Hybrid modeling of an ultracentrifugation process for separation of full and empty adeno-associated virus particles.

Ultracentrifugation is an attractive method for separating full and empty capsids, exploiting their density difference. Changes of the serotype/capsid, density of loading material, or the genetic information contained in the adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) require the adaptation of the harvesting parameters and the density gradient loaded onto the centrifuge. To streamline these adaptations, a mathematical model could support the design and testing of operating conditions.Here, hybrid models, which combine empirical functions with artificial neural networks, are proposed to describe the separation of full and empty capsids as a function of material and operational parameters, i.e., the harvest model. In addition, critical quality attributes are estimated by a quality model which is operating on top of the harvest model. The performance of these models was evaluated using test data and two additional blind runs. Also, a "what-if" analysis was conducted to investigate whether the models' predictions align with expectations.It is concluded that the models are sufficiently accurate to support the design of operating conditions, though the accuracy and applicability of the models can further be increased by training them on more specific data with higher variability.

Sit4 Genetically Interacts with Vps27 to Regulate Mitochondrial Function and Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Sit4 protein phosphatase plays a key role in orchestrating various cellular processes essential for maintaining cell viability during aging. We have previously shown that SIT4 deletion promotes vacuolar acidification, mitochondrial derepression, and oxidative stress resistance, increasing yeast chronological lifespan. In this study, we performed a proteomic analysis of isolated vacuoles and yeast genetic interaction analysis to unravel how Sit4 influences vacuolar and mitochondrial function. By employing high-resolution mass spectrometry, we show that sit4Δ vacuolar membranes were enriched in Vps27 and Hse1, two proteins that are part of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport-0. In addition, SIT4 exhibited a negative genetic interaction with VPS27, as sit4∆vps27∆ double mutants had a shortened lifespan compared to sit4∆ and vps27∆ single mutants. Our results also show that Vps27 did not increase sit4∆ lifespan by improving protein trafficking or vacuolar sorting pathways. However, Vps27 was critical for iron homeostasis and mitochondrial function in sit4∆ cells, as sit4∆vps27∆ double mutants exhibited high iron levels and impaired mitochondrial respiration. These findings show, for the first time, cross-talk between Sit4 and Vps27, providing new insights into the mechanisms governing chronological lifespan.

Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Hip Pain Due to Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) has a prevalence of 2.9% in Portugal and is a related cause of pain and disability. A sufficient number of patients report these symptoms even after total hip arthroplasty (THA), while others are contraindicated to such surgery and suffer from uncontrolled pain. Percutaneous denervation of hip nerve branches using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a powerful therapeutic avenue to consider for patients with chronic hip pain. METHODS: Between January 2020 and March 2021, 26 patients with chronic hip pain received ultrasound-guided RFA with a pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block technique adaptation. Patients suffering from chronic hip pain for more than three months with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis were included. A numeric rating scale (NRS) and pain medication reduction were defined as outcome variables assessed before treatment and at three-, six-, nine-, and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: All selected patients underwent the procedure. All the patients had hip osteoarthritis. Twelve-month follow-up data revealed a statistically significant decrease in the numeric rating scale. The mean NRS for pain was 2 after the procedure. Over 75% of patients reported >50% pain relief during the follow-up and 85% reduced pain medication consumption. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Hip sensory articular branch RFA is a treatment option with interesting outcomes for chronic hip pain, as demonstrated by our study.

Advances in life-history knowledge for 35 seahorse species from community science.

Marine community science presents an important route to gather valuable scientific information while also influencing local management and policy, thus contributing to marine conservation efforts. Because seahorses are cryptic but charismatic species, they are good candidates for engaging diverse people to help overcome the many gaps in biological knowledge. We have synthesized information contributed to the community science project iSeahorse from October 2013 to April 2022 for 35 of 46 known seahorse species. We then compared the obtained results with information in existing IUCN Red List assessments, executed from 2014 to 2017, to explore the potential of iSeahorse in expanding seahorse knowledge. Our results show updated geographic ranges for 7 seahorse species, new habitats described for 24 species, observations outside the previously recorded depth range for 14 species, and new information on sex ratio for 15 species and on pregnancy seasonality for 11 species. As one example of the power of iSeahorse, contributed observations on Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) indicated that its geographic range is thousands of square kilometers larger, its habitat more diverse, and its depth range shallower than previously known. It is clear that iSeahorse is expanding knowledge on seahorses to a level that will help improve IUCN Red List assessments. The power of community science for marine conservation in general needs to be fully explored.

Carbon Conductive Paste Smart Textile Strain Sensor for Sports and Rehabilitation.

Due to the growth observed in the wearable market, stretchable strain sensors have been the focus of several studies. However, combining high sensitivity and linearity with low hysteresis presents a difficult challenge.Here, we propose a stretchable strain sensor obtained with off-the-shelf materials by printing a carbon conductive paste into a piece of fabric to be integrated into a smart garment. This process is cheap and easily scalable, allowing its mass production. The sensor developed has a large sensitivity (GF=11.27), high linearity (R2>0.99), very low hysteresis (γH =4.23%) and brings an added value, for example, in sports or rehabilitation monitoring.

Suprascapular Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency as an Effective Pain Relief Strategy in Supraspinatus Muscle Tendon Tears.

INTRODUCTION: The supraspinatus muscle tendon is the most frequently rotator cuff muscle torn. Reliable shoulder pain relief strategies are needed for patients with severe pain, refractory to conservative management, and without surgical indication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis in a Portuguese reference Rehabilitation Centre during the 1st of January 2020 and the 30th of June 2021, including all patients with partial or complete supraspinatus tendon tear, older than 50 years, who presented with severe pain and who were submitted to suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency. RESULTS: We included 32 patients in our retrospective analysis, mainly female (53%) with a mean age of 66.50 years old. Most of the patients reported right shoulder pain (21 patients, 66%). The mean baseline pain, reported on the numeric rating scale, was 8.00 ± 0.88. Compared to baseline, mean pain reduced 4.00 ± 3.19 at three months (p<0.001), 3.59 ± 3.13 at six months (p<0.001) and 2.94 ± 2.78 at 12 months (p<0.001). From the 3rd to the 12th month there was an increase of 1.06 ± 2.77 in mean pain (p=0.038). There was no difference (p>0.05) in average pain at 0, 3, 6, or 12 months between patients who were simultaneously submitted to an intra-articular shoulder injection. DISCUSSION: Our analysis revealed 36% average shoulder pain reduction for, at least, 12 months following suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency, with a peak pain reduction of 50% at three months. Slow fading of pain reduction in the following nine months was seen, however, compared to baseline, pain reduction was always statistically significant. Cortico-anaesthetic intra-articular shoulder injections seem not to add benefit in shoulder pain reduction when performed simultaneously with suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency. CONCLUSION: Suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency seems to be an effective strategy for shoulder pain reduction, in patients with severe pain, refractory to other management modalities. Nonetheless, larger prospective studies, analyzing shoulder functionality and quality of life lost scores, besides pain reduction, should be pursued.

Clinical, Economic, and Humanistic Impact of Short-Bowel Syndrome/Chronic Intestinal Failure in Portugal (PARENTERAL Study).

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the clinical, economic, and humanistic impact of short-bowel syndrome/chronic intestinal failure (SBS/CIF) in Portugal. Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter cohort chart review study, with a cross-sectional component for quality-of-life (QoL) evaluation. Inclusion criteria comprised patients with SBS/CIF, aged ≥1 year, with stable parenteral nutrition (PN). Data collection included patient chart review over a 12-month period and patient/caregiver self-report and SF-36/PedsQL™ questionnaires. Main endpoints comprised clinical and PN characterization, healthcare resource use (HRU), direct costs, and patient QoL. Results: Thirty-one patients were included (11 adults and 20 children). Patients' mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 57.9 (14.3) years in adults and 7.5 (5.0) years in children, with a mean time since diagnosis of 10.2 (5.9) and 6.6 (4.2) years, respectively. PN was administered for a mean of 5.2 and 6.6 days/week in adults and children, respectively; home PN occurred in 81.8% of adults and 90.0% of children for a mean of 9.6 and 10.8 months/year, respectively. The mean annual number of hospitalizations was 1.9 and 2.0 which lasted for a mean of 34.0 and 29.4 days in adults and children, respectively. Twenty-one and forty hospitalization episodes were reported in adults and children, respectively, of which 71.4% and 85.0% were due to catheter-related complications. Mean annual direct costs per patient amounted to 47,857.53 EUR in adults and 74,734.50 EUR in children, with PN and hospitalizations as the main cost-drivers. QoL assessment showed a clinically significant impaired physical component in adults and a notable deterioration in the school functioning domain in children. Conclusion: In Portugal, SBS/CIF patient management is characterized by a substantial therapeutic burden and HRU, translating into high direct costs and a substantial impairment of the adults' physical function and children's school functioning.

Introdução: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto clínico, económico e social da síndrome do intestino curto/falência intestinal crónica (SIC/FIC) em Portugal. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo e multicêntrico de revisão dos processos clínicos incluindo uma componente transversal para avaliação da qualidade de vida (QV). Os critérios de elegibilidade incluíram doentes com SIC/FIC, idade ≥1 ano, em nutrição parenteral (NP) e clinicamente estáveis. A recolha de dados incluiu a revisão dos processos clínicos ao longo de um período de 12 meses e a aplicação de questionários auto-administrados a doentes e cuidadores e de questionários de QV (SF-36/PedsQL™). Os indicadores principais foram a caracterização clínica e da NP, a utilização de recursos de saúde, custos diretos e QV dos doentes. Resultados: Foram incluídos 31 doentes (11 adultos e 20 crianças). A idade média (desvio padrão: DP) foi de 57.9 (14.3) anos nos adultos e de 7.5 (5.0) nas crianças com um tempo médio desde o diagnóstico de 10.2 (5.9) e 6.6 (4.2) anos, respetivamente. A NP foi administrada durante uma média de 5.2 e 6.6 dias por semana, em adultos e crianças respetivamente, em 81.8% e 90.0% dos adultos/crianças foi feita em casa durante uma média de 9.6 ou 10.8 meses por ano, respetivamente. O número médio anual de hospitalizações foi de 1.9 (1.6) e 2.0 (1.5) com uma duração média de 34.0 (47.4) e 29.4 (32.3) dias, em adultos e crianças, respetivamente. Foram reportados 21 e 40 episódios de hospitalização em adultos/crianças, dos quais 71.4% e 85.0% foram devido a complicações relacionadas ao uso de cateter. Os custos diretos anuais médios por doente ascenderam a 47,857.53 EUR nos adultos e a 74,734.50 EUR nas crianças, sendo que os maiores responsáveis foram a NP e as hospitalizações. A avaliação da QV mostrou um comprometimento clinicamente significativo da componente física nos adultos e uma deterioração relevante da dimensão escolar nas crianças. Conclusões: A gestão dos doentes com SIC/FIC em Portugal é caracterizada por uma sobrecarga substancial a nível terapêutico e de utilização de recursos de saúde, o que se traduz em elevados custos diretos e comprometimento substancial da componente física nos adultos e do desempenho escolar nas crianças.

Minding your steps: a cross-sectional pilot study using foot-worn inertial sensors and dual-task gait analysis to assess the cognitive status of older adults with mobility limitations.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a critical aspect of our aging society. Yet, it receives inadequate intervention due to delayed or missed detection. Dual-task gait analysis is currently considered a solution to improve the early detection of cognitive impairment in clinical settings. Recently, our group proposed a new approach for the gait analysis resorting to inertial sensors placed on the shoes. This pilot study aimed to investigate the potential of this system to capture and differentiate gait performance in the presence of cognitive impairment based on single- and dual-task gait assessments. METHODS: We analyzed demographic and medical data, cognitive tests scores, physical tests scores, and gait metrics acquired from 29 older adults with mobility limitations. Gait metrics were extracted using the newly developed gait analysis approach and recorded in single- and dual-task conditions. Participants were stratified into two groups based on their Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) global cognitive scores. Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences between groups, discrimination ability, and association of gait metrics with cognitive performance. RESULTS: The addition of the cognitive task influenced gait performance of both groups, but the effect was higher in the group with cognitive impairment. Multiple dual-task costs, dual-task variability, and dual-task asymmetry metrics presented significant differences between groups. Also, several of these metrics provided acceptable discrimination ability and had a significant association with MoCA scores. The dual-task effect on gait speed explained the highest percentage of the variance in MoCA scores. None of the single-task gait metrics presented significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results show that the newly developed gait analysis solution based on foot-worn inertial sensors is a pertinent tool to evaluate gait metrics affected by the cognitive status of older adults relying on single- and dual-task gait assessments. Further evaluation with a larger and more diverse group is required to establish system feasibility and reliability in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04587895).

Using shoe-mounted inertial sensors and stepping exergames to assess the motor-cognitive status of older adults: A correlational study.

Objective: Stepping exergames designed to stimulate physical and cognitive skills can provide important information concerning individuals' performance. In this study, we investigated the potential of stepping and gameplay metrics to assess the motor-cognitive status of older adults. Methods: Stepping and gameplay metrics were recorded in a longitudinal study involving 13 older adults with mobility limitations. Game parameters included games' scores and reaction times. Stepping parameters included length, height, speed, and duration, measured by inertial sensors placed on the shoes while interacting with the exergames. Parameters measured on the first gameplay were correlated against standard cognitive and mobility assessments, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), gait speed, and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Based on MoCA scores, patients were then stratified into two groups: cognitively impaired and healthy controls. The differences between the two groups were visually inspected, considering their within-game progression over the training period. Results: Stepping and gameplay metrics had moderate-to-strong correlations with cognitive and mobility performance indicators: faster, longer, and higher steps were associated with better mobility scores; better cognitive games' scores and reaction times, and longer and faster steps were associated with better cognitive performance. The preliminary visual analysis revealed that the group with cognitive impairment required more time to advance to the next difficulty level, also presenting slower reaction times and stepping speeds when compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: Stepping exergames may be useful for assessing the cognitive and motor status of older adults, potentially allowing assessments to be more frequent, affordable, and enjoyable. Further research is required to confirm results in the long term using a larger and more diverse sample.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome Post-COVID-19 Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Inoculation: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review.

Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is a rare brachial plexus neuropathy that typically presents as a severe, sudden-onset pain followed by atrophic weakness with slow recovery, which may occur after an identifiable triggering event. Vaccination is one of several known triggers of PTS, and this syndrome has already been reported in other patients who were vaccinated against coronavirus disease. We report the case of a 75-year-old Caucasian man who received the third dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and was diagnosed with PTS. A week after inoculation, the patient, with no history of trauma, developed a sudden-onset left shoulder mechanical pain and later reported an abduction deficit. Neurological examination showed an atrophy of the proximal muscles of the left upper limb. No bulbar weakness or pathological upper motor neuron signs were seen. The MRI excluded rotator cuff pathology, including ruptures and tendinopathy. Electroneuromyography findings carried out 10 months after the onset of symptoms indicated left brachial panplexopathy, suggestive of PTS. The raised consciousness of PTS and vaccine association is crucial for prompt identification and diagnosis and, therefore, better clinical outcomes.

Detection of Intermittent Claudication from Smartphone Inertial Data in Community Walks Using Machine Learning Classifiers.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) causes blockage of the arteries, altering the blood flow to the lower limbs. This blockage can cause the individual with PAD to feel severe pain in the lower limbs. The main contribution of this research is the discovery of a solution that allows the automatic detection of the onset of claudication based on data analysis from patients' smartphones. For the data-collection procedure, 40 patients were asked to walk with a smartphone on a thirty-meter path, back and forth, for six minutes. Each patient conducted the test twice on two different days. Several machine learning models were compared to detect the onset of claudication on two different datasets. The results suggest that we can identify the onset of claudication using inertial sensors with a best case accuracy of 92.25% for the Extreme Gradient Boosting model.

Bulky Mitral Annulus Caseous Calcification in an Atypical Location. / Volumosa Calcificação Caseosa do Anel Mitral em Localização Atípica.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a commonly observed chronic and degenerative fibrotic process of the base of the mitral valve, usually deemed as an incidental finding. Although initially, MAC was thought to be a consequence of an age-related degenerative process, recent findings suggest other independent contributive mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis and abnormal calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (cMAC) is a rarely described variant of MAC, characterized by an ovoid, focal mass with internal caseous fluid-like calcifications and debris. Differentiating a cMAC from other cardiac masses attached to the mitral annulus may be challenging. A single imaging modality, such as transthoracic echocardiography, may not be sufficient for a clear diagnosis. Therefore, a multimodal imaging approach is necessary, including cardiac tomography computerized imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). MAC and cMAC typically affect the posterior mitral annulus, with very few cases in the literature describing the involvement of the anterior annulus. We present a rare case of an anterior mitral annulus caseous calcification found in a CMR performed to evaluate a left atrial mass identified on a transthoracic echocardiogram.

A calcificação do anel mitral (CAM) é um processo fibrótico crônico e degenerativo comumente observado da base da valva mitral, geralmente considerado um achado incidental. Embora inicialmente a CAM fosse considerada uma consequência de um processo degenerativo relacionado à idade, achados recentes sugerem outros mecanismos contributivos independentes, como aterosclerose e metabolismo anormal de cálcio-fósforo. A calcificação caseosa do anel mitral (cCAM) é uma variante raramente descrita da CAM, caracterizada por uma massa ovoide, focal, com calcificações internas semelhantes a líquido caseoso e detritos. Diferenciar um cCAM de outras massas cardíacas aderidas ao anel mitral pode ser um desafio. Uma única modalidade de imagem, como o ecocardiograma transtorácico, pode não ser suficiente para um diagnóstico claro. Portanto, uma abordagem de imagem multimodal é necessária, incluindo tomografia computadorizada cardíaca e ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC). A CAM e a cCAM afetam tipicamente o anel mitral posterior, com poucos casos na literatura descrevendo o envolvimento do anel anterior. Apresentamos um caso raro de calcificação caseosa do anel mitral anterior encontrado em uma RMC realizada para avaliar uma massa atrial esquerda identificada em um ecocardiograma transtorácico.

Volumosa Calcificação Caseosa do Anel Mitral em Localização Atípica / Bulky Mitral Annulus Caseous Calcification in an Atypical Location

Resumo A calcificação do anel mitral (CAM) é um processo fibrótico crônico e degenerativo comumente observado da base da valva mitral, geralmente considerado um achado incidental. Embora inicialmente a CAM fosse considerada uma consequência de um processo degenerativo relacionado à idade, achados recentes sugerem outros mecanismos contributivos independentes, como aterosclerose e metabolismo anormal de cálcio-fósforo. A calcificação caseosa do anel mitral (cCAM) é uma variante raramente descrita da CAM, caracterizada por uma massa ovoide, focal, com calcificações internas semelhantes a líquido caseoso e detritos. Diferenciar um cCAM de outras massas cardíacas aderidas ao anel mitral pode ser um desafio. Uma única modalidade de imagem, como o ecocardiograma transtorácico, pode não ser suficiente para um diagnóstico claro. Portanto, uma abordagem de imagem multimodal é necessária, incluindo tomografia computadorizada cardíaca e ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC). A CAM e a cCAM afetam tipicamente o anel mitral posterior, com poucos casos na literatura descrevendo o envolvimento do anel anterior. Apresentamos um caso raro de calcificação caseosa do anel mitral anterior encontrado em uma RMC realizada para avaliar uma massa atrial esquerda identificada em um ecocardiograma transtorácico.

Abstract Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a commonly observed chronic and degenerative fibrotic process of the base of the mitral valve, usually deemed as an incidental finding. Although initially, MAC was thought to be a consequence of an age-related degenerative process, recent findings suggest other independent contributive mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis and abnormal calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (cMAC) is a rarely described variant of MAC, characterized by an ovoid, focal mass with internal caseous fluid-like calcifications and debris. Differentiating a cMAC from other cardiac masses attached to the mitral annulus may be challenging. A single imaging modality, such as transthoracic echocardiography, may not be sufficient for a clear diagnosis. Therefore, a multimodal imaging approach is necessary, including cardiac tomography computerized imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). MAC and cMAC typically affect the posterior mitral annulus, with very few cases in the literature describing the involvement of the anterior annulus. We present a rare case of an anterior mitral annulus caseous calcification found in a CMR performed to evaluate a left atrial mass identified on a transthoracic echocardiogram.

Knowing Your Accessory Foot Ossicles and Avoiding Misdiagnoses: A Case Report of Painful Os Vesalianum Pedis.

Os vesalianum pedisis located proximal to the base of the fifth metatarsal. Rarely, this accessory ossicle can be the source of lateral foot pain. There are very few cases of symptomatic os vesalianum pedisdescribed in the literature, and most of them were surgically managed. We report a painful case of os vesalianum pedis managed conservatively. A 25-year-old professional soccer player presented with lateral left midfoot pain. There was no known acute sprain or trauma, and no history of injuries in the left lower limb. The athlete reported both mechanical and inflammatory pain findings and tenderness on the palpation of the fifth metatarsal base. We conducted a radiographic study of the left foot and found an image compatible with os vesalianum pedis​​​​​​​. A right foot X-ray was also performed, and similar findings were reported, although the athlete had no pain. The athlete was treated conservatively, and the return-to-play was seven days.  Due to the unspecific symptoms of our athlete, many diagnoses could be considered such as peroneus brevistendinopathy, lateral plantar fasciitis, ligamentum plantare longumsprain. However, the X-ray findings led us to other possible pathologies, mainly affecting the bone. Integrating clinical and radiological findings is mandatory to achieve a proper diagnosis and avoid mistakenly diagnosing a fracture such as a Jones fracture or pseudo-Jones fracture. Even though os vesalianum pedis​​​​​​​ is usually asymptomatic, this condition can lead to chronic pain. Well-designed conservative management should always be pursued to treat this condition as it might prevent the need for surgery.

An unusual case of stabbing chest pain literally: a case report.

Background: Cardiac surgery is associated with a significant risk of potential postoperative complications. We describe a case of a patient with an unusual late cardiac perforation caused by a needle used to fix temporary epicardial pacing wires to the skin, which slowly migrated across subcutaneous tissues for 2 years following postoperative period. Case summary: We report a case of middle-aged woman admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit due to suspected acute myocardial infarction. Multimodality imaging revealed the presence of an unusual intracardiac foreign body, located inside the interventricular septum and perforating towards the left atria, complicated by a small intracardiac fistula between septal coronary branches and the right ventricle. Analysis of previous examinations revealed that a needle used to fix temporary epicardial pacing wires to the skin had been left inside the patient, beneath the level of the diaphragm, after cardiac surgery in 2018. This foreign body slowly migrated across the diaphragm, towards the mediastinum, finally lodging inside the heart, after a period of 3 years. The patient was referred to cardiac surgery for foreign body retrieval. Discussion: We describe an unusual case of cardiac perforation caused by a needle used to fix these wires to the skin, which migrated across subcutaneous tissues and finally lodged inside the basal interventricular septum and left atria. Full compliance with standardized surgical care bundles, as well as the implementation of a structured incident reporting system, is of upmost importance to prevent postoperative complications and improve surgical care.

Androglobin, a chimeric mammalian globin, is required for male fertility.

Spermatogenesis is a highly specialized differentiation process driven by a dynamic gene expression program and ending with the production of mature spermatozoa. Whereas hundreds of genes are known to be essential for male germline proliferation and differentiation, the contribution of several genes remains uncharacterized. The predominant expression of the latest globin family member, androglobin (Adgb), in mammalian testis tissue prompted us to assess its physiological function in spermatogenesis. Adgb knockout mice display male infertility, reduced testis weight, impaired maturation of elongating spermatids, abnormal sperm shape, and ultrastructural defects in microtubule and mitochondrial organization. Epididymal sperm from Adgb knockout animals display multiple flagellar malformations including coiled, bifid or shortened flagella, and erratic acrosomal development. Following immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we could identify septin 10 (Sept10) as interactor of Adgb. The Sept10-Adgb interaction was confirmed both in vivo using testis lysates and in vitro by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Furthermore, the absence of Adgb leads to mislocalization of Sept10 in sperm, indicating defective manchette and sperm annulus formation. Finally, in vitro data suggest that Adgb contributes to Sept10 proteolysis in a calmodulin-dependent manner. Collectively, our results provide evidence that Adgb is essential for murine spermatogenesis and further suggest that Adgb is required for sperm head shaping via the manchette and proper flagellum formation.

Identity Recognition in Sanitary Facilities Using Invisible Electrocardiography.

This article proposes a new method of identity recognition in sanitary facilities based on electrocardiography (ECG) signals. Our team previously proposed a novel approach of invisible ECG at the thighs using polymeric electrodes, leading to the creation of a proof-of-concept system integrated into a toilet seat. In this work, a biometrics pipeline was devised, which tested four different classifiers, varying the population from 2 to 17 subjects and simulating a residential environment. However, for this approach to be industrially viable, further optimization is required, particularly regarding electrode materials that are compatible with industrial processes. As such, we also explore the use of a conductive silicone material as electrodes, aiming at the industrial-scale production of a toilet seat capable of recording ECG data, without the need for body-worn devices. A desirable aspect when using such a system is matching the recorded data with the monitored user, ideally using a minimal sensor set, further reinforcing the relevance of user identification through ECG signals collected at the thighs. Our approach was evaluated against a reference device for a population of 17 healthy and pathological individuals, covering a wide age range (24-70 years). With the silicone composite, we were able to acquire signals in 100% of the sessions, with a mean heart rate deviation between a reference system and our experimental device of 2.82 ± 1.99 beats per minute (BPM). In terms of ECG waveform morphology, the best cases showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.91 ± 0.06. For biometric detection, the best classifier was the Binary Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN), with an accuracy of 100% for a population of up to four individuals.

A systematic review with meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy of pedicle screw electrical stimulation.

PURPOSE: To provide a systematic review with meta-analysis providing evidence of the current diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of pedicle screw electrical stimulation. METHODS: A systematic database search on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was performed according to the PRISMA-DTA guidelines, and eligibility criteria applied to reduce the results to: (1) only journal articles reporting electrical stimulation of the pedicle screw head, (2) screw position confirmation by imaging techniques, and (3) enough information allowing the calculation of a 2 × 2 contingency table. Sample characteristics, image confirmation method, electrical current threshold and stimulation results were retrieved and analyzed using according to appropriate DTA analysis methods, and allowing the calculation of specificity, sensitivity for pedicle screws insertion at the lumbar and thoracic levels. RESULTS: Lumbar screw stimulation presents a higher sensitivity (0.586 [0.336, 0.798] and specificity (0.984 [0.958, 0.994]) than thoracic screws (sensitivity: 0.270 [0.096; 0.562]; specificity: 0.958 [0.931, 0.975]). The same is observed in terms of the diagnostic odds ratio for lumbar (88.32 [32.136, 242.962]) and thoracic (8.460 [2.139, 33.469]) levels. When performing a sub-group analysis, it is possible to divide the lumbar stimulation threshold as 8 and 10-12 mA, and the thoracic threshold as 6 and 9-12 mA. A threshold of 8 mA at the lumbar level provides higher sensitivity and specificity. Increasing the threshold results in higher specificity but not sensitivity. In fact, at the range of 10-12 mA, the diagnostic validity is too low to confer this technique any robust diagnostic validity. Similarly, at the thoracic level, lower threshold currents are associated with increased sensitivity, but their diagnostic validity is very low. CONCLUSION: Electrical stimulation of the pedicle screw can be used as an adequate diagnostic capability at the lumbar level with a threshold of 8 mA. However, thoracic stimulation is currently not reliable, with very low sensitivity and diagnostic validity at 6 mA or higher.