Shaping the structural dynamics of motor learning through cueing during sleep.

Enhancing the retention of recent memory traces through sleep reactivation is possible via Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR), involving cueing learned material during post-training sleep. Evidence indicates detectable short-term microstructural changes in the brain within an hour after motor sequence learning, and post-training sleep is believed to contribute to the consolidation of these motor memories, potentially leading to enduring microstructural changes. In this study, we explored how TMR during post-training sleep affects performance gains and delayed microstructural remodeling, using both standard Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and advanced Neurite Orientation Dispersion & Density Imaging (NODDI).

The relationship between dietary branched-chain and aromatic amino acids with the regulation of leptin and FTO genes in adipose tissue of patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Recent studies have suggested that the interaction between diet and an individual's genetic predisposition can determine the likelihood of obesity and various metabolic disorders. The current study aimed to examine the association of dietary branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids(AAAs) with the expression of the leptin and FTO genes in the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues of individuals undergoing surgery. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 136 Iranian adults, both men and women, aged ≥18 years.

Projections of Public Spending on Pharmaceuticals: A Review of Methods.

Background: Forecasting future public pharmaceutical expenditure is a challenge for healthcare payers, particularly owing to the unpredictability of new market introductions and their economic impact. No best-practice forecasting methods have been established so far. The literature distinguishes between the top-down approach, based on historical trends, and the bottom-up approach, using a combination of historical and horizon scanning data.

Giant encephalocele in newborns: prenatal diagnosis, management and outcome.

Background: A giant encephalocele associated with Chiari malformation is a rare congenital anomaly from a cephalad neural tube defect. Early prenatal diagnosis and parental counseling are essential; as early surgical intervention can improve outcomes.

Methods: Between 2010 and 2023, twenty-seven newborns out of 43,815 delivered at our institution were diagnosed with encephaloceles, including seven cases of giant encephalocele associated with Chiari malformation type III.

Early childhood stress and amygdala structure in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more susceptible to early life stress compared to their neurotypical peers. This increased susceptibility may be linked to regionally-specific changes in the striatum and amygdala, brain regions sensitive to stress and critical for shaping maladaptive behavioural responses. This study examined early life stress and its impact on striatal and amygdala development in 62 children and adolescents (35 males, mean age = 10.

The cold tolerance of the terrestrial slug, Ambigolimax valentianus.

Terrestrial molluscs living in temperate and polar environments must contend with cold winter temperatures. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the survival of terrestrial molluscs in cold environments and the strategies employed by them are poorly understood. Here we investigated the cold tolerance of Ambigolimax valentianus, an invasive, terrestrial slug that has established populations in Japan, Canada, and Europe.

Prevalence of Chronic Hand Eczema in adults: A cross-sectional survey of over 60,000 respondents in the general population in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Background: The lack of attention to Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE) and the lack of a specific International Classification of Diseases code for CHE may have limited the assessment of CHE prevalence. To date, prevalence estimates have primarily been derived from (partly small) single-country studies.

Objectives: To estimate the annual prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed CHE across socio-demographic characteristics among adults in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK).

Skin Glue to Reduce Intravenous Catheter Failure in Children.

Study Objective: The peripheral intravenous catheter (IV) is the most common and painful invasive medical device in acute care settings. Our objective was to determine whether adding skin glue to secure IVs reduced catheter failure rate in children.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a tertiary-care pediatric emergency department (ED).

State of the Art in Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become an important therapeutic target for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Over the past 2 decades, several advancements in LAAO devices (percutaneous and surgical) have been made for stroke prevention and arrhythmia therapy. However, there are several unanswered questions regarding optimal patient selection, the preferred LAAO approach and device, the management of periprocedural and postprocedural complications, including pericardial effusion, device-related thrombus, and device leaks.

LINE1 elements at distal junctions of rDNA repeats regulate nucleolar organization in human embryonic stem cells.

The nucleolus is a major subnuclear compartment where ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is transcribed and ribosomes are assembled. In addition, recent studies have shown that the nucleolus is a dynamic organizer of chromatin architecture that modulates developmental gene expression. rDNA gene units are assembled into arrays located in the p-arms of five human acrocentric chromosomes.

Effects of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy and real-time fluorescent imaging on deep sternal wound infection: a retrospective study.

Objective: Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a rare but devastating complication that is estimated to occur in 1-2% of patients after median sternotomy. Current standard of care (SoC) comprises antibiotics, debridement and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) appears to be an effective adjuvant therapy for osteomyelitis.

CAR/CSACI Practice Guidance for Contrast Media Hypersensitivity.

Contrast media, including iodinated contrast media and gadolinium-based contrast agents, are commonly administered pharmaceuticals with excellent safety profiles. However, a minority of the population may experience a hypersensitivity reaction following intravenous administration. Hypersensitivity reactions can be immediate or delayed, and range from mild, such as urticaria, to severe, including anaphylaxis.

Characterizing the medical and social complexity experienced by Inuit children and their families from Nunavut who access care at an urban Canadian tertiary level paediatric hospital.

We aimed to characterise the medical and social complexities experienced by Inuit children and their families from Nunavut who were cared for at a general paediatrics clinic at an urban tertiary-level hospital located in Eastern Ontario. A retrospective chart review of this cohort was completed between 2016 and 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted data from charts.

Optimising fatigue, abdominal pain and faecal incontinence in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-BOOST Optimise): feasibility study of a checklist and algorithm for initial nurse-led management.

Objective: Many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience fatigue, pain and faecal incontinence that some feel are inadequately addressed. It is unknown how many have potentially reversible medical issues underlying these symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a study testing the feasibility of a patient-reported symptom checklist and nurse-administered management algorithm ('Optimise') to manage common medical causes of IBD-related fatigue, pain and faecal incontinence.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of single inhaler triple therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: new user cohort study.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of budesonide-glycopyrrolate-formoterol, a twice daily metered dose inhaler, and fluticasone-umeclidinium-vilanterol, a once daily dry powder inhaler, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated in routine clinical practice.

Design: New user cohort study.

Setting: Longitudinal commercial US claims data.

Systematic review of outcome measures used in support programs designed to enhance the functioning for autistic children and adolescents and ICF content mapping.

Purpose: 1) To identify outcome measures used in support programs designed to enhance functioning in autistic children and adolescents, and 2) To map the content of these measures to the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were performed in Medline/PubMed, EMBASE and Virtual Health Library databases, with no restrictions imposed regarding language or year of publication.

The Role of Reflective Activities for Occupational Therapy Education: Key Elements from a Student Perspective.

This exploratory study explored second-year students' experience with reflective activities in a Canadian Master's in Occupation Therapy program. A survey and follow-up interviews were conducted to examine multiple perspectives and the influences of reflective activities on students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-Square, and thematic analysis.

Low life satisfaction predicts mortality in a cohort study of very old men-the Manitoba follow up study.

Objectives: (1) To determine the life satisfaction (LS) of members of a cohort study of aging men; (2) to determine if LS predicts death at various ages amongst members of a cohort study.

Methods: We analyzed a prospective cohort study of men who qualified for air crew training in the Second World War. In 2005, 860 participants with a mean age of 85, were alive and responded to the annual questionnaire - which is sent to participants living in the community.

Medication compliance by cat owners prescribed treatment for home administration.

Background: Most veterinary literature examining medication compliance has described the phenomenon in dogs. The evidence available regarding factors affecting cat owner medication compliance is limited.

Objectives: Identify and describe factors associated with cat owners' noncompliance with veterinary recommendations for pet medications, as well as client-reported barriers and aids to administering medications prescribed by primary care veterinarians.