Fine Tuning of an Advanced Planner for Cognitive Training of Older Adults.

Developing effective cognitive training tools for older adults, specifically addressing executive functions such as planning, is a challenging task. It is of paramount importance to ensure the implementation of engaging activities that must be tailored to the specific needs and expectations of older adults. Furthermore, it is essential to provide the appropriate level of complexity for the planning task.

Wastewater Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Veneto Region, Italy: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations around the world, there has been substantial interest in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the use of WBE to anticipate COVID-19 trends by analyzing the correlation between viral RNA concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 cases in the Veneto region of Italy.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart method in detecting changes in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater and its potential as an early warning system for COVID-19 outbreaks.

Probing the properties of PTEN specific botulinum toxin type E mutants.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are established biopharmaceuticals for neuromuscular and secretory conditions based on their ability to block neurotransmitter release from neurons by proteolyzing specific soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins. Recently, a mutant catalytic domain of serotype E (LC/E) exhibiting 16 mutations was reported to cleave the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). This molecule represents an attractive new target in neurons as several reports support PTEN knockdown as a strategy to stimulate axonal regeneration after injury.

The effect of occlusion on the visual working memory pointer-system.

To access its online representations, visual working memory (VWM) relies on a pointer-system that creates correspondence between objects in the environment with their memory representations. This pointer-system allows VWM to modify its representations using a process called updating. When the pointer is invalidated, however, VWM triggers a process called resetting in which the no longer relevant representation and pointer are replaced.

Selenium Nucleophilicity and Electrophilicity in the Intra- and Intermolecular SN2 Reactions of Selenenyl Sulfide Probes.

Chalcogenide exchange reactions are an important class of bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions (SN2) involving sulfur and selenium species as nucleophile, central atom, and/or leaving group, which are fundamental throughout redox biology and metabolism. While thiol-disulfide exchange reactions have been deeply investigated, those involving selenium are less understood, especially with regards to the polarised selenenyl sulfides RSe-SR' even though the directed reactivity of selenenyl sulfides is biologically crucial for selenoenzymes such as thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Synthetic methods to create asymmetric selenenyl sulfides with high regiochemical purity only emerged over the last five years; this functional group has already demonstrated powerful applications to cell biology, through probes for molecular imaging (e.

CiThroModel Improves Prediction of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis Without Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a recognized complication of acutely ill patients, but its incidence and risk factors in those with cirrhosis are uncertain.

Methods: We retrospectively studied a consecutive cohort of cirrhosis patients non-electively admitted to our medical unit to determine the rates of symptomatic VTE during hospitalization. Firstly, we explored associations with baseline, clinical and laboratory characteristics using logistic regression.

Direct quantification of the plasmon dephasing time in ensembles of gold nanorods through two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy.

In this study, we used two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy to examine the early femtosecond dynamics of suspensions of colloidal gold nanorods with different aspect ratios. In all samples, the signal distribution in the 2D maps at this timescale shows a distinctive dispersive behavior, which can be explained by the interference between the exciting field and the field produced on the nanoparticle's surface by the collective motion of electrons when the plasmon is excited. Studying this interference effect, which is active only until the plasmon has been dephased, allows for a direct estimation of the dephasing time of the plasmon of an ensemble of colloidal particles.

Investigating the intrinsic top-down dynamics of deep generative models.

Hierarchical generative models can produce data samples based on the statistical structure of their training distribution. This capability can be linked to current theories in computational neuroscience, which propose that spontaneous brain activity at rest is the manifestation of top-down dynamics of generative models detached from action-perception cycles. A popular class of hierarchical generative models is that of Deep Belief Networks (DBNs), which are energy-based deep learning architectures that can learn multiple levels of representations in a completely unsupervised way exploiting Hebbian-like learning mechanisms.

Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a widely used self-report measure of subjective well-being, but studies of its measurement invariance across a large number of nations remain limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset-with data collected between 2020 and 2022 -to assess measurement invariance of the SWLS across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (N = 56,968). All participants completed the SWLS under largely uniform conditions.

The paradoxical GH response at OGTT does not predict Pasireotide efficacy but matters for glucose metabolism.

Purpose: A paradoxical increase in GH after oral glucose load (GH-Par) characterizes about one-third of acromegaly patients and is associated with a better response to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs). Pasireotide is typically considered as a second-/third-line treatment. Here, we investigated the predictive role of GH-Par in pasireotide response and adverse event development.

Peptide-Drug Conjugate for Therapeutic Reprogramming of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Breast Cancer.

In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), pro-tumoral macrophages promote metastasis and suppress the immune response. To target these cells, a previously identified CD206 (mannose receptor)-binding peptide, mUNO was engineered to enhance its affinity and proteolytic stability. The new rationally designed peptide, MACTIDE, includes a trypsin inhibitor loop, from the Sunflower Trypsin Inhibitor-I.

How to perform and evaluate a myocardial perfusion imaging by computed tomography.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (CTP) delivers a comprehensive evaluation of both the anatomical and functional aspects in a single examination. It stands out as the only non-invasive technique capable of quantifying coronary stenosis and assessing its functional impact, offering a consolidated diagnostic and management approach for patients with confirmed or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This very practical review ('How to.

Neoadjuvant nivolumab and chemotherapy in early estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: a randomized phase 3 trial.

Patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) primary breast cancer (BC) have low pathological complete response (pCR) rates with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A subset of ER+/HER2- BC contains dense lymphocytic infiltration. We hypothesized that addition of an anti-programmed death 1 agent may increase pCR rates in this BC subtype.

Effect of high-pressure carbon dioxide combined with modified atmosphere packaging on the quality of fresh-cut squash during storage.

The study evaluated the application of a novel high-pressure microbial inactivation method combining dense carbon dioxide with modified atmosphere packaging on organic fresh-cut squash (Cucurbita moschata). Approximately 4 g or 32 g of squash was packed in plastic pouches filled with CO to test two different gas-to-product ratios and treated with the high-pressure method at previously optimized process conditions (45 °C, 6.0 MPa and 40 min).

MAPK pathway activating alteration and immunotherapy efficacy in squamous cell lung carcinoma: results from the randomized, prospective SQUINT trial.

Background: The role of activating alterations in the MAPK pathway in predicting immunotherapy efficacy in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients is largely unknown. The aims of the randomized, phase II SQUINT trial were to assess the efficacy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NI) versus platinum-based chemotherapy plus nivolumab (N-CT) and to identify clinically available biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic LSCC.

Methods: SQUINT was an open-label, randomized, parallel, non-comparative, phase II trial of NI versus N-CT in chemo-naïve, metastatic or recurrent LSCC adult patients.

Awake video-assisted surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.

In patients with suspected interstitial lung disease, diagnostic confirmation can be achieved through an awake video-assisted surgical lung biopsy. This procedure enables the collection of a substantial amount of parenchymal tissue for diagnostic purposes while minimizing perioperative complications associated with mechanical ventilation with the patient under general anaesthesia, given the impaired lung function due to the underlying condition.

Thermal Titration Molecular Dynamics: The Revenge of the Fragments.

During the last 20 years, the fragment-based drug discovery approach gained popularity in both industrial and academic settings due to its efficient exploration of the chemical space. This bottom-up approach relies on identifying high-efficiency small ligands (fragments) that bind to a target binding site and then rationally evolve them into mature druglike compounds. To achieve such a task, researchers rely on accurate information about the ligand binding mode, usually obtained through experimental techniques, such as X-ray crystallography or computer simulations.

mTOR Ser1261 is an AMPK-dependent phosphosite in mouse and human skeletal muscle not required for mTORC2 activity.

The kinases AMPK, and mTOR as part of either mTORC1 or mTORC2, are major orchestrators of cellular growth and metabolism. Phosphorylation of mTOR Ser1261 is reportedly stimulated by both insulin and AMPK activation and a regulator of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity. Intrigued by the possibilities that Ser1261 might be a convergence point between insulin and AMPK signaling in skeletal muscle, we investigated the regulation and function of this site using a combination of human exercise, transgenic mouse, and cell culture models.

Design Principles From Natural Olfaction for Electronic Noses.

Natural olfactory systems possess remarkable sensitivity and precision beyond what is currently achievable by engineered gas sensors. Unlike their artificial counterparts, noses are capable of distinguishing scents associated with mixtures of volatile molecules in complex, typically fluctuating environments and can adapt to changes. This perspective examines the multifaceted biological principles that provide olfactory systems their discriminatory prowess, and how these ideas can be ported to the design of electronic noses for substantial improvements in performance across metrics such as sensitivity and ability to speciate chemical mixtures.

Use of the oxygen reserve index/FiO as a non-invasive index to estimate venous admixture in anesthetized dogs.

The oxygen reserve index (ORi) is a novel, non-invasive parameter that estimates arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO) during hyperoxia when the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) is elevated. This study aimed to assess the utility of the ORi/FiO ratio as an index for quantifying F-shunt, serving as an estimate of venous admixture. Anesthetic records were reviewed from 44 dogs undergoing general anesthesia and requiring arterial catheterization.

The impact of sports experience on manual dexterity performances in school-age children.

Background: Manual dexterity is the ability to manipulate objects with precision and efficiency, using hands and fingers to achieve a specific objective. This study investigated how the practice of Capoeira, a sport that stimulates coordination skills, affects manual dexterity in children regularly engaged in physical activity or in sedentary children.

Methods: Eighty-four participants were enrolled in this study, including forty-six males and thirty-eight females (age: 8.

The risk of failure of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy: from PRAETORIAN score to clinical practice.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) is an alternative to traditional ICDs. The PRAETORIAN score, based on chest radiographs, has been validated to predict the probability of successful S-ICD defibrillation testing by assessing factors like fat thickness between the coil and sternum and generator placement.

Objective: This study evaluated the correlation between the PRAETORIAN score and clinical characteristics, as well as implantation variables.

Towards a decision support system for post bariatric hypoglycaemia: development of forecasting algorithms in unrestricted daily-life conditions.

Background: Post bariatric hypoglycaemic (PBH) is a late complication of weight loss surgery, characterised by critically low blood glucose levels following meal-induced glycaemic excursions. The disabling consequences of PBH underline the need for the development of a decision support system (DSS) that can warn individuals about upcoming PBH events, thus enabling preventive actions to avoid impending episodes. In view of this, we developed various algorithms based on linear and deep learning models to forecast PBH episodes in the short-term.