Functional electrical stimulation in adult patients with cerebral palsy and foot drop-outcome in gait.

Background: Foot drop is a common condition for patients with upper motor neuron syndrome such as cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on gait function, quality of life, and FES satisfaction in adults with CP and foot drop. To analyze effects over time, an observational, longitudinal study was performed.

Chronology versus centrality: uncovering age-related differences in order effects during the retrieval of autobiographical memories.

Despite the crucial role that the recall of autobiographical memories (AMs) plays for identity, the process of how we recall AMs, and whether retrieval processes undergo , has received little attention. The present study thus examined the order of AMs during recall, with a specific focus on time and centrality as guiding dimensions. A total of 364 participants (aged 18-89 years) recalled up to ten positive and negative AMs.

Treatment of Complicated Gram-Positive Bacteremia and Infective Endocarditis.

The Gram-positive cocci Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp. are the most frequent causative organisms of bloodstream infections and infective endocarditis.

Dual-layer dual-energy CT characterization of thrombus composition in acute pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

To evaluate dual-layer dual-energy computed tomography (dlDECT)-based characterization of thrombus composition for differentiation of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This retrospective single center cohort study included 49 patients with acute PE and 33 patients with CTEPH who underwent CT pulmonary angiography on a dlDECT from 06/2016 to 06/2022. Conventional images), material specific images (virtual non-contrast [VNC], iodine density overlay [IDO], electron density [ED]), and virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) were analyzed.

Interactive effects of nitrogen deposition and climate change on a globally rare forest geophyte.

Nitrogen (N) deposition and climate change are both known to threaten global biodiversity. However, we still have a limited understanding of how interactions between these global change drivers affect individuals and populations of specialist species, such as geophytes, within their natural habitat. We explored possible interactive effects of N, drought, and warming on population vitality (mean leaf length, leaf density, flowering probability) and morpho-physiological traits (e.

Linking sap flow and tree water deficit in an unmanaged, mixed beech forest during the summer drought 2022.

Temperate mixed forests are currently experiencing severe drought conditions and face increased risk of degradation. However, it remains unclear how critical tree physiological functions such as sap flow density (SFD) and tree water deficit (TWD, defined as reversible stem shrinkage when water is depleted), respond to extreme environmental conditions and how they interact under dry conditions. We monitored SFD and TWD of three co-occurring European tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior and Acer pseudoplatanus) in dry conditions, using high temporal resolution sap flow, dendrometer, and environmental measurements.

Thin flap sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty in patellar instability yields good functional outcomes without progressive cartilage deterioration in the short-term follow-up-A retrospective single-surgeon cohort study.

Purpose: Sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty (TP) effectively treats patellofemoral (PF) instability (PFI) caused by high-grade trochlear dysplasia (TD), but current evidence is based on small case series. We hypothesised, that TP would result in significant functional improvements and a low re-dislocation rate but would not accelerate the progression of PF cartilage deterioration.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all TP cases performed by a single surgeon between 2015 and 2021.

A defense of ectogenic abortion.

A popular argument for a right to ectogenic abortions appeals to a right to avoid the obligations associated with parenthood. A common objection to this argument questions whether there are any sufficiently great harms associated with parenthood to ground such a right. I propose a novel formulation of this argument that avoids these objections.

Pros and cons of sub-specialisation in orthopaedics and traumatology-Is the general orthopaedic and trauma surgeon a relic of the past?

The evolution of orthopaedics has witnessed a pronounced shift from generalist practice to subspecialisation, a trend that has fundamentally reshaped the field over the past century. Originally, orthopaedic surgeons were trained to address a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions. However, increasing complexity and specialization in knowledge have driven a progressive narrowing of focus within orthopaedics.

Diazocines as Guests of Cucurbituril Macrocycles: Light-Responsive Binding and Supramolecular Catalysis of Thermal Isomerization.

The photoswitching of supramolecular host-guest complexes is the basis of numerous molecularly controlled macroscopic functions, such as sol-gel transition, photopharmacology, the active transport of ions or molecules, light-powered molecular machines, and much more. The most commonly used systems employ photoactive azobenzene guests and synthetic host molecules, which bind as the stable isomers and dissociate as the forms after exposure to UV light. We present a new, extraordinarily efficient cucurbit[7]uril (CB7)/diazocine host/guest complex with inverted stability that self-assembles under UV irradiation and dissociates in the dark.

Resting-State Network Plasticity Following Category Learning Depends on Sensory Modality.

Learning new categories is fundamental to cognition, occurring in daily life through various sensory modalities. However, it is not well known how acquiring new categories can modulate the brain networks. Resting-state functional connectivity is an effective method for detecting short-term brain alterations induced by various modality-based learning experiences.

Role of amino acid substitutions on proteolytic stability of histatin 5 in the presence of secreted aspartyl proteases and salivary proteases.

Histatin 5 (Hst5) is a 24-amino-acid peptide naturally present in human saliva that has been proposed as a potential antifungal therapeutic. However, Hst5 is susceptible to degradation by secreted aspartyl proteases (Saps) produced by Candida albicans, which could limit its efficacy as a therapeutic. To better understand the role of the lysine residues of Hst5 in proteolysis by C.

Retrospective study of partial lateral corpectomy to treat thoracic and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 12 cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the safety and effectiveness of thoracic or lumbar partial lateral corpectomy (PLC) in cats with spinal cord compression due to intervertebral disc herniation (IVH).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 12 client-owned cats from two academic and one private referral veterinary centres. Cross-sectional imaging was available in 12 cats for evaluation of disc herniation.

Establishing the Research Priorities of ADHD Professionals: An International Delphi Study.

Objectives: To determine ADHD research priorities from the perspective of ADHD professionals internationally.

Method: A two-stage modified Delphi design was used. In Stage 1 (qualitative), participants listed research questions relating to ADHD that they perceived to be most important ( = 132).

Association between BMI and cause-specific long-term mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients.

Aims: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) at acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and all-cause as well as cause-specific long-term mortality.

Methods: The analysis was based on 10,651 hospitalized AMI patients (age 25-84 years) recorded by the population-based Myocardial Infarction Registry Augsburg between 2000 and 2017. The median follow-up time was 6.

Intraoperative patient-specific volumetric reconstruction and 3D visualization for laparoscopic liver surgery.

Despite the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, interventions such as laparoscopic liver surgery present unique challenges, like the significant anatomical differences between preoperative images and intraoperative scenes due to pneumoperitoneum, patient pose, and organ manipulation by surgical instruments. To address these challenges, a method for intraoperative three-dimensional reconstruction of the surgical scene, including vessels and tumors, without altering the surgical workflow, is proposed. The technique combines neural radiance field reconstructions from tracked laparoscopic videos with ultrasound three-dimensional compounding.

The impact of COVID-19 on accelerating of immunosenescence and brain aging.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has profoundly impacted global health, affecting not only the immediate morbidity and mortality rates but also long-term health outcomes across various populations. Although the acute effects of COVID-19 on the respiratory system have initially been the primary focus, it is increasingly evident that the virus can have significant impacts on multiple physiological systems, including the nervous and immune systems. The pandemic has highlighted the complex interplay between viral infection, immune aging, and brain health, that can potentially accelerate neuroimmune aging and contribute to the persistence of long COVID conditions.

The relationship between perfectionism and marital outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Perfectionism, as a transdiagnostic variable, can influence both the intrapersonal and interpersonal domains, one of the most significant of them is thought to be marital relationship. Given that perfectionism within a couple can negatively affect their intimate relationship and potentially lead to destructive outcomes, reviewing studies conducted in this area seems to be essential to gain a clearer understanding. Therefore, the present systematic review aims to examine the association between perfectionism and marital outcomes in married individuals.

Strangers in a strange land: how diversity professionals navigate their marginal leadership identity.

The purpose of the present study was to understand how executives responsible for Diversity and Inclusion construct their identities while occupying positions of "Marginal Leadership," and how they deal with threats to such identities. We conducted qualitative and inductive research with Brazilian executives in 66 organizations, focusing on their experiences as leaders. In our resulting model, we theorized that leaders in positions of Marginal Leadership demonstrate little role clarity, resources, and confidence for the exercise of their activities, suffering threats to their identities, which are not observed in executives occupying positions in more traditional functions such as Finance, Production, and Marketing.

Effects of computer-generated patterns with different temporal and spatial frequencies on choroidal thickness, retinal dopamine and candidate genes in chickens wearing lenses.

Purpose: Changes in choroidal thickness (ChT) are proposed to predict myopia development but evidence is mixed. We investigated time courses of choroidal responses, following different types of dynamic artificial stimulation in chicks with and without spectacle lenses, as well as changes in retinal dopamine metabolism and expression of candidate genes.

Methods: Chicks were kept in an arena surrounded by computer monitors presenting dynamic checkerboard fields of small, medium and large size.

Exploring a new chapter in traditional Chinese medicine: The potential of in liver cancer treatment.

In the ongoing quest for new treatments in medicine, traditional Chinese medicine offers unique insights and potential. Recently, studies on the ability of to inhibit M2-type tumour-associated macrophage polarisation by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway to suppress liver cancer have undoubtedly revealed new benefits and hope for this field of research. The purpose of this article is to comment on this study and explore its strengths and weaknesses, thereby providing ideas for the future treatment of liver cancer.

Advancements and challenges in the treatment of esophageal cancer: A comprehensive review.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, ranking seventh in incidence and sixth cancer-related deaths globally. EC is classified in two main types, the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), with ESCC being more common in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Africa, while EAC is prevalent in Western Europe and North America. Molecular analysis identifies three subgroups of ESCC, each with distinct genetic mutations and treatment responses.

Unveiling the Threat to Vulture Diversity: A Comprehensive Ethno-Ornithological Study Uncovers Regional Trade Effects in Côte d'Ivoire.

In recent decades, African vulture populations have experienced a distressing decline, with certain species plummeting by over 90%. This decline can largely be attributed to various human-induced pressures. In West Africa, the trade of vultures for magico-traditional medicine stands out as a significant threat.

Novel type 2 diabetes prediction score based on traditional risk factors and circulating metabolites: model derivation and validation in two large cohort studies.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the incremental predictive value of metabolomic biomarkers for assessing the 10-year risk of type 2 diabetes when added to the clinical Cambridge Diabetes Risk Score (CDRS).

Methods: We utilized 86,232 UK Biobank (UKB) participants (recruited between 13 March 2006 and 1 October 2010) for model derivation and internal validation. Additionally, we included 4383 participants from the German ESTHER cohort (recruited between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2002 for external validation).

Worldwide patterns and trends in ovarian cancer incidence by histological subtype: a population-based analysis from 1988 to 2017.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is a heterogeneous malignancy with multiple histological subtypes, showing global variability in incidence. Temporal changes in diagnostic criteria and risk factors might influence the incidence and distribution of OC and its subtypes.

Methods: This study analyzed incidence patterns (2013-2017) and trends (1988-1992 to 2013-2017) of OC and its subtypes across 65 and 40 countries, respectively.