Computation of Socio-Economic Status in the AWI-Gen Project.

Socio-economic status of participants in many public health, epidemiological, and genome-wide association studies is an important trait of interest. It is often used in these studies as a measure of direct interest or as a covariate. The Africa Wits INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic and Environmental Research (AWI-Gen) explores genomic and environmental factors in non-communicable diseases, particularly cardio-metabolic disease.

SEMA3B inhibits TGFβ-induced extracellular matrix protein production and its reduced levels are associated with a decline in lung function in IPF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is marked by the activation of fibroblasts, leading to excessive production and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the lung parenchyma. Despite the pivotal role of ECM overexpression in IPF, potential negative regulators of ECM production in fibroblasts have yet to be identified. Semaphorin class 3B (SEMA3B), a secreted protein highly expressed in lung tissues, has established roles in axonal guidance and tumor suppression.

Radical versus Local Surgical Excision for Early Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Radical excision (RE) for rectal cancer carries a higher risk of mortality and morbidity, while local excision (LE) could decrease these postoperative risks. However, the long-term benefit of LE is still debatable.

Aim: To study the effectiveness of LE versus RE in T1 and T2 rectal cancer.

Phthisical eye and orbital ischemia after cosmetic platelet-rich plasma injection to the forehead.

Purpose: To report a case of retrograde embolism of cosmetic injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the ophthalmic artery, resulting in orbital ischemia, blindness, and eventual phthisis bulbi.

Observations: A 37-year-old woman presented with two days of vision loss OS beginning seconds after undergoing cosmetic PRP filler injections to the face at an outside clinic. Immediately after injection to the left medial forehead, the patient reported bleeding, transient loss of consciousness, and complete vision loss OS.