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Dexamethasone as an adjuvant to continuous erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary nodule surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: While dexamethasone is proven to enhance single-shot erector spinae plane block (ESPB), its role as an adjuvant in continuous ESPB catheters is unclear. This randomised controlled trial evaluated whether adding dexamethasone to ropivacaine improves analgesia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: 85 patients undergoing VATS with continuous ESPB were randomised to receive postoperative infusion of either 0.2% ropivacaine(C-ESPB group) or ropivacaine with 10&#x2009;mg dexamethasone(D&#x2009;+&#x2009;C-ESPB group). The primary outcome was resting pain visual analog scale (VAS)at 12&#x2009;h postoperatively, while secondary outcomes included QoR-15 scores, tramadol consumption, time to first analgesic requirement, postoperative adverse events, 3-month incidence of chronic pain, catheter-related complications, pain intensity at other times, and hospital stay. RESULTS: The D&#x2009;+&#x2009;C-ESPB group had significantly lower resting pain at 12&#x2009;h [2.56 (1.03) vs 3.24 (1.21), mean difference -0.680, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.006]; and lower coughing pain at 12&#x2009;h [4.60 (1.48) vs 5.69 (1.35), mean difference 1.086, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001], with analgesic superiority sustained through 72&#x2009;h. Quality of Recovery-15 scores were higher at 12&#x2009;h [124.70 (12.48) vs 117.26 (12.24); mean difference -7.436, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.007] and 48&#x2009;h [141.60 (5.51) vs 138.98 (6.64); mean difference -2.628, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.050]; Total tramadol consumption over 72&#x2009;h was markedly reduce [0 (0,100) vs 100 (75,100), z&#xa0;=&#xa0;-3.807, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001], and hospital stay was shorter [Mean (SD) 6.09 (1.34)&#xa0;d vs 6.93 (1.55)d, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001]. The intervention did not, however, alter the 3-month incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (31% vs 34%, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.756). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone significantly enhances the analgesic efficacy of continuous ESPB, improving early pain control, recovery quality, and opioid-sparing after VATS, but does not reduce the incidence of chronic persistent surgical pain.

Humans

Clinical effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane block versus local anaesthesia wound infiltration for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic appendicectomy in children: A multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled phase III trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic appendicectomy in children provided by transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local anaesthesia wound infiltration (LAWI) of trocar insertion sites has never been compared. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether TAP block could decrease postoperative opioid requirements after laparoscopic appendicectomy in children compared with LAWI. DESIGN: Multicentre, double-blind, phase III randomised trial. SETTING: Two tertiary paediatric surgery centres. PATIENTS: Children aged 3 to 15&#x200a;years admitted for laparoscopic appendicectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the total dose of nalbuphine delivered within 24&#x200a;h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability (FLACC) scale values at 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24&#x200a;h, the time from levobupivacaine injection to the first dose of nalbuphine, and the time from the end of surgery to the first mobilisation. Patients received either ultrasound-guided TAP block (TAP group) or LAWI of trocar insertion sites (infiltration group) with 0.6&#x200a;ml&#x200a;kg -1 of levobupivacaine 2.5&#x200a;mg&#x200a;ml -1 , combined with standardised systemic multimodal analgesia including paracetamol, ketoprofen, phloroglucinol and nalbuphine. RESULTS: Forty-six and 50 patients were analysed in the TAP and infiltration groups, respectively [age: 10 [7 to 12] versus 10 [8 to 12] years; females: 16 (35%) versus 25 (50%); duration of surgery: 71 [64 to 90] versus 69 [56 to 89] min]. The primary outcome (total nalbuphine dose) was 0.2 [0.0 to 0.2] and 0.2 [0.0 to 0.2] mg&#x200a;kg -1 in the TAP and infiltration groups, respectively ( P &#x200a;=&#x200a;0.95). FLACC scale values did not significantly differ between the two groups ( P &#x200a;=&#x200a;0.78). Time to the first dose of nalbuphine or to first mobilisation was not significantly different between groups ( P value for log-rank test&#x200a;=&#x200a;0.095 and 0.18, respectively). CONCLUSION: TAP block does not appear to provide a greater opioid-sparing effect than LAWI of trocar insertion sites after laparoscopic appendicectomy in children, when combined with systemic multimodal analgesia including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04969133.

Humans

Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation versus acupressure on the trajectories of multidimensional adverse reactions to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy for breast cancer often induces multidimensional adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are interrelated and may evolve dynamically, impacting patients' treatment outcomes and quality of life. As non-pharmacological interventions, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and self-acupressure (SA) have shown potential in alleviating symptoms. However, their long-term effects on the joint developmental trajectories of these multidimensional symptoms (nausea and vomiting, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify potential trajectory class of multidimensional adverse reactions in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to explore the differential effects of TEAS and SA on different trajectory subgroups. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. A total of 189 breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were included. The Group-Based Multi-Trajectory Model (GBMTM) was employed to identify joint developmental trajectories of acute/delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), anxiety, depression, and sleep quality during chemotherapy. Subsequently, causal forest was used to analyze the average treatment effects (ATE) of TEAS (vs. control group) and SA (vs. control group) on patients' symptom trajectory. RESULTS: Multidimensional adverse reactions were classified into two heterogeneous trajectories: a "High Symptom Burden-Persistent (HSBP)" type (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;101) and a "Low Symptom Burden-Relieving (LSBR)" type (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;88). The persistent high incidence of acute CINV contrasted sharply with the comprehensive relief of other symptoms in the latter group. Causal forest suggested that both TEAS and SA significantly increased the probability of patients being classified into the "LSBR" trajectory. The ATE was 0.147 (95% CI: 0.143, 0.151) for TEAS, slightly lower (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05) than 0.176 (95% CI: 0.162, 0.190) for SA.&#xa0; CONCLUSION: Multidimensional adverse reactions in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy exhibit heterogeneity in their trajectories. Both TEAS and SA were associated with a higher probability of patients being classified into a more favorable symptom trajectory-LSBR. The multidimensional trajectory identification with treatment effect estimation may serve as a useful analytical strategy for future longitudinal research in cancer chemotherapy-induced adverse reactions symptom management. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2300077667 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, https://www.chictr.org.cn/ ), Registered 15 November 2023.

Humans

Nutrikinetics and bioavailability of Promunel&#xae;, a standardized poplar-type propolis phenolic extract: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over, randomized trial.

Brown poplar-type propolis has been recognized and used for centuries to help prevent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). However, the scarce, incomplete information in humans on the nutrikinetics and bioavailability of its phenolic constituents, combined with a lack of standardization in its phenolic content and profile pose major challenges to develop bioactive ingredients. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish the nutrikinetics and total bioavailability (NKBA) parameters of brown poplar-type propolis phenolics in humans using the Standardized Propolis Extract (SPE) Promunel&#xae;. To achieve this, a 48 h NBKA study was conducted following a double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design in healthy humans (n = 10) with two doses of SPE (1X = 400 mg or 4X = 1600 mg). Phenolic compounds were detected, identified and quantified in the extract, plasma and urine through different LC-MS/UV technologies. The SPE used is a rich (304.44 &#xb1; 15.61 &#xb5;mol mg-1) and diverse source of phenolic compounds (5 sub-families). A total of 63 and 85 phenolic metabolites were identified and quantified in plasma and urine, mostly in the form of glucuronides and sulfates. In plasma, phenolic metabolites reached Cmax (1.22 &#xb1; 0.20 for 1X and 4.80 &#xb1; 0.48 &#xb5;M for 4X) after 1 h of SPE intake, while urinary excretion occurred mostly during the first 3 h after. The total net bioavailability of SPE phenolic compounds at 48 h was 57.16 &#xb1; 5.71% for 1X and 43.82 &#xb1; 6.77% for 4X. Generally, the data between SPE 1X and 4X were proportional, indicating that a higher dose does not substantially modulate total net bioavailability. Overall, our data shows that brown poplar-type SPE phenolic compounds are highly bioavailable in the form of cinnamic acid and flavonoid conjugates, and that these compounds are rapidly absorbed and eliminated through the urine. Our results suggest that, for a sustained presence in circulation, brown poplar-type propolis supplements should be consumed more than once a day.

Humans

[Specificity in the management of gynecological cancers in French overseas departments].

The five overseas departments and regions (DROMs) are Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion, Martinique and Mayotte. In the DROMs, certain areas show significantly higher incidence rates for certain cancers, particularly gynaecological cancers; overall, the 5-year net standardised survival rates are lower than those observed in mainland France. Here, we present an overview of the management of gynaecological cancers in each DROM.

Humans

Ultrashort vs Standard-Duration Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Undergoing PCI: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of ultrashort (&#x2264;1-month) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by antiplatelet monotherapy remain uncertain in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare ultrashort vs standard-duration DAPT in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials until February 15, 2026. Primary outcomes were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), major bleeding, and net adverse clinical event (NACE). Prespecified subgroup analyses examined by ethnicity (East Asian vs non-East Asian) and abbreviation strategy (intensive: &#x2264;1-week DAPT or clopidogrel/aspirin monotherapy vs moderate: &#x2265;2-week DAPT, followed by ticagrelor/prasugrel monotherapy). RESULTS: Across 10 trials (n = 29,232), ultrashort DAPT did not increase MACCE risk (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.93-1.20; P = 0.38; I2 = 24%), with higher MACCE risk observed in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but not non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS), and significantly reduced major bleeding (HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.35-0.64; P < 0.00001; I2 = 44%), resulting in a net clinical benefit (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72-0.97; P = 0.02; I2 = 61%). Bleeding reduction was more pronounced in East Asians (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.25-0.49; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%) than non-East Asians (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43-0.93; P = 0.02; I2 = 44%), with a significant interaction (P = 0.02). The abbreviation strategy significantly modified outcomes (P for interaction = 0.003): intensive abbreviation raised MACCE risk (HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.11-1.69; P = 0.003; I2 = 0%), while moderate abbreviation had no statistically significant difference (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.85-1.08; P = 0.47; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, ultrashort DAPT reduced bleeding without increasing ischemic events overall, although a signal of increased MACCE was observed in STEMI but not in NSTE-ACS. Bleeding reduction was greater in East Asians, while &#x2264;1-week DAPT or clopidogrel/aspirin monotherapy may increase ischemic risk.

Humans

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner outcomes after completion of a 1-year postgraduate fellowship.

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are an essential and growing part of the health care workforce, especially in community settings. To address PMHNPs' increasing presence in community psychiatry, a 1-year postgraduate PMHNP fellowship in community psychiatry was developed with the goals of enhancing clinical competency and employment retention in underserved public sector settings. Data on 5 cohorts and 31 fellows are presented in this article. PMHNP fellows, preceptors, didactics, and clinical sites were evaluated across several time points including baseline and 6 and 12 months. The program has graduated 100% of fellows with largely positive feedback. Fellows reported significant improvements in competency across the domains of 1) assessment and diagnosis, 2) treatment, and 3) professionalism and leadership. These items were substantiated by clinical preceptors' ratings of fellows' clinical skills from 6-month and 12-month time points. Relatedly, clinical sites, preceptors, and didactics were all rated highly by fellows. After the program, 90.3% of graduates remained working in the public sector including correctional settings, community clinics, and safety net hospitals.

Community psychiatry

Ensemble DNA methylation clock demonstrates Immune-metabolic aging signatures associated with mortality.

Aging is a multifactorial process that is best described in terms of the progressive acquisition of multiple layers of phenotypic changes, such as epigenetic modifications, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. DNA methylation clocks have been extensively used to construct epigenetic clocks based on the DNAm profiles that can be used to estimate biological age and predict age-associated outcomes. Nevertheless, the vast majority of clocks constructed so far have been based on linear models, which are unlikely to fully account for the heterogeneity and non-linearity of survival-related DNAm signatures. In this work, we constructed a heterogeneous stacked ensemble survival model based on DNAm data obtained from the Framingham Heart Study. We first identified 190 CpG loci using elastic net Cox regression and subsequently constructed a survival prediction model based on the fusion of five complementary survival models by means of a neural network meta-learner. The prediction power of the survival model was evaluated in an external validation cohort, where we observed strong performance for predicting all-cause mortality that significantly exceeded PhenoAge and was statistically comparable to GrimAge. These performance estimates were derived in cohorts of European ancestry and externally validated in postmenopausal women aged 50-79 years, and should therefore be interpreted as applicable only to demographically similar populations.

Humans

Bacterially produced dsRNA targeting SePGRP-LB reduces population fitness of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and increases its susceptibility to SeMNPV.

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (H&#xfc;bner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important agricultural pest, and S. exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) is a host-specific biological control agent. However, baculovirus efficacy can be limited by host antiviral responses. S. exigua peptidoglycan recognition protein LB (SePGRP-LB) has been identified as an antiviral immune factor, suggesting that its suppression may increase larval susceptibility to SeMNPV. In this study, bacterially produced double-stranded RNA targeting SePGRP-LB (bac-dsPGRP-LB) was orally delivered to larvae to induce RNA interference. Feeding bac-dsPGRP-LB reduced SePGRP-LB transcript levels by 24.0% to 65.7% over 7&#x2009;d. SePGRP-LB knockdown prolonged fifth-instar larval development, reduced female pupal weight, shortened male adult longevity and the oviposition period, and decreased fecundity by approximately 51%. Life table analysis further showed significant reductions in the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (&#x3bb;), and net reproductive rate (R0) following bac-dsPGRP-LB treatment. During SeMNPV infection, co-feeding with bac-dsPGRP-LB significantly suppressed SePGRP-LB expression, increased the SeMNPV genomic load, and reduced larval survival compared with the SeMNPV&#x2009;+&#x2009;bac-dsGFP treatment. These findings identify SePGRP-LB as a promising RNAi target for simultaneously reducing S. exigua fitness and enhancing its susceptibility to SeMNPV under laboratory conditions.

SePGRP-LB

Comparative genomics and full-length transcriptome profiling of wing morphs in Tetrix grossus (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae).

Wing polymorphism represents a paradigmatic dispersal-reproduction trade-off, yet its molecular basis remains uncharacterised in the phylogenetically distant pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae). Here we integrate comparative genomics across ten orthopteran species with full-length transcriptomics of long-winged (FL) and short-winged (FS) Tetrix grossus. OrthoFinder recovered 118 orthogroups specific to T. grossus. Against a backdrop of pronounced gene-family contraction (36 expansions versus 222 contractions; net -186, mirrored at the ancestral Tetrix node, +37/-140), we identified an ancestral, Tetrix-specific expansion of hormone-regulation (12 genes; fold enrichment 7.93) and lipid/carbohydrate-metabolic families organised into syntenic clusters, alongside 513 positively selected genes enriched for integrin-mediated cell adhesion (6 genes), a process relevant to epithelial and appendage morphogenesis. Full-length transcriptomics of one long-winged (FL) and one short-winged (FS) adult female detected 7530 (FL) and 7515 (FS) expressed genes, with 794 FL- and 776 FS-restricted transcriptome-derived SNP-associated genes. The FL morph was enriched for an EGFR/Ras-Rho developmental-patterning axis and neuromuscular flight genes, whereas the FS morph was enriched for insulin/peptide-hormone response and growth-regulatory loci. Overall, we present genomic resources and testable hypotheses concerning the evolution and regulation of wing morphs in Tetrigidae rather than a validated genetic architecture of wing-morph determination.

Animals

Neonatal outcomes following antenatal corticosteroid administration before planned caesarean birth at late preterm or early term (36-38 weeks' gestation): a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the benefits and harms associated with antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) prior to planned caesarean birth at late preterm or early term. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: South Australia, Australia, 2005-2018. PATIENTS: Women with singleton pregnancies undergoing planned caesarean birth between 36+0 and 38+6 weeks' gestation. METHODS: We used routinely collected electronic maternity and neonatal data. Adjusted risk differences (aRD) with 95% CIs were calculated for neonatal and maternal outcomes. OUTCOME MEASURES: Neonatal outcomes included respiratory distress requiring oxygen, hypoglycaemia requiring glucose, neonatal unit (NNU) admission and prolonged NNU admission (&#x2265;48&#x2009;hours). RESULTS: Among the cohort of 4049 women, the proportion receiving ACS was 54.8%, 48.4% and 5.6% at 36, 37 and 38 completed weeks' gestation, respectively. ACS administration was associated with a significant reduction in respiratory distress across all gestations, with the greatest reduction seen at 36 weeks' gestation (aRD -12.5%; 95% CI -21.4% to -3.6%). At 38 weeks' gestation, ACS administration was associated with an increased risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia (aRD 5.7%; 95% CI 1.1% to 10.2%), NNU admission (aRD 5.4%; 95% CI 0.1% to 10.7%) and prolonged NNU admission (aRD 4.6%; 95% CI 0.2% to 8.9%). CONCLUSIONS: ACS administration prior to late preterm and early term planned caesarean birth was associated with reduced risk of respiratory distress. The net benefit of ACS administration before planned caesarean birth remains unclear; however, there was evidence of potential neonatal harm when birth occurred after 37 weeks' gestation.

Epidemiology

Three-dimensional source apportionment and quantitative characterization of horizontal and vertical transport fluxes of O3 and its precursors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China.

Persistent surface ozone (O3) pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region is driven by coupled precursor emissions and multi-scale transport, yet its altitude-dependent transport and source contributions remain insufficiently quantified. Here we integrated the Weather Research and Forecasting and the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions with the Ozone Source Apportionment Technology and a quantitative transport-flux framework to characterize three-dimensional source apportionment and horizontal/vertical fluxes of O3, Volatile Organic Compounds&#x200c; (VOCs), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) across dynamic meteorological scenarios. Simulations showed that VOCs and NOx were dominated by local emissions near the surface (73.61 %-82.18 %), whereas surface O3 was primarily controlled by regional transport, with local contributions of only 11.01 %-13.75 %. Notably, the transport dominance further strengthened with altitude, exceeding 93 % at 1.8 km. Industrial and transportation emissions together contributed more than 75 % of precursor emissions and account for approximately 80 % of O3 formation, while favorable/unfavorable meteorological years modulated long-range transport efficiency and the vertical distribution of contributions. Horizontal flux analysis highlighted three major pathways (Northwest-Southeast, Southeast-Northwest, and Southwest-Northeast), with Shijiazhuang serving as a critical pollutant "sink" across altitude layers. Vertical fluxes revealed an altitude transition near 600 m: net downward transport dominated below 600 m, whereas enhanced summer convection promoted upward transport above 600 m. These results support altitude-dependent, scenario-specific strategies for coordinated regional O3 mitigation in the BTH region.

Ozone

An individualized nomogram for predicting progression-free survival in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a multicenter, retrospective, and internally validated study.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an individualized nomogram for predicting disease progression risk in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL). METHODS: Independent predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) were identified using Cox regression in a multicenter retrospective cohort of 109 sALCL patients (2010-2022). These were incorporated into a three-factor nomogram, evaluated via bootstrapped internal validation (1000 resamples), ROC analysis, C-index, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC). RESULTS: A total of 29 PFS events occurred during a median follow-up of 31 months. Multivariable modelling selected serum &#x3b2;2-microglobulin elevation, extranodal disease, and front-line chemotherapy choice (CHOP versus CHOPE or BV+CHP) as autonomous progression drivers. Upon internal bootstrap validation, the nomogram yielded strong prognostic accuracy, achieving AUCs of 0.81, 0.85 and 0.87 for 1-, 3- and 5-year progression-free survival, alongside a corrected C-index of 0.779 (95% CI: 0.699 - 0.861). Calibration plots showed close agreement between predicted and observed outcomes, while DCA confirmed superior net clinical benefit versus conventional IPI or Ann Arbor stratification across multiple decision thresholds. CONCLUSION: This first sALCL-specific nomogram integrates clinical and treatment variables to provide personalized PFS risk estimation. While internally validated, this exploratory, observation-based tool requires external validation and recalibration in prospective cohorts before clinical implementation.

Humans

Acute Stevia Consumption does not Alter Endocrine Responses in Individuals with Normal Weight, Overweight, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Stevia is a plant-based non-nutritive sweetener. Acute effects of stevia ingestion on glycemia and hormonal responses have not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVE: This objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of beverages containing stevia alone and in combination with glucose on glycemic, hormonal, and appetite responses. METHODS: This study evaluated three cohorts of n=23 individuals with either normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for which each individual completed four test conditions in a randomized sequence crossover study design. The four test conditions were beverages containing stevia (75.6 mg steviol equivalents), water, glucose (30 g), and stevia+glucose (30 g glucose+75.6 mg steviol equivalents). Blood samples were collected before and for 180 min after beverage consumption. Assessments included net area under the curve (niAUC) and incremental maximal concentration values for plasma glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and PYY. Appetite was assessed with visual-analog scale questions and energy consumption during an ad libitum meal. RESULTS: Responses to the stevia beverage did not differ significantly from those for water alone, and stevia + glucose did not differ significantly from glucose alone for any of the three groups. CONCLUSION: Acute stevia consumption did not materially alter responses for glycemia or hormones involved in glucose and appetite regulation, appetite ratings, or energy intake at a subsequent meal. Clinical Trial Registry number and website where it was obtained: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT05287906. Study Details | NCT05287906 | A Trial to Assess Steviol Glycosides on Acute Appetite Hormone Release | ClinicalTrials.gov.

Appetite

A prospective pharmacokinetic interaction study between rifampicin and fusidic acid for the treatment of staphylococcal infections.

OBJECTIVE: Fusidic acid with rifampicin is used for the treatment of severe staphylococcal infection, particularly prosthetic joint infections. Previous studies using twice daily fusidic acid showed rifampicin increases fusidic acid clearance, potentially causing sub-therapeutic concentrations. It is uncertain whether this occurs with three-times daily dosing. This study sought to re-evaluate this potential drug-drug interaction. METHODS: In this prospective, open-label drug-drug interaction population pharmacokinetic (PK) study, participants were randomized to receive fusidic acid or rifampicin for 24&#x2005;hours, followed by combination therapy for the duration of treatment. Drug concentration assays used liquid-chromatography mass spectroscopy on dried blood spots. Population PK models were built for fusidic acid, rifampicin and 25-desacetyl rifampicin. RESULTS: Ten participants were recruited. Inter-individual variability for both absorption (98.1%) and clearance (77.8%) were high for fusidic acid. A population pharmacokinetic model for fusidic acid revealed that early autoinhibition dominated over later rifampicin-mediated induction, resulting in a net decrease in fusidic acid clearance. The mean fusidic acid area under the curve during each dosing interval (AUC&#x3c4;) at steady state was 1.76-fold [0.049, 34.918] higher relative to Day 1, despite high uncertainty.Large inter-individual (110%) variability in absorption was observed for rifampicin. There was no apparent effect on rifampicin metabolism by fusidic acid co-administration, however, fusidic acid decreased clearance of 25-desacetyl rifampicin. CONCLUSION: In patients treated with fusidic acid three times daily in combination with rifampicin, autoinhibition potentially counteracted rifampicin induction such that fusidic acid concentrations were not reduced. Rifampicin clearance was not affected by fusidic acid, but 25-desacetyl rifampicin clearance was decreased. There was large inter-individual variability in the observed concentrations and final parameter estimates.

Fusidic Acid

Program to Avoid Cerebrovascular Events Through Systematic Electronic Tracking and Tailoring of an Eminent Risk Factor: A&#xa0;Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Individuals residing in the southeastern United States experience disproportionately worse stroke outcomes. Although blood pressure (BP) reduction is among the most effective strategies for improving stroke outcomes, fewer than one third of survivors of stroke achieve BP control within 1 year of the index event. METHODS: The PACESETTER (Program to Avoid Cerebrovascular Events Through Systematic Electronic Tracking and Tailoring of an Eminent Risk Factor) trial enrolled patients with stroke and uncontrolled BP from 3 safety-net health care systems in South Carolina. Patients were randomized 1:1 to the PACESETTER intervention, which included a Bluetooth-enabled electronic pill tray, a BP monitor, and a smartphone application for automated data transmission of medication adherence and BP data to a central server or to usual care. The primary outcome was systolic BP <130&#x2009;mm&#x2009;Hg at 12 months, analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: The trial was stopped early due to low recruitment during the COVID-19 and funding constraints. Between September 2019 and February 2023, 120 participants were randomized to PACESETTER (n=60) or the usual care arm (n=60). At 4&#xa0;months, systolic BP <130&#x2009;mm&#x2009;Hg favored the PACESETTER arm (48.8% versus 29.3%, P=0.07), but no significant difference was observed at 12 months (50% versus 47.2%, P=0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Because the trial was terminated prematurely, the effect of the PACESETTER intervention on 12-month BP control after stroke remains uncertain. A trial completed to its full term and sufficiently powered to also evaluate key short-term end points is needed. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicalstrial.org; Unique Identifier: NCT03401489.

Aged

Proteomic insights into hepatic responses to high soybean meal inclusion with citric acid supplementation in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus&#xa0;&#xd7;&#xa0;Epinephelus lanceolatus) juveniles.

This study evaluated the growth performance and hepatic proteomic responses of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus&#xa0;&#xd7;&#xa0;Epinephelus lanceolatus) juveniles fed diets containing 30% or 40% soybean meal (SBM), with or without 3% citric acid supplementation, and compared with a fishmeal (FM) control diet over a 10-week feeding trial. Fish fed 30% SBM (LSBM) showed a final body weight comparable to the FM group, whereas fish fed 40% SBM (HSBM) recorded significantly reduced growth and net protein utilization (NPU) (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Supplementation of citric acid in the 40% SBM diet (HSBM + CA) significantly improved NPU and partially restored growth relative to HSBM. LC-MS/MS based quantitative proteomics identified 1544 hepatic proteins and showed clear dietary segregation. Differentially expressed proteins were predominantly associated with reduced abundance of proteins involved in lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and the tricarboxylic cycle across all SBM diets, suggesting a shift in oxidative metabolic capacity. In contrast, LSBM induced upregulation of spliceosome-associated proteins and RNA processing components, suggesting adaptive post-transcriptional regulation under moderate SBM inclusion. In contrast, HSBM exhibited greater reduction in metabolic protein abundance without comparable upregulation of adaptive regulatory components, coinciding with reduced nutrient retention. Protein-protein interaction analysis further confirms the correlation between the regulation of spliceosomal clusters and mitochondrial lipid-catabolic modules. Citric acid supplementation did not markedly reverse hepatic metabolic protein changes but improved protein retention. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD081994. These findings suggest a tolerance limit between 30% and 40% SBM inclusion, with 30% inducing adaptive hepatic proteomic responses compatible with maintained growth performance.

Animals

Development of the zebrafish foveal analogue: a quantitative atlas of high-acuity zone growth and retinal regionalisation.

The vertebrate retina contains specialised regions for high-acuity vision, exemplified by the human fovea and its zebrafish analogue, the high-acuity zone (HAZ). Despite the widespread use of zebrafish to model retinal disease, a stage-resolved quantitative reference describing normal eye, photoreceptor layer (PRL) and lens growth has been lacking. Here, we apply contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to construct the first three-dimensional micro-CT normative atlas of wild-type zebrafish eye development across five larval stages [3, 5, 7, 10 and 18&#x2005;days post-fertilisation (dpf)], mapping circumferential PRL thickness, eye and lens morphology, and compartment growth rates. Regional PRL thickening within the temporo-ventral region of the expected HAZ emerged by 5&#x2005;dpf and was sustained by a localised redistribution of growth, persisting and extending towards the optic nerve through 18&#x2005;dpf. The PRL, lens and eye grew through four phases, alternating between disproportionate PRL expansion and coordinated growth, while the eye remodelled from a nasal-dominant to a temporo-ventral-dominant form. This regional specialisation was protracted relative to gross ocular growth and could proceed independently of it, paralleling the extended postnatal maturation of the human fovea. This atlas provides a quantitative baseline for distinguishing disease-induced changes from normal variation, supporting zebrafish models of foveal hypoplasia and related disorders.

Animals