bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the dynamics of monkeypox transmission with data-driven methods and a deterministic model
Authors: Das Haridas K.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is an infectious disease that spreads mostly through direct contact with infected animals or people's blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions. In light of the global outbreak that occurred in 2022–2023, in this paper, we analyzed global Mpox univariate time series data and provided a comprehensive analysis of disease outbreaks across the world, including the USA with Brazil and three continents: North America, South America, and Europe. The novelty of this study is that it delved into the Mpox time series data by implementing the data-driven methods and a mathematical model concurrently—an aspect not typically addressed in the existing literature. The study is also important because implementing these models concurrently improved our predictions' reliability for infectious diseases.

Methods

We proposed a traditional compartmental model and also implemented deep learning models (1D- convolutional neural network (CNN), long-short term memory (LSTM), bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), hybrid CNN-LSTM, and CNN-BiLSTM) as well as statistical time series models: autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing on the Mpox data. We also employed the least squares method fitting to estimate the essential epidemiological parameters in the proposed deterministic model.

Results

The primary finding of the deterministic model is that vaccination rates can flatten the curve of infected dynamics and influence the basic reproduction number. Through the numerical simulations, we determined that increased vaccination among the susceptible human population is crucial to control disease transmission. Moreover, in case of an outbreak, our model showed the potential for epidemic control by adjusting the key epidemiological parameters, namely the baseline contact rate and the proportion of contacts within the human population. Next, we analyzed data-driven models that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics in different locations. Additionally, we trained models to provide short-term (eight-week) predictions across various geographical locations, and all eight models produced reliable results.

Conclusion

This study utilized a comprehensive framework to investigate univariate time series data to understand the dynamics of Mpox transmission. The prediction showed that Mpox is in its die-out situation as of July 29, 2023. Moreover, the deterministic model showed the importance of the Mpox vaccination in mitigating the Mpox transmission and highlighted the significance of effectively adjusting key epidemiological parameters during outbreaks, particularly the contact rate in high-risk groups.
Three exonic variants in the PHEX gene cause aberrant splicing in a minigene assay
Authors: Pan Fengjiao , Zhang Ruixiao , Liu Xuyan , Shi Xiaomeng , Xin Qing , Qiao Dan , Li Changying , Zhang Yan , Chen Mengke , Guo Wencong , Luan Shufang , Shao Leping
Published: May 2024

Background: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH, OMIM 307800) is a rare phosphorus metabolism disorder caused by PHEX gene variants. Many variants simply classified as missense or nonsense variants were only analyzed at the DNA level. However, growing evidence indicates that some of these variants may alter pre-mRNA splicing, causing diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to use bioinformatics tools and a minigene assay to ascertain the effects of PHEX variations on pre-mRNA splicing.

Methods: We analyzed 174 variants in the PHEX gene described as missense or nonsense variants. Finally, we selected eight candidate variants using bioinformatics tools to evaluate their effects on pre-mRNA splicing using a minigene assay system. The complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence for the PHEX gene (RefSeq NM_000444.6) serves as the basis for DNA variant numbering.

Results: Of the eight candidate variants, three were found to cause abnormal splicing. Variants c.617T>G p.(Leu206Trp) and c.621T>A p.(Tyr207*) in exon 5 altered the splicing of pre-mRNA, owing to the activation of a cryptic splice site in exon 5, which produced an aberrant transcript lacking a part of exon 5, whereas variant c.1700G>C p.(Arg567Pro) in exon 16 led to the activation of a cryptic splice site in intron 16, resulting in a partial inclusion of intron 16.

Conclusion: Our study employed a minigene system, which has a great degree of flexibility to assess abnormal splicing patterns under the circumstances of patient mRNA samples that are not available, to explore the impact of the exonic variants on pre-mRNA splicing. Based on the aforementioned experimental findings, we demonstrated the importance of analyzing exonic variants at the mRNA level.
Post-drought leads to increasing metabolic rates in the surface waters of a natural tropical lake
Authors: Brighenti Ludmila Silva , Viana Elisa Aguiar Porto , Pujoni Diego Guimarães Florêncio , Barbosa Francisco Antônio Rodrigues , Bezerra-Neto José Fernandes
Published: May 2024

As hotspots of the global carbon cycle, lakes can regulate climate change while being regulated by it via a feedback loop. As ecosystem metabolism is considered to be a sentinel to these changes, we used high-frequency measurements and the inverse modeling approach to study the temporal dynamic of gross primary production (GPP), respiration (R), and net ecosystem production (NEP) at surface waters of a tropical lake, which lost about 60% of its volume in almost 10 years. This water loss and the return of the average rainfall led to an increased concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved organic carbon and decreased water transparency and light availability. During the post-drought period, epilimnetic GPP increased by 40% compared with the pre-drought period, and R surpassed GPP during the mixing period of the lake. We discuss that this modification results from higher carbon and nutrient concentrations, lower light availability, and a change in the lake stratification pattern. Surface water metabolism changed due to meteorological and hydrological drought, and it may continue to change under the ongoing variation in rainfall patterns, temperature, and human disturbances.
Identifying and assessing a prognostic model based on disulfidptosis-related genes: implications for immune microenvironment and tumor biology in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Jin , Liu Kaifan , Li Jiawen , Zhang Hailong , Gong Xian , Song Xiangrong , Wei Meidan , Hu Yaoyu , Li Jianxiang
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Lung cancer, with the highest global mortality rate among cancers, presents a grim prognosis, often diagnosed at an advanced stage in nearly 70% of cases. Recent research has unveiled a novel mechanism of cell death termed disulfidptosis, which is facilitated by glucose scarcity and the protein SLC7A11.

Methods

Utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis combined with Cox regression analysis, we constructed a prognostic model focusing on disulfidptosis-related genes. Nomograms, correlation analyses, and enrichment analyses were employed to assess the significance of this model. Among the genes incorporated into the model, CHRNA5 was selected for further investigation regarding its role in LUAD cells. Biological functions of CHRNA5 were assessed using EdU, transwell, and CCK-8 assays.

Results

The efficacy of the model was validated through internal testing and an external validation set, with further evaluation of its robustness and clinical applicability using a nomogram. Subsequent correlation analyses revealed associations between the risk score and infiltration of various cancer types, as well as oncogene expression. Enrichment analysis also identified associations between the risk score and pivotal biological processes and KEGG pathways. Our findings underscore the significant impact of CHRNA5 on LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and disulfidptosis.

Conclusion

This study successfully developed and validated a robust prognostic model centered on disulfidptosis-related genes, providing a foundation for predicting prognosis in LUAD patients.
Endolysosomal transient receptor potential mucolipins and two-pore channels: implications for cancer immunity
Authors: Ouologuem Lina , Bartel Karin
Published: May 2024

Past research has identified that cancer cells sustain several cancer hallmarks by impairing function of the endolysosomal system (ES). Thus, maintaining the functional integrity of endolysosomes is crucial, which heavily relies on two key protein families: soluble hydrolases and endolysosomal membrane proteins. Particularly members of the TPC (two-pore channel) and TRPML (transient receptor potential mucolipins) families have emerged as essential regulators of ES function as a potential target in cancer therapy. Targeting TPCs and TRPMLs has demonstrated significant impact on multiple cancer hallmarks, including proliferation, growth, migration, and angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, endosomes and lysosomes also actively participate in various immune regulatory mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and the release of proinflammatory mediators. Yet, knowledge about the role of TPCs and TRPMLs in immunity is scarce. This prompts a discussion regarding the potential role of endolysosomal ion channels in aiding cancers to evade immune surveillance and destruction. Specifically, understanding the interplay between endolysosomal ion channels and cancer immunity becomes crucial. Our review aims to comprehensively explore the current knowledge surrounding the roles of TPCs and TRPMLs in immunity, whilst emphasizing the critical need to elucidate their specific contributions to cancer immunity by pointing out current research gaps that should be addressed.
Redeployment in language contact: the case of phonological emphasis
Authors: Flynn Darin
Published: May 2024

This article applies the notion of redeployment in second language acquisition to contact-induced diachronic changes. Of special interest are cases where a marked phonological contrast has spread across neighboring languages. Such cases suggest that listeners can re-weight and re-map phonetic cues onto novel phonological structures. On the redeployment view, cues can indeed be re-weighted, but phonological structures which underlie a new contrast are not expected to be fully novel; rather, they must be assembled from preexisting phonological structures. Emphatics are an instructive case. These are (mostly) coronal consonants articulated with tongue-root retraction. Phonological emphasis is rare among the world's languages but it is famously endogenous in Arabic and in Interior Salish and it has spread from these to not a few neighboring languages. The present study describes and analyzes the genesis of phonological emphasis and its exogenous spread to a dozen mostly unrelated languages—from Arabic to Iranian and Caucasian languages, among others, and from Interior Salish to Athabaskan and Wakashan languages. This research shows that most languages acquire emphatics by redeploying the phonological feature [RTR] (retracted tongue root) from preexisting uvulars. On the other hand, some languages acquire imitations of emphatics by redeploying the consonantal use of [low] from preexisting pharyngeals. Phonological emphasis is apparently not borrowed by neighboring languages where consonants lack a phonological feature fit for redeployment. The overall impression is that a language in contact with emphatics may newly adopt these sounds as [RTR] or [low] only if the relevant feature is already in use in its consonant system. This pattern of adoption in language contact supports the redeployment construct in second language acquisition theory.
Association of systemic inflammation response index with mortality risk in older patients with hip fracture: a 10-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fang Zhi , Gao Bo , Wang Zhicong , Chen Xi , Liu Mozhen
Published: May 2024

Objective

With a rapidly aging global population, the assessment of mortality risk following hip fracture in older adults has received increasing attention. Recently, the system inflammation response index (SIRI) has been identified as a novel prognostic marker to reflect both systemic inflammation and immune status. However, it is not yet known whether SIRI is a potential predictor of subsequent death in hip fracture patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between SIRI and mortality in older patients with hip fracture.

Methods

A total of 1,206 older hip fracture patients undergoing surgery between January 2013 and December 2022 were consecutively derived from our longitudinal database. Patients were divided into three groups according to SIRI tertiles, calculated as neutrophil × monocyte / lymphocyte. Survival status was obtained from medical records or telephone interviews, and the study outcome was all-cause mortality after hip fracture at the longest follow-up. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model were used to evaluate the association between SIRI and mortality. Moreover, a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to further validate the robustness of the association.

Results

During a median follow-up of 43.85 months, 337 patients (27.94%) died. After full adjustment, each unit increase in SIRI was significantly associated with a 2.2% increase in overall mortality (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001–1.042, p = 0.029). Similarly, compared with the first tertile of SIRI, the second and third tertile showed a 1.335-fold (95% CI: 1.011–1.762, p = 0.042) and 1.447-fold (95% CI, 1.093–1.917, p = 0.010) higher risk of death. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the association. Moreover, RCS analysis revealed a positive non-linear relationship between SIRI and mortality (P for nonlinearity = 0.021).

Conclusion

High SIRI level at admission was significantly and positively associated with an increased risk of death, suggesting that SIRI may be an independent predictor of mortality in older patients with hip fracture.
Identification of a putative α-galactoside β-(1 → 3)-galactosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of galactomannan side chain of glucuronoxylomannogalactan in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Kadooka Chihiro , Tanaka Yutaka , Hira Daisuke , Oka Takuji
Published: May 2024

The cell surface of Cryptococcus neoformans is covered by a thick capsular polysaccharide. The capsule is the most important virulence factor of C. neoformans; however, the complete mechanism of its biosynthesis is unknown. The capsule is composed of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) and glucuronoxylomannogalactan (GXMGal). As GXM is the most abundant component of the capsule, many studies have focused on GXM biosynthesis. However, although GXMGal has an important role in virulence, studies on its biosynthesis are scarce. Herein, we have identified a GT31 family β-(1 → 3)-galactosyltransferase Ggt2, which is involved in the biosynthesis of the galactomannan side chain of GXMGal. Comparative analysis of GXMGal produced by a ggt2 disruption strain revealed that Ggt2 is a glycosyltransferase that catalyzes the initial reaction in the synthesis of the galactomannan side chain of GXMGal. The ggt2 disruption strain showed a temperature-sensitive phenotype at 37°C, indicating that the galactomannan side chain of GXMGal is important for high-temperature stress tolerance in C. neoformans. Our findings provide insights into complex capsule biosynthesis in C. neoformans.
DNA sensing of dendritic cells in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Qian Wei , Ye Jun , Xia Sheng
Published: May 2024

Dendritic cells (DCs) are involved in the initiation and maintenance of immune responses against malignant cells by recognizing conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). According to recent studies, tumor cell-derived DNA molecules act as DAMPs and are recognized by DNA sensors in DCs. Once identified by sensors in DCs, these DNA molecules trigger multiple signaling cascades to promote various cytokines secretion, including type I IFN, and then to induce DCs mediated antitumor immunity. As one of the potential attractive strategies for cancer therapy, various agonists targeting DNA sensors are extensively explored including the combination with other cancer immunotherapies or the direct usage as major components of cancer vaccines. Moreover, this review highlights different mechanisms through which tumor-derived DNA initiates DCs activation and the mechanisms through which the tumor microenvironment regulates DNA sensing of DCs to promote tumor immune escape. The contributions of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and checkpoint inhibitors in tumor therapy to the DNA sensing of DCs are also discussed. Finally, recent clinical progress in tumor therapy utilizing agonist-targeted DNA sensors is summarized. Indeed, understanding more about DNA sensing in DCs will help to understand more about tumor immunotherapy and improve the efficacy of DC-targeted treatment in cancer.
Division of neuromuscular compartments and localization of the center of the highest region of muscle spindles abundance in deep cervical muscles based on Sihler’s staining
Authors: Wang Danli , Chen Peng , Jia Fangfang , Wang Meng , Wu Junxi , Yang Shengbo
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The overall distribution pattern of intramuscular nerves and the regions with the highest spindle abundance in deep cervical muscles have not been revealed. This study aimed to reveal neuromuscular compartmentalization and localize the body surface position and depth of the center of the region of highest muscle spindle abundance (CRHMSA) in the deep cervical muscles.

Methods

This study included 36 adult cadavers (57.7 ± 11.5 years). The curved line joining the lowest point of the jugular notch and chin tip was designated as the longitudinal reference line (line L), and the curved line connecting the lowest point of the jugular notch and acromion was designated as the horizontal reference line (line H). Modified Sihler’s staining, hematoxylin–eosin staining and computed tomography scanning were employed to determine the projection points (P) of the CRHMSAs on the anterior surfaces of the neck. The positions (PH and PL) of point P projected onto the H and L lines, and the depth of each CRHMSA, and puncture angle were determined using the Syngo system.

Results

The scalenus posterior and longus capitis muscles were divided into two neuromuscular compartments, while the scalenus anterior and longus colli muscles were divided into three neuromuscular compartments. The scalenus medius muscle can be divided into five neuromuscular compartments. The PH of the CRHMSA of the scalenus muscles (anterior, medius, and posterior), and longus capitis and longus colli muscles, were located at 36.27, 39.18, 47.31, 35.67, and 42.71% of the H line, respectively. The PL positions were at 26.53, 32.65, 32.73, 68.32, and 51.15% of the L line, respectively. The depths of the CRHMSAs were 2.47 cm, 2.96 cm, 2.99 cm, 3.93 cm, and 3.17 cm, respectively, and the puncture angles were 87.13°, 85.92°, 88.21°, 58.08°, and 77.75°, respectively.

Conclusion

Present research suggests that the deep cervical muscles can be divided into neuromuscular compartments; we recommend the locations of these CRHMSA as the optimal target for administering botulinum toxin A injections to treat deep cervical muscle dystonia.
An adaptive discretized RNN algorithm for posture collaboration motion control of constrained dual-arm robots
Authors: Zhang Yichen , Han Yu , Qiu Binbin
Published: May 2024

Although there are many studies on repetitive motion control of robots, few schemes and algorithms involve posture collaboration motion control of constrained dual-arm robots in three-dimensional scenes, which can meet more complex work requirements. Therefore, this study establishes the minimum displacement repetitive motion control scheme for the left and right robotic arms separately. On the basis of this, the design mentality of the proposed dual-arm posture collaboration motion control (DAPCMC) scheme, which is combined with a new joint-limit conversion strategy, is described, and the scheme is transformed into a time-variant equation system (TVES) problem form subsequently. To address the TVES problem, a novel adaptive Taylor-type discretized recurrent neural network (ATT-DRNN) algorithm is devised, which fundamentally solves the problem of calculation accuracy which cannot be balanced well with the fast convergence speed. Then, stringent theoretical analysis confirms the dependability of the ATT-DRNN algorithm in terms of calculation precision and convergence rate. Finally, the effectiveness of the DAPCMC scheme and the excellent convergence competence of the ATT-DRNN algorithm is verified by a numerical simulation analysis and two control cases of dual-arm robots.
TPPB modulates PKC activity to attenuate neuroinflammation and ameliorate experimental multiple sclerosis
Authors: Shanmukha Shruthi , Godfrey Wesley H. , Gharibani Payam , Lee Judy J. , Guo Yu , Deng Xiaojing , Wender Paul A. , Kornberg Michael D. , Kim Paul M.
Published: May 2024

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in modulating the activities of the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). A delicate balance between pro-inflammatory and regenerative activities by microglia and CNS-associated macrophages is necessary for the proper functioning of the CNS. Thus, a maladaptive activation of these CNS innate immune cells results in neurodegeneration and demyelination associated with various neurologic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease. Prior studies have demonstrated that modulation of PKC activity by bryostatin-1 (bryo-1) and its analogs (bryologs) attenuates the pro-inflammatory processes by microglia/CNS macrophages and alleviates the neurologic symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an MS animal model. Here, we demonstrate that (2S,5S)-(E,E)-8-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,4-pentadienoylamino)benzolactam (TPPB), a structurally distinct PKC modulator, has a similar effect to bryo-1 on CNS innate immune cells both in vitro and in vivo, attenuating neuroinflammation and resulting in CNS regeneration and repair. This study identifies a new structural class of PKC modulators, which can therapeutically target CNS innate immunity as a strategy to treat neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.
Evaluation of paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial in-stent restenosis
Authors: Xue Huiyuan , Xi Junnan , Wu Xiao Feng , Feng Songsong , Wang Juan , Chen Liwei
Published: May 2024

Background

Symptomatic intracranial in-stent restenosis (sISR) poses a major challenge in the management of cerebrovascular diseases, often requiring effective and safe treatment options.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty for treating sISR.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of five patients aged 49-74 years, who were treated with PCB angioplasty between January 2017 and June 2022. Treatment procedures included pre-operative digital subtraction angiography, antiplatelet therapy, and the use of the SeQuent Please balloon. Patients received aspirin and clopidogrel prior to and after the procedure.

Results

The procedure achieved a 100% success rate. The degree of ISR was significantly reduced from an average pre-operative rate of 72±18.9% to a post-operative rate of 34±8.22%. Long-term follow-up showed that the majority of patients did not experience restenosis, confirming the long-term effectiveness of the treatment.

Conclusions

PCB angioplasty demonstrates significant potential as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with sISR, especially those considered to be at high risk. This study supports further investigation into PCB angioplasty as a standard treatment for sISR.
Evolving migraine management: Lithuania's telemedicine experience
Authors: Andruskevicius Saulius , Petrosian David , Dapkute Austeja , Jokubaitis Mantas , Ryliskiene Kristina
Published: May 2024

Introduction

COVID-19 challenges have underscored the potential of telemedicine in migraine management. This study focuses on assessing patients' telemedicine experience for headache management in Lithuania and identifying key barriers and facilitators for its wider use.

Methods

A nationwide e-survey was conducted in 2023 via the Lithuanian Association of Migraine Patients' website, social media platforms, websites of public and private healthcare facilities, and migraine self-help groups. The survey covered sociodemographics, migraine characteristics, previous experience with teleconsultations for headaches with neurologists and general practitioners (GP), perceived advantages and disadvantages of telehealth, and preferred future consultation types.

Results

Eight hundred and forty seven respondents with a confirmed migraine diagnosis were analyzed. The majority were female (97.2%), with a median age of 35 (IQR 30–42) years and an average of 5 (IQR 3–9) monthly headache days (MHDs). 7.0% of respondents had chronic migraine (CM). Prior teleconsultations for headaches were reported by 35.2% of respondents, 26.2% with a GP and 17.0% with a neurologist (p < 0.0001). Teleconsultation outcomes included continuation of a prescribed treatment (84.7% for GPs and 83.3% for neurologists, p = 0.7295), initiation of new acute medications (12.2% for GPs with 70.4% reported as effective and 27.1% for neurologists with 84.6% effective, p = 0.0005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Reasons for not undergoing remote neurology consultations: the lack of inquiry (69.7%), unavailability from neurologists (18.1%) and respondent's opposition to remote consultations (12.2%). Patients evaluated their experience with remote neurology services better than that of GPs (p = 0.0289). 67.3% of respondents preferred a mixed-mode approach for future consultations. In-person-only preference (29.0%) correlated with multiple factors, including history of remote primary neurology consultations (OR 5.89, p = 0.0022), lower education (OR 2.20, p = 0.0001), physically demanding work (OR 1.95, p = 0.0001), and number of drawbacks in telemedicine identified (OR 1.30, p < 0.0001), and worse experience of a prior remote GP consultation (OR 0.704, p < 0.0001). The main indicator of preference for remote-only consultations was the perception of fewer telemedicine disadvantages (OR 0.503, p = 0.0007).

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that telemedicine contributes to effective migraine management and is used limitedly in Lithuania. Despite one-third of respondents having experienced teleconsultations, significant barriers remain. Our study highlights a clear preference for a hybrid consultation type.
Efficacy of epidural steroid injection in the treatment of sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Zhang Ruimeng , Wang Yue , Dang Xiaoqian
Published: May 2024

Epidural steroid injection for the treatment of sciatica caused by disc herniation is increasingly used worldwide, but its effectiveness remains controversial. The review aiming to analyze the efficacy of epidural steroid injection on sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the use of epidural steroid injections in the management of sciatica induced by lumbar disc herniation were collected from PubMed and other databases from January, 2008 to December, 2023, with epidural steroid injection in the test group and epidural local anesthetic and/or placebo in the control group. Pain relief rate, assessed by numerical rating scale (NRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and function recovery, evaluated by Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, were recorded and compared. Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager. In comparison to the control group, epidural steroid injections have been shown to be effective for providing short- (within 3 months) [MD = 0.44, 95%CI (0.20, 0.68), p = 0.0003] and medium-term (within 6 months) [MD = 0.66, 95%CI (0.09,1.22), p = 0.02] pain relief for sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation, while its long-term pain-relief effect were limited. However, the administration of epidural steroid injections did not lead to a significant improvement on sciatic nerve function in short- [MD = 0.79, 95%CI = (0.39, 1.98), p = 0.19] and long-term [MD = 0.47, 95% CI = (−0.86, 1.80), p = 0.49] assessed by IOD. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that administering epidural steroid injections resulted in a reduction in opioid usage among patients with lumbar disc herniation [MD = −14.45, 95% CI = (−24.61, −4.29), p = 0.005]. The incidence of epidural steroid injection was low. Epidural steroid injection has demonstrated notable efficacy in relieving sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation in short to medium-term. Therefore, it is recommended as a viable treatment option for individuals suffering from sciatica.
Effects of individual practice on joint musical synchronization
Authors: Plitchenko Polina , Bégel Valentin , Palmer Caroline
Published: May 2024

Successful music-making requires precise sensorimotor synchronization, both in individual (solo) and joint (ensemble) social settings. We investigated how individual practice synchronizing with a temporally regular melody (Solo conditions) influences subsequent synchronization between two partners (Joint conditions). Musically trained adults practiced producing a melody by tapping on a keypad; each tap generated the next tone in the melody. First, the pairs synchronized their melody productions with their partner in a baseline Joint synchronization task. Then each partner separately synchronized their melody with a computer-generated recording of the partner’s melody in a Solo intervention condition that presented either Normal (temporally regular) auditory feedback or delayed feedback (by 30–70 ms) in occasional (25%) randomly placed tone positions. Then the pairs synchronized again with their partner in a Joint condition. Next, they performed the second Solo condition (normal or delayed auditory feedback) followed again by the Joint condition. Joint synchronization performance was modeled with a delay-coupled oscillator model to assess the coupling strength between partners. Absolute asynchronies in the Solo Intervention tasks were greater in the Delayed feedback condition than in the Normal feedback condition. Model estimates yielded larger coupling values between partners in Joint conditions that followed the Solo Normal feedback than the Solo Delayed feedback. Notably, the asynchronies were smaller in the Joint conditions than in the Solo conditions. These findings indicate that coupled interactions in settings of two or more performers can be improved by individual synchronization practice.
Effect of surface electrode recording area on compound muscle action potential scan processing for motor unit number estimation
Authors: Zhang Dan , Lu Zhiyuan , Gong Weijun , Zhou Ping
Published: May 2024

Introduction

MScanFit is a model-based algorithm for motor unit number estimation (MUNE) from compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scan data. It is a clinically applicable tool because of its quick and automatic implementation. Electrodes with different recording areas were employed to record CMAP scan data in existing studies. However, the effect of electrode recording area on MScanFit MUNE and other CMAP scan parameters has not been studied.

Methods

CMAP scan was performed on the abductor pollicis brevis muscle of both hands on 14 healthy subjects using three different electrodes with recording areas of 10 mm × 10 mm, 11 mm × 14 mm, and 22 mm × 26 mm, respectively. Motor unit number was estimated using MScanFit for each CMAP scan. Two motor unit number index parameters, i.e., D50 and step index (STEPIX), were also derived from the CMAP scan data.

Results

No significant difference in D50, STEPIX, and MScanFit MUNE was observed across three different electrode recording areas, although the amplitude of CMAP decreased significantly when a larger electrode was used. Intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.792 and 0.782 were obtained for MScanFit MUNE and STEPIX, respectively.

Discussion

Compared with CMAP amplitude, D50, STEPIX, and MScanFit MUNE are less sensitive to variation in electrode recording area. However, the repeatability of MScanFit MUNE could be compromised by the inconsistency in the electrode recording area.
The relation between specific motor skills and daily living skills in autistic children and adolescents
Authors: Skaletski Emily C. , Cardona Sailery Cortes , Travers Brittany G.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Motor skill difficulties are common in autistic children and are related to daily living skills (DLS). However, it remains unclear which specific motor tasks are most likely to impact overall DLS. This study sought to fill this gap.

Methods and results

In 90 autistic children and adolescents (ages 6–17 years), we found that fine/manual motor tasks, like drawing or folding, demonstrated significant medium-sized relations with DLS, even after accounting for IQ and sensory features, whereas tasks in the areas of bilateral coordination, upper-limb coordination, and balance only related to DLS (small effect sizes) prior to accounting for IQ and sensory features. When looking at an overall balance score, we found that IQ significantly interacted on the relation between overall balance and DLS.

Discussion

These results further demonstrate the particular importance of fine/manual motor skills for DLS in autistic youth, even when accounting for IQ and sensory features. Indeed, accounting for sensory features strengthened the relations between fine/manual motor skills and DLS. Our findings provide evidence of the impact of cognitive factors on the relation between balance and DLS, indicating that it may be that autistic individuals with lower IQs experience relations between balance and DLS that are different than their peers with higher IQs. Our findings support the benefit of considering individual motor skills rather than domain-level information when assessing ways to promote DLS in autistic youth. The results further shed light on the importance of fine motor skills, as well as the unique relationship of balance and DLS in autistic individuals with lower IQs.
Spiral ganglion neuron degeneration in aminoglycoside-deafened rats involves innate and adaptive immune responses not requiring complement
Authors: Gansemer Benjamin M. , Rahman Muhammad T. , Zhang Zhenshen , Green Steven H.
Published: May 2024

Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) transmit auditory information from cochlear hair cells to the brain. SGNs are thus not only important for normal hearing, but also for effective functioning of cochlear implants, which stimulate SGNs when hair cells are missing. SGNs slowly degenerate following aminoglycoside-induced hair cell loss, a process thought to involve an immune response. However, the specific immune response pathways involved remain unknown. We used RNAseq to gain a deeper understanding immune-related and other transcriptomic changes that occur in the rat spiral ganglion after kanamycin-induced deafening. Among the immune and inflammatory genes that were selectively upregulated in deafened spiral ganglia, the complement cascade genes were prominent. We then assessed SGN survival, as well as immune cell numbers and activation, in the spiral ganglia of rats with a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of complement component 3 (C3). Similar to previous findings in our lab and other deafened rodent models, we observed an increase in macrophage number and increased expression of CD68, a marker of phagocytic activity and cell activation, in macrophages in the deafened ganglia. Moreover, we found an increase in MHCII expression on spiral ganglion macrophages and an increase in lymphocyte number in the deafened ganglia, suggestive of an adaptive immune response. However, C3 knockout did not affect SGN survival or increase in macrophage number/activation, implying that complement activation does not play a role in SGN death after deafening. Together, these data suggest that both innate and adaptive immune responses are activated in the deafened spiral ganglion, with the adaptive response directly contributing to cochlear neurodegeneration.
Effects of weight loss through dietary intervention on pain characteristics, functional mobility, and inflammation in adults with elevated adiposity
Authors: Ward Susan J. , Coates Alison M. , Carter Sharayah , Baldock Katherine L. , Berryman Carolyn , Stanton Tasha R. , Yandell Catherine , Buckley Jonathan D. , Tan Sze-Yen , Rogers Geraint B. , Hill Alison M.
Published: May 2024

Background

The relationship between adiposity and pain is complex. Excess weight increases the risk for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP), driven by increased biomechanical load and low-grade systemic inflammation. Pain limits physical function, impacting energy balance contributing to weight gain. The primary aims of this study were to profile pain characteristics in participants with overweight or obesity and determine if weight loss through dietary-induced energy restriction, and presence of CMP, or magnitude of weight loss, was associated with changes in adiposity, pain, functional mobility, and inflammation.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of data from adults (25–65 years) with overweight or obesity (BMI 27.5–34.9 kg/m2) enrolled in a 3-month, 30% energy-restricted dietary intervention to induce weight loss (January 2019–March 2021). Anthropometric measures (weight, waist circumference and fat mass), pain prevalence, pain severity (McGill Pain Questionnaire, MPQ), pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), functional mobility (timed up and go, TUG) and inflammation (high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, hsCRP) were assessed at baseline and 3-months.

Results

One hundred and ten participants completed the intervention and had weight and pain assessed at both baseline and 3-months. Participants lost 7.0 ± 0.3 kg, representing 7.9% ± 3.7% of body mass. At 3-months, functional mobility improved (TUG −0.2 ± 0.1 s, 95% CI −0.3, −0.1), but there was no change in hsCRP. Compared to baseline, fewer participants reported CMP at 3-months (n = 56, 51% to n = 27, 25%, p < 0.001) and presence of multisite pain decreased from 22.7% to 10.9% (p < 0.001). Improvements in anthropometric measures and functional mobility did not differ between those presenting with or without CMP at baseline. Improvements in pain were not related to the magnitude of weight loss.

Conclusion

Weight loss was effective in reducing pain prevalence and improving functional mobility, emphasizing the importance of considering weight-loss as a key component of pain management.

Clinical trial registration

identifier, ACTRN12618001861246.
Clinical characteristics of cystic encephalomalacia in children
Authors: Fan Lijuan , Feng Lianying , Gan Jing , Luo Rong , Qu Haibo , Chen Xiaolu
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To investigate the primary causes and clinical characteristics of cystic encephalomalacia (CE) in children.

Methods

The clinical data of 50 children who were admitted to our hospital due to CE between January 2008 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Their primary causes, clinical manifestations and cranial magnetic resonance imaging features were analyzed.

Results

Among all patients, 5 had prematurity, 19 had hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), 13 had intracranial infection, 14 had traumatic brain injury and hemorrhage, 4 had cerebral infarction, 2 had congenital genetic diseases, and 1 had hypoglycemia. The average time from primary disease onset to CE diagnosis was 70.1 ± 61.0 days. The clinical manifestations included speech or motor developmental delay (n = 33), epilepsy (n = 31), dystonia (n = 27), limb paralysis (n = 16), and visual or auditory impairment (n = 5). Patients with HIE as the primary cause of CE had a significantly higher occurrence of dystonia, while a significantly higher incidence of paralysis was observed in those with cerebral infarction as the primary cause.

Conclusion

CE in children is mainly caused by HIE, intracranial infection, and cerebral hemorrhage. The major clinical manifestations included speech or motor developmental delay, epilepsy, and dystonia. Magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool for the diagnosis of CE.
Simultaneous determination of multiple components in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS for pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of Pogostemon cablin extract
Authors: Zhu Yameng , Ouyang Huizi , Lv Zhenguo , Yao Guangzhe , Ge Minglei , Cao Xiunan , Chang Yanxu , He Jun
Published: May 2024

Introduction:Pogostemon cablin (PC) is used in traditional Chinese medicine and food, as it exerts pharmacological effects, such as immune-modulatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiviral. Currently, the pharmacokinetics (PK) studies of PC mainly focus on individual components. However, research on these individual components cannot reflect the actual PK characteristics of PC after administration. Therefore, the simultaneous determination of multiple components in rat plasma using UPLC-MS/MS was used for the pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of PC extract in this study, providing reference value for the clinical application of PC.

Methods: In the present study, a reliable and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 15 prototype components (vanillic acid, vitexin, verbascoside, isoacteoside, hyperoside, cosmosiin, apigenin, β-rhamnocitrin, acacetin, ombuin, pogostone, pachypodol, vicenin-2, retusin, and diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) in rat plasma after oral administration of the PC extract. Plasma samples were prepared via protein precipitation using acetonitrile, and icariin was used as the internal standard (IS).

Results: The intra-day and inter-day accuracies ranged from −12.0 to 14.3%, and the precision of the analytes was less than 11.3%. The extraction recovery rate of the analytes ranged from 70.6−104.5%, and the matrix effects ranged from 67.4−104.8%. Stability studies proved that the analytes were stable under the tested conditions, with a relative standard deviation lower than 14.1%.

Conclusion: The developed method can be applied to evaluate the PK of 15 prototype components in PC extracts of rats after oral administration using UPLC-MS/MS, providing valuable information for the development and clinical safe, effective, and rational use of PC.
Drug-induced musical hallucination
Authors: Bakewell Brock , Johnson Michael , Lee Madison , Tchernogorova Elizabeth , Taysom Jesse , Zhong Qing
Published: May 2024

Musical hallucination is a rare perceptual phenomenon wherein individuals hear music in the absence of external auditory stimuli. This phenomenon occurs across diverse medical conditions and can be triggered by some drugs. The underlying mechanism of drug-induced hallucination is unknown. This study explores drug-induced musical hallucination through a literature review, aiming to investigate its pathophysiology and potential treatment modalities. A literature search was conducted until January 2024 using databases PubMed, WorldCat, Google Scholar, and DOAJ, with keywords “drugs induced musical hallucination” or “drugs” combined with “musical hallucination.” The search yielded 24 articles which met inclusion criteria, encompassing 27 cases. The average patient age was 58.3 years, with 67.9% females. Prevalent conditions among cases included hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, cancers, and neurodegenerative conditions. Common trigger drugs comprised antidepressants, opioids, anti-Parkinson drugs, ketamine, and voriconazole. Musical hallucination descriptions varied widely, and 6 patients reported concurrent visual hallucinations. The onset of symptoms ranged from 75 min to 240 days. Treatment strategies included termination of trigger drugs, dosage reduction, alteration of administration routes or formula, switching to similar drugs, or addition of antidepressants, sedatives, or atypical antipsychotic medications. Musical hallucinations completely disappeared in 24/27 (88.9%) patients but continued in 3/27 (11.1%) patients. The current study concludes that drug-induced musical hallucination may arise from altering neurotransmitter/receptor balance and intricate interactions between trigger drugs and underlying conditions.
Employing emerging technologies such as motion capture to study the complex interplay between genotype and power-related performance traits
Authors: Papadimitriou Ioannis
Published: May 2024

Exercise genomics has progressed alongside advancements in molecular genetic technologies that have enhanced our understanding of associations between genes and performance traits. This novel field of research incorporates techniques and tools from epidemiology, molecular genetics, exercise physiology and biostatistics to investigate the complex interplay between genotype and specific quantitative performance traits, such as muscle power output. Here I aimed to illustrate how interdisciplinary training can ensure the effective use of new emerging technologies, such as motion capture, to examine the influence of genetic and epigenetic factors on power-related quantitative performance traits. Furthermore, this study raises awareness about the present research trends in this field, and highlights current gaps and potential future developments. The acquired knowledge will likely have important future implications in the biotech industry, with a focus on gene therapy to combat age-related muscle power decline, personalized medicine and will drive advancements in exercise program design.