Characterisation of the Plasma and Faecal Metabolomes in Participants with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

There is evidence of perturbed microbial and host processes in the gastrointestinal tract of individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) compared to healthy controls. The faecal metabolome provides insight into the metabolic processes localised to the intestinal tract, while the plasma metabolome highlights the overall perturbances of host and/or microbial responses. This study profiled the faecal ( = 221) and plasma ( = 206) metabolomes of individuals with functional constipation (FC), constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), functional diarrhoea (FD), diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and healthy controls (identified using the Rome Criteria IV) using multimodal LC-MS technologies.

Covalent inhibitors of the RAS binding domain of PI3Kα impair tumor growth driven by RAS and HER2.

Genetic disruption of the RAS binding domain (RBD) of PI 3-kinase (PI3K) prevents the growth of mutant RAS driven tumors in mice and does not impact PI3K's role in insulin mediated control of glucose homeostasis. Selectively blocking the RAS-PI3K interaction may represent an attractive strategy for treating RAS-dependent cancers as it would avoid the toxicity associated with inhibitors of PI3K lipid kinase activity such as alpelisib. Here we report compounds that bind covalently to cysteine 242 in the RBD of PI3K p110α and block the ability of RAS to activate PI3K activity.

Toxicity of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) on oligodendrocytes during embryonic zebrafish development.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants heavily utilized across plastic, textile and electronic industries. Although these PBDEs are effective in protecting property and human life from fire, their high production volumes have led PBDEs to become pervasive environmental contaminants and pose an ecological and health risk as high levels have been noted in environmental media including water and sediment, wildlife and human tissue. Here we investigate the developmental neurotoxicity of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), one of the more dominant PBDE congeners found in human tissue, on oligodendrocytes in the hindbrain and spinal cord.

Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Associated Factors Among Adult Consumers in Bangladesh: Findings From a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Bangladeshi consumers and investigate their associations with various demographic factors.

Methods: This national cross-sectional study utilized a face-to-face survey using a structured questionnaire to recruit 1400 adult consumers between September 2022 and November 2022. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with the food safety KAP.

GPR139 agonist and antagonist differentially regulate retrieval and consolidation of fear memory in the zebrafish.

G protein-coupled receptor 139 (GPR139), a highly conserved orphan receptor, is predominantly expressed in the habenula of vertebrate species. Habenula is an ancient epithalamic structure, which is critical to comprehending adaptive behaviors in vertebrates. We have previously demonstrated the role of GPR139 agonists in fear-associated decision-making processes in zebrafish.

State-wise variation and inequalities in caesarean delivery rates in India: analysis of the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021) data.

Background: India's caesarean delivery (CD) rate of 21.5% suggests adequate national access to CD but may mask significant disparities. We examined variation in CD rates across states (geography), wealth, and health care sector (public versus private).

Immune-checkpoint HLA-G gene polymorphisms, 3'-UTR types and their association with hepatocellular carcinoma and treatment response in Indian population.

Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a cancer-associated immune checkpoint protein implicated in tumor-driven immune escape mechanisms. This study was undertaken to determine genetic variations at the 3'-UTR of the HLA-G gene that may alter its expression, identify risk alleles and genotypes for their association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and treatment responses in the Indian population.

Objectives: Case-control genetic association study of HLA-G gene UTR polymorphisms with HCC and response to locoregional therapy (LRT).

National study of child sexual abuse cases in Oman: Characteristics and medical-legal outcomes.

Background: To stay abreast of the best international practices, the Arab Gulf countries have ratified the United Nations which includes clauses on safeguarding the well-being of children against child abuse and neglect. The enactment of laws, policies, and facilities designed to protect the rights of the child has not yet been studied to determine whether it leads to appropriate legal dispositions against perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Oman.

Aims: This study has been launched to address two interrelated objectives; (i) describe the characteristics of CSA victims and perpetrators and (ii) examine factors associated with medicolegal findings and judicial results for CSA complainants in Oman.

Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of the Daily Consumption of Ruminant Milk on Digestive Comfort and Nutrition in Older Women: The YUMMI Study.

Background: Age-related changes can lead to dietary insufficiency in older adults. The inclusion of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods such as ruminant milks can significantly improve health outcomes. However, many older adults worldwide do not meet daily milk intake recommendations because of digestive discomfort and health concerns.

The effect of complementary foods on the colonic microbiota of weaning infants: a systematic review.

The transition from breastmilk to solid foods (weaning) is a decisive stage for the development of the colonic microbiota. However, little is known about how complementary foods influence the composition and function of the colonic microbiota in infants. This systematic review collected evidence of the effect of individual foods on the fecal microbiota of weaning infants (4-12 months old) using five databases: PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect.

Factors associated with help-seeking by women facing intimate partner violence in India: findings from National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021).

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women has harmful effects on their psychological and physical health. However, help-seeking for IPV is significantly low among women in the Indian context. This study examines the different factors that influence help-seeking behaviour among women in India.

The Burden of Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Urban India: A Community Healthcare Setup-Based Study.

Introduction: Foot ulcer is the most common cause of hospitalisation among people with diabetes (PWD). The objective of the study is to determine the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in the urban community in India and its relationship with glycemic level and demographic parameters like age and sex among diabetic patients.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed from January 2016 to December 2018 at an urban community set up in Mumbai.

Preconception and gestational versus postnatal exposure to air pollutants and risk of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The rising prevalence of ASD has prompted extensive research into potential environmental risk factors, with air pollution particularly emerging as a major concern. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of air pollutants and time of exposure (particularly, PM, PM, NO, and O) and the risk of ASD was therefore performed.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration (Ref: CRD42023464592), a thorough literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.

Heat Treatment of Bovine Milk Influences Gastric Emptying of Lactose but not its Apparent Small Intestinal Disappearance in the Growing Pig as a Model for the Adult Human.

Background: Heat treatment influences gastric emptying of proteins and lipids in bovine milk. Whether heat treatment influences lactose gastric emptying and small intestinal lactose disappearance remains unknown.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the gastric emptying of lactose and its disappearance from the small intestine of the growing pig as a model for the adult human.

Development of bioengineered 3D patient derived breast cancer organoid model focusing dynamic fibroblast-stem cell reciprocity.

Three-dimensional (3D) models, such as tumor spheroids and organoids, are increasingly developed by integrating tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and personalized therapy strategies. These advanced 3Dmodels are not merely endpoint-driven but also offer the flexibility to be customized or modulated according to specific disease parameters. Unlike traditional 2D monolayer cultures, which inadequately capture the complexities of solid tumors, 3D co-culture systems provide a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment.

Blood-based quantification of Aβ oligomers indicates impaired clearance from brain in ApoE ε4 positive subjects.

Background: Quantification of Amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers in plasma enables early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and improves our understanding of underlying pathologies. However, quantification necessitates an extremely sensitive and selective technology because of very low Aβ oligomer concentrations and possible interference from matrix components.

Methods: In this report, we developed and validated a surface-based fluorescence distribution analysis (sFIDA) assay for quantification of Aβ oligomers in plasma.

Prevalence and patterns of testing for anaemia in primary care in England.

Despite epidemiological data on anaemia being available on a global scale, its prevalence in the United Kingdom is not well described. To investigate anaemia prevalence and testing patterns for haemoglobin and other blood parameters. A population-based cohort study using data drawn from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database in 2019.

In Silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine for Human Parechovirus: Integrating immunoinformatics and computational techniques.

Human parechovirus (HPeV) is widely recognized as a severe viral infection affecting infants and neonates. Belonging to the Picornaviridae family, HPeV is categorized into 19 distinct genotypes. Among them, HPeV-1 is the most prevalent genotype, primarily associated with respiratory and digestive symptoms.

Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap with Implant Placement has a Favorable Complication Profile Compared with Implant-Only or Flap-Only Reconstruction.

Background:  Hybrid deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and simultaneous silicone implant breast reconstruction procedures ("DIEP + I") have many conceptual advantages compared with either reconstruction method alone, but the outcomes of DIEP + I reconstruction have not yet been well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of DIEP + I with implant-only and DIEP-only reconstruction.

Methods:  A retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing DIEP + I, implant-only, and DIEP-only breast reconstruction from 2019 to 2023 at a single institution.

Provision of inguinal hernia surgery in first-referral hospitals across low- and middle-income countries: Secondary analysis of an international cohort study.

Introduction: Surgical care in first-referral hospitals (FRHs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is poorly characterized. Inguinal hernia repair can act as a good tracer condition. This study aimed to evaluate the variation in hernia repair across different hospital types in LMICs.

Sialic Acid-Targeted Ru(II)/Ir(III)/Re(I) Complexes for Ferroptosis Induction in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Ferroptosis has been recognized as an iron-based nonapoptotic-regulated cell death process. In the quest of resisting the unyielding vehemence of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), herein we have showcased the ferroptosis-inducing heteroleptic [], [], and [] complexes, enabling them to selectively target "sialic acid", an overexpressed cancer cell-surface marker. The open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements in live cancer cells revealed the specific interaction between TNBC and the complexes, whereas control experiments with normal cells did not exhibit such interactions.