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Background: Population aging and the increase in memory-related diseases have motivated the search for accessible cognitive screening instruments. To develop a digital memory and learning test (DMLT) based on Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) principles to assess cognition in the elderly and identify early cognitive decline. Methods: The research was divided into two phases: developing the digital test and the experimental phase of comparison with a reference test. The test was designed to assess episodic declarative memory through auditory-verbal learning. The experimental procedure involved 18 elderly participants and aimed to compare the performance on the digital test with the traditional RAVLT, followed by an evaluation of participant satisfaction. Results: Performance on the digital test and the RAVLT was comparable, with no significant statistical differences, indicating convergent validity between the instruments. Electroencephalographic activity analyses revealed correlations between wave patterns and test performance, suggesting that the digital test may provide additional insights into the neurophysiological processes underlying cognitive performance. Satisfaction assessment revealed high participant acceptance. Conclusion: The DMLT is a promising tool for cognitive assessment in the elderly, offering an accessible alternative. The high acceptance among elderly participants suggests that the test has potential for clinical and research use, although further studies are needed to validate its effectiveness in broader clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Population aging and the increase in memory-related diseases have motivated the search for accessible cognitive screening instruments. To develop a digital memory and learning test (DMLT) based on Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) principles to assess cognition in the elderly and identify early cognitive decline. Methods The research was divided into two phases: developing the digital test and the experimental phase of comparison with a reference test. The test was designed to assess episodic declarative memory through auditory-verbal learning. The experimental procedure involved 18 elderly participants and aimed to compare the performance on the digital test with the traditional RAVLT, followed by an evaluation of participant satisfaction. Results Performance on the digital test and the RAVLT was comparable, with no significant statistical differences, indicating convergent validity between the instruments. Electroencephalographic activity analyses revealed correlations between wave patterns and test performance, suggesting that the digital test may provide additional insights into the neurophysiological processes underlying cognitive performance. Satisfaction assessment revealed high participant acceptance. Conclusion The DMLT is a promising tool for cognitive assessment in the elderly, offering an accessible alternative. The high acceptance among elderly participants suggests that the test has potential for clinical and research use, although further studies are needed to validate its effectiveness in broader clinical settings.

BackgroundAnti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are a class of immunosuppressive drugs widely used in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases, with well-established efficacy and safety. Although rare, these therapies can be associated with serious adverse events including hematological and infectious complications. This study aims to evaluate their safety and tolerability profile in real-world clinical practice.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study comprising patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with anti-CD20 drugs since 2016 followed in the Demyelinating Diseases clinic of a tertiary center. Clinical and paraclinical parameters were evaluated, including complete blood count and immunoglobulins measurements.ResultsA total of 160 with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) were included in our study, of whom 110 (68.8%) were female and 147 are currently receiving anti-CD20 therapies. Half of the patients were diagnosed with relapsing–remitting MS, while the remaining had progressive forms, including 23 with primary-progressive MS and 57 with secondary-progressive MS. Eighty-three patients were on ocrelizumab, 48 on rituximab, and 29 on ofatumumab. The mean follow-up duration from the start of anti-CD20 therapy was 30.5 ± 21.3 months. During this period, serious adverse events were observed in 9 patients, including SARS-CoV-2 infection (resulting in one death), urinary tract infection, febrile neutropenia, severe diarrhea, and acute hepatitis. The rate of serious infections in the ocrelizumab subgroup was consistent with the literature, although a higher rate was observed in the rituximab subgroup. A positive correlation was found between serious infectious complications and lower IgG levels. Additionally, longer exposure to anti-CD20 therapy in our cohort was associated with an increased risk of IgG deficiency and a higher incidence of serious infections. Lymphopenia was detected in 25 patients, though it was not directly linked to the occurrence of serious infections.ConclusionOur work confirms the tolerability and safety of anti-CD20 drugs in a real-world clinical practice MS cohort, despite their frequent association with analytical changes such as lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. To better understand the clinical significance of hypogammaglobulinemia secondary to anti-CD20 treatment and to develop strategies for mitigating the associated potential infection risk, future studies with larger populations are essential.

IntroductionUltrasound imaging (US) is the method of choice to assess the canine prostate gland. Whilst recent studies have documented the role of castration in the development of prostatic neoplasia, little is known about parenchymal and perfusion features of the normal and abnormal prostate in neutered dogs. No data are available concerning prostatic changes after the first 90 days following castration. The present study aimed to acquire data on the long-term ultrasonographic changes occurring to the canine prostate after castration.Materials and methodsTen adult neutered dogs underwent B-mode US and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the prostate on two occasions: day of the first examination (T0) and six years later (T1). The prostate was evaluated via B-mode US and the volume was calculated using Atalan’s formula. For CEUS examination, an intravenous contrast agent (SonoVue) was administered to assess prostatic perfusion. Videoclips were recorded, and time-intensity curves were obtained to determine contrast parameters: peak enhancement (PPI) and time to peak (TTP). Volumetric and perfusion results were then compared between timepoints.ResultsAt both examinations, the prostate appeared similar on B-mode US in terms of morphology and echotexture, minimally decreasing in volume over time. Prostate perfusion was significantly reduced in all dogs between T0 and T1, with a PPI decrease from 54.9 to 29.6% and an increase in TTP from 26.3 to 47 s.DiscussionThese preliminary data provide baseline information on the B-mode appearance and CEUS measurements of the prostate gland of neutered dogs and suggest that prostatic involution after castration is not a short-term process but continues over several months.

Objectives: To describe the findings of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing (FEES) in asymptomatic young and older adults, comparing results across different age groups. Additionally, this study aims to test the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) as an instrument to identify dysphagia risk. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational analysis was conducted on a sample of individuals aged 20 and above, asymptomatic for dysphagia, stratified by age groups. The EAT-10 questionnaire was completed, and the FEES was employed to assess oropharyngeal swallowing function. Various parameters, including salivary stasis, swallowing reflex trigger, swallowing sequence, residue, penetration, and aspiration were blindly analyzed by two otolaryngologists. Results: A total of 184 participants were included, with a mean age of 44.7 ± 18.5 years. There was good to excellent agreement between examiners for FEES parameters. The EAT-10 score ≥3 suggested dysphagia risk in 7.6% (n = 14) of the sample, with no association with age or any FEES parameter. Individuals aged ≥80 years presented more residue (50%; n = 5/10) compared to younger individuals (11.5%; n = 20/174; p = 0.039). Salivary stasis was found exclusively in individuals aged ≥60 years (n = 5/39; 12.8%; p = 0.027). Age did not influence on the swallowing reflex trigger, swallowing sequence, penetration, and aspiration. Penetration was observed in 4.9% (n = 9) of subjects and aspiration occurred in 0.5% (n = 1) of subjects, with no statistical significance in age groups. Conclusion: Age does not have a linear influence on swallowing in healthy adults and elderly people. However, individuals aged ≥80 years showed a higher prevalence of residue, and individuals aged ≥60 years showed a higher prevalence of salivary stasis, suggesting an increased risk or presence of dysphagia. Other FEES parameters were not influenced by age. These findings provide valuable insights into the nuanced dynamics of swallowing across different age groups, emphasizing the importance of age-specific considerations in dysphagia assessment. Level of evidence: 4.