Best Practice Guidelines for Collecting Microbiome Samples in Research Studies.

Microbiome research has the potential to provide valuable information regarding the complex relationship between microbial communities and the human body. To help facilitate the translation of this potentially revolutionary research to clinical medicine, common guidelines and best practices are necessary. These guidelines should be based on the key findings of recent research in the field and address the primary areas of discrepancy in the previously published literature.

Application of thrombopoietic agents in cancer therapy-induced thrombocytopenia: A comprehensive review.

Cancer therapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CT-IT) is one of the most common hematological toxicities of anti-cancer therapy, often leading to treatment dose reduced, postponed, or treatment plans altered or even discontinued. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the only key regulatory factor in platelet production, and TPO receptor is considered an ideal target for the treatment of thrombocytopenia. Thrombopoietic agents, including recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) and thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), bind to different regions of the TPO receptor, activating downstream signaling pathways to increase platelet levels.

Microproteins: emerging roles as antibiotics.

Recent advances in computational prediction and experimental techniques have detected previously unknown microproteins, particularly in the human microbiome. These small proteins, produced by diverse microbial species, are emerging as promising candidates for new antibiotics.

Ultrasound-assessed thigh fat thickness is valid for estimating body fat percentage in Division I collegiate female athletes.

Objectives: Monitoring body composition can help to optimize performance in female athletes. This study aimed to create a conversion equation between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured body fat percentage and ultrasound-measured subcutaneous thigh fat thickness in Division I female athletes as a more accessible, cost-effective alternative.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

TP53 gene status can promote sensitivity and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and small molecule signal transduction inhibitors.

TP53 is normally a tumor suppressor. However, it is mutated in at least 50% of human cancers. Usually, we assume that mutation of the TP53 is associated with loss of sensitivity to various drugs as in most cases wild type (WT) TP53 activity is lost.

N-Acetylcysteine and Liver Transplant. Advantages of its Administration in Multi-Organ Donors Especially During World-Economical-Crisis. Long-Term Sub-Group Analysis in a Randomized Study.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is the main indication for the treatment of end-stage liver disease but have to face organ shortages. Using marginal donors is an option to increase the donor pool. Previous studies showed that the graft procured using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) provides a longer survival compared to perfusion with standard solutions, especially in marginal liver donors.

Syndecan-1 in the Serum of Deceased Kidney Donors as a Potential Biomarker of Kidney Function.

Background: The process of kidney transplantation remains the optimal treatment for end-stage renal disease, offering improved quality of life and increased survival rates compared to long-term dialysis. However, despite advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression regimens, and post-operative care, there are still significant challenges in predicting the organ's status and long-term outcomes of transplantation. Among the many factors that influence graft survival, the quality of the donated organ plays a fundamental role.

Efficacy of Toothpaste Containing Polylysine and Funme Peptide on Oral Microbiome and Oral Health.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the toothpaste containing ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) and funme peptide (FP) as key components on oral microbial composition and oral health.

Methods: An oral microbiome study was initially carried out to analyze the variation in the oral microbiota before and after use of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) toothpaste. Subsequently, a clinical trial was independently performed to assess the efficacy of AMP toothpaste by measuring the dental plaque index (PLI), volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) levels, modified bleeding index (mBI), and bleeding on probing rate (BOP%).

Predictive performance of ROX index and its variations for NIV failure.

Objective: To determine whether the ROX index and its variations can predict the risk of intubation in ICU patients receiving NIV ventilation using large public ICU databases.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Patient data was extracted from both the AmsterdamUMCdb and the MIMIC-IV ICU databases, which contained data related to 20,109 and 50,920 unique patients.

Gastric Ultrasound in the Management of Emergency Department Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Series and Sonographic Technique.

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common condition in the emergency department (ED) with high incidence and mortality.

Objectives: Very early risk stratification of GIB patients can sometimes be a challenge. The decision to intubate these patients is multifactorial and requires careful consideration.

Ultrasound-guided thoracic nerve blocks for emergency department patients with rib fractures: A review.

Background: Rib fractures are frequently diagnosed and treated in the emergency department (ED). Thoracic trauma has serious morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults, with complications including pulmonary contusions, hemorrhage, pneumonia, or death. Bedside ED-performed ultrasound-guided anesthesia is gaining in popularity, and early and adequate pain control has shown improved patient outcomes with rare complications.

Association of a healthy lifestyle index with anthropometric indices and obesity in Hong Kong Chinese women: Evidence from the MECH-HK cohort study.

Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations of a healthy lifestyle index (HLI) with several anthropometric indices and obesity among Hong Kong Chinese women.

Subjects/methods: A total of 3174 women (56.16 ± 8.

The influence of serum uric acid on coronary atherosclerosis plaque phenotypes by computed tomography angiography: The missing link?

Background And Aims: The interaction of serum uric acid (SUA) with atherogenesis is incompletely understood. Aim of our study was to investigate the association of SUA levels with coronary plaque composition including high-risk-plaque (HRP) features by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and for the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Methods And Results: 1242 patients (age 66.

Independent effect of body fat content on inflammatory biomarkers in children and adolescents: The GENOBOX study.

Background And Aims: To assess the relationship between body composition indicators and inflammatory biomarkers in children and adolescents of the GENOBOX study.

Methods And Results: Anthropometry data from 264 subjects from the subsample of Zaragoza (Spain) included: weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index and triponderal index. Body composition was determined by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), obtaining visceral adipose tissue, fat mass index and lean mass index.

Adiponectin removal by the human kidney: A preliminary study.

Background And Aims: The adipocyte-derived adiponectin (APN) has potent insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties. The adipose tissue is known to be the main source for APN in the circulation, but sites and mechanisms which remove APN from blood are still unknown in humans.

Methods And Results: We reviewed APN data obtained in previous studies in which the inter-organ exchange of amino acids and cytokines was measured in our laboratory.

Male androgenetic alopecia.

Male androgenetic alopecia (MAA) is quite common and worsens with age, with a significant impact on quality of life, and is increasingly a reason for consultation with a dermatologist. The etiopathogenesis of MAA is multifactorial and genetic and hormonal influences stand out. MAA starts with the process of follicular miniaturization in diverse phenotypic patterns.