Efficacy and safety of triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for the management of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Retatrutide is a novel triple hormone receptor agonist which has shown great promise in tackling obesity in preliminary trials. We did this systematic review and meta-analysis to pool the results of all available trials and ascertain its safety and efficacy in the treatment of obesity.

Material And Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central and Embase using appropriate search terms and randomized control trials (RCTs) were identified which reported the safety and efficacy of retatrutide.

Inflammatory Potential of the Diet and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Association between dietary factors and the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been studied extensively. However, identification of deleterious dietary patterns merits further study.

Aim: To investigate the risk of developing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) according to the inflammatory score of the diet (ISD) in the multinational European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

Proteomic profiling of the large-vessel vasculitis spectrum identifies shared signatures of innate immune activation and stromal remodelling.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), can result in serious morbidity. Understanding the molecular basis of LVV should aid in developing better biomarkers and treatments.

Methods: Plasma proteomic profiling of 184 proteins was performed in two cohorts.

Atmospheric Deposition of Microplastics in South Central Appalachia in the United States.

Due to the increased prevalence of plastic pollution globally, atmospheric deposition of microplastics (MPs) is a significant issue that needs to be better understood to identify potential consequences for human health. This study is the first to quantify and characterize atmospheric MP deposition in the Eastern United States. Passive sampling was conducted at two locations within the Eastern United States, specifically in remote South Central Appalachia, from March to September 2023.

Medusa's gaze: Cell traces and fibrils but no collagen in permineralized Jurassic ichthyosaur bone.

Bone is formed by specialized cells whose activity allows bone to grow, change shape, and repair itself. Its composite structure of collagen fibrils and bioapatite nanocrystals gives bone exceptional mechanical strength. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show in fossil ichthyosaurs, 150 to 200 million years old, from the Jurassic of France and the UK, abundant and direct evidence of cellular activity on the fossilized forming, resting, and resorbing surfaces of bone trabeculae, as well as bone fibrils, Sharpey fibers, and cartilage fibers.

Ectopic Thyrotropin-Secreting Tumor in the Nasopharynx Causing Central Hyperthyroidism.

We report a 31-year-old man with diarrhea and tachycardia. Diagnostic workup confirmed raised free thyroid hormones with unsuppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Laboratory assay and medication interference were excluded.

Unraveling the landscape of pediatric pancreatic tumors: Insights from Japan.

Pediatric pancreatic tumors, though rare, pose significant diagnostic and management challenges. The recent, 22-year nationwide survey on pediatric pancreatic tumors in Japan by Makita offers valuable insights into this uncommon entity, revealing striking geographical variations and questioning current treatment paradigms. This editorial commentary analyzes the study's key findings, including the predominance of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms and their younger age of onset, which contrast sharply with Western data.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy in People With Diabetes Mellitus in Six Countries: A Multicenter Observational Study From 1996 to 2022.

To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CNO) and to examine for differences between participants with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Multicenter observational study in eight diabetic foot clinics in six countries between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2022. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were obtained from the medical records.

Ethnic Differences in Atrial Fibrillation in the United Kingdom.

Background: Within the United States, White individuals experience a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) while exhibiting a lower AF-related stroke risk compared to other ethnic groups. It is possible that these observations stem from phenomena unique to the United States, such as differential health care access. The United Kingdom provides socialized medicine, which ostensibly promotes equitable health care access.

Healthy Plant-Based Diet, Genetic Predisposition, and the Risk of Incident Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Plant-based dietary patterns are becoming increasingly popular due to environmental and health impacts, yet there are few studies exploring the relationship between plant-based dietary patterns and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in different genetic backgrounds.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate how plant-based dietary pattern and genetic susceptibility independently or jointly affect VTE and its subtypes of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

Methods: A total of 183,510 participants who were White British ethnicity background and free of VTE at baseline in the UK Biobank were recruited, in consideration that the selection of genetic variants for VTE was based on results of White European individuals.

Effect of chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries on cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has significantly advanced the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS), particularly in elderly patients who often have coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD). Chronic total occlusion (CTO), a severe form of CAD, may negatively impact outcomes in TAVR patients, though data are limited. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of CTO on TAVR outcomes.

Strong Association Between HIV Incidence and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Zambia and South Africa: Prospective Data From the HPTN 071 (PopART) Trial.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) is an important cofactor for HIV acquisition and transmission. Associations between the infections are reexamined in longitudinal data from an HIV prevention trial.

Methods: The HPTN 071 (PopART) trial evaluated a combination prevention intervention in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South Africa.

Sex differences in atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the Kerala-AF registry.

Background: Much data informing sex differences in atrial fibrillation (AF) comes from Western cohorts. In this analysis, we describe sex differences in Kerala, India, using the Kerala-AF registry-the largest AF registry from the Indian subcontinent.

Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years were recruited from 53 hospitals across Kerala.

Management of patients following implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy-The importance of a multifaceted approach.

Background: The most effective way to treat patients following a first ICD therapy is unclear. We hypothesised that following first ICD therapy, combining different treatment strategies would be associated with a reduction in the risk of subsequent therapy compared to single strategies alone.

Methods: Data was collected from consecutive patients undergoing ICD implantation at King's College Hospital between January 2009 and December 2019.

Functional soft palate reconstruction.

Background: The excision of oropharyngeal carcinoma of more than 50% of the soft palate followed by static reconstruction may result in functional deficits, including velopharyngeal insufficiency, swallowing, and speech difficulties. We describe a functional soft palate reconstruction technique aimed at restoring aeromechanical and acoustic functions, enabling swallowing without nasal regurgitation and speech with low nasalance.

Material And Methods: We developed a new operative technique, using muscle transfer and a free flap to create a dynamic reconstruction.

Nitrogen Enriched Tröger's Base Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity for Heterogeneous Catalysis.

Heterogeneous catalysis is significantly enhanced by the use of highly porous polymers with specific functionalities, such as basic groups, which accelerate reaction rates. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) provide a unique platform for catalytic reactions owing to their high surface areas and customizable pore structures. We herein report a series of Tröger's base polymers (TB-PIMs) with enhanced basicity, achieved through the incorporation of nitrogen-containing groups into their repeat units, such as triazine and triphenylamine.

Critical care services in Bagmati province of Nepal: A cross sectional survey.

Background: This study aimed to assess the current status of critical care services in 13 districts of Bagmati Province in Nepal, with a focus on access, infrastructure, human resources, and intensive care unit (ICU) services.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers employed in 87 hospitals having medical/surgical ICUs across Bagmati Province. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face and telephone interviews.

Digital solutions for migrant and refugee health: a framework for analysis and action.

Digital technologies can help support the health of migrants and refugees and facilitate research on their health issues. However, ethical concerns include security and confidentiality of information; informed consent; how to engage migrants in designing, implementing and researching digital tools; inequitable access to mobile devices and the internet; and access to health services for early intervention and follow-up. Digital technical solutions do not necessarily overcome problems that are political, social, or economic.

'The Stegosaurus Appearance' on ultrasound to assist in identifying the correct spinal level for primary lumbar spinal surgery.

Lumbar spinal surgery relies on palpation of anatomical landmarks and X-ray imaging confirmation to identify the correct spinal level, therefore exposing patients and staff to radiation, and increasing intraoperative time and cost. Ultrasound (US) assistance is being used to visualise spinal anatomy by many specialities, such as neurology and anaesthetics, and can be used intraoperatively in selected spinal surgery cases. However, its potential use to check spinal levels prior to surgery remains understudied.

Quantifying West Nile virus circulation in the avian host population in Northern Italy.

West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most threatening mosquito-borne pathogens in Italy where hundreds of human cases were recorded during the last decade. Here, we estimated the WNV incidence in the avian population in the Emilia-Romagna region through a modelling framework which enabled us to eventually assess the fraction of birds that present anti-WNV antibodies at the end of each epidemiological season. We fitted an SIR model to ornithological data, consisting of 18,989 specimens belonging to Corvidae species collected between 2013 and 2022: every year from May to November birds are captured or shot and tested for WNV genome presence.

Multi-modal integration of MRI and global chamber charge density mapping for the evaluation of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent clinical arrhythmia, posing significant mortality and morbidity challenges. Outcomes of current catheter ablation treatment strategies are suboptimal, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. A major obstacle lies in the inability to comprehensively assess both structural and functional remodelling in AF.

Non-random mating behaviour between diverging littoral and pelagic three-spined sticklebacks in an invasive population from Upper Lake Constance.

Adaptive divergence and increased genetic differentiation among populations can lead to reproductive isolation. In Lake Constance, Germany, a population of invasive three-spined stickleback () is currently diverging into littoral and pelagic ecotypes, which both nest in the littoral zone. We hypothesized that assortative mating behaviour contributes to reproductive isolation between these ecotypes and performed a behavioural experiment in which females could choose between two nest-guarding males.

Towards carbon neutrality: mapping mass retrofit opportunities in Cambridge, UK.

This study proposes a methodology and a proof of concept to target and prioritize mass retrofitting of residential buildings in the UK using open building datasets that combine fabric energy efficiency and fuel poverty to meet the net-zero targets. The methodological framework uses a series of multi-variate statistical and geospatial methods that consider urban, socio-economic and physical attributes. In addition, thermal imaging is implemented to provide insights at the building scale.

Morphological change in an isolated population of red squirrels () in Britain.

The mechanical properties of dietary items are known to influence skull morphology, either through evolution or by phenotypic plasticity. Here, we investigated the impact of supplementary feeding of peanuts on the morphology of red squirrels () from five populations in Britain (North Scotland, Borders, Jersey and two temporally distinct populations from Formby (Merseyside)). Stable isotope analysis confirmed dietary ecology in 58 specimens.