09/17/2024


Embryo implantation into the uterus is a crucial step for human reproduction. A hypothesis has been proposed that the molecular circuit invented by trophoblasts for invasive embryo implantation during evolution might be misused by cancer cells to promote malignancy. Unfortunately, our current understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying embryo implantation is far from complete.

Here we used the mouse as an animal model and generated a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the embryo implantation site of mouse uterus at the invasion phase of embryo implantation on gestational day 6. We revealed 23 distinct cell clusters, including 5 stromal cell clusters, 2 epithelial cell clusters, 1 smooth muscle cell cluster, 2 pericyte clusters, 4 endothelial cell clusters, and 9 immune cell clusters. Through data analysis, we identified differentially expression changes in all uterine cell types upon embryo implantation. By integrated with single-cell RNA-seq data from E5.5 embryos, we predicted cell-cell crosstalk between trophoblasts and uterine cell types.

Our study provides a valuable resource for understanding of the molecular mechanism of embryo implantation.
Our study provides a valuable resource for understanding of the molecular mechanism of embryo implantation.Patient engagement in research, a collaborative practice of including patients and families as active and respected partners in the research process, leads to improved quality of patient care and positively affects outcomes for patients and families. There is strong support for the benefits of patient engagement. What is less clear are the methods by which organizations can achieve authentic patient engagement in research and the ways a committee structure can support an institutional research engagement need beyond the individual investigators. In this report, we describe the mechanisms needed to support the implementation of a research-focused patient engagement strategy and lessons learned from the patient and family perspective.
Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA is completed through reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) from either oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs, critically important for diagnostics but also from an infection control lens. Recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 patients can demonstrate prolonged viral shedding with immunosuppression as a key risk factor.

We present a case of an immunocompromised patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection demonstrating prolonged infectious viral shedding for 189days with virus cultivability and clinical relapse with an identical strain based on whole genome sequencing, requiring a multi-modal therapeutic approach. We correlated clinical parameters, PCR cycle thresholds and viral culture until eventual resolution.

We successfully demonstrate resolution of viral shedding, administration of COVID-19 vaccination and maintenance of viral clearance. This case highlights implications in the immunosuppressed patient towards infection preventioulti-modal approach to eventually have successful clearance of the virus.
There is insufficient evidence regarding the role of respirators in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We analysed the impact of filtering facepiece class 2 (FFP2) versus surgical masks on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition among Swiss healthcare workers (HCW).

Our prospective multicentre cohort enrolled HCW from June to August 2020. Participants were asked about COVID-19 risk exposures/behaviours, including preferentially worn mask type when caring for COVID-19 patients outside of aerosol-generating procedures. The impact of FFP2 on (1) self-reported SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal PCR/rapid antigen tests captured during weekly surveys, and (2) SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion between baseline and January/February 2021 was assessed.

We enrolled 3259 participants from nine healthcare institutions, whereof 716 (22%) preferentially used FFP2. Among these, 81/716 (11%) reported a SARS-CoV-2-positive swab, compared to 352/2543 (14%) surgical mask users; seroconversion was documented in 85/656 (13%) FFP2 and 426/2255 (19%) surgical mask users. Adjusted for baseline characteristics, COVID-19 exposure, and risk behaviour, FFP2 use was non-significantly associated with decreased risk for SARS-CoV-2-positive swab (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.0) and seroconversion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0); household exposure was the strongest risk factor (aHR 10.1, 95% CI 7.5-13.5; aOR 5.0, 95% CI 3.9-6.5). In subgroup analysis, FFP2 use was clearly protective among those with frequent (> 20 patients) COVID-19 exposure (aHR 0.7 for positive swab, 95% CI 0.5-0.8; aOR 0.6 for seroconversion, 95% CI 0.4-1.0).

Respirators compared to surgical masks may convey additional protection from SARS-CoV-2 for HCW with frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients.
Respirators compared to surgical masks may convey additional protection from SARS-CoV-2 for HCW with frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients.CYP2D6 is a key drug-metabolizing enzyme implicated in the biotransformation of approximately 25% of currently prescribed drugs. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/gdc-0077.html Interindividual and interethnic differences in CYP2D6 enzymatic activity, and hence variability in substrate drug efficacy and safety, are attributed to a highly polymorphic corresponding gene. This study aims at reviewing the frequencies of the most clinically relevant CYP2D6 alleles in the Arabs countries. Articles published before May 2021 that reported CYP2D6 genotype and allelic frequencies in the Arab populations of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region were retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. This review included 15 original articles encompassing 2737 individuals from 11 countries of the 22 members of the League of Arab States. Active CYP2D6 gene duplications reached the highest frequencies of 28.3% and 10.4% in Algeria and Saudi Arabia, respectively, and lowest in Egypt (2.41%) and Palestine (4.9%). Frequencies of the loss-of-function allele CYP2D6*4 ranged from 3.5% in Saudi Arabia to 18.8% in Egypt. The disparity in frequencies of the reduced-function CYP2D6*10 allele was perceptible, with the highest frequency reported in Jordan (14.8%) and the lowest in neighboring Palestine (2%), and in Algeria (0%). The reduced-function allele CYP2D6*41 was more prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula countries; Saudi Arabia (18.4%) and the United Arab Emirates (15.2%), in comparison with the Northern Arab-Levantine Syria (9.7%) and Algeria (8.3%). Our study demonstrates heterogeneity of CYP2D6 alleles among Arab populations. The incongruities of the frequencies of alleles in neighboring countries with similar demographic composition emphasize the necessity for harmonizing criteria of genotype assignment and conducting comprehensive studies on larger MENA Arab populations to determine their CYP2D6 allelic makeup and improve therapeutic outcomes of CYP2D6- metabolized drugs.
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of deaths in Africa, monitoring its treatment outcome is essential to evaluate treatment effectiveness. The study aimed to evaluate proportion of poor TB treatment outcomes (PTO) and its determinants during six-months of treatment at Kilifi County, Kenya.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from the TB surveillance system (TIBU) in Kilifi County, Kenya from 2012 to 2019. The outcome of interest was PTO (lost-to-follow-up (LTFU), death, transferred out, treatment failure, drug resistance) or successful treatment (cured or completed treatment). We performed time-stratified (at three months follow-up) survival regression analyses accounting for sub-county heterogeneity to determine factors associated with PTO.

We included 14,706TB patients, their median (IQR) age was 37 (28-50)years and 8,791 (60%) were males. A total of 13,389 (91%) were on first line anti-TB treatment (2RHZE/4RH), 4,242 (29%) were HIV infected and 192 (1.3%) had other underlying me 0.70-0.97)) was negatively associated with PTO.

Over two-thirds of poor outcomes occur in the first three months of TB treatment, therefore greater efforts are needed during this phase. Interventions targeting HIV infected and other underlying medical conditions, the elderly and retreated patients provide an opportunity to improve TB treatment outcome.
Over two-thirds of poor outcomes occur in the first three months of TB treatment, therefore greater efforts are needed during this phase. Interventions targeting HIV infected and other underlying medical conditions, the elderly and retreated patients provide an opportunity to improve TB treatment outcome.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been used in oncology contexts as a promising tool with numerous benefits for various health-related and psychosocial outcomes. Despite the increasing popularity of MBIs, few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined their effects upon biological parameters. Specifically, no previous study has examined the effects of MBIs on extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are potentially important markers of health, disease, and stress. Moreover, the lack of RCTs is even more limited within the context of technology-mediated MBIs and long-term effects.

The current study protocol presents a two-arm, parallel, randomized controlled study investigating the effects of internet-supported mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) compared with treatment as usual (TAU). Primary outcomes are psychological distress and EV cargo of distressed participants with previous breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer diagnoses. Secondary outcomes are self-reported psychosocial and heaxt of cancer. The effects on circulating EVs will also be investigated, as a possible neurobiological pathway underlying mind-body intervention effects.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04727593 (date of registration 27 January 2021; date of record verification 6 October 2021).
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04727593 (date of registration 27 January 2021; date of record verification 6 October 2021).
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause severe physical impairment and a reduced quality of life, and there is limited evidence for any effective intervention. Aerobic exercise may be beneficial for improving symptoms. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of aerobic exercise for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials of the effectiveness and safety of aerobic exercise for rheumatoid arthritis were included. Risks of bias were assessed by two independent reviewers using the methods described in the RevMan 5.3, GRADEpro and the Cochrane Handbook. Meta-analyses were performed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on rheumatoid arthritis.

A total of 13 RCTs were included, including 967 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The Meta-analysis results showed that aerobic exercise can improve functional ability [MD = - 0.25, 95% CI (- 0.38, - 0.11), P = 0.0002], relieve pain [SMD = - 0.46, 95% CI (- 0.90, - 0.01), P = 0.04], increase aerobic capacity [MD = 2.41, 95% CI (1.36, 3.45), P < 0.00001] and improve the Sit to Stand test score[MD = 1.60, 95% CI (0.07, 3.13), P = 0.04] with statistically significant differences.

Generally, aerobic exercise is beneficial and safe for RA patients and has a certain alleviating effect on the disease, such as functional ability improvement, pain relief and aerobic capacity increase. Limited by the quantity and quality of the included studies, future research with higher-quality studies needs to be conducted to verify the above conclusions.

PROPERO registration number CRD42021242953.
PROPERO registration number CRD42021242953.