CT scan-based morphometric comparison of human and canine lumbar spine generates instrumental data for intervertebral disc percutaneous surgery.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the anatomical landmarks for intervertebral disc (IVD) percutaneous approaches (transpedicular TPA and transannular TAA) using CT scans in humans and dogs for regenerative medicine research.

Method: CT scans of 57 human (30 supine, 27 prone) and 49 canine (29 chondrodystrophic, 20 non-chondrodystrophic) lumbar spines were analyzed. Morphometric data, cutaneous landmarks, and approach angles were measured, with additional sections assessing nerve root distances from TPA routes.

Profile and development of adaptive behavior in adults with autism spectrum disorder and severe intellectual disability.

Background: This study examined the profiles of adaptive behavior development in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and severe intellectual disability (ID), and the relationships between the levels of the different domains and subdomains of adaptive development and the intensity of autistic symptomatology.

Participants: This study involved 71 adults (44 men and 27 women with average ages of 39 years 7 months and 36 years 2 months, respectively) living in medico-social institutions and having a level of adaptive development corresponding to age below 3 years 4 months and a level of cognitive development corresponding to ages between 12 and 24 months.

Methods: ASD was diagnosed using Pervasive Development Disorder-Mental Retardation Scale (PDD-MRS) and Childhood Autistic Rating Scale (CARS), ID and its severity were determined based on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5) criteria, and the very low cognitive developmental level was assessed using the Socio-emotional Cognitive Evaluation Battery (Adrien, Pearson-ECPA, 2007), adapted for adults (SCEB-A).

Emoquine-1: A Hybrid Molecule Efficient against Multidrug-Resistant Parasites, Including the Artemisinin-Resistant Quiescent Stage, and Also Active In Vivo.

To challenge the multidrug resistance of malaria parasites, new hybrid compounds were synthesized and evaluated against laboratory strains and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. Among these hybrids, emoquine-1 was the most active on proliferative , with IC values in the range of 20-55 nM and a high selectivity index with respect to mammalian cells. This drug retained its activity on several multiresistant field isolates from Cambodia and Guiana, exhibited no cross-resistance to artemisinin, and is also very active against the quiescent stage of the artemisinin-resistant parasites, three features that constitute the gold standard for new antimalarial drugs.

Genetic differentiation in the MAT-proximal region is not sufficient for suppressing recombination in Podospora anserina.

Recombination is advantageous over the long-term, as it allows efficient selection and purging deleterious mutations. Nevertheless, recombination suppression has repeatedly evolved in sex and mating-type chromosomes. The evolutionary causes for recombination suppression and the proximal mechanisms preventing crossing overs are poorly understood.

Rapid-Scan Fourier Transform Infrared Difference Spectroscopy with Two-Dimensional Correlation Analysis to Show the Build-Up of Light-Adapted States in Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Centers.

Time-resolved, rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) difference spectra have been recorded upon illumination on photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) from under fixed hydration conditions (relative humidity = 76%). Two different illumination schemes were adopted. Whereas the use of a laser flash (duration: 7 ns) made it possible to follow the kinetics of recombination of the light-induced state PQ to the neutral state PQ, the use of a 20.

Decoding Anionic Organization of Hydroxide-Fluorides in a Diaspore-Type Network.

The diaspore-type crystalline structure is historically well-known in mineralogy, but it has also been widely studied for various applications in the field of catalysis, electrocatalysis, and batteries. However, once two anions of similar ionic size but different electronegativity, such as F and O or more precisely OH, are combined, the knowledge of the location of these two anions is of paramount importance to understand the chemical properties in relation with the generation of hydrogen bonds. Coprecipitation and hydrothermal routes were used to prepare hydroxide-fluorides that crystallize all in an orthorhombic structure with four formula units per cell.

Defective HIV-1 DNA pol sequences are not associated with HIV-1 DNA levels and drive most APOBEC-context drug resistance mutations.

Introduction: The specificity of HIV-1 DNA genotypic resistance tests (GRTs) is hampered by the detection of the APOBEC-context drug resistance mutations (AC DRMs), usually harboured by replication-incompetent proviruses. We sought factors associated with defective sequences in the HIV-1 pol region. In addition, AC DRMs and their link with defective sequences were investigated.

True ileal amino acid digestibility and digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAASs) of cooked tropical peas.

Tropical peas can be used as both animal feed and human food but the nutritional quality of their proteins for humans is currently poorly documented. Here, 3 varieties of tropical peas were studied at two stages of seed maturity (green or dry): Cajanus Cajan (CC), Vigna Unguiculata (VU) and Lablab Purpureus (LP). Pea seeds were prepared traditionally (soaking and cooking).

Dietary proteins from various sources have different effects on short-term food intake and intestinal hormone secretion.

Besides their nutritional role, proteins are recognized for their ability to regulate both short- and long-term energy homeostasis. However, studies investigating the effects of proteins based on their quality and origin remain limited and often lack comparability. Nonetheless, existing research consistently underscores the influence of proteins on food intake regulation.

Modeling Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores inactivation in plant-based drinks to design UHT processing.

This study provides predictive models for G. stearothermophilus spores inactivation in four plant-based drinks, half-skimmed bovine milk and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth and while also evaluating of matrix effect on inactivation. Heat inactivation was performed using the capillary tube method within the temperature range 115-127 °C.

Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Muscle Strength, Manual Dexterity, and Postural Balance in Patients Living with Multiple sclerosis - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Our previous study revealed the benefits of chronic melatonin intake on dynamic postural imbalance and poor walking capacity induced by multiple sclerosis but its impact on muscle weakness and poor manual dexterity related to this disease has not yet been explored. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of 12-week melatonin supplementation on motor skills (i.e.

Functional differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells exhibiting electrophysiological activity.

Background And Aim: Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) constitute a promising alternative for central nervous system (CNS) cell therapy. Unlike other human stem cells, hDPSCs can be differentiated, without genetic modification, to neural cells that secrete neuroprotective factors. However, a better understanding of their real capacity to give rise to functional neurons and integrate into synaptic networks is still needed.

Sex disparities in ICU care and outcomes after cardiac arrest: a Swiss nationwide analysis.

Background: Conflicting data exist regarding sex-specific outcomes after cardiac arrest. This study investigates sex disparities in the provision of critical care and outcomes of in-hospital (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.

Methods: Analysis of adult cardiac arrest patients admitted to certified Swiss intensive care units (ICUs) (01/2008-12/2022) using the nationwide prospective ICU registry.

Covid-19 pandemic-related changes in teleworking, emotional exhaustion, and occupational burnout: a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted significant shifts to teleworking, raising questions about potential impacts on employee wellbeing. This study examined the association between self-reported changes to teleworking frequency (relative to before the pandemic) and two indicators of occupational burnout: emotional exhaustion and professionally diagnosed burnout.

Methods: Data were derived from two samples from a digital cohort study based in Geneva, Switzerland: one population-based, and one from a sample of workers who were likely mobilized in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A STRONG call for intensive oral heart failure therapy in acute heart failure patients.

Heart failure (HF), a chronic and progressive disease, is increasing in prevalence worldwide and is associated with increased hospitalizations and death. Despite notable improvements in medical therapy for HF, patients are still at risk of future negative outcomes. Current guidelines recommend four classes of medication for treating patients with HF, deemed guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

Effectiveness and safety of biosimilars in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases: an observational longitudinal study on the French National Health Data System.

Background: Data on biosimilar use in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are scarce compared to the status of studies in adults, resulting in limitations in its treatment. We compared effectiveness and safety of biosimilars versus originators in this population.

Methods: We used data from the French National Health Data System to identify children (less than 18 years old at treatment initiation) initiating treatment with a biosimilar or the originator infliximab or adalimumab for Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), from first biosimilar launch (January 2015 and October 2018, respectively) to 31 December 2022.

Focusing surface phonon-polaritons for tunable thermal radiation.

We demonstrate unprecedented control and enhancement of thermal radiation using subwavelength conical membranes of silicon nitride. Based on fluctuational electrodynamics, we find that the focusing of surface phonon-polaritons along these membranes enhances their far-field thermal conductance by three orders of magnitude over the blackbody limit. Our calculations reveal a non-monotonic dependence of the thermal conductance on membrane geometry, with a characteristic radiation plateau emerging at small front widths due to competing effects of the polariton focusing and radiative area.

Microstructure response of concentrated suspensions to flow reversal.

We study experimentally at the macroscopic and microstructure scale a dense suspension of non-Brownian neutrally buoyant spherical particles experiencing periodic reversals of flow at constant rate between parallel plates and tracked individually. We first characterize the quasi-steady state reached at the end of half periods. The volume fraction of particles increases from the walls to the center as a result of migration induced by the nonuniform strain rate.

Can robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty be applied to valgus deformity.

Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in valgus knees is challenging. Optimal ligament balance, implant neutral or moderate valgus alignment are crucial but conventional instrumentations usually lead to outliers. Robotic arm assisted TKA (RATKA) advantages could answer this challenge.

Multiplex digital PCR enables sensitive detection of resistance to BTK inhibitors.

The advent of BTK inhibitors has been transformative in the management of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. However, emergence of BTK or PLCG2 mutations lead to resistance to these compounds and are now a growing concern in clinical practice. Assessing BTK mutations is now becoming a priority to guide the therapeutic decision at further relapse.

A living library concept to capture the dynamics and reactivity of mixed-metal clusters for catalysis.

The exploration of ligated metal clusters' chemical space is challenging, partly owing to an insufficiently targeted access to reactive clusters. Now, dynamic mixtures of clusters, defined as living libraries, are obtained through organometallic precursor chemistry. The libraries are populated with interrelated clusters, including transient and highly reactive ones, as well as more accessible but less reactive species.

Associations of inferior frontal sulcal hyperintensities on brain MRI with cerebral small vessel disease, cognitive function, and depression symptoms.

Inferior frontal sulcal hyperintensities (IFSH) observed on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI have been proposed as indicators of elevated cerebrospinal fluid waste accumulation in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, to validate IFSH as a reliable imaging biomarker, further replication studies are required. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between IFSH and CSVD, and their potential repercussions, i.