Influence of Compost Amendments on Soil and Human Gastrointestinal Bacterial Communities during a Single Gardening Season.

To measure associations between gardening with different compost amendments and the human gut microbiota composition, gardeners (n = 25) were provided with one of three types of compost: chicken manure (CM), dairy manure and plant material (DMP), or plant-based (P). Stool samples were collected before gardening (T1), after compost amendment (T2), and at peak garden harvest (T3). Compost and soil samples were collected.

Development and evaluation of food preservation lessons for gardeners: application of the DESIGN process.

Objective: This study presents the development and evaluation of food preservation lessons for gardeners.

Design: Lessons were developed using the DESIGN process, a nutrition education program planning framework. This study examines the effectiveness of this curriculum at increasing knowledge of proper food preservation practices and increasing participants' confidence in home food preservation, identifies challenges participants experienced with home food preservation and assesses the perceived influence of home food preservation on vegetable intake and aspects of food security.

Animal-assisted therapies for autism.

Animal-assisted therapies have been increasingly used as part of treatment for a range of emotional-behavioral conditions and have more recently been incorporated into treatment for children with symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder affects one in 36 children and early interventions can be very effective. The aims of this paper are to: 1) provide background into animal-assisted therapies including a breakdown on the subtypes of therapies, 2) report broad summaries of research outcomes across various domains: social-emotional, physical, quality of life, behavioral skills, and adaptive skills, and 3) summarize key takeaways for pediatric practitioners when supporting families of youth with autism spectrum disorder who are interested in participating in animal-assisted therapy.

Something's got to give: How do we improve care for minorities, dual-eligible medicare, and disadvantaged patients?

This study highlights the implications of surgical disparities on health care spending. The strengths of this study include pinning down the potential etiologies of how surgical disparities contribute to excessive spending. Prior studies have focused primarily on individual social factors, yet this study takes into consideration the financial implications of disparities from multiple levels.

A Qualitative Examination of the Detroit Community Food Response to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for food assistance due to surging unemployment, the closure of in-person schooling, and other factors. This posed a historic challenge to organizations that address food insecurity: meeting the surging need for food while minimizing COVID-19 transmission. This study aimed to identify how food insecurity program operations changed during the pandemic and to examine the facilitators/successes and barriers/challenges to operations.

Community Gardening Increases Vegetable Intake and Seasonal Eating From Baseline to Harvest: Results from a Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Gardening has been associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake, but few randomized trials have been conducted.

Objectives: We sought: ) to determine changes in fruits and vegetable intake combined and separately from baseline (spring) to harvest time (fall), as well as from baseline to winter follow-up, and ) to identify the mediators (both quantitatively and qualitatively) between gardening and vegetable intake.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial of community gardening was conducted in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Water channel aquaporin 4 is required for T cell receptor mediated lymphocyte activation.

Aquaporins are a family of ubiquitously expressed transmembrane water channels implicated in a broad range of physiological functions. We have previously reported that aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is expressed on T cells and that treatment with a small molecule AQP4 inhibitor significantly delays T cell mediated heart allograft rejection. Using either genetic deletion or small molecule inhibitor, we show that AQP4 supports T cell receptor mediated activation of both mouse and human T cells.

A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly affected food systems including food security. Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted food security is important to provide support and identify long-term impacts and needs.

Objective: The National Food Access and COVID research Team (NFACT) was formed to assess food security over different US study sites throughout the pandemic, using common instruments and measurements.

A rare case of torsion and infarction of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration with MR, CT, and surgical correlation.

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital pulmonary malformation that may present early in life or remain asymptomatic. Here we present a case of torsion of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration on its vascular pedicle. Although the patient's initial symptomatology suggested intraabdominal pathology, the correct preoperative diagnosis was determined in large part by the lesion's MRI characteristics, which strongly suggested tissue infarction.

The Relationship between Food Security Status and Fruit and Vegetable Intake during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically altered food shopping behaviors, and the resulting economic recession has caused a spike in food insecurity. Since food insecurity is associated with poor diet, especially low intake of fruits and vegetables, food-insecure individuals may disproportionately experience negative health impacts related to poor diet during the pandemic. To assess the relationship between food security status and fruit and vegetable intake during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted an online survey of adult residents of the US state of Michigan in June of 2020.

Second trimester fetal MRI features in a fetus with TUBB3 gene mutation.

Tubulinopathies are a heterogeneous group of complex cortical malformations that are associated with mutations in tubulin genes. TUBB3 gene mutation is associated with a broader spectrum of central nervous system malformations and constitutes about 10% of all tubulinopathies. The diagnosis may not be immediately apparent on imaging, though the differential diagnosis may be narrowed based on imaging findings and allow for more directed genetic testing.

The recurrent TUBB3 Gly98Ser substitution is the first described to inconsistently result in CFEOM3.

Missense variants in TUBB3 have historically been associated with either congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type 3 (CFEOM3) or malformations of cortical development (MCD). Until a recent report identified two amino acid substitutions in four patients that had clinical features of both disorders, pathogenic variants of TUBB3 were thought distinct to either respective disorder. Three recurrent de novo Gly71Arg TUBB3 substitutions and a single patient with a de novo Gly98Ser substitution blurred the MCD and CFEOM3 phenotypic distinctions.

Presentation and Diagnosis of Ureteral Quadruplication: Case Report and Analysis of the Literature.

Ureteral quadruplication is exceedingly rare. All except for 2 cases were symptomatic and nearly all underwent intervention. We present the first case of asymptomatic ureteral quadruplication in the presence of ureteral cyst.

Feasibility of collection and analysis of microbiome data in a longitudinal randomized trial of community gardening.

We explored the feasibility of collecting and analyzing human microbiome data in a longitudinal randomized controlled trial of community gardening. Participants were randomly assigned to gardening (N = 8) or control (N = 8). Participants provided stool, mouth, hand and forehead microbiome samples at six timepoints.

Massively Dilated Lower Pole Ectopic Megaureter with Involuted Lower Pole Renal Moiety and Collecting System: An Exception to the Meyer-Weigert Rule.

Duplicated collecting systems have a predictable draining pattern that is described by the Meyer-Weigert rule. When there are abnormalities associated with duplicating collecting systems, the upper pole moiety drains inferomedially (most commonly associated with obstruction), and the lower pole moiety drains superolaterally (most commonly associated with vesicoureteral reflux). We present a case of an infant with a duplicated collecting system that violates the Meyer-Weigert rule with lower pole megaureter with massive dilation, ectopic insertion, and associated involuted lower pole renal moiety.

Anti-donor MHC Class II Alloantibody Induces Glomerular Injury in Mouse Renal Allografts Subjected to Prolonged Cold Ischemia.

Background: The mechanisms underlying the effects of prolonged cold-ischemia storage on kidney allografts are poorly understood.

Methods: To investigate effects of cold ischemia on donor-reactive immune responses and graft pathology, we used a mouse kidney transplantation model that subjected MHC-mismatched BALB/c kidney allografts to cold-ischemia storage for 0.5 or 6 hours before transplant into C57BL/6 mice.

Aquaporin 4 inhibition alters chemokine receptor expression and T cell trafficking.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels that mediate a variety of biological processes. However, their role in the immune system is poorly understood. We recently reported that AQP4 is expressed by naïve and memory T cells and that AQP4 blockade with a small molecule inhibitor prolongs murine heart allograft survival at least partially through diminishing T cell activation, proliferation and trafficking.

Multimodal depiction of a rare immature gastric teratoma from fetus to infant.

Immature gastric teratomas are rare gastrointestinal tumors. Presented here are imaging findings of this neoplasm which was first seen via antenatal ultrasound. Subsequent fetal magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a partially calcified mass that contained areas of diffusion restriction.

Fetal Head and Neck Masses: MRI Prediction of Significant Morbidity.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine which MRI parameters of fetal head and neck masses predict high-morbidity neonatal outcomes, including ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study (2004-2016) included parameters of polyhydramnios (based on largest vertical pocket), mass effect on the trachea, mass midline extension, and morphologic grade and size of masses. The morbid cohort included those requiring an EXIT procedure, difficult intubation at delivery, or lethal outcome.

Preparation and Analysis of Peanut Flour Used in Oral Immunotherapy Clinical Trials.

Background: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an investigational therapeutic approach for the treatment of food allergies. Characterization of the drug product used in oral immunotherapy trials for peanut allergy has not been reported.

Objective: To quantify relative amounts of the major peanut allergens and microbial load present in peanut flour used in OIT trials and assess whether these parameters change over a 12-month period.

Amplifying Health Through Community Gardens: A Framework for Advancing Multicomponent, Behaviorally Based Neighborhood Interventions.

The article presents a framework for understanding the relationship between community garden participation, and the myriad ways gardens and participation lead to emotional, social, and health impacts. Existing empirical research relating community gardens to health behaviors, such as physical activity and diet, and longer-term chronic disease-related outcomes is summarized. The research areas discussed include the effects of community garden participation on individual, social, emotional, and environmental processes; health behaviors including diet and physical activity; and health outcomes such as self-rated health, obesity, and mental health.

MR detection of retinal hemorrhages: correlation with graded ophthalmologic exam.

Background: Dilated fundoscopic exam is considered the gold standard for detecting retinal hemorrhage, but expertise in obtaining this exam is not always immediately available. MRI can detect retinal hemorrhages, but correlation of the grade or severity of retinal hemorrhage on dilated fundoscopic exam with retinal hemorrhage visibility on MRI has not been described.

Objective: To determine the value of standard brain protocol MRI in detecting retinal hemorrhage and to determine whether there is any correlation with MR detection of retinal hemorrhage and the dilated fundoscopic exam grade of hemorrhage.