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We report phylogenetic and mutational analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus strains from the Lazio region of Italy and provide information about the dynamics of virus spread. Data suggest effective containment of clade V strains, but subsequently, multiple waves of clade G strains were circulating widely in Europe.Background The Central Indian gut microbiome remains grossly understudied. Herein, we sought to investigate the burden of antimicrobial resistance and diarrheal diseases, particularly Clostridioides difficile, in rural-agricultural and urban populations in Central India, where there is widespread unregulated antibiotic use. We utilized shotgun metagenomics to comprehensively characterize the bacterial and viral fractions of the gut microbiome and their encoded functions in 105 participants. Results We observed distinct rural-urban differences in bacterial and viral populations, with geography exhibiting a greater influence than diarrheal status. Clostridioides difficile disease was more commonly observed in urban subjects, and their microbiomes were enriched in metabolic pathways relating to the metabolism of industrial compounds and genes encoding resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. By linking phages present in the microbiome to their bacterial hosts through CRISPR spacers, phage variation could be directly related to shifts in bacterial populations, with the auxiliary metabolic potential of rural-associated phages enriched for carbon and amino acid energy metabolism. Conclusions We report distinct differences in antimicrobial resistance gene profiles, enrichment of metabolic pathways and phage composition between rural and urban populations, as well as a higher burden of Clostridioides difficile disease in the urban population. Our results reveal that geography is the key driver of variation in urban and rural Indian microbiomes, with acute diarrheal disease, including C. difficile disease exerting a lesser impact. Future studies will be required to understand the potential role of dietary, cultural, and genetic factors in contributing to microbiome differences between rural and urban populations.Introduction Recent respiratory infectious disease (RID) outbreaks of influenza and the novel coronavirus have resulted in global pandemics. RIDs can trigger nosocomial infections if not adequately prevented. Objective The objective of this study was to rate the adequacy of healthcare workers (HCWs) and hospital settings on RID prevention using unannounced standardized patients (USP) in clinical settings of hospital gateways. Methods Trained USPs visited 5 clinical settings information desks, registration desks, two outpatient departments and the emergency departments in 10 hospitals across 3 cities of Inner Mongolia, China. USPs observed the hospital air ventilation and distance from the nearest hand-washing facilities to each clinical setting, then mimicked symptoms of either tuberculosis or influenza before observing the HCW’s behavior. A total of 480 clinical-setting assessments were made by 19 USPs. Results The overall adequacy of triage services was 86.7% and for prevention of the spread of airborne droplets was 83.5%. Almost all hospitals offered adequate air ventilation. Compared to the information desk, adequacy of triage and preventing the spread of airborne droplets by physicians in the three clinical departments was less likely to be adequate. Triage services for USPs simulating symptoms of influenza were 2.6 times more likely to be adequate than for those simulating symptoms of tuberculosis but there was no significant difference in the prevention of the spread of airborne droplets. Conclusions There is a need to improve respiratory infectious disease procedures in our study hospitals, especially in outpatient and emergency departments.The revised version of Canada’s Food Guide, released in January 2019, issued new guidance by combining meat and alternatives with milk and alternatives into a single group called ‘protein foods’ and emphasized selecting plant-based foods from this category more often. Though the changes represent a simple depiction of a healthy plate, the new Food Guide has opened knowledge gaps about ‘protein foods’ and exposed new concerns about the interpretation and implementation of the Food Guide among vulnerable groups, particularly children and the elderly. To address key knowledge and research gaps, nutrition leaders need to reach a consensus on key messages to best inform the development of tools and resources to support practitioners in translating messages to consumers, including foodservice standards. Among consumers, families with young children are a primary target for these resources as they develop their life-long habits to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to select, prepare, and consume nutrient-rich protein foods. The new Food Guide provides an opportunity to address the existing knowledge gaps, develop tools and resources to support health professionals, and design interventions that will help Canadian families choose, prepare, and eat nutrient-rich protein foods. Novelty bullets • An updated Canadian regulatory framework is needed for protein labelling and content/health claims • There are knowledge gaps about protein foods consumption and food literacy needed to optimize nutritional health • Mandatory nutrition policies are needed to safeguard the provision of high-quality ‘protein foods’ across institutions that serve children and older adults.FOXD3 has been found previously to positively regulate miR-26b, a tumor inhibitor of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its precise function and associated mechanism of action in NPC has yet been investigated. In this study, FOXD3 mRNA and protein expression was evaluated using RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Protein levels involved in the PI3K/Akt pathway were assessed by western blot and cell proliferation was determined by MTT and colony forming assays. Additionally, cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric assay. Finally, the migration and invasion capabilities of the NPC cells were determined using wound healing and Transwell assays. We found that FOXD3 levels were relatively low in NPC tissue and cells, whereas its increase caused the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Aprotinin Functional experiments found that overexpression of FOXD3 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasionand enhanced cell apoptosis in C6661 cells. IGF-1, an activator of the PI3K/Akt pathway, reversed the inhibitory effect of FOXD3.