Fast activity chirp patterns in focal seizures from patients and animal models.

Time-frequency analysis of focal seizure electroencephalographic signals performed with depth electrodes in human temporal lobe structures has revealed the occurrence at onset of oscillations at approximately 30-100 Hz that feature a monotonic rapid decay in frequency content. This seizure onset pattern, referred to as chirp, has been identified as a highly specific and sensitive marker of focal seizures that are characterized by low-voltage fast activity. We report that this chirp pattern is also observed in animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy in both in vivo and in vitro preparations.

Dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis alters the proportion and composition of replicating gut bacteria.

The bacteria living in the human gut are essential for host health. Though the composition and metabolism of these bacteria are well described in both healthy hosts and those with intestinal disease, less is known about the metabolic activity of the gut bacteria prior to, and during, disease development-especially regarding gut bacterial replication. Here, we use a recently developed single-cell technique alongside existing metagenomics-based tools to identify, track, and quantify replicating gut bacteria both and in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse model of colitis.

Clinical proteomics reveals vulnerabilities in non-invasive breast ductal carcinoma and drives personalized treatment strategies.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type (80%) of non-invasive breast lesions in women. The lack of validated prognostic markers, limited patient numbers, and variable tissue quality have a significant impact on diagnosis, risk stratification, patient enrolment, and the results of clinical studies. Here, we performed label-free quantitative proteomics on 50 clinical formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded biopsies, validating 22 putative biomarkers from independent genetic studies.

Time-dependent prognostic accuracy measures for recurrent event data.

In many clinical contexts, the event of interest could occur multiple times for the same patient. Considerable advancement has been made on developing recurrent event models based on or that use biomarker information. However, less attention has been given to evaluating the prognostic accuracy of a biomarker or a composite score obtained from a fitted recurrent event-rate model.

Effect of depressive symptoms on health services utilization in the HIV and hepatitis C co-infected population in Canada.

Depression is common among people living with HCV and HIV, which contributes to health services utilization (HSU). It is unknown whether successful HCV treatment affects this. We examined depressive symptoms and HSU in people co-infected with HIV-HCV and their association with sustained virologic response (SVR) during the direct-acting antiviral era.

Assessing brain-wide outcomes of dopamine system activation in the living rodent brain.

In a recent study, Haas, Bravo, and colleagues integrated optogenetic stimulation with simultaneous functional in vivo positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements in rats. By activating the nigrostriatal pathway in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), they observed concurrent metabolic and hemodynamic fluctuations associated with the dopaminergic pathway in living animals at the whole-brain level.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria aerosol in a Caribbean coastal city: Pre- and post- COVID-19 lockdown.

This study assessed the prevalence and spatial distribution of viable ultrafine and fine antibiotic-resistant bacteria aerosols (ARB) in the Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla, Colombia, pre- and post-lockdown (September 2019 to December 2020). Samples were systematically collected from urban, suburban, and rural sites using a six-stage viable cascade impactor. We employed logistic regression and Bayesian Neural Network Classifiers to analyze meteorological variables' influence on antibiotic resistance persistence.

Diversity and evolution of tyrosinase enzymes involved in the adhesive systems of mussels and tubeworms.

Mussels and tubeworms have evolved similar adhesive systems to cope with the hydrodynamics of intertidal environments. Both secrete adhesive proteins rich in DOPA, a post-translationally modified amino acid playing essential roles in their permanent adhesion. DOPA is produced by the hydroxylation of tyrosine residues by tyrosinase enzymes, which can also oxidize it further into dopaquinone.

Global Health and Peace: The Elusive Path with a Focus on Palestine, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

The interrelationality of health and peace is complex, multifactorial, and imbued with political and economic challenges. Peace and health outcomes reflect shared fundamental values related to the achievement of a balanced holistic condition on the individual and collective level. This causal relationship between social inequity and health requires special attention be paid to the impact of political instability and structural violence on undermining health systems in conflict zones.

A neurodegenerative cellular stress response linked to dark microglia and toxic lipid secretion.

The brain's primary immune cells, microglia, are a leading causal cell type in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Yet, the mechanisms by which microglia can drive neurodegeneration remain unresolved. Here, we discover that a conserved stress signaling pathway, the integrated stress response (ISR), characterizes a microglia subset with neurodegenerative outcomes.

Thrombosis, Translational Medicine, and Biomarker Research: Moving the Needle.

Arterial and venous thromboembolism are leading causes of morbidity and death worldwide. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of thrombotic diseases over the past 3 decades, the adoption of findings stemming from translational biomarker research in clinical practice remains limited. Biomarkers provide an opportunity to enhance our understanding of pathophysiological processes and optimize treatment strategies.

Phenotypic traits and family history in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and generalized epilepsy: A multicenter case-control study.

Objective: This study was undertaken to characterize the clinical and genetic features of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and generalized epilepsy compared with 22q11.

Building global collaborative research networks in paediatric critical care: a roadmap.

Paediatric critical care units are designed for children at a vulnerable stage of development, yet the evidence base for practice and policy in paediatric critical care remains scarce. In this Health Policy, we present a roadmap providing strategic guidance for international paediatric critical care trials. We convened a multidisciplinary group of 32 paediatric critical care experts from six continents representing paediatric critical care research networks and groups.

MOGAD and NMOSD: insights on patients' radiological and laboratory findings from a single UAE center.

Introduction: Although neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) are rare diseases, they pose a significant burden on both society and the healthcare system. This study aims to discuss the demographics and patient characteristics of these diseases in a single center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study that included patients with either NMOSD or MOGAD treated at Rashid Hospital, UAE during the period between January 2019 and January 2024.

Exploring cytokine outputs for diagnostics in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Background: In an exploratory study to assess the potential to individualize T-cell diagnostics in antibiotic-associated severe T-cell mediated hypersensitivity, we focused on drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and the related cytokine outputs IL-4 and IL-5.

Methods: Patients with well-phenotyped RegiSCAR ≥4 DRESS, positive intradermal skin testing, and a previous negative IFN-γ Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISpot) assay were prospectively recruited. We specifically performed an ELISpot assay with IL-4 and IL-5 cytokine outputs.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in trauma patients with grade IV-V duodenal or pancreatic injuries: a post hoc analysis of an EAST multicenter trial.

Introduction: The utility of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for high-grade traumatic injuries remains unclear and data surrounding its use are limited. We hypothesized that PD does not result in improved outcomes when compared with non-PD surgical management of grade IV-V pancreaticoduodenal injuries.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter analysis from 35 level 1 trauma centers from January 2010 to December 2020.

Suboptimal Attainment of Global Goals of Human Rights, Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals in Gaza During 2023-2024.

The Israel military occupation, ongoing for over 75 years, has profoundly impacted the health and well-being of Palestinians. Despite longstanding calls for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and sustainable development, the response of global health systems and organizations to crises such as the recent large-scale military assault on Gaza in October 2023 has been inadequate. There is a critical need to examine why these global health approaches have failed and how they can be restructured to address the unique challenges in Gaza effectively.

Association between phenotypic age and mortality risk in individuals with obesity: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: This study investigates the association between phenotypic age acceleration (PAA) and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in obese individuals.

Methods: Data were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2018, including 9,925 obese adults (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m). PAA, defined as phenotypic age exceeding chronological age, was assessed using clinical biomarkers.

Comparison of Plasma p-tau217 and [F]FDG-PET for Identifying Alzheimer Disease in People With Early-Onset or Atypical Dementia.

Background And Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance of an immunoassay for plasma concentrations of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) 217 with visual assessments of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose [F]FDG-PET in individuals who meet appropriate use criteria for Alzheimer dementia (AD) biomarker assessments.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of individuals with early-onset (age <65 years at onset) and/or atypical dementia (features other than memory at onset), who were evaluated at a tertiary care memory clinic. All participants underwent measurements of CSF biomarkers (Aβ42, p-tau181, and total tau levels), as well as [F]FDG-PET scans, amyloid-PET scans, and plasma p-tau217 quantifications.