Fine particulate matter from burning oil and gas and associated neurological symptoms among Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup workers.

Burning and flaring of oil and gas following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill generated high airborne concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM). Neurological effects of PM have been previously reported, but this relationship has received limited attention in the context of oil spills. We evaluated associations between burning-related PM and prevalence of self-reported neurological symptoms during, and 1-3 years after, the DWH disaster cleanup.

A first-born twin has a higher risk of acute leukemia in a population-based assessment of cancer in twins in California, and a lower than anticipated rate of twin concordance.

Not available.

Results from patient-derived xenograft models support co-administration of allopurinol and 6-mercaptopurine to reduce hepatotoxicity and improve event-free survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Not available.

Determination of collagen types and mineral contents in fish skin and collagen-containing skin-derived protein hydrolysates before and after simulated digestion.

An digestion model was established to characterize the types of collagens in skin of cod, white fish, and salmon as well as their collagen-containing skin-derived protein hydrolysates (CSPH) before and after digestion. Moreover, the mineral content and their bioaccessibility were evaluated. Finally, the presence of heavy metals was evaluated to assess the safety of these products.

Genetic Variants Associated with the Biochemical Response to Vitamin D3 in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Context: The response to treatment with vitamin D varies between patients.

Objective: To identify genetic variants associated with the biochemical response to vitamin D3 supplementation.

Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted between 2017 and 2019.

Hand dominance shift during sleep in sexsomnia: a clue to pathophysiology?

Study Objectives: To elucidate whether awake handedness in sexsomnia is retained during sleep to uncover potential clues about the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms.

Methods: Participants' and observers' self-reported handedness during sexsomnia events.

Results: Case 1: A 22 y/o right-handed female with an eight-year history of nocturnal sleep-related masturbatory behavior (SMB) involving the left hand (LH) exclusively.

Flaxseed gum nano-microcapsules loaded with secoisolariciresinol diglucoside: Preparation and characterization.

Flaxseed gum (FSG) has promising applications in the field of nano/microencapsulation for its biocompatibility and excellent physicochemical properties. In this study, FSG-based nano-microcapsules (FSG NPs) were prepared using high-speed shear homogenization combined with ultrasound for efficient encapsulation of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). The particle size of FSG stands for nano-microcapsules (NP) was determined to be 336.

Heads and Tails: Comparative Osteology of Nearctic Dipsadid Snakes.

Although numerous studies have addressed some aspects of the cranial osteology of Nearctic dipsadid species, only the species within the genera Heterodon and Carphophis have a formal published description of their skull. Similarly, vertebral data on such species are extremely scarce, and most of the available literature is focused on fossils. Such group has a complex phylogenetic history, being recovered as monophyletic or nonmonophyletic depending on the approach.

Physician knowledge, use, and perceptions of genetic biomarker testing for the management of patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: an international physician survey.

Aims: To explore physician-reported knowledge, use, and perceptions of genetic testing for advanced ovarian cancer management.

Materials & Methods: Gynecology/oncology specialists ( = 390) in the US, Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia completed an online survey spanning March 2021 to April 2022.

Results: Physician-reported breast cancer gene mutation (BRCAm) testing rates increased over the 2 years before the survey; most patients underwent testing in the preceding 6 months.

Anti-microbial cetylpyridinium chloride suppresses mast cell function by targeting tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk kinase.

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial used in numerous personal care products, human food, cosmetic products, and cleaning solutions. Yet, there is minimal published data on CPC effects on eukaryotes, immune signaling, and human health. Previously, it was shown that low-micromolar CPC inhibits rat mast cell function by inhibiting antigen (Ag)-stimulated Ca mobilization, microtubule polymerization, and degranulation.

Genetically Reprogrammed Exosomes for Immunotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Current treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain challenging, characterized by poor clinical outcomes. Exosomes, cell-derived membranous vesicles, has been emerging as a new modality of therapy. Here we designed and generated genetically reprogrammed exosomes with surface displayed antibodies and immunoregulatory proteins, namely programmed immune-engaging exosomes (PRIME Exos).

Military influences on the evolution of clinical trials throughout history.

Clinical trials of drugs, procedures, and other therapies play a crucial role in advancing medical science by evaluating the safety, efficacy, and optimal use of medical interventions. The design and implementation of these trials have evolved significantly over time, reflecting advancements in medicine, ethics, and methodology. Early historical examples, such as King Nebuchadnezzar II's and his captives' dietary experiment and Ambroise Paré's treatment of gunshot wounds, laid some foundational principles of trial design.

Left atrioventricular coupling index assessed with three-dimensional echocardiography: a prognostic marker of short-term outcomes in light-chain cardiac amyloidosis.

Background: Light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) is associated with structural and functional changes in the left atrium and left ventricle. This study aims to assess the value of the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) for predicting primary outcome in AL-CA.

Methods: Participants with biopsy-confirmed AL-CA from April 2022 to February 2024 were prospectively analysed.

Recombinant Klotho administration after myocardial infarction reduces ischaemic injury and arrhythmias by blocking intracellular calcium mishandling and CaMKII activation.

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remains a major cause of death and morbidity. Klotho is a well-known anti-ageing factor with relevant cardioprotective actions, at least when renal dysfunction is present, but its actions are much less known when renal function is preserved. This study investigated Klotho as a biomarker and potential novel treatment of IHD-associated complications after myocardial infarction (MI) under preserved renal function.

Machine Learning-Aided Diagnosis Enhances Human Detection of Perilunate Dislocations.

Background: Perilunate/lunate injuries are frequently misdiagnosed. We hypothesize that utilization of a machine learning algorithm can improve human detection of perilunate/lunate dislocations.

Methods: Participants from emergency medicine, hand surgery, and radiology were asked to evaluate 30 lateral wrist radiographs for the presence of a perilunate/lunate dislocation with and without the use of a machine learning algorithm, which was used to label the lunate.

Identification of Behavioral, Clinical, and Psychological Antecedents of Acute Stimulant Poisoning: Development and Implementation of a Mixed Methods Psychological Autopsy Study.

Background: Despite increasing fatal stimulant poisoning in the United States, little is understood about the mechanism of death. The psychological autopsy (PA) has long been used to distinguish the manner of death in equivocal cases, including opioid overdose, but has not been used to explicitly explore stimulant mortality.

Objective: We aimed to develop and implement a large PA study to identify antecedents of fatal stimulant poisoning, seeking to maximize data gathering and ethical interactions during the collateral interviews.

Evaluation of synaptotagmin-1 action models by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.

Neurotransmitter release is triggered in microseconds by the two C domains of the Ca sensor synaptotagmin-1 and by SNARE complexes, which form four-helix bundles that bridge the vesicle and plasma membranes. The synaptotagmin-1 CB domain binds to the SNARE complex via a 'primary interface', but the mechanism that couples Ca-sensing to membrane fusion is unknown. Widespread models postulate that the synaptotagmin-1 Ca-binding loops accelerate membrane fusion by inducing membrane curvature, perturbing lipid bilayers or helping bridge the membranes, but these models do not seem compatible with SNARE binding through the primary interface, which orients the Ca-binding loops away from the fusion site.

The role of Anti-PAD4, Anti-CarP, and Anti-RA33 antibodies combined with RF and ACPA in predicting abatacept response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To explore the role of newly emerging autoantibodies (AAbs) - peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4 (aPAD4), carbamylated proteins (aCarP), and anti-RA33 (aRA33) - alongside the traditionally assessed rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), in predicting the response to abatacept (ABT) and its retention rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Data from 121 consecutive ABT-treated RA patients were recorded. The RF and ACPA status were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the patients' clinical records.

Newly identified c-di-GMP pathway putative EAL domain gene STM0343 regulates stress resistance and virulence in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

S. Typhimurium is a significant zoonotic pathogen, and its survival and transmission rely on stress resistance and virulence factors. Therefore, identifying key regulatory elements is crucial for preventing and controlling S.

Genome-wide association studies are enriched for interacting genes.

Background: With recent advances in single cell technology, high-throughput methods provide unique insight into disease mechanisms and more importantly, cell type origin. Here, we used multi-omics data to understand how genetic variants from genome-wide association studies influence development of disease. We show in principle how to use genetic algorithms with normal, matching pairs of single-nucleus RNA- and ATAC-seq, genome annotations, and protein-protein interaction data to describe the genes and cell types collectively and their contribution to increased risk.

Metabolomic in severe traumatic brain injury: exploring primary, secondary injuries, diagnosis, and severity.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern worldwide, contributing to high rates of injury-related death and disability. Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), although it accounts for only 10% of all TBI cases, results in a mortality rate of 30-40% and a significant burden of disability in those that survive. This study explored the potential of metabolomics in the diagnosis of sTBI and explored the potential of metabolomics to examine probable primary and secondary brain injury in sTBI.

Navigating ethics in HIV data and biomaterial management within Black, African, and Caribbean communities in Canada.

Background: This study explored the ethical issues associated with community-based HIV testing among African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) populations in Canada, focusing on their perceptions of consent, privacy, and the management of HIV-related data and bio-samples.

Methods: A qualitative community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was employed to actively engage ACB community members in shaping the research process. The design included in-depth qualitative interviews with 33 ACB community members in Manitoba, Canada.

Trichoderma virens XZ11-1 producing siderophores inhibits the infection of Fusarium oxysporum and promotes plant growth in banana plants.

Background: Banana Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense is a soil-borne fungal disease.

Larviciding for malaria control and elimination in Africa.

Background: Global progress toward malaria elimination and eradication goals has stagnated in recent years, with many African countries reporting increases in malaria morbidity and mortality. Insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying are effective, but the emergence and increased intensity of insecticide resistance and the challenge of outdoor transmission are undermining their impact. New tools are needed to get back on track towards global targets.

The clinical value and most informative threshold of polygenic risk score in the Quebec City Case-Control Asthma Cohort.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants robustly associated with asthma. A potential near-term clinical application is to calculate polygenic risk score (PRS) to improve disease risk prediction. The value of PRS, as part of numerous multi-source variables used to define asthma, remains unclear.