Early life adverse environmental, nutrition and infection factors are associated with lower developmental scores in Pakistani children at 5 years: a cohort study.

Background: The effects of multiple early adverse psychosocial and biological factors on child development at preschool age in deprived settings are not fully understood.

Methods: The 'Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development' (MAL-ED) project followed children from eight countries, recording sociodemographic, nutritional, illness, enteroinfection biomarkers and scores for quality of home environment (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME)), development (Bayley) and maternal depression during the first year of life. In the Pakistan cohort, we investigated associations of these early factors with Z-scores (derived from the eight participating countries) of three developmental outcomes at 5 years: Executive Functions (Z-EF), the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale for Intelligence (Z-WPPSI) and the externalising behaviours component of the Strength and Difficulties test (Z-externalising behaviours).

Effects of vitamin D and L-cysteine cosupplementation on circulating bioavailable and total 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, the free/total testosterone ratio and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy vitamin D-deficient African Americans: a placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial.

Background: Subjects with metabolic syndrome and obesity have higher levels of inflammation with depression of the vitamin D (VD) hydroxylase/metabolising genes () required to convert VD consumed in the diet into 25(OH)VD. Compared with total 25(OH)VD levels, measurement of bioavailable 25(OH)VD is a better method to determine the beneficial effect of VD.

Objective: This study investigates whether cosupplementation with VD and L-cysteine (LC), which downregulates inflammation and upregulates VD-regulating genes, provides a better therapeutic benefit than supplementation with VD-alone in African Americans (AA).

Health policy to address disease-related malnutrition: a scoping review.

Background: Health policies promote optimal care, yet policies that address disease-related malnutrition (DRM) are lacking. The purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review to identify literature on existing and planned policy to address DRM in children or adults and explore the settings, contexts and actors of DRM policy.

Methods: A search strategy comprising DRM and policy keywords was applied to eight databases on 24 February 2023.

Nutrition users' guides: systematic reviews part 1 -structured guide for methodological assessment, interpretation and application of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of non-randomised nutritional epidemiology studies.

Due to the challenges of conducting randomised controlled trials (randomised trials) of dietary interventions, evidence in nutrition often comes from non-randomised (observational) studies of nutritional exposures-called nutritional epidemiology studies. When using systematic reviews of such studies to advise patients or populations on optimal dietary habits, users of the evidence (eg, healthcare professionals such as clinicians, health service and policy workers) should first evaluate the rigour (validity) and utility (applicability) of the systematic review. Issues in making this judgement include whether the review addressed a sensible question; included an exhaustive literature search; was scrupulous in the selection of studies and the collection of data; and presented results in a useful manner.

Primary care providers' perspectives on referrals to the Diabetes Prevention Programme: a qualitative comparative study across varied referral patterns.

Introduction: Despite the effectiveness of Diabetes Prevention Programmes (DPP) in reducing diabetes risk, primary care provider (PCP) referrals remain low, especially among men and racial/ethnic minorities, exacerbating their under-representation in DPPs. Understanding PCPs' perspectives on referrals is crucial for enhancing the intervention's reach and effectiveness.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a qualitative study to explore PCPs' experiences, perspectives and engagement with DPP referrals, focusing on factors influencing variations in referral rates.

Modern perspective of the Rice Diet for hypertension and other metabolic diseases.

Background: In the early 1940s, before antihypertensive drugs were available, the Rice Diet Programme (RDP) was developed to treat severe hypertension and, later, diabetes and obesity. Despite significant advancements in dietary management for these conditions since then, debates remain regarding the proper guidelines for sodium and macronutrients intakes. The patient care records of RDP offer a unique source of longitudinal examination of a very low sodium (<10 mmol/day), fat, cholesterol and protein diet on blood pressure (BP), other health markers and survival.

Nutrition Users' Guides: RCTs Part 2 - structured guide for interpreting and applying study results from randomised controlled trials on therapy or prevention questions.

This article continues from a prior commentary on evaluating the risk of bias in randomised controlled trials addressing nutritional interventions. Having provided a synopsis of the risk of bias issues, we now address how to understand trial results, including the interpretation of best estimates of effect and the corresponding precision (eg, 95% CIs), as well as the applicability of the evidence to patients based on their unique circumstances (eg, patients' values and preferences when trading off potential desirable and undesirable health outcomes and indicators (eg, cholesterol), and the potential burden and cost of an intervention). Authors can express the estimates of effect for health outcomes and indicators in relative terms (relative risks, relative risk reductions, OR or HRs)-measures that are generally consistent across populations-and absolute terms (risk differences)-measures that are more intuitive to clinicians and patients.

Nutrition users' guides: RCTs part 1 - structured guide for assessing risk of bias in randomised controlled trials that address therapy or prevention questions.

The purpose of this article, part 1 of 2 on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), is to provide readers (eg, clinicians, patients, health service and policy decision-makers) of the nutrition literature structured guidance on interpreting RCTs. Evaluation of a given RCT involves several considerations, including the potential for risk of bias, the assessment of estimates of effect and their corresponding precision, and the applicability of the evidence to one's patient. Risk of bias refers to flaws in the design or conduct of a study that may lead to a deviation from measuring the underlying true effect of an intervention.

Associations of neighbourhood food retail with disability and death in older adults: Cardiovascular Health Study.

Background: A healthier diet is associated with lower chronic disease burden, but the impact of neighbourhood food environments on disability and death in older adults is not known.

Methods: In the Cardiovascular Health Study, a cohort study of adults aged 65+, we calculated study years until death (years of life (YOL)), study years without activities of daily living (ADL) difficulty (years of able life; YoAL) and percent of study years without ADL difficulty (compression of disability). Linear regression quantified associations of food establishments within 5 km of baseline home address (as a z-score) with each outcome, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics.

Obstacles to Early Diagnosis of Gaucher Disease.

Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder resulting from a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase caused by biallelic variants in the gene. Patients may present with a wide spectrum of disease manifestations, including hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, bone manifestations, and in the case of GD types 2 and 3, neurodegeneration, cognitive delay, and/or oculomotor abnormalities. While there is no treatment for neuronopathic GD, non-neuronopathic manifestations can be efficiently managed with enzyme replacement therapy or substrate reduction therapy.

Characterization of LTBP2 mutation causing mitral valve prolapse.

Aims: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common valvular disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with a strong genetic basis. This study aimed to identify a mutation in a family with MVP and to characterize the valve phenotype in LTBP2 knockout (KO) mice.

Methods And Results: Exome sequencing and segregation analysis were performed on a large family with MVP.

Chronic Kidney Disease Is Associated With Increased All-Cause Mortality Risk Among Older Black Adults.

Background And Objectives: Older patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk of all-cause mortality than the general population. However, there is limited information available on how CKD relates to all-cause mortality among Black adults in the United States. We aimed to investigate how CKD relates to all-cause mortality risk among older Black adults.

Microbiome and Colorectal Cancer in Humans: A Review of Recent Studies.

The tumor microenvironment has recently been well-studied in various gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The gut microbiota, a collection of microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract, is one of the microenvironments associated with colon carcinogenesis. It has been challenging to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbiota contributes to carcinogenesis and cancer progression due to complex interactions with the host, including its metabolites and immune and inflammatory responses.

Roux-en-Y Intussusception: A Case Report.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a bariatric surgical procedure commonly performed in adults to treat severe obesity. While RYGB is generally safe, it occasionally leads to rare but significant complications, including intussusception, a form of bowel obstruction caused by the invagination of an intestine segment from the proximal to the adjacent distal portion. We report a case of intussusception in a 74-year-old female patient who underwent RYGB 12 years prior.

Study Protocol for 'PsilOCD: A Pharmacological Challenge Study Evaluating the Effects of the 5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin on the Neurocognitive and Clinical Correlates of Compulsivity'.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex condition marked by persistent distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviours. Despite its prevalence, the mechanisms behind OCD remain elusive, and current treatments are limited. This protocol outlines an investigative study for individuals with OCD, exploring the potential of psilocybin to improve key components of cognition implicated in the disorder.

Ranking Magnetic Colloid Performance for Magnetic Particle Imaging and Magnetic Particle Hyperthermia.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging modality that can address longstanding technological challenges encountered with magnetic particle hyperthermia (MPH) cancer therapy. MPI is a tracer technology compatible with MPH for which magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) provide signal for MPI and heat for MPH. Identifying whether a specific MNP formulation is suitable for both modalities is essential for clinical implementation.

Assessing the Benefit of a Digital Pain Alert System in a Community Hospital.

Introduction: In the last decade, clinical alert systems were developed for clinical use, including patient deterioration and other urgent clinical situations. However, investigations focusing on digital pain alert systems to assess and manage pain on time in in-hospital patients are scarce. The objective of the study was to assess the implementation of digital pain alerts in the various departments of a community hospital.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with suspected myocarditis from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy - A real-world observational study.

Background And Aims: Cardiotoxicity from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is a challenge in clinical practice, and the assessment of ICI-related myocarditis (ICI-M) is often complicated by a variable phenotype. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is used frequently, but evidence is poor. Here, we aim to assess the role of CMR in the assessment of suspected ICI-M in a real-world clinical setting.

Clinical Hypnosis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hot Flashes: A Scoping Review.

Background: Hot flashes can be a prevalent issue for postmenopausal women, but traditional treatments such as hormone therapy can have adverse side effects. Recommended psychotherapies for managing hot flashes include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis, but an in-depth review comparing the efficacy of both treatments is warranted.

Objectives: The aim of the present scoping review was to assess the clinical significance and efficacy of symptom reduction of CBT and clinical hypnosis as treatments of hot flashes.

Pandemic Impact on Research Faculty in Academic Medicine: A Mixed Method Study.

Introduction: This mixed-method study sought to elucidate the impact of COVID-19 on the professional environments and career trajectories of midcareer research faculty in U.S. medical schools.

Presenting Your Best Self: How Physician Appearance Influences Patient Perceptions and Impacts Women in Medicine.

Introduction: Trust and rapport between patients and physicians form the cornerstone of effective medical practice. A key factor influencing this trust is the patient's perception of the physician's appearance. Women physicians often face more rigorous expectations concerning their physical appearance compared to men physicians, creating a need to balance traditional professional attire with maintaining femininity and individuality.

A database of nutritional strategies of nanoplankton genera present in North American lake surface waters.

A database of nutritional strategies of nanoplankton genera present in North American lake surface waters is presented. This work represents an integrated and updated database of nutritional strategies for nanoplankton genera commonly found in surface waters of North American lakes. We tabulate the nutritional strategies (autotroph, phago-mixotroph and phago-heterotroph) for nanoplankton genera identified during several pan-continental lake surveys: the EPA-NLA surveys conducted in 2012 and 2017 across the continental USA and the NSERC Canadian Lake Pulse survey campaign conducted from 2017 to 2019.