A novel translational bioinformatics framework for facilitating multimodal data analyses in preclinical models of neurological injury.

Pediatric neurological injury and disease is a critical public health issue due to increasing rates of survival from primary injuries (e.g., cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury) and a lack of monitoring technologies and therapeutics for treatment of secondary neurological injury.

Special series on Impact of Real-Life Environmental Exposures on Reproduction.

Environmental exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), air pollution, biosolids, fracking materials, some pharmaceutical agents, and heat stress adversely affect reproductive health and exert long-ranging effects on maternal, paternal, and child health (Gore et al. 2015; Brehm & Flaws 2019; Gonsioroski et al. 2020; Peretz et al.

Placental and immune cell DNA methylation reference panel for bulk tissue cell composition estimation in epidemiological studies.

To distinguish DNA methylation (DNAm) from cell proportion changes in whole placental villous tissue research, we developed a robust cell type-specific DNAm reference to estimate cell composition. We collated new and existing cell type DNAm profiles quantified via Illumina EPIC or 450k microarrays. To estimate cell composition, we deconvoluted whole placental samples ( = 36) with robust partial correlation based on the top 30 hyper- and hypomethylated sites identified per cell type.

Reproductive Health in Trans and Gender Diverse Patients.

Worldwide, approximately 4.5% of adults identify as transgender or gender diverse (TGD), with up to 8.4% of youth identifying as TGD (Scheim et al 2024), suggesting that the number of TGD patients reaching reproductive age is increasing.

Characterizing DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation in Cord Blood and Identifying Sex-Specific Differences using the Illumina EPIC Array.

DNA methylation, an epigenetic mark, has become a common outcome in epidemiological studies with the aid of affordable and reliable technologies. Yet the most widespread technique used to assess methylation, bisulfite conversion, does not allow for the differentiation of regular DNA methylation (5-mC) and other cytosine modifications, like that of hydroxymethylation (5-hmC). As both 5-mC and 5-hmC have distinct biological roles, sometimes with opposing effects, it is crucial to understand the difference between these marks.

Microbial Dynamics in Periodontal Regeneration: Understanding Microbiome Shifts and the Role of Antifouling and Bactericidal Materials: A Narrative Review.

Periodontal regeneration is a multifaceted therapeutic approach to restore the tooth-supporting structures lost due to periodontal diseases. This manuscript explores the intricate interactions between regenerative therapies and the oral microbiome, emphasizing the critical role of microbial balance in achieving long-term success. While guided tissue regeneration (GTR), bone grafting, and soft tissue grafting offer promising outcomes in terms of tissue regeneration, these procedures can inadvertently alter the oral microbial ecosystem, potentially leading to dysbiosis or pathogenic recolonization.

Developmental programming: Preconceptional and gestational exposure of sheep to biosolids on offspring ovarian dynamics.

Developmental exposure to environmental chemicals (ECs) perturbs establishment and maintenance of the ovarian reserve across the reproductive lifetime, leading to premature follicle depletion and ovarian aging. Considering humans are exposed to a complex mixture of ECs, real-life models assessing their cumulative impact on the ovarian reserve are needed. Biosolids is a source of real-life mixture of ECs.

The impact of the Khartoum war on dental education.

The relentless conflict in Khartoum has severely crippled higher education, especially in specialized fields like dental education. The war has wreaked havoc on academic schedules, severely damaging infrastructure, and creating an atmosphere of pervasive uncertainty and stress for students and faculty alike. Academic continuity has been shattered, with courses and training programs facing frequent disruptions, leaving students struggling to complete their studies and gain essential practical experience.

Amplitude spectrum area is dependent on the electrocardiogram magnitude: evaluation of different normalization approaches.

Amplitude Spectrum Area (AMSA) of the electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform during ventricular fibrillation (VF) has shown promise as a predictor of defibrillation success during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, AMSA relies on the magnitude of the ECG waveform, raising concerns about reproducibility across different settings that may introduce magnitude bias. This study aimed to evaluate different AMSA normalization approaches and their impact on removing bias while preserving predictive value.

Protocol for a randomized comparative effectiveness trial comparing a very low-carbohydrate diet to DASH diet for polycystic ovary syndrome: the SUPER (Supporting Understanding of PCOS Education and Research) trial.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder for women of reproductive age, is associated with increased risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Current PCOS treatments insufficiently address the spectrum and severity of the disorder, and there is little evidence-based guidance available for lifestyle management of PCOS, especially through nutritional approaches. Some evidence shows that a very low-carbohydrate diet can improve glucose control compared to low-fat or moderate-carbohydrate diets, leading to improved glucose control and insulin levels that may help to treat symptoms of PCOS.

In-utero exposure to real-life environmental chemicals disrupts gene expression within the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis of prepubertal and adult rams.

Environmental chemicals (ECs) have been associated with a broad range of disorders and diseases. Daily exposure to various ECs in the environment, or real-life exposure, has raised significant public health concerns. Utilizing the biosolids-treated pasture (BTP) sheep model, this study demonstrates that in-utero exposure to a real-life EC mixture disrupts hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis gene expression and reproductive traits in prepubertal (8-week-old, 8w) and adult (11-month-old) male sheep.

A New Purpose to Old Arsenal: Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of a New Regimen Comprising a Combination of Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Cetrimide for Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common scalp condition affecting the quality of life of individuals across all age groups. The uninhibited proliferation of and enhanced sebaceous gland activity often leads to scalp flaking, mild erythema, and itching, thereby worsening the situation. Here, we aimed to study the efficacy of an antiseptic liquid as a pre-shampoo rinse followed by a non-anti-dandruff shampoo as a dandruff care strategy.

Early pregnancy serum PFAS are associated with alterations in the maternal lipidome.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in the blood of humans and animals worldwide. Exposure to some PFAS are associated with multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. Existing literature has identified a strong association with PFAS exposure and metabolic dysfunction in humans, including modification of lipid metabolism.

Association of Salivary Vitamin D and Vitamin C Levels with Dental Caries in Children: A Cross-sectional Study.

Aim: Dental caries is a prevalent chronic disease affecting children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the association between dental caries and salivary levels of vitamin D and vitamin C in children.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted at RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, in children between the ages of 4 and 12 years, with a sample of 60 children divided into study and control groups based on the presence or absence of dental caries.

Reproductive Health in Trans and Gender Diverse Patients: Effects of transmasculine gender-affirming hormone therapy on future reproductive capacity: clinical data, animal models, and gaps in knowledge.

In Brief: Animal studies are needed to inform clinical guidance on the effects of testosterone gender-affirming hormone therapy (T-GAHT) on fertility. This review summarizes current animal models of T-GAHT and identifies gaps in knowledge for future study.

Abstract: Testosterone gender affirming hormone therapy (T-GAHT) is frequently used by transgender and gender-diverse individuals assigned female at birth to establish masculinizing characteristics.

Reproductive neuroendocrine defects programmed by prenatal testosterone treatment between gestational days 60-90 are amplified by postnatal obesity in sheep.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility in women of reproductive age, and obesity can increase the severity and development of the PCOS phenotype. Prenatal testosterone (T) treatment between gestational days 30-90 advanced puberty and disrupted the reproductive and metabolic phenotype in female sheep, recapitulating attributes of women with PCOS, with postnatal obesity amplifying its severity. On the other hand, prenatal T treatment from gestational days 60-90 led to a much milder phenotype.

Functional Changes to Achilles Tendon and Enthesis in a Mouse Model of an Adolescent Masculine Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment.

Many transgender youth seek gender affirming care, such as puberty suppression, to prolong decision-making and to align their physical sex characteristics with their gender identity. During peripubertal growth, connective tissues such as tendon rapidly adapt to applied mechanical loads (e.g.

The Effect of Mechanical Alteration on Repair Bond Strength of S-PRG-Filler-Based Resin Composite Materials.

This study investigates the impact of mechanical alteration on resin composite surfaces and its subsequent effect on repair bond strength. A total of 100 resin composite disks were prepared and were allocated for 24 h or 1 year of artificial aging. Specimens were embedded in epoxy resin, and the composite surfaces were mechanically altered using either diamond burs or air abrasion with aluminum oxide or glass beads.

Knowledge and Preparedness of Dentists in Response to Bioterrorism.

Introduction: In the current climate of heightened terrorist activity, the deliberate release or threat of biological agents like viruses, bacteria, fungi, or their toxins to induce sickness or death among civilians has become a genuine possibility. The most crucial action during a bioterrorist strike is early warning. The possibility of such an occurrence in dental setting is underestimated.

Process improvement in thyroid fine needle aspiration: Standardizing number of smears for enhanced adequacy and diagnosis.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a safe, cost-effective diagnostic procedure used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The number of thyroid FNAs has dramatically increased over the past few years. In the absence of standardized procedures regarding the number of needle passes needed for diagnosis and the lack of clarity on the use of conventional smears (CS) versus liquid-based preparations (LBP), the demand of thyroid FNAs has led to increased workload on cytology laboratories, which can negatively affect patient safety.

Early- to mid-gestational testosterone excess leads to adverse cardiac outcomes in postpartum sheep.

Cardiovascular dysfunctions complicate 10-20% of pregnancies, increasing the risk for postpartum mortality. Various gestational insults, including preeclampsia are reported to be associated with adverse maternal cardiovascular outcomes. One such insult, gestational hyperandrogenism increases the risk for preeclampsia and other gestational morbidities but its impact on postpartum maternal health is not well known.

Changes in Lipid Profiles with the Progression of Pregnancy in Black Women.

: Lipid metabolism plays an important role in maternal health and fetal development. There is a gap in the knowledge of how lipid metabolism changes during pregnancy for Black women who are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes. We hypothesized that the comprehensive lipidome profiles would show variation across pregnancy indicative of requirements during gestation and fetal development.

Association of Body Mass Index and Chronology of Tooth Eruption in Children visiting a Dental Hospital in UAE: A Cross-sectional Study.

The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the mean age at which permanent teeth erupt in school-going children. This cross-sectional study at RAK College of Dental Sciences, UAE, involved 89 children aged 6-14 years. Erupted teeth in the mouth were included.

Placental and Immune Cell DNA Methylation Reference Panel for Bulk Tissue Cell Composition Estimation in Epidemiological Studies.

To distinguish DNA methylation (DNAm) from cell proportion changes in whole placental tissue research, we developed a robust cell type-specific DNAm reference to estimate cell composition. We collated newly collected and existing cell type DNAm profiles quantified via Illumina EPIC or 450k microarrays. To estimate cell composition, we deconvoluted whole placental samples (n=36) with robust partial correlation based on the top 50 hyper- and hypomethylated sites per cell type.