Transferrin Disassociates TCR from CD3 Signaling Apparatus to Promote Metastasis.

Immune recognition and activation by the peptide-laden major histocompatibility complex-T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex is essential for anti-tumor immunity. Tumors may escape immune surveillance by dissembling the complex. Here, we report that transferrin, which is overexpressed in patients with liver metastasis, disassociates TCR from the CD3 signaling apparatus by targeting the constant domain (CD) of T cell receptor α (TCRα), consequently suppresses T cell activation, and inhibits anti-metastatic and anti-tumor immunity.

Enhancing Student Understanding of Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Marginalized Communities in the Physiology Classroom.

Physiology education is at the core of biomedical science and medicine. Physiology unites multiple disciplines to explain the mechanisms whereby a risk factor is associated with disease. Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity are associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Review of Impact of Risk Reduction Sessions on Sexual Behaviors in HIV Prevention Trials: Insights from Africa.

Over the past two decades, numerous HIV prevention trials have targeted thousands of young African women, aiming not only to reduce transmissions through biomedical interventions but also to promote safe sexual practices through intensive risk reduction sessions. The primary objective of this study was to review the impact of risk reduction sessions in HIV prevention trials conducted in Africa. We assessed changes in sexual behaviors among women enrolled in various biomedical intervention trials across the African region using both visual and quantitative evaluations.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative bacteriological test result. There is limited information on the factors that determine clinicians' decisions to initiate TB treatment when initial bacteriological test results are negative.

Methods And Findings: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January 2010 and December 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613).

Digital recombinase polymerase amplification chip based on asymmetric contact angle composite interface.

Background: Digital recombinase polymerase amplification (dRPA) is an effective tool for the absolute quantification of nucleic acids and the detection of rare mutations. Due to the high viscosity or other physical properties of the reagent, this can compromise the accuracy and reproducibility of detection results, which limits the broader adoption and practical application of this technology. In this study, we developed an asymmetric contact angle digital isothermal detection (ACA-DID) chip and optimized the ACA-DID chip structure to achieve rapid digital recombinase polymerase amplification.

A PDMS/chitosan/MPMs composite film based on multi-field coupling enhancement for African swine fever virus P72 protein detection.

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute hemorrhagic disease in pigs caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which has a high mortality rate and brought great damage to global pig farming industry. At present, there is no effective treatment or vaccine to combat ASFV infection, so early detection of ASFV has become particularly important. Therefore, the PDMS/chitosan/MPMs composite film was proposed to detect ASFV P72.

A Highly Divergent Mitochondrial Genome in Extant Cape Buffalo From Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

The reduced cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has allowed researchers to generate nuclear and mitochondrial genome data to gain deeper insights into the phylogeography, evolutionary history and biology of non-model species. While the Cape buffalo () has been well-studied across its range with traditional genetic markers over the last 25 years, researchers are building on this knowledge by generating whole genome, population-level data sets to improve understanding of the genetic composition and evolutionary history of the species. Using publicly available NGS data, we assembled 40 Cape buffalo mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from four protected areas in South Africa, expanding the geographical range and almost doubling the number of mitogenomes available for this species.

Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics.

Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis.

Diaper dermatitis and associated factors among children aged 0-24 months in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review protocol.

Background: Diaper dermatitis (DD, sometimes known as diaper rash or napkin dermatitis is one of the most prevalent skin infections that occur in the area covered by the diaper. Although diaper dermatitis can be seen in any patient wearing diapers, it is reported to be more common in infants aged 9-12 months. Approximately, 70% of infants and young children suffer from diaper dermatitis at some point during their diaper wearing years and up to 25% of children seek healthcare due to this case.

Serological Evidence of Cryptic Rift Valley Fever Virus Transmission Among Humans and Livestock in Central Highlands of Kenya.

Although the highlands of East Africa lack the geo-ecological landmarks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) disease hotspots to participate in cyclic RVF epidemics, they have recently reported growing numbers of small RVF clusters. Here, we investigated whether RVF cycling occurred among livestock and humans in the central highlands of Kenya during inter-epidemic periods. A 2-year prospective hospital-based study among febrile patients (March 2022-February 2024) in Murang'a County of Kenya was followed by a cross-sectional human-animal survey.

Modulating the p53-MDM2 pathway: the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in cancer treatment.

The p53-MDM2 pathway plays a crucial role regulating tumor suppression and is a focal point of cancer research. This literature review delves into the complex interplay between the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its main regulator MDM2, highlighting their interaction and implications in cancer development and progression. The review compiles and summarizes the existing understanding of the biology and regulation of p53 and MDM2, emphasizing their roles in various cellular processes, including cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, apoptosis, and metabolism.

Shared Genetic Architecture Between COVID-19 Severity and Alzheimer's Disease Across European and African Ancestries.

The global outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been linked to long-term neurological complications, including an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among older adults. However, the precise genetic impact of COVID-19 on long-term AD development remains unclear. This study leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) data and genotype data to explore the genetic association between AD and various COVID-19 phenotypes across European ancestry (EA) and African ancestry (AA) cohorts, and the possibility of a causal effect of COVID-19 on AD.

Whole genome sequence-based association analysis of African American individuals with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

In studies of individuals of primarily European genetic ancestry, common and low-frequency variants and rare coding variants have been found to be associated with the risk of bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ). However, less is known for individuals of other genetic ancestries or the role of rare non-coding variants in BD and SZ risk. We performed whole genome sequencing of African American individuals: 1,598 with BD, 3,295 with SZ, and 2,651 unaffected controls (InPSYght study).

Sex hormone-binding globulin, testosterone and type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged African women: exploring the impact of HIV and menopause.

Objectives: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone are differentially associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. We investigated whether these associations differ by HIV and menopausal status in Black South African women living with (WLWH) and without HIV (WLWOH).

Design: Cross-sectional observational.

The protective effects of dietary microalgae against hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations in pyrogallol-intoxicated .

Microalgae have well-established health benefits for farmed fish. Thus, this study aims to explore the potential protective effects of , is, and against pyrogallol-induced hematological, hepatic, and renal biomarkers in African catfish (), as well as the histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. Fish weighing 200 ± 25 g were divided into several groups: group 1 served as the control, group 2 was exposed to 10 mg/L of pyrogallol, and groups 3, 4, and 5 were exposed to the same concentration of pyrogallol, supplemented with at 20 g/kg diet, is at 50 g/kg diet, and at 5 g/kg diet, respectively, for 15 days.

Elevations in D-dimer levels in patients with Plasmodium infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

D-dimer, a byproduct of cross-linked fibrin degradation, arises during the fibrinolysis process, breaking down blood clots in circulation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence of D-dimer alteration in people with malaria, including variations in disease severity. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024528245.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers in East Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant public health concern, especially among food handlers, who can transmit these infections to the public through food preparation and handling. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in the East African region.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis on intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers involved a comprehensive search across various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the institution's library registers.

Refining breast cancer genetic risk and biology through multi-ancestry fine-mapping analyses of 192 risk regions.

Genome-wide association studies have identified approximately 200 genetic risk loci for breast cancer, but the causal variants and target genes are mostly unknown. We sought to fine-map all known breast cancer risk loci using genome-wide association study data from 172,737 female breast cancer cases and 242,009 controls of African, Asian and European ancestry. We identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not reported previously, and for 50 of them, we narrowed the credible causal variants down to a single variant.

The African Initiative for Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Diseases (AI-BOND): Investing in the next generation of African neuroscientists.

Unlabelled: Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD), pose significant challenges to health care systems globally, particularly in Africa. With the advances in medical technology and research capabilities, especially in next-generation sequencing and imaging, vast amounts of data have been generated from AD/ADRD research. Given that the greatest increase in AD/ADRD prevalence is expected to occur in Africa, it is critical to establish comprehensive bioinformatics training programs to help African scientists leverage existing data and collect additional information to untangle AD/ADRD heterogeneity in African populations.

Enhancing Data Science and Genomics Capacity of a Historically Black Medical College Through Interdisciplinary Training and Research Collaborations.

As data grows exponentially across diverse fields, effectively leveraging big data has become increasingly crucial. In data science and computational genomics, however, minority groups, including African Americans, are significantly underrepresented, coupled with the lack of resources and infrastructure in minority-serving institutions. This paper summarizes the second phase of our funded project that aims to enhance the data science capacity of Meharry Medical College (MMC), a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), by providing training and fostering collaborations between data scientists and researchers in basic science and biomedical fields.

Possible scenarios for the spread of mpox outside the endemic focus in Africa.

The recent expansion of mpox in Africa is characterized by a dramatic increase in zoonotic transmission (clade Ia) and the emergence of a new clade Ib that is transmitted from human-to-human (H2H) by close contact. Clade Ia does not pose a threat in areas without zoonotic reservoir. But clade Ib may spread widely, as did the clade IIb that since 2022 has spread globally among MSM.

Genetic vulnerability and adverse mental health outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis of CENTER-TBI and TRACK-TBI cohorts.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but their biological drivers are uncertain. We therefore explored whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived for PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD) are associated with the development of cognate TBI-related phenotypes.

Methods: Meta-analyses were conducted using data from two multicenter, prospective observational cohort studies of patients with mTBI: the CENTER-TBI study (ClinicalTrials.

Inter-chromosomal transcription hubs shape the 3D genome architecture of African trypanosomes.

The eukaryotic nucleus exhibits a highly organized 3D genome architecture, with RNA transcription and processing confined to specific nuclear structures. While intra-chromosomal interactions, such as promoter-enhancer dynamics, are well-studied, the role of inter-chromosomal interactions remains poorly understood. Investigating these interactions in mammalian cells is challenging due to large genome sizes and the need for deep sequencing.

Overview of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and future clinical trials.

The overall goal of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is to optimize and validate biomarkers for clinical trials while sharing all data and biofluid samples with the global scientific community. ADNI has been instrumental in standardizing and validating amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. ADNI data were used for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Fujirebio and Roche Elecsys cerebrospinal fluid diagnostic tests.

Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific burden of diarrhoeal diseases, their risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990-2021, for 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Diarrhoeal diseases claim more than 1 million lives annually and are a leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Comprehensive global estimates of the diarrhoeal disease burden for specific age groups of children younger than 5 years are scarce, and the burden in children older than 5 years and in adults is also understudied. We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 to assess the burden of, and trends in, diarrhoeal diseases overall and attributable to 13 pathogens, as well as the contributions of associated risk factors, in children and adults in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021.