Biological sensing of fluid flow-lessons from PIEZO1.

The flow sensing endothelial cell lining of blood and lymphatic vessels is essential in vertebrates. While the mechanisms are still mysterious in many regards, several critical components became apparent through molecular biology studies. In this article, we focus on PIEZO1, which forms unusual force-sensing ion channels capable of rapid transduction of force into biological effect.

Effects of Mixed Metal Oxide Catalysts on the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from Epoxides under Atmospheric CO Pressure.

One use of CO as a starting material in organic transformations is in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates and polycarbonates. Due to the low reactivity of CO, this transformation must be carried out in the presence of an efficient catalyst. Although several catalytic systems have been developed in the past decade, reducing the CO pressure at which the reaction is carried out remains one of the main challenges of the process.

Variation in the commissioning of specialist weight management services and bariatric surgery across England: Results of a freedom of information-based mapping exercise across the 42 integrated Care Systems of England.

Specialist weight management services including bariatric surgery are commissioned within regions of England called Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) with eligibility and treatment guidelines determined as part of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. Reported variation in commissioning and bariatric surgery eligibility criteria has not been previously mapped. Freedom of Information (FOI) requests provide a tool, supported by legislation, to ask questions of public authorities including ICSs such that they must respond accurately.

An interdisciplinary approach to improving conservation outcomes for parasites.

Parasites represent a significant proportion of Earth's biodiversity and play important roles in the ecology and biology of ecosystems and hosts, making them an important target for conservation. Despite increasing calls to prioritize protection for parasites in the academic literature, they remain undervalued and underrepresented in global biodiversity conservation efforts, not least due to the perception that the interests of parasite and host conservation are opposing and the common misconception that parasites are a threat, rather than a benefit, to conservation. We considered whether taking an interdisciplinary approach to parasite conservation research will generate novel insights and solutions concerning why and how parasite conservation should be practiced for the benefit of parasites, their hosts, ecosystems, and people.

Navigating the Boundaries of Health and Identity: Medical Students' Perspectives.

Background: Medical professionals do not always manage their own health in an optimal way. Research conducted on medical students' response to illness is limited; however, some studies suggest they choose to self-manage and seek advice outside of the traditional pathways of care. This study aims to understand how medical students perceive and manage their health as they transition through medical school.

Recombinant expression systems for production of stabilised virus-like particles as next-generation polio vaccines.

Polioviruses have caused crippling disease in humans for centuries, prior to the successful development of vaccines in the mid-1900's, which dramatically reduced disease prevalence. Continued use of these vaccines, however, threatens ultimate disease eradication and achievement of a polio-free world. Virus-like particles (VLPs) that lack a viral genome represent a safer potential vaccine, although they require particle stabilization.

Multidimensional fatigue and its impact on work productivity, mood and quality of life in long-term survivors following definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) can lead to late toxicity. Fatigue is a known debilitating issue for many cancer survivors, yet prevalence and severity of long-term fatigue in patients treated for OPC is unknown.

Method: As part of a mixed-methods study, fatigue in OPC patients ≥ 2 years post RT + / - chemotherapy was evaluated.

Supervised toothbrushing programmes in England: a national survey of current provision and factors influencing their implementation.

Introduction Supervised toothbrushing programmes (STPs) in nurseries and schools are effective at reducing inequalities in caries when targeted to areas of dental disease. Recent changes to government education and health policy have increased interest in STPs in England. This study aimed to establish the current level of provision of STPs in England, describe changes over time, understand associations with predictor variables, and summarise key barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

The role of MEGF10 in myoblast fusion and hypertrophic response to overload of skeletal muscle.

Biallelic mutations in multiple EGF domain protein 10 (MEGF10) gene cause EMARDD (early myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress and dysphagia) in humans, a severe recessive myopathy, associated with reduced numbers of PAX7 positive satellite cells. To better understand the role of MEGF10 in satellite cells, we overexpressed human MEGF10 in mouse H-2k-tsA58 myoblasts and found that it inhibited fusion. Addition of purified extracellular domains of human MEGF10, with (ECD) or without (EGF) the N-terminal EMI domain to H-2k-tsA58 myoblasts, showed that the ECD was more effective at reducing myoblast adhesion and fusion by day 7 of differentiation, yet promoted adhesion of myoblasts to non-adhesive surfaces, highlighting the importance of the EMI domain in these behaviours.

Identifying people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis in primary care: qualitative study.

Background: Identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in primary care is challenging and often delayed. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody testing of people presenting to primary care with new-onset musculoskeletal symptoms without synovitis could help address this; those testing positive are at increased risk of developing RA.

Aim: To explore how primary care clinicians currently identify and refer patients with suspected RA, and the behaviours required to implement a prediction model for guiding targeted anti-CCP testing for non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms in primary care.

Eradication Therapy to Prevent Gastric Cancer in H. pylori-positive individuals: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies.

Background & Aims: Screening for, and treating, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the general population or patients with early gastric neoplasia could reduce incidence of, and mortality from, gastric cancer. We updated a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining this issue.

Appetite and childhood malnutrition: A narrative review identifying evidence gaps between clinical practice and research.

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a critical global health issue, contributing to approximately one-half of all child mortality worldwide. SAM management guidelines recommend the use of appetite assessment determined by an "appetite test" to distinguish between complicated and uncomplicated SAM, subsequently guiding clinical decisions regarding outpatient versus inpatient care and discharge from hospital. Despite the widespread utilization of this recommendation, its validity lacks substantial evidence within the existing literature.

Preservation of organic carbon in marine sediments sustained by sorption and transformation processes.

Controls on organic carbon preservation in marine sediments remain controversial but crucial for understanding past and future climate dynamics. Here we develop a conceptual-mathematical model to determine the key processes for the preservation of organic carbon. The model considers the major processes involved in the breakdown of organic carbon, including dissolved organic carbon hydrolysis, mixing, remineralization, mineral sorption and molecular transformation.

Synergistic effect of sarcopenia and ASA status in predicting mortality after emergency laparotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status in predicting post-operative mortality after emergency laparotomy. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis (using random effects modelling) was performed searching for studies reporting 30-day mortality risk in patients with sarcopenia undergoing emergency laparotomy. The ASA status of sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients was determined, and the effect of difference in ASA status on 30-day mortality in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients was determined via a meta-regression model.

Safety and performance of a novel synthetic biomimetic scaffold for iliac crest defect reconstruction during surgical treatment of pelvic girdle pain: a first-in-human trial.

Introduction: Surgical treatment of pelvic girdle pain (PGP) involves arthrodesis of sacroiliac (SI) and pubic symphysis joints. Fusion of pubic symphysis involves the implantation of an autologous iliac crest tricortical graft harvested from the iliac crest. The objective was to assess the safety of a novel synthetic graft substitute (b.

Polar mesospheric ozone loss initiates downward coupling of solar signal in the Northern Hemisphere.

Solar driven energetic particle precipitation (EPP) is an important factor in polar atmospheric ozone balance and has been linked to ground-level regional climate variability. However, the linking mechanism has remained ambiguous. The observed and simulated ground-level changes start well before the processes from the main candidate, the so-called EPP-indirect effect, would start.

Removal of dissolved organic carbon in the West Pacific hadal zones.

The deep oceans are environments of complex carbon dynamics that have the potential to significantly impact the global carbon cycle. However, the role of hadal zones, particularly hadal trenches (water depth > 6 km), in the oceanic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) cycle is not thoroughly investigated. Here we report distinct DOC signatures in the Japan Trench bottom water.

PLA2R autoantibodies, a multifaceted biomarker in nephrotic syndrome and membranous nephropathy.

Background And Hypothesis: The PLA2R antibody test is a valuable first-line diagnostic tool for primary membranous nephropathy (MN), helping to identify PLA2R-related MN and potentially eliminating the need for a kidney biopsy in some individuals. By reducing the reliance on biopsies, the test streamlines diagnosis and improves patient care. However, determining the optimal PLA2R measurement method and cut-off is critical to maximising the benefits of the test and minimising any harms.

Female oviposition decisions are influenced by the microbial environment.

In ovipositing animals, egg placement decisions can be key determinants of offspring survival. One oviposition strategy reported across taxa is laying eggs in clusters. In some species, mothers provision eggs with diffusible defence compounds, such as antimicrobials, raising the possibility of public good benefits arising from egg clustering.

Social associations across species during nocturnal bird migration.

An emerging frontier in ecology explores how organisms integrate social information into movement behavior and the extent to which information exchange occurs across species boundaries. Most migratory landbirds are thought to undertake nocturnal migratory flights independently, guided by endogenous programs and individual experience. Little research has addressed the potential for social information exchange aloft during nocturnal migration, but social influences that aid navigation, orientation, or survival could be valuable during high-risk migration periods.

Risk of atherosclerosis-related diseases in polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients: A large-scale population-based study.

Background And Aims: Several systemic autoimmune diseases predispose to the enhancement of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD). These findings underline the role of inflammation in atherogenesis. Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are polygenic autoimmune disorders involving mainly skeletal muscles.

Proteomic profiling of the large-vessel vasculitis spectrum identifies shared signatures of innate immune activation and stromal remodelling.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), can result in serious morbidity. Understanding the molecular basis of LVV should aid in developing better biomarkers and treatments.

Methods: Plasma proteomic profiling of 184 proteins was performed in two cohorts.

Implementation of a national programme to train and support healthcare professionals in brief behavioural interventions: A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework.

Objectives: Behaviour change interventions offered opportunistically by healthcare professionals can support patient health behaviour change. The Making Every Contact Count (MECC) programme in Ireland is a national programme to support healthcare professionals to use brief behavioural interventions. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the enablers of, and barriers to, embedding MECC across the healthcare system.

Opportunities and limitations of B cell depletion approaches in SLE.

B cell depletion with rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that selectively targets B cells by binding CD20, has been used off label in severe and resistant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for over two decades. Several biological mechanisms limit the efficacy of rituximab, including immunological reactions towards the chimeric molecule, increased numbers of residual B cells, including plasmablasts and plasma cells, and a post-treatment surge in B cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels. Consequently, rituximab induces remission in only a proportion of patients, and safety issues limit its use.