Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens.

Background: Sunscreens can reduce skin cancer and sunburn. Recent studies on dermal penetration have raised concerns about the safety of sunscreens with organic ultraviolet (UV) filters.

Objective: The aim of the retrospective study was to assess the dermal safety of chemical sunscreens containing the chemical filters avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate.

Ultrasound of the rectus femoris as a novel tool to measure sarcopenia in pediatric chronic liver disease.

Background: Sarcopenia, assessed by psoas muscle CT or MRI, predicts adverse outcomes in adults with advanced chronic liver disease (CLD). However, these radiologic techniques are understudied in children. Ultrasound (US) measures of leg muscle quality and quantity potentially offer a novel, safe, and practical means to assess sarcopenia in pediatric patients.

Severe hepatitis in pediatric patients: The Severe Hepatitis In Pediatric Patients (SHIPP) registry.

Objectives: Clusters of severe acute hepatitis in children were reported worldwide beginning in October 2021. Although most children recovered, some progressed to liver failure leading to death or liver transplantation. Herein, we characterize the clinical characteristics, and outcomes of this group of children through an international collaborative effort.

A quantitative weight-of-evidence review of preclinical studies examining the potential developmental and reproductive toxicity of acetaminophen.

We previously developed a quantitative weight-of-evidence (QWoE) framework using prespecified scoring criteria for preclinical acetaminophen data to characterize potential developmental neurotoxicity outcomes with considerations for biological relevance of the response to adverse outcomes and the strength of methods and study design. The current analysis uses this framework to characterize potential developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) outcomes following exposure to acetaminophen. Two-hundred forty-two QWoE entries were documented from rodent studies identified in 110 publications across five categories: DART endpoints in the context of (1) periadolescent/adulthood (nonpregnancy) exposures; (2) pregnant female exposures; and, for or other developmental exposures, (3) anatomical abnormalities, (4) reproductive development, and (5) other physical development.

A quantitative weight-of-evidence review of preclinical studies examining the potential developmental neurotoxicity of acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen [paracetamol; -acetyl--aminophenol (APAP)] is an antipyretic/analgesic commonly used in the treatment of fever and mild to moderate pain, headache, myalgia, and dysmenorrhea. Recent literature has questioned the safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy, with an emphasis on whether exposure to the developing nervous system results in behavioral changes consistent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and/or other cognitive deficits in the offspring. No previous review has used a fully detailed, quantitative weight-of-evidence (QWoE) approach to critically examine the preclinical acetaminophen data with regards to potential developmental neurotoxicity (DNT).

Robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery for patients with obesity: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity poses significant challenges in colorectal surgery, affecting operative difficulty and postoperative recovery. The choice of minimally invasive approach for this patient population remains a challenge during preoperative planning. This review aims to provide an updated synthesis of studies comparing laparoscopic and robotic approaches for adult patients with obesity undergoing colorectal surgery.

A National Survey of the Training and Practice Patterns of Practicing Pediatric Advanced Endoscopists in the United States.

Background And Aims: Pediatric advanced endoscopy consists primarily of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and is becoming more common in pediatrics. This study aims to characterize the current landscape of pediatric advanced endoscopy training and practice by directly surveying independently practicing pediatric advanced endoscopists (PAEs). We also aim to ascertain expert opinion on competency in pediatric ERCP and EUS.

Leptin Enhances Hepatic Fibrosis and Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Cholestasis.

Leptin is an adipokine with roles in food intake and energy metabolism through its actions on neurons in the hypothalamus. The role of leptin in obesity and cardiovascular disorders is well documented. However, its influence on liver conditions such as cholestasis is poorly understood.

A critical review of bile acids and their receptors in hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy describes an array of neurological complications that arise due to liver insufficiency. The pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy shares a longstanding association with hyperammonemia and inflammation, and recently, aberrant bile acid signaling has been implicated in the development of key features of hepatic encephalopathy. These key features include neuronal dysfunction, neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier permeability.

Multiorgan Metabolomics and Lipidomics Provide New Insights Into Fat Infiltration in the Liver, Muscle Wasting, and Liver-Muscle Crosstalk Following Burn Injury.

Burn injury mediated hypermetabolic syndrome leads to increased mortality among severe burn victims, due to liver failure and muscle wasting. Metabolic changes may persist up to 2 years following the injury. Thus, understanding the underlying mechanisms of the pathology is crucially important to develop appropriate therapeutic approaches.

Chronic diarrhea.

Chronic diarrhea is a complex and common problem faced by primary care clinicians. Its causes can range from the common and relatively benign excessive juice consumption to the more alarming inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This paper will review the definition and etiology of chronic diarrhea and aims to provide a simple approach to its diagnosis and management including when, if appropriate, to refer to GI specialist.

Two cases of adenodermatofibroma.

Dermatofibromas (DF) are common skin lesions composed of a dermal proliferation of fibroblasts and histiocytes. Among the variants of DFs, adenodermatofibroma are characterized by a dense proliferation of fibroblasts and histiocytes admixed with entrapped dilated glandular structures. We report two additional cases of adenodermatofibromas, review the literature, theorize on the histopathogenesis of this variant, and suggest that there are different patterns among adenodermatofibromas, from primarily cystic to primarily glandular.

Concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in serum from New Jersey biomonitoring study: 2016-2018.

The first statewide New Jersey Biomonitoring (NJBM) of serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was conducted from 2016 to 2018. Forty ortho-substituted PCBs were measured in serum samples collected from 920 NJ residents in compliance with the CDC method. The lipid adjusted geometric mean (GM) of ∑PCB concentration for all the 920 measured subjects was 65.

Prevalence of Abnormal Ultrasound Findings in Asymptomatic Posterior Tibial Tendons.

Background: Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a pathological condition that can cause failure of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT). Initially, patients with PTTD are often asymptomatic, making early identification and treatment challenging. Certain ultrasound (US) characteristics have been implicated in the presence of tendinopathy, but their frequency has yet to be assessed in the PTT.

Occupational Contact Dermatitis: Common Occupational Allergens.

The prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis is estimated to be between 6.7% and 10.6% and can lead to missed work and job loss.

Overexpression of associated with altered genome and poor survival in selected types of human cancer.

Base excision repair, which is initiated by the DNA -glycosylase proteins, is the frontline for repairing potentially mutagenic DNA base damage. Several base excision repair genes are deregulated in cancer and affect cellular outcomes to chemotherapy and carcinogenesis. Endonuclease VIII-like 3 (NEIL3) is a DNA glycosylase protein that is involved in oxidative and interstrand crosslink DNA damage repair.

Occupationally Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Methylchloroisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone Among Water Bottle Plant Workers.

Background: Methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) allergy has increased for the last decade, mostly not only because of high concentrations in cosmetics but also because of its use as a biocide in industrial settings.

Objective: We report an outbreak of allergic contact dermatitis in 8 workers at a water bottling plant secondary to excess levels of MCI/MI in the cooling system, found to be at levels 5 times the manufacturer's recommendations.

Methods: Of 15 workers in the plastic bottle manufacturing area, 8 developed dermatitis, and 4 were referred for patch testing using a 100-allergen panel applied and interpreted in the standardized method according to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group.

Measuring methane emissions from abandoned and active oil and gas wells in West Virginia.

Recent studies have reported methane (CH) emissions from abandoned and active oil and gas infrastructure across the United States, where measured emissions show regional variability. To investigate similar phenomena in West Virginia, we measure and characterize emissions from abandoned and active conventional oil and gas wells. In addition, we reconcile divergent regional CH emissions estimates by comparing our West Virginia emissions estimates with those from other states in the United States.