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1-Methylxanthine (1-MX) is the major metabolite of caffeine and paraxanthine and might contribute to their activity. 1-MX is an adenosine receptor antagonist and increases the release and survivability of neurotransmitters; however, no study has addressed the potential physiological effects of 1-MX ingestion. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 1-MX on memory and related biomarkers in rats compared to control. Memory (escape latency in the Morris water maze test), neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)), and neurochemicals (BDNF, catalase, glutathione, Amyloid Beta and cyclic GMP) were analyzed from whole brain samples in young (8-weeks-old) and aged (16-months-old) rats following 12 days of supplementation (100 mg/d HED of 1-MX [UPLEVEL®, Ingenious Ingredients L.P., Lewisville, TX, USA]) via oral gavage. 1-MX supplementation reduced escape latency by 39% in young animals and 27% in aged animals compared to controls (both p<0.001). Additionally, 1-MX increased the levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA, and cyclic GMP (all p<0.001). Furthermore, 1-MX supplementation led to reduced amyloid beta and higher catalase, BDNF and glutathione concentrations (p<0.001). Collectively, our findings suggest that 1-MX may have cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraxanthine (PXN) is the main metabolite of caffeine (CAF). PXN supplementation has been shown to increase measures of cognition, memory, reasoning, response time, and sustained attention; however, no preclinical study has compared the effects of PXN with those of CAF. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of PXN and CAF on memory and related biomarkers in rats. The effects of two different doses of PXN (PXN LOW, PXN HIGH), CAF (CAF HIGH), and a control group on cognition (escape latency in the Morris water maze test), neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid), and neurochemicals (BDNF, catalase, glutathione, and cyclic GMP) were analyzed from whole brain samples in young (8 weeks old) and aged (16 months old) rats. Compared to the control group, escape latency improved in PXN LOW, PXN HIGH, and CAF HIGH (all P < 0.05) in young animals, and in PXN HIGH and CAF HIGH in older animals (P < 0.001). PXN HIGH improved escape latency compared to CAF HIGH in both young (P < 0.001) and old animals (P = 0.003). BDNF levels increased in PXN LOW, PXN HIGH, and CAF HIGH (all P < 0.001), with PXN HIGH increasing BDNF to a greater extent compared to CAF HIGH (P = 0.03). PXN HIGH also significantly increased BDNF levels compared to PXN LOW (P < 0.001). All other neurotransmitters and neurochemicals significantly increased in the PXN HIGH and CAF HIGH groups compared to the control. In conclusion, PXN showed greater improvements in cognition and BDNF levels compared to CAF, further substantiating PXN as a nootropic with greater benefits compared to CAF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The essential amino acid leucine (LEU) plays a crucial role in promoting resistance-training adaptations. Dileucine (DILEU), a LEU-LEU dipeptide, increases MPS rates, however its impact on resistance training outcomes remains unexplored. This study assessed the effects of DILEU supplementation on resistance training adaptations. Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled approach, 34 resistance-trained males (age: 28.3 ± 5.9 years) consumed 2 grams of either DILEU monohydrate (RAMPS™, Ingenious Ingredients, L.P.), LEU, or placebo (PLA) while following a 4-day per week resistance training program for 10 weeks. Changes in body composition, 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and repetitions to failure (RTF) for leg press (LP) and bench press (BP), anaerobic capacity, countermovement jump (CMJ), and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were assessed after 0 and 10 weeks. Results: Significant main effects for time (p < 0.001) were realized for LP and BP 1RM and RTF. A significant group × time interaction was identified for changes in LP 1RM (p = 0.02) and LP RTF (p = 0.03). Greater increases in LP 1RM were observed in DILEU compared to PLA (p = 0.02; 95% CI: 5.8, 73.2 kg), and greater increases in LP RTF in DILEU compared to LEU (p = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.58, 20.3 reps). No significant differences were found in other measures. Conclusions: DILEU supplementation at 2 grams daily enhanced lower body strength and muscular endurance in resistance-trained males more effectively than LEU or PLA. These findings suggest DILEU as a potentially effective supplement for improving adaptations to resistance training. NCT06121869 retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arqueología Iberoamericana is the property of Arqueologia Iberoamericana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in various physiological functions, including immune health. The stability of vitamin C in the gastrointestinal tract its bioavailability is limited. This study aimed to investigate if a liposomal form of vitamin C can increase absorption compared to standard vitamin C. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, 19 males and 8 females (n = 27; 36.0 ± 5.1 years, 165.0 ± 6.9 cm, 70.6 ± 7.1 kg) ingested a single-dose of placebo (PLA), 500 mg vitamin C (VIT C), and 500 mg liposomal vitamin C (LV-VIT C, LipoVantage®, Specnova, LLC, Tyson Corner, VA, USA). Venous blood samples were collected 0, 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, and 24-hours after ingestion and were analyzed for plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentration. Results: VIT C and LV-VIT C demonstrated significantly greater Cmax and AUC0 − 24 in plasma and in leukocytes compared to placebo (p < 0.001). Additionally, LV-VIT C had significantly higher Cmax (plasma + 27%, leukocytes + 20%, p < 0.001) and AUC0 − 24 (plasma + 21%, leukocytes + 8%, p < 0.001) values as compared to VIT C. Conclusion: Liposomal formulation of vitamin C increases absorption into plasma and leukocytes. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI/2023/04/051789). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides evidence connecting two aspects of visual-orthographic skills (orthographic awareness and delayed copying) to the common variance shared by Chinese word reading and arithmetic calculation, as well as in identifying positional knowledge of numbers as a potential mediator of these connections in Chinese primary school students (N = 155, 81 boys). Nonverbal Intelligent Quotient (IQ), socioeconomic status (SES), working memory, and attentional control were included as covariates. Path analyses demonstrated that both orthographic awareness and delayed copying significantly explained the covariance of word reading and arithmetic calculation. Furthermore, there is an indirect effect via positional knowledge of numbers as indicated by number line estimation and strategic counting on the relations between orthographic awareness and the common variance shared by word reading and arithmetic calculation. In contrast, delayed copying had a direct effect on the common variance. Results suggest that early visual-orthographic skills may be helpful in the development of both word reading and arithmetic ability among Chinese students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Findings: This study examined the association between preschool children's social-emotional competence (SEC), defined by their social skills and problem behaviors, and numeracy skills. It also examined if any subdomains of SEC predicted preschool numeracy above and beyond latent social skills or problem behaviors variables. Data came from a state-funded prekindergarten evaluation study (N = 684) and were collected using teacher-reported SEC and direct assessments. Using structural equation modeling, we found that social skills in the fall of preschool significantly predicted numeracy in the spring of preschool and that the subdomain of cooperation predicted numeracy skills above and beyond the social skill latent construct. Problem behaviors were not significantly associated with SEC. Practice or Policy: The findings suggest that the social skills children enter preschool with may help them develop early numeracy skills across preschool. In addition, teaching math concepts to preschoolers in ways that are also social in nature may be beneficial. Practice implications include promoting numeracy skills in children through SEC development by encouraging parent involvement and providing socialized educational experiences before they enter preschool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The literature suggests that educators can use parent–educator communication to support parents with engaging their children in home learning activities (Epstein, 1995; Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler, 1997). Objective: This study examines the relations between parent–educator communication and preschoolers' numeracy, literacy, executive function, and vocabulary, and explores if the home numeracy environment (HNE) and the home literacy environment (HLE) was a better predictor of children's outcomes than parent–educator communication. Method: Data for this study came from a larger quasi-experimental study evaluating a state-funded preschool program (n = 558). Regression models were run controlling for child's age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, group, parental education, and baseline skill scores. Results: Analyses revealed a significant relation only between parent–educator communication and numeracy skills (β = − 0.14, p = < 0.001). Unexpectedly, more frequent parent–educator communication in preschool were related to lower numeracy skills. Additionally, there was a statistically significant association between all three predictors- parent-educator communication (β = − 0.15, p = < 0.001), the HNE (β = 0.14, p =.016), and the HLE (β = − 0.18, p =.004)- and children's numeracy skills. Specifically, more frequent parent–educator communication and higher HLE scores in preschool predicted lower numeracy skills. Additionally, the higher quality of the HNE predicted greater numeracy skills in the spring of preschool. Conclusion: There may be increased communication when the children are performing lower on their numeracy skills than their peers and teachers and parents are working to remediate those challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) applications in paediatric rehabilitation are recent but promising. This brief report describes a VR rehabilitation program for a small sample of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The program focused explicitly on executive functions, a key area of concern for this population. It was conducted over 11 weeks in the CARE Lab. This lab was designed with appropriate structural characteristics and sophisticated technology to provide a rehabilitative setting with recreational and semi-immersive features. Before and after the VR training, the children were evaluated in terms of visual attention, inhibition, planning abilities, and visual–motor coordination. The rehabilitation programs were customised according to the clinical needs and the functional profile of each patient, proposing different games with variable complexity levels. These preliminary results showed a global and clinically significant change in executive functions, especially visual attention and inhibition skills. These findings suggest interesting implications for clinical practice, providing new information for professionals regarding the application of VR in the field of paediatric rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of both operational satellites and orbital debris is creating the requirement for more robust Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST)-related applications. These systems necessarily must leverage ground-based sensors (optical and radar) to realise higher performance solutions. In this context, the European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking (EUSST) consortium groups European national agencies and institutions, and is in charge of carrying out the following services: conjunction analysis, fragmentation analysis and re-entry prediction, and the Italian Air Force is in charge of the latter two. In this framework, the Italian SST Operational Centre (ISOC) has recently upgraded its system to the ISOC Suite, an integrated platform providing multiple functions and services in the SST domain. This paper presents the orbit determination functions provided by the novel ISOC Suite. First, a statistical index is computed to assess the measurements correlation to a catalogued object. If it is successful, the object predicted orbit is refined through measurements according either to batch or sequential filters; otherwise these are used to refine a first estimate of the target orbital state computed according to dedicated methodologies. After the presentation of the prototypal software architecture, the ISOC Suite performance are assessed and discussed both in terms of synthetic and real data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated if paraxanthine (PX) impacts energy expenditure, lipolysis and perceptual responses. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, 21 adults (13 M, 8 F; 26.0 ± 6.4 years, 174.9 ± 11.5 cm, 81.0 ± 15.7 kg body mass, 26.3 ± 3.4 kg/m2) consumed a placebo (PLA), 100 mg (PX100), 200 mg (PX200), and 300 mg of PX (PX300, enfinity®, Ingenious Ingredients, L.P. Lewisville, TX, USA). Venous blood was collected 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min (min) after ingestion and analyzed for glycerol and free fatty acids. Resting hemodynamics, metabolic rate and perceptual indicators of hunger, appetite and anxiety were evaluated. Mixed factorial analysis of variance were used to evaluate changes time within and between groups. Heart rate decreased in PX100 compared to PLA 60 (p =.022) and 180 min (p =.001). Blood pressure did not change. Hunger ratings in PLA increased 30 (p =.05), 60 (p =.04), 90 (p =.02), and 180 min (p =.05) after ingestion when compared to PX200. PX200 increased energy expenditure (all p <.05) when compared to PLA. Rates of fat oxidation tended to increase 90 (p =.056) and 120 min (p =.066) in PX200 compared to PLA. Free fatty acids increased in PX300 compared to PLA (p =.002). Glycerol did not change. Ingestion of PX200 augmented energy expenditure and hunger ratings when compared to PLA without impacting hemodynamics or lipolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and its methylated analogues anserine and balenine are highly concentrated endogenous dipeptides in mammalian skeletal muscle that are implicated in exercise performance. Balenine has a much better bioavailability and stability in human circulation upon acute ingestion, compared to carnosine and anserine. Therefore, ergogenic effects observed with acute carnosine and anserine supplementation may be even more pronounced with balenine. This study investigated whether acute balenine supplementation improves physical performance in four maximal and submaximal exercise modalities. A total of 20 healthy, active volunteers (14 males; six females) performed cycling sprints, maximal isometric contractions, a 4-km TT and 20-km TT following either preexercise placebo or 10 mg/kg of balenine ingestion. Physical, as well as mental performance, along with acid–base balance and glucose concentration were assessed. Balenine was unable to augment peak power (p =.3553), peak torque (p =.3169), time to complete the 4 km (p =.8566), nor 20 km time trial (p =.2660). None of the performances were correlated with plasma balenine or CN1 enzyme activity. In addition, no effect on pH, bicarbonate, and lactate was observed. Also, the supplement did not affect mental performance. In contrast, glucose remained higher during and after the 20 km time trial following balenine ingestion. In conclusion, these results overall indicate that the functionality of balenine does not fully resemble that of carnosine and anserine, since it was unable to elicit performance improvements with similar and even higher plasma concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The home numeracy environment is an essential construct that helps explain children's numeracy skills. However, this field has been developed mostly focusing on monolingual English‐speaking families, and cultural differences that contextualize the home environment have not been considered. This study describes the home numeracy environment of Latine families by (1) identifying the more and less common numeracy activities in the home of Latine families; (2) exploring differences, such as family members involved in the activities and generation in the United States; and (3) examining the association between activities and math anxiety and beliefs. Participants were 341 caregiver‐child dyads (M age = 2.9 years, SD = 0.7 months). We found that the less common numeracy activities in the home of Latine families are items commonly used in the literature to measure numeracy home environment. In addition, the role of family members varies across generations. This study provides a foundation for understanding the home numeracy environment of Latine families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysfunctions in sensory processing are widely described in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although little is known about the developmental course and the impact of these difficulties on the learning processes during the preschool and school ages of ASD children. Specifically, as regards the interplay between visual and haptic information in ASD during developmental age, knowledge is very scarce and controversial. In this study, we investigated unimodal (visual and haptic) and cross-modal (visuo-haptic) processing skills aimed at object recognition through a behavioural paradigm already used in children with typical development (TD), with cerebral palsy and with peripheral visual impairments. Thirty-five children with ASD (age range: 5–11 years) and thirty-five age-matched and gender-matched typically developing peers were recruited. The procedure required participants to perform an object-recognition task relying on only the visual modality (black-and-white photographs), only the haptic modality (manipulation of real objects) and visuo-haptic transfer of these two types of information. Results are consistent with the idea that visuo-haptic transfer may be significantly worse in ASD children than in TD peers, leading to significant impairment in multisensory interactions for object recognition facilitation. Furthermore, ASD children tended to show a specific deficit in haptic information processing, while a similar trend of maturation of visual modality between the two groups is reported. This study adds to the current literature by suggesting that ASD differences in multisensory processes also regard visuo-haptic abilities necessary to identify and recognise objects of daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ashwagandha has been reported to reduce stress and attenuate cognitive decline associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration in clinical populations. However, the effects as a potential nootropic nutrient in younger populations are unclear. This study examined the effects of liposomal ashwagandha supplementation on cognitive function, mood, and markers of health and safety in healthy young men and women. Methods: 59 men and women (22.7 ± 7 yrs., 74.9 ± 16 kg, 26.2 ± 5 BMI) fasted for 12 h, donated a fasting blood sample, and were administered the COMPASS cognitive function test battery (Word Recall, Word recognition, Choice Reaction Time Task, Picture Recognition, Digit Vigilance Task, Corsi Block test, Stroop test) and profile of mood states (POMS). In a randomized and double-blind manner, participants were administered 225 mg of a placebo (Gum Arabic) or ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root and leaf extract coated with a liposomal covering. After 60-min, participants repeated cognitive assessments. Participants continued supplementation (225 mg/d) for 30 days and then returned to the lab to repeat the experiment. Data were analyzed using a general linear model (GLM) univariate analysis with repeated measures and pairwise comparisons of mean changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Ashwagandha supplementation improved acute and/or 30-day measures of Word Recall (correct and recalled attempts), Choice Reaction Time (targets identified), Picture Recognition ("yes" correct responses, correct and overall reaction time), Digit Vigilance (correct reaction time), Stroop Color-Word (congruent words identified, reaction time), and POMS (tension and fatigue) from baseline more consistently with several differences observed between groups. Conclusion: Results support contentions that ashwagandha supplementation (225 mg) may improve some measures of memory, attention, vigilance, attention, and executive function while decreasing perceptions of tension and fatigue in younger healthy individuals. Retrospectively registered clinical trial ISRCTN58680760. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding and resistance exercise stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) rates in healthy adults. This anabolic characterization of "healthy adults" has been namely focused on males. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the temporal responses of MPS and anabolic signaling to resistance exercise alone or combined with the ingestion of protein in postmenopausal females and compare postabsorptive rates with young females. Sixteen females [60 ± 7 yr; body mass index (BMI) = 26 ± 12 kg·m−2] completed an acute bout of unilateral resistance exercise before consuming either: a fortified whey protein supplement (WHEY) or water. Participants received primed continuous infusions of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine with bilateral muscle biopsies before and after treatment ingestion at 2 h and 4 h in nonexercised and exercised legs. Resistance exercise transiently increased MPS above baseline at 0–2 h in the water condition (P = 0.007). Feeding after resistance exercise resulted in a late phase (2–4 h) increase in MPS in the WHEY condition (P = 0.005). In both conditions, resistance exercise did not enhance the cumulative (0–4 h) MPS response. In the nonexercised leg, MPS did not differ at 0–2 h, 2–4 h, or 0–4 h of the measurement periods (all, P > 0.05). Likewise, there were no changes in the phosphorylation of p70S6K, AMPKα, or total and phosphorylated yes-associated protein on Ser127. Finally, postabsorptive MPS was lower in premenopausal versus postmenopausal females (P = 0.023). Our results demonstrate that resistance exercise-induced changes in MPS are temporally regulated, but do not result in greater cumulative (0–4 h) MPS in postmenopausal women. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: An adequate quality and quantity of skeletal muscle is relevant to support physical performance and metabolic health. Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is an established remodeling marker, which can be hypertrophic or nonhypertrophic. Importantly, protein ingestion and resistance exercise are two strategies that support healthy muscle by stimulating MPS. Our study shows postmenopause modulates baseline MPS that may diminish the MPS response to the fundamental anabolic stimuli of protein ingestion and resistance exercise in older females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arqueología Iberoamericana is the property of Arqueologia Iberoamericana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been multiple reports about an unforeseen surge in adolescents and young adults exhibiting sudden onset functional tic-like behaviors. This phenomenon has been mainly associated with the female gender and occasionally after exposure to social media content featuring similar patterns of functional tic-like behaviors. A significant portion of these individuals have been directed to specialist clinics for movement disorders with initial misdiagnoses of late-onset refractory Tourette syndrome. Distinguishing between rapid onset functional tic-like behaviors and neurodevelopmental tics as part of Tourette syndrome can be challenging; however, the differential diagnosis is facilitated by focusing on specific clinical and demographic factors, which we have explored in a systematic literature review. Compared to neurodevelopmental tics, functional tic-like behaviors typically present with a more abrupt and intense manifestation of symptoms, onset at a later age, higher prevalence among females, inability to suppress tics, coexisting anxiety and depression, and sometimes a history of exposure to social media content portraying tic-like behaviors of a similar nature. This novel manifestation of a functional neurological disorder may thus be viewed as an emerging neuropsychiatric condition potentially triggered/exacerbated by the psychosocial repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare professionals are known to suffer from workplace stress and burnout, which can negatively affect their empathy for patients and quality of care. While existing research has identified factors associated with wellbeing and empathy in healthcare professionals, these efforts are typically focused on the group level, ignoring potentially important individual differences and implications for individualized intervention approaches. In the current study, we implemented N-of-1 personalized machine learning (PML) to predict wellbeing and empathy in healthcare professionals at the individual level, leveraging ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and smartwatch wearable data. A total of 47 mood and lifestyle feature variables (relating to sleep, diet, exercise, and social connections) were collected daily for up to three months followed by applying eight supervised machine learning (ML) models in a PML pipeline to predict wellbeing and empathy separately. Predictive insight into the model architecture was obtained using Shapley statistics for each of the best-fit personalized models, ranking the importance of each feature for each participant. The best-fit model and top features varied across participants, with anxious mood (13/19) and depressed mood (10/19) being the top predictors in most models. Social connection was a top predictor for wellbeing in 9/12 participants but not for empathy models (1/7). Additionally, empathy and wellbeing were the top predictors of each other in 64% of cases. These findings highlight shared and individual features of wellbeing and empathy in healthcare professionals and suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing modifiable factors to improve wellbeing and empathy will likely be suboptimal. In the future, such personalized models may serve as actionable insights for healthcare professionals that lead to increased wellness and quality of patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of supercell thunderstorms traversing complex terrain is not well understood and remains a short-term forecast challenge across the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. Although case studies have been conducted, there has been no large multicase observational analysis focusing on the central and southern Appalachians. To address this gap, we analyzed 62 isolated warm-season supercells that occurred in this region. Each supercell was categorized as either crossing (∼40%) or noncrossing (∼60%) based on their maintenance of supercellular structure while traversing prominent terrain. The structural evolution of each storm was analyzed via operationally relevant parameters extracted from WSR-88D radar data. The most significant differences in radar-observed structure among storm categories were associated with the mesocyclone; crossing storms exhibited stronger, wider, and deeper mesocyclones, along with more prominent and persistent hook echoes. Crossing storms also moved faster. Among the supercells that crossed the most prominent peaks and ridges, significant increases in base reflectivity, vertically integrated liquid, echo tops, and mesocyclone intensity/depth were observed, in conjunction with more frequent large hail and tornado reports, as the storms ascended windward slopes. Then, as the supercells descended leeward slopes, significant increases in mesocyclone depth and tornado frequency were observed. Such results reinforce the notion that supercell evolution can be modulated substantially by passage through and over complex terrain. Significance Statement: Understanding of thunderstorm evolution and severe weather production in regions of complex terrain remains limited, particularly for storms with rotating updrafts known as supercell thunderstorms. This study provides a systematic analysis of numerous warm season supercell storms that moved through the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. We focus on operationally relevant radar characteristics and differences among storms that maintain supercellular structure as they traverse the terrain (crossing) versus those that do not (noncrossing). Our results identify radar characteristics useful in distinguishing between crossing and noncrossing storms, along with typical supercell evolution and severe weather production as storms cross the more prominent peaks and ridges of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an interview with Timothy Francis McNamara, conducted by Jim. McNamara discusses his background in English literature and linguistics, his interest in the humanities, and his journey into language assessment. He credits Terry Quinn as a mentor and describes his involvement in creating the Occupational English Test. McNamara also mentions his collaboration with Alan Davies in establishing the Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. The interview highlights the influence of literature and philosophy on McNamara's work and the impact of the centre's contributions to the field of language testing. The text discusses the history and development of language testing research, specifically focusing on the use of Rasch measurement and the study of raters. McNamara's interest in the social dimension of language testing, particularly in relation to identity and discourse practices, is also discussed. The text explores the social and cognitive aspects of language use, the role of conversation analysis, and the political dimension of language testing, particularly in relation to asylum seekers and citizenship requirements. The author argues that tests can be both fair and unfair, and that the external policy context must be considered when evaluating the justice of a test. The importance of ongoing discussion and critical thinking in the field of language testing is emphasized. [Extracted from the article]

Biotransformation of minerals via glycosylation by microorganisms such as yeast and/or probiotics yields nutrients bound to a food matrix, resulting in increased bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of glycoprotein matrix-bound zinc (GPM) on absorption compared to inorganic zinc oxide. Sixteen participants ingested 11 mg of zinc as either GPM™ Soy-Free Zinc (GPM, Ashland, Kearny, NJ, USA) or zinc oxide (USP). Blood samples were taken at 0 (i.e., baseline), 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, and 480 min post-ingestion. GPM zinc concentrations were significantly higher at 120 min (p = 0.02; 12.4 ± 5.1 mcg/dL), 180 min (p = 0.002; 16.8 ± 5.1 mcg/dL), and 240 min (p = 0.007; 14.6 ± 5.1 mcg/dL) in comparison to USP zinc oxide. In addition, GPM zinc significantly increased iAUC by 40% (5840 ± 2684 vs. 4183 ± 1132 mcg/dL * 480 min, p = 0.02), and Cmax values were 10% higher in GPM compared to USP (148 ± 21 mcg/dL vs. 135 ± 17.5 mcg/dL, p = 0.08). Tmax was 12% slower in GPM compared to USP (112.5 ± 38.7 min vs. 127.5 ± 43.1 min); however, differences in Tmax failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.28). Zinc bound to a glycoprotein matrix significantly increased absorption compared to zinc oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microalgae like Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT) contain the carotenoid, fucoxanthin, which has been purported to promote fat loss, lower blood lipids, and improve glucose management. This study examined whether dietary supplementation with microalgae extracts from PT containing 4.4 mg/d of fucoxanthin affects changes in body composition or health markers in overweight women during an exercise and diet intervention. Materials and Methods: A total of 37 females (28.6 ± 7.9 years, 80.2 ± 14.9 kg, 29.6 ± 3.8 kg/m², 41.4 ± 4.2% fat) fasted for 12 h, donated a fasting blood sample, completed health and mood state inventories, and undertook body composition, health, and exercise assessments. In a counterbalanced, randomized, and double-blind manner, participants ingested a placebo (PL), or microalgae extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum standardized to 4.4 mg of fucoxanthin (FX) for 12 weeks while participating in a supervised exercise program that included resistance-training and walking (3 days/week) with encouragement to accumulate 10,000 steps/day on remaining days of the week. The diet intervention involved reducing energy intake by about −300 kcal/d (i.e., ≈1400–1600 kcals/d, 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein) to promote a −500 kcal/d energy deficit with exercise. Follow-up testing was performed at 6 and 12 weeks. A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures statistical analysis was used to analyze group responses and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Dietary supplementation with microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin for 12 weeks did not promote additional weight loss or fat loss in overweight but otherwise healthy females initiating an exercise and diet intervention designed to promote modest weight loss. However, fucoxanthin supplementation preserved bone mass, increased bone density, and saw greater improvements in walking steps/day, resting heart rate, aerobic capacity, blood lipid profiles, adherence to diet goals, functional activity tolerance, and measures of quality of life. Consequently, there appears to be some benefit to supplementing microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin during a diet and exercise program. Registered clinical trial #NCT04761406. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined whether sport participation in preschool was related to executive functioning (EF) and academic outcomes (i.e., math, language, literacy) in the fall and spring of kindergarten, as well as whether EF in the fall of kindergarten mediated the relation between sport participation in preschool and academic outcomes in the spring of kindergarten. The sample was drawn from a state-funded prekindergarten program evaluation (n = 120 children; mean age at baseline = 57.63 months, female = 47%, mean monthly family income = $1636.92). Parents reported on child sport participation in the spring of the child's preschool year. Children were directly assessed on EF and academic achievement in the fall and spring of kindergarten. Results revealed that sport participation in preschool only predicted literacy in the spring of kindergarten. There was no evidence that EF mediated the relation between sport participation and academic outcomes. Implications and future directions are discussed. Highlights: Preschool sport participation may predict specific academic skills in kindergarten. Executive functioning did not mediate the relation between sport and academic skills. Varied conceptualizations of sport may inform relations between sport and cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY) is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy. In addition to male hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety and affective symptoms have been reported in a substantial proportion of cases. Case description: We document the rare case of a 43-year-old man diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome and co-morbid Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. He presented with multiple motor and vocal tics since adolescence, as well as anxiety and affective symptoms as his main tic-exacerbating factors. Tic severity was rated as marked (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale score of 78/100), and recommendations for the treatment of both tics and psychiatric co-morbidities were formulated. Discussion: Neurodevelopmental tics in the context of Klinefelter syndrome have been previously documented in three cases only. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is 3–4 times more common in males than females and its etiological factors include multiple genetic components (genetic heterogeneity). Our case report widens the spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders observed in the context of Klinefelter syndrome and contributes to genetic research on the role of the X chromosome in the pathophysiology of tic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tics and stereotypies are childhood-onset repetitive behaviours that can pose significant diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. Both tics and stereotypies are characterised by a complex co-morbidity profile, however little is known about the co-occurrence of these hyperkinetic disorders in the same patient population. Objective: This review aimed to assess the relationship between tics and stereotypies when these conditions present in co-morbidity. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of original studies on co-morbid tics and stereotypies, according to the standards outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Our literature search identified six studies of suitable sample size (n ≥ 40) presenting data on the association between tics and stereotypies in otherwise typically developing patients. A considerable proportion (23%) of patients diagnosed with stereotypic movement disorder present with co-morbid tics (range 18–43%). Likewise, the prevalence of primary stereotypies is increased in patients with tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome (8%, range 6–12%). Discussion: Tics and stereotypies can often develop in co-morbidity. The association of tics and stereotypies in the same patient has practical implications, in consideration of the different treatment approaches. Future research should focus on the assessment and management of both conditions, particularly in special populations (e.g. patients with pervasive developmental disorders). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "toe walking" describes walking on the toes with a lack of heel strike upon initiation of the stance phase of gait. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this phenomenon, or "tip‐toe behavior" (TTB), can be present in a substantial proportion of subjects even during standing. In this study, we investigated TTB in 50 persons with ASD (age range 4–26 years). We evaluated TTB through an observational/report‐based assessment protocol. Subsequently, we employed a new structured video‐based coding protocol based on standardized video recordings, focusing on static and dynamic conditions. Finally, the findings of the two protocols were compared. Twenty‐four subjects with TTB were identified and classified according to three functional groups: TTB1, present only during running (6 subjects); TTB2, present during walking and running (11 subjects); and TTB3, present during standing, walking, and running (7 subjects). Moreover, we found that TTB3 subjects exhibited a significantly higher quantity of TTB compared with subjects in the TTB1 and TTB2 groups during both standing and walking tests. Additionally, a high quantity of TTB in the static test was found to be related to a high quantity of TTB in the dynamic test. Variables such as age, autism severity, intellectual disability, and gender were not significantly associated with the mean percent of TTB both in static and dynamic tests in multivariate analysis. This structured video‐based coding approach appears feasible and useful for assessing TTB in individuals with ASD and it has the potential to provide insights into TTB trajectories and aid in designing possible interventions. Lay Summary: Toe walking can be observed during the gait of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As this motor behavior can also be present during standing, we used the term tip‐toe behavior (TTB). TTB is an understudied sensorimotor phenomenon in ASD, and there is a lack of quantitative measures of TTB in ASD. This study proposed two standardized clinical tests to quantify TTB during walking and standing. These TTB measures could aid in understanding the natural history of TTB and in making decisions about TTB interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies show that intense work schedules make health care professionals particularly vulnerable to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Objective: In this scenario, promoting self-compassion and mindfulness may be beneficial for well-being. Notably, scalable, digital app--based methods may have the potential to enhance self-compassion and mindfulness in health care professionals. Methods: In this study, we designed and implemented a scalable, digital app--based, brief mindfulness and compassion training program called "WellMind" for health care professionals. A total of 22 adult participants completed up to 60 sessions of WellMind training, 5-10 minutes in duration each, over 3 months. Participants completed behavioral assessments measuring self-compassion and mindfulness at baseline (preintervention), 3 months (postintervention), and 6 months (follow-up). In order to control for practice effects on the repeat assessments and calculate effect sizes, we also studied a no-contact control group of 21 health care professionals who only completed the repeated assessments but were not provided any training. Additionally, we evaluated preand postintervention neural activity in core brain networks using electroencephalography source imaging as an objective neurophysiological training outcome. Results: Findings showed a post- versus preintervention increase in self-compassion (Cohen d=0.57; P=.007) and state-mindfulness (d=0.52; P=.02) only in the WellMind training group, with improvements in self-compassion sustained at follow-up (d=0.8; P=.01). Additionally, WellMind training durations correlated with the magnitude of improvement in self-compassion across human participants (ρ=0.52; P=.01). Training-related neurophysiological results revealed plasticity specific to the default mode network (DMN) that is implicated in mind-wandering and rumination, with DMN network suppression selectively observed at the postintervention time point in the WellMind group (d=--0.87; P=.03). We also found that improvement in self-compassion was directly related to the extent of DMN suppression (ρ=--0.368; P=.04). Conclusions: Overall, promising behavioral and neurophysiological findings from this first study demonstrate the benefits of brief digital mindfulness and compassion training for health care professionals and compel the scale-up of the digital intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric disorders with a typical prevalence in adolescence. EDs have long been wrongly considered female gender-bound disorders, resulting in a systematic underrepresentation of males in EDs research. The main goal of the present study is exploring the clinical and psychological characteristics of adolescent males with EDs in comparison with females. Methods: In this observational and retrospective study, 14 males and 28 females hospitalized for eating disorders during the adolescent age (from 12 to 17.11 years) were recruited. Main clinical data (age, BMI, duration of illness), behavioural characteristic of the disorder (over-exercising, self-harm, purging-behaviours) and psychological symptoms (Eating Disorders Inventory-3rd edition—EDI-3, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised—SCL-90, Children’s Global Assessment Scale—C-GAS) were collected and examined for significant correlations with severity of body mass index (BMI). Results: Adolescent males show a peculiar and more severe psychopathological profiles partially influenced by BMI and characterized by purging-behaviours, over-exercising, obsessive–compulsive behaviour, anxiety, and psychoticism. Conclusion: This study suggests a gender-specific profile of adolescent males with EDs, which may be considered in diagnosis and treatment. Level III: Evidence obtained from retrospective well-designed case–control study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Math achievement is one of the strongest predictors of academic success and career attainment. While research has focused on cognitive factors that relate to math achievement, a growing body of literature suggests that affective factors like math anxiety also relate to math achievement. The field of math anxiety has expanded to recognize that not only children's but also parents' math anxiety is related to math performance. Yet, specific mechanisms through which parents' math anxiety relates to children's math performance are not well explicated. In this article, we synthesize research on the relation between parents' math anxiety and children's math achievement, and then propose a comprehensive model (the Parent and Child Math Anxiety Network model) to demonstrate the likely pathways through which parents' math anxiety may affect children's math achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Home mathematics environment (HME) research has focused on parent–child interactions surrounding numerical activities as measured by the frequency of engaging in such activities. However, HME survey questions have been developed from limited perspectives (e.g., Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27, 2012, 231; Journal of Social Issues, 64, 2008, 95; Early childhood mathematics education research: Learning trajectories for young children, Routledge, New York, 2009), by researchers from a small subset of countries (15; Psychological Bulletin, 147, 2020, 565), which may skew our interpretations. Aims and Sample: This study broadened international representation by leveraging secondary data from the 2019 TIMSS to examine the variation of the frequency and reliability of the HME scale and its relation to children's mathematical achievement. Across 54 countries, 231,138 parents and children (Mage = 10.22 years; 51% male) participated in the larger study. Methods: Parents completed a retrospective home environment survey and children were assessed on mathematics skills. Basic frequency descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients, and Pearson's r correlation coefficients were used to assess variability across countries. Results: Findings suggested that families in certain countries engaged in home mathematics activities more frequently than families in other countries; however, the HME scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency across families in all countries (M α =.79; range = [.73,.89]). Further, the average relation between HME and mathematical achievement was r =.15 with a range between r =.02 to r =.41. Conclusion: Our results indicate substantial variation across countries in the HME‐mathematical achievement association. These findings underscore the importance of international representation in advancing research on the diversity of a child's home environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research focusing on the home mathematics environment has shown mixed results across age groups. Using data from a large online survey, we explored parents' perceptions of the age appropriateness of home mathematics activities for their children. Children's ages ranged from one to 6 years old (N = 958). Activities spanned multiple domains of early mathematics including numeracy, geometry, patterning, spatial, and measurement domains. Descriptive statistics show there are clear developmental shifts in the appropriateness ratings for activities within and across these domains. Findings provide insight for future implications on the measurement of the home mathematics environment, as well as future research on age differences in the home mathematics environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Until the outbreak reported during the COVID‐19 pandemic, functional tics were considered to be a relatively rare clinical phenotype, as opposed to other functional movement disorders such as functional tremor and dystonia. To better characterize this phenotype, we compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who developed functional tics during the pandemic and those of patients with other functional movement disorders. Methods: Data from 110 patients were collected at the same neuropsychiatry centre: 66 consecutive patients who developed functional tics without other functional motor symptoms or neurodevelopmental tics and 44 patients with a mix of functional dystonia, tremor, gait, and myoclonus. Results: Both groups were characterized by female sex preponderance (70%–80%) and (sub)acute onset of functional symptoms (~80%). However, patients with functional tics had a significantly earlier age at onset of functional symptoms (21 vs. 39 years). Exposure to relevant social media content was reported by almost half of the patients with functional tics, but by none of the patients with other functional movement disorders. Comorbidity profiles were similar, with relatively high rates of anxiety/affective symptoms and other functional neurological symptoms (nonepileptic attacks). Conclusions: Patients who developed functional tics during the pandemic represent a phenotypic variant of the wider group of patients with functional movement disorders, associated with younger age at onset and influenced by pandemic‐related factors, including increased exposure to specific social media content. Diagnostic protocols and treatment interventions should be tailored to address the specific features of this newly defined phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two studies, we investigated whether using three‐dimensional (3D) manipulatives during assessment aided performance on a variety of preschool mathematics tasks compared to pictorial representations. On measures of children's understanding of counting and cardinality (n = 103), there was no difference in performance between manipulatives and pictures, with Bayes factors suggesting moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis. On a measure of children's shape identification (n = 93), there was no difference in performance between objects and pictures, with Bayes factors suggesting moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis. These results suggest flexibility in the materials that can be used during assessment. Pictures, or 2D renderings of 3D objects, which can be easily printed and reproduced, may be sufficient for assessing counting and shape knowledge without the need for more cumbersome concrete manipulatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The application of Virtual Reality (VR) in the field of rehabilitation has been widely studied, because it has already proven to be an effective intervention for a variety of physical and cognitive conditions. Nevertheless, its application in pediatric rehabilitation is more recent. This pilot study aims to examine whether a VR-rehabilitation program may have positive effects on the Executive Functions (EFs) of children with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD). Materials and methods: Twenty-four children with diagnosis of SLD participated to the study (range 7-11 years) and performed the VR-training across 6 weeks in the CARE Lab, that was designed with appropriate structural measures and ad hoc fittings, to hide the sophisticated technology necessary to allow the child to experience a rehabilitative setting with recreational and semi-immersive features. Children were evaluated across three main time-points: T0, assessment of cognitive level and EFs immediately before the start of the intervention; T1, assessment of EFs immediately after the end of VR intervention; T2, follow-up of EFs after 6 months from the end of the VR intervention. The rehabilitation programs were customized according to clinical needs and/or single patient's characteristics, proposing different games with variable complexity levels. Results: Results showed that scores for visual attention, inhibition, flexibility, and planning abilities were significantly higher than before the intervention, and the most part of these ameliorations were maintained after 6 months. Conclusion: These findings provide important inputs for the development of new innovative rehabilitation interventions for children with SLD that must be founded in ecological and evidence-based approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated amongst other things with a sharp increase in adolescents and young adults presenting acutely with functional tics. Initial reports have suggested clinically relevant differences between functional tics and neurodevelopmental tics seen in primary tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome. We aimed to provide confirmatory findings from the largest single‐centre cohort to date. Methods: In the present study we present data from 105 consecutive patients who developed functional tics during a 3‐year period overlapping with the COVID‐19 pandemic (April 2020–March 2023). All patients underwent a comprehensive neuropsychiatric assessment at a single specialist centre for tic disorders. Results: Female adolescents and young adults accounted for 69% of our sample. Functional tics had an acute/subacute onset in most cases (75% with a peak of severity within 1 month). We found a disproportionately high frequency of complex movements (81%) and vocalizations (75%). A subset of patients (23%) had a pre‐existing primary tic disorder (Tourette syndrome with functional overlay). The most common psychiatric co‐morbidities were anxiety (70%) and affective disorders (40%). Moreover, 41% of patients had at least one functional neurological disorder in addition to functional tics. Exposure to tic‐related social media content was reported by half of the patients. Conclusions: Our findings confirm substantial clinical differences between functional tics developed during the pandemic and neurodevelopmental tics. Both patient‐ and tic‐related red flags support the differential diagnostic process and inform ongoing monitoring in the post‐pandemic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate prematurity as a risk factor for sensory processing disorders, using the Italian Version of Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist (SPSRC-IT), based on a sample of healthy Italian children born preterm in comparison with a sample of typical full-term children. Two groups of caregivers of Italian healthy preschooler children were recruited. The first group comprised 37 caregivers of full-term children (FT), while the second group consisted of 37 caregivers of preterm children (PT) (gestational age < 37 weeks). Significant differences between the groups in several subsections and factors of the SPSRC-IT were found, specifically in the Physiological Conditions section, in the Gustatory and Olfactory Sense section, in the Vestibular Sense section, and in the Proprioceptive Sense section, with lower scores in the PT group. Moreover, children born at a lower gestational age or with lower weights had a higher risk of dysfunctions in processing gustatory and olfactory, vestibular, and proprioceptive stimuli. In conclusion, the SPSRC-IT suggested a potential link between prematurity and challenges in the development of sensory processing and self-regulation skills, especially in children with a very low birth weight and very low gestational age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: School readiness skills are a broad set of abilities that children develop in early childhood that support achievement once they enter formal schooling. Three components of school readiness skills are of focus in the current study: executive function (EF), language/literacy, and mathematics. The current study examines to what extent 13 direct assessments of these skills statistically align with theoretical models for distinct construct- and timepoint-specific latent factors. Methods: The sample included 684 children (52.34% male; 42% Black/African American; M age = 4.80 years in the fall of prekindergarten) assessed in the fall and spring of the prekindergarten year. Results: Factor analyses revealed the most statistical support for a model with a latent random intercept across timepoints and constructs, along with timepointspecific latent factors in the fall and spring of prekindergarten (independent of the random intercept). The timepoint-specific latent factors primarily consisted of early literacy and mathematics assessments. Discussion: These findings challenge commonly held practices of creating construct-specific latent factors in early childhood research and, to a lesser extent, timepoint-specific latent factors without consideration of the substantial shared variance across different constructs and timepoints. Implications for the factor structure and developmental theory of school readiness skills are considered, as well as practical considerations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stoic philosophy has multiple parallels with cognitive behavioural therapy interventions. In their ancient texts, the Roman Stoics present a set of theoretical principles and behavioural strategies that are directly relevant to the clinical care of patients with a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions. Mindfulness is a key component of the 'third wave' of modern psychotherapy that closely resembles the ancient Stoic practice of attention or 'concentration on the present moment'. Stoic mindfulness draws attention to one of the main principles driving both Stoicism and modern psychotherapy: the assumption that cognitive activity (reasoning) mediates emotions and behaviours. This principle can be traced back to Epictetus' Enchiridion, where he recognises that 'men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of things'. It has been shown that cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness-based interventions directed at patients with neuropsychiatric disorders were originally developed as Stoic-inspired treatment interventions. Both Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck (the founders of rational emotive behaviour therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, respectively) explicitly acknowledged the role of Stoicism as the philosophical precursor of their treatment approaches. The effective implementation of evidence-based guidelines would benefit from an increased awareness of the influence of the Stoic tradition of philosophical therapy on the treatment approaches currently in use in neuropsychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual Neglect (VN) is a common neuropsychological disorder in adults with unilateral brain lesion (UBL), characterized by the failure to attend and to report sensory events occurring in one side of space, contralateral to an area of brain damage. Less is known about VN expression in children following brain injury. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the presence of VN in UBL children and to identify the best neuropsychological assessment's tool for this population. A comprehensive search of 4 databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Database, SCOPUS, DARE) was undertaken from May 2020 to January 2021. Inclusion criteria were (i) subjects less than 18 years with cerebral lesions and with MRI, (ii) specific neuropsychological assessments for VN, (iii) studies published in English since 2000. A total of 309 articles were found in the initial search but only 10 observational studies met the full inclusion criteria. In these studies, 1051 subjects were evaluated for VN, of them 749 were controls and 302 had brain lesions. The two most common types of neuropsychological tools used in children with unilateral brain damage to assess the presence of VN were target cancellation tests and drawing tests. This review confirms the possibility that children with UBL can develop VN, even if it is not very clear which brain structure's characteristics can increase this risk. Children with right lesion showed visuo-spatial attention deficits focalized on the contralateral side, compatible with diagnosis of VN, while children with left lesion showed more generalized attention difficulties. The overall level of evidence correlating the presence of VN and different types of UBL in children was low and neuropsychological assessment of VN for children are sparse. Some important limitations of this review must be reported: the limited number of studies included, the administration of various types of tests to evaluate VN, the lack of information regarding the cognitive level of children in most of the studies. Further research is needed to understand patterns of VN based on brain structure and time since lesion. Systematic Review Registration: ID on PROSPERO: CRD42021281993. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balenine possesses some of carnosine's and anserine's functions, yet it appears more resistant to the hydrolysing CN1 enzyme. The aim of this study was to elucidate the stability of balenine in the systemic circulation and its bioavailability in humans following acute supplementation. Two experiments were conducted in which (in vitro) carnosine, anserine and balenine were added to plasma to compare degradation profiles and (in vivo) three increasing doses (1–4–10 mg/kg) of balenine were acutely administered to 6 human volunteers. Half-life of balenine (34.9 ± 14.6 min) was respectively 29.1 and 16.3 times longer than that of carnosine (1.20 ± 0.36 min, p = 0.0044) and anserine (2.14 ± 0.58 min, p = 0.0044). In vivo, 10 mg/kg of balenine elicited a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 28 µM, which was 4 and 18 times higher than with 4 (p = 0.0034) and 1 mg/kg (p = 0.0017), respectively. CN1 activity showed strong negative correlations with half-life (ρ = − 0.829; p = 0.0583), Cmax (r = − 0.938; p = 0.0372) and incremental area under the curve (r = − 0.825; p = 0.0433). Overall, balenine seems more resistant to CN1 hydrolysis resulting in better in vivo bioavailability, yet its degradation remains dependent on enzyme activity. Although a similar functionality as carnosine and anserine remains to be demonstrated, opportunities arise for balenine as nutraceutical or ergogenic aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]