Lateral ridge augmentation using autogenous-xenogenic or allogenic-xenogenic graft mix with a cross-linked collagen membrane: a randomized pilot clinical trial.

The aim of the present trial is to compare in a horizontal guided bone regeneration clinical model, the allogenic-xenogenic combination to the autogenous-xenogenic combination. Edentulous ridges with less than 5 mm width were treated with guided bone regeneration using a glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen membrane. Two graft combinations were used: autogenous-xenogenic (control group) or allogenic-xenogenic (test group).

A Guide to De-escalation of Combination Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Advanced combination therapy with biologics and small molecules has seen more widespread implementation for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there is a paucity of data available to guide the successful de-escalation of combination therapy following the achievement of disease remission. Therefore, we pursued this retrospective study to evaluate our center's approach to de-escalation of these patients.

Exploring the association between anhedonia and nicotine dependence: A study among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Nicotine dependence and its psychological foundations, including anhedonia, are major public health issues, especially among young adults. There is a dearth of knowledge regarding nicotine dependence and anhedonia especially among female young adults. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the associations between anhedonia and nicotine dependence among female undergraduate students.

Multidimensional Sleep Health, Glycemic Control, and Self-Reported Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Context: Sleep health is multidimensional. While studies have shown associations between certain sleep dimensions and health in type 1 diabetes (T1D), global sleep health has rarely been considered.

Objective: To examine the associations between individual sleep dimensions and multidimensional sleep health (MSH) on glycemic control and self-reported outcomes in T1D.

Postoperative Ustekinumab Drug Levels and Disease Activity in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

Aims: This study investigated how post-operative ustekinumab levels relate to surgery type, endoscopic, biochemical, and clinical outcomes in patients with Crohn's Disease.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with Crohn's Disease with a disease-related operation between 2016 and 2022 assessed outcomes based on ustekinumab levels. Patients were included if they had an ustekinumab trough level within two years post-operatively.

Measurement and Application of Incidentally Detected Coronary Calcium: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a powerful tool for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification. The nongated, noncontrast chest computed tomography scan (NCCT) has emerged as a source of CAC characterization with tremendous potential due to the high volume of NCCT scans. Application of incidental CAC characterization from NCCT has raised questions around score accuracy, standardization of methodology including the possibility of deep learning to automate the process, and the risk stratification potential of an NCCT-derived score.

Therapeutic drug monitoring in inflammatory bowel disease patients on vedolizumab.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether vedolizumab (VDZ) levels were associated with inflammatory markers or clinical or endoscopic scoring in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Besides demographic data, clinical scoring, endoscopic data, and laboratory markers of IBD patients treated with VDZ from 2015 to 2020 who had trough levels drawn on maintenance therapy were collected at baseline and at follow-up (after at least 8 weeks on VDZ therapy or after change in dose frequency). Low drug levels were defined as VDZ trough <20 μg/mL.

Therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on ustekinumab.

Objective: Therapeutic drug monitoring is used clinically to guide anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its use for ustekinumab (UST) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine predictive variables of UST levels.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort of patients with IBD, UST trough levels were drawn at maintenance dosing.

Look What the Cat Dragged in! Recurrent Clostridioides difficile from a Household Cat.

BACKGROUND Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that is well known for causing serious diarrheal infections and can even lead to colon cancer if left untreated. Disruption of the normal healthy bacteria in the colon can lead to development of C.

Integrating Intestinal Ultrasound into an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Practice: How to Get Started.

Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) offers a safe, noninvasive, point-of-care tool for diagnosing and monitoring disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IUS is used widely in Europe and Canada for IBD, but it remains underutilized in the United States. Growing interest in IUS in the United States has prompted many IBD centers to train their faculty in IUS.

Association between sleep variability and time in range of glucose levels in patients with type 1 diabetes: Cross-sectional study.

Objective: Sleep and circadian disturbances emerge as novel factors influencing glycemic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We aimed to explore the associations among sleep, behavioral circadian parameters, self-care, and glycemic parameters in T1D.

Methods: Seventy-six non-shift-working adult T1D patients participated.

Utility of Intestinal Ultrasound in Clinical Decision-Making for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background: There is a clinical need to improve the monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity. Despite being used regularly in European countries, intestinal ultrasound (IUS) has been implemented less in the United States for unclear reasons.

Aims: The aim of this study is to illustrate how IUS can be used as a clinical decision-making tool in an American IBD cohort.

The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Induction of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Considerable research supports an important role for the microbiome and/or microbiome-host immune system interactions in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Consequently, microbiota-modulating interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), have attracted interest in the management of IBD, including ulcerative colitis (UC).

Summary: While the clinical response to FMT in UC has varied between different studies, results to date may offer guidance toward optimal use of FMT.

Sleep optimization to improve glycemic control in adults with type 1 diabetes: study protocol for a randomized controlled parallel intervention trial.

Background: Despite improvements in treatment regimens and technology, less than 20% of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) achieve glycemic targets. Sleep is increasingly recognized as a potentially modifiable target for improving glycemic control. Diabetes distress, poor self-management behaviors, and reduced quality of life have also been linked to sleep variability and insufficient sleep duration.

Biological Therapies for the Management of Enteric Disease: Considerations for the Clinician.

Several biologic therapies have been approved for enteric diseases. We evaluate each biologic's role based on their mechanism of action in treating these conditions. This review examines data on efficacy and safety, as well as considerations for using these therapies in clinical practice in inflammatory bowel diseases, enteric infections-specifically colitis-and potentially in the increasingly prevalent disorder of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Conservation overstretch and long-term decline of wildlife and tourism in the Central African savannas.

When in 2010 the world's governments pledged to increase protected area coverage to 17% of the world's land surface, several Central African countries had already set aside 25% of their northern savannas for conservation. To evaluate the effectiveness of this commitment, we analyzed the results of 68 multispecies surveys conducted in the seven main savanna national parks in Central Africa (1960-2017). We also assembled information on potential drivers of large herbivore population trends (rainfall and number of rangers) and on tourist numbers and revenues.