Child Maltreatment and Medical Traumatic Stress-A Double-Edged Sword.

Background/objectives: Medical procedures can be a traumatic event for both children and their parents. Children who have experienced maltreatment or early traumatic experiences are at a higher risk for various emotional, behavioral, and health issues, including declining mental health. This may include experiencing heightened distress following medical procedures.

Acupuncture and Kinesitherapy Improve Physical Activity More than Kinesitherapy Alone in Patients with Acute Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction Who Are Already on Optimal Drug Therapy: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Study.

: It is unknown how early exercise therapy combined with acupuncture (AP) affects the speed of recovery in patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who are hospitalized due to worsening HF. : A prospective, sham-procedure-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial with three patient groups was conducted. The study included patients with HFrEF who were hospitalized for worsening HF.

County-Level Food Insecurity and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Food insecurity (FI) is associated with several known hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk factors, but few studies have directly examined FI in association with HCC risk. We aimed to investigate whether county-level FI is associated with HCC risk. We used data from 21 registries in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database to obtain county-level counts of HCC cases from 2018 to 2021.

Using a Safe System Framework to Examine the Roadway Mortality Increase Pre-COVID-19 and in the COVID-19 Era in New York State.

Roadway mortality increased during COVID-19, reversing a multi-decade downward trend. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) was used to examine contributing factors pre-COVID-19 and in the COVID-19 era using the five pillars of the Safe System framework: (1) road users; (2) vehicles; (3) roadways; (4) speed; and (5) post-crash care. Two study time periods were matched to control for seasonality differences pre-COVID-19 ( = 1725, 1 April 2018-31 December 2019) and in the COVID-19 era ( = 2010, 1 April 2020-31 December 2021) with a three-month buffer period between the two time frames excluded.

Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Produced from Ophthalmic Surgeries: A Scoping Review.

(1) Background: Healthcare is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially within the surgical suite. Ophthalmologists play a role, since they frequently perform high-volume procedures, such as cataract surgery. This review aims to summarize the current literature on surgical waste and GHG emissions in ophthalmology and proposes a framework to standardize future studies.

The Safety Profile of Inclisiran in Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Inclisiran is a novel drug that employs ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference to lower the levels of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) protein. It has demonstrated a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels compared to a placebo. We aim to comprehensively evaluate the safety of using Inclisiran in patients with dyslipidemia and ASCVD or an ASCVD risk equivalent.

Differentiation of Early Sacroiliitis Using Machine-Learning- Supported Texture Analysis.

We wished to compare the diagnostic performance of texture analysis (TA) against that of a visual qualitative assessment in identifying early sacroiliitis (nr-axSpA). A total of 92 participants were retrospectively included at our university hospital institution, comprising 30 controls and 62 patients with axSpA, including 32 with nr-axSpA and 30 with r-axSpA, who underwent MR examination of the sacroiliac joints. MRI at 3T of the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joint was performed using oblique T1-weighted (W), fluid-sensitive, fat-saturated (Fs) T2WI images.

Natremia Significantly Influences the Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

: Fluctuations in sodium levels (SLs) may increase mortality, severity, and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in critically ill patients. We aim to study the effect of SL on various clinical outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). : This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients with severe TBI from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023, inclusive.

Ensuring Africa's Food Security by 2050: The Role of Population Growth, Climate-Resilient Strategies, and Putative Pathways to Resilience.

Africa is grappling with severe food security challenges driven by population growth, climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, and socio-economic factors such as poverty and inequality. Climate variability and extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, are intensifying food insecurity by reducing agricultural productivity, water availability, and livelihoods. This study examines the projected threats to food security in Africa, focusing on changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and the frequency of extreme weather events.

Novel Development and Sensory Evaluation of Extruded Snacks from Unripe Banana (Musa ABB cv. Kluai 'Namwa') and Rice Flour Enriched with Antioxidant-Rich Microcapsules.

With the growing consumer demand for natural functional ingredients that promote health and well-being while preventing age-related diseases, this study aimed to develop extruded snacks enriched with (turmeric) microcapsules, recognized for their significant antioxidant properties. Unripe banana flour (Musa ABB cv. Kluai 'Namwa') and rice () flour were employed as a gluten-free base to create this novel extruded snack.

Relationship between muscle activation and sagittal knee joint biomechanics in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common conditions affecting the knee joint, yet its pathomechanics remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in muscle activation and gait patterns and to analyze the relationship between muscle activation and kinetic gait patterns in patients with PFPS.

Methods: This study included 31 patients with PFPS and 28 healthy volunteers without any symptoms.

Thyroid disrupting chemicals during pregnancy: an invitation to collaborate in the consortium on thyroid and pregnancy.

This is an invitation letter for the principal investigators and cohort studies to join the Consortium on Thyroid and Pregnancy. The inclusion criteria are population-based cohorts with data on maternal thyroid function during pregnancy and any measurement of known groups of endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Surgery impairs glymphatic activity and cognitive function in aged mice.

Delirium is a common complication in elderly surgical patients and is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Although advanced age is a major risk factor, the mechanisms underlying postoperative delirium remain poorly understood. The glymphatic system, a brain-wide network of perivascular pathways, facilitates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and supports the clearance of metabolic waste.

Antibiotic exposure is associated with minimal gut microbiome perturbations in healthy term infants.

Background: The evolving infant gut microbiome influences host immune development and later health outcomes. Early antibiotic exposure could impact microbiome development and contribute to poor outcomes. Here, we use a prospective longitudinal birth cohort of n = 323 healthy term African American children to determine the association between antibiotic exposure and the gut microbiome through shotgun metagenomics sequencing as well as bile acid profiles through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A longitudinal blended learning curriculum for bedside ultrasound education in pulmonary and critical care fellowship.

Background: There exists no standardized longitudinal curriculum for teaching bedside ultrasonography (US) in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) fellowship programs. Given the importance of mastering bedside US in clinical practice, we developed an integrated year-long US curriculum for first-year PCCM fellows.

Methods: 11 first-year PCCM fellows completed the entire seven-step Blended Learning Curriculum.

Development, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative clinical trial operations training program for Africa (ClinOps).

Background: Africa's involvement in clinical trials remains very low. Although the crucial role of training initiatives in building clinical trial capacity in Africa has been documented, current efforts fall short as they lack alignment with local contexts. This study aimed to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative clinical trial operations training program for Africa.

Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: The National Expanded Program on Immunization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo implemented a program in 9 Provinces to generate georeferenced immunization microplans to strengthen the planning and implementation of vaccination services. The intervention aimed to improve identification and immunization of zero-dose children and overall immunization coverage.

Methods: This study applies a mixed-methods design including survey tools, in-depth interviews and direct observation to document the uptake, use, and acceptance of the immunization microplans developed with geospatial data in two intervention provinces and one control province from February to June 2023.

Trait mindfulness in early pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcomes: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Mindfulness centered therapy has been shown to improve perinatal mental health outcomes. There is emerging evidence that mindfulness training (MT) can also be harnessed to improve somatic outcomes. Yet, little is known about which perinatal populations might benefit the most from mindfulness training interventions.

COVID-19 associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication whose association with COVID-19 is controversial. Understanding this connection is essential due to its significant impact on patient outcomes, and timely diagnosis and intervention are critical in managing this condition effectively.

Areas Covered: This paper presents a case of TTP triggered by COVID-19 infection in a 48-year-old female.

Elevated Fecal Lipocalin-2 Levels During Early Life Are Associated with Maternal Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis.

Background: Fecal lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a biomarker of neutrophil activation, which is elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, its dynamic changes during pregnancy and early life are largely unknown. We characterized LCN2 levels by maternal IBD diagnosis, offspring feeding behavior, and gut microbiota composition.

Methods: In the prospective MECONIUM (Exploring Mechanisms of Disease Transmission In Utero through the Microbiome) study, we analyzed 559 fecal samples from 91 pregnant women with IBD, 78 healthy controls, and their 147 offspring for LCN2 levels at each trimester of pregnancy and multiple time points during early life using linear mixed-effects model and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Mortality and ocular parameters and diseases.

Background: To assess associations between mortality and major ocular parameters and diseases.

Methods: The population-based Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS) and Ural Very Old Study (UVOS) included 5899 individuals (age: 40+ years) and 1526 individuals (age: 85+ years), respectively. Cause-specific mortality was determined using the government regional information and analytical system.

Functional genomics pipeline identifies CRL4 inhibition for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Background: The goal of precision oncology is to find effective therapeutics for every patient. Through the inclusion of emerging therapeutics in a high-throughput drug screening platform, our functional genomics pipeline inverts the common paradigm to identify patient populations that are likely to benefit from novel therapeutic strategies.

Approach: Utilizing drug screening data across a panel of 46 cancer cell lines from 11 tumor lineages, we identified an ovarian cancer-specific sensitivity to the first-in-class CRL4 inhibitors KH-4-43 and 33-11.

Development of a checklist for cognitive assessment requirements (CARE) based on a Delphi consensus study.

Situational factors can influence cognitive performance and should be considered for conducting cognitive assessments. The objective of this project was to develop a checklist for Cognitive Assessment Requirements (CARE) to identify these situational factors before conducting cognitive assessments and account for them. This study employed a four-round Delphi approach involving 22 experts to identify situational factors that can impact cognitive assessment results.

Elevated uric acid levels, mortality and cognitive impairment in children with severe malaria.

We investigated the role of uric acid in the pathogenesis of severe malaria (SM) in two independent cohorts of children with SM. Hyperuricemia (blood uric acid ≥ 7 mg dl) was present in 25% of children with SM and was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and postdischarge mortality in both cohorts. Increased blood uric acid levels were also associated with worse scores in overall cognition in children with SM < 5 years old in both cohorts.