Somatic CAG repeat expansion in blood associates with biomarkers of neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease decades before clinical motor diagnosis.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease with the age at which characteristic symptoms manifest strongly influenced by inherited HTT CAG length. Somatic CAG expansion occurs throughout life and understanding the impact of somatic expansion on neurodegeneration is key to developing therapeutic targets. In 57 HD gene expanded (HDGE) individuals, ~23 years before their predicted clinical motor diagnosis, no significant decline in clinical, cognitive or neuropsychiatric function was observed over 4.

Challenges and opportunities for digital twins in precision medicine from a complex systems perspective.

Digital twins (DTs) in precision medicine are increasingly viable, propelled by extensive data collection and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), alongside traditional biomedical methodologies. We argue that including mechanistic simulations that produce behavior based on explicitly defined biological hypotheses and multiscale mechanisms is beneficial. It enables the exploration of diverse therapeutic strategies and supports dynamic clinical decision-making through insights from network science, quantitative biology, and digital medicine.

Cannabidiol and Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin for the Development of Deflated Spherical-Shaped Inhalable Powder.

In addition to the known therapeutic indications for cannabidiol, its administration by inhalation appears to be of great interest. Indeed, there is evidence of cannabidiol's efficacy in several physiological pathways, suggesting its potential for a wide range of applications for both local and systemic pulmonary administration like cancers. Significant advances in pulmonary drug delivery have led to innovative strategies to address the challenges of increasing the respirable fraction of drugs and standardizing inhalable products.

Stretch-induced endogenous electric fields drive directed collective cell migration in vivo.

Directed collective cell migration is essential for morphogenesis, and chemical, electrical, mechanical and topological features have been shown to guide cell migration in vitro. Here we provide in vivo evidence showing that endogenous electric fields drive the directed collective cell migration of an embryonic stem cell population-the cephalic neural crest of Xenopus laevis. We demonstrate that the voltage-sensitive phosphatase 1 is a key component of the molecular mechanism, enabling neural crest cells to specifically transduce electric fields into a directional cue in vivo.

Soil Nitrogen Supply Exerts Largest Influence on Leaf Nitrogen in Environments with the Greatest Leaf Nitrogen Demand.

Accurately representing the relationships between nitrogen supply and photosynthesis is crucial for reliably predicting carbon-nitrogen cycle coupling in Earth System Models (ESMs). Most ESMs assume positive correlations amongst soil nitrogen supply, leaf nitrogen content, and photosynthetic capacity. However, leaf photosynthetic nitrogen demand may influence the leaf nitrogen response to soil nitrogen supply; thus, responses to nitrogen supply are expected to be the largest in environments where demand is the greatest.

Anterograde ultrasound guided lacertus fibrosus release at the elbow under WALANT - technical note.

Dynamic compression of the median nerve under the lacertus fibrosus at the elbow causes pain and weakness. It is a frequently overlooked pathology and a cause of failed recovery after carpal tunnel release. The purpose was to present a technical note on minimally invasive ultrasound-guided lacertus syndrome surgical treatment under WALANT.

The influence of guided tours on the welfare of white-handed gibbons and capuchin monkeys at Maia Zoo.

Zoo animals are regularly exposed to a plethora of sensorial stimuli beyond their control, which can adversely impact their behaviour and welfare, including unfamiliar faces, excessive noise and intrusive visitor interaction. Zoos have implemented various measures, such as enrichments and regulation of visitor behaviour, to mitigate these effects. However, guided tours have not been used to simultaneously control visitor behaviour and maintain animal welfare.

Validation of an Aerobic Fitness Questionnaire to estimate VO peak in a cohort of adult cardiac patients - Is it enough?

Introduction And Objectives: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard for quantifying aerobic functional capacity, yet it is costly and not widely available. The CLINIMEX Aerobic Fitness Questionnaire (C-AFQ) may be a practical alternative as it estimates oxygen consumption at peak exercise (VO peak) based on patients' responses to a list of activities with known energy requirements. However, its applicability in cardiac patients is unclear and has not yet been studied.

Association of LDL-cholesterol with prognosis in patients admitted for acutely decompensated heart failure.

Introduction And Objectives: The association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of LDL-C in patients admitted for acutely decompensated HF and establish a safety cut-off value in this population.

Methods: This retrospective, observational study included 167 consecutive patients admitted for acute HF.

Multidisciplinary cardiorenal program for heart failure patients: Improving outcomes through comprehensive care.

The Cardiorenal Program (CRP), implemented within a specialized heart failure and kidney disease clinic, encompasses a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with heart failure and kidney disease. It focuses on optimizing therapy and improving patient outcomes. The CRP includes a range of services, including clinical evaluation, diagnostic testing, medical treatment, and patient education.

A systematic review of the effectiveness of leaded glasses for ensuring safety among healthcare professionals in fluoroscopy.

Background: Currently, there is an increase in procedures across various clinical specialties involving the use of ionising radiation.

Objective: The primary objective of this systematic review is to analyse and compare the existing literature regarding the effectiveness of leaded glasses for healthcare professionals.

Methods: Comprehensive literature searches were conducted for relevant studies published between 2018 and 2023 using the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology.

Relations between microplastic contamination and stress biomarkers under two seasonal conditions in wild carps, mullets and flounders.

Potential effects of microplastics (MP, plastic particles <5 mm) on the levels of multiple stress biomarkers were investigated in wild fish populations of Cyprinus carpio, Mugil cephalus, Platichthys flesus captured in the Minho River estuary located in the Iberian Peninsula. Specimens were collected in March and September 2018, corresponding to the end of winter and summer, respectively. Based on the concentration of MP determined by FT-IR analysis and morphological inspection, fishes from each species were divided into two groups: ≤0.

Enhancing prediction of major depressive disorder onset in adolescents: A machine learning approach.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition that often begins in adolescence, with significant long-term implications. Indicated prevention programs targeting adolescents with mild symptoms have shown efficacy, yet the methods for identifying at-risk individuals need improvement. This study aims to evaluate the utility of Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) in predicting the onset of MDD among non-depressed adolescents, compared to traditional screening methods.

Occurrence and molecular identification of haemotropic Mycoplasma species in grey wolves (Canis lupus) from southern Europe.

Although wild and domestic carnivores share some haemotropic Mycoplasma species, information about the circulation of this pathogen in grey wolves (Canis lupus) populations is still very limited. Thus, a geographically broad-based investigation was performed for determining the occurrence and diversity of Mycoplasma spp. in three different wolf populations from southern Europe.

Artificial intelligence applied in identifying left ventricular walls in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy images: Pilot study.

This paper proposes the use of artificial intelligence techniques, specifically the nnU-Net convolutional neural network, to improve the identification of left ventricular walls in images of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, with the objective of improving the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. The methodology included data collection in a clinical environment, followed by data preparation and analysis using the 3D Slicer Platform for manual segmentation, and subsequently, the application of artificial intelligence models for automated segmentation, focusing on the efficiency of identifying the walls of the left ventricular. A total of 83 clinical routine exams were collected, each exam containing 50 slices, which is 4,150 images.

Walking or hanging: the role of habitat use for body shape evolution in lacertid lizards.

Differences in habitat use impose ecological constraints which in turn lead to functional and morphological differences through adaptation. In fact, a convergent evolutionary pattern is evident when species exhibit similar responses to similar environments. In this study we examine how habitat use influences the evolution of body shape in lizards from the family Lacertidae.

Low-Impedance Hybrid Carbon Structures on SiO: A Sequential Gas-Phase Coating Approach.

Carbon coating on SiO surface is crucial for enhancing initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and cycling performance in batteries, while also buffering volume expansion. Despite its market prevalence, the effects of the carbon layer's quality and structure on the electrochemical properties of SiO remain underexplored. This study compares carbon layers produced via gas-phase and solid-phase coating methods, introducing an innovative technique that sequentially uses two gases to develop a low-impedance hybrid carbon structure.

Exploring freshwater soundscapes of tropical marshland habitats in Southeast Asia: insights into auditory sensory adaptation of wild Siamese fighting fish .

While soundscapes shape the structure and function of auditory systems over evolutionary timescales, there is limited information regarding the adaptation of wild fish populations to their natural acoustic environments. This is particularly relevant for freshwater ecosystems, which are extremely diverse and face escalating pressures from human activities and associated noise pollution. The Siamese fighting fish is one of the most important cultured species in the global ornamental fish market and is increasingly recognized as a model organism for genetics and behavioural studies.

Digital business, work and consumption in a service relation: a case study of a delivery platform company.

The platform economy has contributed to new ways of organising business, work, and consumption. To understand the shape and scope of these changes, it is crucial to pay simultaneous attention to these three domains. The new ways of organising, dividing and coordinating work are interlinked with specific ways of consuming services made available by digital platforms.

A never-ending story: updated 3D cyber-taxonomic revision of the ant genus Wheeler (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Dorylinae) for the Afrotropical region.

The ant genus are fascinating ants due to their distinctive morphology, ecology, and rarity. In this study, a comprehensive revision of in the Afrotropical region is presented, through a combination of morphological examination under the light microscope and three-dimensional (3D) cyber-taxonomy based on microtomography (micro-CT). Micro-CT based 3D surface models of all species were used for virtual morphological visualisation and examination.

Giant Cardiac Myxoma as a Cause of Stroke.

Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary intracardiac tumors and are histologically benign. However, they are potentially dangerous because of the risk of systemic embolism. Echocardiography is the key diagnostic tool for atrial myxomas, allowing for the identification of the tumor, as well as determining its location, shape, size, and connections with adjacent cardiac structures.

Enhancing Diagnostic Precision: Intracardiac Echocardiography-Guided Endomyocardial Biopsy for Complex Right Atrial Mass.

An 80-year-old woman with a history of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma presented to the emergency department with exertional dyspnea and lower limb edema. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large extracardiac mass invading the right atrium. A diagnostic transcatheter endomyocardial biopsy guided by intracardiac echocardiography was performed.

Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Children: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background and objective Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health concern, especially in low-income regions with poor sanitation. Our hospital caters to a large migrant population, but data on these infections in Portugal is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of intestinal parasitic infections in pediatric patients from epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological perspectives.