Differential Gut Microbiome Profiles in Long-Distance Endurance Cyclists and Runners.

We recently have shown that the gut microbiota composition in female and male runners positively correlates with sports, and female runners show similar gut microbiome diversity to male runners. However, gut microbiota composition has not yet been fully investigated in other endurance athletes, such as cyclists. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the gut microbiome profiles in competitive, non-professional female and male cyclists compared to what we have shown in runners.

International consensus statement on microbiome testing in clinical practice.

There is growing interest in the potential exploitation of the gut microbiome as a diagnostic tool in medicine, but evidence supporting its clinical usefulness is scarce. An increasing number of commercial providers offer direct-to-consumer microbiome diagnostic tests without any consensus on their regulation or any proven value in clinical practice, which could result in considerable waste of individual and health-care resources and potential drawbacks in the clinical management of patients. We convened an international multidisciplinary expert panel to standardise best practices of microbiome testing for clinical implementation, including recommendations on general principles and minimum requirements for their provision, indications, pre-testing protocols, method of analyses, reporting of results, and potential clinical value.

Fecal microbiome composition in neonates with or without urinary tract infection.

Background: Most infants with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) do not have an underlying anatomical risk factor. Thus, other non-anatomical risk factors should be considered. Since the most common pathogens arise from the fecal microbiota, our aim was to investigate whether the gut microbiota composition differs between febrile infants younger than 2 months with or without UTI.

Gut Microbiota Composition Positively Correlates with Sports Performance in Competitive Non-Professional Female and Male Runners.

There is still a pressing need for further investigation to bridge the gap in understanding the differences in gut microbiota composition between female runners and their male counterparts. We aimed to determine the gut microbiota composition in competitive non-professional female and male runners and to correlate the gut bacteria to performance. Our study included 40 subjects, of which 22 were runners (13 males and 9 females) and 18 control subjects (9 males and 9 females, representing the general population who perform light physical activity with a weekly running volume of ≤5 km per week).

Fecal microbiota transplantation in capsules for the treatment of steroid refractory and steroid dependent acute graft vs. host disease: a pilot study.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with limited treatment options. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in aGvHD pathogenesis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach to restore gut microbial diversity.

The influence of the type of face mask used by healthcare providers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the report of pain: a cross-sectional study in a pediatric emergency department.

Background: During 4 months of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, nurses in a pediatric emergency department (ED) used surgical and clear face masks in triage. This study aimed to find out if the type of face mask influenced children's reports of pain.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the pain scores of all patients aged 3-15 years who visited the ED during the 4-month period was performed.

Electronically Monitored Adherence to Short-Term Antibiotic Therapy in Children.

Background: Nonadherence to short-term antibiotic treatment in children can lead to treatment failure and the development of drug-resistant microorganisms. We aimed to provide reliable adherence estimates in this population.

Methods: A prospective, blinded, electronically monitored, observational study between January 2018 and October 2021.

Effectiveness of BNT162b2 Vaccination During Pregnancy in Preventing Hospitalization for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Infants.

Objective: To assess the clinical effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine during pregnancy in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hospitalizations of infants.

Study Design: A retrospective, multicenter, 1:3 case-control (test-negative) study. Symptomatic hospitalized infants less than 6 months of age, with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test between January 3, 2021, and March 11, 2021, were matched by age and time to negative controls, hospitalized with symptoms compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Early exposures and inherent factors in premature newborns are associated with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) involves immune responses that may be associated with early exposure to environmental factors among preterm newborns. The aim of this work was to evaluate for association between T1D and maternal, nutritional, and medical exposures during the neonatal period among premature newborns.

Methods: This is a multicenter, matched case-control study.

Poor Uptake of MMR Vaccine 1-year Post-Measles Outbreak: New York City and Israel.

Background: In 2018-2019, large outbreaks of measles occurred in Israel and in New York City, driven in part by travel of unimmunized children between the 2 communities.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for children tested for measles (March 2018-September 2019) at NYU Langone Health in New York, NY, and in Ramla subdistrict, Israel. Vaccination records were reviewed to determine vaccination status for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) at the time of measles testing and 1-year post-testing.

The effects of the Green-Mediterranean diet on cardiometabolic health are linked to gut microbiome modifications: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Previous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet (MED) with improved cardiometabolic health, showing preliminary evidence for a mediating role of the gut microbiome. We recently suggested the Green-Mediterranean (Green-MED) diet as an improved version of the healthy MED diet, with increased consumption of plant-based foods and reduced meat intake. Here, we investigated the effects of MED interventions on the gut microbiota and cardiometabolic markers, and the interplay between the two, during the initial weight loss phase of the DIRECT-PLUS trial.

Is severity of Daboia (Vipera) palaestinae snakebites influenced by season of exposure?

Introduction: The most common venomous snake in Israel, both in geographic spread and in number of snakebite incidents, is Daboia (Vipera) palaestinae. The clinical presentation of D. palaestinae envenomation varies and includes both local and systemic symptoms.

Catheter-Obtained Urine Culture Contamination Among Young Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study.

A correct diagnosis of urinary tract infection in young infants requires an uncontaminated urine culture, commonly obtained by urethral catheterization. In the current study, we examined the rates and factors associated with contaminations of catheter-obtained urine cultures in very young infants. This prospective cohort study included 143 catheter-obtained urine cultures of infants ≤2 months of age admitted to the pediatric ward of a tertiary hospital in Israel from April 2019 to September 2020.

Origins of bloodstream infections following fecal microbiota transplantation: a strain-level analysis.

We observed high rates of bloodstream infections (BSIs) following fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for graft-versus-host-disease (33 events in 22 patients). To trace the BSIs' origin, we applied a metagenomic bioinformatic pipeline screening donor and recipient stool samples for bacteremia-causing strains in 13 cases. Offending strains were not detected in FMT donations.

Benign course and clinical features of COVID-19 in hospitalised febrile infants up to 60 days old.

Aim: Minimal data exist regarding the severity of COVID-19 in febrile infants under 60 days old. This multicentre prospective study explored the clinical course and outcomes of this hospitalised patient population, as, to date, the best approach has not been specifically addressed.

Methods: This study focused on the clinical features, laboratory parameters and outcomes of febrile infants up to 60 days old who tested positive for the virus and were hospitalised in Israel from March 2020 to January 2021.

COVID-19 in a Subset of Hospitalized Children in Israel.

Background: Most pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mild. We assessed nationally severe COVID-19, including pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS), in hospitalized children.

Methods: An ongoing, prospective, national surveillance was conducted from March 2020 through March 2021, at 20 hospitals treating children <18 years across Israel (~75% of Israeli hospitals).

Autologous fecal microbiota transplantation can retain the metabolic achievements of dietary interventions.

Background: We recently reported that autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (aFMT), derived from the time of maximal weight-loss and administrated in the regain-phase, might preserve weight loss and glycemic control in moderately obese subjects, and is associated with specific microbiome signatures. Here, we sought to explore the global effect of aFMT on adipokines, inflammatory markers and blood cholesterol and on the overall gut microbiome preservation.

Methods: In the DIRECT-PLUS weight-loss trial, abdominally obese participants were randomized to three distinct weight-loss diets.

SARS-CoV-2-Specific Antibodies in Breast Milk After COVID-19 Vaccination of Breastfeeding Women.

This prospective study investigated whether antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 immunization of nursing mothers transferred to infants as a potentially protective effect.

Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on playground surfaces and water fountains.

The possibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission by fomites or environmental surfaces has been suggested. It is unclear if SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in outdoor public areas. The objective of the current study was to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples collected at public playgrounds and water fountains, in a country with high disease prevalence.