The gut microbiota predicts and time-restricted feeding delays experimental colitis.

The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear, treatment options unsatisfactory and disease development difficult to predict for individual patients. Dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal microbiota and disruption of the biological clock have been implicated and studied as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Here, we examine the relationship of IBD to biological clock and gut microbiota by using the IL-10 deficient () mouse model for microbiota-dependent spontaneous colitis in combination with altered (4 h/4 h) light/dark cycles to disrupt and time-restricted feeding (TRF) to restore circadian rhythmicity.

Wastewater-based epidemiology for COVID-19 surveillance and beyond: A survey.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has imposed tremendous pressure on public health systems and social economic ecosystems over the past years. To alleviate its social impact, it is important to proactively track the prevalence of COVID-19 within communities. The traditional way to estimate the disease prevalence is to estimate from reported clinical test data or surveys.

Neutrophil trapping and nexocytosis, mast cell-mediated processes for inflammatory signal relay.

Neutrophils are sentinel immune cells with essential roles for antimicrobial defense. Most of our knowledge on neutrophil tissue navigation derived from wounding and infection models, whereas allergic conditions remained largely neglected. Here, we analyzed allergen-challenged mouse tissues and discovered that degranulating mast cells (MCs) trap living neutrophils inside them.

Wastewater-based Epidemiology for COVID-19 Surveillance and Beyond: A Survey.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has imposed tremendous pressure on public health systems and social economic ecosystems over the past years. To alleviate its social impact, it is important to proactively track the prevalence of COVID-19 within communities. The traditional way to estimate the disease prevalence is to estimate from reported clinical test data or surveys.

Effects of Dietary Components on Mast Cells: Possible Use as Nutraceuticals for Allergies?

Allergic diseases affect an estimated 30 percent of the world's population. Mast cells (MC) are the key effector cells of allergic reactions by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine, lipid mediators, and cytokines/chemokines. Components of the daily diet, including certain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, as well as secondary plant components, may have effects on MC and thus may be of interest as nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of allergies.

Relationship between the Biological Clock and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The biological clock is a molecular oscillator that generates a 24-hour rhythm in accordance with the earth's rotation. Physiological functions and pathophysiological processes such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are closely linked to the molecular clock. This review summarizes 14 studies in humans and mice on the interactions between the biological clock and IBD.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: an overview of current studies.

As dysbiosis is a key factor associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), modulation of the intestinal microbiota could improve IBS symptoms and quality of life. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could be one efficient way to restore bacterial composition in IBS patients. This review comprises 12 clinical trials published from 2017 to 2021.

Image quality assessment in low-dose COVID-19 chest CT examinations.

Background: Low-dose thoracic protocols were developed massively during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Purpose: To study the impact on image quality (IQ) and the diagnosis reliability of COVID-19 low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) protocols.

Material And Methods: COVID-19 low-dose protocols were implemented on third- and second-generation CT scanners considering two body mass index (BMI) subgroups (<25 kg/m and >25 kg/m).

Erratum.

Erratum for: Probiotics in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Adulthood: A Systematic Review. J Gastrointest. Liv.

Molecular links between allergy and cancer.

Epidemiologic studies show both positive and negative associations between allergies and cancer. Allergic diseases may protect against tumorigenesis by promoting the immune surveillance, while carcinogenesis may be promoted through inflammatory responses from allergies. Histamine receptor antagonists are the focus of recent cancer studies because of their promising beneficial effect on tumor development.

Resveratrol Attenuates Mast Cell Mediated Allergic Reactions: Potential for Use as a Nutraceutical in Allergic Diseases?

Allergic diseases are one of the most common health disorders affecting about 30% of the world population. Mast cells (MCs) are key effector cells of allergic reactions by releasing proinflammatory mediators including histamine, lipid mediators, and cytokines/chemokines. Natural substances like secondary plant substances such as resveratrol (RESV), which can contribute to prevention and treatment of diseases, are becoming increasingly interesting for use as nutraceuticals.

Ataxin-3, The Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Neurodegenerative Disorder Protein, Affects Mast Cell Functions.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of neuronal matter due to the expansion of the CAG repeat in the gene and subsequent ataxin-3 protein. Although the underlying pathogenic protein expansion has been known for more than 20 years, the complexity of its effects is still under exploration. The ataxin-3 protein in its expanded form is known to aggregate and disrupt cellular processes in neuronal tissue but the role of the protein on populations of immune cells is unknown.

Probiotics in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Adulthood: A Systematic Review.

Background And Aims: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) characterized by chronic uncontrolled inflammation with an increasing prevalence in western countries. Standard medications are often associated with adverse side effects. Thus, alternative therapies such as probiotic treatment are of great interest.

Use of serial testing to interrupt a severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak on a hospital medical floor-Minnesota, October-December 2020.

Objective: Describe a severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hospital outbreak and the role of serial testing of patients and healthcare personnel (HCP) in interrupting SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Design: Outbreak investigation.

Setting: Medical floor of a tertiary-care center in Minnesota.

Transmission of and Infection With COVID-19 Among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Attendees of an Indoor Wedding Reception in Minnesota.

Importance: Characterizing rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among vaccinated and unvaccinated persons with the same exposure is critical to understanding the association of vaccination with the risk of infection with the Delta variant. Additionally, evidence of Delta variant transmission by children to vaccinated adults has important public health implications.

Objective: To characterize transmission and infection of SARS-CoV-2 among vaccinated and unvaccinated attendees of an indoor wedding reception.

Resveratrol Treatment Prevents Increase of Mast Cells in Both Murine OVA Enteritis and IL-10 Colitis.

Mast cells are involved in allergic and other inflammatory diseases. The polyphenol resveratrol is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may be used as nutraceutical in mast cell associated diseases. We analyzed the effect of resveratrol on mast cells in vivo in ovalbumin-induced allergic enteritis as well as experimental colitis in IL-10 mice which received resveratrol via drinking water.

Hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality for inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with complications, frequent hospitalizations, surgery and death. The introduction of biologic drugs into the therapeutic arsenal in the last two decades, combined with an expansion of immunosuppressant therapy, has changed IBD management and may have altered the profile of hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality (IHM) due to IBD.

Aim: To describe hospitalizations from 2008 to 2018 and to analyze IHM from 1998 to 2017 for IBD in Brazil.

Resveratrol Is a Natural Inhibitor of Human Intestinal Mast Cell Activation and Phosphorylation of Mitochondrial ERK1/2 and STAT3.

Mast cells play a critical role as main effector cells in allergic and other inflammatory diseases. Usage of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals could be of interest for affected patients. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol found in red grapes, is known for its positive properties.

COVID-19 Outbreak Associated With a Fitness Center-Minnesota, September-November 2020.

The Minnesota Department of Health investigated a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak at a fitness center in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Twenty-three severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections (5 employees and 18 members) were identified. An epidemiological investigation supported by whole genome sequencing demonstrated that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurred at the fitness center despite following recommended prevention strategies.

Probiotic Potential of Lactobacillus Species in Allergic Rhinitis.

Since conventional allergy medication for asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR) can cause side effects which limit the patients' quality of life, it is of interest to find other forms of therapy. In particular, probiotic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus species, have shown anti-allergic effects in various mouse and human studies. For instance, administration of some Lactobacillus species resulted in nasal and ocular symptom relief and improvement of quality of life in children and adults suffering from rhinitis.

Dietary restrictions modulate the gut microbiota: Implications for health and disease.

The health benefits of carefully restricting the energy intake in a strategic manner whilst avoiding malnutrition are widely discussed. In the recent years, the great impact of the gut microbiota on its host has been clarified more and more. Since the gut microbiota produces a number of metabolites and molecules that can affect host metabolism, modulating it with dietary restriction can influence the health and the progression of disease of its host on various levels.

First Identified Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Variant P.1 in the United States - Minnesota, January 2021.

Since December 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Public Health Laboratory has been receiving 100 specimens per week (50 from each of two clinical partners) with low cycle threshold (Ct) values for routine surveillance for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. On January 25, 2021, MDH identified the SARS-CoV-2 variant P.1 in one specimen through this surveillance system using whole genome sequencing, representing the first identified case of this variant in the United States.

First Identified Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7 in Minnesota - December 2020-January 2021.

On January 9, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced the identification of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.

Ophthalmic image acquired by ophthalmologists and by allied health personnel as part of a telemedicine strategy: a comparative study of image quality.

Objectives: This study evaluates the quality of ophthalmic images acquired by a nurse technician trained in teleophthalmology as compared with images acquired by an ophthalmologist, in order to provide a better understanding of the workforce necessary to operate remote care programs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 2044 images obtained from 118 participants of the TeleOftalmo project, in Brazil. Fundus and slit-lamp photography were performed on site by an ophthalmologist and by a nurse technician under the supervision of a remote ophthalmologist.