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Fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) monitoring is crucial for assessing fetal condition during pregnancy. However, current fECG extraction algorithms are not suitable for wearable devices due to their high computational cost and multi-channel signal requirement. The paper introduces a novel and efficient algorithm called Adaptive Improved Permutation Entropy (AIPE), which can extract fetal QRS from a single-channel abdominal ECG (aECG). The proposed algorithm is robust and computationally efficient, making it a reliable and effective solution for wearable devices. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, we utilized our clinical data obtained from a pilot study with 10 subjects, each recording lasting 20 min. Additionally, data from the PhysioNet 2013 Challenge bank with labeled QRS complex annotations were simulated. The proposed methodology demonstrates an average positive predictive value ( + P ) of 91.0227%, sensitivity (Se) of 90.4726%, and F1 score of 90.6525% from the PhysioNet 2013 Challenge bank, outperforming other methods. The results suggest that AIPE could enable continuous home-based monitoring of unborn babies, even when mothers are not engaging in any hard physical activities., (© 2024. Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.)

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a novel class of small noncoding RNAs with roles in RNA silencing and post transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Due to their roles, miRNA can be considered as new biomarkers for prognosis of diseases such as Multiple sclerosis (MS). Herein, we report a miRNA nanobiosensor based on nucleic acid hybridization chain reaction and highly fluorescent DNA hosted silver nanoclusters (NC). In our method, two types of hairpin oligonucleotide probes, MB1 and MB2, were employed as hybridization chain reaction (HCR) monomers, where MB1 acted as a template for in situ synthesis of fluorescent Ag NC. These monomers were stable in solution but they triggered a cascade of hybridization events once miR-145 (a biomarker of MS in blood) was added to the solution. The process yielded nicked double stranded DNA. The nanobiosensor showed great sensitivity for the detection of target microRNA and excellent limit of detection of about 0.1 nM with high specificity to differentiate sharply between complementary, mismatch, and non-complementary target miRNAs. Alongside the outstanding sensitivity and selectivity, the nanobiosensor exhibited great reproducibility, stability and a decent response in real sample analysis with blood plasma. In conclusion, this simple and highly responsive nanobiosensor can clinically be used for the early detection of MS by direct detection of the plasma miR-145 in real clinical samples, without a need for sample preparation, RNA extraction and/or amplification.

Phantom limb pain (PLP) associated neuroplastic changes are partly mediated by excitatory amino acids at NMDA receptor sites. This study was undertaken to deduce if NMDA-receptor antagonists may be effective in patients with chronic PLP. Therefore a four week double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of 30 mg memantine/day, an orally administrable NMDA receptor antagonist.Thirty-six patients, 18 per group, with a history of at least 12 months PLP and an average pain of at least 4 on the 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) were enrolled. The patients completed a standardized questionnaire before the trial. PLP intensity and the level of eight complaints were assessed during the trial. Number needed to treat (NNT) was calculated based on the average PLP during the 3rd week (steady state). In both groups, PLP declined significantly in comparison with the baseline (verum: 5.1 (+/-2.1) to 3,8 (+/-2,3), placebo from 5.1 (+/-2.0) to 3.2 (+/-1,46) NRS) without a re-rising of the PLP during the washout period. Mean pain relief was 47% in the memantine group (10 patients reported more than 50% relief), 40% in the placebo group (6>50%): NNT were 4.5 (KI: 2.1-10.6). Analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant impact only on the prior PLP intensity, but no treatment effect. Two patients have demonstrated long-term pain relief under memantine until now (16 months). The total number of slight adverse events were comparable in both groups, but the overall number of severe events was higher in the memantine group (P<0.05). This trial failed to demonstrate a significant clinical benefit of the NMDA-receptor antagonist memantine in chronic PLP. The administration of a higher dosage is probably not tolerable.

Laboratory populations of the prairie deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) reach a growth asymptote due primarily to the failure of more than 90% of the young born into the population to mature sexually. This inhibition is reversible; when young are removed from the inhibiting influence of the population more than 75% will reproduce within 80 days of pairing. Interestingly, the mechanism of this inhibition does not involve the degree of adrenal hypertrophy as reported in rats and housemice. We report here that the adrenal morphology of reproductively inhibited deermice raised within laboratory populations is different from patterns seen with normal puberty; namely in the area, histology, and apparent activity of the weak androgen-secreting zona reticularis. Our data indicate that the frequency of adrenal cortex cellular apoptosis is not different between the adrenal zones or between reproductively capable versus inhibited animals and therefore does not account for the differences in the numbers of cells with pycnotic nuclei in the zona reticularis of inhibited animals. We also found that the concentration of serum DHEA is significantly reduced in reproductively inhibited animals suggesting that the zona reticularis of inhibited animals may be less active than in controls. We present data to indicate that the adrenal zona reticularis of 30-day-old control animals is likely to be more active than reproductively inhibited animals of the same age. Our data also indicate that older reproductively inhibited animals of both sexes are also likely to have a much less active zona reticularis. These differences may be implicated in the mechanism of reproductive inhibition.