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Dyslexia: a window into the cortical mechanisms of adaptive speech analysis.
No full textAtypical phonological processing is at the core of developmental dyslexia and is linked to aberrant tracking and analysis of auditory information in the cortex. Despite the importance of these mechanisms for speech processing and linguistic development, oral language comprehension in dyslexia remains largely intact. Recent findings suggest that dyslexia-linked atypical cortical processing patterns reflect both underlying deficits and compensatory strategies. This review synthesizes recent evidence linking atypical cortical tracking of auditory information in dyslexia, language development, and neurocognitive mechanisms of adaptive and resilient speech comprehension. We propose hemispheric rebalancing of linguistic analysis as a key compensatory mechanism in dyslexia, supported by interhemispheric connectivity within the distributed bilateral language network and greater reliance on lexico-semantic features during speech processing
Fostering learning among the next generation of veterinarians: incorporating one health and antimicrobial stewardship into veterinary medicine training curricula in Ethiopia.
No full textUniversities play a crucial role in educating and training veterinarians, and their fostering of learning among the next generation of students is widely regarded as key to bringing about the cultural change required to realise a transition towards a 'One Health' approach to managing human, animal, and environmental health and underpin widespread adoption of antimicrobial stewardship practices. In Africa, there is a paucity of studies that have explored how veterinary training curricula are influencing veterinary medicine students' perceptions of 'One Health' and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship. This study takes Ethiopia as a case study and explores how veterinary medicine students' training influences perceptions regarding the benefits of taking a 'One Health' approach to managing public health risks and adhering to rational antimicrobial prescription practices and drug use. Data for this study were collected through an online questionnaire survey administered to 154 veterinary students at universities across Ethiopia. We found that the veterinary students were interested in receiving training related to the 'One Health' concept and indicated that such training would increase the likelihood that, upon graduation, they would be competent practitioners who could collaborate with other health sectors practitioners in addressing public health challenges. The students perceived a gap in the veterinary training curricula regarding rational antimicrobial prescribing and drug use; this is a concern given that antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem in Ethiopia and worldwide. The results of this study underscore that veterinary training curricula play a key role in shaping students' mindsets and practice, and that the provision of information, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary practical training, and mentorship is key to fostering the learning required to ensure that students are holistic practitioners with the knowledge and capacity to implement at 'One Health' approach and antimicrobial stewardship in the future careers. The results highlight the imperative and opportunity for higher education institutions, particularly universities, and policymakers to ensure that national veterinary curricula are cognisant of and aligned with emerging approaches-such as the One Health approach, which advocates for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration and communication - to managing the risks posed by infectious diseases to public health
Near-infrared Variability Detected in the Young Star-forming Dwarf Galaxy SBS 0335-052E
No full textSBS 0335-052E is a young star-forming dwarf galaxy with a total stellar mass of M* ≲ 108M⊙ and an extremely low metallicity (Z ∼ 1/40Z⊙), which has long been considered to be devoid of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Here, we report the detection of temporal flux variability of SBS 0335-052E in near-infrared (NIR) 3–4 μm bands on timescales of several years, showing dimming and brightening of up to 50% over 14 yr, based on archival data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Our spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting of archival ultraviolet (UV)-NIR photometry, including AGN SED models, indicates that the variable NIR emission arises from an edge-on AGN dust torus. The UV-optical emission from the accretion disk is obscured and does not reach us, leading to the dominance of the host galaxy’s young stellar population in the UV-optical wavelengths. This analysis favors the presence of a Compton-thick, heavily obscured AGN in SBS 0335-052E, consistent with its observed X-ray weakness. From the SED fitting, we estimate an AGN bolometric luminosity of Lbol = 1.2 × 1043 erg s−1, which implies a black hole (BH) mass of MBH ≃ 105M⊙ if the AGN is accreting at the Eddington limit. If confirmed, SBS 0335-052E would be the least massive galaxy known to host an AGN, likely harboring an intermediate-mass BH
Magnetic resonance imaging pattern recognition of metabolic and neurodegenerative encephalopathies in dogs and cats
Full text linkMetabolic/neurodegenerative encephalopathies encompass a wide list of conditions that share similar clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, challenging the diagnostic process and resulting in numerous tests performed in order to reach a definitive diagnosis. The aims of this multicentric, retrospective and descriptive study are: (I) to describe the MRI features of dogs and cats with metabolic/neurodegenerative encephalopathies; (II) to attempt an MRI recognition pattern classifying these conditions according to the involvement of grey matter, white matter or both; and (III) to correlate the MRI findings with previous literature. A total of 100 cases were recruited, comprising 81 dogs and 19 cats. These included hepatic encephalopathy (20 dogs and three cats), myelinolysis (five dogs), intoxications (seven dogs and one cat), thiamine deficiency (two dogs and seven cats), hypertensive encephalopathy (three dogs and two cats), neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (11 dogs and one cat), gangliosidosis (three dogs and two cats), fucosidosis (one dog), L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (13 dogs and one cat), Lafora disease (11 dogs), spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (one dog) and cerebellar cortical degeneration (four dogs and two cats). None of the hepatic encephalopathies showed the previously described T1-weighted hyperintensity of the lentiform nuclei. Instead, there was involvement of the cerebellar nuclei (8/23), which is a feature not previously described. Dogs with myelinolysis showed novel involvement of a specific grey matter structure, the claustrum (5/5). Thiamine deficiency affected numerous deep grey nuclei with novel involvement of the oculomotor nuclei (3/9), thalamic nuclei, subthalamus and cerebellar nuclei (1/9). Cats with hypertensive encephalopathy had a more extensive distribution of the white matter changes when compared to dogs, extending from the parietal and occipital lobes into the frontal lobes with associated mass effect and increased brain volume. Lysosomal storage disease showed white matter involvement only, with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis characterised by severe brain atrophy when compared to gangliosidosis and fucosidosis. All patients with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria had a characteristic T2-weighted hyperintense swelling of the cerebral and cerebellar cortical grey matter, resulting in increased brain volume. Lafora disease cases showed either normal brain morphology (5/11) or mild brain atrophy (6/11). Dogs with cerebellar cortical degeneration had more marked cerebellar atrophy when compared to cats. This study shows the important role of MRI in distinguishing different metabolic/neurodegenerative encephalopathies according to specific imaging characteristics
Cosmology intertwined: A review of the particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology associated with the cosmological tensions and anomalies
Full text linkThe standard Λ Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model provides a good description of a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological data. However, there are a few big open questions that make the standard model look like an approximation to a more realistic scenario yet to be found. In this paper, we list a few important goals that need to be addressed in the next decade, taking into account the current discordances between the different cosmological probes, such as the disagreement in the value of the Hubble constant H 0 , the σ 8 – S 8 tension, and other less statistically significant anomalies. While these discordances can still be in part the result of systematic errors, their persistence after several years of accurate analysis strongly hints at cracks in the standard cosmological scenario and the necessity for new physics or generalisations beyond the standard model. In this paper, we focus on the 5.0 σ tension between the Planck CMB estimate of the Hubble constant H 0 and the SH0ES collaboration measurements. After showing the H 0 evaluations made from different teams using different methods and geometric calibrations, we list a few interesting new physics models that could alleviate this tension and discuss how the next decade's experiments will be crucial. Moreover, we focus on the tension of the Planck CMB data with weak lensing measurements and redshift surveys, about the value of the matter energy density Ω m , and the amplitude or rate of the growth of structure ( σ 8 , f σ 8 ). We list a few interesting models proposed for alleviating this tension, and we discuss the importance of trying to fit a full array of data with a single model and not just one parameter at a time. Additionally, we present a wide range of other less discussed anomalies at a statistical significance level lower than the H 0 – S 8 tensions which may also constitute hints towards new physics, and we discuss possible generic theoretical approaches that can collectively explain the non-standard nature of these signals. Finally, we give an overview of upgraded experiments and next-generation space missions and facilities on Earth that will be of crucial importance to address all these open questions
Differing growth dynamics in seed-grown planar vertical chemical gardens.
Full text linkChemical gardens are self-assembled structures of semi-permeable precipitates. They are considered laboratory analogues of hydrothermal vents and can potentially be used for functional chemobrionic materials. In this work, the behaviour of chemical gardens grown from magnesium chloride seeds in sodium silicate solutions in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell has been investigated. The chemical gardens exhibited non-isotropic radial growth - fastest at the bottom and slowest at the top. In each direction, the radial growth can be modelled by a diffusion-controlled law. The relative pressure at the centre of the chemical garden underwent an initial, gradual growth, followed by a rapid increase that turned into a plateau. Upward tubular growth was observed for higher silicate concentrations, and the onset of upward tubular growth has been found to correlate with the onset of rapid pressurisation. The results may have implications on the formation mechanisms of hydrothermal vent flanges
Patient experience and preference while waiting for elective cardiac surgery: a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey across four major National Health Service hospitals in London
Full text linkObjectives: Waiting for cardiac surgery is a stressful life event for most patients. Exploring what people experience while waiting and understanding their preferences and views on how waiting time could be improved will help to inform new strategies for more efficacious waiting list management. In this study, we explored experiences and views of people waiting for elective cardiac surgery across four major London hospitals. Design: Mixed-methods cross-sectional survey, with explanatory concurrent design. Setting: Four cardiac surgery services across two National Health Service Trusts in London. Participants: Patients on waiting lists for elective cardiac surgery at Royal Brompton, Harefield, St Thomas and King’s College hospitals between October 2023 and March 2024. Outcome measures: Experience of waiting for surgery, and preferences about how waiting time could be improved. Results: 554 out of 1041 invited participants agreed to participate (recruitment rate 53.2%). Among them, 274 fully completed the survey (completion rate 49.5%). Most participants (from 52.2% to 70.9%) reported their daily and social activities were impacted by their cardiac condition, and worrying was an ubiquitous feeling (reported by 86%). Psychological distress was reported differently across women and men (higher in women). Eight themes were identified: worrying, daily activities, family/friends and social activities, sexual life, waiting list experience and feelings, communication, most important factors for surgery and suggested improvements. Communication with the surgeon and clinical team, and regular updates on waiting list progress are suggested as crucial factors to alleviate stress, thus potentially improving the experience of waiting for the surgery. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of emotional support, clear communication, regular updates on waiting list progress and building trust with the clinical team to improve patient-centred care while waiting for elective cardiac surgery. This finding can offer valuable insights for managing waiting lists in other surgery waiting list contexts. Trial registration: NCT05996640
SAFER: A Programme of Research to Determine if Intermittent Single-Lead ECG Screening for Atrial Fibrillation Reduces the Risk of Stroke.
No full textThis article describes the SAFER (Screening for Atrial Fibrillation with ECG to Reduce stroke) programme that was established to determine whether intermittent screening for atrial fibrillation with a single-lead electrocardiogram reduces the risk of stroke and other key outcomes such as death, dementia and cardiovascular disease. The programme comprises feasibility studies, a pilot trial, a randomised controlled trial, qualitative studies and an economic analysis. Recruitment and screening for the trial have been completed, and it is anticipated that follow-up will finish in 2027
Advanced therapies for inherited optic neuropathies.
Full text linkInherited optic neuropathies (IONs), such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA), typically lead to irreversible severe vision loss due to mitochondrial dysfunction causing retinal ganglion cell degeneration. Although current treatment options are limited, substantial progress has been made recently in our understanding of the molecular genetic pathways that lead to retinal ganglion cell loss. Clinical trials for LHON have demonstrated the efficacy of idebenone, an oral neuroprotective agent, and gene replacement therapy using allotopic gene expression. Early phase clinical trials are underway for ADOA caused by variants in the nuclear gene OPA1 using innovative techniques to modulate gene expression in a variant-agnostic manner. In this review, we have critically appraised a range of therapeutic strategies, including gene editing and stem cell-based optic nerve regeneration, with a discussion of the barriers to translation. Future studies focussing on understanding genetic heterogeneity, disease variability and optimising patient selection for clinical trials are essential to improve patient management and fast track transformative therapies for IONs