SLITRK2 variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders impair excitatory synaptic function and cognition in mice.

SLITRK2 is a single-pass transmembrane protein expressed at postsynaptic neurons that regulates neurite outgrowth and excitatory synapse maintenance. In the present study, we report on rare variants (one nonsense and six missense variants) in SLITRK2 on the X chromosome identified by exome sequencing in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Functional studies showed that some variants displayed impaired membrane transport and impaired excitatory synapse-promoting effects.

Psychedelic Therapies at the Crossroads of Trauma and Substance Use: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions, Taking a Lead From New Mexico.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a common condition with potentially devastating individual, family, and societal consequences, is highly associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). The association between PTSD and SUD is complex and may involve adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), historical and multi-generational traumas, and social determinants of health as well as cultural and spiritual contexts. Current psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for PTSD are only modestly effective, and there is a need for more research on therapeutic interventions for co-occurring PTSD and SUD, including whether to provide integrated or sequential treatments.

Active antiracism through surgical education.

Introduction: Disparities in surgical outcomes are well documented. Racial/ethnic minorities are also disproportionately underrepresentated in surgery; however, most surgeons do not acknowledge the existence of disparities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education in surgery is needed, yet DEI education is often confined to designated diversity lectures, limiting depth of content.

The effectiveness of aromatherapy and reflexology in neurodegenerative disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many neurodegenerative conditions are chronic disorders and result in a range of debilitating symptoms, with many people turning to complementary therapies. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the evidence on effectiveness of aromatherapy and reflexology on all neurodegenerative conditions. We identified nine eligible studies (total sample n = 504 participants) all of which were on multiple sclerosis only.

Relative Contribution of Blood Pressure in Childhood, Young- and Mid-Adulthood to Large Artery Stiffness in Mid-Adulthood.

Background Blood pressure associates with arterial stiffness, but the contribution of blood pressure at different life stages is unclear. We examined the relative contribution of childhood, young- and mid-adulthood blood pressure to mid-adulthood large artery stiffness. Methods and Results The sample comprised 1869 participants from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study who had blood pressure measured in childhood (6-18 years), young-adulthood (21-30 years), and mid-adulthood (33-45 years).

Postpartum ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in women with history of preeclampsia: Diagnostic agreement and detection of masked hypertension.

Women with a history of preeclampsia (hxPE) are at a four-fold higher risk for chronic hypertension after pregnancy compared with healthy pregnancy, but 'masked' hypertension cases are missed by clinical assessment alone. Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is the reference-standard for confirmation of hypertension diagnoses or detection of masked hypertension outside of clinical settings, whereas home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) may represent a well-tolerated and practical alternative to ABPM in the postpartum period. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess concordance between ABPM and HBPM postpartum in women with a hxPE compared with healthy pregnancy controls and 2) evaluate HBPM in the detection of masked postpartum hypertension.

Intrauterine device-related uterine perforation incidence and risk (APEX-IUD): a large multisite cohort study.

Background: Reports of perforation risk related to intrauterine devices (IUDs) inserted immediately post partum and among non-post-partum individuals are scarce, and previous studies with only 12-month follow-ups underestimate the risk. Breastfeeding at IUD insertion and insertion within 36 weeks post partum have been associated with increased risk of uterine perforation. The aim of these analyses was to compare the incidence and risks of IUD-related uterine perforations by non-post-partum and post-partum intervals at IUD insertion, and among post-partum individuals, to assess the impact of breastfeeding on these outcomes.

Exploring the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's disease and their use of digital health to do this.

Introduction: Digital health is thought to enable people to better manage chronic conditions, such as Parkinson's. However, little is known about how people from under-represented groups with chronic conditions use digital health to self-manage.

Objective: The objective of our study was to explore the experiences of people and family carers from under-represented groups in self-managing Parkinson's, including their use of digital health to do this.

ERS International Congress 2021: highlights from the Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology Assembly.

It is a challenge to keep abreast of all the clinical and scientific advances in the field of respiratory medicine. This article contains an overview of laboratory-based science, randomised controlled trials and qualitative research that were presented during the 2021 European Respiratory Society International Congress within the sessions from the five groups of the Assembly 1 - Respiratory clinical care and physiology. Selected presentations are summarised from a wide range of topics: clinical problems, rehabilitation and chronic care, general practice and primary care, electronic/mobile health (e-health/m-health), clinical respiratory physiology, exercise and functional imaging.

Talking control sessions in people with advanced cancer: a qualitative analysis of sessions.

Background: Talking control (TC) was developed to control for the common factors in therapy so that the specific effects of therapy can be tested. A TC was recently used in a pilot study of Acceptance and Commitment therapy for dysfunction in people with advanced cancer. This work explores the audio recording of the sessions in a TC to explore how they were utilised by people with advanced cancer.

Alpha-1 Asthma Overlap Syndrome: a Clinical Overview.

Purpose Of Review: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is one of the most common genetic diseases that is associated with severe complications and yet remains underdiagnosed. The pulmonary symptoms of both AATD and asthma include cough, excessive sputum production, dyspnea, and wheezing. These symptoms overlap significantly leading to difficulty distinguishing between these two conditions and suspicion that there may be an overlap syndrome.

Perspective: Biochemical and Physical Constraints Associated With Preparing Thin Specimens for Single-Particle Cryo-EM.

While many aspects of single-particle electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) of biological macromolecules have reached a sophisticated level of development, this is not yet the case when it comes to preparing thin samples on specimen grids. As a result, there currently is considerable interest in achieving better control of both the sample thickness and the amount of area that is useful, but this is only one aspect in which improvement is needed. This Perspective addresses the further need to prevent the macromolecular particles from making contact with the air-water interface, something that can result in preferential orientation and even structural disruption of macromolecular particles.

Quality standards for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): consensus recommendations from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology NAFLD Special Interest Group.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common, affecting approximately 25% of the general population. The evidence base for the investigation and management of NAFLD is large and growing, but there is currently little practical guidance to support development of services and delivery of care. To address this, we produced a series of evidence-based quality standard recommendations for the management of NAFLD, with the aim of improving patient care.

Clinician approaches to communicating a dementia diagnosis: An interview study.

Background: Individuals with cognitive impairment and their families place a high value on receiving a dementia diagnosis, but clinician approaches vary. There is a need for research investigating experiences of giving and receiving dementia diagnoses. The current study aimed to investigate clinician approaches to giving dementia diagnoses as part of a larger study investigating patient, caregiver, and clinician experiences during the diagnosis encounter.

The Effect of Ex Vivo Human Serum from Liver Disease Patients on Cellular Protein Synthesis and Growth.

Sarcopenia is a common complication affecting liver disease patients, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the cellular mechanisms that drive sarcopenia progression using an in vitro model of liver disease. C2C12 myotubes were serum and amino acid starved for 1-h and subsequently conditioned with fasted ex vivo serum from four non-cirrhotic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (NAFLD), four decompensated end-stage liver disease patients (ESLD) and four age-matched healthy controls (CON) for 4- or 24-h.

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis and treatment utilization in a large, highly diverse population.

Background: Despite advances in algorithms for identifying people with MS (PwMS) in large data sets, limited data exists on regional prevalence, or prevalence and care in minority populations.

Objectives: To report the 7-year (01/01/2012-12/31/2018) prevalence and demographics of MS and disease-modifying therapy (DMT) utilization in a large, diverse population.

Methods: This retrospective analysis used the OneFlorida Data Trust, which captures health data from >15 million Floridians across 10 constituent organizations.

Tonic endocannabinoid signaling supports sleep through development in both sexes.

Sleep is an essential behavior that supports brain function and cognition throughout life, in part by acting on neuronal synapses. The synaptic signaling pathways that mediate the restorative benefits of sleep are not fully understood, particularly in the context of development. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) including 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), are bioactive lipids that activate cannabinoid receptor, CB1, to regulate synaptic transmission and mediate cognitive functions and many behaviors, including sleep.

Dietary fat promotes antibiotic-induced Clostridioides difficile mortality in mice.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea, and emerging evidence has linked dietary components with CDI pathogenesis, suggesting that dietary modulation may be an effective strategy for prevention. Here, we show that mice fed a high-fat/low-fiber "Western-type" diet (WD) had dramatically increased mortality in a murine model of antibiotic-induced CDI compared to a low-fat/low-fiber (LF/LF) diet and standard mouse chow controls. We found that the WD had a pro- C.

The Influence of Tattoos on Health Care Experiences.

Background Tattoos are an artistic, visible reflection of an individual's personality and life. According to Goffman and subcultural identity theory, the population with tattoos wants to be different from mainstream society. Method A qualitative descriptive phenomenological research process was used.

Point-of-Care Sample Preparation and Automated Quantitative Detection of Schistosoma haematobium Using Mobile Phone Microscopy.

Schistosoma haematobium continues to pose a significant public health burden despite ongoing global control efforts. One of several barriers to sustained control (and ultimately elimination) is the lack of access to highly sensitive diagnostic or screening tools that are inexpensive, rapid, and can be used at the point of sample collection. Here, we report an automated point-of-care diagnostic based on mobile phone microscopy that rapidly images and identifies S.

Interrupted time series analysis of Canadian legal cannabis sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: There were repeated reports of increased cannabis sales, use and health impacts in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was unclear whether the increases were due to pandemic effects or industry expansion.

Methods: We performed interrupted time series regressions of monthly per capita legal cannabis sales from March 2019 to February 2021, first with national averages, then with provincial/territorial data after adjusting for store density.

Lipid mediators are detectable in the nasal epithelium and differ by asthma status in female subjects.

Background: Lipid mediators, bioactive products of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism, contribute to inflammation initiation and resolution in allergic diseases; however, their presence in lung-related biosamples has not been fully described.

Objective: We aimed to quantify lipid mediators in the nasal airway epithelium and characterize preliminary associations with asthma.

Methods: Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we conducted a pilot study to quantify 56 lipid mediators from nasal epithelial samples collected from 11 female participants of an outpatient asthma clinic and community controls (aged 30-55 years).

Which preoperative assessment modalities best identify patients who are suitable for enhanced recovery after liver transplantation? A systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations.

Background: To implement Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols for liver transplant (LT) candidates, it is essential to identify tools that can help risk stratify patients by their risk of early adverse post-LT outcomes.

Objective: We aimed to identify pre-LT tools that assess functional capacity, frailty, and muscle mass that can best risk stratify patients by their risk of adverse post-LT outcomes.

Methods: We first conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, expert panel review and recommendations using the GRADE approach (PROSPERO ID CRD42021237434).

Association between menorrhagia and risk of intrauterine device-related uterine perforation and device expulsion: results from the Association of Uterine Perforation and Expulsion of Intrauterine Device study.

Background: Intrauterine devices are effective instruments for contraception, and 1 levonorgestrel-releasing device is also indicated for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).

Objective: To compare the incidence of intrauterine device expulsion and uterine perforation in women with and without a diagnosis of menorrhagia within the first 12 months before device insertion STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in 3 integrated healthcare systems (Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Southern California, and Washington) and a healthcare information exchange (Regenstrief Institute) in the United States using electronic health records. Nonpostpartum women aged ≤50 years with intrauterine device (eg, levonorgestrel or copper) insertions from 2001 to 2018 and without a delivery in the previous 12 months were studied in this analysis.