Psychological factors affecting breastfeeding during the perinatal period in the UK: an observational longitudinal study.

Background: Identifying the behavioral determinants of breastfeeding is an important step toward increasing breastfeeding rates, but studies often adopt a limited measurement model. We aimed to identify, in a British population, which behavioral and psychological factors, assessed throughout the perinatal period, were most reliably associated with intent to breastfeed and breastfeeding at 1 and 6 months.

Methods: This is an observational longitudinal study of a diverse (35.

LungGENIE: the lung gene-expression and network imputation engine.

Background: Few cohorts have study populations large enough to conduct molecular analysis of ex vivo lung tissue for genomic analyses. Transcriptome imputation is a non-invasive alternative with many potential applications. We present a novel transcriptome-imputation method called the Lung Gene Expression and Network Imputation Engine (LungGENIE) that uses principal components from blood gene-expression levels in a linear regression model to predict lung tissue-specific gene-expression.

Microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: mechanisms of disease and therapeutic opportunities.

Perturbations in the intestinal microbiome are strongly linked to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Bacteria, fungi and viruses all make up part of a complex multi-kingdom community colonizing the gastrointestinal tract, often referred to as the gut microbiome. They can exert various effects on the host that can contribute to an inflammatory state.

LILRB3 genetic variation is associated with kidney transplant failure in African American recipients.

African American (AA) kidney transplant recipients exhibit a higher rate of graft loss compared with other racial and ethnic populations, highlighting the need to identify causative factors. Here, in the Genomics of Chronic Allograft Rejection cohort, pretransplant blood RNA sequencing revealed a cluster of four consecutive missense single-nucelotide polymorphisms (SNPs), within the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B3 (LILRB3) gene, strongly associated with death-censored graft loss. This SNP cluster (named LILRB3-4SNPs) encodes missense mutations at amino acids 617-618 proximal to a SHP1/2 phosphatase-binding immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif.

Pelabresib plus ruxolitinib for JAK inhibitor-naive myelofibrosis: a randomized phase 3 trial.

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors provide limited depth and durability of response in myelofibrosis. We evaluated pelabresib-a bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor-plus ruxolitinib (a JAK inhibitor) compared with placebo plus ruxolitinib as first-line therapy. In this phase 3 study (MANIFEST-2), JAK inhibitor-naive patients with myelofibrosis were randomized 1:1 to pelabresib 125 mg once daily (QD; 50-175 mg QD permitted) for 14 days followed by a 7-day break (21-day cycle), or to placebo in combination with ruxolitinib 10 or 15 mg twice daily (BID; 5 mg QD-25 mg BID permitted).

Family-based genome-wide association study designs for increased power and robustness.

Family-based genome-wide association studies (FGWASs) use random, within-family genetic variation to remove confounding from estimates of direct genetic effects (DGEs). Here we introduce a 'unified estimator' that includes individuals without genotyped relatives, unifying standard and FGWAS while increasing power for DGE estimation. We also introduce a 'robust estimator' that is not biased in structured and/or admixed populations.

N,N-dimethylacetamide blocks inflammation-induced preterm birth and remediates maternal systemic immune responses.

The common excipient, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), prevents imminent endotoxin-induced preterm birth in mice. The present study hypothesized that DMA forestalls preterm birth to term (defined as day 18.5 or later) by attenuating bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced maternal systemic inflammatory responses and cervix remodeling.

CIRP contributes to multiple organ damage in acute pancreatitis by increasing endothelial permeability.

Acute pancreatitis can lead to systemic inflammation and multiple organ damage. Increased endothelial permeability is a hallmark of systemic inflammation. Several studies have demonstrated that cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) functions as a proinflammatory factor in various diseases.

DNA lesions can frequently precede DNA:RNA hybrid accumulation.

While DNA:RNA hybrids contribute to multiple genomic transactions, their unscheduled formation is a recognized source of DNA lesions. Here, through a suite of systematic screens, we rather observed that a wide range of yeast mutant situations primarily triggering DNA damage actually leads to hybrid accumulation. Focusing on Okazaki fragment processing, we establish that genic hybrids can actually form as a consequence of replication-born discontinuities such as unprocessed flaps or unligated Okazaki fragments.

Systematic analysis of cotranscriptional RNA folding using transcription elongation complex display.

RNA can fold into structures that mediate diverse cellular functions. Understanding how RNA primary sequence directs the formation of functional structures requires methods that can comprehensively assess how changes in an RNA sequence affect its structure and function. Here we have developed a platform for performing high-throughput cotranscriptional RNA biochemical assays, called Transcription Elongation Complex display (TECdisplay).

Secure and scalable gene expression quantification with pQuant.

Next generation sequencing reads from RNA-seq studies expose private genotypes of individuals during computation. Here, we introduce pQuant, an algorithm that employs homomorphic encryption to ensure privacy-preserving quantification of gene expression from RNA-seq data across public and cloud servers. pQuant performs computations on encrypted data, allowing researchers to handle sensitive information without exposing it.

A real-world experience of efficacy and safety of belantamab mafodotin in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma.

While initial trials led to the accelerated approval of belantamab mafodotin, a BCMA-directed antibody-drug conjugate, confirmatory trials failed to establish benefit from this therapy for patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), eventually leading to its withdrawal from commercial use. With an imminent approval as an effective combination therapy, as seen in recent randomized trials, we report real-world clinical outcomes with belantamab mafodotin in 81 RRMM patients. With a median of 5 (range 2-15) prior lines of therapy, 92, 45, and 15% of the patients were triple-class refractory, penta-class refractory, and BCMA-refractory.

How Do Weapons Screening Programs Reduce Armed Hospital Assault? A Scoping Review of Public Health Principles.

Purpose: Healthcare organizations are increasingly piloting weapons screening programs (WSPs) like metal detectors (MDs) to combat rising hospital workplace violence (WPV). This study identifies, analyzes, and concisely reports how the extant body of literature supports the ability of WSPs' to reduce absolute rates of hospital WPV according to public health principles.

Methods: We searched six online databases from July 2023 to December 2024 for full-length papers and abstracts of original research regarding WSPs at public entrances to US hospitals.

Transmission of Grabloviruses by Insect Vectors.

Among the three viruses of the genus Grablovirus in the plant virus family Geminiviridae, insect vector transmission is documented only for grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), for which Spissistilus festinus (Hemiptera: Membracidae), the three-cornered alfalfa hopper, is identified as a vector. Transmission of GRBV by S. festinus is circulative, nonpropagative; it is also transstadial but neither transovarial, nor via seeds.

Fostering Community Support for Breastfeeding: Implementation of a Neighborhood Level Breastfeeding Initiative in Brooklyn, New York.

To share lessons learned from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Brooklyn Breastfeeding Empowerment Zone initiative to increase breastfeeding duration rates in the Brooklyn Community Districts (CDs) of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville, and to evaluate the degree to which the initiative mobilized community support, and impacted breastfeeding. These neighborhoods were chosen due to historically low breastfeeding rates. Highly frequented community establishments such as restaurants/cafés, beauty salons, pharmacies and retail shops were selected as potential breastfeeding friendly spaces (BFSs) to support and welcome breastfeeding mothers.

Middle meningeal artery embolization and subdural evacuating port system placement for chronic subdural hematomas: how I do it.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common neurosurgical pathology causing significant morbidity and mortality, yet optimal management and intervention remains controversial.

Methods: We describe embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) and placement of subdural evacuating port systems (SEPS) by a dual trained open and endovascular neurosurgeon. Both procedures are done in sequence in the interventional radiology suite, and real time radiographic results are demonstrable with Xper-CT.

Machine-learning based quantification of lung shunt fraction from 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT for selective internal radiation therapy of liver tumors using TriDFusion (3DF).

Background: Prior to selective internal radiotherapy of liver tumors, a determination of the lung shunt fraction (LSF) is performed using 99mTc- macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) injected into the hepatic artery. Most commonly planar but sometimes SPECT/CT images are acquired upon which regions of interests are drawn manually to define the liver and the lung. The LSF is then calculated by taking the count ratios between these two organs.

Impact of physical disability on transplant candidacy: A multi-institutional survey of transplant professionals.

Background: While the solid organ transplant evaluation process is designed to function equitably, discriminatory practices remain, resulting in disparities in access for persons with disabilities. Physical function and frailty status are often-cited factors in establishing transplant, despite limited consensus on their assessment and impact.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe how transplant healthcare professionals conceptualize the relationship between physical disability and transplant candidacy.

Nearly a Century of Nuclear Transfer Research: Milestones, Applications, and Challenges.

From the first cloning of animals-salamanders-to the cloning of primates-monkeys-nuclear transfer research has spanned an extensive 96-year history. Over the course of nearly a century, it has addressed fundamental scientific questions and found applications across a wide range of practical fields. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key milestones in its development, its practical applications, and the challenges it continues to face.

Neoadjuvant treatment for incidental gallbladder cancer: A systematic review.

Incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) diagnosed post-histopathological examination of gallbladders removed assuming benign gallstone disease constitutes a significant proportion of GBC patients. Most iGBC patients present with early-stage disease. The standard care for localized (non-metastatic) iGBC includes a reoperation for complete extended (radical) cholecystectomy involving liver resection and lymphadenectomy, followed by postoperative adjuvant systemic therapy.

Preference, adherence and acceptability of three non-medicated intravaginal rings of differing external diameters: a randomized, crossover trial.

Background: No empirical data support the 54-58mm external diameter of intravaginal rings (rings) currently available and in development for contraception and other indications. Understanding how external diameter affects preference, adherence, and acceptability is critical for optimizing future product development.

Objectives: Our primary objectives were to determine which of three non-medicated rings of differing external diameters was preferred and yielded the highest adherence.