A Meta-analysis of Loneliness and Risk of Dementia using Longitudinal Data from >600,000 Individuals.

Loneliness is one critical risk factor for cognitive health. Combining data from ongoing aging studies and the published literature, we provided the largest meta-analysis on the association between loneliness and dementia ( = 21 samples, = 608,561) and cognitive impairment ( = 16, = 103,387). Loneliness increased risk for all-cause dementia (HR = 1.

Microsurgical Semilunar Bilaminar Technique Halts Progression of Marginal Tissue Recession by Soft Tissue Phenotypic Modification-A Case Report With 3-Year Follow-Up.

Phenotype modification therapy using the novel semilunar flap with xenogeneic collagen matrix improves gingival phenotype, root coverage and increased keratinized tissue width. It also halts the progression of recession, enhances tissue resilience and improved plaque control sustainable over 3 years. Collagen matrix avoids second site surgery and hence less morbidity.

Global, regional, and national trends in drug use disorder mortality rates across 73 countries from 1990 to 2021, with projections up to 2040: a global time-series analysis and modelling study.

Background: Drug use disorder (DUD) poses a major public health crisis globally, necessitating immediate attention to global trends and future projections to develop effective health policies and interventions. Thus, we aimed to estimate the global trends in DUD mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 and future projections of DUD deaths until 2040 across 73 countries.

Methods: In this time-series analysis and modelling study, we investigated the global trends in DUD mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 using the WHO Mortality Database and forecasted future trends through 2040.

Maternal and neonatal complications of pregnant women with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Confidence in pregnancy outcome data for women with bipolar disorder is compromised by small cohort sizes. However, comprehensive national data have been published over the last decade, but no quantitative synthesis has been established to determine the factors associated with complications in these women. Our goal is to summarise the evidence of population-based data on obstetric complications and neonatal outcomes in women with bipolar disorder compared to women without bipolar disorder.

Identifying biomarker-driven subphenotypes of cardiogenic shock: analysis of prospective cohorts and randomized controlled trials.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome, making it challenging to predict patient trajectory and response to treatment. This study aims to identify biological/molecular CS subphenotypes, evaluate their association with outcome, and explore their impact on heterogeneity of treatment effect (ShockCO-OP, NCT06376318).

Methods: We used unsupervised clustering to integrate plasma biomarker data from two prospective cohorts of CS patients: CardShock (N = 205 [2010-2012, NCT01374867]) and the French and European Outcome reGistry in Intensive Care Units (FROG-ICU) (N = 228 [2011-2013, NCT01367093]) to determine the optimal number of classes.

Circulating autophagy regulator Rubicon is linked to increased myocardial infarction risk.

Background: The identification of new biomarkers that improve existing cardiovascular risk prediction models for acute coronary syndrome is essential for accurately identifying high-risk patients and refining treatment strategies. Autophagy, a vital cellular degradation mechanism, is important for maintaining cardiac health. Dysregulation of autophagy has been described in cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, a key factor in myocardial infarction (MI).

A year in review - evaluating the launch of IJTLD OPEN.

One year on from the launch of our new open access (OA) journal, IJTLD OPEN, we review its impact. Similar to our flagship journal, the IJTLD, articles published in IJTLD OPEN span a range of topics related to lung health and the majority focus on TB in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Interestingly, there has been no lag period in readers accessing the content, with downloads for IJTLD OPEN soon matching and exceeding those for the IJTLD.

An open source ultrasonic flowmeter for monitoring the input/output flow rates of wastewater treatment plants.

Sensors play an important role in both the continuous monitoring and intermittent analyses, which are essential for the study of wastewater treatment plant management and conducting related research. Given the significant environmental impact of the issues involved, accurate measurement of the volume of water flowing into and out of treatment plants is a key parameter for plant management, ecotoxicological studies and academic research programs. Traditionally, flow measurements have been based on calibrated weirs or venturi flumes, using water level measurements for conversion into flow, according to established relationships.

Habitat sharing and interspecies interactions in caves used by bats in the Republic of Congo.

Bats play key roles in ecosystem functions and provide services to human populations. There is a need to protect bat populations and to mitigate the risks associated with pathogen spillover. Caves are key habitats for many bat species, which use them as roosting and breeding sites.

Can Digital Rectal Examination Identify the Subtype of Dyssynergic Disorders as Well as High Resolution Anorectal Manometry?

Background And Aims: Diagnosing dyssynergic disorders (DD) often requires 3D high-definition anorectal manometry (3D-HRAM), raising concerns about cost, availability, and delayed referral. Digital rectal examination (DRE) offers a reliable, cost-effective alternative for DD diagnosis. This study aimed to assess DRE's capability to classify DD patients into the four subtypes outlined in Rao's classification.

Myocardial bridging resulting in an atypical acute coronary syndrome in a young athlete: a case report.

Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is considered a frequent and benign condition. However, some patients may experience symptoms. The recent ESC guidelines on sports participation provide guidance on the management of these symptomatic patients with MB but do not provide guidance in the presence of another cardiac pathology.

Advanced adiabatic compressed air energy storage systems dynamic modelling: Impact of the heat storage device.

Advanced Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (AACAES) is a technology for storing energy in thermomechanical form. This technology involves several equipment such as compressors, turbines, heat storage capacities, air coolers, caverns, etc. During charging or discharging, the heat storage and especially the cavern will induce transient behavior of operating points, notably temperature, pressure, and volume flow.

Burden of diabetes in correctional facilities: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus presents significant public health challenges worldwide. While its prevalence and management in the general population have been extensively studied, comprehensive research on diabetes among incarcerated individuals is lacking. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and -analysis to determine the prevalence of diabetes within the prison population.

Brain dynamics and personality: a preliminary study.

Personality can be considered a system characterized by complex dynamics that are extremely adaptive depending on continuous interactions with the environment and situations. The present preliminary study explores the dynamic interplay between brain flexibility and personality by taking the dynamic approach to personality into account, thereby drawing from Cloninger's psychobiological model. 46 healthy individuals were recruited, and their brain dynamics were assessed using magnetoencephalography (MEG) during the resting state.

Effects of long-term adapted physical training on functional capacity and quality of life in older adults with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) remains incurable and its prevalence is increasing as the population ages. Although physical activity is considered a therapeutic treatment to slow the progression of the disease, it is considered to be an effective non-pharmacological adjuvant to medication to improve the symptom management.

Methods: The training program was offered for all the participants (N = 50) in three non-consecutive sessions per week for 60 minutes and a total duration of 12 to 16 months.

Cardiovascular patches applied in congenital cardiac surgery: Current materials and prospects.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common congenital anomalies, affecting between 4 and 75 per 1000 live births. Cardiovascular patches (CVPs) are frequently used as part of the surgical armamentarium to reconstruct cardiovascular structures to correct CHDs in pediatric patients. This review aims to evaluate the history of cardiovascular patches, currently available options, clinical applications, and important features of these patches.

Fibromyalgia: do I tackle you with pharmacological treatments?

Pharmacological approaches are frequently proposed in fibromyalgia, based on different rationale. Some treatments are proposed to alleviate symptoms, mainly pain, fatigue, and sleep disorder. Other treatments are proposed according to pathophysiological mechanisms, especially central sensitization and abnormal pain modulation.

Dental Ultrasonography for Visualizing Osteoimmune Conditions and Assessing Jaw Bone Density: A Narrative Review.

Despite the widespread use of ultrasonography (US) in medical diagnostics, there is no similar US device available for visualizing jawbone density. This study is a narrative review of the possible applications of US in dentistry. This review is divided as follows: (a) Pulse-echo ultrasonography: the applications offer new perspectives for periodontal and peri-implant assessment.

Oxytocin: Not "just a female hormone": A very special issue and a very special molecule.

For decades it was believed that oxytocin was "just a female hormone." This was a mistake. In the 21st century it has become clear that oxytocin arose from ancient roots, and acquired dozens of diverse functions throughout the mammalian body.

Cortical laminar necrosis triggered by hepatic encephalopathy and post-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: Case report.

Hepatic encephalopathy may trigger cortical laminar necrosis (CLN), which is characterized by diffuse symmetric cortical lesions. We report a 56-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis who presented with prolonged floor station, reduced alertness and left hemiplegia. Blood ammonia level was elevated.

Analysis of Social Performance and Action Units During Social Skills Training: Focus Group Study of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia.

Background: Social communication is a crucial factor influencing human social life. Quantifying the degree of difficulty faced in social communication is necessary for understanding developmental and neurological disorders and for creating systems used in automatic symptom screening and assistive methods such as social skills training (SST). SST by a human trainer is a well-established method.

APH Inhibitors that Reverse Aminoglycoside Resistance in Enterococcus casseliflavus.

Aminoglycoside-phosphotransferases (APHs) are a class of bacterial enzymes that mediate acquired resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Here we report the identification of small molecules counteracting aminoglycoside resistance in Enterococcus casseliflavus. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to identify an allosteric pocket in three APH enzymes belonging to 3' and 2'' subfamilies in which we then screened, in silico, 12,000 small molecules.

The nuclear lamin network passively responds to both active or passive cell movement through confinements.

Physical models of cell motility rely mostly on cytoskeletal dynamical assembly. However, when cells move through the complex 3D environment of living tissues, they have to squeeze their nucleus that is stiffer than the rest of the cell. The lamin network, organised as a shell right underneath the nuclear membrane, contributes to the nuclear integrity and stiffness.

Synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography enhances our knowledge of the skull anatomy of a Late Triassic ecteniniid cynodont with hypercanines.

Hypercanines, or hypertrophied canines, are observed in a wide range of both extinct and extant synapsids. In non-mammaliaform cynodonts, the Permo-Triassic forerunners of mammals, long canines are not uncommon, appearing in several unrelated taxa within the clade. Among them is Trucidocynodon riograndensis, a carnivorous ecteniniid cynodont from the Late Triassic of Brazil, which exhibits a specialized dentition, including spear-shaped incisors, very long and narrow canines, and sectorial postcanines with distally oriented cusps, all of which have finely serrated margins.