bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Added Value of T2 Mapping in Assessment of Chondromalacia Patellae and Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis in Patients with Anterior Knee Pain
Authors: Saeed Omer Saeed Abbas , Ali Rahma Farghaly , Sakr Hossam Moussa
Published: November 2024

Background

Cartilage mapping using Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 is a functional non- invasive scanning procedure delivering cartography of the cartilage T2 relaxation time without using any contrast. It is tissue anisotropy sensitive, and compositional data on the collagen network of cartilage, content of water and concentration of proteoglycans are provided by it.

Aim of the Work

there is limited studies for evaluation the T2 mapping role in detection of chondromalacia and osteoarthritis in knee pain patients, therefore the aim of this work is to evaluate the additional value of T2 mapping overusing a baseline standard knee MRI to detect patellofemoral cartilage lesions including chondromalacia patella and knee osteoarthritis in patients presented with anterior knee pain.

Patients and Methods

This Cross-Sectional Study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospital, Radio diagnosis department on 35 patients with anterior knee pain for at least 6 months.

Results

Among the study population 27 (77.1 %) of patients were diagnosed with OA by conventional MRI & T2 mapping with accuracy 85.7%, while only 13 (37.1%) of patients were diagnosed with chondromalacia by MRI & T2 mapping with accuracy 74.3%. In the comparison between conventional MRI & MRI T2 mapping to detect OA & chondromalacia lesions the sensitivity and specificity for OA 84.4% & 100%, while it was 59.1% & 100% for chondromalacia respectively.

Conclusion

T2 mapping may offer added value in the assessment of knee joint conditions such as OA and chondromalacia, with higher sensitivity and accuracy rates compared to conventional MRI. T2 mapping may be particularly useful in detecting early degenerative changes in the knee joint, which may allow for earlier intervention and management of these conditions.
Role of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detection of Lymph Node Metastasis in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Mohamed Elsady Samer Ali Elshishtawy , Eldin Abdelmotalib Mohamed Gamal , Abdelhafez Essam Mohamed , Shimy Rehab Mohamed
Published: November 2024

Background

Rectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive tract, ranking first in the worldwide incidence of malignant tumors. The early diagnosis, accurate staging and early treatment of rectal cancer are key to improve the five-year survival rate. Rectal MRI plays a crucial role in evaluating rectal cancer by providing multiple prognostic findings and imaging features that guide proper patient management.

Aim of the Work

to evaluate the performance of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) for the detection of lymph nodes and for differentiating between benign and metastatic nodes during primary rectal cancer staging.

Patients and Methods

the study was carried out at Ain Shams University Hospitals, Radiodiagnosis Department on 35 patients, 29 patients were histopathologically proven rectal carcinoma underwent surgical resection and 6 cases were potentially free of cancer considered as control.

Results

We found that the size of metastatic lymph nodes on DWI was significantly larger than that of non-metastatic lymph nodes (0.97± 0.37 vs. 0.4± 0.17 cm), most of malignant nodes had rounded shape (55.6 %) vs. oval shaped (70.6%) in benign nodes and almost all of metastatic lymph nodes had irregular margin (97.2%) while all benign nodes appeared having smooth margin. The mean ADC value was significantly lower for metastatic lymph nodes than non-metastatic lymph nodes (1.21± 0.54 vs. 1.51± 0.51 x 103 mm²/sec). In addition, for evaluation of lymph node metastasis that reflects the primary tumor characteristics, the LN/T ratio (defined as the ratio of lymph node ADC value to the primary tumor ADC value) was calculated. It was significantly lower for metastatic lymph nodes than non-metastatic lymph nodes (1.06± 0.37 vs. 1.65± 0.73). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best performing cutoffs were 0.5 cm for lymph node size, 0.987 x 103 mm²/ sec for ADC value, and 0.762 for LN/T ratio. Accuracy was significantly greater for lymph nodes with irregular margin (92.3%), than LN/T ratio (78.5%) than for lymph node size (62.0%) or ADC value (74.8%).

Conclusion

Preoperative DWI, especially the margin of lymph nodes as well as LN/T ADC ratio, are recommended for evaluation of lymph node metastasis in patient with rectal cancer.
Multi-Parametric Whole Body MRI before and after Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Basilious Samer Nasser Kamel , El-Kader Hanaa Abd , Khalaf Mohamed Hamed , Abd El-Hamid Hetta Walid Mohamed , El-Metwally El-Diasty Shaimaa
Published: November 2024

Background

Myeloma is the most common primary malignancy affecting the skeletal system. Most of the patients are presented and diagnosed late at the disease process, so early detection is very beneficial for patient management and choice of treatment. Multiparametric MRI with the added value of diffusion weighted images together with PETCT had been beneficial for early patient diagnosis, choice of treatment and follow up management after treatment. The study was conducted on 24 patients with bone marrow biopsy and aspiration proven multiple myeloma who also underwent PET-CT within 10 days of each other.

Main body of the Abstract

Whole body MRI had high diagnostic accuracy during initial staging and in disease assessment before treatment. After treatment, whole body MRI also showed high diagnostic accuracy in assessing progressive disease activity, while it proved low accuracy in stable disease and regressive disease activity. Whole body MRI showed sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 50%, positive predictive value of 78%, and negative prediction value of 67% (p = 0.01). PET had sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 85%, and negative predictive value of 60% (p = 0.05). Whole body MRI findings was in agreement with PET-CT in most of the cases.

Short Conclusion

During the initial disease assessment, whole body MRI with DWI performed better than PET-CT in detecting small lesions < 5mm, diffuse (salt and pepper appearance) marrow involvement and total number of marrow lesions, having higher sensitivity and specificity. PET-CT performed better than whole-body MRI in assessment of disease activity before and after treatment. Whole body MRI is recommended for re-assessment if the patient had remission/exacerbation or progressive course of the disease. PET-CT is recommended if the patient had stationary or regressive course of the disease by clinical and laboratory data. When whole body MRI and PET-CT findings of the same patient combined with each other, it is found to have a high satisfactory results for patient management, which may be of value to hematologists in assessing the response of bone marrow transplantation
Non-Acute Shoulder Pain: Correlation between Ultrasonography and MRI Findings
Authors: Nabwy Shaymaa Zakaria , Ibrahim Ayman Mohamed , Mohamed Mona Ali
Published: November 2024

Background

Shoulder pain affects people of all ages and activity levels, from elite athletes to sedentary individuals. The imaging workup of shoulder pain is important because it is the second most common musculoskeletal complaint after back pain for which patients seek medical attention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well established as a powerful imaging modality for the shoulder. In the last decade, ultrasound has emerged as an effective imaging option alongside MRI for evaluation of the shoulder. With MRI and ultrasound, clinicians now have two viable advanced imaging options for the diagnostic evaluation of shoulder pain.

Aim

to assess the value added, sensitivity and specificity of US in non-acute shoulder pain using conventional MRI as a gold standard.

Material & Method

Our study was carried out on 47 patients, based on age ≥ 18 years, having shoulder pain for 6 months &more. the patients had both US & MRI examination, the findings of the 2 modalities were recorded and compared.

Results

There was significant statistical agreement (P value <0.001) between US & conventional MRI, US demonstrated SST, SS partial &full thickness tear, LHBT pathologies, AC morphological changes and bursitis.

Conclusion

Based on the results, high resolution US with dynamic real-time assessment was proven to be fairly sensitive, specific with significant agreement to conventional MRI in detecting different causes of chronic shoulder pain. So US can be used as an initial modality for patients with painful shoulder.
Serum CXCL10 in Clinical and Subclinical Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Elghandour Lamiaa E , El Ganzoury Amal M , Fouda Neven M , Leithy Sally A El
Published: November 2024

Aim of the Work

To measure CXCL10 serum level to assess its role in Psoriatic disease.

Patients and Methods

45 female adult Egyptian patients with psoriatic disease were classified into 3 equal groups: PsA, subclinical PsA, and psoriasis. Full clinical assessment and laboratory investigations were done including Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Leeds Enthesitis Index (LEI), PsA disease activity score (DAPSA), MAdrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI), and serum CXCL10.

Results

PsA patients had higher HAQ scores with high statistical significant differences compared to the other two groups. PsA patients had higher LEI compared to subclinical PsA patients with a statistical significant difference and to psoriasis patients with a high statistical significant difference. Subclinical PsA patients had higher LEI compared to psoriasis patients with a statistical significant difference. PsA patients had higher CXCL10 compared to the other 2 groups (median: 243.2 (211.2 – 415.4)). CXCL10 could detect the possibility of PsA development among subclinical PsA patients (cut-off >151 ng/l, sensitivity: 93.33% and specificity: 86.67%) and psoriasis patients (cut-off >95.5 ng/l, sensitivity, and specificity: 93.33%). CXCL10 is positively correlated with MASEI with high statistical significance in subclinical PsA and psoriasis groups and positively correlated with PASI with statistical significance in subclinical PsA group.

Conclusion

CXCL10 could be used to detect the possibility of PsA development among subclinical PsA and psoriasis patients. Musculoskeletal US is a screening tool to detect enthesitis in psoriasis patients.
Effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy versus conventional physiotherapy in treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Abd elazeem Walaa Salah Hussein , Hussein Arafa Mona Mahmoud , El Zohiery Abeer Ahmed Kadry , Mousa Salwa Galal
Published: November 2024

Background

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is one of the most frequent overuse injuries in athletes. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has been proposed as an effective conservative treatment in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Conventional physical therapy is also beneficial in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

Aim of the Work

To compare the effect of ESWT versus conventional physiotherapy (therapeutic ultrasound, LASER, deep friction massage) in the treatment of chronic AT, by using musculoskeletal ultrasound and other clinical parameters for assessment.

Methods

Thirty chronic AT patients were randomly divided in to two groups (15 per group): group 1 received ESWT and group 2 received conventional physical therapy for 6 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hind foot scale were used to assess pain, function and physical activity. Ultrasonography was also used to assess the ultrasonographic findings in chronic AT. All patients were evaluated at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment.

Results

Our study revealed that both ESWT and conventional physical therapy recorded highly significant VAS reduction and highly significant improvement in VISA-A and AOFAS after 6 weeks of treatment. Moreover, ESWT showed significant improvement in the tendon thickness and heterogenicity with no significant effect on calcifications or neovascularization.

Conclusion

ESWT and Conventional physical therapy are both effective in reducing pain, improving function and physical activity in chronic Achilles tendinopathy patients. Moreover, ESWT is superior to conventional physiotherapy in improving tendon thickness and heterogenicity with no significant effect on calcifications or neovascularization.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a Marker of Response to Sorafenib Treatment in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hassan Israa Mohammed Mohammed , Elgindy Eman Mohamed , Ali Heba Ismail Saad , Askar Safaa Ragab , Abdelghany Amani Mohamed
Published: November 2024

Background

Liver cancer remains a global health challenge and its incidence is growing worldwide. It is estimated that by year 2025, more than one million individuals will be affected by liver cancer annually. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and accounts for 90% of cases. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most prominent risk factor for HCC development, accounting for 40% of cases and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of HCC in Egypt by 84%.

Aim of the Work

The present study aimed to evaluate the level of VEGF before and after 3 months of treatment with Sorafenib, and evaluate the efficacy of VEGF as a prognostic marker by Correlating it’s level with the radiological response after 3 months of Sorafenib.

Patients and Methods

This was a prospective cohort study that was carried out in The Hepatocellular carcinoma outpatient clinic and Tropical Medicine department, at Ain Shams University Hospitals. A total of 30 patients were enrolled, including 23 males and 7 females, with a mean age 62 years (51-76 years). all the included patients were CHILD A or B score 7 with performance status zero or 1 during the interval between June 2022 and June 2023.

Results

Thirty patients were included in the current study, twenty-sex of them were with BCLC-C and 4 patients were with BCLC-B with multiple untreatable sessions of TACE. The etiology of HCC in 28 patients was due to HCV infection while the etiology of 2 patients was due to HBV infection. Before treatment there were 17 patients of the included patients with CHILD A score 5, six patients were with CHILD A score 6 and 7 patients were with CHILD B score 7. After 3 months of Sorafenib, there was deterioration of liver function as 9 patients of the included patients were with CHILD A score 5, ten patients were with CHILD A score 6, seven patients were with CHILD B score 7 and 4 patients were with CHILD B score 8. Nine of the included patients achieved disease control (DC) in the form of either partial response (PR) {4 patients} or stationary disease (SD) {5 patients}. The level of VEGF before Sorafenib couldn’t predict the clinical and the radiological outcomes of the included patients. While, the post-treatment VEGF level showed a significant relation with the radiological assessment (mRECIST) 3 months after treatment as the highest level of VEGF was in patients with progressive disease (PD) and the lowest value in partial response (PR).

Conclusion

This study characterizes the pattern of VEGF levels before and 3 months after treatment of Sorafenib in post-hepatitis HCC cirrhotic patients. The pre-therapeutic serum VEGF levels in HCC patients couldn’t predict the clinical and the radiological outcomes of the included patients but the post-treatment level showed a significant correlation with a HCC progression according to mRECIST criteria.
Evaluation of the Clinical Utility of Detecting Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Mutation Gene Locus TP53 rs28934571 (c.747G>T) Using Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) and Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) in Egyptian Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Maghraby Safeya Ramadan , Ibrahim Amany Ahmad , Montasser Iman Mohamed Fawzy , Hefny Zeinab Mohamed , Abdelwahed Marwa Ali , Massoud Yasmine Mahmoud
Published: November 2024

Background

the detection and analysis of circulating nucleic acids in blood may aid not only in disease diagnosis but also in guiding molecular targeted therapy, monitoring response to such or other treatments, as well as identifying mutations associated with drug resistance. Furthermore, unlike a tumor biopsy, circulating nucleic acids may provide useful information regarding tumor heterogeneity.

Objective

compare ctDNA by targeting the hotspot mutation gene locus TP53 rs28934571 (c.747G>T) in normal persons, chronic liver disease patients, early and late HCC cases to evaluate its diagnostic value and analyse ctDNA

Patients and Methods

It was performed on 100 adult subjects. Patients were recruited from October 2020 through June 2022 from Ain Shams Centre for Organ Transplantation and Tropical Medicine Department, Ain Shams University Hospitals, including: Eighty (80) patients diagnosed with HCC on top of HCV according to European Association for Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines. In addition, a non-HCC group was included: ten (10) HCV-positive patients and ten (10) healthy controls were recruited to the study (non-HCC group). HCC clinical stage was determined according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging classification and Child-Pugh classification

Results

There was no significant statistical difference between the HCC group, healthy control and HCV control group as regards age (p value = .09), sex (p value = 1) and comorbidities. AST was found statistically significant in HCC group in comparison with healthy control group (p value = .018) and there was statistical significant difference between HCC group and (healthy and HCV) control groups as regards albumin(p value = .03) and INR (p value <.001). 40 patients (50 %) were within Milan criteria, 12 patients (15%) were within USCF, 28 patients (35%)were beyond all and 39 patients (48.75%) were child A. Mean meld score was 12.45 ± 5.94. As regards the tumor charecterictics in the explant pathology of HCC patients
Evaluation of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in Management of Renal Stones in Adult Patients with Body Mass Index Above Normal Range
Authors: El Sadek Nowier Amr Mohamed , Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed , Zaki Abanob Ibrahim Waheb
Published: November 2024

Background

Caused obesity and raised body mass index (BMI). People with BMI >25 are at a high risk of cardiovascular problems, tumours, metabolic worse changes and sudden death. In addition, increase of weight and obesity has been demonstrated to raise the risk of renal stone formation. Various research have also concluded that obesity is a major risk factor for anaesthetic and surgical complications like atelectasis, thromboembolic problems, and wound sepsis.

Objective

To compare and assess the safety, efficacy, outcome, intraoperative, postoperative complications and stone free rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in prone position in 4 different groups of adult patients with a body mass index (BMI)<25 and > 25kg/m2.

Patients and Methods

A prospective, comparative, non-randomized, multicentric cohort study. 60 adult patients with renal stones their sizes are ranging from 2cm to 3cm in diameter will be treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in prone position. They will be separated into 4 different groups according to their body mass index (BMI); (Group A) normal body weight patients with BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2, (Group B) overweight patients with BMI 25–29 kg/m2, (Group C) obese patients with BMI 30–39 kg/m2 and (Group D) morbidly obese patientswith BMI ≥40 kg/m2. All of them will be treated in Ain Shams University Hospitals, Dar Alshifa Hospital and El Zaitoun Specialized Hospital in Cairo.

Results

Regarding Fluoroscopy time, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.907). Regarding Complication, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.886). Regarding Hemoglobin loss, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.677). Regarding Hospital stay, There wasn't a significant difference between the four studied groups (p = 0.804).

Conclusion

The outcomes of PCNL are not affected by increasing the BMI regarding operative and postoperative complications, as well as operative time, fluoroscopy time and hospital stay. Further comparative studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our results and to identify risk factors of adverse events.
Yoga-Based Group Intervention for Inpatients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders—Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Outcomes of a Rater-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hahne Inge , Zierhut Marco , Bergmann Niklas , Hahn Eric , Ta Thi Minh Tam , Calvano Claudia , Bajbouj Malek , Böge Kerem
Published: November 2024

Background and Hypothesis

The efficacy of yoga as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) has garnered interest. While yoga may positively influence various symptom domains, further investigation is needed due to the limited number, quality, and generalizability of studies. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability (primary outcome) of a yoga-based group intervention (YoGI) developed in a participatory approach and explored its preliminary effectiveness.

Study Design

In addition to the primary outcomes, this preregistered randomized controlled trial examined rater-blinded general psychopathology, positive- and negative symptoms, and self-rated depression, anxiety, stress, body mindfulness, mindfulness, psychological flexibility, cognition, social functioning, quality of life, and medication regime at baseline and postintervention as secondary outcomes.

Study Results

Fifty inpatients with SSD received either TAU (n = 25) or YoGI + TAU (n = 25) for four weeks. Outcomes showed 95% protocol adherence of YoGI, feasibility, and retention rates of 91% and 94%, respectively, and a dropout rate of 6%. ANCOVA revealed significant between-group postintervention improvements for YoGI + TAU in positive symptoms, depression, cognitive fusion, and a mindfulness subscale. Medium-to-large pre- to postintervention effects were found for body mindfulness, positive, negative, and general psychopathology, cognitive fusion, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and attention in YoGI + TAU, while within-group changes were consistently smaller in TAU. No severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

This trial supports the feasibility and acceptability of YoGI for inpatients with SSD and provides preliminary evidence of YoGI’s benefits beyond TAU. Further robust, multicentric RCTs are warranted to deepen our understanding of YoGI’s therapeutic potential and inform clinical interventions for SSD.
Comparing Confidence in Institutions among Latino and White Catholics and Evangelicals: Exploring Religious Differences
Authors: Salazar Esmeralda Sánchez , Chan Esther , Mehta Sharan Kaur
Published: November 2024

Recent surveys reveal declines in the U.S. public’s confidence in various institutions. Although some studies link these declines to religious factors, few disaggregate these patterns across racial and ethnic groups. Here, we focus on Latinos—a growing segment of the U.S. population and an increasingly religiously diverse part of the electorate. Using original, nationally representative survey data (N=4,321), we compare Latino evangelicals and Catholics to their white counterparts in their confidence in five institutions (religious organizations, higher education, the scientific community, Congress, and the press). We find that Latino and white Catholics consistently show high levels of confidence across institutions relative to white evangelicals. Our findings suggest that there may be more similarities in institutional confidence among those of different racial and ethnic groups who share a similar religious tradition than those who are of the same race or ethnicity but share different religious traditions. Patterns observed highlight the importance of examining institutional confidence through an intersectional lens that considers religious diversity within and across racial and ethnic groups.
Unveiling the interspecies correlation and sensitivity factor analysis of rat and mouse acute oral toxicity of antimicrobial agents: first QSTR and QTTR Modeling report
Authors: Banjare Purusottam , Murmu Anjali , Matore Balaji Wamanrao , Singh Jagadish , Papa Ester , Roy Partha Pratim
Published: November 2024

This study aims to identify toxic potential and environmental hazardousness of antimicrobials. In this regard, the available experimental toxicity data with rat and mouse acute oral toxicity have been gathered from ChemID Plus database (n = 202) and subjected to data curation. Upon the data curation 51 and 68 compounds were left for the rat and mouse respectively for the modeling. The quantitative structure toxicity relationship (QSTR) and interspecies correlation analysis by quantitative toxicity-toxicity relationship (QTTR) modeling was approached in this study. The models were developed from 2D descriptors under OECD guidelines by using multiple linear regressions (MLR) with genetic algorithm (GA) for feature selection as a chemometric tool. The developed models were robust (Q2LOO = 0.600–0.679) and predictive enough (Q2Fn = 0.626–0.958, CCCExt = 0.840–0.893). The leverage approach of applicability domain (ad) analysis assures the model’s reliability. The antimicrobials without experimental toxicity values were classified as high, moderate and low toxic based on prediction and ad. The occurrence of the same classification from QSTR and QTTR models revealed the reliability of QTTR models.Finally, the applied “sensitivity factor analysis” typifies the sensitivity of chemicals toward each species. Overall, the first report will be helpful in the toxicity assessment of upcoming antimicrobials in rodents.
A pilot pre-post trial with and without subsidy to promote safe backyard poultry-raising practices to prevent exposure to poultry and poultry feces in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Kwong Laura H. , Sultana Jesmin , Thomas Elizabeth D. , Uddin Mohammad Rofi , Khan Shifat , Shanta Ireen Sultana , Rimi Nadia Ali , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Winch Peter J. , Huda Tarique Md. Nurul
Published: November 2024

Background

Backyard poultry-raising is common in rural Bangladeshi households. Raising poultry contributes to fecal contamination of the domestic environment, increasing children’s exposure to enteric pathogens, includingCampylobacter, which has been associated with child stunting.

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of a behavior change communication and counseling intervention to encourage households to confine poultry outside of the household dwelling in a shed at night and improve poultry feces management.

Methods

We conducted a two-arm pre-post pilot study. Households in both arms received the behavior change communication and counseling intervention. Households in the subsidy arm also received ~23 USD for the construction of a poultry shed for nighttime housing. We administered a household survey and spot-check before and after intervention implementation among 37 subsidy and 42 non-subsidy households.

Results

At endline, 58% of all households had a poultry shed (87% of subsidy and 33% of non-subsidy households) and the percentage of households confining all poultry outside the house the previous night was significantly higher at endline (33%) compared to baseline (2.5%) (prevalence difference [PD]: 30 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI: [19, 41]). Additionally, more households had no visible poultry feces piles inside the house compared to baseline (PD: 26pp 95% CI: [12, 41]), but there were no significant differences in the number of poultry feces piles in the courtyard or veranda.

Discussion

Our intervention effectively encouraged households to confine poultry outside of household dwellings at night and to maintain an indoor living space free of poultry feces. Households were willing and able to construct a shed even without a subsidy. Households that received a subsidy were more likely to construct a shed. Future studies should assess if housing all poultry outside the household dwelling reduces children’s exposure to poultry feces enough to mitigate health risks associated with poultry ownership.
Comparative fMRI reveals differences in the functional organization of the visual cortex for animacy perception in dogs and humans
Authors: Farkas Eszter Borbála , Hernández-Pérez Raúl , Cuaya Laura Veronica , Rojas-Hortelano Eduardo , Gácsi Márta , Andics Attila
Published: November 2024

The animate-inanimate category distinction is one of the general organizing principles in the primate high-level visual cortex. Much less is known about the visual cortical representations of animacy in non-primate mammals with a different evolutionary trajectory of visual capacities. To compare the functional organization underlying animacy perception of a non-primate to a primate species, here we performed an fMRI study in dogs and humans, investigating how animacy structures neural responses in the visual cortex of the two species. Univariate analyses identified animate-sensitive bilateral occipital and temporal regions, non-overlapping with early visual areas, in both species. Multivariate tests confirmed the categorical representations of animate stimuli in these regions. Regions sensitive to different animate stimulus classes (dog, human, cat) overlapped less in dog than in human brains. Together, these findings reveal that the importance of animate-inanimate distinction is reflected in the organization of higher-level visual cortex, also beyond primates. But a key species difference, that neural representations for animate stimuli are less concentrated in dogs than in humans suggests that certain underlying organizing principles that support the visual perception of animacy in primates may not play a similarly important role in other mammals.
Temperature and dissolved organic matter shape marine prokaryotic activity and gene expression in a sub-arctic sea
Authors: Amnebrink Dennis , Verma Ashish , Lundin Daniel , Wikner Johan , Pinhassi Jarone
Published: November 2024

Temperature and dissolved organic matter (DOM) are important drivers of microbial activity, but their effects, alone or in combination, on the physiological responses of sub-arctic prokaryotic assemblages remain poorly understood. In a northern Baltic Sea one-month mesocosm experiment, we therefore exposed a coastal microbial community to temperature and nutrient regimes representative of winter and early summer (i.e., 1°C and 10°C, with and without DOM additions) in a 2×2 factorial design. Midway through the experiment, specific growth rates were highest for the 10°C plus DOM treatment (TN; ∼2.5 day-1), comparable for the 1°C plus DOM (N) and the 10°C (T) treatments at ∼1.0 day-1; and low for the control (1°C, no DOM enrichment [C]; 0.2 day-1). Taxonomic analysis of metatranscriptomes uncovered broad treatment specific responses, and a PERMANOVA on the 182,618 transcribed genes revealed statistically significant effects of both temperature and DOM, and significant interaction effects between the two (altogether involving 18% of genes). Significant differences in transcription identified by EdgeR analysis includedNitrosopumilusgenes for ammonium uptake and ammonia oxidation in the 1°C mesocosms (C, N), membrane transporters for small organic acids in the N-treatment, genes for nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation along with molecular chaperones in the T-treatment, and dominance of Oceanospirillales genes for energy and growth metabolism in the TN-treatment. These metatranscriptomic responses were associated with changes in e.g. prokaryotic growth rates and growth efficiency, providing clues to how successional changes in community composition and metabolism are directed by temperature and DOM as central factors underlying environmental change.

Importance

It is recognized that increases in temperature and dissolved organic matter loading are key to understanding how climate change will influence polar ecosystems. Still, little is known of the effects of these factors on the physiological responses of Arctic prokaryotes. Since prokaryotes are principal drivers of biogeochemical cycles, we investigated how temperature and dissolved organic matter influence prokaryotic transcriptional responses in taxonomy and metabolic pathways. The metatranscriptomics analyses uncovered broad treatment specific responses linked with changes in prokaryotic community composition, growth rates, and growth efficiency. Yet, and importantly, the expression of most metabolic functions remained stable, suggesting a pronounced functional resilience of the prokaryotic community enabled by shifts in the dominance of different taxa. This emphasizes the large potential and importance of identifying the metabolic functions that underlie the divergence of prokaryotic communities in response to environmental changes projected to alter some of the most vulnerable marine environments.
Enhanced Intestinal Epithelial Co-Culture Model with Orbital Mechanical Stimulation: A Proof-of-Concept Application in Food Nanotoxicology
Authors: Santoni Mattia , Piccinini Giovanni , Liguori Giovanni , Randi Maria Roberta , Baroncini Massimo , Milani Liliana , Danesi Francesca
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Current in vitro intestinal models lack the mechanical forces present in the physiological environment, limiting their reliability for nanotoxicology studies. Here, we developed an enhanced Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12 co-culture model incorporating orbital mechanical stimulation to better replicate intestinal conditions and investigate nanoparticle interactions.

Methods

We established co-cultures under static and dynamic conditions, validating their development through multiple approaches including barrier integrity measurements, gene expression analysis, and confocal microscopy. We introduced novel quantitative analysis of dome formation as a differentiation marker and demonstrated the model application by investigating cellular responses to titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles in a digested food matrix.

Results

Dynamic conditions accelerated epithelial differentiation, achieving functional barrier properties by day 14 rather than day 21, with enhanced mucin production and more organized three-dimensional structure. Mechanical stimulation selectively promoted goblet cell differentiation without affecting general epithelial markers. The optimized model successfully detected concentration-dependent oxidative stress responses to TiO exposure, revealing cellular dysfunction preceding membrane damage.

Discussion

This improved co-culture system provides a better physiological platform for nanotoxicology studies. By incorporating mechanical forces, each cell type exhibits more representative behavior, creating a more realistic experimental setup. The model bridges the gap between simple monocultures and complex 3D systems, offering a practical approach for investigating nanoparticle-epithelium interactions in a food-relevant context.
Cerebellar white matter development is regulated by fractalkine-dependent microglia phagocytosis of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells
Authors: Chappell McKenzie K. , Shelestak John , Irfan Muhammad , Shelestak Eric , Nemes-Baran Ashley D. , Mey Gabrielle M. , DeSilva Tara M.
Published: November 2024

Complex neurodevelopmental disorders involve motor as well as cognitive dysfunction and these impairments are associated with both cerebral and cerebellar maturity. A network of connections between these two brain regions is proposed to underlie neurodevelopmental impairments. The cerebellar gray matter has a protracted developmental timeline compared to the cerebral cortex, however, making the association of these relay pathways unclear for neurodevelopmental disabilities. We show that a population of amoeboid microglia infiltrate the cerebellar white matter through the fourth ventricular zone during early postnatal development. This infiltration is synchronized with the emergence of amoeboid microglia in the ventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and appearance in cerebral white matter. Amoeboid microglia phagocytosed oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in the cerebellar white matter during a restricted early postnatal time window before transitioning to a ramified morphology. Modulating fractalkine receptor signaling, shown to be involved in microglial pruning of synapses, significantly reduced microglial engulfment of OPCs resulting in increased numbers of OLs and altered myelin formation. Variants in the fractalkine receptor are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia and autism where myelin perturbations have been documented. Overall, these data support that white matter refinement by amoeboid microglia is coordinated in both cerebral and cerebellar development with important implications for altered circuit function in neurodevelopmental disabilities.

One sentence summary

Microglia engulf oligodendrocyte progenitors in the developing cerebellum
Calmodulin acts as a chaperone during co-translational folding of the Kv7.2 channel Calcium Responsive Domain
Authors: Muguruza-Montero Arantza , Tait Jack R. , M-Alicante Sara , Metola Ane , Nuñez Eider , Urrutia Janire , Sunderlíková Vanda , Katranidis Alexandros , von Heijne Gunnar , Tans Sander J. , Villarroel Alvaro
Published: November 2024

In vivo, the majority of nascent protein chains must begin folding during translation in order to obtain their native structure. While the importance of co-translational folding has become increasingly clear, the specific mechanisms underlying the coordination between the ribosome, nascent chain and molecular chaperones are still uncertain. Here, we have constructed a model of the co-translational folding pathway of the calcium responsive domain (CRD) of the human neuronal KV7.2 human neuronal ion channel, showing that calmodulin (CaM) is crucial. By combining Force Profile Analysis and single-molecule force spectroscopy techniques, we found that CaM, in a calcium-dependent manner, affects early folding events involving three key α-helices in the CRD. In addition, this study suggests that CaM at early stages induces the formation of metastable hairpins, as a part of the co-translational folding pathway. These findings expand on the role of CaM as a key regulator of folding in eukaryotes: not only as an essential cellular signaling protein, but also as abona fideco-translational molecular chaperone.
Postnatal maturation of serotonergic modulation of spinal RORβ interneurons in the medial deep dorsal horn
Authors: West Christopher W. , Garcia-Ramirez D. Leonardo , Dougherty Kimberly J.
Published: November 2024

Proprioceptive input is essential for coordinated locomotion and this input must be properly gated to ensure smooth and effective movement. Presynaptic inhibition mediated by GABAergic interneurons provides regulation of sensory afferent feedback. Serotonin not only promotes locomotion, but also modulates feedback from sensory afferents, both directly and indirectly, potentially by acting on the GABAergic interneurons that mediate presynaptic inhibition. Developmental disruptions in presynaptic inhibition can produce deficits in sensorimotor processing. Importantly, both presynaptic inhibition of proprioceptive afferents and serotonergic innervation of the spinal cord become mature and functional after the first postnatal week. However, little is known about the serotonergic receptors involved in the modulation of interneurons mediating presynaptic inhibition and when developmentally their actions mature. Here, we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings in lumbar spinal slices from neonatal and juvenile mice to assess the intrinsic properties and serotonergic modulation of deep dorsal horn GABAergic RORβ interneurons previously shown to mediate presynaptic inhibition of proprioceptive afferents. RORβ interneurons from juvenile cords displayed more mature membrane properties. Further, serotonin increased the excitability of RORβ interneurons via actions at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B/2C, and 5-HT7receptors in juvenile but not early neonatal spinal cords. Our findings indicate that deep dorsal horn RORβ interneurons undergo postnatal maturation in both their intrinsic excitability and ability to respond to serotonin, concurrent with the maturation of serotonergic innervation of the dorsal horn. This information can prompt future targeted studies testing relationships between impairments of serotonergic development, proprioceptive processing disorders, and presynaptic inhibition mediated by RORβ interneurons.
Brain-region-specific changes and dysregulation of activity regulated genes inGria3mutant mice, a genetic animal model of schizophrenia
Authors: Huang Wei-Chao , Kast Ryan , Mandell Kira Perzel , Dejanovic Borislav , Bonanno Kevin , Aryal Sameer , Farsi Zohreh , Wilde Jonathan , Wang Dongqing , Gao Xian , Keshishian Hasmik , Carr Steven A. , Feng Guoping , Sheng Morgan
Published: November 2024

Protein-truncating variants inGRIA3(encoding the GluA3/GluR3 subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors) are associated with substantially increased risk of schizophrenia (SCZ). Here we characterizedGria3mutant mice carrying a protein-truncating mutation that mimics a SCZ-associated variant. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that activity-regulated genes are downregulated in cortical regions, while immune and glia-related pathways exhibit brain-region-specific changes. The transcriptomic changes inGria3mutant mice are remarkably different from those inGrin2amutant mice, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, even though both encode glutamate receptors and are associated with SCZ risk. Proteomic analysis further demonstrated that loss-of-function ofGria3profoundly alters the protein composition of synapses. These findings in a genetic mouse model provide potential insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SCZ.
N-formylkynurenine but not kynurenine enters a nucleophile-scavenging branch of the immune-regulatory kynurenine pathway
Authors: Wang Yongxin , Leung Euphemia , Tomek Petr
Published: November 2024

Tryptophan catabolism along the kynurenine pathway (KP) mediates key physiological functions ranging from immune tolerance to lens UV protection, but the contributory roles and chemical fates of individual KP metabolites are incompletely understood. This particularly concerns the first KP metabolite, N-formylkynurenine (NFK), canonically viewed as a transient precursor to the downstream kynurenine (KYN). Here, we challenge that canon and show that hydrolytic enzymes act as a rheostat switching the fate of NFK between the canonical KP and a novel non-enzymatic branch of tryptophan catabolism.

In the physiological environment (37°C, pH 7.4), NFK deaminated into electrophilic NFK- carboxyketoalkene (NFK-CKA), which rapidly (< 2 minutes) formed adducts with nucleophiles such as cysteine and glutathione, the key intracellular antioxidants. Serum hydrolases suppressed NFK deamination as they hydrolysed NFK to KYN ∼3 times faster than NFK deaminates. Whilst KYN did not deaminate, its deaminated product (KYN-CKA) rapidly reacted with cysteine but not glutathione.

The new NFK transformations of yet to be confirmed functions highlight significance of NFK beyond hydrolysis to KYN and suggests the dominance of its chemical transformations over those of KYN in physiological environments. Enzyme compartmentalisation and abundance offer insights into the regulation of non-enzymatic NFK and KYN transformations that are emerging as contributors to immune regulation, protein modification, lens aging or neuropathology.
Integration of cortical inputs in the lateral hypothalamus is dominated by the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Razenberg L.J.A.M. , de Greef P.N. , Mansvelder H.D. , Karnani M.M.
Published: November 2024

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a critical brain region orchestrating survival behaviours including feeding. Its sparse intrinsic synaptic connectivity allows long-range projections to modulate its activity. Some of these projections arise from the cerebral cortex, which is known to influence feeding. However, the functional and anatomical organization of cortico-hypothalamic pathways have remained poorly studied. We used anatomical and optogenetic mapping to show that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is the strongest cortical input source to the LH, followed by a lateral associative region including the insular cortex (IC), and the ventral subiculum. Input from the mPFC and IC had markedly different synaptic dynamics and were integrated supralinearly. IC input surpassed that of the mPFC in a subpopulation of highly excitable dorsal LH neurons which had a strong h-current. Input from the mPFC showed selective targeting to LH neurons which project back to the mPFC, suggesting the existence of a direct feedback loop. Overall, these results identify a direct prefrontal hypothalamic pathway which is poised to dominate rapid cortical control of hypothalamic activity.
Natural variations ofTaMYB7-A1regulate PHS resistance and specify wheat geographic adaptation
Authors: Wang Hao , Wang Dongzhi , Guo Yafei , Zhang Min , Simmonds James , Zheng Qi , Hou Jian , Liu Xuemei , Lin Xuelei , Bie Xiaomin , Zhang Xiansheng , Zhang Xueyong , Uauy Cristobal , Lu Fei , Chu Chengcai , Tian Zhixi , Xiao Jun
Published: November 2024

Crop domestication tended to select against seed dormancy for uniform germination—raising risks of undesirable pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) — but regulation of seed dormancy and PHS in wheat are grossly under-characterized. Here, we identified wheat PHS resistance loci by GWAS.TaMYB7-A1confers PHS resistance by elevating ABA signaling and seed dormancy in grains. ThreeTaMYB7-A1haplotypes (Hap-1/2/3) contrast in PHS resistance, with Gly23 and Gly92 crucial for binding to and activatingTaABI5in Hap-1/3. A MITE transposon in theTaMYB7-A1Hap-1promoter likely recruited the TaAZF1–TaABI4 module to boost expression, resulting in strong PHS resistance.TaMYB7-A1Hap-1originated from wild einkorn and was integrated into hexaploid wheat through introgression into wild emmer. Different haplotypes ofTaMYB7-A1,in conjunction with alleles of other major PHS resistance genes, is pivotal in shaping wheat’s adaptability to rainfall conditions in China, US and Europe during the harvest season. Introduction ofTaMYB7-A1Hap-1into elite cultivars confers PHS resistance without yield defects. Thus, artificial and natural selection across diverse climates regions have collectively shaped wheat adaptation and enabled rational delivery of improved lines tailored to local cropping needs.
Uncovering dynamic human brain phase coherence networks
Authors: Olsen Anders S. , Brammer Anders , Fisher Patrick M. , Mørup Morten
Published: November 2024

Complex behavioral and cognitive processes emerge from coordinated communication between sometimes disparate brain regions, implying a systems-level dynamic synchronization of underlying neural signals. This study presents approaches to multivariate mixture modeling of functional brain imaging data for analyzing phase coherence networks for human brain macroscale dynamic functional connectivity. We show that 1) the complex domain is required to analyze phase coherence in its entirety, 2) statistical models for complex-valued phase coherence, particularly the complex angular central gaussian (ACG) distribution, greatly exceeds performance over models for time-series data, rank-2 cosine phase coherence maps, or the leading eigenvector of cosine phase coherence maps (i.e., LEiDA), 3) methods should account for the inherent anisotropy of the brain’s interconnections. We emphasize the need to utilize models that account for the manifold on which the data reside, and show that the proposed models provide valuable information about intrinsic functional connectivity networks and can easily distinguish task-related brain function. We provide an open-source, Python-based toolbox (“Phase Coherence Mixture Modeling” (PCMM):github.com/anders-s-olsen/PCMM) to facilitate and promote implementation of these models.