Search Results (160)

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the only brain imaging method light enough and with the temporal precision to assess electrocortical dynamics during human locomotion. However, head motion during whole-body movements produces artifacts that contaminate the EEG and reduces ICA decomposition quality. We compared commonly used motion artifact removal approaches for reducing the motion artifact from the EEG during running and identifying stimulus-locked ERP components during an adapted flanker task. EEG was recorded from young adults during dynamic jogging and static standing versions of the Flanker task. Motion artifact removal approaches were evaluated based on their ICA’s component dipolarity, power changes at the gait frequency and harmonics, and ability to capture the expected P300 ERP congruency effect. Preprocessing the EEG using either iCanClean with pseudo-reference noise signals or artifact subspace reconstruction (ASR) led to the recovery of more dipolar brain independent components. In our analyses, iCanClean was somewhat more effective than ASR. Power was significantly reduced at the gait frequency after preprocessing with ASR and iCanClean. Finally, preprocessing using ASR and iCanClean also produced ERP components similar in latency to those identified in the standing flanker task. The expected greater P300 amplitude to incongruent flankers was identified when preprocessing using iCanClean. ASR and iCanClean may provide effective preprocessing methods for reducing motion artifacts in human locomotion studies during running. Full article

Tornado outbreaks can cause substantial damage, injuries, and fatalities, highlighting the need to understand their characteristics for assessing present and future risks. However, global climate models (GCMs) lack the resolution to explicitly simulate tornado outbreaks. As an alternative, researchers examine large-scale atmospheric ingredients that approximate tornado-conducive environments. Building on this approach, we tested whether patterns of covariability between WMAXSHEAR and 500-hPa geopotential height anomalies, previously identified in ERA5 reanalysis, could approximate major U.S. May tornado outbreaks in a GCM. We developed a proxy-based methodology by systematically testing pairs of thresholds for both variables to identify the combination that best reproduced the leading pattern selected for analysis. These thresholds were then applied to simulations from the high-resolution MPI-ESM1.2-HR model to assess its ability to reproduce the original pattern. Results show that the model closely mirrored the observed tornado outbreak pattern, as indicated by a low normalized root mean square error, high spatial correlation, and similar distributions. This study demonstrates a replicable approach for approximating tornado outbreak patterns, applied here to the leading pattern, within a GCM, providing a foundation for future research on how such environments might evolve in a warming climate. Full article

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has traditionally been viewed as a psychiatric disorder of fear, memory, and emotional regulation. However, growing evidence implicates systemic and neuroinflammation as key contributors. Individuals with PTSD often exhibit elevated blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein, indicating immune dysregulation. Dysfunctions in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis marked by reduced cortisol levels impair the body’s ability to regulate inflammation, allowing persistent immune activation. Circulating cytokines cross a weakened blood–brain barrier and activate microglia, which release additional inflammatory mediators. This neuroinflammatory loop can damage brain circuits critical to emotion processing including the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, and disrupt neurotransmitter systems like serotonin and glutamate, potentially explaining PTSD symptoms such as hyperarousal and persistent fear memories. Rodent models of PTSD show similar inflammatory profiles, reinforcing the role of neuroinflammation in disease pathology. Bromo-epi-androsterone (BEA), a synthetic analog of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has shown potent anti-inflammatory effects in clinical trials, significantly reducing IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. By modulating immune activity, BEA represents a promising candidate for mitigating neuroinflammation and its downstream effects in PTSD. These findings support the rationale for initiating clinical trials of BEA as a novel therapeutic intervention for PTSD. Full article

Fungi are the most poorly described kingdom of Eukarya. Fundamental questions about their species diversity, their distributions, and their biotic interactions remain largely unanswered, despite fungi playing important roles in the ecology and biogeochemistry of terrestrial ecosystems. To assess some of these data gaps, we intensively surveyed club and coral fungi in a temperate Australian forest in the Upper Lane Cove Valley, Sydney, Australia, over a period of two years. Specimens identified as Clavulinopsis, Ramaria, or Ramariopsis based on morphology were then assigned to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using the criterion of 97% identity across the entire rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Based on this criterion and ITS-based phylogenies, we identified 80 OTUs in these genera of club and coral fungi within the survey area. Of these OTUs, only 11.25% could be assigned a species name based on BLASTn matches to full-length ITS sequences, suggesting that almost 90% of OTUs were novel taxa, or are yet to be represented in DNA databases. Specimens that were morphologically similar to well-known Northern Hemisphere species were shown to be distinct upon DNA sequencing. Accumulation curves suggest that our surveys only recovered about half of the species in the target genera, and seven times the effort would be required to sample to exhaustion. In summary, even in a small area of less than 100 km², there is evidence for multiple undescribed, cryptic, and undiscovered species. This highlights the fundamental work that remains to be completed in fungal taxonomy and biology. Full article

Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health concerns among college students. In addition to the typical college stressors, Hispanic students may experience minority status stress associated with their membership in a socially stigmatized ethnic and cultural group. Ethnic minority status stress has been positively associated with psychological distress. Therefore, this study examined, among Hispanic college students, (a) gender differences in the associations of ethnic minority status stress and social support to depression and anxiety symptoms, (b) if social support buffered the association of minority stress with depression and anxiety symptoms, and (c) if the social support moderation effect differed by gender. The results indicated that the negative association of social support to depression symptoms was stronger for women than men and that social support buffered the association of ethnic minority status stress to depression symptoms only for women. The negative association of minority status stress to depression symptoms was statistically significant only for women who reported lower levels of social support. No gender or social support moderation effects were observed in relation to anxiety symptoms for women or men. The results highlight the importance of social support in ameliorating the potential impact of ethnic minority status stress on psychological distress among Hispanic college women. Full article

In a climate of pervasive teacher shortages, initiatives have focused on attracting new teachers to the profession, with hardest-to-staff schools more likely to fill vacancies with early-career teachers, including those with conditional status. In Australia, workforce policy prioritises induction and mentoring to support transition to the profession and improve retention. This paper aims to understand mentor teacher experiences in hardest-to-staff schools, where a growing cohort of inexperienced teachers increases the need for mentoring. The analysis is based on data from semi-structured interviews conducted with teachers in six schools across two Australian states, as part of a larger project exploring work experiences of teachers in hardest-to-staff schools. In addition to formal mentoring, our findings illustrate that in these schools, informal and incidental mentoring is widespread. Further, the iterative nature of novice teacher induction creates a sense of ambivalence in longer-serving teachers. While experienced teachers find reward in supporting early-career colleagues, the hidden labour inherent to constant incidental mentoring encroaches on the time available to manage their own workload, sometimes leading to frustration and even resentment. We conclude that while mentoring is crucial with so many new entrants to the profession, policymakers should be aware of the labour associated with increased incidental mentoring to avoid unintended consequences for teachers who find themselves in the position of supporting growing numbers of new staff. Full article

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a global issue, with increasing incidence and prevalence as the world’s population ages and life expectancy increases. Projections indicate that by 2050, over 150 million individuals worldwide will be personally living with AD, an impending crisis made worse by the absence of cure therapies. Moreover, the risk factor relationship of dementia with rising global temperatures and air pollution further necessitates the urgency of a coordinated international response. With an extensive economic and emotional burden, AD is no longer just a disease; it is a worldwide societal crisis. This review presents five calls to action to address the AD global health emergency. First, AD research must be approached as an internationally performed activity, involving standardized data sharing, collaborative innovation, and improved access to pharmaceutical studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), alongside increased diversity, inclusion, and equity in research. Second, there must be a commitment to develop universally accessible, affordable, and non-invasive diagnostic tools for AD. Third, advancements in AD therapeutics should prioritize the development of affordable agents, allowing for widespread geographic distribution. Fourth, we identify focus areas for global dementia risk reduction: sleep, head injury prevention, exercise, learning, and diet (SHIELD risk reduction strategy). Fifth, improving care for individuals with AD requires eliminating stigma through educational programs for both the public and caregivers. The escalating AD crisis demands an unprecedented global coalition in research, diagnostics, therapeutics, prevention, and education to avoid a future where the disease becomes the defining crisis of our era. Full article

Pericytes (PCs), a heterogeneous population of perivascular supporting cells, are critical regulators of vascular stability, angiogenesis, and blood–tissue barrier integrity. Increasing evidence highlights their active role in the pathophysiology of diabetic microangiopathies, including those affecting the retina, kidney, brain, heart, and peripheral nerves. In diabetes, hyperglycemia-induced PC dysfunction is a major contributor to vascular degeneration, impaired tissue repair, and disease progression across multiple organs. Pericytes also share many characteristics with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). They exhibit regenerative capacity, immunomodulatory activities, and multipotent capacities. This review explores the emerging role of PCs as tissue resident MSCs, emphasizing their pathophysiological involvement in diabetes complications, and their potential for utilization in regenerative medicine. We also discuss advances in PC-based therapies, tissue engineering strategies, and clinical applications. Thus, PCs are positioned as promising targets for therapeutic intervention and vascular tissue regeneration. Full article

Melanocytes are a major cellular component of the choroid which aids in the maintenance of choroidal integrity and vision. Unfortunately, our knowledge regarding the cell autonomous melanocyte function, in preserving choroidal health and the ocular pathologies associated with choroidal dysfunction, remain largely unknown. The ability to culture melanocytes has advanced our knowledge regarding the origin and function of these cells in choroidal homeostasis and vision. However, the culture of murine choroid melanocytes has not been previously reported. Here, we describe a method for the isolation of melanocytes from the mouse choroid, as well as the delineation of many of their cellular characteristics, including the expression of various cell-specific markers, cell adhesion molecules, melanogenic capacity, and inflammatory responses to various extracellular stressors. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms that regulate melanocyte functions will advance our understanding of their role in choroidal homeostasis and how alterations in these functions impact ocular diseases that compromise vision. Full article

SPS is characterized by progressive spasmodic muscular rigidity. SPS is thought to be an autoimmune disease with a prominent feature of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). GAD is responsible for the enzymatic conversion of glutamic acid (glutamate) into the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Reduced GABA activity leads to increased excitability in the central nervous system, resulting in muscle rigidity and spasms characteristic of SPS. While SPS is rare, anti-GAD antibodies seen in SPS are also seen in the much more common autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes (T1D). There is evolving research showing that the anti-GAD antibodies of T1D are produced in response to the presence of mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (mHSP65), and the mHSP65 is produced in response to an occult infection by a bacterium, Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP). Humans are broadly exposed to MAP in food, water, and air. There are linear and conformational similarities between the epitopes of GAD and mHSP65. This article proposes that MAP is also an infectious trigger for SPS. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a principal component of the steroid metabolome; it plateaus in young adults and then steadily declines. Bromo-epi-androsterone (BEA) is a potent synthetic analog of DHEA; unlike DHEA, it is non-androgenic, non-anabolic, and an effective modulator of immune dysregulation. BEA is also an anti-infective agent and has been shown to benefit mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis and leprosy. With the immune stabilizing capacity of BEA as well as its anti-mycobacterial properties, there is reason to believe that a randomized clinical trial with BEA may be beneficial for SPS. Full article

Proline is considered the model organocatalytic amino acid. However, other naturally occurring amino acids remain a potent and perhaps overlooked source of organocatalytic potential. In this work, we investigated the capacity of various natural amino acids to promote enantioselectivity in a synthesis of warfarin. We have identified L- and d-arginine as enantioselective catalysts for this reaction and have developed a recrystallization method to isolate the enantiomers of warfarin with high enantiopurity. In addition, we used methylated derivatives of arginine to provide insight into the reaction mechanism. Full article

Antithrombotic medication is recommended for individuals who have a history of atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, acute coronary events, or post-percutaneous coronary intervention. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of antithrombotics among older adults living with dementia at hospital admission and 1-month follow-up, treatments prescribed, and associated complications. The sample included 404 hospitalized older adults living with dementia, the majority of whom were White females, mean age in years of 82 (SD = 8). On admission, 69% of the patients were on at least one antithrombotic medication, and at 1-month post-discharge, this decreased to 64%. At 1-month post-discharge, the percentage of individuals on two or more antithrombotics decreased from admission at 34% to 14%. On admission, 11 (4%) of patients were admitted with adverse events from antithrombotics, and at 1-month post-discharge 5 (2%), patients were readmitted due to adverse events from antithrombotics. Given the risks and benefits of antithrombotic use among older adults living with dementia, a shared decision-making approach with patients and caregivers is recommended. This approach is the best way to help patients achieve their individual goals of care. Full article

Patients with advanced melanoma who progress on standard-dose ipilimumab (Ipi) + nivolumab continue to have poor prognosis. Studies support a dose–response activity of Ipi, and one promising combination is Ipi 10 mg/kg (Ipi10) + temozolomide (TMZ). We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with advanced melanoma treated with Ipi10 + TMZ in the immunotherapy refractory/resistant setting (n = 6, all progressed after prior Ipi + nivolumab), using similar patients treated with Ipi3 + TMZ (n = 6) as comparison. Molecular profiling by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of tumors harvested through one responder’s treatment was performed. With a median follow up of 119 days, patients treated with Ipi10 + TMZ had a statistically significant longer median progression-free survival of 144.5 days (range 27–219) vs. 44 (26–75) in Ipi 3 mg/kg (Ipi3) + TMZ, p = 0.04, and a trend of longer median overall survival of 154.5 days (27–537) vs. 89.5 (26–548). Two patients in the Ipi10 + TMZ cohort had a partial response, and both responders had BRAF V600E mutant melanoma. RNA-seq showed enrichment of inflammatory signatures, including interferon responses in metastases after Ipi10 + TMZ compared to the primary tumor, and downregulated negative immune regulators. Ipi10 + TMZ demonstrated efficacy, including dramatic responses in patients refractory to prior Ipi + anti-PD1. Molecular data suggest a potential threshold of Ipi dose for activation of sufficient anti-tumor immune response, and higher doses are required for some patients. Full article

Background: A post-operative or late acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) requires a protocol of aggressive joint Debridement, modular implant Exchange, Component Retention, and post-operative Antimicrobial therapy (DECRA). Recently, the novel addition of intra-articular Antimicrobial Loaded Calcium Sulphate (AL-CaSO₄) beads during DECRA has been utilized to improve microbial eradication. This study reviews a consecutive series of DECRA TKA procedures with AL-CaSO₄ beads with a standardized antimicrobial regimen. We hypothesize AL-CaSO₄ beads will not improve infection-free implant survival in compromised hosts and limbs. Methods: This consecutive series included DECRA procedures for acute post-operative or late hematogenous PJI-TKA (primary and revision) detected within 4 weeks. One gram of vancomycin powder and 240 mg of liquid tobramycin were added to 10 cc of CaSO₄ powder to create 3.0 and 4.8 mm beads delivered into the joint at closure. All patients were risk stratified according to McPherson Staging and followed for a minimum of 1 year. Results: Forty-two patients were studied. The infection-free success rate of DECRA with AL-CaSO₄ was 62% (26/42) at 1 year. Average bead volume per case was 18.6 cc (range = 10–40 cc). McPherson Host stage and Limb Score were found to be significantly correlated with the success of the DECRA (p < 0.05). The success rate was highest in A-hosts (87.5%), declining to 50% in B-hosts, and 25% in C-hosts. Similarly, the success rate was highest for patients with Limb score 1 (100%), declining to 58.6% with Limb score 2, and 20% with Limb score 3. Importantly, a previous episode of infection in the affected joint was associated with significantly increased failure (p = 0.000025). Conclusions: This study reports an overall higher infection-free success rate of DECRA using AL-CaSO₄ beads compared to the current literature. Antibiotic beads provide an advantage in selected groups that include A or B hosts and Limb scores of 1 or 2. In C-hosts, where the immune system is weak, or Limb score 3, where the wound is compromised and leaks, antibiotic beads do not improve success. Importantly, DECRAs should not be considered curative with a prior history of joint infection. In these difficult circumstances, one should consider an exchange protocol. Full article

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a periodized resistance training program would influence self-reported depression and anxiety scores in college-aged females. Methods: Eight participants participated in a six-week periodized resistance training program. The participants completed a 3–5 repetition maximum (3–5 RM) for the sumo deadlift (SDL), bench press (BP), barbell back squat (BBS), and standing shoulder press (SSP). These data were used to estimate the 1 repetition maximum (1RM), which in turn was used to develop the periodization program. Following baseline testing, participants participated in two full-body workouts per week for six weeks. Each individual was retested after they completed the 6-week program, performing 3–5 RM for the SDL, BP, BBS, and SSP. To determine symptoms of depression and anxiety, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were distributed before and after participating in the resistance training program. A repeated measures 2 × 2 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of resistance training had on the outcome measures. Results: There was a significant (p = 0.011) decrease in BDI scores after the 6 weeks of resistance training. There was no statistically significant difference in the BAI scores (p = 0.106). There was no correlation between any individual exercise and the outcome scores. Conclusions: The results of the current study indicate that a periodized resistance training program is effective at reducing self-reported measures of depression using the BDI in college-aged females. Full article