Software codesign between end users and developers to enhance utility for biodiversity conservation.

Creating software tools that address the needs of a wide range of decision-makers requires the inclusion of differing perspectives throughout the development process. Software tools for biodiversity conservation often fall short in this regard, partly because broad decision-maker needs may exceed the toolkits of single research groups or even institutions. We show that participatory, collaborative codesign enhances the utility of software tools for better decision-making in biodiversity conservation planning, as demonstrated by our experiences developing a set of integrated tools in Colombia.

Integrating niche and occupancy models to infer the distribution of an endemic fossorial snake (Atractus lasallei).

Understanding species distribution and habitat preferences is crucial for effective conservation strategies. However, the lack of information about population responses to environmental change at different scales hinders effective conservation measures. In this study, we estimate the potential and realized distribution of Atractus lasallei, a semi-fossorial snake endemic to the northwestern region of Colombia.

Ti/Ta-based composite polysaccharide scaffolds for guided bone regeneration in total hip arthroplasty.

Guided bone regeneration can play an important role in orthopedic applications. This work presents the synthesis and characterization of composite scaffolds based on polysaccharides loaded with microparticles of titanium or tantalum as novel materials proposed for composite systems with promising characteristics for guided bone regeneration. Ti/Ta composite scaffolds were synthesized using chitosan and gellan gum as organic substrates and crosslinked with oxidized dextran resulting in stable inorganic-organic composites.

Neurogenesis-dependent remodeling of hippocampal circuits reduces PTSD-like behaviors in adult mice.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a hypermnesic condition that develops in a subset of individuals following exposure to severe trauma. PTSD symptoms are debilitating, and include increased anxiety, abnormal threat generalization, and impaired extinction. In developing treatment strategies for PTSD, preclinical studies in rodents have largely focused on interventions that target post-encoding memory processes such as reconsolidation and extinction.

Neuropathology, Neuroimaging, and Fluid Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease.

An improved understanding of the pathobiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) should lead ultimately to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of AD, providing the opportunity to intervene earlier in the disease process and to improve outcomes. The known hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease include amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles. It is now clear that an imbalance between production and clearance of the amyloid beta protein and related Aβ peptides, especially Aβ42, is a very early, initiating factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, leading to aggregates of hyperphosphorylation and misfolded tau protein, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

Fetal Left Ventricle Function Evaluated by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography across Clinical Stages of Severity in Growth-Restricted Fetuses.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) can result in adverse perinatal outcomes due to cardiac dysfunction. This study used 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess left ventricle (LV) longitudinal strain across FGR severity stages. A prospective longitudinal cohort study measured global (GLS) and segmental LV longitudinal strain in FGR fetuses, with evaluations conducted at various time points.

Regional assessment of the historical trends of mercury in sediment cores from Wider Caribbean coastal environments.

Spatial and temporal variations of mercury (Hg) concentrations, enrichment, and potential ecological risks were studied in a suite of lead-210 (Pb) dated sediment cores from 13 Wider Caribbean Region coastal environments. Broad variability of Hg concentrations (19-18761 ng g) was observed, encompassing even background levels (38-100 ng g). Most Hg concentration profiles exhibited a characteristic upward trend, reaching their peak values in the past two decades.

Effect of Cenobamate on Cognition in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy with Focal Onset Seizures: An Exploratory Study.

Background And Objective: Most second and third generation antiseizure medications (ASMs) are associated with cognitive adverse events, which are a major concern for patients. However, the profile of cognitive adverse events differs between ASMs. This study investigated the effects of cenobamate on cognition in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) within the Spanish Expanded Access Program (EAP).

Economic Burden of Parkinson's Disease: A Multinational, Real-World, Cost-of-Illness Study.

Background: Parkinson's disease is now one of the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorders in the developed world, with an increasing prevalence and associated socioeconomic costs. Progression of the disease leads to a gradual deterioration in patients' quality of life, despite optimal treatment, and both medical and societal needs increase, often with the assistance of paid and/or unpaid caregivers.

Objective: We aimed to quantify the incremental economic burden of Parkinson's disease by disease severity in a real-world setting across differing geographic regions.

Agreement and Reproducibility of Anterior Chamber Angle Measurements between CASIA2 Built-In Software and Human Graders.

Purpose: This study evaluated the agreement and reproducibility of ACA measurements obtained using the built-in software of the CASIA2 (Version 3G.1) and the measurements derived from expert clinicians.

Methods: Healthy volunteers underwent ophthalmological evaluation and AS-OCT examination.

Ipsilesional Hippocampal GABA Is Elevated and Correlates With Cognitive Impairment and Maladaptive Neurogenesis After Cortical Stroke in Mice.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent stroke sequela, but its pathogenesis and treatment remain unresolved. Involvement of aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and maladaptive circuitry remodeling has been proposed, but their mechanisms are unknown. Our aim was to evaluate potential underlying molecular/cellular events implicated.

Healthcare resource utilization and device-aided therapy discussions with eligible patients across the Parkinson's disease continuum: Revelations from the MANAGE-PD validation cohort.

Introduction: Device-aided therapy may improve the quality of life (QoL) for people with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and poorly controlled symptoms with oral therapy. MANAGE-PD is a validated tool classifying patients based on symptom control and advanced treatment eligibility. This study focused on patient/caregiver reported outcomes and healthcare resource utilization among patients grouped by MANAGE-PD categories.

Longitudinal Behavior of Left-Ventricular Strain in Fetal Growth Restriction.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes resulting from adaptive cardiovascular changes in conditions of placental insufficiency, leading to cardiac deformation and dysfunction, which can be evaluated with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether reduced fetal growth is associated with cardiac left-ventricle (LV) dysfunction, using 2D-STE software widely used in postnatal echocardiography. A prospective longitudinal cohort study was performed, and global (GLO) and segmental LV longitudinal strain was measured offline and compared between FGR and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) fetuses throughout gestation.

Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel in advanced Parkinson's disease: long-term results from COSMOS.

Background: While immediate benefits of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) are evident in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), long-term LCIG effects require further study.

Objectives: We explored long-term LCIG on motor symptoms, nonmotor symptoms (NMS), and LCIG treatment settings in patients with advanced PD (APD).

Methods: Data were obtained (medical records and patient visit) from COSMOS, a multinational, retrospective, cross-sectional post-marketing observational study in patients with APD.

Predicting daily activity time through ecological niche modelling and microclimatic data.

Climate temporality is a phenomenon that affects species activity and distribution patterns across spatial and temporal scales. Despite the global availability of microclimatic data, their use to predict activity patterns and distributions remains scarce, particularly at fine temporal scales (e.g.

Impact of advanced Parkinson's disease on caregivers: an international real-world study.

Background: Caring for a partner or family member with Parkinson's disease (PD) negatively affects the caregiver's own physical and emotional well-being, especially those caring for people with advanced PD (APD). This study was designed to examine the impact of APD on caregiver perceived burden, quality of life (QoL), and health status.

Methods: Dyads of people with PD and their primary caregivers were identified from the Adelphi Parkinson's Disease Specific Program (DSP™) using real-world data from the United States, Japan and five European countries.

The evolution of sexually dimorphic traits in ecological gradients: an interplay between natural and sexual selection in hummingbirds.

Traits that exhibit differences between the sexes have been of special interest in the study of phenotypic evolution. Classic hypotheses explain sexually dimorphic traits via intra-sexual competition and mate selection, yet natural selection may also act differentially on the sexes to produce dimorphism. Natural selection can act either through physiological and ecological constraints on one of the sexes, or by modulating the strength of sexual/social selection.

Comparative Effectiveness of Device-Aided Therapies on Quality of Life and Off-Time in Advanced Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Research comparing levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI) for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) is lacking. This network meta-analysis (NMA) assessed the comparative effectiveness of LCIG, DBS, CSAI and best medical therapy (BMT) in reducing off-time and improving quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced PD.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational and interventional studies from January 2003 to September 2019.

Reduction in Preterm Preeclampsia after Contingent First-Trimester Screening and Aspirin Prophylaxis in a Routine Care Setting.

Objectives: Several multivariate algorithms for preeclampsia (PE) screening in the first trimester have been developed over the past few years. These models include maternal factors, mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery Doppler (UtA-PI), and biochemical markers (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) or placental growth factor (PlGF)). Treatment with low-dose aspirin (LDA) has shown a reduction in the incidence of preterm PE in women with a high-risk assessment in the first trimester.

Motor and nonmotor symptoms in patients treated with 24-hour daily levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion: Analysis of the COmedication Study assessing Mono- and cOmbination therapy with levodopa-carbidopa inteStinal gel (COSMOS).

Introduction: Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (APD) commonly experience motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS) associated with functional limitations and decreased quality of life. We compared motor and nonmotor outcomes in patients with APD receiving 24- versus 16-h levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG).

Methods: Data from COSMOS, a large, real-world, retrospective and cross-sectional, observational study on LCIG and comedication in APD were obtained from medical records and a single patient visit for patients receiving 24- and 16-h LCIG infusion.

A set of principles and practical suggestions for equitable fieldwork in biology.

Field biology is an area of research that involves working directly with living organisms in situ through a practice known as "fieldwork." Conducting fieldwork often requires complex logistical planning within multiregional or multinational teams, interacting with local communities at field sites, and collaborative research led by one or a few of the core team members. However, existing power imbalances stemming from geopolitical history, discrimination, and professional position, among other factors, perpetuate inequities when conducting these research endeavors.

Effects of Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel on Dyskinesia and Non-Motor Symptoms Including Sleep: Results from a Meta-Analysis with 24-Month Follow-Up.

Background: In advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), dyskinesias and non-motor symptoms such as sleep dysfunction can significantly impair quality of life, and high-quality management is an unmet need.

Objective: To analyze changes in dyskinesia and non-motor symptoms (including sleep) among studies with levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) in patients with advanced PD.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review identified relevant studies examining LCIG efficacy.

Intercountry comparisons of advanced Parkinson's disease symptoms and management: Analysis from the OBSERVE-PD observational study.

Objectives: In the absence of widely accepted criteria, determining when a patient with Parkinson's disease (PD) may benefit from more advanced treatments such as device-aided therapy (DAT) so far remains a matter of physician judgment. This analysis investigates how classification of PD varies across countries relative to measures of disease severity.

Materials And Methods: The OBSERVational, cross-sEctional PD (OBSERVE-PD) study included consecutive patients with PD at centers that offer DATs in 18 countries.

Psychometric Properties of Clinical Indicators for Identification and Management of Advanced Parkinson's Disease: Real-World Evidence From G7 Countries.

Introduction: Standardized and validated criteria to define advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) or identify patient eligibility for device-aided therapy are needed. This study assessed the psychometric properties of clinical indicators of advanced PD and eligibility for device-aided therapy in a large population.

Methods: This retrospective analysis of the Adelphi Parkinson's Disease Specific Programme collected data from device-aided therapy-naïve people with PD in G7 countries.