Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Mulias Lian, Chanin Limwongse, Chui-Sheun Yoon, Caroline G. Lee, Hai-Yang Law, Samuel S. Chong
Summary: This study presents a simplified single-tube assay that can simultaneously screen for CAG repeat expansion in the genes responsible for SCAs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, and dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy. The method uses differentially labeled locus-specific primers and a common triplet-primed primer to distinguish amplified products from each locus. Blinded evaluation of the assay on 60 genotype-known DNA samples correctly detected repeat expansion in the expected SCA repeat locus for all samples.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Francesco Mauro
Summary: This study improves the method based on a nonlinear thrust allocation algorithm, including propulsor interactions, and introduces the transversal equilibrium modeling of the tug to evaluate its compliance with stability and safety regulations. By using a simplified approach to estimate hydrodynamic forces, a flexible prediction method for tug escort capability is achieved.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica A. Bush, Samantha M. Meyer, Rita Fuerst, Yuquan Tong, Yue Li, Raphael Benhamou, Haruo Aikawa, Patrick R. A. Zanon, Quentin M. R. Gibaut, Alicia J. Angelbello, Tania F. Gendron, Yong-Jie Zhang, Leonard Petrucelli, Torben Heick Jensen, Jessica L. Childs-Disney, Matthew D. Disney
Summary: This study describes a small molecule that interacts with the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene and mitigates disease pathologies in C9ALS/FTD. The small molecule reduces intron retention caused by the expansion and allows the intron to be eliminated by the nuclear RNA exosome.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Jongyoon Lim, Yongsoon Choi
Summary: This study proposes a haptic device for virtual reality applications that effectively delivers the feeling of using a tool in the virtual environment. The device focuses on hand sensations and provides realistic experiences of swinging, stabbing, and poking objects. The experiments conducted show increased realism, immersion, and enjoyment compared to using a bundle controller alone. Users also interact more actively and exaggeratedly with the haptic device. The findings suggest that previous VR experience times have little impact on satisfaction related to haptic device use, and users have low expectations for haptic realism.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jean-Laurent Casanova, Laurent Abel
Summary: The vast individual clinical variability during infections has long been a puzzle, but studying inborn errors and mechanisms of rare infections has helped identify common genetic or autoimmune determinants of related common infections like tuberculosis and COVID-19. Genetic factors or autoimmune determinants may contribute to the severity of infections, and this rare-to-common genetic and mechanistic approach may be informative for infectious disease research.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Abhir Krishan Nainani, Jun Yang, Sanne Peters, Grant Russell
Summary: This study reveals that general practitioners face challenges in screening for primary aldosteronism, including knowledge gaps, practical limitations of the aldosterone-renin ratio, and errors in diagnostic reasoning. These challenges can be addressed through education and practice modifications to improve screening rates and optimize detection of secondary hypertension.
Article
Neurosciences
Chiara C. Bortolasci, Emily J. Jaehne, Damian Hernandez, Briana Spolding, Timothy Connor, Bruna Panizzutti, Olivia M. Dean, Tamsyn M. Crowley, Alison R. Yung, Laura Gray, Jee Hyun Kim, Maarten van den Buuse, Michael Berk, Ken Walder
Summary: Novel approaches combining in vitro transcriptomics and in silico analysis were used to identify drugs that can be repurposed to treat psychiatric disorders. The study identified metergoline as a potential treatment for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, and demonstrated its efficacy in reducing locomotor hyperactivity in mice.
NEUROTOXICITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Rodrigo Marin-Navarrete, Marta Torrens, Aldebaran Toledo-Fernandez, Joan Ignasi Mestre-Pinto, Ricardo Sanchez-Dominguez, Alejandro Perez-Lopez, Ricardo Saracco-Alvarez, Eduardo Angel Madrigal-De Leon, Nestor Szerman
Summary: The research aims to develop an app for screening DDs and referring patients to specialized services based on the severity of psychiatric and addictive symptoms, suitable for use in community-based residential care facilities for SUDs. Previous studies in Mexico at residential facilities for treating SUDs reported that the prevalence of DDs is over 65%, posing a major challenge for the Mexican health system.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Daojun Hong, Hui Wang, Min Zhu, Yun Peng, Pengcheng Huang, Yilei Zheng, Meng Yu, Lingchao Meng, Fan Li, Jiaxi Yu, Meihong Zhou, Jianwen Deng, Zhaoxia Wang, Yun Yuan
Summary: This study demonstrates that most patients with CNS-dominant NIID have subclinical peripheral neuropathy. Electrophysiological examination should be the routine diagnostic workflow for every NIID patient.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rolando Hernandez, Julio C. Facelli
Summary: Repeat regions in the human genome code for intrinsic protein disorder and expansions outside normal thresholds can lead to pathogenic repeat expansion diseases. Studies have shown that polyalanine expansion disorders result in structural changes such as decreased alpha helices, increased beta-sheet conformation, increased random coils/loops, and increased solvent-accessible surface area. The effects of polyQ and polyA repeat expansions on protein structure appear to be similar, leading to higher misfolding and aggregation propensities.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Gianluca Carraro, Piero Danieli, Andrea Lazzaretto, Tazio Boatto
Summary: This paper explores various configurations of supercritical CO2 power systems for waste heat recovery, utilizing the HEATSEP methodology to critically analyze these concepts. Results suggest that the literature configurations have limited potential for improvement, with small possible power gains identified.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Gongxing Wu, Xiaolong Zhao, Yushan Sun, Linling Wang
Summary: This paper proposes a calculation method for the maneuverability of the towing system with multi-tug-assisted navigation, focusing on solving the force analysis and maneuvering modeling problems between the multi-tug and ship systems. Through simulation experiments and modeling operations, the feasibility and practicality of the multi-tug towing system have been verified.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Riho Shimazu, Kosuke Tomimuro, Yan Ni, Cristina Malegori, Vahid Hamedpour, Yuki Hiruta, Paolo Oliveri, Maarten Merkx, Daniel Citterio
Summary: This study introduces a new analytical method for point-of-care therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of the therapeutic antibody cetuximab using microfluidic thread-based analytical devices. The method integrates various technologies such as pre-treatment, sensing techniques, and image processing, offering a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective approach for individual patients to achieve better treatment outcomes.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Rebecca Rigel Donald, Santosh Patel, Mariah Smith, Schuyler Clayton, Sudheer Potru
Summary: People involved in drug use or sales create their own vocabulary and language, similar to other groups with shared experiences. Slang terms are influenced by various factors such as the appearance or type of drugs, their place of origin, their effects on users, or how they are packaged for sale. To assist clinical practitioners in understanding this terminology, we have compiled a list of commonly used street names along with explanations of their origins, when available.
REGIONAL ANESTHESIA AND PAIN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Trang T. T. Truong, Bruna Panizzutti, Jee Hyun Kim, Ken Walder
Summary: Drug repurposing is a crucial approach in treating psychiatric disorders, offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and less risky alternative to de novo drug discovery. Network-based drug repurposing methods provide a potential avenue for understanding multiple domains of knowledge and discovering repurposing candidates for complex psychiatric disorders.
