Evidence on sex differences in sports performance.

Sex differences in sports performances continue to attract considerable scientific and public attention, driven in part by high profile cases of: 1) biological male (XY) athletes who seek to compete in the female category after gender transition, and 2) XY athletes with medical syndromes collectively known as disorders or differences of sex development (DSD). In this perspective we highlight scientific evidence that informs eligibility criteria and applicable regulations for sex categories in sport. There are profound sex differences in human performance in athletic events determined by strength, speed, power, endurance, and body size such that males outperform females.

Monosynaptic ventral tegmental area glutamate projections to the locus coeruleus enhance aversive processing.

Distinct excitatory synaptic inputs to the locus coeruleus (LC) modulate behavioral flexibility. Here we identify a novel monosynaptic glutamatergic input to the LC from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We show robust VTA axonal projections provide direct glutamatergic transmission to LC.

Integration of a surgical bipolar ablation device within an electroanatomical mapping system during epicardial ventricular tachycardia ablation via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a case report.

Background: Epicardial ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation is an established approach in patients with epicardial arrhythmogenic foci and is most commonly performed via percutaneous access. An alternative approach is via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), although reports of this technique are limited to the use of catheter-based technologies for radiofrequency ablation delivery.

Case Summary: A 55-year-old man with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy presented with recurrent VT despite medical therapy.

Phylogenomic analyses unravel the tangled evolutionary history of Genisteae (Fabaceae).

Genisteae, a tribe in the subfamily Papilionoideae (Fabaceae), is characterized by the production of quinolizidine alkaloids that confer pest resistance in most of its members. Many relationships at the generic level remain unresolved due largely to a lack of modern attempts to reconstruct the phylogeny. Previous studies with limited taxon sampling and only a few molecular loci indicated the presence of three clades within the tribe: the Lupinus clade, the Cytisus-Genista complex and the Argyrolobium group.

Dual metal organic framework post-synthetic modification; two birds with one stone.

Simultaneous dual post-synthetic modification was realised in multivariate isoreticular zinc 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate frameworks co-loaded with thermo-reactive allyloxy and propargyloxy groups. Radiative heating initiates dual cascade reactions, simultaneously changing both groups under the same conditions with preservation of framework topology and porosity. This work provides a new strategy to target multiple groups in shorter sequences for more efficient metal-organic framework post-synthetic modification.

Bronchoalveolar lavage cytokine-based risk stratification of clinically-stable lung transplant recipients with undefined rejection: Further insights from a follow-up investigation.

Background: Surveillance bronchoscopies with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial biopsies (TBB) are primarily used to detect acute cellular rejection (ACR) or infection in lung transplant (LTx) recipients. We previously identified a BAL protein signature associated with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) or death/retransplant in patients with stable minimal (grade A1) ACR. This present study aimed to determine whether similar BAL biomarkers predict outcomes in stable patients when ACR grade is undetermined.

Cumulative effects of H and P on force and power of skeletal muscle fibres from young and older adults.

The cellular causes of the age-related loss in power output and increased fatigability are unresolved. We previously observed that the depressive effects of hydrogen (H) (pH 6.2) and inorganic phosphate (P) (30 mm) did not differ in muscle fibres from young and older men.

A retrospective analysis of post-mortem findings in New Zealand weka (), 1995-2022.

Aims: To determine the major causes of mortality in weka (), and to investigate associations between causes of mortality and captivity status, age, sex, decade of submission, and season.

Methods: Necropsy records were obtained from the Massey University School of Veterinary Science/Wildbase Pathology database (Palmerston North, NZ) for weka submitted between 1 January 1995 and 22 March 2022. Causes of mortality were classified into categories based on aetiology.

An environmental scan of limb loss rehabilitation centers across Canada.

Background: The clinical landscape of limb loss rehabilitation across Canada is poorly delineated, lacks standard rehabilitation guidelines, and is without a shared clinical database.

Objective: To address these gaps, the objective of the present study was to undertake an environmental scan of the rehabilitation centers across Canada that provide inpatient and/or outpatient services to the limb loss community.

Study Design: An environmental scan was conducted to describe the rehabilitation service structure, program services, and outcome measures of sites across Canada.

Depression in the time of COVID-19: Examination of prenatal and postpartum depression, rurality, and the impact of COVID-19.

Background: To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms in rural versus urban populations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 24,227 cisgender women who gave birth from 2010 to 2021 at an academic medical center located in a rural midwestern state. Exclusion criteria were <18 years old, incarcerated, or without a documented zip code.

Assessment and repeatability of aerobic capacity using the Chester Step Test among current, former, and never smokers.

Cigarette smoking contributes to reduced cardiorespiratory performance, which may improve upon cessation. Consequently, former smokers' cardiorespiratory fitness should not be significantly different from that of never-smokers. This study aims to compare V̇O values among current, former, and never smokers and assess the repeatability of measurements using the Chester Step Test (CST).

Interventions for people with perceptual disorders after stroke: the PIONEER scoping review, Cochrane systematic review and priority setting project.

Background: Stroke often affects recognition and interpretation of information from our senses, resulting in perceptual disorders. Evidence to inform treatment is unclear.

Objective: To determine the breadth and effectiveness of interventions for stroke-related perceptual disorders and identify priority research questions.

A core capability framework for physiotherapists to deliver quality care when working with people living with dementia and their families/caregivers: an international modified e-Delphi study.

Objective: What are the core capabilities physiotherapists need to deliver quality care when working with people with dementia and their families/caregivers?

Design: A three-round modified e-Delphi study.

Participants: Panel members were physiotherapists experienced in working with people with dementia and/or educating and/or researching in the dementia field.

Methods: A steering group (16 international physiotherapists and a consumer) developed a draft framework including 129 core capabilities across 5 domains for panel members to rate their appropriateness for inclusion as a core capability to provide high quality care to people with dementia and their caregivers/families.

Hospitalisation cost for paediatric osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in New Zealand.

Aim: Hospitalisation rates for paediatric bone and joint infection (BJI) in New Zealand (NZ) are among the highest globally. This study aims to quantify hospitalisation costs of BJI in 2018-2019.

Methods: National hospitalisation data from the NZ Ministry of Health was used to describe costs associated with all paediatric hospitalisations coded for osteomyelitis or septic arthritis in those aged <16 years.

The Seasonality of Childhood Bone and Joint Infection with Focus on Kingella kingae: A Systematic Review.

Background: Seasonal trends in hospitalization for childhood bone and joint infection (BJI) are reported inconsistently. True seasonal variation would suggest an element of disease risk from environmental factors. This review evaluates all reported seasonal variations in childhood BJI, with additional analysis of seasonal trends for diseases secondary to Kingella kingae.

Patient and public involvement in an evidence synthesis project: description of and reflection on involvement.

Background: We conducted an NIHR-funded evidence synthesis project, reviewing evidence relating to interventions for perceptual disorders following stroke. This related paper describes how people with lived experience of stroke-related perceptual disorders contributed to and influenced the project, and identifies lessons for future review projects.

Methods: We planned our patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities within a study protocol, described according to the domains of the ACTIVE framework; these were founded on principles for good practice in PPIE.

Understanding the multidimensionality of a concern for falling in people with unilateral transtibial amputation: a cross-sectional study.

People with lower limb loss often experience psychological concerns related to falling. A concern for falling (CFF) includes four subdomains: fear of falling, self-efficacy, consequences of falling, and perceptions of falls. Limited research exists on how these subdomains are influenced by clinical factors and falls history.

Patient Engagement in a Mobile App-Based Rehabilitation Program for Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: Secondary Data Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Health care professionals use mobile apps to support patients' rehabilitation after total hip or knee arthroplasty. Understanding patient engagement in such mobile health interventions can help tailor these interventions to better support patients.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate patient engagement in a mobile app-based arthroplasty rehabilitation program and to investigate the association between patient engagement and their characteristics.

Income inequality and comorbid overweight/obesity and depression among a large sample of Canadian secondary school students: The mediator effect of social cohesion.

Background: Comorbid overweight/obesity (OWO) and depression is emerging as a public health problem among adolescents. Income inequality is a structural determinant of health that independently increases the risk for both OWO and depression among youth. However, no study has examined the association between income inequality and comorbid OWO and depression or tested potential mechanisms involved.

Optimal Timing for Advanced Imaging in Childhood Bone and Joint Infection.

Objective: Advanced imaging in the management of childhood bone and joint infection (BJI) has the potential to improve disease outcomes. Knowledge about the optimal timing for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in relation to both surgically and nonsurgically managed BJI is limited. This study examines the impact of MRI timing on number of surgeries, length of stay (LOS), hospitalization cost, and disease recurrence in childhood BJI.

An Examination of Hate-Motivated Behavior Among Adults in Scotland and Associations with Risk Factors for Self-Directed Violence.

Hate-motivated behavior (HMB) ranges from microaggressions to criminal acts and is a public health concern with consequences for the physical and mental well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The Hate-Motivated Behavior Checklist (HMBC) was developed with the goal of advancing the measurement of HMB perpetration. To provide insights into perpetration and victimization across the HMB continuum in Scotland, the present study sought to examine the factor structure of both the original HMBC and our adapted victimization version in a sample of adults currently living in Scotland.