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Spin dynamics in triplet radical pairs are theoretically studied under the spin-locking condition, where singlet–triplet mixing is blocked by the resonant microwave field. A key assumption in the theory is simultaneous excitations of T+–T0 and T−–T0 transitions in triplet radical pairs. This assumption allows for the application of a three-state model [Yago, J. Chem. Phys. 151, 214501 (2019)] to describe the spin dynamics of triplet radical pairs. The analysis based on the three-state model shows that the triplet states are quantized along the direction of a microwave-induced magnetic field (B1) in the rotating frame under the spin-locking condition. This gives rise to a new spin-locking phenomenon where T+–T0 and T−–T0 mixing are most enhanced at magnetic fields that deviate from the resonance by ±B1. It is also shown that the quantum beats observed under the spin-locking condition originate from the spin dynamics in triplet radical pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating lymphocytes continuously enter lymph nodes for immune surveillance through specialized blood vessels named high endothelial venules, a process that increases markedly during immune responses. How high endothelial venules (HEVs) permit lymphocyt

Using the density operator formalism, a simple analytical model is developed to study low magnetic field effects on triplet pair annihilations in organic solids. Analysis is restricted to canonical orientations where two identical triplet molecules have the same orientation and the direction of the external magnetic field is parallel to one of the principle axes of the dipolar coupling tensor for a triplet. The analytical solution reveals that the low magnetic field effect in the triplet pair arises from the anisotropic dipole-dipole coupling in a triplet. In the presence of the dipole-dipole coupling, the spin quantization axis for each triplet gradually changes with the increase of the external magnetic field from zero field to high field. The low magnetic field effect reaches a maximum when the Zeeman splitting between the spin states matches a dipole-dipole coupling component orthogonal to the external magnetic field direction. The result is also discussed with the low magnetic field effect in the radical pair with one isotropic hyperfine coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an extensive analysis of microsatellite markers (Single Tandem Repeats-STRs) in Penaeus vannamei was conducted at an advanced level. The markers were thoroughly examined, characterized, and specific markers located within coding regions were identified. Out of a total of 306 STRs, 117 were classified as perfect markers based on their single repeat motif. Among these perfect markers, 62 were found to be associated with predicted coding genes (mRNA), which were involved in various functions such as binding, catalytic activity, ATP-dependent activity, transcription, structural and molecular regulation. To validate the accuracy of the findings, a sample of nine markers was subjected to in vitro testing, which confirmed the presence of polymorphisms within the population. These results suggest the existence of different protein isoforms within the population, indicating the potential of these markers for application in both population and phenotype-genotype association studies. This innovative approach opens up new possibilities for investigating the impact of genomic plasticity in populations of P. vannamei.

BackgroundSyphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis are growing public health issues worldwide. Several factors can influence their occurrence in the population. Therefore, understanding the epidemiology of this condition and the factors that influence its occurrence is fundamental for decision-making by clinicians and health managers. However, so far, no systematic review has summarized and analyzed data on the incidence, prevalence, and predictors of these diseases in Brazilian cities, considering different sociocultural, demographic, economic, sanitary, and spatial-temporal characteristics presented across locations. ObjectiveWe propose a systematic review protocol to gather and analyze data on the incidence, prevalence, and risk or associated factors of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in Brazil, taking into account different local or regional contexts. MethodsSearches will be conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, and Web of Science databases. We will include observational studies (ie, cross-sectional, longitudinal, or case-control studies), analyzing the incidence, prevalence, and risk or associated factors of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in Brazil from primary data. The diagnosed syphilis will be assessed based on direct pathogen detection tests or through immunological, treponemal or nontreponemal tests, following Brazilian protocols for diagnosing syphilis. The studies are currently undergoing screening in the databases, and after this step, 2 reviewers will perform all identified documents. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) system will be used to assess methodological quality and quality of evidence of studies, respectively. The Kappa coefficient will assess the agreement between researchers in each study stage. Cochran Q test will assess the heterogeneity among studies. Then, a random-effects meta-analysis will be performed. ResultsResults will be discussed based on subgroup analysis, which is as follows: (1) type of syphilis (in pregnancy or congenital), (2) type of study (case-control and cross-sectional studies for analysis of associated factors and longitudinal studies for risk factors), and (3) contextual factors (ie, region of country, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and year of study). This systematic review is expected to be completed by December 2023, and our results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and scientific events. ConclusionsThis systematic review aims to assist health care managers and professionals in their decision-making to control these diseases in Brazil, considering location heterogeneity. Furthermore, countries with health systems and demographic and socioeconomic contexts similar to those of Brazil may benefit from this information. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/50702

Introdução/Objetivo: A incidência de sífilis congênita no Brasil vem mantendo a tendência de crescimento desde 2016, apesar dos esforços realizados pelos gestores e profissionais de saúde. Dentre as explicações para esse aumento contínuo destaca-se a ausência de tratamento ou oferta inadequada. Logo, torna-se fundamental analisar os tratamentos disponibilizados nos serviços da rede pública de saúde as crianças com sífilis. O objetivo é analisar o tratamento farmacológico das crianças com sífilis congênitas entre 2008 e 2018 no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. Metodologia: Estudo ecológico, com dados secundários das crianças diagnosticadas e notificadas com sífilis congênita, entre 01 de janeiro de 2008 e 31 de dezembro de 2018. Para análise foram calculadas as frequências absolutas e relativas, após importação dos dados para o programa Microsoft Excel. Estudo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, parecer no 3.775.828. Resultados: Foram notificados 3.550 casos de sífilis congênita, onde 2.272 (64%) crianças receberam tratamento com Benzilpenicilina cristalina, entre 100.000 e 150.000 UI/kg/dose, por 10 dias. Enquanto isso, 750 (21%) receberam tratamento com outro antibiótico, 170 (5%) foram tratadas com Penicilina G Benzatina 50.000 UI kg/dia/10 dias e 33 (1%) com dose única. Os tratamentos não realizados e ignorados totalizaram 325 (9%). Discussão: Segundo o Protocolo Clínico de Diretrizes Terapêuticas (2022), o tratamento da sífilis congênita deve ser com Benzilpenicilina procaína a 50.000 UI/kg, IM, uma vez ao dia, por 10 dias ou Benzilpenicilina potássica (cristalina) 50.000 UI/kg, IV, de 12/12h (crianças com menos de 1 semana de vida) e de 8/8h (crianças com mais de 1 semana de vida), por 10 dias. Contudo, durante o período pesquisado, os dados revelaram que apesar da oferta gratuita na rede pública de saúde, identificou-se casos de tratamento inadequado e ou não ofertado. Este achado sugere despreparo dos profissionais de saúde para atender a população, seguindo as recomendações estabelecidas pelo protocolo do Ministério da Saúde. Conclusão: No período analisado, identificou-se que o tratamento farmacológico da sífilis congênita no estado do Rio Grande do Norte foi ofertado de forma inadequada para as criança diagnosticadas e notificadas. Isso revela a necessidade urgente de investimento em capacitação dos profissionais e sensibilização das gestantes para importância da prevenção e tratamento precoce da

BackgroundLatin America, Africa, and Asia have high incidences of syphilis. New approaches are needed to understand and reduce disease transmissibility. In health care, spatial analysis is important to map diseases and understand their epidemiologic aspects. ObjectiveThe proposed scoping review will identify and map the use of spatial analysis as a tool for syphilis-related research in health care. MethodsThis protocol was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute manual, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We will conduct searches in Embase; Lilacs, via the Virtual Health Library (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud; BVS), in Portuguese and English; Medline/PubMed; Web of Science; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL); and Scopus. Gray literature will be searched for in Google Scholar, the Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, the Catalog of Theses and Dissertations of the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; CAPES), Open Access Theses and Dissertations, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. The main research question is “How has spatial analysis been used in syphilis-related research in health care?” Studies are included if they have the full text available, address syphilis, and use geographic information systems software and spatial analysis techniques, regardless of sample characteristics or size. Studies published as research articles, theses, dissertations, and government documents will also be considered, with no location, time, or language restrictions. Data will be extracted using a spreadsheet adapted from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Quantitative and qualitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis, respectively. ResultsThe results will be presented according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and will summarize the use of spatial analysis in syphilis-related research in health care in countries with different contexts, factors associated with spatial cluster formation, population health impacts, contributions to health systems, challenges, limitations, and possible research gaps. The results will guide future research and may be useful for health and safety professionals, managers, public policy makers, the general population, the academic community, and health professionals who work directly with people with syphilis. Data collection is projected to start in June 2023 and end in July 2023. Data analysis is scheduled to take place in August and September 2023. We expect to publish results in the final months of 2023. ConclusionsThe review may reveal where syphilis incidence has the highest incidence, which countries most use spatial analysis to study syphilis, and whether spatial analysis is applicable to syphilis in each continent, thereby contributing to discussion and knowledge dissemination on the use of spatial analysis as a tool for syphilis-related research in health care. Trial RegistrationOpen Science Framework CNVXE; https://osf.io/cnvxe International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/43243

ObjectiveThe study aimed to analyze the temporal trend of congenital syphilis in Brazil in the period from 2008 to 2018 and its spatial distribution in the Immediate Regions of Urban Articulation, and to identify spatial correlations with socioeconomic factors and prenatal care.MethodsSpatial correlations between the incidence of congenital syphilis and socioeconomic conditions and access to prenatal care were assessed. This ecological study conducted a time series analysis in Brazil and spatial analysis in 482 Immediate Regions of Urban Articulation. Cases of congenital syphilis reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System and the Live Birth Information System from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018 were included. Socioeconomic conditions (percentage of individuals with inadequate water supply and sanitation) were extracted from the 2010 census, whereas the Live Birth Information System provided data on access to prenatal care (percentage of live births with 1–3 prenatal care appointments). The Joinpoint Regression software performed the temporal trend analysis, while the GeoDa software assessed territorial clusters using the Moran’s I and Local Spatial Association Indicator.ResultsThe incidence of congenital syphilis showed an upward trend (annual percent change 1 = 26.96; 95% CI: 18.2–36.3; annual percent change 2 = 10.25; 95% CI: 2.7–28.4) and was unevenly distributed across Immediate Regions of Urban Articulation in Brazil (Moran’s I = 0.264, p ≤ 0.05). It also presented a direct spatial correlation with the percentage of individuals with inadequate water supply and sanitation (Moran’s I = 0.02, p ≤ 0.05) and the percentage of live births with 1–3 prenatal care appointments (Moran’s I = 0.03, p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionAgrowth trend of congenital syphilis in Brazil was observed between 2008 and 2018. Moreover, inequalities in socioeconomic conditions and access to prenatal care influenced the spatial distribution of this disease.

The agricultural sector is considered an important source of greenhouse gases, in which the coffee crop has an important contribution, participating in the dynamics of soil C and CO2 emissions. In this way, the aim of this study was to analyze and quantify CO2 emissions in different phenological phases in soil cultivated with conilon coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner), and compare it with CO2 flow in forest and pasture area. The experiment was conducted in the Experimental Area of the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil, in an experimental plot of 0.5 ha cultivated with conilon Vitória coffee clones. The quantification of soil CO2 flux was performed between July 2016 and June 2017, this period comprising all the seasons of the year, using in two rounds of ratings (day and night), with five replicates each. For comparison purposes, another measurement of the CO2 stream was conducted in June 2017 with an evaluation period of 24 h. The highest CO2 emission occurred during the harvest phases of the fruit (206.7 mg CO2 m-2 h-1). The lowest daily CO2 flow records were observed in the rest and flowering phases with values of 82.1 and 83.6 CO2 mg m-2 h-1, respectively. The CO2 emission from the forest was higher than the emissions that occurred in the area planted with conilon coffee and pasture, during dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe current quality of evidence supporting dry cupping for individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) is low and suggests that nonspecific factors impact experiences reported by patients. Therefore, this study assessed the impacts of social and professional support on the experience of individuals with CLBP treated with dry cupping or sham.MethodThis is an observational study with qualitative approach. Twenty-four individuals with CLBP who received dry cupping or sham in a previous clinical trial were invited. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview conducted by a trained researcher. Content analysis was used to analyze experiences, systematic procedures, and description of the content of messages. The dimensions of "pain", "general perceptions", and "perceived social and professional support" guided the analysis.ResultsAnswers of both groups converged on similar perceptions, especially regarding pain. Physical condition was the most fragile aspect. We also observed an influence of perceived social and professional support on painful symptoms. Thus, the experience of individuals with CLBP treated with dry cupping or sham indicated that factors related to social and professional support impacted results.ConclusionsWe observed that individuals with CLBP reported similar perceptions of the effects of dry cupping or sham treatment, indicating that contextual factors may influence the perception of these individuals regarding the treatment received.

Resumo Introdução A gravidez precoce é um prevalente problema de saúde pública que impacta na saúde e nas representações sociais da jovem. Objetivo O estudo objetivou investigar os fatores associados à gravidez na adolescência. Método Estudo transversal realizado com 234 mulheres entre 12 e 19 anos (108 grávidas e 126 não grávidas). Foi aplicado um questionário contendo variáveis sociodemográficas, obstétricas e comportamentais. Para análise, utilizou-se do teste do qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher, com nível de significância de 5%. O odds ratio e o intervalo de confiança de 95% foram utilizados como medidas de associação entre variáveis. Uma regressão logística múltipla foi realizada considerando o desfecho gravidez precoce. Resultados O número de crianças, o planejamento da gravidez e o uso de métodos contraceptivos foram significativamente associados à gravidez na adolescência (p < 0,05). Na regressão, número de filhos (OR = 0,22; IC95%: 0,10-0,48), exercício de atividade remunerada (OR = 0,46; IC95%: 0,22-0,94) e uso de métodos contraceptivos (OR = 0,42; IC95%: 0,21-0,80) foram considerados variáveis preditoras protetoras. Também foi demonstrado que o não planejamento da gravidez aumentou 2,48 vezes a chance de gravidez precoce. Conclusão A gravidez na adolescência está associada a condicionalidades sociodemográficas, de comportamento sexual e de planejamento familiar.

Objective To analyse the short-term effects of kinesio taping (KT) with tension (KTT) or without tension (KTNT) in older women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and compare them to controls who did not receive KT.Design Randomised controlled trial.Setting University physiotherapy school clinic.Participants Forty-five older women (fifteen participants per group) with 66.8 (±5.6) years and clinical diagnosis of KOA were assessed pre, post and 3 days after intervention.Interventions Participants were randomly allocated to KTT, who received two simultaneous applications of KT with tension on the knee and rectus femoris; KTNT, who received the same application as the KTT group, but without tension and a control group that attended a class on KOA.Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcome was pain intensity and secondary outcomes were knee-related health status, functional capacity, muscle strength and global rating of change.Results No between-group differences were observed in pain after the first intervention (KTT vs KTNT: mean difference (MD), −1.8 points; 95% CI −4.2 to 0.5; KTT vs control: MD, −1.2 points; 95% CI −3.6 to 1.2; KTNT vs control: MD, 0.66 points; 95% CI −1.7 to 3.0) or 3 days later (KTT vs KTNT: MD, −1.3 points; 95% CI −3.7 to 1.0; KTT vs control: MD, 0.13 points; 95% CI −2.2 to 2.5; KTNT vs control: MD, 1.4 points; 95% CI −0.9 to 3.8). The lack of between-group differences was also found for secondary outcomes.Conclusion The short-term use of KT with or without tension in older woman with KOA had no beneficial effects on pain and function. These findings call into question the clinical use of KT as a non-pharmacological therapy for this population.Trial registration number NCT03624075.

The radical pair mechanism (RPM) of chemically induced dynamic electron polarization (CIDEP) is theoretically analyzed to determine what intermolecular separations ( r eff) effectively contribute to the CIDEP generated from diffusive, separated radical-ion pairs (RIP) in terms of the chargetransfer interaction in the singlet-triplet energy splitting ( J) by taking into account the distance-dependent electronic coupling and reorganization energy. The diffusion-model analysis reveals that the hyperfine-dependent RPM polarization ( P RPM) phase is varied with the driving force (−Δ G CR) for the charge-recombination (CR) process and that the boundary −Δ G CR between the opposite phases coincides well with the total reorganization energy around the diffusible separation distance, r eff=1.2 nm, between the ion radicals. For the first time, the r eff is well described by the exponent parameter (β) in the distance-dependent electronic coupling, suggesting that the RPM CIDEP detection can be applied to characterize the electronic coupling in individual solvent-separated RIP systems. It has been concluded that, in contrast to the spin exchange interaction of the neutral radical pairs, the characteristic long-range charge-transfer interaction enables us to utilize the simple diffusion-model analysis to successfully evaluate the r eff and the P RPM in homogeneous liquid polar solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ampliação do conceito de saúde, historicamente acompanhado pelo contexto mundial de globalização da cultura de respeito e proteção dos direitos humanos, influenciou de forma significativa a criação e implementação de dispositivos jurídicos visando à garantia da seguridade social em todos os níveis como condição sine qua non para qualidade de vida e dignidade das pessoas. Nesse sentua ido, este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir as interfaces do direito que alicerçam a fluoretação das águas em território nacional como mecanismo básico essencial para a promoção de saúde bucal integral, universal e plena.

Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos estudos na região do Rio Una da Aldeia, afluente do ribeira de Iguape, no entorno da Estação Ecológica Jureia-Itatins, Município de Iguape, São Paulo. Esses estudos consistiram de levantamento em campo das populações de Euterpe edulis Mart. (palmito-juçara) e também de estudos preliminares etnobotânicos, através da aplicação de questionários semiestruturados e realização de seminário para diagnóstico do uso atual da área, sensibilização e percepção da sustentabilidade ambiental pelos comunitários. O trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar o estado de conservação das populações do palmito-juçara e também estudar relações que as comunidades caiçaras da região mantinham com o ambiente natural. Os resultados indicaram a urgente necessidade de elaboração de um plano para enriquecimento e manejo de Euterpe edulis Mart. Foi constatada também a imensa potencialidade de uso econômico da floresta, bem como o desejo das populações tradicionais em manejar sustentavelmente os recursos naturais.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our previous study confirmed that daily intake of casein hydrolysate that contained Met-Lys-Pro (MKP) can safely lower mildly elevated blood pressure. The present study aimed to evaluate the intestinal absorption differences between peptide MKP as a casein hydrolysate and synthetic MKP alone using Caco-2 cells and human iPS cell-derived small intestinal epithelial cells (hiSIECs). MKP was transported intact through Caco-2 cells and hiSIECs with permeability coefficient (P app ) values of 0.57 ± 0.14 × 10 -7 and 1.03 ± 0.44 × 10 -7 cm/s, respectively. This difference in P app suggests differences in the tight junction strength and peptidase activity of each cell. Moreover, the transepithelial transport and residual ratio of intact MKP after adding casein hydrolysate containing MKP was significantly higher than that after adding synthetic MKP alone, suggesting that other peptides in casein hydrolysate suppressed MKP degradation and increased its　transport. These findings suggest that hiSIECs could be useful for predicting the human intestinal absorption of bioactive peptides; ingesting MKP as a casein hydrolysate may also improve MKP bioavailability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hematoma expansion occasionally occurs in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), associating with poor outcome. Multimodal neural networks incorporating convolutional neural network (CNN) analysis of images and neural network analysis of tabular data are known to show promising results in prediction and classification tasks. We aimed to develop a reliable multimodal neural network model that comprehensively analyzes CT images and clinical variables to predict hematoma expansion. We retrospectively enrolled ICH patients at four hospitals between 2017 and 2021, assigning patients from three hospitals to the training and validation dataset and patients from one hospital to the test dataset. Admission CT images and clinical variables were collected. CT findings were evaluated by experts. Three types of models were developed and trained: (1) a CNN model analyzing CT images, (2) a multimodal CNN model analyzing CT images and clinical variables, and (3) a non-CNN model analyzing CT findings and clinical variables with machine learning. The models were evaluated on the test dataset, focusing first on sensitivity and second on area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). Two hundred seventy-three patients (median age, 71 years [59-79]; 159 men) in the training and validation dataset and 106 patients (median age, 70 years [62-82]; 63 men) in the test dataset were included. Sensitivity and AUC of a CNN model were 1.000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.768-1.000) and 0.755 (95% CI 0.704-0.807); those of a multimodal CNN model were 1.000 (95% CI 0.768-1.000) and 0.799 (95% CI 0.749-0.849); and those of a non-CNN model were 0.857 (95% CI 0.572-0.982) and 0.733 (95% CI 0.625-0.840). We developed a multimodal neural network model incorporating CNN analysis of CT images and neural network analysis of clinical variables to predict hematoma expansion in ICH. The model was externally validated and showed the best performance of all the models., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to introduce a three-dimensional (3D) images fusion method for preoperative simulation of aneurysm clipping. Consecutive unruptured aneurysm cases treated with surgical clipping from March 2021 to October 2023 were included. In all cases, preoperative images of plain computed tomography (CT), CT angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, 3D heavily T2-weighted images, and 3D rotational angiography were acquired and transported into a commercial software (Ziostation2 Plus, Ziosoft, Inc. Tokyo, Japan). The software provided 3D images of skull, arteries including aneurysms, veins, and brain tissue that were freely rotated, magnified, trimmed, and superimposed. Using the 3D images fusion method, two operators predicted clips to be used in the following surgery. The predicted clips and actually used ones were compared to give agreement scores for the following factors: (1) type of clips (simple or fenestrated), (2) shape of clips (straight, curved, angled, or bayonet), and (3) clipping strategy (single or multiple). The agreement score ranged from 0 to 3 because a score of 1 or 0 was given for agreement or disagreement on each factor. Interoperator reproducibility was also evaluated. During the study period, 44 aneurysms from 37 patients were clipped. All procedures were successfully completed, thanks to the precisely reproduced surgical corridors with the 3D images fusion method. Agreement in clip prediction was good with mean agreement score of 2.4. Interobserver reproducibility was also high with the kappa value of 0.79. The 3D images fusion method was useful for preoperative simulation of aneurysm clipping.

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a subtype of dermatomyositis without severe myositis but with characteristic cutaneous manifestations and severe interstitial lung disease. Joint symptoms can occur in patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive CADM. However, the treatment strategy and utility of ultrasound for treating joint symptoms remain unknown. We herein report an 85-year-old man with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive CADM who presented with ultrasound-confirmed synovitis that improved with medium-dose corticosteroid therapy.

Neuroelectric disruptions such as seizures and cortical spreading depolarization may contribute to the development of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, effects of antiepileptic drug prophylaxis on outcomes remain controversial in SAH. The authors investigated if prophylactic administration of new-generation antiepileptic drugs levetiracetam and perampanel was beneficial against delayed neurovascular events after SAH. This was a retrospective single-center cohort study of 121 consecutive SAH patients including 56 patients of admission World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades IV - V who underwent aneurysmal obliteration within 72 h post-SAH from 2013 to 2021. Prophylactic antiepileptic drugs differed depending on the study terms: none (2013 - 2015), levetiracetam for patients at high risks of seizures (2016 - 2019), and perampanel for all patients (2020 - 2021). The 3rd term had the lowest occurrence of delayed cerebral microinfarction on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, which was related to less development of DCI. Other outcome measures were similar among the 3 terms including incidences of angiographic vasospasm, computed tomography-detectable delayed cerebral infarction, seizures, and 3-month good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0 - 2). The present study suggests that prophylactic administration of levetiracetam and perampanel was not associated with worse outcomes and that perampanel may have the potential to reduce DCI by preventing microcirculatory disturbances after SAH. Further studies are warranted to investigate anti-DCI effects of a selective α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor antagonist perampanel in SAH patients in a large-scale prospective study., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: We investigated the effects of bovine lactoferrin (LF) on the maintenance of the respiratory and systemic physical conditions., Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Healthy adults at Kyushu University of Health and Welfare ingested a placebo or bovine LF (200 mg/day) for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints were the total respiratory and systemic symptom scores. The secondary endpoint was the activity of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in peripheral blood., Results: A total of 157 subjects were randomized (placebo, n = 79; LF, n = 78), of whom, 12 dropped out. The remaining 145 participants were included in the full analysis set (placebo group, n = 77; LF group, n = 68). The total scores for respiratory and systemic symptoms during the intervention were significantly lower in the LF group than in the placebo group. The expression of CD86 and HLA-DR on pDCs was significantly higher in the LF group than in the placebo group at week 12. Adverse events were comparable between the groups, and no adverse drug reactions were observed., Conclusions: These results suggest that orally ingested LF supports the normal immune system via maintaining pDC activity, and maintains respiratory and systemic physical conditions in healthy adults.

Background: Few studies have evaluated differences in the curd-forming ability of casein on gastric volume and content directly after ingestion in humans., Objectives: This study evaluated the time course of gastric volume and curd conditions in the stomach after protein ingestion., Methods: This was an open-labeled, randomized crossover trial. Ten healthy men [age: 33.4 ± 7.3 y; BMI (kg/m 2 ): 21.9 ± 0.9] received 350 g of 3 isonitrogenous and isocaloric protein drinks containing 30 g micellar casein (MCN), sodium caseinate (SCN), or whey protein concentrate (WPC). The gastric antrum cross-sectional area (CSA) and curd in the stomach were measured using ultrasonography within 5 h after ingestion. The differences between test foods were tested using the MIXED model and post hoc tests using Fisher's protected least significant difference., Results: The incremental AUC of the gastric antrum CSA after MCN ingestion was 1.3-fold and 1.5-fold higher than that after the ingestion of SCN and WPC, respectively (both P < 0.05), but not different between SCN and WPC. The number of participants with curds ≥20 mm with a high echogenicity clot observed in the stomach within 5 h after MCN ingestion was significantly greater than that after the ingestion of other proteins (n = 9 for MCN, n = 2 for SCN, and n = 0 for WPC; bothP < 0.01). The regression line slopes on total plasma amino acid concentration and gastric antrum CSA were significantly different between the participants with and without curds., Conclusions: In contrast to SCN and WPC, MCN ingestion resulted in slow kinetics of gastric antrum CSA. Differences in curd formation of casein in the stomach affect gastric emptying and plasma amino acid absorption kinetics after ingestion in healthy men. This trial was registered at University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000038388 (https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr&#95;e/ctr&#95;view.cgi?recptno=R000043746)., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Nutrition.)

Delayed fluorescence resulting from triplet-triplet annihilation in crystalline 9,10-diphenylanthracene was observed by means of steady-state fluorescence measurements under magnetic fields of ≤10 T. At five specific magnetic fields, four peaks and one dip in the magnetic field dependence of fluorescence intensity were observed, proving that exchange-coupled triplet pairs were generated in the course of triplet-triplet annihilation. The dip was in the opposite direction predicted for singlet channel triplet-triplet annihilation. Further analysis using the stochastic Liouville equation confirmed that the closest exchange-coupled triplet pair in crystalline 9,10-diphenylanthracene is quenched via both triplet channel and singlet channel triplet-triplet annihilation.

To examine whether machine learning (ML) approach can be used to predict hematoma expansion in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with accuracy and widespread applicability, we applied ML algorithms to multicenter clinical data and CT findings on admission. Patients with acute ICH from three hospitals (n = 351) and those from another hospital (n = 71) were retrospectively assigned to the development and validation cohorts, respectively. To develop ML predictive models, the k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) algorithm, logistic regression, support vector machines (SVMs), random forests, and XGBoost were applied to the patient data in the development cohort. The models were evaluated for their performance on the patient data in the validation cohort, which was compared with previous scoring methods, the BAT, BRAIN, and 9-point scores. The k-NN algorithm achieved the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.790 among all ML models, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 0.846, 0.733, and 0.775, respectively. The BRAIN score achieved the highest AUC of 0.676 among all previous scoring methods, which was lower than the k-NN algorithm (p = 0.016). We developed and validated ML predictive models of hematoma expansion in acute ICH. The models demonstrated good predictive ability, showing better performance than the previous scoring methods., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Myositis-specific autoantibodies are relevant factors that define the disease phenotype of dermatomyositis (DM). Anti-Mi-2 antibody-positive DM patients may present with the typical skin lesions and prominent myositis. On the other hand, adult DM patients with anti-TIF-γ antibody seem to be associated with internal malignancy. Here, we report a rare case of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) exhibiting anti-Mi-2 and anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1 gamma (TIF1-γ) antibodies, with no internal malignancy. A 16-year-old female Japanese patient under treatment with a 2-year history of chronic eczematous lesions was admitted to our department with elevated levels of muscle enzymes. Characteristic skin changes, such as Gottron's papules of the hand, heliotrope rash of the eyelids, and poikiloderma-like legions and diffuse pigmentation on the back, were observed. Histologically, the patient's skin was characterized by the presence of lymphocytic vascular inflammation and endothelial swelling, which are consistent with DM. Severe symmetric proximal muscle weakness, elevated serum muscle enzymes and the presence of anti-TIF1-γ and Mi-2 antibodies were noted. The diagnosis of JDM was made according to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) diagnostic criteria. A high dose of corticosteroids and following intravenous cyclophosphamide treatment (750 mg three times) resulted in an improvement in clinical manifestations and functional outcomes, and recurrence did not occur. Estimation of autoantibodies may serve as an ancillary tool in delineating and defining distinct clinical phenotypes in JDM.