Towards a comprehensive definition of the human fascial system.

The absence of a clear consensus on the definition and significance of fascia and the indiscriminate use of the term throughout the clinical and scientific literature has led to skepticism regarding its importance in the human body. To address this challenge, we propose that: (1) fasciae, and the fascial interstitia within them, constitute an anatomical system, defined as a layered body-wide multiscale network of connective tissue that allows tensional loading and shearing mobility along its interfaces; (2) the fascial system comprises four anatomical organs: the superficial fascia, musculoskeletal (deep) fascia, visceral fascia, and neural fascia; (3) these organs are further composed of anatomical structures, some of which are eponymous; (4) all these fascial organs and their structural components contain variable combinations and arrangements of the four classically defined tissues: epithelial, connective, muscle, and neural; (5) the overarching functions of the fascial system arise from the contrasting biomechanical properties of the two basic types of layers distributed throughout the system: one predominantly collagenous and relatively stiff, the other rich in hyaluronic acid and viscous, allowing for the free flow of fluid; (6) the topographical organization of these layers in different locations is related to local variations in function (e.g.

Nucleosome repositioning in cardiac reprogramming.

Early events in the reprogramming of fibroblasts to cardiac muscle cells are unclear. While various histone undergo modification and re-positioning, and these correlate with the activity of certain genes, it is unknown if these events are causal or happen in response to reprogramming. Histone modification and re-positioning would be expected to open up chromatin on lineage-specific genes and this can be ascertained by studying nucleosome architecture.

An exploration of the relationship between ineffective modes of mentalization and difficulties related to borderline personality disorder: A network approach.

Background: The mentalization-based perspective of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) underscores fluctuating interpersonal functionality, believed to arise from suboptimal mentalization modes, including hyper- and hypomentalizing. The connection between ineffective mentalizing and specific BPD challenges remains ambiguous. Network theory offers a unique means to investigate the hypothesis that distinct yet interconnected mental challenges ('symptoms') construct 'disorders' through their continuous mutual interactions.

Critical Insights Into Public Health Interventions: Partnership, Cultural and Racial Tensions, and Vaccine Hesitancy Within Somali Communities in the Upper Midwest, USA, and Western Norway.

As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is crucial for reducing transmission and severity, but vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. The study explored community actions and initiatives addressing vaccine hesitancy among Somali immigrant communities in cities in the Upper Midwest, USA, and Western Norway, focusing on trust factors and comparing members of the Somali diaspora in two distinct social and cultural contexts. Qualitative collective case studies were conducted, involving 14 semi-structured interviews with key informants from the Upper Midwest and Western Norway knowledgeable about initiatives designed to address SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy.

Atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic skin disorder that can significantly impact the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals as well as their families. Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is not yet completely understood, it appears to result from the complex interplay between defects in skin barrier function, environmental and infectious agents, and immune dysregulation. There are no diagnostic tests for AD; therefore, the diagnosis is based on specific clinical criteria that take into account the patient's history and clinical manifestations.

Experiences with COVID-19 economic relief measures among low-wage worker families: a qualitative study.

Background: Economic stability is a core social determinant of health and a necessary condition for maintaining food security, housing stability, and both physical and mental health. Using a qualitative approach, we identified barriers, facilitators, and participant perceptions about utilizing these relief measures. This study aimed to understand experiences with COVID-19 economic relief measures among low-wage worker households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Work of Breathing for Aviators: A Missing Link in Human Performance.

In this study, we explore the work of breathing (WoB) experienced by aviators during the Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM) to improve pilot safety and performance. Traditional airflow models of WoB fail to adequately distinguish between breathing rate and inspiratory frequency, leading to potentially inaccurate assessments. This mismatch can have serious implications, particularly in critical flight situations where understanding the true respiratory workload is essential for maintaining performance.

Nucleosome repositioning in cardiac reprogramming.

Early events in the reprogramming of fibroblasts to cardiac muscle cells are unclear. While various histone undergo modification and re-positioning, and these correlate with the activity of certain genes, it is unknown if these events are causal or happen in response to reprogramming. Histone modification and re-positioning would be expected to open up chromatin on lineage-specific genes and this can be ascertained by studying nucleosome architecture.

Design of a pragmatic trial integrating human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling into primary care to reduce cervical cancer screening disparities in Somali American individuals: The Isbaar project.

Background: Somali American individuals have lower cervical cancer screening rates than the U.S. general population.

Effect of an Inflatable Colon on Colorectal Cancer Knowledge and Screening Intent Among Male Attendees at State Fairs in Two Midwestern States, 2023.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most-diagnosed cancer among men and women in the US. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an interactive inflatable colon exhibit on CRC knowledge and screening intent among men attending state fairs in 2 midwestern states.

Methods: At the 2023 state fairs in 2 midwestern states, eligible participants (men aged 18-75 y who could speak and read English and resided in 1 of the 2 states) completed a presurvey, an unguided tour of the inflatable Super Colon, and a postsurvey.

Fascia as a regulatory system in health and disease.

Neurology and connective tissue are intimately interdependent systems and are critical in regulating many of the body's systems. Unlocking their multifaceted relationship can transform clinical understanding of the mechanisms involved in multisystemic regulation and dysregulation. The fascial system is highly innervated and rich with blood vessels, lymphatics, and hormonal and neurotransmitter receptors.

The impact of aging on cardiac repair and regeneration.

In contrast to neonates and lower organisms, the adult mammalian heart lacks any capacity to regenerate following injury. The vast majority of our understanding of cardiac regeneration is based on research in young animals. Research in aged individuals is rare.

Experiences of Parents Earning Low Wages in Raleigh, North Carolina: Compounding Effects of Caretaker Responsibility, Piecemeal Resources, and Lack of Economic Opportunities.

We conducted interviews with parents earning low wages to understand their experiences related to financial responsibilities and use of government and informal resources in Raleigh, North Carolina. Inadequate economic opportunities and assistance programs, and high costs of living, compounded into cycles of playing catch up on expenses. Assistance programs aimed at alleviating hardships related to poverty were described as piecemeal.

Effect of anatomical studies prior to medical school on medical school anatomy study success and residency choice.

Introduction: There is little research on how medical school matriculants' experiences prior to medical school effects their choice of specialty or performance in medical school. This research attempts to fill that gap in research in regards to surgical and radiological fields.

Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to fourth year medical students asking them their background in anatomy studies prior to medical school and their anatomy grades in medical school and interest in surgical and radiological fields.

"It Feels Like Health Care with the Patient in Mind": VA Patient and Staff Perspectives on Self-Collected HPV Testing.

Purpose: Self-collected testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) is poised to transform cervical cancer screening. Self-tests demonstrate similar accuracy to clinician-collected tests, but for the half a million women served by the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and their clinicians, self-collected cervical cancer screening would be a new practice. We examined VA patient and staff perspectives to inform future implementation.

Progress Toward Tuberculosis Elimination and Tuberculosis Program Performance - National Tuberculosis Indicators Project, 2016-2022.

Problem/condition: Elimination of tuberculosis (TB) is defined as reducing TB disease incidence in the United States to less than 1 case per million persons per year. In 2022, TB incidence in the United States was 2.5 TB cases per 100,000 persons.

Sap flow through partially embolized xylem vessel networks.

Sap is transported through numerous conduits in the xylem of woody plants along the path from the soil to the leaves. When all conduits are functional, vessel lumen diameter is a strong predictor of hydraulic conductivity. As vessels become embolized, sap movement becomes increasingly affected by factors operating at scales beyond individual conduits, creating resistances that result in hydraulic conductivity diverging from diameter-based estimates.

Skeletal muscle differentiation induces wide-ranging nucleosome repositioning in muscle gene promoters.

In a previous report, we demonstrated that Cbx1, PurB and Sp3 inhibited cardiac muscle differentiation by increasing nucleosome density around cardiac muscle gene promoters. Since cardiac and skeletal muscle express many of the same proteins, we asked if Cbx1, PurB and Sp3 similarly regulated skeletal muscle differentiation. In a C2C12 model of skeletal muscle differentiation, Cbx1 and PurB knockdown increased myotube formation.

Comparative skeletal anatomy of salt marsh and western harvest mice in relation to locomotor ecology.

The salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) is an endangered species, endemic to the San Francisco Bay Estuary, that co-occurs with the more broadly distributed species, the western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Despite their considerable external morphological similarities, the northern subspecies of salt marsh harvest mice have relatively longer and thicker tails than do western harvest mice, which may be related to their abilities to climb emergent marsh vegetation to avoid tidal inundation. We used micro-CT to compare post-cranial skeletal anatomy between the salt marsh and western harvest mouse, to examine whether the salt marsh harvest mouse's restriction to brackish marshes is associated with skeletal adaptations for scansorial locomotion.

C166 EVs potentiate miR cardiac reprogramming via miR-148a-3p.

We have demonstrated that directly reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts into new cardiomyocytes via miR combo improves cardiac function in the infarcted heart. However, major challenges exist with delivery and efficacy. During a screening based approach to improve delivery, we discovered that C166-derived EVs were effective delivery agents for miR combo both in vitro and in vivo.