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- Misiura, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Neuroimaging correlates of Alzheimer's disease biomarker concentrations in a racially diverse high-risk cohort of middle-aged adults
- 2024
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In: ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: In this study, we investigated biomarkers in a midlife, racially diverse, at-risk cohort to facilitate early identification and intervention. We examined neuroimaging measures, including resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), white matter hyperintensity vo (WMH), and hippocampal volumes, alongside cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers. METHODS: Our data set included 76 cognitively unimpaired, middle-aged, Black Americans (N = 29, F/M = 17/12) and Non-Hispanic White (N = 47, F/M = 27/20) individuals. We compared cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated tau141 and amyloid beta (A beta)42 to fMRI default mode network (DMN) subnetwork connectivity, WMH volumes, and hippocampal volumes. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant race x A beta 42 interaction in Black Americans: lower A beta 42 was associated with reduced DMN connectivity and increased WMH volumes regions but not in non-Hispanic White individuals. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that precuneus DMN connectivity and temporal WMHs may be linked to Alzheimer's disease risk pathology during middle age, particularly in Black Americans.
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- Mufwambi, W, et al.
(author)
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Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge of Pharmacogenetics and Attitudes Towards Antimicrobial Utilization in Zambia: Implications for a Precision Medicine Approach to Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in pharmacology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1663-9812. ; 11, s. 551522-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) driven by high rates of antimicrobial utilization. This is a concern as AMR appreciably increases morbidity, mortality and costs. Pharmacogenetics (PGx) and precision medicine are emerging approaches to combat AMR. Consequently, as a first step there is a need to assess AMR knowledge and attitudes, and knowledge of PGx, among healthcare professionals and use the findings to guide future interventions.Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 304 healthcare professionals at tertiary hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze relationships among latent variables.Results: Overall correctness of answers concerning AMR among healthcare professionals was 60.4% (7/11). Knowledge of pharmacogenetics was low (38%). SEM showed that high AMR knowledge score correlated with a positive attitude toward combating AMR (p < 0.001). Pharmacists had relatively higher AMR knowledge scores (mean = 7.67, SD = 1.1), whereas nurses had lower scores (mean = 5.57, SD = 1.9). A minority of respondents [31.5% (n = 95)] indicated that poor access to local antibiogram data promoted AMR, with the majority [56.5% (n = 190)] responding that poor adherence to prescribed antimicrobials can lead to AMR. Pharmacists had the highest scores for attitude (mean = 5.60, SD = 1.6) whereas nurses had the lowest scores (mean = 4.02, SD = 1.4).Conclusion: AMR knowledge and attitudes, as well as knowledge on PGx among healthcare professionals in Zambia, is sub-optimal and has the potential to affect the uptake of precision medicine approaches to reduce AMR rates. Educational and positive behavioral change interventions are required to address this and in future, we will be seeking to introduce these to improve the use of antimicrobials.
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