Do Not Cut Off Your Tail: A Mega-Analysis of Responses to Auditory Perturbation Experiments.

PURPOSE: The practice of removing "following" responses from speech perturbation analyses is increasingly common, despite no clear evidence as to whether these responses represent a unique response type. This study aimed to determine if the distribution of responses to auditory perturbation paradigms represents a bimodal distribution, consisting of two distinct response types, or a unimodal distribution. METHOD: This mega-analysis pooled data from 22 previous studies to examine the distribution and magnitude of responses to auditory perturbations across four tasks: adaptive pitch, adaptive formant, reflexive pitch, and reflexive formant. Data included at least 150 unique participants for each task, with studies comprising younger adult, older adult, and Parkinson's disease populations. A Silverman's unimodality test followed by a smoothed bootstrap resampling technique was performed for each task to evaluate the number of modes in each distribution. Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were also performed for each distribution to confirm significant compensation in response to the perturbation. RESULTS: Modality analyses were not significant (p > .05) for any group or task, indicating unimodal distributions. Our analyses also confirmed compensatory reflexive responses to pitch and formant perturbations across all groups, as well as adaptive responses to sustained formant perturbations. However, analyses of sustained pitch perturbations only revealed evidence of adaptation in studies with younger adults. CONCLUSION: The demonstration of a clear unimodal distribution across all tasks suggests that following responses do not represent a distinct response pattern, but rather the tail of a unimodal distribution. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24282676.

Dietary Factors Impact Developmental Trajectories in Young Autistic Children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of dietary factors on developmental trajectories in young autistic children. METHODS: A gluten-free and casein-free diets, as well as six types of food (meat and eggs, vegetables, uncooked vegetables, sweets, bread, and "white soft bread that never molds") were investigated observationally for up to three years in 5,553 children 2 to 5 years of age via parent-report measures completed within a mobile application. Children had a parent-reported diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); 78% were males; the majority of participants resided in the USA. Outcome was monitored on five orthogonal subscales: Language Comprehension, Expressive Language, Sociability, Sensory Awareness, and Health, assessed by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) (Rimland & Edelson, 1999) and Mental Synthesis Evaluation Checklist (MSEC) (Arnold & Vyshedskiy, 2022; Braverman et al., 2018). RESULTS: Consumption of fast-acting carbohydrates - sweets, bread, and "white soft bread that never molds" - was associated with a significant and a consistent Health subscale score decline. On the contrary, a gluten-free diet, as well as consumption of meat, eggs, and vegetables were associated with a significant and consistent improvement in the Language Comprehension score. Consumption of meat and eggs was also associated with a significant and consistent improvement in the Sensory Awareness score. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a strong correlation between a diet and developmental trajectories and suggest possible dietary interventions for young autistic children.

Chemical identification and optimization of the 4-aminophenol colorimetric test for the differentiation between hemp-type and marijuana-type cannabis plant samples.

The 4- Aminophenol (4-AP) colorimetric test is a fast, easy-to-use, and cost-effective presumptive assay of cannabis plant material producing different chromophores with THC-rich cannabis (blue color) and with CBD-rich cannabis (pink color). The main drawback of the 4-AP test is a brief observation window where the color rapidly changes to black, limiting the utility of the test. We now report for the first time, the identification of the product chromophores between 4-AP and CBD/THC as well as propose an explanation and a solution for the color degradation of the chromophores. The identification of the chromophores is provided by spectroscopic (UV-Vis), chromatography, and mass spectrometry (TLC and LC-QToF-MS). Oxidation of excess 4-AP (Reagent A) in the presence of NaOH (Reagent B) produces the black color observed for the previously reported 4-AP tests and reported in the literature. The adjustment of reactants concentrations and volumes of 4-AP:THC/CBD to a 1:1 ratio significantly reduces the black oxidation by-product and increases the observation window up to 2 h instead of the previously reported 5-10 min. For the first time, mass spectrometry and chromatography confirmed that the reaction of THC and CBD with 4-AP produced chromophores with m/z (M + H) = 420, consistent with proposed indophenol structures. The TLC method developed confirmed the separation between CBD and THC chromophores. The specificity of the test is also reported, showing false positive results for the presence of THC (blue color) for samples of thyme and oregano. LDA and SIMCA models showed that the optimized 4-AP procedure performs better than the previously reported 4-AP color test.

Survey of extracellular communication of systemic and organ-specific inflammatory responses through cell free messenger RNA profiling in mice.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory and immune responses are essential and dynamic biological processes that protect the body against acute and chronic adverse stimuli. While conventional protein markers have been used to evaluate systemic inflammatory response, the immunological response to stimulation is complex and involves modulation of a large set of genes and interacting signalling pathways of innate and adaptive immune systems. There is a need for a non-invasive tool that can comprehensively evaluate and monitor molecular dysregulations associated with inflammatory and immune responses in circulation and in inaccessible solid organs. METHODS: Here we utilized cell-free messenger RNA (cf-mRNA) RNA-Seq whole transcriptome profiling and computational biology to temporally assess lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced and JAK inhibitor modulated inflammatory and immune responses in mouse plasma samples. FINDINGS: Cf-mRNA profiling displayed a pattern of systemic immune responses elicited by LPS and dysregulation of associated pathways. Moreover, attenuation of several inflammatory pathways, including STAT and interferon pathways, were observed following the treatment of JAK inhibitor. We further identified the dysregulation of liver-specific transcripts in cf-mRNA which reflected changes in the gene-expression pattern in this generally inaccessible biological compartment. INTERPRETATION: Using a preclinical mouse model, we demonstrated the potential of plasma cf-mRNA profiling for systemic and organ-specific characterization of drug-induced molecular alterations that are associated with inflammatory and immune responses. FUNDING: Molecular Stethoscope.

Noninvasive characterization of Alzheimer's disease by circulating, cell-free messenger RNA next-generation sequencing.

The lack of accessible noninvasive tools to examine the molecular alterations occurring in the brain limits our understanding of the causes and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as the identification of effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we conducted a comprehensive profiling of circulating, cell-free messenger RNA (cf-mRNA) in plasma of 126 patients with AD and 116 healthy controls of similar age. We identified 2591 dysregulated genes in the cf-mRNA of patients with AD, which are enriched in biological processes well known to be associated with AD. Dysregulated genes included brain-specific genes and resembled those identified to be dysregulated in postmortem AD brain tissue. Furthermore, we identified disease-relevant circulating gene transcripts that correlated with the severity of cognitive impairment. These data highlight the potential of high-throughput cf-mRNA sequencing to evaluate AD-related pathophysiological alterations in the brain, leading to precision healthcare solutions that could improve AD patient management.

Non-invasive characterization of human bone marrow stimulation and reconstitution by cell-free messenger RNA sequencing.

Circulating cell-free mRNA (cf-mRNA) holds great promise as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker. However, cf-mRNA composition and its potential clinical applications remain largely unexplored. Here we show, using Next Generation Sequencing-based profiling, that cf-mRNA is enriched in transcripts derived from the bone marrow compared to circulating cells. Further, longitudinal studies involving bone marrow ablation followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia patients indicate that cf-mRNA levels reflect the transcriptional activity of bone marrow-resident hematopoietic lineages during bone marrow reconstitution. Mechanistically, stimulation of specific bone marrow cell populations in vivo using growth factor pharmacotherapy show that cf-mRNA reflects dynamic functional changes over time associated with cellular activity. Our results shed light on the biology of the circulating transcriptome and highlight the potential utility of cf-mRNA to non-invasively monitor bone marrow involved pathologies.

Derivación aorto-bifemoral. Presentación de caso / Bypass aorto-bifemoral. Case presentation

Introducción: durante la última década se han perfeccionado e introducido nuevas tecnologías percutáneas que, por su baja morbilidad –comparada con la de la alternativa quirúrgica tradicionalson muy utilizadas; sin embargo la operación revascularizadora derivativa basada en las técnicas de DeBakey y colaboradores, con el principio de injerto-puente o derivación en forma de ramas colaterales artificiales con injertos vasculares homeoplásticos o aloplásticos, es el tratamiento de elección para los pacientes clasificados como TASC-D por la Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus.Objetivo: presentar el primer caso operado mediante la técnica de derivación aorto-bifemoral en la provincia Ciego de Ávila.Presentación del caso: el paciente, atendido en el Servicio de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular del Hospital Provincial General Docente Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola de Ciego de Ávila, presentó dolor intenso en la región glútea luego de la marcha y calambres en los muslos y piernas, que lo obligaban al descanso. Se le diagnosticó enfermedad esteno-oclusiva aorto-ilíaca y, con posterioridad a una angiotomografía aorto-ílio-femoro-poplítea, se le realizaron una operación revascularizadora derivativa anatómica con injerto protésico (mediante la técnica convencional de derivación aorto-bifemoral por vía transperitoneal) y una segunda operación con la técnica convencional de derivación femoro-poplítea izquierda, con prótesis de politetrafluoroetileno. Al año de operado, el paciente presenta buen estado general.Conclusiones: no obstante los avances en las técnicas quirúrgicas endovasculares, existen lesiones no accesibles con ellas, que pueden ser tratadas mediante la derivación aorto-bifemoral; la selección adecuada de los pacientes y una técnica bien realizada, posibilitan buenos resultados a pesar del riesgo quirúrgico(AU)

Introduction: during the last decade have perfected and introduced new percutaneous technologies which by its low morbidity –compared with traditional surgical alternativeare widely used; however the derivatively revascularization surgery-based on DeBakey techniques and collaborators, with the principle of graft-bypass or artificial collateral branches with homeoplastic or alloplastic vascular grafts, is the treatment of choice for patients classified as TASC-D by the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus.Objective: to present the first case operated by the bypass aorto-bifemoral technique in Ciego de Ávila province.Case presentation: the patient, treated at the Service of Angiology and Vascular Surgery in the Provincial General Teaching Hospital Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola of Ciego de Ávila, presented severe pain in the gluteal region –after walkingand cramps in the thighs and legs, which forced him to rest. He was diagnosed with steno-occlusive aortoiliac disease and after an angiotomography aorto-ilio-femoro-popliteal, was carried out an anatomical derivative revascularization surgery with prosthetic graft (through the conventional technique of bypass aorto-bifemoral for transperitoneal route) and a second operation with the conventional technique of left femoral-popliteal bypass with polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis. A year after surgery, the patient has good general condition.Conclusions: however advances in endovascular surgical techniques, there are no visible injuries with them, which can be treated through bypass aorto-bifemoral; the proper selection of patients and a well done technique allow good results despite of the surgical risk(AU)

Dependencia afectiva: abordaje desde una perspectiva contextual / Affective dependence: an approach of contextual perspective

Resumen El artículo presenta una revisión teórica de la dependencia afectiva desde el punto de vista del análisis de la conducta y el contextualismo funcional. Se exponen algunos dilemas encontrados en la literatura sobre su relación con el apego y su conceptualización como un nuevo tipo de adicción. Posteriormente, se analizan las manifestaciones clínicas principales, enfocándose en las diferentes áreas de comportamiento, así como algunas de las habilidades básicas manifiestas en situaciones de interacción social y solución de problemas. Finalmente, se aborda una propuesta de intervención derivada de la terapia conductual contemporánea y las subsecuentes terapias de tercera generación.

Abstract The article presents a theoretical review of Affective dependence based on the analysis of behavior and the functional context. Describes some dilemmas found at the literature about their relationship with the attachment and their conceptualization as a new kind of addiction. Then, analyzes the main clinical manifestations in the different areas of behavior and some of basic skills that are manifested in social interaction situations and the capacity of solve problems. Finally, proposes an intervention derived of contemporary behavioral therapy and the thirdgeneration therapies.

Aneurisma postanastomótico en fístula arteriovenosa radio-cefálica funcionante: presentación de caso / Postanastomotic aneurysm in functional radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula: a case presentation

La presencia de sintomatología local originada por fístulas arteriovenosas funcionantes en enfermos renales trasplantados es un motivo de consulta al angiólogo y cirujano vascular relativamente frecuente. Dolor o disestesias secundarios a un desarrollo excesivo de la rama venosa de la fístula son, junto al temor al sangrado, los síntomas referidos por los pacientes. Sin embargo, son raros los casos en los que la sintomatología es debida a un aneurisma anastomótico o perianastomótico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente sometido a trasplante renal 5 años atrás que acudía por una tumoración pulsátil situada en la región radial del antebrazo izquierdo, en la zona en que se había realizado una fístula arteriovenosa para diálisis. La exploración clínica y el estudio hemodinámico con eco-Doppler a color demostraron la permeabilidad de la fístula y la existencia de un aneurisma postanastomótico. Se procedió al tratamiento quirúrgico, se eliminó el aneurisma y se tomó la decisión de reconstruir la rama venosa arterializada implicada para mantener permeable el angioacceso por si fuera necesario utilizar en el futuro. Los resultados fueron una revascularización completa del acceso vascular permanente y la desaparición de los síntomas ocasionados por la expansión local del aneurisma (AU)

The presence of local symptomatology originated by funtional arteriovenous fistula in transplanted renal patients, it is a reason for consultation to angiologist and relatively frequent vascular surgeon. Secondary pain or dysesthesias to an excessive development of the fistula venous branch are the symptoms referred by patients. Nevertheless, is not frequent the cases in which the symptoms are due to an anastomotic or perianastomotic aneurysm. It appears a case of a patient submissive to a renal transplant 5 years ago that arrived with a pulsating mass located in the radial region of the left forearm, in the zone in which an arteriovenous fistula for dialysis had been carried out. The clinical exploration and the hemodinamic study with color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated the permeability of the fistula and the existence of a postanastomotic aneurysm. The surgical treatment was carried out, the aneurysm was eliminated and it was taken the decision of reconstructing the arterialized venus branch implied to maintain permeable the angioacces in case it will be necessary to use in the future. The results were a complete revascularization of the permanent vascular access and the disappearance of the symptoms caused by the local expansion of the aneurysm (AU)

Aneurisma postanastomótico en fístula arteriovenosa radio-cefálica funcionante: presentación de caso / Postanastomotic aneurysm in functional radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula: a case presentation

La presencia de sintomatología local originada por fístulas arteriovenosas funcionantes en enfermos renales trasplantados es un motivo de consulta al angiólogo y cirujano vascular relativamente frecuente. Dolor o disestesias secundarios a un desarrollo excesivo de la rama venosa de la fístula son, junto al temor al sangrado, los síntomas referidos por los pacientes. Sin embargo, son raros los casos en los que la sintomatología es debida a un aneurisma anastomótico o perianastomótico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente sometido a trasplante renal 5 años atrás que acudía por una tumoración pulsátil situada en la región radial del antebrazo izquierdo, en la zona en que se había realizado una fístula arteriovenosa para diálisis. La exploración clínica y el estudio hemodinámico con eco-Doppler a color demostraron la permeabilidad de la fístula y la existencia de un aneurisma postanastomótico. Se procedió al tratamiento quirúrgico, se eliminó el aneurisma y se tomó la decisión de reconstruir la rama venosa arterializada implicada para mantener permeable el angioacceso por si fuera necesario utilizar en el futuro. Los resultados fueron una revascularización completa del acceso vascular permanente y la desaparición de los síntomas ocasionados por la expansión local del aneurisma.

The presence of local symptomatology originated by funtional arteriovenous fistula in transplanted renal patients, it is a reason for consultation to angiologist and relatively frequent vascular surgeon. Secondary pain or dysesthesias to an excessive development of the fistula venous branch are the symptoms referred by patients. Nevertheless, is not frequent the cases in which the symptoms are due to an anastomotic or perianastomotic aneurysm. It appears a case of a patient submissive to a renal transplant 5 years ago that arrived with a pulsating mass located in the radial region of the left forearm, in the zone in which an arteriovenous fistula for dialysis had been carried out. The clinical exploration and the hemodinamic study with color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated the permeability of the fistula and the existence of a postanastomotic aneurysm. The surgical treatment was carried out, the aneurysm was eliminated and it was taken the decision of reconstructing the arterialized venus branch implied to maintain permeable the angioacces in case it will be necessary to use in the future. The results were a complete revascularization of the permanent vascular access and the disappearance of the symptoms caused by the local expansion of the aneurysm.

Violencia en las mujeres del área sur de la provincia avileña en el año 2003 / Violence on women of the south area of Ciego de Avila province during 2003

Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo para conocer el comportamiento de algunas variables relacionadas con la violencia en mujeres del área sur de la provincia Ciego de Ávila cuyo testimonio fue validado en el Departamento Provincial de Medicina Legal en el año 2003. Predominó la violencia física como causa de morbilidad y en todos los tipos de violencia la mayoría de las víctimas eran amas de casa. El mayor número de hechos ocurrió en el municipio Ciego de Ávila en su propio hogar o en lugares públicos. La mayoría de las mujeres que sufrieron violencia física como causa de morbilidad estaban entre los 35 y 59 años, ocurriendo los hechos en mayor grado por la tarde, motivados por la pasión; la relación víctima-victimario en el mayor porciento de los casos fue amorosa. Las muertes violentas ocurrieron fundamentalmente en mujeres mayores de 60 años predominando los suicidios, los cuales en el mayor porciento de los casos fueron por factores psicológicos. (AU)