Single-cell transcriptomic atlas of enteroendocrine cells along the murine gastrointestinal tract.

Background: Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) produce over 20 gut hormones which contribute to intestinal physiology, nutrient metabolism and the regulation of food intake. The objective of this study was to generate a comprehensive transcriptomic map of mouse EECs from the stomach to the rectum.

Methods: EECs were purified by flow-cytometry from the stomach, upper small intestine, lower small intestine, caecum and large intestine of NeuroD1-Cre mice, and analysed by single cell RNA sequencing.

The scapula spine may not be a suitable source of bone graft for glenoid reconstruction in critical bone loss.

Background: The hypothesis is that the scapula spine can provide a graft of suitable dimensions for use in cases of shoulder instability with critical bone loss. We aimed to investigate its utility with grafts of differing sizes.

Methods: The scapula spine was measured on computed tomography scans of 50 patients who had undergone anterior stabilization.

Stimulating intestinal GIP release reduces food intake and body weight in mice.

Objective: Glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is well established as an incretin hormone, boosting glucose-dependent insulin secretion. However, whilst anorectic actions of its sister-incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are well established, a physiological role for GIP in appetite regulation is controversial, despite the superior weight loss seen in preclinical models and humans with GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonists compared with GLP-1R agonism alone.

Methods: We generated a mouse model in which GIP expressing K-cells can be activated through hM3Dq Designer Receptor Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD, GIP-Dq) to explore physiological actions of intestinally-released GIP.

Serious Stem Cell Donation Events and Recipient Adverse Reactions Related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: Review of Reports to the World Marrow Donor Association.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has deeply impacted hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donation and transplantation. Numerous changes in practice have been introduced, and monitoring the impact of these changes on donations and transplantations is of vital importance. As part of a global response to this pandemic, the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) asked that its member registries and cord blood banks submit SARS-CoV-2-related adverse events to the WMDA-operated Serious Product Events and Adverse Reactions (SPEAR) database.

Hypothalamic and brainstem glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor neurons employ distinct mechanisms to affect feeding.

Central glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor (GIPR) signaling is critical in GIP-based therapeutics' ability to lower body weight, but pathways leveraged by GIPR pharmacology in the brain remain incompletely understood. We explored the role of Gipr neurons in the hypothalamus and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) - brain regions critical to the control of energy balance. Hypothalamic Gipr expression was not necessary for the synergistic effect of GIPR/GLP-1R coagonism on body weight.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on illness perceptions, coping, self-efficacy, psychological distress and quality of life.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) negatively impacts psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL). Underpinned by the Common Sense Model (CSM), this study evaluated the potential mediating role of self-efficacy, coping styles and psychological distress on the relationship between illness perceptions and QoL in patients living with CKD. Participants were 147 people with stage 3-5 kidney disease.

Does specificity of electrodiagnostic test referrals predict test outcome in children?

Introduction/aims: Electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) is important in evaluation of pediatric neuromuscular disease. Non-specific referrals have emerged as a leading reason for EDX in recent years. We examine whether referral-specificity is predictive of test outcomes in children.

Quality of life study for caregivers of people with uncontrolled focal-onset seizures.

Aim: The aim of this study was to capture and measure the impact of caregiving for an adult with uncontrolled drug-resistant focal-onset seizures (FOS) on the caregivers' quality of life (QoL), and to quantify the costs of productivity losses associated with providing informal care in this patient population.

Methods: An online survey, which included the EQ-5D-5L, CarerQol-7D and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific-Health Problem (WPAI:SHP) questionnaires, was administered to caregivers of individuals with uncontrolled drug-resistant FOS in the United Kingdom (UK), France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Sweden.

Results: The study included 345 caregivers.

Good Engraftment but Quality and Donor Concerns for Cryopreserved Hemopoietic Progenitor Cell Products Collected During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Changes to donor availability, collection center capacity, and travel restrictions during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic led to routine cryopreservation of most unrelated donor products for hematopoietic transplantation prior to the recipient commencing the conditioning regimen. We investigated the effect of this change on unrelated donor product quality and clinical outcomes. Product information was requested from transplantation centers in Australia and New Zealand and clinical outcome data from the Australasian Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Registry (ABMTRR).

Peptidomics of enteroendocrine cells and characterisation of potential effects of a novel preprogastrin derived-peptide on glucose tolerance in lean mice.

Objectives: To analyse the peptidomics of mouse enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and human gastrointestinal (GI) tissue and identify novel gut derived peptides.

Methods: High resolution nano-flow liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed on (i) flow-cytometry purified NeuroD1 positive cells from mouse and homogenised human intestinal biopsies, (ii) supernatants from primary murine intestinal cultures, (iii) intestinal homogenates from mice fed high fat diet. Candidate bioactive peptides were selected on the basis of species conservation, high expression/biosynthesis in EECs and evidence of regulated secretionin vitro.

A psychosocial intervention for individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease: A feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Aim: The current study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a psychosocial intervention, the Kidney Optimal Health Program, in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Methods: Patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease were randomized to either a nine-session psychosocial intervention programme or usual care. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates and programme acceptability.

Variable CD34+ recovery of cryopreserved allogeneic HPC products: transplant implications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donor registries and transplantation societies recommend cryopreservation of unrelated donor hemopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products before the recipient commences conditioning therapy to mitigate the donor and travel risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known regarding the postthaw quality of such allogeneic products or the effect of precryopreservation storage and processing on these characteristics. We investigated the postthaw CD34+ cell recovery and viability of 305 allogeneic HPC products cryopreserved at 9 laboratories across Australia.

Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factors for Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections.

Diabetes and left internal jugular vein insertion site were significantly associated with increased risk of a catheter-related bloodstream infection from a tunneled hemodialysis catheter. Ex-smoker status was significantly associated with reduced risk.

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) have specific impacts on the mouse uterus.

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) have been proposed as therapeutics for women suffering from breast cancer, muscle wasting or urinary incontinence. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in the uterus but the impact of SARMs on the function of this organ is unknown. We used a mouse model to compare the impact of SARMs (GTx-007/Andarine®, GTx-024/Enobosarm®), Danazol (a synthetic androstane steroid) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on tissue architecture, cell proliferation and gene expression.

Adenosine triphosphate is co-secreted with glucagon-like peptide-1 to modulate intestinal enterocytes and afferent neurons.

Enteroendocrine cells are specialised sensory cells located in the intestinal epithelium and generate signals in response to food ingestion. Whilst traditionally considered hormone-producing cells, there is evidence that they also initiate activity in the afferent vagus nerve and thereby signal directly to the brainstem. We investigate whether enteroendocrine L-cells, well known for their production of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), also release other neuro-transmitters/modulators.

Human exposure to antibiotic resistant-Escherichia coli through irrigated lettuce.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) have been found on fresh fruit and vegetables globally. These types of ARB infections are spreading rapidly and are a major human health threat. A quantitative human exposure assessment model was created using scenario analysis to investigate the potential human exposure to antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli (AR-E.

The potential human exposure to antibiotic resistant-Escherichia coli through recreational water.

It is important that bathing water sites are free as possible from antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) to prevent the spread of difficult to treat infections throughout the population. This study examines the possible human exposure to antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli (AR-E. coli) through recreational activities at two different bathing water sites located near wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).

Predicting patient reported outcome in total knee arthroplasty using body mass index and limb measurements.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has not been shown to correlate with Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We investigated the relationship between weight, BMI, limb morphology, and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Furthermore, the utility of a novel radiological measurement, the Knee Mass Index (KMI), was investigated.

Meta-analysis of the reduction of antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli as a result of low- and medium-pressure UV lamps.

It is vital that harmful bacteria are removed from water and wastewater treatment plants to prevent human/environmental exposure. This paper examines the log reduction of antibiotic-sensitive (AS) and antibiotic-resistant (AR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a result of low-pressure (LP) and medium-pressure (MP) UV lamps.

Human exposure assessment to antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli through drinking water.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are a potential threat to human health through drinking water with strong evidence of ARB presence in post treated tap water around the world. This study examines potential human exposure to antibiotic-resistant (AR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) through drinking water, the effect of different drinking water treatments on AR E.

"Hills, Plains, and Valleys": A Topographical Concept in the Treatment of Dupuytren's Contracture With Needle Aponeurotomy.

Needle aponeurotomy is emerging as a preferred choice of treatment for patients with Dupuytren's contracture keen on a quick, minimally invasive procedure that enables a rapid return of hand function. This article describes a unique topographical concept in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture with needle aponeurotomy. This concept guides portal placement in a planned manner to achieve better correction and avoid potential complications.

Design and protocol for the Dialysis Optimal Health Program (DOHP) randomised controlled trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are serious and growing health problems with enormous impact on psychological and social functioning. Despite high rates of comorbid depression and anxiety in these patient populations, and the adverse impact these have upon treatment adherence, quality of life, social connectedness and healthcare costs there has been little attention focused on the prevention or management of these problems. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the Dialysis Optimal Health Program (DOHP) that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate and support those diagnosed with ESKD who are commencing dialysis.