Volumetric alterations in auditory and visual subcortical nuclei following perinatal deafness in felines.

In response to sensory deprivation, the brain adapts to efficiently navigate a modified perceptual environment through a process referred to as compensatory crossmodal plasticity, allowing the remaining senses to repurpose deprived regions and networks. A mechanism that has been proposed to contribute to this plasticity involves adaptations within subcortical nuclei that trigger cascading effects throughout the brain. The current study uses 7T MRI to investigate the effect of perinatal deafness on the volumes of subcortical structures in felines, focusing on key sensory nuclei within the brainstem and thalamus.

Bladder rupture in late-pregnancy mares: four cases.

This case series reports four late pregnancy broodmares that were diagnosed with bladder rupture. The initial presentations were abdominal discomfort (n=3) and dystocia (n=1). All mares (n=4) were overdue or at their expected time of delivery.

An umbrella review and meta-analysis of 87 meta-analyses examining healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced several changes in their work (e.g., longer hours, new policies) that affected their mental health.

Virtual reality for reduction of intraprocedural pharmacological sedation and analgesia in adult patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pharmacological sedation and analgesia are used to alleviate discomfort during awake medical procedures but can cause adverse effects like apnea and hypoxemia, increasing the need for airway management and prolonging recovery. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce the need for procedural sedatives and analgesics.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, assessing the impact of VR immersion on intraprocedural sedation and analgesia usage in adults (≥ 18 years).

Dosimetric comparison of CyberKnife and conventional linac prostate SBRT plans: analysis of the PACE-B Study.

Purpose: In the PACE-B study, a non-randomised comparison of toxicity outcomes between stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) platforms revealed fewer urinary side-effects with CyberKnife (CK) compared to conventional linac (CL) SBRT. This analysis compares baseline characteristics and planning dosimetry between the CK-SBRT and CL-SBRT cohorts in PACE-B, aiming to provide insight into possible reasons for differing toxicity outcomes between the platforms.

Methods: Dosimetric parameters for the surrogate urethra (SU), contoured urethra, bladder, bladder trigone (BT), and rectum were extracted from available CT planning scans of PACE-B SBRT patients.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by FUS mutations: advances with broad implications.

Autosomal dominant mutations in the gene encoding the DNA and RNA binding protein FUS are a cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and about 0·3-0·9% of patients with ALS are FUS mutation carriers. FUS-mutation-associated ALS (FUS-ALS) is characterised by early onset and rapid progression, compared with other forms of ALS. However, different pathogenic mutations in FUS can result in markedly different age at symptom onset and rate of disease progression.

Apixaban versus aspirin for stroke prevention in people with subclinical atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack: subgroup analysis of the ARTESiA randomised controlled trial.

Background: People with subclinical atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke, albeit to a lesser extent than those with clinical atrial fibrillation, leading to an ongoing debate regarding the benefit of anticoagulation in these individuals. In the ARTESiA trial, the direct-acting oral anticoagulant apixaban reduced stroke or systemic embolism compared with aspirin in people with subclinical atrial fibrillation, but the risk of major bleeding was increased with apixaban. In a prespecified subgroup analysis of ARTESiA, we tested the hypothesis that people with subclinical atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack, who are known to have an increased risk of recurrent stroke, would show a greater benefit from oral anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention compared with those without a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

Intranasal oxytocin for apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia (FOXY): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, crossover, phase 2a/2b superiority trial.

Background: No treatments exist for apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia. Previously, in a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study, intranasal oxytocin administration in people with frontotemporal dementia improved apathy ratings on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory over 1 week and, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, a single dose of 72 IU oxytocin increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal in limbic brain regions. We aimed to determine whether longer treatment with oxytocin improves apathy in people with frontotemporal dementia.

Safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (Vivacity-MG3): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Given burdensome side-effects and long latency for efficacy with conventional agents, there is a continued need for generalised myasthenia gravis treatments that are safe and provide consistently sustained, long-term disease control. Nipocalimab, a neonatal Fc receptor blocker, was associated with dose-dependent reductions in total IgG and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and clinically meaningful improvements in the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis in a phase 2 study. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of nipocalimab in a phase 3 study.

A forward genetic screen identifies potassium channel essentiality in SHH medulloblastoma maintenance.

Distinguishing tumor maintenance genes from initiation, progression, and passenger genes is critical for developing effective therapies. We employed a functional genomic approach using the Lazy Piggy transposon to identify tumor maintenance genes in vivo and applied this to sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma (MB). Combining Lazy Piggy screening in mice and transcriptomic profiling of human MB, we identified the voltage-gated potassium channel KCNB2 as a candidate maintenance driver.

Ligand interaction landscape of transcription factors and essential enzymes in E. coli.

Knowledge of protein-metabolite interactions can enhance mechanistic understanding and chemical probing of biochemical processes, but the discovery of endogenous ligands remains challenging. Here, we combined rapid affinity purification with precision mass spectrometry and high-resolution molecular docking to precisely map the physical associations of 296 chemically diverse small-molecule metabolite ligands with 69 distinct essential enzymes and 45 transcription factors in the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. We then conducted systematic metabolic pathway integration, pan-microbial evolutionary projections, and independent in-depth biophysical characterization experiments to define the functional significance of ligand interfaces.

The kinetics of aqueous thiolated arsenic oxidation.

Thiolated arsenic (As) compounds have been identified in various natural and engineered environments worldwide and are important for the biogeochemical cycling of As, yet quantitative data regarding their stability and transformation rates remains scarce. This study investigates the oxidation kinetics of mono-, di-, and tri-thioarsenate at varying pH, Fe, and (thio-)As concentrations in the aqueous phase. Experiments conducted over four weeks revealed that all thioarsenates were oxidized faster at lower pH, with rates of up to several μmoles/L/d at a pH of 3.

Characterization of senescence-associated transcripts in the human placenta.

Introduction: Fusion of mononucleated cytotrophoblasts into syncytium leads to trophoblast senescence. Yet, premature senescence is associated with preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and related obstetrical syndromes. A set of 28 transcripts that comprise senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) was recently described in placentas from women with preeclampsia.

Motor variability regulation analysis in trampolinists.

In trampolining, optimizing body orientation during landing reduces injury risk and enhances performance. As trampolinists are subject to motor variability, anticipatory inflight corrections are necessary to regulate their body orientation before landing. We investigated the evolution of a) body orientation and b) limb position (i.

Ingestion of polyethylene microplastics impacts cichlid behaviour despite having low retention time.

Microplastics, particles between 0.001 and 5 mm in diameter, are ubiquitous in the environment and their consumption by aquatic organisms is known to lead to a variety of adverse effects. However, studies on the effects of microplastics on prey fish have not shown consistent trends, with results varying across species and plastic type used.

Intergenerational transmission of childhood interpersonal trauma in adults entering therapy for intimate partner violence: The role of identity diffusion.

Background: Childhood Interpersonal Trauma (CIT) is a major public health issue that increases the risk of perpetrating and sustaining intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood, perpetuating intergenerational cycles of violence. Yet, the explanatory mechanisms behind the intergenerational transmission of trauma warrant further exploration.

Objective: This study explored identity diffusion as an explanatory mechanism linking cumulative and individual CIT (sexual, physical and psychological abuse, physical and psychological neglect, witnessing parental physical or psychological IPV, bullying) to IPV (sexual, physical, psychological, coercive control) and to the next generation's exposure to family violence.

Analysis of pathogen distribution, drug sensitivity and inflammatory indicators related to pelvic infection after hysterectomy.

Objective: To analyse the distribution of pathogens, risk factors and inflammatory indicators related to pelvic infection after hysterectomy.

Methods: Patients who underwent hysterectomy at Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2022 and January 2023 were recruited into this study. Vaginal secretions from patients with suspected postoperative pelvic infection were collected for pathogen cultivation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility analysis.

Prediction of growth and feed efficiency in mink using machine learning algorithms.

The feed efficiency (FE) expresses as the amount of feed required per unit of BW gain. Since feed cost is the major input cost in the mink industry, evaluating of FE is a crucial step for competitiveness of the mink industry. However, the FE measures have not been widely adopted for the mink due to the high cost of periodically measuring BW and daily feed intake.

Effect of head size, head material, and radiation dose on the repeatability of CT-RSA measurements of femoral head penetration.

Background: The risk of early revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for polyethylene wear is now low, but there remains a need to perform wear measurements in patients for clinical surveillance. The gold standard of wear measurements has been radiostereometric analysis (RSA), which has limited availability. The use of computed tomography (CT) to perform THA wear measurement was described a decade ago and found to have acceptable accuracy and precision, but high radiation dose was a concern.

Risks associated with opioid prescriptions for headache in the emergency department.

Study Hypothesis: Use of opioids for treatment of headache in the emergency department (ED) is associated with an increased 1-year risk of opioid-related adverse events.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of opioid prescribing for ED patients with headache.

Methods: We performed a multicenter observational cohort study using linked administrative data.

A randomized control trial to compare Quiet Eye training efficacy to traditional technical training with undergraduate student nurses' peripheral intravenous cannulation performance: a protocol.

Introduction: Peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) is a common and complex procedure with low first-attempt success rates, causing patient suffering and increased healthcare costs. Quiet Eye (QE) training, a gaze-focused approach, has shown promise in improving procedural PIVC skills. We will examine the effectiveness of traditional technical training (TT) and QE training (QET) on student nurse PIVC performance.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients Who Have Survived an Episode of Sepsis in the United States: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Sepsis is a serious condition that may lead to death or profoundly affect the well-being of those who survive. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and summarize evidence on the impact of all-cause sepsis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical, cognitive, and psychological outcomes among sepsis survivors in the USA.

Methods: Studies assessing HRQoL, physical, cognitive, and psychological outcomes in patients who survived an episode of sepsis and published from January 1, 2010, to September 30, 2023, were systematically identified through EMBASE, MEDLINE, and MEDLINE In-Process databases, as well as through gray literature.

Extreme heat risk and the potential implications for the scheduling of football matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Climate change is making extreme heat events more frequent and intense. This negatively impacts many aspects of society, including organised sport. As the world's most watched sporting event, the FIFA World Cup commands particular attention around the threat of extreme heat.

Resilience Amidst Adversity: Experiences of Black Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background And Objectives: The paucity of research and policy on the impact of COVID-19 on the experiences of Black older adults in Canada and around the world has intensified the enduring impacts of racism on their health and well-being. To bridge this gap, our study explored the mental health of Black older adults in Montreal during the early period of the pandemic.

Research Design And Methods: Using an Afro-emancipatory mixed-method research design, we collected and analyzed data from three sources: a survey, focus group interview with service providers from Black community organizations, and individual interviews with Black older adults.

Current research and guidelines for euthanasia in laboratory fish with a focus on fathead minnows.

This paper reviews the methods and approaches used to humanely anesthetize (render unconscious) and or euthanize (kill) laboratory fish (in research settings), with a specific focus on the fathead minnow. We surveyed the literature (333 scientific studies published 2004-2021) to examine euthanasia methods used for various life stages. Our findings showed that many published scientific papers do not provide an adequate description of anesthesia or euthanasia methods, particularly for larval fathead minnows.