Electroencephalogram Features Reflect Effort Corresponding to Graded Finger Extension: Implications for Hemiparetic Stroke.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer disabled individuals the means to interact with devices by decoding the electroencephalogram (EEG). However, decoding intent in fine motor tasks can be challenging, especially in stroke survivors with cortical lesions. Here, we attempt to decode graded finger extension from the EEG in stroke patients with left-hand paresis and healthy controls.

Impact of Pre-Treatment Comorbidity Burden on Survival in Patients Receiving Venetoclax Plus Hypomethylating Agents.

Expectation of survival of patients receiving HMA + VEN is influenced by pre-treatment comorbidity burden.

Structural changes in troponin during activation of skeletal and heart muscle determined in situ by polarised fluorescence.

Calcium binding to troponin triggers the contraction of skeletal and heart muscle through structural changes in the thin filaments that allow myosin motors from the thick filaments to bind to actin and drive filament sliding. Here, we review studies in which those changes were determined in demembranated fibres of skeletal and heart muscle using fluorescence for in situ structure (FISS), which determines domain orientations using polarised fluorescence from bifunctional rhodamine attached to cysteine pairs in the target domain. We describe the changes in the orientations of the N-terminal lobe of troponin C (TnC) and the troponin IT arm in skeletal and cardiac muscle cells associated with contraction and compare the orientations with those determined in isolated cardiac thin filaments by cryo-electron microscopy.

Social Epidemiological Mediators of Rural and Urban Differences in Perceived Need for Cocaine Use Treatment.

Rural/urban disparities in cocaine use treatment are commonly attributed to variations in social epidemiological constructs, such as socioeconomic status and well-being, social capital and support, and discrimination, as well as health care attitudes and health beliefs. This study examined whether these factors mediate rural vs. urban disparities in perceived need for cocaine use treatment, a concept closely linked to treatment utilization.

Insulin resistance, cognition, and functional brain network topology in older adults with obesity.

Objective: Cross-sectional data from a sample of older adults with obesity was used to determine how peripheral and neuronal insulin resistance (IR) relate to executive function and functional brain network topology.

Methods: Older adults (n=71) with obesity but without type 2 diabetes were included. Peripheral IR was quantified by HOMA2-IR.

Ramp sequence may explain synonymous variant association with Alzheimer's disease in the Paired Immunoglobulin-like Type 2 Receptor Alpha ().

Background: Synonymous variant () in the Paired Immunoglobulin-like Type 2 Receptor Alpha () gene was previously associated with decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in genome-wide association studies, but its biological impact is largely unknown.

Objective: We hypothesized that decreases mRNA and protein levels by destroying a ramp of slowly translated codons at the 5' end of .

Methods: We assessed predicted effects on through quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.

Lipid Packing Defects are Necessary and Sufficient for Membrane Binding of α-Synuclein.

α-Synuclein (αSyn), an intrinsically disordered protein implicated in Parkinson's disease, is potentially thought to initiate aggregation through binding to cellular membranes. Previous studies have suggested that anionic membrane charge is necessary for this binding. However, these studies largely focus on unmodified αSyn, while nearly all αSyn in the body is N-terminally acetylated (NTA).

Nucleotide-resolution Mapping of RNA N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modifications and comprehensive analysis of global polyadenylation events in mRNA 3' end processing in malaria pathogen .

is an obligate human parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa and is the causative agent of the most lethal form of human malaria. Although N6-methyladenosine modification is thought to be one of the major post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for stage-specific gene expression in apicomplexan parasites, the precise base position of m6A in mRNAs or noncoding RNAs in these parasites remains unknown. Here, we report global nucleotide-resolution mapping of m6A residues in using DART-seq technology, which quantitatively displayed a stage-specific, dynamic distribution pattern with enrichment near mRNA 3' ends.

Investigation of protein structure and quality of Acipenser sinensis frozen by liquid nitrogen.

Background: The quality of Acipenser sinensis deteriorates significantly during frozen storage due to its high water, protein, and unsaturated fatty acid content. Conventional freezing methods are insufficient to preserve it effectively. This study investigated the effects of liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF) on the quality and myofibrillar protein (MP) characteristics of A.

Multilevel Mentorship Prepares Youth for the Oncology Workforce in Appalachian Kentucky.

Kentucky faces the highest age-adjusted overall cancer incidence rates and the second highest overall cancer mortality rates in the United States, with the eastern Appalachian Region of the state contributing significantly to this burden. As one of 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center is Kentucky's only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. This designation is important for receiving the support necessary to fund programs that can further the cancer research, education, and community outreach opportunities for Kentuckians.

Prenatal Care of Parents Who Continued Pregnancies With Down Syndrome, 2003-2022.

Parents of children with Down syndrome have historically reported poor experiences receiving a prenatal diagnosis. In a 2003 survey, mothers reported that their physicians pitied them, emphasized negative aspects of Down syndrome, and encouraged them to terminate the pregnancy. This study assesses whether parents' perceptions have since improved.

Structure-functionality relationship and modification strategies of oat protein: Challenges and opportunities.

The increasing preference for plant-based proteins over animal-derived equivalents has intensified research into alternative protein sources, with oats emerging as a noteworthy specialty crop due to their rich array of functional and bioactive components. Despite the growing interest, research into oat proteins remains in its early stages, particularly in understanding the structure-function relationship and modification strategies within food systems. Designing novel food products using oat protein presents both opportunities and challenges; the compact quaternary structure and high thermal stability of oat globulin limit its functionality in diverse applications.

Tracking and Navigation Technologies for Image-Guided Trans-Arterial Interventions.

Trans-arterial interventions are an increasingly utilized approach for diagnosing and treating a wide range of pathologies, providing superior patient outcomes compared to traditional open surgical methods. Recent advancements in tracking and navigation technologies have significantly refined these interventions, enhancing procedural precision and success. Advanced imaging modalities, such as fluoroscopy, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), are frequently used strategies offering critical real-time guidance.

Components of Robotic Systems in Image-Guided Percutaneous Interventions.

The field of interventional radiology is facing a growing demand for percutaneous procedures targeting smaller and more complex lesions. Percutaneous medical robots have proven to increase efficiency and accuracy and can address these issues. This review is intended to provide an overview of the functionality and components of these robotic systems for operators learning to use them.

Pangenomic analysis of the bacterial cellulose-producing genera Komagataeibacter and Novacetimonas.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) holds significant commercial potential due to its unique structural and chemical properties, making it suitable for applications in electronics, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. However, large-scale BC production remains limited by challenges in bacterial performance. In this study, we compared 79 microbial genomes from three genera-Komagataeibacter, Novacetimonas, and Gluconacetobacter-to investigate their pangenomes, genetic diversity, and evolutionary relationships.

Dihydropyrimidine enzyme activity and its effect on chemotherapy toxicity: importance of genetic testing.

Purpose: Patients with partial or complete DPD deficiency have decreased capacity to degrade fluorouracil and are at risk of developing toxicity, which can be even life-threatening.

Case: A 43-year-old man with moderately differentiated rectal adenocarcinoma on capecitabine presented to the emergency department with complaints of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and lower abdominal pain for several days. Laboratory findings include grade 4 neutropenia (ANC 10) and thrombocytopenia (platelets 36,000).

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy leads to better survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) using a large, well-curated multi-institutional database.

Patients And Methods: This study was a multi-institutional retrospective analysis conducted by the UTUC Collaborative Network (UCAN), combining data from 2276 patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at seven high-volume tertiary care centres in the United States. The UCAN data were analysed to evaluate the impact of response to NAC on survival outcomes in patients with UTUC.

Adjuvant Therapy in Early Uterine Serous Carcinoma.

Objective: Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a rare diagnosis but associated with high mortality. There is limited data to guide adjuvant treatment decisions in early stage disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of adjuvant therapy on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in early stage USC.

An exploration of desired abstinent and non-abstinent recovery outcomes among people who use methamphetamine.

Background: In the United States, complete abstinence persists as the standard for demonstrating recovery success from substance use disorders (SUDs), apart from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although the FDA has recently indicated openness for non-abstinence outcomes as treatment targets, the traditional benchmark of complete abstinence for new medications to treat SUDs remains a hurdle and overshadows other non-abstinent outcomes desired by people with SUDs (e.g.

Alterations in whole muscle quality and physiological cross-sectional area measured with quantitative MRI following ACL injury.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that there are morphological and physiological changes to the vastus lateralis after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. However, it is unclear whether these alterations are limited to just the vastus lateralis or are more representative of widespread changes across the thigh musculature and/or if these changes precede reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine T1ρ relaxation time, a measure of extracellular matrix organization in muscle, and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) for muscles of the quadriceps and hamstrings of the ACL-deficient and contralateral limbs soon after ACL injury.

High-Value Care Education in the USA: Lessons from a National Value Curriculum for Resident and Fellow Physicians.

Purpose: Physicians are estimated to be responsible for more than 50% of national healthcare costs and hold the greatest potential to improve value by orchestrating quality-driven programs to reduce unnecessary practices and variability. A physician's ability to practice cost-conscious care has been linked to their training, underscoring the importance of integrating cost-conscious practice into training.

Methods: The High Value Practice Academic Alliance was formed to help advance the value-improvement work of individual institutions through a national organization.

Identifying dissolved reactive phosphorus sources in agricultural runoff and leachate using phosphate oxygen isotopes.

Agricultural phosphorus (P) losses may result from either recently applied fertilizers or from P accumulated in soil and sediment. While both P sources pose an environmental risk to freshwater systems, differentiating between sources is crucial for identifying and implementing management practices to decrease loss. In this study, laboratory rainfall simulations were completed on runoff boxes and undisturbed soil columns before and after fertilizer application.

Titanium clips and ligamentum flavum-epidural fat patch graft for midline lumbar durotomy closure in pediatric neurosurgery.

Objective: CSF leaks are a significant source of patient morbidity following intradural spine surgeries. Watertight dural closure is crucial during these procedures to minimize the risk of a CSF leak. This study reports postoperative outcomes and changes in patient management after switching to penetrating titanium clips for dural closure in a large cohort of pediatric patients receiving a tethered cord release (TCR) or a selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR).

Fatty acid desaturase 3-mediated α-linolenic acid biosynthesis in plants.

Omega (ω)-3 fatty acids (FAs) are essential components of cell membranes that also serve as precursors of numerous regulatory molecules. α-linolenic acid (ALA), one of the most important ω3 FAs in plants, is synthesized in both the plastid and extraplastidial compartments. FA Desaturase (FAD) 3 is an extraplastidial enzyme that converts linoleic acid (LA) to ALA.

Accuracy and Performance Characteristics of Administrative Codes for the Diagnosis of Autoinflammatory Syndromes: A Discovery and Validation Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate the accuracy and performance characteristics of administrative codes in diagnosing autoinflammatory syndromes (AISs).

Methods: We identified potential AIS patients from the electronic medical records at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and the Stead Family Children's Hospital using a screening filter based on the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes and interleukin-1 antagonists. Diagnostic criteria for adult-onset Still disease, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Behçet disease (BD), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), and SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome and chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (SAPHO-CNO) were reviewed for each patient.