Macrophage-induced enteric neurodegeneration leads to motility impairment during gut inflammation.

Current studies pictured the enteric nervous system and macrophages as modulators of neuroimmune processes in the inflamed gut. Expanding this view, we investigated the impact of enteric neuron-macrophage interactions on postoperative trauma and subsequent motility disturbances, i.e.

Developing integrated care pathways for atopic dermatitis-Challenges and unmet needs.

Background: GA LEN-ADCARE is a branch of the largest multidisciplinary network of research centres and clinical care in allergy and asthma, GA LEN, focussing on the field of atopic dermatitis (AD). AD is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with high burden and many comorbidities requiring different levels of treatment. The need for aligned information from all involved healthcare providers led to the discussion of an integrated care pathway (ICP) plan for AD patient care involving all stakeholders and considering the complexity and variability of the disease, with a particular focus placed on the large number of patients with milder forms of AD.

One immune system plays many parts: The dynamic role of the immune system in chronic pain and opioid pharmacology.

The transition from acute to chronic pain is an ongoing major problem for individuals, society and healthcare systems around the world. It is clear chronic pain is a complex multidimensional biological challenge plagued with difficulties in pain management, specifically opioid use. In recent years the role of the immune system in chronic pain and opioid pharmacology has come to the forefront.

Dietary and lifestyle associations with microbiome diversity.

Background: Microbial dysbiosis has been closely linked with colorectal cancer development. However, data is limited regarding the relationship of the mucosal microbiome, adenomatous polyps and dietary habits. Understanding these associations may elucidate pathways for risk stratification according to diet.

Factor XIII levels, clot strength, and impact of fibrinogen concentrate in infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass: a mechanistic sub-study of the FIBCON trial.

Background: Acquired factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency after major surgery can increase postoperative bleeding. We evaluated FXIII contribution to clot strength and the effect of fibrinogen concentrate administration on FXIII activity in infants undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: We conducted a prospectively planned, mechanistic sub-study, nested within the Fibrinogen Concentrate Supplementation in the Management of Bleeding During Paediatric Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Phase 1B/2A, Open-Label Dose Escalation Study (FIBCON) trial, which investigated fibrinogen concentrate supplementation during cardiopulmonary bypass (ISRCTN: 50553029) in 111 infants (median age 6.

Optical Properties of Secondary Organic Aerosol Produced by Photooxidation of Naphthalene under NOx Condition.

Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) affect incoming solar radiation by interacting with light at ultraviolet and visible wavelength ranges. However, the relationship between the chemical composition and optical properties of SOA is still not well understood. In this study, the complex refractive index (RI) of SOA produced from OH oxidation of naphthalene in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx) was retrieved online in the wavelength range of 315-650 nm and the bulk chemical composition of the SOA was characterized by an online high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Molecular Analysis of Secondary Brown Carbon Produced from the Photooxidation of Naphthalene.

We investigate the chemical composition of organic light-absorbing components, also known as brown carbon (BrC) chromophores, formed in a proxy of anthropogenic secondary organic aerosol generated from the photooxidation of naphthalene (-SOA) in the absence and presence of NO. High-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detector and electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometer is employed to characterize -SOA and its BrC components. We provide molecular-level insights into the chemical composition and optical properties of individual -SOA components and investigate their BrC relevance.

Colonic Microbial Abundances Predict Adenoma Formers.

Objective: We aimed to examine associations between the oral, fecal, and mucosal microbiome communities and adenoma formation.

Summary Background Data: Data are limited regarding the relationships between microbiota and preneoplastic colorectal lesions.

Methods: Individuals undergoing screening colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled and divided into adenoma and nonadenoma formers.

Evaluating the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Priming Fluids on Bleeding After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) predisposes young children to coagulopathy. The authors evaluated possible effects of CPB priming fluids on perioperative bleeding in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Design: Meta-analysis and systematic review of previously published studies.

Antifibrinolytic Drugs for the Prevention of Bleeding in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery on Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Bleeding is one of the commonest complications affecting children undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. Antifibrinolytic drugs are part of a multifaceted approach aimed at reducing bleeding, though sufficiently sized pediatric studies are sparse, and dosing algorithms are heterogeneous. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antifibrinolytic agents as well as the effectiveness of different dosing regimens in pediatric cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.

First experience in clinical application of hyperspectral endoscopy for evaluation of colonic polyps.

Early detection and resection of adenomatous polyps prevents their progression to colorectal cancer (CRC), significantly improving patient outcomes. Polyps are typically identified and removed during white-light colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the rate of interval cancers that arise between CRC screening events remains high, linked to poor visualization of polyps during screening and incomplete polyp removal.

Individualized, Intraoperative Dosing of Fibrinogen Concentrate for the Prevention of Bleeding in Neonatal and Infant Cardiac Surgery Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass (FIBCON): A Phase 1b/2a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Mediastinal bleeding is common following pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass surgery for congenital heart disease. Fibrinogen concentrate (FC) represents a potential therapy for preventing bleeding.

Methods: We performed a single-center, phase 1b/2a, randomized controlled trial on infants 2.

Daylight exposure modulates bacterial communities associated with household dust.

Background: Microbial communities associated with indoor dust abound in the built environment. The transmission of sunlight through windows is a key building design consideration, but the effects of light exposure on dust communities remain unclear. We report results of an experiment and computational models designed to assess the effects of light exposure and wavelengths on the structure of the dust microbiome.

Strategies for Prevention and Management of Bleeding Following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery on Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review.

Objective: We aimed to systematically describe, via a scoping review, the literature reporting strategies for prevention and management of mediastinal bleeding post pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane CENTRAL Register.

Study Selection: Two authors independently screened publications from 1980 to 2016 reporting the effect of therapeutic interventions on bleeding-related postoperative outcomes, including mediastinal drain loss, transfusion, chest re-exploration rate, and coagulation variables.

Cleanliness in context: reconciling hygiene with a modern microbial perspective.

The concept of hygiene is rooted in the relationship between cleanliness and the maintenance of good health. Since the widespread acceptance of the germ theory of disease, hygiene has become increasingly conflated with sterilization. In reviewing studies across the hygiene literature (most often hand hygiene), we found that nearly all studies of hand hygiene utilize bulk reduction in bacterial load as a proxy for reduced transmission of pathogenic organisms.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

[Towards a more equitable distribution of resources and assessment of quality of care: validation of a comorbidity based case-mix system].

Background: Equitable distribution of healthcare resources and fair assessments of providers' performance necessitates adjusting for case-mix. The feasibility and validity of applying case-mix measures, based on inpatient and outpatient diagnoses, has yet to be tested in Israel.

Aims: Assessment of the feasibility and validity of applying the Johns-Hopkins University Adjusted Clinical Groups (JHU-ACG) case-mix system, using diagnoses from hospitalizations or physician visits, at Clalit Health Services (CHS).

Health care financing reforms in Germany: the case for rethinking the evolutionary approach to reforms.

Health care reform has been a perpetual issue in German politics since reunification. Reform initially focused on restructuring the health care system of the former East Germany. It has subsequently focused on questioning whether the financing of the German social health insurance (SHI) system is sustainable, in light of economic malaise that characterized the 1990s and heightened global competition.

Health insurance coverage in Central and Eastern Europe: trends and challenges.

Health insurance systems in Central and Eastern Europe have evolved in different ways from the centralized health systems inherited from the Soviet era, but there remain common trends and challenges in the region. Health spending is low in comparison to the spending of pre-2004 European Union members, but population aging, medical technology, economic growth, and heightened expectations will generate major spending pressures. Social health insurance is the dominant model in the region, but coverage is uneven.

Creating a successful school-based mobile dental program.

Background: Dental disease is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism for children. This article describes the creation and evolution of the St. David's Dental Program, a mobile school-based dental program for children.

Furanocoumarins in celery and parsnips: method and multiyear Canadian survey.

The natural occurrence of biologically active furanocoumarins in common vegetables is an area of increasing interest with respect to human health. In this study, an efficient, rugged, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet photodiode array detection was developed for the estimation of 5 biologically active furanocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, trioxsalen, and angelicin) in celery and parsnips. When authentic samples were spiked with a mixture of furanocoumarins at individual levels of 2 to 10 microg/g, the method produced overall recoveries of 77 and 75% of all furanocoumarins from celery and parsnips, respectively.