Effect of weight loss and liraglutide on neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels among individuals with overweight and knee osteoarthritis: Exploratory analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). Adipose tissues may be linked to OA development through secretion of potential proinflammatory cytokines including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Our objective was to assess changes in serum NGAL after a low-calorie diet (LCD) and subsequent glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) treatment.

The mCHEST Score for Incident Atrial Fibrillation: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Background: Assessing individuals' risk of developing incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is important for making preventive and screening strategies.

Objectives: The performance of the mCHEST score for predicting incident AF has scarcely been evaluated, especially in a multi-ethnic population.

Methods: Participants from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis were enrolled in the present study, which involved population of different ethnicities (Caucasian, African-American, Chinese-American, and Hispanic) aged between 45 and 84 from 6 communities in the United States.

Urinary Endotrophin and Long-term Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Kidney fibrosis is a suggested cause of kidney failure and premature mortality. Because collagen type VI is closely linked to kidney fibrosis, we aimed to evaluate whether urinary endotrophin, a collagen type VI fragment, is associated with graft failure and mortality among kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, KTR with a functioning graft ≥1-y posttransplantation were recruited; 24-h urinary endotrophin excretion was measured using an ELISA method.

Relationship between pyrimidines, purines, and fatty acids in milk of dairy cows fed distinct carbohydrate types: A metabolomic approach.

The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in the milk metabolome of dairy cows fed different carbohydrate types from silages and concentrates, with special focus on purines and pyrimidines, likely associated with the microbial activity in the rumen. Furthermore, the relationship between the milk fatty acids and pyrimidine and purine metabolism retrieved in milk was investigated for potential correlations between these 2 groups of potential milk biomarkers. Twenty-four lactating dairy cows were used in a crossover design, where each cow received 2 of 4 diets.

A faunal inventory of methane seeps on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica.

The methane seeps on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica support extensive animal diversity and offer insights into deep-sea biogeography. During five expeditions between 2009 and 2019, we conducted intensive faunal sampling via 63 submersible dives to 11 localities at depths of 300-3600 m. Based on these expeditions and published literature, we compiled voucher specimens, images, and 274 newly published DNA sequences to present a taxonomic inventory of macrofaunal and megafaunal diversity with a focus on invertebrates.

Exclusionary bargaining behavior in 14 countries: Prevalence and predictors.

Primates are known to engage in exclusionary behavior, forming alliances to block a minority from accessing scarce resources. Humans are no exception, and examples of exclusionary behavior abound in political, business, and social settings. However, despite its socio-economic relevance, little is known about the prevalence and determinants of such behavior worldwide.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer management: a systematic review.

Background And Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a need for reorganization in the healthcare systems. First, we aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Second, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on tumor stage and changes in treatment regimens used.

Germline BRCA testing in Denmark following invasive breast cancer: Progress since 2000.

Background And Purpose: Despite advancements in genetic testing and expanded eligibility criteria, underutilisation of germline testing for pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) remains evident among breast cancer (BC) patients. This observational cohort study presents real-world data on BRCA testing within the context of clinical practice challenges, including incomplete family history and under-referral.

Material And Methods: From the Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG) clinical database, we included 65,117 females with unilateral stage I-III BC diagnosed in 2000-2017, of whom 9,125 (14%) were BRCA tested.

Pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer - real-world single-centre data.

Background And Purpose: The randomised clinical trial KEYNOTE-048 has demonstrated a significant increase in survival for patients with head and neck cancer treated with pembrolizumab with or without chemotherapy. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to investigate whether survival in a group of consecutive patients treated at our department was comparable to the results from KEYNOTE-048.

Patients/material And Methods: Seventy-six patients initiated treatment with pembrolizumab ± platinum/5-FU between July 2020 and May 2022.

The effectiveness of exercise-based interventions on muscle mass, muscle strength, functional performance, aerobic capacity, and health-related quality of life in adults with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: This study aims to identify and summarize evidence on the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions on muscle mass, muscle strength, functional performance, aerobic capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), feasibility of the interventions, in patients with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six electronic databases and trials registers on November 15, 2023. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise intervention with controls/usual care in adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy were considered for inclusion.

On the Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of 2-Hydroxyethyl Furan-5-Carboxylic Acid (MHEF) and bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) Furan-2,5-Dicarboxylate (BHEF).

To better understand how the biocatalyzed depolymerization of polyesters works, model molecules are needed to develop activity assays and determine enzymatic kinetic parameters. In this communication the chemical synthesis and characterization of 2-hydroxyethyl furan-5-carboxylic acid and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) furan-2,5-dicarboxylates as potential model molecules to further study the enzymatic depolymerization of poly(ethylene furanoate) was investigated.

Adverse Cardiovascular Risk Profile and Increased Diurnal Salivary Cortisol in Girls With Turner Syndrome: An Exploratory Study.

Patients with Turner Syndrome (TS) and those exposed to high concentrations of glucocorticoids have a number of characteristics in common, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Pediatric TS patients underwent studies of salivary cortisol (SC) and cortisone (SCn), body composition, continuous glucose monitoring, vascular function, and ambulatory blood pressure (BP). Biochemical indicators of cardiovascular risk were also measured.

Pulmonary Morbidity in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Survivors Treated at a Non-ECMO Center From 1998 to 2015: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: A main feature of CDH is lung hypoplasia and the related presentation of pulmonary hypertension and cardiac dysfunction. Multiple factors influence pulmonary status after CDH: degree of hypoplasia, ventilator-induced injury, altered growth and development of pulmonary structures, reduced diaphragm function and chest wall abnormalities. The evolution of pulmonary sequela in this population is still unclear.

Assessment of Commercial Baby Food Quality and Promotion in Malaysia for Policy Development.

Nutritional quality of food for infants and young children (FIYC) is key to optimum development and health. To evaluate commercial FIYC products, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO-EURO) has defined a Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM). Although FIYC is commonly used in Malaysia, its quality is largely unknown.

Residential Exposure to PM Constituents and Fecundability in a Danish Preconception Cohort.

Background: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that ambient concentrations of particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM) are associated with reduced fecundability, the per cycle probability of conception. The specific constituents driving this association are unknown.

Recommendations for Improving Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies in Europe Using Healthcare Databases.

Background: Although accessing administrative data in healthcare databases may be a more time-efficient and cost-effective method of conducting surveillance, there is evidence suggesting that administrative data alone are not sufficient for population-based surveillance of congenital anomalies.

Objective: To propose recommendations to maximise the potential use of healthcare databases for surveillance of congenital anomalies based on our data linkage experiences and results from the EUROlinkCAT study.

Methods: EUROlinkCAT is a population-based cohort study of 99,416 children with anomalies born between 1995 and 2014.

IQ Survey Results on Current Industry Practices-Part 1: Immunogenicity Risk Assessment.

An immunogenicity risk assessment (IRA) is a relatively new expectation of health authorities that is increasingly incorporated into the drug development process across the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. The guiding principle for an IRA includes a comprehensive evaluation of product- and patient-related factors that may influence the immunogenic potential of a biotherapeutic drug and a potential action plan. The Immunogenicity Working Group from the IQ Consortium (Clinical Pharmacology Leadership Group) has conducted a survey to understand the current practices for conducting IRAs and relevant aspects of bioanalysis.

Long COVID and its risk factors in migrants: a nationwide register study from Sweden.

Background: Many studies have found more severe COVID-19 outcomes in migrants and ethnic minorities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while recent evidence also suggests higher risk of longer-term consequences. We studied the risk of a long COVID diagnosis among adult residents in Sweden, dependent on country of birth and accounting for known risk factors for long COVID.

Methods: We used linked Swedish administrative registers between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2023, to estimate the risk of a long COVID diagnosis in the adult population that had a confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Associations between common genetic variants and income provide insights about the socio-economic health gradient.

We conducted a genome-wide association study on income among individuals of European descent (N = 668,288) to investigate the relationship between socio-economic status and health disparities. We identified 162 genomic loci associated with a common genetic factor underlying various income measures, all with small effect sizes (the Income Factor). Our polygenic index captures 1-5% of income variance, with only one fourth due to direct genetic effects.

Improving child and adolescent health and well-being in Europe: the imperative for a new regional strategy.

Despite significant progress during the Millennium Development Goals era, recent trends show stagnation or regression in key health indicators for children and adolescents in Europe. Obesity rates are rising, adolescent mental health is deteriorating, the digital environment poses risks, breastfeeding rates are low, many children face developmental risks, and displaced children encounter significant health challenges. To address these issues, we need a comprehensive strategy for children and adolescents in Europe, leading to increased investment, protection from commercial harm, effective governance, and accountability to improve health outcomes.

Exploring when to exploit: the cognitive underpinnings of foraging-type decisions in relation to psychopathy.

Impairments in reinforcement learning (RL) might underlie the tendency of individuals with elevated psychopathic traits to behave exploitatively, as they fail to learn from their mistakes. Most studies on the topic have focused on binary choices, while everyday functioning requires us to learn the value of multiple options. In this study, we evaluated the cognitive correlates of naturalistic foraging-type decision-making and their electrophysiological signatures in a community sample (n = 108) with varying degrees of psychopathic traits.

CN7:1h Alleviates Inflammation, Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Osteoarthritis by Modulating the NF-κB and mTOR Pathways.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with a complex aetiology, which includes inflammation, cellular growth dysregulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a small-molecule compound, 2-amino-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitrile (CN7:1h) in modulating these critical biochemical pathways in OA. Cellular models and rat models of OA were used to explore the impact of CN7:1h on the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathways.

The role of nutritional vitamin D in CKD-MBD in children and adults with CKD, on dialysis and after kidney transplantation - a European consensus statement.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associates with poor outcomes. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend supplementation with nutritional vitamin D as for the general population. However, recent large-scale, clinical trials in the general population failed to demonstrate a benefit of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal or non-skeletal outcomes, fueling a debate on the rationale for screening for and correcting vitamin D deficiency, both in non-CKD and CKD populations.

Association between biosecurity and zoonotic transmission of LA-MRSA CC398 from industrial pig farms to farm workers and their household members.

Background: Zoonotic transmission of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant clonal complex 398 (LA-MRSA CC398) from industrial pig farms to farm workers and their household members and secondary transmission to elderly and immunocompromised persons has led to a growing number of serious infections and even death.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that conventional pig farms confer a higher risk for LA-MRSA CC398 carriage among farm workers and their household members than specific pathogen-free (SPF) farms, which follow a set of stringent rules concerning biosecurity, health control and transportation of pigs between herds.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of farm workers and their household members from 25 Danish pig farms positive for LA-MRSA CC398.