The fungal gut microbiota in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.

Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the majority of the studies have focused on gut bacterial communities; none have examined the fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in persons with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). We examined the gut mycobiota in persons with and without POMS through a cross-sectional examination of the gut mycobiota from 46 participants' stool samples (three groups: 18 POMS, 13 acquired monophasic demyelinating syndromes [monoADS], and 15 unaffected controls).

Primary Versus Secondary Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): A Meeting Report from the 2023 McMaster ITP Summit.

The McMaster Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Summit was an educational seminar from leading experts in immune thrombocytopenia and related disorders geared towards hematologists, internists, immunologists, and clinical and translational scientists. The focus of the Summit was to review the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of primary versus secondary ITP. Specific objectives were to describe the unique features of secondary ITP, and to review its mechanisms in the context of autoimmune disease and infection.

Consumer views of functional electrical stimulation and robotic exoskeleton in SCI rehabilitation: A mini review.

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) and robotic exoskeletons represent emerging technologies with significant potential for restoring critical physical functions such as standing and walking-functions that are most susceptible after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the further development and successful integration of these technologies into clinical practice and daily life require a deep understanding of consumer perspectives.

Objective: This review synthesizes consumer perspectives from a diverse range of technology stakeholders, including medical service providers, researchers, and persons affected by SCI-those living with SCI and their caregivers.

Objective priming from pre-imagining inputs before binocular rivalry presentations does not predict individual differences in the subjective intensity of imagined experiences.

Most people can imagine images that they experience within their mind's eye. However, there are marked individual differences, with some people reporting that they are unable to visualise (aphantasics), and others who report having imagined experiences that are as realistic as seeing (hyper-phantasics). The vividness of imagery is most often measured via subjective self-report.

Spinal Anatomy Ultrasound in Young Infants With Implications for Lumbar Puncture.

Background: Lumbar puncture (LP) in young infants may challenge clinicians due to the infrequency of the procedure and anatomic variability. The use of ultrasound (US) to characterize young infant spinal anatomy prior to performing an LP may help determine the most favorable site for intervention.

Objectives: 1) Evaluate potential sites for LP in young infants with US at L2/L3 through L5/S1 to determine differences in needle insertion depth (NID), spinal canal width (SCW), and subarachnoid fluid width (SAW).