Title: COVID Vaccine Safe for Pregnant Women: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 8/15/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/15/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Premature Birth Tied to Higher Risk for ADHD
Category: Health News
Created: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Pregnancy Can Be Anxious Time for Women With Epilepsy
Category: Health News
Created: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Family History of Mental Illness Ups Odds for Postpartum Depression
Category: Health News
Created: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/23/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Gout Flare-Ups Could Raise Heart Risk for Weeks After
Category: Health News
Created: 8/3/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/4/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: What Does a Neurologist Do for a Vestibular Migraine?
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 6/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/22/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Pandemic Brought More Woes for Kids Prone to Headaches
Category: Health News
Created: 8/9/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/10/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Having Ideal Heart Health May Lessen the Risk for Brain Vessel Disease
Category: Health News
Created: 8/17/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Breakfast Might Be Good for a Child's Emotional Health, Too
Category: Health News
Created: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Here Are the Top 15 Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Your Diet To Reduce Inflammation
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: 7 Healthy Sushi Options, Plus Ingredients to Look Out For
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: What Is Oolong Tea Good For?
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Why Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Teeth?
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Are Green Mussels Good for You?
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: U.S. Government Extends Baby Formula Waivers, Rebates for WIC Families
Category: Health News
Created: 8/25/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Are Plant Sterols Good for Lowering Cholesterol?
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 5/12/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/12/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: What Fish Is Best for Lowering Cholesterol?
Category: Health and Living
Created: 5/19/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/19/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: California Will Produce Its Own Insulin to Bring Down Prices
Category: Health News
Created: 7/8/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/8/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Even Chores, Socializing Might Lower Your Odds for Dementia
Category: Health News
Created: 7/28/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/29/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Everyday Activities That Can Cut Your Odds for Dementia
Category: Health News
Created: 8/12/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/15/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: AHA News: People With Dementia May Be Less Likely to Receive an Advanced Treatment For Stroke
Category: Health News
Created: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: 3 Big Pharmacy Chains Must Pay $650 Million to Ohio Counties for Role in Opioid Crisis
Category: Health News
Created: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Many Who Need Opioid OD Antidote the Most Can't Afford It
Category: Health News
Created: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Qigong Meditation for Beginners: Techniques, Benefits, and More
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Playing Football, Hockey in High School Ups Odds for Stimulant Abuse
Category: Health News
Created: 8/15/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/15/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: As Pandemic Eases, It's Boom Times for Cosmetic Surgeons
Category: Health News
Created: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: What Is a Good Height for a Man?
Category: Health and Living
Created: 7/7/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/7/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Why Do Men Often Die Before Women?
Category: Health News
Created: 7/14/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/15/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Foreign Objects or Insects in the Ear
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 11/29/1998 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/3/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: What Therapeutic Options Are Available for Treating an Antiretroviral Naive Patient?
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 6/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/16/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: New Approach Cuts Odds for Anal Cancer in People With HIV
Category: Health News
Created: 6/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 6/16/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Do You Use Mouthwash Before or After Brushing?
Category: Health and Living
Created: 8/5/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/5/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Vegetarian Women at Higher Odds for Hip Fracture
Category: Health News
Created: 8/11/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/12/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Senior Sex: Tips for Senior Citizens
Category: Health and Living
Created: 7/11/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/11/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: U.S. Hospitals Are Getting Safer for Patients, Study Finds
Category: Health News
Created: 7/20/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/20/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: 'Virtual' Museum Visits Are Good Medicine for Seniors
Category: Health News
Created: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Health Care Plans Keep Allergy Rescue Injectors Pricey for Some
Category: Health News
Created: 7/15/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/15/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Looking for Reliable Hay Fever Advice? It's Probably Not on YouTube
Category: Health News
Created: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/16/2022 12:00:00 AM

Title: Smoking Rates Drop for Americans Battling Depression, Substance Abuse
Category: Health News
Created: 4/27/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2022 12:00:00 AM

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is highly prevalent in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Widely available noninvasive screening tools are warranted to identify patients at risk for PH, especially severe PH, that could be managed at expert centres. This review summarises current evidence on noninvasive diagnostic modalities and prediction models for the timely detection of PH in patients with ILD. It critically evaluates these approaches and discusses future perspectives in the field. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in PubMed and Scopus, identifying 39 articles that fulfilled inclusion criteria. There is currently no single noninvasive test capable of accurately detecting and diagnosing PH in ILD patients. Estimated right ventricular pressure (RVSP) on Doppler echocardiography remains the single most predictive factor of PH, with other indirect echocardiographic markers increasing its diagnostic accuracy. However, RVSP can be difficult to estimate in patients due to suboptimal views from extensive lung disease. The majority of existing composite scores, including variables obtained from chest computed tomography, pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests, were derived from retrospective studies, whilst lacking validation in external cohorts. Only two available scores, one based on a stepwise echocardiographic approach and the other on functional parameters, predicted the presence of PH with sufficient accuracy and used a validation cohort. Although several methodological limitations prohibit their generalisability, their use may help physicians to detect PH earlier. Further research on the potential of artificial intelligence may guide a more tailored approach, for timely PH diagnosis.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition which is characterised by recurrent chest infections, chronic sputum production and cough, and limited exercise tolerance. While bronchiectasis may be caused by various aetiologies, these features are shared by most patients with bronchiectasis regardless of the cause. This review consolidates the existing evidence on patient-managed interventions for adults with bronchiectasis, while also outlining areas for future research. Airway clearance techniques and hyperosmolar agents are key components of the bronchiectasis management and consistently recommended for clinical implementation. Questions around their prescription, such as optimal sequence of delivery, are still to be answered. Pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise are also recommended for patients with bronchiectasis. Relatively strong evidence underpins this recommendation during a clinically stable stage of the disease, although the role of pulmonary rehabilitation following an exacerbation is still unclear. Additionally, self-management programmes feature prominently in bronchiectasis treatment, yet the lack of consensus regarding their definition and outcomes presents hurdles to establishing a cohesive evidence base. Moreover, cough, a cardinal symptom of bronchiectasis, warrants closer examination. Although managing cough in bronchiectasis may initially appear risky, further research is necessary to ascertain whether strategies employed in other respiratory conditions can be safely and effectively adapted to bronchiectasis, particularly through identifying patient responder populations and criteria where cough may not enhance airway clearance efficacy and its control is needed. Overall, there is a growing recognition of the importance of patient-managed interventions in the bronchiectasis management. Efforts to improve research methodologies and increase research funding are needed to further advance our understanding of these interventions, and their role in optimising patient care and outcomes.

Background

People living with serious respiratory illness experience a high burden of symptoms. This review aimed to determine whether multicomponent services reduce symptoms in people with serious illness related to respiratory disease.

Background

People living with serious respiratory illness experience a high burden of distressing symptoms. Although opioids are prescribed for symptom management, they generate adverse events, and their benefits are unclear.

PWAS (proteome-wide association study) is an innovative genetic association approach that complements widely used methods like GWAS (genome-wide association study). The PWAS approach involves consecutive phases. Initially, machine learning modeling and probabilistic considerations quantify the impact of genetic variants on protein-coding genes’ biochemical functions. Secondly, for each individual, aggregating the variants per gene determines a gene-damaging score. Finally, standard statistical tests are activated in the case-control setting to yield statistically significant genes per phenotype. The PWAS Hub offers a user-friendly interface for an in-depth exploration of gene–disease associations from the UK Biobank (UKB). Results from PWAS cover 99 common diseases and conditions, each with over 10,000 diagnosed individuals per phenotype. Users can explore genes associated with these diseases, with separate analyses conducted for males and females. For each phenotype, the analyses account for sex-based genetic effects, inheritance modes (dominant and recessive), and the pleiotropic nature of associated genes. The PWAS Hub showcases its usefulness for asthma by navigating through proteomic-genetic analyses. Inspecting PWAS asthma-listed genes (a total of 27) provide insights into the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Comparison of PWAS-statistically significant genes for common diseases to the Open Targets benchmark shows partial but significant overlap in gene associations for most phenotypes. Graphical tools facilitate comparing genetic effects between PWAS and coding GWAS results, aiding in understanding the sex-specific genetic impact on common diseases. This adaptable platform is attractive to clinicians, researchers, and individuals interested in delving into gene–disease associations and sex-specific genetic effects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of genomic surveillance for guiding policy and control. Timeliness is key, but sequence alignment and phylogeny slow most surveillance techniques. Millions of SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been assembled. Phylogenetic methods are ill equipped to handle this sheer scale. We introduce a pangenomic measure that examines the information diversity of a k-mer library drawn from a country's complete set of clinical, pooled, or wastewater sequence. Quantifying diversity is central to ecology. Hill numbers, or the effective number of species in a sample, provide a simple metric for comparing species diversity across environments. The more diverse the sample, the higher the Hill number. We adopt this ecological approach and consider each k-mer an individual and each genome a transect in the pangenome of the species. Structured in this way, Hill numbers summarize the temporal trajectory of pandemic variants, collapsing each day's assemblies into genome equivalents. For pooled or wastewater sequence, we instead compare days using survey sequence divorced from individual infections. Across data from the UK, USA, and South Africa, we trace the ascendance of new variants of concern as they emerge in local populations well before these variants are named and added to phylogenetic databases. Using data from San Diego wastewater, we monitor these same population changes from raw, unassembled sequence. This history of emerging variants senses all available data as it is sequenced, intimating variant sweeps to dominance or declines to extinction at the leading edge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have been instrumental in investigating biological questions at the bulk and single-cell levels. Comparative analysis of two HTS data sets often relies on testing the statistical significance for the difference of two negative binomial distributions (DOTNB). Although negative binomial distributions are well studied, the theoretical results for DOTNB remain largely unexplored. Here, we derive basic analytical results for DOTNB and examine its asymptotic properties. As a state-of-the-art application of DOTNB, we introduce DEGage, a computational method for detecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in scRNA-seq data. DEGage calculates the mean of the sample-wise differences of gene expression levels as the test statistic and determines significant differential expression by computing the P-value with DOTNB. Extensive validation using simulated and real scRNA-seq data sets demonstrates that DEGage outperforms five popular DEG analysis tools: DEGseq2, DEsingle, edgeR, Monocle3, and scDD. DEGage is robust against high dropout levels and exhibits superior sensitivity when applied to balanced and imbalanced data sets, even with small sample sizes. We utilize DEGage to analyze prostate cancer scRNA-seq data sets and identify marker genes for 17 cell types. Furthermore, we apply DEGage to scRNA-seq data sets of mouse neurons with and without fear memory and reveal eight potential memory-related genes overlooked in previous analyses. The theoretical results and supporting software for DOTNB can be widely applied to comparative analyses of dispersed count data in HTS and broad research questions.

Pleiotropy, measured as expression breadth across tissues, is one of the best predictors for protein sequence and expression conservation. In this study, we investigated its effect on the evolution of cis-regulatory elements (CREs). To this end, we carefully reanalyzed the Epigenomics Roadmap data for nine fetal tissues, assigning a measure of pleiotropic degree to nearly half a million CREs. To assess the functional conservation of CREs, we generated ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data from humans and macaques. We found that more pleiotropic CREs exhibit greater conservation in accessibility, and the mRNA expression levels of the associated genes are more conserved. This trend of higher conservation for higher degrees of pleiotropy persists when analyzing the transcription factor binding repertoire. In contrast, simple DNA sequence conservation of orthologous sites between species tends to be even lower for pleiotropic CREs than for species-specific CREs. Combining various lines of evidence, we propose that the lack of sequence conservation in functionally conserved pleiotropic CREs is owing to within-element compensatory evolution. In summary, our findings suggest that pleiotropy is also a good predictor for the functional conservation of CREs, even though this is not reflected in the sequence conservation of pleiotropic CREs.

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a ~4 Mb genomic segment on Chromosome 6 that plays a pivotal role in the immune response. Despite its importance in various traits and diseases, its complex nature makes it challenging to accurately characterize on a routine basis. We present a novel approach allowing targeted sequencing and de novo haplotypic assembly of the MHC region in heterozygous samples, using long-read sequencing technologies. Our approach is validated using two reference samples, two family trios, and an African-American sample. We achieved excellent coverage (96.6%–99.9% with at least 30x depth) and high accuracy (99.89%–99.99%) for the different haplotypes. This methodology offers a reliable and cost-effective method for sequencing and fully characterizing the MHC without the need for whole-genome sequencing, facilitating broader studies on this important genomic segment and having significant implications in immunology, genetics, and medicine.

The neuronal nucleus houses a meticulously organized genome. Within this structure, genetic material is not simply compacted but arranged into a precise and functional 3D chromatin landscape essential for cellular regulation. This mini-review highlights the importance of this chromatin landscape in healthy neurodevelopment, as well as the diseases that occur with aberrant chromatin architecture. We discuss insights into the fundamental mechanistic relationship between histone modifications, DNA methylation, and genome organization. We then discuss findings that reveal how these epigenetic features change throughout normal neurodevelopment. Finally, we highlight single-gene neurodevelopmental disorders that illustrate the interdependence of epigenetic features, showing how disruptions in DNA methylation or genome architecture can ripple across the entire epigenome. As such, we emphasize the importance of measuring multiple chromatin architectural aspects, as the disruption of one mechanism can likely impact others in the intricate epigenetic network. This mini-review underscores the vast gaps in our understanding of chromatin structure in neurodevelopmental diseases and the substantial research needed to understand the interplay between chromatin features and neurodevelopment.

Two decades into the era of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), the promise of streamlining clinical care, reducing burden, and improving patient outcomes has yet to be realized. A cross-sectional family physician census conducted by the American Board of Family Medicine in 2022 and 2023 included self-reported physician EHR satisfaction. Of the nearly 10,000 responding family physicians, only one-in-four (26.2%) report being very satisfied and one-in-three (33.8%) were not satisfied. These low levels of satisfaction point to the need for greater transparency in the marketplace and pressure to increase user-centric EHR design.