63 times the rate of meningitis as non-IBD comparators. After adjusting for relevant covariates among those with IBD, treatment with mesalamine was associated with a significantly lower odds of a meningitis claim (odds ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.62). Having at least one comorbidity was associated with a significantly higher odds of a meningitis claim (odds ratio 2.21, 95% confidence interval 1.76-2.77). Conclusions Although the overall rate of meningitis is low, IBD patients are at an increased risk compared with non-IBD comparators. Comorbidities are a risk factor for meningitis in IBD patients. Pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccinations should be discussed.With regard to tobacco cessation, persons living with HIV (PLWH) are an underserved population, given the high prevalence of use and lack of evidence-based cessation programs tailored to this population. This study examined barriers and facilitators to tobacco use and cessation among PLWH in southern Brazil. We interviewed a total of 36 PLWH 26 current smokers, of whom eight had a previous diagnosis of pulmonary TB, and 10 former smokers. Motivations for smoking included anxiety relief, social influence, and habitual behaviors. Motivations to quit included bad smell/taste and consequences/symptoms. Barriers to cessation included cost of pharmacological aids, distance to treatment, and reluctance to seek tobacco cessation services at the public primary care clinics due to confidentiality concerns. Participants favored individual or group interventions, no-cost pharmacologic aids, and assured confidentiality. There are specific contextual factors associated with tobacco cessation among PLWH in Brazil, which have important clinical, research, and policy implications.In recent years, the Philippines has seen significant increases in the uptake of HIV testing services (HTSs) but considerably lags in achieving the 2030 goal of achieving 90% of the people knowing their HIV status. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of the Health Belief Model, using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), in identifying factors that affect the intentions of Filipino men who have sex with men to seek and get tested for HIV. A sample of 471 Filipino men who have sex with men completed the web-based survey. The mean age of the participants was 25.93 years (SD = 6.02), with a majority reporting having been tested at least once (n = 349; 74.10%) and planning to follow-up with HTS providers in 3 months (73.4%; n = 386). The final model was identified that predicted HTS utilization (R = 0.08); self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and benefits were most predictive of HTS utilization. The model produced may be useful in identifying gaps in HTS program planning and implementation.Background Foreign-born women have heavier infants than US-born women, but it is unclear whether this advantage persists across generations for all races and ethnicities. Methods Using 1971-2015 Florida birth records, we linked records of female infants within families to assess intergenerational changes in birthweight and prevalence of low birthweight by grandmother’s race, ethnicity and foreign-born status. We also assessed educational gradients in low birthweight in two generations. Results Compared to daughters of US-born black women, daughters of foreign-born black women had substantially higher birthweights (3,199 v. 3,083 grams) and lower prevalence of low birthweight (7.8% v. 11.8%). Daughters of foreign-born Hispanic women had moderately higher birthweights (3,322 v. 3,268 grams) and lower prevalence of low birthweight (4.5% v. 6.2%) than daughters of US-born Hispanic women. In the next generation, a Hispanic foreign-origin advantage persisted in low birthweight prevalence (6.1% v. 7.2%), but the corresponding black foreign-origin advantage was almost eliminated (12.2% v. 13.1%). Findings were robust to adjustment for sociodemographic and medical risk factors. In contrast to patterns for other women, the prevalence of low birthweight varied little by maternal education for foreign-born black women. However, a gradient emerged among their US-born daughters. Conclusions The convergence of birthweight between descendants of foreign-born and US-born black women is consistent with theories positing that lifetime exposure to discrimination and socioeconomic inequality is associated with adverse health outcomes for black women. The emergence of a distinct educational gradient in low birthweight prevalence between generations underscores hypothesized adverse effects of multiple dimensions of disadvantage.L-Theanine, found in green tea leaves has been shown to positively affect immunity and relaxation in humans. There have been many attempts to produce L-theanine through enzymatic synthesis to overcome the limitations of traditional methods. Among the many genes coding for enzymes in the L-theanine biosynthesis, glutamylmethylamide synthetase (GMAS) exhibits the greatest possibility of producing large amounts of production. Thus, GMAS from Methylovorus mays No. 9 was overexpressed in several strains including vectors with different copy numbers. BW25113(DE3) cells containing the pET24magmas was selected for strains. The optimal temperature, pH, and metal ion concentration were 50°C, 7, and 5 mM MnCl2, respectively. Additionally, ATP was found to be an important factor for producing high concentration of L-theanine so several strains were tested during the reaction for ATP regeneration. Bakers yeast was found to decrease the demand for ATP most effectively. Addition of potassium phosphate source was demonstrated by producing 4-fold higher L-theanine. To enhance the conversion yield, GMAS was additionally overexpressed in the system. A maximum of 198 mM L-theanine was produced with 16.5 mmol/l/h productivity. The whole-cell reaction involving GMAS has greatest potential for scale-up production of L-theanine.Self-sufficient P450s, due to their fused nature, are the most effective tools for electron transfer to activate C-H bonds. They catalyze the oxygenation of fatty acids at different omega positions. Here, two new, self-sufficient cytochrome P450s, named CYP102A15 and CYP102A170, from polar Bacillus sp. PAMC 25034 and Paenibacillus sp. PAMC 22724, respectively, were cloned and expressed in E. coli. The genes are homologues of CYP102A1 from Bacillus megaterium. They catalyzed the hydroxylation of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ranging in length from C12-C20, with a moderately diverse profile compared to other members of the CYP102A subfamily. Apamin chemical structure CYP102A15 exhibited the highest activity toward linoleic acid with Km 15.3 μM, and CYP102A170 showed higher activity toward myristic acid with Km 17.4 μM. CYP10A170 also hydroxylated the Eicosapentaenoic acid at ω-1 position only. Various kinetic parameters of both monooxygenases were also determined.