Empathic disequilibrium in schizophrenia: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

Schizophrenia involves substantial social difficulties, yet their nature remains unclear. Although empathy has been considered a promising social cognition construct, inconsistent findings have undermined its usefulness as a stable index for schizophrenia. This may be because previous studies overlooked the interdependency between the emotional and cognitive components of empathy.

Predictive nomograms and an algorithm for managing patients with probable Meniere's disease.

Purpose: To explore the efficacy of diagnostic tests in accurately reclassifying patients initially diagnosed with probable Meniere's disease (MD) into either definite or non-MD categories.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a neurotology clinic between 1/2016 and 5/2022. Patients underwent a battery of tests, from which sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios, were calculated.

Impact of reducing iodinated intravenous contrast volume in brain CT on image diagnostic quality.

Purpose: To investigate whether reducing the volume of intravenous iodinated contrast material injected during brain computed tomography (CT) provides reliable and accurate imaging without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients undergoing enhanced brain CT at a single tertiary hospital. Subjects who agreed to participate received a reduced dose of 60 ml contrast.

Eosinophilic Pleocytosis in the Cerebrospinal Fluid following CAR-T Cell Therapy for Central Nervous System Lymphoma: A Case for Warning?

Introduction: Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, emerging as an efficient treatment option for patients with secondary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, is frequently complicated with immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS).

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with transformed follicular lymphoma, developing high-grade ICANS with eosinophilic pleocytosis following third-line therapy with CAR-T cells (tisagenlecleucel). During bridging therapy, she declined neurologically and was diagnosed with secondary CNS lymphoma.

Unveiling the vulnerability of the human abducens nerve: insights from comparative cranial base anatomy in mammals and primates.

The topographic anatomy of the abducens nerve has been the subject of research for more than 150 years. Although its vulnerability was initially attributed to its length, this hypothesis has largely lost prominence. Instead, attention has shifted toward its intricate anatomical relations along the cranial base.

Fluctuations and individual differences in empathy interact with stress to predict mental health, parenting, and relationship outcomes.

Introduction: Empathy is a complex, multifaceted ability allowing for the most basic forms of social communication and plays a prominent role in multiple aspects of everyday lives. In this intensive longitudinal study, we assessed how empathy interacts with stress to predict central domains of psychosocial functioning: mental health, romantic relationships, and parenting.

Methods: Fluctuations and individual differences in empathy were assessed across eight time points, where participants from the general population ( = 566) self-reported their empathy, stress, depressive symptoms, romantic satisfaction, and parental functioning.

Empathic disequilibrium as a new framework for understanding individual differences in psychopathology.

Introduction: Empathy is part of basic social cognition and is central to everyday interactions. Indeed, emotional and cognitive empathy deficits are related to various psychopathologies, yet the links reported have been inconsistent. Thus, the mechanism underlying these inconsistent links is poorly understood.

Data-driven dissection of the fever effect in autism spectrum disorder.

Some individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate marked behavioral improvements during febrile episodes, in what is perhaps the only present-day means of modulating the core ASD phenotype. Understanding the nature of this so-called fever effect is therefore essential for leveraging this natural temporary relief of symptoms to a sustained efficacious intervention. Toward this goal, we used machine learning to analyze the rich clinical data of the Simons Simplex Collection, in which one out of every six children with ASD was reported to improve during febrile episodes, across multiple ASD domains.

The IL-10 receptor inhibits cell extrinsic signals necessary for STAT1-dependent macrophage accumulation during colitis.

The loss of IL-10R function leads to severe early onset colitis and, in murine models, is associated with the accumulation of immature inflammatory colonic macrophages. We have shown that IL-10R-deficient colonic macrophages exhibit increased STAT1-dependent gene expression, suggesting that IL-10R-mediated inhibition of STAT1 signaling in newly recruited colonic macrophages might interfere with the development of an inflammatory phenotype. Indeed, STAT1 mice exhibit defects in colonic macrophage accumulation after Helicobacter hepaticus infection and IL-10R blockade, and this was phenocopied in mice lacking IFNγR, an inducer of STAT1 activation.

Web and social media searches highlight menstrual irregularities as a global concern in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Delineation of public concerns that prevent vaccine compliance is a major step in generating assurances and enhancing the success of COVID-19 prevention programs. We therefore sought to identify public concerns associated with COVID-19 vaccines, as reflected by web and social media searches, with a focus on menstrual irregularities. We used trajectory analyses of web and social media search data in combination with global COVID-19 data to reveal time-dependent correlations between vaccination rates and the relative volume of vaccine and period related searches.

Reexamining empathy in autism: Empathic disequilibrium as a novel predictor of autism diagnosis and autistic traits.

A large body of research showed that autistic people have intact emotional (affective) empathy alongside reduced cognitive empathy. However, there are mixed findings and these call for a more subtle understanding of empathy in autism. Empathic disequilibrium refers to the imbalance between emotional and cognitive empathy and is associated with a higher number of autistic traits in the typical population.

Clinical Phenotypes and Outcomes in Monogenic Versus Non-monogenic Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Over 80 monogenic causes of very early onset inflammatory bowel disease [VEOIBD] have been identified. Prior reports of the natural history of VEOIBD have not considered monogenic disease status. The objective of this study is to describe clinical phenotypes and outcomes in a large single-centre cohort of patients with VEOIBD and universal access to whole exome sequencing [WES].

Mechanism underlying painful radiculopathy in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Background: Painful lumbar radiculopathy is a neuropathic pain condition, commonly attributed to nerve root inflammation/compression by disc herniation. The present exploratory study searched for associations between pain intensity and inflammatory markers, herniated disc size, infection, psychological factors and pain modulation in patients with confirmed painful lumbar radiculopathy scheduled for spine surgery.

Methods: Prior to surgery, 53 patients underwent the following evaluation: pain intensity measured on a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire; sensory testing (modified DFNS protocol); pain processing including temporal summation and conditioned pain modulation (CPM); neurological examination; psychological assessment including Spielberger's Anxiety Inventory, Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

Human mitochondrial RNA modifications associate with tissue-specific changes in gene expression, and are affected by sunlight and UV exposure.

RNA-DNA differences (RDD) have previously been identified in the human mitochondrial RNA (mt-RNA) transcripts, yet their functional impact is poorly understood. By analyzing 4928 RNA-seq samples from 23 body sites, we found that mtDNA gene expression negatively correlated with the levels of both mA 947 16 S rRNA modification (mtDNA position 2617) and the mA 1812 ND5 mRNA modification (mtDNA position 13,710) in 15 and 14 body sites, respectively. Such correlation was not evident in all tested brain tissues, thus suggesting a tissue-specific impact of these modifications on mtDNA gene expression.

Congenital Hypotonia: Cracking a SAGA of consanguineous kindred harboring four genetic variants.

Background: We aimed to determine the molecular and biochemical basis of an extended highly consanguineous family with multiple children presenting severe congenital hypotonia.

Methods: Clinical investigations, homozygosity mapping, linkage analyses and whole exome sequencing, were performed. mRNA and protein levels were determined.

Changes in Brain Volume Resulting from Cognitive Intervention by Means of the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment Program in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Pilot Study.

There is increasing interest in identifying biological and imaging markers for the early detection of neurocognitive decline. In addition, non-pharmacological strategies, including physical exercise and cognitive interventions, may be beneficial for those developing cognitive impairment. The Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) Program is a cognitive intervention based on structural cognitive modifiability and the mediated learning experience (MLE) and aims to promote problem-solving strategies and metacognitive abilities.

Multimodal bioinformatic analyses of the neurodegenerative disease-associated gene reveal its diverse roles.

Background: Loss of tectonin β-propeller repeat-containing 2 () function has been implicated in an array of neurodegenerative disorders, yet its physiological function remains largely unknown. Understanding function is essential for developing much needed precision therapeutics for TECPR2-related diseases.

Methods: We leveraged considerable amounts of functional data to obtain a comprehensive perspective of the role of in health and disease.

The Effect of Antibiotic Treatment of Early Childhood Shigellosis on Long-Term Prevalence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

It has recently been shown that children with early shigellosis are at increased risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to evaluate the association between antibiotic treatment of shigellosis with long-term ADHD rates. A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included all the Leumit Health Services (LHS) enrollees aged 5-18 years between 2000-2018 with a documented -positive gastroenteritis before the age of 3 years.

Bariatric Surgery-Associated Myelopathy.

Bariatric surgery is gaining acceptance as an efficient treatment modality for adults and adolescents with morbid obesity. The early postbariatric period has the potential to induce an immunomodulatory imbalance due to the development or worsening of nutritional deficiencies, changes in hormonal balance (specifically after sleeve gastrectomy), and a shift in the proinflammatory cytokine profile along with a major change in the gut microbiome and permeability. These changes may induce encephalomyelitic T cell activity, change neural barrier permeability, and induce gut dysbioisis, favoring a proinflammatory metabolic profile.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis or ischemic cerebrovascular disease?

A lung cancer patient suspected to have leptomeningeal carcinomatosis was referred for radiation. A careful evaluation of the MRI by a neuroradiologist revealed multiple brain infarcts. Multidisciplinary meetings are important for patient's case.

Melanocytes determine angiogenesis gene expression across human tissues.

Several angiogenesis-dependent diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and infantile hemangioma, display differential prevalence among Black, as compared to White individuals. Although socioeconomic status and genetic architecture have been suggested as explaining these differences, we have recently shown that pigment production per se might be involved. For example, we have shown that the extracellular protein fibromodulin is a pro-angiogenic factor highly secreted by melanocytes in White but not Black individuals.

Diagnostic correlation between clinical protocols and magnetic resonance findings in temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Our aim was to assess the diagnostic correlation between clinical protocols and magnetic resonance (MRI) findings in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), including disc displacement with and without reduction (DDwR; DDwoR) and arthralgia.

Methods: A systematic review performed in two phases according to the PRISMA checklist. Specific indexing terms were used for search of studies assessing TMDs through clinical diagnostic protocols with the aid of Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs or Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs.

Long-Term Quality of Life after Endoscopic Pituitary Adenoma Surgery with Nasoseptal Flap Reconstruction.

Introduction: Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) on the pituitary gland is considered safe and efficacious. The nasoseptal flap (NSF) is sometimes used to prevent or repair postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Few investigators have quantified long-term quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes regarding sinonasal measures after EETS, with or without involvement of the NSF.

Q Fever Vertebral Osteomyelitis Complicating Vertebroplasty.

Query (Q) fever is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii. In a minority of patients, chronic disease can occur after acute infection. Endocarditis and infections of aneurysms or vascular prostheses are the most common forms of chronic Q fever in adults.