Contextualizing future maternal RSV vaccination acceptance and trust among pregnant and lactating women in Kenya: A latent class analysis.

Maternal vaccination, or vaccination in pregnancy, offers a critical opportunity to provide protection to pregnant women and simultaneously confer passive immunity to infants in the first months of life, when infections are particularly serious and their immune systems are still developing. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one such serious infectious disease for newborns, but a newly approved and recommended vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus has been designed to be given to pregnant women to protect their newborns from severe RSV disease when they are most vulnerable. While maternal vaccination has been used for tetanus, pertussis, influenza, COVID-19, and other diseases, vaccination in pregnancy can present unique challenges related to hesitancy and delivery, particularly in lower-resourced settings.

COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, beliefs, intentions and behaviors among pregnant women within the context of dynamic national policy recommendations in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan.

Introduction: There are many factors associated with maternal immunization decision making. This study aimed to describe COVID-19 vaccination attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and intentions among pregnant women across four countries within the context of varying and changing policy recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women.

Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study surveyed pregnant women in antenatal care facilities serving mostly urban or peri-urban populations in Campinas, Brazil; Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; and Karachi, Pakistan.

Psychosocial Problems in the Siblings of Multitransfused Thalassemia Patients.

Background: Thalassemia significantly affects the psychosocial health of patients, their families, and siblings. Recognizing and addressing psychosocial challenges within the family system and among siblings is crucial to enhance their well-being and the overall family functioning.

Objectives: To assess the psychosocial stress in siblings of multiple-transfused thalassemia patients, utilizing two distinct scales specifically designed to evaluate psychological distress in children.

Exploring COVID-19 vaccination behavior: A cross-country study among pregnant and postpartum women in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan.

Pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV2 are more likely to be hospitalized and require ventilation, compared to non-pregnant women. Although the development of the COVID-19 vaccine was regarded as a scientific breakthrough among many, the pace of development in combination with delayed and unclear recommendations for maternal vaccination led to slower vaccine uptake among this population. We explored the decision-making process for COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and postpartum women in four countries: Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan through 201 in-depth interviews.

COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and behaviors among pregnant women in Nairobi, Kenya with diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

Introduction: Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe manifestations of COVID-19, resulting in ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death compared to non-pregnant women. COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use in pregnant women in early 2022 by the World Health Organization, but permissive policies toward vaccine women differed by country. As education has been associated with vaccine uptake, this study sought to examine the association between socio-economic or educational status and vaccination behaviors, including reasons for vaccination or non-vaccination among pregnant women seeking health care services in Nairobi, Kenya.

Analyzing attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine decision making among pregnant women in Pakistan.

Background: Lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women prompt an investigation into the underlying reasons. This study aims to explore the attitudes of pregnant women in Pakistan regarding COVID-19 vaccination decision-making and to identify the factors influencing their vaccine uptake.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women was conducted at two hospitals in Karachi in February-May 2024.

Perceptions of sleep and sleep research among African American adults.

Objectives: Understanding contributors to poor sleep and effective interventions to improve sleep among African Americans remain lacking due to their under-representation in sleep research. This study aimed to examine this population's sleep-related perceptions, as well as facilitators, barriers, and willingness to participate in sleep research.

Methods: African American men and women (n = 36, 53.

Pep19: A Novel Approach for Reducing Visceral Fat and Improving Sleep Quality in Obese Adults-Results From an Early-Stage Clinical Trial.

Background: Conformational-sensitive antibodies were used to identify the orally active peptide DIIADDEPLT (Pep19) as an inverse agonist of cannabinoid type 1 receptor. Pep19 safely improved metabolic parameters in murine models of diet-induced obesity, and in healthy dogs.

Objectives: To evaluate Pep19's impact on quality of life and body composition in obese adults, hypothesising that the metabolic effects of Pep19 observed in animal models could translate to humans.

Contrasting effects of acute versus chronic intermittent hypoxia on leptin secretion in differentiated human adipocytes - Implications for sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with repetitive episodes of nocturnal intermittent hypoxia (IH), obesity and elevated leptin. Newly diagnosed OSA patients have a history of significant recent weight gain. While IH is implicated in OSA pathophysiology, the factors contributing to weight gain in OSA are not completely understood.

Nanomaterial-based biosensors: a new frontier in plant pathogen detection and plant disease management.

Nanotechnology has significantly advanced the detection of plant diseases by introducing nano-inspired biosensors that offer distinct advantages over traditional diagnostic methods. These biosensors, enhanced with novel nanomaterials, exhibit increased sensitivity, catalytic activity, and faster response times, resulting in improved diagnostic efficiency. The increasing impact of climate-induced stress and emerging plant pathogens have created an urgent demand for real-time monitoring systems in agriculture.

Kinome-wide RNAi screening in reveals new modulators of insulin signaling and longevity.

The insulin/IGF-I-like signaling (IIS) pathway is a highly conserved signaling cascade that plays a crucial role in regulating longevity across species. Given its significance in aging, identifying novel kinases interacting with the IIS pathway can provide deeper insights into the mechanisms governing longevity. In this study, we performed a targeted RNAi screening of the kinome, using dauer formation as a phenotypic readout.

Emergency department diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections in children.

Children with skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) commonly present to the emergency department, and while most of these infections are mild, some can be severe, with high morbidity and mortality. Emergency clinicians must be able to recognize frequently encountered SSTIs and be prepared to treat them appropriately. This issue reviews the various etiologies and patient presentations of common SSTIs, including purulent, nonpurulent, and necrotizing infections.

Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Response to Orthostasis in Somali Americans.

Purpose: Cardiovascular health disparities are present in African Americans, but it remains unknown whether this phenomenon affects Somali Americans. Study of Somali Americans is warranted due to distinct genetic and cultural differences from African Americans of western African ancestry. Orthostatic hemodynamic responses have implications for cardiovascular risk, especially among African American females.

Longitudinal changes in positive airway pressure device use after metabolic surgery: a 3-year matched cohort study of National Claims Data.

Background: Metabolic surgery (MS) is the most durable treatment of obesity and can treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Objectives: To compare trajectories of positive airway pressure (PAP) device use between individuals who had MS and similar individuals who did not have MS (non-MS).

Setting: Merative MarketScan Research Databases - a US-based commercial claims database.

Sex-specific impact of obstructive sleep apnea on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Purpose: Experimental sleep disruption in healthy adults is more deleterious to immune function in females relative to males; however, it remains unknown if this translates to patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Thus, this study explored sex differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with untreated OSA.

Methods: Participants completed sleep studies to identify the presence of OSA via the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

MYOPERICARDITIS DUE TO COXIELLA BURNETII IN A TEENAGE MALE.

A 15-year-old male presented with acute chest pain and was diagnosed with myopericarditis due to acute Q fever, detected by cell-free DNA method. Despite taking a 2-week course of doxycycline, myopericarditis recurred after 6 months. In the absence of an alternative diagnosis, he began treatment for possible chronic Q fever with doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine and has not had further recurrence.

Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Response to Orthostasis in Somali Americans.

Purpose: Cardiovascular health disparities are present in African Americans, but it remains unknown whether this phenomenon affect Somali Americans. Study of Somali Americans is warranted due to distinct genetic and cultural differences from African Americans of western African ancestry. Orthostatic hemodynamic responses have implications for cardiovascular risk, especially among African American females.

Shortened sleep duration impairs adipose tissue adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis in postmenopausal women.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the changes in adipose tissue lipolytic capacity and insulin signaling in response to shortened sleep duration (SSD) in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Adipose tissue from a randomized crossover study of nine healthy postmenopausal women (mean [SD], age: 59 [4] years; BMI: 28.0 [2.

Vaccine decision-making among pregnant women: a protocol for a cross-sectional mixed-method study in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and Pakistan.

Maternal immunization is a critical strategy to prevent both maternal and infant morbidity and mortality from several infectious diseases. When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available during the pandemic, there was mixed messaging and confusion amongst the broader public and among those associated with health care systems about the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy in many countries. A multi-country, mixed-methods study is being undertaken to describe how vaccine decision-making occurs amongst pregnant and postpartum women, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine preferences for pregnant and lactating women in Bangladesh and Kenya: a qualitative study.

COVID-19 was responsible for more than 7 million deaths globally, as well as numerous morbidities and social and economic effects. While COVID-19 vaccines were seen as a marvel of science by the scientific community, much of the public had concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines, with certain groups-such as pregnant and lactating women-having specific concerns related to vaccine effects on their pregnancy and breast milk. In this qualitative study, we interviewed stakeholders in Bangladesh ( = 26) and Kenya ( = 94) who affect the decision-making process related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant and lactating women.

Maternal Immunization Decision-Making Among Pregnant and Lactating People in Kenya: A Qualitative Exploration of Peer Influences on Vaccine Decision-Making for a Future RSV Vaccine.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory illness in infants globally, with new maternal RSV vaccines on the horizon. Vaccine decision-making during pregnancy is shaped by individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors. This study explored key interpersonal influences on maternal vaccine decision-making among pregnant and lactating people (PLP) and community members in Kenya.

Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus profile in preterm neonates (26-34 weeks' gestation) undergoing surfactant replacement therapy in India: a prospective observational study.

Surfactant administration significantly improves respiratory outcomes in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). However, surfactant administration may lead to hemodynamic alterations, particularly in the heart, affecting the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the consequences of which are not fully understood. This prospective observational study took place in an Indian neonatal care unit from July 2019 to November 2020, enrolling preterm neonates (26-34 weeks' gestation) with RDS needing non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.

Sleep Duration Alters Overfeeding-mediated Reduction in Insulin Sensitivity.

Context: Weight gain and sleep restriction both reduce insulin sensitivity. However, it is not known if sleep duration alters glucose metabolism in response to overfeeding.

Objective: To examine the effect of sleep duration on overfeeding-mediated alterations in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Case Report: Dengue Fever Progressing to Acute Liver Failure and Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Dengue fever is an important arboviral disease that significantly impacts the disease burden among populations residing in tropical regions. Dengue infection is known to have a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, which range from fatal, life-threatening shock, encephalitis, and myocarditis to asymptomatic illness. Mild hepatic dysfunction with deranged hepatic laboratory parameters is a known entity with dengue fever.