Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Abstract WE421: Stable BMI From Young Adulthood to Midlife and Long-Term CKM Risk: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA)
Background: Weight gain from young adulthood to midlife increases risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. We aimed to examine the longitudinal exposures of relative weight stability vs. weight gain through young adulthood on cardiovascular risk factor trajectories and CKM stages in midlife. Methods: CARDIA participants (enrolled in 1985-86) who attended ≥6 of 9 in-person exams from Year (Y)0–Y30 were included; those with BMI ≥40 kg/m 2 or diabetes at baseline (Y0) were excluded. Data from exams when a participant reported current pregnancy, and after reported bariatric surgery, were excluded. Participants were stratified by BMI change patterns: stable/decreased (≤3 kg/m 2 difference from Y0 at every exam or >3 kg/m 2 weight loss by last exam), increased (>3 kg/m 2 gain by last exam), or fluctuating (>3 kg/m 2 interim gain but ≤3 kg/m 2 difference from Y0 by last exam); and further stratified by baseline BMI (<25, 25-29.9, 30-39.9 kg/m 2 ). Longitudinal changes in metabolic risk factors and insulin were assessed separately by sex using generalized estimating equations (GEE), adjusted for age, race, and maximal education level. Associations between BMI change groups and CKM stage at Y30, defined per AHA criteria (Stages 0–4), were examined. Results: Among all 3765 participants (56% women, 47% Black, mean age 25 at Y0), mean BMI at Y0 and Y30 were 24.1±4.2 and 30.2±7.0 kg/m 2 , respectively; from Y0-Y30, 18.7% had stable/decreased BMI, 67.4% had increased BMI, and 13.9% had fluctuating BMI. Participants with baseline BMI <25 comprised 79% of the stable/decreased BMI change group; however, >60% of participants in each baseline BMI stratum experienced increased BMI (>3 kg/m 2 gain from Y0-Y30). Fasting insulin levels remained relatively unchanged in the stable/decreased BMI group, whereas they progressively increased among participants in the increased BMI group ( Figure 1 ). Participants in the stable/decreased BMI change group exhibited lower Y30 CKM stages, with 52% of individuals who remained in CKM Stage 0 belonging to this group, whereas those in the increased BMI group had more participants in CKM Stages 3/4 by Y30 (p <0.01, Figure 2 ). Conclusions: Young adults who maintained relatively stable BMI over time showed minimal risk factor progression and lower incidence of advanced CKM stages, regardless of baseline BMI. These findings suggest the importance of long-term weight stabilization as a key public health target.
Single polymer fiber–based ultrasensitive and multifunctional flexible microsensor via arthropod-inspired crack-helix coupling
Flexible microsensors featuring miniature dimensions (< 100 μm), superior sensitivity [Gauge factor (GF) > 10 3 ], and phenomenal environmental stability (> 10 4 uses) have been broadly applied in modern soft electronics such as implantable health monitoring and soft robotics. However, it is quite challenging to integrate these distinguished features in a microdevice considering the extremely limited space for the complicated fabrication and complex functionalities. Inspired by microscale sensing systems in arthropods, this work presents a unique crack-helix soft microsensor (CHMS) within a single polymer microfiber. This microdevice successfully combines the structural advantages of both slit and hair sensors in arthropods through convenient depositing a thin layer (thickness: 2.5 μm) of biphasic liquid metals on a single microfiber (diameter: 80 μm). The microsensor presents unique frequency detection capability as arthropods (resolution: 0.01 Hz, > 1,088 Hz), ultrahigh sensitivity (GF > 2,711 ± 119), astonishing detection limit (0.05% strain and 0.2 mN), and excellent sensing durability (over 50,000 cycles), which are among the best of currently reported soft sensors. Furthermore, analogous to natural arthropods, CHMS shows different multifunctional environmental perception capability to precisely recognize subtle vibration under water or ground (amplitude < 70 μm) and extremely rarefied airflow (ultralow mass flux: 2.2 × 10 −4 g/s·cm 2 ).
Measuring and valuing spillover effects in caregivers and families: A scoping review
Objectives As healthcare increasingly relies on informal care for chronic and complex conditions, economic evaluations have expanded beyond patient outcomes to consider spillover effects on caregivers and families. This scoping review aimed to map existing measures and methods for assessing these effects and to identify potential mechanisms, mediators, and moderators to inform future survey design. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Complete, and EconLit) for English-language studies published from 2017 to 2025, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research reporting monetary or non-monetary spillovers. Screening and study selection followed the Participants, Concept, Context framework and were reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results A total of 141 studies met the inclusion criteria. Incorporating caregiver and family spillovers could meaningfully alter cost-effectiveness estimates, but this practice remained inconsistent due to limited data and methodological variability. Comprehensive assessment of spillover effects benefited from combining generic, caregiver-specific, and disease-specific tools to capture both perceived and measurable impacts. Valuation of societal and economic spillovers, including informal care time, costs, productivity loss, and wellbeing impact, was influenced by methodological choices, caregiver and patient characteristics, and caregiving context, highlighting the need for flexible, context-sensitive approaches. Caregiver outcomes reflected the interplay of mediating factors (psychological, social, relational) and moderating influences (coping, spirituality, support systems, caregiving intensity). Subjective caregiver burden was pivotal, shaping and conditioning the effects of caregiving stressors on wellbeing. Conclusion Establishing consensus on best-practice approaches for incorporating spillover effects in economic evaluations is needed to accurately quantify their impact on caregivers and families and to inform interventions that reduce caregiver burden.
Abstract TU216: Average Time to Hypertension Resolution Extends Beyond Two Weeks Postpartum After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Introduction: Postpartum hypertension is a leading cause of severe maternal morbidity, yet most patients receive a single blood pressure (BP) check before the 6-week visit. Remote BP monitoring (RBPM) programs address this gap by enabling continuous postpartum surveillance. At a large safety-net hospital, patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) were provided RBPM cuffs as part of routine postpartum care, allowing for daily BP tracking. This cohort study estimated time to hypertension resolution during the first 6 weeks (42 days) postpartum among RBPM patients, overall and by HDP subtype. Hypothesis: Time to hypertension resolution is expected to be longest among patients with preeclampsia, often the most severe HDP subtype, compared to those with gestational or de novo postpartum hypertension. Methods: This cohort study included patients who delivered between January 2021 and June 2023 and recorded ≥2 daily BP measurements using a RBPM cuff after an HDP diagnosis. HDP subtypes included gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and de novo postpartum hypertension detected during the delivery hospitalization; patients with chronic hypertension were excluded. Hypertension resolution was defined as ≥2 consecutive days of normal BP (systolic BP <130 and diastolic BP <80 mmHg) without antihypertensive medication use. A lenient definition (≥1 vs ≥2 days of normal BP) was also examined. Time to resolution through 42 days postpartum was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods, overall and by HDP subtype; patients not achieving resolution were censored after ≥7 consecutive days without BP measures or at day 42. Results: Among 1,773 patients, 31.5% met the definition of hypertension resolution over the 6-week postpartum period. Those who achieved resolution were less likely to be English speakers (47.7% vs 58.3%), born in the United States (28.5% vs 38.0%), and have a preterm birth (9.5% vs 18.5%) compared with those censored. Average time to resolution was 15.0 days (SD 10.1). By HDP subtype, average time to resolution was 13.2 days (SD 8.7) for gestational, 13.6 days (SD 8.7) for de novo postpartum, and 19.0 days (SD 12.0) for preeclampsia. Under the lenient definition, 62.6% met hypertension resolution at 10.0 days on average (SD 10.5). Conclusions: On average, patients required >2 weeks to reach hypertension resolution. Less stringent definitions of resolution may misclassify patients as normotensive, emphasizing the need for longer-term BP monitoring.
Abstract TU232: Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome in Men vs. Women: Insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Introduction and Objective: Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (MetS) share complex inflammatory pathways, with unclear sex differences. We aimed to determine whether psoriasis is associated with MetS among U.S. adults and whether sex modifies this association. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014 data of adult, non-pregnant individuals with complete data on main factors of interest. Psoriasis was defined by self-reported physician diagnosis, and MetS was defined per NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria as meeting ≥3 of the following: central adiposity, elevated blood pressure, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and reduced HDL. We performed weighted multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the psoriasis-MetS association, sequentially adjusting for age, sex, insurance, and additionally for race/ethnicity, hypertension, CHD, diabetes, stroke, smoking, physical activity, and education. Effect modification by sex was tested via interaction terms. Results: The analytical sample included 14,052 adults, 20.7% aged 65+, 49.8% aged 35-64 , 49.3% women and 57% non-whites . Participants with psoriasis were generally older, non-Hispanic Whites, and had higher rates of diabetes , hypertension, and tobacco use. The prevalence of psoriasis was 2.64%. The prevalence of MetS was 31.6% overall, 36.6% in psoriasis patients, and 29.7% in those without psoriasis. (OR= 1.35, 95% CI: 0.99-1.83). In sequentially adjusted models the association was attenuated (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.89-1.69) and (1.05, 95% CI: 0.73-1.50). No significant sex interaction was observed. A sensitivity analysis exploring the impact of missing data did not change the magnitude of the results. Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high in psoriasis patients and general population We did not find sex to modify the association of these conditions. Metabolic risk screening remains essential in psoriasis care. Nationwide cardiometabolic surveillance systems need to collect contemporary data on psoriasis and other inflamma-metabolic conditions, to guide disease burden quantification and translation of preventive measures into practice.
Nudibranch color diversity shares a common physical basis in guanine photonic structure ‘pixels’
Nudibranchs are well known for their bright and diverse color patterns. This coloration is typically a form of aposematism, warning predators against toxic compounds sequestered from their prey and weaponized as a form of defense. Although many of the hues in nudibranchs were thought to be of pigmentary origin, here we show, using a combination of white light and Raman microspectroscopy, that hierarchically organized micron-scale guanine multilayer structures are responsible for many of these colors. Such architectures are widespread across the dorid and aeolid groups and are responsible for a striking array of angular-independent structural colors. By using cryogenic focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) SEM tomography, we were able to access the complex 3D organization of the guanine nanoplatelets responsible for the strong blue coloration of Chromodoris annae . We propose that the multilayer organization of guanine platelets with varying orientations across the tissue and their micron-scale size offers a particularly effective strategy for producing diverse optical effects. The macroscopic angular independent color results from individual multilayers which we describe as “pixels”, these “pixels” reflect light at a wavelength governed by their interlayer spacing and guanine platelet thickness. The macroscopic hue can be spectrally tuned by altering the statistical distribution of pixels with each color, while the angular dependence of color can be changed through the relative orientation of the multilayer stacks and their size, allowing for a single structural motif to generate a broad palette of optical appearances.
Blocking heterochromatin spreading constrains cohesin binding at a yeast heterochromatic locus
Cohesin mediates central features of chromosome architecture. The protein complex governs sister chromatid cohesion and organizes genomes into loops and domains. In budding yeast, cohesin accumulates at discrete sites on chromosome arms, as well as at domains of heterochromatin. The molecular basis for the distribution at these sites is not yet resolved, although the heterochromatin protein Sir2 has been implicated. If cohesin were to bind a recurring feature of heterochromatin, then size of the cohesin domain would match the size of the heterochromatin domain. To test this hypothesis, the span of heterochromatin at the HMR silent mating-type locus was truncated with artificial barrier elements built from bacterial DNA binding proteins. We found that the most effective barrier reduced the footprint of Sir3 and Smc3, representative components of yeast heterochromatin and cohesin. These results show that reducing the span of heterochromatin at HMR constrains the size of the cohesin bound domain.
Abstract 34: Quantifying Pulse Arrival Time Changes Across Sleep-Disordered Breathing Events: Insights from the MESA Sleep Study
Introduction: Pulse arrival time (PAT), the interval between cardiac electrical activity and peripheral pulse detection, reflects beat-to-beat vascular reactivity and autonomic tone. Sleep-related respiratory events, including apneas, hypopneas, and oxygen desaturations, may transiently alter PAT via changes in intrathoracic pressure and sympathetic activation. However, relationships between event type, sleep-apnea status, and PAT remain unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that PAT decreases during respiratory disturbances and that these changes differ across respiratory event types. Methods: We analyzed 203 participants in the MESA Sleep Study, each with respiratory events scored by technicians. Sleep-apnea status was defined by the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). Per-patient mean PAT was compared between respiratory-event and non-event segments using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A mixed-effects model evaluated PAT across event types, using non-event segments as reference. Subgroup comparisons by sex, BMI, race, and sleep-apnea status used nonparametric tests. Results: Average PAT was significantly lower during respiratory-event versus non-event segments (p<0.01). In mixed-effects modeling, PAT was reduced during SpO 2 desaturations (−2.34 ms), hypopneas (−1.58 ms), obstructive apneas (−1.35 ms), and other uncharacterized sleep disturbance events (−2.00 ms), all p<0.001 relative to non-event segments (194.3 ms). Between-patient variance accounted for 36.5% of total variability (ICC=0.365). PAT was shorter among males (191.3 vs 196.1 ms, p=0.015) and trended lower with higher BMI (p=0.055). During non-event periods, shorter PAT persisted among males (p=0.019), those with sleep apnea (195.4 vs 188.7 ms, p=0.047), and higher BMI (p=0.047). PAT during respiratory events showed minimal group differences except for sex (p=0.017), suggesting baseline rather than event-specific variation. Conclusions: PAT decreases during respiratory disturbances, particularly during desaturation and obstructive events, consistent with transient autonomic and vascular responses. Sex, BMI, and sleep-apnea status modify baseline PAT but have weaker effects during respiratory events. The stronger association of sleep-apnea status with PAT during non-respiratory periods likely reflects chronic vascular remodeling and autonomic dysregulation in those with higher AHI. These findings support PAT as a physiologic biomarker of sleep-disordered-breathing severity and cardiovascular stress.
Abstract TU255: Spatiotemporal Restructuring of United States Atherosclerosis Mortality and the Emerging Distribution of Cardiometabolic Risk
Background: Geographic disparities in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) mortality are longstanding, yet the pandemic disrupted cardiometabolic care and population risk. Whether ASCVD mortality patterns reconfigured during this period and to what extent such changes reflect county-level cardiometabolic burden versus age structure remain unclear. Methods: A retrospective, county-level geospatial analysis of ASCVD mortality (ICD-10: I25.0, I25.1, I70) using CDC WONDER data, comparing pre-pandemic (2014–2018) and pandemic-era (2019–2023) epochs was conducted using crude mortality rates (CMR). Three risk factors, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol were examined using CDC PLACES data. Analysed using GeoDa, univariate Getis-Ord Gi* (p<0.05) identified clusters, with bivariate Local Moran’s I evaluating spatial overlap between high-CMR clusters, risk factor prevalence, and median age to assess confounding. Results: Between 2014–2018 and 2019–2023, U.S. atherosclerosis mortality restructured toward larger, more contiguous high-risk clusters spanning the Lower Mississippi Delta, Black Belt, and central–southern Appalachia, extending into Oklahoma and north-central Texas. Hotspots increased from 290 to 329 with mean CMR rising from 128.63 to 135.50, while coldspots remained stable (434→432; 53.18→53.76), indicating intensification within established regions rather than a national rise. Low-risk zones persisted across the Upper Midwest, Northern Plains, Mountain West, and coastal New England and Pacific areas. Age confounding was limited: hotspot–coldspot median age shifted modestly (42.55 vs. 38.80 to 43.13 vs. 39.52), and major clusters extended beyond the oldest counties. Bivariate overlays showed the strongest, increasingly coherent spatial concordance between mortality hotspots and diabetes clusters, secondary alignment with hypertension, and fragmented overlap with high cholesterol, suggesting pandemic-era mortality intensification was driven chiefly by diabetes, supported by hypertension, beyond aging effects. Conclusion: U.S. atherosclerosis mortality geography has polarized, with widening divides between high- and low-risk regions. This reflects consolidation of the traditional Southeastern belt and emergence of a new mortality frontier in the South-Central U.S. The westward expansion appears closely linked to diabetes prevalence, marking a pivotal shift in the drivers of national cardiometabolic disparities.
A population threshold for dedicated teaching
Teachers hold a prominent place in modern societies, particularly where education is compulsory and widely institutionalized. This ubiquity obscures an underlying puzzle: Why do societies assign some individuals solely to the instruction of others? This question is especially enigmatic for dedicated teachers, who invest their labor in cultivating others’ skills but do not themselves participate in the productive activities for which their students are being trained. To address this question, we develop a simple, mathematically tractable model of teaching and learning in a population that shares a common productive aim. We identify a tradeoff between the size of the workforce and its collective level of expertise; and we analyze the optimal proportion of a population that should serve as teachers, across diverse scenarios. We find that a population must exceed a critical size before it is beneficial to allocate anyone as a dedicated teacher at all. Subsequently, the peak demand for teachers is achieved at an intermediate population size and never exceeds one half of the population. For more complicated tasks, our analysis predicts the optimal allocation of teachers to instruction across different levels of expertise. Although our model is not evolutionary per se, this population-level account lays a foundation for understanding the adaptive advantage of dedicated teachers in both human and nonhuman populations.
Palliative care follow-up for cancer patients combining day-hospital visits and telemedicine: What feasibility?
Background Due to the increasing life expectancy of patients with cancer, palliative care services are increasingly solicited to provide follow-up for individuals living at home. The implementation of teleconsultations represents a potential solution to extend access to palliative care follow-up to a larger number of patients. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the a priori acceptance of teleconsultations among all patients admitted to palliative care, as well as the feasibility of their implementation. We therefore initially explored whether a specific patient profile might limit acceptance or feasibility of teleconsultations (e.g., older patients, patients unfamiliar with digital technologies, gender differences, social status, economic status, or place of residence), and we identified patients’ expectations and concerns regarding teleconsultation. The secondary objective is to describe the contribution of monthly remote consultations (telemedicine), conducted in parallel with quarterly day-hospital follow-up by a palliative care team, for patients with cancer, in anticipating potential deterioration in their overall clinical condition. Methods We included 36 patients at the time of their first admission to the palliative care day hospital. Upon enrollment, participants completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics as well as their expectations and/or reluctance regarding teleconsultations. Patients were scheduled to receive monthly teleconsultations (at 1 and 2 months), followed by an in-person visit at 3 months. Results With regard to feasibility and acceptability, our findings indicate that age, sex, socioeconomic status, or underlying disease did not influence patient adherence or the successful conduct of teleconsultations. Patients expressed few negative preconceptions regarding their inclusion in the study. Concerning the clinical contribution of monthly consultations, interviewed patients reported a perceived benefit of monthly teleconsultations for both their psychological support and clinical management, and expressed a desire to continue monthly follow-up by teleconsultation beyond the three-month study period. Conclusions In the absence of the possibility of monthly in-person consultations, we highlight the relevance of developing teleconsultations for patients receiving palliative oncological care, regardless of their profile.
Abstract TH958: Cardiovascular Risk Stratification Among United States Adults with Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Background: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects nearly one in three adults in the United States (US), and independently increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related mortality. However, it is unclear how cardiovascular risk varies with the number of underlying metabolic risk factors. To address this gap, we used the American Heart Association’s PREVENT Equations to estimate 10-year predicted risks of total CVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure (HF) among US adults with MASLD, stratified by the number of cardiometabolic risk factors. Method: We used data from the 2017–March 2020 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to identify adults aged 30–79 years with MASLD, defined as hepatic steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter ≥280 dB/m) and at least one metabolic risk factor (obesity, type II diabetes or prediabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, or low HDL cholesterol). Participants with prevalent cardiovascular disease, viral hepatitis B or C, or excess alcohol intake were excluded. We categorized MASLD by number of risk factors (1–2 [reference], 3, or 4+). Ten-year predicted risks of total CVD were estimated with the PREVENT score. Associations between MASLD category and PREVENT outcomes were assessed using survey-weighted linear regression, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Results: The study included 186 participants with MASLD, representing approximately 4.2 million US adults, with a mean (SD) age of 59 (8) years and an equal distribution of females and males ( Table 1 ). A graded increase in PREVENT scores for total CVD, ASCVD, and HF was noted (p<0.05; Table 2 ). Adjusted analyses indicated that participants with ≥4 risk factors had higher predicted risks for total CVD (+8% [95% CI, 4.3–11.5]), ASCVD (+5% [95% CI, 3.3–7.2]), and HF (+6% [95% CI, 3.5–8.6]) compared with individuals with 1–2 risk factors (all p<0.05; Figure 1 ). Conclusion: Ten-year cardiovascular risk increases progressively with cardiometabolic burden among US adults with MASLD; those with ≥4 risk factors demonstrated the highest predicted risk compared with those with 1-2. Comprehensive risk factor management and targeted prevention strategies for those with multiple metabolic risk factors may yield the greatest reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Abstract TU118: Longitudinal Trajectories of Kidney Function in Heart Failure: A community study
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease affects nearly half of heart failure (HF) patients, underscoring the importance of regular kidney function monitoring. However, longitudinal trajectories of kidney function in HF are not well characterized. Identifying clinical factors linked to long-term changes is critical for improving monitoring and informing early clinical decisions. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that longitudinal kidney function and its associations with clinical variables in HF patients differ from that of demographically similar comparators from the same community. Methods: We analyzed patients with validated HF from a community-based cohort and comparators individually matched to age and sex selected from participants in the Mayo Clinic Biobank cohort. Individuals with end-stage kidney disease, dialysis or kidney transplantation prior to enrollment were excluded. Serum creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from outpatient and inpatient visits was assessed from enrollment for up to 10 years of follow-up. The median of eGFR for 90-day intervals was used to estimate the follow-up eGFR (Figure 1) . We modeled percentage change from baseline and fit linear mixed-effect models with time, HF status, and their interaction to test whether the eGFR trajectories differed between the two groups. In addition, we examined the association between eGFR trajectories and clinical variables. Results: We studied 1182 HF patients and 825 comparators with at least three eGFR measurements. Median follow-up was 5 years (IQR: 3-10) for HF patients and 8 years (6-9) for comparators. In total, 16245 serum creatinine measurements from HF patients and 9858 from comparators were analyzed. Median age at enrollment was 76 years (67-84) for HF patients and 78 years (70-83) for comparators. A greater decline in percentage change in eGFR was observed in HF patients (-4.23%, 95% CI: -4.75 to -3.70% per year) than in comparators (-1.90%, 95% CI: -2.51 to -1.29% per year; P<0.001, Figure 2 ). Among HF patients, the decline in percentage change in eGFR was greater in the presence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or a higher comorbidity burden. Conclusions: In this community study, HF patients exhibited a greater percentage decline in eGFR compared to community comparators. Among HF patients, eGFR decline was more strongly associated with comorbidities—particularly metabolic risk factors—highlighting the relevance of the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome in HF.
Characterization of phytoplankton-excreted metabolites mediating carbon flux through the surface ocean
The marine labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool is a dynamic reservoir of thousands of molecules that cycles approximately one-quarter of Earth’s primary production within days to weeks. After excretion by phytoplankton and other microbes, metabolites are rapidly consumed, resulting in low standing concentrations (picomolar to low nanomolar). Despite the decades-long search for labile DOC sources and molecular identities, marine phytoplankton exometabolomes are not well characterized, largely due to difficulties in measuring small polar molecules in saline water. Here, we profiled the exometabolomes of six axenic phytoplankton species representing key functional groups including a diatom ( Thalassiosira pseudonana CCMP1335), a picoeukaryote ( Micromonas commoda RCC299), a coccolithophore ( Gephyrocapsa huxleyi CCMP371), a diazotrophic cyanobacterium ( Crocosphaera watsonii WH8501), and two picocyanobacteria ( Prochlorococcus marinus MIT9301 and Synechococcus WH8102). From these cultures, we quantified 56 amine- and alcohol-containing exometabolites representing 11 compound classes which in sum comprised up to 23.4% of phytoplankton-excreted DOC. We estimated that these phytoplankton-derived exometabolites could supply up to 5% of the daily carbon quota of the dominant heterotrophic bacterium SAR11 in the surface ocean. Substantial variations in exometabolite identity and concentration across phytoplankton taxa underscore taxonomic diversity as a key driver in the supply and composition of labile DOC. This taxonomic variation predicts geographic and seasonal differences in the distribution of marine dissolved metabolites that underpin the cycling of labile DOC back to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Overall, our work suggests that phytoplankton exometabolites are key chemical currencies that mediate significant carbon fluxes within the ocean’s carbon cycle.
Assessment of newly designed fonts for visual accessibility
Purpose The visual accessibility of fonts refers to the range of print sizes and efficiency with which readers can access text. One goal of font design may be to maximize accessibility for a wide range of users including those with low vision. Here, we compare behavioral and automated methods for evaluating the accessibility of a font for both normal and simulated low vision. Method We evaluated the accessibility of a newly designed font, ACT Easy. In Experiment 1, we used a behavioral (psychophysical) approach to compare regular and bold versions of ACT Easy to Courier, Frutiger, and Gotham. 22 normally sighted young adults were tested with a computerized version of MNREAD in two conditions: normal viewing, and text digitally filtered to simulate moderate low vision (20/90 acuity). The outcome measures were reading acuity, critical print size, maximum reading speed, and participants’ preference rankings. In Experiment 2, we used an automated method to estimate the equivalent of reading acuity for eleven state-of-the-art Optical Character Recognition models. The models read MNREAD sentences in ACT Easy and five mainstream fonts. We explored how accurately the models mimicked human performance. Results In Experiment 1, ACT Easy Regular compared well in reading acuity and critical print size with Courier, the best of the other fonts for both normal and simulated low-vision conditions. ACT Easy Regular and Gotham were favored in the preference rankings. In Experiment 2, nine of the eleven OCR models showed changes in reading acuity similar to humans in the normal and simulated low-vision conditions. Two of the models also exhibited human-like variations across fonts. Conclusions Behavioral and automated methods are both capable of revealing subtle differences in the visual accessibility of fonts. The behavioral method requires labor-intensive human testing. The automated method does not require human testing, and may sometimes provide a practical alternative.
Abstract WE415: Endothelial Dysfunction and Risk of Severe COVID-19 in a Biracial U.S. Cohort
Background: As of mid-2025, over 100 million people have had COVID-19 and in the United States, 1.2 million have died. Black Americans continue to experience higher rates of severe COVID-19 (requiring hospitalization or causing death) than White Americans. Biological mechanisms underlying severe COVID-19 remain unclear, although evidence suggests endothelial dysfunction contributes to disease severity. Aims: We studied associations of pre-pandemic endothelial biomarkers with severe COVID-19 and evaluated differences in associations between Black and White Americans. Methods: We employed a case only design among Black and White participants of the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study who had COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021. Endothelial biomarkers (E-selectin, P-selectin, factor VIII, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1) were measured from stored serum collected in 2013-2016. The outcome was severe COVID-19 defined as hospitalization or death (adjudication rate 96.2%). Non-severe COVID-19 (the reference group) was defined as self-reported symptomatic COVID-19, positive SARS-CoV2 testing, and no hospitalization or death. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of severe COVID-19 by SD higher of each biomarker. Restricted cubic splines were used to visualize odds ratios of severe COVID-19. Results: Among the 415 participants with COVID-19, 47% were male, 33% were Black, and the mean (SD) age was 60 (7) years. Each SD higher ICAM-1 and log VCAM-1, but not other biomarkers, was associated with 30% higher odds of severe COVID-19 ( Table ). Associations were similar across racial groups ( Table ). Restricted cubic splines showed that the association of VCAM-1 and severe COVID-19 was non-linear whereas the association of ICAM-1 and severe COVID-19 was linear ( Figure ). Conclusions: Pre-pandemic endothelial dysfunction, reflected by higher ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, was associated with higher odds of severe COVID-19. These findings suggest that longstanding endothelial dysfunction predisposes to more severe COVID-19, and highlights ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 as potential therapeutic targets. Replication in larger studies is needed to confirm these results.
Abstract TH979: Lipoprotein(a) Across Menopause: Longitudinal Changes in the UK Biobank
Introduction: Menopause may coincide with rising lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels, a pro-atherogenic, pro-thrombotic, and pro-inflammatory atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factor. Characterizing changes in Lp(a) across menopause may improve risk stratification and inform testing recommendations for women. Hypothesis: Lp(a) levels increase during menopause and these increases are most pronounced in women with intermediate Lp(a) levels. Methods: We examined changes in serum Lp(a) levels by menopausal status among women with Lp(a) measured at visits 1 and 2 in the UK Biobank. Lp(a) was measured via isoform-insensitive immunoturbidimetry, and menopausal status was self-reported. Analyses were stratified by menopausal status: those who underwent menopause (N=415), those who remained premenopausal (N=532), and those who remained postmenopausal (N= 3,615) between visits. The primary outcome of interest was crossing the risk-enhancing threshold of Lp(a) >125 nmol/L between visits. Results: Data were available for 4,562 women (100% European ancestry, mean age at visit 1 = 57±7 years; median Lp(a) at visit 1 = 22 (IQR: 47) nmol/L; median time between visits = 4 (IQR: 1) years; 5% prevalence of hormone therapy use). Median Lp(a) at visit 1 was similar among women who underwent menopause and the premenopausal group (17 nmol/L and 19 nmol/L, respectively) and higher for the postmenopausal group (23 nmol/L). Overall, Lp(a) median changes were modest among women who underwent menopause (3.0 nmol/L, IQR: -0.7, 11.2) and women in the pre- and post-menopausal groups (both 0.7 nmol/L) ( Table ). However, among women with intermediate visit 1 Lp(a) levels (75-125 nmol/L), the median change between visits increased to 34.9 nmol/L (-6.7, 53.0) for women who underwent menopause. These changes were on average 26 nmol/L larger than changes estimated for women in the pre- and post-menopausal groups. Further, 56% of women with intermediate visit 1 Lp(a) levels who transitioned through menopause during the study exceeded 125 nmol/L by visit 2, compared with 29% and 28% of women who remained pre- or post-menopausal. Conclusion: Relying on a single lifetime Lp(a) measurement may miss clinically relevant increases during menopause. Repeat testing in women as they age may improve identification of those at high risk for ASCVD.
Coevolving topography, patchy soils, and forest structure
The transition from soil-mantled to bedrock-dominated landscapes is important to hydrology, ecology, and landscape evolution. Where classical theory predicts that this transition abruptly occurs once erosion rates exceed soil production ones, actual landscapes show a much more gradual transition. The Rampart Range, CO, is an unglaciated, forested mountain range with uniform lithology that spans this transition, providing an opportunity to interrogate how topography, soil cover, and forest structure coevolve. Using drone imagery and airborne lidar, we show the utility of object-based methods that segment the lidar topography into individual outcrops. Lower elevation hillslopes are rockier (~14% rock) than their higher elevation counterparts (~2% rock) due to late Cenozoic incision of a regional, high elevation, low relief surface. After accounting for the erosional control on rockiness, we show that bedrock exposure also depends on topographic aspect. Equator-facing hillslopes are rockier (~20% rock at low elevations; ~3% rock at high elevations) than their more heavily forested, pole-facing counterparts (~11% rock at low elevations; ~1% rock at high elevations). To simulate these patterns, hillslope evolution models need “humped” soil production functions that can generate rocky outcrops within a soil mantle. When combined with depth-dependent soil creep, such models readily produce large gradients in the height and frequency of bedrock outcrops in response to aspect-dependent weathering. Given the correspondence between higher forest biomass (e.g., increased tree density, canopy height) with lower bedrock exposure on pole-facing hillslopes, we argue that forest dynamics may be an underappreciated regulator of hillslope morphology via root zone weathering.
Factors associated with Turkish individuals’ purchase of transportation, accommodation, and household services from digital platforms
Digital platforms are technological applications with steadily increasing popularity. This study aims to investigate various factors associated with the purchase of transportation, accommodation, and household services via digital platforms by individuals in Türkiye. This study used the 2023 “Household Information Technologies Usage Survey Microdata Set” provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute. To identify the possible effects of factors such as gender, education level, age, income level, and household size on digital platforms, binary logistic regression analysis was used. According to the study’s results, all the factors, including gender, education level, age, income level, and household size, may affect the use of digital platforms. Accordingly, the likelihood of using digital platforms is higher among men compared to women, younger individuals compared to older ones, and individuals with higher education and income compared to those with lower levels. In terms of household size, a negative relationship was found. In other words, individuals from larger households are less likely to use digital platforms. The study’s findings suggest that beliefs and values, consumption habits, social roles and responsibilities, and the factor of trust in digital platforms play a role in the use of digital platforms. In the study, which includes evaluations that digital platforms will become increasingly widespread in Türkiye, where Western values and a modern lifestyle are gradually becoming more prevalent, recommendations are made regarding the perception and promotion of digital platforms and the importance of public relations practices.
Abstract TH867: Surveillance of Lipids and Glycemia Profiles and their Awareness in the Adult Population: Italian Health Examination survey 2023-2025 - CUORE Project
Introduction: Glycemic and lipid assessment in the population is recommended by the WHO as well as the target to halt the rise of diabetes within 2025 (2010 as baseline). The Italian Ministry of Health - CCM supported and financed their monitoring through national Health Examination Surveys (HESs) conducted within the CUORE Project. A new survey started in 2023 and is still ongoing, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health – CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI. Hypothesis: This analysis aims to monitor the glycemia/diabetes WHO target and lipids profiles in the Italian general population. Methods: In the period 2023-2025 a new HES included fasting serum glycemia, total and HDL cholesterolemia and triglyceridemia assessment. Up to now, data from random samples of residents in 17 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy are available (1732 men, 1749 women aged 35-74 years). Lipids profiles and glycemia were assayed by a central lab. Elevated glycemia/diabetes (DM): glycemia ≥126 mg/dl and/or on medication. Elevated total cholesterol/hypercholesterolemia (HChol): total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dl and/or on medication. Statistics were standardized by Italian 2024 age-sex distribution. Results: DM was 9% (95% confidence interval: 6-12%) in men and 7 % (5-9%) in women, and glycemia mean level was 98 mg/dl (96-100 mg/dl) and 92 mg/dl (90-94 mg/dl) respectively. Among those with DM, about 3 in 10 men and 1 in 10 women were unaware; about 2 and 4 of 10 were aware but not on medication, respectively. HChol prevalence was 26% in men (22-30%) and 29% in women (25-33%). Total cholesterol mean level was 194 mg/dl (191-198 mg/dl) in men and 202 mg/dl (199-206 mg/dl) in women. Mean level of HDL cholesterol was 50 mg/dl (49-51 mg/dl) in men and 61 mg/dl (60-62 mg/dl) in women; mean level of triglycerides was 119 mg/dl (112-126 mg/dl) and 95 mg/dl (90-99 mg/dl) respectively. Among those with HChol, about 2 in 10 men and 3 in 10 women were unaware; about 3 of 10 were aware but not on medication both in men and women. Conclusions: Considering 2023-2025 preliminary data, a decrease of glycemia, total cholesterol and triglycerides mean values resulted, as well as of DM and HChol prevalence compared to 2008. However, improvements on their awareness and control are still necessary. Prevalence of unaware persons with DM and HChol supports the WHO recommendation to monitor targets by periodic survey based on measured data - HESs.