Involvement of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

The kynurenine pathway (KP), a major metabolic pathway for L-tryptophan (Trp) in mammals, plays a multifaceted role in various physiological processes, including neural activity, immune system regulation, and the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. The functional connection between the KP and immune system is supported by robust evidence, including disease-associated alterations in KP metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities that correlate with immune function changes. Imbalances in the KP can be detrimental, as excessive production of pro- or anti-inflammatory metabolites may promote autoimmunity or impair pathogen defense.

Changes in Children's Receipt of Fluoride Varnish During Medical Visits and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: Primary care medical providers are recommended to apply fluoride varnish to the teeth of young children to prevent tooth decay. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted care delivery in health care settings and may have differentially impacted patients with different types of insurance. The objective of this study was to examine changes in children's receipt of fluoride varnish in the medical office during 2014-2022.

Geographic variation in shortfalls of dementia specialists in the United States.

Dementia specialists-neurologists, geriatricians, and geriatric psychiatrists-serve a critical clinical function in diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer's disease and determining eligibility for treatment with disease-modifying therapies. However, the availability of dementia specialists is limited and varies across the United States. Using data from the Area Health Resources Files, we found that the median density of dementia specialists across hospital referral regions in United States is 28.

Clinician characteristics associated with fluoride varnish applications during well-child visits.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with clinicians' likelihood and intensity of applying fluoride varnish (FV) overall and for visits paid by Medicaid and private insurers.

Study Design: Observational study using claims data.

Methods: Using the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database (2016-2018), we conducted a repeated cross-sectional study of 2911 clinicians (7277 clinician-year observations) providing well-child visits to children aged 1 to 5 years.

Association Between Insurance Type and Fluoride Varnish Application During Well-Child Visits in Massachusetts.

Objective: To compare rates of fluoride varnish (FV) applications during well-child visits for children covered by Medicaid and private medical insurance in Massachusetts.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed well-child visits for children aged 1 to 5 years paid by Medicaid and private insurance during 2016.Çô18 in Massachusetts.

The Impact of Nurse Practitioner-Led Primary Care on Quality and Cost for Medicaid-Enrolled Patients in States With Pay Parity.

Studies have established that nurse practitioners (NPs) deliver primary care comparable to physicians in quality and cost, but most focus on Medicare, a program that reimburses NPs less than physicians. In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the quality and cost implications of receiving primary care from NPs compared to physicians in 14 states that reimburse NPs at the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) physician rate (i.e.

Pediatric oral health services in Medicaid managed care and fee for service.

Objectives: In 2008, Florida's Medicaid program began reimbursing medical providers for preventive oral health services (POHS) delivered to children aged 6 months to 42 months. We examine whether Medicaid comprehensive managed care (CMC) and fee for service (FFS) had different rates of POHS during pediatric medical visits.

Study Design: Observational study using claims data (2009-2012).

Assessing the effects of short-term traffic restriction policies on traffic-related air pollutants.

The implementation of short-term traffic restriction policies (TRPs) during major events positively influences the traffic emission reduction. However, few studies explore the impact of diesel vehicle emissions on air quality during short-term TRP. In particular, the intertwined influences of short-term TRP and Spring Festival remains unclear.

Paeoniflorin-6'-o-benzene sulfonate ameliorates the progression of adjuvant-induced arthritis by inhibiting the interaction between Ahr and GRK2 of fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is thought to be a crucial factor that regulates immune responses, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results of our group in recent years have shown that Paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate (code: CP-25), a novel ester derivative of paeoniflorin, has a good effect on improving RA animal models. However, whether the anti-arthritis effect of CP-25 is related to Ahr remains unclear.

Improving Diet Quality in U.S. Adults: A 30-Year Health and Economic Impact Microsimulation.

Introduction: Epidemiologic studies relating health outcomes to dietary patterns captured by diet quality indices have shown better quality scores associated with lower mortality and chronic disease incidence. However, changing chronic disease risk factors only alters population health over time, and initial diet quality systematically varies across the population by sociodemographic status. This study uses microsimulation to examine 30-year impacts of improved diet quality by sociodemographic group.

Diet Quality in the United States Improved during the Great Recession and Deteriorated During Economic Recovery.

Background: Macroeconomic changes are associated with population health outcomes, such as mortality, accidents, and alcohol use. Diet quality is a risk or protective factor that could be influenced by economic conditions.

Objective: This study examined the trajectory of diet quality measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2015 before, during, and after the 2008-2009 Great Recession.

Do patients bypass primary care for common health problems under a free-access system? Experience of Taiwan.

Background: A common challenge for free-access systems is that people may bypass primary care and seek secondary care through self-referral. Taiwan's government has undertaken various initiatives to mitigate bypass; however, little is known about whether the bypass trend has decreased over time. This study examined the extent to which patients bypass primary care for treatment of common diseases and factors associated with bypass under Taiwan's free-access system.