Physical activity and tobacco smoking in the German adult population.

Background: Physical inactivity and tobacco smoking remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Germany, smoking prevalence is high at around 30%, and only 45% achieve the WHO recommendation for physical activity (PA). Understanding how smoking and physical inactivity co-occur can inform interventions targeting these behaviours.

Vascular Disturbances of the Skin in Critically Ill Patients: Lines, Dots, Patches.

When an understanding of pathogenesis exists, skin lesions that have the appearance of blood in the skin can provide insight into the mechanisms leading to a systemic process that results in cutaneous manifestations. Of the vascular disturbances of the skin that occur in critically ill patients, some result from a non-hemorrhagic process while occurs represent bleeding into the skin. The lesions of livedo, petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses can be approached from such a perspective.

Genome-wide identification of bacterial genes contributing to nucleus-forming jumbo phage infection.

The Chimalliviridae family of bacteriophages (phages) form a proteinaceous nucleus-like structure during infection of their bacterial hosts. This phage 'nucleus' compartmentalises phage DNA replication and transcription, and shields the phage genome from DNA-targeting defence systems such as CRISPR-Cas and restriction-modification. Their insensitivity to DNA-targeting defences makes nucleus-forming jumbo phages attractive for phage therapy.

Hospital-level variation in cardiac rehabilitation metrics.

Background: To inform the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) care nationwide at the hospital level, we described hospital-level variation in CR metrics, overall and stratified by the hospital's tier of cardiac care provided.

Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis used Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) data (2018-2020), Parts A and B, and American Hospital Association (AHA) data (2018). We included beneficiaries with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in 2018, aged ≥65 years, and continuously enrolled in a FFS plan.

Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defense system.

Zorya is a recently identified and widely distributed bacterial immune system that protects bacteria from viral (phage) infections. Three Zorya subtypes have been discovered, each containing predicted membrane-embedded ZorAB complexes paired with soluble subunits that differ among Zorya subtypes, notably ZorC and ZorD in type I Zorya systems. Here, we investigate the molecular basis of Zorya defense using cryo-electron microscopy, mutagenesis, fluorescence microscopy, proteomics, and functional studies.

Paying the price: Financial hardship and its association with psychological distress among different population groups in the midst of Great Britain's cost-of-living crisis.

Background: Great Britain has been experiencing a cost-of-living crisis since late 2021, with the cost of everyday essentials rising more quickly than the average household income. This study provides up-to-date information on levels of subjective and objective financial hardship during this crisis, differences across population subgroups, and associations with psychological distress.

Methods: We used data from a representative cross-sectional survey of adults (≥16 y) in Great Britain (n = 7,027) conducted January-March 2023.

A dose escalation study to evaluate the safety of an aerosol BCG infection in previously BCG-vaccinated healthy human UK adults.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death worldwide from a single infectious agent. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only licensed vaccine, provides limited protection. Controlled human infection models (CHIMs) are useful in accelerating vaccine development for pathogens with no correlates of protection; however, the need for prolonged treatment makes an unethical challenge agent.

Childhood-onset lupus nephritis is characterized by complex interactions between kidney stroma and infiltrating immune cells.

Children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of developing kidney disease, termed childhood-onset lupus nephritis (cLN). Single-cell transcriptomics of dissociated kidney tissue has advanced our understanding of LN pathogenesis, but loss of spatial resolution prevents interrogation of in situ cellular interactions. Using a technical advance in spatial transcriptomics, we generated a spatially resolved, single-cell resolution atlas of kidney tissue from eight patients with cLN and four control individuals.

Effectiveness of the Offer of the Smoke Free Smartphone App Compared With No Intervention for Smoking Cessation: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Digital technologies offer the potential for low-cost, scalable delivery of interventions to promote smoking cessation.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the offer of Smoke Free-an evidence-informed, widely used app-for smoking cessation versus no support.

Methods: In this 2-arm randomized controlled trial, 3143 motivated adult smokers were recruited online between August 2020 and April 2021 and randomized to receive an offer of the Smoke Free app plus follow-up (intervention arm) versus follow-up only (comparator arm).

Innovations in Hyperpigmentation.

Photoprotection remains the foundation of treatment for all dyschromias and cosmetic camouflage as it provides concealment of pigmentation until therapeutic agents are effective. Innovations in the treatment of dyschromias encompass topical, systemic, and procedural modalities.

Weight control efforts and practices and health professional advice: a cross-sectional national survey in England.

Objectives: There is evidence that general practitioners (GPs) can increase the uptake of weight management programmes that enhance weight loss compared with self-directed efforts, but the rate at which they do so is unclear. This study examined the prevalence of weight control efforts and practices, the reported frequency and impact of receipt of GP advice on weight loss attempts and perceptions of the appropriateness of health professionals delivering weight loss advice.

Design: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey.

Australian mosquitoes are competent vectors for Japanese encephalitis virus genotype IV.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is transmitted by species of mosquitoes. In 2022, JEV belonging to a previously unrecognized lineage of genotype IV (GIV) caused a major outbreak of JE in South-eastern Australia, resulting in human cases and affecting piggeries. has previously been implicated as the major vector of JEV in northern Australia where the virus has circulated since its first detection in 1995.

Longitudinal Outcomes: Student Perceptions of a Third-Party-Resource-Based Pre-matriculation Module.

Medical school is grueling. Students are required to learn large amounts of subject matter in short periods of time, while also participating in extra-curricular activities to become well-prepared and future residents. While many third-party resources can aid students in navigating the curriculum, the process of assessing and selecting these tools can be time-consuming and frustrating.