Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation as the Source of Cryptogenic Retrieved Clots by a Novel Thrombin Secretion Assay.

Background: Secondary prevention of acute ischemic stroke depends on identifying the source of cryptogenic clots. We previously reported that secreted thrombin activity from endovascularly retrieved clots is significantly different in atrial fibrillation (AF) versus atherosclerosis (AS) related, probably due to the in-vivo biology of the clots.

Objectives: To validate and optimize thrombin secretion for clot source diagnosis.

Trephination for primary pediatric pilonidal sinus disease: medium term functional and recurrence outcome of a large cohort.

Purpose: Minimal incision procedures have been recommended for pediatric pilonidal sinus disease, based on small studies with short follow-up. We aimed to describe medium-term outcomes of trephination in a large cohort.

Methods: Retrospective chart review and additional concluding telephone interviews for all children who underwent primary trephination in our institution over 5.

Genetic basis of resistance in hosts facing alternative infection strategies by a virulent bacterial pathogen.

Having alternative infection routes is thought to help parasites circumvent host resistance, provided that these routes are associated with different host resistance loci. This study tests this postulate by examining whether alternate infection routes of the parasite Pasteuria ramosa are linked to distinct resistance loci in its crustacean host, Daphnia magna. We focus on the P.

Identifying risk factors for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii carriage upon admission: a case-case control study.

Background: Active screening programs and early detection of asymptomatic carriers are effective in preventing carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) dissemination in healthcare facilities. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with CRAB carriage among patients upon admission to an acute care hospital.

Methods: A case-case-control study was conducted at an acute care hospital.

Association of intravitreal and topical anti-inflammatory therapies on short-term anatomical and functional outcomes following epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: Here we examine the association of anti-inflammatory therapy with anatomical and functional outcomes of epiretinal membrane surgery.

Methods: The study included consecutive patients having gone through epiretinal membrane surgery at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, between 2017 and 2021. The association of perioperative intravitreal and postoperative topical anti-inflammatory therapies with surgical outcomes was assessed.

Evaluation of the Effect of Risankizumab on the Pharmacokinetics of Cytochrome P450 Substrates in Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.

Background And Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of risankizumab on the pharmacokinetics of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A substrates in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) using a cocktail approach.

Methods: Patients with CD or UC (n = 20) received single doses of probe substrates for CYP1A2 (caffeine 100 mg), CYP2C9 (warfarin 10 mg), CYP2C19 (omeprazole 20 mg), CYP2D6 (metoprolol 50 mg), and CYP3A (midazolam 2 mg) before and after intravenous infusions of risankizumab 1800 mg once every 4 weeks for four doses. Serial blood samples were collected for determination of concentrations of the CYP probe drugs and metabolites with and without risankizumab.

Self-expanding metallic stent insertion for malignant bowel obstruction secondary to gynecologic malignancies: a retrospective analysis : SEMS for gynecological MBO is efficient.

Background: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a common complication in advanced and recurrent gynecologic malignancies, with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) insertion has emerged as an alternative palliative measure, yet data specific to gynecologic malignancies remains scarce.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 patients with gynecologic malignancies and malignant large bowel obstruction who underwent colorectal stenting between January 2002 and December 2023.

Age against the machine-susceptibility of large language models to cognitive impairment: cross sectional analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the cognitive abilities of the leading large language models and identify their susceptibility to cognitive impairment, using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and additional tests.

Design: Cross sectional analysis.

Setting: Online interaction with large language models via text based prompts.

The Clinical Status of Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Reflects Their Individual Decision to Undergo or Defer Lumbar Spinal Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate whether functional, clinical, and self-reported tests reflect lumbar spinal stenosis patients' decisions to undergo or defer surgery.

Methods: Among 108 participants, 77 chose surgery (SG), and 31 opted to wait and see (WaSG) whether they got better spontaneously. Both groups were assessed at baseline (t0) and 3 months (t1), with additional self-reported measures at 6 (t2) and 12 months (t3).

Anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer's disease: A study on physicians' perspectives.

Advances in amyloid targeting therapies (ATT) for Alzheimer's disease have introduced new options, necessitating an understanding of physicians' perspectives as these therapies move from trials to practice. A survey of Israeli specialists found that 84% were familiar with new ATT, but 60% raised doubts about their ability to significantly impact disease progression. Neurologists were more likely to recommend these treatments, but concerns included treatment costs and limited real-world experience.

Cultural transmission, networks, and clusters among Austronesian-speaking peoples.

With its linguistic and cultural diversity, Austronesia is important in the study of evolutionary forces that generate and maintain cultural variation. By analysing publicly available datasets, we have identified four classes of cultural features in Austronesia and distinct clusters within each class. We hypothesized that there are differing modes of transmission and patterns of variation in these cultural classes and that geography alone would be insufficient to explain some of these patterns of variation.

Navigating a fine balance: point-mutant cheater viruses disrupt the viral replication cycle.

Cheater viruses cannot replicate on their own yet replicate faster than the wild type (WT) when the two viruses coinfect the same cell. Cheaters must possess dual genetic features: a defect, which leads to their inability to infect cells on their own, and a selective advantage over WT during co-infection. Previously, we have discovered two point-mutant cheaters of the MS2 bacteriophage.

PreyTouch: a touchscreen-based closed-loop system for studying predator-prey interactions.

The ability to catch prey is crucial for survival and reproduction and is subject to strong natural selection across predators. Prey capture demands the orchestrated activation of multiple brain regions and the interplay between sensory processing, decision-making, and motor execution. These factors, together with the ubiquity of prey capture across species makes it appealing for comparative studies across neuroscience and ecology.

Potential determinants and predictors of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy in pediatric patients.

Objective: Few studies have reported risk factors for post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism (HPT) in children. We aimed to identify predicting factors for transient and permanent HPT after total thyroidectomy in pediatric patients.

Study Design: Retrospective review of medical charts.

Enhancing decision-making in tubal ectopic pregnancy using a machine learning approach to expectant management: a clinical article.

Objective: To refine decision-making regarding expectant management for ectopic pregnancy (EP) using machine learning.

Methods: This retrospective study addressed expectant management in stable patients with ampullar EP, 2014-2022. Electronic medical record data included demographics, medical history, admission data, sonographic findings, and laboratory results.

Personality and neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals diagnosed with long COVID.

Objective: This study investigates persistent physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Long COVID, focusing on their severity and assessing risk/resilience factors, including conscientiousness and neuroticism. The study utilizes a mediation model to explore the potential role of psychological distress in mediating its impact on cognitive decline.

Methods: In an online survey, 114 participants diagnosed with Long COVID completed assessments, including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) for psychological distress, Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) questionnaire for cognitive decline, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep disorders, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) with "BIG-5 inventory" subscales for risk/resilience factors.

Complex PTSD and identification with the aggressor among survivors of childhood abuse.

Background: Childhood abuse (CA) is a risk factor for trauma-related disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). This severe form of interpersonal trauma may result in "identification with the aggressor" (IWA), in which the individual may take on the beliefs, perspectives, and behaviors of the perpetrator. Although previous evidence suggests that IWA may be particularly related to CPTSD as compared to PTSD, there has been no study that investigated this hypothesis.

Boosting neuronal activity-driven mitochondrial DNA transcription improves cognition in aged mice.

Deciphering the complex interplay between neuronal activity and mitochondrial function is pivotal in understanding brain aging, a multifaceted process marked by declines in synaptic function and mitochondrial performance. Here, we identified an age-dependent coupling between neuronal and synaptic excitation and mitochondrial DNA transcription (E-TC), which operates differently compared to classic excitation-transcription coupling in the nucleus (E-TC). We demonstrated that E-TC repurposes molecules traditionally associated with E-TC to regulate mitochondrial DNA expression in areas closely linked to synaptic activation.