COVID-19 severity is associated with population-level gut microbiome variations.

The human gut microbiome interacts with many diseases, with recent small studies suggesting a link with COVID-19 severity. Exploring this association at the population-level may provide novel insights and help to explain differences in COVID-19 severity between countries. We explore whether there is an association between the gut microbiome of people within different countries and the severity of COVID-19, measured as hospitalisation rate.

Topological Data Analysis Highlights Novel Geographical Signatures of the Human Gut Microbiome.

There is growing interest in the connection between the gut microbiome and human health and disease. Conventional approaches to analyse microbiome data typically entail dimensionality reduction and assume linearity of the observed relationships, however, the microbiome is a highly complex ecosystem marked by non-linear relationships. In this study, we use topological data analysis (TDA) to explore differences and similarities between the gut microbiome across several countries.

Quantifying compliance and acceptance through public and private social conformity.

Social conformity is a class of social influence whereby exposure to the attitudes and beliefs of a group causes an individual to alter their own attitudes and beliefs towards those of the group. Compliance and acceptance are varieties of social influence distinguished on the basis of the attitude change brought about. Compliance involves public, but not private conformity, while acceptance occurs when group norms are internalised and conformity is demonstrated both in public and in private.

Proteomic analysis of pubocervical fascia in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse and urodynamic stress incontinence.

Introduction And Hypothesis: This pilot study compares protein expression patterns in the pubocervical fascia of women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and asymptomatic women with normal pelvic support.

Methods: Samples of pubocervical fascia were collected from four women with POP and SUI and from three asymptomatic (control) women. These were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The role of three-dimensional imaging in the investigation of IUD malposition.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present a systematic review of the use of three-dimensional ultrasound for the detection and evaluation of intrauterine device malposition in a patient of our department.

Background: Transvaginal sonography failed to detect IUD misplacement in about 9% of cases. Whereas the three-dimensional ultrasound (3D), a new emerging technology, that could provide precise evaluation of IUD malposition.

The role of three-dimensional (3D) sonography and 3D power Doppler in the preoperative assessment of borderline ovarian tumors.

Purpose Of Investigation: To determine the value of three-dimensional (3D) sonography and 3D power Doppler in distinguishing borderline ovarian tumors from benign cysts and malignant tumors.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-two women with a mean age of 37 years (range 28-45) and diagnosis of a confirmed pelvic mass were referred for preoperative evaluation with 3D sonography and 3D power Doppler. Sonographic criteria used for the diagnosis of borderline tumors were based on a system that included morphological characteristics, histological evaluation and power Doppler imaging.

Uterine prolapse complicating pregnancy.

Uterine prolapse is extremely rare during pregnancy. However in some cases significant complications may develop. We report a case of uterine prolapse which developed during pregnancy.

Estrogen decreases neointimal hyperplasia and improves re-endothelialization in pigs.

Background: 17-Beta-estradiol inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration and accelerates endothelial cell repair in response to balloon injury. The aim of this study was to determine whether administration of estrogen is associated with decreased neointimal hyperplasia after stenting in the porcine model.

Methods And Results: Twenty-two farm female pigs 7 months old were oophorectomized and at the third day normal saline (11 pigs) or 20 mg of estradiol valerate (11 pigs), modified release, were administered intramuscularly.