Association between Exclusive Breastfeeding and the Incidence of Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between breastfeeding and the risk of developing nephrotic syndrome using a population-based nationwide birth cohort in Korea. STUDY DESIGN: This nationwide cohort study utilized data from the Korean National Health Information Database and the Korean National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. The study included all children born between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2018, who underwent their first health screening, which included a specific questionnaire on breastfeeding between 4 and 6 months of age. Associations between nephrotic syndrome and exclusive breastfeeding were estimated using adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) derived from Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for sociodemographic variables, with follow-up until the occurrence of nephrotic syndrome, eight years post-index date, death, or December 31, 2022, whichever was first. RESULTS: The study population comprised 1,787,774 children (median follow-up: 7.96 years; IQR: 6.31-8.00 years), including 612,556 exclusively breastfed and 1,175,218 formula-fed children. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a decreased risk of developing nephrotic syndrome (aHR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.69 - 0.93). Subgroup analysis stratified by sex mirrored the overall findings, although statistical significance was not observed in girls (boys: aHR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.92; girls: aHR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.70 - 1.09). Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. CONCLUSION: Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 20% reduced risk of developing nephrotic syndrome up to 8 years of age.

Assessing the Predictive Validity of Early Post-injury CAPS-5 for Later Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis.

Abstract.Objective: The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) is a widely recognized tool with exceptional reliability and validity in evaluating and diagnosing PTSD. This study aimed to determine the predictive values of CAPS-5 assessed early postinjury for subsequent development of PTSD during a 2-year follow-up period.Methods: Patients with moderate to severe physical injuries were recruited from a trauma center at a university hospital in South Korea between June 2015 and January 2021. At baseline, 1,142 patients underwent evaluations using CAPS-5 for the diagnosis of acute stress disorder (ASD) along with total scores. They were followed up for PTSD using the CAPS-5 evaluations at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-baseline. Area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) analyses were conducted to identify predictive values of the CAPS-5 for later PTSD development.Results: CAPS-5 diagnosis of ASD at baseline displayed fair to failed performance (AUROCs: 0.555-0.722) for predicting follow-up PTSD. However, CAPS-5 scores of ≥15 exhibited good to fair predictive accuracy (AUROCs: 0.767-0.854) for later PTSD development. Notably, for patients with intentional injuries or a history of previous trauma, a higher CAPS-5 score of ≥16 showed improved predictive accuracy.Conclusion: A CAPS-5 score of ≥15 would be an effective and practical cutoff for early prediction of PTSD following physical injuries. In cases of intentional injuries or a documented trauma history, a cutoff of ≥16 may offer enhanced predictive precision. Future research in diverse settings and populations is needed to confirm the generalizability of our findings.

Interaction Effect of Childhood Abuse History and Suicidality on 12-Month Antidepressant Response in Patients With Depressive Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the individual and interactive effects of childhood abuse and suicidal ideation on antidepressant treatment response in 12 months. METHODS: In this prospective research, 1,262 depressive patients were asked about their childhood abuse history, suicidal ideation, and other clinical characteristics and socio-demographic features at baseline, and 1,015 of them were followed during 1 year of stepwise pharmacotherapy. The individual and interactive relationships of the childhood abuse history and suicidal ideation on 12-month antidepressant non-remission were explored by logistic regression with relevant covariates. RESULTS: Having a childhood abuse history and higher suicidal ideation significantly predicted a non-remission state in 12 months respectively. The interaction term of childhood abuse and suicidal ideation was also significantly related to a non-remission state at 12 months. To be specific, in the low suicidal ideation group, depressive patients with a childhood abuse history were more likely to be in a non-remission state after 12 months of medication. In the high suicidal ideation group, however, childhood abuse history was not significantly associated with the non-remission state at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The childhood abuse history and the level of suicidal ideation are informative factors predicting the long-term results of antidepressant treatment, especially when they are combined. Clinicians may consider antidepressants with a higher affinity for patients with childhood abuse history even if they don't have suicidal ideation. The cognitive intervention for suicidal ideation might be helpful in addition to pharmacological treatment.

Unveiling the structural influence of nematic mesogens on customizable temperature and spectral responses.

Rapid and accurate detection and visualization of temperature variations near the human body hold significant importance. This study presents thermochromic colloids capable of adjusting the detectable temperature range and reflection wavelength over a wide spectrum. The systematic investigation focuses on understanding the influence of the molecular structure of nematic mesogens on the morphological dynamics of cholesteric liquid crystal droplets and their associated thermochromic behaviors. A tunable colorimetric temperature range (i.e., from 10 to 40 °C) and high sensitivity (i.e., Δλ ΔT-1 > 100nm °C-1) are realized through precise modulation of the alkyl chain lengths in cyanobiphenyls molecules, combined with a cholesteryl oleyl carbonate as a chiral dopant. We demonstrate the efficiency of a binary mixture of different mesogens, enabling customized structural colors with desired temperature responses. Finally, inspired by the ability of the octopus to camouflage through the elongation or contraction of its pigment cells, thermochromic droplets are embedded within a polymer matrix, resulting in a portable skin patch that offers quick, reversible, and direct temperature visualization of the human body.

The inhibitory effect of chlorogenic acid on oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by PM2.5 in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) can cause oxidative damage and apoptosis in the human skin. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a bioactive polyphenolic compound with antioxidant, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The objective of this study was to identify the ameliorating impact of CGA that might protect human HaCaT cells against PM2.5. CGA significantly scavenged the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by PM2.5, attenuated oxidative cellular/organelle damage, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and suppressed cytochrome c release into the cytosol. The application of CGA led to a reduction in the expression levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein, caspase-9, and caspase-3, while simultaneously increasing the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2. In addition, CGA was able to reverse the decrease in cell viability caused by PM2.5 via the inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). This effect was further confirmed by the use of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, which acted upstream of ERK. In conclusion, CGA protected keratinocytes from mitochondrial damage and apoptosis via ameliorating PM2.5-induced oxidative stress and ERK activation.

Common protein networks for various drug regimens of major depression are associated with complement and immunity.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) can present a variety of clinical presentations and has high inter-individual heterogeneity. Multiple studies have suggested various subtype models related to symptoms, etiology, sex, and treatment response. Employing different regimens is common when treating MDD, and identifying effective therapeutics requires time. Frequent treatment attempts and failures can lead to a diagnosis of treatment resistance, and the heterogeneity of treatment responses among individuals makes it difficult to understand and interpret the biological mechanisms underlying MDD. AIM: This study explored the differentially expressed proteins and commonly altered protein networks across drug treatments by comparing the serum proteomes of patients with MDD treated with drug regimens (T-MDD, n = 20) and untreated patients (NT-MDD, n = 20). METHODS: Differentially expressed proteins were profiled in non-drug-treated and drug-treated patients with depression using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The common protein networks affected by different medications were studied. RESULTS: Of the proteins profiled, 12 were significantly differentially expressed between the T-MDD and NT-MDD groups. Commonly altered proteins and networks of various drug treatments for depression were related to the complement system and immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide information on common biological changes across different pharmacological treatments employed for depression and provide an alternative perspective for improving our understanding of the biological mechanisms of drug response in MDD with great heterogeneity in the background of the disease.

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in children with kidney disease: real-world data.

BACKGROUND: Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, has shown results in slowing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and reducing proteinuria in adult patients with chronic kidney disease. This retrospective study examines dapagliflozin's effects in 22 children with kidney disease and proteinuria. METHODS: Children with a median age of 15.6 years were treated with dapagliflozin for > 3 months between July 2022 and December 2023. All children had been treated with either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker for at least 1 month before starting dapagliflozin. RESULTS: The most common kidney disease diagnoses in this study included Alport syndrome (n = 7) and medication-resistant nephrotic syndrome or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 7). After 6.1 months of treatment, dapagliflozin treatment did not result in significant changes in eGFR or proteinuria. However, at the latest follow-up, a statistically significant decrease in eGFR was noted (65.5 compared to the baseline 71.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.003). Proteinuria remained stable between baseline and the last follow-up (final spot urine protein/creatinine ratio (uPCR) 0.7 vs. baseline uPCR 0.6 mg/mg, P = 0.489). In the subgroup analysis of children treated for > 8 months, the eGFR decline post-treatment changed from - 0.5 to - 0.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 per month (P = 0.634). Only two children discontinued dapagliflozin due to suspected adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin has not been associated with serious side effects. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in children with kidney disease.

Decreased incidence of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis in young children.

AIM: Peritonitis is the most common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to investigate changes in the incidence, risk factors, microbiology, and clinical outcomes of PD-associated peritonitis in the past decades. METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included children who initiated chronic PD at our institution between 2000 and 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to the year of initiation: those who initiated PD between 2000 and 2008 and those who initiated PD between 2009 and 2017. The incidence and characteristics of peritonitis were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 184 patients with a median age of 10.2 years were included in this study. Of the patients, 92 experienced 210 episodes of peritonitis. The incidence rate of peritonitis decreased from 0.35 to 0.21 episodes/patient year during the study period (P = 0.001). During the 2000-2008 period, the 2-year peritonitis-free survival rate was significantly lower for patients under 2 years of age than for the other age groups (P = 0.004), whereas this was not observed during the 2009-2017 period. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard model showed that the <2 years age group had a significantly higher risk of developing peritonitis in the 2000-2008 period. However, this was not evident in the 2009-2017 period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PD-associated peritonitis decreased, particularly in children under 2 years of age. Thus, younger age may not be a risk factor for PD-associated peritonitis.

Ravulizumab in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: An Analysis of 2-Year Efficacy and Safety Outcomes in 2 Phase 3 Trials.

Rationale & Objective: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) caused by complement dysregulation. Ravulizumab is a C5i approved for the treatment of aHUS. This analysis assessed long-term outcomes of ravulizumab in adults and pediatric patients with aHUS. Study Design: This analysis reports 2-year data from 2 phase 3, single-arm studies. Setting & Participants: One study included C5i-naïve adults (NCT02949128), and the other included 2 cohorts of pediatric patients (C5i-naïve and those who switched to ravulizumab from eculizumab [pediatric switch patients]; NCT03131219). Exposure: Patients received intravenous ravulizumab every 4-8 weeks, with the dose depending on body weight. Outcomes: The primary endpoint in the studies of C5i-naïve patients was complete TMA response, which consisted of platelet count normalization, lactate dehydrogenase normalization, and ≥25% improvement in serum creatinine concentrations from baseline, at 2 consecutive assessments ≥4 weeks apart. Analytical Approach: All analyses used descriptive statistics. No formal statistical comparisons were performed. Results: In total, 86 and 92 patients were included in efficacy and safety analyses, respectively. Complete TMA response rates over 2 years were 61% and 90% in C5i-naïve adults and pediatric patients, respectively. The median increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline was maintained over 2 years in C5i-naïve adults (35 mL/min/1.73 m2) and pediatric patients (82.5 mL/min/1.73 m2). Most adverse events and serious adverse events occurred during the first 26 weeks. No meningococcal infections were reported. Improvement in the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue score achieved by 26 weeks was maintained over 2 years. Limitations: Limitations were the small sample of pediatric switch patients and limited availability of genetic data. Conclusions: Long-term treatment with ravulizumab is well tolerated and associated with improved hematologic and renal parameters and quality of life in adults and pediatric patients with aHUS.

This research tested a drug called ravulizumab for the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). aHUS is a rare disease that causes clots in tiny blood vessels. This can damage the kidneys and other organs. We analyzed data from 2 clinical trials in which children and adults with aHUS received ravulizumab through a tube placed in a vein (intravenous line). They received ravulizumab every 4-8 weeks depending on their weight. We found that treating patients for 2 years with ravulizumab was associated with improved blood health, kidney function, and quality of life and was well tolerated. These results support ravulizumab as a long-term treatment for people with aHUS.

Detection of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease from foot-pressure sensing insoles using a temporal convolutional neural network.

Backgrounds: Freezing of gait (FoG) is a common and debilitating symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that can lead to falls and reduced quality of life. Wearable sensors have been used to detect FoG, but current methods have limitations in accuracy and practicality. In this paper, we aimed to develop a deep learning model using pressure sensor data from wearable insoles to accurately detect FoG in PD patients. Methods: We recruited 14 PD patients and collected data from multiple trials of a standardized walking test using the Pedar insole system. We proposed temporal convolutional neural network (TCNN) and applied rigorous data filtering and selective participant inclusion criteria to ensure the integrity of the dataset. We mapped the sensor data to a structured matrix and normalized it for input into our TCNN. We used a train-test split to evaluate the performance of the model. Results: We found that TCNN model achieved the highest accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score for FoG detection compared to other models. The TCNN model also showed good performance in detecting FoG episodes, even in various types of sensor noise situations. Conclusions: We demonstrated the potential of using wearable pressure sensors and machine learning models for FoG detection in PD patients. The TCNN model showed promising results and could be used in future studies to develop a real-time FoG detection system to improve PD patients' safety and quality of life. Additionally, our noise impact analysis identifies critical sensor locations, suggesting potential for reducing sensor numbers.

Evaluating the Frequency of Mole Checks by a Dermatologist and Correlated Variables in a Global Survey across 17 Countries: HELIOS Project.

Secondary prevention of skin cancer consists in early detection of malignant lesions through patients' mole self-examination and medical examination. The objective of this study was to assess the self-reported  frequency of mole examination in a large, representative sample of the adult general population of 17 countries from all continents. Of a total of 17,001 participants, 4.8% had their moles checked by a dermatologist more than once a year, 11.3% once a year, 8.4% every 2-3 years, 12.4% once in a while, 10.3% once in lifetime, and 52.6% of participants had never performed a mole examination. Egypt was the country with the highest prevalence of people who performed a moles check more than once a year (15.9%), followed by Brazil and the USA. A higher frequency of mole checks was associated with sex (man vs woman), higher education, higher income, fair phototype, history of skin cancer, medical insurance, and sun-protective behaviours. Despite recommendations by health providers, it appears that the frequency of mole checks in the general population is still low. It is necessary for dermatologists to keep informing at-risk populations about the importance of moles check, with particular care regarding categories that less frequently adhere to secondary prevention measures.

Surgical Results with Low-Grade Arteriovenous Malformations : A Single Center 14-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Advancements in AVM surgical techniques for cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) underscore its efficacy. Our research aims to showcase the positive outcomes of treating low-grade AVMs surgically, focusing on safety and effectiveness. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients (36 males and 19 females; average age 37.4 years) with Spetzler-Martin (S-M) grade 1 and 2 AVMs who underwent surgical resection between January 2009 and December 2022. RESULTS: In our study, 55 patients with S-M grade 1 and 2 AVMs underwent surgical resection, evenly divided between grades 1 (50.9%) and 2 (49.1%). Intracranial hemorrhage was the primary symptom in 74.5% of cases. Pre-operative Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores revealed 69.1% of patients scored above 13, with 18% below 8. Successful resection was achieved in 87.3%. Postoperatively, 95.5% of ruptured and 90.9% of unruptured AVM patients showed lower or same modified Rankin scale scores. Poorer outcomes were significantly linked to lower GCS scores and intranidal/flow-related aneurysms through multivariate logistic regression. Postoperative seizures noted in nine patients, were exclusive to the ruptured AVM group. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate surgical resection as a beneficial treatment for low-grade AVMs, yielding high cure rates and positive functional outcomes in both ruptured and unruptured cases. Preoperative GCS scores and the presence of associated aneurysms are predictive of postoperative functional status. Additionally, managing postoperative seizures effectively is key to enhancing prognosis.

Insurance Types and All-Cause Mortality in Korean Cancer Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Economic deprivation is expected to influence cancer mortality due to its impact on screening and treatment options, as well as healthy lifestyle. However, the relationship between insurance type, premiums, and mortality rates remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between insurance type and mortality in patients with newly diagnosed cancer using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database. METHODS: this retrospective cohort study included 111,941 cancer patients diagnosed between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008, with a median follow-up period of 13.41 years. The insurance types were categorized as regional and workplace subscribers and income-based insurance premiums were divided into tertiles (T1, T2, and T3). RESULTS: Cox proportional hazards regression analysis adjusted for age, lifestyle factors, health metrics, and comorbidities showed workplace subscribers (n = 76,944) had a lower all-cause mortality hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.940 [0.919-0.961]) compared to regional subscribers (n = 34,997). Higher income tertiles (T2, T3) were associated with lower mortality compared to the T1 group, notably in male regional and workplace subscribers, and female regional subscribers. CONCLUSION: The study identified that insurance types and premiums significantly influence mortality in cancer patients, highlighting the necessity for individualized insurance policies for cancer patients.

Serum cortisol and neuroticism for post-traumatic stress disorder over 2 years in patients with physical injuries.

AIM: This study aimed to explore the relationships between serum cortisol levels, personality traits, and the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) over 2 years among individuals with physical injuries. METHODS: Participants were consecutively recruited from a trauma center and followed prospectively for 2 years. At baseline, serum cortisol levels were measured, and personality traits were categorized into five dimensions (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness), using the Big Five Inventory-10. The diagnosis of PTSD during follow-up (at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-injury) was determined using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the interactions between cortisol levels, personality traits, and PTSD development. RESULTS: Among 923 patients analyzed, 112 (12.1%) were diagnosed with PTSD at some point during the study period, with prevalence rates decreasing from 8.8% at 3 months to 3.7% at 24 months post-injury. Direct associations between cortisol levels or personality traits and PTSD were not observed. However, a significant interaction between lower cortisol levels and higher Neuroticism in relation to PTSD risk was identified, especially during the early follow-up periods (3 to 6 months), but this association waned from the 12-month follow-up onward. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal Neuroticism-dependent associations between serum cortisol levels and PTSD development, exhibiting temporal variations. These results suggest that PTSD development may be influenced by a complex, time-sensitive interplay of biological and psychosocial factors, underscoring the importance of considering individual differences in stress reactivity and personality in PTSD research and treatment.

Burosumab treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemia patients: interim analysis of the SUNFLOWER longitudinal, observational cohort study.

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a genetic disease that results in excessive FGF23, chronic hypophosphatemia, and musculoskeletal abnormalities, with affected patients experiencing symptoms such as bone pain, bone deformity, fracture, and pseudofracture. Burosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to FGF23, improving lowered serum 1,25(OH)2D and phosphate levels in patients with XLH. There are insufficient data on the use of burosumab, its safety, and the outcomes of treated patients in a real-world setting. The SUNFLOWER (Study of longitUdinal observatioN For patients with X-Linked hypOphosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia in collaboration With Asian partnERs) study is an ongoing longitudinal, observational cohort study of patients with XLH in Japan and South Korea. Enrollment occurred between April 2018 and December 2020. This interim analysis compared the background characteristics of patients who received burosumab with those who did not, and assessed improvements in biomarkers, physical and motor function, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and other patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, as well as the safety of burosumab treatment in 143 Japanese patients from 15 institutions over 6 mo. The patients had a median [interquartile range] age of 17.5 [11.0, 38.8] yr and 98 (68.5%) were female. Among patients aged <18 and ≥18 yr, 40/73 (54.8%) and 25/70 (35.7%) received burosumab, respectively. More patients aged ≥18 who received burosumab had bone pain at baseline vs those not treated with burosumab (6/25, 24.0% vs 2/45, 4.4%, p=.021). Patients treated with burosumab had improved serum phosphate and 1,25(OH)2D levels; moreover, rickets severity and HRQOL/PRO measures, such as pain, appeared to improve over 6 mo of burosumab treatment, and no new safety concerns were identified. This study identified trends in the background characteristics of patients with XLH who receive burosumab in real-world clinical practice. Furthermore, the results support the use of burosumab therapy in real-world settings.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Molecular Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Isolates from Food Animals During 2010-2021 in South Korea.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Salmonella is emerging as a worldwide public health concern. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of ESBL-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). We obtained a total of 995 S. Typhimurium isolates from the feces and carcasses of pigs (n = 678), chickens (n = 202), and cattle (n = 115) during 2010-2021 in Korea. We found that 35 S. Typhimurium isolates (3.5%) showed resistance to ceftiofur: pigs (51.4%, 18/35) and cattle (42.9%, 15/35). All of the ceftiofur-resistant S. Typhimurium isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance. Moreover, ceftiofur-resistant S. Typhimurium isolates displayed significantly higher rates of resistance to chloramphenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole than ceftiofur-susceptible S. Typhimurium isolates (p < 0.05). The ceftiofur-resistant S. Typhimurium isolates produced four different CTX-M-type ß-lactamase, comprising blaCTX-M-55 in the majority (51.4%, 18/35), followed by blaCTX-M-65 (28.6%, 10/35), blaCTX-M-14 (17.1%, 6/35), and blaCTX-M-1 (2.9%, 1/35). Among the 35 ceftiofur-resistant S. Typhimurium isolates, 16 blaCTX-M-55-positive isolates and one blaCTX-M-1-positive isolate were transferred to recipient Escherichia coli RG488 by conjugation. The predominantly found transposable units were blaCTX-M-55-orf477 (45.7%, 16/35), followed by blaCTX-M-65-IS903 (28.6%, 10/35) and blaCTX-M-14-IS903 (17.1%, 6/35). Ceftiofur-resistant S. Typhimurium represented 19 types, with types P1-19 (22.9%, 8/35) and P12-34 (22.9%, 8/35) making up the majority and being found in most farms nationwide. Sequence types (STs) were different by animal species: ST19 (48.6%, 17/35) and ST34 (42.9%, 15/35) were mostly found STs in pigs and cattle, respectively. These findings showed that food animals, especially pigs and cattle, act as reservoirs of blaCTX-M-harboring S. Typhimurium that can potentially be spread to humans.

Introduction to the Forensic Research via Omics Markers in Environmental Health Vulnerable Areas (FROM) study.

This research group (FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas­including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter­along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

Delayed effects of alcohol consumption on the association between serum BDNF levels and post-traumatic stress disorder development over two-years.

BACKGROUNDS: This study aimed to examine the individual and combined effects of serum BDNF (sBDNF) levels and alcohol consumption status, assessed shortly after a physical injury, on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over two years. METHODS: Participants were consecutively recruited from a trauma center and followed prospectively for two years. At baseline, sBDNF levels and alcohol consumption history were assessed. A range of socio-demographic and clinical covariates were also collected. PTSD diagnosis during follow-up (3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-injury) was established using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the relationships between sBDNF levels, alcohol consumption status, and PTSD onset. RESULTS: Out of 923 participants analyzed, 112 (12.1%) developed PTSD at some point during the study, with prevalence rates of 8.8% at 3 months, 7.6% at 6 months, 4.8% at 12 months, and 3.7% at 24 months. The study found no individual associations between sBDNF levels or alcohol consumption status and PTSD development. However, lower sBDNF levels significantly predicted PTSD in individuals who consumed alcohol, a relationship not observed in non-drinkers, with significant interaction terms. This pattern was consistent at later follow-up points from 12 to 24 months, but not at earlier assessments at 3 and 6 months. LIMITATIONS: The study's reliance on participants from a single trauma center with moderate to severe injuries may limit the generalizability of the findings. CONCLUSIONS: A significant interaction between sBDNF levels and alcohol consumption in relation to PTSD development was observed, particularly in the long term. These findings highlight the necessity of considering both sBDNF levels and alcohol consumption in strategies aimed at preventing PTSD among individuals with physical injuries, underscoring the need for tailored approaches based on these factors.

The Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption and Daily Lifestyle Changes During School Closures Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Adolescents in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Increased fast food consumption can have adverse effects on health and well-being among adolescents, posing a significant public health concern. The school closures due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have led to changes in eating patterns and disrupted a balance diet among adolescents. This study explored the factors associated with fast food consumption among adolescents during school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 1,710 middle and high school students in Gwangju, South Korea participated in a cross-sectional survey. The self-administered questionnaire included items assessing dietary intake, physical activity, sleep, media use, and sociodemographic information. The Patient Health Questonnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and three item version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were also administered. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with increased fast food consumption. RESULTS: Approximately 34.6% of the surveyed adolescents reported increased fast food consumption during school closures, as well as increased sleep duration, increased sedentary behaviors including watching TV and using the internet, and reduced physical activity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that fast food consumption during school closures was associated with irregular patterns of main meals and sleep, decreased physical activity, increased internet use, and a lack of daytime adult supervision. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the need for dietary and lifestyle monitoring and guidelines to promote health among adolescents, especially during school closures. In conclusion, nutrition intervention programs aiming to limit fast food consumption and enhance healthy dietary habits among adolescents during long-term school closures are warranted.

Investigation of the efficacy and safety of wild- type and triple-gene knockout pig RBC transfusions in nonhuman primates.

Introduction: Decreasing rates of blood donation and close margins between blood supply and demand pose challenges in healthcare. Genetically engineered pig red blood cells (pRBCs) have been explored as alternatives to human RBCs for transfusion, and triple-gene knockout (TKO) modification improves the compatibility of pRBCs with human blood in vitro. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and risks of transfusing wild-type (WT)- and TKO-pRBCs into nonhuman primates (NHPs). Methods: Blood from O-type WT and TKO pigs was processed to produce pRBCs for transfusion, which were transfused or not into NHPs (n=4 per group: WT, TKO, and control) after 25% total blood volume withdrawal: their biological responses were compared. Hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters were measured before, immediately after, and at intervals following transfusion. Two months later, a second transfusion was performed in three NHPs of the transfusion group. Results: Transfusion of both WT- and TKO-pRBCs significantly improved RBC counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels up to the first day post-transfusion, compared to the controls. The transfusion groups showed instant complement activation and rapid elicitation of anti-pig antibodies, as well as elevated liver enzyme and bilirubin levels post-transfusion. Despite the higher agglutination titers with WT-pRBCs in the pre-transfusion crossmatch, the differences between the WT and TKO groups were not remarkable except for less impairment of liver function in the TKO group. After the second transfusion, more pronounced adverse responses without any hematological gain were observed. Conclusions: WT- and TKO-pRBC transfusions effectively increased hematologic parameters on the first day, with rapid clearance from circulation thereafter. However, pRBC transfusion triggers strong antibody responses, limiting the benefits of the pRBC transfusion and increasing the risk of adverse reactions.