Blood-based epigenome-wide association study and prediction of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for multiple diseases. It is typically assessed via self-report, which is open to measurement error through recall bias. Instead, molecular data such as blood-based DNA methylation (DNAm) could be used to derive a more objective measure of alcohol consumption by incorporating information from cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites known to be linked to the trait.

Extracellular vesicles from pancreatic cancer and its tumour microenvironment promote increased Schwann cell migration.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a high frequency of neural invasion (NI). Schwann cells (SCs) have been shown to be reprogrammed to facilitate cancer cell migration and invasion into nerves. Since extracellular vesicles (EVs) affect the tumour microenvironment and promote metastasis, the present study analysed the involvement of EVs from pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment in altering SC phenotype as part of the early events in the process of NI.

Metallic nanoparticles biodistribution for the study of lymphoma in animal models.

T cell lymphoma constitutes a complex group of diseases, characterized by heterogeneous molecular features and clinical symptoms, and a dismal outcome no matter the therapeutic strategy chosen. In an attempt to improve patients' survival chances, treatment combinations (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and thermotherapy) have been tested for their synergistic effects that may dramatically improve outcomes and reduce the side effects of each single modality treatment when therapeutic effects add up while side effects are distributed. In this context, nanoscale drug delivery agents have been developed and exploited to enhance the release of drugs in the treatment of several diseases, showing potential benefits in terms of pharmaceutical flexibility, selectivity, dose reduction and minimization of adverse effects.

Reduction in bacterial culture positivity rates at a human milk bank facility of a tertiary care hospital: a quality improvement initiative.

Background: Human milk banks (HMBs) offer the best feed for neonates after mother's own milk (MOM), especially when MOM is insufficient. Although HMBs are founded on standard protocols, contamination and wastage of milk due to positive milk cultures remain a problem. Present study was planned as a quality improvement (QI) initiative to reduce culture rates at the HMB.

Introducing and establishing birth companionship in labour ward of a tertiary care centre in North India: a quality improvement journey through and beyond COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Allowing a birth companion is the basic right of a mother and is identified as an important component of respectful maternity care. The implementation of this intervention has been a challenge in heavy-load public health facilities in India.

Local Problem: Despite the proven benefits of the presence of birth companions on maternal-fetal outcomes, there was no policy of allowing birth companions in our hospital.

New potential susceptibility factors contributing to tomato bacterial spot disease.

The label-free shotgun proteomics analysis carried out in this study aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms that contribute towards tomato susceptibility to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans (Xep). To achieve this, comparative proteomics was performed on susceptible inoculated plants with the bacterium and the control group (saline solution) at 24 and 48 h after inoculation (hai).

Placental PFAS concentrations are associated with perturbations of placental DNA methylation.

The placenta is crucial for fetal development, is affected by PFAS toxicity, and evidence is accumulating that gestational PFAS perturb the epigenetic activity of the placenta. Gestational PFAS exposure can adversely affect offspring, yet individual and cumulative impacts of PFAS on the placental epigenome remain underexplored. Here, we conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to examine the relationships between placental PFAS levels and DNA methylation in a cohort of mother-infant dyads in Arkansas (N=151).

Small forest patches and landscape-scale fragmentation exacerbate forest fire prevalence in Amazonia.

Over recent decades, forest fire prevalence has increased throughout the tropics, necessitating improved understanding of the landscape-scale drivers of fire occurrence. Here, we use MapBiomas land-cover and fire scar data to evaluate relationships between forest fragmentation, land-use, and forest fire prevalence in a typically consolidated Amazonian agricultural frontier: Portal da Amazonia, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Using zero-/zero-one-inflated Beta regressions, we investigate effects of forest patch (area, shape, surrounding forest cover) and landscape-scale variables (forest edge length, land-cover composition) on forest fire occurrence and density between 1985 and 2021.

The endothelial surface layer-glycocalyx - Universal nano-infrastructure is fundamental to physiology, cell traffic and a complementary neural network.

The glycocalyx and its associated endothelial surface layer which lines all cell membranes and most tissues, dwarfs the phospholipid membrane of cells in extent. Its major components are sulphated polymers like heparan and chondroitin sulphates and hyaluronic acid. These form a fuzzy layer of unknown structure and function.

Integrated metabolomics and mass spectrometry imaging analysis reveal the efficacy and mechanism of Huangkui capsule on type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Huangkui capsule (HKC), a Chinese patent medicine, is clinically used for treating diabetic nephropathy. However, the core disease-specific biomarkers and targets of type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) and the therapeutic mechanism of HKC are not fully elucidated.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of HKC for T2DN.

Health effects of occupational exposure to jet fuels used in the military: A systematic review of the epidemiologic literature.

Background: Jet fuels are a common chemical exposure in occupational settings involving aircraft. Jet fuels are heterogeneous mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, as well as non-hydrocarbon performance additives. Several components of jet fuels have been linked to adverse health outcomes.

Evidence-based recommendations for partners and friends of adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

Background: Adult disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) is often addressed to partners and friends. The risk of negative reactions is high due to the stigma associated with CSA, however receiving social support is a protective factor. Therefore, educating the environment on how to face disclosure becomes crucial.

Determining the process components of impact assessment in health and social program implementation: A scoping review of theories, models and frameworks.

Objectives: Health and social service research impact analysis play a pivotal role in demonstrating research value. Impact analysis of programs, interventions, or policies in real-world settings is complex. There are many implementation evaluation theories, models, and frameworks (TMF) and researchers find choosing one challenging.

Was extinction of New Zealand's avian megafauna an unavoidable consequence of human arrival?

Human overexploitation contributed strongly to the loss of hundreds of bird species across Oceania, including nine giant, flightless birds called moa. The inevitability of anthropogenic moa extinctions in New Zealand has been fiercely debated. However, we can now rigorously evaluate their extinction drivers using spatially explicit demographic models capturing species-specific interactions between moa, natural climates and landscapes, and human colonists.

Land use dynamics and their impact on hydrology and water quality of a river catchment: a comprehensive analysis and future scenario.

Land use changes profoundly affect hydrological processes and water quality at various scales, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of sustainable water resource management. This paper investigates the implications of land use alterations in the Gap-Cheon watershed, analyzing data from 2012 and 2022 and predicting changes up to 2052 using the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model. The study employs the Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) model to assess water quantity and quality dynamics.

Targeted delivery of curcumin and CM11 peptide against hepatocellular carcinoma cells based on binding affinity of PreS1-coated chitosan nanoparticles to SB3 protein.

In recent years, the use of cationic peptides as alternative drugs with anticancer activity has received attention. In this study, the targeted release of curcumin (Cur) and CM11 peptide alone and together against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was evaluated using chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) coated with Pres1 that target the SB3 antigen of HCC cells (PreS1-Cur-CM11-CS NPs). SB3 protein is the specific antigen of HCC and the PreS1 peptide is a part of the hepatitis B antigen, which can specifically bind to the SB3 protein.

Pericytes mediate neuroinflammation via Fli-1 in endotoxemia and sepsis in mice.

Background: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) often results from neuroinflammation. Recent studies have shown that brain platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) cells, including pericytes, may act as early sensors of infection by secreting monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which transmits inflammatory signals to the central nervous system. The erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1) plays a critical role in inflammation by regulating the expression of key cytokines, including MCP-1.

The Arabidopsis eATP receptor, DORN1 and CNGC19 channel act in tandem to regulate plant defense upon Spodoptera litura herbivory.

Plants deploy cellular Ca2+ elevation as a signal for environmental stress signaling. Extracellular ATP (eATP) is released into the extracellular matrix when cells are wounded. DOES NOT RESPOND TO NUCLEOTIDES 1 (DORN1), a key legume-type lectin receptor, senses and binds eATP and activates Ca2+ signaling.

Each hour injures, the last one kills.

The haemorrhage of psychiatrists from the NSW state-funded mental health system parallels losses throughout Australia, and internationally. The lack of workforce cripples the capacity to provide adequate care. There has been persistently neglectful under-resourcing of the care of people with severe mental illness.

Unveiling the role of miRNAs in Diminished Ovarian Reserve: an in silico network approach.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have acquired an increased recognition to unravel the complex molecular mechanisms underlying Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR), one of the main responsible for infertility. To investigate the impact of miRNA profiles in granulosa cells and follicular fluid, crucial players in follicle development, this study employed a computational network theory approach to reconstruct potential pathways regulated by miRNAs in granulosa cells and follicular fluid of women suffering from DOR. Available data from published research were collected to create the FGC_MiRNome_MC, a representation of miRNA target genes and their interactions.

tiRNA-Gln-CTG is Involved in the Regulation of Trophoblast Cell Function in Pre-eclampsia and Serves as a Potent Biomarker.

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a gestational disorder that significantly endangers maternal and fetal health. Transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are important in the progression and diagnosis of various diseases. However, their role in the development of PE is unclear.

The Impact of Modifiable Risk Factors on the Endothelial Cell Methylome and Cardiovascular Disease Development.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western world. A common underlying hallmark of CVD is the plaque-associated arterial thickening, termed atherosclerosis. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the aetiology of atherosclerosis remain unknown, it is clear that both its development and progression are associated with significant changes in the pattern of DNA methylation within the vascular cell wall.

The Role of Sulfatides in Liver Health and Disease.

Sulfatides or 3-O-sulfogalactosylceramide are negatively charged sulfated glycosphingolipids abundant in the brain and kidneys and play crucial roles in nerve impulse conduction and urinary pH regulation. Sulfatides are present in the liver, specifically in the biliary tract. Sulfatides are self-lipid antigens presented by cholangiocytes to activate cluster of differentiation 1d (CD1d)-restricted type II natural killer T (NKT) cells.

The Scope of Nurses' Assessment of Deteriorating Patients in Coronary Care Units: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Despite the high acuity of coronary care unit (CCU) patients and their risk of deterioration, little is known about how nurses assess them.

Aim: Increase understanding of the scope of nurses' assessments of deteriorating CCU patients.

Design: Online mixed methods survey.

Eight Years of Norovirus Surveillance in Urban Wastewater: Insights from Next-Generation.

Human noroviruses (HNoVs) are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, with significant public health implications. In this study, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) was used to monitor the circulation and genetic diversity of HNoVs in Rome over an eight-year period (2017-2024). A total of 337 wastewater samples were analyzed using RT-nested PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify genogroups GI and GII and their respective genotypes.