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Abstract Background Literature suggests colonic resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) instead of Hartmann’s procedure (HP) for the treatment of left-sided colonic emergencies. We aim to evaluate the surgical options globally used to treat patients with acute left-sided colonic emergencies and the factors that leading to the choice of treatment, comparing HP and RPA. Methods This is a prospective, international, multicenter, observational study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A total 1215 patients with left-sided colonic emergencies who required surgery were included from 204 centers during the period of March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. with a 1-year follow-up. Results 564 patients (43.1%) were females. The mean age was 65.9 ± 15.6 years. HP was performed in 697 (57.3%) patients and RPA in 384 (31.6%) cases. Complicated acute diverticulitis was the most common cause of left-sided colonic emergencies (40.2%), followed by colorectal malignancy (36.6%). Severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were higher in the HP group (P

Trust is predictive of civic cooperation and economic growth. Recently, the U.S. public has demonstrated increased partisan division and a surveyed decline in trust in institutions. There is a need to quantify individual and community levels of trust unobtrusively and at scale. Using observations of language across more than 16,000 Facebook users, along with their self-reported generalized trust score, we develop and evaluate a language-based assessment of generalized trust. We then apply the assessment to more than 1.6 billion geotagged tweets collected between 2009 and 2015 and derive estimates of trust across 2,041 U.S. counties. We find generalized trust was associated with more affiliative words (love, we, and friends) and less angry words (hate and stupid) but only had a weak association with social words primarily driven by strong negative associations with general othering terms (“they” and “people”). At the county level, associations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Gallup surveys suggest that people in high-trust counties were physically healthier and more satisfied with their community and their lives. Our study demonstrates that generalized trust levels can be estimated from language as a low-cost, unobtrusive method to monitor variations in trust in large populations.

Tic disorders (TDs) are neurodevelopmental conditions which affect 0.3–0.9% of individuals aged < 18 years. Although tics often improve or resolve spontaneously over time, treatment is often recommended. Pharmacological approaches are widely used as primary interventions. However, their side effects encouraged the development and the interest in nonpharmacological approaches, whose efficacy in pediatric populations remains poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments for children and adolescents with TDs. A literature review was performed using PubMed, EBSCOhost, and JABA databases up to 16 May 2024. Eligible articles were randomized controlled trials, written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals, investigating the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments in pediatric populations diagnosed with TDs. Significant evidence supported the efficacy of behavioral interventions such as the Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), its reduced version the Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT), and the Exposure and Relapse Prevention (ERP) in reducing tics and tic-related impairment among young people, as assessed through the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Behavioral interventions were generally effective in reducing tics, although some studies reported higher effects on motor tics when compared to vocal tics. High level of efficacy was observed for both face-to-face and online treatments. While future studies are needed to improve treatment effects, especially on vocal tics, as well as to have a better understanding of treatment components and modalities, taken together, the present findings support the use of nonpharmacological intervention for TDs in youth.

Hyperpolarization of the membrane potential (Em), a phenomenon regulated by SLO3 channels, stands as a central feature in sperm capacitation—a crucial process conferring upon sperm the ability to fertilize the oocyte. In vitro studies demonstrated that Em hyperpolarization plays a pivotal role in facilitating the mechanisms necessary for the development of hyperactivated motility (HA) and acrosomal exocytosis (AE) occurrence. Nevertheless, the physiological significance of sperm Em within the female reproductive tract remains unexplored. As an approach to this question, we studied sperm migration and AE incidence within the oviduct in the absence of Em hyperpolarization using a novel mouse model established by crossbreeding of SLO3 knock-out (KO) mice with EGFP/DsRed2 mice. Sperm from this model displays impaired HA and AE in vitro. Interestingly, examination of the female reproductive tract shows that SLO3 KO sperm can reach the ampulla, mirroring the quantity of sperm observed in wild-type (WT) counterparts, supporting that the HA needed to reach the fertilization site is not affected. However, a noteworthy distinction emerges—unlike WT sperm, the majority of SLO3 KO sperm arrive at the ampulla with their acrosomes still intact. Of the few SLO3 KO sperm that do manage to reach the oocytes within this location, fertilization does not occur, as indicated by the absence of sperm pronuclei in the MII-oocytes recovered post-mating. In vitro, SLO3 KO sperm fail to penetrate the ZP and fuse with the oocytes. Collectively, these results underscore the vital role of Em hyperpolarization in AE and fertilization within their physiological context, while also revealing that Em is not a prerequisite for the development of the HA motility, essential for sperm migration through the female tract to the ampulla.

Abstract The movement of viruses and other large macromolecular cargo through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is poorly understood. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provides an attractive model to interrogate this process. HIV-1 capsid (CA), the chief structural component of the viral core, is a critical determinant in nuclear transport of the virus. HIV-1 interactions with NPCs are dependent on CA, which makes direct contact with nucleoporins (Nups). Here we identify Nup35, Nup153, and POM121 to coordinately support HIV-1 nuclear entry. For Nup35 and POM121, this dependence was dependent cyclophilin A (CypA) interaction with CA. Mutation of CA or removal of soluble host factors changed the interaction with the NPC. Nup35 and POM121 make direct interactions with HIV-1 CA via regions containing phenylalanine glycine motifs (FG-motifs). Collectively, these findings provide additional evidence that the HIV-1 CA core functions as a macromolecular nuclear transport receptor (NTR) that exploits soluble host factors to modulate NPC requirements during nuclear invasion.

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is one of the most extensively distributed kinases among intracellular signal cascades, with a pivotal role in the regulation of various processes, including the capacitation of sperm cells. Traditional assessments of PKA activity relies on the utilization of [γ-32P] ATP and the Kemptide substrate. This methodology presents several major drawbacks, including high-costs and health risks derived from the manipulation of radioactive isotopes. In this work we introduce an enhanced non-radioactive assay for quantifying PKA activity, termed KiMSA which relies on the use of a fluorescent-labeled Kemptide (Kemptide-FITC). Once the kinase reaction is terminated, the products can be easily resolved through electrophoresis on an agarose gel and quantified by fluorescence densitometry. We show that the KiMSA assay is suitable for purified PKA, and also to address both basal and capacitation induced PKA activity in mouse sperm cells. Furthermore, the assay enables monitoring the inhibition of PKA with inhibitors such as sPKI and H-89 in live cells. Therefore, the experimental and optimal assay conditions are set so that the KiMSA assay can be used to either assess in vitro as well as in vivo PKA activity in sperm cells. Finally, this method allows for measurement of cAMP concentrations, rendering a versatile technique for the study of cAMP/PKA pathways.

Francisco Leocata propone una nueva reducción fenomenológica, que llama reducción vital, la cual nombra el centramiento del sujeto encarnado, la necesidad de sabernos traspasados por la historia y por los otros como punto de partida para la producción de conocimiento en el seno de nuestra experiencia de la vida. Esta reducción vital permite pensar al ser humano desde las diversas disciplinas científicas, en diálogo con la fenomenología y la metafísica. Si bien Leocata construye su fenomenología personalista sobre las bases de la fenomenología trascendental de Edmund Husserl, en este trabajo queremos resaltar las posibilidades que se abren a partir de un diálogo más estrecho con Merleau-Ponty, quien ha subrayado el carácter interdisciplinar de la fenomenología.

IntroductionPost-stroke hemiplegia commonly occurs in stroke survivors, negatively impacting the quality of life. Despite the benefits of initial specific post-acute treatments at the hospitals, motor functions, and physical mobility need to be constantly stimulated to avoid regression and subsequent hospitalizations for further rehabilitation treatments.MethodThis preliminary study proposes using gamified tasks in a virtual environment to stimulate and maintain upper limb mobility through a single RGB-D camera-based vision system (using Microsoft Azure Kinect DK). This solution is suitable for easy deployment and use in home environments. A cohort of 10 post-stroke subjects attended a 2-week gaming protocol consisting of Lateral Weightlifting (LWL) and Frontal Weightlifting (FWL) gamified tasks and gait as the instrumental evaluation task.Results and discussionDespite its short duration, there were statistically significant results (p < 0.05) between the baseline (T0) and the end of the protocol (TF) for Berg Balance Scale and Time Up-and-Go (9.8 and −12.3%, respectively). LWL and FWL showed significant results for unilateral executions: rate in FWL had an overall improvement of 38.5% (p < 0.001) and 34.9% (p < 0.01) for the paretic and non-paretic arm, respectively; similarly, rate in LWL improved by 19.9% (p < 0.05) for the paretic arm and 29.9% (p < 0.01) for non-paretic arm. Instead, bilateral executions had significant results for rate and speed: considering FWL, there was an improvement in rate with p < 0.01 (31.7% for paretic arm and 37.4% for non-paretic arm), whereas speed improved by 31.2% (p < 0.05) and 41.7% (p < 0.001) for the paretic and non-paretic arm, respectively; likewise, LWL showed improvement in rate with p < 0.001 (29.0% for paretic arm and 27.8% for non-paretic arm) and in speed with 23.6% (p < 0.05) and 23.5% (p < 0.01) for the paretic and non-paretic arms, respectively. No significant results were recorded for gait task, although an overall good improvement was detected for arm swing asymmetry (−22.6%). Hence, this study suggests the potential benefits of continuous stimulation of upper limb function through gamified exercises and performance monitoring over medium-long periods in the home environment, thus facilitating the patient's general mobility in daily activities.

The classical linear regression model allows for a continuous quantitative variable to be modeled simply from other variables. However, this model assumes independence between observations, which, if ignored, can lead to methodological issues. Additionally, not all data follow a normal distribution, prompting the need for alternative modeling methods. In this context, geographically weighted beta regression (GWBR) incorporates spatial dependence into the modeling process and analyzes rates or proportions using the beta distribution. In this study, GWBR was applied to the traffic injury (fatal and non-fatal) crash proportions in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, from 2009 to 2011. The results demonstrated that the local approach using the beta distribution is a viable model for explaining the traffic injury crash proportions, due to its flexibility in handling both symmetric and skewed distributions. Therefore, when analyzing rates or proportions, the use of the GWBR model is recommended.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable rare neurodegenerative condition, with 45% of cases showing the symptom of dysphagia; its clinical signs are atrophy, weakness, and fasciculations of the facial muscles, tongue, and pharynx. Furthermore, dysphagia is the main cause of aspiration pneumonia. The traditional treatment for dysphagia varies based on the patient’s difficulty of swallowing. The initial phase consists of dietary consistency adjustments, progressing to alternatives like nasogastric tubes or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in advanced stages. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a complementary ‘hands-on’ approach that has already shown positive results as an add-on therapy in various health conditions. This study is a case report of a man diagnosed with ALS with initial dysphagia, managed with a protocol that extraordinarily included OMT. The patient showed somatic dysfunctions in the mediastinal region, upper cervical region, and occipital area which are all anatomically related to the nervous system, especially the glossopharyngeal reflex. At the end of the rehabilitation protocol, there was a reduction in the swallowing problems measured with Strand Scale and swallowing tests, and the patient reported an improved psycho-physical well-being assessed with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40). Instead, the neurological function measured with ALSFRS-S remained stable. Although the nature of this study design prevents any causal assumption, the positive results should lead to future randomized controlled trials to assess the effectiveness of OMT as an adjunctive therapeutic proposal to improve the health of ALS patients.

Background. Clinicians employ foot morphology assessment to evaluate the functionality of the method and anticipate possible injuries. This study aims to correlate static foot posture and the dynamic barefoot evaluation in a sample of healthy adult participants. Methods. The foot posture was evaluated using the Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6) and the dynamics were evaluated through baropodometric examination. Two operators independently assessed the participants’ foot posture through FPI-6, and then a dynamic evaluation was performed by asking them to walk 8 times across a platform. One hundred participants (mean age: 32.15 ± 7.49) were enrolled. Results. The inter-rater agreement between the two assessors was found to be excellent. The majority of the feet belonged to the 0 < FPI < 4 class (32%), followed by the 4 < FPI < 8 (31%) and the FPI > 8 ranges (19.5%). Our “area of contact” analysis showed a significant poor correlation between FPI and total foot, midfoot, and the second metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) (−0.3 < r < 0). Regarding “force” parameters, the analysis showed a poor correlation between the midfoot, hallux, and the second toe (−0.2 < r < 2); finally the “pressure” analysis showed a poor correlation between FPI, the fourth MTPJ, and the second toe (−0.2 < rs < 0.3) and a moderate correlation between the hallux (r = 0.374) and the fifth MTPJ (r = 0.427). Conclusions. This study emphasizes the constrained correlation between static foot posture observation and dynamic barefoot examination.

This paper details a cross-cultural study of inclusive leadership practices within a basic education context in each of the following countries: Australia, Canada, and Colombia. Each school was selected after district educational leaders identified the school as being inclusive of students with diverse learning needs over an extended period of time. The researchers were particularly interested in the norms and assumptions that were evident within conversations because these were viewed as indicators of the nature of the embedded school culture within each context. School leaders and teachers were interviewed to determine the link between rhetoric and reality, and what inclusion 'looked like', 'felt like', and 'sounded like' at each site, and whether any discernible differences could be attributed to societal culture. A refractive phenomenological case study approach was used to capture the messages within each context and the lived experiences of the participants as they sought to cater for the needs of students. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with school leaders and teaching staff. Each researcher conducted environmental observations, documenting the impressions and insights gained from the more implicit messages communicated verbally, non-verbally, and experientially from school structures, visuals, and school ground interactions. Themes were collated from the various narratives that were recounted. Both similarities and distinct socio-cultural differences emerged.

Leukocytes possess the ability to migrate upstream—against the direction of flow—on surfaces of specific chemistry. Upstream migration was first characterized in vitro for T-cells on surfaces comprised of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Upstream migration occurs when the integrin receptor αLβ2 (also known as lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, or LFA-1) binds to ICAM-1. LFA-1/ICAM-1 interactions are ubiquitous and are widely found in leukocyte trafficking. Upstream migration would be employed after cells come to arrest on the apical surface of the endothelium and might confer an advantage for both trans-endothelial migration and tissue surveillance. It has now been shown that several other motile amoeboid cells which have the responsibility of trafficking from blood vessels into tissues, such as Marginal zone B cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and neutrophils (when macrophage-1 antigen, Mac-1, is blocked), can also migrate upstream on ICAM-1 surfaces. This review will summarize what is known about the basic mechanisms of upstream migration, which cells have displayed this phenomenon, and the possible role of upstream migration in physiology and tissue homeostasis.

Disruption of cyclophilin A (CypA)-capsid interactions affects HIV-1 replication in human lymphocytes. To understand this mechanism, we utilize human Jurkat cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and CD4+ T cells. Our results show that inhibition of HIV-1 infection caused by disrupting CypA-capsid interactions is dependent on human tripartite motif 5α (TRIM5αhu), showing that TRIM5αhu restricts HIV-1 in CD4+ T cells. Accordingly, depletion of TRIM5αhu in CD4+ T cells rescues HIV-1 that fail to interact with CypA, such as HIV-1-P90A. We found that TRIM5αhu binds to the HIV-1 core. Disruption of CypA-capsid interactions fail to affect HIV-1-A92E/G94D infection, correlating with the loss of TRIM5αhu binding to HIV-1-A92E/G94D cores. Disruption of CypA-capsid interactions in primary cells has a greater inhibitory effect on HIV-1 when compared to Jurkat cells. Consistent with TRIM5α restriction, disruption of CypA-capsid interactions in CD4+ T cells inhibits reverse transcription. Overall, our results reveal that CypA binding to the core protects HIV-1 from TRIM5αhu restriction.

Mechanical interactions between tumors and the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the surrounding tissues have profound effects on a wide variety of cellular functions. An underappreciated mediator of tumor-ECM interactions is the glycocalyx, the sugar-decorated proteins and lipids that act as a buffer between the tumor and the ECM, which in turn mediates all cell-tissue mechanics. Importantly, tumors have an increase in the density of the glycocalyx, which in turn increases the tension of the cell membrane, alters tissue mechanics, and drives a more cancerous phenotype. In this review, we describe the basic components of the glycocalyx and the glycan moieties implicated in cancer. Next, we examine the important role the glycocalyx plays in driving tension-mediated cancer cell signaling through a self-enforcing feedback loop that expands the glycocalyx and furthers cancer progression. Finally, we discuss current tools used to edit the composition of the glycocalyx and the future challenges in leveraging these tools into a novel tractable approach to treat cancer.

Proteoglycans are a diverse group of molecules which are characterized by a central protein backbone that is decorated with a variety of linear sulfated glycosaminoglycan side chains. Proteoglycans contribute significantly to the biochemical and mechanical properties of the interstitial extracellular matrix where they modulate cellular behavior by engaging transmembrane receptors. Proteoglycans also comprise a major component of the cellular glycocalyx to influence transmembrane receptor structure/function and mechanosignaling. Through their ability to initiate biochemical and mechanosignaling in cells, proteoglycans elicit profound effects on proliferation, adhesion and migration. Pathologies including cancer and cardiovascular disease are characterized by perturbed expression of proteoglycans where they compromise cell and tissue behavior by stiffening the extracellular matrix and increasing the bulkiness of the glycocalyx. Increasing evidence indicates that a bulky glycocalyx and proteoglycan-enriched extracellular matrix promote malignant transformation, increase cancer aggression and alter anti-tumor therapy response. In this review, we focus on the contribution of proteoglycans to mechanobiology in the context of normal and transformed tissues. We discuss the significance of proteoglycans for therapy response, and the current experimental strategies that target proteoglycans to sensitize cancer cells to treatment.

The presented Mean-Shift Super Resolution (MSSR) algorithm can extend spatial resolution within a single microscopy image. Its applicability extends across a wide range of experimental and instrumental configurations and it is compatible with other super-resolution microscopy approaches.

Abstract Background The use of dental implants in the prosthetic rehabilitation of the posterior atrophic maxilla might be a challenge procedure because of low bone quantity and quality. This study aimed to report cases of implant displacement or migration into the maxillary sinus treated from 2008 to 2021. Materials and methods All patients with unintentional insertion and/or displacement of dental implants into the maxillary sinus cavity that underwent surgical removal were included. Variables assessed included the patients’ characteristics, past medical history, clinical and radiological findings at presentation, surgical approach (transoral, transnasal, combined), and outcome. Results A total of forty patients (23 male, 17 female) underwent surgical removal of dental implant displaced in the maxillary sinus. The mean age was 52,3 + 11,3 years. Seven patients presented with oro-antral fistula (OAF). In 15 cases, an ostium obstruction was diagnosed. Twenty-five patients underwent transoral surgery under local anesthesia. Eleven patients were treated solely via transnasal endoscopic approach, and four patients who had an associated OAF underwent surgery through a combined transnasal and transoral approach. All patients healed uneventfully without complications. Conclusion These results and recent literature validate that transoral and transnasal approach, or a combination of these procedures, can be used safely to treat complications following displacement/migration of dental implants in the maxillary sinus. Early surgical removal minimizes sinus inflammation and prevents more invasive procedures. Each procedure presents specific indications that must be carefully evaluated prior to treatment choice to optimize intervention outcomes.

Somatic dysfunction (SD) is an altered body function involving the musculoskeletal system. However, its clinical signs—tissue texture abnormalities, positional asymmetry, restricted range of motion, and tissue tenderness—did not achieve satisfactory results for reliability. A recent theoretical model proposed a revision assessing the movement variability around the joint rest position. The asymmetry and restriction of motion may characterize functional assessment in osteopathic clinical practice, demonstrating the reliability required. Hence, this study investigated the reliability of the new variability model (VM) with gait analysis (GA). Three blind examiners tested 27 young healthy subjects for asymmetry of motion around rest position and the SD grade on six body regions. The results were compared to the VICON procedure for 3D-GA. The inter-rater agreement for the detection of reduced movement variability ranged from 0.78 to 0.54, whereas for SD, grade ranged from 0.64 to 0.47. VM had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.62 and 0.53, respectively, in SD detection compared to step length normality. Global severity grade of SD demonstrated moderate to good correlation with spatial-temporal parameters. The VM showed palpatory reliability and validity with spatial–temporal parameters in GA. Those findings contribute to the innovation for SD examination with implications for the clinical practice.

Tic disorders (TDs) are neurodevelopmental conditions which affect 0.3–0.9% of individuals aged < 18 years. Although tics often improve or resolve spontaneously over time, treatment is often recommended. Pharmacological approaches are widely used as primary interventions. However, their side effects encouraged the development and the interest in nonpharmacological approaches, whose efficacy in pediatric populations remains poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments for children and adolescents with TDs. A literature review was performed using PubMed, EBSCOhost, and JABA databases up to 16 May 2024. Eligible articles were randomized controlled trials, written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals, investigating the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments in pediatric populations diagnosed with TDs. Significant evidence supported the efficacy of behavioral interventions such as the Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), its reduced version the Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT), and the Exposure and Relapse Prevention (ERP) in reducing tics and tic-related impairment among young people, as assessed through the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. Behavioral interventions were generally effective in reducing tics, although some studies reported higher effects on motor tics when compared to vocal tics. High level of efficacy was observed for both face-to-face and online treatments. While future studies are needed to improve treatment effects, especially on vocal tics, as well as to have a better understanding of treatment components and modalities, taken together, the present findings support the use of nonpharmacological intervention for TDs in youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In osteopathy, it becomes necessary to produce high-quality evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness. The aim of this meta-research study is to assess the reporting quality of RCTs published in the osteopathic field. Methods: The protocol was preliminarily registered on the "Open Science Framework (OSF)" website. For reporting, we considered the PRISMA 2020 checklist. We included all the RCTs, published between 2011 and 2023, investigating the effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in any possible condition. The search process was conducted on four major biomedical databases including PubMed, Central, Scopus and Embase. A data extraction form was implemented to collect all relevant information. The completeness of reporting was calculated as the percentage of adherence to the CONSORT checklist; the Cochrane ROB 2 tool was considered to assess the risk of bias (RoB) in the following five major domains: randomization (D1), interventions (D2), missing data (D3), outcome measurement (D4), selective reporting (D5). Results: A total of 131 studies were included and the overall adherence was 57%, with the worst section being "other information" (42%). Studies with a lower RoB showed higher adherence to the CONSORT. The "results" section presented the highest differences as follows: D1 (−36.7%), D2 (−27.2%), D3 (−21.5%) and D5 (−25.5%). Significant correlations were also found between the preliminary protocol registration, higher journal quartile, publication in hybrid journals and the completeness of reporting (β: 19.22, CI: 14.45–24.00, p < 0.001; β: 5.41; CI: 2.80–8.02, p ≤ 0.001; β: 5.64, CI: 1.06–10.23, p = 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: The adherence to the CONSORT checklist in osteopathic RCTs is lacking. An association was found between a lower completeness of reporting and a higher RoB, a good journal ranking, publication in hybrid journals and a prospective protocol registration. Journals and authors should adopt all the strategies to adhere to reporting guidelines to guarantee generalization of the results arising from RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent exponential increase in information available online has not only increased access to information about celebrities, but also decreased the degree to which that information is unambiguously positive. In the current work, we examined how positive celebrities (i.e. celebrities who are primarily admired) versus more ambiguous celebrities (i.e. celebrities about whom people have mixed feelings) differentially affect feelings about the self. Across three studies, we found that high attachment anxiety was associated with assimilating positive celebrities to feel better about the self, whereas attachment avoidance was associated with contrasting ambivalent celebrities to feel better to feel better about the self. Implications for parasocial relationships, social comparison, and attachment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive technique used to discriminate thyroid carcinoma (TC) patients from healthy controls (HC) employing cold-stress protocols. This study investigated the capability of IRT to identify TC, thyroid adenoma (TA), and HC without cold-stress protocols. Eleven participants were enrolled, and the maximum temperature showed the best performance in discriminating the three groups, with a difference between the pathological and healthy sides (left vs. right for HC) of 1.15 °C (±0.34 °C) for TC, 0.51 °C (±0.12 °C) for TA, and 0.11 °C (±0.09 °C) for HC. These results could foster the employment of IRT for a non-invasive thyroid tumor diagnosis.

The exclusive expression of CatSper in sperm and its critical role in sperm function makes this channel an attractive target for contraception. The strategy of blocking CatSper as a male, non-hormonal contraceptive has not been fully explored due to the lack of robust screening methods to discover novel and specific inhibitors. The reason for this lack of appropriate methodology is the structural and functional complexity of this channel. We have developed a high-throughput method to screen drugs with the capacity to block CatSper in mammalian sperm. The assay is based on removing external free divalent cations by chelation, inducing CatSper to efficiently conduct monovalent cations. Since Na+ is highly concentrated in the extracellular milieu, a sudden influx depolarizes the cell. Using CatSper1 KO sperm we demonstrated that this depolarization depends on CatSper function. A membrane potential (Em) assay was combined with fluorescent cell barcoding (FCB), enabling higher throughput flow cytometry based on unique fluorescent signatures of different sperm samples. These differentially labeled samples incubated in distinct experimental conditions can be combined into one tube for simultaneous acquisition. In this way, acquisition times are highly reduced, which is essential to perform larger screening experiments for drug discovery using live cells. Altogether, a simple strategy for assessing CatSper was validated, and this assay was used to develop a high-throughput drug screening for new CatSper blockers.