Evidence of multiple bacterial, viral, and parasitic infectious disease agents in rodents in riverine areas in selected parts of Zambia.

Background: Infectious disease agents pose significant threats to humans, wildlife, and livestock, with rodents carrying a third of these agents, many linked to human diseases. However, the range of pathogens in rodents and the hotspots for disease remain poorly understood.

Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens in rodents in riverine and non-riverine areas in selected districts in Zambia.

Robust and interpretable AI-guided marker for early dementia prediction in real-world clinical settings.

Background: Predicting dementia early has major implications for clinical management and patient outcomes. Yet, we still lack sensitive tools for stratifying patients early, resulting in patients being undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Despite rapid expansion in machine learning models for dementia prediction, limited model interpretability and generalizability impede translation to the clinic.

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and the risk of pulmonary embolism: an observational study.

Background: Pulmonary embolism causes a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality. Although there are several well-established risk factors for pulmonary embolism, a substantial proportion of cases cannot be attributed to provoked or known risk factors. Accumulating evidence has suggested an association of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) with the risk of arterial thromboembolism.

Brain maps of general cognitive function and spatial correlations with neurobiological cortical profiles.

In this paper, we attempt to answer two questions: 1) which regions of the human brain, in terms of morphometry, are most strongly related to individual differences in domain-general cognitive functioning ( )? and 2) what are the underlying neurobiological properties of those regions? We meta-analyse vertex-wise -cortical morphometry (volume, surface area, thickness, curvature and sulcal depth) associations using data from 3 cohorts: the UK Biobank (UKB), Generation Scotland (GenScot), and the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936), with the meta-analytic = 38,379 (age range = 44 to 84 years old). These morphometry associations vary in magnitude and direction across the cortex (|β| range = -0.12 to 0.

Endostatin as a biomarker of systemic sclerosis: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The critical role played by vascular dysfunction and ineffective angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc) suggests that circulating biomarkers reflecting these alterations may be useful in the clinical evaluation of this patient group. We sought to address this issue by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating a such candidate biomarker, endostatin, an endogenous glycoprotein exerting anti-angiogenic effects, in SSc patients and healthy controls.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from inception to 27 May 2024.

Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors for EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer: a network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes approximately 80-85% of cancer-related fatalities globally, and direct and indirect comparisons of various therapies for NSCLC are lacking. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC.

Methods: The electronic databases were systematically searched from inception until March 18, 2024.

The size of local recurrence influences outcomes in chondrosarcoma: Significant impact observed in grade 2 tumours.

Background: Chondrosarcoma is the second most common bone malignancy. Chondrosarcoma is considered a surgical disease, and the role of surgical margin is important since local recurrence is known to decrease survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of local recurrence and the size of local recurrence in post local recurrence survival in chondrosarcoma.

Feasibility of attention-based virtual reality interventions in fibromyalgia syndrome: comparing systems, virtual environments and activities.

Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is highly prevalent with a significant associated morbidity and socioeconomic burden. Effective treatments for FMS remain elusive with pharmacological management (including use of opioids) often proving ineffective. There is a need to develop accessible, innovative management approaches to improve patient care.

U-shaped relationship between serum uric acid and gastric cancer risk: a large prospective cohort study.

Objective: We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 475659 cancer-free participants from the UK Biobank. All subjects were grouped into quartiles, and we used a Cox proportional hazards model to analyze the association between SUA levels and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer and explore the potential sex-specific relationship.

Evaluating the prognostic relevance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Recently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a promising prognostic marker for survival outcomes in individuals affected cervical cancer. However, research specifically focusing on the prognostic relevance of NLR across different cancer stages and in cases of recurrent metastases remains scant.

Methods: We executed a systematic review of the literature from databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, covering publications up to March 3, 2024.

Perception of the Importance of Inherited Genetics and Lifestyle on the Development of Chronic Diseases: A UK Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background And Aims: There is emerging evidence that genes, lifestyles and environment play a prominent role in the development of non-communicable diseases. Currently, there is not information on people's perception of inherited genetics vs. lifestyle on disease development.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review of Advancements in Diagnostics, Treatment, and Operational Efficiency.

Background And Aims: Artificial Intelligence (AI) beginning to integrate in healthcare, is ushering in a transformative era, impacting diagnostics, altering personalized treatment, and significantly improving operational efficiency. The study aims to describe AI in healthcare, including important technologies like robotics, machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and natural language processing (NLP), and to investigate how these technologies are used in patient interaction, predictive analytics, and remote monitoring. The goal of this review is to present a thorough analysis of AI's effects on healthcare while providing stakeholders with a road map for navigating this changing environment.

Machine Learning Approaches to Predict Alcohol Consumption from Biomarkers in the UK Biobank.

Background: Measuring and estimating alcohol consumption (AC) is important for individual health, public health, and Societal benefits. While self-report and diagnostic interviews are commonly used, incorporating biological-based indices can offer a complementary approach.

Methods: We evaluate machine learning (ML) based predictions of AC using blood and urine-derived biomarkers.

Associations of Combined Genetic and Lifestyle Risks with Incident Type 2 Diabetes in the UK Biobank.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) results from a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Both genetic susceptibility and unhealthy lifestyle are known to be associated with elevated T2D risk. However, their combined effects on T2D risk are not well studied.

Machine learning analysis of population-wide plasma proteins identifies hormonal biomarkers of Parkinson's Disease.

As the number of Parkinson's patients is expected to increase with the growth of the aging population there is a growing need to identify new diagnostic markers that can be used cheaply and routinely to monitor the population, stratify patients towards treatment paths and provide new therapeutic leads. Genetic predisposition and familial forms account for only around 10% of PD cases [1] leaving a large fraction of the population with minimal effective markers for identifying high risk individuals. The establishment of population-wide omics and longitudinal health monitoring studies provides an opportunity to apply machine learning approaches on these unbiased cohorts to identify novel PD markers.

Age at Menarche and Coronary Artery Disease Risk: Divergent Associations with Different Sources of Variation.

Background: In women, both earlier and later age at menarche (AAM) are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study sought to determine if the relationship of AAM with CAD and CAD risk factors differs for different underlying sources of variation in AAM - specifically, variation attributable to common genetic variants as represented by a polygenic score (PGS) vs. variation in AAM adjusted for the PGS.

The impact of stigma and discrimination-based narratives in the health of migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review.

Stigma and discrimination-based narratives have been associated with adverse health outcomes. Migrants and refugees face multiple barriers to accessing healthcare, influenced by stigma and discrimination-based narratives against them. We conducted a scoping review of scientific and grey literature (n = 61) to discuss available evidence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) concerning communication and narrative speeches related to international migration and its implications for population health, particularly when associated with stigma and discrimination against migrants and refugees.

Intersections between gender approaches, migration and health in Latin America and the Caribbean: a discussion based on a scoping review.

Gender is a sociocultural construct that assigns forms of behaviour, power, and roles to individuals based on their sexual differentiation. There are multiple gender approaches that help distinguish risks, health conditions and behaviours related to the body, health-disease processes, and differential opportunities to access health care. Based on a scoping review of scientific and grey literature in LAC, we discuss existing understandings of international migrants' health in LAC with a focus on gender approaches.

The experiences of attending an international veteran sporting competition and preparatory camp for Team Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

Introduction: This article offers unique insight into Team Ukraine's experiences of attending an international sporting event for veterans living with disability and injured active-duty personnel (the United States' Department of Defense Warrior Games, "The Games") and a 5-week preparatory camp in the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods: A survey gathered qualitative data at three time points: during the second and final week of training camp, and the in the two weeks immediately following participation at The Games. Forty-four out of 55 members of Team Ukraine (including veterans, active-duty personnel, support staff, and family members) provided responses in Survey 1, 20 in Survey 2, and 18 in Survey 3.

Treatment of idiopathic scoliosis with conservative methods based on exercises: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the effect size of conservative methods based on exercise for respondents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: This study was developed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched in May 2023.

Evaluation of the effect of 48 weeks of BIC/F/TAF and DRV/c/F/TAF on platelet function in the context of rapid ART start.

Introduction: The BIC-T&T study aimed to determine the efficacy of bictegraviremtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/F/TAF) and darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabinetenofovir alafenamide (DRV/c/F/TAF) at suppressing viral load in a two-arm, open-label, multi-centre, randomised trial under a UK test-and-treat setting. This sub-study aimed to evaluate potential off-target cardiovascular impact by examining platelet function.

Methods: Platelets were isolated by centrifugation of citrated blood from participants attending Chelsea and Westminster Hospital or St Mary's Hospital at Week 48 following enrolment.

Attitudes towards mental health professionals in social media: infodemiology study.

Background: Negative perceptions of mental health professionals can deter individuals from seeking mental healthcare. Given the high burden of mental health globally, it is essential to understand attitudes towards mental health professionals. Social media platforms like Twitter/X provide valuable insights into the views of the general population.

Cerebral perfusion alterations in healthy young adults due to two genetic risk factors of Alzheimer's disease: APOE and MAPT.

Functional brain changes such as altered cerebral blood flow occur long before the onset of clinical symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. While cerebral hypoperfusion occurs in established AD, middle-aged carriers of genetic risk factors for AD, including APOE ε4, display regional hyperperfusion due to hypothesised pleiotropic or compensatory effects, representing a possible early biomarker of AD and facilitating earlier AD diagnosis. However, it is not clear whether hyperperfusion already exists even earlier in life.