Detection of West Nile virus in the tissues of specific pathogen free chickens and serological response to laboratory infection: a comparative study.

Using an isolate of West Nile virus (WNV) from lineage 1 (Goose/Israel 1998), groups of specific pathogen free chickens were experimentally infected via the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. To evaluate the relative efficiency of detecting the virus in the infected chickens, samples from a range of tissues and organs were examined by virus isolation tests in tissue culture, including Vero, primary chicken embryo liver and fibroblast cells, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. Additionally, in order to investigate the serological response of the chickens and produce WNV monospecific antibodies, serum samples were collected from the birds during the trial and analysed for antibodies by virus neutralization (VN) and the plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). No clinical signs or gross pathological changes were seen in any of the inoculated chickens throughout the study. The nested PCR used in the study appeared to be significantly more sensitive at detecting the presence of the virus in both the tissues and the inoculated Vero cell cultures compared with the detection of gross cytopathic changes as observed in infected Vero cell culture. No cytopathic changes were seen in the inoculated avian cell cultures. Following primary inoculation of the chickens there was a weak antibody response 15 days post-inoculation. However, following re-inoculation with inactivated WNV and adjuvant there was a substantial increase in the neutralizing antibody titres when tested 2 weeks later. The results obtained suggested that the PRNT was more sensitive than the conventional VN test. Based on detection of virus and serology there was no evidence of viral transmission to the close contact controls. It can be concluded that the PCR used in this study was more sensitive than virus isolation for the detection of WNV while the PRNT also appeared more sensitive than the conventional VN test.     

Association of First-Week Nutrient Intake and Extrauterine Growth Restriction in Moderately Preterm Infants: A Regional Population-Based Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of first-week nutrition intake on neonatal growth in moderate preterm (MP) infants. Data on neonatal morbidity and nutrition intake on day of life 7 (DoL7) were prospectively collected from 735 MP infants (32^0/7–34^6/7 weeks gestational age (GA)). Multivariable regression was used to assess the factors associated with extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) defined as a decrease of more than 1 standard deviation (SD) in the weight z-score during hospitalization. Mean (SD) gestational age and birth weight were 33.2 (0.8) weeks and 2005 (369) g. The mean change in the weight z-score during hospitalization was −0.64 SD. A total of 138 infants (18.8%) had EUGR. Compared to adequate growth infants, EUGR infants received 15% and 35% lower total energy and protein intake respectively (p < 0.001) at DoL7. At DoL7, each increase of 10 kcal/kg/d and 1 g/kg/d of protein was associated with reduced odds of EUGR with an odds ratio of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66–0.82; p < 0.001) and 0.54 (0.44–0.67; p < 0.001), respectively. Insufficient energy and protein intakes on DoL7 negatively affected neonatal growth of MP infants. Nutritional support should be optimized from birth onwards to improve neonatal weight growth.     

Wellbeing of Breastfeeding Women in Australia and New Zealand during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

During the COVID-19 pandemic, breastfeeding women have experienced restricted access to support, placing them at increased risk of mental health concerns and limited breastfeeding assistance. This study investigated the effect of the pandemic on feeding choices and maternal wellbeing amongst breastfeeding mothers living in Australian and New Zealand. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey that examined feeding methods, maternal mental wellbeing, worries, challenges, and positive experiences during the pandemic. Most women were exclusively breastfeeding (82%). Partial breastfeeding was associated with perceived low milk supply and longer pregnancy duration during the pandemic. Reduced mental health and wellbeing was associated with lower levels of family functioning, increased perceived stress, and perinatal anxiety. Longer pregnancy duration during the pandemic was associated with lower mental health wellbeing scores, while higher perceived stress scores were reported for regions with higher COVID-19 infection rates and women with perceived low milk supply. Women reported that the pandemic resulted in less pressure and more time for family bonding, while worries about the pandemic, family health, and parenting challenges were also cited. Mental health concerns of breastfeeding women appear to be exacerbated by COVID-19, highlighting a critical need for access to mental health and broader family support during the pandemic.     

Household Food Insecurity,Lung Function,and COPD in US Adults

Increasing epidemiological evidence suggests that optimal diet quality helps to improve preservation of lung function and to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk, but no study has investigated the association of food insecurity (FI) and lung health in the general population. Using data from a representative sample of US adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012 cycles, we investigated the association between FI with lung function and spirometrically defined COPD in 12,469 individuals aged ≥ 18 years of age. FI (high vs. low) was defined using the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Security Scale). Population-weighted adjusted regression models were used to investigate associations between FI, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), their ratio, and spirometrically defined restriction (FVC below the lower limit of normal) and airflow obstruction (COPD). The prevalence of household FI was 13.2%. High household FI was associated with lower FVC (adjusted β-coefficient −70.9 mL, 95% CI −116.6, −25.3), and with higher odds (OR) of spirometric restriction (1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.03). Stratified analyses showed similar effect sizes within specific ethnic groups. High FI was associated with worse lung health in a nationally representative sample of adults in the US.     

Determinants of the Consumption of Regular Soda,Sport, and Energy Beverages in Spanish Adolescents

Increasing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption and associated health impacts warrant health-policy action. We assessed associations of socioeconomic and lifestyle variables with adolescents’ consumption of regular soda (RSD), sport (SD), and energy (ED) drinks. Cross-sectional study of 3930 Spanish adolescents (2089 girls, 1841 boys) aged 13–18 years). We compared frequency of consuming each SSB type (European Food Safety Authority questionnaire) with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables (standardized questions). RSD, SD, and ED were consumed at least weekly by 72.7%, 32.3%, and 12.3% of participants, respectively, and more frequently (p < 0.001) by boys, compared to girls. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression showed inverse association between RSD, SD, and ED consumption and parental occupation-based socioeconomic status (p < 0.01). Daily smoking was associated (p < 0.001) with higher ED (OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.39–5.55) and RSD (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.56–2.97) consumptions. SD intake was associated inversely with smoking (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.89, p = 0.012) and directly with physical activity (OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.18–3.95, p < 0.001). School performance was lower among ED (OR 2.14, 95% CI, 1.37–3.35, p = 0.001) and RSD (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.24–2.64, p = 0.002) consumers, compared to SD. Maleness and low socioeconomic status predicted SSB consumption. Smoking and low school performance were associated with higher ED and RSD intakes.     

Orofacial evaluation of individuals with temporomandibular disorder after LED therapy associated or not of occlusal splint: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical study

Lasers in Medical Science - This study compared the effects of LED therapy associated with occlusal splint (OS) on the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In this randomized,...     

Quality of life outcomes after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum utilizing a new set of metallic bars and stabilizers

Background/PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the postoperative quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) with a newly designed bar and bar stabilizers.MethodsWe conducted a prospective randomized study in which patients were operated either with standard perpendicular stabilizers (control group) or with the newly designed oblique stabilizers (intervention group). All patients were evaluated 6 months after the operation with the Pectus Excavatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PEEQ).ResultsThere were 16 patients in the control group and 14 in the intervention group. Mean age was 17 (SD: 3.3, range 14–27) years. There were no demographic differences between groups. Two patients in the control group and one in the intervention group were repaired with two bars instead of one. There was one reoperation in each group. There was a significant difference between the pre- and postoperative scores, in both groups, in the patient body image domain (control group: 9.5 to 3; p < 0.01; intervention group 10 to 3; p < 0.01), as well as in the psychosocial domain (control group: 13.5 to 24, p < 0.01; intervention group: 15 to 24, p < 0.01). With regards to the patients' perception of physical difficulties before and after MIRPE, the difference between pre- and postoperative scores was greater in the intervention group (8 to 12, p < 0.01) than in the control group (10 to 11, p = 0.04). The mean length of stay was 4.5 and 5 days in the intervention group and the control group, respectively.ConclusionOur study showed that patients who underwent MIRPE with the newly designed bars and stabilizers had non-inferior outcomes than patients reported in the literature who underwent MIRPE with standard bars and stabilizers. We found slightly better outcomes in patients in the intervention group compared to the control group, but larger studies will be needed to confirm if those differences are statistically significant.Level of evidenceII