focus is on participants with Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese ancestry, with the goal of characterizing both genetic and non-genetic risk factors. ACAD has assembled a culturally and linguistically appropriate data collection protocol, as well as a biosample collection protocol. Recruitment strategies follow community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches to encourage research participation and engage Asian communities in brain health education.

METHODS: The ACAD …

Early Alzheimer's Disease Patient Care Pathway And Health System Readiness: A Framework For Integrated Care, Ilya M Nasrallah, Erik S Musiek, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

UNLABELLED: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often underdiagnosed, especially at early stages when symptoms are mild, and patients may benefit from new and recently approved anti-amyloid therapies. An updated patient care pathway may facilitate timely diagnosis and intervention. We conducted a scan of published information and convened an expert panel of health care professionals to gain insights on early AD care pathways. We developed an Early AD Patient Care Pathway as an implementation guide that includes new diagnostic and treatment modalities and addresses needs and opportunities. The Early AD Patient Care Pathway focuses on patient identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management …

Discovering Subtypes With Imaging Signatures In The Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome Consortium Using Weakly Supervised Clustering, Bhargav Teja Nallapu, Kellen K Petersen, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Understanding the heterogeneity of brain structure in individuals with the Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) may improve the current risk assessments of dementia.

METHODS: We used data from six cohorts from the

RESULTS: Three subgroups (Groups A, B, and C) were identified through MRI-based clustering with significant differences in regional brain volumes, gait speeds, and performance on Trail Making (Part-B) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Tests.

DISCUSSION: Based on structural MRI, our results reflect heterogeneity in the population with moderate and slow gait, including those with MCR. Such a data-driven approach could help pave new pathways toward dementia …

Domain-Specific Customization For Language Models In Otolaryngology: The Ent Gpt Assistant, Brenton T Bicknell, Nicholas J Rivers, Adam Skelton, Delaney Sheehan, Charis Hodges, Stevan C Fairburn, Benjamin J Greene, Bharat Panuganti

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of domain-specific customization in large language models (LLMs) by assessing the performance of the ENT GPT Assistant (E-GPT-A), a model specifically tailored for otolaryngology.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparative analysis using multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from established otolaryngology resources.

SETTING: Tertiary care academic hospital.

METHODS: Two hundred forty clinical-vignette style MCQs were sourced from BoardVitals Otolaryngology and OTOQuest, covering a range of otolaryngology subspecialties (n = 40 for each). The E-GPT-A was developed using targeted instructions and customized to otolaryngology. The performance of E-GPT-A was compared against top-performing and widely used artificial intelligence (AI) LLMs, including …

Physical Activity As A Resistance Or Resilience Mechanism In Down Syndrome Alzheimer's Disease, Victoria L Fleming, Beau M Ances, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lifestyle factors such as engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) reduce risk or delay the onset of AD. This study aimed to determine whether MVPA confers a

METHODS: Analyses included 69 adults with DS (aged 26-58) who participated in a longitudinal study across 3.29 years. An actigraphy accelerometer assessed MVPA across 7 days. Directly administered and informant-reported measures assessed cognitive functioning, specifically memory and dementia symptoms. Neuroimaging biomarkers quantified amyloid beta (Aβ) burden, as assessed via positron emission tomography imaging.

RESULTS: In regression models, baseline MVPA was …

Depression And Weight Loss Trajectories During An Integrated Behavioral Intervention: Within-Treatment Analysis Of The Rainbow Trial, Bailey W. Osweiler, Daphne Lew, Nan Lv, Jun Ma, Thomas G. Kannampallil

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Depression and obesity are two of the most common chronic conditions among US adults. The Research Aimed at Improving Both Mood and Weight (RAINBOW) study was the first randomized clinical trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated behavioral treatment for depression and obesity. We aimed to characterize the trajectories of both depression symptoms and weight loss during the RAINBOW intervention.

METHODS: Participants (N = 201) randomly assigned to the RAINBOW treatment arm who provided serial data on depression symptoms (via the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ9]) and self-measured weight were included. Group-Based Multi-Trajectory Modeling is a statistical technique …

Case Report: Molecular Characterization Of Adult Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor And Review Of The Literature, Miguel A Hernandez-Rovira, Michelle Connor, Robert C Osorio, Emilie Russler-Germain, Robert Schmidt, Gabrielle W Johnson, Julie Silverstein, Sonika Dahiya, Nyssa Fox Farrell, Mia C Weiss, Gregory J Zipfel, Jiayi Huang, Dimitrios Mathios

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are typically aggressive pediatric tumors with a median survival of 11 months. Due to the paucity of cases in adults, the clinical behavior of these pathologies is not well understood. Here we present the case of a 41-year-old female patient with postoperative hyperprogression of a sellar ATRT and provide a detailed description of the molecular composition of this tumor, the protocol used to treat this patient, and the ultimate outcome of this patient.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The patient is a 41-year-old woman who presented with headaches and double vision. MRI revealed a sellar/suprasellar …

Case Report: Rosah Syndrome Presents Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenges, Jenny Shunyakova, Margaret Reynolds, Amal Taylor, Erin G Sieck, James T Walsh, Lynn M Hassman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Retinal dystrophy, optic nerve edema, splenomegaly, anhidrosis, and headache (ROSAH) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a heterozygous missense mutation in alpha kinase 1 (ALPK1). This series reports the presentation and treatment outcomes of three first-degree relatives with ROSAH syndrome.

METHODS: Retrospective chart review, whole exome sequencing.

RESULTS: A 16-year-old male presented with bilateral optic disc edema, macular edema, retinal degeneration, and vitreous inflammation. His mother and brother had similar clinical features. Whole exome gene sequencing identified a shared heterozygous mutation in the ALPK1 gene c.710C>T, consistent with ROSAH syndrome. Ophthalmic manifestations in this family included …

Use Of Telehealth For Measurement Of Anthropometrics In Toddlers And Their Parents, Sarah S Farabi, Cindy Schwarz, Bria Lee-Robinson, Lauren G Fiechtner, Victor Davila-Roman, Rachel G Tabak, Debra Haire-Joshu

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: The use of telehealth (e.g., live video calling) to collect anthropometric data in toddlers and their parents to increase participation in lifestyle interventions holds promise. But, there is limited evidence to support reliability of telehealth for the collection of these measures. This study aimed to determine the reliability of use of telehealth with parents to collect anthropometric and blood pressure measures on themselves and anthropometric measures on their toddler and determine the acceptability of instruction.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the developmental phase of a larger study. Research staff instructed parents via video call to …

Sensorimotor Faculties Bias Choice Behavior, Jan Kubanek, Lawrence H Snyder, Richard A Abrams

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Decision-making is a deliberate process that seemingly evolves under our own volition. Yet, research on embodied cognition has demonstrated that higher-order cognitive processes may be influenced, in unexpected ways, by properties of motor and sensory systems. Here we tested whether and how decisions are influenced by handedness and by asymmetries in the auditory system. Right- and left- handed participants performed an auditory decision task. In the task, subjects decided whether they heard more click sounds in the right ear or in the left ear, and pressed a key with either their right or left index finger, according to an instructed …

The Evolution And Application Of Multi-Omic Analysis For Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors, Sangami Pugazenthi, Shree S Pari, Ziyan Zhang, Julie Silverstein, Albert H Kim, Bhuvic Patel

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are a heterogeneous group of intracranial neoplasms that vary in hormonal activity, histological features, and clinical behavior. The rise of high-throughput sequencing and molecular profiling technologies has enabled multiomic approaches-including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics-to deepen our understanding of PitNET pathogenesis. These studies have identified key mutations, transcriptional lineages, epigenetic modifications, and proteomic features that contribute to tumor subtype classification, invasiveness, and treatment response. Integrative multi-omic analyses have further revealed distinct molecular subtypes, complex regulatory networks, and molecular profiles that can predict recurrence and therapeutic efficacy. These approaches hold strong potential for advancing personalized medicine …

The Role Of Complement In Normal Pregnancy And Preeclampsia, Richard M Burwick, Anuja Java, Jean F Regal

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Preeclampsia affects 3-4% of pregnancies with adverse effects for both mother and child. Minimal therapeutic options are available, and biomarkers are urgently needed to identify those at greatest risk early in the pregnancy. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems are well regulated during normal pregnancy including the complement system. A functioning complement system with some degree of complement activation participates in proper placental development, ensuring a healthy pregnancy and assisting with host defense. However, aberrant complement activation can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia. An overview of the complement system will be presented, along with review of …

Identification Of Candidate Cardiomyopathy Modifier Genes Through Genome Sequencing And Rna Profiling, Malene E Lindholm, Gerald W Dorn, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Phenotypic heterogeneity is apparent among individuals with putative monogenic disease, such as familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Genome sequencing (GS) allows interrogation of the full spectrum of inborn genetic variation in an individual and RNA profiling provides a snapshot of the cardiac-specific pathogenic effects on gene expression.

OBJECTIVES: Identify candidate genetic modifiers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype.

METHODS: We performed GS of 48 individuals with variants in

RESULTS: GS identified the

CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the whole genome, even in the case of alleged monogenic disease, leads to important new insights. The identified variants, regions, and genes are candidates to modify disease presentation …

Th9 Cells Provide Protective Tb Immunity, Mei Xia, Azra Blazevic, Huan Ning, Christopher S Eickhoff, Chad E Storer, Richard D Head, Jianguo Liu, Jessica Jarvela, David Stoeckel, Erin Rakey, Jan Tennant, Daniel L Miller, Kathleen R Holloway, Richard F Silver, Daniel F Hoft

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: CD4+ Th9 cells have been associated with inflammatory and allergic diseases. IL-9/Th9 can function as both positive and negative immune regulators, but their protective effects against

METHODS: To study TB-specific Th9 protective effects, we generated Th9 cells from ESAT6-specific TCR transgenic mice and healthy human donors.

RESULTS: Both murine and human Th9 cells significantly inhibited intracellular mycobacterial growth. In both

DISCUSSION: Th9 cells can provide important protection against Mtb infection, and should be targeted with future TB vaccine strategies. Furthermore, Th9 cells appear to utilize a novel protective mechanism independent from Th1-mediated protective responses.

Adapting Data Science Competencies By Role And Purpose: Voice Ai, David A Dorr, Andrea Krussel, Rachel Hauck, Christie Jackson, Abhijeet Dalal, Steven Bedrick, Philip R O Payne, Bridge2ai-Voice Consortium;, William Hersh

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Competencies help define the skills and knowledge needed by learners. Often broad, educators integrate competencies to provide a framework for curricula or professional standards. For data science, the rate of change in the field, role variations, and specificity in key applications can be challenging. Our objective was to adapt general data science competencies for different learner roles in an emerging area: the clinical utility of Voice, Language, and Speech-based Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML). Using a persona-inductive approach, we adapted competencies to support learners from varying professional and educational backgrounds and implemented these adaptations in a multi-institutional summer school. Results from …

Building Toward A Standard Model For Perinatal Mental Healthcare, R Christopher Sheldrick, Megan Deichen Hansen, Nicole H Cirino, Mary Kimmel, Courtney King, Deirdre Logan, Rena Menke, Karen Tabb

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Healthcare decision-making relies on models that synthesize complex components such as disease epidemiology, diagnostic accuracy, and treatment efficacy. A healthcare model serves as a framework to integrate health systems research, biological understanding, and diverse perspectives on health, enabling decision-makers to optimize access, quality, cost, and equity. The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has underscored the need for a shared conceptualization in behavioral sciences to unify definitions and facilitate data synthesis. To achieve this, a standard model of perinatal mental healthcare is imperative.

OBJECTIVE: We propose the development of a standard model of perinatal mental healthcare, analogous …

Barriers And Facilitators To Implementing A Task-Sharing Mental Health Intervention For Sickle Cell Disease Populations In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Analysis Using The Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research (Cfir), John Patena, Leah Elster, Tania Hameed, Sumedha Kulkarni, Alden Yuanhong Lai, Annika C Sweetland, Joyce Gyamfi, Temitope Ojo, Angela Odoms-Young, Charmaine Royal, Emmanuel Peprah

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: People living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) experience higher rates of common mental disorders (CMD). There is an alarming treatment gap in the provision of adequate mental health services for CMDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). One solution is the implementation of task-sharing interventions such as the Friendship Bench which utilizes concepts of problem-solving therapy (PST). This investigation uses a qualitative study design to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a PST-based task-sharing mental health intervention for SCD populations in LMICs using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

METHODS: Purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling strategies were …

No Evidence Of Mmr Induced Trained Immunity To Prevent Sars Cov2: Results From A Multi-Centre Rct, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, George Kyei, Erik Dubberke, Linda Yun, Leon Du Toit, Mary Politi, Ben Swan, Anne Deschryver, Sherry Mckinnon, Ananya Gupta, Shabaana Khader, Michael S Avidan, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Measles-containing vaccines (MCV), by training innate immune cells, are hypothesized to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS: In this international, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned adults, 18 years and older, to receive MCV or saline. The primary outcome was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed symptomatic COVID-19, up to 60 days after intervention. Secondary outcomes were PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 and serologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, up to 150 days after intervention.

RESULTS: Of 3411 randomised participants, the modified intention-to-treat population included 1607 in the MCV and 1545 in the saline group. …

The Role Of Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Neuropeptides In Reward And Aversion, Kathryn Braden, Daniel C Castro

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The dorsal raphe nucleus is a critical node for affective and motivated circuits in the brain. Though typically known as a serotonergic hub, the dorsal raphe nucleus is also highly enriched in a variety of neuropeptides. Recent advances in biotechnology and behavioral modeling have led to a resurgence in neuropeptide research, allowing investigators to target unique peptide systems with unprecedented clarity. Here, we review and discuss multiple neuropeptide systems in dorsal raphe and consider how their activity may contribute to reward and aversion. While this is not an exhaustive review, this short overview will highlight the many opportunities available to …

Sauna Use As A Novel Management Approach For Cardiovascular Health And Peripheral Arterial Disease, Sergio Sastriques-Dunlop, Santiago Elizondo-Benedetto, Mohamed A Zayed

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Heat therapy (HT), particularly in the form of whole-body sauna bathing, has emerged as a promising intervention for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Passive HT can induce both local and systemic physiological responses, primarily through repeated thermal stress consisting of short-term passive exposure to high temperatures. Such responses closely parallel the physiological adaptations observed during aerobic exercise. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) poses significant health challenges, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. Supervised exercise is considered a cornerstone therapy for PAD, yet many patients face significant health-related barriers that complicate its broad implementation.

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive review of …