Thalamic deep brain stimulation for central poststroke pain syndrome: an international multicenter study.

Objective: The effectiveness and optimal stimulation site of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for central poststroke pain (CPSP) remain elusive. The objective of this retrospective international multicenter study was to assess clinical as well as neuroimaging-based predictors of long-term outcomes after DBS for CPSP.

Methods: The authors analyzed patient-based clinical and neuroimaging data of previously published and unpublished cohorts from 6 international DBS centers.

Quantifying Memory in Spin Glasses.

Rejuvenation and memory, long considered the distinguishing features of spin glasses, have recently been proven to result from the growth of multiple length scales. This insight, enabled by simulations on the Janus II supercomputer, has opened the door to a quantitative analysis. We combine numerical simulations with comparable experiments to introduce two coefficients that quantify memory.

Disentangling Sources of Momentum Fluctuations in Xe+Xe and Pb+Pb Collisions with the ATLAS Detector.

High-energy nuclear collisions create a quark-gluon plasma, whose initial condition and subsequent expansion vary from event to event, impacting the distribution of the eventwise average transverse momentum [P([p_{T}])]. Disentangling the contributions from fluctuations in the nuclear overlap size (geometrical component) and other sources at a fixed size (intrinsic component) remains a challenge. This problem is addressed by measuring the mean, variance, and skewness of P([p_{T}]) in ^{208}Pb+^{208}Pb and ^{129}Xe+^{129}Xe collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.

Measurement of CP Violation Observables in D^{+}→K^{-}K^{+}π^{+} Decays.

A search for violation of the charge-parity (CP) symmetry in the D^{+}→K^{-}K^{+}π^{+} decay is presented, with proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the LHCb detector. A novel model-independent technique is used to compare the D^{+} and D^{-} phase-space distributions, with instrumental asymmetries subtracted using the D_{s}^{+}→K^{-}K^{+}π^{+} decay as a control channel.

Rotational Locking of Charged Microparticles in Quadrupole Ion Traps.

Electric quadrupole traps are a leading technology for suspending charged objects ranging in size from single protons to atomic and molecular ions, and even to nano- and micron-sized bodies. If the levitated objects' charge distribution contains multipoles, the time-dependent trapping fields can significantly impact its rotational motion. Here, we experimentally observe the transition from librational motion to a regime where a microparticle rotates in sync with the trap drive.

Resonant Conversion of Wave Dark Matter in the Ionosphere.

We consider resonant wavelike dark matter conversion into low-frequency radio waves in the Earth's ionosphere. Resonant conversion occurs when the dark matter mass and the plasma frequency coincide, defining a range m_{DM}∼10^{-9}-10^{-8}  eV where this approach is best suited. Owing to the nonrelativistic nature of dark matter and the typical variational scale of the Earth's ionosphere, the standard linearized approach to computing dark matter conversion is not suitable.

The feasibility of the adult age estimation 3D-CBCT method on ancient human remains.

The age estimation of skeletal remains still represents a central issue not only for the reconstruction of the so-called "biological profile," but mostly for the palaeodemographic investigation. This research aims at verifying the feasibility of the adult age estimation method developed on living people by Pinchi et al. (2015 and 2018), for estimating the age at the death of 37 subjects from ancient populations found in two different Italian necropolis of archaeological interest (Mont'e Prama and Florence, X-IX century B.

Biomathematical enzyme kinetics model of prebiotic autocatalytic RNA networks: degenerating parasite-specific hyperparasite catalysts confer parasite resistance and herald the birth of molecular immunity.

Catalysis and specifically autocatalysis are the quintessential building blocks of life. Yet, although autocatalytic networks are necessary, they are not sufficient for the emergence of life-like properties, such as replication and adaptation. The ultimate and potentially fatal threat faced by molecular replicators is parasitism; if the polymerase error rate exceeds a critical threshold, even the fittest molecular species will disappear.

Profile and Usefulness of Serum Cytokines to Predict Prognosis in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease.

Objectives: To characterize the serum cytokine profile in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) at onset and during follow-up and assess their utility for predicting relapses and disability.

Methods: This retrospective multicentric cohort study included patients aged 16 years and older meeting MOGAD 2023 criteria, with serum samples collected at baseline (≤3 months from disease onset) and follow-up (≥6 months from the baseline), and age-matched and time to sampling-matched patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Eleven cytokines were assessed using the ELLA system.

Aberrant Complement Activation Is Associated With Structural Brain Damage in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Levels of activated complement proteins in the CSF are increased in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are associated with clinical disease severity. In this study, we determined whether complement activation profiles track with quantitative MRI metrics and liquid biomarkers indicative of disease activity and progression.

Methods: Complement components and activation products (Factor H and I, C1q, C3, C4, C5, Ba, Bb, C3a, C4a, C5a, and sC5b-9) and liquid biomarkers (neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], CXCL-13, CXCL-9, and IL-12b) were quantified in the CSF of 112 patients with clinically isolated syndromes and 127 patients with MS; longitudinal MRIs according to a standardized protocol of the Swiss MS cohort were assessed.

Multistate kinetics of the syringe-like injection mechanism of Tc toxins.

Tc toxins are pore-forming virulence factors of many pathogenic bacteria. Following pH-induced conformational changes, they perforate the target membrane like a syringe to translocate toxic enzymes into a cell. Although this complex transformation has been structurally well studied, the reaction pathway and the resulting temporal evolution have remained elusive.

RpH-ILV: Probe for lysosomal pH and acute LLOMe-induced membrane permeabilization in cell lines and .

Lysosomal pH dysregulation is a critical element of the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). To study the role of lysosomes in pathophysiology, probes to analyze lysosomal size, positioning, and pH are indispensable tools. Here, we developed and characterized a ratiometric genetically encoded lysosomal pH probe, RpH-ILV, targeted to a subpopulation of lysosomal intraluminal vesicles.

Two-electron two-nucleus effective Hamiltonian and the spin diffusion barrier.

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and emerging quantum technologies rely on the spin transfer in electron-nuclear hybrid quantum systems. Spin transfers might be suppressed by larger couplings, e.g.

High-resolution cryo-EM using a common LaB 120-keV electron microscope equipped with a sub-200-keV direct electron detector.

High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) requires costly 200- to 300-keV cryo-transmission electron microscopes (cryo-TEMs) with field emission gun (FEG) sources, stable columns, constant-powered lenses, autoloader, and direct electron detectors (DED). Recent advances in 100-keV imaging with the emergence of sub-200-keV optimized DED technology promises the development of more affordable cryo-TEMs. So far, 100-keV imaging has required microscopes with FEG sources.

Quality of caring interactions between nurses and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey with nurses and patients in acute and community care.

Aims: To describe the characteristics and quality of caring interactions between nurses and patients during the earlier phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in acute and home care settings.

Background: Nurse-patient interaction (NPI) plays an important role in effective, person-centered care delivery and has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The survey was part of a multimethod study and used a cross-sectional design.

Total wrist arthrodesis in patients with advanced osteoarthritis: current implants and outcomes.

Total wrist arthrodesis can be used to treat symptomatic end-stage wrist osteoarthritis after failed conservative treatment. It can also be considered the last-resort option when partial fusion, proximal row carpectomy, denervation or prosthetic arthroplasty is unsuccessful. Currently anatomic pre-contoured low-profile plates with angle stable screws are available with or without inclusion of the carpometacarpal joints.

A European Survey to Identify Challenges in the Management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its more severe subtype, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), are highly prevalent and strongly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study sought to identify challenges to the diagnosis, treatment and management of people living with MASLD and MASH and understand the key barriers to adopting relevant clinical guidelines.

Methods: A real-world, cross-sectional study (BARRIERS-MASLD) consisting of a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews of physicians in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom was conducted from March to September 2023.

Extrinsic and intrinsic effects setting viscosity in complex fluids and life processes: the role of fundamental physical constants.

Understanding the values and origin of fundamental physical constants, one of the grandest challenges in modern science, has been discussed in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. More recently, it was realized that fundamental constants have a biofriendly window set by life processes involving motion and flow. This window is related to intrinsic fluid properties such as energy and length scales in condensed matter set by fundamental constants.

Development and Validation of a Neurosurgical Phantom for Simulating External Ventricular Drain Placement.

This study aimed to develop and validate a cost-effective, customizable patient-specific phantom for simulating external ventricular drain placement, combining image segmentation, 3-D printing and molding techniques. Two variations of the phantom were created based on patient MRI data, integrating a realistic skin layer with anatomical landmarks, a 3-D printed skull, an agarose polysaccharide gel brain, and a ventricular cavity. To validate the phantom, 15 neurosurgeons, residents, and physician assistants performed 30 EVD placements.

Method to define recommended portion sizes for consumer guidance.

Purpose: Provision of nutrition information is mandated for packaged foods, but few countries regulate serving sizes. Our objective was to develop a methodology to establish globally consistent portion size recommendations for both nutrient-dense and discretionary foods.

Methods: A stepwise systematic approach incorporated portion values from serving size regulations (n = 10), food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG; n = 90, aggregated into 6 regions), and reported food intakes from Europe and Australia.

Intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute dizziness or imbalance and suspected ischemic stroke-systematic review.

Background: Correct identification of those patients presenting with an acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) or an acute imbalance syndrome (AIS) that have underlying posterior-circulation stroke (PCS) and thus may benefit from revascularization (intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), endovascular therapy (EVT)) is important. Treatment guidelines for AVS/AIS patients are lacking. We reviewed the evidence on acute treatment strategies in AVS/AIS focusing on predictors for IVT/EVT and outcome.

Association of mental health in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid remodeling below age 30 - results from the KiGGS cohort study.

An association of mental health and in particular depression with cardiovascular disease has been shown in adults and to a lesser extent in the young. Recently improved measurement methods of carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT) and carotid stiffness (CS) allow more differentiated analyses of this link. We examined 4,361 participants of the nationwide KiGGS cohort aged 3-17 years at baseline and 14-28 years at follow-up.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Argonaute2 (Ago2) plays an essential role in RISC-mediated silencing of target mRNAs, which are critical for cellular functions. Argonaute2 Syndrome, also known as Ago2 Syndrome, is a rare neurological disorder recently discovered in humans. It has significant implications for brain development, yet it remains unstudied to date METHOD: To study this effect, we deleted the Ago2 gene in GABAergic (Slc32a1 cre) and Glutamatergic (Slc17a6 cre) mice.