Suboptimal vitamin D status and overweight/obesity are associated with gut integrity and inflammation in minority children and adolescents: A cross-sectional analysis from the MetA-bone trial.

Preserving gut integrity is essential to preventing the development of chronic diseases. Several factors are associated with gut integrity and inflammation in adults. However, there is limited evidence in healthy children.

Early detection of acute kidney injury through an alert system improves outcomes in hospitalized patients.

Background And Aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) acquired in hospital settings has emerged as a significant public health issue. It is linked to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, heightened risk of developing chronic kidney disease, mortality, and the need for ongoing post-hospitalization care. Our hypothesis suggests that timely recognition of AKI, identification of its underlying causes, and expert management by specialists could lead to improved prognoses for hospitalized patients.

Effectiveness and costs of the recruitment strategies used in the MetA-Bone trial, a randomized clinical trial to test the effects of soluble corn fiber supplementation for 1 year in children.

Background: Pediatric recruitment into clinical trials is very challenging. A recruitment plan was designed to recruit healthy children (9-14 years) in a trial testing the 1-year effect of corn soluble fiber supplementation on bone mass. We evaluated the effectiveness and costs of the recruitment strategies used in this trial.

Fibrosarcomatous Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Head.

This article highlights the case of a 37-year-old male who presented with a recurrent, exponentially enlarging head mass, emphasizing the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with a very rare type of tumor, fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the head. Our patient presented with a rapidly growing head mass, initially diagnosed as a spindle cell tumor, and was managed with surgical excision and skin flap grafting. Follow-up revealed relapse and interval development of hemiparesis and hemisensory loss.

Circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells may be a useful biomarker in the follow-up of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients after hospitalization.

SARS-CoV-2 infection is the cause of the disease named COVID-19, a major public health challenge worldwide. Differences in the severity, complications and outcomes of the COVID-19 are intriguing and, patients with similar baseline clinical conditions may have very different evolution. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been previously found to be recruited by the SARS-CoV-2 infection and may be a marker of clinical evolution in these patients.

Complete laboratory diagnosis of Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome.

The definition of Insulin autoimmune syndrome includes the presence of high levels of blood insulin and insulin autoantibodies. We encountered a 45-years-old white man with a high insulin serum value that do not fit with the C-peptide result. To discard or to confirm an analytical interference and diagnose a possible Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome we performed the following investigations: dilution linearity test, heterophilic antibody blocking, polyethylene glycol precipitation, measurements with alternative assays, and gel filtration chromatography by size exclusion.

The association between hydration status and body composition in healthy children and adolescents.

Objectives: Children 10-20 years old in the US are currently obese, showing suboptimal hydration as 60% fail to meet the US Dietary Reference Intakes for water. Studies have shown a significant inverse association between hydration status and body composition in children, although most failed to use the Dual-X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan (DEXA), the gold standard for body composition. Limited studies used an objective marker to measure hydration, such as urine specific gravity (USG) from a 24-h urine collection.

An Evaluation of the Successes of the NASTAD Minority Leadership Program and Its Implications for Leadership in State Health Departments.

Objective: The Minority Leadership Program (MLP) was developed by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) to enhance leadership skills among public health professionals of color that work within HIV, viral hepatitis, or drug user health programs in health departments. The goal of the study was to analyze experiences of MLP alumni in their respective health departments, explore opportunities to address cultural issues, and explore leadership opportunities for alumni.

Design: The research team conducted a mixed-methods approach to this study.

The association between hydration status and total fluid intake in healthy children and adolescents.

Background: Children 10-20 years old in the US have suboptimal hydration status. Hydration is best assessed using an objective marker, such as urine specific gravity (USG) from a 24-h urine collection. There are limited studies associating hydration from an objective marker with intake assessed from 24-h recalls in children.

Shifting the narrative: equity, evidence, effectiveness, and innovation in the era of Ending the HIV Epidemic.

Background: The use of evidence-based (EB) and evidence-informed (EI) criteria in determining the effectiveness of health interventions has been widely adopted by national and international agencies in their attempt to address health gaps, particularly around Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiatives. Utilization of these rigorous standards has proven critical in making progress towards achieving EHE goals, yet many communities remain unreached and underserved despite widespread adoption of EB/EI standards in public health research and practice. Although a crucial tool for innovative healthcare delivery, emphasis on the use of EB/EI parameters has created bias within the cycle of knowledge creation that favors well-resourced institutions given their capacity to meet the rigorous evaluation standards required of EB/EI science.

A Case Report of Dacrystic Seizures in the Psychiatric Emergency Services Department.

Epileptiform syndromes are represented by a variety of clinical scenarios. In this context, dacrystic seizures (DS) are characterized by paroxysmal episodes of stereotyped crying and are considered a rare ictal phenomenon. Their neuroanatomical and pathophysiological findings tend to be nonspecific, and to date, there is no consensus on their treatment.

Denture Hygiene as It Relates to Denture Stomatitis: A Review.

The wear of dentures carries with it the possibility of an inflammatory response by the denture-bearing tissues. Lack of or improper hygiene has been shown to contribute to denture stomatitis (DS). Although essential, denture hygiene is often overlooked by patients or performed improperly.

Across Generations: Defining Pedagogical Characteristics of Generation X, Y, and Z Allied Health Teachers Using Q-Methodology.

The present study identified the characteristics of allied health teachers across three generations. Using Q-methodology, a tripartite of characteristics as reflected by the three domains of learning emerged, namely, "the competence-centered teacher," "the empathetic teacher," and "the innovative teacher." Teachers across the three generations were described to be "competence-centered" since all believe to be well-qualified at their jobs.

Prasugrel and Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Associated with ADAMTS13 Activity Deficiency.

Unlabelled: We report a case of a 64-year-old man who, 44 days after starting treatment with prasugrel, presented with severe thrombocytopenia, anaemia, renal failure, and severe ADAMTS13 activity deficiency, along with a high titer of autoantibodies to this protease.

Learning Points: Drug-induced TTP is a rare condition and difficult to diagnose.Decreased activity of ADAMTS13, unusual in drug-induced TTP, was present in this case.

Osteocalcin, under-carboxylated osteocalcin and osteopontin are not associated with gestational diabetes mellitus but are inversely associated with leptin in non-diabetic women.

Objective: To measure serum osteocalcin (OC), under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), osteopontin (OPN), and leptin in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and in healthy pregnant women during pregnancy and after birth and relate these markers to glucose metabolism.

Methods: This was a prospective study including 60 women with GDM and 60 subjects with normal gestation who were evaluated at gestational week 30 and 6 weeks postpartum. Serum OC, ucOC, OPN, leptin, insulin and insulin resistance were evaluated during the study.

Relationship between circulating adipokines and insulin resistance during pregnancy and postpartum in women with gestational diabetes.

Background And Aims: We undertook this study to assess the relationship between circulating adipokines and insulin resistance during pregnancy and postpartum in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: This was a prospective study including 60 women with GDM and 60 subjects with normal gestation who were evaluated at gestational week 30, 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Circulating adipokines that were evaluated during the study were leptin, adiponectin, retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Transvaginal color Doppler imaging in the detection of ovarian cancer in a large study population.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of grayscale sonography and that of color Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy in a prospective study by the Sardinia-Navarra group.

Methods: The study was performed as a collaborative work at the 2 European university departments of obstetrics and gynecology between 1997 and 2007. A total of 2148 pelvic masses in 1997 women on whom transvaginal sonography were performed before surgical exploration were included in the study.

[Relationship between sex steroids and bone density in elderly men].

Objective: To determine the relationship between serum estradiol level (ESL) and testosterone serum level (TSL) with bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly men.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 127 healthy men aged 60 years and over. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured.

Three-dimensional power Doppler angiography in endometrial cancer: correlation with tumor characteristics.

Objective: To assess the correlation between intratumoral vascularization using three-dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA) and several histological tumor characteristics in a series of patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Methods: Ninety-nine women (mean age, 61.7 (range, 31-84) years) diagnosed as having endometrial cancer were assessed by transvaginal 3D-PDA before surgical staging.

Assessment of cyst content using mean gray value for discriminating endometrioma from other unilocular cysts in premenopausal women.

Objective: To assess whether the analysis of cyst content using mean gray value (MGV) can discriminate ovarian endometriomas from other unilocular ovarian cysts in premenopausal women.

Methods: Stored three-dimensional (3D) volumes from 54 unilocular ovarian cysts diagnosed in 50 premenopausal women (mean age, 37 (range, 22-50) years) were analyzed to calculate the MGV from cyst content. Cysts with solid components or septations were excluded.

[Efficacy of strontium ranelate for the mineralization of bone in postmenopausal women].

Introduction: Osteoporosis is the most common skeletal disorder and is considered a risk of fracture. Most medication used for the treatment of osteoporosis are antiresorptive; however strontium therapy in postmenopausal women has shown a double effect on resorption and bone formation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of strontium on bone mineral density (BMD) and circulating biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women who had a decreased BMD.

Influence of tracheostomy on the incidence of central venous catheter-related bacteremia.

Although there are many studies on catheter-related infection, there are scarce data about the influence of tracheostomy in the incidence of central venous catheter-related bacteremia (CRB). In this cohort study, we found a higher incidence of CRB in patients with tracheostomy than without (11.25 vs.

Assessing myometrial infiltration by endometrial cancer: uterine virtual navigation with three-dimensional US.

Purpose: To describe and analyze the diagnostic performance of uterine virtual navigation with three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) for the assessment of the depth of myometrial infiltration by endometrial cancer.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained; patients gave oral informed consent. Women with endometrial cancer were evaluated by using 3D US prior to surgical staging.

Adiponectin is associated with low bone mineral density in elderly men.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that adiponectin may play a role in bone metabolism. Previous studies demonstrated that the adiponectin levels had a negative correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) in women. However, little is known about the relationship between adiponectin and BMD in men.

Neoangiogenesis in early cervical cancer: correlation between color Doppler findings and risk factors. A prospective observational study.

Background: The aim of the present article was to evaluate whether angiogenic parameters as assessed by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TVCD) may predict those prognostic factors related to recurrence.

Methods: A total of 27 patients (mean age: 51.3 years, range: 29 to 85) with histologically proven early stage invasive cervical cancer were evaluated by TVCD prior to surgery.