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Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay is a key method used to evaluate the bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) used for malaria control. These tests also play an important role in LLIN product prequalification and longitudinal monitoring. Standardization of these assays is therefore important. While many parameters for WHO cone bioassays are defined in the respective WHO guidelines, others are not. One of these undefined parameters is the exact configuration of the bioassay boards. In cone bioassays, LLIN samples are pinned onto a bioassay board for testing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that bioassay boards with holes behind the LLIN samples lead to greater exposure to insecticide, as the mosquitoes are ‘forced to stand on the net material’. This may increase the key assay outcomes of 60 min knockdown (KD60) and 24 h mortality (M24). The present study tested this hypothesis in two facilities using two fully susceptible mosquito colonies. Methods WHO cone bioassays were performed using bioassay boards with holes and boards without holes in parallel, following WHO guidelines. Five brands of LLINs with four new and unwashed whole net samples per brand were used (total of n = 20 whole nets). Five pieces per whole net sample were prepared in duplicate resulting in a total of n = 100 pairs. Knock-down (KD) was recorded in 10 min intervals within the first hour after exposure and mortality was recorded at 24 h. Assays with Anopheles farauti were done at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) and assays with Aedes aegypti were done at James Cook University, Australia. Results Results varied not only with bioassay board configuration but also with mosquito colony. In particular, with An. farauti, a significantly higher M24 was observed when boards with holes were used, while this was not observed with Ae. aegypti. WHO cone bioassay results were systematically biased between the two facilities such that the use of An. farauti at PNGIMR predicted higher KD60 and M24. Conclusion The present study highlights the need for further harmonization of WHO cone bioassay methodology. Parameters such as bioassay board configuration and mosquito species systematically affect the observations, which impedes generalizability of WHO cone bioassay outcomes.

Pregnancy 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with maternal and fetal health outcomes. Using physiological human placental perfusion and villous explants, we investigate the role of the placenta in regulating the relationships between maternal 25(OH)D and fetal physiology. We demonstrate active placental uptake of 25(OH)D3 by endocytosis, placental metabolism of 25(OH)D3 into 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D3], with subsequent release of these metabolites into both the maternal and fetal circulations. Active placental transport of 25(OH)D3 and synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3 demonstrate that fetal supply is dependent on placental function rather than simply the availability of maternal 25(OH)D3. We demonstrate that 25(OH)D3 exposure induces rapid effects on the placental transcriptome and proteome. These map to multiple pathways central to placental function and thereby fetal development, independent of vitamin D transfer. Our data suggest that the underlying epigenetic landscape helps dictate the transcriptional response to vitamin D treatment. This is the first quantitative study demonstrating vitamin D transfer and metabolism by the human placenta, with widespread effects on the placenta itself. These data demonstrate a complex interplay between vitamin D and the placenta and will inform future interventions using vitamin D to support fetal development and maternal adaptations to pregnancy.

Bacterial translocation from the damaged intestinal tract, reported in canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis, is thought to be responsible for the systemic inflammatory response resulting from coliform septicemia, which could ultimately progress to septic shock and death. Alterations in platelet indices, specifically mean platelet volume (MPV), is a consistent finding in critically ill people and dogs with and without sepsis. Increased MPV has been reported to be an indirect indicator of platelet activation and of bone marrow response in people and dogs with sepsis. The study aim was to compare admission MPV and platelet volume distribution width (PVDW) in dogs with CPV enteritis to that of healthy aged-matched control dogs. Forty-eight dogs with CPV enteritis and 18 healthy age matched control dogs were included. CPV infection was confirmed with electron microscopy and concurrent blood-borne infections were excluded using PCR. EDTA whole blood samples were analyzed on an automated cell counter, ADVIA 2120, within 30-60 min from collection. There was no significant difference for platelet count between the groups. The MPV for CPV infected dogs (median: 14.0; IQR: 12.2–15.1) was significantly higher compared to controls (11.3; IQR: 10.3–13.1, P = 0.002). The PVDW for CPV infected dogs (66.9; IQR: 64.2–68.8) was significantly higher compared to controls (63.3; IQR: 60.2–65.1, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that significant platelet activation is present in dogs with CPV enteritis which may play a role in the disease outcome, similar to people with sepsis. Further studies are required to investigate the prognosticating ability of MPV in dogs with CPV enteritis.

To better understand the current challenges surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 schools, a team of researchers (Raffaella Borasi, David E. Miller, Patricia Vaughan-Brogan, Karen DeAngelis, Yu Jung Han, and Sharon Mason) interviewed 36 western New York school leaders in late 2023. Their concerns moved beyond potential cheating, as they instead identified four main priorities: receiving guidance to inform their decisions about AI, empowering all stakeholders to better understand AI and its implications, capitalizing on AI to support the work of teachers and staff, and enabling better technology solutions. These should inform future interventions aiming at leveraging AI in K-12 education.

Columbus, the largest city in Ohio, is an epicenter for several overlapping health disparities, including poverty, food insecurity, and infant mortality. A group of volunteer undergraduate students at The Ohio State University sought to reduce some of these disparities through the creation of ENCompass: Empowering Neighborhoods of Columbus. This student organization was developed around a dual mission to (1) address social determinants of health by screening and connecting clients with social resources and (2) cultivate interdisciplinary student leadership through immersive volunteer experiences. In its 9 years of implementation, ENCompass has developed ongoing partnerships with eight clinics and food pantries where, on a weekly basis, ENCompass volunteers conduct social needs screenings with interested clients. This article provides an in-depth description of the ENCompass program, the outcomes ENCompass has provided for the community and its student volunteers, and several lessons learned to offer guidance to those interested in developing similar programs.

Despite being the most diverse family of spiders, Salticidae (jumping spiders) are poorly studied in Madagascar with only 47 of the total 105 species recorded in the last 100 years. Here, we describe three new species of Plexippini Simon, 1901 from dry forests in North-western Madagascar as part of an ongoing biomonitoring programme. This paper increases the number of species in the genus Evarcha Simon, 1902 from 93 to 95 and Thyene Simon, 1885 from 55 to 56. Additionally, we publish specimen records of Plexippus petersi (Karsch, 1878) from Madagascar for the first time. All new species are diagnosed and illustrated through photographs and drawings.

Abstract Background The level of trust in health systems is often in flux during public health emergencies and presents challenges in providing adequate health services and preventing the spread of disease. Experiences during previous epidemics has shown that lack of trust can impact the continuity of essential health services and response efforts. Guinea and Sierra Leone were greatly challenged by a lack of trust in the system during the Ebola epidemic. We thus sought to investigate what was perceived to influence public and community trust in the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what strategies were employed by national level stakeholders in order to maintain or restore trust in the health system in Guinea and Sierra Leone. Methods This qualitative study was conducted through a document review and key informant interviews with actors involved in COVID-19 and/or in malaria control efforts in Guinea and Sierra Leone. Key informants were selected based on their role and level of engagement in the national level response. Thirty Six semi-structured interviews (16 in Guinea, 20 in Sierra Leone) were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive and deductive framework approach to thematic analysis. Results Key informants described three overarching themes related to changes in trust and health seeking behavior due to COVID-19: (1) reignited fear and uncertainty among the population, (2) adaptations to sensitization and community engagement efforts, and (3) building on the legacy of Ebola as a continuous process. Communication, community engagement, and on-going support to health workers were reiterated as crucial factors for maintaining trust in the health system. Conclusion Lessons from the Ebola epidemic enabled response actors to consider maintaining and rebuilding trust as a core aim of the pandemic response which helped to ensure continuity of care and mitigate secondary impacts of the pandemic. Monitoring and maintaining trust in health systems is a key consideration for health systems resilience during public health emergencies.

A whole-school approach to foster competences for democratic culture, described by the Council of Europe's Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture, implies the active involvement of all actors in three areas of school life: teaching and learning, school governance and culture, and co-operation with the community. The European Centre for Modern Languages' project Des environnements d'apprentissage optimisés pour et par les langues vivantes (EOL) similarly assumes that a whole-school approach is essential in the promotion of plurilingual and intercultural education in schools. The article illustrates the EOL project: the core principles of its approach, the tools, materials and examples of practices. The project and its followup activities have proved that setting up language learning friendly environments requires decisions at different levels so as to introduce mechanisms and routines. Considering language education as a key factor for social cohesion, the aim of the article is to answer the question of what schools should do so as to go beyond a one-off, isolated project to unite all stakeholders around a shared language plan for school, which fosters competences for democratic citizenship.

Even when raters demonstrate agreement in the use of a measure, limited score variability or violation of often-ignored statistical assumptions can result in lower reliability estimates than intuitively expected. This article uses data drawn from two randomized controlled trials of schema therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of major depression and binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa (N = 212) to illustrate the limits of the intraclass coefficient. Randomly selected therapy sessions were rated for therapeutic alliance quality by independent observers using the well-validated Vanderbilt Psychotherapy Process Scale and Vanderbilt Therapeutic Alliance Scale. Scores on subscales related to therapist behavior were restricted, indicating consistent alliance-supportive actions. Inter-rater reliability estimates were low despite high agreement between raters, however. The use of Bland-Altman plots to visualize agreement and data spread is suggested as a useful tool for researchers, consistent with the ideal of exploring reliability from a number of perspectives.

Historical and contemporary factors have disenfranchised and destabilized certain school communities (specifically communities of color). Education leaders can be more inclusive and address the persistent impacts of these broader trends by embracing a community-focused approach to leadership. Darrius A. Stanley, Dan Brogan, and Emily Colton borrow from contemporary research which suggests that educational leaders can help bridge the gaps between schools and historically disenfranchised communities through community-engaged leadership. They offer a research-based, conceptual argument and practical approach to building and sustaining community inclusive schools through listening, engaging, advocating, and partnering.

Concerns regarding man‐made organic chemicals pervading our ecosystem and having adverse and detrimental effects upon organisms, including man, have now been studied for several decades. Since the 1970s, some environmental pollutants were identified as having endocrine disrupting affects. These endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) were initially shown to have estrogenic or anti‐estrogenic properties and some were also shown to bind to a variety of hormone receptors. However, since the 1990s it has also been identified that many of these EDC additionally, have the ability of causing abnormal alterations in Ca2+ signalling pathways (also commonly involved in hormone signalling), leading to exaggerated elevations in cytosolic [Ca2+] levels, that is known to cause activation of a number of cell death pathways. The major emphasis of this review is to present a personal perspective of the evidence for some types of EDC, specifically alkylphenols and brominated flame retardants (BFRs), causing direct effects on Ca2+ transporters (mainly the SERCA Ca2+ ATPases), culminating in acute cytotoxicity and cell death. Evidence is also presented to indicate that this Ca2+ATPase inhibition, which leads to abnormally elevated cytosolic [Ca2+], as well as a decreased luminal ER [Ca2+], which triggers the ER stress response, are both involved in acute cytotoxicity.

Purpose: A systematic review to identify treatment approaches for the management of pain following peripheral nerve injury. Methods: A published literature search was performed for the concepts of peripheral nerve injury and pain management with related synonyms. The strategies were created using a combination of controlled vocabulary terms and keywords and were executed in Embase.com, Ovid-Medline All, and Scopus from database inception. Database searches were completed on August 22, 2023. Results: The initial search resulted in a total of 1,793 citations. In total, 724 duplicates were removed, leaving 1,069 unique citations remaining for analysis. This review excluded all papers that were not specific to pain following peripheral nerve injury. Case and cohort studies (n < 5) were also excluded. Thirty-two articles on pain management strategies after peripheral nerve injury remained, with years of publication ranging from 1981 to 2023. An additional four articles were identified by manual search. Of the 36 articles reviewed, 15 articles reported on the approach to the treatment of pain after a peripheral nerve injury, and the other 22 articles consisted of cohort and case series studies. Conclusions: There is a lack of literature describing efficacy of various treatment strategies for pain following peripheral nerve injuries. Few studies provide clear, stepwise clinical guidance for practicing physicians and other health care providers on the treatment of these complicated patients.

Peripheral nerve injuries affect a significant number of patients who experience trauma affecting the hand and upper extremity. Improving unsatisfactory outcomes from repair of these injuries remains a clinical challenge despite advancements in microsurgical repair. Imperfections of the nerve regeneration process, including imprecise reinnervation, distal axon degradation, and muscular atrophy, complicate the repair process. However, the capacity for peripheral nerves to regenerate offers an avenue for therapeutic advancement. Regeneration is a temporally and spatially dynamic process coordinated by Schwann cells and neurons among other cell types. Neurotrophic factors are a primary means of controlling cell growth and differentiation in the repair setting. Sustained axon survival and regrowth and consequently functional outcomes of nerve repair in animal models are improved by the administration of neurotrophic factors, including glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1, and erythropoietin. Targeted and sustained delivery of neurotrophic factors through gelatin-based nerve conduits, multiluminal conduits, and hydrogels have been shown to enhance the innate roles of these factors to promote expedient and accurate peripheral nerve regeneration in animal models. These delivery methods may help address the practical limitations to clinical use of neurotrophic factors, including systemic side effects and the need for carefully timed, precisely localized release schedules. In addition, tacrolimus has also improved peripheral nerve regrowth in animal models and has recently shown promise in addressing human disease. Ultimately, this realm of adjunct pharmacotherapies provides ample promise to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of peripheral nerve repair.

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the currently available evidence for the use of external stimulation to modulate neural activity and promote peripheral nerve regeneration. The most common external stimulations are electrical stimulation (ES), optogenetic stimulation (OS), and magnetic stimulation (MS). Understanding the comparative effectiveness of these stimulation methods is pivotal in advancing therapeutic interventions for peripheral nerve injuries. This systematic review focused on these three external stimulation modalities as potential strategies to enhance peripheral nerve repair (PNR). We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework to systematically evaluate and compare the efficiency of ES, OS, and MS in PNR. The review included studies published between 2018 and 2023 using ES, OS, or MS for PNR focused on enhancing recovery of peripheral nerve injuries in rodent models identified through PubMed and Google Scholar. The search strategies and inclusion criteria identified 19 studies (13 ES, 4 OS, and 2 MS) for detailed analysis, focusing on critical parameters such as functional recovery, histological outcomes, and electrophysiological data. Although ES demonstrated a consistent improvement in all the analyses, high-frequency repetitive MS (HFr-MS) emerged as a promising modality. HFr-MS demonstrated accelerated PNR, as histological and electrophysiological evidence indicated. In contrast, OS exhibited superior functional recovery outcomes. Notable limitations include constrained MS and OS data sets and the challenge of comparing relative improvements because of methodological diversity in evaluation techniques. Our findings underscore the potential of HFr-MS and OS in PNR while emphasizing the critical need for standardized testing protocols to facilitate meaningful cross-study comparisons. External stimulations have the potential to improve functional recovery in patients with nerve injury.

Abstract Environmental cleaning is essential to patient and health worker safety, yet it is a substantially neglected area in terms of knowledge, practice, and capacity-building, especially in resource-limited settings. Public health advocacy, research and investment are urgently needed to develop and implement cost-effective interventions to improve environmental cleanliness and, thus, overall healthcare quality and safety. We outline here the CLEAN Group Consensus exercise yielding twelve urgent research questions, grouped into four thematic areas: standards, system strengthening, behaviour change, and innovation.

Abstract To reduce breast motion with a bra, we need to understand what drives the motion of the breasts, and what variables change as support increases. Quantifying breast-torso coordination and movement complexity across the gait cycle may offer deeper insights than previously reported discrete time lag. We aimed to compare breast-torso coordination and mutual influence across breast support conditions during running. Twelve female participants ran on a treadmill at 10 km h−1 with an encapsulation and compression sports bra, and in no bra. Nipple and torso position was recorded. Vector coding, granger causality and transfer entropy were calculated within gait cycles. In both bra conditions, a greater percentage of gait cycles was spent with the breast and torso in-phase (> 90%) compared to no bra running (~ 66%, p

Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), a rare auto-inflammatory disorder, arises from mutations in the MVK gene, disrupting isoprenoid biosynthesis, and affecting cellular processes. This comprehensive review provides an updated perspective on MKD, including its aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic strategies. Based on recent research and clinical advances, our objective is to bridge the knowledge gaps in the 2015 SHARE guidelines. By describing molecular mechanisms, diagnostic dilemmas, and emerging therapies, this article should serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers, promoting a deeper understanding of MKD and guiding optimal patient care.

Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death among children under five in developing communities, despite active interventions to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene resources. Even interventions with high fidelity and compliance saw minimal improvements in health outcomes, necessitating a need for looking beyond traditionally targeted exposure pathways. This study focuses on the pathogen exposure a young child may receive while playing in the public spaces of informal settlements, where animal feces, human feces, and garbage are frequently observed. The study utilized 79 soil samples previously collected across ten cluster sites in Corail, Haiti and processed using DelAgua cultural assays and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction methods. Molecular assays screened for Aeromonas, Vibrio cholera, and several pathogenic Escherichia coli species. Behavioral observations of young children (

ABSTRACT Background Currently, there are no agreed quality standards for post‐stroke aphasia services. Therefore, it is unknown if care reflects best practices or meets the expectations of people living with aphasia. We aimed to (1) shortlist, (2) operationalise and (3) prioritise best practice recommendations for post‐stroke aphasia care. Methods Three phases of research were conducted. In Phase 1, recommendations with strong evidence and/or known to be important to people with lived experience of aphasia were identified. People with lived experience and health professionals rated the importance of each recommendation through a two‐round e‐Delphi exercise. Recommendations were then ranked for importance and feasibility and analysed using a graph theory–based voting system. In Phase 2, shortlisted recommendations from Phase 1 were converted into quality indicators for appraisal and voting in consensus meetings. In Phase 3, priorities for implementation were established by people with lived experience and health professionals following discussion and anonymous voting. Findings In Phase 1, 23 best practice recommendations were identified and rated by people with lived experience (n = 26) and health professionals (n = 81). Ten recommendations were shortlisted. In Phase 2, people with lived experience (n = 4) and health professionals (n = 17) reached a consensus on 11 quality indicators, relating to assessment (n = 2), information provision (n = 3), communication partner training (n = 3), goal setting (n = 1), person and family‐centred care (n = 1) and provision of treatment (n = 1). In Phase 3, people with lived experience (n = 5) and health professionals (n = 7) identified three implementation priorities: assessment of aphasia, provision of aphasia‐friendly information and provision of therapy. Interpretation Our 11 quality indicators and 3 implementation priorities are the first step to enabling systematic, efficient and person‐centred measurement and quality improvement in post‐stroke aphasia services. Quality indicators will be embedded in routine data collection systems, and strategies will be developed to address implementation priorities. Patient and Public Contribution Protocol development was informed by our previous research, which explored the perspectives of 23 people living with aphasia about best practice aphasia services. Individuals with lived experience of aphasia participated as expert panel members in our three consensus meetings. We received support from consumer advisory networks associated with the Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation and Recovery and the Queensland Aphasia Research Centre.

Cardiac complications are frequently seen in patients with anorexia nervosa, with bradycardia being the most common. The degree of bradycardia can be a marker of disease severity as heart rate (HR) nadir is correlated with body mass index, total weight loss, and recent weight loss. Despite the prevalence and potential severity of bradycardia, there is limited literature evaluating the optimal management of severe bradycardia. This case report discusses a patient with a HR lower than previously reported in the literature and provides a valuable opportunity to examine the management of cardiac output in cases of severe bradycardia.

Abstract Introduction In the World Health Organization European Region, an estimated 14 million people live with a chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV), and 12 million are affected by a hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). Uzbekistan bears a major burden of HBV and has one of the highest HCV prevalence in the region. Following a presidential decree in May 2022, significant funds were allocated to the viral hepatitis (VH) elimination program in Uzbekistan. The program expands VH testing to reach 500,000 people annually during 2022–2025 as part of the VH elimination strategy that includes the provision of free testing and affordable treatment. Exploring the existing barriers and facilitators to VH testing is pivotal for informing these interventions. Methods This study uses a cross-sectional qualitative design to identify and explore the barriers and facilitators to VH testing among the general population in Uzbekistan. We collected data during October-November 2022 through semi-structured interviews with 12 key informants (KIs) and 7 focus group discussions with two target populations: the general population and healthcare workers (HCW) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Results Following the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior model (COM-B model) as a framework for the analysis, we identified major capability barriers to VH testing primarily linked to low health literacy and limited knowledge about VH types, symptoms, transmission, testing and treatment. Physical opportunity barriers included the time and financial costs associated with testing, diagnostics, and treatment. Sociocultural opportunity barriers involved anticipated negative reactions and stigmatization, particularly affecting women. Motivational barriers included a reluctance to be tested when asymptomatic and a general fear of receiving positive test results. The involvement of healthcare workers in promoting VH awareness and motivating the general population emerged as a facilitator. Conclusions A multi-pronged approach is recommended to achieve VH testing goals among the general population, focusing on raising awareness and health literacy and creating an enabling environment that ensures easy accessibility and minimizing VH testing-associated costs.

Abstract Introduction Dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) and dolutegravir/rilpivirine (DTG/RPV) are fixed-dose, complete, single-tablet, two-drug regimens (2DRs) indicated for HIV-1. DTG/3TC is approved for antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive people with HIV-1 and virologically suppressed individuals to replace current ART; DTG/RPV is indicated for virologically suppressed individuals as a switch option. Virologic efficacy and effectiveness of these DTG-based 2DRs have been demonstrated in phase 3 clinical trials and real-world cohorts, primarily from Europe. This study characterized real-world use of DTG-based 2DRs for HIV-1 treatment in the USA. Methods TANDEM was a retrospective medical chart review across 24 US sites. Individuals aged ≥ 18 years who initiated DTG/3TC or DTG/RPV before September 30, 2020, with ≥ 6 months of follow-up were included. One cohort included ART-naive people who initiated DTG/3TC (n = 126), and two other cohorts included virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA

Abstract Introduction Dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019 for the treatment of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive people with HIV-1 based on results from the pivotal GEMINI-1/GEMINI-2 trials. Around that time, immediate initiation of treatment upon diagnosis was recommended in the US Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. Here we report results from 126 treatment-naive people with HIV-1 who initiated DTG/3TC as part of a test-and-treat strategy (n = 61) or with high baseline viral loads (HIV-1 RNA ≥ 100,000 copies/ml; n = 16) from the TANDEM study. Methods TANDEM was a US-based, retrospective chart review study that included a cohort of 126 individuals aged ≥ 18 years with no prior history of ART who initiated DTG/3TC before September 30, 2020, and had ≥ 6 months of follow-up. Test-and-treat was defined as ART initiation shortly after diagnosis without available viral load, CD4 + cell count, or HIV-1 resistance data. Outcomes included virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA 250,000 copies/ml: 1.0 [0.7–1.1] years), 14 (88%) achieved virologic suppression, 13 (81%) remained suppressed, and none discontinued DTG/3TC. Patient preference was the most common HCP-reported reason for initiating DTG/3TC in this subgroup. Conclusions Results demonstrate real-world effectiveness of DTG/3TC, with few discontinuations, in people with HIV-1 in test-and-treat settings or with high baseline viral loads.

Valentina Cuccio and Vittorio Gallese stimulated renewed interest in semiotic contributions to the cognitive neurosciences by bringing C. S. Peirce and his theory of signs to elucidate important notions that provide the foundation for understanding embodied cognition and its critical role in explaining both literal and figurative (abstract and concrete) concepts from phylogenetic and neurobiological perspectives. This is not surprising since Peirce always framed his theory of signs in terms of cognition, a point noted by many Peircean scholars (including David Savan, Ivo A. Ibri, Piotr Konderak and others). Cuccio and Gallese focus on Peirce at the level of Firstness, and include the important principle of abductive inference as well as iconicity (a principle of Peirce’s sign–object triad). In the following analysis, we identify other important contributions of Peirce for cognitive neuroscience and modelling of embodied cognition by shifting the lens from Firstness to Thirdness, from abduction and iconicity to Peirce’s theory of interpretants. Our analysis will include a presentation of the Peircean sign complex and its relevance in defining signification, semiosis, and synthesis (including acquisition, maintenance and production) of knowledge. Finally, we will argue that Peircean interpretants are essential to explicating the notion of embodied cognition as presented by Gallese and George Lakoff in their 2005 seminal work.