Article
Oceanography
Lindsay E. Usher
Summary: This study investigated surfers' perceptions of beach nourishment, finding that respondents had neutral to somewhat negative opinions of the process. Surfers from the southern coast of North Carolina had significantly more negative views compared to surfers from other regions.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arbor J. L. Quist, Mike Dolan Fliss, Timothy J. Wade, Paul L. Delamater, David B. Richardson, Lawrence S. Engel
Summary: Hurricane-induced flooding is associated with an increase in AGI emergency department visit rates, particularly among American Indian patients, patients aged 65 years and older, and Black patients. The impact of flooding may depend on the total storm rainfall or antecedent rainfall.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexandra N. Cumbie, Amanda M. Whitlow, Gillian Eastwood
Summary: The first detection and confirmation of Powassan virus (POWV) in Ixodes scapularis ticks collected from Appalachian Virginia has been reported. Real-time RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to identify one nymph and one adult male I. scapularis as positive for POWV. This finding provides crucial knowledge for understanding the movement and transmission of POWV into new geographical areas and its potential risk to human and animal health.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Amelia T. Martin, Elizabeth S. Mcclure, Shabbar Ranapurwala, Maryalice Nocera, John Cantrell, Stephen W. Marshall, David B. Richardson
Summary: This study aims to identify high-risk populations by evaluating disparities in unintentional occupational fatalities occurring in North Carolina from 1992 to 2017.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Paul M. Lantos, Jean Tsao, Mark Janko, Ali Arab, Michael E. von Fricken, Paul G. Auwaerter, Lise E. Nigrovic, Vance Fowler, Felicia Ruffin, David Gaines, James Broyhill, Jennifer Swenson
Summary: Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in North America, with recent expansion in the mountainous region of southwestern Virginia. Higher elevation and vegetation density have the greatest impact on the abundance of Lyme disease cases, while measures of forest edge, integrity, temperature, and humidity are not associated with the disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Victoria Tanoh, Leila Hashemi-Beni
Summary: This study investigates the socioeconomic factors influencing food deserts using geospatial analyses. The results generally show that geospatial technologies are vital for studying food deserts. These findings will assist policy makers and other responsible agencies in formulating appropriate intervention policies tailored to meet the demands of these counties.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria C. Mirabelli, W. Dana Flanders, Ambarish Vaidyanathan, Daniel P. Beavers, W. Adam Gower
Summary: The study results suggest that ambient air pollution increases the risk of fatal exacerbations of asthma among children.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dasa Stupica, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Rok Blagus, Anja Gomiscek, Tjasa Cerar Kisek, Eva Ruzic-Sabljic, Masa Veluscek
Summary: This study aimed to assess whether oral doxycycline for 7 days is non-inferior to 14 days in adults with solitary erythema migrans. The results showed no significant difference in treatment failure between the 7-day and 14-day groups. Therefore, a 7-day treatment could reduce antibiotic exposure.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Josie J. Caves Sivaraman, Shabbar Ranapurwala, Scott Proescholdbell, Rebecca B. Naumann, Sandra B. Greene, Stephen W. Marshall
Summary: This study examines the association between medical diagnoses and life circumstances among suicide decedents. The study identifies different suicide typologies based on demographics, life events, health problems, and suicide methods. The findings suggest that improved indicators of lived experience and behavioral health could enhance suicide screening.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kaushi S. T. Kanankege, Isaac Traynor, Andres M. Perez
Summary: A 2018 study found negative health outcomes and mortalities in communities near hog Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) in North Carolina, USA. The media's speculative interpretation of the study's results and their use as evidence in lawsuits had a detrimental impact on the swine industry, despite the authors' caution against inferring causation. In a re-evaluation using updated data, shortcomings such as ecological fallacy, residual confounding, inconsistency of associations, and overestimation of exposure were identified, emphasizing the need for responsible interpretation of ecological studies and improved exposure analysis.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Madiha Shafquat, Frederick J. Angulo, Andreas Pilz, Jennifer C. Moisi, James H. Stark
Summary: Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most prevalent tickborne illness in North America and Europe. The incidence of LB in children varies geographically and differs from that in adults. In some countries, pediatric incidence is lower than adult incidence, while in others it is higher. Children in the 5-9 years of age stratum have the highest proportion of pediatric cases in most countries.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Anuva Fellner, Samuel White, Emmanuel Rockwell, Dana Giandomenico, Monica M. Diaz, David J. Weber, Melissa B. Miller, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: Historically, the underlying cause of encephalitis was often unidentified, but recent advances in diagnostic techniques have led to improved identification and management. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and care practices for encephalitis patients at a large academic hospital. The findings showed that despite advancements in diagnostics, a significant number of patients did not undergo a lumbar puncture and pathogen-specific testing was underutilized, indicating room for improvement in the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Katherine LeMasters, Mary E. Cox, Mike Fliss, Julie Seibert, Carrie Brown, Scott Proescholdbell
Summary: Background: Mental health disorders have a significant impact on individuals and society. Defining and monitoring public health mental health is crucial. This study compared different definitions of mental health-related visits and found that standardizing population-level mental health indicators benefits surveillance efforts. Efforts should be focused on documenting mental health to improve treatment and prevention.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jaime Preciado, Saqib Gulzar, Andrew Fried, Cassie Castorena, Benjamin Shane Underwood, Jhony Habbouche, Ilker Boz
Summary: Recycling agents (RAs) are added to asphalt binder blends containing recycled materials to mitigate the negative effects of adding oxidized material to asphalt mixtures. This study compared two dosage selection procedures for RAs aiming to restore high-temperature and low-temperature performance grades. Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the rheological properties of the blends compared to benchmarked virgin binders, and it was found that both dosage selection procedures achieved rheological similarity at target-specific temperatures and binder properties.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Patricia Perez Perez, Ivan Rodriguez-Escolar, Elena Carreton, Jose Angel Sanchez Agudo, Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, Jose Alberto Montoya-Alonso, Rodrigo Morchon
Summary: This study analyzed the prevalence and distribution of canine vector-borne diseases caused by Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis in Castilla y Leon, Spain. The results showed that infected animals were mainly located in areas with stagnant water, irrigated agriculture, or riverbanks, always near forest and woodland vegetation. Dogs in this region should take prophylactic measures to prevent infections.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Tina Y. Poussaint, Kerri L. LaRovere, Jane W. Newburger, Janet Chou, Lise E. Nigrovic, Tanya Novak, Adrienne G. Randolph
Summary: A 12-year-old boy developed acute encephalopathy and other symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting a potential immune-related reaction. After treatment, the boy recovered and his symptoms disappeared.
Article
Immunology
Emily M. Eichenberger, Nicholas Degner, Erick R. Scott, Felicia Ruffin, John Franzone, Batu Sharma-Kuinkel, Pratik Shah, David Hong, Sudeb C. Dalai, Lily Blair, Desiree Hollemon, Eliza Chang, Carine Ho, Lisa Wanda, Christiaan de Vries, Vance G. Fowler, Asim A. Ahmed
Summary: Microbial cell-free DNA accurately identifies the microbial etiology of infective endocarditis, and sequential mcfDNA levels may help estimate the patient's burden of infection and response to treatment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andrew Bock, Blake M. Hanson, Felicia Ruffin, Joshua B. Parsons, Lawrence P. Park, Batu Sharma-Kuinkel, Michael Mohnasky, Cesar A. Arias, Vance G. Fowler, Joshua T. Thaden
Summary: Recurrent gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections (GNB-BSI) are mainly caused by relapse, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis accurately differentiates relapse from reinfection. Having a cardiac device is a risk factor for relapse.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kathryn M. Hunt, Kenneth A. Michelson, Fran Balamuth, Amy D. Thompson, Michael N. Levas, Desiree N. Neville, Anupam B. Kharbanda, Laura Chapman, Lise E. Nigrovic
Summary: Black children with Lyme disease were less likely to be diagnosed with erythema migrans lesion but more likely to have swollen joints compared to children of other races.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aris C. Garro, Amy D. Thompson, Desiree N. Neville, Fran Balamuth, Michael N. Levas, Anupam B. Kharbanda, Jonathan E. Bennett, Duncan S. Grant, Rachael K. Aresco, Lise E. Nigrovic
Summary: In our cohort study, a small percentage of children with non-cutaneous Lyme disease did not receive appropriate antibiotic treatment initially, while a similar percentage of children without Lyme disease received potentially unnecessary antibiotics. Rapid and accurate diagnostics are necessary to improve initial antibiotic treatment decisions.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Felicia Ruffin, Michael Dagher, Lawrence P. Park, Lisa Wanda, Jonathan Hill-Rorie, Michael Mohnasky, Julia Marshall, Maria Souli, Paul Lantos, Batu K. Sharma-Kuinkel, Stacey A. Maskarinec, Emily M. Eichenberger, Charles Muiruri, Brittney Broadnax, Vance G. Fowler
Summary: The study found that Black and White patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia had similar outcomes, despite differences in age, diabetes, and hemodialysis dependence. The results highlight the need for further research on the reasons behind the disparities.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Felicia Ruffin, Elizabeth Van Horn, Susan Letvak, Laurie Kennedy-Malone
Summary: We explored patient pre-hospital delays in seeking care for symptoms of bacteremia and sepsis. The main finding revealed that an inability to recognize symptoms of bacteremia resulted in delayed help-seeking, possibly due to patients lacking experience with infection or being unable to differentiate them from symptoms of other chronic co-morbid conditions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Annette C. Westgeest, Felicia Ruffin, Jackson L. Kair, Lawrence P. Park, Rachel E. Korn, Maren E. Webster, Leo G. Visser, Emile F. Schippers, Mark G. J. de Boer, Merel M. C. Lambregts, Vance G. Fowler Jr
Summary: Although there are significant differences in patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and management between women and men with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, they have a similar mortality risk.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Amanda Brumwell, Granger Sutton, Paul M. M. Lantos, Kate Hoffman, Felicia Ruffin, Lauren Brinkac, Thomas H. H. Clarke, Mark D. D. Adams, Vance G. G. Fowler Jr, Derrick E. E. Fouts, Joshua T. T. Thaden
Summary: This study aims to further understand the risk factors, clinical outcomes, and bacterial genetics associated with ST131 bloodstream infections. A cohort study was conducted in which 88 out of 227 patients with E. coli bloodstream infection were infected with ST131. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between patients with ST131 and non-ST131 infections overall, but ST131 was associated with higher mortality in patients with urinary tract infections.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lise E. Nigrovic, Thomas H. Chun, Sara E. Vargas, Aisling R. Caffrey, John J. Halperin, Jonathan A. Race, Ulrike Ott, Brynna L. Morrison, Bethany J. Fuller, John M. VanBuren, Pedi Lyme Net
Summary: Lyme disease is a common vectorborne disease with a high incidence in the USA. Lyme meningitis, although uncommon, is a serious manifestation of the disease. The current first-line treatment using intravenous ceftriaxone is associated with complications and there is limited data on the efficacy of oral doxycycline. This study aims to compare the short-term recovery and long-term quality of life outcomes between oral doxycycline and intravenous ceftriaxone for Lyme meningitis.
Article
Immunology
Lise E. Nigrovic, Desiree N. Neville, Laura Chapman, Fran Balamuth, Michael N. Levas, Amy D. Thompson, Anupam B. Kharbanda, Derek Gerstbrein, John A. Branda, Blake W. Buchan, Pedi Lyme Net
Summary: This study investigated the frequency of tick-borne coinfections in children with suspected Lyme disease. The results showed that children with Lyme disease often have other tick-borne pathogens, but treatment for Lyme disease or coinfection may not be necessary.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Sarah B. Doernberg, Cesar A. Arias, Deena R. Altman, Ahmed Babiker, Helen W. Boucher, C. Buddy Creech, Sara E. Cosgrove, Scott R. Evans, Vance G. Fowler Jr, Stephanie A. Fritz, Toshimitsu Hamasaki, Brendan J. Kelly, Sixto M. Leal Jr, Catherine Liu, Thomas P. Lodise, Loren G. Miller, Jose M. Munita, Barbara E. Murray, Melinda M. Pettigrew, Felicia Ruffin, Marc H. Scheetz, Bo Shopsin, Truc T. Tran, Nicholas A. Turner, Derek J. Williams, Smitha Zaharoff, Thomas L. Holland
Summary: The Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG) has prioritized gram-positive bacterial infections as one of its scientific priorities. This article summarizes the accomplishments and future directions of ARLG studies on gram-positive infections.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lise E. Nigrovic, Nathan Kuppermann, Simona Ghetti, Jeff E. Schunk, Michael J. Stoner, Arleta Rewers, Julie K. Mcmanemy, Kimberly S. Quayle, Jennifer L. Trainor, Leah Tzimenatos, Jonathan E. Bennett, Maria Y. Kwok, Sage R. Myers, Kathleen M. Brown, T. Charles Casper, Cody S. Olsen, Nicole S. Glaser
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between demographic factors and the presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children. It found that children from low socioeconomic status were more likely to have severe DKA, and young children had a higher risk of cerebral injury.
PEDIATRIC DIABETES
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Felicia Ruffin, Elizabeth Van Horn, Laurie Kennedy-Malone, Susan Letvak
Summary: This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore and describe the facilitators and barriers to seeking care for suspected bacteraemia and sepsis symptoms among patients in the United States. The study identified three themes - symptom recognition, psychosocial support, and healthcare planning and coordination. Patients' participation in the study provided valuable insights into patients' perspectives and experiences in the pre-hospital phase, emphasizing the need to improve patient decision time, patient-provider interactions, and knowledge of bacteraemia and sepsis through education.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xi Chen, Yuan Wang, Antonio Cappuccio, Wan-Sze Cheng, Frederique Ruf Zamojski, Venugopalan D. Nair, Clare M. Miller, Aliza B. Rubenstein, German Nudelman, Alicja Tadych, Chandra L. Theesfeld, Alexandria Vornholt, Mary-Catherine George, Felicia Ruffin, Michael Dagher, Daniel G. Chawla, Alessandra Soares-Schanoski, Rachel R. Spurbeck, Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu, Robert Sebra, Steven H. Kleinstein, Andrew G. Letizia, Irene Ramos, Vance G. Fowler Jr, Christopher W. Woods, Elena Zaslavsky, Olga G. Troyanskaya, Stuart C. Sealfon
Summary: This study presents a method called MAGICAL, which combines single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell chromatin accessibility sequencing to uncover the gene expression changes associated with chromatin remodeling in disease states. By integrating multiomic data and modeling signal variation across cells and conditions, MAGICAL accurately identifies disease-associated regulatory circuits. The method is successfully applied to study Staphylococcus aureus sepsis and distinguish methicillin-resistant from methicillin-susceptible infections.
NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)