Evaluation of objective methods for analyzing ipsilateral motor evoked potentials in stroke survivors with chronic upper extremity motor impairment.

Ipsilateral motor evoked potentials (iMEPs) are believed to represent cortically evoked excitability of uncrossed brainstem-mediated pathways. In the event of extensive injury to (crossed) corticospinal pathways, which can occur following a stroke, uncrossed ipsilateral pathways may serve as an alternate resource to support the recovery of the paretic limb. However, iMEPs, even in neurally intact people, can be small, infrequent, and noisy, so discerning them in stroke survivors is very challenging.

Endonuclease G promotes hepatic mitochondrial respiration by selectively increasing mitochondrial tRNA production.

Mitochondrial endonuclease G (EndoG) contributes to chromosomal degradation when it is released from mitochondria during apoptosis. It is presumed to also have a mitochondrial function because EndoG deficiency causes mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanism by which EndoG regulates mitochondrial function is not known.

Proceedings of the 2024 Third Annual ASTCT-NMDP ACCESS Initiative Workshop.

The Third Annual Workshop of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) ACCESS Initiative occurred on July 23 and 24, 2024. Content from the workshop is provided to inform the hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy (CT) ecosystem about progress and direction of the collaborative. Highlights from the meeting are reviewed, including the inaugural Corporate Roundtable and Advocacy Day, new partnerships with non-profit organizations, and updates on projects from the Awareness, Poverty and Race and Ethnicity Inequity Committees.

Genetic Mapping of , a New Lethal Allele of .

The mutation was generated in a Flp/FRT EMS screen for conditional mutations that cause growth and developmental defects in a genetic background that blocks apoptosis. The mutations were conditional, based on the allele being present on the starting chromosome, and blocking canonical apoptosis in a homozygous state. The mosaic eyes exhibit defects in eye development including patches of rough eye and irregular surface structure.

Clinical Applications of Fetal Cell-Free DNA: State of the Science.

Advances in technology have correlated with expanding prenatal genetic testing options for pregnant people. Leading medical organizations recommend cell-free DNA as the most sensitive screening test for trisomies 13, 18, and 21, as well as for fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies. The commercially available testing options go beyond these recommended tests, and prenatal care professionals should be familiar with the tests that their patients may choose despite being beyond the scope of current medical recommendations.

Impact of capillary and sarcolemmal proximity on mitochondrial structure and energetic function in skeletal muscle.

Mitochondria within skeletal muscle cells are located either between the muscle contractile apparatus (interfibrillar mitochondria, IFM) or beneath the cell membrane (subsarcolemmal mitochondria, SSM), with several structural and functional differences reported between IFM and SSM. However, recent 3D imaging studies demonstrate that mitochondria are particularly concentrated in the proximity of capillaries embedded in sarcolemmal grooves rather than in proximity to the sarcolemma itself (paravascular mitochondria, PVM). To evaluate the impact of capillary vs.

Neurostimulation After Stroke.

Neural stimulation technology aids stroke survivors in regaining lost motor functions. This article explores its applications in upper and lower limb stroke rehabilitation. The authors review various methods to target the corticomotor system, including transcranial direct current stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation.

Reorganization of mitochondria-organelle interactions during postnatal development in skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle cellular development requires the integrated assembly of mitochondria and other organelles adjacent to the sarcomere in support of muscle contractile performance. However, it remains unclear how interactions among organelles and with the sarcomere relates to the development of muscle cell function. Here, we combine 3D volume electron microscopy, proteomic analyses, and live cell functional imaging to investigate the postnatal reorganization of mitochondria-organelle interactions in skeletal muscle.

Impact of Neurolens Use on the Quality of Life in Individuals With Headaches: A Randomized Double-Masked, Cross-Over Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Vision-related disorders, such as refractive errors and binocular vision issues, can cause headaches. The current study evaluates the impact of Neurolens (NL) on individuals with headaches, assessed using the Headache Impact Test (HIT) questionnaire.

Methods: Subjects (18-60 years) with good stereoacuity and a HIT score of ≥56 points were enrolled.

Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation video game therapy for hand rehabilitation after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To estimate the effect of integrating custom-designed hand therapy video games (HTVG) with contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) therapy.

Methods: Fifty-two stroke survivors with chronic (>6 months) upper limb hemiplegia were randomized to 12 weeks of CCFES or CCFES + HTVG. Treatment involved self-administration of technology-mediated therapy at home plus therapist-administered CCFES-assisted task practice in the lab.

High resolution spatial investigation of intracellular oxygen in muscle cells.

Unlabelled: Molecular oxygen (O ) is one of the most functionally relevant metabolites. O is essential for mito-chondrial aerobic respiration. Changes in O affect muscle metabolism and play a critical role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass, with lack of sufficient O resulting in detrimental loss of muscle mass and function.

Mechanical stimulation from the surrounding tissue activates mitochondrial energy metabolism in Drosophila differentiating germ cells.

In multicellular lives, the differentiation of stem cells and progenitor cells is often accompanied by a transition from glycolysis to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, the underlying mechanism of this metabolic transition remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of mechanical stress in activating OXPHOS during differentiation of the female germline cyst in Drosophila.

Assessing Medicaid Coverage for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy: A Project from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and the National Marrow Donor Program ACCESS Initiative.

The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) formed the ACCESS Initiative to address and reduce barriers to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy (CT) to ensure equal access and outcomes for all patients in need. The 3 committees, addressing awareness, poverty, and racial and ethnic inequity, defined pilot projects focusing on addressing relevant barriers to HCT/CT. Because many socioeconomically disadvantaged HCT/CT recipients receive care through state Medicaid programs, the Poverty Committee conducted a Medicaid scan of all 50 US states with the following objectives: to define beneficiary coverage for allogeneic and autologous HCT and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy; to define support for travel, temporary lodging, and meals for both beneficiaries and caregivers; and to determine search and cell acquisition payment procedures.

Co-crystal structures of the fluorogenic aptamer Beetroot show that close homology may not predict similar RNA architecture.

Beetroot is a homodimeric in vitro selected RNA that binds and activates DFAME, a conditional fluorophore derived from GFP. It is 70% sequence-identical to the previously characterized homodimeric aptamer Corn, which binds one molecule of its cognate fluorophore DFHO at its interprotomer interface. We have now determined the Beetroot-DFAME co-crystal structure at 1.

Analysis of Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor Efficiency Utilizing Nonprocedural Operating Room Times.

Objective: To analyze the contribution of nonprocedural operating room (OR) times to transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) operative efficiency.

Methods: Over a 24-month period, all nonprocedural OR times from TURBT surgeries performed at a single institution were prospectively collected. Nonprocedural times included: in-room to anesthesia release time, anesthesia release to cut time, and close to wheels out time.

Analysis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia diagnostic and management strategies in individuals with inconclusive antibody optical densities.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an uncommon but serious complication of exposure to heparin. Antibody optical densities (ODs) used to diagnose HIT exceeding 2 are highly suggestive of disease, whereas ODs less than 0.5 often 'rule out' HIT.

A Multicenter Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Escitalopram in Children and Adolescents with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in children and adolescents is associated with substantial morbidity and increases the risk of future psychopathology. However, relatively few psychopharmacologic studies have examined treatments for GAD in pediatric populations, especially in prepubertal youth. Children and adolescents aged 7-17 years of age with a primary diagnosis of GAD were treated with flexibly dosed escitalopram (10-20 mg daily,  = 138) or placebo ( = 137) for 8 weeks.

Supporting Families Facing Lactation Anaphylaxis: A Case Report.

Lactation anaphylaxis is a rare condition that may occur consequent to breastfeeding. Early identification and management of symptoms is paramount to the physical well-being of the birthing person. Supporting newborn feeding goals is also a key component of care.

Ultrafast Förster resonance energy transfer from tyrosine to tryptophan in monellin: potential intrinsic spectroscopic ruler.

Ultrafast Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) residues in the protein monellin has been investigated using picosecond and femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Decay associated spectra (DAS) and time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) taken with the different excitation wavelengths of 275, 290 and 295 nm were constructed global analysis. At two of those three excitation loci (275 and 290 nm), earmarks of energy transfer from Tyr to Trp in monellin are seen, and particularly when the excitation is 275 nm, the energy transfer between Tyr and Trp clearly changes the signature emission DAS shape to that indicating excited state reaction (especially on the red side of fluorescence emission, near 380 nm).

Mitochondrial respiration reduces exposure of the nucleus to oxygen.

The endosymbiotic theory posits that ancient eukaryotic cells engulfed O-consuming prokaryotes, which protected them against O toxicity. Previous studies have shown that cells lacking cytochrome c oxidase (COX), required for respiration, have increased DNA damage and reduced proliferation, which could be improved by reducing O exposure. With recently developed fluorescence lifetime microscopy-based probes demonstrating that the mitochondrion has lower [O] than the cytosol, we hypothesized that the perinuclear distribution of mitochondria in cells may create a barrier for O to access the nuclear core, potentially affecting cellular physiology and maintaining genomic integrity.

Computational Modeling and Imaging of the Intracellular Oxygen Gradient.

Computational modeling can provide a mechanistic and quantitative framework for describing intracellular spatial heterogeneity of solutes such as oxygen partial pressure (pO). This study develops and evaluates a finite-element model of oxygen-consuming mitochondrial bioenergetics using the COMSOL Multiphysics program. The model derives steady-state oxygen (O) distributions from Fickian diffusion and Michaelis-Menten consumption kinetics in the mitochondria and cytoplasm.

Characterizing Fluorescence Properties of Turn-on RNA Aptamers.

Fluorescent RNA aptamers are tools for studying RNA localization and interactions in vivo. The photophysical properties of these in vitro selected RNAs should be characterized prior to cellular imaging experiments. Here, we describe the process of determining the fluorophore affinity, fluorescence enhancement, and fluorescence lifetime(s) of the Mango-III fluorescence turn-on aptamer.

The ASTCT-NMDP ACCESS Initiative: A Collaboration to Address and Sustain Equal Outcomes for All across the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Ecosystem.

The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) have formed the ACCESS Initiative to address and reduce barriers to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy (CT) in an effort to ensure equal access and outcomes for all patients in need. In addition to cellular therapy physicians, the initiative includes program administrators, health policy and health equity experts, health service researchers, participants from commercial payer organizations, and federal stakeholders. The inaugural ASTCT-NMDP ACCESS Workshop was held in Washington, DC on July 28 and 29, 2022, wherein committee members met to discuss and to define goals for 3 focus areas: awareness, poverty, and racial and ethnic inequity.

Coaxial Stent Graft inside a Constraining Stent for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Reduction.

A technique to create a coaxial, self-expanding stent graft inside a constraining, bare-metal, balloon-expandable stent for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduction is described. The key steps are performed on a back table rather than inside the patient, and the resulting construct is deployed using standard unsheathing maneuvers. The construct was used in 4 patients to make 6 TIPS diameter reductions (mean postreduction diameter, 6 mm; range, 0-8 mm), all resulting in increases in the portosystemic pressure gradient (mean increase, 6 mm Hg; range, 1-19 mm Hg).