Functional Connectivity of Hippocampal Circuits and Visual Memory Function in Children and Adolescents With Perinatal Stroke.

Perinatal stroke is a vascular injury occurring early in life, often resulting in motor deficits (hemiplegic cerebral palsy/HCP). Comorbidities may also include poor neuropsychological outcomes, such as deficits in memory. Previous studies have used resting state functional MRI (fMRI) to demonstrate that functional connectivity (FC) within hippocampal circuits is associated with memory function in typically developing controls (TDC) and in adults after stroke, but this is unexplored in perinatal stroke.

Nondisclosure of use of antiretroviral medications in Canadian blood donors.

Introduction: Donors are deferred if they are on antiretroviral medications (ARV) as post-exposure or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP or PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We assessed donor compliance by measuring ARV levels in selected anonymized donor samples collected from September 22, 2022 to December 31, 2024, almost all after the introduction of sexual risk behavior screening.

Methods: EDTA plasma samples collected at the time of donation (retention samples) were retrieved, frozen, and shipped for measurement of tenofovir and emtricitabine.

Structure-Tunable Fluorinated Polyester Electrolytes with Enhanced Interfacial Stability for Recyclable Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

Polyesters, with their tunable chemical structures and environmental sustainability, have drawn growing attention as solid polymer electrolytes for next-generation solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs). Through a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study involving the systematic variation of carbon chain lengths in the flexible (diol) and coordinating (diacid) segments, along with selective fluorination at distinct positions along the polymer backbone, 18 types of polyester are fabricated and demonstrate that fluorination at the coordinating segment significantly enhances ionic conductivity by suppressing crystallinity. In contrast, fluorination at the flexible segment reduces ionic migration barriers by providing more homogeneous coordinating sites, thereby improving the lithium-ion transference number, despite increasing chain rigidity and a reduction in overall ionic conductivity.

Insights Into the Separate and Joint Effects of Cadmium and Cesium on the Risk of Circadian Syndrome and the Underlying Mechanism: An Integrated Epidemiological and Network Toxicological Study.

The uncharted effects of cadmium and cesium on circadian syndrome (CircS), an emerging circadian rhythm disorder drawing considerable attention, and underlying mechanisms warrant exigent elaboration. Data of 11141 subjects from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018 were incorporated to investigate separate-, joint-/interaction-, and mixture-effects of urinary cadmium and cesium on prevalent CircS risk exploiting survey weight regression and quantile g-computation. The underlying mechanisms were probed by network toxicological analysis.

Supporting decision making for individuals living with dementia and their care partners with knowledge translation: An umbrella review.

Living with dementia requires decision making about numerous topics including daily activities and advance care planning (ACP). Both individuals living with dementia and care partners require informed support for decision making. We conducted an umbrella review to assess knowledge translation (KT) interventions supporting decision making for individuals living with dementia and their informal care partners.

Maladaptive role of peridroplet mitochondria during lipophagy disruption in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells exhibit high metabolic flexibility, enabling survival under glucose limitation by using alternative fuels such as fatty acids. Lipophagy, a selective form of autophagy targeting lipid droplets (LDs), supports mitochondrial respiration during such nutrient stress. Our previous study demonstrated that the LSD1 inhibitor SP-2509 disrupts lipophagy independently of LSD1 inhibition, leading to LD accumulation and ATP depletion in glycolysis-suppressed PDAC cells.

Neurophysiological impact of childhood sexual abuse in men: A diffusion tensor imaging study.

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can cause lasting neurodevelopmental changes, posing significant challenges for survivors. Its specific impact on men remains heavily stigmatized and under-researched. This study examined neurophysiological correlates of CSA in men using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Plasma transfusion practice: A five-year audit of plasma transfusion at 23 hospitals.

Background: There is limited high-quality evidence to guide plasma transfusion, and plasma transfusion practices remain variable.

Study Design And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included adult medical and intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients (age ≥ 18 years) admitted to 23 hospitals in Canada between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022, when both whole blood derived (~290 mL) and apheresis plasma (~250 mL) were available for transfusion. Nine additional hospital sites with missing plasma data or coagulation testing were excluded.

Global Consensus Statement on the Management of Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background & Aims: Pregnancy can be a complex and risk-filled event for women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). High-quality studies in this population are lacking, with limited data on medications approved to treat IBD during pregnancy. For patients, limited knowledge surrounding pregnancy impacts pregnancy rates, medication adherence, and outcomes.

Identification of a Pseudomonas brassicacearum strain as a potential biocontrol agent against clubroot in cruciferous plants through endophytic bacterial community analysis and culture-dependent isolation.

Background: Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, significantly impacts cruciferous crop production worldwide. Biocontrol is an environmentally friendly and promising approach for clubroot management. Endophytic bacteria are known for their ability to promote plant growth and induce resistance against plant diseases.

Structural Dynamics of Dengue Virus UTRs and Their Cyclization.

The dengue virus (DENV) poses a significant threat to human health, accounting for approximately 400 million infections each year. Its genome features a circular structure that facilitates replication through long-range RNA-RNA interactions, utilizing cyclization sequences located in the untranslated regions (UTRs). To gain new insights into the organization of the DENV genome, we purified the 5' and 3' UTRs of DENV in vitro and examined their structural and binding properties using various biophysical techniques combined with computational methods.

Influence of dietary components on the gut microbiota of middle-aged adults: the gut-Mediterranean connection.

Background: A plant-focused, healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet enriched with dietary fiber, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fats, is well known to positively influence the gut microbiota. Conversely, a processed diet high in saturated fats and sugars negatively impacts gut diversity, potentially leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and chronic, low-grade inflammation. Despite this understanding, the mechanisms by which the Mediterranean diet impacts the gut microbiota and its associated health benefits remain unclear.

Perinatal depressive symptoms and child temperament at two years: The moderating role of child sleep duration.

Background: Perinatal depression has been linked to higher negative affectivity (NA) in children, though the strength of this association is variable. Infant sleep, a known protective factor, may moderate this relationship though this has not been tested.

Objective: To examine whether within-person changes in depressive symptoms across pregnancy and postpartum were linked to child NA, and whether infant sleep duration moderated these effects.

Sensitivity of the Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) items to change in three clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a valid and widely used self-reported tool for assessing depressive symptoms. Although previous studies have demonstrated its sensitivity to change at the summary score level, there is limited investigation of the sensitivity of individual PHQ-9 items to change over time. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of PHQ-9 items to change using data from three separate samples.

Rationale and Design of the Comparative Effectiveness of ICD Versus Non-ICD Therapy in Contemporary Heart Failure Patients at a Low Risk for Arrhythmic Death (CONTEMP-ICD) trial.

Background: Current recommendations for a prophylactic (primary prevention) implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with both ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) originate from clinical trials conducted in selected patients over 20 years ago that showed an overall statistically significant survival benefit associated with a primary prevention ICD in the range of 23%-34%. The recent introduction of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors [ARNI] and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors [SGLT2i]) was shown to further reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with HFrEF. Thus, there is an unmet need appropriately designed comparative effectiveness clinical trials aimed to reassess the survival benefit of a primary prevention ICD in contemporary patients with HFrEF.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the Whirling Disease-Resistant Gunnison River Rainbow Trout.

Whirling disease is a debilitating disease of Rainbow Trout caused by Myxobolus cerebralis. The parasite invasion leads to skeletal deformities, neurological impairment, and high mortality. Since its introduction to North America, M.

Exploring potential protein-protein interactions driving unusual fatty acid synthesis in pomegranate.

Many plant-derived unusual fatty acids (UFAs) possess valuable chemical properties and have potential applications in the food, feed, and oleochemical industries. Despite significant interest, the mechanisms by which plants synthesize and accumulate these structurally distinct fatty acids remain only partially understood. While enzyme substrate specificities involved in UFA-containing storage lipid assembly have been well characterized in many prior studies, the biochemical roles of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in coordinating UFA biosynthesis have received less attention.

Clinical Phenotype, Predictors and Early Biomarkers of Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Prognosis.

Background: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) is a severe subtype of cerebral palsy in which children often present substantial functional impairment and multiple comorbidities. Our knowledge of the clinical picture of DCP is limited and our understanding of which markers best predict later impairment is scarce. This study aims to describe the presentation of DCP and examine the value of gestational age (GA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as early markers of eventual DCP prognosis.

Patient-reported efficacy of adjunctive brexpiprazole in major depressive disorder in a phase 4, open-label, interventional study.

Objectives: In ENGAGE, patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) demonstrated improvements in patient-reported depression and life engagement while taking adjunctive brexpiprazole. This analysis aimed to further characterize patient perspectives on the effects of adjunctive brexpiprazole, using patient diary data from ENGAGE, and describe development of a 'word of the day' activity.

Methods: Prior to ENGAGE, word lists describing a 'good,' 'average,' and 'bad' day with depression were generated from semi-structured interviews with patients with MDD.

Omics Insights Into the Effects of Highbush Blueberry and Cranberry Crop Agroecosystems on Honey Bee Health and Physiology.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are vital pollinators in fruit-producing agroecosystems like highbush blueberry (HBB) and cranberry (CRA). However, their health is threatened by multiple interacting stressors, including pesticides, pathogens, and nutritional changes. We tested the hypothesis that distinct agricultural ecosystems-with different combinations of agrochemical exposure, pathogen loads, and floral resources-elicit ecosystem-specific, tissue-level molecular responses in honey bees.

Composite arterial and venous collateral score on single-phase CTA predicts 90-day outcomes in anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke.

Background: Collateral circulation influences clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion (LVO). While both arterial and venous collateral assessments on single-phase computed tomography angiography (CTA) have prognostic value, they have traditionally been evaluated independently.

Purpose: We developed the CTA Collateral Impairment Score (CCIS), a composite measure incorporating arterial (Tan) and venous (Cortical Venous Opacification Score (COVES)) scores, and investigated its association with 90-day functional outcomes.

Validity evidence for communication skills assessment in health professions education: a scoping review.

Objective: Communication skills assessment (CSA) is essential for ensuring competency, guiding educational practices and safeguarding regulatory compliance in health professions education (HPE). However, there appears to be heterogeneity in the reporting of validity evidence from CSA methods across the health profession that complicates our interpretation of the quality of assessment methods. Our objective was to map reliability and validity evidence from scores of CSA methods that have been reported in HPE.

Intracameral lidocaine reduces pain in cataract surgery, but only a little bit.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of intracameral lidocaine during routine cataract surgery.

Design: Prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.

Participants: Adult patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification cataract extraction in a chartered surgical facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, were enrolled in the study.