Effects of online high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on predominant negative symptoms and EEG functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

AIMS: Schizophrenia, a debilitating mental disorder, is characterized by persistent negative symptoms such as avolition and anhedonia. Currently, there are no effective treatments available for these symptoms. Thus, our study aims to assess the efficacy of online high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (online HD-tDCS) in addressing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, utilizing a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial design. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with schizophrenia were randomized to receive either active HD-tDCS or sham stimulation, targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Outcomes were measured by changes in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Factor Score for Negative Symptom (PANSS-FSNS). Exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography was used to assess the functional connectivity. RESULTS: All 59 participants, including 50.84% females with an average age of 43.36 years, completed the trial. In the intention-to-treat analysis, patients receiving active HD-tDCS showed greater improvement in PANSS-FSNS scores compared to those receiving the sham procedure. The differences were 2.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.40), 4.28 (95% CI, 2.93-5.62), and 4.91 (95% CI, 3.29-6.52) after the intervention, as well as at 1-week and 1-month follow-ups, respectively. A tingling sensation on the scalp was more common in the active group (63.3%) compared to the sham group (10.3%). Additionally, HD-tDCS was associated with a decrease in delta-band connectivity within the default mode network. CONCLUSIONS: High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation was effective and safe in ameliorating negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia when combined with online functional targeting.

Impact of seasonal changes and environmental conditions on suspended and inhalable microplastics in urban air.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants extensively detected in atmospheric environments. Airborne MPs have raised concerns due to their transport and potential health risks of inhalation exposure. However, the factors influencing airborne MPs, particularly their concentrations and shapes suspended in urban air, remain unclear. We investigated MPs in total suspension particles with one-year measurements in Taipei City and identified their features using Nile Red staining combined with fluorescence microscopy and micro-Fourier transform infrared (µFTIR) spectroscopy. This study quantified the mean number concentration of total MPs as approximately 6.0 #/m³. We observed that MP abundance varied seasonally, with higher levels in the warm season than in the cold. A similar trend was noted for polymer types. Fragment-like MPs were the predominant shape, mainly found in polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP), while fibrous MPs, detected mostly as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA), were primarily observed at sizes greater than 300 µm. Both fiber and fragment-like MPs were positively associated with particle mass concentration, temperature, ultraviolet (UV) index, and wind speed, but negatively correlated with relative humidity and rainfall. Fibrous MPs were more affected by environmental factors than fragment-like MPs. Meteorological changes significantly influenced suspended MPs more than human activity within the city.

New-onset obstructive airway disease following COVID-19: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The study assessed the association between COVID-19 and new-onset obstructive airway diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis among vaccinated individuals recovering from COVID-19 during the Omicron wave. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study comprised 549,606 individuals from the U.S. Collaborative Network of TriNetX database, from January 8, 2022, to January 17, 2024. The hazard of new-onset obstructive airway diseases between COVID-19 and no-COVID-19 groups were compared following propensity score matching using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, each group contained 274,803 participants. Patients with COVID-19 exhibited a higher risk of developing new-onset asthma than that of individuals without COVID-19 (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.27; 95% CI, 1.22-1.33; p < 0.001). Stratified analyses by age, SARS-CoV-2 variant, vaccination status, and infection status consistently supported this association. Non-hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 demonstrated a higher risk of new-onset asthma (aHR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.22-1.33; p < 0.001); however, no significant differences were observed in hospitalized and critically ill groups. The study also identified an increased risk of subsequent bronchiectasis following COVID-19 (aHR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.13-1.50; p < 0.001). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the hazard of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease between the groups (aHR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.95-1.06; p = 0.994). CONCLUSION: This study offers convincing evidence of the association between COVID-19 and the subsequent onset of asthma and bronchiectasis. It underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to post-COVID-19 care, with a particular focus on respiratory health.

Effect of Repetitive Pitching on the Control of Lower Extremity Joints and Center of Mass in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive motion can alter joint angles and subsequently affect the control of the center of mass (CoM). While the CoM has been studied as a fatigue indicator in various sports, the control of the whole-body CoM during repetitive pitching in baseball pitchers has not been examined. This study aimed to investigate changes in lower-extremity joint angles and CoM control in collegiate baseball pitchers after repetitive pitching. HYPOTHESIS: Baseball pitchers would exhibit significant increase in lower-extremity flexion angles, CoM position, and CoM variability after repetitive pitching. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: A total of 23 pitchers from the Collegiate Baseball League were recruited. A motion analysis system was employed to assess lower-extremity joint angles and CoM position during the simulated game, while pitching accuracy and velocity were also recorded. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant forward and downward shift in CoM position (P < 0.05), along with increased CoM variability in all directions (P < 0.05) after the simulated game. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in flexion angles of the knee and hip (P < 0.05); however, pitching velocity and accuracy did not demonstrate significant changes. CONCLUSION: Repetitive pitching leads to kinematic changes that should be monitored to prevent sports injuries. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Baseball pitchers have the ability to modify the control of their CoM and angles of their lower-extremity joints to sustain their pitching performance. It is crucial to monitor compensatory strategies closely to avoid shoulder and elbow injuries among these pitchers.

Bidirectional wavelength-division-multiplexing fibre-free-space optical communications using polarisation multiplexing technique and tunable optical vestigial sideband filter.

To address the growing demand from emerging applications, high transmission capacity is essential for both fibre backbones and last-mile communications. This can be achieved by integrating optical fibre with optical wireless technologies, facilitating the development of fibre-free-space optical communications. Here we report a bidirectional wavelength-division-multiplexing fibre-free-space optical communication employing polarisation multiplexing technique and tunable optical vestigial sideband filter. The transmission capacity is considerably increased by integrating the polarisation multiplexing technique with the wavelength-division-multiplexing scheme. The transmission performance is extensively enhanced by using a tunable optical vestigial sideband filter and vestigial sideband-four-level pulse amplitude modulation. Moreover, the optical wireless link is substantially extended through the operation of triplet lenses. Low bit error rates and clear vestigial sideband-four-level pulse amplitude modulation eye diagrams are attained with a high aggregate transmission capacity of 480 Gb/s for downstream/upstream transmission. This capability of bidirectional fibre-free-space optical communications holds substantial potential for enhancing advanced wired-wireless communications.

Label-Free Biosensor Based on Particle Plasmon Resonance Coupled with Diffraction Grating Waveguide.

Particle plasmon resonance (PPR), or localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), utilizes intrinsic resonance in metal nanoparticles for sensor fabrication. While diffraction grating waveguides monitor bioaffinity adsorption with out-of-plane illumination, integrating them with PPR for biomolecular detection schemes remains underexplored. This study introduces a label-free biosensing platform integrating PPR with a diffraction grating waveguide. Gold nanoparticles are immobilized on a glass slide in contact with a sample, while a UV-assisted embossed diffraction grating is positioned opposite. The setup utilizes diffraction in reflection to detect changes in the environment's refractive index, indicating biomolecular binding at the gold nanoparticle surface. The positional shift of the diffracted beam, measured with varying refractive indices of sucrose solutions, shows a sensitivity of 0.97 mm/RIU at 8 cm from a position-sensitive detector, highlighting enhanced sensitivity due to PPR-diffraction coupling near the gold nanoparticle surface. Furthermore, the sensor achieved a resolution of 3.1 × 10-4 refractive index unit and a detection limit of 4.4 pM for detection of anti-DNP. The sensitivity of the diffracted spot was confirmed using finite element method (FEM) simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics. This study presents a significant advancement in biosensing technology, offering practical solutions for sensitive, rapid, and label-free biomolecule detection.

Comprehensive management and classification of first branchial cleft anomalies: An International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus statement.

OBJECTIVE: First branchial cleft anomalies are rare congenital head and neck lesions. Literature pertaining to classification, work up and surgical treatment of these lesions is limited and, in some instances, contradictory. The goal of this work is to provide refinement of the classification system of these lesions and to provide guidance for clinicians to aid in the comprehensive management of children with first branchial cleft anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Delphi method survey of expert opinion under the direction of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) was conducted to generate recommendations for the definition and management of first branchial cleft anomalies. The recommendations are the result of expert consensus and critical review of the literature. RESULTS: Consensus recommendations include evaluation and diagnostic considerations for children with first branchial cleft anomalies as well as recommendations for surgical management. The current Work classification system was reviewed, and modifications were made to it to provide a more cogent categorization of these lesions. CONCLUSION: The mission of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) is to develop expertise-based recommendations based on review of the literature for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders. These consensus recommendations are aimed at improving care of children presenting with first branchial cleft anomalies. Here we present a revised classification system based on parotid gland involvement, with a focus on avoiding stratification based on germ layer, in addition to guidelines for management.

Correction: The Untranslated Regions of Classic Swine Fever Virus RNA Trigger Apoptosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088863.].

The impact of different censoring methods for analyzing survival using real-world data with linked mortality information: a simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating outcome reliability is critical in real-world evidence studies. Overall survival is a common outcome in these studies; however, its capture in real-world data (RWD) sources is often incomplete and supplemented with linked mortality information from external sources. Conflicting recommendations exist for censoring overall survival in real-world evidence studies. This simulation study aimed to understand the impact of different censoring methods on estimating median survival and log hazard ratios when external mortality information is partially captured. METHODS: We used Monte Carlo simulation to emulate a non-randomized comparative effectiveness study of two treatments with RWD from electronic health records and linked external mortality data. We simulated the time to death, the time to last database activity, and the time to data cutoff. Death events after the last database activity were attributed to linked external mortality data and randomly set to missing to reflect the sensitivity of contemporary real-world data sources. Two censoring schemes were evaluated: (1) censoring at the last activity date and (2) censoring at the end of data availability (data cutoff) without an observed death. We assessed the performance of each method in estimating median survival and log hazard ratios using bias, coverage, variance, and rejection rate under varying amounts of incomplete mortality information and varying treatment effects, length of follow-up, and sample size. RESULTS: When mortality information was fully captured, median survival estimates were unbiased when censoring at data cutoff and underestimated when censoring at the last activity. When linked mortality information was missing, censoring at the last activity date underestimated the median survival, while censoring at the data cutoff overestimated it. As missing linked mortality information increased, bias decreased when censoring at the last activity date and increased when censoring at data cutoff. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should consider the completeness of linked external mortality information when choosing how to censor the analysis of overall survival using RWD. Substantial bias in median survival estimates can occur if an inappropriate censoring scheme is selected. We advocate for RWD providers to perform validation studies of their mortality data and publish their findings to inform methodological decisions better.

Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and Postoperative Opioid use: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder associated with various postoperative complications. The association between DM and postoperative opioid use remains unclear, with conflicting evidence in the literature. This systematic review and meta-analysis comprehensively evaluated the association between DM and postoperative opioid consumption, pain sensation, and adverse effects in surgical patients. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic search of electronic databases identified studies investigating the relationship between DM and postoperative pain outcomes. Eligible studies, both prospective and retrospective, were included based on the predefined criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by the authors. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5. RESULTS: Among 100 initially identified articles, five studies met the inclusion criteria. In the meta-analysis, 473 participants were included. The results indicated that patients with DM had significantly higher postoperative opioid consumption (standardized mean difference, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-1.31; P = 0.003) than those in the control group, with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 83%). No significant differences in postoperative pain scale scores at rest or during movement were observed. Adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, and pruritus, showed varied outcomes, whereas overall satisfaction did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides evidence that patients with DM undergoing surgery consume more opioids postoperatively. Understanding the association between DM and pain management is crucial for optimizing perioperative care in this patient population.