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Context Higher mean and rapid increases in body mass index (BMI) during infancy are associated with subsequent obesity and may be influenced by exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phenols. Objective In a prospective US-based cohort conducted 2010-2014, we investigated associations between environmental phenol exposures and BMI in 199 infants. Methods We measured 7 urinary phenols at ages 6-8 and 12 weeks and assessed BMI z-score at up to 12 study visits between birth and 36 weeks. We examined individual and joint associations of averaged early infancy phenols with level of BMI z-score using mean differences (β [95% CI]) and with BMI z-score trajectories using relative risk ratios (RR [95% CI]). Results Benzophenone-3, methyl and propyl paraben, and all phenols jointly were positively associated with higher mean BMI z-score (0.07 [−0.05, 0.18], 0.10 [−0.08, 0.27], 0.08 [−0.09, 0.25], 0.17 [−0.08, 0.43], respectively). Relative to a stable trajectory, benzophenone-3, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, and all phenols jointly were positively associated with risk of a rapid increase trajectory (1.46 [0.89, 2.39], 1.33 [0.88, 2.01], 1.66 [1.03, 2.68], 1.41 [0.71, 2.84], respectively). Conclusion Early phenol exposure was associated with a higher mean and rapid increase in BMI z-score across infancy, signaling potential long-term cardiometabolic consequences of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human monocytes activated by toll-like receptor 2/1 ligand (TLR2/1L) show enhanced expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the vitamin D-activating enzyme 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1). The resulting intracrine conversion of precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD) to active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) can stimulate expression of antibacterial cathelicidin (CAMP). To determine whether this response is functional in HIV-infected subjects (HIV+ ), serum from HIV+ subjects pre- and post-vitamin D supplementation was utilized in monocyte cultures with or without TLR2/1L. Expression of CYP27B1 and VDR was enhanced following treatment with TLR2/1L, although this effect was lower in HIV+ vs HIV- serum (p

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore diet patterns in children with tympanostomy tube placement (TTP) complicated by postoperative tympanostomy tube otorrhea. Study Design: Cross‐sectional survey and retrospective cohort study. Methods: Caregivers of children (0–12 years old), at a tertiary‐care pediatric hospital who underwent TTP within 6 months to 2 years prior to enrollment were included. Children with a history of Down syndrome, cleft palate, craniofacial syndromes, known immunodeficiency, or a non‐English‐speaking family were excluded. Our primary outcome variable was the number of otorrhea episodes. The primary predictor was diet patterns, particularly dessert intake, which was captured through a short food questionnaire. Results: A total of 286 participants were included in this study. The median age was 1.8 years (IQR, 1.3, 2.9). A total of 174 (61%) participants reported at least one episode of otorrhea. Children who consumed dessert at least two times per week had a higher risk of otorrhea compared to children who consumed one time per week or less (odds ratio [OR], 3.22, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.69, 6.12). The odds ratio increase continued when considering more stringent criteria for otorrhea (multiple episodes or one episode occurring 4 weeks after surgery), with a 2.33 (95% CI: 1.24, 4.39) higher odds of otorrhea in children with dessert intake at least 2 times per week. Conclusions: Our pilot data suggest that episodes of otorrhea among children with TTP were associated with more frequent dessert intake. Future studies using prospectively administered diet questionnaires are necessary to confirm these findings. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:3575–3581, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study looks at the impact of college students' writing on a regular basis about mathematical concepts. Specifically we examine the effect of this practice on performance and attitude while controlling for confounding factors. Two professors and a total of 97 students in four different classes participated in the study. Students in the writing groups were required to write a total of eight papers, each concentrating on an important concept in the course. All students were given a visual skills assessment at the beginning and end of the course. Students in the writing group were assessed to determine their attitude toward the writing assignments. Positive trends were associated with the writing group over the non-writing group in overall score and in all but one of six individual components. However, within the writing group, students' attitude toward writing in mathematics class was negative.

This article discusses an activity designed to encourage writing to learn in mathematics. There were three stages of data collection. An assessment, requiring basic algebra only, was completed by 118 undergraduates from statistics and calculus courses. Students were given summaries of all participant responses, along with the correct answers. After discussing the results, 25 students wrote about the underlying concepts needed to answer the questions correctly and 38 gave reasons someone might answer the questions incorrectly. The written responses were easy to evaluate and revealed much about misunderstandings. A follow-up survey was given to students to elicit their attitudes.