Search Results (70)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that results from a culmination of acute and chronic damage to neural tissue, specifically the myelin sheath, thus impacting neurons’ abilities to synergistically perform their physiological roles. This review explores the molecular underpinnings of myelination, demyelination, and remyelination, emphasizing the role of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), astrocytes, and microglia in physiological, and pathophysiological, healing. Furthermore, we link these processes with emerging therapeutic strategies currently under investigation in animal and human models, underscoring areas of translational medicine that remain underutilized. The goal of this review is to provide a framework for developing more advanced interventions to restore function and improve outcomes for individuals with SCI. Full article

Current treatment strategies for partial tendon tears often lack the capacity to promote true tissue regeneration and improve long-term clinical outcomes. This study tested the hypothesis that treatment of a partial defect in the rabbit common calcaneus tendon (CCT) with uncultured, unmodified, autologous, adipose-derived regenerative cells (UA-ADRCs) enables regenerative healing without scar formation. A full-thickness, 3 mm defect was produced in the midsubstance of the right gastrocnemius tendon, a component of the CCT, in adult female New Zealand white rabbits. Animals received either an injection of 28.3 × 10⁶ UA-ADRCs in 0.5 mL Ringer’s lactated solution (RLS) or saline, or RLS or saline alone as sham treatment. Tendons were analyzed 4 or 12 weeks post-treatment using histology, immunohistochemistry and non-destructive biomechanical testing. UA-ADRC-treated tendons showed newly formed connective tissue consistent with tendon regeneration, whereas sham-treated tendons developed scar tissue. Biomechanical testing showed significantly higher percent relaxation in UA-ADRC-treated tendons compared to sham controls (p < 0.05), indicating greater viscoelasticity characteristic of healthy or well-integrated tissue. Together, these findings suggest that UA-ADRC therapy may provide a regenerative, structure-modifying treatment for partial tendon tears. Full article

Objective: Assess the accuracy of the Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) survey’s diet quality index against the 24 h recall-based Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020). Methods: Fifty-one rising third and fourth graders (mean age 9.5 yrs., SD = 1.03 yrs.) from a summer program completed the SPAN survey and a 24 h dietary recall on the same day. The study compared SPAN HEI scores from survey food frequency items to HEI-2020 scores from recalls using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDS-R) software, evaluating correlations and agreement metrics. Results: SPAN HEI averaged 36.87 (SD = 3.78), while recall-derived HEI was 49.05 (SD = 11.92). The mean difference between indices was 12.18 (SD = 10.83), with an absolute difference of 13.51 (SD = 9.01). Bland–Altman analysis indicated limits of agreement from −9.05 to 33.40. Spearman correlation between SPAN HEI and recall HEI was r = 0.44 (p < 0.01), with an ICC of 0.45 (95% CI = 0.04, 0.68). Conclusions and Implications: After comparing HEI scores from both tools, SPAN HEI and HEI-2020 demonstrated a moderate correlation, indicating that SPAN HEI may serve as a practical and less burdensome alternative for large-scale dietary assessments. While further validation is needed, these findings suggest its potential utility in monitoring diet quality at the population level. Full article

Meaningful discourse in the mathematics classroom involves creating a learning community that empowers students to articulate their reasoning and make sense of the contributions of their peers while advancing the learning of mathematics for the entire class. This study assessed the degree to which secondary mathematics (Grades 7–12) teacher candidates incorporated discourse into their lessons and the factors influencing their decisions. An explanatory mixed methods design was used, in which data were collected sequentially. Lesson videos were analyzed, followed by interviews of teacher candidates with high-discourse lessons. This study found that participants showed significant growth in their use of effective teaching practices from the beginning of the semester to the end of the semester, including mathematics discourse. The interviews revealed four contributing factors: intentional effort, learning experiences, professional relationships, and pedagogical knowledge. Understanding the experiences of teacher candidates during their own learning of mathematics, their mathematical identities, and beliefs about mathematics could help generate knowledge regarding the implementation of mathematics discourse and other reform-based practices in teacher instruction. Full article

Targeting tumor-specific molecular alterations has shown significant clinical benefit. Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) connect cancer patients with personalized treatments and clinical trials. However, rural cancer centers often have limited access to MTB expertise. We established an academic–community partnership expanding our academic MTB to affiliated rural community cancer centers. We developed a centralized molecular registry of tumors (MRT) to aggregate the comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) results and facilitate multidisciplinary MTB review. Of the 151 patients included, 87 (58%) had actionable genomic biomarkers, 42 (28%) were eligible for a targeted off-label therapy, and 27 (18%) were matched to a clinical trial. Of those with a clinical trial match, only 1 of 27 (3%) was enrolled in the identified trial. One year into implementation, community oncology providers were anonymously surveyed on persistent barriers to precision treatment utilization. The primary barriers to clinical trial enrollment were the distance to the trial center (70%), lack of transportation (55%), and lack of local trials (50%). This study offers a framework to improve access to molecular expertise, but significant barriers to the equitable use of CGP and trial enrollment persist. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to develop and validate a Glaucoma Health Score (GHS) that incorporates multiple individual glaucoma risk factors to enhance glaucoma detection in screening environments. Methods: The GHS was developed using a retrospective dataset from two clinical sites, including both eyes of glaucoma patients and controls. The model incorporated age, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, pattern standard deviation from a visual field threshold 24-2 test, and two parameters from an optical coherence tomography (OCT) test: the average circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and the minimum thickness of the six sectors of the macular ganglion cell plus the inner plexiform layer. The GHS was then validated in two independent datasets: one from primary care sites using Maestro OCT data (test dataset 1) and another from an academic center using DRI OCT Triton (test dataset 2). Results: Both eyes of 51 glaucoma patients and 67 controls were included in the development dataset. Setting the GHS cutoff at 75 points out of 100, test dataset 1, which comprised 41 subjects with glaucoma and 41 healthy controls, achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.98, with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 98%; test dataset 2, which included 53 patients with glaucoma and 53 healthy controls, resulted in an AUROC of 0.95, with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 96%. A decision curve analysis across all datasets demonstrated a higher net benefit for the GHS model compared to individual OCT parameters. Conclusions: The GHS offers a feasible, standardized approach for early detection of glaucoma, providing strong specificity and acceptable sensitivity, with clear decision-making benefits in screening settings. Full article

Cracked and deteriorated asphalt are common problems on our roads, leading to safety concerns and requiring significant resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction. This study investigates bio-fog seals, a promising eco-friendly solution utilizing bio-based rejuvenators. These treatments penetrate aged asphalt, restoring its flexibility and resistance to cracking. We assessed the effectiveness of two bio-fog seal formulations—one containing sub-epoxidized soybean oil (SESO) and the other combining SESO with a biopolymer (BioMag). Applied to real pavement sections, the research evaluated how these bio-seals impacted key performance factors, such as stiffness, permeability, and drying time, and safety factors, including skid resistance and pavement marking visibility. The results indicate the bio-seals did not compromise skid resistance and the reflectivity of the markings, eliminating the need for repainting stripes. Additionally, they successfully reduced pavement stiffness, making the asphalt more flexible and crack-resistant. Remarkably, with rapid setting times, under 30 min, these treatments minimize traffic disruption and do not require a blotter material. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of bio-fog seals as a sustainable solution for extending pavement lifespan and lowering long-term maintenance costs. Full article

Physiological maturity impacts seed quality through various mechanisms including vigor, desiccation tolerance, dormancy induction, synthesis of raw materials (including seed storage proteins), and the reorganization of metabolisms. Peanut seed development can be classified into seven classes with four incremental stages per class. Based on the mesocarp color, the final three stages are commonly referred to as “orange”, “brown”, and “black”. In 2017, freshly harvested pods from one genotype of runner market-type peanuts grown under conventional practices were obtained from the University of Georgia research facility. The pods were removed from the plant material and ‘pod blasted’ to reveal the mesocarp. After separation, the remainder of the pod outer layer was removed, and the seeds were segregated for proteomic analysis. The raw peanuts were analyzed by bottom-up LC-MS/MS proteomics, which was conducted by the Proteomics Resource Center at the Rockefeller University, to identify the significant protein composition differences in each maturity class. The proteomic data revealed differentially expressed proteins as a function of maturity class with multiple functions including plant defense, metabolism, cell signaling, nutrient accumulation, and packaging. Understanding the processes needed for seed maturation will enable peanut scientists to evaluate the traits needed for robust germination, hardiness of the seed in response to disease, and nutrient quality. Full article

Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a commonly used training modality that has been demonstrated to enhance muscle characteristics such as size and function. The purpose of this study was to determine if a 4-week walking program with or without BFR in healthy, active adults has an effect on body composition, anaerobic, and aerobic running performance. Thirty-three participants, randomized among three groups, completed the walking program, which included five sets of 2 min walking intervals with 1 min rest, with or without BFR, or 10 min walking with BFR. Assessments completed before and after the walking program included body composition, 40-yard sprints, and a VO_2MAX test on a treadmill. A two-way ANOVA revealed no changes among the groups nor for any variables at any time (p > 0.05). Additionally, one main effect for time indicated the VO₂ at V-slope threshold was greater following training for all groups combined (p = 0.001). The results demonstrate that low volume and intensity walking with BFR for 4 weeks did not provide a sufficient stimulus for changing body composition or performance metrics in a group of very active adults. Longer or more isolated exposure of BFR on the limbs may contribute to more pronounced adaptations. Full article

Alternating current can result in flickering—or pulsing—in the brightness of light emitted by luminaires. Lighting flicker typically occurs in the range of 100 to 140 cycles per second (Hz), which is too fast for visual perception by most organisms. However, evidence indicates that many organisms perceive flicker with non-visual photoreceptors present on the retinas. Exposure to flickering lights at night disrupts the circadian rhythm of organisms, leading to symptoms similar to blue light exposure at night. The traditional method for detecting flickering is with a flickermeter held near a single light. In this paper, we explore the use of high-speed camera data in the collection of temporal profiles for groups of luminaires simultaneously at distances ranging from several meters to several kilometers. Temporal profiles are extracted for individual lighting features and the full scene. The identification of luminaire types is based on their spectral signatures. With the camera data, it is possible to identify flickering and non-flickering lights, to determine the flicker frequency, to calculate percent flicker and the flicker index, and to identify groups of lights whose flickers are synchronized. Both flickering and non-flickering luminaires can be found for LED, metal halide, fluorescent, and compact fluorescent lights. To date, flickering has been detected in all of the incandescent, high-pressure sodium, and low-pressure sodium luminaires that we measured. We found that flicker synchronization is often present for lights installed within a single facility and also for strings of streetlights. We also found that flicker exposure can come from the light reflected off of the earth’s surface. Luminaires designed to illuminate large areas often saturate high-speed camera data collection. This saturation can be reduced or eliminated using neutral density filters on the camera. Published experimental data on the impacts of flicker on organisms remains sparse. Many studies have drawn inferences on the impacts of spectral and lighting brightness on organisms without controlling for flicker. Our conclusion is that lighting flicker is a type of light pollution. The use of high-speed camera data makes it easier to include flicker as a variable in studies regarding the impacts of lighting on organisms. Full article

Sacral insufficiency fractures commonly affect elderly women with osteoporosis and can cause debilitating lower back pain. First line management is often with conservative measures such as early mobilization, multimodal pain management, and osteoporosis management. If non-operative management fails, sacroplasty is a minimally invasive intervention that may be pursued. Candidates for sacroplasty are patients with persistent pain, inability to tolerate immobilization, or patients with low bone mineral density. Before undergoing sacroplasty, patients’ bone health should be optimized with pharmacotherapy. Anabolic agents prior to or in conjunction with sacroplasty have been shown to improve patient outcomes. Sacroplasty can be safely performed through a number of techniques: short-axis, long-axis, coaxial, transiliac, interpedicular, and balloon-assisted. The procedure has been demonstrated to rapidly and durably reduce pain and improve mobility, with little risk of complications. This article aims to provide a narrative literature review of sacroplasty including, patient selection and optimization, the various technical approaches, and short and long-term outcomes. Full article

A spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage is a rare complication occurring in the setting of interventional radiology procedures. Here, we present the case of a 73-year-old male who underwent CT-guided drainage of a periduodenal collection. During the procedure, he developed sudden onset left back pain and hypertension, which revealed a left adrenal gland hemorrhage on CT imaging. Potential mechanisms for this complication include a physiological stress response, procedure-associated hypercoagulability, and direct trauma to the adrenal gland. Moreover, an adrenal hemorrhage should be monitored closely as it can lead to severe clinical consequences requiring treatment with IV analgesics and antihypertensives. Full article

Dominance and leverage are both possible causes of social inequality. If sexual dimorphism influences patterns of intersexual dominance, we predicted that highly dimorphic species are constrained to exhibit male-biased power (MP), but species with low sexual dimorphism are free to demonstrate a broader range of intersexual power relationships. If market effects influence intersexual leverage, we predicted that females have more power when group composition is more male-biased and estrus is asynchronous. We analyzed data on intersexual power, sexual dimorphism, expected estrous overlap, and sex ratio for 79 extant primate species using phylogenetic logistic regression and ancestral state reconstructions. Although MP is more common, every major primate clade includes non-MP species. MP was associated with greater body mass and canine length dimorphism and with female-biased sex-ratios. Low estrous overlap was associated with non-MP. Although MP was reconstructed as likely ancestral for anthropoids, the last common ancestor of this clade probably did not exhibit high sexual dimorphism. The last common ancestor of catarrhines was probably highly dimorphic, potentially constraining intersexual power relationships. Non-MP probably evolved multiple times in primates and may be less common because multiple traits are linked to MP while fewer traits are associated with female-biased power or equality. Full article

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Novel chemotherapeutics in pancreatic cancer have shown limited success, illustrating the urgent need for new treatments. Lurbinectedin (PM01183; LY-01017) received FDA approval in 2020 for metastatic small cell lung cancer on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and is currently undergoing clinical trials in a variety of tumor types. Lurbinectedin stalls and degrades RNA Polymerase II and introduces breaks in DNA, causing subsequent apoptosis. We now demonstrate lurbinectedin’s highly efficient killing of human-derived pancreatic tumor cell lines PANC-1, BxPC-3, and HPAF-II as a single agent. We further demonstrate that a combination of lurbinectedin and irinotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor with FDA approval for advanced pancreatic cancer, results in the synergistic killing of pancreatic tumor cells. Western blot analysis of combination therapy indicates an upregulation of γH2AX, a DNA damage marker, and the Chk1/ATR pathway, which is involved in replicative stress and DNA damage response. We further demonstrate that the triple combination between lurbinectedin, irinotecan, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) results in a highly efficient killing of tumor cells. Our results are developing insights regarding molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of a novel combination drug treatment for pancreatic cancer. Full article

People with dementia (PWD) are at risk for medication-related harm due to their impaired cognition and frequently being prescribed many medications. This study evaluated a medication safety intervention (including pharmacist medication reconciliation and review) for PWD during an unplanned admission to hospital. This article reports the effect of the intervention on polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and anticholinergic burden scores for PWD. A pre-post design using an intervention site and a control site was conducted in 2017–2019, in a regional area in New South Wales, Australia. Polypharmacy, PIMs, and anticholinergic burden were measured at admission, discharge, and three months after discharge. There were 628 participants including 289 at the control site and 339 at the intervention site. Polypharmacy was 95% at admission and 90% at discharge. PIMs at admission were 95–98% across timepoints and decreased significantly at discharge. The mean anticholinergic score decreased significantly between admission (2.40–3.15) and discharge (2.01–2.57). Reduced PIMs at discharge were correlated with reduced anticholinergic burden (rho = 0.48–0.55, p < 0.001). No significant differences were identified between the study and control sites for Polypharmacy, PIMs, and anticholinergic burden rates and scores. High rates of polypharmacy and PIMs in this study indicate a study population with multiple comorbidities. This intervention was feasible to implement but was limited due to difficulty recruiting participants and deaths during the study. Future multisite studies should be designed to recruit larger study samples to evaluate interventions for improving medication safety for PWD and improve outcomes for these vulnerable people. Full article