Baobab Index

Oncology clinical trials nurses (OCTNs) are central to trial delivery and balancing patient care with protocol implementation. Increasing trial complexity and precision approaches demand updated understanding of their roles, competencies, and evolving practice. Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and grey literature (2018-2025). After two-stage screening, 63 sources were included. Extracted data covered responsibilities, competencies, education models, emerging practices, and reported outcomes. Across the 63 studies, OCTNs most frequently performed informed consent facilitation, patient enrollment, investigational product management, adverse-event monitoring, documentation, trial coordination, and patient education. Core competencies included oncology expertise, Good Clinical Practice, regulatory knowledge, research literacy, communication, and leadership. Newer demands highlight digital health proficiency and genomic literacy. Literature revealed variability in role recognition, workforce support, and competency standardization. Reported challenges included workload intensity, limited structured training, and uneven trial access. This is the first scoping review to systematically consolidate OCTN roles, competencies, and evolving practices across global sources since 2018. Findings demonstrate that OCTNs are important for participant safety, data integrity, and trial feasibility. Future priorities include establishing standardized global competencies, investing in workforce development, and addressing digital/genomic training gaps to sustain and advance this workforce in evolving cancer research contexts.

The protein fraction is the most expensive component in aquafeed. This study aimed to determine if injecting fragmented shark (Squalus acanthias) DNA into Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock could enhance the offspring's ability to utilize low-protein diets. Shark genomic DNA was used as a donor source to investigate if its high metabolic efficiency and growth traits could biologically complement and improve feed utilization in tilapia fed low-protein diets. A 2 × 3 factorial design was used, where offspring from genetically modified (GM) and wild-type (WT) broodstock were fed diets containing 22%, 26%, and 30% crude protein (CP) for 90 days. Results showed that GM tilapia had significantly superior growth performance (FBW, WG, SGR) and feed utilization (lower FCR; higher PER, PPV) compared to WT (P < 0.05). Critically, GM fish fed the 22% CP diet achieved growth comparable to WT fish fed the 30% CP diet. The GM fish also deposited significantly more body protein and fat, with lower moisture content. Molecular analysis revealed distinct alterations in the muscle protein profile (SDS-PAGE) and a significant metabolic rebalancing of the amino acid profile (higher methionine and valine, but lower lysine and arginine) in GM fish compared to WT fish. The genetic analysis via PCR and sequencing confirmed the successful transfer of the shark's COX1 gene in GM fish and consequently its absence in WT. In conclusion, the direct injection with shark genomic DNA is an effective technique to produce tilapia offspring with enhanced growth and metabolic efficiency, particularly on low-protein diets. This confirmed genetic modification, which alters the proteomic and metabolic profile, offers a viable approach to enhance tilapia aquaculture fed on a low-protein diet.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is a key determinant of pork quality. In this study, the Chinese indigenous Huai pig (a fat-type breed) and the Western Duroc pig (a lean-type breed) were selected to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying IMF deposition. Proteomic analysis identified 91 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two breeds. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that several key lipid metabolism-related pathways were significantly enriched, including the Lipid metabolic process, AMPK signaling pathway, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and Fat digestion and absorption. Western blotting further confirmed the reliability of the proteomic results. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses highlighted significant enrichment of the PPAR signaling pathway, which plays a central role in lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that enhanced fatty-acid uptake contributes to increased lipid deposition in muscle tissue. Additionally, several potential candidate genes associated with IMF deposition were identified, including CD36, SCARB2, ACADVL, ACADSB, ACADM, UNC119B, PAS-4, and APOA1. Collectively, this study provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of IMF deposition in pigs and offers a theoretical basis and genetic resources for improving pork quality and advancing molecular breeding.

Plant-associated members of the Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex (KpSC) may harbor genomic traits of potential agricultural relevance while also carrying resistance- and virulence-associated determinants of biosafety concern. Here, whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses were used to characterize nine KpSC strains isolated from Vicia faba root nodules, comprising three Klebsiella quasipneumoniae and six Klebsiella variicola isolates. Genome-based taxonomic analysis identified four sequence types (ST-355, ST-3956, ST-4200, and ST-4574), with phylogenomic analysis indicating that genomic relatedness was more strongly associated with sequence type than isolation source. Comparative analyses revealed lineage-associated differences in resistance- and virulence-associated genomic profiles, while multidrug non-susceptibility was phenotypically observed in K. quasipneumoniae NGB-FR79 and K. variicola NGB-FR73 and NGB-FR75. The genomes also carried genes putatively associated with agriculturally relevant traits, including nitrogen fixation, phosphorus metabolism, iron acquisition, auxin-associated pathways, and adaptation to abiotic stresses. Phenotypic assays further evaluated tolerance to salt and elevated temperature. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nodule-associated KpSC strains combine putative plant-beneficial genomic traits with resistance- and virulence-associated determinants, emphasizing the need for strain-level genomic and phenotypic biosafety assessment before consideration for agricultural applications.

Rapid adaptive evolution can increase the competitive ability of invasive species in their non-native ranges. However, whether this increase is a general response and what drives it remain uncertain because the evidence is largely based on studies with limited sampling, inadequate consideration of population co-ancestry, and oversimplified estimates of competitive ability. We conduct a large-scale glasshouse experiment testing the effects of competition and drought on 100 native and 165 non-native populations of Erigeron canadensis, all genotyped to account for co-ancestry. Plants from non-native populations are significantly more competitive against other species than the conspecifics from native populations under both mesic and dry conditions. Genetic clustering indicates that the rapid evolution of competitive ability occurs independently in two out of four clusters in the non-native range. This advantage is present only during interspecific interactions and is absent during intraspecific competition. Repeated evolution of increased competitive ability suggests that adaptation following introduction can reshape species interactions and promote invasion success, even under future drought conditions, highlighting the importance of rapid evolution in determining the ecological impacts of invasive plants.

Pathogen genomic analysis is central to tracking, understanding and containing outbreaks

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), study participants and research personnel are often blinded to minimize biases related to knowing treatment allocation. To determine if blinding was effective, participants may be asked which treatment they believe they received ("treatment guess"). This descriptive review characterized blinding assessment (BA) reporting in pharmacotherapy and neuromodulation neuropathic pain RCTs. Of 288 papers, 36 (12.5%) reported a BA. One paper reported the results of 2 studies, so in total 37 studies with a BA were assessed. Of these, 19 were crossover, 17 parallel, and 1 partial crossover in design. All 37 studies assessed participant blinding, and 10 also assessed investigator blinding. Approximately 27% included an "unsure" answer option for treatment guess, and 38% asked the reason for the guess. There were no clear patterns in BA reporting across time nor based on treatment type. Seventeen trials provided sufficient data to calculate Bang Blinding Index (BI) to determine blinding success. Participants remained blinded (BI = 0 ± 0.2) in 10/17 placebo and 10/17 treatment arms, 6 placebo and 5 treatment arms had a BI > 0.2 suggesting possible unblinding, whereas 1 placebo and 2 treatment arms had a BI < -0.2 suggesting misinformed guessing. Overall, we found that BAs are done in a minority of published neuropathic pain trials and with variable methodology. Given the importance of minimizing risk of bias because of treatment unblinding, future studies should consider including BAs, and further consensus building is necessary to determine if and how BAs should be conducted and interpreted in analgesic clinical trials.

Aspergillus flavus is a ubiquitous fungus commonly found in a variety of ecological niches including soil, crops, the air, and humans. In humans, it is the second leading cause of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and is linked to other illnesses through contamination of agricultural products with aflatoxins. As such, A. flavus threatens food safety, economic wellbeing, and human health, particularly in less developed regions and countries such as Cameroon. To mitigate these effects, farmers and clinicians rely on triazoles to reduce aflatoxin contamination and treat IA. However, a consequence of increasing triazole use is the emergence and spread of triazole resistance in both agriculture and clinics. To identify the prevalence of triazole resistance and the potential genetic relationships among triazole resistant and susceptible strains, this study investigated antifungal susceptibility to both clinical and agricultural triazoles and analyzed genetic variation among various ecological niche populations of A. flavus in Cameroon. Strain genotypes were obtained through analysis of six polymorphic microsatellite markers. Our analyses revealed that 30.3% (17/56) of the strains were resistant to at least one of the four triazoles, with increased minimum inhibitory concentrations found among crop-isolated strains. A Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance suggested limited ecological niche-based clustering of genotypes, consistent with frequent gene flow and dispersal among ecological niches. A multilocus linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed evidence of non-random recombination in A. flavus. Overall, this study elucidates the interplay between ecological pressures, antifungal resistance, and genetic differentiation, and invites alternative methods to control aflatoxin contamination in foods without the use of agricultural fungicides.

The reproductive success of cows directly influences the profitability of dairy farms. Reproductive traits, particularly calving-related traits, generally have low heritability but sufficient additive genetic variance to enable genetic progress through genomic selection. Thus, the primary objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and perform single-step genome-wide association studies (ssGWAS) for calf size, calving ease, gestation length, and stillbirth in Holstein cattle. Variance components were estimated based on animal models and Bayesian inference using a data set containing 226,717 animals with phenotypic records, 15,761 animals genotyped with 45,101 SNP markers, and 461,819 animals in the pedigree. SNP effects were estimated using the single-step GBLUP method. For direct and maternal genetic effects, heritability estimates (posterior standard deviation) ranged from 0.001 (0.002) for gestation length in heifers to 0.16 (0.001) for gestation length in cows. Genetic correlations ranged from -0.57 (0.01) between calving ease and stillbirth in heifers to 0.74 (0.01) between gestation length evaluated in heifers and cows. The ssGWAS results supported a highly polygenic architecture for calving-related traits, with most genomic signals not reaching genome-wide significance. A genome-wide significant association was detected for calving ease in cows on BTA23, highlighting FARS2 as a positional candidate gene. The strongest GWAS signals for each trait harbored additional biologically important candidate genes, including NPPA, NPPB, BCHE, EPHA4, DLD, and GTF2I. Given the generally low heritability estimates and the predominantly polygenic architecture observed for these traits, genomic selection may contribute to the genetic improvement of calving-related traits in Holstein cattle, with potential benefits for cow welfare, calf survival, and overall dairy production efficiency.

Climate change is intensifying public health risks and placing increasing pressure on disaster medicine systems. These challenges require adaptation strategies that incorporate climate justice principles and the One Health framework. This scoping review aimed to examine how climate justice and One Health principles are incorporated into public health and disaster medicine adaptation policies. A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline using major scientific databases (Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science) and global health organization resources published between 01 January 2005 and 31 October 2025. Critical appraisal of included evidence was assessed using design‑specific tools: the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for systematic reviews and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for mixed‑methods studies. Data were synthesized to assess the degree of public health engagement in climate adaptation and the incorporation of climate justice and One Health principles. Out of a total of 19,835 records, eight eligible studies were included. The eight studies comprised six review articles and two mixed‑methods studies, with geographic coverage, including Pakistan, the United States, Greece and multi‑country or global analyses. Findings reveal persistent inequities in climate-related health impacts, particularly among marginalized and resource-limited populations. Health sector participation in national adaptation plans remains limited, with policies often fragmented, mitigation-oriented or insufficiently aligned with One Health principles. Structural inequalities, weak governance, gender disparities and limited multisector coordination hinder equitable adaptation. Climate stressors, including extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and environmental degradation, disproportionately affect communities with the lowest adaptive capacity. There is an urgent need for standardized vulnerability assessment frameworks, stronger multisector collaboration, improved early-warning systems and enhanced capacity building through international public health institutions.