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Optimizing focal vibration therapy for balance and gait: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of focal (localized) vibration therapy (FVT) applied to muscles/tendons on balance, gait, and mobility, with a specific focus on defining optimal vibration protocols (frequency, amplitude, dosing) and muscle-targeting strategies to maximize sensorimotor recovery. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted across six databases (CINHAL, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL) from January 2000 to May 2025. Studies were included if they involved human participants, applied FVT therapeutically, and reported balance, gait, or mobility outcomes. Data extraction included study characteristics, intervention protocols, and outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Sixty-two studies (n = 2090 participants) were included. Methodological quality assessment (PEDro scale) indicated 44% of studies met high-quality standards. Biomechanical analysis identified the quadriceps, gastrocnemius/soleus, and plantar muscles as the most effective vibration sites, given their critical roles in gait propulsion and postural stability. The synthesis of protocol data indicated a promising therapeutic window characterized by a vibration frequency of 80-120 Hz (primarily fixed sinusoidal waveforms at a single frequency) and an amplitude of 0.2-0.5 mm (reported only in 12 studies; amplitude was not reported in 23 studies), applied bilaterally for a minimum of 3 sessions per week over 4-12 weeks, which could lead to improved balance and gait performance with benefits sustained for up to 5 months. CONCLUSION: FVT shows potential to improve gait and balance, particularly when targeting lower-extremity muscles with optimized vibration parameters. To advance the field, future research must prioritize the development of standardized protocols and investigate neurophysiological mechanisms to refine FVT as a precision bioengineering solution for mobility deficits.

Humans

Navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke recovery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a subcategory of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), used to modulate brain plasticity and improve post-stroke recovery. Neuronavigation is used to improve the accuracy of stimulation with the aim of achieving a superior clinical outcome than with conventional targeting. The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of navigated rTMS in subacute and chronic stroke patients in comparison to sham stimulation. We conducted a systematic-review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified from Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane CENTRAL. Trials employing neuronavigated rTMS were included of these five types; high and low frequency rTMS, intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation (TBS) and Hebbian-type stimulation. 13 RCTs were included after a screening of 1900 studies. 606 patients receiving either active (n = 360) or sham stimulation (n = 246) were assessed. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) favored rTMS over sham SMD = 0.4 (95 %CI: 0.11-0.69), with moderate heterogeneity I2 = 55 %. Among stimulation modalities, continuous TBS showed the largest pooled effect. rTMS was also associated with significant improvements in disability-related outcomes, SMD = 0.61 (95 % CI 0.14-1.08). Navigated rTMS is associated with modest but significant improvements in motor and disability outcomes in subacute and chronic stroke. Large comparative trials are required to clarify the potential added value over conventional targeting approaches.

Humans

Glycemic and safety outcomes of the insulin-only bionic pancreas in older adults and individuals with impaired awareness of Hypoglycemia: a post hoc analysis of a randomized pivotal trial.

AIMS: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of iLet Bionic Pancreas (BP) in older adults and individuals with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH). METHODS: This post hoc analysis used individual participant-level data from the Insulin-Only Bionic Pancreas Pivotal Trial (n = 440; NCT04200313). Eligible participants (n = 96) with type 1 diabetes, aged ≥ 60 years and/or had IAH (Clarke score ≥ 4), were randomized to BP with aspart/lispro (BP-Asp/Lis; n = 45), BP with fast-acting aspart configuration (BP-Fiasp; n = 31), or standard care (SC; n = 20) for 13 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with SC, time-in-range (70-180 mg/dL) significantly increased by 7.49 % (95 % CI: 2.61 to 12.38; ∼1.8 h/day) with BP-Asp/Lis and by 8.28 % (95 % CI: 3.15 to 13.41; ∼2.0 h/day) with BP-Fiasp, driven by reduced hyperglycemia. No significant differences were observed in hypoglycemia exposure. Severe hypoglycemia occurred in four participants (four events) on BP-Asp/Lis and one participant (two events) on SC. One diabetic ketoacidosis event occurred on BP-Fiasp due to an infusion set failure. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk, clinically vulnerable populations, the BP system significantly improved glycemic control while maintaining safety parity with respect to hypoglycemia risk, providing a resilient therapeutic alternative for vulnerable cohorts.

Humans

Surgical Outcomes after Preoperative Embolization of Primary and Secondary Pelvic Bone Tumors.

PURPOSE: To analyze the technical results and safety of preoperative embolization of pelvic bone tumors. MATERIALS & METHODS: Retrospective study analysis of a cohort of patients who underwent preoperative hypervascular, pelvic bone tumor embolization at the authors' institution between January 2008 and January 2025. Preinterventional data, including clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, procedural angiographic and surgical data, and clinical follow-up data were collected from the patients' electronic medical records. Patient follow-ups were conducted until March 2025 or until the patient's death. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (11 male patients; mean age of 42 years) underwent uneventful , preoperative embolization for primary (n=15) or metastatic (n=8) pelvic bone tumor resection. A mean of 2.3 tumor feeding arteries were preoperatively embolized with complete tumor blush disappearance in n=13 (56.5%) or near-complete tumor blush disappearance with less than 10% residual tumor blush visualized in n=10 patients (43.4%). Surgical intervention was performed with a mean of 1.7 days after embolization and was associated with a mean of 1.88 L perioperative blood loss. CONCLUSION: Preoperative pelvic tumor embolization is a safe procedure with a mean of more than two feeding arteries identified and embolized. KEY POINTS: · Preoperative embolization is a safe procedure for pelvic bone tumors.. · Angiography identified a mean of 2.3 tumor feeding arteries embolized.. · Complete preoperative angiographic tumoral devascularization was found in 56% of patients.. · Surgical intervention after preoperative tumor embolization was associated with a mean of 1.88L perioperative blood loss.. CITATION FORMAT: · Hubrechts M, Wafa H, Sinnaeve F et al. Surgical Outcomes after Preoperative Embolization of Primary and Secondary Pelvic Bone Tumors. Rofo 2026; DOI 10.1055/a-2942-7451.

Journal Article

Effects of dietary interventions on gut microbiota and related cardiometabolic changes in pediatric obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota imbalances may contribute to obesity, yet whether dietary interventions can modulate the microbiota and improve metabolic health in pediatrics has not been thoroughly reviewed. This systematic review and meta-analysis explores the impact of dietary interventions on the gut microbiota of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity, and its association with cardiometabolic improvements. METHODS: A systematic search of clinical trials in Pubmed, Cochrane and EMBASE was conducted following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO n&#xb0;CRD42024505494). Risk of bias was assessed with RoB2 and ROBINS, for randomized and non-randomized intervention studies. RESULTS: Overall, 60 articles were assessed for full-text eligibility, 8 were included, and 4 provided alpha-diversity data for meta-analysis. A total of 200 participants were included (6-16 years). Six studies implemented calorie-restricted diets, one a low free-sugar diet, and one CHILD-1 diet. The meta-analysis revealed a significant increase in Chao1 (48.76 [95%CI 1.81; 95.70]; I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;86.8%, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) following a balanced calorie-restricted dietary intervention. Although&#xa0;there was heterogeneity in taxa-level changes, several butyrate-producing genera (Clostridium XVIa, Coprococcus, Roseburia, Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Butyricimonas) increased following dietary intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Balanced dietary interventions with calorie-restriction adequate for pediatric age could increase gut microbiota richness and butyrate-producing bacteria abundance. Future trials should clarify diet-driven gut microbiota changes in childhood obesity and related metabolic changes. IMPACT: Balanced calorie restriction diet may increase gut microbiota richness in childhood obesity Butyrate-producer expansion needs long-term dietary intervention Gaps in linking microbiota-metabolism interplay in pediatric obesity.

Journal Article

Ultrasound protocols used to detect vascular gas emboli in divers: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Venous gas emboli (VGE) detected via ultrasound can be used as a surrogate marker for decompression stress. While Doppler ultrasound is the historical gold standard, two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography offers advantages for on-site monitoring, including a wider field of view and reduced dependence on noise-free environments. This systematic review evaluates 2D ultrasonography protocols used in decompression research since the 2015 International Meeting on Ultrasound for Diving Research, identifying methodological similarities, differences, and adherence to consensus recommendations. METHODS: A search of PubMed and Scopus identified studies using 2D ultrasound to detect VGE in divers. Inclusion criteria were: (1) use of 2D ultrasound, (2) detection of VGE or monitoring of decompression stress, (3) inclusion of a diver cohort, and (4) publication after 2015. Data extraction focused on VGE scoring systems, ultrasound hardware, measurement protocols, and operator experience. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I-V2, and compliance with the 2015 consensus recommendations was evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included. The Eftedal-Brubakk scale was most commonly used (n = 15), with cardiac ultrasound as the primary imaging modality; one study assessed a peripheral vessel. Common shortcomings included post-dive measurements lasting less than two hours, underreporting of operator experience and hardware specifications, limited individual-level data, and inappropriate use of parametric statistics for ordinal bubble grade data. No study fully complied with all consensus recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates that, although two-dimensional ultrasound is widely used for post-dive VGE assessment, methodological heterogeneity with multiple shortcomings remain. Furthermore, nearly all studies restricted imaging to the heart, thus leaving peripheral vessel assessment largely unexplored.

Embolism, Air

Haemodialysis Nurses' Self-Reported Cultural Competence and Responsiveness: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: People receiving in-centre haemodialysis have distinct cultural care needs and preferences, and nurses are expected to respond to these. However, haemodialysis nurses' cultural competence and responsiveness are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine nurses' cultural competence and responsiveness when caring for people with diverse cultural characteristics. DESIGN: An online cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Haemodialysis nurses from Australia and New Zealand (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;123), recruited through the Renal Society of Australasia and professional networks. MEASUREMENTS: The 25-item Cultural Competence Assessment instrument measured cultural awareness and sensitivity, and culturally responsive behaviours. Demographic characteristics were also collected. RESULTS: Of 123 complete responses, overall cultural competence was high (M&#x2009;=&#x2009;5.09, SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.76), particularly awareness and sensitivity (M&#x2009;=&#x2009;5.76, SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.53), with significantly higher scores among those who had completed cultural awareness training (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.009). In contrast, culturally responsive behaviours were moderate (M&#x2009;=&#x2009;4.53, SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.23), highlighting the gap between cultural competence and responsiveness. The lowest scoring areas were documentation of patients' cultural needs (M&#x2009;=&#x2009;3.88, SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.02) and access to cultural learning resources (M&#x2009;=&#x2009;3.02, SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.75), indicating limited supports. Qualitative findings reflected practices of culture care preservation and accommodation, with themes of cultural awareness and language differences highlighting barriers related to language and resources. CONCLUSIONS: High cultural competence does not necessarily translate into culturally responsive behaviour. Organisational supports, including guidance for documenting cultural needs, cultural assessment tools and accessible learning resources, may help strengthen culturally responsive haemodialysis care.

Humans

Leading with Innovation: Maternal Health Transformation in New York City Health + Hospitals.

New York City's (NYC) maternal health crisis drew close attention in the late 2010s, driven by alarming data: Approximately 30 women died annually during childbirth in NYC, Black non-Hispanic women were 12 times more likely to die than white women, and more than 3,000 women experienced life-threatening birth complications each year. In response, NYC committed $12.8 million in July 2018 to reduce maternal mortality and eliminate racial disparities.NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H)-the nation's largest public health system, serving 1.1 million patients annually with roughly 15,000 births per year-became the primary vehicle for this initiative. With 80 percent of the system's deliveries covered by Medicaid and a patient population that is 51.2 percent Hispanic and 27.1 percent Black, H+H is uniquely positioned to lead the fight against maternal health inequity.Three flagship programs anchor H+H's response to the city's maternal mortality rate. The OB Simulation Program, launched in 2012 and expanded in 2018, was the first in the nation to use mannequins of color to train thousands of providers in obstetric emergencies. The Maternal Home Program, piloted at H+H's Kings County Hospital in 2019 and scaled system-wide by 2021, has served more than 10,341 patients, generating more than 33,000 referrals for social, behavioral health, and community resources. The Cardio-Obstetrics Program located at Kings County Hospital targets cardiovascular disease-the leading cause of maternal death among Black women-through screening, education, and community outreach. These programs are a health equity imperative, made more urgent by impending federal Medicaid cuts resulting from the H.R.1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passed on July 4, 2025).

Humans

Percutaneous left ventricular assist device in cardiogenic shock associated with and without acute myocardial infarction: a real-world retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVAD, such as Impella), are increasingly used for cardiogenic shock (CS). Outcomes may differ between acute myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS) and non-AMI CS due to differing pathophysiology and trajectories. METHODS: Using the USA TriNetX Network (2016-2024), we identified adults with CS treated withpLVAD. AMI-CS was defined by MI within seven days of implantation; non-AMI CS included all patients with CS not attributable to acute MI, representing heterogeneous etiologies such as decompensated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, valvular failure, pulmonary vascular causes, and arrhythmic shock. Patients with recent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were excluded. Propensity matching produced two balanced cohorts (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2,026 each). RESULTS: Among 6,873 AMI-CS and 4,521 non-AMI CS patients, matched groups were similar (mean age 63&#x2009;years, 26% female). AMI-CS had higher mortality at 30&#x2009;days (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.002), 90&#x2009;days (HR 1.13, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.02), and 180&#x2009;days (HR 1.14, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.007). Heart failure (HF) exacerbations (HR 1.21, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and pulmonary edema (HR 1.23, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.005) were also more common in AMI-CS. Stroke, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, acute kidney injury, major bleeding, vascular complications, and hemodialysis were comparable. CONCLUSION: AMI-CS patients supported with pLVAD experienced higher mortality and greater HF-related morbidity than non-AMI CS.

Humans

De-escalation of radiotherapy in HPV-negative non-nasopharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Definitive and postoperative radiotherapy are central components of treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) but are associated with significant toxicities that can impair long-term function and quality of life. De-escalation strategies, aiming to reduce treatment-related morbidity while maintaining tumor control, have attracted increasing interest. However, most research has focused on HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma. Systematic evidence for HPV-negative disease remains limited. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched for prospective studies investigating radio(chemo)therapy de-escalation in HPV-negative, HPV-unspecified, or mixed non-nasopharyngeal HNSCC populations. CLINICALTRIALS: gov was searched for ongoing prospective trials. Data extraction and verification were performed independently by three investigators. RESULTS: Screening of 3156 records identified 14 published prospective studies, 10 in the definitive and four in the postoperative setting. Strategies included reduction or omission of elective nodal volumes, dose reduction, and combined approaches. Additionally, 23 ongoing prospective trials were identified. Across studies, elective nodal failure rates were consistently low (0-4.6%), with most recurrences occurring within high-dose volumes rather than de-escalated elective regions. Randomized evidence for elective nodal dose reduction is mixed: two trials maintained regional control and reduced acute toxicity, whereas another was stopped for futility. CONCLUSION: Available evidence on de-escalation in HPV-negative HNSCC is limited, derived primarily from small, heterogeneous phase II studies with mixed HPV populations. Although data are promising in selected settings, notably for elective nodal control, the randomized evidence for elective nodal dose reduction is conflicting, and further adequately designed prospective randomized trials are required.

Humans

Multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockdown of BCH gene in potato enhances beta-carotene to combat vitamin A deficiency.

The inadequate amounts of provitamin A carotenoids in crops contribute to the widespread vitamin A deficiency, leading to malnutrition and blindness in humans. Suppression of the &#x3b2;-carotene hydroxylase (BCH) increases &#x3b2;-carotene levels. In the current study, we utilized the multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 approach by designing three targets against the BCH gene in a local potato cultivar. Transformation efficiency was recorded as 15%, the successful integration of the CRISPR/Cas9-BCH multiplex construct in potatoes was confirmed through PCR. When analysed using TIDE software, Sanger sequencing revealed the highest indel efficacy of 92.1% in plant 7 and 26.6% in plant 1. qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) analysis indicated a significant 89-fold reduction in BCH transcript levels in genome-edited potato lines compared to control plants. Spectrophotometry demonstrated a notable increase in beta-carotene levels in genome-edited potato plants, ranging from 0.831&#x202f;&#xb5;g/mL FW to 4.236&#x202f;&#xb5;g/mL FW, compared to the control plant with the lowest beta-carotene concentration (0.344&#x202f;&#xb5;g/mL FW). HPLC analysis further confirmed increased beta-carotene levels in genome-edited potato plants, ranging from 0.11&#x202f;mg/mL FW to 0.36&#x202f;mg/mL FW, compared to the unmodified control plant with a minimum beta-carotene value of 0.09&#x202f;mg/mL. Our results revealed that the multiplexed CRISPR-Cas9 approach targeting the BCH gene results in enhanced beta-carotene contents in potato tubers.

Solanum tuberosum

Efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in Beh&#xe7;et syndrome: systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Given the active role of the JAK signaling pathway and the multifactorial immune mediators observed in Beh&#xe7;et syndrome (BS), JAK inhibitors (JAKi) may be promising agents. In this systematic literature review (SLR), we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JAKi in BS. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library to identify all reports on the efficacy and safety of JAKi in patients with BS. The SLR protocol was registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (CRD420251000172). We additionally presented our patient with gastrointestinal involvement treated with upadacitinib. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients (48 men, mean (SD) age 38.5 (13.5) years), 46 used tofacitinib, 31 used baricitinib, and 15 used upadacitinib. All but 1 patient had used at least one previous conventional immunosuppressive, and 57.6% were refractory to at least one prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor. JAKi were used in combination with conventional immunosuppressive and/or glucocorticoids in 90.6% of the patients. The primary indication for JAKi initiation was gastrointestinal involvement in 46 (50%) patients including our patient, vascular involvement in 22 (23.9%), uveitis in 19 (20.6%), and mucocutaneous and/or articular involvement in 5 (5.6%) patients. The remission rates for overall, gastrointestinal, vascular, and eye involvement were 85.9%, 82.6%, 90.9%, and 84.2%. Serious adverse events were observed in 5.4% of the patients. No thrombotic events were reported. CONCLUSION: This SLR showed that JAKi may be effective in refractory BS patients with a favorable safety profile.

Humans

Acute Haemodynamic and Perceptual Responses to Graded Intradialytic Exercise in Patients on Maintenance Haemodialysis: A Randomised Crossover Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute responses to graded intradialytic exercise in people receiving haemodialysis remain incompletely characterised. OBJECTIVES: To examine acute haemodynamic and perceptual responses to graded intradialytic resistance exercise compared with a non-exercise control condition. DESIGN: Randomised crossover trial. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight clinically stable adults receiving maintenance haemodialysis. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed seated control and graded lower-limb resistance exercise targeting Borg category-ratio 10 ratings of 3, 5 and 7. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, rating of perceived exertion and acute fatigue were measured before, immediately after and 30&#x2009;min after each condition. RESULTS: Responses increased progressively with perceived intensity. Compared with control, higher perceived intensity increased systolic blood pressure by 14.9&#x2009;mmHg (95% confidence interval&#x2009;=&#x2009;12.7-17.0), diastolic blood pressure by 8.4&#x2009;mmHg (6.8-10.0), mean arterial pressure by 10.6&#x2009;mmHg (9.2-12.0) and heart rate by 15.5 beats per minute (12.9-18.1). Rating of perceived exertion increased by 6.7 points (95% confidence interval&#x2009;=&#x2009;6.3-7.1). Mean peripheral oxygen saturation remained between 95.1% and 97.5%, with no value below 90%. Recorded symptoms occurred in 13 out of 48 higher perceived-intensity sessions; no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Graded, rating-guided intradialytic resistance exercise produced clear acute dose-response haemodynamic and perceptual changes. These findings support supervised individualisation of acute exercise dose but do not establish long-term safety or superiority of higher perceived-intensity training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry: PACTR202606476360900.

Humans

Efficacy of esketamine in reducing nausea and vomiting after anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are significant perioperative challenges. This study evaluated the efficacy of perioperative esketamine in preventing PONV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to August 2025 for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of perioperative esketamine on PONV. The primary outcome was PONV incidence. Secondary outcomes included time to first flatus, postoperative pain degree, anxiety scores, agitation, anesthesia recovery time, and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay duration. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 15.0 software. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to assess result stability and explore potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Thirty-eight randomized trials (3,425 patients) were included. Esketamine reduced the risk of nausea (RR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.53-0.90) and vomiting (RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.57-0.98), shortened time to first flatus (SMD=-0.81, 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.15), and decreased rescue analgesic needs within 2 days (SMD=0.32, 95% CI: 0.2-0.5). However, it prolonged anesthesia recovery time (SMD=0.97, 95% CI: 0.28-1.67) and PACU stay (SMD=0.76, 95% CI: 0.27-1.26). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative esketamine may reduce PONV and aid gastrointestinal recovery, but its potential to delay anesthesia recovery and PACU discharge requires consideration. Further studies are needed to clarify its risk-benefit profile. DATE OF FIRST SUBMISSION TO PROSPERO: 10 March 2024. DATE OF THE START OF STUDY SCREENING AGAINST ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 21 March 2024.

Humans

Histidine Supplementation Stabilizes Hearing and Vision and Improves Growth in HARS1-Related Autosomal Recessive Disorder Associated With Usher-Like Symptoms.

Autosomal recessive HARS1-related disorder (originally described as Usher syndrome type 3B) caused by a homozygous Y454S variant in the histidyl-tRNA synthetase gene (HARS1) is characterized by progressive sensorineural hearing and vision loss and respiratory deterioration with risk for sudden death following febrile illnesses. In-vitro studies have previously shown that histidine can rescue a humanized yeast model for pathogenic HARS alleles. Fourteen children homozygous for HARS Y454S were treated with supplemental oral histidine (50 mg/kg BID) and monitored with bloodwork and physical, visual, and audiometry assessments during a 3-year clinical trial, then followed for more than 4&#x2009;years on histidine in the post-trial period. Patient fibroblasts were assessed for response to histidine. Hearing and vision remained stable, and growth improved significantly. Children remained healthy, with no severe deteriorations despite exposure to bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19. Gains in growth were maintained in the post-trial period on varying levels of histidine supplementation. Daily oral histidine supplementation in children with autosomal recessive HARS1-related disorder can ameliorate or slow the progression of disease and is safe, inexpensive, and well tolerated. This study adds to the growing list of autosomal recessive ARSopathies (aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase disorders) that are amenable to amino acid supplementation.

Humans

Efficacy of Oral Baicalin in Canine Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Baicalin has shown efficacy in various dermatitis models in animals. However, its therapeutic effects on naturally occurring canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of baicalin in dogs with cAD. ANIMALS: 56 client-owned dogs were enrolled. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All dogs were randomly divided to receive oral baicalin or placebo over a 90day period. All subjects had veterinary evaluations using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04) during the trial and owners were requested to evaluate itching using the pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) and to complete a quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire at Day (D)0 and D90. Additionally, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), total serum IgE levels (IgE), complete blood count and serum biochemical results were measured at D0 and D90. RESULTS: The significant decreases in CADESI-04 (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), PVAS (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), TEWL (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.014), IgE (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and QoL scores (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) were observed in the baicalin group D90 compared to baseline. When compared to placebo, the baicalin group had significantly lower scores in CADESI-4 and PVAS (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). A significantly higher proportion of subjects in the baicalin group showed a good-to-excellent treatment response (82.1%) compared to those in the placebo group (35.7%). The treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Baicalin had a significant benefit in alleviating pruritus and reducing clinical signs in dogs with mild-to-moderate cAD and was well tolerated.

Animals

Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in multiple myeloma: a systematic review and trial sequential meta-analysis on image quality and radiation dose.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis comparing the effects of PCD-CT versus EID-CT on image quality (sharpness) and radiation dose (CTDIvol) in patients with bone lesions due to multiple myeloma&#xa0;(MM). METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central was conducted from inception to October 2025. Studies comparing PCD-CT and EID-CT in MM patients were included. Methodological quality was assessed using ROBINS-I, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS: A total of 41 studies were identified that matched our search criteria. After duplicate removal and screening, five studies (n = 170 patients) were included in the systematic review, with four contributing to the meta-analysis. PCD-CT showed a significant pooled mean difference in image sharpness (mean difference, + 0.99 points; 95% CI, 0.62-1.37; p < 0.001). PCD-CT also demonstrated a reduction in radiation dose (mean difference, -4.95 milligrays; 95% CI, -8.39 to -1.50; p = 0.005). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) confirmed stability of pooled estimates, with conclusive evidence for image sharpness improvement, and suggestive yet incomplete evidence for radiation dose reduction. CONCLUSION: Compared to EID-CT in MM, PCD-CT significantly improves subjective image sharpness as supported by trial sequential analysis. Conventional meta-analysis suggested a reduction in radiation dose with PCD-CT; however, trial sequential analysis indicated that the cumulative evidence remains inconclusive. Further large-scale studies are suggested to confirm the magnitude of the radiation dose reduction benefit.

Humans

Novel Proactive Speech-Language Intervention Is More Effective Than Usual Care: Randomized Controlled Trial of Babble Boot Camp for Infants With Classic Galactosemia.

PURPOSE: Speech and language disorders cannot be diagnosed and treated until children are approximately 2-4 years old. To investigate whether these disorders can be prevented, we developed and trialed Babble Boot Camp (BBC), the first proactive sustained intervention starting with precursor skills including cooing and babbling. METHOD: Participants were two randomly assigned groups of 22 infants with classic galactosemia, a metabolic disease with known risks for severe speech and language disorders. One group started BBC at under 6 months of age, and the other started at 15 months of age, both completing BBC at 24 months of age. Coached by a speech-language pathologist in weekly telehealth sessions, caregivers implemented BBC activities and routines daily at home. A typical control group and a group of children with classic galactosemia who received usual care participated as well. All children completed standardized assessments of speech and language at postintervention. RESULTS: Assessment scores showed that BBC was more effective than usual care for both intervention groups. Greatest benefits were seen in the group that started at or before 6 months of age, with a proportion of clinically concerning scores equal to that in the typically developing peers. No effects of sex, genotype, or milk consumption were evident in the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings motivate a paradigm shift from deficit-based to proactive approaches for infants with classic galactosemia. BBC is extensible to many other disorders, with trials currently underway for infants with Down syndrome and infants born preterm.

Humans