Objective: POLR3B encodes the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase III, which is essential for transcription of small non-coding RNAs. Biallelic pathogenic variants in POLR3B are associated with an inherited hypomyelinating leukodystrophy. Recently, de novo heterozygous variants in POLR3B were reported in six individuals with ataxia, spasticity, and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: With an ageing population the prevalence of dementia increases. A healthcare crisis is looming.
Method: Dementia is a terminal condition.
The population of people in federal custody in Canada is aging. Those in custody report experiencing poorer health and high rates of chronic health conditions. Two health concerns that are disproportionately higher among those in custody are mood disorders and pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) presented a unique set of challenges. There was a global need for safe, effective vaccines against a new virus. In response to the development of vaccines for COVID-19 (some of which used novel technologies), there was a proliferation of no-fault compensation schemes (NFCS) for COVID-19 vaccine injuries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent global declines in bee health have elevated the need for a more complete understanding of the cellular stress mechanisms employed by diverse bee species. We recently uncovered the biomarker lethal (2) essential for life [l(2)efl] genes as part of a shared transcriptional program in response to a number of cell stressors in the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Here, we describe another shared stress-responsive gene, glycine N-methyltransferase (Gnmt), which is known as a key metabolic switch controlling cellular methylation reactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effectiveness of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) in creating single-stranded DNA gaps and inducing sensitivity requires the FANCJ DNA helicase. Yet, how FANCJ relates to PARP1 inhibition or trapping, which contribute to PARPi toxicity, remains unclear. Here, we find PARPi effectiveness hinges on S-phase PARP1 activity, which is reduced in FANCJ deficient cells as G-quadruplexes sequester PARP1 and MSH2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSingle-stranded DNA gaps are postulated to be fundamental to the mechanism of anti-cancer drugs. Gaining insights into their induction could therefore be pivotal for advancing therapeutic strategies. For poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) to be effective, the presence of FANCJ helicase is required.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Children in street situations (those who live or work on the street) are known to face barriers in accessing healthcare.
Methods: The study combined a remote survey with 33 adult non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff members, in-depth interviews with staff members of 11 NGOs and 4 formerly street-connected adult young leaders and a questionnaire with 30 street-connected children from 15 countries participating in the Street Child World Cup event in Qatar in 2022. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns arose about disparate access to health care and laboratory testing. There is limited information about the pandemic's impact on the frequency of diabetic laboratory testing across demographic subgroups (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPropionic acid (PPA) is used to study the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodevelopmental conditions like autism spectrum disorders. PPA is known to disrupt mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, and turnover. However, the effect of PPA on mitochondrial dynamics, fission, and fusion remains challenging to study due to the complex temporal nature of these mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate a pilot education program designed to improve patients' experience of living well with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Methods: Patient Partners with previously implanted ICD and clinicians collaboratively performed monthly education sessions for potential and recent ICD recipients. Curriculum development was informed by current evidence of ICD patients' unique educational needs; delivery format transitioned to a virtual platform following the onset of COVID-19.
Background: Health and care systems are facing unprecedented challenges, exacerbated by wicked issues that have no single solution and are complex to solve. It has recently been suggested that how such systems are structured (ie, in hierarchies) may not be the most effective approach to tackling these issues. Increasing calls have been made for senior leaders within these systems to adopt structures that emphasise leadership as a distributed endeavour as an approach to foster greater collaboration and enhance innovation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains a therapeutic challenge in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The most studied reason for TKI resistance is the acquisition of mutations within the tyrosine kinase domain (KDM) and of which the majority of which occur at seven codons within this region. A case of CML is described in which presence of a rare D363G KDM resulted in a suboptimal response to frontline imatinib.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConotruncal heart defects (CTDs) are heart malformations that affect the cardiac outflow tract and typically cause significant morbidity and mortality. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests that maternal folate intake is associated with a reduced risk of heart defects, including CTD. However, it is unclear if folate-related gene variants and maternal folate intake have an interactive effect on the risk of CTDs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Forensic Leg Med
October 2022
Introduction: The number of older persons in custody is increasing and older incarcerated individuals have higher functional healthcare needs and higher healthcare costs. Consideration of available measures and interventions to address functional decline, are therefore imperative given the importance of disability to healthcare spending.
Purpose: To identify the existing literature describing the functional health needs of older incarcerated individuals.
Background: The objective of this study was to develop guidelines for the transfer of patients with isolated craniomaxillofacial trauma.
Methods: A national, multidisciplinary expert panel was assembled from leadership in national organizations and contributors to published literature on facial reconstruction. The final panel consisted of five plastic surgeons, four otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, and four oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
International research has shown that live sports commentary exhibits racial bias. Specifically, non-White players are more likely to be praised in terms of their physicality, while White players are more likely to be praised in terms of their intellect and character. The current study, which utilised a quantitative content analysis design, examined whether the speech of AFL commentators exhibited racial bias.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEarly-life experiences are critical modifiers of development. An important component of early-life experience is the nature of maternal interactions, which can be modified by stress. During rearing, mothers are typically allocated to single-level cages where they are readily accessible to pups, a potentially stressful scenario not reflective of nature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFN Z Med J
December 2021
The eligibility criteria of the End of Life Choice Act 2019 specify the person must be competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying. The patient must initiate the conversation about assisted dying, and then it is incumbent on health professionals to perform a skilled exploration of the person's suffering and rationale. The legal standards for competence must be met.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.1 (SCN1A) loss-of-function variants cause the severe epilepsy Dravet syndrome, as well as milder phenotypes associated with genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus. Gain of function SCN1A variants are associated with familial hemiplegic migraine type 3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, regulate gene expression and play a role in the development of insulin resistance. This study evaluates how the BMI z-score (BMIz) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), alone or in combination, relate to clinical outcomes and DNA methylation patterns in prepubertal children. DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and clinical outcomes were measured in a cohort of 41 prepubertal children.
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