APPROACH: Analysis of Proton versus Photon Radiotherapy in Oligodendroglioma and Assessment of Cognitive Health - study protocol paper for a phase III multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Oligodendroglioma (ODG) is a rare type of brain tumour, typically diagnosed in younger adults and associated with prolonged survival following treatment. The current standard of care is maximal safe debulking surgery, radiotherapy (RT) and adjuvant procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy. Patients may experience long-term treatment-related toxicities, with RT linked to impairments of neurocognitive function (NCF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Do Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Used Within Radiotherapy Clinical Trials Reflect the Impact of Treatment?

This is the first article that investigates whether the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used in clinical trials effectively capture the specific side-effects of radiotherapy and proton beam therapy (PBT) and provides context for researchers selecting PROMs for clinical trials. PROMs from radiotherapy trials were identified from previous research and assessed against the United Kingdom Royal College of Radiologists' guidelines for tumour-site-specific side-effects. The analysis revealed that none of the 51 identified PROMs captured the full range of side-effects, with only 25 addressing fatigue and 6 addressing radiation-induced skin reactions.

Peripheral glia and neurons jointly regulate activity-induced synaptic remodeling at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

In the nervous system, reliable communication depends on the ability of neurons to adaptively remodel their synaptic structure and function in response to changes in neuronal activity. While neurons are the main drivers of synaptic plasticity, glial cells are increasingly recognized for their roles as active modulators. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Secretory autophagy - a new paradigm regulating synaptic plasticity.

When exposed to new experiences or changes in the environment, neurons rapidly remodel their synaptic structure and function in a process called activity-induced synaptic remodeling. This process is necessary for transforming transient experiences into stable, lasting memories. The molecular mechanisms underlying acute, activity-dependent synaptic changes are not well understood, partly because processes regulating synaptic plasticity and neurodevelopment are intricately linked.

Identification of secretory autophagy as a mechanism modulating activity-induced synaptic remodeling.

The ability of neurons to rapidly remodel their synaptic structure and strength in response to neuronal activity is highly conserved across species and crucial for complex brain functions. However, mechanisms required to elicit and coordinate the acute, activity-dependent structural changes across synapses are not well understood, as neurodevelopment and structural plasticity are tightly linked. Here, using an RNAi screen in against genes affecting nervous system functions in humans, we uncouple cellular processes important for synaptic plasticity and synapse development.

Identification of secretory autophagy as a novel mechanism modulating activity-induced synaptic remodeling.

The ability of neurons to rapidly remodel their synaptic structure and strength in response to neuronal activity is highly conserved across species and crucial for complex brain functions. However, mechanisms required to elicit and coordinate the acute, activity-dependent structural changes across synapses are not well understood. Here, using an RNAi screen in against genes affecting nervous system functions in humans, we uncouple cellular processes important for synaptic plasticity from synapse development.

Image guidance and interfractional anatomical variation in paediatric abdominal radiotherapy.

Objectives: To identify variables predicting interfractional anatomical variations measured with cone-beam CT (CBCT) throughout abdominal paediatric radiotherapy, and to assess the potential of surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) to monitor these changes.

Methods: Metrics of variation in gastrointestinal (GI) gas volume and separation of the body contour and abdominal wall were calculated from 21 planning CTs and 77 weekly CBCTs for 21 abdominal neuroblastoma patients (median 4 years, range: 2 - 19 years). Age, sex, feeding tubes, and general anaesthesia (GA) were explored as predictive variables for anatomical variation.

Minibrain kinase and calcineurin coordinate activity-dependent bulk endocytosis through synaptojanin.

Neurons use multiple modes of endocytosis, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE), during mild and intense neuronal activity, respectively, to maintain stable neurotransmission. While molecular players modulating CME are well characterized, factors regulating ADBE and mechanisms coordinating CME and ADBE activations remain poorly understood. Here we report that Minibrain/DYRK1A (Mnb), a kinase mutated in autism and up-regulated in Down's syndrome, plays a novel role in suppressing ADBE.

Understanding factors relevant to poor sleep and coping methods in people with schizophrenia.

Background: Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia.

Methods: Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan.

The facilitators and barriers to physical activity scale for people with mental illness in Taiwan: development and validation.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to develop a new measure, the Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity Scale for People with Mental Illness (FBPAS-MI) and to validate the psychometrics.

Methods: This study included two phases. In Phase I, a literature review and five focus groups were conducted to develop an item bank.

Professional perspectives on providing recovery-oriented services in Taiwan: a qualitative study.

Background: The experiences of professionals in well-established recovery-oriented programs are valuable for professionals in similar practice settings. This study explored professionals' experiences with providing recovery-oriented services in community psychiatric rehabilitation organizations.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 professionals from five recovery-oriented psychiatric rehabilitation organizations in Taiwan.

Using an Optimization Algorithm to Detect Hidden Waveforms of Signals.

Source signals often contain various hidden waveforms, which further provide precious information. Therefore, detecting and capturing these waveforms is very important. For signal decomposition (SD), discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) are two main tools.

Relationship Among Sensory Over-Responsivity, Problem Behaviors, and Anxiety in Emerging Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Introduction: Despite the highly prevailing rate of sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety among emerging adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about the nature of their experiences. While previous studies have indicated potential relationships among these conditions, their connections still need to be clarified. This study aimed to examine the relationships between sensory over-responsivity, problem behaviors, and anxiety.

Spectrum of neuroimaging findings post-proton beam therapy in a large pediatric cohort.

Purpose: Proton beam therapy (PBT) is now well established for the treatment of certain pediatric brain tumors. The intrinsic properties of PBT are known to reduce long-term negative effects of photon radiotherapy (PRT). To better understand the intracranial effects of PBT, we analyzed the longitudinal imaging changes in a cohort of children with brain tumors treated by PBT with clinical and radiotherapy dose correlations.

Recovery Programs for People With Mental Illness in Taiwan: A Feasibility Study.

Importance: Most recovery programs have been developed in Western countries. This study explores the cultural adaptation of a recovery program to a non-Western country.

Objective: To test the feasibility of a recovery group developed for people with mental illness in Taiwan.

Impact of the on the Health and Health Behaviors of Staff Supporting Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

The health status and health behaviors among support staff providing daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-SS) in community-based organizations (CBOs) have not been systematically studied. This study examined the health impact of IDD-SS workers who participated in a HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Certified Instructor Workshop followed by implementing a 12-week HealthMatters Program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that they care for as part of their employment. A total of 48 IDD-SS were enrolled into either an intervention ( = 28) or control group ( = 20).

Temporal and spatial order of photoreceptor and glia projections into optic lobe in Drosophila.

Photoreceptor (PR) axons project from the retina to the optic lobe in brain and form a precise retinotopic map in the Drosophila visual system. Yet the role of retinal basal glia in the retinotopic map formation is not previously known. We examined the formation of the retinotopic map by marking single PR pairs and following their axonal projections.

Evaluating Molecular Properties Involved in Transport of Small Molecules in Stratum Corneum: A Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship for Skin Permeability.

The skin permeability () defines the rate of a chemical penetrating across the stratum corneum. This value is widely used to quantitatively describe the transport of molecules in the outermost layer of epidermal skin and indicate the significance of skin absorption. This study defined a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) based on 106 chemical substances of measured using human skin and interpreted the molecular interactions underlying transport behavior of small molecules in the stratum corneum.

Involvement of TRPV1 and TDAG8 in Pruriception Associated with Noxious Acidosis.

Itch and pain are closely related but are distinct sensations. Intradermal injection of acid generates pain in both rodents and humans; however, few studies have addressed the intriguing question of whether acid (protons) can evoke itch like other algogens by spatial contrast activation of single nociceptors. Here, we report that (i) citric acid (0.

Influences of Aerobic Dance on Cognitive Performance in Adults with Schizophrenia.

Cognitive impairment is one of the core features of schizophrenia. This study examined the influences of an aerobic dance programme on the cognitive functions of people with schizophrenia. A quasi-experimental matched-control design was applied.

Efficacy of Baduanjin Exercise and Feasibility of Mobile Text Reminders on Follow-up Participation in People With Severe Mental Illness: An Exploratory Study.

Background: People with severe mental illness (SMI) frequently have poor physical health, which can in part be related to a low level of physical activity. The goal of this exploratory study was to examine the efficacy of a group participating in Baduanjin (a type of traditional Chinese exercise) on the health of individuals with SMI and the feasibility/acceptability of using short message service (SMS) reminder strategies to prompt continued exercise during a follow-up period.

Method: Participants (N=11) participated in a Baduanjin group session for 8 weeks and then maintained home-based Baduanjin with SMS reminders for another 8 weeks.

Personnel attitudes toward people with mental illness at a psychiatric hospital in Taiwan.

Background: The attitudes of psychiatric hospital personnel are critically related to the quality of mental health care, but few studies have investigated this issue.

Aims: This study is aimed at an exploration of the attitudes of psychiatric hospital personnel toward people with mental illness and at an examination of the associated factors.

Method: A self-report questionnaire, the Mental Illness Attitude Scale (MIAS), was used to collect data from psychiatric hospital personnel in Taiwan (n = 290).

Adverse events of local treatment in long-term head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma survivors after external beam radiotherapy or AMORE treatment.

Background: Radiotherapy is a well-known cause of adverse events (AEs). To reduce AEs, an innovative local treatment was developed in Amsterdam: Ablative surgery, MOuld brachytherapy and surgical REconstruction (AMORE).

Aims: (1) to determine the prevalence of AEs in HNRMS survivors and (2) to compare AEs between survivors treated with the international standard: external beam radiotherapy (EBRT-based: London) and survivors treated with AMORE if feasible, otherwise EBRT (AMORE-based: Amsterdam).