Effects of Laccase and Transglutaminase on the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Hybrid Lupin and Whey Protein Powder.

Plant-based protein is considered a sustainable protein source and has increased in demand recently. However, products containing plant-based proteins require further modification to achieve the desired functionalities akin to those present in animal protein products. This study aimed to investigate the effects of enzymes as cross-linking reagents on the physicochemical and functional properties of hybrid plant- and animal-based proteins in which lupin and whey proteins were chosen as representatives, respectively. They were hybridised through enzymatic cross-linking using two laccases (laccase R, derived from Rhus vernicifera and laccase T, derived from Trametes versicolor) and transglutaminase (TG). The cross-linking experiments were conducted by mixing aqueous solutions of lupin flour and whey protein concentrate powder in a ratio of 1:1 of protein content under the conditions of pH 7, 40 °C for 20 h and in the presence of laccase T, laccase R, or TG. The cross-linked mixtures were freeze-dried, and the powders obtained were assessed for their cross-linking pattern, colour, charge distribution (ζ-potential), particle size, thermal stability, morphology, solubility, foaming and emulsifying properties, and total amino acid content. The findings showed that cross-linking with laccase R significantly improved the protein solubility, emulsion stability and foaming ability of the mixture, whereas these functionalities were lower in the TG-treated mixture due to extensive cross-linking. Furthermore, the mixture treated with laccase T turned brownish in colour and showed a decrease in total amino acid content which could be due to the enzyme's oxidative cross-linking mechanism. Also, the occurrence of cross-linking in the lupin and whey mixture was indicated by changes in other investigated parameters such as particle size, ζ-potential, etc., as compared to the control samples. The obtained results suggested that enzymatic cross-linking, depending on the type of enzyme used, could impact the physicochemical and functional properties of hybrid plant- and animal-based proteins, potentially influencing their applications in food.

Structure of an RNA G-quadruplex from the West Nile virus genome.

Potential G-quadruplex sites have been identified in the genomes of DNA and RNA viruses and proposed as regulatory elements. The genus Orthoflavivirus contains arthropod-transmitted, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that cause significant human disease globally. Computational studies have identified multiple potential G-quadruplex sites that are conserved across members of this genus. Subsequent biophysical studies established that some G-quadruplexes predicted in Zika and tickborne encephalitis virus genomes can form and known quadruplex binders reduced viral yields from cells infected with these viruses. The susceptibility of RNA to degradation and the variability of loop regions have made structure determination challenging. Despite these difficulties, we report a high-resolution structure of the NS5-B quadruplex from the West Nile virus genome. Analysis reveals two stacked tetrads that are further stabilized by a stacked triad and transient noncanonical base pairing. This structure expands the landscape of solved RNA quadruplex structures and demonstrates the diversity and complexity of biological quadruplexes. We anticipate that the availability of this structure will assist in solving further viral RNA quadruplexes and provides a model for a conserved antiviral target in Orthoflavivirus genomes.

Adaptive sampling method to monitor low-risk pathways with limited surveillance resources.

The rise of globalization has led to a sharp increase in international trade with high volumes of containers, goods, and items moving across the world. Unfortunately, these trade pathways also facilitate the movement of unwanted pests, weeds, diseases, and pathogens. Each item could contain biosecurity risk material, but it is impractical to inspect every item. Instead, inspection efforts typically focus on high-risk items. However, low risk does not imply no risk. It is crucial to monitor the low-risk pathways to ensure that they are and remain low risk. To do so, many approaches would seek to estimate the risk to some precision, but increasingly lower risks require more samples. On a low-risk pathway that can be afforded only limited inspection resources, it makes more sense to assign fewer samples to the lower risk activities. We approach the problem by introducing two thresholds. Our method focuses on letting us know whether the risk is below certain thresholds, rather than estimating the risk precisely. This method also allows us to detect a significant change in risk. Our approach typically requires less sampling than previous methods, while still providing evidence to regulators to help them efficiently and effectively allocate inspection effort.

Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of the small auxin-up RNA gene family during zygotic and somatic embryo maturation of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao).

Small auxin-up RNA (SAUR) proteins were known as a large family that supposedly participated in various biological processes in higher plant species. However, the SAUR family has been still not explored in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), one of the most important industrial trees. The present work, as an in silico study, revealed comprehensive aspects of the structure, phylogeny, and expression of TcSAUR gene family in cacao. A total of 90 members of the TcSAUR gene family have been identified and annotated in the cacao genome. According to the physic-chemical features analysis, all TcSAUR proteins exhibited slightly similar characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these TcSAUR proteins could be categorized into seven distinct groups, with 10 sub-groups. Our results suggested that tandemly duplication events, segmental duplication events, and whole genome duplication events might be important in the growth of the TcSAUR gene family in cacao. By re-analyzing the available transcriptome databases, we found that a number of TcSAUR genes were exclusively expressed during the zygotic embryogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. Taken together, our study will be valuable to further functional characterizations of candidate TcSAUR genes for the genetic engineering of cacao.

A pilot survey of students' menstrual attitudes, experiences, and needs on an urban university campus.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, many menstruators face barriers to period management, such as period poverty, or the lack of access to relevant knowledge and affordable menstrual products. Our current understanding of the social, emotional, and physical impacts of period poverty on students in post-secondary institutions is largely limited. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study is to assess period poverty, period-related class disruption, and avoidance of menstrual hygiene management on campus among students and to identify recommendations for action at the University of Illinois Chicago and other urban universities. DESIGN: An online cross-sectional study from February to May 2023. METHODS: Enrolled students who were at least 18 years old completed an anonymous, self-administered online survey. Through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in SAS version 9.4, we analyzed the sociodemographic, academic, and menstrual characteristics of those who had a period in the past 12 months. We also performed a thematic analysis of students' open-ended responses regarding their menstrual experiences on campus. RESULTS: Of our sample (N = 106), 17.1% of students have faced period poverty, 55.8% experienced period-related class disruption, and 47.5% avoided changing their menstrual products on campus. The relationships between the three menstrual experiences were statistically significant. In the open responses, students reported that their personal experiences with menstruation were largely painful and disruptive. We identified the following themes: (1) inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities; (2) understocked, empty, or non-existent menstrual product dispensers; (3) a desire for additional resources for menstruation; and (4) the unpredictability of menstruation. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that students continue to face obstacles to menstruation management due to inadequate support related to menstrual infrastructure, products, and pain. We outline several recommendations for university/college institutions to prioritize a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.

Students' experiences of menstrual periods while on an urban university campusIn the United States, many girls, women, and other menstruators encounter challenges while managing their menstrual periods. Such barriers include period poverty, or the inability to afford resources and menstrual products such as tampons or pads. In this study, we explored how period poverty impacts college/university students. We shared an online survey with 106 students who were older than 18 years, had a period in the last 12 months, and attended the University of Illinois Chicago. We asked them about their menstrual, social, and academic experiences. We found that approximately one in six students could not afford menstrual products at some point in their lives, over half missed all or portions of class due to their period, and about one in two students avoided changing their menstrual products on campus. The relationships between these three menstrual experiences were statistically significant. Many students also reported that periods were largely painful, disruptive, and unpredictable and that their campus had few physical resources and more obstacles to managing menstruation. From our findings, we identified several steps that universities and colleges can take to prioritize a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.

Longitudinal dynamics of farmer and livestock nasal and faecal microbiomes and resistomes.

Globally, half a billion people are employed in animal agriculture and are directly exposed to the associated microorganisms. However, the extent to which such exposures affect resident human microbiomes is unclear. Here we conducted a longitudinal profiling of the nasal and faecal microbiomes of 66 dairy farmers and 166 dairy cows over a year-long period. We compare farmer microbiomes to those of 60 age-, sex- and ZIP code-matched people with no occupational exposures to farm animals (non-farmers). We show that farming is associated with microbiomes containing livestock-associated microbes; this is most apparent in the nasal bacterial community, with farmers harbouring a richer and more diverse nasal community than non-farmers. Similarly, in the gut microbial communities, we identify more shared microbial lineages between cows and farmers from the same farms. Additionally, we find that shared microbes are associated with antibiotic resistance genes. Overall, our study demonstrates the interconnectedness of human and animal microbiomes.

Dry and liquid formulations of IBT-V02, a novel multi-component toxoid vaccine, are effective against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from low-to-middle income countries.

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the U.S. as well as more serious invasive diseases, including bacteremia, sepsis, endocarditis, surgical site infections, osteomyelitis, and pneumonia. These infections are exacerbated by the emergence of antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), highlighting the need for alternatives to antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. We have previously developed a multi-component toxoid vaccine (IBT-V02) in a liquid formulation with efficacy against multiple strains of Staphylococcus aureus prevalent in the industrialized world. However, liquid vaccine formulations are not compatible with the paucity of cold chain storage infrastructure in many low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Furthermore, whether our IBT-V02 vaccine formulations are protective against S. aureus isolates from LMICs is unknown. To overcome these limitations, we developed lyophilized and spray freeze-dried formulations of IBT-V02 vaccine and demonstrated that both formulations had comparable biophysical attributes as the liquid formulation, including similar levels of toxin neutralizing antibodies and protective efficacy against MRSA infections in murine and rabbit models. To enhance the relevancy of our findings, we then performed a multi-dimensional screen of 83 S. aureus clinical isolates from LMICs (e.g., Democratic Republic of Congo, Palestine, and Cambodia) to rationally down-select strains to test in our in vivo models based on broad expression of IBT-V02 targets (i.e., pore-forming toxins and superantigens). IBT-V02 polyclonal antisera effectively neutralized toxins produced by the S. aureus clinical isolates from LMICs. Notably, the lyophilized IBT-V02 formulation exhibited significant in vivo efficacy in various preclinical infection models against the S. aureus clinical isolates from LMICs, which was comparable to our liquid formulation. Collectively, our findings suggested that lyophilization is an effective alternative to liquid vaccine formulations of our IBT-V02 vaccine against S. aureus infections, which has important implications for protection from S. aureus isolates from LMICs.

Modelling the impact of hybrid immunity on future COVID-19 epidemic waves.

BACKGROUND: Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), there have been multiple waves of infection and multiple rounds of vaccination rollouts. Both prior infection and vaccination can prevent future infection and reduce severity of outcomes, combining to form hybrid immunity against COVID-19 at the individual and population level. Here, we explore how different combinations of hybrid immunity affect the size and severity of near-future Omicron waves. METHODS: To investigate the role of hybrid immunity, we use an agent-based model of COVID-19 transmission with waning immunity to simulate outbreaks in populations with varied past attack rates and past vaccine coverages, basing the demographics and past histories on the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region. RESULTS: We find that if the past infection immunity is high but vaccination levels are low, then the secondary outbreak with the same variant can occur within a few months after the first outbreak; meanwhile, high vaccination levels can suppress near-term outbreaks and delay the second wave. Additionally, hybrid immunity has limited impact on future COVID-19 waves with immune-escape variants. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced understanding of the interplay between infection and vaccine exposure can aid anticipation of future epidemic activity due to current and emergent variants, including the likely impact of responsive vaccine interventions.

Impact of inpatient addiction psychiatry consultation on opioid use disorder outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Addiction consultation services provide access to specialty addiction care during general hospital admission. This study assessed opioid use disorder (OUD) outcomes associated with addiction consultation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of individuals with OUD admitted to an academic medical center between 2018 and 2023. The exposure was addiction consultation. Outcomes included initiating medication for OUD (MOUD), hospital length of stay, before-medically-advised (BMA) discharge, and 30- and 90-day postdischarge acute care utilization. RESULTS: Of 26,766 admissions (10,501 patients) with OUD, 2826 addiction consultations were completed. Consultation cohort was more likely to be young, male, and White than controls. Consultation was associated with greater MOUD initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.41-5.82), fewer emergency department visits at 30 (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.92) and 90 (aOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69-0.89) days, and fewer hospitalizations at 30 (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.76) and 90 (aOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.59-0.76) days. Additionally, consultation patients were more likely to have a longer hospital stay and leave BMA. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Addiction consultation was associated with increased MOUD initiation and reduced postdischarge acute care utilization. This is the largest study to date showing a significant association between addiction psychiatry consultation and improved OUD outcomes when compared to controls. The observed reduction in postdischarge acute care utilization remains even after adjusting for MOUD initiation. Disparities in access to addiction consultation warrant further study.

Sero and Carriage Epidemiology of Pertussis in Urban and Rural Regions in Vietnam.

The underestimation of the pertussis burden prompted our study to investigate the prevalence of recent pertussis infection, its associated factors, and antibody titer changes in the same individuals in Vietnam. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Nha Trang in 2017 and Quang Ngai in 2019, representing high- and low-vaccine-coverage areas, respectively. Serum anti-pertussis toxin immunoglobulin-G (anti-PT IgG) ≥ 62.5 IU/mL by ELISA indicated infection in the previous 12 months. In Nha Trang, the participants of the 2017 survey were followed up in 2019. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios for the characteristics associated with anti-PT IgG ≥ 62.5. The age-stratified prevalence in patients aged >2 years ranged from 2.1% (age 26-35) to 9.6% (3-5) in Nha Trang (2017) and from 7.2% (age 26-35) to 11.4% (6-15) in Quang Ngai. The prevalence tended to be higher in Quang Ngai across all age groups. Cough, recent antibiotic use, and smoking in Nha Trang were positively associated with an anti-PT IgG of ≥62.5, and having been diagnosed with pertussis and persistent cough with paroxysms/whoop in Quang Ngai were positively associated with an anti-PT IgG of ≥62.5. No nasopharyngeal swabs were positive for Bordetella pertussis using real-time PCR. The geometric mean of the IgG titer ratio from 2019 to 2017 was 1.45 in the paired samples. This study emphasizes Bordetella pertussis circulation across all age groups in both low- and high-vaccine-coverage settings in Vietnam, underscoring the need for continuous and standardized surveillance for a comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology.

Usability and User Experience of an mHealth App for Therapy Support of Patients With Breast Cancer: Mixed Methods Study Using Eye Tracking.

BACKGROUND: Early identification of quality of life (QoL) loss and side effects is a key challenge in breast cancer therapy. Digital tools can be helpful components of therapeutic support. Enable, a smartphone app, was used in a multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial in 3 breast cancer centers. The app simultaneously serves as a therapy companion (eg, by displaying appointments), a tool for documenting QoL (eg, by enabling data collection for QoL questionnaires), and documentation of patient-reported side effects. The need for digital tools is continually rising. However, evidence of the effects of long-term use of mobile health (mHealth) apps in aftercare for patients with breast cancer is limited. Therefore, evaluating the usability and understanding the user experience of this mHealth app could potentially contribute valuable insights in this field. OBJECTIVE: A usability study was conducted to explore how patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or palliative outpatient treatment rated their engagement with the app , the user experience, and the benefits of using the app. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was chosen to combine subjective and objective measures, including an eye-tracking procedure, a standardized usability questionnaire (mHealth App Usability Questionnaire), and semistructured interviews. Participants were surveyed twice during the study period. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Analysis of the eye-tracking data was carried out using the tracker-integrated software. Descriptive analysis was conducted for the quantitative data. RESULTS: The mHealth App Usability Questionnaire results (n=105) indicated good overall usability for 2 different time points (4 wk: mean 89.15, SD 9.65; 20 wk: mean 85.57, SD 12.88). The qualitative analysis of the eye-tracking recordings (n=10) and interviews (n=16) showed that users found the Enable app easy to use. The design of the app, information about therapies and side effects, and usefulness of the app as a therapy companion were rated positively. Additionally, participants contributed requests for additional app features and suggestions for improving the content and usability of the app. Relevant themes included optimization of the appointment feature, updating the app's content regularly, and self-administration. In contrast to the app's current passive method of operation, participants expressed a desire for more active engagement through messaging, alarms, or emails. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the good usability of the Enable app as well as the potential for further development. We concluded from patients' feedback and requests that mHealth apps could benefit from giving patients a more active role (eg, being able to actively document side effects as they occur). Additionally, regular updates of app content could further contribute to encouraging continued use of mHealth apps. Our findings may also assist other researchers in tailoring their mHealth apps to the actual needs of patients undergoing breast cancer therapy.

Effect of a Co-Located Bridging Recovery Initiative on Hospital Length of Stay Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: The BRIDGE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Co-located bridge clinics aim to facilitate a timely transition to outpatient care for inpatients with opioid use disorder (OUD); however, their effect on hospital length of stay (LOS) and postdischarge outcomes remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a co-located bridge clinic on hospital LOS among inpatients with OUD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This parallel-group randomized clinical trial recruited 335 adult inpatients with OUD seen by an addiction consultation service and without an existing outpatient clinician to provide medication for OUD (MOUD) between November 25, 2019, and September 28, 2021, at a tertiary care hospital affiliated with a large academic medical center and its bridge clinic. Intervention: The bridge clinic included enhanced case management before and after hospital discharge, MOUD prescription, and referral to a co-located bridge clinic. Usual care included MOUD prescription and referrals to community health care professionals who provided MOUD. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the index admission LOS. Secondary outcomes, assessed at 16 weeks, were linkage to health care professionals who provided MOUD, MOUD refills, same-center emergency department (ED) and hospital use, recurrent opioid use, quality of life (measured by the Schwartz Outcome Scale-10), overdose, mortality, and cost. Analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis. Results: Of 335 participants recruited (167 randomized to the bridge clinic and 168 to usual care), the median age was 38.0 years (IQR, 31.9-45.7 years), and 194 (57.9%) were male. The median LOS did not differ between arms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.65-1.37]; P = .74). At the 16-week follow-up, participants referred to the bridge clinic had fewer hospital-free days (AOR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.32-0.92]), more readmissions (AOR, 2.17 [95% CI, 1.25-3.76]), and higher care costs (AOR, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.51-3.35]), with no differences in ED visits (AOR, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.68-1.94]) or deaths (AOR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.08-2.72]) compared with those receiving usual care. Follow-up calls were completed for 88 participants (26.3%). Participants referred to the bridge clinic were more likely to receive linkage to health care professionals who provided MOUD (AOR, 2.37 [95% CI, 1.32-4.26]) and have more MOUD refills (AOR, 6.17 [95% CI, 3.69-10.30]) and less likely to experience an overdose (AOR, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.03-0.41]). Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial found that among inpatients with OUD, bridge clinic referrals did not improve hospital LOS. Referrals may improve outpatient metrics but with higher resource use and expenditure. Bending the cost curve may require broader community and regional partnerships. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04084392.

The Association Between Short-Acting ß2-Agonist Over-Prescription, and Patient-Reported Acquisition and Use on Asthma Control and Exacerbations: Data from Australia.

INTRODUCTION: In Australia, short-acting ß2-agonists (SABA) are available both over the counter (OTC) and on prescription. This ease of access may impact SABA use in the Australian population. Our aim was to assess patterns and outcome associations of prescribed, acquired OTC and reported use of SABA by Australians with asthma. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, using data derived from primary care electronic medical records (EMRs) and patient completed questionnaires within Optimum Patient Care Research Database Australia (OPCRDA). A total of 720 individuals aged ≥ 12 years with an asthma diagnosis in their EMRs and receiving asthma therapy were included. The annual number of SABA inhalers authorised on prescription, acquired OTC and reported, and the association with self-reported exacerbations and asthma control were investigated. RESULTS: 92.9% (n = 380/409) of individuals issued with SABA prescription were authorised ≥ 3 inhalers annually, although this differed from self-reported usage. Of individuals reporting SABA use (n = 546) in the last 12 months, 37.0% reported using ≥ 3 inhalers. These patients who reported SABA overuse experienced 2.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73-3.70) times more severe exacerbations and were 4.51 times (95% CI 3.13-6.55) more likely to have poor asthma control than those who reported using 1-2 SABA inhalers. Patients who did not receive SABA on prescription (43.2%; n = 311/720) also experienced 2.71 (95% CI 1.07-7.26) times more severe exacerbations than those prescribed 1-2 inhalers. Of these patients, 38.9% reported using OTC SABA and other prescription medications, 26.4% reported using SABA OTC as their only asthma medication, 13.2% were prescribed other therapies but not SABA OTC and 14.5% were not using any medication. CONCLUSION: Both self-reported SABA overuse and zero SABA prescriptions were associated with poor asthma outcomes. The disconnect between prescribing authorisation, OTC availability and actual use, make it difficult for clinicians to quantify SABA use.

Storage Stability of Plant-Based Drinks Related to Proteolysis and Generation of Free Amino Acids.

The market for plant-based drinks (PBDs) is experiencing a surge in consumer demand, especially in Western societies. PBDs are a highly processed food product, and little is known about this relatively new food product category when compared to bovine milk. In the present study, the storage stability, proteolysis and generation of free amino acids were investigated in commercially available PBDs over the course of a one-year storage period. Generally, pH, color and protein solubility were found to be stable in the PBDs during storage, except for the pea-based product, which showed less protein solubility after storage. The pea-based drinks also had higher initial levels of free N-terminals prior to storage compared with levels for the other plant-based drinks, as well as significantly increasing levels of total free, and especially bitter free, amino acids. The development of free amino acids in the oat-based drink indicated that the released amino acids could be involved in various reactions such as the Maillard reaction during the storage period.

Policy and Practice Changes Associated with a Tobacco-Free Initiative in Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

A California-sponsored, 18-month, tobacco-free intervention in residential substance use disorder (SUD) programs was associated with increases in tobacco-free grounds and tobacco-related client services. The current study examined whether positive results would be replicated in 11 programs participating subsequently. Program directors (N = 11) completed surveys of tobacco-related policies pre- and post-intervention. Pre- (n = 163) and post-intervention (n = 128) cross-sectional staff surveys examined tobacco-related training, beliefs, practices, smoking policy, and smoking status. Directors reported increases in tobacco-free grounds (from 3 to 8 programs), tobacco-related staff training (1 to 10 programs), tobacco cessation staff services (1 to 9 programs) and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provision (6 to 10 programs). At post-intervention, staff were more likely to report smoke-free workplaces (p = 0.008), positive beliefs about treating tobacco use (p = 0.017) and less likely to report current smoking (p = 0.003). Clinical staff were more likely to report tobacco-related training receipt (p = 0.001), program-level NRT provision (p = 0.009) and conducting tobacco-related client services (p < 0.0001) post-intervention. Findings of increases in tobacco-free grounds and tobacco cessation client services corroborated prior results. These and the additional finding of decreases in staff smoking strengthen evidence that initiatives supporting tobacco-free policies can be successfully implemented in SUD treatment.

Prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Understanding risk factors linked to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is crucial for enhancing health promotion and ensuring workplace safety among healthcare professionals particularly physical therapists (PTs). However, in Vietnam, there has been lack of an investigation. Therefore, this study was to determine whether potential risk factors contributed to the occurrence of WMSDs among PTs in Ho Chi Minh City. METHOD: An online self-reported questionnaire for WMSDs comprising the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Job-risk and Environmental factors, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and the coping strategies, were distributed to PTs. They were enrolled if they had: age ≥ 22 years, graduated from PT program, a full-time job with ≥1 year of experience. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using Logistic regression. RESULTS: Our study found that within the past 12 months, the prevalence of WMSDs was 76.4% (n = 204/267): neck 58.4% and lower back 57.3%. PTs aged 22-29 years, < 4 years of education, and < 7 years of working experience were more likely to have WMSDs 2-3 times than those who did not. After adjusting for age, education, and work experience, PTs who engaged in manual techniques/exercises, lifting/transferring patients, and maintaining awkward postures were 5-7 times more likely to have WMSDs in the neck and lower back than those who did not. Environmental and psychological factors, such as number of treatment tables, size of electrotherapy rooms, using PTs modalities, and stress were significantly associated with WMSDs. More than 50% of PTs used modified positions and new treatment/techniques that did not aggravate their symptoms, as coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates potential risk factors associated with WMSDs, affecting the neck and lower back among PTs in Vietnam. These risk factors should be addressed to improve overall PTs health, retain skilled workers, and encourage them to continue working.

Coordination of cell cycle and morphogenesis during organ formation.

Organ formation requires precise regulation of cell cycle and morphogenetic events. Using the Drosophila embryonic salivary gland (SG) as a model, we uncover the role of the SP1/KLF transcription factor Huckebein (Hkb) in coordinating cell cycle regulation and morphogenesis. The hkb mutant SG exhibits defects in invagination positioning and organ size due to the abnormal death of SG cells. Normal SG development involves distal-to-proximal progression of endoreplication (endocycle), whereas hkb mutant SG cells undergo abnormal cell division, leading to cell death. Hkb represses the expression of key cell cycle and pro-apoptotic genes in the SG. Knockdown of cyclin E or cyclin-dependent kinase 1, or overexpression of fizzy-related rescues most of the morphogenetic defects observed in the hkb mutant SG. These results indicate that Hkb plays a critical role in controlling endoreplication by regulating the transcription of key cell cycle effectors to ensure proper organ formation.

Development of blood transfusion external quality assessment program at national scale

Introduction: External quality assessment is a crucial component in ensuring the quality of blood transfusion testing laboratories. Objectives: To develop a procedure for generating external quality assessment items for blood transfusion testing to evaluate participants' performance. Methods: Experimental research was conducted at Quality Control Center for Medical laboratory- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Three items, including red blood cell, serum, and atypical antibody serum samples, were assessed for homogeneity and stability; 5 assessment areas, including ABO grouping, Rh grouping, compatible cross matches, Coombs test, and screening of atypical antibodies, were utilized to evaluate the performance of 38 participants in the 2020-2021 period. Results: Red blood cell and serum samples maintained quality for a specific period at controlled temperatures, while serum samples with atypical antibodies showed stability at different temperatures. The participants demonstrated high satisfactory performance in ABO grouping, Rh grouping, Coombs test, and screening for atypical antibodies. However, the most unsatisfactory performance was reported in crossmatching, with 15% of participants unsatisfactory results. Conclusion: The procedure of production of proficiency testing items has been successfully developed, and its application at the national level is suggested to improve the quality of blood transfusion laboratories.

Introducción: La evaluación externa de calidad es esencial para asegurar la calidad de los laboratorios de pruebas de transfusión sanguínea. Objetivos: Desarrollar un procedimiento para generar elementos de evaluación externa de calidad y evaluar el rendimiento de los participantes en pruebas de transfusión sanguínea. Métodos: Estudio experimental realizado en el Centro de Control de Calidad para Laboratorios Médicos de la Universidad de Medicina y Farmacia en la Ciudad de Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Se evaluaron muestras de glóbulos rojos, suero y suero con anticuerpos atípicos para homogeneidad y estabilidad. Se utilizaron 5 áreas de evaluación, incluida la agrupación ABO, la agrupación Rh, las coincidencias cruzadas compatibles, la prueba de Coombs y la detección de anticuerpos atípicos, para evaluar el desempeño de 38 participantes, en el período 2020-2021. Resultados: Las muestras de glóbulos rojos y suero mantuvieron la calidad durante un período específico a temperaturas controladas, mientras que las muestras de suero con anticuerpos atípicos mostraron estabilidad a diferentes temperaturas. Los participantes obtuvieron un alto rendimiento en algunas áreas, como la agrupación ABO y Rh, la prueba de Coombs y la detección de anticuerpos atípicos. Sin embargo, las pruebas de compatibilidad reportaron un rendimiento insatisfactorio en un 15% de los participantes. Conclusión: El procedimiento desarrollado cumple con los criterios de calidad, y se sugiere su aplicación a nivel nacional para mejorar la calidad de los laboratorios de transfusión sanguínea.

Minimally invasive resection of heart valve papillary fibroelastoma: two case reports and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare, accounting for approximately 10% of all cardiac tumors, with 44% of cases located on the aortic valve and only 15% of cases located on the tricuspid valve. However, the optimal management of papillary fibroelastomas remains varied. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two successful instances of treating heart valve papillary fibroelastomas through minimally invasive surgery. These cases involved heart valve papillary fibroelastomas located in two common sites: the aortic valve on the left heart, which was accessed via an upper hemi-sternotomy, and the tricuspid valve on the right heart, which was accessed via beating heart total thoracoscopy. CONCLUSION: The article consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of a minimally invasive surgical approach in managing heart valve papillary fibroelastomas. This study provides further evidence by presenting two cases of heart valve papillary fibroelastomas - one on the aortic valve and the other on the tricuspid valve - that were successfully treated using this approach, resulting in favorable outcomes.

BONEcheck: A digital tool for personalized bone health assessment.

Objectives: Osteoporotic fracture is a significant public health burden associated with increased mortality risk and substantial healthcare costs. Accurate and early identification of high-risk individuals and mitigation of their risks is a core part of the treatment and prevention of fractures. Here we introduce a digital tool called 'BONEcheck' for personalized assessment of bone health. Methods: The development of BONEcheck primarily utilized data from the prospective population-based Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study and the Danish Nationwide Registry. BONEcheck has 3 modules: input data, risk estimates, and risk context. Input variables include age, gender, prior fracture, fall incidence, bone mineral density (BMD), comorbidities, and genetic variants associated with BMD. Results: Based on the input variables, BONEcheck estimates the probability of any fragility fracture and hip fracture within 5 years, subsequent fracture risk, skeletal age, and time to reach osteoporosis. The probability of fracture is shown in both numeric and human icon array formats. The risk is also contextualized within the framework of treatment and management options on Australian guidelines, with consideration given to the potential fracture risk reduction and survival benefits. Skeletal age was estimated as the sum of chronological age and years of life lost due to a fracture or exposure to risk factors that elevate mortality risk. Conclusions: BONEcheck is an innovative tool that empowers doctors and patients to engage in well-informed discussions and make decisions based on the patient's risk profile. Public access to BONEcheck is available via https://bonecheck.org and in Apple Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).