Impact of a Virtual Reality Intervention on Stigma, Empathy, and Attitudes Toward Patients With Psychotic Disorders Among Mental Health Care Professionals: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Previous studies have found that psychotic disorders are among the most stigmatized mental disorders. Of note, virtual reality (VR) interventions have been associated with improvements in attitudes and empathy and reduced stigma toward individuals with psychotic disorders, especially among undergraduates, but this has not been examined among mental health care professionals.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed VR intervention for mental health care professionals to improve attitudes and empathy and reduce stigma toward people with psychotic disorders.

The first engkabang jantong () genome survey data.

The engkabang jantong () is one of the most indispensable tree species for reforestation due to its high survival rate and rapid growth rate. Due to relatively low genetic interest of this tree species, its genomic landscape has since faced scarcity, impeding our further elucidation on genes that are involved in expressing its aforementioned superior properties. In this study, we performed genome survey and microsatellite analysis of engkabang jantong.

Optogenetic control of Protein Kinase C-epsilon activity reveals its intrinsic signaling properties with spatiotemporal resolution.

The regulation of PKC epsilon (PKCepsilon) and its downstream effects is still not fully understood, making it challenging to develop targeted therapies or interventions. A more precise tool that enables spatiotemporal control of PKCepsilon activity is thus required. Here, we describe a photo-activatable optogenetic PKCepsilon probe (Opto-PKCepsilon) consisting of an engineered PKCepsilon catalytic domain and a blue-light inducible dimerization domain.

Using Zebrafish Models to Study Epitranscriptomic Regulation of CNS Functions.

Epitranscriptomic regulation of cell functions involves multiple post-transcriptional chemical modifications of coding and non-coding RNA that are increasingly recognized in studying human brain disorders. Although rodent models are presently widely used in neuroepitranscriptomic research, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a useful and promising alternative model species. Mounting evidence supports the importance of RNA modifications in zebrafish CNS function, providing additional insights into epitranscriptomic mechanisms underlying a wide range of brain disorders.

Diabetic foot ulcer in the Western Pacific Region: Current data on ulceration rates and microbial profiles, gaps and charting strategies.

The Western Pacific Region hosts the largest proportion of people with diabetes. Despite being a key diabetes-related complication, diabetic foot ulcer has been neglected in both prevention and treatment efforts. This narrative review highlights available data on the burden (either prevalence or incidence), as well as microbial profiles of diabetic foot ulcers in the Western Pacific Region, identifies data gaps, and discusses strategies to address these gaps.