tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Conformable Piezoelectric Devices and Systems for Advanced Wearable and Implantable Biomedical Applications
Authors: Jin-Hoon Kim, Hyeokjun Yoon, Shrihari Viswanath, Canan Dagdeviren
Journal: Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering (2025)

With increasing demands for continuous health monitoring remotely, wearable and implantable devices have attracted considerable interest. To fulfill such demands, novel materials and device structures have been investigated, since commercial biomedical devices are not compatible with flexible and conformable form factors needed for soft tissue monitoring and intervention. Among various materials, piezoelectric materials have been widely adopted for multiple applications including sensing, energy harvesting, neurostimulation, drug delivery, and ultrasound imaging owing to their unique electromechanical conversion properties. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of piezoelectric-based wearable and implantable biomedical devices. We first provide the basic principles of piezoelectric devices and device design strategies for wearable and implantable form factors. Then, we discuss various state-of-the-art applications of wearable and implantable piezoelectric devices and their design strategies. Finally, we demonstrate several challenges and outlooks for designing piezoelectric-based conformable biomedical devices.
Microvascularization in 3D Human Engineered Tissue and Organoids
Authors: Yu Jung Shin, Dina Safina, Ying Zheng, Shulamit Levenberg
Journal: Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering (2025)

The microvasculature, a complex network of small blood vessels, connects systemic circulation with local tissues, facilitating the nutrient and oxygen exchange that is critical for homeostasis and organ function. Engineering these structures is paramount for advancing tissue regeneration, disease modeling, and drug testing. However, replicating the intricate architecture of native vascular systems-characterized by diverse vessel diameters, cellular constituents, and dynamic perfusion capabilities-presents significant challenges. This complexity is compounded by the need to precisely integrate biomechanical, biochemical, and cellular cues. Recent breakthroughs in microfabrication, organoids, bioprinting, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and in vivo vascularization techniques have propelled the field toward faithfully replicating vascular complexity. These innovations not only enhance our understanding of vascular biology but also enable the generation of functional, perfusable tissue constructs. Here, we explore state-of-the-art technologies and strategies in microvascular engineering, emphasizing key advancements and addressing the remaining challenges to developing fully functional vascularized tissues.
Sex-disaggregated data along the gendered health pathways: A review and analysis of global data on hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and AIDS
Authors: Alessandro Feraldi, Virginia Zarulli, Kent Buse, Sarah Hawkes, Angela Y Chang
Journal: PLoS Medicine (2025)

Health data disaggregated by sex is vital for identifying the distribution of illness, and assessing risk exposures, service access, and utilization. Disaggregating data along a health pathway, i.e., the measurable continuum from risk factor exposure to final health outcome (death), and including disease prevalence and a three-step care cascade (diagnosis, treatment, and control), has the potential to provide a holistic and systematic source of information on sex- and gender-based health inequities and identify opportunities for more tailored interventions to reduce those inequities. We collected sex- and age-disaggregated data along the health pathway. We searched for papers using global datasets on the sex-disaggregated care cascade for eight major conditions and identified cascade data for only three conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and AIDS. For each condition, we collected risk factor prevalence, disease prevalence, cascade progression, and death rates. We assessed the sex difference for all steps along the pathway and interpreted inequities through a lens of gender analysis. Sex-disaggregated data on risk factors, disease prevalence, and mortality were found for all three conditions across 204 countries. Sex-disaggregated care cascades for hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and AIDS were found only for 200, 39, and 76 countries, respectively. Significant sex differences were found in each step along the pathways. In many countries, males exhibited higher disease prevalence and death rates than females, while in some countries, they also reported lower rates of healthcare seeking, diagnosis, and treatment adherence. Smoking prevalence was higher among males in most countries, whereas prevalence of obesity and unsafe sex were higher in females in most countries. Findings support the increasing need to develop strategies that encourage greater male participation in preventive and healthcare service and underscore the importance of sex-disaggregated data in understanding health inequities and guiding gender-responsive interventions at different points along the pathway. Despite limitations in data availability and completeness, this study elucidates the need for more comprehensive and harmonized datasets for these and other conditions to monitor sex differences and implement sex-/gender-responsive interventions along the health pathway.
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Authors: Sonja Lindfors, Constanze Schmotz, Dominik Lewandowski, Annika Hau, Leena Saikko, Eero Lehtonen, Ville Majaniemi, Minna Karhe, Jette-Britt Naams, Harry Nisen, Jukka Tienari, Moin A. Saleem, Katharina Pfeil, Heiko Bugger, Kirsi H. Pietiläinen, Tuomas Mirtti, Krzysztof Palczewski, Sanna Lehtonen
Journal: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2025)
Altered blood-brain barrier permeability is associated with abnormal distant connectivity and regional homogeneity in covert hepatic encephalopathy – a cross sectional study
Authors: Joga Chaganti, Georgia Zeng, Adwaita Patil, Ian Lockart, Michelle Dellalana, Sara Montagnese, Bruce Brew, Mark Danta
Journal: Hepatology (2025)

Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is clinically underrecognized. Using MRI, we explored the relationship between functional connectivity as a marker of executive dysfunction and the blood-brain barrier permeability marker KTRANS in a cross-sectional cohort of covert HE (CHE), no HE (NHE), and healthy controls (HC). This study was a single-center prospective cohort study conducted between 2018 and 2021. CHE was diagnosed using the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) with an abnormality threshold of <-4. Blood brain barrier permeability was determined using MRI KTRANS, based on cerebral efflux of gadolinium from blood plasma to the extravascular space. Resting-state fMRI determined the intrinsic dynamics of regions of the brain. Three cohorts were recruited: cirrhosis and CHE (n=17); cirrhosis with no HE (NHE; n=13); and healthy controls (n=10). There was a significant negative correlation (r=-0.59, p=0.003) between KTRANS and components of the Default Mode Network (DMN). Group-level ANOVA (F-test) revealed a significant difference between groups in functional connectivity within the Salience Network (SN) (Cluster level significance, F(4,62)=8.45, pcorrected=0.000005) and the DMN (Cluster level significance, F(4,62)=6.20, pcorrected=0.0004). The analysis revealed significant differences in regional homogeneity between the CHE and Health Controls. There was a strong association between disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and attenuated functional connectivity, with reductions in functional connectivity within the DMN and Frontoparietal Network (FPN), circuits closely linked to executive control. This attenuation was evident both in local regional and in distant connectivity within these networks.
Organ damage proteomic signature identifies patients with MASLD at-risk of systemic complications
Authors: Carlos José Pirola, Luis Diambra, Tomas Fernández Gianotti, Gustavo Osvaldo Castaño, Julio San Martino, Martin Garaycoechea, Silvia Sookoian
Journal: Hepatology (2025)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects more than 30% of the world's population and is associated with multisystemic comorbidities. We combined multidimensional OMICs approaches to explore the feasibility of using high-throughput targeted circulating proteomics to track systemic organ damage and infer the underlying molecular mechanisms. We evaluated a 92-plex panel of prioritized proteins with pathophysiological relevance to organ damage in serum samples of patients using in-depth phenotyping. We included proteomic data from 60,042 individuals in the discovery and replication stages using diverse study designs and cross-proteomic platforms. We used deconvolution strategies to investigate whether the affected liver participated in the expression of biomarkers of organ damage. To assess cell type-specific transcriptional changes in the selected target, we used liver organoid data. The implicated proteins, including ADGRG1 (GPR56), are deregulated in patients who are at-risk of progressive disease and significant fibrosis. ADGRG1 was validated as a surrogate for organ damage, as it was associated with increased risk of end-stage liver disease, moderate but clinically significant risk of death, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischaemic heart disease over a 16-year follow-up, regardless of the subject's MASLD status. ADGRG1 liver expression mirrors the circulation pattern. Mechanistic insights show that ADGRG1 shifts its transcriptional profile from low expression to upregulation in cells of the fibrotic and inflammatory niche in response to injury. Our study provides a framework for potential mechanisms associated with systemic diseases that facilitates holistic management by stratifying patients with MASLD into subclasses at-risk of extrahepatic manifestations.
Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment care pathways in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Svetlana Degtyareva, Yohhei Hamada, Rebecca F Baggaley, Nasser Hassan, Santino Capocci, Reinout van Crevel, Dorine van Geuns, Robert Miller, Manish Pareek, Anton Pozniak, Molebogeng Xheedha Rangaka, Simon Tiberi, Gerard de Vries, Marc Lipman, James Brown
Journal: European Respiratory Journal (2025)

Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) can reduce TB incidence and mortality in people living with HIV. However, low levels of screening and uptake, poor adherence, and loss to follow-up considerably reduce its effectiveness. We aimed, therefore, to assess the losses within all steps of the screening and treatment cascade. To enhance data generalizibility we included articles which reported the proportion of people living with HIV completing any step of the TPT cascade in low- and high-TB burden countries published before March 2024. Random effects meta-analysis produced pooled estimates of the proportion proceeding to the next step along the cascade. Results were explored through subgroup analyses and meta-regression. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020162396. Data from 368 cohorts containing 2.7 million participants were included. High levels of heterogeneity in outcomes were seen. Most participants were from Africa (80.6%). Isoniazid monotherapy was used for TPT in 92.6% of cohorts, usually for six months. Substantial loss to follow-up was found throughout the treatment cascade with more than one in six patients lost at the following steps: initial screening, immunological testing, treatment start and completion. Treatment regimens lasting four months or less were more likely to be completed than longer ones - 88.4% compared to 61.6%. Our analysis highlights substantial loss to follow-up at multiple steps during the care cascade. This may significantly lower the reported effectiveness of TPT in real-world settings. Research and policy should focus on simplified care pathways and novel, shorter treatment regimens that optimise retention in care.
Causal Concentration-Response Modeling with Continuous Curves and Exposure Error Correction: PM <sub>2.5</sub> and Mortality in the Medicare Cohort
Authors: Joel Schwartz, Yijing Feng, Edgar Castro, Yaguang Wei
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2025)

Many studies have reported associations of PM2.5 with mortality, but fewer at low concentrations, and even fewer using causal modeling or correcting for exposure error bias. None have corrected for the non-representativeness of monitoring locations. We examined the association of PM2.5 with all-cause mortality in the Medicare cohort using a combination of causal modeling, flexible concentration-response modeling, and bias correction for exposure error, while controlling for NO2 and O3 as well as standard confounders. Using monitors not used to fit our PM2.5 model we fitted 72 regression calibration models stratified by season, region, and elevation in the US. We fitted a B-spline with 4 degrees of freedom to the calibrated PM2.5 and fitted separate generalized propensity score models for each spline component using gradient boosting. We also used inverse probability weights to account for the non-representativeness of monitoring locations. Using the generalized propensity scores and the B-splines, we fitted quasi-Poisson models to counts of deaths in each ZIP code-year stratified by race, Medicaid status, and gender. Separate models were fit for participants identifying as Black and as White, and for ZIP codes with higher and lower poverty rates. We fit a model using the original exposure to estimate the extent of exposure error bias. The propensity score analysis achieved good balance for all covariates. Controlling for the propensity scores, we found a concentration-response curve with no evidence of a threshold, and whose confidence interval did not include the null from 4 μg/m3 and upward. There were 223,666,531 person-years of follow-up between the current US EPA standard of 9 μg/m3 and the WHO guideline of 5 μg/m3, and the rate ratio between them was 1.088 (95% CI 1.064, 1.113). Using the original exposure, the rate ratio was 1.076 (95% CI 1.070,1.083). Hence, effects continue below the EPA standard and calibrated estimates of effect were 16% higher. Effects were larger from 8 μg/m3 among participants identifying as Black. The concentration-response curve between air pollution and mortality remains after adjustment for exposure error and using causal models and continues to concentrations below current US EPA and EU standards, and even below WHO guidelines. Exposure error in the original exposure resulted in noticeable downward bias at low concentrations. Persons identifying as Black are more susceptible. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15238.
A State-of-the-Science Review of Long-term Predictions of Climate Change Impacts on Dengue Transmission Risk
Authors: Jahirul Islam, Francesca D Frentiu, Gregor J. Devine, Hilary Bambrick, Wenbiao Hu
Journal: Environmental Health Perspectives (2025)

Climate change is predicted to profoundly impact dengue transmission risk, yet a thorough review of evidence is necessary to refine understanding of climate scenarios, projection periods, spatial resolutions, and modelling approaches. We conducted a State-of-the-Science review to comprehensively understand long-term dengue risk predictions under climate change, identify research gaps, and provide evidence-based guidelines for future studies. We searched three medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) up to December 5, 2024, to extract relevant modelling studies. A priori search strategy, predefined eligibility criteria, and systematic data extraction procedures were implemented to identify and evaluate studies. Of 5,035 studies retrieved, 57 met inclusion criteria. Prediction for dengue risk ranged from 1950-2115, and 52.63% (n = 30) of all studies used Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Specifically, RCP 8.5 (34.94%, n = 29), Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) 2 (32.35%, n = 11), and the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1 (58.33%, n = 7) were utilized the most among all the RCPs, SSPs, and SRES climate change scenarios. Most studies (57.89%, n = 33) used only climatic variables for the prediction, and 21.05% (n = 12) of studies employed fine spatial resolution (≈ 1 km) for the climate data. We identified correlative approach was used mostly across the studies for modelling the future risk (61.40%, n = 35). Among mechanistic models, 35% (n = 7) lacked outcome validation, and 75% (n = 15) did not report model evaluation metrics. We identified the urgent need to strengthen dengue databases, use finer spatial resolutions to integrate big data, and incorporate potential socio-environmental factors such as human movement, vegetation, microclimate, and vector control efficacy in modelling. Utilizing appropriate spatiotemporal models and validation techniques will be crucial for developing functional climate-driven early warning systems for dengue fever. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14463.
Modeling Population-Level Impacts of Cell-Free DNA Screening for Colorectal Cancer in Canada
Authors: John M. Hutchinson, Yibing Ruan, Brendan J. Chia, Carl J. Brown, Robert J. Hilsden, Jonathan M. Loree, Darren R. Brenner
Journal: JAMA Oncology (2025)

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is an emerging approach for colorectal cancer screening that has been approved in the US. The impact of cfDNA testing in the Canadian setting, assuming adherence mirroring prior real-world cfDNA work and assay performance from a Guardant Health study, is unknown. To estimate how cfDNA screening impacts clinical and economic outcomes in Canada compared with existing screening approaches (fecal immunochemical testing [FIT] or colonoscopies). The OncoSim-Colorectal model (version 3.6.5.7) was used to simulate participation, relative effectiveness, and cost of introduction of cfDNA tests every 3 years. A population of 32 million Canadians were simulated and examined for outcomes and costs between 2024 and 2092. Screening with colonoscopy, FIT, or cfDNA. Screen-detected colorectal cancer cases, deaths, health-adjusted person-years, potential years of life lost, and cost of cancer screening and management were examined. Under higher participation, cfDNA detected 393 087 cases of colorectal cancer between 2024 and 2092 compared with 156 009 cases in the FIT scenario, and cfDNA reduced overall mortality by 121 383 deaths compared with current predictions with FIT. Linear regression models indicated that approximately 78% participation with 80% adherence or 69% participation with 100% adherence to cfDNA screening would be required to reduce deaths below the levels achieved by colonoscopy testing. Higher costs were associated with cfDNA testing, where each health-adjusted person-year had a cost of CAD $234.80 (US $164.06), and 0.025 deaths were averted per CAD $100 000 (US $69 874) additional dollars spent compared with FIT testing. When cfDNA testing was modeled with the same participation as FIT testing (43%), there was worse overall population impact (eg, greater number of deaths), emphasizing the importance of high participation for cfDNA testing to improve outcomes. This study suggests that cfDNA testing could result in increased detection of colorectal cancer and reduced mortality if higher participation than reported in previous studies is achieved at the population level. Patient input on acceptance of blood-based vs stool-based screening may help inform real-world implementation.
Eligibility for Cochlear Implant Candidacy Evaluation in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Authors: Johnnie K. Bass, Sarah E. Warren, Sydney G. Dillard, Anna Lawrence Peeples, Kendrick Li, Skye Jones, Chia-Ho Hua, Lu Xie, Siyao Liu, Kirsten K. Ness, Melissa M. Hudson, Gregory T. Armstrong, Celine Richard, Kevin R. Krull
Journal: JAMA Oncology (2025)

This cross-sectional study examines the likelihood of meeting the referral criteria for a cochlear implant and the use of hearing aid among childhood cancer survivors with severe hearing loss.
Use of Nonrecommended Antivirals Among Medicare Beneficiaries With HIV
Authors: Jose F. Figueroa, Dannie Dai, Florence Ebem, Ciara Duggan, Jacqueline Chu, Grace Luu, Jessica Phelan, Rajesh T. Gandhi, E. John Orav, Emily P. Hyle
Journal: JAMA Network Open (2025)

This cross-sectional study examines contemporary evidence on the extent to which Medicare beneficiaries with HIV fill older, more toxic antivirals as part of their antiretroviral therapy.
Reducing Inhaler-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Mansour Alkhunaizi, Nicholas Nassikas, Lauren E. Eggert, Jyothi Tirumalasetty
Journal: JAMA (2025)

This Perspective examines how transitioning from metered-dose inhalers to dry-powder and soft-mist inhalers could reduce inhaler-related emissions, thereby moderating inhalers’ contribution to climate change.
Interpreting Blood Culture Results as Early Guidance for Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Sarah R. Freling, Iman Richie, Daniel Norwitz, Catherine P. Canamar, Josh Banerjee, Kusha Davar, Devin Clark, Brad Spellberg
Journal: JAMA Network Open (2025)

Few bedside tools with defined accuracy have been described that are useful to alter bayesian prior probability for infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with bacteremia. To evaluate the accuracy of simple blood culture parameters to guide pretest probability of IE. This multicenter, retrospective case-control study of blood culture data in adults with IE vs without IE was conducted at 3 acute care public hospitals in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services between December 2018 and August 2022. Patients were individuals aged 18 years or older who had positive blood cultures and met the inclusion criteria, including cases who met the Duke criteria for definite or possible IE, and control cases who did not have concern for endocarditis. Positive blood cultures for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, low-risk Streptococcus species, or high-risk Streptococcus species. The primary outcome was the negative likelihood ratio (LR) of having endocarditis based on the number of positive blood cultures on admission. Positive LRs, evaluation of 2 or more of 4 bottles positive on admission, bacteremia lasting for at least 2 days, and combination groups were secondary outcomes. A total of 252 eligible patients with IE (182 male [72%]; median [IQR] age, 54 [38-65] years), including 164 definite and 88 possible IE cases, and 455 controls (321 male [71%]; median [IQR] age, 53 [41-63] years) were identified. The negative LR point estimates for having IE with only 1 of 4 positive blood culture bottles on admission ranged from 0.05 (95% CI, 0.01-0.37) for E faecalis to 0.12 (95% CI, 0.03-0.49) for methicillin-susceptible S aureus. Sensitivity analysis of cases restricted to definite IE found similar results. Blood culture clearance by day 2 also had modestly helpful negative LRs for methicillin-resistant S aureus (0.24; 95% CI, 0.13-0.42) and Enterococcus species (0.34; 95% CI, 0.21-0.56). If patients had 4 of 4 bottles positive on admission, positive LRs were helpful for Enterococcus species (LR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.53-7.02) and high-risk streptococci (LR, 5.35; 95% CI, 3.39-8.42) and for all organisms with persistent bacteremia (with LRs ranging from 1.78 [95% CI, 1.36-2.34] to 9.60 [95% CI, 3.43-44.60]). If both were true, the positive LRs ranged from 1.63 (95% CI, 1.17-2.28) to 8.59 (95% CI, 3.43-21.55) for all organisms. In this case-control study of patients with and without IE, the number of initial positive blood culture bottles and days to culture clearance were helpful to adjust pretest probability of IE. These findings may help guide diagnostic and therapeutic decisions around bacteremia early during hospitalization.