In adults, a diet low in sodium and high in potassium helps reduce blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease(1). Whether this same relationship exists among children is less clear. There is some evidence to indicate that reducing sodium intake is favourable for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels across childhood(2). However, it is not clear how sodium intake during childhood influences blood pressure and whether sex or body mass index moderates any effects. The effects of potassium intake and the sodium-to-potassium ratio on children’s blood pressure have been generally inconsistent(3). It is important to understand the relationship between sodium and potassium on childhood blood pressure as elevated blood pressure across childhood increases the risk of future hypertension and target organ damage(4). Few studies in children have utilised the 24-hour urinary electrolyte excretion, an objective measure, of sodium intake. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between 24-hour urinary sodium, potassium and sodium-to-potassium molar ratio and blood pressure among Australian schoolchildren aged 4–12 years; and if these associations were moderated by body weight or sex. Data from 793 children who participated in the Salt and Other Nutrient Intakes in Children study were included in this analysis. Children recruited from primary schools (n = 61) located across the state of Victoria provided one 24-hour urine collection, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Blood pressure z-scores standardised for age, sex and height were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis, with adjustment for covariates (age, sex, socioeconomic position and weight category), was conducted. Body weight (underweight/healthy weight, overweight and obese) and sex subgroup analyses, including interaction terms were completed. Mean (SD) sodium excretion was 2386 (1046) (SD) mg/d and 72% of children exceeded the recommended upper level for sodium intake. Mean (SD) potassium excretion was 1796 (675) mg/d and the sodium-to-potassium molar ratio was 2.4 (1.1). Eighteen percent of children had elevated blood pressure. Overall, there were no associations between 24-hour sodium or potassium excretion and blood pressure in adjusted regression models. However, there was a significant positive association between sodium excretion and systolic blood pressure z-score in children with obesity (b-coefficient 0.70 [95% CI 0.05, 1.33], p = 0.04, n = 23) and among girls (b-coefficient 0.09 [95% CI 0.01, 0.17], p = 0.02, n = 365). We found a positive association between 24-hr urinary excretion and SBP in girls and children living with obesity, providing further support to the hypothesis that body weight is a moderator of this relationship through heightened salt sensitivity. Public health interventions aiming to reduce elevated blood pressure during childhood are likely to be most effective by reducing sodium intake in conjunction with promoting healthy weight.

Objectives/Goals: Knowledge about predictive factors for immune-related endocrinopathies can help identify appropriate populations for specific screening approaches, provide recommendations for ICI therapy selection, guide clinical monitoring strategies to improve patient outcomes, and guide research efforts to provide equitable healthcare for all patients. Methods/Study Population: This is an analysis of the demographic and clinical data available of patients from DiRECT Cohort, a longitudinal study that prospectively follows adult cancer patients who self-identify as Black or White and undergo anti-PD-(L)1 ICI therapy. Endocrinopathies were graded using the CTCAE criteria. Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the incidence within the first year of treatment. Bivariate analysis (Chi-square and log-rank test) examined the associations between patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and endocrinopathies. Results/Anticipated Results: Among 955 patients, 13.20% developed endocrinopathies of any grade, most commonly hyper-/hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency, and 5.97% were at grade ≥2. Younger age (7.59% in age 30 vs. 4.72% in BMI ≤30, p = 0.022) showed significant associations. No significant difference was found in the incidence of grade ≥2 endocrinopathies by race (13.3 % in White and 10.79% in Black patients, p = 0.732). No association was found with cancer stage or comorbidities. Discussion/Significance of Impact: ICIs can lead to (irAEs). Endocrinopathies are a common type of irAEs, presenting a unique challenge. However, the current literature lacks real-time data and a comprehensive comparative analysis of variables like race. Identifying and understanding these variables ensures equatable access to safe and effective healthcare for all patients.

This paper explores the intersection of physical health and recovery-oriented approaches in psychosis, offering a unique perspective through autoethnography. By combining personal experience with a broader analysis of existing mental health frameworks, the paper highlights the often overlooked importance of physical health in the recovery process for individuals with psychosis. The autoethnographic narrative reveals the complex challenges posed by antipsychotic medications, including weight gain and metabolic complications, and their impact on overall well-being. It emphasizes the dual stigma of mental health challenges and weight gain, highlighting the need for a more integrated, holistic approach to mental health care. Recommendations include enhanced education for healthcare providers, personalized care plans, and a multidisciplinary approach aimed at bridging the gap between physical and mental health in psychosis recovery.

NASA’s all-sky survey mission, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), is specifically engineered to detect exoplanets that transit bright stars. Thus far, TESS has successfully identified approximately 400 transiting exoplanets, in addition to roughly 6 000 candidate exoplanets pending confirmation. In this study, we present the results of our ongoing project, the Validation of Transiting Exoplanets using Statistical Tools (VaTEST). Our dedicated effort is focused on the confirmation and characterisation of new exoplanets through the application of statistical validation tools. Through a combination of ground-based telescope data, high-resolution imaging, and the utilisation of the statistical validation tool known as TRICERATOPS, we have successfully discovered eight potential super-Earths. These planets bear the designations: TOI-238b (1.61$^{+0.09} _{-0.10}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-771b (1.42$^{+0.11} _{-0.09}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-871b (1.66$^{+0.11} _{-0.11}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-1467b (1.83$^{+0.16} _{-0.15}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-1739b (1.69$^{+0.10} _{-0.08}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-2068b (1.82$^{+0.16} _{-0.15}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-4559b (1.42$^{+0.13} _{-0.11}$ R$_\oplus$), and TOI-5799b (1.62$^{+0.19} _{-0.13}$ R$_\oplus$). Among all these planets, six of them fall within the region known as ‘keystone planets’, which makes them particularly interesting for study. Based on the location of TOI-771b and TOI-4559b below the radius valley we characterised them as likely super-Earths, though radial velocity mass measurements for these planets will provide more details about their characterisation. It is noteworthy that planets within the size range investigated herein are absent from our own solar system, making their study crucial for gaining insights into the evolutionary stages between Earth and Neptune.

We recently reported on the radio-frequency attenuation length of cold polar ice at Summit Station, Greenland, based on bi-static radar measurements of radio-frequency bedrock echo strengths taken during the summer of 2021. Those data also allow studies of (a) the relative contributions of coherent (such as discrete internal conducting layers with sub-centimeter transverse scale) vs incoherent (e.g. bulk volumetric) scattering, (b) the magnitude of internal layer reflection coefficients, (c) limits on signal propagation velocity asymmetries (‘birefringence’) and (d) limits on signal dispersion in-ice over a bandwidth of ~100 MHz. We find that (1) attenuation lengths approach 1 km in our band, (2) after averaging 10 000 echo triggers, reflected signals observable over the thermal floor (to depths of ~1500 m) are consistent with being entirely coherent, (3) internal layer reflectivities are ≈–60$\to$–70 dB, (4) birefringent effects for vertically propagating signals are smaller by an order of magnitude relative to South Pole and (5) within our experimental limits, glacial ice is non-dispersive over the frequency band relevant for neutrino detection experiments.

Background: Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) include fatigue, dyspnea, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Few studies have explored the prevalence or presentation of PASC among nursing home (NH) residents. Method: A case–control study was conducted at 1 NH in Michigan in December 2021. Cases were defined as residents with SARS-CoV-2 infection between November 2, 2020, and October 8, 2021. Controls lived at the same NH during this interval and never tested positive for SARS CoV-2. Patient characteristics were compared between cases and controls using the Fisher exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Primary outcomes were functional decline, cognition, and adverse health outcomes. Outcomes were assessed by comparing measures on last observation to observations before COVID-19 diagnosis (cases) or to earliest observation (controls). Multivariable logistic regression assessed correlation between COVID-19 diagnosis and outcomes. Results: In total, 152 residents were identified for inclusion (147 included in final analyses, 76 cases, 71 controls); 5 were excluded due to insufficient data. We collected the following resident characteristics: 66% were aged ≥80 years; 73% were female; 95% were non-Hispanic white; 82% were long-stay residents; median of 3 comorbidities (IQR, 2–4). The mean number of follow-up observations was 2.60 (SD, 1.25). No significant differences in population characteristics were detected between cases and controls. Moreover, 106 patients (46 cases and 60 controls) had at least 1 follow-up visit and were thus included in the analyses to evaluate long-term outcomes. Among them, cases experienced significant declines in completing transfers (OR 5.65, p Conclusions: Nursing home residents with COVID-19 are more likely to enter hospice and have a higher mortality rate in the year following infection. Survivors experience significant functional decline in basic activities of daily living, specifically in the ability to transfer and dress. Larger studies are needed to further characterize our findings and to design interventions that can help overcome these long-term sequelae from COVID-19.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Chronic inflammation is known to be a predominant factor in the development of many age-related conditions including CVD, type II diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that during the ageing process there is an increase in inflammatory biomarkers, which may be partially brought about by detrimental changes in the gut microbiota. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity (PA) are protective against inflammation and chronic disease, and emerging evidence has shown that these effects may be partially mediated through favourable changes in the gut microbiota. In this review, we have evaluated the published literature on the effect of a MedDiet and PA on the gut microbiota. We also discuss the relationship between the gut microbiota and inflammation with a focus on healthy ageing. While inconsistent study designs make forming definitive conclusions challenging, the current evidence suggests that both a MedDiet and PA are capable of modifying the gut microbiota in a way that is beneficial to host health. For example, the increases in the relative abundance of SCFA producing bacteria that are considered to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Modification of the gut microbiota through a MedDiet and PA presents as a potential method to attenuate age-related increases in inflammation, and additional studies utilising older individuals are needed to fill the knowledge gaps existing in current literature.

Background: The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical intervention in preventing the spread of transmission-based infections in healthcare settings. However, contamination of the skin and clothing of healthcare personnel (HCP) frequently occurs during the doffing of PPE. In fact, nearly 40% of HCP make errors while doffing their PPE, causing them to contaminate themselves. PPE monitors are staff that help to promote their colleagues’ safety by guiding them through the PPE donning and doffing processes. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the UNC Medical Center chose to incorporate PPE monitors as part of its comprehensive COVID-19 prevention strategy, using them in inpatient areas (including COVID-19 containment units and all other units with known or suspected SARS-CoV-2–positive patients), procedural areas, and outpatient clinics. Methods: Infection prevention and nursing developed a PPE monitoring team using redeployed staff from outpatient clinics and inpatient areas temporarily closed because of the pandemic. Employee training took place online and included fundamentals of disease transmission, hand hygiene basics, COVID-19 policies and signage, and videos on proper donning and doffing, including coaching tips. The monitors’ first shifts were supervised by experienced monitors to continue in-place training. Employees had competency sheets signed off by a supervisor. Results: The Medical Center’s nursing house supervisors took over management and deployment of the PPE monitoring team, and infection prevention staff continued to train new members. Eventually, as closed clinics and areas reopened and these PPE monitors returned to their regular positions, areas used their own staff to perform the role of PPE monitor. In the fall of 2020, a facility-wide survey was sent to all inpatient staff to assess their perceptions of the Medical Center’s efforts to protect them from acquiring COVID-19. It included a question asking how much staff agreed or disagreed that PPE monitors “play an important role in keeping our staff who care for COVID-19 patients safe.” Of the 626 staff who answered this question, 67.6% agreed or strongly agreed that PPE monitors played an important role in keeping staff safe. Thus far, there has been no direct transmission or clusters of COVID-19 involving HCP in COVID-19 containment units with PPE monitors. Conclusions: PPE monitors are an important part of a comprehensive COVID-19 prevention strategy. In early 2021, the UNC Medical Center posted and hired paid PPE monitor positions to continue this critical work in a sustainable way.

Funding: No

Disclosures: None

Each year our Clinical and Translational Science Award pilot projects program awards approximately $500,000 in translational pilot funding to advance health in South Texas. We identified needs to improve the timeliness, transparency, and efficiency of the review process by surveying applicants. Lean six sigma methodologies, following a “Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control” approach, were used to streamline the pilot project application and review by identifying and removing bottlenecks from process flows. We evaluated the impact of our reorganized review process by surveying applicants and reviewers. Process mapping identified pilot project review as the main source of delay, leading to the implementation of a study section-style review mechanism. After one cycle, 90.3% of pilot applicants and 100% of reviewers were highly satisfied with the new processes and time to award notice was reduced by 2 months. All reviewers familiar with both review processes preferred the study section. We demonstrated how lean six sigma, a methodology not commonly applied in research administration, can be used to evaluate processes in translational science in academic health centers. Through our efforts, we were able to improve timeliness, transparency, and efficiency of the review process.