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Live-cell 3D-SIM of Rift Valley fever virus NSs filaments reveals a polygon web architecture

A defining feature of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is the incorporation of the NSs protein into large filamentous assemblies inside infected nuclei [R. Swanepoel, N. K. Blackburn, J. Gen. Virol. 34 , 557–561 (1977).], as judged from fixed specimens. To gain insight into the 3D structure of NSs filaments within live-cell nuclei, we used genetic-code expansion (GCE) to incorporate trans-cyclooct-2-en-L-lysine into the protein. This enabled site-specific fluorescent labeling with tetrazine dyes for live-cell structured illumination microscopy (SIM). Our superresolved images revealed the complete native architecture of NSs filaments as a micron-scale polygon web of fibers with discrete domain characteristics, overturning previous assumptions of simple linear filaments. Parallel experiments on fixed RVFV-infected cells confirmed that native NSs filaments also display this morphology. Overall, our 3D-SIM analysis reveals distinct structural plasticity within NSs filaments, establishing a quantitative structure–function relationship that support the importance of polygon organization for NSs filament function during RVFV infection.

The STRENGTH Study: A cluster randomised controlled trial of the effect of a behaviour change intervention added to cardiac rehabilitation on physical activity adherence

Background Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of global mortality, imposing significant health and economic burdens. Cardiac rehabilitation, including physical activity, can reduce coronary heart disease-related morbidity and mortality. We tested whether the addition of a behaviour change intervention to cardiac rehabilitation could promote and maintain physical activity achieved during cardiac rehabilitation, beyond standard care timeframes. Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted across six community-based maintenance stage cardiac rehabilitation classes. A total of 96 participants (mean age 65.04 ± 8.38 years; 75% male) received either standard care or a behaviour change intervention, with physical activity, measured with an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer as the primary outcome. Results No significant differences in daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and steps per day, or any secondary outcomes, including self-rated health, quality of life, and mental wellbeing, were observed between the intervention and control groups at six months follow-up. These findings suggests that the behaviour change intervention did not significantly impact physical activity or health outcomes during maintenance cardiac rehabilitation. This may be attributed to high baseline physical activity levels among participants, and the extended cardiac rehabilitation support provided to both groups, potentially masking any intervention effects. Conclusion A behaviour change intervention added to standard maintenance stage cardiac rehabilitation did not improve physical activity or health outcomes. However, continued access to cardiac rehabilitation sustained high physical activity levels. Future research should disentangle the independent effects of behaviour interventions and ongoing cardiac rehabilitation support. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05705310

Abstract WE501: Unique Stress, Cultural Resources, and Psychological Resilience in Young African American Women: Insights for Effective Intervention and CVD Prevention

Objective: Psychological resilience, defined as one’s self-reported ability to bounce back from stress, is understudied in young African American women (YAAW). Guided by community feedback, this study examined the associations between resilience and the following three constructs from Staudinger’s 2015 resilience and aging model: perceived stress, non-psychological resources, and psychological resources. We aimed to identify cultural resources that can enhance resilience in the face of unique stressors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 512 self-identified YAAW aged 18–35 years. Resilience was measured by the Brief Resilience Scale, ranging from one to five, with higher scores indicating greater resilience. We employed linear regression to examine the relationships among stressors, resources, and resilience, and then used elastic net (EN) regularization to identify the resources most strongly associated with resilience after adjusting for age and stressors. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Results: YAAW with higher resilience experienced fewer stressors and reported greater access to both non-psychological and psychological resources. In the adjusted EN model, perceived stress (β = −0.16), internalized racism (β = −0.06), and adverse childhood experiences (β = −0.03) demonstrated the strongest associations with lower resilience. Conversely, improvisational skills (β = 0.23), (emotional stability or the absence of) neurotic personality traits, β = −0.22), presence of conscientious personality traits (β = 0.08), and not expressing anger to cope with discrimination (β = −0.04) had the strongest associations with higher resilience. Notably, high improvisation skills and low levels of neuroticism were identified as key resilience resources. Conclusion: Stress reduction techniques that focus on addressing racial trauma and highlight the health-promoting aspects of AA cultural identity, such as improvisation, may play an important role in fostering resilience among YAAW. Further research is needed to validate these findings and to help inform the development of effective intervention strategies in this group.

Abstract TH812: Effects of a DASH-style diet on fecal and plasma short-chain fatty acids in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension for Diabetes (DASH4D) trial showed that a DASH-style diet vs. typical US comparison diet improved glycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes. The biological mechanism may include microbial production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have been associated with improved glycemia. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a DASH-style diet vs. comparison diet on SCFAs in stool and plasma. We hypothesized that the DASH-style diet increases SCFAs. Methods: DASH4D is a randomized 4-period crossover feeding study among adults with type 2 diabetes, a systolic blood pressure of 120-159 mmHg, and a diastolic blood pressure of <100 mmHg. The DASH4D diet is a DASH-style diet modified for adults with type 2 diabetes (i.e., with lower carbohydrates, higher unsaturated fat, and lower potassium than the original DASH diet). Participants were randomized to a sequence of four 5-week diets: (1) DASH4D with lower sodium, (2) DASH4D with higher sodium, (3) comparison diet with lower sodium, and (4) comparison diet with higher sodium. Our primary interest was DASH4D vs. comparison diets. Outcomes were SCFAs measured in stool and plasma, collected at baseline and at the end of each diet period. We measured SCFAs in plasma and in feces using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We normalized SCFAs using log transformation. We fit linear mixed effects models to examine mean log-transformed SCFAs at the end of each diet period. Results: There were 97 participants with plasma samples (and of those, 83 with fecal samples) from both pre-randomization and 2 or more feeding periods. Of these 97 participants, 66% were female and 89% self-identified as Black. Mean age was 67 (SD 8.9) years. There was no evidence interaction between diet and sodium level, so we present unstratified results. Relative to the comparison diet, the DASH4D diet increased plasma acetate by 8.7% (95%CI: 1.3%-16.7%). No other SCFAs were changed in the plasma or in the stool ( Fig. 1 ). Sodium level of diet did not affect SCFAs in plasma or stool ( Fig. 2 ). Conclusion: In adults with type 2 diabetes, the DASH4D diet increased plasma acetate, but not other plasma SCFAs. Null effects on stool SCFAs are consistent with animal studies that show SCFAs may be reabsorbed in the colon when plasma SCFAs increase. Research is needed to understand if changes in plasma acetate mediates the health effects (e.g., glycemic effects) of a DASH-style diet.

Unveiling hidden rocky reefs of the Mexican Atlantic coast: Topographic characterization and benthic community dynamics along the North Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Rocky reefs are vital ecosystems hosting diverse benthic communities, including sessile organisms like algae, octocorals, and sponges, alongside associated fish and invertebrates, providing numerous ecosystem services. Despite their ecological significance, rocky reefs along the Mexican Atlantic coast remain understudied. This study presents a comprehensive topographic and ecological analysis of four rocky reef sites along the Yucatan Peninsula: Dzilam (La Poza and Small Mountain Range), Telchac, Progreso, and Chicxulub. Using bathymetric surveys, reef structures were mapped, and underwater surveys analyzed the benthic composition. Bathymetric surveys revealed distinct structural morphologies and rugosity indices, while sediment analysis identified varying grain sizes influencing benthic community composition. Macroalgae dominated the benthic cover (64%), followed by long sediment-laden algal turf-(LSAT, 21%) and sessile invertebrates (e.g., sponges). A strong negative correlation (r = −0.754, P < 0.0001) between macroalgal abundance and LSAT highlights competitive dynamics, modulated by environmental factors such as depth, sediment type, and topographic complexity. This study is the first report of the presence of rocky reefs in Yucatan and Mexican Atlantic coast, these findings underscore the ecological significance of rocky reefs as biodiversity hotspots and their sensitivity to substrate characteristics. This study highlights the need for further spatiotemporal research to understand their ecological dynamics and inform conservation strategies.

Abstract MPTU20: Ultra-Processed Food Intake, Lipidomics, and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in American Indians: A Longitudinal Study

Background: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been linked to cardiometabolic risk, but its molecular signatures remain unclear. Objective: To identify lipidomic markers of UPF intake and investigate their associations with the risk of CVD. Methods: Among 1,423 American Indian adults (64% women; mean age 41 years) in the Strong Heart Family Study, we repeatedly profiled 1,542 plasma lipids (518 named species) via LC–MS and assessed UPF intake at two visits (~5.5 years apart; 2001–2003 and 2006–2009) using the NOVA system with data from Block FFQ. CVD events (fatal or non-fatal coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and congestive heart failure) were tracked over a median follow-up of 18.5 years, through December 31, 2020. Mixed-effects linear models identified lipids associated with UPF intake, adjusting for sociodemographic (age, sex, center, education), lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, energy intake), and clinical factors (BMI, use of lipid-lowering drugs). Random effects accounted for family relatedness and repeated measures. We then examined whether lipid changes mirrored changes in UPF consumption and estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD using Cox frailty models, adjusting for the same covariates (except energy intake) plus baseline diabetes and hypertension. Multiple testing was controlled at FDR < 0.05. Results: Each 10% increase in energy from UPF was associated with a 17% higher CVD risk [HR: 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01–1.36); 170 cases]. Seven lipids, mainly phosphatidylinositols (PIs), were positively associated with UPF intake and increased in parallel over time ( Figure 1 ). In contrast, 19 lipids (mostly phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins) were inversely associated, with temporal increases linked to reduced UPF intake (FDR < 0.05). Notably, increases in three UPF-related PIs were also associated with incident CVD (HRs per 1-SD increase: 1.27–1.52). Conclusions: UPF-related lipidomic shifts, particularly in phosphatidylinositols, may serve as early biomarkers linking diet to long-term cardiovascular risk.

Abstract TU145: Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) levels during early pregnancy and circulating cardiovascular proteins in women at 3 years postpartum: results from Project Viva

Introduction: PFAS are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in humans. Higher PFAS exposure during pregnancy has been associated with poorer long-term cardiovascular health in women, but the biological pathways are unclear. Circulating cardiovascular proteins may help elucidate these mechanisms. Methods: We studied 173 women from Project Viva, a prospective cohort enrolled between 1999 and 2002 in Eastern MA. We measured plasma concentrations of 6 PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, EtFOSAA, MeFOSAA) during early pregnancy. In plasma collected at 3 years postpartum, we quantified 92 proteins using the Olink Target 92 Cardiovascular II panel. We used linear regression models to examine associations of each log 2 -transformed PFAS with Normalized Protein eXpression (NPX) levels, adjusting for age at enrollment, education, marital status, pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, smoking status, and first-trimester DASH diet score. We report associations with nominal P <0.05 and used the False Discovery Rate (FDR) approach to account for multiple testing, considering FDR<0.10 as statistically significant. Results: The mean (SD) age at enrollment was 33.0 (4.8) years; 80% were college graduates, and 50% were nulliparous. In adjusted models, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, EtFOSAA, and MeFOSAA were associated with 6, 7, 9, 4, 8, and 3 proteins, respectively, at nominal P <0.05 ( Figure ). Nine proteins, including vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 13B (TNFRSF13B), SLAM family member 7 (SLAMF7), interleukin-1 receptor-like 2 (IL1RL2), kit ligand (SCF), galectin-9 (Gal-9), C-C motif chemokine 3 (CCL3), pro-adrenomedullin (ADM), and macrophage receptor MARCO, were each associated with ≥ 2 PFAS at nominal P <0.05; Table summarizes the cardiovascular relevance of these proteins. After FDR correction, PFOA remained associated with lower levels of VEGFD (implicated in endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling), TNFRSF13B (implicated in adaptive immunity and chronic inflammation), and SLAMF7 (implicated in macrophage inflammation and foam cell formation) ( Figure ). No other PFAS-protein associations reached FDR<0.10. Conclusion: PFAS levels during pregnancy were associated with alterations in multiple cardiovascular proteins involved in inflammation, vascular remodeling, and atherosclerosis at 3 years postpartum. These results suggest potential pathways linking PFAS to women’s long-term cardiovascular health.

Shared competence forms the basis of gill arch and paired fin serial homology

The origin of paired fins is an unresolved controversy in vertebrate evolutionary biology. Karl Gegenbaur famously proposed that paired fins evolved by the transformation of a gill arch, but this hypothesis remains largely unsupported by the fossil record. Also, seemingly at odds with gill arch-paired fin serial homology are their distinct embryonic origins from neural crest and lateral plate mesoderm, respectively. We have previously shown that skate gill arch skeletal elements may derive solely from neural crest, or from a mixture of neural crest and mesoderm, and we have shown that skate gill arches and jawed vertebrate fins/limbs share several molecular patterning mechanisms. Here, we show in the little skate ( Leucoraja erinacea ) that neural crest and lateral plate mesoderm-derived mesenchyme are developmentally equivalent and interchangeable in the pharyngeal arches and fin buds. Using heterotopic transplantation experiments, we find that neural crest cells can contribute to the typically mesoderm-derived fin skeleton, and that lateral plate mesodermal mesenchyme can contribute to the typically neural crest-derived jaw skeleton. These findings point to shared skeletogenic competence of neural crest and mesoderm-derived mesenchyme at the head–trunk interface. We argue that this shared competence accounts for the anatomical and developmental parallels of the gill arch and paired fin/limb skeletons and forms the basis of their serial homology.

Correction: Development of an open-hardware semen homogenizer and application to serotonin effects on sperm motility

Abstract TH947: Associations of Breakfast Skipping with Mental Health Status and Overweight, Obesity among African American College Students in the Southern US

Background: Breakfast skipping is common among college students and has been linked to adverse weight and psychological outcomes. African American adolescents and young adults experience disproportionately higher rates of overweight and obesity than White peers (24.2% vs. 16.1%), particularly among women. Although depression prevalence was lower among Black youth, symptom severity and chronicity are often greater. Recent evidence suggests breakfast non-eaters have 24% higher odds of obesity than who takes breakfast. Mississippi has the highest obesity rate and 10% higher among Blacks than Whites. Despite unique sociocultural and environmental factors in the Southern US, limited research has examined the diet, mental health and weight status associations among African Americans in this region. Purpose: To examine associations of breakfast skipping with mental health status and overweight/obesity among African American college students in the Southern U.S., controlling for soda, alcohol, smoking, e-vape, and physical activity. Methods: This cross-sectional study used convenience sampling at a historically Black college in Mississippi. A CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System–adapted survey was administered (Nov 2023–Feb 2024). Participants self-reported height, weight, and mental health. Missing data (8%) were imputed. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression in SPSS (α=0.05). Results: Among 396 African American students (mean age 25.2±8.4 years; 79% female), 25.5% skipped breakfast, 25.8% reported poor mental health most of the time, mean BMI was 30.7 kg/m 2 , 22.7% were overweight, and 45.2% were obese. Breakfast skipping was correlated with mental health status (p=.001) and BMI status (p=.05). Females were 46.4% more likely to be obese (p=.036) and more likely to report poor mental health (p=.022). Breakfast skippers were 71.8% more likely to report poor mental health (p<.001) but 5% less likely to be obese (p=.87) compared with non-skippers, after adjusting for health risk behaviors. Conclusion: Among African American college students in South, breakfast skipping was significantly associated with poorer mental health but not with weight status, even after adjustment. These findings, which diverge from prior obesity research, underscore the need for further studies in Southern US populations to explore how environmental factors and dietary patterns contribute to disproportionately high obesity rates.

Abstract TH981: Associations of Diet during Pregnancy with Cardiovascular Health (Life’s Essential 8) among Women in Midlife

Background: Cardiovascular health (CVH) often worsens among midlife women. Diet during pregnancy, a similarly sensitive period due to physiological and weight changes, may influence long-term CVH, but few studies have examined this relationship over extended follow-up. Objective: Examine associations of diet during pregnancy with maternal CVH in midlife. Methods: We analyzed data from 760 women enrolled in the Project Viva cohort in Massachusetts during early pregnancy (1999-2002) with midlife follow-up. Participants completed food frequency questionnaires during their first and second trimesters, from which we calculated three diet scores: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean Diet (MD), and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). We inverted DII so higher scores reflect healthier diets for all scores. We averaged the trimesters and generated internal z-scores for comparability. About 18 years later (mean 51y), participants completed questionnaires and research visits, including blood collection. We assessed CVH using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 framework (range 0-100; higher scores=better CVH), including four behavioral (diet, physical activity, sleep duration, smoking) and four biomedical (BMI, blood pressure, lipids, glucose) components. We used linear regression models adjusted for age, pre-pregnancy BMI, education, parity, and income. Results: Most participants were non-Hispanic White (70%) and college graduates (75%). Mean(SD) midlife CVH score was 76 (12). Higher (per 1-SD) DASH scores were associated with better overall CVH (β 2.6; 95%CI 1.6, 3.5), behavioral (3.4; 2.5, 4.4) and biomedical (1.8; 0.4, 3.2) subscores. Higher MD scores were associated with better overall CVH (1.8; 0.9, 2.8), behavioral (2.5; 1.5, 3.4) and biomedical scores (1.5; 0.1, 2.8). Higher inverted DII scores were associated with better overall CVH (2.3; 1.3, 3.2), behavioral (2.8; 1.8, 3.8) and biomedical scores (1.6; 0.3, 3.0)( Fig1 ). All diet scores were similarly associated with midlife diet, physical activity, and BMI; only DASH was associated with smoking; only DASH and DII were associated with blood pressure. Associations with lipids and glucose were in expected directions but weaker and non-significant( Fig2 ). Conclusions: Women who consumed healthier diets during pregnancy had better CVH two decades later. Supporting high-quality maternal nutrition may not only promote pregnancy and child health, but also long-term maternal CVH.

Identifying key convection-sensitive oceanic regions to weaken the ENSO spring predictability barrier

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) exhibits its weakest predictability during boreal spring, a phenomenon known as the Spring Predictability Barrier (SPB). The SPB arises from weak air–sea coupling that limits the growth and persistence of the ENSO signal. Improving springtime prediction therefore requires identifying oceanic regions most relevant for convection variability. Here, we introduce a Sea Surface Temperature Range Index (SRI), which quantifies the spatial extent of Sea surface temperatures favorable for convection. Using SRI, we show that regions exceeding 26 °C in the east-central Pacific and 28.5 °C in the eastern Atlantic during spring are critical for initiating persistent intense convection. The expansion of these convection-sensitive areas strengthens the Bjerknes feedback by modulating the Walker circulation, providing an effective predictor of ENSO evolution. We further develop a Long Short-Term Memory deep learning model incorporating SRI, which achieves higher predictive skill than the average of dynamical and statistical models, especially for multiyear La Niña events. These results underscore the central role of convection-sensitive oceanic regions in alleviating the SPB.

Correction: Research on multiple improvement paths of national innovation output based on tsQCA

Abstract WE408: Association of Acculturation with Ventricular Arrhythmias: Preliminary Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Introduction: Some studies suggest that Hispanic/Latino immigrants in the U.S. have a lower risk of sudden cardiac death compared to non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks. However, it remains unclear whether this protective effect diminishes over time with prolonged exposure to U.S. lifestyle and culture. Our objective is to evaluate the association between acculturation and early markers of ventricular electrical instability in the Hispanic/Latino population. Hypothesis: Greater acculturation is associated with higher frequency of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) and prevalence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). Methods: In 2023-24, 1,413 adults from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) wore an ambulatory ECG recording device, the Zio XT Patch (iRhythm Technologies, Inc, San Francisco, CA), for up to 2 weeks. We excluded participants with fewer than 2 days of analyzable data (n=87) and those who lacked demographic information (n=4). The log-transformed average daily episodes of PVCs and the presence of any NSVT were analyzed as outcomes using linear regression and logistic regression, respectively. Nativity, length of residency in the U.S., and language preference at interview were used as proxies of acculturation. Results: In 1,322 participants, the mean (SD) analyzable recording time was 11 (3) days; mean (SD) age was 64 (8) years, and 912 (69%) were female. NSVT was detected in 16% (n=218) of participants. PVCs were present in 99% (n=1,306) of participants, with a median (IQR) of 15 (5-96) average daily PVC episodes. After accounting for age, sex, center, Hispanic/Latino background, and Zio analyzable time, English-speakers and U.S.-born participants (both indicating greater acculturation) had 43% and 85% higher PVC frequency than Spanish-speakers and immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for < 20 years, respectively (Table 1). These associations persisted after additional adjustment for socioeconomic status, cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary artery disease. Similarly, English preference was associated with more than 70% higher odds of having NSVT. Conclusions: Greater acculturation is associated with higher frequency of PVC and prevalence of NSVT in the Hispanic/Latino population. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these associations within the Hispanic/Latino community.

Abstract TU226: SALAM: Study of Arab-American Longitudinal Assessment of Morbidity Cardiometabolic Burden Across Age and Sex in a U.S. Health System

Background: Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations remain largely invisible in U.S. cardiovascular research due to the absence of ethnicity identifiers in clinical registries and their frequent misclassification under the “Caucasian” category. Consequently, their cardiometabolic disease burden is poorly characterized. Using a validated Arab Name Algorithm 1 , we developed a deidentified electronic health record registry of individuals within a large healthcare system to describe age- and sex-specific prevalence of major cardiometabolic conditions. Methods: We analyzed data from the Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Learning Health System Registry (2016–2025), identifying MENA individuals based on surname matching using a validated Arab Name Algorithm (specificity 98.9%, sensitivity 50.3%). Prevalence of diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was estimated across age groups and stratified by sex. Results: Among 51,013 MENA adults, prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions rose steeply with age across both sexes. Diabetes prevalence increased from <5% under age 40 to >40% among those aged ≥70 years. Hypertension and dyslipidemia exceeded 60% in older adults, while ASCVD affected more than half of men and over one-third of women by age 80. CKD prevalence increased from <5% under age 40 to nearly 45% among those ≥80 years. Obesity peaked between ages 60–70, with higher rates among women. Across all conditions, men consistently exhibited higher prevalence except for obesity. Conclusions: Using a validated name-based algorithm, we characterized cardiometabolic disease patterns among MENA adults in the U.S. The high burden observed, particularly among men and older adults, highlights the need for improved ethnicity data collection, rather than collapsing MENA individuals within White categories, and for targeted prevention in this underrecognized population.

Correlations without causation do not support claims of human–LLM reasoning alignment

Home over institution? New insights on older adults’ care preferences from a mixed-methods study in France

As populations age, long-term care policies must balance individual preferences with financial constraints. The prevailing “aging in place” policy in France assumes that citizens overwhelmingly prefer home care over nursing homes. However, little is known about people’s preferences towards long-term care options before disability occurs. We elicit preferences among community-dwelling adults over 60 using a mixed-method approach: qualitative interviews and a two-stage D-efficient discrete choice experiment. In each task, respondents chose between two hypothetical nursing homes varying in professional care quality, living environment, out-of-pocket (OOP) cost, and proximity, then decided whether to receive care in this nursing home or remain at home. A sample of 2,886 French adults over 60 completed the survey in 2024. We used random-effect conditional logit and latent class logit models to investigate trade-offs and preference heterogeneity. While a majority (54%) consistently favored home-care, 37% shifted their decision in response to improved nursing home characteristics. Professional care quality and living environment influenced choices as strongly as OOP cost, while proximity plays a secondary role. Strengthening staffing and training, upgrading equipment and the conviviality of shared spaces, and containing OOP costs are direct levers to raise the acceptability of nursing home care.

Abstract TH894: Blood Pressure at Intensive and Conservative Thresholds has Sex/Gender-Specific Associations With Cognition Function and Decline: a Quantile Regression Analysis in the Health and Retirement Study

Introduction: Sex/gender and age variability in the impact of elevated blood pressure (BP) on older adult cognitive function remains understudied across the continuum of cognition. Hypothesis: Older women at elevated dementia risk (i.e., lower quantiles of cognition) receive less cognitive benefit than men from intensive systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) control, especially in late-life. Methods: We used Health and Retirement Study participants (n = 13,318, aged 51-104, 57.8% women, 76.3% Non-Hispanic White) with data on our biennially-collected outcome of interest: averaged 10-word immediate and delayed word recall scores. Our primary exposures were exceeding intensive (≥120/80 SBP/DBP) or conservative (≥140/90 SBP/DBP) BP thresholds, measured by sphygmomanometer readings in 2006 or 2008. We estimated linear quantile models for associations of exceeding each BP threshold with level (2006/2008) as well as linear quantile mixed effects models for per-year change (2006-2018) in word recall across 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles, evaluating heterogeneity by sex/gender and age (≤ versus > 70 years). Results: Men had higher average BP (mean SBP/DBP: 134/79 (SD: 20/12)) than women (mean SBP/DBP: 130/79 (SD: 21/12)). Both sex/genders scored comparably on baseline word recall (mean: 5 (SD: 1.7)). Exceeding intensive BP thresholds was associated with better baseline cognitive function among women at quantiles indicating higher dementia risk (e.g., β10th = 0.094, 95% CI = 0.023 to 0.170) and among men at most cognitive quantiles (e.g., β90th = 0.076, 95% CI = 0.010 to 0.156)). Among women before age 70 at lower risk for dementia, exceeding conservative (β75th = -0.019, 95% CI = -0.034 to -0.005) but not intensive (β75th = 0.001, 95% CI = -0.002 to 0.004) BP thresholds were associated with faster per-year decline. After age 70, exceeding intensive BP thresholds was associated with slower per-year decline for men at higher as well as lower dementia risk (e.g., β25th = 0.006, 95% CI = 0.000 to 0.012), though estimated effects were imprecise. Conclusions: In conclusion, BP below intensive thresholds was associated with worse cognitive function and faster decline, particularly among men. BP below conservative thresholds was associated with slower decline among women after age 70. Future work should evaluate whether the health benefits of intensive BP control should be weighed against cerebrovascular pathologies such as reduced cerebral perfusion.

Abstract TU214: Profiles of Healthy Behaviors in Early Pregnancy are Associated with Maternal Allostatic Load in Pregnancy and 2-7 Years Following Delivery: The nuMoM2b-HHS1 Cohort

Background: Modifiable health behaviors are key components of cardiovascular health in pregnancy and the years after delivery, but the mechanisms by which early pregnancy behaviors shape maternal health outcomes are uncertain. Allostatic load is an objective measure of cumulative psychosocial stress that uses biomarkers to quantify stress through deviations from homeostasis. We hypothesized that healthier behaviors in early pregnancy would be associated with lower cross-sectional and long-term allostatic load. Methods: This secondary analysis included participants in the nuMoM2b-HHS1 prospective cohort who completed assessments in the first trimester of pregnancy and 2-7 (mean 3.2) years following delivery (N=4,296). Self-reported physical activity, diet quality, sleep duration, and smoking history in the first trimester were scored from 0-100 (higher is healthier) using the Life’s Essential 8 algorithm. Latent profiles of behavioral combinations were empirically constructed from these scores. Allostatic load was calculated at both timepoints using a validated set of 11 biomarkers spanning the cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic domains of physiology, assigning 1 point for biomarker values in timepoint-specific high-risk quartiles (score range 0-11, higher is more adverse). Associations between categorical behavioral profiles and allostatic load in the first trimester and 2-7 years following delivery were evaluated using Poisson regression with robust error variance. All models were adjusted for maternal age and self-reported race and ethnicity; the model assessing allostatic load 2-7 years following delivery was also adjusted for first trimester allostatic load. Significance was accepted at p<0.05. Results: Four latent profiles of health behavior combinations in early pregnancy were identified (Table 1): Healthy Behaviors (38%), Healthy Activity/Sleep with Poor Diet/Smoking (19%), Healthy Sleep Only (33%), and Least Healthy Behaviors (10%). Compared to the Healthy Behaviors profile, participants in profiles with lower adherence to healthy behaviors in the first trimester had 12-15% higher allostatic load in the first trimester and 10-15% higher allostatic load 2-7 years following delivery (Table 2). Conclusions: Healthy behaviors in early pregnancy are associated with lower physiological stress both in pregnancy and years following delivery. Future work will examine time-varying health behaviors and allostatic load in the context of childrearing.

Active maintenance of meiosis-specific chromosome structures in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> by the deubiquitinase DUO-1

Meiotic prophase is characterized by a dynamic program in which germ cells undergo a complex series of associations and dissociations of protein complexes that drive assembly, remodeling, and disassembly of meiosis-specific chromosome structures and dramatic changes in chromosome compaction. Failure to properly coordinate these processes can result in improper chromosome segregation, producing aneuploid gametes and inviable zygotes. Here, we investigate the roles of Caenorhabditis elegans DUO-1, an ortholog of mammalian ubiquitin-specific proteases USP26 and USP29, in mediating these dynamic chromosomal events during meiotic prophase. Cytological analyses of duo-1 null mutants indicate that loss of DUO-1 function leads to impaired assembly of meiotic chromosome axes and synaptonemal complexes (SCs), loss of integrity of meiotic chromosome axes, ineffective homolog pairing, premature separation of sister chromatids, and late-prophase chromosome decompaction. Further, axis/SC instability in duo-1 mutants correlates with depletion of REC-8 cohesin complexes and is accompanied by massive accumulation of early DSB repair intermediates. By using a dual-AID-tagged allele to deplete DUO-1 during meiotic development, we demonstrate that DUO-1 is continually required throughout meiotic prophase progression, to promote proper axis/SC assembly in early prophase, to maintain axis/SC stability during the late pachytene stage, and to promote/maintain chromosome compaction at the end of meiotic prophase. Together, our data emphasize the importance of mechanisms that actively maintain meiotic chromosome structure and meiosis-specific chromosome architecture throughout meiotic prophase and implicate DUO-1 as a key player in these active maintenance processes.