Local-scale phylodynamics reveal differential community impact of SARS-CoV-2 in a metropolitan US county.

SARS-CoV-2 transmission is largely driven by heterogeneous dynamics at a local scale, leaving local health departments to design interventions with limited information. We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomes sampled between February 2020 and March 2022 jointly with epidemiological and cell phone mobility data to investigate fine scale spatiotemporal SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in King County, Washington, a diverse, metropolitan US county. We applied an approximate structured coalescent approach to model transmission within and between North King County and South King County alongside the rate of outside introductions into the county. Our phylodynamic analyses reveal that following stay-at-home orders, the epidemic trajectories of North and South King County began to diverge. We find that South King County consistently had more reported and estimated cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and longer persistence of local viral transmission when compared to North King County, where viral importations from outside drove a larger proportion of new cases. Using mobility and demographic data, we also find that South King County experienced a more modest and less sustained reduction in mobility following stay-at-home orders than North King County, while also bearing more socioeconomic inequities that might contribute to a disproportionate burden of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Overall, our findings suggest a role for local-scale phylodynamics in understanding the heterogeneous transmission landscape.

Underdetected dispersal and extensive local transmission drove the 2022 mpox epidemic.

The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022. To investigate global mpox transmission and population-level changes associated with controlling spread, we built phylogeographic and phylodynamic models to analyze MPXV genomes from five global regions together with air traffic and epidemiological data. Our models reveal community transmission prior to detection, changes in case reporting throughout the epidemic, and a large degree of transmission heterogeneity. We find that viral introductions played a limited role in prolonging spread after initial dissemination, suggesting that travel bans would have had only a minor impact. We find that mpox transmission in North America began declining before more than 10% of high-risk individuals in the USA had vaccine-induced immunity. Our findings highlight the importance of broader routine specimen screening surveillance for emerging infectious diseases and of joint integration of genomic and epidemiological information for early outbreak control.

Advertising creativity: Its influence on media response states towards the Hierarchy of effects.

The study investigates the influence of Advertising Creativity (AC) on Ad effectiveness in the context of Interactive Digital Media (IDM). The inquiry seeks to bridge a somewhat limited regard for AC in the context of IDM and provide insight into AC's place in audience communication processes as opposed to generally outcome-based perspectives. The study extends the process of AC effects towards the stages of the Hierarchy of Effects (HOE) by the inclusion of conditional media effects and media response states, which are major components of the Differential Susceptibility to Media Effects Model (DSMM), to elucidate dynamic audience processes especially in the context of interactive media. This study was limited to Filipino Millennials (born between 1980 and 1994) residing in the National Capital Region (NCR), Philippines. Data was collected from 326 respondents through a questionnaire survey, with PLS-SEM utilized for the analysis. The results show that AC effects occur through engaging immediate responses as manifested by the media response states at the time of exposure to ad stimuli rather than moderating relationships between conditional and response media effects, positively influencing all HOE stages. However, the strengths of these effects vary, with stages related to experiential responses such as Awareness, Learning/Memory, and Brand Liking reflecting more practical implications compared to more rationally involved HOE stages of accepting or rejecting ad claims and brand intentions. By its very nature, advertising is designed to disrupt original motivations and activities. Furthermore, media response is immediate upon introducing AC stimuli despite conditional dispositions. These results provide potential practical use in campaign development and conceptualization related to consumer demographics, as customized ad outputs addressing different audience traits or motivations can equate to higher production costs. Awareness, memory, and brand liking are posited to benefit the most from AC, allowing for better allocation of resources when developing outputs throughout campaigns. The study provides a practical view of AC's benefits to specific HOE stages enabling advertisers to develop strategies given the value and limitations of AC within integrated marketing campaigns keeping us abreast with the dynamic consumer processing of ad communications constantly developing in line with emerging media technology.

Transferencia dinámica de latissimus dorsi para restauración funcional de la flexo-extensión del codo / Dynamic transfer of latissimus dorsi for functional restoration of elbow flexion-extension

Introducción y objetivo: La pérdida de función o la ausencia congénita de músculos del miembro superior puede afectar seriamente a la calidad de vida del paciente, limitando actividades cotidianas que requieren flexión o extensión del codo. Describimos nuestra experiencia con la técnica para reconstrucción dinámica de la flexión y extensión del codo mediante transferencia pediculada del músculo latissimus dorsi (LD). Material y métodos: Empleamos esta técnica en 2 casos y presentamos el protocolo de rehabilitación kinesiológica subsiguiente. Este protocolo se inicia de manera inmediata tras la cirugía con apoyo de férulas de inmovilización para la extremidad superior y progresa gradualmente hacia la movilización autoasistida según tolerancia del paciente. Después, se avanza a la movilización activa sin carga, dirigida a mejorar las actividades de la vida diaria y aumentar la movilidad articular del codo, cuantificada a través de goniometría. Finalmente, progresa hacia la movilización contra resistencia. Resultados: Los pacientes operados que sufrían pérdida traumática del músculo bíceps brachii y del tríceps brachii respectivamente, mostraron rápida recuperación funcional y satisfactoria reinserción laboral y social. Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, esta técnica ha sido una opción efectiva y segura en la restauración de la función del codo y la cobertura de extensos defectos cutáneos, evitando la necesidad de recurrir a colgajos libresNivel de evidencia científica 4d Terapéutico.(AU)

Background and objective: Loss of function or congenital absence of upper limb muscles can significantly impact a patient's quality of life, limiting everyday activities that require elbow flexion or extension. We describe the technique for dynamic reconstruction of elbow flexion and extension using pedicled transfer of the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. Methods: We present our experience with the use of this technique in 2 cases and describe the subsequent kinesiological rehabilitation protocol. This protocol is initiated immediately post-surgery, with the support of immobilization splints for the upper limb and gradually progresses to self-assisted mobilization based on patient tolerance. Subsequently, advancement is made to active load-free mobilization, aimed at enhancing daily life activities and increasing elbow joint mobility, quantified using goniometry. Finally, the rehabilitation regimen progresses to resistance-based mobilization. Results: Operated patients suffering traumatic loss of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles respectively, exhibited rapid functional recovery and satisfactory reintegration into work and social life. Conclusions: In our experience, this surgical technique has demonstrated itself to be an effective and safe option in restoring elbow function and providing coverage for extensive cutaneous defects, eliminating the need for free flaps. Level of evidence 4d Terapeutic.(AU)

Early underdetected dissemination across countries followed by extensive local transmission propelled the 2022 mpox epidemic.

The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022. To investigate global mpox transmission and population-level changes associated with controlling spread, we built phylogeographic and phylodynamic models to analyze MPXV genomes from five global regions together with air traffic and epidemiological data. Our models reveal community transmission prior to detection, changes in case-reporting throughout the epidemic, and a large degree of transmission heterogeneity. We find that viral introductions played a limited role in prolonging spread after initial dissemination, suggesting that travel bans would have had only a minor impact. We find that mpox transmission in North America began declining before more than 10% of high-risk individuals in the USA had vaccine-induced immunity. Our findings highlight the importance of broader routine specimen screening surveillance for emerging infectious diseases and of joint integration of genomic and epidemiological information for early outbreak control.

Local-Scale phylodynamics reveal differential community impact of SARS-CoV-2 in metropolitan US county.

SARS-CoV-2 transmission is largely driven by heterogeneous dynamics at a local scale, leaving local health departments to design interventions with limited information. We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomes sampled between February 2020 and March 2022 jointly with epidemiological and cell phone mobility data to investigate fine scale spatiotemporal SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in King County, Washington, a diverse, metropolitan US county. We applied an approximate structured coalescent approach to model transmission within and between North King County and South King County alongside the rate of outside introductions into the county. Our phylodynamic analyses reveal that following stay-at-home orders, the epidemic trajectories of North and South King County began to diverge. We find that South King County consistently had more reported and estimated cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and longer persistence of local viral transmission when compared to North King County, where viral importations from outside drove a larger proportion of new cases. Using mobility and demographic data, we also find that South King County experienced a more modest and less sustained reduction in mobility following stay-at-home orders than North King County, while also bearing more socioeconomic inequities that might contribute to a disproportionate burden of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Overall, our findings suggest a role for local-scale phylodynamics in understanding the heterogeneous transmission landscape.

Going digital: opportunities and barriers in the use of technology for health research.

Digital health refers to the use of novel information com-munication technologies in healthcare. The use of these technologies could positively impact public health and health outcomes of populations by generating timely data, and facili-tating the process of data collection, analysis, and knowledge translation. Using selected case studies, we aim to describe the opportunities and barriers in the use of technology applied to health-related research. We focus on three areas: strategies to generate new data using novel data collection methods, strategies to use and analyze existing data, and using digital health for health-related interventions. Exemplars from seven countries are provided to illustrate activity across these areas. Although the use of health-related technologies is increasing, challenges remain to support their adoption and scale-up -especially for under-served populations. Research using digital health approaches should take a user-centered design, actively working with the population of interest to maximize their uptake and effectiveness.

Associations Between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants and Risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hospitalization Among Confirmed Cases in Washington State: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is dominated by variant viruses; the resulting impact on disease severity remains unclear. Using a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the hospitalization risk following infection with 7 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. METHODS: Our study includes individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the Washington Disease Reporting System with available viral genome data, from 1 December 2020 to 14 January 2022. The analysis was restricted to cases with specimens collected through sentinel surveillance. Using a Cox proportional hazards model with mixed effects, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) for hospitalization risk following infection with a variant, adjusting for age, sex, calendar week, and vaccination. RESULTS: In total, 58 848 cases were sequenced through sentinel surveillance, of which 1705 (2.9%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Higher hospitalization risk was found for infections with Gamma (HR 3.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.40-4.26), Beta (HR 2.85, 95% CI 1.56-5.23), Delta (HR 2.28 95% CI 1.56-3.34), or Alpha (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.29-2.07) compared to infections with ancestral lineages; Omicron (HR 0.92, 95% CI .56-1.52) showed no significant difference in risk. Following Alpha, Gamma, or Delta infection, unvaccinated patients show higher hospitalization risk, while vaccinated patients show no significant difference in risk, both compared to unvaccinated, ancestral lineage cases. Hospitalization risk following Omicron infection is lower with vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with Alpha, Gamma, or Delta results in a higher hospitalization risk, with vaccination attenuating that risk. Our findings support hospital preparedness, vaccination, and genomic surveillance.

Consecuencias del consumo de cannabis. Revisión narrativa / Consequences of cannabis use. narrative review

El cannabis es la tercera droga más consumida a nivel mundial, tras el alcohol y el tabaco. En el entorno actual, con presiones para su legalización, se realizó una revisión narrativa en base a la literatura reciente, para actualizar las evidencias sobre los efectos de su consumo con fines recreativos. Se seleccionaron 19 artículos sobre consecuencias a nivel orgánico y 6 sobre acciones nocivas en la esfera psiquiátrica. A nivel orgánico, existe asociación entre el consumo de cannabis y patología cardiovascular (IAM, ACV, arritmias y con muerte súbita); a nivel respiratorio, hay asociación con bronquitis crónica y con la alteración de los volúmenes pulmonares. Se ha visto riesgo oncológico con el cáncer testicular no seminoma y más probabilidad de desarrollar cáncer primario de orofaringe. En el embarazo, hay asociación con el riesgo de bajo peso al nacer y aumento de ingresos en UCI de los neonatos. A nivel cognitivo, se han demostrado deficiencias en la memoria, atención y procesamiento, así como a la hora de conducir. A nivel psiquiátrico, se observa una relación del consumo con el desarrollo de esquizofrenia, psicosis y ansiedad, junto con depresión, sin que su frecuencia y presentación clínica se hayan odificado en los últimos 5 años. (AU)

Cannabis is the third most widely used drug worldwide, after alcohol and tobacco. In the current environment, with pressures for its legalisation, a narrative review was carried out based on recent literature to update the evidence on the effects of its recreational use. Nineteen articles on consequences at the organ level and six on harmful actions in the psychiatric sphere were selected. At the organ level, there is an association between cannabis use and cardiovascular pathology (AMI, stroke, arrhythmias and sudden death); at the respiratory level, there is an association with chronic bronchitis and altered lung volumes. Oncological risk has been seen with non-seminoma testicular cancer and increased likelihood of developing primary oropharyngeal cancer. In pregnancy, there is an association with the risk of low birth weight and increased neonatal ICU admissions. At the cognitive level, impairments in memory, attention and processing, as well as in driving have been demonstrated. At the psychiatric level, a relationship between cannabis use and the development of schizophrenia, psychosis and anxiety, together with depression, has been observed, with no change in their frequency and clinical presentation in the last 5 years. (AU)

Associations between SARS-CoV-2 variants and risk of COVID-19 hospitalization among confirmed cases in Washington State: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is dominated by variant viruses; the resulting impact on disease severity remains unclear. Using a retrospective cohort study, we assessed the hospitalization risk following infection with seven SARS-CoV-2 variants. METHODS: Our study includes individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in the Washington Disease Reporting System with available viral genome data, from December 1, 2020 to January 14, 2022. The analysis was restricted to cases with specimens collected through sentinel surveillance. Using a Cox proportional hazards model with mixed effects, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) for hospitalization risk following infection with a variant, adjusting for age, sex, calendar week, and vaccination. FINDINGS: 58,848 cases were sequenced through sentinel surveillance, of which 1705 (2.9%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19. Higher hospitalization risk was found for infections with Gamma (HR 3.20, 95%CI 2.40-4.26), Beta (HR 2.85, 95%CI 1.56-5.23), Delta (HR 2.28 95%CI 1.56-3.34) or Alpha (HR 1.64, 95%CI 1.29-2.07) compared to infections with ancestral lineages; Omicron (HR 0.92, 95%CI 0.56-1.52) showed no significant difference in risk. Following Alpha, Gamma, or Delta infection, unvaccinated patients show higher hospitalization risk, while vaccinated patients show no significant difference in risk, both compared to unvaccinated, ancestral lineage cases. Hospitalization risk following Omicron infection is lower with vaccination. CONCLUSION: Infection with Alpha, Gamma, or Delta results in a higher hospitalization risk, with vaccination attenuating that risk. Our findings support hospital preparedness, vaccination, and genomic surveillance. SUMMARY: Hospitalization risk following infection with SARS-CoV-2 variant remains unclear. We find a higher hospitalization risk in cases infected with Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, but not Omicron, with vaccination lowering risk. Our findings support hospital preparedness, vaccination, and genomic surveillance.

Características de las intoxicaciones agudas atendidas en Cataluña y diferencias según grupos de edad / Poisoning cases in Catalonia: characteristics according to age groups in the Intox-28 study

Introducción. El Grupo de Trabajo de Toxicología de la Societat Catalana de Medicina d’Urgències i Emergències (SoCMUETox) inició en 2013 el estudio Intox-28. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar las diferencias existentes en las características de las intoxicaciones según la edad de los pacientes.Método. Estudio descriptivo observacional de las intoxicaciones atendidas en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) el día 28 de cada mes durante el periodo 2013-19. Se recogieron datos demográficos, tipo de tóxico, datos clínicos y destino al alta. Los pacientes se dividieron en 3 grupos: menores de 17 años, adultos (entre 17 y 65 años) y mayores de 65 años.Resultados. Se registraron 1.088 intoxicaciones: 132 (12,1%), 859 (78,9%) y 97 (8,9%) en cada grupo de edad respectivamente. En comparación a los pacientes adultos, en los menores de 17 años hubo más mujeres (58,3% vs46,1%; p < 0,001), menos intoxicaciones de tipo recreativo (22% vs 46,1%; p < 0,001) y acontecieron más frecuente-mente en el domicilio (67,4% vs 51,1%; p < 0,001). El tipo de tóxico más implicado fueron los fármacos (49,2% vs31,1%; p < 0,001) y precisaron tratamiento con menor frecuencia (43,2% vs 73%; p < 0,001). Los mayores de 65 años precisaron tratamiento en porcentaje similar a los pacientes de 17 a 65 años (73,2%).Conclusiones. Existen diferencias entre los grupos de edad, entre las que destacan el sexo predominante, la intencionalidad de la intoxicación y el tipo de tóxico implicado. (AU)

Background and objective. The Toxicology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine (SoCMUETox) began the Intox-28 study in 2013. The aim was to identify differences in poisoning cases between 3 age groups.Methods. Descriptive observational study of poisoning cases managed in 8 hospital emergency departments on the 28th day of each month from 2013 to 2019. We gathered information on patient particulars, type of poison, clinical data, and discharge destination. The patient sample was distributed into 3 groups for comparison: minors under the age of 17 years, adults aged 17 to 65 years, and adults over the age of 65 years.Results. The hospitals registered 1088 cases: 132, 859, and 97 in each age group. In comparisons between the minors and the adults aged 65 years or younger, the minors had more females (58.3% vs 46.1%), fewer recreational poisonings (22% vs 46.1%) more poisonings inside the home (67.4% vs 51.1%), more medication poisonings (49.2% vs 31.1%), and less often received treatment (43.2% vs 73%) (P < .001, all comparisons). The proportion of older adults receiving treatment (73.2%) was similar to that of the younger adults.Conclusions. The characteristics of poisonings vary according to age. Differences lie in gender, intentionality, and type of poison. (AU)

Poisoning cases in Catalonia: characteristics according to age groups in the Intox.28 study. / Características de las intoxicaciones agudas atendidas en Cataluña y diferencias según grupos de edad: Estudio Intox-28.

OBJECTIVES: The Toxicology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine (SoCMUETox) began the Intox-28 study in 2013. The aim was to identify differences in poisoning cases between 3 age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive observational study of poisoning cases managed in 8 hospital emergency departments on the 28th day of each month from 2013 to 2019. We gathered information on patient particulars, type of poison, clinical data, and discharge destination. The patient sample was distributed into 3 groups for comparison: minors under the age of 17 years, adults aged 17 to 65 years, and adults over the age of 65 years. RESULTS: The hospitals registered 1088 cases: 132, 859, and 97 in each age group. In comparisons between the minors and the adults aged 65 years or younger, the minors had more females (58.3% vs 46.1%), fewer recreational poisonings (22% vs 46.1%) more poisonings inside the home (67.4% vs 51.1%), more medication poisonings (49.2% vs 31.1%), and less often received treatment (43.2% vs 73%) (P .001, all comparisons). The proportion of older adults receiving treatment (73.2%) was similar to that of the younger adults. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of poisonings vary according to age. Differences lie in gender, intentionality, and type of poison.

OBJETIVO: El Grupo de Trabajo de Toxicología de la Societat Catalana de Medicina d'Urgències i Emergències (SoCMUETox) inició en 2013 el estudio Intox-28. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar las diferencias existentes en las características de las intoxicaciones según la edad de los pacientes. METODO: Estudio descriptivo observacional de las intoxicaciones atendidas en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) el día 28 de cada mes durante el periodo 2013-19. Se recogieron datos demográficos, tipo de tóxico, datos clínicos y destino al alta. Los pacientes se dividieron en 3 grupos: menores de 17 años, adultos (entre 17 y 65 años) y mayores de 65 años. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 1.088 intoxicaciones: 132 (12,1%), 859 (78,9%) y 97 (8,9%) en cada grupo de edad respectivamente. En comparación a los pacientes adultos, en los menores de 17 años hubo más mujeres (58,3% vs 46,1%; p 0,001), menos intoxicaciones de tipo recreativo (22% vs 46,1%; p 0,001) y acontecieron más frecuentemente en el domicilio (67,4% vs 51,1%; p 0,001). El tipo de tóxico más implicado fueron los fármacos (49,2% vs 31,1%; p 0,001) y precisaron tratamiento con menor frecuencia (43,2% vs 73%; p 0,001). Los mayores de 65 años precisaron tratamiento en porcentaje similar a los pacientes de 17 a 65 años (73,2%). CONCLUSIONES: Existen diferencias entre los grupos de edad, entre las que destacan el sexo predominante, la intencionalidad de la intoxicación y el tipo de tóxico implicado.

Transcriptome and Hormone Analyses Revealed Insights into Hormonal and Vesicle Trafficking Regulation among Olea europaea Fruit Tissues in Late Development.

Fruit ripening and abscission are the results of the cell wall modification concerning different components of the signaling network. However, molecular-genetic information on the cross-talk between ripe fruit and their abscission zone (AZ) remains limited. In this study, we investigated transcriptional and hormonal changes in olive (Olea europaea L. cv Picual) pericarp and AZ tissues of fruit at the last stage of ripening, when fruit abscission occurs, to establish distinct tissue-specific expression patterns related to cell-wall modification, plant-hormone, and vesicle trafficking in combination with data on hormonal content. In this case, transcriptome profiling reveals that gene encoding members of the α-galactosidase and ß-hexosaminidase families associated with up-regulation of RabB, RabD, and RabH classes of Rab-GTPases were exclusively transcribed in ripe fruit enriched in ABA, whereas genes of the arabinogalactan protein, laccase, lyase, endo-ß-mannanase, ramnose synthase, and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase families associated with up-regulation of RabC, RabE, and RabG classes of Rab-GTPases were exclusively transcribed in AZ-enriched mainly in JA, which provide the first insights into the functional divergences among these protein families. The enrichment of these protein families in different tissues in combination with data on transcript abundance offer a tenable set of key genes of the regulatory network between olive fruit tissues in late development.

Cell Wall Composition and Ultrastructural Immunolocalization of Pectin and Arabinogalactan Protein during Olea europaea L. Fruit Abscission.

Cell wall modification is integral to many plant developmental processes where cells need to separate, such as abscission. However, changes in cell wall composition during natural fruit abscission are poorly understood. In olive (Olea europaea L.), some cultivars such as 'Picual' undergo massive natural fruit abscission after fruit ripening. This study investigates the differences in cell wall polysaccharide composition and the localization of pectins and arabinogalactan protein (AGP) in the abscission zone (AZ) during cell separation to understand fruit abscission control in 'Picual' olive. To this end, immunogold labeling employing a suite of monoclonal antibodies to cell wall components (JIM13, LM5, LM6, LM19 and LM20) was investigated in olive fruit AZ. Cell wall polysaccharide extraction revealed that the AZ cell separation is related to the de-esterification and degradation of pectic polysaccharides. Moreover, ultrastructural localization showed that both esterified and unesterified homogalacturonans (HGs) localize mainly in the AZ cell walls, including the middle lamella and tricellular junction zones. Our results indicate that unesterified HGs are likely to contribute to cell separation in the olive fruit AZ. Similarly, immunogold labeling demonstrated a decrease in both galactose-rich and arabinose-rich pectins in AZ cell walls during ripe fruit abscission. In addition, AGPs were localized in the cell wall, plasma membrane and cytoplasm of AZ cells with lower levels of AGPs during ripe fruit abscission. This detailed temporal profile of the cell wall polysaccharide composition, and the pectins and AGP immunolocalization in the olive fruit AZ, offers new insights into cell wall remodeling during ripe fruit abscission.

Social Capital and Risk of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among African Americans in Jackson, Mississippi.

Concurrent sexual partnerships (i.e., relationships that overlap in time) contribute to higher HIV acquisition risk. Social capital, defined as resources and connections available to individuals is hypothesized to reduce sexual HIV risk behavior, including sexual concurrency. Additionally, we do not know whether any association between social capital and sexual concurrency is moderated by gender. Multivariable logistic regression tested the association between social capital and sexual concurrency and effect modification by gender. Among 1445 African Americans presenting for care at an urban STI clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, mean social capital was 2.85 (range 1-5), mean age was 25 (SD = 6), and 62% were women. Sexual concurrency in the current year was lower for women compared to men (45% vs. 55%, χ2(df = 1) = 11.07, p = .001). Higher social capital was associated with lower adjusted odds of sexual concurrency for women compared to men (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 0.62 (95% CI 0.39-0.97), p = 0.034), controlling for sociodemographic and psychosocial covariates. Interventions that add social capital components may be important for lowering sexual risk among African Americans in Mississippi.

Regulation of sterol content and biosynthetic gene expression during flower opening and early fruit development in olive.

Phytosterols are lipophilic membrane components essential not only for diverse cellular functions but also are biosynthetic precursors of the plant hormone, brassinosteroid (BR). However, the interaction between phytosterol and BR during early fleshy-fruit growth remains largely uncharacterized. In olive, phytosterols are important lipids because they affect oil quality, but phytosterol composition during flowering and early fruit development has not been explored. Here, we first investigated the temporal changes in phytosterol composition, and biosynthetic gene expression that occurred during olive flower opening and early fruit growth. Next, we analyzed the interrelationship between phytosterol and BR, whose levels we manipulated through the application of exogenous BRs (24-epibrassinolide, EBR) or a BR biosynthesis inhibitor (brassinazole, Brz). In this report, the profiling of phytosterol measurement revealed that ß-sitosterol is the most abundant in olive reproductive organs. Our data demonstrate that both OeCYP51 and OeSMT2 genes are upregulated during floral anthesis in good agreement with the rise in cholesterol and ß-sitosterol contents in olive flower. By contrast, the OeCYP51 and OeSMT2 genes displayed different expression patterns during early olive-fruit development. Furthermore, our data show that exogenous EBR enhanced the early olive-fruit growth, as well as the OeSMT2 transcript and ß-sitosterol levels, but decreased the OeCYP51 transcript, squalene, campesterol and cholesterol levels, whereas the Brz treatment exerted the opposite effect. Overall, our findings indicate an up-regulation of ß-sitosterol biosynthesis by BR at the transcriptional level during early olive-fruit growth, providing a valuable tool to unravel the physiological function of SMT2 in future studies.

Mortalidad inmediata y a los 30 días en las intoxicaciones digitálicas atendidas en servicios de urgencias de Cataluña / Immediate and 30 days mortality in digoxin poisoning cases attended in the Hospital Emergency Services of Catalonia, Spain

Introducción: La intoxicación digitálica es un motivo frecuente de consulta en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH). El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la mortalidad asociada a dicha intoxicación. Método: Estudio descriptivo y observacional de las intoxicaciones digitálicas atendidas en los SUH de 4 hospitales de Cataluña durante los años 2013-15. Se recogieron datos relativos a la intoxicación, la mortalidad inmediata y a los 30 días. Se analizó la existencia de posibles factores asociados a la mortalidad. Resultados: Se registraron 171 intoxicaciones digitálicas. Siete eran agudas (4,1%) y 164 (95,9%) crónicas. La mortalidad inmediata fue del 6,4% y a los 30 días fue del 13,4%. El análisis binario no identificó ningún factor relacionado con la mortalidad inmediata. En cuanto a la mortalidad a 30 días, los pacientes que fallecieron tenían con mayor frecuencia una intoxicación aguda (13% vs 2,7%; p= 0,05), había más intoxicaciones con intencionalidad suicida (8,7% vs 0,7%; p= 0,048), más afectación renal (21,7% vs 9,5%; p= 0,037), menos sintomatología neurológica (4,3% vs 17,8%; p= 0,005), mayor digoxinemia (4,7 mg/dl vs 3,7 mg/dl; p= 0,027) y menor puntuación en el índice de Barthel (IB) (49,1 (33,4) vs 70,3 (28,5); p= 0,006). El análisis de regresión logística identificó la digoxinemia como un factor independiente de mortalidad inmediata y la puntuación en el IB en la mortalidad a 30 días. Conclusiones: La digoxinemia se relaciona con la mortalidad inmediata y el IB se relaciona con la mortalidad a 30 días

Background and objective: Digoxin poisoning is a frequent reason for seeking emergency care. This study aimed to assess mortality related to digoxin poisoning. Methods: Descriptive observational study of digoxin poisonings attended in the emergency departments of 4 hospitals in Catalonia from 2013 through 2015. We gathered data relevant to the poisonings and recorded immediate and 30-day mortality. Factors possibly related to mortality were explored. Results: A total of 171 digoxin poisonings were attended. Seven (4.1%) were acute and 164 (95.9%) were chronic. The immediate and 30-day mortality rates were 6.4% and 13.4%, respectively. Bivariate analysis did not identify factors related to immediate mortality. However, the variables more often associated with 30-day mortality in this analysis were acute poisoning (after which 13% died vs 2.7% of those with chronic poisoning, P=.05), suicide attempts (8.7% of whom died vs 0.7%, P=.048), more compromised renal function (21.7% vs 9.5%, P=.037), fewer neurologic symptoms (4.3% vs 17.8% with more symptoms, P=.005), higher mean digoxin concentrations (4.7 mg/dL in those who died vs 3.7 mg/dL, P=.027), and a lower Barthel index (mean [SD] 49.1 [33.4] in those who died vs 70.3 [28.5]; P=.006). Logistic regression analysis identified serum digoxin concentration to be independently associated with immediate mortality. A lower Barthel index was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions: Immediate mortality is related to a high digoxin concentration in serum, and 30-day mortality to a low Barthel index

Immediate and 30 days mortality in digoxin poisoning cases attended in the Hospital Emergency Services of Catalonia, Spain. / Mortalidad inmediata y a los 30 días en las intoxicaciones digitálicas atendidas en servicios de urgencias de Cataluña.

OBJECTIVES: Digoxin poisoning is a frequent reason for seeking emergency care. This study aimed to assess mortality related to digoxin poisoning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive observational study of digoxin poisonings attended in the emergency departments of 4 hospitals in Catalonia from 2013 through 2015. We gathered data relevant to the poisonings and recorded immediate and 30-day mortality. Factors possibly related to mortality were explored. RESULTS: A total of 171 digoxin poisonings were attended. Seven (4.1%) were acute and 164 (95.9%) were chronic. The immediate and 30-day mortality rates were 6.4% and 13.4%, respectively. Bivariate analysis did not identify factors related to immediate mortality. However, the variables more often associated with 30-day mortality in this analysis were acute poisoning (after which 13% died vs 2.7% of those with chronic poisoning, P=.05), suicide attempts (8.7% of whom died vs 0.7%, P=.048), more compromised renal function (21.7% vs 9.5%, P=.037), fewer neurologic symptoms (4.3% vs 17.8% with more symptoms, P=.005), higher mean digoxin concentrations (4.7 mg/dL in those who died vs 3.7 mg/dL, P=.027), and a lower Barthel index (mean [SD] 49.1 [33.4] in those who died vs 70.3 [28.5]; P=.006). Logistic regression analysis identified serum digoxin concentration to be independently associated with immediate mortality. A lower Barthel index was associated with 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Immediate mortality is related to a high digoxin concentration in serum, and 30-day mortality to a low Barthel index.

OBJETIVO: La intoxicación digitálica es un motivo frecuente de consulta en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH). El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la mortalidad asociada a dicha intoxicación. METODO: Estudio descriptivo y observacional de las intoxicaciones digitálicas atendidas en los SUH de 4 hospitales de Cataluña durante los años 2013-15. Se recogieron datos relativos a la intoxicación, la mortalidad inmediata y a los 30 días. Se analizó la existencia de posibles factores asociados a la mortalidad. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 171 intoxicaciones digitálicas. Siete eran agudas (4,1%) y 164 (95,9%) crónicas. La mortalidad inmediata fue del 6,4% y a los 30 días fue del 13,4%. El análisis binario no identificó ningún factor relacionado con la mortalidad inmediata. En cuanto a la mortalidad a 30 días, los pacientes que fallecieron tenían con mayor frecuencia una intoxicación aguda (13% vs 2,7%; p = 0,05), había más intoxicaciones con intencionalidad suicida (8,7% vs 0,7%; p = 0,048), más afectación renal (21,7% vs 9,5%; p = 0,037), menos sintomatología neurológica (4,3% vs 17,8%; p = 0,005), mayor digoxinemia (4,7 mg/dl vs 3,7 mg/dl; p = 0,027) y menor puntuación en el índice de Barthel (IB) (49,1 (33,4) vs 70,3 (28,5); p = 0,006). El análisis de regresión logística identificó la digoxinemia como un factor independiente de mortalidad inmediata y la puntuación en el IB en la mortalidad a 30 días. CONCLUSIONES: La digoxinemia se relaciona con la mortalidad inmediata y el IB se relaciona con la mortalidad a 30 días.

Modulation of sphingolipid long-chain base composition and gene expression during early olive-fruit development, and putative role of brassinosteroid.

Sphingolipids are abundant membrane components and signalling molecules in various aspects of plant development. However, the role of sphingolipids in early fleshy-fruit growth has rarely been investigated. In this study, we first investigated the temporal changes in sphingolipid long-chain base (LCB) content, composition, and gene expression that occurred during flower opening and early fruit development in olive (Olea europaea L. cv Picual). Moreover, the interaction between sphingolipid and the plant hormone, brassinosteroid (BR), during the early fruit development was also explored. For this, BR levels were manipulated through the application of exogenous BRs (24-epibrassinolide, EBR) or a BR biosynthesis inhibitor (brassinazole, Brz) and their effects on early fruit development, sphingolipid LCB content, and gene expression were examined in olive fruit at 14 days post-anthesis (DPA). We here show that sphingolipid with C-4 hydroxylation and Δ8 desaturation with a preference for (E)-isomer formation are quantitatively the most important sphingolipids in olive reproductive organs. In this work, the total LCB amount significantly decreased at the anthesis stage, but olive sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (OeSPL) gene was expressed exclusively in flower and upregulated during the anthesis, revealing an association with the d18:1(8E) accumulation. However, the LCB content increased in parallel with the upregulation of the expression of genes for key sphingolipid biosynthetic and LCB modification enzymes during early fruit development in olive. Likewise, we found that EBR exogenously applied to olive trees significantly stimulated the fruit growth rate whereas Brz inhibited fruit growth rate after 7 and 14 days of treatment. In addition, this inhibitory effect could be counteracted by the application of EBR. The promotion of early fruit growth was accompanied by the down-regulation of sphingolipid LCB content and gene expression in olive fruit, whereas Brz application raised levels of sphingolipid LCB content and gene expression in olive fruit after 7 and 14 days of treatment. Thus, our data indicate that endogenous sphingolipid LCB and gene-expression levels are intricately controlled during early fruit development and also suggest a possible link between BR, the sphingolipid content/gene expression, and early fruit development in olive.

The 7q11.23 Protein DNAJC30 Interacts with ATP Synthase and Links Mitochondria to Brain Development.

Despite the known causality of copy-number variations (CNVs) to human neurodevelopmental disorders, the mechanisms behind each gene's contribution to the constellation of neural phenotypes remain elusive. Here, we investigated the 7q11.23 CNV, whose hemideletion causes Williams syndrome (WS), and uncovered that mitochondrial dysfunction participates in WS pathogenesis. Dysfunction is facilitated in part by the 7q11.23 protein DNAJC30, which interacts with mitochondrial ATP-synthase machinery. Removal of Dnajc30 in mice resulted in hypofunctional mitochondria, diminished morphological features of neocortical pyramidal neurons, and altered behaviors reminiscent of WS. The mitochondrial features are consistent with our observations of decreased integrity of oxidative phosphorylation supercomplexes and ATP-synthase dimers in WS. Thus, we identify DNAJC30 as an auxiliary component of ATP-synthase machinery and reveal mitochondrial maladies as underlying certain defects in brain development and function associated with WS.