Epidemiological studies are essential in medicine and public health as they help identify risk factors and causes of diseases. Additionally, they are key to planning, implementing, and evaluating health interventions aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of diseases. Among these studies, analytical observational studies, such as cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort studies, are the most used. The validity of their results largely depends on the robustness of the design, execution, and statistical analysis. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the most common errors in the selection of methodological design and statistical tests in analytical observational studies and to provide recommendations to correct them. Methodology: A comprehensive review of the available literature on methodology in epidemiological observational studies was conducted, focusing on cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort studies. Common errors in the selection of designs and statistical tests were identified and analyzed. Results and Conclusions: Errors in the selection of methodological design and statistical tests are common in epidemiological observational studies. Based on the identified errors, a series of recommendations is provided to improve the selection of methodological design and statistical tests, thereby increasing the reliability of the results in cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort studies.

Ramírez-Patiño R, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2013 Nov;28(11):1587-1594. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.11.1587

Forensic genetics has experienced remarkable advancements over the past decades, evolving from the analysis of a limited number of DNA segments to comprehensive genome-wide investigations. This progression has significantly improved the ability to establish genetic profiles under diverse conditions and scenarios. Beyond individual identification, forensic genetics now enables the inference of physical traits (e.g., eye, hair, and skin color, as well as body composition), biogeographic ancestry, lifestyle habits such as alcohol and tobacco use, and even the transfer of genital microbiomes post-coitus, among other characteristics. Emerging trends point to a future shaped by the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including CRISPR-Cas systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, which promise to further revolutionize the field. This review provides a thorough exploration of forensic genetics, tracing its evolution from its foundational methods (past) to its diverse modern applications (present) and offering insights into its potential future directions.

Until a few years ago, it was believed that the gradual mosaic loss of the Y chromosome (mLOY) was a normal age-related process. However, it is now known that mLOY is associated with a wide variety of pathologies in men, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and many types of cancer. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that generate mLOY in men have not been studied so far. This task is of great importance because it will allow focusing on possible methods of prophylaxis or therapy for diseases associated with mLOY. On the other hand, it would allow better understanding of mLOY as a possible marker for inferring the age of male samples in cases of human identification. Due to the above, in this work, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, presenting the most relevant information on the possible molecular mechanisms by which mLOY is generated, as well as its implications for men’s health and its possible use as a marker to infer age.

Nutrition is an essential component when promoting human health. Without a doubt, improving the quality of one’s diet can improve one’s quality of life as a whole and help postpone the onset or control of many chronic diseases. The volume of publications in this field has increased in recent years, in line with increased awareness of the importance of nutrition in health; however, the quality of the evidence on which most nutritional guidelines are based remains low, due to errors in conducting nutritional interventions or because the information is primarily derived from observational studies. To enhance the evidence supporting clinical guidelines in nutrition, the quality of randomized clinical trials (RCT) based on nutritional interventions must be improved; nevertheless, due to their heterogeneous nature and a lack of specific guidelines for designing, performing, documenting, and reporting on this type of intervention, conducting a nutritional intervention is a real challenge. Following a review of the literature on the methodological and ethical standards, as well as four extensions of the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines that should be considered when implementing a nutritional intervention, seven essential aspects were identified. The current narrative review includes definitions, examples, diagrams, and algorithms regarding aspects of the appropriate study design, the intervention of the control group, the randomization and blinding processes, the study population selection, as well as a description of the type of intervention and the personnel involved in carrying out the study in order to make the implementation of a nutritional intervention easier.

Microorganisms have a close relationship with humans, whether it is commensal, symbiotic, or pathogenic. Recently, it has been documented that microorganisms may influence the response to drug therapy. Pharmacomicrobiomics is an emerging field that focuses on the study of how variations in the microbiome affect the disposition, action, and toxicity of drugs. Two additional sciences have been added to complement pharmacomicrobiomics, namely toxicomicrobiomics, which explores how the microbiome influences drug metabolism and toxicity, and pharmacoecology, which refers to modifications in the microbiome as a result of drug administration. In this context, we introduce the concept of “drug-infection interaction” to describe the influence of pathogenic microorganisms on drug response. This review analyzes the current state of knowledge regarding the relevance of microorganisms in the host’s response to drugs. It also highlights promising areas for future research and proposes the term “drug-infection interaction” as an extension of pharmacomicrobiomics.