A conserved switch to less catalytically active Polycomb repressive complexes in non-dividing cells.

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), composed of the core subunits EED, SUZ12, and either EZH1 or EZH2, is critical for maintaining cellular identity in multicellular organisms. PRC2 deposits H3K27me3, which is thought to recruit the canonical form of PRC1 (cPRC1) to promote gene repression. Here, we show that EZH1-PRC2 and cPRC1 are the primary Polycomb complexes on target genes in non-dividing, quiescent cells.

Frailty Screening in Primary Care-Based Memory Clinics: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Findings.

We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of frailty screening using handgrip strength with gait speed measures within four primary care-based memory clinics in Ontario. This mixed methods quality improvement initiative examined the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of frailty screening from the perspective of patients ( = 216), care partners ( = 142), and healthcare providers ( = 9). Frailty screening was well-received by patients and care partners and perceived as quick and easy to administer and integrate into assessment processes by healthcare providers at all four memory clinics.

Short circuit: Transcription factor addiction as a growing vulnerability in cancer.

Core regulatory circuitry refers to the network of lineage-specific transcription factors regulating expression of both their own coding genes, and that of other transcription factors. Such autoregulatory feedback loops coordinate the transcriptome and epigenome during development and cell fate decisions. This circuitry is hijacked during oncogenesis resulting in cancer cell fate being maintained by lineage-specific transcription factors.

Antithrombotic coating with sheltered positive charges prevents contact activation by controlling factor XII-biointerface binding.

Antithrombotic surfaces that prevent coagulation activation without interfering with haemostasis are required for blood-contacting devices. Such materials would restrain device-induced thrombogenesis and decrease the need for anticoagulant use, thereby reducing unwanted bleeding. Here, by optimizing the interactions with coagulation factor XII rather than preventing its surface adsorption, we develop a substrate-independent antithrombotic polymeric coating with sheltered positive charges.

Survivin promotes stem cell competence for skin cancer initiation.

Stem cells (SCs) and not progenitors (Ps) act as cells of origin of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). The mechanisms promoting BCC formation in SCs or restricting tumour development in Ps are currently unknown. In this study, we transcriptionally profiled SCs and Ps and found that Survivin, a pleiotropic factor that promotes cell division and inhibits apoptosis was preferentially expressed in SCs.

Antiphospholipid syndrome, monoclonal gammopathy, and cryoglobulinemia overlap leading to recurrent cutaneous microvascular thrombosis: A case report and retrospective cohort study.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), cryoglobulinemia, and monoclonal gammopathies are variably accompanied by thrombotic complications. We describe a patient with recurrent skin microvascular thrombosis, APS, cryoglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, and IgMκ monoclonal gammopathy, responsive to chemoimmunotherapy. The cryoglobulin fraction contained the IgMκ paraprotein, while antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were predominantly in the cryosupernatant.

Wildlife density estimation by distance sampling: A novel technique with movement compensation.

Estimates of population density are fundamental to wildlife conservation and management. Distance sampling from line transects is a widely used sample count method and is most often analysed using Distance software. However, this method has limited capabilities with mobile populations (e.

Adapting Complicated Grief Therapy for Use With People With Intellectual Disabilities: An Action Research Study.

Background: There is established evidence of complicated grief among people with an intellectual disability. This paper describes the process of adapting complicated grief therapy (CGT) for this population.

Method: Action research documented the adaptation of CGT.

A model-based assessment of social isolation practices for COVID-19 outbreak response in residential care facilities.

Background: Residential aged-care facilities (RACFs, also called long-term care facilities, aged care homes, or nursing homes) have elevated risks of respiratory infection outbreaks and associated disease burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation policies were commonly used in these facilities to prevent and mitigate outbreaks. We refer specifically to general isolation policies that were intended to reduce contact between residents, without regard to confirmed infection status.

Fine particulate matter components associated with exacerbated depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in China.

Growing awareness acknowledges ambient fine particulate matter (PM) as an environmental risk factor for mental disorders, especially among older people. However, there remains limited evidence regarding which specific chemical components of PM may be more detrimental. This nationwide prospective cohort study included 22,126 middle-aged and older adult participants of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2016), to explore the individual and joint associations between long-term exposure to various PM components (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic matter, and black carbon) and depressive symptoms.

"They say they listen. But do they really listen?": A qualitative study of hospital doctors' experiences of organisational deafness, disconnect and denial.

The sharing of information and feedback directly from service-providing staff to healthcare organisational management is vital for organisational culture and service improvement. However, hospital doctors report feeling unable to communicate effectively with management to provide evidence and affect improvement, and this can impact job satisfaction, workplace relations, service delivery and ultimately patient safety. In this paper, we draw on data elicited from a Mobile Instant Messaging Ethnography (MIME) study involving 28 hospital doctors working in Irish hospitals, to explore the barriers preventing them from speaking up and effecting change, and the impact of this on staff morale and services.

"Time is a Big Factor": Aged-Care Workforce Perspectives on Communication Partner Training for Working With Residents With Dementia.

Many individuals who reside in permanent residential aged care (RAC) have a diagnosis of dementia, with the majority experiencing a communication disorder. Existing literature has placed an emphasis on the need for staff to undertake communication partner training. This study aimed to investigate the preferences of RAC staff, and their perceived barriers and facilitators to workplace training.

Modelling the impact of hybrid immunity on future COVID-19 epidemic waves.

Background: Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), there have been multiple waves of infection and multiple rounds of vaccination rollouts. Both prior infection and vaccination can prevent future infection and reduce severity of outcomes, combining to form hybrid immunity against COVID-19 at the individual and population level. Here, we explore how different combinations of hybrid immunity affect the size and severity of near-future Omicron waves.

Bulbar function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): State of art and new challenges. 21st July 2023, Rome, Italy.

Progressive bulbar involvement is frequent in spinal muscular atrophy, with prevalence and severity of deficits associated with type. The report provides an overview of the presentations made at the workshop grouped into 4 sessions: the first section was dedicated to videofluoroscopy with a revision of the existing protocols and discussion on which one should be used in routine clinical practice and in research settings. The second session was dedicated to interprofessional routine assessments of bulbar function, with a review of the recent clinical tools specifically developed for SMA.

Mathematical models of Plasmodium vivax transmission: A scoping review.

Plasmodium vivax is one of the most geographically widespread malaria parasites in the world, primarily found across South-East Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa. One of the significant characteristics of the P. vivax parasite is its ability to remain dormant in the human liver as hypnozoites and subsequently reactivate after the initial infection (i.

Journals must expand access to peer review data.

Empirical studies on peer review bias are primarily conducted by people from privileged groups and with affiliations with the journals studied. Data access is one major barrier to conducting peer review research. Accordingly, we propose pathways to broaden access to peer review data to people from more diverse backgrounds.

Nutritional Strategies to Mitigate Post-Weaning Challenges in Pigs: A Focus on Glucans, Vitamin D, and Selenium.

This review examines the challenges faced by the pig industry, with a specific focus on improving the health and growth of weaned pigs. It emphasizes the immediate necessity of investigating alternative approaches to managing pig nutrition and health due to restrictions on the use of antibiotics and the prohibition of zinc oxide in weaned pig diets. The weaning phase is identified as a critical stage in piglet development, characterized by stressors that affect their gastrointestinal health, immune responses, and overall physiology.

Overview of Risk Factors for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in China.

(1) Background: China has the highest esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) incidence areas in the world, with some areas of incidence over 100 per 100,000. Despite extensive public health efforts, its etiology is still poorly understood. This study aims to review and summarize past research into potential etiologic factors for ESCC in China.

CD248 promotes insulin resistance by binding to the insulin receptor and dampening its insulin-induced autophosphorylation.

Background: In spite of new treatments, the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its morbidities continue to rise. The key feature of T2D is resistance of adipose tissue and other organs to insulin. Approaches to overcome insulin resistance are limited due to a poor understanding of the mechanisms and inaccessibility of drugs to relevant intracellular targets.

Implementation of a Chief Resident Selection Process Designed to Mitigate Bias: Lessons Learned.

Background: Chief residency selection processes are often opaque and beset by bias, which can result in disparities in who is selected for this important role. As a chief residency can lead to future academic and/or leadership positions, efforts to increase diversity in academic medicine and physician leadership may be aided by an inclusive chief resident (CR) selection process designed to mitigate bias.  Objective: To implement and evaluate the acceptability of a CR selection process that is inclusive and designed to mitigate bias.

Rapid prototyping of models for COVID-19 outbreak detection in workplaces.

Early case detection is critical to preventing onward transmission of COVID-19 by enabling prompt isolation of index infections, and identification and quarantining of contacts. Timeliness and completeness of ascertainment depend on the surveillance strategy employed. This paper presents modelling used to inform workplace testing strategies for the Australian government in early 2021.

Use of adapted or modified methods with people with dementia in research: A scoping review.

People with dementia are excluded from research due to methodological challenges, stigma, and discrimination. Including perspectives of people with dementia across a spectrum of abilities is essential to understanding their perspectives and experiences. Engaging people living with dementia in qualitative research can require adaptation of methods.

Individual variation in vaccine immune response can produce bimodal distributions of protection.

The ability for vaccines to protect against infectious diseases varies among individuals, but computational models employed to inform policy typically do not account for this variation. Here we examine this issue: we implement a model of vaccine efficacy developed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 in order to evaluate the general implications of modelling correlates of protection on the individual level. Due to high levels of variation in immune response, the distributions of individual-level protection emerging from this model tend to be highly dispersed, and are often bimodal.