Machine learning-optimized non-invasive brain stimulation and treatment response classification for major depression.

Background/objectives: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation intervention that shows promise as a potential treatment for depression. However, the clinical efficacy of tDCS varies, possibly due to individual differences in head anatomy affecting tDCS dosage. While functional changes in brain activity are more commonly reported in major depressive disorder (MDD), some studies suggest that subtle macroscopic structural differences, such as cortical thickness or brain volume reductions, may occur in MDD and could influence tDCS electric field (E-field) distributions.

Connecting memory and functional brain networks in older adults: a resting-state fMRI study.

Limited research exists on the association between resting-state functional network connectivity in the brain and learning and memory processes in advanced age. This study examined within-network connectivity of cingulo-opercular (CON), frontoparietal control (FPCN), and default mode (DMN) networks, and verbal and visuospatial learning and memory in older adults. Across domains, we hypothesized that greater CON and FPCN connectivity would associate with better learning, and greater DMN connectivity would associate with better memory.

Machine-learning defined precision tDCS for improving cognitive function.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with cognitive training (CT) is widely investigated as a therapeutic tool to enhance cognitive function in older adults with and without neurodegenerative disease. Prior research demonstrates that the level of benefit from tDCS paired with CT varies from person to person, likely due to individual differences in neuroanatomical structure.

Objective: The current study aims to develop a method to objectively optimize and personalize current dosage to maximize the functional gains of non-invasive brain stimulation.

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis - imaging using low-end and advanced modalities for developing and developed countries.

Musculoskeletal involvement by TB is rare in comparison to other forms of the disease. It most commonly involves the spine but can also involve large weight-bearing joints, long bones, the skull and the soft tissues. Characteristic appearances of musculoskeletal TB are described for numerous imaging modalities in this paper but it is also highlighted that when based on imaging appearances alone, there is always a differential diagnosis, including other infections and malignancies.

Mismatched hemagglutinin and neuraminidase specificities in recent human H3N2 influenza viruses.

The hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses initiates infection by binding to sialic acid on the cell surface via alpha2,6 (human) or alpha2,3 (avian) linkage. The influenza neuraminidase (NA) can cleave both alpha2,3- and alpha2,6-linked sialic acids, but all influenza NAs have a marked preference for the non-human alpha2,3 linkage. Recent H3N2 influenza viruses have lost the ability to agglutinate chicken red blood cells.