Altered diversity and composition of gut microbiota in Korean children with food allergy.

Background: This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the gut microbiome and identify individual and grouped gut microbes associated with food allergy (FA) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Methods: Fecal samples were collected from children with IgE-mediated FA and from sex- and age-matched controls. The V3-V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene of the gut microbiome were profiled using next-generation sequencing (Illumina, USA).

Oral SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Risk for Long Covid.

SARS-CoV-2 is an oral pathogen that infects and replicates in mucosal and salivary epithelial cells, contributing to oral post-acute sequelae COVID-19 (PASC) and other oral and non-oral pathologies. While pre-existing inflammatory oral diseases provides a conducive environment for the virus, acute infection and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 can also results in oral microbiome dysbiosis that further worsens poor oral mucosal health. Indeed, oral PASC includes periodontal diseases, dysgeusia, xerostomia, pharyngitis, oral keratoses, and pulpitis suggesting significant bacterial contributions to SARS-CoV-2 and oral tissue tropism.

Impact of intrarenal arterial lesions on prognosis of IgA nephropathy: insights from a retrospective cohort study.

Background: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) presents a challenging spectrum of outcomes, often complicated by intrarenal arterial/arteriolar lesions (IALs) in affected individuals. Despite their clinical relevance, existing criteria for classifying and assessing the severity of these lesions remain undefined. This study aimed to establish semi-quantitative assessment criteria for grading IALs and to evaluate their prognostic significance in patients with IgAN.

Test-Retest Reliability of Mismatch Negativity and Late Discriminative Negativity Response in Children With Listening Difficulties.

The aim of the study was to determine the test-retest reliability of MMN and LDN recorded to simple speech contrasts in children with listening difficulties. MMN and LDN responses were recorded from Fz and Cz electrodes for a /da/-/ga/ contrast twice within a 10-day period. To extract MMN and LDN, auditory-evoked responses to /ga/ stimuli presented alone were subtracted from the responses to /ga/ presented within an oddball sequence.

Ability and utility of the Physician Well-Being Index to identify distress among Chinese physicians.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of mental stress among physicians, reliable screening tools are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the capability of the Physician Well-Being Index (PWBI) in identifying distress and adverse consequences among Chinese physicians.

Methods: This cross-sectional online survey recruited 2803 physicians from Southern Mainland China snowball sampling between October and December 2020.

Early-pregnancy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and maternal post-pregnancy weight trajectory.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate associations of early-pregnancy plasma per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with maternal post-pregnancy weight trajectory parameters.

Methods: We studied 1106 Project Viva participants with measures of early-pregnancy plasma concentrations of eight PFAS. We measured weight at in-person visits at 6 months and 3, 7, and 12 years after pregnancy and collected self-reported weight via annual questionnaires up to 17 years after pregnancy.

A review in analytical progress for house dust mite allergens.

House dust mite (HDM) allergens are one of the most important causes of allergenic diseases in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined risk thresholds for Group I HDM allergens as a concentration of 2 and 10 μg/mL in dust for producing asthma risk and polar asthma attacks, respectively. Continuing exposure to high concentrations of HDM allergens greatly increases the risk of developing allergic diseases.

Advancing Metastatic Spine Tumor Research: A Review of AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor's Scientific Contributions Derived From the EPOSO Network, 2014-2024.

Study DesignNarrative Review.ObjectivesTo summarize the work of the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor, specifically studies from the Epidemiology, Process and Outcomes in Spine Oncology (EPOSO) study.MethodsA narrative review of all published manuscripts from the EPOSO study was undertaken.

Pruritus in atopic dermatitis: a cross-sectional study of adult patients from a tertiary university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Chronic pruritus is the defining symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although AD is common in Latin America, there is little data regarding pruritus intensity, characteristics, and effects on quality of life in this population.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate pruritus in 91 patients with AD at a tertiary university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

European cancer mortality predictions for the year 2025 with focus on breast cancer.

Background: We predicted the number of cancer deaths and rates for 2025 in the European Union (EU), its five most populous countries, and the UK, focusing on breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: We derived population data and death certificates for all cancers and major sites for the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK since 1970, from the World Health Organization and United Nations databases. Estimates for 2025 were computed by linear regression on recent trends identified through Poisson joinpoint regression, considering the slope of the most recent trend segment.

Effect of optimal lesion preparation prior to implantation of a magnesium-based bioresorbable scaffold: 12-month results of the OPTIMIS study.

Background: Lumen reduction after bioresorbable scaffold implantation has been reported. This study aimed to assess the influence of pre-dilatation with a scoring balloon versus a standard non-compliant balloon prior to implanting a magnesium-based Magmaris bioresorbable scaffold (MgBRS) on lumen measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and on clinical outcomes after 12 months.

Method: In the OPTIMIS-study (Optimal lesion preparation before implantation of a MgBRS in patients with coronary artery stenosis), patients were randomly assigned to pre-dilatation with a scoring balloon or a standard non-compliant balloon before MgBRS implantation.

T-cell Engagers in Prostate Cancer.

Owing to the "cold" tumor immune microenvironment of prostate cancer, immune-targeting agents have shown limited efficacy in patients with advanced prostate cancer, highlighting the need for new therapies with novel mechanisms of action. In this context, T-cell engagers (TCEs), which induce T-cell-mediated killing of cancer cells by binding the CD3 receptor on T cells and a specific tumor antigen expressed on malignant cells, represent a promising therapeutic option. Multiple studies have explored the use of TCEs in previously treated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and several ongoing trials are currently assessing novel TCEs either as single agents or in combinatorial regimens with molecules with a distinct mechanism of action (eg, androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and other immune-targeting agents).

The links between soil and water pollution and cardiovascular disease.

Soil and water pollution represent significant threats to global health, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Healthy soils underpin terrestrial ecosystems, supporting food production, biodiversity, water retention, and carbon sequestration. However, soil degradation jeopardizes the health of 3.

Non-invasive Lobular Neoplasia: Review and Updates.

Non-invasive lobular neoplasia (LN) encompasses atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), classic lobular carcinoma in situ (CLCIS), florid lobular carcinoma in situ (FLCIS), and pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS). Lobular neoplasia is a neoplastic epithelial proliferation of the terminal duct lobular unit. A defining feature is discohesion due to the loss of E-cadherin, a protein that facilitates cell-to-cell adhesion.

The analgesic effects of novel fascial plane blocks compared with intrathecal morphine after Caesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intrathecal morphine is the mainstay for post-Caesarean multimodal analgesia but is associated with important side-effects. Novel ultrasound-guided abdominal wall fascial plane blocks are proposed as intrathecal morphine alternatives, but evidence of effectiveness is conflicting. We compared the analgesic effects of fascial plane blocks with those of intrathecal morphine after Caesarean delivery.

Racial and ethnic disparities in the perceived neighborhood walking environment and self-reported sleep health: A nationally representative sample of the United States.

Objectives: To identify associations between perceived neighborhood walkability and sleep across racial and ethnic groups of US adults.

Methods: Data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (N=27,521) were used to assess self-reported measures of walkability (pedestrian access, accessible amenities, unsafe walking conditions) and sleep (short and long duration; frequency of waking up unrested, trouble falling and staying asleep, sleep medication use). Stratified by racial and ethnic group, we calculated the age-adjusted prevalence of neighborhood walkability features and sleep measures and estimated prevalence ratios assessing associations between neighborhood walkability and sleep while adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates.

Omega-3 index improves upon the pooled cohort equation in predicting risk for CVD.

Background: Accurate predictive tools are crucial for identifying patients at increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) is commonly used to predict 10-year risk for ASCVD, but its accuracy remains imperfect.

Objective: This study examined the extent to which the omega-3 index (O3I; the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid+docosahexaenoic acid in erythrocyte membranes) improved the predictive capability of PCE.

Diversity equity and inclusions in an academic surgery department: Exploring the present and building a future.

Introduction: The University of Washington Department of Surgery (DoS) Diversity Council created a survey to understand our socio-demographics, identify gaps regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and support efforts prioritizing DEI.

Methods: An anonymous, voluntary online survey was administered over 5 weeks to DoS members. Quantitative and qualitative analysis were performed using SurveyMonkey and Dedoose, respectively.

Comparative Assessment of Real-Time and Offline Short-Lag Spatial Coherence Imaging of Ultrasound Breast Masses.

Objective: To perform the first known investigation of differences between real-time and offline B-mode and short-lag spatial coherence (SLSC) images when evaluating fluid or solid content in 60 hypoechoic breast masses.

Methods: Real-time and retrospective (i.e.

Twists, turns and jumps: T6SS evolution within species.

The type VI secretion system mediates interbacterial antagonism between Gram-negative bacteria through delivery of toxic effector proteins. A recent comprehensive genomic analysis by Habich et al. reveals interesting features of the evolution of T6SSs and their corresponding effectors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, raising questions about functional specialization of the system.

A practical review of iron deficiency in pregnancy.

Iron deficiency is a highly prevalent nutritional deficiency and the most common cause of anemia worldwide. Pregnant individuals are particularly susceptible due to increased demands to support expanding maternal blood volume and fetal growth. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity, including preterm birth, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and low birth weight.

Navigating nitrogen sustainability with microbiome-associated phenotypes.

Crop microbiomes promote plant health through various mechanisms, including nutrient provisioning. However, agriculture neglected the importance of these microbiome-associated phenotypes (MAPs) in conventional management approaches originating from the Green Revolution. Green Revolution innovations, such as nitrogen fertilizers and high-yielding germplasm, supported an increase in global crop yields.