bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A - 60 How a Celebrity’s Disclosures of Aphasia and Dementia Impacted Online Searches Regarding Dementia Screening, Prevention, and Treatment: a Big Data Analysis
Authors: Schaefer Lynn A , Bekerman Elizabeth H , Levin Veronica P
Published: October 2023

Objective

Celebrity disclosure of medical conditions may lead to online searches into prevention and treatment. There are no studies examining this effect on dementia screening, prevention, and treatment and, if so, the effects’ length.

Data Selection

Bruce Willis announced diagnoses of aphasia on 3/30/2022 and frontotemporal dementia on 2/16/2023. U.S. Google search trends (GT) from 3/1/2022–3/1/2023 were accessed for: Bruce Willis, aphasia, and dementia. Wikipedia Pageviews (WP) for 1-week before, week of, and 1-week after each announcement were accessed for: dementia, aphasia; neuropsychological test, neuroimaging; dementia prevention, brain training, nootropics; donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine. ANOVAs and Tukey post-hocs were conducted of WP data.

Data Synthesis

Visual inspection of GT suggested announcement-related pulse effects. Relative search volume (RSV) for aphasia = 100 the week of 3/27/2022, and spiked for dementia the week of 2/12/2023, with RSV = 19, 3x the previous week. Week of 3/30/2022, ANOVAs revealed a significant increase for aphasia (p = 0.050) and a trend toward significance for dementia (p = 0.086) searches; there was a trend for neuroimaging (p = 0.083) the following week. Aphasia searches dropped 1-week after, but remained 9x higher than pre-announcement. Week of 2/16/2023, there were significant increases in searches for dementia (p = 0.030), aphasia (p = 0.036), and prevention of dementia (p = 0.028), but no other screening or treatments. Each returned to pre-announcement levels 1-week after, according to post-hoc trends.

Conclusions

Willis’s announcements prompted searches for dementia and prevention in general, but not specific screening, treatment, or prevention. The effect was short-lived, as has been seen regarding cancer. For more influential public impact, media could report information including screening and prevention.
A haemorrhagic pericardial cyst compressing the right side of the heart: a case report
Authors: Elhakim Abdelrahman , Boguschewski Andrea , Zamzow Piet , Saad Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Background

Pericardial cysts are rare and represent the third most common cystic mass of the mediastinum. The majority are asymptomatic and detected as incidental findings; however, they can be symptomatic and associated with life-threatening complications such as bronchial compression, congestive heart failure, cardiac tamponade, or even sudden death.

Case summary

We present a rare case of a haemorrhagic pericardial cyst with subtotal compression of the right side of the heart. A symptomatic male patient was referred due to progressive dyspnoea, signs of congestive heart failure for four months, and a transthoracic echocardiogram showing subtotal compression of the right heart side; the diagnosis was confirmed with thoracic computer tomography imaging and was removed surgically.

Discussion

Pericardial cysts are asymptomatic and benign in the majority of cases; however, they can be associated with life-threatening complications. Thus, regular follow-up is recommended, and in a minority of cases, minimal invasive intervention or surgery could be imperative.
Navigating concepts of social-ecological resilience in marine fisheries under climate change: shared challenges and recommendations from the northeast United States
Authors: Maltby K M , Mason J G , Cheng H , Fay G , Selden R L , Williams L , Alves C L
Published: October 2023

Climate change is increasingly impacting marine fisheries worldwide. Concurrently, scientific interest has grown to understand how these systems can cope and adapt, with research shifting from examining vulnerability to assessing risks to focusing on determining and operationalizing resilience. As fisheries-climate-resilience researchers and practitioners navigating a sea of frameworks, toolkits, strategies, policy goals, and management desires, we take stock to ask: what does resilience mean to us? Drawing on our experiences in the northeast United States, we discuss the challenges and ambiguity we encounter in concepts of social-ecological resilience and explore implications for research and implementation. We bring together perspectives to discuss various approaches to resilience, highlighting shared and unique challenges we face. We outline three key considerations as we move forward in resilience research and practice: (1) the need for greater transparency and reflexivity among researchers regarding how they frame and approach resilience; (2) the value of increasing coordination and communication among fisheries groups working on these topics; and (3) the use of co-developed and co-produced resilience research and strategies. We urge for greater centring of communities in these discussions and to explicitly consider how resilience interacts with equity outcomes.
New and revised taxa of Neotropical Diplotaxini (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae): do they change the existing relationships? Revisiting systematics with morphological and molecular data
Authors: Cherman Mariana A , Basílio Daniel S , Clarkson Bruno , Agostinis André O , Smith Andrew B T , Vaz-De-Mello Fernando Z , Almeida Lúcia M
Published: October 2023

The relationships among the Neotropical Diplotaxini and homology of revised and new taxa are revisited with parsimony analyses based on morphological characters, and probabilistic analyses based on concatenated ITS2 and COI genes. Neotropical Diplotaxini is now composed of five monophyletic genera: Pacuvia, Pachrodema, Homalochilus, Liogenys, and Careocallus gen. nov.. Pseudodiplotaxis is here transferred to incertae sedis of Melolonthinae. Careocallus is the sister genus of Liogenys and is composed of Careocallus tehuelche sp. nov. and Careocallus densicollis sp. nov. Sister phylogenetic relationship between Homalochilus and the rest of genera except Pacuvia is revealed. Homalochilussensu nov. is comprised by Homalochilus punctatostriatus and Homalochilus nigripennis sp. nov. This genus recovered its monophyly by transferring Homalochilus niger to Liogenys, as Liogenys nigercomb. nov. and this name is also synonymized with L. morio. The type species of Homalochilus is emended to be H. punctatostriatus. A neotype (Liogenys morio) and lectotypes (H. punctatostriatus, H. niger) are designated. Dichotomious key to Neotropical Diplotaxini genera and to species of Homalochilus and Careocallus are presented. Sequences and phylogenetic signals for Neotropical melolonthines are reported for the first time.
Survey on Latent Infection of Canker-Causing Pathogens in Budwood and Young Trees from Almond and Prune Nurseries in California
Authors: Luo Yong , Niederholzer Franz , Camiletti Boris X. , Michailides Themis J.
Published: October 2023

Almond band canker and prune Cytospora canker have become more severe in the last decade, especially in young orchards, in California. To test our hypothesis that young trees from nurseries could carry the canker-causing pathogens at latency phase to new orchards through transplanting, a multiyear survey on latent infection of canker-causing pathogens of budwood and young trees of almond and prune nurseries in California was conducted. A total of more than 1,730 samples including shoots of rootstocks and scions and grafting union cuttings were collected from 11 nurseries. A real-time quantitative PCR assay was applied to quantify the latent infection levels by six canker-causing pathogen taxa: Botryosphaeria dothidea and species of Cytospora, Diplodia, Lasiodiplodia, Neofusicoccum, and Phomopsis. For almond, the average incidences of latent infection caused by Lasiodiplodia spp. (43.6%) and Neofusicoccum spp. (24.2%) were significantly greater than those by the other four pathogen taxa. The molecular severity (MS) of latent infection caused by Neofusicoccum spp. (3.6) was significantly greater than those caused by other pathogen taxa, except for Lasiodiplodia spp. (2.6). For prune, the average incidence of latent infection caused by Cytospora spp. (13.5%) was significantly higher than those caused by B. dothidea (1.5%) and Diplodia spp. (1.3%) but not significantly higher than those caused by Lasiodiplodia spp. (6.9%), Neofusicoccum spp. (6.3%), and Phomopsis spp. (7.7%), respectively. Moreover, the average MS values caused by Cytospora spp. (3.8) and Neofusicoccum spp. (3.2) were the highest followed by those caused by B. dothidea (1.4), Lasiodiplodia spp. (2.2), and Phomopsis spp. (2.3). Different almond varieties showed various levels of susceptibilities to different canker-causing pathogens. This study concluded that Lasiodiplodia and Neofusicoccum are the predominant pathogen species in almond, and Cytospora is the most important canker-causing pathogen species in prune in nurseries. These findings confirmed the observations of predominancy of canker-causing pathogens in almond and prune orchards in California.
Effect of Sampling Time, Quantification Method, and Tree Sample Pooling on Phytophthora cinnamomi Root Quantities in South African Avocado Orchards
Authors: Jolliffe Jenna B. , Dann Elizabeth K. , van der Rijst Marieta , Masikane Siyethemba L. , Novela Precious , Mohale Philemon , McLeod Adéle
Published: October 2023

Phytophthora cinnamomi is a destructive soilborne pathogen causing Phytophthora root rot on avocados worldwide. Little is known about the effect of root sampling time, root quantification method (quantitative real-time PCR [qPCR] versus baiting), and tree sample pooling strategies on the quantification of the pathogen in roots in avocado orchard trees. This was investigated in six avocado orchards in two climatically different production regions (Mooketsi and Letaba) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, over a 2-year period. Two different tree sample pooling strategies, consisting of either a four-pooled group (four groups each containing five pooled trees) or a single-pooled group (20 trees pooled) per 1 ha, were both shown to be suitable for quantifying P. cinnamomi in tree roots using qPCR or root baiting. P. cinnamomi root quantities from the two tree sample pooling strategies were significantly correlated for both quantification methods. Both quantification methods were suitable for quantifying the pathogen in roots, although qPCR was superior to root baiting at identifying significant differences in P. cinnamomi quantities among root sampling time points. The effect of sampling time was dependent on the investigated year. In 2017, root quantities, which were only evaluated using qPCR, did not reveal a consistent trend of a specific sampling time yielding the highest root quantities for most of the orchards. However, five of the orchards in 2018, based on the qPCR analyses, contained significantly higher P. cinnamomi root quantities in May (late autumn) than in March (early autumn), August (late winter), and October/November (late spring). In 2018, P. cinnamomi root DNA quantities were significantly positively correlated with the number of soil temperature hours at 20 to 24 and 20 to 29°C 2 months preceding the root sampling dates and negatively correlated with the number of hours at 15 to 19°C 2 months preceding root sampling. Our study has identified P. cinnamomi root quantification methods and tree sample pooling strategies, which will be useful for understanding the biology of the pathogen and when disease management strategies should be in place.
Quality Assessment of Online Resources for Gender-affirming Surgery
Authors: Berry Charlotte E. , Fazilat Alexander Z. , Churukian Andrew A. , Abbas Darren B. , Griffin Michelle , Downer Mauricio , Januszyk Micheal , Momeni Arash , Morrison Shane D. , Wan Derrick C.
Published: October 2023

Background:

As visibility of the transgender patient population and utilization of online resources increases, it is imperative that web-based gender-affirming surgery (GAS) materials for patients are readable, accessible, and of high quality.

Methods:

A search trends analysis was performed to determine frequency of GAS-related searches over time. The top 100 most common results for GAS-related terms were analyzed using six readability formulas. Accessibility of patient-facing GAS sources was determined by categorizing types of search results. Frequency of article types was compared in low- and high-population dense areas. Quality was assigned to GAS web-based sources using the DISCERN score.

Results:

Search engine trend data demonstrates increasing occurrence of searches related to GAS. Readability scores of the top 100 online sources for GAS were discovered to exceed recommended levels for patient proficiency. Availability of patient-facing online information related to GAS was found to be 60%, followed by information provided by insurance companies (17%). Differences in availability of online resources in varying dense cities were found to be minimal. The average quality of sources determined by the DISCERN score was found to be 3, indicating “potential important shortcomings.”

Conclusions:

Despite increasing demand for web-based GAS information, the readability of online resources related to GAS was found to be significantly greater than the grade level of proficiency recommended for patients. A high number of nonpatient-facing search results appear in response to GAS search terms. Quality sources are still difficult for patients to find, as search results have a high incidence of low-quality resources.
A New Technique for Pelvic and Vaginal Reconstruction in Abdominoperineal Rectal Excision: Combination of Gluteus Maximus Flap and Fasciocutaneous Flap
Authors: Assi Hanin , Guné Henrik , Buchwald Pamela , Lagergren Jakob , Lydrup Marie-Louise , Öberg Martin
Published: October 2023

Resection of advanced rectal cancer might result in significant tissue loss, including pelvic floor and parts of the vaginal wall. Pelvic floor reconstruction using a musculocutaneous flap offers optimized healing abilities and the possibility of vaginal reconstruction. In Skåne University Hospital, two different flap techniques are used to reconstruct the perineum: the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap and the gluteus maximus (GM) flap. A combination of a GM flap and a fasciocutanous flap, referred to locally as a GM special (GMS) flap, is used for posterior vaginal wall reconstruction in women undergoing abdominoperineal resections including parts of or the total posterior vaginal wall. The GMS flap was introduced through a national collaboration in Sweden in 2013. The aim of this article is to offer a detailed description and illustrations of the surgical technique used to construct the GMS flap, focusing on the posterior vaginal wall reconstruction. In our experience, the GMS flap is a resilient and cosmetically appealing choice that is technically easily harvested. The flap has acceptable morbidity and long-term results with adequate neovaginal measurements. Collaborative work is further encouraged.
A Systematic Review of the State of Preclinical Mentorship Programs in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Dzubara Bryce , Bajestani Nojan , Paras Stephanie , Min Eric , Sharma Shuchi , Katta Juhi , Ueno Cristiane
Published: October 2023

Background:

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is consistently one of the most competitive medical specialties in the match. The recent United States Medical Licensing Examination score reporting switch to pass-fail led to a change in metrics by which applicants are evaluated by plastic surgery programs. Applicant research productivity and the demand for plastic surgery mentorship will continue to rise. Given the competitive nature of the residency match and shift in metrics emphasis after the change in STEP 1 scoring, early exposure to plastic surgery and mentoring relationships are paramount to applicant success. However, most medical students are not exposed to plastic surgery until they begin clinical rotations.

Methods:

A literature review of plastic surgery mentorship programs available during preclinical years was conducted to identify preclinical mentorship opportunities in plastic surgery. Sixty-eight references were identified, but only two studies met the inclusion criteria of addressing mentorship programs in preclinical years.

Results:

Examination of the included studies indicated that preclinical medical students achieve self-identified goals and generate longitudinal benefits in plastic surgery by participating in early and focused mentorship programs.

Conclusions:

The limited number of studies in this review highlights a lack of available, studied preclinical mentorship programs in plastic surgery and reveals a knowledge gap concerning the creation of successful preclinical mentorship programs. Early exposure to plastic surgery, combined with the development of structured preclinical mentorship programs, can potentially replicate successful outcomes seen in other surgical subspecialties’ mentorship programs while addressing the lack of formalized mentorship opportunities for preclinical students in plastic surgery.
Germline APC Alterations May Predispose to Testicular Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors
Authors: Siegmund Stephanie , Ricci Costantino , Kao Chia-Sui , Sangoi Ankur R. , Mohanty Sambit , Fletcher Christopher D.M. , Colecchia Maurizio , Acosta Andres M.
Published: October 2023

Sertoli cell tumor is a type of testicular sex cord-stromal tumor (TSCST) typically driven by gain-of-function CTNNB1 variants. Recently, molecular studies have identified TSCSTs (including Sertoli cell tumors) with loss-of-function APC variants, raising the possibility that germline APC alterations may predispose to TSCSTs. In this study, we evaluated 4 TSCSTs from 4 individual patients, including 3 APC-mutant neoplasms identified in prior studies (1 in a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis [FAP] and 2 in patients with unknown syndromic status) and 1 tumor of unknown mutational status diagnosed in a patient with known FAP. Three neoplasms were typical Sertoli cell tumors, and 1 was a malignant unclassified TSCT. All neoplasms exhibited diffuse nuclear beta-catenin expression. Non-neoplastic tissue could be obtained for DNA sequencing in the 3 Sertoli cell tumors. Comparative assessment of non-neoplastic and lesional tissue in these cases suggested that germline APC variants with subsequent inactivation of the gene (loss of heterozygosity) were the likely oncogenic driver of these Sertoli cell tumors. In the malignant unclassified TSCSTs, APC inactivation was also interpreted as the most likely driver event, and the germline origin of the variant was inferred using a recently published method. The results of this study suggest that pathogenic germline APC alterations (eg, FAP and variants thereof) may predispose to TSCSTs.
Healthy Patients With AKR1D1 Mutation Not Requiring Primary Bile Acid Therapy: A Case Series
Authors: Kimura Akihiko , Mori Jun , Pham Anh-Hoa Nguyen , Thi Kim-Oanh Bui , Takei Hajime , Murai Tsuyoshi , Hayashi Hisamitsu , Nittono Hiroshi
Published: October 2023

Δ4-3-Oxosteroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) deficiency typically causes severe cholestasis occurs in newborns, leading to death unless patients are treated with primary bile acids. However, we encountered an AKR1D1 deficiency patient treated with only ursodeoxycholic acid who had cholestasis until about 1 year of age but then grew up healthy without further treatment. We also have been following other healthy patients with AKR1D1 mutation who have never developed cholestasis and have not been treated. However, reports are few, involving 3 patients. To better understand and clinically manage a diverse group of patients with AKR1D1 mutation who do not develop potentially fatal cholestasis in the neonatal period, ongoing accumulation and study of informative cases is needed.
A Phase 1, Open-label, Dose-Ascending Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of the Therapeutic Radiopharmaceutical 131I-MIP-1095 for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Laccetti Andrew L. , Bodei Lisa , O'Donoghue Joseph A. , Weber Wolfgang A. , Morris Michael J.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

131I-MIP-1095 is a targeted radiotherapeutic that contains 131I, a β-particle emitter, and MIP-1095, a urea-based ligand for prostate-specific membrane antigen. We report the first phase 1, dose-escalation study of 131I-MIP-1095 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods

This study enrolled men with mCRPC refractory to second-generation antiandrogen(s) and taxane chemotherapy. Dosimetry/biodistribution assessments were performed. Safety and tolerability were determined in subjects who qualified for therapeutic administration of 131I-MIP-1095 with maximum tolerated activity examined in a dose-ascending manner (3 + 3 design methodology). Disease outcomes including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) change, tumor response, survival, and circulating tumor cell concentration were assessed.

Results

A total of 9 subjects with mCRPC were included in this study. On the basis of dosimetry results, 5 of 9 patients were treated: 3 in cohort 1 (50 mCi) and 2 in cohort 2 (75 mCi). Accrual stopped at the cohort 2 activity level in response to the US Food and Drug Administration mandate for 131I-MIP-1095 manufacturing concerns. Parotid/salivary glands (3.5 Gy/Bq), liver (2.2 Gy/Bq), kidneys (1.3 Gy/Bq), and spleen (0.7 Gy/Bq) demonstrated the greatest extent of 131I-MIP-1095 exposure. There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or drug discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events. Grade 1–2 thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, and dry mouth most commonly occurred. One subject (33.3%) exhibited maximum decline for the PSA response of 50% or greater.

Conclusion

131I-MIP-1095 demonstrated favorable dosimetry, biodistribution, and safety, as well as a modest PSA response supporting further investigation for treatment of men with mCRPC.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03030885, Registered January 25, 2017 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03030885).
Patient education about breathlessness
Authors: Williams Marie T.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of the review

Effective education enables people to modify the distress and impact of breathlessness by integrating evidence-informed breathlessness-related behaviours (knowledge, skill, attitude) into everyday life. This review considers recent studies of educational approaches focussed on chronic breathlessness as a modifiable, noxious and debilitating multidimensional experience.

Recent findings

Systematic assessments of text-based patient education materials and mobile phone applications specific to breathlessness indicate that while these resources are readily available, issues continue to persist with quality, readability, usefulness and availability of non-English language versions. Various forms of educational interventions for breathlessness have proven feasible and valued by people living with breathlessness and their significant others (uptake/completion, personal benefit, ripple effect on health professionals). Health professional knowledge about the impact of chronic breathlessness and effective management can be altered through structured, educational interventions.

Empiric studies of patient education for breathlessness are scarce despite persistent calls for better breathlessness education for people living with or providing care for someone living with this noxious symptom. In clinical practice, it is highly likely that there are effective and ineffective educational practices, both of which, if publicly disseminated, would inform future educational strategies to advance breathlessness self-management.
Inter-laboratory variability of caspofungin MICs for Nakaseomyces glabrata isolates – an Irish tertiary hospital experience
Authors: Ali Saied , Collison Meadhbh , McNicholas Sinead , McDermott Sinead
Published: October 2023

Background.
Nakaseomyces glabrata, formerly Candida glabrata, is an opportunistic yeast and emerging cause of human infections. The use of broth microdilution (BMD) methodologies for caspofungin (CSP) antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) against N. glabrata is reported to be prone to high inter-laboratory variation. We aimed to compare CSP MICs of N. glabrata isolates from our institution with those obtained by the Reference Laboratory for the same isolates.

Methods. All clinically significant N. glabrata isolates from 2019 to 2021 inclusive were reviewed. AFST was performed locally using the VITEK2 system with the AST-YS08 card, while E-tests were performed at the Mycology Reference Laboratory (MRL), and agreement between these two methods was evaluated – categorical and essential.

Results. Forty-one isolates were reviewed during the study period – 30 from blood cultures, seven from intra-operative theatre specimens and four from sterile site drain fluids. Despite an essential agreement of 100 % within ±2 log2 dilutions, marked discrepancies were noted in interpretative breakpoints between assays with 17 Minor and 16 Major category errors. Categorical agreement was 19.5 %, with the VITEK2 over-estimating resistance. A Mann–Whitney U-test assessed the relationship of MICs across the AFST modalities, and a statistically significant difference was noted, P<0.01, with a higher mean rank for VITKEK2 outputs.

Conclusion. While the VITEK2 system is highly applicable, its performance for CSP AFST is unreliable and potentially results in the mis-classification of susceptible isolates as highlighted in our study. The use of VITEK2 AST-YS08 micafungin as a sentinel echinocandin should be explored and/or the evaluation of CSP-specific E-tests as utilized by the MRL. These methods appear more consistent and less prone to the variation seen with BMD for CSP.
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Rare Pathogens Causing Bacteremia in Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India
Authors: Tejan Nidhi , Kar Mitra , Singh Romya , Jamwal Ashima , Dubey Akanksha , Choudhary Radhika , Sahu Chinmoy , Patel Sangram Singh , Kumari Pooja , Ghar Malay
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The use of newer diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and, chemotherapy increases susceptibility to bacteremia. Rise of new bacterial pathogens raises innumerable concerns like virulence capacity, and susceptibility profiles of these organisms.
Hypothesis/Gap Statement: Information about the incidence and risk factors of bacteremia caused by rare pathogens from India is limited.
Aim: We conducted this study to identify the risk factors and underlying conditions predisposing to bacteremia by rare pathogens and analyze the antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates.
Methodology: This retrospective study was performed on 64 rare isolates collected from blood culture from January 2022 to December 2022. All clinical and laboratory data was obtained from laboratory registers and the electronic information system and later analyzed by using SPSS statistical software (IBM SPSS version 20, Armonk, N.Y.).
Result: Sixty-four rare pathogenic gram-negative bacteria (GNB) were identified from blood culture. Mean age of patients was 36.60 ± 21.83 years, with 56.25% (36/64, 56.25%) men. Malignancies (25/64, 39.06%) were the most common comorbidity in the patients. Burkholderia cenocepacia (21/64, 32.81%) was the most common microorganism followed by Ochrobactrum spp (16/64, 25.0%). During hospitalization, 17.19% (11/64, 17.19%) patients had indwelling catheterization, 40.63% (26/6, 40.63%) patients underwent surgical procedures and 32.81% (21/64, 32.81%) patients had chemo port in-situ. Out of 64 patients, 13 (13/64, 20.31%) patients died due to the direct effect of bacteremia caused by these isolates.
Conclusion: This study represents the rare pathogens identified from bloodstream infections and evaluates their susceptibility pattern to aid the clinicians’ knowledge.
A novel taxonomy to assess dressing activity in chronic stroke
Authors: Fokas Emily E. , Ahmed Zuha , Parnandi Avinash R. , Venkatesan Anita , Pandit Natasha G. , Nilsen Dawn M. , Schambra Heidi M.
Published: October 2023

Upper-body dressing (UBD) is a key aspect of motor rehabilitation after stroke, but most individuals with stroke require long-term dressing assistance. Having a measurement approach that captures the quantity and quality of dressing movements during training could support more targeted strategies. As the basis of an approach, we modified our previously developed motion taxonomy, which categorizes elemental motions into classes of functional primitives (e.g.reaches, transports, stabilizations). Three expert coders examined videos of two healthy subjects performing dressing tasks, and expanded the taxonomy to account for the unique arm and trunk motions of UBD. An expert and a trained coder then applied the expanded taxonomy to dressing videos of five chronic stroke subjects. We examined the interrater reliability (IRR) for classifying primitives. Using the expanded taxonomy, IRR for identifying primitives in UBD was overall low (k = 0.52) but varied by primitive class: IRR was moderate forreach(k = 0.75),transport(k = 0.63), andidle(k = 0.68), lower forreposition(k = 0.58), and negligible forstabilization(k = -0.02). IRR increased with increasing UE-FMA score (ρ=1, p<0.0001), indicating that the reliability of primitive classification improved with less impaired movement. With additional modification, the expanded taxonomy could support the measurement of training doses and impaired motion during dressing activities.
Poverty Proofing health care: a qualitative study of barriers to accessing health care for low income families with children in Northern England
Authors: Bidmead Elaine , Hayes Louise , Leggott Emma , Wildman Josephine , Rankin Judith , Bramhall Luke , Todd Liz , Mazzoli-Smith Laura
Published: October 2023

Poverty impacts negatively on children’s health and future life chances. Access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is based on clinical need rather than the ability to pay but horizontal inequities in access exist. Children North East, a charity supporting children experiencing poverty, wanted to develop a Poverty Proofing© Health tool to help NHS services reduce the impacts of poverty on access. This study aimed to understand barriers to healthcare access faced by families living on low incomes to support development of the tool. Twenty parents and seven Voluntary Community Social Enterprise sector staff participated in qualitative interviews or focus groups. Data were analysed thematically, and three main themes were identified as impacting access to health care: hidden costs, securing appointments and developing relationships with health care providers. We conclude that low-income families experience both financial and other barriers to accessing NHS health care and that these barriers are exacerbated for low income families living in rural areas.
Intrinsic forebrain arousal dynamics governs sensory stimulus encoding
Authors: Yang Yifan , Leopold David A. , Duyn Jeff H. , Sipe Grayson O. , Liu Xiao
Published: October 2023

The neural encoding of sensory stimuli is subject to the brain’s internal circuit dynamics. Recent work has demonstrated that the resting brain exhibits widespread, coordinated activity that plays out over multisecond timescales in the form of quasi-periodic spiking cascades. Here we demonstrate that these intrinsic dynamics persist during the presentation of visual stimuli and markedly influence the efficacy of feature encoding in the visual cortex. During periods of passive viewing, the sensory encoding of visual stimuli was determined by quasi-periodic cascade cycle evolving over several seconds. During this cycle, high efficiency encoding occurred during peak arousal states, alternating in time with hippocampal ripples, which were most frequent in low arousal states. However, during bouts of active locomotion, these arousal dynamics were abolished: the brain remained in a state in which visual coding efficiency remained high and ripples were absent. We hypothesize that the brain’s observed dynamics during awake, passive viewing reflect an adaptive cycle of alternating exteroceptive sensory sampling and internal mnemonic function.
Differential processing of delay versus uncertainty in male but not female 16p11.2 hemideletion mice
Authors: Rojas Gerardo R. , Heller Abigail T. , Grissom Nicola M.
Published: October 2023

Neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with differences in learning and motivation that can influence executive function, including behavioral flexibility and decision making. 16p11.2 hemideletion is a chromosomal copy number variant that is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. 16p11.2 hemideletion in mice has been previously found to produce male-biased changes in reward learning, but the link between this and altered flexible decision making is poorly understood. We challenged 16p11.2 hemideletion mice with two reward-guided decision making tasks assessing flexible decision making under cost, delay and probability discounting. Both tasks elicited long-term changes in flexible decision making that separated 16p11.2 hemideletion males from wildtype males. In delay discounting,16p11.2 hemideletion males had a stronger, less flexible preference for the large reward at long delays, and this effect was reduced as wildtype males adjusted their preference to match that of the hemideletion males. In probability discounting, 16p11.2 hemideletion males initially had a similar preference for seeking improbable large rewards as did wildtype males, but over time began to prefer certainty to a greater extent than did wildtype males. Female mice discounted similarly for delayed or risky rewards regardless of the presence of the copy number variant. We have previously seen that male 16p11.2 hemideletion mice commit fewer nonreinforced responses than male wildtype mice in an operant setting, which we replicate here in delay discounting, while the introduction of risky rewards eliminates genotype differences in nonreinforced responses. Overall these data suggest that 16p11.2 hemideletion in males leads to differential processing of costs of delay versus inconsistency, with greater aversion to uncertainty than delays, and greater behavioral control by cues that consistently predict an outcome.
EFFECT OF PROPHYLACTICALLY ADMINISTERED KETOROLAC AND DICLOFENAC POTASSIUM ON THE EFFICACY OF INFERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE BLOCK IN PATIENTS WITH SYMPTOMATIC IRREVERSIBLE PULPITIS, DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL
Authors: Bano Sara , Ishaq Waleed , Islam Sadaf , Hamdani Sara , Ashfaq Sana , Moghal Amna
Published: October 2023

Background

Inferior alveolar nerve block is the most frequently used local anesthetic agent, administered to achieve regional anesthesia for root canal treatment, however, in cases of irreversible pulpitis, there may be anesthetic resistance. To overcome this issue, many conservative and invasive supplementary procedures are introduced to increase the efficacy of nerve block, including prophylactic use of orally administered NSAIDs.

Objective

To compare the effect of prophylactically administered Ketorolac and Diclofenac Potassium on the efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block in patients presenting with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

Methodology

This double-blind study included a total number of 130 patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis which was confirmed with a cold test. Before initiating the treatment, the patients were asked to rate their pain on a VAS with pain divided into four categories, no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, and severe pain. 10 mg Ketorolac and 50 mg Diclofenac potassium were equally divided into two groups and 1 tablet of each was orally administered to patients 1 hour before initiating root canal treatment. IANB was given and a root canal procedure was initiated under full aseptic protocol. The pain score was recorded on VAS during endodontic access preparation and root canal instrumentation. Data was analyzed through cross-tabulation and the Chi-square test was applied. (Pvalue = 0.05)

Results

The comparison of prophylactically administered ketorolac and diclofenac potassium on the efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block depicted the success rate was 64.6% in Ketorolac group as compared to 43.1% in Diclofenac potassium group.

Conclusion

Oral premedication with NSAIDs can improve the efficacy of Inferior alveolar nerve block in a non-invasive manner with better results yielded with the use of orally administered Ketorolac as compared to Diclofenac Potassium.
Aperiodic component of EEG power spectrum and cognitive performance in aging: the role of education
Authors: Montemurro Sonia , Borek Daniel , Marinazzo Daniele , Zago Sara , Masina Fabio , Napoli Ettore , Filippini Nicola , Arcara Giorgio
Published: October 2023

Aging is associated with changes in the oscillatory -periodic-brain activity in the alpha band (8-12 Hz), as measured with resting-state EEG (rsEEG); it is characterized by a significantly lower alpha frequency and power. Aging influences the aperiodic component of the power spectrum: at a higher age the slope flattens, which is related with lower cognitive efficiency. It is not known whether education, a cognitive reserve proxy recognized for its modulatory role on cognition, influences such relationship.

N=179 healthy participants of the LEMON dataset (Babayan et al., 2019) were grouped based on age and education: young adults with high education and older adults with high and low education. Eyes-closed rsEEG power spectrum was parametrized at the occipital level.

Lower IAPF, exponent, and offset in older adults were shown, compared to younger adults. Visual attention and working memory were differently predicted by the aperiodic component across education: in older adults with high education, higher exponent predicted slower processing speed and less working memory capacity, with an opposite trend in those with lower education.

Further investigation is needed; the study shows the potential modulatory role of education in the relationship between the aperiodic component of the EEG power spectrum and aging cognition.
In vivo AGO-APP identifies a module of microRNAs cooperatively controlling exit from neural stem cell state
Authors: Narbonne-Reveau Karine , Erni Andrea , Eichner Norbert , Surbhi Surbhi , Meister Gunter , Beclin Christophe , Maurange Cédric , Cremer Harold
Published: October 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential regulators of all developmental processes. Their function is particularly important during neurogenesis, when the production of large numbers of neurons from a limited number of neural stem cells depends on the precise control of determination, proliferation and differentiation. However, miRNA regulation of target mRNAs is highly promiscuous, one miRNA can target many mRNAs and vice versa, raising the question of how specificity is achieved to elicit a precise regulatory response.

Here we introduce AGO-APP, a novel approach to purify Argonaute-bound miRNAs directly from cells and tissues in vivo, to isolate actively inhibiting miRNAs from different neural cell populations in the larval Drosophila central nervous system. We identify a defined group of miRNAs that redundantly target all iconic genes known to control the transition from neuroblasts to neurons. In vivo functional studies demonstrate that knockdown of individual miRNAs does not induce detectable cellular phenotypes. However, simultaneous knockdown of multiple miRNAs leads to precocious stem cell differentiation, demonstrating functional interdependence. Thus, miRNAs cooperate within a regulatory module to specify the targeted gene network.
GradHC: Highly Reliable Gradual Hash-based Clustering for DNA Storage Systems
Authors: Shabat Dvir Ben , Hadad Adar , Boruchovsky Avital , Yaakobi Eitan
Published: October 2023

As data storage challenges grow and existing technologies approach their limits, synthetic DNA emerges as a promising storage solution due to its remarkable density and durability advantages. While cost remains a concern, emerging sequencing and synthetic technologies aim to mitigate it, yet introduce challenges such as errors in the storage and retrieval process. One crucial in a DNA storage system is clustering numerous DNA reads into groups that represent the original input strands. In this paper, we review different methods for evaluating clustering algorithms and introduce a novel clustering algorithm for DNA storage systems, named Gradual Hash-based clustering (GradHC). The primary strength of GradHC lies in its capability to cluster with excellent accuracy various types of designs, including varying strand lengths, cluster sizes (including extremely small clusters), and different error ranges. Benchmark analysis demonstrates that GradHC is significantly more stable and robust than other clustering algorithms previously proposed for DNA storage, while also producing highly reliable clustering results.
Morpho-electric and computational properties of three types of human hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Mertens Eline J. , Leibner Yoni , Pie Jean , Galakhova Anna A. , Waleboer Femke , Meijer Julia , Heistek Tim S. , Wilbers René , Heyer Djai , Goriounova Natalia A. , Idema Sander , Verhoog Matthijs B. , Kalmbach Brian E. , Lee Brian R. , Gwinn Ryder P. , Lein Ed S. , Aronica Eleonora , Ting Jonathan , Mansvelder Huibert D. , Segev Idan , de Kock Christiaan P.J.
Published: October 2023

Hippocampal pyramidal neuron activity underlies episodic memory and spatial navigation. Although extensively studied in rodents, extremely little is known about human hippocampal pyramidal neurons, even though human hippocampus underwent strong evolutionary reorganization and shows lower theta rhythm frequencies. To test whether biophysical and computational properties of humanCA1pyramidal neurons can explain observed rhythms, we map the morpho-electric and computational properties of individualCA1pyramidal neurons in human, non-pathological hippocampal slices from neurosurgery. HumanCA1pyramidal neurons have extensive dendrites and resonate at 2.9 Hz, optimally tuned to human theta frequencies. Morphological and biophysical properties reveal three cell types with distinct dendrite bifurcations and physiology. Data-driven biophysical models show that humanCA1pyramidal neurons use i) computationally independent dendritic compartments, ii) preferential routing of electrical activity towards soma or dendritic tree and iii) non-linear input-output transformations. Across cell types, morpho-electric properties consistently increase computational richness in humanCA1pyramidal neurons.

Teaser

HumanCA1pyramidal neurons have large and intricate morphologies, which translates to complex computational properties.
Redox Regulation of Brain Selective Kinases BRSK1/2: Implications for Dynamic Control of the Eukaryotic AMPK family through Cys-based mechanisms
Authors: Bendzunas George N. , Byrne Dominic P , Shrestha Safal , Daly Leonard A , Oswald Sally O. , Katiyar Samiksha , Venkat Aarya , Yeung Wayland , Eyers Claire E , Eyers Patrick A , Kannan Natarajan
Published: October 2023

In eukaryotes, protein kinase signaling is regulated by a diverse array of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues and oxidation of cysteine (Cys) residues. While regulation by activation segment phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues is well understood, relatively little is known about how oxidation of cysteine residues modulate catalysis. In this study, we investigate redox regulation of the AMPK-related Brain-selective kinases (BRSK) 1 and 2, and detail how broad catalytic activity is directly regulated through reversible oxidation and reduction of evolutionarily conserved Cys residues within the catalytic domain. We show that redox-dependent control of BRSKs is a dynamic and multilayered process involving oxidative modifications of several Cys residues, including the formation of intra-molecular disulfide bonds involving a pair of Cys residues near the catalytic HRD motif and a highly conserved T-Loop Cys with a BRSK-specific Cys within an unusual CPE motif at the end of the activation segment. Consistently, mutation of the CPE-Cys increases catalytic activityin vitroand drives phosphorylation of the BRSK substrate Tau in cells. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that oxidation of the CPE-Cys destabilizes a conserved salt bridge network critical for allosteric activation. The occurrence of spatially proximal Cys amino acids in diverse Ser/Thr protein kinase families suggests that disulfide mediated control of catalytic activity may be a prevalent mechanism for regulation within the broader AMPK family.
Re-evaluation and revision of the Eating Habits Questionnaire
Authors: Simon Dávid , Bogár Nikolett , Dukay-Szabó Szilvia , Túry Ferenc
Published: October 2023

The Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ) is a key tool in evaluating orthorexia nervosa, but its evaluation process has witnessed considerable variation, with one item notably excluded from the last phase of its development. This study undertakes a thorough re-evaluation of the English version of the EHQ, focusing on its original 35 items, within two diverse populations where English serves predominantly as a second language. Through an online survey involving 163 female models and 243 non-models, participants completed the EHQ along with the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and SCOFF questionnaire. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, we scrutinised the factorial validity of EHQ subscales, eliminating items that did not align with the factor structure. After eliminating 17 items from the original 35-item questionnaire, the fit of the model for EHQ was acceptable. Cronbach’s alpha values indicated acceptable reliability. The EHQ problem subscale showed significant positive correlations with all EDI subscales, while all EHQ subscales demonstrated significant positive correlations with the EDI drive for thinness subscale. Comparison of the groups based on the SCOFF threshold revealed positive and significant differences across all subscales. The study examined the impact of replacing an item in the EHQ-21 during its development process, finding that it potentially influenced the resulting factor structure. A new version of EHQ (EHQ-18) was introduced supported by the analysis of the factorial and convergent validity, as well as the reliability. Furthermore, the findings suggest a potential discriminant validity of EHQ-18 in a diverse population, mostly speaking English as a second language.