Validation of the Contraception-Focused Preference-Aligned Fertility Management Index in Uganda and Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate construct validity of the contraception-focused "Preference-aligned Fertility Management" (PFM) Index, a new person-centered and rights-based outcome measure, in Nigeria and Uganda.

Study Design: We analyzed survey data from convenience samples of new users of contraception and non-users of contraception in Uganda and users of contraception in Nigeria. PFM Index scores were calculated by combining two indicators: Indicator 1 assessing alignment between desire to use contraception and actual use; Indicator 2 evaluating whether users' current methods are desired.

Update on Mast Cell Biology.

Mast cells (MCs) are heterogeneous tissue-resident effector cells thought to play central roles in allergic inflammatory disease, yet the degree of heterogeneity and nature of these roles has remained elusive. In recent years, advances in tissue culture systems, pre-clinical mouse models, and the continued spread of single-cell RNA sequencing has greatly advanced our understanding of MC phenotypes in health and disease. These approaches have identified novel interactions of MC subsets with immune cells, neurons, and tissue structural cells, changing our understanding of how MCs both drive and help resolve tissue inflammation, reshape tissue microenvironments, and influence host behavior.

Safety and efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec with prophylactic glucocorticoids: 1-year results from the phase 3b, single-arm, open-label GENEr8-3 study.

Background: Valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an adeno-associated virus vector that transfers a human factor VIII (FVIII) coding sequence to hepatocytes, provides bleeding protection for people with severe hemophilia A (HA).

Objective: Determine the efficacy and safety of valoctocogene roxaparvovec with concomitant prophylactic glucocorticoids in the open-label, single-arm, phase 3b GENEr8-3 trial.

Methods: Participants with severe HA who were using HA prophylaxis received one 6x10 vg/kg infusion of valoctocogene roxaparvovec concomitantly with daily prophylactic glucocorticoids (40 mg prednisolone equivalent/d weeks 0‒8; taper to 5 mg/d weeks 9‒19).

Peripherally administered TNF inhibitor is not protective against α-synuclein-induced dopaminergic neuronal death in rats.

The underlying cause of neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown, but evidence implicates neuroinflammation in PD pathobiology. The pro-inflammatory cytokine soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) seems to play an important role and thus has been proposed as a therapeutic target for modulation of the neuroinflammatory processes in PD. In this regard, dominant-negative TNF (DN-TNF) agents are promising antagonists that selectively inhibit soluble TNF signaling, while preserving the beneficial effects of transmembrane TNF.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children and adolescents at moderate altitude: New normative valuesh.

Background: Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) measure cardiovascular exercise response. Altitude alters exercise parameters, so standard normative datasets (Cooper, Bruce, Burstein) may not accurately predict exercise parameters for data collected at moderate altitude. This study aimed to: 1) establish modern normative exercise values for children/adolescents at moderate altitude and 2) compare these values against the Cooper, Burstein and Bruce models.

A facile assay for zDHHC palmitoyl transferase activation elucidates effects of mutation and modification.

At least 10% of proteins constituting the human proteome are subject to S-acylation by a long-chain fatty acid, thioesterified to a Cys thiol side chain. Fatty S-acylation (prototypically, S-palmitoylation) operates across eukaryotic phylogeny and cell type. S-palmitoylation is carried out in mammalian cells by a family of 23-24 dedicated zDHHC palmitoyl transferase enzymes, and mutation of zDHHCs is associated with a number of human pathophysiologies.

John the Baptist in Leonardo Da Vinci's Painting - What's in a Smile?

The smile is a complex human facial expression, most commonly associated with joy. We present a detailed view on Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of Saint John the Baptist, between 1516 to 1516, which illustrates a smiling saint, which has evoked multiple explanations and theories. Discussing Da Vinci's concept of painting as science media and the two merely contradictory painting techniques chiaroscuro and sfumato, we attempt to approach this picture.

What is the clinical importance of radiographic changes around the humeral component in anatomic shoulder arthroplasty? A minimum 4-year follow-up study.

Background: While stress shielding and adaptive bone changes around the humeral component are often observed after shoulder arthroplasty, the potential causative factors and clinical significance of these findings at mid-term follow-up have not been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency, patterns and clinical significance of radiographic findings around the humeral component of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) at minimum 4-year follow-up.

Methods: The 6-week and minimum 4-year radiographs of patients who underwent HA and TSA were evaluated for filling ratios, changes in the humeral bone surrounding the component, and component shift or subsidence.

High-Throughput Hit Identification with Acoustic Ejection Mass Spectrometry.

This mini-review provides an overview of recent developments in AEMS supporting hit identification in drug discovery, emphasizing its potential to enhance the quality and efficiency of label-free HTS. Future advancements that may further expand the role of AEMS in the drug discovery process will also be discussed.

Reversible light-responsive protein hydrogel for on-demand cell encapsulation and release.

The design of biomaterials that can reconfigure on-demand in response to external stimuli is an emerging area in materials research. However, achieving reversible assembly of protein-based biomaterials by light input remains a major challenge. Here, we present the engineering of a new protein material that is capable of switching between liquid and solid state reversibly, controlled by lights of different wavelengths.

Prevalence and impact of parental co-morbid anxiety and depression during the first 2 years postpartum in China.

Background: Parental postpartum co-morbid anxiety and depression negatively impact personal well-being, family dynamics, and child developmental outcomes. This study investigates the prevalence of co-morbid anxiety and depression in both mothers and fathers during the first 2 years postpartum in China, and to explore its associations with parental family support, maternal health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and child development.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in China, involving families with children aged 0-2 years who participated in community child health care.

Genipin-crosslinked double PLL membranes overcome the strength-diffusion trade-off in cell encapsulation without compromising biocompatibility.

Cell microencapsulation technologies allow non-autologous implantation of therapeutic cells for sustained drug delivery purposes. The perm-selective membrane of these systems provides resistance to rupture, stablishes the upper molecular weight limit in bidirectional diffusion of molecules, and affects biocompatibility. Thus, despite being a decisive factor to succeed in terms of biosafety and therapeutic efficacy, little progress has been made in its optimization so far.

Design, optimization, and inference of biphasic decay of infectious virus particles.

Virus population dynamics are driven by counter-balancing forces of production and loss. Whereas viral production arises from complex interactions with susceptible hosts, the loss of infectious virus particles is often approximated as a first-order kinetic process. As such, experimental protocols to measure infectious virus loss are not typically designed to identify non-exponential decay processes.

Probing ligand-induced conformational changes in an MFS transporter in vivo using site-directed PEGylation.

So far, site-directed alkylation (SDA) studies on transporters in the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) are mostly performed at conditions different from the native cellular environment. In this study, using GFP-based site-directed PEGylation, ligand-induced conformational changes in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli (LacY), were examined in vivo for the first time. Accessibility/reactivity of single-Cys replacements in a Cys-less LacY-eGFP fusion background was tested using methoxy polyethylene glycol-maleimide-5K (mPEG-Mal-5K) in the absence or presence of a ligand, and the band-shift of the fusion upon PEGylation was detected by in-gel fluorescence.

CLIPA protein pairs function as cofactors for prophenoloxidase activation in Anopheles gambiae.

Insect prophenoloxidases (proPO) are activated during immune responses by a proPO activating protease (PAP) in the presence of a high molecular weight cofactor assembled from serine protease homologs (SPH) that lack proteolytic activity. PAPs and the SPHs have a similar architecture, with an amino-terminal clip domain and a carboxyl-terminal protease domain. The SPHs belong to CLIPA subfamily of SP-related proteins.

Traumatic injury mortality in the Gaza Strip from Oct 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024: a capture-recapture analysis.

Background: Accurate mortality estimates help quantify and memorialise the impact of war. We used multiple data sources to estimate deaths due to traumatic injury in the Gaza Strip between Oct 7, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Methods: We used a three-list capture-recapture analysis using data from Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) hospital lists, an MoH online survey, and social media obituaries.

A translational review of hyperthermia biology.

This review was written to be included in the Special Collection 'Therapy Ultrasound: Medicine's Swiss Army Knife?' The purpose of this review is to provide basic presentation and interpretation of the fundamentals of hyperthermia biology, as it pertains to uses of therapeutic ultrasound. The fundamentals are presented but in the setting of a translational interpretation and a view toward the future. Subjects that require future research and development are highlighted.

Tattoo ink products and pigments 2018-19 upfront the new EUREACH regulation: Danish golden benchmark Study of 108 studios and 39687 clients tattooed with inks from 109720 ink bottles.

Background: The new EU regulation on tattoo inks in force January 2022 in a hitherto unregulated market marks a historical change.

Objective: Mapping of the thousands of tattoo inks de facto used in studios before the new EU regulation and establish a historical reference to tattoo customer exposure, ink toxicology assessment, clinical complications, and the impact on tattooing businesses.

Method: A tattooist-operated electronic system (InkBase) for ink registration required by law is used in Denmark since 2018.