Development and external validation of an early prediction model to identify irresponsive patients and prognosis of UDCA treatment in primary biliary cholangitis.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the first-line treatment for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but 20-40% of patients do not respond well to UDCA. We aimed to develop and validate a prognostic model for the early prediction of patients who nonresponse to UDCA. This retrospective analysis was conducted among patients with primary biliary cholangitis(N = 257) to develop a predictive model for early-stage nonresponse to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy.

The Oral Microbial Ecosystem in Age-Related Xerostomia: A Critical Review.

Xerostomia is a widespread condition among the elderly, impacting as many as 50% of individuals within this demographic. This review aims to analyze the association between age-related xerostomia and the oral microbial ecosystem. Xerostomia not only induces discomfort but also heightens the susceptibility to oral diseases, including dental caries and infections.

The relationship between probiotics and prebiotics, kidney dysfunction and mortality - Results from a longitudinal cohort study and Mendelian randomization.

Introduction: The benefits of probiotics/prebiotics consumption on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality remains controversial.

Objectives: This study investigates the association of probiotics/prebiotics consumption with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality.

Methods: Clinical data were retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016 database.

The arch myth: investigating the impact of flat foot on vertical jump height: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The necessity to exclude flat foot when selecting athletes is a controversial issue. This study aimed to investigate whether flat foot affects vertical jump.

Methods: The quality of the literature was assessed using the observational study quality assessment tool provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care in Australia.