Systematic review and meta-analysis on probiotics as treatment for food allergies among pediatric patients: A 2024 update.

This systematic review updated the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of probiotics as treatment of food allergy among pediatric patients. We conducted a systematic search for all randomized controlled trials available until March 13, 2024 that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for treating pediatric food allergy. Two authors independently conducted the search, screening, and data extraction.

Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine Trial.

Objective: To evaluate descriptive efficacy data, exploratory immunogenicity data, and safety follow-up through study completion from the global, phase 3 MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) maternal vaccination trial of bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVpreF).

Methods: MATISSE was a phase 3, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy pregnant participants aged 49 years or younger at 24-36 weeks of gestation were randomized (1:1) to receive a single RSVpreF 120 micrograms or placebo dose.

Normative data for the lateralization task in the assessment of intranasal trigeminal function.

Aim: To provide normative data for the lateralization task in the assessment of intranasal trigeminal function, as well as to investigate potential effects of age, sex and olfactory function.

Methods: The lateralization task using eucalyptus as target stimulus was performed to assess intranasal trigeminal function. Data were collected from: 360 healthy adult participants (mean age 37.

BRAF mutant PD-L1 positive metastatic musculoskeletal lesions from primary lung adenocarcinoma treated with combination vemurafenib and pembrolizumab: a case report.

Background: B-Raf mutation positivity, B-Raf mutation positivity occurrence with programmed death ligand 1 overexpression, and musculoskeletal metastasis are singly rare in non-small cell lung cancer, and even rarer is all occurring in one patient.

Case Presentation: A Filipino 63-year-old male had B-Raf mutation positive and programmed death ligand 1 overexpressed symptomatic metastatic musculoskeletal lesions from lung adenocarcinoma treated with a BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib, in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab. He exhibited significant reduction in pain and burden of musculoskeletal metastatic lesions.

ASPEN international survey on ethical competencies dealing with decision-making in the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration and competency application in clinical practice.

Background: Ethical competencies dealing with decision-making for clinicians involved in artificially administered nutrition and hydration (AANH) have not been defined in the literature. Although clinical assessments identify nutrition needs and appropriate routes of nutrition administration, an assessment of the ethical, cultural, and spiritual implications of the medical nutrition therapy may be overlooked.

Methods: Eleven competency statements were developed by members of two international sections of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Indirect effectiveness of a novel SARS-COV-2 vaccine (SCB-2019) in unvaccinated household contacts in the Philippines: A cluster randomised analysis.

Background: Though observational evidence supports indirect effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, randomised experiments are lacking. To address this gap, the double-blinded, prospective follow-up of the household contacts (HHCs) of Philippine participants of the individually-randomised, placebo-controlled trial of the adjuvanted-subunit protein COVID-19 vaccine, SCB-2019, (EudraCT, 2020-004272-17; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04672395) was analyzed in a cluster-randomised fashion.

The olfactory test established by Henkin: is it reliable and does it correlate to established psychophysical tests?

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to determine whether the Henkin olfactory test discriminates between the olfactory function of patients with olfactory loss and healthy individuals, and whether the Henkin test is correlated with a validated psychophysical olfactory test.

Methods: Participants underwent olfactory testing using the modified Henkin test (including detection [DT] and recognition [RT] thresholds, magnitude estimation [ME], and hedonic ratings [H], for four different odors) and the extended "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery (odor detection, discrimination, identification).

Results: Forty-four individuals (28 women, aged 19-81 years, mean: 39 years) were included.

A phase 2b, Randomized, double blinded comparison of the safety and efficacy of the monoclonal antibody mixture SYN023 and human rabies immune globulin in patients exposed to rabies.

Background: SYN023 is an anti-rabies monoclonal antibody mixture administered as part of post-exposure prophylaxis regimens. The rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) concentration generally accepted as an adequate immune response to vaccination is ≥ 0.5 IU/mL.

Comparison of Patient Characteristics and Olfactory Sensitivity for Trigger Odorants in Parosmia and Phantosmia.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of patients with qualitative olfactory dysfunction (qualOD) and whether individuals with parosmia exhibit increased olfactory sensitivity to previously reported odorous triggers of parosmia.

Methods: This study included individuals aged ≥18 years, divided into quantitative OD only, parosmia, and phantosmia groups. Data collected included: clinical-demographic data, "Sniffin' Sticks" scores, questionnaires (depression scale, importance of olfaction), and information about parosmia and phantosmia.

Global availability of parenteral nutrition: Pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic surveys.

Objective: Parenteral nutrition represents a therapeutic option for patients with type 3 intestinal failure. If used exclusively, parenteral nutrition has to be complete to provide all essential nutrients. The aim was to assess the availability of parenteral nutrition in all parts of the world, to better comprehend the global situation, and to prepare an action plan to increase access to parenteral nutrition.

Objective nasal airflow measures in relation to subjective nasal obstruction, trigeminal function, and olfaction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: This study aimed to determine how nasal airflow measures and trigeminal function vary among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) versus healthy controls and whether these measures are correlated with subjective nasal obstruction (SNO), olfactory function, and CRS control.

Methodology: Participants included CRS patients and healthy controls. After a structured medical history, nasal airflow (peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]; active anterior rhinomanometry [AAR]), trigeminal function (trigeminal lateralization test, CO2 sensitivity), and olfactory "Sniffin's Sticks" odor identification test) tests were performed.

Clinical nutrition in primary care: ESPEN position paper.

Primary care healthcare professionals (PCHPs) are pivotal in managing chronic diseases and present a unique opportunity for nutrition-related disease prevention. However, the active involvement of PCHPs in nutritional care is limited, influenced by factors like insufficient education, lack of resources, and time constraints. In this position paper The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) promotes the active engagement of PCHPs in nutritional care.

Neuroenergetic Changes in Patients with X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism and Female Carriers.

Background: X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) is a rare movement disorder characterized by profound neurodegeneration in the basal ganglia. The molecular consequences and the bioenergetic state of affected individuals remain largely unexplored.

Objectives: To investigate the bioenergetic state in male patients with XDP and female carriers using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and to correlate these findings with clinical manifestations.

Treatment challenges in the management of difficult-to-treat gram-positive infections: A consensus view apropos therapeutic role of novel anti-MRSA antibiotics, levonadifloxacin (IV) and alalevonadifloxacin (oral).

Purpose: Treatment of antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive infections (GPIs), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in patients with multiple co-morbidities who require antibiotics with greater safety and a consistent pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile. Such difficult-to-treat GPIs are often associated with poor outcomes, extended hospital stay and increased expenditure. This can be partly attributed to the limited safety and aberrant PK/PD profile of existing anti-MRSA antibiotics.

Safety, efficacy, and impact on gut microbial ecology of a subspecies LMG11588 supplementation in healthy term infants: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial in the Philippines.

Introduction: subspecies infantis () may play a key role in infant gut development. This trial evaluated safety, tolerability, and efficacy of LMG11588 supplementation.

Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study conducted in the Philippines included healthy breastfed and/or formula-fed infants (14-21 days old) randomized for 8 weeks to a control group (CG;  = 77), or any of two experimental groups (EGs): low (Lo-EG; 1*10 CFU/day;  = 75) or high dose (Hi-EG; 1.

Topical and Systemic Therapies in Melasma: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Melasma is an acquired disorder, which presents with well-demarcated, brown-colored hyperpigmented macules, commonly involving the sun-exposed areas such as the face. It is a chronic and distressing condition, affecting the patients' quality of life, and has been conventionally treated with "first-line" agents including hydroquinone (HQ) alone or as a part of a triple combination cream (TCC), while "second-line" options include chemical peels, and third line options include laser therapy.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search was performed for all topical and systemic treatments for melasma up till May 4, 2021, using the PubMed and EMBASE databases, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol.

A 2-Year Outcomes and Complications of Various Techniques of Lumbar Discectomy: A Multicentric Prospective Study.

Study Design: Prospective Study.

Objectives: There are numerous techniques for performing lumbar discectomy, each with its own rationale and stated benefits. The authors set out to evaluate and compare the perioperative variables, results, and complications of each treatment in a group of patients provided by ten hospitals and operated on by experienced surgeons.

Advance Care Planning in the Philippines: A continuing narrative of advocacy.

This article discusses the current state of Advance Care Planning (ACP) in the Philippines, where the health system operates within a fragmented environment, with mixed private and public provisions. Despite some attempts to introduce legislation to foster ACP implementation, patient autonomy remains subordinate to family values and physician authority within the Southeast Asian culture. The article also highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the norms of the global healthcare force and pushed Palliative Medicine specialists to take on stronger roles in the battle lines against health-related suffering.

Subjective Perception of Recovery and Measured Olfactory Function in COVID-19 Patients.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate self-rated olfactory dysfunction in relation to measured olfactory function after partial or complete subjective recovery in individuals with a history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. A total of 186 individuals (aged 5-62 years) with a history of COVID-19 infection were included. Visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings for olfactory function (before, during, and after infection) and age-appropriate psychophysical olfactory test scores (odor threshold and odor identification: "Sniffin' Sticks" for adults and both "Sniffin' Sticks" and "U-Sniff" for children) were determined.