Novel introductions of human-origin H3N2 influenza viruses in swine, Chile.

Influenza A virus (IAV) continuously threatens animal and public health globally, with swine serving as a crucial reservoir for viral reassortment and evolution. In Chile, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes were introduced in the swine population before the H1N1 2009 pandemic, and the H1N1 was introduced from the H1N1pdm09 by successive reverse zoonotic events. Here, we report two novel introductions of IAV H3N2 human-origin in Chilean swine during 2023.

Multi-omic Biomarkers Distinguish Rheumatoid Arthritis in Discordant Monozygotic Twins.

Background: Although genetic factors have been identified in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the concordance rate in monozygotic (MZ) twins is low, suggesting that other features contribute to disease development. Further, the relative contribution of such non-genetic elements in identical twins have not been characterized. Here, we aimed to measure differentiating host and microbial biomarkers of RA by studying MZ twins discordant for disease using a multi-omics approach.

Pilot training for clinical research professionals in using empathy to recognize and respond to implicit bias in research recruitment and retention.

Recruiting and retaining research participants is challenging because it often requires overcoming structural barriers and addressing how histories of mistrust and individuals' lived experiences affect their research engagement. We describe a pilot workshop designed to educate clinical research professionals on using empathy skills to recognize and mitigate bias to improve recruitment and retention. In a post-workshop survey (22/31 participants completed), 94% agreed the workshop helped them practice perspective-taking, recognize implicit bias, and identify opportunities for empathy.

Molecular Detection of Lymph Node Metastases with One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) Pooling in Prostate Cancer: The POPCORN Study.

Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is the most accurate procedure for lymph node (LN) staging in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. LN sectioning and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of at least one slice remains the gold standard for LN evaluation, potentially leading to misdetection of small metastatic focus. Entire LN analysis is possible with One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) by detecting cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA as a surrogate for LN invasion.

Native RNA nanopore sequencing reveals antibiotic-induced loss of rRNA modifications in the A- and P-sites.

The biological relevance and dynamics of mRNA modifications have been extensively studied; however, whether rRNA modifications are dynamically regulated, and under which conditions, remains unclear. Here, we systematically characterize bacterial rRNA modifications upon exposure to diverse antibiotics using native RNA nanopore sequencing. To identify significant rRNA modification changes, we develop NanoConsensus, a novel pipeline that is robust across RNA modification types, stoichiometries and coverage, with very low false positive rates, outperforming all individual algorithms tested.

Indigenous-led struggles for health justice in the context of the climate emergency: insights from Guatemala.

This practice paper reflects on an ongoing Participatory Action Research project that combines community-engaged methods, national data analysis and advocacy to support community-based emergency response to extreme weather events in 16 Indigenous communities in Alta Verapaz province, Guatemala. Our work points to a worrying predicament experienced in climate-affected areas, where some populations face a dangerous confluence of climate vulnerability, social exclusion and state abandonment that imperils human health. Indigenous communities in Alta Verapaz are often particularly vulnerable to health impacts from climate-driven extreme weather events, a reality compounded by the historical and contemporary ways the state marginalises them.

A Pilot Study of Medical Student Opinions on Large Language Models.

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) has long garnered significant interest in the medical field. Large language models (LLMs) have popularized the use of AI for the public through chatbots such as ChatGPT and have become an easily accessible and recognizable medical resource for medical students. Here, we investigate how medical students are currently utilizing LLM-based tools throughout medical education and examine medical student perception of these tools.

Validation of a Urine-Based Proteomics Test to Predict Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer: Complementing mpMRI Pathway.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men. A major clinical need is to accurately predict clinically significant PCa (csPCa). A proteomics-based 19-biomarker model (19-BM) was previously developed using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) and validated in close to 1,000 patients at risk for PCa.

Evaluation of STK17B as a cancer immunotherapy target utilizing highly potent and selective small molecule inhibitors.

Introduction: The serine/threonine kinase 17B (STK17B) is involved in setting the threshold for T cell activation and its absence sensitizes T cells to suboptimal stimuli. Consequently, STK17B represents an attractive potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

Methods: To assess the potential of STK17B as an immuno-oncology target, we developed potent and selective tool compounds from starting points in Blueprint Medicines Corporation's proprietary kinase inhibitor library.

Humoral waning kinetics against SARS-CoV-2 is dictated by disease severity and vaccine platform.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-acquired immunity provides robust cross-variant recognition, while infection-acquired immunity can be heterogenous, with disease severity often modulating post-recovery responses. We assessed antibody waning dynamics between infection- and vaccination-acquired immunity across variants of concern (VOC). mRNA vaccination induced potent, cross-VOC Spike recognition and functional responses, but waned more rapidly for Omicron Spike.

Overview of emerging therapies for demyelinating diseases.

This paper provides an overview of autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system, specifically those caused by demyelination. We explore new research regarding potential therapeutic interventions, particularly those aimed at inducing remyelination. Remyelination is a detailed process, involving many cell types-oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), astrocytes, and microglia-and both the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Modulation of diabetes-related retinal pathophysiology by PTX3.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes characterized by vascular pathology and neuroinflammation. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition molecule that functions at the crossroads between innate immunity, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. DR is known to involve inflammatory pathways, although the potential relevance of PTX3 has not been explored.

The biological activity of bacterial rhamnolipids on Arabidopsis thaliana and the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii is linked to their molecular structure.

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are amphiphilic compounds of bacterial origin that offer a broad range of potential applications as biosurfactants in industry and agriculture. They are reported to be active against different plant pests and pathogens and thus are considered promising candidates for nature-derived plant protection agents. However, as these glycolipids are structurally diverse, little is known about their exact mode of action and, in particular, the relation between molecular structure and biological activity against plant pests and pathogens.