Clostridial-dominated gut microbiota promotes 7α-dehydroxylation of obeticholic acid to lithocholic acid in cholestasis treatment.

Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a potent farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist used in the treatment of liver diseases associated with cholestasis, such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). However, its clinical utility is limited by dose-dependent hepatotoxicity, and the precise mechanism underlying OCA toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanistic link between cholestasis-induced gut dysbiosis and OCA-associated hepatotoxicity.

FAdV-4 infection induces selective mitochondrial autophagy.

Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) is an infectious pathogen that poses a significant threat to the poultry industry. It is widely disseminated globally and is characterized by high infection and mortality rates. Mitochondria, as multifunctional dual membrane-enclosed eukaryotic organelles, maintain cellular homeostasis through various mechanisms.

Novel non-helical antimicrobial peptides insert into and fuse lipid model membranes.

This research addresses the growing menace of antibiotic resistance by exploring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Specifically, we investigate two linear amphipathic AMPs, LE-53 (12-mer) and LE-55 (16-mer), finding that the shorter LE-53 exhibits greater bactericidal activity against both Gram-negative (G(-)) and Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria. Remarkably, both AMPs are non-toxic to eukaryotic cells.

Home testing for SARS-CoV-2 and impact on surveillance in New York State.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infections by testing modality (at-home rapid antigen [home tests] versus laboratory-based tests in clinical settings [clinical tests]), assess factors associated with clinical testing, and estimate the true total number of diagnosed infections in New York State (NYS).

Methods: We conducted an online survey among NYS residents and analyzed data from 1012 adults and 246 children with diagnosed infection July 13-December 7, 2022. Weighted descriptive and logistic regression model analyses were conducted.

Novel Helical Trp- and Arg-Rich Antimicrobial Peptides Locate Near Membrane Surfaces and Rigidify Lipid Model Membranes.

Antibiotics are losing effectiveness as bacteria become resistant to conventional drugs. To find new alternatives, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are rationally designed with different lengths, charges, hydrophobicities (), and hydrophobic moments (), containing only three types of amino acids: arginine, tryptophan, and valine. Six AMPs with low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and <25% toxicity to mammalian cells are selected for biophysical studies.

Analysis on the factors associated with COVID-19 infection among Chinese residents after the implementation of to optimize COVID-19 response: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the status of COVID-19 infection and the associated factors among Chinese residents after the implementation of to optimize COVID response.

Methods: Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The study used self-filled questionnaires to examine COVID-19 infection and associated factors among Chinese residents, from December 29, 2022, to January 2, 2023.

Efficacy and safety of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: A network meta-analysis.

The efficacy and safety of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) remains unevaluated, and there are no reports to directly compare the efficacy and safety among different immunotherapy (especially adebrelimab and surplulimab). Suitable phase III randomized controlled trials with two or more different arms were included. Independent reviewers screened and extracted relevant data and disagreements were resolved through consensus.

Changes in Prescribed Opioid Dosages Among Patients Receiving Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain, New York State, 2017-2019.

Importance: Patients with chronic pain often receive long-term opioid therapy (LOT), which places them at risk of opioid use disorder and overdose. This presents the need for alternative or companion treatments; however, few studies on the association of medical cannabis (MC) with reducing opioid dosages exist.

Objective: To assess changes in opioid dosages among patients receiving MC for longer duration compared with shorter duration.

An all-Africa dataset of energy model "supply regions" for solar photovoltaic and wind power.

With solar and wind power generation reaching unprecedented growth rates globally, much research effort has recently gone into a comprehensive mapping of the worldwide potential of these variable renewable electricity (VRE) sources. From a perspective of energy systems analysis, the locations with the strongest resources may not necessarily be the best candidates for investment in new power plants, since the distance from existing grid and road infrastructures and the temporal variability of power generation also matter. To inform energy planning and policymaking, cost-optimisation models for energy systems must be fed with adequate data on potential sites for VRE plants, including costs reflective of resource strength, grid expansion needs and full hourly generation profiles.

Experiences of HIV/STD Providers in New York State During Hurricane Sandy: Strengths, Challenges, and Recommendations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess strengths and challenges experienced by HIV/STD providers in providing care during the response to Hurricane Sandy (Sandy) in New York State, and their recommendations for future preparedness.

Methods: A mixed methods approach, including a focus group (n = 3), interviews (n = 3), and survey (n = 31) of HIV/STD providers, was used. Key words identified by means of open coding methodology from collected data were organized into strengths, challenges, and recommendations and then grouped into federal and study-associated preparedness capabilities.

Generating Subcounty Health Data Products: Methods and Recommendations From a Multistate Pilot Initiative.

Background: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) makes data on health determinants and outcomes available at the county level, but health data at subcounty levels are needed. Three pilot projects in California, Missouri, and New York explored multiple approaches for defining measures and producing data at subcounty geographic and demographic levels based on the CHR&R model. This article summarizes the collective technical and implementation considerations from the projects, challenges inherent in analyzing subcounty health data, and lessons learned to inform future subcounty health data projects.

Superstorm Sandy's impact on the provision of WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) services in New York State.

Objective: Services provided by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) were interrupted in 2012 when Superstorm Sandy struck New York State (NYS). The present study evaluates the impact on WIC providers.

Design: A focus group, telephone interviews and anonymous online survey were conducted.

New York State Public Health System Response to Hurricane Sandy: An Analysis of Survey Feedback.

Objective: The objective was to provide a broad spectrum of New York State and local public health staff the opportunity to contribute anonymous feedback on their own and their agencies' preparedness and response to Hurricane Sandy, perceived challenges, and recommendations for preparedness improvement.

Methods: In 2015, 2 years after Hurricane Sandy, public health staff who worked on Hurricane Sandy response were identified and were provided a link to the anonymous survey. Quantitative analyses were used for survey ratings and qualitative content analyses were used for open-ended questions.