Typing of feces-derived Candida albicans strains using a novel seven-locus microsatellite panel reveals associations with yeast phenotype in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory diseases of the human gastrointestinal tract are affected by the microbes that reside in the mucosal surfaces. Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have altered bacterial and fungal intestinal compositions, including higher levels of fecal Candida yeasts. Ongoing research indicates that genetic and phenotypic diversity of Candida albicans may be linked with disease severity.

Cyclophosphamide is not associated with clinically relevant late pulmonary dysfunction in Dutch survivors of childhood cancer - the DCCSS-LATER 2 PULM sub-study.

Background: Treatment for childhood cancer may increase the risk of long-term pulmonary complications and dysfunction. Pulmonary surveillance is recommended after established pulmonary toxic exposures, including bleomycin, busulfan, carmustine (BCNU), lomustine (CCNU), radiotherapy to a field exposing the lungs, and pulmonary surgery. However, the role of cyclophosphamide as a pulmonary toxic agent is debated.

Hypoxia Inducible Factor-dependent upregulation of Agrp in glomus type I cells of the carotid body.

Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) is a well-established potent orexigenic peptide primarily expressed in hypothalamic neurons. Nevertheless, the expression and functional significance of extrahypothalamic AgRP remain poorly understood. In this study, utilizing histological and molecular biology techniques, we have identified a significant expression of Agrp mRNA and AgRP peptide production in glomus type I cells within the mouse carotid body (CB).

Increased Prevalence of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Cancer Survivors: A Retrospective Matched Cross-sectional Study with Coronary CT Angiography.

Background: Cancer and cancer treatment may accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. With the improved prognosis of cancer survivors, cardiovascular events are increasing in this patient group. However, it is unknown whether the prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis is increased in patients with a history of cancer.

GERMLINE PATHOGENIC VARIANTS IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA AND EXTRA-PANCREATIC MALIGNANCIES: A NATIONWIDE DATABASE ANALYSIS.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease. About 10% of affected individuals have an inherited component. Deleterious germline variants increase the lifetime risk for PDAC and are often associated with an elevated risk for extra-pancreatic malignancies.

From responsibility to responsibilization in stem cell research: An ethical framework.

Adopting a responsibilization approach can further improve the ethical conduct of stem cell (SC) research and applications. This approach helps align new and existing solutions for ethical implications by focusing on equipping SC researchers with the knowledge, skills, and organizational arrangements to take (co-)responsibility for the socio-ethical implications of their research.

Gut microbiome and immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity.

Background: Multiple studies have suggested that gut microbiome may influence immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy, but its association with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is less well studied. In this prospective cohort study, we assessed whether gut microbiome composition at start, or changes during ICI, are associated with severe irAEs.

Methods: Stool samples of cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 ± anti-CTLA-4 were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic shotgun sequencing.

Factors correlating work engagement among Palestinian emergency nurses during Gaza war in the West Bank.

Purpose: Work engagement among emergency nurses is a critical issue that adversely affects the quality of patient care and productivity. Psychological reactions (e.g.

Integrin-activating protein Invasin sustains long-term expansion of primary epithelial cells as 2D organoid sheets.

Matrigel/BME, a basement membrane-like preparation, supports long-term growth of epithelial 3D organoids from adult stem cells [T. Sato , , 262-265 (2009); T. Sato , , 1762-1772 (2011)].

Predicting the risk of intensive care unit admission in patients with COVID-19 presenting in the emergency room: Development and evaluation of the CROSS score.

Background: Existing risk evaluation tools underperform in predicting intensive care unit (ICU) admission for patients with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to develop and evaluate an accurate and calculator-free clinical tool for predicting ICU admission at emergency room (ER) presentation.

Methods: Data from patients with COVID-19 in a nationwide German cohort (March 2020-January 2023) were analyzed.

Stabilizing bicontinuous particle-stabilized emulsions formed solvent transfer-induced phase separation.

Bicontinuous particle-stabilized emulsions (bijels) are unique soft materials that combine the bulk properties of two immiscible fluids into a single interconnected structure. This structure is achieved through the formation of two interwoven fluid networks, stabilized by an interfacial layer of colloidal particles. Bijels with submicron-scale domain networks can be synthesized solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STrIPS).

Investigating the ROS Formation and Particle Behavior of Food-Grade Titanium Dioxide (E171) in the TIM-1 Dynamic Gastrointestinal Digestion Model.

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) is widely used in food, feed, and pharmaceuticals for its opacifying and coloring properties. This study investigates the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the aggregation behavior of E171 using the TNO Gastrointestinal (GI) model, which simulates the stomach and small intestine. E171 was characterized using multiple techniques, including electron spin resonance spectroscopy, single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering.

Performance of the accelerated assessment of the European Medicines Agency.

Aims: In Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has an accelerated pathway to prioritize approval of medicines. Approved drugs are then assessed by Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies before being made available to patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of the drugs admitted to the EMA accelerated assessment (AA) and scrutinize the downstream HTA procedures regarding these medicines and the final assessment regarding added therapeutic value (ATV).

Positive associations between mean ambient temperature and involuntary admissions to psychiatric facilities.

Background: Temperature increases in the context of climate change affect numerous mental health outcomes. One such relevant outcome is involuntary admissions as these often relate to severe (life)threatening psychiatric conditions. Due to a shortage of studies into this topic, relationships between mean ambient temperature and involuntary admissions have remained largely elusive.

Recommendations For Mobilization and Manipulation Treatment and Screening for Vascular Complications in Clinical Practice Guidelines for Neck Pain: A Systematic Review.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine the methodological quality of international clinical practice guidelines and the clinical credibility and implementability of recommendations regarding manipulation or mobilization treatment recommendations proposed in clinical practice guidelines for the management of people with neck pain. A secondary aim of this review was to provide an overview of recommendations for manipulation or mobilization in patients with neck pain. Manipulation or mobilization treatment of patients with neck pain is under debate for its potential risk of serious adverse events.

Post-intrathecal chemotherapy-related paraplegia syndrome in hematological cancer patients: A systematic review.

Background: Intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy is essential in treating hematological malignancies, but it can lead to ascending paraplegia, a condition that currently lacks clear management guidelines.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review, analyzing 1219 studies and 116 patients, adhering to PRISMA guidelines for individual patient data. The study, registered under PROSPERO (CRD42022362121), focused on the onset, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic interventions associated with this complication, and management strategies to tackle the ascending paraplegia.

Conservative Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Screening in Children: Re-Evaluation of Safety.

Introduction: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disease and screening to detect pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) is important to prevent complications. In adults, transthoracic contrast echocardiogram (TTCE) is used to screen PAVMs. In children, a conservative screening method seems to be sufficient to rule out major PAVMs and prevent them from PAVM-related complications.

Intervention strategies to prevent mental health problems and improve resilience in employed parents from conception until the child is 5 years of age: a scoping review.

Aim: To understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to the effectiveness of intervention strategies targeting working pregnant women, and their partners, for the prevention of mental health problems (depression, anxiety) and improving resilience, from conception until the child is 5 years of age.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted searching Pubmed (including Medline), Embase, Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were based on population (employed parents), context (from -9 months to 5 years postpartum) and concept (mental health problems, resilience and prevention/ preventative interventions).

The BAMBOO method for correcting batch effects in high throughput proximity extension assays for proteomic studies.

The proximity extension assay (PEA) enables large-scale proteomic investigations across numerous proteins and samples. However, discrepancies between measurements, known as batch-effects, potentially skew downstream statistical analyses and increase the risks of false discoveries. While implementing bridging controls (BCs) on each plate has been proposed to mitigate these effects, a clear method for utilizing this strategy remains elusive.

Duration of antibiotic therapy in the intensive care unit: factors influencing decision-making during multidisciplinary meetings.

Objectives: In the intensive care unit (ICU), antibiotics are often given longer than recommended in guidelines. A better understanding of the factors influencing antibiotic therapy duration is needed to develop improvement strategies to effectively address these drivers of excessive duration. This study aimed to explore the determinants of adherence to recommended antibiotic therapy durations among healthcare professionals involved in antibiotic decision-making within the ICU, focusing on multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs).