Global Agrifood Value Chains, Structural Transformation and Income Inequality

ABSTRACT Global agrifood value chains are rapidly expanding worldwide and play a key role in transforming agricultural production and food systems. Despite this importance, their socioeconomic implications remain insufficiently understood. This paper examines the relationship between agrifood value chain participation and income inequality. Using panel data from 137 countries over the period 1990–2020, we find a negative association between global agrifood value chain participation and income inequality, largely driven by the food and beverage sector. Delving into the underlying mechanisms, we show that this inequality‐reducing effect operates through labor reallocation away from informal, low‐productivity agricultural activities towards more formal and better‐paid downstream processing jobs, and a process of structural upgrading toward industry and services in countries that deepen their participation in the food and beverage sector. We also highlight significant disparities across regions and income groups. These findings carry significant policy implications and underscore the need for policymakers in developing countries to strengthen agrifood value chains through further transformation, with the aim of increasing incomes, generating employment, and reducing income inequality.

Changes in Uterine Glandular Composition in Kyrgyz Breed Mares According to Pregnancy Status

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to examine glandular histological changes in the uterus of Kyrgyz breed mares during the first 6 months of pregnancy. The study used 53 Kyrgyz breed mares; 43 of these were at different stages of pregnancy, while 10 were non‐pregnant mares. Uterine samples obtained at the slaughterhouse were evaluated histomorphometrically; endometrial thickness, gland density, gland epithelial height and gland diameter were measured. In conclusion, it was concluded that in Kyrgyz mares, endometrial thickness, glandular epithelial height and diameter increased as pregnancy progressed, while glandular density decreased and that further research on this topic would be beneficial.

Risks of Intense Pulsed Light ( IPL ) in Skin of Colour; Optimising Safety in Australia

ABSTRACT Complications from intense pulsed light treatments are often attributed to the use of broad wavelength light and insufficient operator skill. This case series reviews four patients who experienced intense pulsed light (IPL) treat‐induced complications at cosmetic clinics across Melbourne, Australia. The findings aim to educate both clinicians and consumers about the common complications seen with IPL treatment, the potential severity of these complications and to offer recommendations to enhance the safety of IPL treatments for individuals with skin of colour.

One‐year follow‐up of survival and health‐related quality of life in patients with medical conditions admitted acutely to hospital in Malawi and Tanzania

ECG Markers of Positive Drug Challenge With Ajmaline in Patients With Brugada Syndrome

ABSTRACT Background Ajmaline challenge (AC) is used for diagnosing suspected Brugada syndrome (BS) in patients with unexplained syncope, survived cardiac arrest, or for family screening. Purpose To evaluate baseline ECG markers predicting a positive AC in the absence of a spontaneous diagnostic Brugada ECG. Methods Baseline ECGs of 221 consecutive patients undergoing AC (up to 1 mg/kg bodyweight) were analyzed. ECGs from positive and negative tests were compared, with Q‐, R‐, S‐, J‐, and T‐wave amplitudes and intervals measured in all 12 leads. Results 221 patients underwent AC; the cohort was 71% male, and 7% had survived cardiac arrest. AC was positive in 93 patients (42%). Prominent S‐waves in lead II and J‐waves in V1 predicted a positive AC (S‐wave duration: 36 vs. 22 ms, p  < 0.01; J‐wave amplitude V1: 0.06 vs. 0.01 mV, p  < 0.001). ROC analysis confirmed discriminative value for S‐wave duration in lead II (AUC 0.79) and J‐wave amplitude in V1 (AUC 0.71). A cut off of ≥ 19 ms for S‐wave duration in lead II showed 96% sensitivity for a positive test (OR 17.3, p  < 0.001). J‐wave amplitude in V1 ≥ 0.05 mV was also significantly associated (OR 5.4, p  < 0.001). Conclusion In patients without a spontaneous diagnostic Brugada ECG, prominent S‐waves in lead II and J‐waves in V1 are subtle electrical abnormalities that help identify patients and family members with a higher likelihood of positive AC.

Letter on ‘Unveiling Drug‐Induced Autoimmune‐Like Hepatitis in Autoimmune Hepatitis Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study’

Gadoteric Acid Induces Dose‐Dependent DNA Damage and Enzyme Binding in Fibroblast Cells

ABSTRACT Gadolinium‐based contrast agents, widely used in magnetic resonance imaging, raise safety concerns due to their potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, especially at high doses or repeated exposures. In this study, the cytogenotoxic potential of gadoteric acid in NIH3T3 fibroblast cells was evaluated using in vitro and in silico approaches. NIH3T3 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of gadoteric acid. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTS assay and genotoxicity by comet assay; hydrogen peroxide (75 μM) was used as a positive control. In addition, the interaction of gadoteric acid with DNA topoisomerase IIα, DNA topoisomerase IIβ, DNA polymerase β, and B‐DNA was examined by molecular docking. MTS assay results showed a dose‐dependent decrease in cell viability with an IC 50 of 28.19 mM. Comet assay revealed significant DNA damage only at the highest concentration (56.38 mM) ( p  < 0.05), which also caused marked cytotoxicity. Thus, the observed DNA damage likely resulted from cytotoxicity stress rather than direct strand breaks. In silico docking predicted a high binding affinity of gadoteric acid for DNA polymerase β (−11.7 kcal/mol) and other DNA‐related targets. However, these predictions require experimental validation. Overall, gadoteric acid exhibited dose‐dependent cytotoxicity and limited genotoxicity at high concentrations, suggesting that DNA damage occurs secondary to cytotoxic effects rather than a direct genotoxic mechanism.

In Vivo and In Silico Dissection of Triclosan‐Induced Reproductive Toxicity: Protective Potentials of Nanoselenium and Phytotherapy

ABSTRACT Triclosan (TCS) is a widely used antimicrobial agent raising concern about its potential toxicity and adverse effects on fertility. This study investigated the protective efficacy of clomiphene citrate, conventional selenium, nanoselenium and Tribulus terrestris extract (TTE) against TCS‐induced toxicity in male rats. Six experimental groups were established: control, TCS‐exposed and TCS co‐treated with each therapeutic agent. Semen quality; testicular and hepatic biochemical, oxidative and mitochondrial markers; hormone profiles; neurotransmitters; and histopathology were assessed. Specific reproductive (SOX9, inhibin B) and hepatic (Nrf2, NF‐κB) markers were quantified to evaluate spermatogenesis, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. In silico analyses, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, examined the interactions of TCS with CYP17A1 and GPX4 to elucidate potential mechanisms of enzyme inhibition. The results demonstrated that TCS exposure impaired reproductive and hepatic function, disrupted hormonal balance, induced oxidative stress and tissue damage. Treatments with selenium (conventional and nanoforms) and TTE significantly mitigated these alterations, restoring biochemical and hormonal parameters and improving tissue architecture. Among these, nanoselenium and TTE showed the most pronounced protective effects, emphasizing their comparative efficacy in counteracting TCS‐induced toxicity. The findings highlight the potential of nanoselenium and TTE as promising protective agents against TCS‐related reproductive and hepatic damage.

Cystoscopic application of RADA16 peptide for refractory haematuria from radiation cystitis

Objective To present a novel technique for cystoscopic application of RADA16, a self‐assembling peptide that promotes both haemostasis and healing within the irradiated bladder, and describe its efficacy for intractable haematuria from radiation cystitis. Patients and Methods A total of 15 patients who had failed standard treatment for haematuria from radiation cystitis were offered this novel treatment at Guy's Hospital, London and Cleveland Clinic London, UK between February and October 2024. A standard saline cystoscopy was performed under general anaesthetic and the bladder emptied. CO 2 insufflation of the bladder was performed and the RADA16 deployed over the area of radiation telangiectasia. This was left for 5 min and then the gas evacuated from the bladder. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 months for complications and re‐bleeding. Results In all, 14 of the 15 patients had significant reduction in their bleeding at 6 weeks. One patient with ongoing bleeding proceeded to salvage cystectomy. Two patients required further cystodiathermy and RADA16 application within 3 months. No other modified Clavien–Dindo ≥III complications occurred within 3 months. Patients who had a follow‐up cystoscopy within 3 months of application showed significant regression of the radiation‐induced telangiectasia with no evidence of bladder scarring or ureteric orifice obstruction. Conclusions Cystoscopic application of RADA16 shows promise for treating intractable haematuria from radiation cystitis. It is the first treatment option that potentially provides both haemostasis as well as promoting bladder healing and regression of radiation‐induced telangiectasia.

Emerging Roles of Osmium Complexes in Cancer Therapy, Their Mechanism of Action, Challenges and Future Perspectives

ABSTRACT Since cisplatin was discovered and used as an anti‐cancer agent in clinical settings, research into cancer treatments has revealed a number of possible drugs based on metal‐containing scaffolds. This has produced a large number of metallodrugs suitable for use in medicine. The roles and mechanisms of action of these metallodrugs are more diverse than those of pure organic compounds. Since they demonstrated efficacy against numerous cancer cell lines, metallodrugs based on osmium are among the most researched and produced substitutes for platinum‐based anti‐cancer drugs. The metal‐based drugs are a new, well‐developed type of drug in anticancer therapy with specific mechanisms of action that are much different from the organic chemical drugs used in chemotherapy. They have the potential to disrupt cellular processes necessary for the survival and growth of cancer cells since they are able to interact with a variety of biological targets such as DNA, proteins, and enzymes. This review article focuses on the role of Os‐complexes in cancer treatment, their mechanism of action, challenges, and future perspectives of Os‐complexes in cancer therapy.