Takayasu's arteritis: a pathogenetic role for cytotoxic T lymphocytes?

Takayasu's arteritis is an inflammatory panarteritis of unknown aetiology affecting large elastic arteries. We examined a segment of abnormal common carotid artery removed at by-pass surgery from a 23-year-old man with typical angiographic features of Takayasu's arteritis. Using monoclonal antibodies we were able to demonstrate marked infiltration of the arterial wall with OKT8 positive lymphocytes (suppressor/cytotoxic cells) but not with OKT4 positive lymphocytes (helper cells). Studies of circulating lymphocytes showed increased numbers of "activated" cells and increased in vitro cytotoxicity against cultured human umbilical cord endothelial cells, compared to normal lymphocytes. Cellular immunological mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Takayasu's arteritis, possibly through the direct action of cytotoxic T cells on large elastic arteries.     

Pediatric Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome: Analysis by an Untargeted “Shotgun” Lipidomic Approach Reveals Low-Abundance Plasma Phospholipids and Dynamic Recovery over 8-Day Period,a Single-Center Observational Study

Lipids are molecules involved in metabolism and inflammation. This study investigates the plasma lipidome for markers of severity and nutritional status in critically ill children. Children with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (n = 24) are analyzed at three time-points and cross-referenced to sedation controls (n = 4) for a total of N = 28. Eight of the patients with MODS, needed veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) support to survive. Blood plasma lipid profiles are quantified by nano-electrospray (nESI), direct infusion high resolution/accurate mass spectrometry (MS), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and compared to nutritional profiles and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction (PELOD) scores. Our results show that PELOD scores were not significantly different between MODS and ECMO cases across time-points (p = 0.66). Lipid profiling provides stratification between sedation controls and all MODS patients for total lysophosphatidylserine (lysoPS) (p-value = 0.004), total phosphatidylserine (PS) (p-value = 0.015), and total ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamine (ether-PE) (p-value = 0.03) after adjusting for sex and age. Nutrition intake over time did not correlate with changes in lipid profiles, as measured by caloric and protein intake. Lipid measurement in the intensive care environment shows dynamic changes over an 8-day pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) course, suggesting novel metabolic indicators for defining critically ill children.     

Time-Restricted Eating for 12 Weeks Does Not Adversely Alter Bone Turnover in Overweight Adults

Weight loss is a major focus of research and public health efforts. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is shown to be effective for weight loss, but the impact on bone is unclear. Short-term TRE studies show no effect on bone mineral density (BMD), but no study has measured bone turnover markers. This secondary analysis examined the effect of 12 weeks of TRE vs. unrestricted eating on bone turnover and BMD. Overweight and obese adults aged 18–65 y (n = 20) were randomized to TRE (ad libitum 8-h eating window) or non-TRE. Serum N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP), cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were taken pre- and post-intervention. In both groups, P1NP decreased significantly (p = 0.04) but trended to a greater decrease in the non-TRE group (p = 0.07). The treatment time interaction for bone mineral content (BMC) was significant (p = 0.02), such that BMC increased in the TRE group and decreased in the non-TRE group. Change in P1NP was inversely correlated with change in weight (p = 0.04) overall, but not within each group. These findings suggest that TRE does not adversely affect bone over a moderate timeframe. Further research should examine the long-term effects of TRE on bone.     

The Hunger Games: Homeostatic State-Dependent Fluctuations in Disinhibition Measured with a Novel Gamified Test Battery

Food homeostatic states (hunger and satiety) influence the cognitive systems regulating impulsive responses, but the direction and specific mechanisms involved in this effect remain elusive. We examined how fasting, and satiety, affect cognitive mechanisms underpinning disinhibition using a novel framework and a gamified test-battery. Thirty-four participants completed the test-battery measuring three cognitive facets of disinhibition: attentional control, information gathering and monitoring of feedback, across two experimental sessions: one after overnight fasting and another after a standardised meal. Homeostatic state was assessed using subjective self-reports and biological markers (i.e., blood-derived liver-expressed antimicrobial protein 2 (LEAP-2), insulin and leptin). We found that participants who experienced greater subjective hunger during the satiety session were more impulsive in the information gathering task; results were not confounded by changes in mood or anxiety. Homeostatic state did not significantly influence disinhibition mechanisms linked to attentional control or feedback monitoring. However, we found a significant interaction between homeostatic state and LEAP-2 on attentional control, with higher LEAP-2 associated with faster reaction times in the fasted condition only. Our findings indicate lingering hunger after eating increases impulsive behaviour via reduced information gathering. These findings identify a novel mechanism that may underpin the tendency to overeat and/or engage in broader impulsive behaviours.     

Health Literacy and Associated Outcomes in the Postpartum Period at Grady Memorial Hospital

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Many studies correlate lower health literacy with poorer health outcomes and inferior provider-patient communication. Little is known about how impaired health...     

Ecological Systems Affecting Urban Childbearing Puerto Rican Women in the City of Philadelphia

Maternal and Child Health Journal - The purpose of this study was to explore socio-ecological influences affecting the daily lives of urban, pregnant Puerto Rican women and factors negatively...     

Adverse Childhood Experiences are Associated with Miscarriage in Adulthood: The GROWH Study

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To investigate whether adverse childhood experiences are associated with miscarriage. The Gulf Resilience on Women’s Health Consortium recruited from...     

Pediatric Group Care: A Systematic Review

Maternal and Child Health Journal - To describe characteristics and outcomes of Group Well-Child Care programs and provide recommendations for future research. Informed by Preferred Reporting Items...     

Lactation Patterns in Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: An Analysis of Illinois 2012–2015 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Data

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have lifelong implications on maternal cardiovascular health. Breastfeeding has a variety of maternal benefits, including...