Regular Plasmodium falciparum importation onto Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, hampers malaria elimination from the island.

The Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project (BIMEP) has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. However, like other malaria endemic islands like São Tomé and Principe and Zanzibar, Tanzania, elimination efforts are hampered by imported infections. In an effort to understand the local transmission dynamics and the influence of importation on Bioko Island's P.

Styx: A multi-language API Generator for Command-Line Tools.

In numerous scientific domains, established tools have often been developed with complex command-line interfaces. Such is the case for brain imaging and bioinformatics, making the use of powerful legacy tools in modern workflow paradigms challenging. We present (i) Styx, a compiler for generating language-native wrapper functions from static tool metadata, leading to seamless integration of command-line tools within the data science ecosystem.

Protective targets of PfSPZ vaccines identified from whole-genome sieve analysis of isolates from malaria vaccine efficacy trials in West Africa.

Identification of antigens targeted by a protective response is a central quest in malaria vaccinology. Whole-genome sieve analysis (SA) in samples collected from placebo-controlled field trials of (Pf) sporozoite (SPZ) vaccines may enable identification of Pf pre-erythrocytic antigens. We applied SA to genomic data generated from Pf isolates collected during two field trials measuring the efficacy, in malaria-exposed African adults, of two PfSPZ vaccines.

Repeat controlled human Plasmodium falciparum infections delay bloodstream patency and reduce symptoms.

Resistance to clinical malaria takes years to develop even in hyperendemic regions and sterilizing immunity has rarely been observed. To evaluate the maturation of the host response against controlled repeat exposures to P. falciparum (Pf) NF54 strain-infected mosquitoes, we systematically monitored malaria-naïve participants through an initial exposure to uninfected mosquitoes and 4 subsequent homologous exposures to Pf-infected mosquitoes over 21 months (n = 8 males) (ClinicalTrials.

Efficacy and immunogenicity following dengue virus-1 human challenge after a tetravalent prime-boost dengue vaccine regimen: an open-label, phase 1 trial.

Background: Dengue human infection models (DHIMs) are important tools to down-select dengue vaccine candidates and establish tetravalent efficacy before advanced clinical field trials. We aimed to provide data for the safety and immunogenicity of DHIM and evaluate dengue vaccine efficacy.

Methods: We performed an open-label, phase 1 trial at the University of Maryland (Baltimore, MD, USA).

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Complications of Cirrhosis.

Introduction: is a significant contributor to conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and colorectal cancer. Recent studies have suggested a potential link between and cirrhosis. However, the impact of on cirrhosis-related mortality, inpatient outcomes, and decompensating events remains unclear.

Recombinant Full-length Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein-Based Vaccine Adjuvanted With Glucopyranosyl Lipid A-Liposome Quillaja saponaria 21: Results of Phase 1 Testing With Malaria Challenge.

Background: Malaria is preventable yet causes >600 000 deaths annually. RTS,S, the first marketed malaria vaccine, has modest efficacy, but improvements are needed for eradication.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, dose escalation phase 1 study of a full-length recombinant circumsporozoite protein vaccine (rCSP) administered with adjuvant glucopyranosyl lipid A-liposome Quillaja saponaria 21 formulation (GLA-LSQ) on days 1, 29, and 85 or 1 and 490 to healthy, malaria-naive adults.

hRpn13 shapes the proteome and transcriptome through epigenetic factors HDAC8, PADI4, and transcription factor NF-κB p50.

The anti-cancer target hRpn13 is a proteasome substrate receptor. However, hRpn13-targeting molecules do not impair its interaction with proteasomes or ubiquitin, suggesting other critical cellular activities. We find that hRpn13 depletion causes correlated proteomic and transcriptomic changes, with pronounced effects in myeloma cells for cytoskeletal and immune response proteins and bone-marrow-specific arginine deiminase PADI4.

Can incorporating genotyping data into efficacy estimators improve efficiency of early phase malaria vaccine trials?

Background: Early phase malaria vaccine field trials typically measure malaria infection by PCR or thick blood smear microscopy performed on serially sampled blood. Vaccine efficacy (VE) is the proportion reduction in an endpoint due to vaccination and is often calculated as VE = 1-hazard ratio or VE = 1-risk ratio. Genotyping information can distinguish different clones and distinguish multiple infections over time, potentially increasing statistical power.

Can incorporating genotyping data into efficacy estimators improve efficiency of early phase malaria vaccine trials?

Background: Early phase malaria vaccine field trials typically measure malaria infection by PCR or thick blood smear microscopy performed on serially sampled blood. Vaccine efficacy (VE) is the proportion reduction in an endpoint due to vaccination and is often calculated as - hazard ratio or - risk ratio. Genotyping information can distinguish different clones and distinguish multiple infections over time, potentially increasing statistical power.

Immunogenomic profile at baseline predicts host susceptibility to clinical malaria.

Introduction: Host gene and protein expression impact susceptibility to clinical malaria, but the balance of immune cell populations, cytokines and genes that contributes to protection, remains incompletely understood. Little is known about the determinants of host susceptibility to clinical malaria at a time when acquired immunity is developing.

Methods: We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from children who differed in susceptibility to clinical malaria, all from a small town in Mali.

Differences in treatment and outcomes among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with and without standard modifiable risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: There are limited data available on outcomes and pathophysiology behind ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in populations without standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs). The authors carried out this meta-analysis to understand the differences in treatment and outcomes of STEMI patients with and without SMuRFs.

Methods: A systematic database search was performed for relevant studies.

Gender Disparities after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with Newer Generation Transcatheter Heart Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Previous studies have demonstrated gender disparities in mortality and vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with early generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs). It is unclear, however, whether gender-related differences persist with the newer generation THVs. We aim to assess gender disparities after TAVR with newer generation THVs.

Constrictive Pericarditis from an Atraumatic Hemopericardium After Systemic Thrombolysis for a Massive Pulmonary Embolism.

Constrictive pericarditis most commonly results from fibrosis and adhesions of the parietal and visceral pericardium due to long-standing inflammation. Common etiologies include idiopathic, post-surgical, radiation injury and infectious etiologies including tuberculosis. Traumatic hemopericardium is a rare cause of constrictive pericarditis but atraumatic hemopericardium causing constrictive pericarditis has not been reported in the literature to date.

Sex differences in atrial fibrillation ablation in-hospital outcomes from the National Inpatient Sample database 2016-2019.

Background: Research has shown mixed results when comparing in-hospital complications following atrial fibrillation ablation in women compared to men.

Objectives: To better quantify sex differences and in-hospital outcomes in atrial fibrillation ablation procedures and identify factors associated with poorer outcomes.

Methods: We queried the NIS database from 2016 to 2019 for hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation ablation and excluded patients with any other arrhythmias, ICD/pacemaker placement.

Low-dose intravenous and subcutaneous CIS43LS monoclonal antibody for protection against malaria (VRC 612 Part C): a phase 1, adaptive trial.

Background: Human monoclonal antibodies might offer an important new approach to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality. In the first two parts of a three-part clinical trial, the antimalarial monoclonal antibody CIS43LS conferred high protection against parasitaemia at doses of 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg administered intravenously followed by controlled human malaria infection. The ability of CIS43LS to confer protection at lower doses or by the subcutaneous route is unknown.

A randomized controlled trial showing safety and efficacy of a whole sporozoite vaccine against endemic malaria.

A highly effective malaria vaccine remains elusive despite decades of research. sporozoite vaccine (PfSPZ Vaccine), a metabolically active, nonreplicating, whole parasite vaccine demonstrated safety and vaccine efficacy (VE) against endemic for 6 months in Malian adults receiving a five-dose regimen. Safety, immunogenicity, and VE of a three-dose regimen were assessed in adults in Balonghin, Burkina Faso in a two-component study: an open-label dose escalation trial with 32 participants followed by a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 80 participants randomized to receive three doses of 2.

Gene Coverage Count and Classification (GC): a locus sequence coverage assessment tool using short-read whole genome sequencing data, and its application to identify and classify histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 deletions in Plasmodium falciparum.

Background: The ability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to effectively detect active infections is being compromised by the presence of malaria strains with genomic deletions at the hrp2 and hrp3 loci, encoding the antigens most commonly targeted in diagnostics for Plasmodium falciparum detection. The presence of such deletions can be determined in publically available P. falciparum whole genome sequencing (WGS) datasets.

Molecular and morphological identification of frog species collected at Rara Lake in Rara National Park, Nepal.

This study seeks to clarify the taxonomic identity of three adult frogs and two tadpoles from Rara Lake situated in Rara National Park, Mugu district, Western Nepal, using both phenotypic and mitochondrial sequence data (16S rRNA gene). Based on the molecular data, we determined our specimens belonged to two species; Paa cf. ercepeae (Dubois, 1974) and Paa rarica (Dubois, Matsui, and Ohler, 2001), and this assignment is also supported by morphology.

A Case of Macrophage Activation Syndrome Manifesting as the Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially fatal complication of an autoimmune rheumatologic disease characterized by overwhelming inflammation, multiorgan failure, and high mortality if untreated. We report a rare case of a 56-year-old man who presented with fever for three weeks and had a constellation of clinical features and laboratory findings, meeting the diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and SLE-associated MAS. He was treated with high dose intravenous corticosteroid and hydroxychloroquine, resulting in resolution of fever and dramatic clinical improvement.

Protein Microarrays as a Tool to Analyze Antibody Responses to Variant Surface Antigens Expressed on the Surface of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) remain the gold standard for measuring antibodies, but are time-consuming and use significant amounts of precious sample and reagents. Protein microarrays represent an appealing alternative, particularly for studies focused on large gene families such as those encoding variant surface antigens in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Such microarrays represent an ideal high-throughput platform to study antibody responses to hundreds of malaria parasite variant surface antigens at once, providing critical insights into the development of natural immunity to malaria.

Outcomes of the First Episode of STEMI in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients from the National Inpatient Sample Database, 2016-2019.

Patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but conflicting results were seen regarding in-hospital outcomes of STEMI in patients with RA compared to patients without RA. Our study aimed to compare in-hospital outcomes of the first episode of STEMI between patients with and without RA. The NIS database was used to conduct a retrospective study of U.