Mary Curry Narayan

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Researchers used bacterial genetic systems to study how two interacting proteins — KhpA and KhpB — bind to each other and to RNA in three human bacterial pathogens. They found that protein-protein interactions were conserved across species, but RNA binding varied — with key differences in a short amino acid motif determining whether a species' KhpA could grab RNA at all. The findings provide a cross-species map of how these global regulators work to control gene expression during infection.

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A quasi-experimental trial in Northeast Ethiopia tested whether four peer-led educational sessions based on the Theory of Planned Behavior could reduce alcohol use among 1,496 secondary school students. At three months, students in the intervention group had significantly better knowledge, more negative attitudes toward drinking, and lower self-reported alcohol use compared to controls. The results support peer-led behavioral interventions for adolescent alcohol use, though longer follow-up studies are needed.

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This review covers polymer nanoparticles — tiny drug-carrying structures 10 to 1000 nm in size — and how their properties like surface chemistry, size, and drug loading capacity make them attractive platforms for targeted drug delivery. Advances in polymer chemistry allow precise control over how and when drugs are released, improving efficacy while reducing toxicity. Applications span cancer, neurological diseases, and other complex conditions.

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Researchers sequenced the genome of a bacterial strain isolated from a tilapia aquaponics tank at a Canadian high school. The 5.7-megabase genome carries genes predicted to produce the plant growth hormone indole-3-acetic acid, which has relevance to agricultural applications. The draft genome is presented as a resource for further study of this microorganism.

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Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), a persistent environmental contaminant, binds tightly to the milk protein beta-lactoglobulin and interferes with the protein's ability to transport vitamin A — a nutrient important for vision and brain development. Molecular modeling revealed specific chemical interactions between PFDA and the protein's binding pocket, and experiments in the nematode C. elegans showed PFDA exposure killed dopaminergic neurons and impaired movement. The findings help explain how PFAS chemicals can be neurotoxic and identify the protein as a potential target for intervention.

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Crystal structures of the milk protein beta-lactoglobulin bound to three PFAS chemicals — PFOA, PFOS, and PFDA — reveal that all three lodge into the same central pocket used to carry vitamin A and fatty acids. PFDA bound most tightly due to its longer carbon chain, and all three compounds triggered an opening of a structural loop in the protein. These structures explain at the atomic level how PFAS might hijack this protein and interfere with the transport of nutrients essential for brain development.

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A scoping review of 49 AI studies across acute care surgery found that most models are narrowly focused on predicting surgical risk before operations, relying mainly on structured electronic health records and rarely validated externally or evaluated for fairness. Performance varied widely, and almost none have reached clinical deployment. The field needs more prospective validation, real-time prediction tools, and multimodal data integration to be clinically useful.

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This study — a companion to 41726988 — reports the same crystal structures of beta-lactoglobulin bound to PFOA, PFOS, and PFDA and reaches the same conclusion: all three PFAS chemicals bind tightly to the protein's core vitamin A and fatty acid binding site. The findings advance a mechanism for how this milk protein could act as a carrier that shuttles PFAS chemicals through the body, potentially contributing to their neurotoxic effects.

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Draft genome sequences were reported for 32 Flavobacterium species isolated from marine sediment near a fallowed Atlantic salmon farm in British Columbia, Canada. The collection reflects the microbial diversity in salmon farming environments. These genomes provide a resource for understanding Flavobacterium biology in aquaculture-associated ecosystems.

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Draft genome sequences were reported for 19 Flavobacterium species isolated from the skin of Atlantic salmon that survived winter cold stress, some with visible lesions and some without. The data provide a genomic baseline for understanding cold-stress-associated Flavobacterium in farmed salmon. These genomes may help clarify which strains are pathogenic versus harmless under stressful conditions.

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The Society of University Surgeons' Education Committee released a position statement on integrating AI — both predictive tools and large language models — into surgical training. The committee outlines stakeholder-specific recommendations covering academic integrity, faculty roles, assessment reform, and equitable global access. AI is positioned as a powerful supplement to surgical education that must be deployed carefully to complement rather than replace mentorship.

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In 60 children with drug-resistant epilepsy, interictal brain SPECT imaging with a radioactive tracer identified abnormal blood flow patterns in all patients, most commonly in the temporal lobes, even when MRI and EEG were inconclusive. SPECT findings matched EEG in about 27% of cases and aligned with both MRI and EEG in only 8%. The study supports SPECT as a valuable, accessible add-on tool for identifying seizure-generating brain regions in children who haven't responded to medication.

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This chapter surveys how precision medicine is poised to transform treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by using AI, multi-omics data, and biomarkers to stratify patients and tailor therapies. It identifies major barriers including the need for large-scale biomarker validation, equitable access to advanced diagnostics, and global regulatory alignment. The vision is to shift neurodegenerative diseases from fatal diagnoses to manageable chronic conditions, but only if equity is built into the approach from the start.

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This chapter reviews global research collaborations tackling neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting landmark initiatives like ADNI and PPMI that pool data and expertise across countries to overcome the complexity of these diseases. Technologies like AI, blockchain-based data sharing, and real-time patient monitoring are enabling new kinds of international collaboration. The chapter also addresses challenges around standardizing research protocols, legal frameworks, and sustaining funding.

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A hospital laboratory tested whether direct identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing from urine samples — skipping the standard 48-72 hour culture step — could accurately characterize two common urinary pathogens within 6-8 hours. Using a mass spectrometry method for identification and accelerated disc tests for susceptibility, they achieved over 90% correct pathogen identification and acceptable antibiotic category agreement by 6-8 hours. The approach could cut the standard turnaround time by roughly 40 hours, enabling faster, better-targeted antibiotic treatment.

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This synopsis argues that the global shortage of surgeons requires modernizing training from apprenticeship-based to competency-based models, supported by simulation, telementoring, virtual reality, and online learning platforms. Policy solutions like national surgical plans, task-sharing, and public-private partnerships are also essential. Scaling these innovations alongside workforce retention efforts is framed as the path to closing the global surgical care gap.

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All 120 green mussels sampled from Jakarta markets contained microplastics, averaging 18 particles per mussel, with fragments the most common type. Fifteen different plastic polymer types were identified, several classified as very hazardous to health. Estimated annual human microplastic ingestion from mussel consumption in Indonesia was over 270,000 particles per person, with associated heavy metal exposure posing additional health risks.

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A laboratory study added varying concentrations of the PFAS chemical PFOA to agricultural soil under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and tracked effects on the microbial community. Higher PFOA concentrations killed off 8-79% of microbes, with anaerobic soils more sensitive, and shifted which bacterial groups dominated. The findings show PFOA disrupts the soil microbes that drive nutrient cycling, with implications for agricultural productivity in contaminated areas.

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The author argues that the nursing process — developed more than 65 years ago — should be updated and renamed the "nursing scientific method" to better reflect modern nursing practice. Proposed changes include adding relationship building and communication as explicit steps, renaming diagnostic and outcome steps, and emphasizing critical thinking throughout. These revisions are presented as ways to improve patient safety, engagement, and care effectiveness.

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Researchers embedded perovskite nanoparticles into a silicone polymer film and studied how the material emits light. The light output increased linearly with excitation intensity up to a point, then leveled off — and the polymer matrix changed how quickly the light emission decayed, compressing a three-component decay to two components and shortening it from 16 to about 6 nanoseconds. These findings advance the design of perovskite-based light-emitting materials for optoelectronics.

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Semi-structured interviews with 24 cholecystectomy patients — split between emergency and non-emergency surgery — found that chest pain caused by gallstones was often mistaken for heart trouble, which prompted faster care-seeking in some patients. Patients who already knew about their family history of gallstones were better able to connect their symptoms to the diagnosis. These factors — chest pain symptoms and family history awareness — may influence whether patients seek care in time to avoid emergency surgery.

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An AI tool evaluated 688 feedback comments given to 75 medical students during simulated paracentesis training and found that higher-quality feedback — specifically feedback reinforcing strengths and suggesting targeted improvements — correlated with greater skill improvement. Each 10-percentage-point increase in feedback quality scores corresponded to about 1.16 additional points on the technical skills assessment. The AI evaluations showed strong agreement with expert human raters, suggesting AI can scale feedback quality assessment in surgical training.

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Members of the Transcultural Nursing Society formed a Migration Special Interest Group to address healthcare challenges facing migrants worldwide, who are among the most vulnerable populations. The paper outlines nurses' role as advocates and voices for migrants, identifies barriers providers face, and offers toolkits and strategies for clinicians who care for migrant populations. It frames transcultural nursing as an active force for human rights in healthcare.

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A Department of Veterans Affairs program connected rural VA medical centers with distant infectious disease specialists via video conference to improve antibiotic prescribing. Over 2.5 years at 10 rural sites, the team completed 624 clinical encounters, and more than 90% of surveyed clinicians felt the program improved veteran care quality and provided timely recommendations. The model is presented as a scalable approach to expanding antimicrobial stewardship expertise in rural health systems.

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PVC nanoplastics, at doses tested in lab models, disrupted the structure and function of the model protein beta-lactoglobulin — impairing its ability to bind vitamin A — and accelerated toxic protein clumping in a second model protein. In C. elegans nematodes, PVC nanoplastic exposure killed dopaminergic neurons and impaired movement in the same pattern as a known neurotoxin. The findings provide molecular-level evidence for how PVC nanoplastics may cause neurotoxicity in living systems.

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A pilot study at an Indian tertiary care hospital tested cascade reporting — withholding results for broad-spectrum antibiotics unless first-line options fail — for urinary tract pathogens over 10 months. About 10.6% of samples with significant bacterial growth were subject to cascade reporting, mostly from inpatients, and most isolates remained susceptible to multiple first-tier antibiotics. The study supports cascade reporting as a practical antimicrobial stewardship tool in resource-limited settings.

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A study at an Indian tertiary care center evaluated a rapid point-of-care syphilis test in 500 serum samples and found it had 81% sensitivity and 98% specificity compared to the standard hemagglutination reference test. When used as the first screening step in a reverse-algorithm workflow, the test maintained these characteristics. The authors conclude it is a viable candidate for improving syphilis screening in both laboratory and field settings.

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A retrospective study at a trauma center found that delayed dedicated screening for intimate partner violence, conducted as part of a tertiary survey after initial workup, identified more than 200% more IPV victims than the standard early screening given on arrival — 6.3% detection rate versus 0.6%. No patient was identified by both screening approaches. The findings support a two-phase screening strategy combining early and delayed screening to maximize identification of IPV victims.

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A survey of five geographically diverse Indian hospitals found wide variation in antimicrobial stewardship and surgical site infection surveillance practices, with no hospital having a dedicated stewardship committee and only one tracking antibiotic use through pharmacy informatics. Antibiotic-resistant organism rates were high across all sites, with carbapenem resistance averaging 16%. The authors identify substantial gaps and call for standardized, scalable stewardship frameworks suited to India's healthcare context.

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of six trauma studies covering nearly 12,000 patients found that the traditional ABC (airway-breathing-circulation) approach was associated with 3.65-fold higher mortality compared to the CAB (circulation-airway-breathing) approach in patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. The benefit of prioritizing circulation was even stronger in prospective studies. The review supports shifting trauma resuscitation protocols to address bleeding before airway management in exsanguinating patients.

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A feasibility study tested sentinel lymph node detection in 10 early-stage ovarian cancer patients using a radioactive tracer, with 100% detection success and para-aortic nodes identified in 90% of cases. No false negatives were detected, and ultrastaging found isolated tumor cells in two patients who might have been missed with standard analysis. The technique shows promise as a less invasive alternative to full lymph node removal.

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This comprehensive review examines what is known about recovery from acute kidney injury, covering biological, clinical, and environmental factors that influence whether and how well kidney function returns. The authors note substantial ongoing debate in the field about which factors matter most and how they interact. The review aims to help clinicians and researchers identify better treatment strategies for improving outcomes after AKI.

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This article summarizes expert discussion from a 2024 surgical conference on how global surgery has evolved from short-term mission trips toward sustainable partnerships and continuous training programs. The shift reflects a broader commitment to equity in surgical access worldwide. The article captures key lessons and future directions for building durable surgical capacity globally.

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This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, disrupting soil microbial communities, nutrient cycles, and food chains, while also contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. A critical gap is the lack of standardized sampling and analysis methods, making it hard to compare results across studies. The authors call for multidisciplinary research and strict regulatory action to address microplastic pollution.

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Water, sediment, and five common fish species from four freshwater reservoirs in the mineral-rich Indian state of Jharkhand were analyzed for toxic metal contamination. Fish accumulated cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc at levels raising health concerns, particularly for children in Ranchi who eat these fish regularly. One reservoir (HD) showed the highest contamination, and bioaccumulation was most pronounced for cadmium.

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Researchers surveyed eight heron colonies in Eastern India, using the cattle egret as a bioindicator, and found elevated heavy metal levels — especially lead, chromium, copper, and zinc — in feathers, prey, and soil at two sites (Talcher and Koraput), identifying them as ecological risk zones. Spatial mapping highlighted three primary contamination hotspots, including the Hirakud area. The findings provide policymakers with data needed to target conservation and remediation efforts.

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A study of 50 extensively drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial isolates tested whether combining ceftazidime-avibactam with aztreonam could overcome resistance that neither drug alone could beat. The combination showed synergy in 40% of isolates, and 75% of patients treated with the combination achieved microbiological clearance. The disc-stacking synergy test used is simple enough to be deployed in low-resource settings to guide antibiotic choices.

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A prospective study of 29 early-stage ovarian cancer patients tested sentinel lymph node biopsy using radioactive tracer plus blue dye and achieved 100% detection using both tracers, though methylene blue alone detected nodes in 89.5% of cases. When a sentinel node was found, sensitivity and specificity were both 100%, with no false negatives. Ultrastaging detected isolated tumor cells in 5 cases, supporting sentinel node biopsy as a feasible and accurate alternative to full lymphadenectomy.

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Researchers synthesized a series of new compounds combining triazole, indole, and pyrazolone chemical structures and tested them against drug-resistant bacteria and fungi. Several compounds showed strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus comparable to standard antibiotics, and others showed moderate antifungal activity. The compounds showed no significant toxicity in a human cell line, supporting their potential as new antimicrobial drug candidates.

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Analysis of over 580,000 traumatic brain injury admissions before and after states expanded Medicaid in 2014 found that Medicaid coverage increased significantly and uninsurance dropped among 18-64 year olds. After expansion, Medicaid patients with TBI were 40% less likely to die and more than twice as likely to receive post-hospital rehabilitation care. Medicaid expansion meaningfully improved outcomes for this vulnerable group.

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Carbon quantum dots derived from quinic acid and chlorogenic acid — plant compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier — were shown to block toxic protein aggregation, act as antioxidants, protect human neuroblastoma cells from paraquat (a pesticide linked to Parkinson's), and prevent dopamine neuron loss in C. elegans. Both types of carbon dots were biocompatible up to high concentrations. These plant-derived nanomaterials are promising candidates for protecting against environmentally triggered Parkinson's disease.

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This article describes a collaboration between the International Home Care Nurses Organization and the American Nurses Association to develop globally applicable standards for home-based nursing practice. The scope and standards are evidence-based and designed to guide high-quality nursing care delivered in patients' homes worldwide. The collaboration reflects growing recognition of home-based care as a critical component of global health systems.