Cerebellar-driven cortical dynamics can enable task acquisition, switching and consolidation.

The brain must maintain a stable world model while rapidly adapting to the environment, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. Here, we posit that cortico-cerebellar loops play a key role in this process. We introduce a computational model of cerebellar networks that learn to drive cortical networks with task-outcome predictions.

Strontium isoscape of sub-Saharan Africa allows tracing origins of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Strontium isotope (Sr/Sr) analysis with reference to strontium isotope landscapes (Sr isoscapes) allows reconstructing mobility and migration in archaeology, ecology, and forensics. However, despite the vast potential of research involving Sr/Sr analysis particularly in Africa, Sr isoscapes remain unavailable for the largest parts of the continent. Here, we measure the Sr/Sr ratios in 778 environmental samples from 24 African countries and combine this data with published data to model a bioavailable Sr isoscape for sub-Saharan Africa using random forest regression.

Validity and Reliability of the Videoconference-Based Berg Balance Scale in Stroke Survivors: The Tele-Berg Balance Scale.

Background And Purpose: Telerehabilitation represents an alternative for individuals who have difficulty accessing services to receive care. Therefore, telerehabilitation measures must be studied for their reliability and validity. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the videoconference-based Berg Balance Scale assessment in stroke survivors.

Do Factors Influencing Acceptance of Kidney Stone Formers as Donors Predict Subsequent Stone Events?

Purpose: This study aimed to assess whether kidney stone burden and risk factors at the time of kidney donor evaluation were associated with a symptomatic stone event post-donor evaluation.

Methods: We identified adults evaluated at Mayo Clinic (two sites) (2000-2011) for living kidney donation and had either a personal history or radiological evidence of kidney stone disease. We analyzed demographics, stone risk factors, stone number/size, and the committee's donation decision and reasons.

Application of the transgender male voice questionnaire in a Brazilian population sample.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to adapt and apply the Portuguese version of the Transgender Man Voice Questionnaire in a sample of Brazilian transgender men and to investigate the relationship between voice satisfaction and hormone therapy duration. In addition, we suggest reducing and reformulating the questionnaire for screening.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 31 transgender men aged 18-50 years undergoing hormone therapy who answered a questionnaire adapted from the Transgender Woman Voice Questionnaire, validated in Portuguese.

Optimizing drought tolerance in cassava through genomic selection.

The complexity of selecting for drought tolerance in cassava, influenced by multiple factors, demands innovative approaches to plant selection. This study aimed to identify cassava clones with tolerance to water stress by employing truncated selection and selection based on genomic values for population improvement and genotype evaluation . The Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUPs), Genomic Estimated Breeding Values (GEBVs), and Genomic Estimated Genotypic Values (GETGVs) were obtained based on different prediction models via genomic selection.

Post-traumatic Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Pediatric Patient: A Rare Case and Diagnostic Challenge.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a rare condition in children that causes acute, severe, but often reversible systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. Physical trauma is a recognized trigger, although distinguishing TTC from myocardial contusion in pediatric trauma cases can be challenging due to overlapping clinical features. We present the case of a six-year-old boy involved in a high-impact motor vehicle collision.

Perceived training needs by tutors of family and community medicine and nursing of specialized health training: a qualitative descriptive study.

Introduction: Specialized Health Training is a postgraduate training pathway in which physicians and nurses can choose to continue their learning and obtain the qualification of specialist professional in a specific field. The training is eminently practical with different clinical tracks in which nurses and physicians are tutored by clinician tutors. Our research aims to describe the experiences and perceptions of clinician tutors related to their own teaching performance and training needs.

Mineral composition in mussel and clam from Faro Lake of Messina: risk assessment for human health.

Bivalve are exposed to a wide range of contaminants, some of which may be toxic to human health. The aim of this study was to detect essential and non-essential elements such as Na, Ca, Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Be and Co in water, sediments, and and from Faro Lake. It is a lake of marine origin located on the northern coast of Messina (Sicily), where shellfish farming has been practiced for many years.

Live Visualization of Calcified Bones in Zebrafish and Medaka Larvae and Juveniles Using Calcein and Alizarin Red S.

Zebrafish and medaka are valuable model vertebrates for genetic studies. The advent of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has greatly enhanced our capability to produce specific gene mutants in zebrafish and medaka. Analyzing the phenotypes of these mutants is essential for elucidating gene function, though such analyses often yield unexpected results.

New insights into the putative role of leucine-rich repeat proteins of and their participation in host cell invasion: an analysis.

Pathogenic are spirochetes that cause leptospirosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease. Leptospirosis affects humans and animals, with approximately 1 million human infections and 60,000 deaths per year. The diversity of leptospiral strains and serovars allied to the fact that pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, make the development of an effective vaccine against leptospirosis a challenge.

Effect of Graphene-Based Coating 3D Printing Process on the Remanence and Corrosion of Sintered NdFeB Magnets.

This study describes a 3D fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing process using a graphene-impregnated polylactic acid (G-PLA) filament to create a new type of rigid, plastic, nonconductive, and anticorrosion layer. Therefore, the possibility of 3D printing a plastic layer using FDM methods is demonstrated herein. A commercial magnet such as N35 NdFeB can be used to produce an efficient shielding film by additive manufacturing.

The prevalence of small airways disease and association with handgrip strength in young Hispanic farmworkers.

Background: Small airways disease (SAD) is a key risk in developing obstructive lung diseases (OLD). Handgrip strength (HGS) is found to be associated with pulmonary function in populations with lung conditions. Hispanics remain the main workforce in farming industry, but their prevalence of lung conditions remain understudied.

Benefits of physical exercise through multivariate analysis in sedentary adults and elderly: An analysis of physical fitness, health and anthropometrics.

This study employed multivariate analysis to investigate the effects of a 14-week multicomponent training program on sedentary adults and older populations, focusing on improvements in physical fitness, health markers, and anthropometric measures. The data included 376 participants aged 30 to 84 years who had been inactive for at least 3 months. Results showed that participants aged 71 and above had lower systolic blood pressure, height, body mass, elbow flexion and extension, sitting and standing up from a chair, agility, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and handgrip strength values compared to younger age groups (p < 0.

Biomechanical analysis of scoliosis correction under the influence of muscular and external forces.

(1) Background: External force orthopedics and the strengthening of paraspinal muscles through exercise are common orthopedic methods for adolescent scoliosis, yet the synergetic mechanism of the two in orthopedic correction remains unclear. (2) Methods: A three-dimensional finite element model of the scoliotic spine was established to accurately simulate the mechanical properties of tissues such as the spine, intervertebral discs, and ribs. By applying external forces in different directions to the scoliosis model, the orthopedic effects of these forces on scoliosis were analyzed.

Dodecyl creatine ester, a promising treatment to deliver creatine to neurons, achieves pharmacology efficacy in creatine transporter deficiency.

Dodecyl creatine ester (DCE) is a creatine prodrug currently developed for brain diseases, including creatine transporter deficiency (CTD), an incurable rare genetic disease. A dual strategy combining a prodrug to bypass the non-functional creatine transporter and its delivery via the nose-to-brain pathway has been proposed to replenish creatine levels in cerebral cells, particularly in neurons of CTD patients. In vitro and in vivo studies in various animal models, including wild-type non-human primates and creatine transporter deficient mice, show that formulated DCE, when administered intranasally, achieves significant cerebral distribution up to the target cells, the neurons, and modulates the expression of neuronal markers related to cognitive function at doses intended for patients.

Antarctic Expeditions: A Systematic Review of the Physiological, Nutritional, Body Composition and Psychological Responses to Treks Across the Continental Ice.

Background: Antarctic expeditions, although supported by scientific knowledge, face various challenges, with little research conducted to explore the physical demands that explorers experience.

Objective: To summarise physiological, psychological, body composition and nutritional changes faced during trek expeditions in the Antarctic's continental portion.

Design: Systematic review.

Do Risk Factors for HCC Impact the Association of CT/MRI LIRADS Major Features With HCC? An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Guidelines suggest the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) may not be applicable for some populations at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, data assessing the association of HCC risk factors with LI-RADS major features are lacking. To evaluate whether the association between HCC risk factors and each CT/MRI LI-RADS major feature differs among individuals at-risk for HCC.

Surgical management of costal margin rupture associated with intercostal hernia: Evolution of techniques.

Introduction: Costal margin rupture (CMR) injuries in association with intercostal hernia (IH) are rare and symptomatic and provide a significant surgical challenge. Surgical failure rates up to 60% are reported, and optimal techniques are unclear. We have characterized these injuries and describe the evolution of our surgical management techniques.

XbaI polymorphism in the APOB gene and its association with increased cholesterol in children and adolescents: Ouro Preto study.

Atherosclerotic vascular changes can begin during childhood, providing risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood. Identifiable risk factors such as dyslipidemia accelerate this process for some children. The apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene could help explain the inter-individual variability in lipid levels among young individuals and identify groups that require greater attention to prevent CVD.

How to determine hands' vibration perception thresholds - a systematic review.

The vibration perception threshold (VPT) is the minimum amplitude required for conscious vibration perception. VPT assessments are essential in medical diagnostics, safety, and human-machine interaction technologies. However, factors like age, health conditions, and external variables affect VPTs.

Ehrlichia sp. in dairy cattle from Bahia, Brazil: high seropositivity rates and molecular confirmation of Ehrlichia minasensis.

Background: Ehrlichia spp. are obligate intracytoplasmic Gram-negative tickborne bacteria from the Anaplasmataceae family. Ehrlichiosis is considered an emerging disease in humans and animals.

Quality of care at childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium: a cross-sectional study based on WHO standards.

Objectives: To examine quality of maternal and newborn care (QMNC) around childbirth in facilities in Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic and trends over time.

Design: A cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: Data of the Improving MAternal Newborn carE in the EURO region study in Belgium.

Regular Consumption of Black Tea Kombucha Modulates the Gut Microbiota in Individuals with and Without Obesity.

Background: Kombucha, a fermented beverage obtained from a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY), has shown potential in modulating gut microbiota, although no clinical trials have been done.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of regular black tea kombucha consumption on intestinal health in individuals with and without obesity.

Methods: A pre-post clinical intervention study was conducted lasting eight weeks.

Anti-aflatoxin potential of phenolic compounds from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are widely consumed legumes in Latin America and Africa, valued for their nutritional compounds and antioxidants. Their high polyphenol content contributes to the antioxidant properties, with bioactive compounds showing antifungal and antimycotoxin effects.