Metagenome-validated combined amplicon sequencing and text mining-based annotations for simultaneous profiling of bacteria and fungi: vaginal microbiota and mycobiota in healthy women.

Background: Amplicon sequencing of kingdom-specific tags such as 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for fungi are widely used for investigating microbial communities. So far most human studies have focused on bacteria while studies on host-associated fungi in health and disease have only recently started to accumulate. To enable cost-effective parallel analysis of bacterial and fungal communities in human and environmental samples, we developed a method where 16S rRNA gene and ITS1 amplicons were pooled together for a single Illumina MiSeq or HiSeq run and analysed after primer-based segregation.

Collateral damage: the overlooked reproductive health crisis in conflict zones.

Conflict-affected regions face severe reproductive health challenges that disproportionately impact adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and children, who are especially vulnerable due to the breakdown of healthcare systems and limited access to essential services. AGYW are at heightened risk due to restricted access to family planning, prenatal care, and emergency obstetric services, while children face malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and developmental delays. These challenges have profound long-term consequences for both their physical and psychological well-being.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in children: evaluating the importance of diagnosis and follow-up during childhood.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder predominantly caused by pathogenic COL3A1 variants. Characteristic arterial and intestinal fragility and generalised severe tissue friability can lead to clinical events from childhood. We highlight a paucity of literature regarding children diagnosed with vEDS, possibly explained by a restraint in predictive testing, and present data on 63 individuals (23 index cases) with a clinical and genetic diagnosis of vEDS in childhood (<18 years) to address this.

A hybrid encryption framework leveraging quantum and classical cryptography for secure transmission of medical images in IoT-based telemedicine networks.

In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), the transmission of medical reports in the form of scan images for collaborative diagnosis is vital for any telemedicine network. In this context, ensuring secure transmission and communication is necessary to protect medical data to maintain privacy. To address such privacy concerns and secure medical images against cyberattacks, this research presents a robust hybrid encryption framework that integrates quantum, and classical cryptographic methods.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of the oropharyngeal microbiome in a cohort of Ivorian school children.

The respiratory tract harbours microorganisms of the normal host microbiota which are also capable of causing invasive disease. Among these, Neisseria meningitidis a commensal bacterium of the oropharynx can cause meningitis, a disease with epidemic potential. The oral microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining respiratory health.

Analysis of plasmon modes in BiSe/graphene heterostructures via electron energy loss spectroscopy.

Topological Insulators (TIs) are promising platforms for Quantum Technology due to their topologically protected surface states (TSS). Plasmonic excitations in TIs are especially interesting both as a method of characterisation for TI heterostructures, and as potential routes to couple optical and spin signals in low-loss devices. Since the electrical properties of the TI surface are critical, tuning TI surfaces is a vital step in developing TI structures that can be applied in real world plasmonic devices.

Association of relative fat mass (RFM) index with diabetes-related mortality and heart disease mortality.

Although studies have examined the association of the Relative Fat Mass (RFM, a novel anthropometric index used as a surrogate for whole-body fat percentage) with all-cause mortality, the association of RFM with diabetes-related mortality and heart disease mortality has not been thoroughly investigated. In addition, no study has compared the associations of RFM and waist circumference (a surrogate for intra-abdominal fat) with cause-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. In the present study, we addressed these knowledge gaps.

Metformin-loaded nanoparticles reduce hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress and induce eNOS phosphorylation in vascular endothelial cells.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by metabolic defects, including insulin deficiency and resistance. Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications, such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Conventional treatment methods, though effective, are often challenging, costly, and may lead to systemic side effects.

Improving outcomes for very preterm babies in England: does place of birth matter? Findings from OPTI-PREM, a national cohort study.

Objective: Babies born between 27 and 31 weeks of gestation contribute substantially towards infant mortality and morbidity. In England, their care is delivered in maternity services colocated with highly specialised neonatal intensive care units (NICU) or less specialised local neonatal units (LNU). We investigated whether birth setting offered survival and/or morbidity advantages to inform National Health Service delivery.

Grading the Evidence for Physical Activity and any Outcome in Cancer Survivors: an Umbrella Review of 740 Meta-analytic associations.

Background: To contribute to the refinement of future physical activity (PA) guidelines, which have remained mostly generic until now, we performed an umbrella review of meta-analyses for PA in cancer survivors.

Methods: Medline and Scopus databases were searched in January 2024 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the association/effect of any type of PA in every cancer type and for any studied outcome. Statistically significant meta-analyses were categorized into four evidence groups (strong, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak) using pre-established grading criteria.

Pyridoxine Prevents Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common complications after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Pyridoxine has been recommended as a first-line drug to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy; however, its efficacy in preventing PONV remains unclear.

Methods: Patients of 18 to 65 years old, who received elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, were randomized into either the pyridoxine or control group.

Ischemic Stroke in Women: Understanding Sex-Specific Risk Factors, Treatment Considerations, and Outcomes.

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and disability and has become a significant public health concern among women. Overall, women have more ischemic stroke events than men, in part due to their longer life span, and also suffer from more severe stroke-related disabilities compared to men. Women are also more likely than men to present with atypical non-focal neurological symptoms, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) in Neurosurgery: Unexplored Path Towards Personalized Brain Surgery.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) is a non-operative technique that allows for magnetic cortical stimulation (TMS) and analysis of the electrical currents generated in the brain (EEG). Despite the regular utilization of both techniques independently, little is known about the potential impact of their combination in neurosurgical practice. This scoping review, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, focused on TMS-EEG in epilepsy, neuro-oncology, and general neurosurgery.

Up-to-Date Snapshot of Current and Emerging Medical Therapies in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune chronic cholestatic disease of the liver that symptomatically can present with pruritus and fatigue. Its established first- and second-line therapies are ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and obeticholic acid (OCA) although they provide limited symptom management. Liver transplantation offers a potentially curative therapeutic option in refractory cases progressing to cirrhosis.

Exploring the Interaction of Biotinylated FcGamma RI and IgG1 Monoclonal Antibodies on Streptavidin-Coated Plasmonic Sensor Chips for Label-Free VEGF Detection.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical angiogenesis biomarker associated with various pathological conditions, including cancer. This study leverages pre-biotinylated FcγRI interactions with IgG1-type monoclonal antibodies to develop a sensitive VEGF detection method. Utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, we characterized the binding dynamics of immobilized biotinylated FcγRI to an IgG1-type antibody, Bevacizumab (AVT), through kinetic studies and investigated suitable conditions for sensor surface regeneration.

Moving Beyond the Bladder Diary: Does New Technology Now Allow Us to Take Investigation of LUTS Into the Community? ICI-RS 2024.

Context: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are defined by their distressing effect on patients' day-to-day life. Given the pressures on secondary care resources, LUTS may be overlooked or inadequately assessed and therefore patients may be burdened for an extended period before treatment.

Methods: In a debate held at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) meeting in Bristol in June 2024, we considered how new technologies might contribute to an expedited, dignified and effective investigation of LUTS.

Differences between neonatal units with high and low rates of breast milk feeding for very preterm babies at discharge: a qualitative study of staff experiences.

Background: Breast milk has significant benefits for preterm babies, but 'very preterm' babies are unable to feed directly from the breast at birth. Their mothers have to initiate and sustain lactation through expressing milk for tube feeding until their babies are developmentally ready to feed orally. There are wide disparities between neonatal units in England in rates of breast milk feeding at discharge.

How are patient inputs considered in HTA? A thematic document analysis of NICE ultra-rare disease appraisals.

Patient organisations are increasingly involved in HTA. Given this, it is important to understand what these organisations contribute and how their voices are accounted for in the decision-making process. This study characterises inputs from patient organisations and/or their nominated patient experts in technology appraisals for ultra-rare diseases in England and Wales and seeks to understand how these are considered in NICE final recommendations.

The transcriptional profile of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure: Heme-sparing and reduced immune processes.

Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and associated with morbidity and poor prognosis, but pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. We aimed to identify novel biological pathways affected by ID.

Methods And Results: We studied 881 patients with HF from the BIOSTAT-CHF cohort.

Trees suck. Notes on the physics of transpiration in trees.

The Cohesion Theory of the ascent of water in trees is a quiet triumph of modern science. Besides hydrodynamics, the physics of transpiration involves capillarity, evaporation and osmosis - phenomena which all have a history of considerable theoretical confusion. The aim of this paper is to supplement existing accounts of this physics in the plant science literature.

Virologic failure and emergent integrase strand transfer inhibitor drug resistance with long acting cabotegravir for HIV treatment: A meta-analysis.

Background: The long-acting injectable regimen of cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) emerged as an alternative to oral standard of care integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens for individuals with adherence challenges or preference for reduced dosing schedules. Although oral INSTI regimens have a high barrier to emergent resistance, less is known about the potency and durability of CAB/RPV.

Methods: We reviewed clinical trial registries, PubMed, EMBASE, and conference abstract databases to identify published reports of CAB/RPV for HIV therapy.

The biochemical and molecular mechanisms of plants: a review on insect herbivory.

Biochemical and molecular mechanisms have been essential mechanisms to reduce various insect attacks on plants. The biochemical methods are wide involving direct and indirect defenses. The defensive chemical substances are secreted effectively to the wound caused by the herbivores (insects and phytopathogens) on plants.

Endothelial dysfunction in adults with congenital heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) can face a lifelong risk of premature cardiovascular events. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness may be some of the key mechanisms involved. Early identification of endothelial damage in ACHD could be crucial to mitigate the adverse events.

Bayesian material flow analysis for systems with multiple levels of disaggregation and high dimensional data.

Material flow analysis (MFA) is used to quantify and understand the life cycles of materials from production to end of use, which enables environmental, social, and economic impacts and interventions. MFA is challenging as available data are often limited and uncertain, leading to an under-determined system with an infinite number of possible stocks and flows values. Bayesian statistics is an effective way to address these challenges by principally incorporating domain knowledge, quantifying uncertainty in the data, and providing probabilities associated with model solutions.