Microplastic Categories Distinctively Impact Wastewater Bacterial Taxonomic Composition and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may serve as hotspots for pathogens and promote antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Plastic debris in wastewater could further contribute to AMR dissemination. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various microplastic types on bacterial communities and AMR gene abundance in wastewater that were obtained from two WWTPs, one in Tromsø, Norway, and the other one in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

A novel risk-predicted nomogram for acute kidney injury progression in decompensated cirrhosis: a double-center study in Vietnam.

Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly encountered in patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis and is associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased treatment burden, and even mortality. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of and develop a predictive nomogram for AKI in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: This cross-sectional, double-center study involved 544 patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis.

Computable Phenotypes for Respiratory Viral Infections in the Research Program.

Electronic health records (EHRs) contain rich temporal data about infectious diseases, but an optimal approach to identify infections remains undefined. Using the Research Program, we developed computable phenotypes for respiratory viruses by integrating billing codes, prescriptions, and laboratory results within 90-day episodes. Phenotypes computed from 265,222 participants yielded cohorts ranging from 238 (adenovirus) to 28,729 (SARS-CoV-2) cases.

Identifying fecal microbiota signatures of colorectal cancer in a Vietnamese cohort.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the top three causes of global cancer mortality. In Vietnam, CRC is the third leading cause of death in women and the fourth cause of cancer mortality in men. A large number of metagenomic studies have reported the relationship between altered composition and function of the gut microbiota with CRC, but this relationship in low- and middle-income countries including Vietnam (with an estimated population of 100.

Detection of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes by cystatin C-based equations.

Background: Aging population is a significant issue in Viet Nam and across the globe. Elderly individuals are at higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those with diabetes. Several studies found that the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) determined using creatinine-based equations was not as accurate as that determined using cystatin C-based equations.

PheWAS analysis on large-scale biobank data with PheTK.

Summary: With the rapid growth of genetic data linked to electronic health record (EHR) data in huge cohorts, large-scale phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) have become powerful discovery tools in biomedical research. PheWAS is an analysis method to study phenotype associations utilizing longitudinal EHR data. Previous PheWAS packages were developed mostly with smaller datasets and with earlier PheWAS approaches.

Modified Kasai operation combined with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion for biliary atresia.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and outcomes of modified Kasai operation combined with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) infusion for biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: A matched control study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2021. Ten consecutive children with biliary atresia (BA) who underwent the modified Kasai operation combined with autologous BMMNC infusion (cell therapy group) and ten children who had only the modified Kasai operation (control group) were included in the study.

Design and synthesis of a 2,5-Diarylthiophene chromophore for enhanced near-infrared two-photon uncaging efficiency of calcium ions.

The design and synthesis of two-photon-responsive chromophores have recently garnered significant attention owing to their potential applications in materials and life sciences. In this study, a novel π-conjugated system, 2-dimethylaminophenyl-5-nitrophenylthiophene derivatives, featuring a thiophene unit as the π-linker between the donor (NMeCH-) and acceptor (NOCH-) units was designed, synthesized, and applied for the development of two-photon-responsive chromophores as a photoremovable protecting group in the near-infrared region. Notably, the positional effect of the nitro group (NO), meta versus para position, was observed in the uncaging process of benzoic acid.

Characterization of cyclotides Mra30 and cycloviolacin O17 derived from Viola dalatensis Gadnep.

Bacteria threaten human and animal health, and standard antibiotics no longer effective. Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms can make infection treatment challenging and perhaps fail. Investigating the attributes of cyclotide, a peptide with promising antibacterial properties that holds great potential in the field of antibiotic research.

QTL-seq identifies genomic region associated with the crown root development under Jasmonic acid response.

Rice root system plays a crucial role in plant adaptation under adverse conditions, particularly drought stress. However, the regulatory gene networks that govern rice root development during stress exposure remain largely unexplored. In this study, we applied a QTL sequencing method to identify QTL/gene controlling the crown root development under Jasmonic acid simulation using the Bulk-segregant analysis.

PheWAS analysis on large-scale biobank data with PheTK.

Summary: With the rapid growth of genetic data linked to electronic health record data in huge cohorts, large-scale phenome-wide association study (PheWAS), have become powerful discovery tools in biomedical research. PheWAS is an analysis method to study phenotype associations utilizing longitudinal electronic health record (EHR) data. Previous PheWAS packages were developed mostly in the days of smaller biobanks and with earlier PheWAS approaches.

Multilevel and multicomponent intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening among underserved Vietnamese Americans: A cluster randomized trial.

Purpose: The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a non-invasive method for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, particularly effective in underserved Vietnamese American communities with low screening rates. This study reports on a culturally tailored multilevel intervention, incorporating FIT, aimed at increasing CRC screening among these populations aged 50 or above in the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Methods: From 2017 to 2020, we conducted a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a culturally tailored, multicomponent multilevel intervention aimed at increasing CRC screening uptake via enhanced self-awareness and self-efficacy, improved access to care, and changes in social norms and removal of stigma.

A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Clinical Features, Brain Imaging, and Treatment Efficacy in Patients with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a challenging condition with potential long-term consequences, but it is also a treatable disorder that offers the possibility of complete recovery. This study was conducted to comprehensively investigate the clinical features, brain imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Materials And Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study, patients diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis were enrolled at Can Tho Central General Hospital between January 2021 and June 2022.

Mitigating Wildlife Spillover in the Clinical Setting: How Physicians and Veterinarians Can Help Prevent Future Disease Outbreaks.

Introduction: The transmission of pathogens from wildlife to humans is a major global health threat that has been highlighted by the proposed origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous barriers impede pathogen spillover events from ensuing widespread human transmission, but human activity has accelerated the frequency of spillovers and subsequent disease outbreaks, in part through a booming wildlife trade whose impacts on health are not well understood.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine the risk that the wildlife trade poses to public health and the degree to which these risks are recognized and addressed in clinical practice and medical and veterinary education.