Biomedical Publications ABOUT PR

CONCLUSION: The immune response after split inactivated A/PR8 vaccine differed between asthma and naïve mice, particularly in terms of antibody activity and T cell populations. This study enhances our understanding of how asthma status may influence the effectiveness of influenza vaccine and offers insights into the AddaVax™-induced eosinophilic inflammation, guiding the development of virus vaccine strategies for both healthy individuals and asthma patients.

A series of [2,3]-isoxazoles and pyrazole annulated with the A-ring of lupane, oleanane, and ursane type triterpenoids was synthesized and screened for antiviral activity. It was found that 28-oxo-allobetulone isoxazole 4 with IC(50) 7.3 μM (SI 86) and pyrazole 5 with IC(50) 62.1 μM (SI 10) demonstrated a high inhibitory activity against Flu A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) strain virus. The compounds 4 and 5 appeared to be the most active at the earlier stages of the viral cycle (0-2 h post...

The ostracod genus Elpidium, a specialist of phytotelma habitats, has received increased attention during the past decade, with a proliferation of described species, rising from seven to nineteen. These recent studies emphasize the high diversity and endemicity of the genus, and its wide distribution in the Neotropics. Yet many regions are still to be inspected for the presence of Elpidium. In this work, a new species collected from Hispaniola is described, for which only undetermined previous...

Defective interfering particles (DIPs) are viral deletion mutants that hamper virus replication and are, thus, potent novel antiviral agents. To evaluate possible antiviral treatments, we first need to get a deeper understanding of DIP characteristics. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis of 20 already published sequencing datasets of influenza A and B viruses (IAV and IBV) from in vivo and in vitro experiments. We analyzed each dataset for characteristics, such as deletion-containing viral genome...

CONCLUSIONS: The PowerMom platform demonstrates the feasibility of using digital tools to recruit and engage diverse populations in maternal health research. Its ability to integrate multimodal data sources showcases its potential to provide comprehensive maternal-fetal health insights. Challenges with data completeness and survey attrition underscore the need for sustained participant engagement strategies. These findings offer valuable lessons for scaling digital health platforms and...

The strength of a storm, geographic location of impact, and population density dictate different response and fiscal efforts. During the last 3 weeks of September 2022, three different ocean-based storms impacted three different locations in the United States (US), which were 5,600 miles (9,000 km) apart from each other. Established case study methodology was used to contrast the meteorological data of the measured strength at impact on US shores, population density, and post-storm recovery...

Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigens (COBRAs) induce broad and protective immune responses across multiple viral vaccine platforms. However, their suitability for incorporation into live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) remains uncertain, as antigen modifications could potentially impact LAIV generation, replication, stability, or immunogenicity. In this study, COBRA hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) antigens designated Y2 and N1I, respectively, of the influenza H1N1...

As part of a review of the Auchenorrhyncha of the (former) Dutch Antilles, a new species in the genus Microledrida, Microledrida malpaisa sp. nov., is described from Curaçao. The novel taxon differs from other species in the genus in colouration and form of its male genitalia, especially the shape of the anal tube and the number and shape of the spinal processes of the phallotheca. The records from Curaçao, a record from Panama, and iNaturalist records from Costa Rica comprise the southernmost...

Lupus cystitis is an uncommon, yet serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) marked by inflammation of the bladder and associated with significant urinary tract manifestations. The diagnosis of lupus cystitis can be very challenging as it often appears before the diagnosis of lupus has been established. This report presents the case of a 36-year-old male patient with a history of SLE admitted with gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary symptoms who was subsequently diagnosed with...

CONCLUSIONS: High doxyPEP interest underscores unmet demand in integrated HIV/sexual health care. Sociodemographic and geographic disparities in doxyPEP implementation necessitate targeted interventions for MSM living with HIV to optimize impact on the bSTI epidemic.

HIV incidence is increasing among Latino/a/x individuals in the United States, especially among young Latino/x gay, bisexual, and sexual minority men. Latino/a/x populations face heightened structural and social barriers to effective interventions for HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis, and across the HIV care continuum. Implementation science provides a timely methodology for developing, testing, and scaling effective interventions into practice. Implementation science considers...

CONCLUSION: Both types of households experienced food insecurity during the pandemic. No relationship between food insecurity, disability, and health status was observed in the study sample. All the participants reported low physical and mental health.

CONCLUSION: Breast and colorectal cancer patients experienced heightened psychological distress due to exposure to various hurricane-related stressors. It is crucial to prioritize an action plan that addresses disaster preparedness, response, and the mental well-being of vulnerable populations like cancer patients to enhance their overall health and resilience.

CONCLUSION: Understanding the specific characteristics of our pediatric patient population can help us guide treatment and elucidate these patients' needs to improve their outcomes.

CONCLUSION: The survey findings highlight the need to provide mental health services to schoolteachers in the aftermath of a natural disaster in Puerto Rico.

CONCLUSION: The PR Country Card is a tool to raise awareness and identify surveillance, research, and policy gaps. Recommendations include establishing a dedicated PR health monitoring system, integrating PA into PR national public health plans, and establishing an interinstitutional coalition for PA research (in PR). Multi-sector efforts from policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders are essential for meaningful progress in improving PA levels and public health in PR.

Background. Exposure to PM(2.5) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and early development. Pregnancy is typically characterized by the production of several important hormones that impact aspects of maternal and fetal physiology, including progesterone, estriol, and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). No previous studies have examined PM associations in pregnant persons for CRH and estriol. Methods. We used linear mixed effects models to investigate associations between PM(2.5) and...

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CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Daily screen use was associated with later bedtimes and approximately 50 minutes less sleep each week. Associations were greater among those with evening chronotypes, who are at risk for poor sleep due to social jetlag (ie, misalignment between circadian rhythms and social commitments). These findings confirm disruptions to sleep from electronic screens are not limited to children and adolescents. Further work is needed to understand the best mechanisms for...

The presence of micropollutants in Puerto Rico's tap water, potentially linked to nearby Superfund sites, was hypothesized to contribute to the region's higher preterm birth rate than the US mainland. This study analyzed the presence of 175 micropollutants in tap water samples collected from participant households and evaluated their association with human exposure using 14 oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in urine samples collected from pregnant participants, and further with the...