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The human vaginal epithelium is a crucial component of numerous reproductive processes and serves as a vital protective barrier against pathogenic invasion. Despite its significance, a comprehensive exploration of its molecular profiles, including molecular expression and distribution across its multiple layers, has not been performed. In this study, we perform a spatial transcriptomic analysis within the vaginal wall of human fetuses to fill this knowledge gap. We successfully categorize the vaginal epithelium into four distinct zones based on transcriptomic profiles and anatomical features. This approach reveals unique transcriptomic signatures within these regions, allowing us to identify differentially expressed genes and uncover novel markers for distinct regions of the vaginal epithelium. Additionally, our findings highlight the varied expressions of keratin ( KRT) genes across different zones of the vaginal epithelium, with a gradual shift in expression patterns observed from the basal layer to the surface/superficial layer. This suggests a potential differentiation trajectory of the human vaginal epithelium, shedding light on the dynamic nature of this tissue. Furthermore, abundant biological processes are found to be enriched in the basal zone by KEGG pathway analysis, indicating an active state of the basal zone cells. Subsequently, the expressions of latent stem cell markers in the basal zone are identified. In summary, our research provides a crucial understanding of human vaginal epithelial cells and the complex mechanisms of the vaginal mucosa, with potential applications in vaginal reconstruction and drug delivery, making this atlas a valuable tool for future research in women’s health and reproductive medicine.

Objective To systematically assess the applicability of the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) integrating Chinese and western medicine, thereby providing reference for enhancing their future usability. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, SinoMed, WanFang Data, and CNKI databases were searched for guidelines for the integration of Chinese and western medicine. Supplementary searches of Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Medicine Administration, MedSci websites, Website of China Association of Chinese Medicine, Medlive, Website of Dangdang, Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine and World Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies were conducted. The search time frame was from inception of the databases to December 31, 2022. Four reviewers independently evaluated the implementability of clinical practice guidelines by using 'Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) implementation evaluation tool'. Results A total of 61 integrative Chinese and western medicine guidelines were included. Of the guidelines assessed, 9 guidelines(14.75%) exhibited strong implementability, 40(65.57%) demonstrated average implementability, and 12 (19.67%) demonstrated poor implementability. Among the 5 domains, the dimensions of 'accessibility' and 'implementability' were found to be of high quality, while those of 'communication', 'ease of identification' and 'applicability' were relatively poor. Notably, compared to guidelines published between 2006—2016, those published between 2017—2022 showed improvements in the areas of 'identification' and 'application'. Conclusions The implementabilityof the existing clinical practice guidelines of the integrative Chinese and western medicine is average and needs to be improved. In the future, emphasis should be placed on the integration of medical education and research, publicity of the guidelines, continuous medical education and training, a more concise form of recommendations, application of the guidelines by clinicians, and the implementability of the integrative Chinese and western medicine guideline.

Oligosaccharides derived from agar, that is, agarooligosaccharides and neoagarooligosaccharides, have demonstrated various kinds of bioactivities which have been utilized in a variety of fields. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a feasible approach that principally allows for obtaining specific agar oligosaccharides in a sustainable way at an industrial scale. This review summarizes recent technologies employed to improve the properties of agarase. Additionally, the relationship between the degree of polymerization, bioactivities, and potential applications of agar-derived oligosaccharides for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and agricultural industries are discussed. Engineered agarase exhibited general improvement of enzymatic performance, which is mostly achieved by truncation. Rational and semi-rational design assisted by computational methods present the latest strategy for agarase improvement with greatest potential to satisfy future industrial needs. Agarase immobilized on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles via covalent bond formation showed characteristics well suited for industry. Additionally, albeit with the relationship between the degree of polymerization and versatile bioactivities like anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial agents, prebiotics and in skin care of agar-derived oligosaccharides are discussed here, further researches are still needed to unravel the complicated relationship between bioactivity and structure of the different oligosaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge structure and research hotspots regarding barriers and strategies for the implementation of clinical practice guidelines., Methods: Publications on barriers and strategies for guideline implementation were searched for on Web of Science Core Collection from database inception to October 24, 2022. R package bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were used to conduct the analysis., Results: The search yielded 21,768 records from 3,975 journals by 99,998 authors from 3,964 institutions in 186 countries between 1983 and 2022. The number of published papers had a roughly increasing trend annually. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada contributed the majority of records. The University of Toronto, the University of Washington, and the University of Sydney were the biggest node in their cluster on the collaboration network map. The three journals that published the greatest number of relevant studies were Implementation Science , BMJ Open , and BMC Health Services Research . Grimshaw JM was the author with the most published articles, and was the second most co-cited author. Research hotspots in this field focused on public health and education, evidence-based medicine and quality promotion, diagnosis and treatment, and knowledge translation and barriers. Challenges and barriers, as well as societal impacts and inequalities, are likely to be key directions for future research., Conclusions: This is the first bibliometric study to comprehensively summarize the research trends of research on barriers and strategies for clinical practice guideline implementation. A better understanding of collaboration patterns and research hotspots may be useful for researchers., Spanish Abstract: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A247., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 JBI. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.)

'Antibiotics under our feet' is a Scottish citizen science project that aimed to raise science capital in primary school learners and their teachers through measurement of microbial diversity in urban soil samples in the search for novel antimicrobial compounds. Resistance to antibiotics is rising, posing a global threat to human health. Furthermore, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are in crisis, jeopardising our capacity to mobilise as a society to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Originally conceived as a response to the AMR and STEM emergencies, our project was hit by the unprecedented challenge of engaging with schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe how we adapted our project to enable remote participation from primary schools and youth groups, utilising COVID-19 response initiatives as opportunities for multi-level co-creation of resources with learners in primary, secondary, and higher education. We produced portable kit boxes for soil sample collection with learning activities and videos linked to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. We also addressed glaring project specific content gaps relating to microbiology on English and Simple English Wikipedia. Our hybrid model of working extended our geographical reach and broadened inclusion. We present here the inception, implementation, digital resource outputs, and discussion of pedagogical aspects of 'Antibiotics under our feet'. Our strategies and insights are applicable post-pandemic for educators to develop STEM skills using soil, microbes, and antibiotics as a theme., Competing Interests: The authors declare that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors.)