Liver Transplantation in Well-Selected Class III Obese Recipients Yields Good Outcomes.

Introduction: Previous guidelines considered body mass index (BMI) over 40 kg/m a relative contra-indication to liver transplantation (LT). The aims were to examine the selection process and study outcomes of patients with Class I-III obesity.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of outcomes of obese patients assessed for LT at our center between 2010 and 2023, divided into three groups: Class I (BMI30-34.

Unlocking the Potential: How Flavonoids Affect Angiogenesis, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Proliferation, Invasion, and Alter Receptor Interactions in Endometriosis.

Endometriosis, though not classified as a carcinogenic condition, shares features such as oxidative stress, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and inflammation with tumor cells. This study aims to review the effects of flavonoids on these processes and their molecular mechanisms in preventing and treating endometriosis. A comprehensive review was conducted, involving a literature search in online databases using keywords like "endometriosis," "endometrioma," and "flavonoid.

Diversity and cross-species transmission of viruses in a remote island ecosystem: implications for wildlife conservation.

The ability of viruses to emerge in new species is influenced by aspects of host biology and ecology, with some taxa harbouring a high diversity and abundance of viruses. However, how these factors shape virus diversity at the ecosystem scale is often unclear. To better understand the pattern and determinants of viral diversity within an ecosystem, and to describe the novel avian viruses infecting an individual avian community, we performed a metagenomic snapshot of the virome from the entire avian community on remote Pukenui/Anchor Island in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A Standardized Classification Scheme for Gastroduodenal Disorder Evaluation Using the Gastric Alimetry System: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Gastric Alimetry™ (Alimetry, New Zealand) is a new clinical test for gastroduodenal disorders involving simultaneous body surface gastric electrical mapping and validated symptom profiling. Studies have demonstrated a range of distinct pathophysiological profiles, and a classification scheme is now required. We used Gastric Alimetry spectral and symptom profiles to develop a mechanism-based test classification scheme, then assessed correlations with symptom severity, psychometrics, and quality of life.

Identification of positive childhood experiences with the potential to mitigate childhood unhealthy weight status in children within the context of adverse childhood experiences: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Despite potential protective and mitigating effects of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) on poor health outcomes, limited research has identified relevant PCEs and examined their individual and cumulative associations with weight status, or their mitigating effects on the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and obesity in children. This study aims to develop an exploratory PCEs Index with the potential to protect against or mitigate the association between ACEs and unhealthy weight status.

Methods: Data came from the Growing Up in New Zealand study.

Experiences of Māori and Pacific women recruited into a pregnancy clinical trial in Aotearoa, New Zealand: a Kaupapa Māori qualitative study.

Objectives: To explore the perspectives of Māori and Pacific women who participated in the Fish Oil study to ascertain what barriers and facilitators may exist for successfully recruiting Māori and Pacific women into clinical trials.

Design: A Kaupapa Māori qualitative study.

Setting: Auckland, New Zealand.

Land-derived metals impact the survival and settlement of larval mussels.

Global declines in wild mussel populations and production have been linked to the impacts of climate change and pollution. Summer die-offs of mussels (Perna canaliculus), spat retention issues, and a severe decline in mussel spat settlement have been reported in the Marlborough Sounds, an important area for mussel farming in New Zealand. Preliminary evidence suggests that naturally occurring contaminants and changing land use in the surrounding areas, could contribute to the decline of this species.

Resource recovery from wastewater by directing microbial metabolism toward production of value-added biochemicals.

Dynamic oxygen fluctuations in activated sludge were investigated to enhance valuable biochemical production during wastewater treatment. Batch experiments compared constant aeration with rapid cycling between oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor states. Fluctuating oxygen concentrations (0-2 mg/L) significantly increased production of valuable biochemicals compared to constant oxygen concentration (2 mg/L).

Integrated UHPLC-Q-exactive orbitrap HRMS and serum pharmacochemistry for the investigation of anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of Baoganning Decoction.

Background: Early intervention in hepatic fibrosis (HF) is critical to reducing the risk of cirrhosis-related mortality and hepatocellular cancer. However, treating fibrosis has proven to be more challenging, with no approved anti-fibrotic therapies currently available for HF. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) hold significant potential for the management of HF.

Blink completeness and rate in dry eye disease: An investigator-masked, prospective registry-based, cross-sectional, prognostic study.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic ability of blink rate and the proportion of incomplete blinking to predict dry eye disease diagnosis, as defined by the TFOS DEWS II criteria.

Methods: A total of 453 community residents (282 females, 171 males; mean ± SD age, 37 ± 19 years) were recruited in an investigator-masked, prospective registry-based, cross-sectional, prognostic study. Dry eye symptomology, tear film quality, and ocular surface characteristics were assessed in a single clinical session, and blink parameters evaluated by an independent masked observer.

Targeted Cx43 therapeutics reduce NLRP3 inflammasome activation in rat burn injury.

Burns are dynamic injuries characterized by an initial zone of necrosis that progresses to compromise surrounding tissue. Acute inflammation and cell death are two main factors contributing to burn progression. These processes are modulated by Connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels and gap junctions in burns and chronic wounds.

Dietary Salt-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of New Zealand Adults Aged 18-65 Years.

Objective: To explore dietary salt-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of New Zealand (NZ) adults aged 18-65 years and assess differences by demographic subgroups.

Design: Cross-sectional online survey conducted between June 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018.

Setting: Participants were recruited in shopping malls, via social media, and a market research panel.

Efficacy and Satisfaction of a Chemically Characterized L. Extract-Based Food Supplement for Functional Constipation in Healthy Consumers: Preliminary Results of a Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Background/objectives: L. is rich in mucilage and is traditionally used for the management of numerous ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Functional constipation (FC) is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by defecation anomalies such as infrequent stools, difficulty in stool passage, or both in the absence of pathological abnormalities.

Pacific Islands Families Study: Serum Uric Acid in Pacific Youth and the Associations with Free-Sugar Intake and Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass.

Background: Fructose (50% of sucrose/sugar) is one component of free-sugars and is metabolized to uric acid, which is a known risk factor for gout and metabolic syndrome. Pacific peoples in New Zealand experience a higher prevalence of gout, type 2 diabetes, and overweight/obesity than other ethnic groups. Interestingly, despite having a similar body mass index (BMI), they tend to have a higher proportion of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and less fat than other ethnic groups.

Assessing the physical activity training needs and preferences of community health workers in South Africa.

Background: Emerging work highlights the potential of community health workers (CHWs) to promote physical activity (PA) as a part of their role in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases. However, little is known about CHW preferences and desires towards receiving PA training.

Methods: Community health promoters (CHPs), a type of CHWs in South Africa, from seven health districts in Johannesburg participated in a day-long in-service training on PA and healthy eating.

Menstrual health symptoms and literacy among young women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Study Objective: To explore menstrual cycle symptoms, information sources and menstrual health literacy in young women (aged 13-25) and those who menstruate in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional online survey in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Participants: 1334 respondents (age 13-25 years, mean age 19.

Higher population density is associated with worse air quality and related health outcomes in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Objectives: To explore associations between population density, air pollution concentrations, and related health outcomes in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Methods: Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO) and fine particulate matter (PM) and associated health outcomes (premature mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalisations, and childhood asthma) were obtained from the Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand 2016 study. The possible mediating factors assessed were motor vehicle traffic, domestic fires, local industry, and green space.

Trying to Kill a Killer; Impressive Killing of Patient Derived Glioblastoma Cultures Using NK-92 Natural Killer Cells Reveals Both Sensitive and Highly Resistant Glioblastoma Cells.

The overall goal of this work was to assess the ability of Natural Killer cells to kill cultures of patient-derived glioblastoma cells. Herein we report impressive levels of NK-92 mediated killing of various patient-derived glioblastoma cultures observed at ET (effector: target) ratios of 5:1 and 1:1. This enabled direct comparison of the degree of glioblastoma cell loss across a broader range of glioblastoma cultures.

Nurse Practitioner-Led Community Urgent Care Services: Actions to Support Growth.

Aim: To explore the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in delivering models of acute and urgent care in local communities informing the development of NPs as a solution to providing sustainable and effective healthcare in these settings.

Design: Descriptive qualitative multicase study.

Methods: The study population comprised NPs, clinic managers and general practitioners from NP-led acute and urgent care clinics across urban and rural Aotearoa New Zealand.

Changes to muscle and fascia tissue after eighteen days of ankle immobilization post-ankle sprain injury: an MRI case study.

Background: Ankle sprains often result in muscle atrophy and reduced range of motion, which can cause long-term ankle instabilities. Understanding the changes to muscle-such as atrophy-and concomitant changes to deep fascia-which may thicken alongside muscle loss-after ankle sprain injury is important to understanding structural changes about the joint and how they might contribute to longer-term impairments. Here, we employ advanced MRI to investigate skeletal muscle and fascial structural changes during the recovery period of one patient undergoing immobilization after ankle sprains.

"Knowledge was clearly associated with education." epistemic positioning in the context of informed choice: a scoping review and secondary qualitative analysis.

Background: Being able to measure informed choice represents a mechanism for service evaluation to monitor whether informed choice is achieved in practice. Approaches to measuring informed choice to date have been based in the biomedical hegemony. Overlooked is the effect of epistemic positioning, that is, how people are positioned as credible knowers in relation to knowledge tested as being relevant for informed choice.

Bee reasonable: Do bumblebees reason by exclusion?

In a clever adaptation of the two-cups task, a recent paper tested for reasoning by exclusion in bees. Although further work is necessary to rule out competing hypotheses, this study advances our ability to test cognitive capacities in invertebrates.