Upper cervical spinal cord atrophy in MS: Sex, menopause, and neurodegeneration.

Background: Spinal cord (SC) atrophy is a key imaging biomarker of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Progressive MS is more common in men and postmenopausal women.

Objective: Investigate the impact of sex and menopause on SC measurements in persons with MS (pwMS).

Population Genomics Reveals Local Adaptation Related to Temperature Variation in Two Stream Frog Species: Implications for Vulnerability to Climate Warming.

Identifying populations at highest risk from climate change is a critical component of conservation efforts. However, vulnerability assessments are usually applied at the species level, even though intraspecific variation in exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity play a crucial role in determining vulnerability. Genomic data can inform intraspecific vulnerability by identifying signatures of local adaptation that reflect population-level variation in sensitivity and adaptive capacity.

The safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation and exercise therapy for the treatment of cervicogenic headaches: A randomized pilot trial.

Objective: Our primary objective was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with exercise therapy for the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Our exploratory objectives compared symptoms of headache, mood, pain, and quality of life between active and sham transcranial direct stimulation combined with exercise therapy.

Background: Cervicogenic headache arises from injury to the cervical spine or degenerative diseases impacting cervical spine structure resulting in pain, reduced quality of life, and impaired function.

Management Measures and Trends of Biological Invasions in Europe: A Survey-Based Assessment of Local Managers.

Biological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and nature's contributions to people worldwide. However, the effectiveness of invasive alien species (IAS) management measures and the progress toward achieving biodiversity targets remain uncertain due to limited and nonuniform data availability. Management success is usually assessed at a local level and documented in technical reports, often written in languages other than English, which makes such data notoriously difficult to collect at large geographic scales.

Reciprocal and non-reciprocal effects of clinically relevant SETBP1 protein dosage changes.

Many genes in the human genome encode proteins that are dosage sensitive, meaning they require protein levels within a narrow range to properly execute function. To investigate if clinically relevant variation in protein levels impacts the same downstream pathways in human disease, we generated cell models of two SETBP1 syndromes: Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome (SGS) and SETBP1 haploinsufficiency disease (SHD), where SGS is caused by too much protein, and SHD is caused by not enough SETBP1. Using patient and sex-matched healthy first-degree relatives from both SGS and SHD SETBP1 cases, we assessed how SETBP1 protein dosage affects downstream pathways in human forebrain progenitor cells.

Pollution, stress response, and obesity: A systematic review.

Limited literature addresses the association between pollution, stress, and obesity, and knowledge synthesis on the associations between these three topics has yet to be made. Two reviewers independently conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection databases to identify studies dealing with the effects of semi-volatile organic compounds, pesticides, conservatives, and heavy metals on the psychosocial stress response and adiposity in humans, animals, and cells. The quality of papers and risk assessment were evaluated with ToxRTool, BEES-C instrument score, SYRCLE's risk of bias tool, and CAMARADES checklist.

Functional variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Background: Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF; a recessive disorder) have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Evidence suggests individuals with a single CFTR variant may also have increased CRC risk.

Methods: Using population-based studies (GECCO, CORECT, CCFR, and ARIC; 53 785 CRC cases and 58 010 controls), we tested for an association between the most common CFTR variant (Phe508del) and CRC risk.

Psychometric Examination of the Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder Self-Report (PSCD) Among an Adult Community Sample From Brazil.

The Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) is a promising novel scale that measures psychopathic traits and includes an additional conduct disorder factor that taps the antisocial dimension of psychopathy. The current study sought to broaden the application of PSCD by examining the factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and connections to delinquency in a young adult sample ( = 450;  = 31.91 years,  = 13.

Prevalence of and risk factors for osteoporosis and fragility fracture in adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Aim: To systematically review the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis, osteopenia, low bone mass, and fragility fracture in adults with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture.

Method: A systematic literature search was performed in the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Cochrane Reviews, EMBASE, and EBM database reviews from inception until May 2024. Search terms covered a combination of keywords for CP, fracture, osteoporosis, incidence and prevalence, and risk factors.

Unlocking Mechanisms for Soil Organic Matter Accumulation: Carbon Use Efficiency and Microbial Necromass as the Keys.

Soil microorganisms transform plant-derived C (carbon) into particulate organic C (POC) and mineral-associated C (MAOC) pools. While microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is widely recognized in current biogeochemical models as a key predictor of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, large-scale empirical evidence is limited. In this study, we proposed and experimentally tested two predictors of POC and MAOC pool formation: microbial necromass (using amino sugars as a proxy) and CUE (by O-HO approach).

Nursing knowledge in cardio-oncology: results of an international learning needs-assessment survey.

Background: With early detection and improvements in systemic and local therapies, millions of people are surviving cancer, but for some at a high cost. In some cancer types, cardiovascular disease now competes with recurrent cancer as the cause of death. Traditional care models, in which the cardiologist or oncologist assess patients individually, do not address complex cancer and cardiovascular needs.

Winter survival of a small predator is determined by the amount of food in hoards.

The hoarding behaviour of animals has evolved to reduce starvation risk when food resources are scarce, but effects of food limitation on survival of hoarding animals is poorly understood. Eurasian pygmy owls (Glaucidium passerinum) hoard small mammals and birds in natural cavities and nest boxes in late autumn for later use in the following winter. We studied the relative influence of the food biomass in hoards of pygmy owls on their over-winter and over-summer apparent survival.

Implementation effectiveness of 'Problem solving for better health' training in Lesotho using mixed methods and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Background: Healthcare resources have been concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural regions vulnerable to poorer health outcomes. The Problem Solving for Better Health (PSBH) program was implemented to enhance healthcare systems in resource-limited regions by training personnel to maximize existing resources in problem-solving. This study evaluated the implementation effectiveness of PSBH-Nursing (PSBHN), a nationally led initiative to train nurses in PSBH in Lesotho.

Exploring barriers to accessing health care services by young women in rural settings: a qualitative study in Australia, Canada, and Sweden.

Background: The aim of this study is to explore young rural women's perceived barriers in accessing healthcare services with a focus on the interrelation between three marginalization criteria: age (youth), gender (female), and place of residence (rural areas) in Australia, Canada, and Sweden.

Methods: Using a qualitative interpretive approach, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 young women aged 18 to 24 in selected rural communities. Data collection took place from May 2019 to January 2021, and the qualitative data were analyzed using NVivo software.

Factors affecting utilization of male sexual and reproductive health services: a qualitative description of males in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.

Introduction: The utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by males globally is significantly low despite their considerable sexual and reproductive health needs. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence the utilization of male sexual and reproductive health SRH services.

Methods: We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design, with qualitative description to explore the perceptions of males (15-49years) on the utilization of male SRH services in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Quantitative DIA-based proteomics unveils ribosomal biogenesis pathways associated with increased final size in three-year-old Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).

Background: Temperature is a key determinant of ectotherms distribution and growth. During the Eriocheir sinensis breeding process, it was observed that crabs in high latitudes and altitude areas with low temperatures undergo diapause, they would overwinter and continue to grow into three-year-old individuals, whose final body size is significantly larger than the normal two-year-old crabs. The hepatopancreas is responsible for maintaining the nutritional balance and energy required for the crab survival.

Metabolic syndrome and its effect on immune cells in apical periodontitis- a narrative review.

Objectives: Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory immune response in periapical tissues caused by microbial infections. Failure of root canal treatment or delayed healing is often due to intracanal or extra-radicular bacteria. However, beyond microbial factors, the patient's systemic health can significantly influence the progression and healing of AP.

The association of frailty and bedside body composition tools with total body potassium and body cell mass: a pilot study in adults with cirrhosis.

The accurate assessment of body composition in cirrhosis is challenging as fluid accumulation affects most techniques. The whole-body counter is a state-of-the-art method that measures total body potassium (TBK) unbiased by fluid, from which body cell mass (BCM) is derived. This pilot study in 20 patients with cirrhosis evaluated bedside tools including the liver frailty index (LFI), bioimpedance analysis-based phase angle, calf circumference (CC), and BMI (body mass index)/edema-adjusted CC, and explored their association with TBK and BCM.

Serology and histology in Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis: a retrospective accuracy study.

Introduction: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) presents complex diagnostic challenges due to its multi-organ involvement, often leading to misdiagnosis, which can result in unnecessary treatments, elevated healthcare costs, and significant impacts on patient quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is therefore critical, utilising ACR/EULAR criteria that include both labial minor salivary gland (LMSG) biopsy and anti-SSA antibodies.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed medical records of 87 adults suspected of primary SS, who underwent both anti-SSA serology and LMSG biopsy.

Safety and Efficacy of Deutetrabenazine at High versus Lower Daily Dosages in the ARC-HD Study to Treat Chorea in Huntington Disease.

Background: Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes psychiatric and neurological symptoms, including involuntary and irregular muscle movements (chorea). Chorea can disrupt activities of daily living, pose safety issues, and may lead to social withdrawal. The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitors tetrabenazine, deutetrabenazine, and valbenazine are approved treatments that can reduce chorea.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Division of Household Labor Among Women Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers.

Background: COVID-19 increased the burden of childcare on parents, leaving women vulnerable to increased disparities in the division of domestic labor. Women healthcare workers may be at heightened risk of worsening gender parity in the workplace as a result.

Objective: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender parity in the division of household responsibilities among women healthcare workers.

Genomic reanalysis of a pan-European rare-disease resource yields new diagnoses.

Genetic diagnosis of rare diseases requires accurate identification and interpretation of genomic variants. Clinical and molecular scientists from 37 expert centers across Europe created the Solve-Rare Diseases Consortium (Solve-RD) resource, encompassing clinical, pedigree and genomic rare-disease data (94.5% exomes, 5.