Spontaneous blinking and brain health in aging: Large-scale evaluation of blink-related oscillations across the lifespan.

Blink-related oscillations (BROs) are newly discovered neurophysiological brainwave responses associated with spontaneous blinking, and represent environmental monitoring and awareness processes as the brain evaluates new visual information appearing after eye re-opening. BRO responses have been demonstrated in healthy young adults across multiple task states and are modulated by both task and environmental factors, but little is known about this phenomenon in aging. To address this, we undertook the first large-scale evaluation of BRO responses in healthy aging using the Cambridge Centre for Aging and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) repository, which contains magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from a large sample ( = 457) of healthy adults across a broad age range (18-88) during the performance of a simple target detection task.

Influence of DOAC Levels and Thrombin Generation on Postoperative Bleeding [SONAR]: A Nested Case-Control Study.

A DOAC concentration threshold above which an impact on surgical hemostasis starts to occur is unknown. Thrombin generation assays (TGAs) provide a measure of the coagulation phenotype. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative TGA parameters are associated with postoperative bleeding, and whether this is partly due to residual DOAC levels.

Conformational flexibility of human ribokinase captured in seven crystal structures.

d-ribose is a critical sugar substrate involved in the biosynthesis of nucleotides, amino acids, and cofactors, with its phosphorylation to ribose-5-phosphate by ribokinase (RK) constituting the initial step in its metabolism. RK is conserved across all domains of life, and its activity is significantly enhanced by monovalent metal (M) ions, particularly K, although the precise mechanism of this activation remains unclear. In this study, we present several crystal structures of human RK in both unliganded and substrate-bound states, offering detailed insights into its substrate binding process, reaction mechanism, and conformational changes throughout the catalytic cycle.

Feasibility, safety and tolerability of estrogen and/or probiotics for improving vaginal health in Canadian African, Caribbean, and Black women: A pilot phase 1 clinical trial.

Background: A dysbiotic vaginal microbiome (VMB) is associated with clinical conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Considering the high prevalence of BV among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women, we conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label phase 1 clinical trial to determine the feasibility, safety and tolerability of administering low-dose estrogen, probiotics or both in combination to improve vaginal health and decrease HIV-1 susceptibility.

Methods: ACB women aged 18-49 from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were randomized to one of four study arms: intravaginal estradiol (Estring©; 7.

Outcomes of a Population-Based Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening Program.

Importance: Detection of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection has previously relied on targeted screening programs or clinical recognition; however, these approaches miss most cCMV-infected newborns and fail to identify those infants who are asymptomatic at birth but at risk for late-onset sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of using routinely collected newborn dried blood spots (DBS) in a population-based cCMV screen to identify infants at risk for hearing loss and describe outcomes of infants screened.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This diagnostic study of a population-based screening program in Ontario, Canada, took place from July 29, 2019, to July 31, 2023.

Are we maintaining minimal residual disease in myeloma?

Minimal residual disease (MRD) has emerged as an important prognostic maker in patients with multiple myeloma at different stages of their treatment. Moreover, it is being increasingly incorporated as an endpoint in various clinical trials. Since maintenance therapy is an integral part of myeloma treatment, especially in the upfront setting post autologous transplantation, it is imperative to understand the role of MRD testing in the maintenance stetting.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at diagnosis predicts colonoscopic activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (pIBD).

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel biomarker studied in several autoimmune diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in adults, but poorly characterized in pediatric IBD (pIBD). We aimed to primarily investigate the relationship between NLR and pIBD endoscopic disease severity. We also examined whether NLR predicted hospitalization, surgery, and therapy response by 52 weeks.

Comparative performance of risk prediction indices for mortality or readmission following heart failure hospitalization.

Aims: Risk prediction indices used in worsening heart failure (HF) vary in complexity, performance, and the type of datasets in which they were validated. We compared the performance of seven risk prediction indices in a contemporary cohort of patients hospitalized for HF.

Methods And Results: We assessed the performance of the Length of stay and number of Emergency department visits in the prior 6 months (LE), Length of stay, number of Emergency department visits in the prior 6 months, and admission N-Terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP (LENT), Length of stay, Acuity, Charlson co-morbidity index, and number of Emergency department visits in the prior 6 months (LACE), Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure (GWTG), Readmission Risk Score (RRS), Enhanced Feedback for Effective Cardiac Treatment model (EFFECT), and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) risk indices among consecutive patients hospitalized for HF and discharged alive from January 2017 to December 2019 in a network of hospitals in England.

Role playing in human evolution: from life to art, and everything in between.

Role playing is a central, but underappreciated, process in human evolution. It is a feature not only of the theatrical arts, but of everyday social interactions. While some role playing is limited to enacting various personas of the self (e.

Structures and determinants of soil microbiomes along a steep elevation gradient in Southwest China.

Soil microbial communities play a vital role in accelerating nutrient cycling and stabilizing ecosystem functions in forests. However, the diversity of soil microbiome and the mechanisms driving their distribution patterns along elevational gradients in montane areas remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the soil microbial diversity along an elevational gradient from 650 m to 3,800 m above sea level in southeast Tibet, China, through DNA metabarcode sequencing of both the bacterial and fungal communities.

Association between 24-hour movement behaviors and adiposity in children and adolescents: A compositional data meta-analysis.

Purpose: To quantitatively synthesize published evidence on the association between 24-hour movement behavior composition with adiposity in children and adolescents aged 3-18 years.

Methods: Systematic literature searches were conducted in five electronic databases to identify papers published between January 2015 and January 2024. A machine learning-assisted systematic review was conducted to identify studies applying compositional data analysis to examine the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and adiposity in children and youth.

A randomized controlled, trial on effects of mobile phone text messaging in combination with motivational interviewing versus standard infant feeding counselling on breastfeeding and child health outcomes, among women living with HIV.

Background: Despite efforts to promote optimal breastfeeding practices, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding is low in South Africa. We conducted a trial to determine whether text messaging plus motivational interviewing prolonged exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and improved child health outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a randomized parallel group-controlled trial between July 2022 and May 2024, at a secondary-level healthcare facility.

Understanding the experiences of young, urban, Indigenous mothers-to-be in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Indigenous Peoples comprise the youngest and fastest growing demographic in Canada, with many living in urban-suburban areas. Given higher fertility rates, younger overall ages and higher adolescent pregnancy rates, perinatal research is needed-to inform policymaking and programming throughout pregnancy and childhood. Yet such data remain scarce in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Functional neurological disorder treated with psychoeducation: A case report.

Rationale: Psychogenic tremor (PT) is the most common subtype of psychogenic movement disorder, characterized by involuntary movement, and is usually related to occupational injuries or accidents. Psychogenic movement disorder falls under the category of functional neurological disorders, which are diagnosed based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Patient Concerns: A 25-year-old Saudi male with a history of recurrent superior ventricular tachycardia presented to the emergency department with tremors affecting all his extremities for 8 days.

Transfer from long-term care to acute care and risk of new permanent cognitive or physical disability among long-term care residents in Canada: protocol for a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Long-term care (LTC) residents are frequently transferred to acute care hospitals. Transfer decisions should align with residents' wishes and goals. Decision to transfer to hospital, when not aligned with the resident's wishes, can result in transfers that are harmful to residents, leaving residents in a state of disability that could be considered worse than death.

What should be publicly funded in the Colombian health system? A mixed methods study of citizens' perceptions.

Background: In recent years, citizens have become more interested and willing to influence health policy decision-making, and governments worldwide are more prone to citizen engagement in such processes. Prioritising which health technologies should be publicly funded is one decision that requires prudence and consideration of the values and expectations of the people who will be affected by it.

Objective: To identify and understand the citizens' perceptions about which health technologies should be publicly funded in Colombia.

High-intensive physical rehabilitation approach in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury during subacute phase (REHABILITY): a feasibility study protocol.

Introduction: While principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning emphasise the potential of high dosage of physical rehabilitation in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI) during the subacute phase, we lack empirical evidence to demonstrate its impact in terms of meaningful outcomes. Clinical research is needed to investigate adequate dosage of physical rehabilitation and its effects on outcomes with reliable and validated outcome measurements. In this study we will investigate the feasibility of a highly intensive physical rehabilitation intervention and outcomes with reliable and valid outcome measurements.

Global linear accelerator requirements and personalised country recommendations: a cross-sectional, population-based study.

Background: The Linear Accelerator Shortage Index (LSI) is a practical tool for prioritising the deployment of linear accelerators (LINACs) in various regions within a country. The LSI reflects the ratio of LINAC demand to current availability. The aim of this study was to use the LSI to predict global LINAC needs and classify countries according to the degree of radiotherapy shortage (LINAC shortage grade).

The Impact of Electrophysiological Diversity on Pattern Completion in Lithium Nonresponsive Bipolar Disorder: A Computational Modeling Approach.

Introduction: Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) demonstrate episodic memory deficits, which may be hippocampal-dependent and may be attenuated in lithium responders. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CA3 pyramidal cell-like neurons show significant hyperexcitability in lithium-responsive BD patients, while lithium nonresponders show marked variance in hyperexcitability. We hypothesize that this variable excitability will impair episodic memory recall, as assessed by cued retrieval (pattern completion) within a computational model of the hippocampal CA3.

Patient Perspectives of "Failure" in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Literature: Points de vue des patients sur les «échecs» de la reconstruction mammaire: Revue systématique des publications sur l'aspect qualitatif.

The concept of in breast reconstruction can occur when negative outcomes dominate the patient experience. The primary objective of this review was to identify experiences of in breast reconstruction from the patient's perspective in the qualitative literature. MEDLINE, Embase, Psychinfo, Emcare, and CINAHL were searched on July 31, 2023 using terms related to breast reconstruction and qualitative research.

adapted to steppe-desert climate extremes one million years ago.

Questions about when early members of the genus adapted to extreme environments like deserts and rainforests have traditionally focused on . Here, we present multidisciplinary evidence from Engaji Nanyori in Tanzania's Oldupai Gorge, revealing that thrived in hyperarid landscapes one million years ago. Using biogeochemical analyses, precise chronometric dating, palaeoclimate simulations, biome modeling, fire history reconstructions, palaeobotanical studies, faunal assemblages, and archeological evidence, we reconstruct an environment dominated by semidesert shrubland.