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Archives of Disease in Childhood.... Jun 2024With numbers of children and young people waiting for treatment rising to record-high levels in the UK, the need for paediatricians is emphasised. In order to...
With numbers of children and young people waiting for treatment rising to record-high levels in the UK, the need for paediatricians is emphasised. In order to accommodate these demands, it is essential that more medical students are encouraged to pursue paediatric careers. By providing vital career support to aspiring paediatricians at an undergraduate level, recruitment into paediatrics can be amplified. An important way in which medical students gain early exposure to paediatrics is through local paediatric organisations like university societies, who can nurture interest towards the specialty and provide links to exploring and building upon paediatric career development. By empowering student initiatives to create opportunities for students to pursue paediatrics, we can build and support the next generation of paediatricians from the ground up. This was demonstrated by the Edinburgh University Paediatrics Society's free virtual career building series TODDLE: 'The building blOcks to Developing your paeDiatric portfoLio and carEer'. Feedback from the TODDLE series evidently showed an appetite for paediatric career support at an undergraduate level internationally, with attendees commenting on the usefulness, novelty and accessibility of the series. TODDLE emphasised the importance of providing paediatric career advice to medical students and showed the feasibility and practicality of student-led initiatives in providing this support as well as other paediatric exposures. Through collaborative work and the sharing of resources, any organisation at a student level can offer opportunities for engagement in paediatrics on a national and international basis.
PubMed: 38925905
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325409 -
Appetite Jun 2024The use of mobile applications to assist with food decision making has increased significantly. Although food scanner applications provide nutritional information to...
The use of mobile applications to assist with food decision making has increased significantly. Although food scanner applications provide nutritional information to consumers in the marketplace, little is known about their effects on users' intentions and behavior. This research investigates whether a mobile food scanner app can influence consumers toward healthier food choices. Four studies tested whether information displayed through a food scanner app (as opposed to no information or front-of-packaging label information) influenced purchase intentions for food products (Studies 1-3) or led consumers to make healthier food choices (Study 4). Application-provided information enhanced hypothetical choice and purchase intentions of healthy products in comparison no information, but it did not influence real behavior when participants made choices in an experimental supermarket. Information provided through a food scanner app was systematically outperformed by front-of-packaging label information.
PubMed: 38925207
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107571 -
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports Jun 2024The incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) after heart transplantation is high; however, there are no reports on treatment options when antidepressant therapy...
The incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) after heart transplantation is high; however, there are no reports on treatment options when antidepressant therapy fails to improve the condition. We herein report on the case of a woman with MDD after heart transplantation who partially improved with antidepressant treatment but continued to have a loss of appetite. Augmentation treatment with aripiprazole improved her appetite, and her MDD went into remission. When antidepressant treatment is not sufficiently effective for MDD after heart transplantation, augmentation treatment with antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole, should be considered.
PubMed: 38923862
DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12463 -
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) Jun 2024Our aim was to identify independent determinants of rapid weight gain in infants at 3-4, 6, and 12 months of age.
AIM
Our aim was to identify independent determinants of rapid weight gain in infants at 3-4, 6, and 12 months of age.
METHODS
A cohort study was conducted on Mexican term infants in public and private settings between March 2021 and May 2023. Rapid weight gain was defined as a ≥0.67 SD change in weight-for-age-Z-score from birth to 3-4, 6, and 12 months of age. Maternal and infant characteristics were described, and infant feeding practices, appetitive traits, weight, and length were analysed at 3-4, 6, and 12 months of age. Rapid weight gain predictors were determined using generalised linear regression models.
RESULTS
In total, 168 infants were recruited (55% boys). Small-for-gestational-age status increased rapid weight gain risk 1.5 times, whereas large-for-gestational-age status represented a 20%-30% decrease. Slowness in eating decreased the risk by 10%. Protective factors were older maternal age and higher educational level, whereas formula feeding, early complementary feeding, greater food enjoyment, and satiety responsiveness increased the risk.
CONCLUSIONS
Small for gestational age, slowness in eating, and feeding practices can be rapid weight gain predictors across the first year of life.
PubMed: 38922980
DOI: 10.1111/apa.17330 -
Cognitive Processing Jun 2024Following the conjecture made by (Bliznashki and Hristova in Appetite 167:105645, 2021), we test the hypothesis that liberal subjective decision criteria exhibited...
Following the conjecture made by (Bliznashki and Hristova in Appetite 167:105645, 2021), we test the hypothesis that liberal subjective decision criteria exhibited during a task involving discrimination between random and systematically correlated patterns should be associated with elevated levels of paranoid ideations. Study 1 establishes the proposed association in the presence of several control measures while also demonstrating that the relationship in question is significantly moderated by subjects' working memory spans and tendencies to be overconfident in their judgments. Study 2 provides further evidence that these effects are indeed specific to tasks involving discrimination between random and systematic patterns and that the observed results are not due to some form of (anti) acquiescence bias or other general trends. Certain specifics of the correlation matrices involving cognitive measures significantly related to the paranoia continuum suggest that our results are consistent with the Entropic Brain Hypothesis. Finally, a simulation study employing a Neural Network demonstrates that increased entropy and liberal decision criteria might be connected to each other with said connection being amenable to an interpretation within the Bayesian paradigm.
PubMed: 38922378
DOI: 10.1007/s10339-024-01204-1 -
Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Insulin exerts a crucial impact on glucose control, cellular growing, function, and metabolism. It is partially modulated by nutrients, especially as a response to the... (Review)
Review
Could Insulin Be a Better Regulator of Appetite/Satiety Balance and Body Weight Maintenance in Response to Glucose Exposure Compared to Sucrose Substitutes? Unraveling Current Knowledge and Searching for More Appropriate Choices.
BACKGROUND
Insulin exerts a crucial impact on glucose control, cellular growing, function, and metabolism. It is partially modulated by nutrients, especially as a response to the intake of foods, including carbohydrates. Moreover, insulin can exert an anorexigenic effect when inserted into the hypothalamus of the brain, in which a complex network of an appetite/hunger control system occurs. The current literature review aims at thoroughly summarizing and scrutinizing whether insulin release in response to glucose exposure may be a better choice to control body weight gain and related diseases compared to the use of sucrose substitutes (SSs) in combination with a long-term, well-balanced diet.
METHODS
This is a comprehensive literature review, which was performed through searching in-depth for the most accurate scientific databases and applying effective and relevant keywords.
RESULTS
The insulin action can be inserted into the hypothalamic orexigenic/anorexigenic complex system, activating several anorexigenic peptides, increasing the hedonic aspect of food intake, and effectively controlling the human body weight. In contrast, SSs appear not to affect the orexigenic/anorexigenic complex system, resulting in more cases of uncontrolled body weight maintenance while also increasing the risk of developing related diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
Most evidence, mainly derived from in vitro and in vivo animal studies, has reinforced the insulin anorexigenic action in the hypothalamus of the brain. Simultaneously, most available clinical studies showed that SSs during a well-balanced diet either maintain or even increase body weight, which may indirectly be ascribed to the fact that they cannot cover the hedonic aspect of food intake. However, there is a strong demand for long-term longitudinal surveys to effectively specify the impact of SSs on human metabolic health.
Topics: Humans; Insulin; Glucose; Appetite; Animals; Body Weight Maintenance; Sucrose; Satiation
PubMed: 38921683
DOI: 10.3390/medsci12020029 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD-1b) is characterized by neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction generated by the accumulation of 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate in...
INTRODUCTION
Glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD-1b) is characterized by neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction generated by the accumulation of 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate in neutrophils. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, such as empagliflozin, facilitate the removal of this toxic metabolite and ameliorate neutropenia-related symptoms, including severe infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our case series presents the treatment of three pediatric GSD-1b patients with empagliflozin over a follow-up of three years; the most extended reported follow-up period to date.
CASES DESCRIPTION
A retrospective analysis of empagliflozin treatment of three pediatric GSD-1b patients (two male and one female; ages at treatment initiation: 4.5, 2.5 and 6 years) was performed. Clinical and laboratory data from a symmetrical period of up to three years before and after the therapy introduction was reported. Data on the clinical course of the treatment, IBD activity, the need for antibiotic treatment and hospitalizations, neutrophil count and function, and markers of inflammation were assessed. Prior the introduction of empagliflozin, patients had recurrent oral mucosa lesions and infections, abdominal pain, and anemia. During empagliflozin treatment, the resolution of aphthous stomatitis, termination of abdominal pain, reduced frequency and severity of infections, anemia resolution, increased appetite, and improved wound healing was observed in all patients, as well as an increased body mass index in two of them. In a patient with IBD, long-term deep remission was confirmed. An increased and stabilized neutrophil count and an improved neutrophil function enabled the discontinuation of G-CSF treatment in all patients. A trend of decreasing inflammation markers was detected.
CONCLUSIONS
During the three-year follow-up period, empagliflozin treatment significantly improved clinical symptoms and increased the neutrophil count and function, suggesting that targeted metabolic treatment could improve the immune function in GSD-1b patients.
Topics: Humans; Male; Benzhydryl Compounds; Female; Glucosides; Glycogen Storage Disease Type I; Child; Child, Preschool; Retrospective Studies; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38919482
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1365700 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Jun 2024Acute hepatitis A infection is common among children in developing nations. The clinical presentation in children is usually asymptomatic and anicteric, and it is a...
BACKGROUND
Acute hepatitis A infection is common among children in developing nations. The clinical presentation in children is usually asymptomatic and anicteric, and it is a self-limiting infection. Rarely, it can be associated with extrahepatic complications such as pleural effusion, acalculous cholecystitis, and ascites.
CASE PRESENTATION
An 8-year-old middle eastern child presented with abdominal pain, jaundice in the sclera, yellowish color of urine, and poor appetite. In the last two days, abdominal distension developed. After conducting diagnostic investigations, the child was diagnosed with HAV hepatitis associated with bilateral pleural effusion, acalculous cholecystitis, and ascites. He was managed conservatively with vitamin K supplementation and supportive parenteral fluids. After 4 days, clinical improvement was observed.
CONCLUSION
Hepatitis A infections presented with extrahepatic manifestations like pleural effusion, acalculous cholecystitis, and ascites are very rare, especially in children. There have been some reports of these manifestations occurring in isolation, but for them to co-exist to our knowledge, this has only been reported in two cases in the literature, and this is the third case with all these three rare complications being presented simultaneously in a single child. Although HAV infection is an asymptomatic and self-limiting viral disease in childhood, it can manifest with rare extrahepatic complications, so pediatricians should be aware of this rare association to avoid unnecessary investigations.
Topics: Humans; Acalculous Cholecystitis; Hepatitis A; Ascites; Child; Pleural Effusion; Male; Vitamin K; Abdominal Pain
PubMed: 38918800
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04627-8 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Recent studies have highlighted the potential of fetal hepatic stem cells in regenerative treatments for liver diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Recent studies have highlighted the potential of fetal hepatic stem cells in regenerative treatments for liver diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of fetal stem cell transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis C.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty patients with liver cirrhosis of all Child-Turcotte-Pugh classes due to chronic hepatitis C, aged 18 to 65 years, were selected for this study. A single intravenous dose of 1 ml containing 6*106 fetal hepatic stem cells, diluted in 20.0 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, was administered. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by measuring levels of ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin before and after cell therapy.
RESULTS
Post-treatment, a significant reduction was noted in the Child-Pugh score from 8 [6-9] to 7 [6-8] (p<0.001) and the MELD index from 11 [7-15] to 10 [7-14] (p=0.004). Skin itching decreased from 36.7% to 10%. Complaints of weakness increased significantly from 3.3% to 23.3% after 30 days of therapy (p=0.014), and the incidence of reduced appetite increased from 20% to 46.7% (p=0.021). No statistical differences were observed in the frequency of nosebleeds (86.7% initially vs. 90% at day 30, p=0.655) or drowsiness (63.3% initially vs. 76.7% at day 30, p=0.157). Significant reductions were noted in ALT levels by 35% and total bilirubin by 44%. The lack of significant changes in indicators of hepatic-cell insufficiency, particularly the protein-forming function as reflected in total protein and albumin levels, is likely due to the extent of liver tissue damage and thus a delayed recovery.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study affirm the clinical efficacy and promise of fetal hepatic stem cell therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment regimen for patients with liver cirrhosis.
Topics: Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Middle Aged; Male; Female; Adult; Adolescent; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Young Adult; Aged; Hepacivirus; Stem Cell Transplantation; Follow-Up Studies; Prognosis
PubMed: 38918672
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.2099 -
Biochemical and Biophysical Research... Jun 2024Neuroinflammation has been implicated in cognitive deficits of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. There is abundant evidence that the application of ghrelin,...
Neuroinflammation has been implicated in cognitive deficits of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. There is abundant evidence that the application of ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone regulating appetite and energy balance, abrogates neuroinflammation and rescues associated memory impairment. However, the underlying mechanism is uncertain. In this study, we find that both intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impairs spatial memory in mice. LPS treatment causes neuroinflammation and microglial activation in the hippocampus. Ghsr1a deletion suppresses LPS-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammation, and rescued LPS-induced memory impairment. Our findings thus suggest that GHS-R1a signaling may promote microglial immunoactivation and contribute to LPS-induced neuroinflammation. GHS-R1a may be a new therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunction associated with inflammatory conditions.
PubMed: 38917617
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150270