Brain Network Alterations in Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by FMR1 gene mutations, leads to widespread brain alterations significantly impacting cognition and behaviour. Recent advances have provided a deeper understanding of the neural substrates of FXS. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of neuronal network alterations in FXS.

Scale-up of a low-temperature spray-drying process for a tuberculosis vaccine candidate using lab-scale equipment.

Laboratory-scale spray drying can be a useful tool in developing new dry powder formulations for the delivery of biologics such as therapeutic proteins or vaccines. Low-temperature drying is often used in these processes to prevent the exposure of biologics to harsh conditions that could potentially lead to degradation or instability of the final product. However, low-temperature drying on small-scale equipment can result in very low production rates that may not be practical for generating sufficient material for studies requiring larger sample quantities, such as key preclinical or toxicology studies.

Closed-Incision Negative Pressure Wound Dressing Improves Outcomes in Obese Aseptic Revision Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The burden of revision total joint arthroplasty (rTJA) is increasing. Revision procedures are associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications. Obese patients undergoing rTJA may have a higher risk of wound complications due to their soft-tissue envelope.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 controls triacylglycerol hydrolysis in cardiomyocytes.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) 1 is one of four isozymes that inhibit the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA via pyruvate dehydrogenase. PDK activity is elevated in fasting or starvation conditions to conserve carbohydrate reserves. PDK has also been shown to increase mitochondrial fatty acid utilization.

Structural analyses of apolipoprotein A-IV polymorphisms Q360H and T347S elucidate the inhibitory effect against thrombosis.

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) is an abundant lipid-binding protein in blood plasma. We previously reported that apoA-IV, as an endogenous inhibitor, competitively binds platelet αIIbβ3 integrin from its N-terminal residues, reducing the potential risk of thrombosis. This study aims to investigate how the apoA-IV and apoA-IV mutations affect the structure and function of apoA-IV.

Risk and Dose-Response Relationship for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Maculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Topic: To determine the pooled relative risk (RR) of Pentosan Phosphate Sodium Maculopathy (PPSM) in patients using PPS and model the dose-response relationship of this association from existing literature.

Clinical Relevance: PPSM is an acquired, progressive retinal pigmentary disease associated with oral PPS use. Though several observational studies suggest a dose-response relationship of this association, to-date, there remains no literature-pooled synthesis on risk of PPSM across strata of cumulative dose.

Transfusion of Fresh Frozen Plasma and Platelets in Critically Ill Adults An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline.

Background: Platelets and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) are frequently administered to critically ill patients. Considering the variability in indications and thresholds guiding these transfusions, a comprehensive review of current evidence was conducted to provide guidance to critical care practitioners. This CHEST guideline examined the literature on platelet transfusions in critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia, with and without active bleeding, as well as data on prophylactic platelet and FFP transfusions for common procedures in the critical care setting.

Drosophila Model of HPV18-Induced Pathogenesis Reveals a Role for E6 Oncogene in Regulation of NF-κB and Wnt to Inhibit Apoptosis.

Cancers caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) remain a significant health threat resulting in more than 300,000 deaths, annually. Persistent expression of two HPV oncogenes, E6 and E7, are necessary for cancer development and progression. E6 has several functions contributing to tumorigenesis one of which is blocking programmed cell death, apoptosis.

Next generation of porphysomes for improved photodynamic therapy applications.

Porphysomes are a class of liposome-like nanoparticles that have demonstrated efficacy in photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer. These nanoparticles results from the self-assembly of amphiphilic phospholipid-porphyrin (PL-Por) conjugates. Despite their potential, porphysomes exhibit a high photothermal effect and a weak photodynamic activity as long as they remain intact within the body.

A Square Peg in A Round Hole: Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes in Canada in 2024.

Introduction: Diabetes self-management often occurs in social contexts, around others without diabetes. International consensus identifies the pervasive presence of social stigma towards those with diabetes, negatively impacting health, well-being, social and professional lives. We aimed to determine the social experiences of Canadian adults living with type 1(T2D) or type 2 (T2D) diabetes.

What's in a Proton FLASH Beam? Characterizing Ultra-High Dose Rate Protons Using a Commercial Plastic Scintillator.

While biological studies of the FLASH effect in proton beams have mainly been performed in the plateau region at maximum beam energy and current, this type of delivery has limited clinical applications. Naturally, it is anticipated that plans to treat patients clinically with FLASH-radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) will capitalize on the Bragg peak. However, as the proton spot widens with depth, the time required to deliver the entire dose to any single point increases.

CD4 T cells take center stage during dengue infection.

Ansari et al. identified a subset of CD4 T cells (CXCR5PD-1) resembling T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in patients with severe dengue. This subset helps B cell responses via IL-21 and can also differentiate into cytotoxic CD4 T cells.

Emergency department patients' self-perceived medical severity and urgency of care: The role of health literacy, stress and coping.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) compare the agreement between triage acuity and emergency department (ED) patients' self-perceived medical severity and urgency, and (2) examine how health literacy, stress, and coping relate to patients' perceptions of medical need and urgency.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 171 patients from a large acute care teaching hospital in Southwestern Ontario were recruited in autumn 2020. English-speaking adults (18 + years) with Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) scores from 2 (emergent) to 5 (non-urgent) were included.

Potentially low-value operative care in abdominal trauma: A retrospective National Trauma Data Bank study.

Background: We currently lack national data on adherence to American College of Surgeons recommendations on nonoperative management for hemodynamically stable adults with solid-organ injuries. We aimed to estimate the incidence and interhospital variation in potentially low-value operative management for adults with blunt solid abdominal organ injuries.

Methods: We included adults with blunt solid-organ injury eligible for nonoperative management (grades I-IV spleen and liver and grade I-III kidney, hemodynamically stable on arrival, and no blood products used in the emergency department) who were admitted to trauma centers in the United States that submitted data to the National Trauma Data Bank between 2016 and 2019.

Exosome-mediated communication between T cells and dendritic cells: Implications for therapeutic strategies.

Cell communication is crucial for coordinating physiological functions in multicellular organisms, with exosomes playing a significant role. Exosomes mediate intercellular communication by transporting proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. These small, membrane-bound vesicles, derived from the endosomal pathway, are integral to various biological processes, including signal transmission and cellular behavior modulation.

A functionalized microwave biosensor for rapid, reagent-free detection of E. coli in water samples.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 (O157), one of the most common Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, can contaminate water systems causing severe illnesses often accompanied with diarrhea and sometimes life threatening.

ICU nurses' perceptions on family involvement in delirium care for postoperative cardiac surgery patients: A qualitative study.

Aims: Delirium is common among adults recovering from cardiac surgery in the intensive care unit (ICU), prompting increased family involvement in their care. This study aimed to describe ICU nurses' perceptions of factors that support or impede family involvement in preventing, assessing, and managing delirium in the postoperative period following cardiac surgery.

Methods: A convenience sample of 18 nurses with a mean age 36 years (24-49), 89 % female) was recruited from two university-affiliated ICUs in Canada.

Spatiotemporal trends of aerosol provenance and trace metal concentrations in the northeast subarctic Pacific Ocean.

The long-range transport of naturally occurring and anthropogenic aerosols originating from Asian deserts and megacities, respectively, can have a significant impact on the biogeochemical cycling of metals in the Fe-limited, high nutrient-low chlorophyll (HNLC) region of the northeast (NE) subarctic Pacific Ocean. These aerosols can deposit essential (e.g.

Anti-Cancer Potential of a new Derivative of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester targeting the Centrosome.

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) is an aggressive T-cell lymphoma affecting children and young adults. About 30% of patients develop therapy resistance therefore new precision medicine drugs are highly warranted. Multiple rounds of structure-activity optimization of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester have resulted in CM14.

IAEA activities to support the member states in the production of targeted alpha therapy radiopharmaceuticals.

Due to the growing interest of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Member States in implementing targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) in general, the demand for alpha-emitting radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals is enormous. As an international platform for peaceful applications of radionuclides, the IAEA has been implementing several activities focusing on the production and quality control of alpha emitters and radiopharmaceuticals as well as capacity building in the field, through Technical Meetings, Workshops, Publications and Conference Supports, IAEA-Coordinated Research Projects (CRP) and Technical Cooperation Program (TC). This review article summarises the IAEA activities on the production and quality control of alpha emitter radiopharmaceuticals for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) and a roadmap to future steps including but not limited to the ongoing CRP on Ac-radiopharmaceuticals.

Tiny shifts, major ripples: Unravelling micro-mechanisms in the building of mother-infant attachment and psychophysiological regulation.

Parental nurturing touch plays a crucial role in early infant development by activating C-Tactile afferents, which trigger neurobiological pathways essential for parent-infant bonding and the building of attachment. This process is said to regulate the infant's parasympathetic nervous system, fostering emotional and physiological connection with the caregiver. Research has consistently shown that CT-mediated touch enhances infant parasympathetic tone, yet no clear patterns of mutual co-regulation between parent and infant have been reported.

Emotional events induce retrograde memory impairments on conceptually-related neutral events.

Emotional events are known to be prioritized during episodic encoding, leading to more detailed recollections compared to neutral events. Encoding an emotional event can influence the mnemonic fate of preceding or subsequent neutral events. Studies examining the impact of emotion on memory for neighboring neutral events have produced inconsistent results, which could be due to differences in the conceptual association between emotional and neutral stimuli.

Developmental timing of adversity and neural network organization: An fNIRS study of the impact of refugee displacement.

This study investigated the neurodevelopmental impacts of displacement on resettled Syrian refugee children in Canada, focusing on how the timing and duration of adversity experienced during displacement influence neural network organization. Using graph theoretical approaches within a network neuroscience framework, we examined how the developmental timing of displacement (age of displacement, duration of displacement) related to functional integration, segregation, and small-worldness. Syrian refugee children (n = 61, M=14 Range = 8-18), completed a resting state scan using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging.

Symposium: Essentials of scientific writing for publications.

Manuscript writing is an essential process in research; it is the vehicle through which knowledge dissemination occurs from experimental findings. This manuscript aims to equip students, researchers, and professionals alike with the necessary skills and insights for publishing in scientific journals. Each section of a scientific paper is discussed: abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and conclusion, along with advice on the order by which these are written.