Closed-Loop Connectivity Best Supports Angular Tuning and Sleep Dynamics in a Biophysical Thalamocortical Circuit Model.

Despite recent advancements in mapping thalamic and cortical projections, the specific organization of intrathalamic and corticothalamic connectivity remains elusive. Current experimental approaches cannot definitively determine whether these connections are arranged in reciprocal (closed-) or non-reciprocal (open-loop) circuits. We developed a biophysically detailed multi-compartmental model of the mouse whisker pathway, built on anatomical and physiological data.

Depression- and exercise-associated stimuli exert contrasting effects on neural stem cell activity and paracrine signaling.

Adult neurogenesis is dysregulated in neurological disorders, including depression. Adult neural stem cells (NSCs) are close to the vasculature and the cerebrospinal fluid, placing them in an ideal position to receive extrinsic signals and transmit these cues to the neurogenic niche. Herein, we aimed to explore how different systemic cues influence the regenerative properties of NSC secretome on recipient differentiating cells and microglia, key neurogenic components.

Integrating microfluidics and streamlined remote drug loading: one step closer to continuous manufacturing of liposomal injectables containing small drugs.

The industrial manufacturing of liposomal injectables faces significant technical challenges. Traditional batch manufacturing methods, like ethanol injection and extrusion, are time-consuming, prompting a shift towards continuous manufacturing. To improve process efficiency, this study tested microfluidics, a technique widely used in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) production for nucleic acid delivery, to optimize doxorubicin liposome manufacturing, focusing on vesicle formation and remote drug loading.

Low Visual Acuity Among Children in Public Schools in the Northeast of Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective This study describes the prevalence of low visual acuity (LVA) in public school students from a city in the interior of the Northeast region of Brazil. Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional, exploratory study. The sample consisted of schoolchildren from the second to the fourth grade of five public schools in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.

Towards effective and efficient machine learning models for schistosomiasis diagnosis in microscopic images.

Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, and it is a significant health concern in many underdeveloped tropical regions. The traditional method of diagnosing schistosomiasis involves fecal examinations under a microscope for parasite eggs, a process that is time consuming, error-prone, and requires specialized training. Artificial intelligence encompasses a broad range of techniques, including both machine learning and its subset, deep learning, which have been successful in solving such problems.

An open-access EEG dataset for speech decoding: Exploring the role of articulation and coarticulation.

Electroencephalography (EEG) holds promise for brain-computer interface (BCI) devices as a non-invasive measure of neural activity. With increased attention to EEG-based BCI systems, publicly available datasets incorporating the complex stimuli found in naturalistic speech are necessary to establish a common standard of performance within the BCI community. Effective solutions must overcome noise in the EEG signal and remain reliable across sessions and stimuli that reflect types of real-world linguistic complexity without overfitting to a dataset or task.

Erratum: Author correction to "The neuroprotective effect of traditional Chinese medicinal plants-A critical review" [Acta Pharm Sin B 13 (2023) 3208-3237].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.

Is Copper-61 the New Gallium-68? Automation and Preclinical Proof-of-Concept of Cu-Based Radiopharmaceuticals for Prostate Cancer Imaging.

While gallium-68 has traditionally dominated PET imaging in oncology, copper radionuclides have sparked interest for their potential applications in nuclear medicine and theranostics. Considering the advantageous physical decay properties of copper-61 compared to those of gallium-68, we describe a fully automated GMP-compliant synthesis process for Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals and demonstrate their in vivo application for targeting the overexpressed PSMA by PET/MR imaging. Copper-61 was obtained through the irradiation of natural zinc liquid targets in a biomedical cyclotron.

Segond Fracture: From X-ray to Surgical Treatment.

Segond fracture is an avulsion fracture of the lateral side of the tibial plateau. In most cases, this fracture is associated with serious injuries to the knee such as a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This highlights the importance of recognizing and diagnosing such fractures on X-ray images followed by the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in order to accurately diagnose potential additional injuries of the knee joint.

Sustaining Brain Youth by Neural Stem Cells: Physiological and Therapeutic Perspectives.

In the last two decades, stem cells (SCs) have attracted considerable interest for their research value and therapeutic potential in many fields, namely in neuroscience. On the other hand, the discovery of adult neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are generated in the adult brain, challenged the traditional view that the brain is a static structure after development. The recent findings showing that adult neurogenesis has a significant role in brain plasticity, learning and memory, and emotional behavior, together with the fact that it is strongly dependent on several external and internal factors, have sparked more interest in this area.

Tinidazole vs metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Tinidazole shows potential as a first-line treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV). However, its superiority to metronidazole remains uncertain. Therefore, this meta-analysis compares tinidazole versus metronidazole in patients with BV.

Bridging membrane fluidity studies with a predictive model of drug encapsulation to address industrial challenges of liposomal injectables manufacturing.

Industrial manufacturing of liposomal drugs, often involves high-temperature processes, resulting in increased energy consumption, prolonged process times, and elevated costs, while posing risks of phospholipid and drug degradation. The current study addresses these challenges by exploring remote loading of doxorubicin into liposomes, at temperatures below the phase transition temperature (PTT) of the primary phospholipid (DSPC, 55 °C). Drug loading efficiencies exceeding 90% at 45 °C were achieved, while efficiencies dropped significantly (6-fold and 23-fold) at 37 °C and 25 °C, respectively.

Cardiovascular Effects of Semaglutide in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Semaglutide has emerged as an effective medication for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the cardiovascular effects and safety of this agent in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are unclear.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical and laboratory effects of semaglutide compared to placebo in patients with HFpEF.

Novel Strategy of Antibody Affinity Maturation and Enhancement of Nucleolin-Mediated Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a clinically aggressive subtype of breast cancer that remains an unmet medical need. Because TNBC cells do not express the most common markers of breast cancers, there is an active search for novel molecular targets in triple-negative tumors. Additionally, this subtype of breast cancer presents strong immunogenic characteristics which have been encouraging the development of immunotherapeutic approaches against the disease.

Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignant disease with a varying prognosis and is classified into four molecular subtypes. It remains one of the most prevalent cancers globally, with the tumor microenvironment playing a critical role in disease progression and patient outcomes.

Methods: This study evaluated tumor samples from 40 female patients with luminal A and B breast cancer, utilizing flow cytometry to phenotypically characterize the immune cells and tumor cells present within the tumor tissue.

P2Y12 inhibitors plus aspirin versus aspirin alone in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular events: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The efficacy and safety of P2Y12 inhibitors (P2Y12i) with aspirin in patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic cerebrovascular events remains a topic of ongoing debate. Therefore, we conducted an updated meta-analysis to compare these drugs with aspirin alone.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the two treatment regimens in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Person-Centered Therapeutic Relationship in Physiotherapy Scale to European Portuguese.

Background/objectives: Implementing a person-centered practice is considered a priority in healthcare, and the development of a solid and positive therapeutic relationship is a fundamental element. This study conducted a cross-cultural adaptation of the Person-Centered Therapeutic Relationship in Physiotherapy Scale to European Portuguese and contributed to its validation through the study of its structural validity and internal consistency.

Methods: This study was conducted from October 2021 to July 2023 and included two phases: a methodological study of cross-cultural adaptation (phase 1) and a transversal study to assess the psychometric properties (phase 2).

The use of hypoglycemic drugs in Parkinson's disease: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between hypoglycemic medications and neuroprotective action in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, in this meta-analysis, our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of these medications, compared to placebo, as disease-modifying therapy in patients with PD.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for studies comparing the use of hypoglycemic drugs and placebo in patients with PD.

Metabolic Versatility of acetogens in syngas Fermentation: Responding to varying CO availability.

Syngas fermentation using acetogenic bacteria offers a promising route for sustainable chemical production. However, gas-liquid mass transfer limitations and efficient co-utilization of CO and H pose significant challenges. This study investigated the kinetics of syngas conversion to acetate by Acetobacterium wieringae and Clostridium species in batch conditions under varying initial CO partial pressures (19 - 110 kPa).

Atrazine dependence in cultivated fungal communities.

The isolation and study of fungi within specific contexts yield valuable insights into the intricate relationships between fungi and ecosystems. Unlike culture-independent approaches, cultivation methods are advantageous in this context because they provide standardized replicates, specific species isolation, and easy sampling. This study aimed to understand the ecological process using a microcosm system with pesticide concentrations similar to those found in the soil, in contrast to high doses, from the isolation of the enriched community.

Functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and amygdala underlies avoidance learning during adolescence: Implications for developmental psychopathology.

Background: Reward and threat processes work together to support adaptive learning during development. Adolescence is associated with increasing approach behavior (e.g.

Intracellular lipid droplets are exploited by Junín virus in a nucleoprotein-dependent process.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles involved in lipid storage, maintenance of energy homeostasis, protein sequestration, signaling events and inter-organelle interactions. Recently, LDs have been shown to favor the replication of members from different viral families, such as the Flaviviridae and Coronaviridae. In this work, we show that LDs are essential organelles for members of the Arenaviridae family.