Perturbations of the infant gut microbiota can shape development of the immune system and link to the risk of allergic diseases.
We sought to understand the role of the gut microbiome in patients ...with atopic dermatitis (AD). The metagenome of the infant gut microbiome was analyzed according to feeding types.
Composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed in fecal samples from 129 infants (6 months old) by using pyrosequencing, including 66 healthy infants and 63 infants with AD. The functional profile of the gut microbiome was analyzed by means of whole-metagenome sequencing (20 control subjects and 20 patients with AD). In addition, the total number of bacteria in the feces was determined by using real-time PCR.
The gut microbiome of 6-month-old infants was different based on feeding types, and 2 microbiota groups (Bifidobacterium species–dominated and Escherichia/Veillonella species–dominated groups) were found in breast-fed and mixed-fed infants. Bacterial cell amounts in the feces were lower in infants with AD than in control infants. Although no specific taxa directly correlated with AD in 16S rRNA gene results, whole-metagenome analysis revealed differences in functional genes related to immune development. The reduction in genes for oxidative phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Akt signaling, estrogen signaling, nucleotide-binding domain–like receptor signaling, and antigen processing and presentation induced by reduced colonization of mucin-degrading bacteria (Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 2_1_58FAA) was significantly associated with stunted immune development in the AD group compared with the control group (P < .05).
Alterations in the gut microbiome can be associated with AD because of different bacterial genes that can modulate host immune cell function.
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Visitors to emergency department waiting areas often experience high anxiety, which results in discomfort during their waits. Our findings offer empirical evidence for the positive impact of ...including natural elements in these waiting areas. We created four high-fidelity virtual environments that incorporated natural elements in three ways, i.e., the presence of plants, the use of nature images and natural materials, and a combination of those two, in addition to a controlled environment without natural elements. We tested how subjects responded to each environmental setting. Our findings demonstrated that the inclusion of natural elements significantly lowered patients' anxiety in hospital environments, confirming previous research, and the presence of natural elements improved perceived wait time, as well as service quality through anxiety and perceived wait time. The combination yielded higher scores in anxiety, perceived wait time, and service quality than the other conditions. Serial mediation analysis results revealed that underlying anxiety and patients’ perceived wait time mediated the effect of natural elements on perceived service quality. Among the five dimensions of service quality, the mediating effects of anxiety and perceived wait time appeared stronger in reliability and responsiveness.
•The effects of natural elements on patient waiting perceptions were examined using virtual environments.•Natural elements significantly lowered patients' anxiety and improved perceptions of wait times in comparison to the control.•The significance of the direct effect of natural elements on service quality remains unclear.•Overall, the combination showed the highest scores in anxiety, perceived wait time, and service quality.•Natural elements influenced perceived service quality through anxiety and perceived wait time.
OBJECTIVE:We compared surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as first-line treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the risk of microvascular invasion ...(MVI).
BACKGROUND:The best curative treatment modality between SR and RFA in patients with HCC with MVI remains unclear.
METHODS:Data from 2 academic cancer center-based cohorts of patients with a single, small (≤3 cm) HCC who underwent SR were used to derive (n = 276) and validate (n = 101) prediction models for MVI using clinical and imaging variables. The MVI prediction model was developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis and externally validated. Early recurrence (<2 years) based on risk stratification between SR (n = 276) and RFA (n = 240) was evaluated via propensity score matching.
RESULTS:In the multivariable analysis, alpha-fetoprotein (≥15 ng/mL), protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (≥48 mAU/mL), arterial peritumoral enhancement, and hepatobiliary peritumoral hypointensity on magnetic resonance imaging were associated with MVI. Incorporating these factors, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the predictive model was 0.87 (95% confidence interval0.82–0.92) and 0.82 (95% confidence interval0.74–0.90) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. SR was associated with a lower rate of early recurrence than RFA based on the risk of MVI after propensity score matching (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:Our model predicted the risk of MVI in patients with a small (≤ 3 cm) HCC with high accuracy. Patients with MVI who had undergone RFA were more vulnerable to recurrence than those who had undergone SR.
Background
Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) are mucin‐degrading gut bacteria that play a key role in the early colonization of the gut by serving as endogenous sources of nutrients. They can also ...influence immune development. We had previously reported a lower abundance of R. gnavus in infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with that in healthy subjects. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of orally administered R. gnavus on antibiotic treatment‐induced gut dysbiosis (and the underlying mechanism) in a mouse model of AD.
Methods
Four‐week‐old female BALB/C mice were administered antibiotic cocktails for 2 weeks. R. gnavus was orally administered throughout the study duration. At 6 weeks of age, AD was induced by epidermal sensitization with ovalbumin. AD phenotypes and systemic and gut immune responses were investigated.
Results
Orally administered R. gnavus significantly reduced AD‐associated parameters (i.e., transepidermal water loss, clinical score, total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E level, OVA‐specific IgE level, and skin inflammation). R. gnavus treatment also resulted in significant downregulation of T helper 2–related cytokine mRNA and upregulation of interleukin (IL)‐10 and Foxp3 in the skin. The population of CD4+FOXP3+ T cells in mesenteric‐ and skin‐draining lymph nodes and butyrate levels in the cecum increased in R. gnavus‐administered AD mice.
Conclusions
Immune modulation by orally administered R. gnavus may alleviate AD symptoms through the enhancement of regulatory T‐cell counts and short‐chain fatty acids production in AD mice.
To evaluate the prognostic value of ultrasound and MRI findings in patients with infantile hemangioma undergoing propranolol therapy.
This study was based on retrospective interpretation of ...prospectively acquired data. Thirty-eight consecutive patients (28 females and 10 males; mean age ± standard deviation, 3.2 ± 2.2 months) who underwent propranolol treatment for infantile hemangioma were included. Pre-treatment ultrasound images were assessed in terms of echogenicity, lesion height and vascularity. Presence of prominent intratumoral fat, non-fat septa, and enhancement pattern on MRI were retrospectively evaluated. Mann-Whitney test, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare imaging parameters between patients with treatment success and failure.
All patients underwent ultrasound and 15 patients underwent MRI. A total of 24 patients showed successful treatment. Between patients with treatment success and failure, there were significant differences in increased vascularity on pre-treatment ultrasound (19/24 vs. 6/14, p = 0.025), decreased vascularity on post-treatment ultrasound (21/24 vs. 5/14, p = 0.001), and prominent intratumoral fat on MRI (1/8 vs. 5/7 p = 0.033). There were no significant differences in echogenicity, lesion height on ultrasound, non-fat septa and MR enhancement pattern.
Increased vascularity on pre-treatment ultrasound was significantly associated with successful treatment for propranolol therapy in patients with infantile hemangioma, whereas prominent fat component on MRI was significantly associated with treatment failure.
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•TPMS sheet lattices were manufactured by laser powder bed fusion using CoCrMo alloy.•The effect of unit cell topologies and size on the tensile properties was examined.•Tensile ...properties of Neovius were similar to those of real bone and better than IWP.•Neovius has more stretching deformation behavior analyzed by Gibson-Ashby model.•Neovius has higher elongations because it can more evenly distribute the load.
This study involves the fabrication of triply periodic minimal surface sheet lattices possessing two different topologies—Neovius and Schoen’s IWP. The structural characteristics of these materials, which were fabricated by laser powder bed fusion using CoCrMo alloy powder, were investigated. The tensile properties and deformation behavior of the materials were evaluated by increasing the unit cell size (1, 2.5, and 5 mm) for each topology. The results of the tensile tests showed that the yield strengths and Young’s moduli of both topologies decreased, and that their elongations increased with decreasing unit cell size. We compared the mechanical properties of the Neovius and IWP lattices, which had the same unit cell size, and found that the former exhibited higher yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation. Further, the tensile deformation behavior of the specimens was analyzed by applying the Gibson–Ashby analytic model. The Neovius lattice accommodated more uniform deformations in a greater number of cell layers. These experimental observations and the use of a simplified model of the lattice structure can enhance the understanding of the mechanism of the room-temperature tensile deformation of Neovius and IWP sheet-based lattice structures.
The ability of contrast-enhanced MRI to distinguish between malignant and benign ovarian masses is limited. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ...diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating malignant from benign ovarian masses.
A comprehensive literature search was performed in several authoritative databases to identify relevant articles. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. We also used subgroup analysis to analyze study heterogeneity, and evaluated publication bias.
The meta-analysis is based on 21 studies, which reported the findings for 731 malignant and 918 benign ovarian masses. There was no significant difference in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for DWI between benign and malignant lesions (WMD = 0.22, 95% CI = -0.02-0.47, p = 0.08). Subgroup analysis by benign tumor type revealed higher ADC values (or a trend toward higher values) for cysts, cystadenomas and other benign tumors compared to malignant masses (cyst: WMD = 0.54, 95% CI = -0.05-1.12, p = 0.07; cystadenoma: WMD = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.38-1.07, p < 0.0001; other benign tumor: WMD = 0.16, 95% CI = -0.13-0.46, p = 0.28). On the other hand, lower ADC values (or a trend toward lower values) were observed for endometrioma and teratoma compared to malignant masses (endometrioma: WMD = -0.09, 95% CI = -0.47-0.29, p = 0.64; teratoma: WMD = -0.49, 95% CI = -0.85-0.12, p = 0.009). Subgroup analysis by mass property revealed higher ADC values in cystic tumor types than in solid types for both benign and malignant tumors. Significant study heterogeneity was observed. There was no notable publication bias.
Quantitative DWI is not a reliable diagnostic method for differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses. This knowledge is essential in avoiding misdiagnosis of ovarian masses.
Achieving satisfactory bone tissue regeneration in osteoporotic patients with ordinary biomaterials is challenging because of the decreased bone mineral density and aberrant bone microenvironment. In ...addressing this issue, a biomimetic scaffold (PMEH/SP), incorporating 4‐hexylresorcinol (4HR), and substance P (SP) into the poly(lactic‐go‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold with magnesium hydroxide (M) and extracellular matrix (E) is introduced, enabling the consecutive release of bioactive agents. 4HR and SP induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), thereby upregulating VEGF expression level. The migration and tube‐forming ability of endothelial cells can be promoted by the scaffold, which accelerates the formation and maturation of the bone. Moreover, 4HR played a crucial role in the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the IκB/NF‐κB signaling pathway and exhibiting SP, thereby enhancing the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Based on such a synergistic effect, osteoporosis can be suppressed, and bone regeneration can be achieved by inhibiting the RANKL pathway in vitro and in vivo, which is a commonly known mechanism of bone physiology. Therefore, the study presents a promising approach for developing a multifunctional regenerative material for sophisticated osteoporotic bone regeneration.
A novel biomimetic scaffold incorporating 4‐hexylresorcinol and substance p is prepared for osteoporotic bone regeneration. It controls the sequential release of bioactive agents. This promotes VEGF expressions and enhances cell migration, tube‐formation, and facilitating bone formation. Additionally, it inhibits osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the IκB/NF‐κB signaling pathway. The study demonstrates a promising multifunctional scaffold for sophisticated osteoporotic bone regeneration.
Background
Determination of preoperative soft tissue sarcoma (STS) margin is crucial for patient prognosis.
Purpose
To evaluate diagnostic performance of radiomics model using T2‐weighted Dixon ...sequence for infiltration degree of STS margin.
Study Type
Retrospective.
Population
Seventy‐two STS patients consisted of training (n = 58) and test (n = 14) sets.
Field Strength/Sequence
A 3.0 T; T2‐weighted Dixon images.
Assessment
Pathologic result of marginal infiltration in STS (circumscribed margin; n = 27, group 1, focally infiltrative margin; n = 31, group 2‐A, diffusely infiltrative margin; n = 14, group 2‐B) was the reference standard. Radiomic volume and shape (VS) and other (T2) features were extracted from entire tumor volume and margin, respectively. Twelve radiomics models were generated using four combinations of classifier algorithms (R, SR, LR, LSR) and three different inputs (VS, T2, VS + T2 VST2 features) to differentiate the three groups. Three radiologists (reader 1, 2, 3) analyzed the marginal infiltration with 6–scale confidence score.
Statistical Tests
Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and concordance rate.
Results
Averaged AUCs of R, SR, LR, LSR models were 0.438, 0.466, 0.438, 0.466 using VS features, 0.596, 0.584, 0.814, 0.815 using T2 features, and 0.581, 0.587, 0.821, 0.821 using VST2 features, respectively. The LR and LSR models constructed with T2 or VST2 features showed higher AUC and concordance rate compared to radiologists' analysis (AUC; 0.730, 0.675, 0.706, concordance rate; 0.46, 0.43, 0.47 in reader 1, 2, 3).
Data Conclusion
Radiomics model constructed with features from tumor margin on T2‐weighted Dixon sequence is a promising method for differentiating infiltration degree of STS margin.
Evidence Level
4
Technical Efficacy
Stage 2
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