Neuromuscular basis of larval rolling escape behavior.

When threatened by dangerous or harmful stimuli, animals engage in diverse forms of rapid escape behaviors. In larvae, one type of escape response involves C-shaped bending and lateral rolling followed by rapid forward crawling. The sensory circuitry that promotes larval escape has been extensively characterized; however, the motor programs underlying rolling are unknown.

Extending Beyond Bagust and Beale: Fully Parametric Piecewise Exponential Models for Extrapolation of Survival Outcomes in Health Technology Assessment.

Objectives: When extrapolating time-to-event data the Bagust and Beale (B&B) approach uses the Kaplan-Meier survival function until a manually chosen time point, after which a constant hazard is assumed. This study demonstrates an objective statistical approach to estimate this time point.

Methods: We estimate piecewise exponential models (PEMs), whereby the hazard function is partitioned into segments each with constant hazards.

Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab, Aflibercept, and Ranibizumab for the Treatment of Patients with Visual Impairment Due to Diabetic Macular Oedema: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Key clinical guidelines recommend anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy as first-line treatment for visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema (DMO). A systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted comparing the relative efficacy of the anti-VEGF brolucizumab with a focused network of the most relevant comparator dosing regimens approved in countries other than the USA (aflibercept, ranibizumab). The safety and tolerability of brolucizumab were also assessed.

Axon-axon interactions determine modality-specific wiring and subcellular synaptic specificity in a somatosensory circuit.

Synaptic connections between neurons are often formed in precise subcellular regions of dendritic arbors with implications for information processing within neurons. Cell-cell interactions are widely important for circuit wiring; however, their role in subcellular specificity is not well understood. We studied the role of axon-axon interactions in precise targeting and subcellular wiring of Drosophila somatosensory circuitry.

Direct Incorporation of Expert Opinion into Parametric Survival Models to Inform Survival Extrapolation.

Background: In decision modeling with time-to-event data, there are a variety of parametric models that can be used to extrapolate the survival function. Each model implies a different hazard function, and in situations in which there is moderate censoring, this can result in quite different survival projections. External information such as expert opinion on long-term survival can more accurately characterize the uncertainty in these extrapolations.

The views and experiences of people with type 2 diabetes being cared for by their community pharmacist: a cross-sectional patient survey.

Purpose: Community pharmacists are highly accessible healthcare providers and studies in several countries have demonstrated a role for community pharmacists in delivering enhanced care to people with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the views and experiences of people with type 2 diabetes attending community pharmacies in Ireland.

Methods: A 13-item questionnaire, anchored on a 5-point Likert scale, was used.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Ofatumumab for the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Canada.

Background: Ofatumumab is a high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy (DMT) approved for first-line treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Canada.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of ofatumumab from a Canadian healthcare system perspective.

Methods: A Markov cohort model was run over 65 years using annual cycles, 1.

Cost-Effectiveness of Erenumab for the Preventive Treatment of Migraine in Patients with Prior Treatment Failures in Sweden.

Background: Migraine is a common neurological disease that disproportionately affects females and has a peak incidence during productive years, resulting in significant burden.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the cost effectiveness of erenumab for the preventive treatment of migraine.

Methods: A hybrid decision-tree plus Markov model was developed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of erenumab as a migraine treatment compared with best supportive care only for patients experiencing at least 4 monthly migraine days for whom at least two prior preventive treatments had failed.

Economic evaluations in migraine: systematic literature review and a novel approach.

For novel migraine therapies, economic evaluations will be required to understand the trade-offs between additional health benefit and additional cost. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify previous economic evaluations in migraine from the United Kingdom or Irish perspective to critically appraise these evaluations and to propose, if necessary, a novel modelling approach that can be used for future economic evaluations of migraine therapies. An SLR was conducted to identify previous economic evaluations of preventive migraine treatments.

Computer-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy: The experiences of adults who have an intellectual disability and anxiety or depression.

Background: Despite its evidence base in the general population, computerized cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) has not yet been adapted for use with people with intellectual disability. This study aimed to explore the experiences of adults with an intellectual disability who played a cCBT program.

Method: Twenty-four adults (with a mild or moderate intellectual disability and clinically significant anxiety or depression) who were in the treatment arm of a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the cCBT program were individually interviewed.

Contaminants in tropical island streams and their biota.

Environmental contamination is problematic for tropical islands due to their typically dense human populations and competing land and water uses. The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico (USA) has a long history of anthropogenic chemical use, and its human population density is among the highest globally, providing a model environment to study contaminant impacts on tropical island stream ecosystems. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, historic-use chlorinated pesticides, current-use pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), and metals (mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, and selenium) were quantified in the habitat and biota of Puerto Rico streams and assessed in relation to land-use patterns and toxicological thresholds.

Computerised cognitive-behavioural therapy for adults with intellectual disability: randomised controlled trial.

Despite the evidence base for computer-assisted cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in the general population, it has not yet been adapted for use with adults who have an intellectual disability.To evaluate the utility of a CBT computer game for adults who have an intellectual disability.A 2 × 3 (group × time) randomised controlled trial design was used.

A systematic review of the evidence regarding cognitive therapy skills that assist cognitive behavioural therapy in adults who have an intellectual disability.

Background: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is being increasingly adapted for use with people who have an intellectual disability. However, it remains unclear whether inherent cognitive deficits that are present in adults who have an intellectual disability preclude the use of cognitive-based therapies. This review aims to systematically examine "cognitive therapy skills" in adults who have an intellectual disability that assist engagement in CBT.

Twitter Predicts Citation Rates of Ecological Research.

The relationship between traditional metrics of research impact (e.g., number of citations) and alternative metrics (altmetrics) such as Twitter activity are of great interest, but remain imprecisely quantified.

Comparing young people's experience of technology-delivered v. face-to-face mindfulness and relaxation: two-armed qualitative focus group study.

The current popularity of mindfulness-based practices has coincided with the increase in access to mobile technology. This has led to many mindfulness apps and programs becoming available, some specifically for children. However, little is known about the experience of engaging with mindfulness through these mediums.

A polyphenol-rich fraction obtained from table grapes decreases adiposity, insulin resistance and markers of inflammation and impacts gut microbiota in high-fat-fed mice.

The objective of this study was to determine if consuming an extractable or nonextractable fraction of table grapes reduced the metabolic consequences of consuming a high-fat, American-type diet. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low fat (LF) diet, a high fat (HF) diet, or an HF diet containing whole table grape powder (5% w/w), an extractable, polyphenol-rich (HF-EP) fraction, a nonextractable, polyphenol-poor (HF-NEP) fraction or equal combinations of both fractions (HF-EP+NEP) from grape powder for 16weeks. Mice fed the HF-EP and HF-EP+NEP diets had lower percentages of body fat and amounts of white adipose tissue (WAT) and improved glucose tolerance compared to the HF-fed controls.

Critique of the review of 'Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries' published by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2015.

The Cochrane Review on water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries was published in 2015 and attracted considerable interest and comment, especially in countries with extensive water fluoridation programmes. The Review had two objectives: (i) to evaluate the effects of water fluoridation (artificial or natural) on the prevention of dental caries, and (ii) to evaluate the effects of water fluoridation (artificial or natural) on dental fluorosis. The authors concluded, inter alia, that there was very little contemporary evidence, meeting the Review's inclusion criteria, that evaluated the effectiveness of water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries.

Table grape consumption reduces adiposity and markers of hepatic lipogenesis and alters gut microbiota in butter fat-fed mice.

Our objective was to determine if consuming table grapes reduces adiposity and its metabolic consequences and alters gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat (HF), butter-rich diet. C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat (LF) diet or HF diet with 3% or 5% grapes for 11weeks. Total body and inguinal fat were moderately but significantly reduced in mice fed both levels of grapes compared to their controls.

Low level of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid decreases adiposity and increases browning independent of inflammatory signaling in overweight Sv129 mice.

The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which a low level of trans-10, cis-12 (10,12) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) decreases adiposity and increases browning in overweight mice, its dependence on inflammatory signaling and potential synergistic effects of daily exercise. Young, Sv129 male mice were fed a high-fat diet for 5 weeks to make them fat and glucose intolerant and then switch them to a low-fat diet with or without 0.1% 10,12 CLA, sodium salicylate or exercise for another 7 weeks.

The potential oral health impact of cost barriers to dental care: findings from a Canadian population-based study.

Background: Prior to the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey, there was no nationally representative clinical data on the oral health of Canadians experiencing cost barriers to dental care. The aim of this study was to determine the oral health status and dental treatment needs of Canadians reporting cost barriers to dental care.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey was undertaken using a sample of 5,586 Canadians aged 6 to 79.

Cost as a barrier to accessing dental care: findings from a Canadian population-based study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Canadians who report cost barriers to dental care.

Methods: An analysis of data collected from the 2007/09 Canadian Health Measures Survey was undertaken from a sample of 5,586 Canadian participants aged 6-79. Cost barriers to dental care were operationalized through two questions: "In the past 12 months, have you avoided going to a dental professional because of the cost of dental care?" and "In the past 12 months, have you avoided having all the dental treatment that was recommended because of the cost?" Logistic regressions were conducted to identify relationships between covariates and positive responses to these questions.

Acute exposure to high-fat diets increases hepatic expression of genes related to cell repair and remodeling in female rats.

High-fat diets (HFD) promote the development of both obesity and fatty liver disease through the up-regulation of hepatic lipogenesis. Insulin resistance, a hallmark of both conditions, causes dysfunctional fuel partitioning and increases in lipogenesis. Recent work has demonstrated that systemic insulin resistance occurs in as little as the first 72 hours of an HFD, suggesting the potential for hepatic disruption with HFD at this time point.

Waterborne manganese exposure alters plasma, brain, and liver metabolites accompanied by changes in stereotypic behaviors.

Overexposure to waterborne manganese (Mn) is linked with cognitive impairment in children and neurochemical abnormalities in other experimental models. In order to characterize the threshold between Mn-exposure and altered neurochemistry, it is important to identify biomarkers that positively correspond with brain Mn-accumulation. The objective of this study was to identify Mn-induced alterations in plasma, liver, and brain metabolites using liquid/gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry metabolomic analyses; and to monitor corresponding Mn-induced behavior changes.

Comparison of DEXA and QMR for assessing fat and lean body mass in adult rats.

There are several techniques used to measure body composition in experimental models including dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR). DEXA/QMR data have been compared in mice, but have not been compared previously in rats. The goal of this study was to compare DEXA and QMR data in rats.