The efficacy and feasibility of an immersive virtual reality game to train spatial attention orientation after stroke: A stage 2 report.

Spatial neglect is a post-stroke attention deficit for which there is no evidence-based intervention. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) may increase treatment efficacy, as it allows to train spatial attention in a rich environment. This study evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of an IVR patient-tailored training (HEMIRehApp).

Surface Engineering Methods for Powder Bed Printed Tablets to Optimize External Smoothness and Facilitate the Application of Different Coatings.

In a previous attempt to achieve ileo-colonic targeting of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (BIAP), we applied a pH-dependent coating, the ColoPulse coating, directly on powder bed printed (PBP) tablets. However, the high surface roughness necessitated an additional sub-coating layer [Nguyen, K. T.

Multisensory Stimulation and Priming (MuSSAP) in 4-10 Months Old Infants with a Unilateral Brain Lesion: A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial.

Aim: To explore the effect of an Early Intensive-Upper Limb intervention (EI-UL) compared to EI-UL with integrated Multisensory Stimulation And Priming (MuSSAP) training on improving manual ability in infants with a unilateral brain lesion.

Method: A pilot randomised clinical trial with pre- and postintervention and follow-up measurements (T0, T1, and T2) was conducted. Sixteen infants with a unilateral brain lesion (corrected age is 4-10 months) received home-based intervention with video coaching.

Formulation of a 3D Printed Biopharmaceutical: The Development of an Alkaline Phosphatase Containing Tablet with Ileo-Colonic Release Profile to Treat Ulcerative Colitis.

Powder bed printing is a 3D-printing process that creates freeform geometries from powders, with increasing traction for personalized medicine potential. Little is known about its applications for biopharmaceuticals. In this study, the production of tablets containing alkaline phosphatase using powder bed printing for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated, as was the coating of these tablets to obtain ileo-colonic targeting.

Dual ontogeny of disease-associated microglia and disease inflammatory macrophages in aging and neurodegeneration.

Brain macrophage populations include parenchymal microglia, border-associated macrophages, and recruited monocyte-derived cells; together, they control brain development and homeostasis but are also implicated in aging pathogenesis and neurodegeneration. The phenotypes, localization, and functions of each population in different contexts have yet to be resolved. We generated a murine brain myeloid scRNA-seq integration to systematically delineate brain macrophage populations.

Dataset on FAEE synthesized from oil blends via a derived submerged fermented pod husk: Application of hybrid design optimizer.

A new base catalyst was derived from submerged fermented pod husk (TCPH) in this work, the developed catalyst was tested for the production of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) using the blends of beef tallow (BTO) - waste use oil (WUO) in the ratios of 10:90 (BTO) 20:80 (BTO) 30:70 (BTO)….., 90:10 (BTO) respectively.

Personalized tDCS for Focal Epilepsy-A Narrative Review: A Data-Driven Workflow Based on Imaging and EEG Data.

Conventional transcranial electric stimulation(tES) using standard anatomical positions for the electrodes and standard stimulation currents is frequently not sufficiently selective in targeting and reaching specific brain locations, leading to suboptimal application of electric fields. Recent advancements in in vivo electric field characterization may enable clinical researchers to derive better relationships between the electric field strength and the clinical results. Subject-specific electric field simulations could lead to improved electrode placement and more efficient treatments.

A Two-Minute Walking Test With a Smartphone App for Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Validation Study.

Background: Walking disturbances are a common dysfunction in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The 2-Minute Walking Test (2MWT) is widely used to quantify walking speed. We implemented a smartphone-based 2MWT (s2MWT) in MS sherpa, an app for persons with MS.

The Use of the Term Virtual Reality in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review and Commentary.

Virtual reality (VR) offers many opportunities for post-stroke rehabilitation. However, "VR" can refer to several types of computer-based rehabilitation systems. Since these systems may impact the feasibility and the efficacy of VR interventions, consistent terminology is important.

Atypical Presentation of Celiac Disease: Recurrent Acute Small Bowel Obstruction.

Context: Intussusception is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in children under 4 years of age. Intussusception is not a widely recognized complication of celiac disease.

Case Report: We present a clinical case of a 23-month-old boy with a 1-month history of watery diarrhea complicated by 2 episodes of intestinal obstruction, both had required surgery.

Dynamics of a Mutual Inhibition Circuit between Pyramidal Neurons Compared to Human Perceptual Competition.

Neural competition plays an essential role in active selection processes of noisy and ambiguous input signals, and it is assumed to underlie emergent properties of brain functioning, such as perceptual organization and decision-making. Despite ample theoretical research on neural competition, experimental tools to allow neurophysiological investigation of competing neurons have not been available. We developed a "hybrid" system where real-life neurons and a computer-simulated neural circuit interacted.

Maximal Walking Distance in Persons with a Lower Limb Amputation.

The distance one can walk at a time could be considered an important functional outcome in people with a lower limb amputation. In clinical practice, walking distance in daily life is based on self-report (SIGAM mobility grade (Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine)), which is known to overestimate physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess the number of consecutive steps and walking bouts in persons with a lower limb amputation, using an accelerometer sensor.

An immersive virtual reality game to train spatial attention orientation after stroke: A feasibility study.

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) may boost neglect recovery, as it can provide an engaging experience in a 3D environment. We designed an IVR rehabilitation game for neglect patients using the Oculus Rift. Multisensory cues were presented in the neglected visual field in a patient-tailored way.

Intracranial Recordings Reveal Unique Shape and Timing of Responses in Human Visual Cortex during Illusory Visual Events.

During binocular rivalry, perception spontaneously changes without any alteration to the visual stimulus. What neural events bring about this illusion that a constant stimulus is changing? We recorded from intracranial electrodes placed on the occipital and posterior temporal cortex of two patients with epilepsy while they experienced illusory changes of a face-house binocular-rivalry stimulus or observed a control stimulus that physically changed. We performed within-patient comparisons of broadband high-frequency responses, focusing on single epochs recorded along the ventral processing stream.

Mutations in the tail domain of MYH3 contributes to atrial septal defect.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart defects diagnosed in children. Sarcomeric genes has been attributed to ASD and knockdown of MYH3 functionally homologues gene in chick models indicated abnormal atrial septal development. Here, we report for the first time, a case-control study investigating the role of MYH3 among non-syndromic ASD patients in contributing to septal development.

gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family isolated from leaf tissues of oil palm ( Jacq.).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, leaf-associated bacterium, designated JS23, was isolated from surface-sterilized leaf tissue of an oil palm grown in Singapore and was investigated by polyphasic taxonomy. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and 180 conserved genes in the genome of several members of revealed that strain JS23 formed a distinct evolutionary lineage independent of other taxa within the family . The predominant ubiquinone was Q-8.

Age-dependency in binocular rivalry is reflected by exclusive percepts, not mixed percepts.

Some aspects of decision-making are known to decline with normal aging. One of the known perceptual decision-making processes which is vastly studied is binocular rivalry. It is well-established that the older the person, the slower the perceptual dynamics.

Analysis Reveals Distribution of Quorum Sensing Genes and Consistent Presence of LuxR Solos in the Species.

The most common quorum sensing (QS) system in Gram-negative bacteria consists of signaling molecules called acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), which are synthesized by an enzyme AHL synthase (LuxI) and detected by a transcriptional regulator (LuxR) that are usually located in close proximity. However, many recent studies have also evidenced the presence of LuxR solos that are LuxR-related proteins in Proteobacteria that are devoid of a cognate LuxI AHL synthase. species are opportunistic pathogens frequently isolated from sputum specimens of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

A randomized cross-over study on the blood pressure lowering effect of the combined passive head-up and -down movement with Device-Guided slow breathing.

Baroreflex emerges as a therapeutic target of hypertension. We investigated blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of the combined passive head-up and -down movement with device-guided slow breathing in untreated mild hypertension or high-normal BP. In a randomized, cross-over trial, untreated subjects with an ambulatory systolic/diastolic BP of 125-140/80-90 mmHg and a clinic BP of 130-150/80-90 mmHg were randomized to intervention treatment with head movement and slow breathing or sham control, and then crossed over.

Children's perception of visual and auditory ambiguity and its link to executive functions and creativity.

The phenomenon of perceptual bistability provides insights into aspects of perceptual processing not normally accessible to everyday experience. However, most experiments have been conducted in adults, and it is not clear to what extent key aspects of perceptual switching change through development. The current research examined the ability of 6-, 8-, and 10-year-old children (N = 66) to switch between competing percepts of ambiguous visual and auditory stimuli and links between switching rate, executive functions, and creativity.

Acceptance of immersive head-mounted virtual reality in older adults.

Immersive virtual reality has become increasingly popular to improve the assessment and treatment of health problems. This rising popularity is likely to be facilitated by the availability of affordable headsets that deliver high quality immersive experiences. As many health problems are more prevalent in older adults, who are less technology experienced, it is important to know whether they are willing to use immersive virtual reality.

Do antimicrobial stewardship programme interventions reduce the rate of and protect against Clostridium difficile infection?

Objectives: Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) have often been recommended as a viable solution to minimise the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), which can be life-threatening. This study aimed to evaluate whether ASP interventions have contributed to reducing CDI rates.

Methods: A retrospective review of ASP interventions issued from January 2013 to April 2014 was performed using data from the ASP database of Singapore General Hospital, a 1600-bed tertiary-care hospital in Singapore.

Pandoraea fibrosis sp. nov., a novel Pandoraea species isolated from clinical respiratory samples.

Pandoraea species have been isolated from diverse environmental samples and are emerging important respiratory pathogens, particularly in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). In the present study, two bacterial isolates initially recovered from consecutive sputum samples collected from a CF patient and identified as Pandoraea pnomenusa underwent a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. The isolates were found to be Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic motile bacilli and subsequently designated as strains 6399 (=LMG29626=DSM103228) and 7641 (=LMG29627=DSM103229), respectively.