Poor agreement among asthma specialists on the choice and timing of initiation of a biologic treatment for severe asthma patients.

Background: As the number of monoclonal antibodies available for severe asthma is growing, specialists currently choose without clear guidelines. Despite increasing knowledge on treatment response to these monoclonal antibodies, making the optimal choice for each individual patient remains a challenge. However, evidence of this daily challenge is lacking.

The moderating and mediating role of the placenta in the association between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and birth weight: A twin study.

Prenatal exposure to air pollution has been linked to lower birth weight, yet the role of the placenta in this association is often overlooked. This study investigates whether placental characteristics act as moderators or mediators in the association between prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) and birth weight in twins. The study included 3340 twins (born 2002-2013) from the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey.

The inclusion and consideration of cultural differences and health inequalities in physical activity behaviour in the UK - the impact of guidelines and initiatives.

Despite widespread attempts from governments and leading health organisations worldwide to promote equity in healthy living medicine, the evidence suggests that attempts to curb worsening public health have been almost entirely ineffective. Despite significant advancements in knowledge, medicine, and technology, as well as the promotion of guidelines and the implementation of numerous global initiatives aimed at addressing health disparities and mitigating the progression of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, substantial work remains to be undertaken particularly in addressing inequalities in physical activity. Achieving equitable access to health resources and parity in health outcomes remains a critical and unresolved challenge.

To adjust, or not to adjust, for multiple comparisons.

Questions often arise concerning when, whether and how we should adjust our interpretation of the results from multiple hypothesis tests. Strong arguments have been put forward in the epidemiological literature against any correction or adjustment for multiplicity, but regulatory requirements (particularly for pharmaceutical trials) can sometimes trump other concerns. The formal basis for adjustment is often the control of error rates, and hence the problems of multiplicity may seem rooted in a purely frequentist paradigm, though this can be a restrictive viewpoint.

Unveiling results and insights from multinational, multicenter Study of Prescribing patterns and Effectiveness of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Real-world Analysis (SPECTRA).

Objectives: Antibacterial-resistant gram-negative hospital-acquired infections result in significant morbidity and mortality. In clinical trials, ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) has been effective against these infections; however, real-world findings are limited.

Methods: SPECTRA was a global, retrospective, observational inpatient study of adults treated with C/T for ≥48 hours, conducted between 2016 and 2020.

Hidden Threat in Turbid Waters: Quantifying and Modeling the Bioaccumulation and Risks of Particulate Metals to Clams.

A major proportion of metal contaminants in aquatic environments is bound to suspended particulate matter (SPM), yet environmental monitoring typically focuses on dissolved metals, with the filtration step removing SPM. This step may inadvertently hide the potential risks posed by particulate metals. In this study, we used stable isotope tracers to quantify the contributions of SPM-bound metals to the bioaccumulation of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in Ruditapes philippinarum, a widely distributed clam crucial to global aquaculture.

Quantifying structural changes in organised biomineralized surfaces using synchrotron Polarisation-induced Contrast X-ray Fluorescence.

The quantitative characterization of the structure of biomineral surfaces is needed for guiding regenerative strategies. Current techniques are compromised by a requirement for extensive sample preparation, limited length-scales, or the inability to repeatedly measure the same surface over time and monitor structural changes. We aim to address these deficiencies by developing Calcium (Ca) K-edge Polarisation Induced Contrast X-ray Fluorescence (PIC-XRF) to quantify hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystallite structural arrangements in high and low textured surfaces.

A quantitative intracellular peptide binding assay reveals recognition determinants and context dependence of short linear motifs.

Transient protein-protein interactions play key roles in controlling dynamic cellular responses. Many examples involve globular protein domains that bind to peptide sequences known as Short Linear Motifs (SLiMs), which are enriched in intrinsically disordered regions of proteins. Here we describe a novel functional assay for measuring SLiM binding, called Systematic Intracellular Motif Binding Analysis (SIMBA).

TFII-I/GTF2I regulates globin gene expression and stress response in erythroid cells.

Transcription factor TFII-I/GTF2I is ubiquitously expressed and has been shown to play a role in the differentiation of hematopoietic cells and in the response to various cellular stressors. We previously demonstrated that TFII-I acts as a repressor of adult β-globin gene transcription and positively regulates expression of stress response proteins, including ATF3. Here we analyzed the function of TFII-I in TF-1 cells during erythroid differentiation and in response to cellular stress, including unfolded protein response, hypoxia, and oxidative stress.

Safety of ceftobiprole in patients with impaired renal, hepatic or immune function: a multinational retrospective hospital chart review (RETRACE study).

Ceftobiprole, an advanced-generation cephalosporin with broad bactericidal activity, is approved for community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia (excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia). We aimed to evaluate, in a real-world setting, the safety profile of ceftobiprole in patients with risk conditions (severe renal impairment, hepatic impairment, and immunocompromised status), groups excluded from clinical trials. In this retrospective study (NCT04170309), 396 consecutive charts of patients treated with ceftobiprole during 2016-2022 in 15 centers in France, Italy, and Spain were analyzed: 62 had severe renal impairment, 51 had hepatic impairment, 120 were immunocompromised, and 203 had no predefined risk condition (controls).

Describing the landscape of nutrition- and diet-related randomized controlled trials: meta-research study of protocols published between 2012 and 2022.

Background: Publishing protocols promotes transparency and reproducibility. The scope and methods of protocols for nutrition- and diet-related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been investigated yet.

Objective: Map the landscape of nutrition- and diet-related interventions research.

Neurobiology, Molecular Pathways, and Environmental Influences in Antisocial Traits and Personality Disorders.

Personality disorders (PDs) are psychiatric conditions characterized by enduring patterns of cognition, emotion, and behaviour that deviate significantly from cultural norms, causing distress or impairment. The aetiology of PDs is complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic studies estimate the heritability of PDs at 30% to 60%, implicating genes involved in neurotransmitter regulation, such as those for serotonin transporters and dopamine receptors.

Lung cancer screening program quality indicators - review & recommendations - An International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Delphi process study.

Introduction: Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose-computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality in high-risk individuals. Evaluating and monitoring LCS programs are important to ensure and improve quality, efficiency and participant outcomes. There is no agreement on LCS quality indicators (QIs).

Global impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on pneumococcal meningitis in all ages: the PSERENADE project.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) introduced in childhood national immunization programs lowered vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but replacement with non-vaccine-types persisted throughout the PCV10/13 follow-up period. We assessed PCV10/13 impact on pneumococcal meningitis incidence globally.

Methods: The number of cases with serotyped pneumococci detected in cerebrospinal fluid and population denominators were obtained from surveillance sites globally.

Benefits of Duplex Ultrasound Surveillance of infra-inguinal bypass grafts and institutional costs of graft failure: a retrospective single-centre study.

Objective: The Achilles' heel of infrainguinal bypass grafts (IIBG) is restenosis. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) surveillance is commonly undertaken to identify restenosis allowing intervention for graft salvage. We report the impact of DUS surveillance on patient outcomes alongside healthcare-associated costs.

Prediction of atrial fibrillation after a stroke event: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) after stroke is a key component of secondary prevention, but indiscriminate prolonged cardiac monitoring is costly and burdensome. Multivariable prediction models could be used to inform patient selection.

Objective: To determine the performance of available models for predicting AF after a stroke.

Evaluating the benefits and challenges of using patient preferences as a tool for clinical decision making in oncology MDT meetings within the National Health Service (NHS): A qualitative study.

Introduction: Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) oncology meetings foster collaboration among healthcare practitioners to determine the most appropriate course of action for cancer patient care. Defining what is 'best' for a patient is complex, involving clinical guidelines, patient needs, evidence-based practices, and available treatment options. Patient participation offers unique insights into cultural and psycho-social preferences, shifting away from the paternalistic health care model.

The association of loneliness and social isolation with multimorbidity over 14 years in older adults in England: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Previous longitudinal studies have linked multimorbidity to loneliness (feeling alienated) and social isolation (having reduced social contact). However, the nature of these associations over time is unclear.

Objective: To examine bidirectional associations of multimorbidity with loneliness and social isolation over a 14-year follow-up in a nationally representative cohort of adults aged ≥ 50 years.

A robust and generalized framework in diabetes classification across heterogeneous environments.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a major global health challenge, affecting a diverse range of demographic populations across all age groups. It has particular implications for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The contemporary prevalence of sedentary lifestyle patterns and suboptimal dietary practices has substantially contributed to the escalating incidence of this metabolic disorder.