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Water intake, switching between bites and sips, and drinking behavior are associated with food intake across meals varying in spiciness: A secondary analysis of two randomized crossover studies.

Widespread nutrition advice instructs consumers to drink water with meals to increase fullness and reduce energy intake. However, recent data indicates greater water intake is associated with more food intake at a meal, not less. Switching between meal components (e.g., alternating between food and water), has also been associated with increased food intake at a pasta meal, but it remains unclear whether this applies to other foods. In a secondary analysis, we pooled existing data from 2 crossover experiments (total n&#xa0;=&#xa0;86) where adults ate an ad libitum lunch consisting of 650&#xa0;g of beef chili (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;52) or chicken tikka masala (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;34) with 450&#xa0;g of water twice in the laboratory while being video-recorded. For both experiments, the spiciness of the lunch was varied by adding different ratios of hot:sweet paprika. Videos were coded to measure sip number, sip size (g/sip), drinking rate (g/min), and number of switches between bites of food and sips of water. As we previously reported, increasing spiciness slowed eating rate and reduced food intake; in secondary analyses described here, the reduction in food intake was not moderated by water intake, switching, or drinking behaviors (all p&#xa0;>&#xa0;0.73). Notably, across all meals, greater water intake (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001) and switching (p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.02) associated with greater food intake. Overall, individuals ate more when they drank more and switched between bites and sips more often, highlighting the potential influence of water and drinking behaviors on food consumption. This finding challenges the widespread dietary advice to drink water with meals to reduce food intake.

Humans

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive 0.015% Triamcinolone Acetonide Topical Spray With Lokivetmab Versus Lokivetmab Monotherapy as 'Reactive Therapy' for Canine Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomised, Single-Blinded, Controlled Preliminary Trial.

BACKGROUND: Lokivetmab is considered an effective systemic therapy for dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD); however, utilisation of lokivetmab with adjunctive topical anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids has not been investigated in canine AD. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of lokivetmab and 0.015% triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) spray in dogs with AD. ANIMALS: Twenty dogs with nonseasonal AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomised, single-blinded (investigators only) 4-week controlled trial. Dogs were randomised to receive lokivetmab monotherapy or lokivetmab-TCA spray per manufacturer instructions. Clinical assessments included the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04), CADESI-04E (i.e., extracted erythema grade alone) and the 10-grade pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS10) at Day (D)0, D14 and D28. Complete blood count and serum biochemical analysis were performed on D0 and D28. RESULTS: The median CADESI-04 and CADESI-04E scores in the lokivetmab-TCA group were significantly reduced on D14 (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05 for both) and D28 (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01 for both) compared to baseline; there were no significant differences in lesional scores at any time point for the lokivetmab monotherapy group. Lokivetmab-TCA significantly reduced CADESI-04E values compared to the lokivetmab monotherapy group on D28 (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.04). Both interventions significantly reduced PVAS10 scores on D14 and D28 compared to D0 (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05 for both groups). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topical application of TCA spray may be a useful and safe adjunctive therapy for systemic lokivetmab to alleviate pruritus and clinical lesions in the initial management of canine AD patients.

Animals

Angiotensin II regulates anxiety and social-affective top-down and bottom-up attention control in a sex-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been increasingly recognized as potent modulator of cognitive and affective functions, with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists emerging as repurposing candidate for anxiety and stress-related disorders. However, it remains unclear whether transient AT1R blockade modulates emotional attentional control and whether these effects are sex-dependent. METHODS: We conducted a preregistered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacological eye-tracking study in 79 healthy adults (males and females) and determined effects of transient AT1R blockade via losartan (50&#xa0;mg) on emotional attention control using a validated anti-saccade paradigm with social (emotional faces) and non-social stimuli. Treatment effects on state anxiety and oculomotor responses were characterized using traditional metrics and a novel trial-history informed dynamic control framework. RESULTS: Losartan reduced state anxiety irrespective of sex but induced sexually dimorphic effects on attentional control. In females, losartan enhanced performance by reducing endpoint error without altering latency. Conversely, in males, losartan increased endpoint error and prolonged latency of the first correct saccade. Trial-history analyses revealed losartan reduced error probabilities following errors and repeat trials in both sexes. Yet, following correct trials, females receiving losartan maintained lower error probabilities, while males exhibited higher errors, potentially reflecting failure to disengage from effortful control. CONCLUSIONS: The RAS modulates anxiety and attentional control, the latter sex-dependently. AT1R blockade reconfigures attentional processing and adaptive control, suggesting sex-specific therapeutic potential in disorders characterized by excessive anxiety and attentional dysregulation. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/;NCT06329050.

Humans

Chronic postsurgical pain: risk assessment and mitigation.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and persistent postoperative opioid use (PPOU) are two of the most common complications of a number of surgical interventions, which can cause significant personal and economic negative consequences. This review outlines known and potential risk factors for CPSP and PPOU and approaches to reduce these risk factors. RECENT FINDINGS: Modifiable risk factors for developing CPSP include psychological distress, preoperative pain intensity, and perioperative opioid exposure. Although less studied, psychological comorbidities are also risk factors for PPOU. Evidence-based mitigation strategies include psychological interventions and perioperative opioid sparing. SUMMARY: A number of perioperative risk factors for developing CPSP and PPOU have been identified, and anesthesiologists should be cognizant of these risk factors and potential risk mitigation strategies. Additional prospective studies are needed to further develop easily adoptable, evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of CPSP and PPOU.

Humans

Effect of urinary catheter securement band on meatal pressure injury in male intensive care patients: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of a urinary catheter securement band in preventing meatal pressure injury (meatal-PI) in male ICU patients, and to identify associated risk factors and the timing of injury development. METHODS: A total of 248 adult male ICU patients were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;124) or a control group (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;124) between December 2024 and April 2025. The intervention group received a catheter securement band in addition to standard care, while the control group received standard care alone. Meatal-PI was evaluated daily using a structured monitoring form and a validated staging system. RESULTS: The incidence of meatal-PI was significantly lower in the intervention group (6.5%) compared with the control group (16.1%) (p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.016). Multivariate analysis identified catheter securement, use of silicone catheters, higher Braden Scale scores, and shorter ICU length of stay as independent protective factors, while advanced age was associated with increased risk. Additional factors significantly associated with meatal-PI included comorbidities, higher device burden, latex catheter use, dry skin, lower Glasgow Coma Scale and Braden scores, sedation, and perineal oedema (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a catheter securement band significantly reduces the incidence of meatal-PI in male ICU patients. Incorporating catheter securement devices into routine nursing care, prioritising silicone catheter use, and performing regular meatal assessments may enhance patient safety by reducing the risk of device-related pressure injuries. Further research comparing different catheter securement methods across diverse patient populations is warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The use of catheter securement bands may reduce the incidence of meatal-PI in male ICU patients. Incorporating standardized catheter stabilization strategies into routine intensive care nursing practice may enhance patient safety and support pressure injury prevention efforts.

Humans

Effects of erector spinae plane block on postoperative pain in patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction for breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy causes acute pain. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single-shot T5 erector spinae plane block (ESPB) reduces postoperative pain. DESIGN: Single-center, RCT with allocation concealment; blinded assessors and statisticians. SETTING: Tertiary cancer center in China. PATIENTS: 100 adults scheduled for radical mastectomy with implant reconstruction were randomized (1:1); follow-up complete. INTERVENTION: Before induction, ESPB was given under ultrasound guidance at T5 with 30 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine 1 &#x3bc;g/kg; controls received no block. Standardized general anesthesia and postoperative PCA for both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resting NRS at 6 h (MCID=1). Secondary outcomes were opioid consumption, quality of recovery, and PONV. RESULTS: ESPB did not significantly reduce resting pain at 6 h at the median (&#x3c4; =0.50; adjusted difference -0.9; p = 0.08). At the upper tail, pain intensity was lower (&#x3c4; = 0.75; -1.8; p <0.01). Repeated measures provided additional time-point information, improving estimation precision and test sensitivity. ESPB get lower pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 hours (all p <0.01). But, the 95% CI includes the MCID, the clinical benefit remains uncertain. Opioid use decreased at 24 h (-13.5 mg; p <0.01) and 48 h (-6.6 mg; p <0.01). Quality of recovery improved at 24 h (difference 5 points; p <0.01), but not later. No differences were observed in intraoperative hemodynamics or PONV. CONCLUSIONS: Single-shot T5 ESPB with perineural dexmedetomidine may reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements and improve early recovery. Further large trials are warranted. Clinical relevance remains to be confirmed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06143020.

Humans

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

Protocol for project FIERCE: A randomized controlled trial to evaluate a positive emotion-focused meditation intervention for physicians with elevated stress.

INTRODUCTION: Nearly 80% of healthcare providers experience adverse psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, burnout, sleep disturbance) stemming from workplace stressors. Elevated levels of stress have been associated with unfavorable occupational, patient, and provider-related outcomes, imposing a heavy burden on a strained system. Given the impact of stress on both employee and patient health, effective interventions are urgently needed to reduce distress and promote well-being among healthcare professionals. Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for addressing these challenges. We developed a six-week, remotely delivered mindfulness intervention, the Building Emotional Strength Training (BEST) program, based on the Buddhist Four Immeasurables practice to cultivate the distinct emotional qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a Four Immeasurables-based mindfulness intervention on perceived stress (primary outcome), burnout, depressive symptoms, and inflammatory biomarkers, while enhancing psychological well-being and sleep quality (secondary outcomes) in physicians. We will also investigate potential mediators of intervention effects, including compassion, positive affect, equanimity, and mindfulness. METHOD: We will enroll 90 full-time physicians in a remote, two-arm randomized controlled trial with 1:1 allocation to either the meditation intervention or waitlist control. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires and provide blood samples at baseline, mid-course, and post-intervention to assess outcomes and mediators. DISCUSSION: The project aims to advance the study of mindfulness-based interventions that reduce distress and promote well-being through practices that cultivate prosocial and altruistic feelings toward oneself and others. While mindfulness interventions have gained considerable interest, none have specifically drawn from the Four Immeasurables practice to target loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. This novel investigation could expand our understanding of practices that foster kindness and compassion to reduce distress in an at-risk population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07283744, registered on 2025/10/14. The Open Science Framework, registered on 2026/06/26.

Humans

Cost-Effectiveness of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Interventions in Cancer: Systematic Review and Parameter Extraction for Economic Modeling.

BACKGROUND: Complex digital interventions that integrate electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROM) into clinical practice in cancer have the potential to improve quality of life, increase survival, and reduce health resource use and costs. Such systems can help patients with cancer self-manage chemotherapy symptoms, reduce clinicians' workloads through automated decision support, and resolve problems earlier. However, more research on the cost-effectiveness of ePROM monitoring is needed. OBJECTIVE: This paper comprises two complementary components: (1) a systematic literature review summarizing and evaluating the quantitative and qualitative evidence related to the cost-effectiveness of ePROM monitoring and (2) a health economic model parameter extraction. We also conducted supplementary targeted searches and scoping to provide context to our findings. METHODS: We searched Ovid (including MEDLINE and Embase), Scopus, and the International Health Technology Assessment Database for original English-language papers published on or before March 2025 using search strings that combined terms related to ePROMs, health economics, and cancer/oncology. We included papers reporting health economic-related outcomes for ePROM interventions designed for adult cancer populations and excluded screening tools and conference abstracts. RESULTS: We included 34 publications from 27 unique studies and identified and analyzed 26 ePROM-integrated interventions within these. Most (23/26) of the included interventions explicitly described some form of alert handling and automated decision support based on remote ePROM monitoring. Of the 34 publications, 5 presented full cost-effectiveness analysis results, of which 3 were highly uncertain and lacked clear differences in costs and health outcomes between ePROMs and standard care; conversely, 2 presented strong evidence of cost-effectiveness due to quality-of-life improvements, reduced hospitalizations, and potentially more autonomy in health-related travel (eg, ePROM-monitored patients can drive or walk to the hospital instead of using taxis or ambulances). A further 5 publications reported partial health economic results (eg, cost-consequence and budget impact), of which 1 detected no difference in strategies; in contrast, 4 reported lower health resource use and costs of ePROMs, mainly due to hospitalization reductions. Overall, 12 of the 27 studies included a qualitative component but mostly focused on user experience and design-related themes; only 2 of these addressed economic-specific themes (eg, changes in workflow and resource use due to ePROM implementation and integration), indicating some potential for time saving due to ePROM monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Some ePROM-integrated interventions demonstrated cost-effectiveness in cancer care, but the evidence base remains limited. Where evidence does exist, cost-effectiveness appears driven by reduced hospitalization and improved quality of life. Qualitative research within the included studies rarely addressed economic questions. We provide a detailed parameter extraction for use in future economic modeling and recommend research priorities, including quantitative mapping of ePROM symptom data onto health resource use patterns, and qualitative work exploring how ePROM implementation affects clinical workloads and patient-perspective costs.

Humans

Premature closure underlies bias in medical diagnosis in students: A randomised controlled experiment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study reported in this article was to shed light on the cognitive mechanism mediating between biasing information and diagnostic error. The literature suggests at least two different hypotheses: premature closure leading biased participants to spend less time on diagnosis or increased competition between diagnostic hypotheses. The latter hypothesis predicts that biased participants would spend more time reaching a diagnosis. METHOD: Using the salient distracting findings (SDF) experimental paradigm, we biased 58 fourth-year medical students while diagnosing 12 clinical vignettes in a within-group incomplete block design under three conditions: cases presented without SDF, with SDF at the beginning and with SDF at the end. For each of these conditions, diagnostic accuracy, the number of SDF-related mistakes and time per word needed to process the case were recorded. The data were analysed using linear mixed modelling. Estimated marginal mean scores were reported. RESULTS: Participants confronted with salient distracting features (SDFs) at the beginning of a clinical case demonstrated significantly lower diagnostic accuracy (mean 0.11) compared with the No-SDF condition (0.27), representing a 61% reduction (F2,693&#x2009;=&#x2009;11.995, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), and made more SDF-related mistakes (F2, 693&#x2009;=&#x2009;16.395, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). When SDFs were presented at the end of the case, diagnostic accuracy was also reduced (mean 0.17; 36% reduction), but processing time did not differ from the No-SDF condition. Only early presentation of SDFs was associated with reduced processing time per word (F2,636&#x2009;=&#x2009;4.799, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01), consistent with premature closure. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that biasing information increases diagnostic error in medical students and that only early bias is associated with reduced information processing. The data do not support the competition hypothesis for early bias, as processing time did not increase under biasing conditions. Premature closure can therefore be directly observed rather than inferred, inviting further research.

Humans

Bone progression in multiple myeloma: Benefit of zoledronic acid for patients achieving at least Very Good Partial Response and prognostic value of bone turnover markers.

The Magnolia study demonstrated that continuation of zoledronic acid (ZOL) beyond 2&#x2009;years reduces the risk of progressive bone disease (PBD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This follow-up study investigated the effects of ZOL in patients achieving very good partial response (VGPR) compared to patients who did not and whether bone turnover markers could identify patients at an increased risk of PBD following treatment cessation. Two Magnolia trial subgroups were analysed: patients with VGPR or better after 2&#x2009;years of ZOL, randomized to either continued treatment or observation, and patients randomized to observation in whom serial bone markers (C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX], procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide [P1NP], bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BAP], tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b [TRAcP]) were measured for up to 4&#x2009;years. Continued monthly ZOL beyond 2&#x2009;years significantly reduced the risk of PBD (hazard ratio 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.92) in patients with VGPR or better (subgroup 1). After ZOL discontinuation, bone markers increased gradually. Elevated CTX (&#x2265;0.30&#x2009;&#x3bc;g/L) and TRAcP (&#x2265;4&#x2009;U/L) levels were associated with increased 6-month PBD risk (29% and 15% respectively) (subgroup 2). Continuation of ZOL beyond 2&#x2009;years seems to reduce skeletal progression risk in patients achieving VGPR or better. Elevated CTX or TRAcP levels may help identify patients who could benefit from re-initiating ZOL.

Humans

Sex-dependent protective effects of microglial tumor necrosis factor on post-stroke inflammation and myelin injury.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is rapidly induced after ischemic stroke, but its proposed cell-specific and sex-dependent functions during post-stroke inflammation remain insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated the role of microglia-derived TNF in the acute and subacute response to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Tnf expression was transiently upregulated after stroke, becoming significant at 4&#xa0;h, peaking at 12-24&#xa0;h, and returning to baseline by 5&#xa0;days. In situ hybridization confirmed strong Tnf expression in the infarct and peri-infarct regions. Whole-brain transcriptomic profiling showed that global TNF deficiency reshaped the early post-ischemic response, shifting it from microglia-associated phagocytic and wound-healing pathways toward an interferon-related inflammatory signature. To define the specific contribution of microglial TNF, we used inducible Cx3cr1CreER:Tnffl/fl mice. Microglial TNF deletion had no effect on infarct volume in males at 24&#xa0;h or 5&#xa0;days after pMCAO, but significantly increased infarct size in females at both time points. In both sexes, brain TNF levels peaked at 24&#xa0;h and were significantly reduced in Cx3cr1CreER:Tnffl/fl mice, confirming microglia as a major source of early post-ischemic TNF. However, downstream consequences diverged by sex. At 5&#xa0;days, male Cx3cr1CreER:Tnffl/fl mice showed reduced microglial reactivity and 18&#xa0;kDa translocator protein (TSPO) signal, with no change in T-cell infiltration, and exhibited increased density of mature oligodendrocytes. In contrast, female Cx3cr1CreER:Tnffl/fl mice displayed enhanced microglial reactivity, increased TSPO binding, higher peri-infarct T-cell infiltration, and reduced oligodendrocyte density and myelin integrity. Together, these findings identify microglial TNF as a sex-dependent regulator of post-stroke inflammation and myelin injury.

Animals

Comparison of opioid-free versus opioid-based total intravenous anaesthesia in elderly patients undergoing short-duration surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Older adults who undergo short-duration surgery are vulnerable to opioid-related complications. It is uncertain whether an opioid-free total intravenous anaesthesia (OFA) can reduce these events. We aimed to determine whether OFA reduces the incidence of major postoperative adverse events compared with standard opioid-based total intravenous anaesthesia (OBA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted in China. From May to August 2025, 400 patients aged &#x2265;60&#x2009;years undergoing elective, short-duration surgery (anticipated duration of less than 90&#x2009;min) were randomized 1:1 to receive either OFA (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;200) or OBA (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;200). The primary outcome was a composite of postoperative hypoxemia, delirium, or nausea and vomiting (PONV) within 48&#x2009;h. RESULTS: A total of 400 randomized patients (mean [SD] age, 69.5 [7.0] years; 125 [31.3%] women). The primary composite outcome occurred in 50 patients (25.0%) in the OFA group and 87 patients (43.5%) in the OBA group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.62; p < .001). Among the OFA group had a lower incidence of hypoxemia (15.0% vs 32.0%) and PONV (8.0% vs 16.0%). Intraoperative hemodynamic stability was greater in the OFA group. However, the OFA group had a higher incidence of intraoperative bradycardia (10.0% vs 3.0%; p = .005) and longer extubation times (mean, 9.5 vs 7.2&#x2009;min; p < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that OFA is a viable alternative to opioid-based anesthesia for improving postoperative outcomes by reducing the incidence of hypoxemia and PONV in this population, while warranting careful management of its associated side effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2500102550.

Humans

Effects of sub-anesthetic doses of esketamine on immune function and postoperative negative emotions in acoustic neuroma patients: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing acoustic neuroma (AN) surgery often experience&#xa0;postoperative negative emotions, including anxiety, depression, and immune function suppression. This trial evaluated whether perioperative sub-anesthetic esketamine improves early postoperative negative emotions and immune function. METHODS: In this single-center, double-blind, randomized trial, 84 patients scheduled for AN surgery were assigned to esketamine (n = 42) or placebo (n = 42). The esketamine cohort received a continuous intravenous infusion of esketamine at 0.2&#x2009;mg&#xb7;kg-1&#xb7;h-1 during anesthesia, followed by 1&#x2009;mg&#xb7;kg-1 esketamine as an adjuvant in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). The placebo group received saline. The primary outcome was the incidence of depression on postoperative day (POD1), defined as a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale (HADS-D) score > 7. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients completed the study (39 in the esketamine group, 38 in the placebo group). Esketamine significantly reduced the incidence of depression at POD1 (7.7% versus 31.6%; relative risk 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.80, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.008) and POD3 (0.0% versus 15.8%, relative risk 0.00, 95% CI: 0.00-0.47, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.031) compared with placebo. The incidences of anxiety on POD1 and 3 and sleep disturbances on POD1 were also significantly reduced (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Notably, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of immune function, postoperative pain scores, or intraoperative morphine equivalent. Adverse events did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Perioperative sub-anesthetic esketamine reduced postoperative depression and anxiety, and improve sleep quality after AN surgery, without significant effects on early immune function or acute postoperative analgesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2400084537.

Humans

The effect of drysuit diving in warm water on body temperature and post immersion orthostatic hypotension.

INTRODUCTION: Warm-water diving can limit heat dissipation, particularly when performed in fully encapsulating protective gear, leading to substantial thermal and cardiovascular strain that may impair diver safety. Following immersion, removal of hydrostatic support combined with heat-induced vasodilation may reduce central blood volume and increase susceptibility to orthostatic intolerance during egress and recovery. The extent to which this thermal strain impairs post-immersion orthostatic tolerance remains unknown. METHODS: Four randomised, crossover immersion trials were conducted at 28&#xb0;C, 33&#xb0;C, 38&#xb0;C without precooling (38&#xb0;C), and 38&#xb0;C with precooling (38&#xb0;C + Cool), with subjects wearing fully encapsulating dive gear. Subjects walked for up to 60 minutes at approximately 50% of O2max heart rate (HR) or until core temperature (Tc) reached 38.5&#xb0;C, or they voluntarily stopped. Tc, HR, and perceptual measures were recorded every 10 minutes. Orthostatic tolerance was assessed after immersion via a 70&#xb0; head-up tilt test. RESULTS: Eight healthy adults completed all aspects of the study. Tc and HR were higher during both 38&#xb0;C conditions compared with 28&#xb0;C and 33&#xb0;C (all P < 0.01) with no differences between 38&#xb0;C and 38&#xb0;C + Cool. Sweat loss exceeded 1.2 (SD 0.67) L&#x22c5;h-1 in both 38&#xb0;C conditions compared with &#x2264; 0.3 (0.32) L&#x22c5;h-1 at 28&#xb0;C and 33&#xb0;C (P < 0.01). Survival analysis showed orthostatic tolerance decreased with increasing thermal stress (log-rank P = 0.027; trend P = 0.003). Precooling did not reduce peak Tc or HR, nor did it improve tolerance time in 38&#xb0;C water. CONCLUSIONS: Encapsulated warm-water diving causes heat stress and cardiovascular strain that persists after immersion, impairing orthostatic tolerance. Precooling does not significantly reduce these outcomes.

Humans

Effectiveness of kinesiologic tape in the management of postoperative trismus, discomfort, and edema in mandibular fractures: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared kinesiologic taping (KT) with conventional elastic adhesive bandaging in managing postoperative morbidity following open reduction and internal fixation. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at KLE Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital, 26 patients with unilateral mandibular fractures were allocated into two groups: Group 1 received an elastic adhesive bandage (n = 13) and Group 2 used KT (n = 13). Pain (Visual Analog Scale), facial swelling (standardized linear measurements), and maximum interincisal distance were recorded at baseline and on postoperative Days 2 and 5. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent t tests (p < .05). RESULTS: The KT group showed significantly lower pain scores and reduced facial edema at Days 2 and 5 compared with controls (P < .05). Trismus improved in both groups without significant intergroup differences. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: KT is a safe and effective adjunct for reducing early postoperative pain and edema after mandibular fracture fixation.

Humans

Algae-to-host horizontal gene transfer in Paramecium bursaria is associated with host adaptation during endosymbiosis.

Paramecium bursaria maintains a stable endosymbiosis with green algae, yet the evolutionary consequences of this association remain unclear. Here, we screened the host genome for algal-derived horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) using a lineage-aware workflow designed to detect horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between two defined lineages. We identified 16 candidate HTGs, including four putative newly transferred genes and 12 homologous transferred genes, most of which were functionally associated with redox homeostasis and metabolism. Five HTGs showed symbiosis-dependent expression. RNAi knockdown of GH32s and SATs reduced host proliferation, total cell area, and motility, while GH32s knockdown also reduced endosymbiont load. Duplication patterns suggest that most transfers may have occurred after the P. bursaria lineage diverged from the sampled Paramecium species but before its lineage-specific whole-genome duplication (WGD). The HTGs also showed host-associated shifts in GC content and gene length, while representative HTGs retained conserved domains and functional motifs. Together, our results support algae-to-host HGT in P. bursaria and suggest that some transferred genes may contribute to metabolic integration during endosymbiosis.

Gene Transfer, Horizontal

Intensive glycemic control in adults aged 80&#xa0;years and older: A randomized trial evaluating diabetes complications and competing mortality.

AIMS: To evaluate whether intensive glycemic control reduces microvascular or macrovascular events compared with conservative glycemic targets in independently ambulatory adults aged 80&#xa0;years or older with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label, single-center trial enrolling independently ambulatory adults aged&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;80&#xa0;years with type 2 diabetes. Participants were assigned (1:1) to an intensive glycemic target (HbA1c&#xa0;<&#xa0;7&#xa0;%) or a conservative target (HbA1c&#xa0;<&#xa0;9&#xa0;%) and followed for 5&#xa0;years. Primary outcomes were composite microvascular and macrovascular events. Analyses were done by intention to treat. Cause-specific Cox models and Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to account for all-cause mortality as a competing event. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00850798. FINDINGS: 206 participants were randomly assigned to intensive (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;102) or conservative (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;104) treatment. At 5&#xa0;years, mean HbA1c was lower in the intensive group than in the conservative group (7&#xb7;42&#xa0;% vs 8&#xb7;21&#xa0;%; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0&#xb7;005). Intensive therapy did not reduce microvascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 1&#xb7;24, 95&#xa0;% CI 0&#xb7;76-2&#xb7;04) or macrovascular events (HR 1&#xb7;02, 0&#xb7;36-2&#xb7;92). Competing risk analyses showed no reduction in cumulative incidence of vascular outcomes (subdistribution HR approximately 1&#xb7;0 for both). The cumulative incidence of death exceeded that of vascular events, indicating that many participants died before potential glycemic benefits could be realized. Severe hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization was more frequent with intensive therapy (7 vs 1 event). INTERPRETATION: In adults aged 80&#xa0;years or older with type 2 diabetes, intensive glycaemic control improved glycaemic levels but did not reduce vascular events and increased the risk of severe hypoglycaemia. High competing mortality substantially limits the potential long-term benefit of intensive treatment, supporting conservative and individualized glycemic targets in very old adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00850798.

Aged, 80 and over