Adjunctive efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 in alleviating functional constipation in children

According to a recent study, the administration of XLTG11 at a dosage of 1 × 1010 CFU per day to children resulted in an elevation in fecal frequency, brought about favorable alterations in gut microbiota, and effectively regulated short-chain fatty acid (SCF) genes and genes associated with methane metabolism. This study’s results were published in the Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 
In this double-blinded, randomized trial, eligible children were divided into two groups: the intervention group (n = 65) received conventional treatment with probiotics, and the control group (n = 66) received conventional treatment without probiotics. The primary outcome measure focused on fecal frequency. To predict gene family abundances based on 16S information, fecal gut microbiota analysis and PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) were utilized.
During the treatment period, there was a significant increase in the weekly frequency of feces in each group (F = 41.97, p < 0.001). The frequency of feces (times/week (t/w)) in the intervention group was notably higher compared to the control group post-intervention (3.69 ± 2.62 t/w versus 3.18 ± 1.43 t/w for the first week, 4.03 ± 2.54 t/w versus 2.89 ± 1.39 t/w for the second week, 3.74 ± 2.36 t/w versus. 2.94 ± 1.18 t/w for the third week, and 3.45 ± 1.98 versus 3.17 ± 1.41 t/w for the fourth week) (F = 7.60, p = 0.0067). The dominant species shifted to Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, and Escherichia coli in the group that received the intervention. The genes associated with short-chain fatty acid metabolism were upregulated, while methane metabolism was downregulated.
The above study demonstrated that giving children XLTG11 at a daily dose of 1 × 1010 CFU resulted in more frequent bowel movements, brought about positive changes in gut microbiota, and effectively controlled SCFs genes and genes associated with methane metabolism.
 

Cannabidiol Found Effective as an Analgesic for Acute Dental Pain

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) as an analgesic for acute dental pain, a condition for which nonopioid treatments are limited. In a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 61 patients with moderate to severe toothache were assigned to one of three groups: CBD10 (10 mg/kg), CBD20 (20 mg/kg), or placebo. Participants received a single oral dose, and pain was assessed over 3 hours. 
The primary outcome was pain reduction using a visual analog scale (VAS), while secondary outcomes included pain intensity, time to significant relief, maximum pain relief, bite force changes, psychoactive effects, mood alterations, and other adverse events.

Both CBD groups showed significant reductions in VAS pain scores compared to baseline and placebo, with a maximum median reduction of 73% at 180 minutes (P < 0.05). CBD20 demonstrated a faster onset of pain relief than CBD10 (15 vs. 30 minutes), with both groups achieving maximum relief at 180 minutes. The number needed to treat was 3.1 for CBD10 and 2.4 for CBD20. Bite force significantly increased in both CBD groups (P < 0.05) but not in the placebo group, with CBD20 showing significant changes compared to placebo at 90 and 180 minutes. 
Adverse effects, including sedation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, were more common in CBD groups (P < 0.05). This trial provides initial evidence that oral CBD is an effective and safe alternative analgesic for acute dental pain.
 

The use of prostatic urethral lift to effectively alleviate lower urinary tract symptoms while preserving sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

A recent study demonstrated that prostatic urethral lift (PUL) offers benefits compared to control interventions, showing promising potential for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study findings were published in the journal, Archivio italiano di urologia, andrologia. 
Cochrane CENTRAL, EBSCO, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were searched using relevant terms related to PUL and BPH. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2013 to 2023 were considered, following the PRISMA checklist. The assessment focused on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), sexual function, quality of life, and adverse events within 3 months. Post-treatment mean values were compared with Sham (controls), and the progress from baseline to post-treatment follow-up duration was considered. The statistical analysis and assessment of bias risk were carried out with Review Manager 5.4.1, showcasing findings in terms of mean difference (MD) and risk ratios (RR).
A meta-analysis involving 378 confirmed BPH patients across 7 RCTs and utilizing a Random Effects Model revealed significant improvements in the PUL arm. These improvements included international prostate symptom score (IPSS) (MD 5.51, p<0.0001), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) (MD 2.13, p=0.0001), IPSS-QoL (MD 1.50, p<0.0001), and BPH Impact Index (BPHII) (MD 2.14, p=0.0001) . There was no significant increase in adverse events (RR 1.51; p=0.50). Additionally, positive outcomes were observed in post-void residual measurements and sexual function variables when post-treatment values were compared to baseline.
The above study showed that PUL provides benefits when compared to control treatments, displaying promising potential for the management of BPH. 
 

Nomogram predicts cancer-specific survival for patients with primary gastrointestinal melanoma

According to a recent study, it was validated that nomogram can predict cancer-specific survival and develop a risk stratification system for patients with primary gastrointestinal melanoma. The findings of the study were published in The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology.
Results from a database of 433 patients with primary gastrointestinal melanoma were included in the study after randomly dividing the participants into training and validation cohorts (8:2). The nomogram was constructed based on the risk factors identified in the multivariate Cox regression analysis. Based on the nomogram, a risk stratification system was developed. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were performed.
All cases were randomly divided into either the training (n = 347, 80%) or validation cohort (n = 86, 20%). For all patients, the median cancer-specific survival (CSS) time was 18.0 months (95% CI: 14.7-21.3). The median CSS was 18.0 months (95% CI: 14.5-21.5) and 18.0 months (95% CI: 10.7-25.3) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively (log-rank test, P = .241).
It was found that CSS under the curves of the nomogram for 6-, 12-, and 18-month were 0.789, 0.757, and 0.726 for internal validation, and 0.796, 0.763, and 0.795 for the external validation. Furthermore, the patients were divided into 2 risk sub-groups to study the risk stratification, low-risk (point: 0-182) and high-risk (point: 183-333). The median CSS was 31.0 months (95% CI: 24.5-37.5) in the low-risk subgroup and 8.0 months (95% CI: 6.2-9.8) in the high-risk subgroup. The Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test demonstrated that the risk stratification was well-differentiated in patients with varying risks of cancer-specific survival.
Thus, it can be concluded that the nomogram prediction model may be practical for validation of cancer-specific survival and development of a risk stratification system in patients with primary gastrointestinal melanoma.