Development of a rapid, sensitive, and selective LC-MS/MS method for quantifying curcumin levels in healthy human urine: Effect of pepper on curcumin bioavailability.

Curcumin (CCM), a culinary spice, is widely consumed for its health benefits for managing oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and hyperlipidemia. However, due to its extensive metabolism, the oral bioavailability of CCM is very low. In this study, we developed a rapid, sensitive, and selective assay to examine the hypothesis that piperine improves CCM bioavailability after piperine co-ingestion.

Circadian Modulation of the Antioxidant Effect of Grape Consumption: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Grape consumption acts on the immune system to produce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Since immune activity demonstrates circadian rhythmicity, with peak activity occurring during waking hours, the timing of grape intake may influence the magnitude of its antioxidant effect. This study followed a 2 × 2 factorial randomized, controlled design wherein healthy men and women ( = 32) consumed either a grape or placebo drink with a high-fat meal in the morning or evening.

The Effect of Berry Consumption on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials in Humans.

Bioactive compounds in berries may scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species by donating electrons to free radicals, thereby protecting DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative damage. Evidence shows that berry consumption has beneficial health effects, though it remains unclear whether berries exert a significant impact on oxidative stress in humans. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to examine the effects of non-acute (more than a single dose and ≥7 days) berry consumption on biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and risk factors among children living in Patna, Bihar, India 2020.

Childhood lead exposure remains a key health concern for officials worldwide, contributing some 600,000 new cases of intellectually disabled children annually. Most children affected by high exposure to lead live in low- and middle-income countries. The leaded gasoline phase out in India was completed in 2000.

Can severity of a humanitarian crisis be quantified? Assessment of the INFORM severity index.

Background: Those responding to humanitarian crises have an ethical imperative to respond most where the need is greatest. Metrics are used to estimate the severity of a given crisis. The INFORM Severity Index, one such metric, has become widely used to guide policy makers in humanitarian response decision making.

The effect of branched-chain amino acid supplementation on cancer treatment.

Anticancer therapies are associated with significant adverse side effects and few treatments that alleviate symptoms exist. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been investigated as an intervention for reducing anticancer therapy side effects, although a review of the literature results has yet to be published. The current review summarizes evidence surrounding this topic and suggests both support and caution in using BCAAs as a treatment for patients receiving anticancer therapies.

Digitally Delivered Dietary Interventions for Patients with Eating Disorders Undergoing Family-Based Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Feasibility Trial.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) affect 9% of the United States population, and anorexia nervosa (AN), specifically, has the second highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders. Yet, only 20% are able to access treatment. Access to care issues include long waitlists, lack of trained specialists, financial, and geographic barriers, all of which highlight the need for effective telehealth interventions.

Dietary Hempseed Decreases Femur Maximum Load in a Young Female C57BL/6 Mouse Model but Does Not Influence Bone Mineral Density or Micro-Architecture.

Numerous seed and seed extract diets have been investigated as a means of combating age-related bone loss, with many findings suggesting that the seeds/extracts confer positive effects on bone. Recently, there has been rising interest in the use of dietary hempseed in human and animal diets due to a perceived health benefit from the seed. Despite this, there has been a lack of research investigating the physiologic effects of dietary hempseed on bone.

The Effects of Berry Polyphenols on the Gut Microbiota and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials in Humans.

Berry consumption has beneficial effects on blood pressure. Intestinal microbiota transform berry phytochemicals into more bioactive forms. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomized clinical trials to determine whether berry polyphenols in foods, extracts or supplements have effects on both the profile of gut microbiota and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: The AID-IC Pilot Study.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain coupled with urinary frequency and urgency. The underlying cause of IC/BPS is unknown; there is no cure. Dietary components exacerbate symptoms.

Using Small Area Prevalence Survey Methods to Conduct Blood Lead Assessments among Children.

Introduction: Prevalence surveys conducted in geographically small areas such as towns, zip codes, neighborhoods or census tracts are a valuable tool for estimating the extent to which environmental risks contribute to children's blood lead levels (BLLs). Population-based, cross-sectional small area prevalence surveys assessing BLLs can be used to establish a baseline lead exposure prevalence for a specific geographic region.

Materials And Methods: The required statistical methods, biological and environmental sampling, supportive data, and fieldwork considerations necessary for public health organizations to rapidly conduct child blood lead prevalence surveys at low cost using small area, cluster sampling methodology are described.

The Impact of Hempseed Consumption on Bone Parameters and Body Composition in Growing Female C57BL/6 Mice.

Optimizing peak bone mass is critical to healthy aging. Beyond the established roles of dietary minerals and protein on bone integrity, fatty acids and polyphenols modify bone structure. This study investigated the effect of a diet containing hempseeds (HS), which are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, on bone mineral density, bone cell populations and body composition.

Perceptions of Life Support and Advance Care Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Study of Twitter Users.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges surrounding end-of-life planning and has been associated with increased online discussion about life support.

Research Question: How has online communication about advance care planning (ACP) and specific life-sustaining interventions (LSIs) changed during the pandemic?

Study Design And Methods: Conversations on Twitter containing references to LSIs (eg, "ECMO") or ACP (eg, "DNR/DNI") were collected between January 2019 and May 2021. User account metadata were used to predict user demographic information and to classify users as organizations, individuals, clinicians, or influencers.

Risk factors and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in Georgia: A nationwide population-based survey.

In preparation for the National Hepatitis C Elimination Program in the country of Georgia, a nationwide household-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence survey was conducted in 2015. Data were used to estimate HCV genotype distribution and better understand potential sex-specific risk factors that contribute to HCV transmission. HCV genotype distribution by sex and reported risk factors were calculated.

#ColonCancer: Social Media Discussions About Colorectal Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Social media platforms such as Twitter are extensively used to communicate about cancer care, yet little is known about the role of these online platforms in promoting early detection or sharing the lived experiences of patients with CRC. This study tracked Twitter discussions about CRC and characterized participating users to better understand public communication and perceptions of CRC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diet Quality and Mental Health Status among Division 1 Female Collegiate Athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The International Olympic Committee has identified mental health as a priority that significantly affects the physical health and safety of collegiate athletes. Interventions that improve diet quality have been shown to improve mental health in several populations. However, studies are needed to examine this relationship in female collegiate athletes, who have elevated risk of experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as dietary insufficiencies.

Noncanonical projections to the hippocampal CA3 regulate spatial learning and memory by modulating the feedforward hippocampal trisynaptic pathway.

The hippocampal formation (HF) is well documented as having a feedforward, unidirectional circuit organization termed the trisynaptic pathway. This circuit organization exists along the septotemporal axis of the HF, but the circuit connectivity across septal to temporal regions is less well described. The emergence of viral genetic mapping techniques enhances our ability to determine the detailed complexity of HF circuitry.

Complement Blockade in Recipients Prevents Delayed Graft Function and Delays Antibody-mediated Rejection in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Complement activation in kidney transplantation is implicated in the pathogenesis of delayed graft function (DGF). This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of high-dose recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor (rhC1INH) to prevent DGF in a nonhuman primate model of kidney transplantation after brain death and prolonged cold ischemia.

Methods: Brain death donors underwent 20 h of conventional management.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in Sierra Leone, March 2021: a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey.

Introduction: As of 26 March 2021, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 4 159 055 cases of COVID-19 and 111 357 deaths among the 55 African Union member states; however, no country has published a nationally representative serosurvey as of October 2021. Such data are vital for understanding the pandemic's progression on the continent, evaluating containment measures, and policy planning.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey in Sierra Leone in March 2021 by randomly selecting 120 Enumeration Areas throughout the country and 10 randomly selected households in each of these.

An Epidemic of Pediatric HIV From Reuse of Infusion Equipment in Pakistan.

Background: From April to June 2019, a total of 909 new HIV infections were identified in Larkana, Pakistan; 86% was children younger than 15 years. To identify the possible transmission links in this outbreak, a case-control study was conducted in June 2019.

Methods: For cases, we selected a systematic random sample of 100 HIV-positive children from the screening list.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in Sierra Leone, March 2021: a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey.

Background As of 26 March 2021, the Africa CDC had reported 4,159,055 cases of COVID-19 and 111,357 deaths among the 55 African Union Member States; however, no country has published a nationally representative serosurvey as of May 2021. Such data are vital for understanding the pandemic's progression on the continent, evaluating containment measures, and policy planning. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey in Sierra Leone in March 2021 by randomly selecting 120 Enumeration Areas throughout the country and 10 randomly selected households in each of these.

Acceptability of urine diversion dry toilets in Dollo Ado refugee camp, Ethiopia.

Given the increasing frequency and duration of humanitarian emergencies worldwide, there is a need to identify a greater range of effective and contextually appropriate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. Typical sanitation systems may be poorly suited for some of the conditions in which humanitarian emergencies can occur, such as in drought-prone regions. Urine-diversion dry toilets (UDDTs) are one potential alternative sanitation option which can be used in these conditions.

The Role of Bone Marrow Aspirate in Osseous and Soft Tissue Pathology.

Bone marrow aspirate (BMA) is an emerging therapy that is gaining popularity for orthoplastic reconstruction. The stem cells collected are multipotent and regenerative in nature. In addition to stem cells, other biological components collected augment the mitogen of local cells, proliferation, and angiogenesis, and inhibit proinflammatory cytokine and bacteria to optimize an environment to heal.