Oxyntomodulin physiology and its therapeutic development in obesity and associated complications.

Incretins, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), have advanced the treatment landscape of obesity to a new pinnacle. As opposed to singular incretin effects, oxyntomodulin (OXM) activates glucagon receptors (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP1R), demonstrating a more dynamic range of effects that are more likely to align with evolving 'health gains' goals in obesity care. Here, we will review the molecular insights from their inception to recent developments and challenges.

A cross-sectional study of recent patterns of psychotropic medication use in children and adolescents in Ireland.

Background: There has been a global rise in prescribing of psychotropic medications. Variations in patterns of use, according to age, gender and drug class type, have also been reported.

Aim: This study aimed to analyse patterns of psychotropic medication use in Ireland according to age group, gender and drug class type, to determine if variations exist, and identify specific nuances to be addressed in future research.

Endometriosis specific vaginal microbiota links to urine and serum N-glycome.

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease, which results in endometrial-type tissue growing outside the uterus, and affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. Its aetiology is poorly understood, and there is currently no long-term cure. Development and persistence of the disease depend on several coexisting factors including the vaginal microbiome.

Impact of COVID-19 on referrals to paediatric liaison psychiatry at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin as the pandemic moved to endemic status.

Background: Rates of acute mental health presentations in youth were increasing pre-pandemic internationally. Longitudinal studies following COVID-19 attest to ongoing deterioration in youth mental health, recognising adverse unintended consequences following public health restrictions.

Aims: To examine whether the initial post-COVID-19 increase in mental health presentations persisted following the reclassification of COVID-19 to endemic status, accompanied by the removal of most restrictions.

The effects of dairy on the gut microbiome and symptoms in gastrointestinal disease cohorts: a systematic review.

Bovine dairy foods provide several essential nutrients. Fermented bovine dairy foods contain additional compounds, increasing their potential to benefit gastrointestinal health. This review explores the effects of dairy consumption on the gut microbiome and symptoms in gastrointestinal disease cohorts.

Cell-specific models reveal conformation-specific RAF inhibitor combinations that synergistically inhibit ERK signaling in pancreatic cancer cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant challenges for targeted clinical interventions due to prevalent KRAS mutations, rendering PDAC resistant to RAF and MEK inhibitors (RAFi and MEKi). In addition, responses to targeted therapies vary between patients. Here, we explored the differential sensitivities of PDAC cell lines to RAFi and MEKi and developed an isogenic pair comprising the most sensitive and resistant PDAC cells.

Prevalence of thiamine deficiency in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Thiamine is an essential vitamin that plays a crucial role in many biochemical processes in the body. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one potential cause of a state of deficiency which can result in grave medical sequelae. There is limited available evidence of the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in patients who suffer from AN.

Updated joint ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guidelines for management of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents (2023).

Background: Evolving epidemiological data and increasing antibiotic resistance mandate an update of the European and North American Societies of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition guidelines.

Methods: Certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated by experts according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. PICO (patient population, intervention, comparator, and outcome) questions were developed and voted on by the group.

An unusual case of nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Alport syndrome is a genetically heterogenous disorder resulting from variants in genes coding for alpha-3/4/5 chains of Collagen IV, which results in defective basement membranes in the kidney, cochlea and eye. The syndrome has different inheritance patterns and historically, was thought of as a disease affecting solely males.

Case: A 15-year-old female presented with pedal oedema, hypertension and proteinuria.

Estimating fetal weight in gastroschisis: A 10 year audit of outcomes at the National Maternity Hospital.

Objective: To identify whether conventional methods of estimating fetal growth (Hadlock's formula), which relies heavily on abdominal circumference measurements, are accurate in fetuses with gastroschisis.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed between the period January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2021 in a tertiary referral maternity hospital identifying all pregnancies with a diagnosis of gastroschisis. Projected fetal weight was obtained using the formula (EFW [Hadlock's formula] + 185 g × [X/7]) where X was the number of days to delivery.