Synaptic alterations associated with disrupted sensory encoding in a mouse model of tauopathy.

Synapse loss is currently the best biological correlate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Synapses seem to be highly vulnerable to tau-mediated disruption in neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, it is unclear how and when this leads to alterations in function related to the progression of tauopathy and neurodegeneration.

Time-Efficient, High-Resistance Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training Increases Exercise Tolerance in Midlife and Older Adults.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if time-efficient, high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), comprising 30 inhalation-resisted breaths per day, improves cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise tolerance, physical function, and/or regional body composition in healthy midlife and older adults.

Methods: We performed a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial (NCT03266510) testing 6 wk of IMST (30 breaths per day, 6 d·wk -1 , 55%-75% maximal inspiratory pressure) versus low-resistance sham training (15% maximal inspiratory pressure) in healthy men and women 50-79 yr old. Subjects performed a graded treadmill exercise test to exhaustion, physical performance battery (e.

Time-efficient, high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training increases cerebrovascular reactivity in midlife and older adults.

Aging is associated with increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia due in part to increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and cerebrovascular dysfunction. High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) is a time-efficient, intensive respiratory training protocol (30 resisted inspirations/day) that lowers SBP and improves peripheral vascular function in midlife/older adults with above-normal SBP. However, whether, and by what mechanisms, IMST can improve cerebrovascular function is unknown.

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis of suPAR as a predictor of acute kidney injury.

Introduction And Objective: The global impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been thoroughly investigated. With the development of new techniques, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has become increasingly important in the diagnosis of AKI. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the predictive value of suPAR for AKI.

Prediction value of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in COVID-19 patients - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction And Objective: In COVID-19, the rapid prediction of the severity of a patient's condition using modern biomarkers can accelerate the implementation of appropriate therapy, and thus improve the patient's prognosis.

Material And Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted of data available in the literature on the differences in baseline suPAR blood concentration between patients (1) who tested positive and negative for COVID-19, (2) who had severe and non-severe COVID-19, and (3) COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors.

Results: SuPAR levels in SARS-CoV-2 negative and positive patients varied and amounted to 3.

Influence of Noise in Computer-Vision-Based Measurements on Parameter Identification in Structural Dynamics.

Nowadays, consumer electronics offer computer-vision-based (CV) measurements of dynamic displacements with some trade-offs between sampling frequency, resolution and low cost of the device. This study considers a consumer-grade smartphone camera based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology and investigates the influence of its hardware limitations on the estimation of dynamic displacements, modal parameters and stiffness parameters of bolted connections in a laboratory structure. An algorithm that maximizes the zero-normalized cross-correlation function is employed to extract the dynamic displacements.

Analysis of muscle activity during rowing stroke phases.

Purpose: Rowing engages large muscle groups and electromyography (EMG) analysis is used to assess athletes' condition and refine sports technique. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the muscle activation level during different phases of the rowing cycle on an ergometer.

Methods: In a study involving one professional and five amateurs, the mean EMG amplitudes from the quadriceps, gastrocnemius, biceps and triceps brachii were analyzed during different phases of rowing.

Prognostic Performance of Cystatin C in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cystatin C is a specific biomarker of kidney function. We perform this meta-analysis to determine the association of Cystatin C with the COVID-19 severity. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and Web of Science for studies published until 2nd September 2022 that reported associations between Cystatin C levels and COVID-19 severity.

Time-Efficient Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Endothelial Function, NO Bioavailability, and Oxidative Stress in Midlife/Older Adults With Above-Normal Blood Pressure.

Background High-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) is a novel, time-efficient physical training modality. Methods and Results We performed a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial to investigate whether 6 weeks of IMST (30 breaths/day, 6 days/week) improves blood pressure, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness in midlife/older adults (aged 50-79 years) with systolic blood pressure ≥120 mm Hg, while also investigating potential mechanisms and long-lasting effects. Thirty-six participants completed high-resistance IMST (75% maximal inspiratory pressure, n=18) or low-resistance sham training (15% maximal inspiratory pressure, n=18).

Trajectory Identification for Moving Loads by Multicriterial Optimization.

Moving load is a fundamental loading pattern for many civil engineering structures and machines. This paper proposes and experimentally verifies an approach for indirect identification of 2D trajectories of moving loads. In line with the "structure as a sensor" paradigm, the identification is performed indirectly, based on the measured mechanical response of the structure.

Short-term time-restricted feeding is safe and feasible in non-obese healthy midlife and older adults.

Chronic calorie restriction (CR) improves cardiovascular function and several other physiological markers of healthspan. However, CR is impractical in non-obese older humans due to potential loss of lean mass and bone density, poor adherence, and risk of malnutrition. Time-restricted feeding (TRF), which limits the daily feeding period without requiring a reduction in calorie intake, may be a promising alternative healthspan-extending strategy for midlife and older adults; however, there is limited evidence for its feasibility and efficacy in humans.

Bridge Damage Identification Using Vehicle Bump Based on Additional Virtual Masses.

Structural damage identification plays an important role in providing effective evidence for the health monitoring of bridges in service. Due to the limitations of measurement points and lack of valid structural response data, the accurate identification of structural damage, especially for large-scale structures, remains difficult. Based on additional virtual mass, this paper presents a damage identification method for bridges using a vehicle bump as the excitation.

Resistant hypertension: Renal denervation or pharmacovigilance? Insights from a renal denervation screening program.

Background: With emerging new therapeutic concepts including renal denervation (RDN), there is a renewed interest in resistant hypertension (ResH). Among patients suspected of having ResH, a definitive diagnosis needs to be established.

Objectives: This study presents observations from a standardized single-center screening program for RDN candidates, including medical therapy modification and reassessment.

Cross-calibration, Least Significant Change and Quality Assurance in Multiple Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scanner Environments: 2019 ISCD Official Position.

In preparation for the International Society for Clinical Densitometry Position Development Conference (PDC) 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a cross-calibration and precision task force was assembled and tasked to review the literature, summarize the findings, and generate positions to answer 4 related questions provided by the PDC Steering Committee, which expand upon the current ISCD official positions on these subjects. (1) How should a provider with multiple dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners of the same make and model calculate least significant change (LSC)? (2) How should a provider with multiple DXA systems with the same manufacturer but different models calculate LSC? (3) How should a provider with multiple DXA systems from different manufacturers and models calculate LSC? (4) Are there specific phantom procedures that one can use to provide trustworthy in vitro cross calibration for same models, different models, and different makes? Based on task force deliberations and the resulting systematic literature reviews, 3 new positions were developed to address these more complex scenarios not addressed by current official positions on single scanner cross calibration and LSC. These new positions provide appropriate guidance to large multiple DXA scanner providers wishing to offer patients flexibility and convenience, and clearly define good clinical practice requirements to that end.

Microfluidic rapid and autonomous analytical device (microRAAD) to detect HIV from whole blood samples.

While identifying acute HIV infection is critical to providing prompt treatment to HIV-positive individuals and preventing transmission, existing laboratory-based testing methods are too complex to perform at the point of care. Specifically, molecular techniques can detect HIV RNA within 8-10 days of transmission but require laboratory infrastructure for cold-chain reagent storage and extensive sample preparation performed by trained personnel. Here, we demonstrate our point-of-care microfluidic rapid and autonomous analysis device (microRAAD) that automatically detects HIV RNA from whole blood.

Executive Summary of the 2019 ISCD Position Development Conference on Monitoring Treatment, DXA Cross-calibration and Least Significant Change, Spinal Cord Injury, Peri-prosthetic and Orthopedic Bone Health, Transgender Medicine, and Pediatrics.

To answer important questions in the fields of monitoring with densitometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry machine cross-calibration, monitoring, spinal cord injury, periprosthetic and orthopedic bone health, transgender medicine, and pediatric bone health, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) held a Position Development Conference from March 20 to 23, 2019. Potential topics requiring guidance were solicited from ISCD members in 2017. Following that, a steering committee selected, prioritized, and grouped topics into Task Forces.

Optimal Placement of Virtual Masses for Structural Damage Identification.

Adding virtual masses to a structure is an efficient way to generate a large number of natural frequencies for damage identification. The influence of a virtual mass can be expressed by Virtual Distortion Method (VDM) using the response measured by a sensor at the involved point. The proper placement of the virtual masses can improve the accuracy of damage identification, therefore the problem of their optimal placement is studied in this paper.

Experimental Study for Damage Identification of Storage Tanks by Adding Virtual Masses.

This research proposes a damage identification approach for storage tanks that is based on adding virtual masses. First, the frequency response function of a structure with additional virtual masses is deduced based on the Virtual Distortion Method (VDM). Subsequently, a Finite Element (FE) model of a storage tank is established to verify the proposed method; the relation between the added virtual masses and the sensitivity of the virtual structure is analyzed to determine the optimal mass and the corresponding frequency with the highest sensitivity with respect to potential damages.

The impact of various protective tools on the dose reduction in the eye lens in an interventional cardiology-clinical study.

The aim of the study was to check, in clinical practice, the potential for the dose reduction of lead eyewear and a ceiling-suspended shield used to protect the eye lens of physicians working in interventional cardiology. To this end, for the lead eyewear, the dose reduction factors were derived to correct the readings from a dosimeter used routinely outside the glasses. Four types of lead eyewear with attached loose thermoluminescent dosimeters and EYE-D dosimeters were worn by physicians in two clinical centres, for two-month periods, during coronary angiography (CA), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and pacemaker procedures.

Outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients after previous coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Patients after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) often require repeat percutaneous revascularisation due to poor patency rates of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and higher risk of re-CABG. Few data are available to evaluate different percutaneous revascularisation strategies in patients after previous CABG.

Aim: To evaluate outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients after previous CABG, including the effect of treatment on the quality of life and symptoms, and secondly to assess the relation between angiographic factors and treatment outcomes

Methods: This was a prospective observational study which included 78 patients after previous CABG.

Generation of Simulated Calcific Lesions in Valve Leaflets for Flow Studies.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common valvular disorder. While fluid stresses are presumed to play a role in disease progression, the valvular hemodynamic changes experienced over the course of CAVD remain largely unknown. The study aim was to develop a laboratory protocol for the fabrication of tissue valve models mimicking mild and moderate calcific stenosis, for future use in flow studies.

Ultrasound evaluation of forearm arteries in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention via radial artery access: results of one-year follow-up.

Background: A proven advantage of radial over femoral arterial access has led to an increase in the number of interventions performed via radial artery access in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Both assessment of the pulse volume and the Allen's test are subjective and subject to investigator bias. An ultrasound examination of the forearm arteries provides important information about the anatomy of the forearm vessels, and indirectly also about the efficiency of collateral blood supply to the hand.

Enhanced responsivity with skew ray excitation of reflection- and transmission-type refractometric sensors.

The responsivity of optical fibers to refractive index can be enhanced using high-order skew rays compared with using meridional rays. Skew rays can have a much higher number of reflections with increased interaction length along the core-cladding interface, which gives rise to stronger interactions with the external medium. Reflection/transmission-type refractometric sensors based on twin-coupled-core and multimode fibers showed one/two orders of magnitude increase in responsivity with skew ray excitation.