Calhoungolden1942
es. The unilateral difference of H reflex amplitude and H/M ratio may suggest asymmetrical central inhibitory dysfunction. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are now needed to evaluate the pathophysiology of RLS with different neurophysiological assessment tools.Introduction Smoking is a key modifiable risk factor in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS healthcare providers have a central role informing people of the deleterious effects of smoking on MS progression and promote smoking cessation, yet there is limited information about smoking cessation and support provided by these providers. This study aimed to gain an understanding of MS healthcare providers current practices, barriers and facilitators related to providing smoking cessation support for people with MS. Methods A total of 13 MS nurses and 6 neurologists working in public and private MS clinics across Australia were recruited through professional networks and MS organisations. Telephone interviews were conducted, transcribed and evaluated using framework analysis. Results MS nurses and neurologists reported that they routinely assess smoking status of people with MS at initial appointments and less regularly also at follow-up appointments. Clinicians considered it important to provide information about smoking impact on MS health outcomes and advise to cease smoking, but the content and delivery varies. Beyond this, some clinicians offer referral for smoking cessation support, while others stated this was not their responsibility, especially in light of competing priorities. Many were unsure about referral pathways and options, requiring more information, training and resources. Conclusion Results of this research indicate that there is potential to improve support for MS clinicians to promote smoking cessation among people with MS. Smoking cessation support may include tailored patient resources, clinician training and stronger collaboration with smoking cessation service providers.Whether vitamin C (VitC) supplementation can decrease multiple sclerosis (MS) risk remains controversial. Using data from large-scale genome-wide association studies, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between plasma circulating VitC levels and MS comprehensively. MR analysis did not support the causality between genetically determined per 1 standard deviation increase (around 20 mmol/L) in circulating VitC levels and MS risk (OR 0.88, 95%CI 0.65-1.18, P = 0.3822), supported by complementary sensitivity analyses, including the weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier test methods.
Despite growing interest in diet and dietary interventions in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), few studies have examined dietary intake and characteristics within this population. The objectives of this study were to prospectively describe and compare nutrition assessment parameters related to the diet, including daily food intake, nutrient intake, eating behaviours, and other dietary characteristics (i.e., specific diets, food preparation, and food security) between PwMS and controls without multiple sclerosis (MS).
This study used a cross-sectional design in 60 PwMS and 60 matched controls. read more All participants completed a 3-day food intake record and questionnaires. Dietary intake was analysed with and without supplements using ESHA Food Processor SQL. Differences in dietary intake by group and supplement intake were examined using mixed-model ANOVAs.
There were differences in average daily micronutrient intake between groups for vitamins D, B12, and C, omega 3 fatty acids, and phosphorous. Through supplement use, PwMS consumed significantly more vitamin D, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, and zinc than controls. There was no difference in dietary behaviours or other dietary characteristics between groups.
Results suggest that dietary intake was similar in persons with and without MS. The few differences in dietary intake between groups were mostly accounted for by supplement intake in PwMS. Further studies are needed to continue exploring dietary intake in PwMS.
Results suggest that dietary intake was similar in persons with and without MS. The few differences in dietary intake between groups were mostly accounted for by supplement intake in PwMS. Further studies are needed to continue exploring dietary intake in PwMS.Variations in iodinated aromatic disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the presence of I- and organic compounds as a function of reaction time in different molar ratios (MRs) of HOClNH3-N were investigated. Up to 17 kinds of iodinated aromatic DBPs were identified in the breakpoint chlorination of iodide (I-)/organic (phenol, bisphenol S (BPS) and p-nitrophenol (p-NP)) systems, and the possible pathways for the formation of iodinated aromatic DBPs were proposed. The reaction pathways include HOCl/HOI electrophilic substitution and oxidation, while the dominant iodinated DBPs were quantified. In the I-/phenol system (pH = 7.0), the sum of the concentrations of four iodinated aliphatic DBPs ranged from 0.32 to 1.04 μM (triiodomethane (TIM), dichloroiodomethane (DCIM), diiodochloromethane (DICM) and monoiodoacetic acid (MIAA)), while the concentration of 4-iodophenol ranged from 2.99 to 12.87 μM. The concentration of iodinated aromatic DBPs remained stable with an MR = 11. When the MR was 61, iodinated aromatic DBPs decreased with increasing reaction time, in which the main disinfectant in the system was active chlorine. This study proposed the formation mechanism of iodinated aromatic DBPs during the breakpoint chlorination of iodide-containing water. These results can be used to control the formation of hazardous iodinated aromatic DBPs in the disinfection of iodine containing water.A portion of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed the virus and its genetic material in respiratory fluids, saliva, urine, and stool, thus giving the potential to monitor for infections via wastewater. Wastewater surveillance efforts to date have largely assumed that stool shedding has been the primary source of SARS-CoV-2 RNA signal; however, there are increasing questions about the possible contribution of other shedding routes, with implications for wastewater surveillance design and feasibility. In this study we used clinical SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding data and a Monte Carlo framework to assess the relative contribution of various shedding routes on SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in wastewater. Stool shedding dominated total SARS-CoV-2 RNA load for community-level surveillance, with mean contributions more than two orders of magnitude greater than other shedding routes. However, RNA loads were more nuanced when considering building-level monitoring efforts designed to identify a single infected individual, where any shedding route could plausibly contribute a detectable signal. The greatest source of model variability was viral load in excreta, suggesting that future modeling efforts may be improved by incorporating specific modeling scenarios with precise SARS-CoV-2 shedding data, and beyond that wastewater surveillance must continue to account for large variability during data analysis and reporting. Importantly, the findings imply that wastewater surveillance at finer spatial scales is not entirely dependent on shedding via feces for sensitive detection of infections thus enlarging the potential use cases of wastewater as a non-intrusive surveillance methodology.In the present study, we investigated the responses of microbial respiration and community structure, enzyme activity and DTPA-extractable Pb within 60 days of incubation in soils treated with Pb and nano-ZnO. The results showed that when the concentration of nano-ZnO exceeded 10 mg/kg, the concentration of DTPA-extractable Pb significantly decreased by 10.6%-21.3% on the 60th day of the experiment. The addition of nano-ZnO decreased the Pb-contaminated soil pH from 6.18 to 6.08 at 7 days, which is part of the reason for the β-glucosidase activity change. Ten mg/kg nano-ZnO significantly reduced the qCO2 value, which represented the microbial energy demand for the conversion of carbon sources into biomass. Nano-ZnO improved the microbial diversity and richness of some metal-tolerant bacteria at 60 days. The findings provide deeper insight into the responses of soil microbes and Pb bioavailability in the presence of nano-ZnO particles.
In clinical practice, eye movements can provide an early diagnostic marker for early onset ataxia (EOA). However, quantitative oculomotor assessment is not included in the most frequently used and age-validated ataxia rating scale in children, the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). We aimed to investigate the applicability of semi-quantitative eye movement assessment by the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS
) and Ocular Motion Score (OMS
) complementary to SARA measurements in children.
In 52 typically developing children (aged 4-16 years; n=4 per year of age), three independent assessors scored saccadic eye movements and ocular pursuit according to the ICARS
and matching parameters from the OMS
. For ICARS
, we determined 1) construct validity for coordinated eye movements by correlation with OMS
, ICARS
and SARA subscale scores, 2) agreement percentage and inter-rater agreement (Fleiss Kappa) and 3) age-dependency.
Spearman's rank correlations of ICARS
that ICARSOCM can reliably contribute to coordination assessment, complementary to the SARA subscales.
Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment for selected patients with focal intractable epilepsy. Complete removal of the epileptogenic zone significantly increases the chances for postoperative seizure-freedom. In complex surgical candidates, delineation of the epileptogenic zone requires a long-term invasive video/EEG from intracranial electrodes. It is especially challenging to achieve a complete resection in deep brain structures such as opercular-insular cortex. We report a novel approach utilizing intraoperative visual detection of stereotactically implanted depth electrodes to inform and guide the extent of surgical resection.
We retrospectively reviewed data of pediatric patients operated in Motol Epilepsy Center between October 2010 and June 2020 who underwent resections guided by intraoperative visual detection of depth electrodes following SEEG. The outcome in terms of seizure- and AED-freedom was assessed individually in each patient.
Nineteen patients (age at surgery 2.9-18.6 years, median 13 years) were included in the study. The epileptogenic zone involved opercular-insular cortex in eighteen patients. The intraoperative detection of the electrodes was successful in seventeen patients and the surgery was regarded complete in sixteen. Thirteen patients were seizure-free at final follow-up including six drug-free cases. The successful intraoperative detection of the electrodes was associated with favorable outcome in terms of achieving complete resection and seizure-freedom in most cases. On the contrary, the patients in whom the procedure failed had poor postsurgical outcome.
The reported technique helps to achieve the complete resection in challenging patients with the epileptogenic zone in deep brain structures.
The reported technique helps to achieve the complete resection in challenging patients with the epileptogenic zone in deep brain structures.
