Apoplastic pH is a chemical switch for extracellular HO signaling in abscisic acid-mediated inhibition of cotyledon greening.

The apoplastic pH (pH) in plants is susceptible to environmental stimuli. However, the biological implications of pH variation have remained largely unknown. The universal stress phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) as well as the major environmental stimuli drought and salinity were selected as representative cases to investigate how changes in pH relate to plant behaviors in Arabidopsis.

Advancing adolescent bedtime by motivational interviewing and text message: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sleep deprivation is a prevalent problem among adolescents which is closely related to various adverse outcomes. The lack of efficacy of current sleep education programs among adolescents argues for the need to refine the content and format of the intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based sleep intervention using motivational interviewing plus text reminders in changing adolescent sleep habits.

Next generation bioelectronic medicine: making the case for non-invasive closed-loop autonomic neuromodulation.

The field of bioelectronic medicine has advanced rapidly from rudimentary electrical therapies to cutting-edge closed-loop systems that integrate real-time physiological monitoring with adaptive neuromodulation. Early innovations, such as cardiac pacemakers and deep brain stimulation, paved the way for these sophisticated technologies. This review traces the historical and technological progression of bioelectronic medicine, culminating in the emerging potential of closed-loop devices for multiple disorders of the brain and body.

CD36 enrichment in HER2-positive mesenchymal stem cells drives therapy refractoriness in breast cancer.

Background: Growing evidence shows that the reprogramming of fatty acid (FA) metabolism plays a key role in HER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer (BC) aggressiveness, therapy resistance and cancer stemness. In particular, HER2 + BC has been defined as a "lipogenic disease" due to the functional and bi-directional crosstalk occurring between HER2-mediated oncogenic signaling and FA biosynthesis via FA synthase activity. In this context, the functional role exerted by the reprogramming of CD36-mediated FA uptake in HER2 + BC poor prognosis and therapy resistance remains unclear.

Baicalein inhibits PRRSV through direct binding, targeting EGFR, and enhancing immune response.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) presents significant economic challenges to the global pork industry due to its ability to mutate rapidly. The current commercial vaccines have limited effectiveness, and there are strict restrictions on the use of antiviral chemical drugs. Therefore, it is urgent to identify new strategies for preventing and controlling PRRSV infections.

Evaluation of host immune responses to Mycobacteriophage Fionnbharth by route of delivery.

For much of the last decade, tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of mortality due to an infectious pathogen (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M.tb). Approximately 1.

A randomized controlled, trial on effects of mobile phone text messaging in combination with motivational interviewing versus standard infant feeding counselling on breastfeeding and child health outcomes, among women living with HIV.

Background: Despite efforts to promote optimal breastfeeding practices, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding is low in South Africa. We conducted a trial to determine whether text messaging plus motivational interviewing prolonged exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and improved child health outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a randomized parallel group-controlled trial between July 2022 and May 2024, at a secondary-level healthcare facility.

A novel case of glial transdifferentiation in renal medullary carcinoma brain metastasis.

Renal medullary carcinoma is a rare undifferentiated tumor of the kidney associated with sickle cell trait and characterized by INI1 (SMARCB1) loss. Although metastasis to lungs, lymph nodes, and bone is commonly reported, distant spread to the central nervous system almost never occurs. Here we present an unusual case of a patient with renal medullary carcinoma with metastasis to the brain following treatment which included tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor.

Cinnamaldehyde impacts key cellular signaling pathways for induction of programmed cell death in high-grade and low-grade human glioma cells.

Objective: Primary tumors of the brain and a large percent of malignant brain tumors are gliomas. Gliomas comprise high-grade gliomas like glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs), many of which have mutation in the tumor suppressor p53 gene and low-grade gliomas (LGGs). LGGs can progress to GBMs due to various factors.

Comprehensive analysis of H3K27me3 LOCKs under different DNA methylation contexts reveal epigenetic redistribution in tumorigenesis.

Background: Histone modification H3K27me3 plays a critical role in normal development and is associated with various diseases, including cancer. This modification forms large chromatin domains, known as Large Organized Chromatin Lysine Domains (LOCKs), which span several hundred kilobases.

Result: In this study, we identify and categorize H3K27me3 LOCKs in 109 normal human samples, distinguishing between long and short LOCKs.

Strengthening public health education and humanitarian response through academic volunteerism.

Introduction: Volunteers are an integral part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement, with over 16 million people actively contributing to humanitarian action worldwide. Academic volunteerism within the Movement includes contributions from students, volunteers and professionals from academic institutions who offer their time and expertise. In this study we aimed to understand the process of embedding academic volunteers in humanitarian organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) and assess the impact of their activities within the realm of public health education.

Improving access to services in neuro-developmental disability: proceedings of a national meeting to advance community capacity.

As part of a participatory project to advance navigational service delivery systems for children with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) and their families, this paper addresses proceedings from a capacity-building conference in Vancouver, Canada. A total of 29 invited key stakeholders attended the meeting with the following aims: knowledge sharing amongst provincial/territorial regions advancing NDD navigation capacity; sustainable action-oriented knowledge exchange; and operationalizing next steps to build navigation resources across Canadian regions. Regional representation included multiple and inter-sectoral partners (e.

Evaluation of a mentorship matchmaking event at an academic research institution to reinforce the scientific workforce pathway for underrepresented minority groups.

Background: Mentorship and research experiences are crucial for STEMM career entry and advancement. However, systemic barriers have excluded people from historically underrepresented groups.

Methods: In 2021, a virtual "matchmaking event" was held to connect NIH-funded research mentors with historically underrepresented trainees and initiate mentored research experiences.

Training received, knowledge, and use of Silver Diamine Fluoride among Italian dentists: a nationwide survey.

Objective: To investigate the education, knowledge and behaviour of Italian dentists regarding Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2022, through an online survey linked to an online continuing medical education (CME) course sent to Italian dentists. A priori power analysis estimated the necessary sample to be 1480 dentists with an anticipated frequency of 50% and a power of 99.

Understanding the experiences of young, urban, Indigenous mothers-to-be in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Indigenous Peoples comprise the youngest and fastest growing demographic in Canada, with many living in urban-suburban areas. Given higher fertility rates, younger overall ages and higher adolescent pregnancy rates, perinatal research is needed-to inform policymaking and programming throughout pregnancy and childhood. Yet such data remain scarce in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Antibiofilm effect of Nano chitosan and calcium hydroxide intracanal medications and their effects on the microhardness and chemical structure of radicular dentine.

Background: Disinfection of the root canal system is a challenge to all clinicians, calcium hydroxide Ca(OH) one of the most popular intracanal medications used for this purpose, has some unwanted effects on dentine. This study aimed to investigate the antibiofilm effect of Nanochitosan (CSNPs) and Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH) intra canal medications and their effect on the microhardness and chemical structure of radicular dentine.

Methodology: A total of 52 extracted human mandibular premolars were used.

Lung-specific CRBN knockout attenuates influenza a virus-induced acute lung injury in mice: a potential therapeutic approach.

Influenza-related acute lung injury is a life-threatening condition primarily caused by uncontrolled replication of the influenza virus and intense proinflammatory responses. Cereblon (CRBN) is a protein known for its role in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and as a target of the drug thalidomide. However, the function of CRBN in influenza virus infection remains poorly understood.

Physical behaviours during pregnancy may alter the association of maternal insulin sensitivity with neonatal adiposity: a prospective pre-birth cohort of mother-child pairs.

Background: Lower maternal insulin sensitivity during pregnancy is associated with greater fetal adiposity. Physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, but it is not known if physical behaviours influence the known association of maternal insulin sensitivity with offspring adiposity. This study aimed to investigate the moderating impact of physical behaviours on this association.

International expert consensus on micronutrient supplement use during the early life course.

Background: Growing evidence demonstrates that maternal nutrition is crucial for the health of the mother-to-be, and early life course of the offspring. However, for most micronutrients, guidelines are inconsistent. This Delphi study aimed to investigate the level of expert consensus on maternal nutrition and micronutrient needs during preconception, pregnancy and lactation.

Early onset neonatal bloodstream infections in South African hospitals.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of death in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC). Increasing antibiotic resistance in early onset (< 72 h of life) bloodstream infection (EO-BSI) pathogens in LMIC has reduced the effectiveness of the recommended empiric antibiotic regimen (ampicillin plus gentamicin).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed blood culture-confirmed EO-BSI episodes at nine neonatal units from three central and six peripheral hospitals in the Western Cape Province, South Africa between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018.

A practical guide for choosing an optimal spatial transcriptomics technology from seven major commercially available options.

Spatial transcriptomics technology enables the mapping of gene expression within tissues, allowing researchers to visualize the spatial distribution of RNA molecules and gain insights into cellular organization, interactions, and functions in their native environments. A variety of spatial technologies are now commercially available, each offering distinct technical parameters such as cellular resolution, detection sensitivity, gene coverage, and throughput. This wide range of options can make it challenges or create confusion for researchers to select the most appropriate platform for their specific research objectives.

The fibrosis-4 index and its association with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in China.

Background: The medical community has long been concerned about the cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. While liver fibrosis scores were originally designed for application in individuals with liver steatosis, an increasing number of studies have shown that they are also associated with cardiovascular disease risk. However, the association between Fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) in liver fibrosis scores and carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in patients with type 2 diabetes remains unclear.

Systematic ocular phenotyping of 8,707 knockout mouse lines identifies genes associated with abnormal corneal phenotypes.

Purpose: Corneal dysmorphologies (CDs) are typically classified as either regressive degenerative corneal dystrophies (CDtrs) or defective growth and differentiation-driven corneal dysplasias (CDyps). Both eye disorders have multifactorial etiologies. While previous work has elucidated many aspects of CDs, such as presenting symptoms, epidemiology, and pathophysiology, the genetic mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

Profiling Sociodemographic Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Women with Endometrial Cancer in Puerto Rico: The Central Role of Obesity and Obstetric Features.

Introduction: Incidence of endometrial cancer (EC) in Hispanic/Latina (H/L) women are higher compared to other race/ethnicities in the United States. EC is the third most common cancer and the fourth cause of cancer-related deaths in Puerto Rican women, yet demographic and clinical information is limited. High rates of EC risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and hypertension (HTN) have been documented in the Puerto Rican population.