Search Results (187)

Mutations in TP53 inhibit p53 protective behaviors including cell cycle arrest, DNA damage repair protein recruitment, and apoptosis. The ubiquity of p53 in genome-stabilizing functions leads to an aberrant tumor microenvironment in TP53-mutated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Profound immunosuppression mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells, the upregulation of cytokines and cell-surface receptors on leukemic cells, the suppression of native immune regulator cells, and metabolic aberrations in the bone marrow are features of the TP53-mutated AML/MDS marrow microenvironment. These localized changes in the bone marrow microenvironment (BMME) explain why traditional therapies for MDS/AML, including chemotherapeutics and hypomethylating agents, are not as effective in TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasms and demonstrate the dire need for new treatments in this patient population. The unique pathophysiology of TP53-mutated disease also provides new therapeutic approaches which are being studied, including intracellular targets (MDM2, p53), cell-surface protein biologics (immune checkpoint inhibitors, BiTE therapy, and antibody–drug conjugates), cell therapies (CAR-T, NK-cell), signal transduction pathways (Hedgehog, Wnt, NF-κB, CCRL2, and HIF-1α), and co-opted biologic pathways (cholesterol synthesis and glycolysis). In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiologic anomalies of the tumor microenvironment in TP53-mutant MDS/AML, the hypothesized mechanisms of chemoresistance it imparts, and how novel therapies are leveraging diverse therapeutic targets to address this critical area of need. Full article

Background: Occlusal dysesthesia (OD), also known as phantom bite syndrome, is characterized by the subjective sensation of an uncomfortable or “wrong” bite despite the absence of objective occlusal pathology. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the current evidence on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of OD. Methods: The PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched using the terms “phantom bite,” “occlusal dysesthesia,” “occlusal hyperawareness,” “occlusal hypervigilance,” “uncomfortable occlusion,” and “oral cenestopathy.” Studies were screened according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria (2020), and evidence quality was assessed using the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence. Results: A total of 20 studies were included. OD predominantly affected middle-aged women, with symptom durations often exceeding several years, and was believed to be caused by disorderly central sensory processing or maladaptive signal processing rather than by a primary occlusal abnormality, with high rates of psychiatric comorbidities reported. Current evidence supports conservative multidisciplinary management, including patient education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive pharmacotherapy, and irreversible dental interventions are contraindicated. Conclusions: OD is a complex biopsychosocial condition requiring multidisciplinary care. The current low-quality evidence is primarily obtained from case reports and case series. Therefore, high-quality controlled trials are urgently required to establish evidence-based diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols. Full article

Giant pandas feed preferentially on bamboo but choose different species and organs depending on factors such as the altitude and season, suggesting preferential selection according to their nutritional requirements. However, the mechanism of selection is unclear. Pandas cannot directly sense the nutritional quality of bamboo shoots but tend to sniff their food before consumption, inferring that odors inform their choice, which is then reinforced by the selection of positive and negative taste cues. To investigate the basis of selection, we observed the effects of 10 different bamboo species on feeding behavior, including food item selection, feeding frequency, portion size, food processing time per bite, and amount consumed per meal. Three of the bamboos were preferred, another four were consumed when the preferable bamboos were unavailable, and the remaining three were always rejected. We then characterized the volatile components of the bamboo leaves as well as the primary and secondary metabolites, allowing us, for the first time, to correlate feeding behavior with metabolomics. The three groups shared some volatile compounds but 21 volatiles were unique to the preferred leaves and appeared to confer sweet and fresh aromas, whereas the inedible leaves produced 20 unique volatiles that were pungent or floral, which appeared to discourage feeding. The three groups also shared many common nonvolatile metabolites, but pairwise comparisons revealed both qualitative and quantitative differences in metabolite abundance that resulted in the preferred leaves accumulating compounds associated with a sweet taste in humans (e.g., sugars), while the inedible leaves contained metabolites often associated with sour and bitter tastes (e.g., certain flavonoids and acids). Following attraction by certain volatiles, giant pandas may therefore consolidate their selection of leaves that are potentially more nutritious by consuming those with sweeter, less bitter and less sour tastes. Full article

Daytime biting malaria mosquitoes present a challenge for malaria elimination efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. Diurnal mosquito host-seeking activity times were assessed indoors and outdoors in two villages in the Manhiça district. Subsequently, sunrise and sunset data across longitudes and latitudes spanning the African continent were used to assess if current entomological surveillance approaches align with (seasonal changes in) local daylight cycles. The most abundant species was Anopheles tenebrosus, and daytime (defined as the period between 06:00 and 18:00) host-seeking was only observed in a single Anopheles ziemanni. However, sunset occurred at 17:06 on that day, which means this specimen (collected between 16:00 and 18:00) could have been collected during nighttime. Further analysis of sunrise and sunset times across several African countries show these can change by over 2 h throughout the year, depending on longitude and latitude. As changes in daylight cycles can affect mosquito and human behaviors (e.g., time spent indoors and sleeping), surveillance strategies need to be adjusted to match actual daylight cycles and/or important human behavioral components. This will allow us to collect more actionable data to inform malaria control and elimination programs. Full article

Introduction: Snakebite envenomation is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a neglected tropical disease. In Colombia, snakebites are frequent due to the diversity of ecosystems and snake species, and children represent a particularly vulnerable population. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological and clinical behavior of snakebite envenomation in the pediatric population and to identify factors associated with its severity through the application of a multinomial logistic regression model. Methods: An exploratory analysis was conducted on 170 pediatric patients reported to the Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) and treated at San Jerónimo Hospital in Montería (HSJ). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and a multinomial logistic regression model was applied to identify risk factors associated with the severity of envenomation. Results: Most cases occurred in children over 12 years of age (51.8%), and males were the most affected. The lower limbs were the most common site of the bite (87.6%). Bothrops was the main genus responsible. Non-medical practices, such as herbal poultices and potions, were reported in 28.2% of cases. Clinically, moderate envenomation was the most frequent (48.2%), with edema (88%) and pain (92%) as the main local manifestations, and nausea (36%) and vomiting (32%) as systemic manifestations. Cellulitis was the most common complication (24%). Student’s t-test showed a significant difference between complications and hospital stays lasting 3 to 7 days. The multinomial logistic regression explained 75% of the severity variability and showed that prior non-medical practices increased the risk of severe cases. Conclusions: Snakebite envenomation in children remains an important public health problem. The statistical model showed that non-medical practices are associated with a higher degree of severity. Full article

Background and Objectives: Although preventable, rabies represents a significant public health problem. An important part of prevention is the surveillance of people exposed to potentially rabid animals, carried out in the anti-rabies clinics of all public health institutes in Croatia. We aimed to analyze the burden of human animal-bite injuries, patient/biting animal characteristics, and the uptake of anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Material and Methods: This retrospective study used medical records data ranging from 2015 to 2024 for all patients in the anti-rabies clinics in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. Results: A total of 4105 patients reported contact with a potentially rabid animal. The majority of examined people (52.6%) were working-aged adults (20–60 years). The largest proportion of reported injuries were recorded on the lower limbs (34.9%) and hands/fingers (32.3%). No contact with a proven rabid animal was recorded. PEP was received by 37.7% of those examined. Although dog exposure (68.9%) most frequently led to post-exposure care-seeking, PEP was most common after rodent (91.2%) and bat (87.5%) exposures. Conclusions: Improving public health education is the most effective method of preventing dog bites and thus reducing bite injuries. Promoting responsible dog ownership and behavior around animals, as well as avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, would likely reduce the need for PEP. The results of this study can also be used in planning health resources, primarily the availability of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin. In addition, they emphasize the importance of rabies prevention and the continued implementation of all preventive measures in collaboration between the human and animal health sectors. This research may be useful to future public health policies for the control of zoonotic infectious diseases, especially from a “One Health” perspective. Full article

Cow bunching is a behavioral phenomenon where cattle aggregate in tight groups to protect themselves from biting by stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans L.). The incidence of bunching varies between dairies and even among pens within the same dairy, as it is associated with the location-specific biting intensity of stable flies, which largely varies with dairy management and local environmental factors. Bunching may be associated with decreased feeding and laying times, as well as heat stress due to cattle aggregation. Thus, bunching may affect dairy cows’ milk production by reducing dry matter intake and rumination. To our knowledge, there are no previous studies specifically addressing the effect of cow bunching on milk production in lactating dairy cows. The objectives of our study were to estimate the economic impact of cow bunching against stable flies on milk production on a commercial California dairy and to estimate the economic losses associated with cow bunching and stable fly biting per cow per year. A longitudinal study was conducted from 1 May 2017 through 31 July 2017 on a 5000-cow Holstein herd housed in free stall pens in Tulare County, California. Pen-level cow bunching in four lactating cow pens was recorded weekly for 12 weeks. Bunching observations each day were matched to daily milk records for the study dairy. Two-piece spline linear mixed models were used to estimate the impact of cow bunching and stable fly counts on milk production. Cows in pens where bunching occurred experienced a significant milk reduction of 0.45 kg ± 0.104 (SE) per cow (p < 0.01) on the day of bunching in comparison to cows in pens without bunching. There was a significant reduction of 0.6 kg/cow/day in milk production associated with each increase in one stable fly per cow leg (standard metric for recording stable fly biting activity) after adjusting for parity, temperature humidity index (THI), and days in milk (DIM). Based on the economic analysis conducted on weekly bunching and fly counts, modeled milk production losses were reported as weekly loss in milk revenue per cow. The estimated economic loss associated with cow bunching and stable fly counts was highest during the last week of May (USD 0.34/cow/week and USD 1.86/cow/week, respectively) and was lowest during the last week of July (USD 0.03/cow/week and USD 0.29/cow/week, respectively). To mitigate the most substantial economic loss, dairy producers should focus their efforts on controlling stable flies during the early stable fly season, when stable fly abundance tends to be highest. Full article

The aims of the study were to evaluate the effectiveness of audio detection for identifying feeding sounds in free grazing sheep and to assess whether the recognition of these sounds could be influenced by pasture characteristics. Twelve Valle del Belice dry ewes were grazed on two mixed swards: on 10 May, grass-rich sward (G); on 13 May, legume-rich sward (L). Each ewe was fitted with a collar equipped with a point of view (POV) camera. All audio files (without viewing the videos) were listened to and sounds recognized as herbage prehension and rumination activity were highlighted. Time spent eating and ruminating was then calculated. To validate the audio file analysis, all video files were subjected to observation of the same behavioral aspects detected with audio. The regression between the prehensions number estimated using sound alone and the actual values recorded through video was significant (r² 0.743; p < 0.001). No differences were found in recognizing grazing behavior between data obtained by listening or watching the videos and between the two swards. The acoustic analysis of the single bites on grass and legume forages reveals significant differences between the two forage classes (p ≤ 0.001) particularly in terms of energy, temporal structure, and spectral features. Since sheep showed a strong selective activity towards legumes even in the grass-rich sward (selectivity index 3.1), this may have reduced acoustic differences between swards. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a significant public health problem and are expanding to formerly naive areas of the United States, such as the lower Midwest. To counter TBDs, many researchers apply the Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices (KAP) model to identify human-level factors that can be activated in campaigns to prevent tick-bites. These studies are, however, almost exclusively conducted in Lyme disease endemic areas of the US. We sought to outline KAPs among residents of a naïve County in southeast Ohio to provide baseline data to inform future educational and communication campaigns. Methods: To identify KAPs before Lyme disease and other TBDs become endemic, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to collect data on exposure to ticks and to examine KAPs regarding TBDs in a non-Lyme-endemic county in Ohio that borders a Lyme-endemic county in West Virginia. Results: Two hundred thirty-one people completed the survey. Most participants reported time spent in places where ticks are common and about half reported having a tick on themselves, but low levels of concern that they would be bitten or contract a TBD. Participants reported high levels of awareness of Lyme disease but low levels of awareness of other TBDs. The perceived seriousness of TBDs was low. Participants reported suboptimal adoption of all TBD-prevention behaviors. The most common barriers were forgetting to perform a preventive practice or not being aware of a preventive practice. Conclusions: These gaps in KAPs provide clear targets for public health communication messages to prevent tick-bites, particularly in non-Lyme-endemic counties in the US. Full article

Background/Aim: To date, there have been no data regarding the reproducibility or agreement of meal duration when a test meal is eaten. To confirm the reproducibility and agreement of the meal duration, number of chews, chewing tempo, and number of bites of a test meal, we performed a prospective observation study. Methods: We measured the duration, number of chews, chewing tempo, and number of bites of a test meal (salmon bento) among 33 participants (male: 15; female: 18) aged 20–60 years who ate twice at 2-week intervals to verify the agreement (by Bland-Altman (BA) analysis) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)) by sex. Results: The meal duration (s) and number of bites (times) were significantly greater in the female group (560.4 (128.7) and 731.9 (266.3), p = 0.023; 17.1 (9.9) vs. 26.4 (13.7), p = 0.036), and the number of chews tended to be greater in the female group (752.5 (203.3) vs. 938.1 (375.9), p = 0.083). Meal duration was positively associated with the number of chews (0.64 [0.53, 0.74], p < 0.001) and bites (10.4 [5.1, 15.8], p < 0.001). For both sexes, the % error calculated via BA analysis was high for meal duration, the number of chews, and the chewing tempo (21.4 and 13.4%; 16.5 and 18.5%; and 6.8 and 5.3%, respectively) and low for the number of bites (37.9 and 68.9%). The ICCs were high for meal duration (0.73 and 0.90), the number of chews (0.76 and 0.89), and the chewing tempo (0.76 and 0.90), and low for the number of bites (0.84 and 0.69). Moreover, systematic and proportional errors were found only for the number of bites in the female group (median_difference with 95% CI: −9.00 (−13.00, −2.00); −0.320 (−0.45, −0.093)). Conclusions: Although the sample size was small due to the exploratory nature of the study, meal duration, number of chews, and chewing tempo had high reproducibility and agreement, at least when this test meal was consumed. These measures may indicate individual-specific eating behavior. Full article

Malaria remains a major public health issue, especially near hydroelectric dams that often promote mosquito breeding. This study aimed to establish baseline epidemiological data during the construction of the Singrobo–Ahouaty dam to support assessment and decision-making for short- and long-term health impacts on surrounding communities. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected households. Blood samples were analyzed using thick/thin smears and rapid diagnostic tests, while sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected via questionnaires. Statistical analyses included chi-square, Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and logistic regression. The malaria prevalence was 43.1% (394/915). The parasite density averaged 405.7 parasites/µL. School-age children (6–13 years) showed the highest prevalence (74.3%, p < 0.0001), while younger children (0–5 years) had the highest parasite density (1218.0 parasites/µL, p < 0.0001). Highly elevated infection rates (>51%) occurred in Sokrogbo, N’Dènou, and Amani-Menou, with the highest density in Ahérémou 1 (5663.9 parasites/µL). Risk factors included being an informal worker (ORa = 1.5), working in the raw material sector (ORa = 1.4) or market gardening/rice farming (ORa = 0.9; p = 0.043), and frequent mosquito bites (OR = 0.4; p = 0.017). These results underscore the need for stronger vector control strategies, improved bed net distribution and follow-up, and enhanced intersectoral collaboration in dam-influenced areas to reduce malaria transmission. Full article

Spiders and other arthropods can sometimes consume others of their kind, and this is most often associated with mating activity, whereby females cannibalize males during or after mating, or during mating attempts. Nonsexual cannibalism is less common but may be associated with food availability or territorial aggression. In the Southeastern United States, a non-native orb-weaving spider, Trichonephila clavata (the “jorō spider”), is expanding its range. Prior lab experiments indicated this species to be “shy” compared to other native spiders, based on behavioral reactions to stimuli. Here, we report descriptive observations and photo-documentation of nonsexual cannibalism by this species, including from anecdotal observations, plus findings from controlled pairings of spiders, both in the lab and in natural webs in the field. In the cases where cannibalism was witnessed, it involved one female biting and killing another, typically after a short fight. When two females of a similar size were placed together in a container (n = 25 trials), fights ensued 40% of the time. When females of different sizes were paired (n = 27 trials), fights happened 18% of the time, and the larger females were not always the aggressor. Across all the lab trials (n = 52), six bouts (9%) led to the direct killing of one female. In field trials where two females were placed on an empty web (n = 14 trials), we observed one fight (7%) where the aggressor ended up killing and wrapping the other spider in silk. Given that some of these instances happened away from any web, these observations imply that the aggression is not necessarily an act of territoriality. The intraspecific aggression could arise when females are provoked or stressed, which deserves more study. Full article

In Tunisia, rabies is endemic and represents a significant public health issue. The objectives of our study were to describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of human rabies cases and report the risk factors associated with their occurrence. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study of human rabies cases confirmed at the Rabies Laboratory of the Pasteur Institute in Tunis from January 2000 to November 2022. Temporal–spatial, sociodemographic, and clinical variables and factors related to the exposure context, post-exposure, and response were collected for each patient. A total of 58 human rabies cases were identified. The governorates of Kairouan and Nabeul were the most affected, with a predominance of rural areas (77%, 34/44). The highest number of cases was recorded between May and November (74%, 43/58). The cases predominantly involved males, with the most affected age group being individuals aged from 31 to 59 years (30%, 17/57). Rabies transmission was primarily due to dogs (86%, 43/50) and a single bite (55%, 32/58). After an average incubation period of 60.3 days, hydrophobia and behavioral disturbances were the most common symptoms. This study demonstrates that the risk of human rabies remains present in Tunisia, highlighting the need to improve awareness and post-exposure prophylaxis practices. Full article

This preliminary study explores the use of a smart tray prototype equipped with a weight sensor to analyze consumer eating behavior in real-life conditions. Conducted in 2022, at the restaurant “La Confluence” in Namur, with 60 participants, the experiment involved tracking the progression of a standardized meal, “Scallops in sauce with vegetables”. The collected data allowed for the calculation of variables such as bite count, applied force, meal duration, and quantity consumed. Through mathematical processing, insights into individual and group eating patterns were developed, with 39 usable datasets analyzed. Our first results show that the smart tray is capable of estimating the weight consumed and the number of bites with over 97% accuracy. Statistical analysis enabled the identification of four distinct groups of individuals based on five behavioral variables related to eating behavior. The smart tray could be used in hospitality establishments including cafeterias, restaurants, or brasseries, where it could serve as a valuable tool for monitoring meal nutrition. Further improvements will aim to enhance utensil and action recognition through artificial intelligence, which will also support a more detailed characterization of eating behavior. Full article

Background: This study enhances knowledge of black fly biodiversity in Cameroon by integrating morphological and molecular analyses. A total of 19 Simulium species were identified from 1184 pupae collected across 13 sites, using morphological examination of gills and DNA sequencing of Cox1 and ITS2 markers. Key findings include the first report of 2 not yet described (based on identification keys used) species in Cameroon and confirmation of S. vorax and S. dentulosum as known vectors of onchocerciasis. DNA sequences have been deposited in GenBank for reference. Methods: Combining morphological and molecular approaches revealed more species diversity than previously described, showing the potential of molecular techniques in black fly study. Notably, the presence of species not typically associated with human-biting behavior (e.g., S. cervicornutum) raises the possibility that such flies could act as vectors under favorable conditions. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of identifying Simulium species for understanding their role in pathogen transmission. The results provide a foundation for further research on undescribed Simulium species and their potential vectorial capacities. Future studies should explore the ecological and behavioral factors influencing vector status, especially in the context of environmental changes. By bridging morphology and DNA analysis, this research advances the study of black flies and sets the stage for improved vector monitoring and disease control in Cameroon and beyond. Full article