Dysregulation of Podocyte BK Channels and Nephrosis: Effects of Circulating Factors and Auxiliary β4 Subunits.

Podocytes express large-conductance Ca-activated K channels (BK channels) and at least two different pore-forming KCa1.1 subunit C-terminal splice variants, known as VEDEC and EMVYR, along with auxiliary β and γ subunits. Podocyte KCa1.

Induction of SUSD2 by STAT3 Activation Is Associated with Tumor Recurrence in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Sushi domain-containing protein 2 (SUSD2), a transmembrane protein containing a sushi motif, has been reported to have tumor-promoting functions in various types of cancer, including breast cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of SUSD2 and its function in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer have not been fully identified as yet. In this study, we explored the potential of targeting SUSD2 to overcome trastuzumab (TRZ) resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.

Detection of Human Bladder Epithelial Cancerous Cells with Atomic Force Microscopy and Machine Learning.

The development of noninvasive methods for bladder cancer identification remains a critical clinical need. Recent studies have shown that atomic force microscopy (AFM), combined with pattern recognition machine learning, can detect bladder cancer by analyzing cells extracted from urine. However, these promising findings were limited by a relatively small patient cohort, resulting in modest statistical significance.

Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins: From DNA Replication to the DNA Damage Response.

The DNA replication machinery is highly conserved from bacteria to eukaryotic cells. Faithful DNA replication is vital for cells to transmit accurate genetic information to the next generation. However, both internal and external DNA damages threaten the intricate DNA replication process, leading to the activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) system.

Ezrin Polarization as a Diagnostic Marker for Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with no precise method for early detection. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) expressing the dynamic polarity of the cytoskeletal membrane protein, ezrin, have been proposed to play a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis. This study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic potential of polarized circulating tumor cells (p-CTCs) in HCC patients.

Metabolomics-Driven Biomarker Discovery for Breast Cancer Prognosis and Diagnosis.

Breast cancer is a cancer with global prevalence and a surge in the number of cases with each passing year. With the advancement in science and technology, significant progress has been achieved in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer to make ends meet. The scientific intradisciplinary subject of "metabolomics" examines every metabolite found in a cell, tissue, system, or organism from different sources of samples.

Ca/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) Regulates Basal Cardiac Pacemaker Function: Pros and Cons.

The spontaneous firing of the sinoatrial (SA) node, the physiological pacemaker of the heart, is generated within sinoatrial nodal cells (SANCs) and is regulated by a "coupled-clock" pacemaker system, which integrates a "membrane clock", the ensemble of ion channel currents, and an intracellular "Ca clock", sarcoplasmic reticulum-generated local submembrane Ca releases via ryanodine receptors. The interactions within a "coupled-clock" system are modulated by phosphorylation of surface membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins. Though the essential role of a high basal cAMP level and PKA-dependent phosphorylation for basal spontaneous SANC firing is well recognized, the role of basal CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation remains uncertain.

Caveolin-Mediated Endocytosis: Bacterial Pathogen Exploitation and Host-Pathogen Interaction.

Within mammalian cells, diverse endocytic mechanisms, including phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis, serve as gateways exploited by many bacterial pathogens and toxins. Among these, caveolae-mediated endocytosis is characterized by lipid-rich caveolae and dimeric caveolin proteins. Caveolae are specialized microdomains on cell surfaces that impact cell signaling.

Identifying Access Barriers to PrEP Among Cisgender Black/African American Women in the United States: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background/objectives: Cisgender Black women in the U.S. face disproportionately high HIV rates due to systemic inequities rooted in institutional racism, not individual behaviors.

Ergonomics and Occupational Health: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Botswana.

: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are, to this day, considered one of the major occupational health risks, especially among healthcare workers. Poor working conditions, such as awkward postures, are associated with the development of MSD. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nurses at a public tertiary hospital in Botswana relating to ergonomic principles.

Parkinson's Disease and Caregiving Roles, Demands, and Support Needs and Experiences: A Scoping Review.

A public health priority is the increasing number of persons with Parkinson's disease (PwP), and the need to provide them with support. We sought to synthesize the experiences of relatives or friends-family caregivers-who provide such support. This study was a scoping literature review modeled by the PRISMA guidelines.

Changes in Subjective Cognitive and Social Functioning in Parkinson's Disease from Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Social isolation and health-related consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may have significantly impacted quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic specifically on subjective cognition and social functioning in PwPD is poorly understood. We conducted a longitudinal analysis of changes in subjective cognitive and social functioning in PwPD before (T1, 2017-2019) and during (T2, 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Role of Social Integration in Chronic Disease Prevalences Among the Internal Migrant Populations in China: Evidence from a National Survey.

: China has the world's largest internal migrant population, yet chronic disease prevalence among this group remains largely overlooked. The integration of the internal migrant population into the local society may affect their noncommunicable disease prevalences and become a challenge for the public health system. This study aimed to explore the association between the social integration of China's internal migrant population and the prevalences of chronic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes.

Low Vision Rehabilitation Referral Characteristics for Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

: Despite evidence that low vision rehabilitation (LVR) services can improve visual function in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), many patients are not directed to access these resources. This study was conducted to determine factors associated with LVR referral and to assess the visual outcomes from completed evaluations. : The study comprised a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of patients with nAMD.

Enhancing Patient Comprehension of Glomerular Disease Treatments Using ChatGPT.

: It is often challenging for patients to understand treatment options, their mechanisms of action, and the potential side effects of each treatment option for glomerular disorders. This study explored the ability of ChatGPT to simplify these treatment options to enhance patient understanding. : GPT-4 was queried on sixty-seven glomerular disorders using two distinct queries for a general explanation and an explanation adjusted for an 8th grade level or lower.

Bidirectional Associations Between Alcohol Drinking and Depressive Symptoms Among US Adults Aged 50 to 75: The US Health and Retirement Study.

: Low or moderate alcohol drinking may reduce the risk of depression, but depression may induce alcohol drinking. However, the bidirectional associations between alcohol drinking and depression were inconsistent, and many prior analyses were not properly conducted. This study explored the within-individual bidirectional associations between alcohol drinking and depressive symptoms under a causal analytic framework.

Long-Term Results of Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome: A Prospective Investigation in Central Asian Population.

There is a lack of research on the clinical characteristics of vitreomacular traction (VMT) in the Central Asian population, which evaluates the visual recovery and macular hole closure outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with membrane peel in this population. This long-term prospective cohort study, conducted at the Kazakh Eye Research Institute from June 2015 to December 2021 with a follow-up period until December 2022, included 1574 patients (1784 eyes) with VMT syndrome. Among the eyes, 724 (40.

Understanding Barriers to Hepatitis C Antiviral Treatment in Low-Middle-Income Countries.

: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have significantly reduced Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) transmission and improved health outcomes since their FDA approval in 2011. Despite these advances, over 70 million people remain untreated globally, with a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). : Through a structured search of open access informational sources and an informal peer-reviewed literature review, HCV treatment barriers were identified, compiled, and analyzed.

Strategies for Cost-Effectiveness in Sustainable Quality Healthcare Delivery in Emerging Economies: The Case of Healthcare Professionals Development in South Africa.

: This paper suggests strategies for professionals' continuous development in healthcare institutions to ensure quality and sustainable healthcare delivery in a cost-effective way. Background: Healthcare services are increasingly becoming expensive, and receiving quality service is often difficult. This plunges practices and healthcare institutions into the sphere of the population's mistrust.

Optimizing Exclusion Criteria for Clinical Trials of Persistent Lyme Disease Using Real-World Data.

Background/objectives: Although eligibility criteria for clinical trials significantly impact study outcomes, these criteria are often established without scientific justification, leading to delayed recruitment, small sample sizes, and limited study generalizability. Persistent Lyme disease (PLD) presents unique challenges due to symptom variability, inconsistent treatment responses, and the lack of reliable biomarkers, underscoring the need for scientifically justified eligibility criteria.

Objective: This study examines the effects of commonly used enrollment criteria on sample yield in PLD clinical trials using real-world data (RWD) from the MyLymeData patient registry.

An Ontology-Based Approach for Understanding Appendicectomy Processes and Associated Resources.

Background: Traditional methods for analysing surgical processes often fall short in capturing the intricate interconnectedness between clinical procedures, their execution sequences, and associated resources such as hospital infrastructure, staff, and protocols.

Aim: This study addresses this gap by developing an ontology for appendicectomy, a computational model that comprehensively represents appendicectomy processes and their resource dependencies to support informed decision making and optimise appendicectomy healthcare delivery.

Methods: The ontology was developed using the NeON methodology, drawing knowledge from existing ontologies, scholarly literature, and de-identified patient data from local hospitals.

Challenges and Lessons from an Acute Telehealth Homeopathy Service During the Pandemic: A Case Series Exploring How Changing Demographics, Efficiency and Outcomes, Point to New Options for Epidemic Readiness.

In 2020, HOHM Foundation launched Homeopathy Help Now (HHN), a network of professional homeopathy telehealth practitioners, administrative volunteers, and independent researchers to work collaboratively in order to respond to the urgent need of care for the ever-growing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States. in this pragmatic case series study, cases of positively testing or probable COVID-19 (n = 3495) are analyzed using conventional quantitative analysis. The sample includes clinical data collected from clients who attended the clinic between 23 March 2020 and 31 December 2023.

Effect of telehealth yoga on loneliness and social isolation among rural older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with a range of deleterious health outcomes. Yoga is a mind-body physical activity that is used in health care settings and increasingly in a telehealth group format. This trial aimed to determine the effect of a brief course of telehealth yoga on loneliness among rural older adults.

Non-Genetic Biomarkers in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Prognostic Implications and Predictive Utility for Response to Anti-PD-(L)1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a skin cancer that arises due to either Merkel cell polyomavirus infection (MCPyV) or ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, presenting primarily in the head and neck region of fair-skinned males. The recent success of PD-(L)1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in locally advanced/metastatic MCC, with an objective response rate (ORR) around 50% and improved survival, as a first-line treatment has moved ICIs to the forefront of therapy for MCC and generated interest in identifying biomarkers to predict clinical response. The MCC tumour microenvironment (TME) contains various components of the adaptive and innate immune system.