Asbestos identification in bulk samples using FTIR and multivariate data analysis.

This study aimed to investigate a laboratory procedure for identifying asbestos in asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). A PLS-DA model was trained with the six regulated asbestos reference materials using FTIR with the diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) technique to identify asbestos type(s) in unknown samples. The prediction of the PLS-DA model was evaluated using laboratory-generated asbestos-containing samples and suspected ACMs collected from the remediation and building management industries.

Occupations at high risk for malaria in Zanzibar: a case-control study, may-august 2023.

Background: In malaria elimination settings, cases tend to cluster geographically and occur among certain subpopulations. Clustering is often related to specific factors such as occupation or mobility, which increase an individual's risk for malaria infection.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted to identify malaria high-risk populations (HRPs) in Zanzibar.

Comorbidity and Multimorbidity in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Findings From a Multi-Site Population-Based Study.

Background: Survival of individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) has improved, leading to a growing and aging population of adults living with these conditions. Over their lifetime, they often face an array of comorbidities that affect outcomes and complicate medical management. However, population-based information on such comorbidities is scarce, reducing opportunities for prevention.

Micronutrients Associated With Anemia in School-age Children and Adolescents 2005-2018: Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) Project.

Background: School-age children and adolescents may be at risk of anemia through demands on micronutrients required for growth and maturation.

Objectives: This multicountry analysis examined the burden of anemia in children aged 5-19 y by sex and age category and associations with micronutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and BMI.

Methods: Children aged 5-19 y from surveys in the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) Project were included with hemoglobin, ≥1 micronutrient (iron, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B, or zinc) and inflammation biomarker, and > 100 per survey.

Health Care Encounters and Expenditures Among Children With Diagnosed Tic Disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders, 2022.

Objective: This study aimed to use claims data to calculate incremental 2022 health care expenditure estimates for children with tic disorders relative to children without tic disorders.

Methods: Children ages 6-17 years with tic disorders were identified in the Merative MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid (N=6,277) and MarketScan Commercial (employer-sponsored insurance [ESI]; N=6,955) databases via inpatient and outpatient claims and were compared with children without tic disorders, matched at a 1:8 ratio on age, sex, and coverage type. Presence of 12 types of co-occurring disorders was identified.

Novel biomarkers to assess mold exposure among children with asthma.

Background: Household mold is a major problem in communities which face natural disasters such as hurricanes or flooding, and in homes with other sources of significant water intrusion; a biomarker for exposure to indoor mold could support public health investigations.

Methods: We analyzed serum from 132 children with asthma living in government-subsidized housing for six microbial volatile organic compounds (2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-heptanone, 2-hexanone, 3-methylfuran, 3-octanone, and geosmin) using GC-MS. Fewer than 10% of the samples for three compounds (2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-heptanone, and 2-hexanone) were quantified below the limit of detection.

Pediatric and Young Adult Cancer Incidence in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Cancer incidence decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic; this study describes cancer incidence changes for children, adolescents, and young adults during this period. We used US Cancer Statistics (USCS) to describe potential impacts of the pandemic on cancer incidence for persons 0-39 years.

Methods: We used data from USCS, covering 98% of the US population, to evaluate cancer case counts, incidence rates, and monthly counts; incidence rate ratios were calculated comparing year 2019 (baseline) to 2020 and 2021.

Synchronized dynamics of dengue across the Americas.

Dengue is endemic throughout the tropical areas of the Americas, but little is known about its regional dynamics. We examined seasonal and multiannual dengue trends across the Americas and possible underlying mechanisms using monthly dengue surveillance data from 14 countries. We collected monthly dengue case data from 241 subnational locations in 14 countries, ranging from 1985 to 2018 (6 to 22 years), and used wavelet analysis to isolate seasonal (8 to 16 months) and multiannual (17+ months) patterns.

Associations of Adaptive Behavior and Wandering with Serious Injuries in Young Children with Autism: Study to Explore Early Development.

Purpose: Increased injury risk in children with autism may result from co-occurring developmental characteristics and challenges. We examined associations of adaptive behavior delay and wandering with injuries among children with autism.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data from 648 children aged 30-68 months with autism determined by standardized instruments.

Fomite workshop recommendations addressing the role of surfaces in virus transmission in the built environment.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a need to assess the role of fomites in viral transmission within the built environment. Assessing the role of fomites is necessary for developing intervention strategies for controlling emerging pathogens. A fomite workshop with experts was convened in November 2024 by academia, several government agencies, and public health officials to evaluate existing data and discuss how to mitigate risks.

Type-specific EV-D68 real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of all extant enterovirus D68 strains.

We developed a type-specific Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) assay termed CDC2022, which targets sequences encoding conserved amino acid regions of all extant EV-D68 strains. We targeted three motifs conserved among all strains in the last 60 years. The assay achieved 100% (281/281) sensitivity and 100% (344/344) specificity when tested with a collection of 625 respiratory specimens, compared to the gold-standard EV semi-nested VP1 PCR and sequencing assay (snPCR/Seq).

Identification of Anatoxin-a and Related Metabolites in Exposed Mice Samples with a High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Discovery Workflow.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) are a public health concern and require ongoing surveillance to monitor the negative water quality effects and cyanotoxins associated with these blooms. (+)-Anatoxin-a (ATX) is a potent neurotoxin produced by select cyanobacteria during HCB formation. Many HCB toxins are commonly associated with discolored water; however, ATX can be present in clear water, which results in a high risk of exposure by accidental ingestion for humans and animals.

Mental, behavioural, and developmental disorders among U.S. Children with and without heart conditions, 2016-2021.

Background: Children with heart conditions, particularly CHDs, may experience adverse neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes. Our study aimed to: (1) compare national prevalence of mental, behavioural, and developmental disorders among children by heart condition status and (2) identify associated characteristics among children with heart conditions.

Methods: Nationally representative data from the National Survey of Children's Health (2016-2021) on U.

State-level prevalence of chronic conditions co-occurring with obesity among US adults.

Aims: Recent estimates of chronic conditions (CCs) among adults with obesity are lacking. This study analysed state-representative data to assess the prevalence of CCs that co-occur with obesity.

Materials And Methods: We used 2021-2022 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System data to assess the age-standardised prevalence of nine CCs among adults with obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m) based on self-reported weight and height.

Epitope-Specific Antibody Immunodominance Driving Antibody and Influenza Viral Evolution During 2010- 2024.

Background: Understanding hemagglutination inhibition antibody immunodominance (HAI-Ab-ID) is key to forecasting influenza virus antigenic drift and improving vaccine strain selection. We explored epitope-specific HAI-Ab-IDs in adults immunized with A/California/07/2009-like (CA/09) vaccine and A(H1N1)pdm09 viral evolutions.

Methods: Sera from adults (N = 300; birth year, 1961-1998) collected from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed in HAI assays.

Correction: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 virus among patients with acute febrile illness in selected sites of Ethiopia 2021-2022.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.

Experimental hut resting and entrance behaviour of Anopheles darlingi from Zungarococha, a malaria endemic community in Loreto, Northern Peruvian Amazon.

Background: Anopheles darlingi is a primary malaria vector in the Peruvian Amazon, yet characterization of behavioural traits contributing to human-vector contact is limited. Additionally, studies comparing key behaviours of wild-type to colonized An. darlingi populations are minimal.

[Survival analysis in hepatitis C cases aged ≥18 years in Yuxi City from 2005 to 2023].

To analyze all-cause mortality among hepatitis C cases aged ≥18 years in Yuxi City from 2005 to 2023 and explore the interactions of factors influencing survival time. Baseline and follow-up data for hepatitis C cases reported during this period were extracted from the Chinese National Notifiable Disease Reporting System. Survival time and related factors were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Gaps in guideline adherence: evaluating HLA-B*57:01 screening for abacavir sensitivity and the implementation of evidence-based HIV care.

Objective: Approximately 5-8 % of the population carries the HLA-B*57:01 allele, which increases the risk of severe hypersensitivity reactions to abacavir. Current guidelines and an FDA black box warning recommend HLA-B*57:01 screening for all patients before starting abacavir. We assessed the proportion of patients who undergo screening before initiating abacavir to evaluate adherence to guidelines.

Microorganisms Linked to Health Care-Associated Infections: Modernization of Terminology Resources for Reporting to the National Healthcare Safety Network.

The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) needed a modernized approach to manage resources containing standardized terminology that specify microorganism data submitted electronically for legacy reporting. Health care-associated infections (HAIs) reported to NHSN require the submission of data regarding specific microorganisms attributed to the patient's condition. Data on microorganisms submitted to the NHSN electronically must use the SNOMED CT terminology standard.

Evaluation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Case Definitions in a Prospective Cohort of Healthcare Personnel in Peru.

Background: Public health agencies employ case definitions for influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections to optimize surveillance, monitor disease trends, and inform decision-making, particularly in limited resource settings.

Methods: Using a prospective healthcare personnel cohort in two hospitals in Lima, Peru (July 2022-June 2023), we compared and evaluated the performance of three symptom profiles of three common surveillance case definitions to identify influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections: influenza-like illness, coronavirus disease 2019-like illness (CLI), and acute respiratory infection. Participants with an acute respiratory illness reported symptom progression twice weekly.

Applying principles to practice: cleaning and disinfection of extended reality equipment used in healthcare settings.

The use of extended reality (XR) for education of healthcare personnel (HCP) is increasing. XR equipment is reusable and often shared between HCP in clinical areas; however, it may not include manufacturer's instructions for use (MIFU) in healthcare settings. Considerations for the selection of equipment and development of cleaning and disinfection protocols are described.

Estimated density of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto-infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs in the eastern United States.

Background: Most vector-borne disease cases reported in the United States are caused by pathogens spread by blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis. Of these, a majority are Lyme disease cases caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.