Improving locomotor performance with motor imagery and tDCS in young adults.

The study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a non-motor intervention utilizing motor imagery (MI) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance motor function. The research involved a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with three groups: MIActive, MISham, and Control. Participants engaged in a cognitively demanding obstacle course, with time and prefrontal activation (ΔO2Hb and ΔHHb) measured across three-time points (Baseline, Post-test, 1-week follow-up).

Distributed model building and recursive integration for big spatial data modeling.

Motivated by the need for computationally tractable spatial methods in neuroimaging studies, we develop a distributed and integrated framework for estimation and inference of Gaussian process model parameters with ultra-high-dimensional likelihoods. We propose a shift in viewpoint from whole to local data perspectives that is rooted in distributed model building and integrated estimation and inference. The framework's backbone is a computationally and statistically efficient integration procedure that simultaneously incorporates dependence within and between spatial resolutions in a recursively partitioned spatial domain.

Gut microbiome dysbiosis is not associated with portal vein thrombosis in patients with end-stage liver disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). The portal vein in ESLD patients is proposedly an inflammatory vascular bed due to translocation of endotoxins and cytokines from the gut. We hypothesized that a pro-inflammatory gut microbiome and elevated trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a driver of thrombosis, may contribute to PVT development.

Global longitudinal strain as an early marker of cardiac damage after cardiotoxic medications, a state of the art review.

Ejection fraction (EF) is the principal parameter used clinically to assess cardiac function and provides prognostic information. However, significant myocardial damage can be present despite preserved EF. Recently, the measurement of left ventricle (LV) deformation by global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been introduced as a novel early marker of cardiac dysfunction.

DNA-binding affinity and specificity determine the phenotypic diversity in BCL11B-related disorders.

BCL11B is a Cys2-His2 zinc-finger (C2H2-ZnF) domain-containing, DNA-binding, transcription factor with established roles in the development of various organs and tissues, primarily the immune and nervous systems. BCL11B germline variants have been associated with a variety of developmental syndromes. However, genotype-phenotype correlations along with pathophysiologic mechanisms of selected variants mostly remain elusive.

Gustatory cortex neurons perform reliability-dependent integration of multisensory flavor inputs.

Flavor is the quintessential multisensory experience, combining gustatory, retronasal olfactory, and texture qualities to inform food perception and consumption behavior. However, the computations that govern multisensory integration of flavor components and their underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we use rats as a model system to test the hypothesis that taste and smell components of flavor are integrated in a reliability-dependent manner to inform hedonic judgments and that this computation is performed by neurons in the primary taste cortex.

Clinician Knowledge of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Practices: A Preliminary Survey Study.

Context: After completing rehabilitation, patients face a high risk of subsequent injury following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It is important to identify potential barriers to patient success including clinician knowledge. The purpose of this study was to assess clinician knowledge of research related to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation.

Classification of α-thalassemia data using machine learning models.

Background: Around 7% of the global population has congenital hemoglobin disorders, with over 300,000 new cases of α-thalassemia annually. Diagnosis is costly and inaccurate in low-income regions, often relying on complete blood count (CBC) tests. This study employs machine learning (ML) to classify α-thalassemia traits based on gender and CBC, exploring the effects of grouping silent- and non-carriers.

Differential effects of exercise training protocols on blood pressures and lipid profiles in older adults patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Decreased physical activity and high blood pressure are both risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Controlling blood pressure within the normal range can prevent or delay these complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed the effects of different types of exercise training on the blood pressure and lipid profiles of older adults patients with hypertension.

Partial versus radical cystectomy in localized colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Locally advanced colorectal tumors frequently invade adjacent organs, particularly the urinary bladder in the sigmoid colon and upper rectum, complicating multivisceral resections. This study compared postoperative outcomes of partial cystectomy (PC) and total cystectomy (TC) in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Central Register of Clinical Trials, and Web of Science for studies published up to November 2024.

The Cost-Effectiveness of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Treating HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients in the USA: When Non-medication Expenses are Considered.

Background And Objective: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) significantly enhance progression-free survival and overall survival in patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, they are highly expensive, and their economic impact has not been fully evaluated. This is a retrospective secondary analysis evaluating the cost effectiveness of these drugs, differentiating between medication-related and non-medication costs from a healthcare perspective.

Examining the Dimensionality, Internal Consistency, and Invariance of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) Across Age, Race, Ethnicity, and Caretaking Status.

This study investigates the performance of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) across diverse demographic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a large, generalizable U.S.

Association of Ultrasound and Electrodiagnostic Studies in Patients Evaluated for Ulnar Neuropathy.

Purpose: Our goal was to determine the association between the severity of electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies with the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel using diagnostic ultrasound. Based on our clinical experience, we hypothesized there would not be a positive correlation between the severity of EDX and ulnar nerve CSA.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients 18 years or older evaluated from May 1, 2020, to June 31, 2021, referred for an upper limb EDX and neuromuscular ultrasound to evaluate for an upper limb neuropathy.

University Students Implement a Nutrition and Cooking Education Curriculum With Fidelity.

Objective: To assess the ability of trained university students to implement Cooking Matters for Kids, a hands-on nutrition and cooking education curriculum for third through fifth-grade children.

Methods: Process evaluation data were collected from 6 Cooking Matters for Kids courses led by university students in the fall of 2019 and spring of 2020 at 6 afterschool programs in Orange County, North Carolina. Trained research assistants observed lessons and reported whether key intervention components were implemented as planned, the level of participant engagement, what worked well, and what could be improved on.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults: The Moderating Effect of Dementia Diagnosis.

This study investigated the relationship between different intensities of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) (i.e., vigorous LTPA vs.

Strategically Engineered Metal Cluster-Rare Earth Oxide Heterojunction Catalyst for High-Performance Lean Electrolyte Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Developing high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries faces serious polysulfide shuttle effects and sluggish conversion kinetics, often necessitating the excessive use of electrolytes, which in turn adversely affects battery performance. Our study introduces a meticulously designed electrocatalyst, Cu-CeO@N/C, to enhance lean-electrolyte lithium-sulfur battery performance. This catalyst, featuring in situ synthesized Cu clusters, regulates oxygen vacancies in CeO and forms Cu-CeO heterojunctions, thereby diminishing sulfur conversion barriers and hastening reaction kinetics through the generation of S/S intermediates.

Atomically Dispersed FeMo Dual Sites for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction.

The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) is an attractive strategy for the green and distributed production of ammonia (NH); however, it suffers from weak N adsorption and a high energy barrier of hydrogenation. Atomically dispersed metal dual-site catalysts with an optimized electronic structure and exceptional catalytic activity are expected to be competent for knotty hydrogenation reactions including the eNRR. Inspired by the bimetallic FeMo cofactor in biological nitrogenase, herein, an atomically dispersed FeMo dual site anchored in nitrogen-doped carbon is proposed to induce a favorable electronic structure and binding energy.

RETRACTION: Circular RNA circFBXO11 Modulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progress and Oxaliplatin Resistance Through miR-605/FOXO3/ABCB1 Axis.

J. Li, X. Qin, R.

Injectable Estradiol Use in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals in the U.S.: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Context: Guidelines for use of injectable estradiol esters (valerate [EV] and cypionate [EC]) among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals designated male at birth vary considerably, with many providers noting supraphysiologic serum estradiol concentrations based on current dosing recommendations.

Objectives: 1. Determine dose of injectable estradiol (subcutaneous [SC] and intramuscular [IM]) needed to reach guideline-recommended estradiol concentrations for TGD adults using EC/EV.

Battlefield Acupuncture Does Not Provide Additional Improvement in Pain When Combined With Standard Physical Therapy After Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Shoulder stabilization surgery is common among military personnel, causing severe acute postoperative pain that may contribute to the development of chronic pain, thereby reducing military readiness. Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) has shown promise as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for acute postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of BFA combined with standard physical therapy on pain, self-reported mood, self-reported improvement, and medication use in patients after shoulder stabilization surgery.

Reply to Pennington, T.E.; Thompson, J.F. Sentinel Node Biopsy in Melanoma Remains a Valuable Clinical Tool. Comment on "Dixon et al. Primary Cutaneous Melanoma-Management in 2024. 2024, , 1607".

We note with interest the commentary by Pennington and Thompson (P&T) regarding our detailed update on the management of primary cutaneous melanoma in 2024 [...

Leadless Pacemaker vs. Transvenous Pacemaker in End Stage Kidney Disease: Insights from the Nationwide Readmission Database.

: Leadless pacemakers offer a safe and effective alternative pacing strategy. However, limited data are available for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a population of significant relevance. Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we extracted data from all adult patients with ESRD who underwent traditional transvenous or leadless pacemaker implantation between 2016 and 2021.

A Narrative and Case-Illustrated Review on Dental Autotransplantation Identifying Current Gaps in Knowledge.

: Permanently replacing missing teeth in the younger population is a clinical challenge. However, dental autotransplantation offers a viable treatment option in this demographic. To be performed predictably, it requires proper diagnoses, planning, and adherence to established guidelines in a multidisciplinary approach.