Macronutrient modulation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease - the molecular role of fatty acids versus sugars in human metabolism and disease progression.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant public health concern, with its progression to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis leading to severe outcomes including cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure. While obesity and excess energy intake are well established contributors to the development and progression of MASLD, the distinct role of specific macronutrients is less clear. This review examines the mechanistic pathways through which dietary fatty acids and sugars contribute the development of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, offering a nuanced understanding of their respective roles in MASLD progression.

Australian Preferences for Prenatal Screening: A Discrete Choice Experiment Comparing Metropolitan and Rural/Regional Areas.

Background: Non-invasive prenatal testing has the potential to be a useful genetic screening tool in Australia. However, concerns have been raised about its cost, commercial provision, the psychological impacts of the screening process, and disparities in access experienced by rural and regional communities.

Aims: The aims of this study are (1) to estimate Australian preferences for features of prenatal screening; (2) to explore potential variations in preferences between metropolitan and rural/regional communities; (3) to estimate the extent to which respondents are willing to trade-off between attributes, using willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to wait estimates.

Adolescent mental health in sub-Saharan Africa: crisis? What crisis? Solution? What solution?

Addressing adolescent mental health care across sub-Saharan Africa faces numerous challenges, including underfunded public health systems, a shortage of mental health professionals, barriers to access, and pervasive stigma. Untreated adolescents often experience worsening symptoms, academic and social difficulties, physical health risks, and engage in risky behaviours. Early detection and appropriate treatment of common mental health conditions can support adolescents in developing robust social and emotional foundations and enhancing their mental well-being.

Associations between skeletal muscle mass and elevated blood pressure are independent of body fat: a cross-sectional study in young adult women of African ancestry.

Although research on the relationship between lean body mass and blood pressure (BP) has been inconsistent, most studies reported that measures of lean body mass are associated with a higher risk of hypertension. We explored relationships between body composition (fat and skeletal muscle mass) and BP in 1162 young adult African women. DXA-derived measures of whole body, central and arm fat mass were associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP, while leg fat percentage was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP.

Planned Surgical Trajectory Affects Clinical Motor Outcome in Deep Brain Stimulation Targeted at Subthalamic Nucleus for Parkinson's Disease.

Background And Objectives: Surgical planning is critical to achieve optimal outcome in deep brain stimulation (DBS). The relationship between clinical outcomes and DBS electrode position relative to subthalamic nucleus (STN) is well investigated, but the role of surgical trajectory remains unclear. We sought to determine whether preoperatively planned DBS lead trajectory relates to adequate motor outcome in STN-DBS for Parkinson's disease (PD).