Outcomes in Randomized Clinical Trials Testing Changes in Daily Water Intake: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Several public recommendations exist regarding the amount of daily water intake, yet the supporting evidence is not clear, and benefits of increasing water consumption are not well-established.

Objective: To summarize evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) pertaining to the health-related outcomes associated with increased or decreased daily water consumption.

Evidence Review: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase was performed up to April 6, 2023.

Islet-antigen reactive B cells display a unique phenotype and BCR repertoire in autoantibody positive and recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients.

Autoreactive B cells play an important but ill-defined role in autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). To better understand their contribution, we performed single cell gene and BCR-seq analysis on pancreatic islet antigen-reactive (IAR) B cells from the peripheral blood of nondiabetic (ND), autoantibody positive prediabetic (AAB), and recent-onset T1D individuals. We found that the frequency of IAR B cells was increased in AAB and T1D.

High burden of sexually transmitted infections among under-resourced populations in the Dominican Republic.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major health issue, exacerbated by limited financial and infrastructural resources in developing countries.

Methods: Prevalence of STIs was assessed in two urban centers of the Dominican Republic (DR) among populations at high risk for STIs: pregnant youth, men who have sex with men (MSM), trans women (TG), batey residents, female sex workers, and people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We conducted a cross-sectional survey and biological specimen collection to screen for (trichomoniasis), (syphilis), HIV, hepatitis B and C, and (HPV) among at-risk populations between 2015 and 2018.

Application of single-cell RNA sequencing methods to develop B cell targeted treatments for autoimmunity.

The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with several transformative advances in single-cell analysis. These new methods along with decades of research and trials with antibody therapeutics and RNA based technologies allowed for highly effective vaccines and treatments to be produced at astonishing speeds. While these tools were initially focused on models of infection, they also show promise in an autoimmune setting.

The impact of post-mastectomy radiation timing on overall outcomes of autologous free-flap breast reconstruction.

Background: The optimal timing of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in autologous breast reconstruction is controversial. Our study compares overall reconstructive outcomes in patients who received post-mastectomy radiation therapy either before or after the autologous flap.

Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction and post-mastectomy radiation from January 2004 through January 2021.

Identification of an anergic BND cell-derived activated B cell population (BND2) in young-onset type 1 diabetes patients.

Recent evidence suggests a role for B cells in the pathogenesis of young-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D), wherein rapid progression occurs. However, little is known regarding the specificity, phenotype, and function of B cells in young-onset T1D. We performed a cross-sectional analysis comparing insulin-reactive to tetanus-reactive B cells in the blood of T1D and controls using mass cytometry.

High prevalence of rectal chlamydia among pregnant adolescents in La Romana, Dominican Republic warrants extragenital STI testing.

To our knowledge, there are no studies estimating the prevalence of extragenital sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant adolescents in the Caribbean. This study sought to fill this gap by assessing the prevalence and correlates of oral, genital, and rectal chlamydia (CT) among a sample of pregnant adolescents in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Two hundred pregnant youths, aged 15-24 years, were recruited by systematic sampling during their first prenatal visit to a maternal care unit.

Human Simulation in Nursing Education.

Although, human simulation methodology has its origins in medical education, nursing education has increased its use of simulated patient (SP) methodology to improve the education of nursing students across the curricula. This chapter will review the history of human simulation, introduce the human simulation continuum, and review different applications of SP methodology in undergraduate and graduate nursing education.

Activation of DNA damage repair pathways by murine polyomavirus.

Nuclear replication of DNA viruses activates DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways, which are thought to detect and inhibit viral replication. However, many DNA viruses also depend on these pathways in order to optimally replicate their genomes. We investigated the relationship between murine polyomavirus (MuPyV) and components of DDR signaling pathways including CHK1, CHK2, H2AX, ATR, and DNAPK.

Microbial community assembly and metabolic function during mammalian corpse decomposition.

Vertebrate corpse decomposition provides an important stage in nutrient cycling in most terrestrial habitats, yet microbially mediated processes are poorly understood. Here we combine deep microbial community characterization, community-level metabolic reconstruction, and soil biogeochemical assessment to understand the principles governing microbial community assembly during decomposition of mouse and human corpses on different soil substrates. We find a suite of bacterial and fungal groups that contribute to nitrogen cycling and a reproducible network of decomposers that emerge on predictable time scales.

Quality of life and depression following childbirth: impact of social support.

Objective: to evaluate the impact of social support on postnatal depression and health-related quality of life.

Design: prospective cohort study. Data were collected at baseline and at six weeks post discharge using a postal survey.

Validation of the WHOQOL-BREF among women following childbirth.

Background: There is increasing interest in measuring quality of life (QOL) in clinical settings and in clinical trials. None of the commonly used QOL instruments has been validated for use postnatally.

Aim: To assess the psychometric properties of the 26-item WHOQOL-BREF (short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment) among women following childbirth.

Validity of the Waterlow scale and risk of pressure injury in acute care.

Aim: To assess the validity of the Waterlow screening tool in a cohort of internal medicine patients and to identify factors contributing to pressure injury.

Method: A longitudinal cohort study design was used. A total of 274 patients (mean age 65.

Echogenic endometrial fluid collection in postmenopausal women is a significant risk factor for disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess postmenopausal women with endometrial fluid collection and the risk of significant endometrial or cervical disease.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 343 postmenopausal women with endometrial fluid collection on pelvic sonography. Medical records were reviewed to identify women who underwent an evaluation of the endometrium with endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy, or hysterectomy after the sonographic examination.

Three-dimensional transvaginal sonography of interstitial pregnancy.

We describe the case of a 33-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 1 para 0, who was referred to us with a presumptive diagnosis of an interstitial pregnancy. The patient had had amenorrhea for 7 weeks and had previously undergone myomectomy. Two-dimensional sonographic examination revealed a gestational sac located outside the uterine cavity but could not define its exact anatomic position.