Large biobanks offer unprecedented data for psychiatric genomic research, but concerns exist about representativeness and generalizability. This study examined depression prevalence and polygenic risk score (PRS) associations in the All of Us data to assess potential impacts of nonrepresentative sampling.

Depression prevalence and correlates were analyzed in two subsamples: those with self-reported personal medical history (PMH) data (N = 185,232 overall; N = 114,739 with genetic data) and those with electronic health record (EHR) data (N = 287,015 overall; N = 206,175 with genetic data). PRS weights were estimated across ancestry groups. Associations of PRS with depression were examined by state and ancestry.

Depression prevalence varied across states in both PMH (16.7–35.9%) and EHR (0.2–45.8%) data. Concordance between PMH and EHR diagnoses was low (kappa: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.30–0.30). Overall, one standard deviation increase in depression PRS was associated with lifetime depression based on PMH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.07) and EHR (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.07). Results were generally consistent by ancestry, with the strongest signal for European ancestry (PMH: OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.08–1.12; EHR: OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05–1.10). Associations between PRS and lifetime depression were largely consistent and significant associations varied minimally (ORs = 1.06–1.45) by state of residence in both subsamples.

Recorded depression prevalence by state in All of Us demonstrates a wide range, likely reflecting recruitment differences, EHR data completeness, and true geographic variation; yet PRS associations remained relatively stable. As studies like All of Us expand, accounting for sample composition and measurement approaches will be crucial for generating actionable findings.

Alternative models are tools to replace and reduce the number of animals used in biomedical sciences, for either research or tests of industrial products. Several new alternative models have been developed in the most diverse fields. Their implementation has led to significant advances in the dermatological cosmetic industry, enabling chemical and molecular screening without animal use. However, limitations remain, particularly regarding tissue microenvironment complexity and systemic metabolic responses.

The objective of this viewpoint is to present the existing alternative models available for dermatological sciences, evaluate their applications and discuss their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the future perspectives for safe clinical translation.

In vitro and in silico approaches provide reliable platforms for toxicity, irritation, sensitization, and topical efficacy in cosmetic and dermatological research. Advanced systems, including human skin equivalents, bioprinted skin, and skin-on-a-chip platforms, enhance physiological relevance and mechanistic insight compared with two-dimensional cultures. However, limitations related to tissue complexity, systemic metabolic integration, standardization, and scalability still restrict their ability to fully replace in vivo models.

Therefore, it is expected that future developments in alternative technologies will further enable the reduction of animal model use, while still providing reliable and translatable knowledge applicable across scientific disciplines.

Utilisation of nicardipine in the neonatal and infant period has been historically avoided due to a concern for a more calcium-sensitive myocardium. The aim of this study was to characterise the association between nicardipine and systolic blood pressure in neonates and infants after cardiac surgery.

In this single-centre, retrospective study, patients under 12 months of age who underwent cardiac surgery and received nicardipine for at least one hour were included (September 2022 to January 2024). Patients were monitored with Etiometry. Variables of interest included haemodynamic parameters, ionised calcium, serum lactate, vasoactive infusion score, and nicardipine dose. A time series regression was conducted with each patient having 5 distinct time points.

One hundred and eighty-five time points were collected across 37 patients with a mean age of 3 months. Of these patients, 22% were neonates and 32% were functionally univentricular. With nicardipine utilisation, a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 14 mmHg after an 8-hour time period was noted (p = 0.017). Heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, cerebral and renal oxygen extraction, ionised calcium, serum lactate, and vasoactive inotrope score did not significantly change over the study period.

Nicardipine utilisation in neonates and infants after cardiac surgery was associated with decreased systolic blood pressure. Indirect markers demonstrate no change in cardiac function. Additional studies are needed to better elucidate nicardipine’s role in this patient population.

To examine the efficacy of a food-based intervention on preschool children’s (3–5 years) fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, as measured by skin carotenoid status (SCS) using the Veggie Meter®.

Quasi-experimental intervention with baseline (T1), pre-intervention (T2) and post-intervention (T3) assessments of children’s SCS. Intervention classrooms (ICs) received the programme, which featured food-based learning (FBL) and gardening. Comparison classrooms (CC) received a standard curriculum. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) aligned menus were identical across all centres. Intervention teachers participated in semi-structured interviews to contextualise quantitative findings.

Head Start centres (n 7) across three counties in North Carolina.

183 Head Start children (n 88 IC; n 95 CC)

During the intervention period (T2–T3), significant SCS increases were observed in both groups: IC (T2 = 253·7, sd = 77·7; T3 = 299·0, sd = 77·4) and CC (T2 = 226·6, sd = 77·5; T3 = 255·9, sd = 79·9). The IC demonstrated a greater gain in SCS (17·8 % gain) than the CC (12·9 % gain). However, additional analyses revealed no significant difference in the SCS rate of change over time (P = 0·33). Teachers reported that the intervention improved children’s willingness to try fruits and vegetables and encouraged positive feeding practices beyond the mealtime setting.

The findings suggest that increased access to FVs through CACFP-supported meals and snacks may influence children’s overall improved FV consumption. However, improved food access paired with FBL may also support higher gains in FV consumption.

Lung ultrasound findings in cardiac patients correlate with mortality, hospital length of stay, and rehospitalisation after surgery. We report a lung ultrasound protocol integrated with echocardiography and its ability to predict adverse events in children after discharge following congenital heart surgery.

A prospective, single-blinded observational trial was performed. Subjects were consecutively identified after Fontan or septal defect repairs. Performed by cardiac sonographers at discharge, lung ultrasound scores were based on the number of B-lines. The primary outcome was subsequent development of new pericardial (≥small) or pleural (>small) effusion.

A total of 86 subjects were identified with adequate imaging for enrolment. Median age was 53 months. Procedures included Fontan (n = 23) and atrial (n = 30), ventricular (n = 28), and atrioventricular (n = 5) septal defect repairs. Lung ultrasound score was correlated with hospital length of stay (ρ = 0.29, p = 0.0066), discharge diuretic score (ρ = 0.38, p < 0.001), and chest tube duration (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.021); score was not correlated with age or weight. Primary outcome occurred in 12 subjects (atrial septal defect = 4, Fontan = 8). A lung ultrasound score ≥3 had a negative predictive value of 93% and an odds ratio of 24.5 (95%CI 5.3–113, p < 0.0001) for the primary outcome. Subjects following Fontan with the lung ultrasound score ≥3 had an odds ratio of 8.3 (95%CI 1.2–59.0, p < 0.036).

Our results suggest that lung ultrasound during discharge echocardiography has encouraging prognostic value for post-operative complications in patients deemed suitable for discharge after congenital heart surgery. Further research is needed to discern how lung ultrasound can be used for goal-directed medical therapy.

Depression in adolescents involves complex interactions among depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and suicidal symptoms. Network theory offers insights into dynamic symptom relationships during recovery.

Of 797 adolescents initially enrolled, 649 with complete baseline data were included in the network analyses; 458 and 277 participants were retained at the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups, respectively. Cross-sectional Gaussian Graphical Models and Cross-Lagged Panel Network (CLPN) analyses examined relationships among nine symptom domains: depression, somatic/subjective anxiety, sleep quantity/quality, daytime insomnia, passive/active sleepiness, and suicidal ideation/tendency. Network centrality and bootstrap validation assessed parameter stability.

Cross-sectional networks showed structural invariance across timepoints (p>0.05). Subjective anxiety demonstrated highest centrality at T0-T1, while somatic symptoms dominated at T2. Depression maintained high closeness centrality throughout. Although betweenness centrality also suggested a central role for depression, its lower stability (CS < 0.5) necessitates a more cautious interpretation of this specific metric. CLPN revealed more predictive relationships during T0→T1 (76.5% significant edges) than T1→T2 (24.7%). Active sleepiness strongly predicted subsequent somatic anxiety (B=0.683) and depression (B=0.647). Suicide ideation-tendency showed stable bidirectional connections. Network stability was excellent (CS>0.5) except betweenness centrality.

Central symptoms evolved during recovery, with subjective anxiety initially dominant but somatic symptoms becoming central over time. The early post-treatment period showed heightened symptom network activity, with sleep disturbances identified as robust predictors of subsequent affective deterioration. Findings support dynamic, network-informed interventions targeting evolving symptom centrality and predictive pathways, particularly addressing sleep-related symptoms and suicide risk during critical recovery phases.