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Introduction Hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a subtype of the Ehlers–Danlos syndromes, is a connective tissue disorder that is associated with a number of cognitive and psychological symptoms. Very little research has directly examined the neuropsychological functioning profile in hEDS, but some research has found associations of hypermobility with cognitive difficulties, psychological symptoms, and structural brain differences. Methods The current research compared a 12‐matched‐pairs sample of individuals with hEDS to healthy controls on a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, as well as measures of mood, pain levels, fatigue, subjective cognition, and ability to perform social activities. Participants were matched for age, gender, and years of education. A second analysis was completed for a larger group of 18 participants with hEDS to examine associations of cognition and other symptoms with subjective cognition. Results Our results did not reveal significant cognitive differences between the two groups for most cognitive measures. However, individuals with hEDS had lower scores for delayed verbal memory recall. In the larger hEDS sample, correlations between subjective cognition, objective cognitive test performance, and other clinical variables revealed significant correlations between subjective cognition and visuospatial planning and construction, working memory, and set‐shifting. Additionally, subjective cognition was associated with anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, and the ability to participate in social activities. Conclusion We conclude that cognitive difficulties reported by individuals with hEDS are likely fluctuating and may correspond with fluctuating symptoms including dysautonomia, pain, and sleep difficulties. Furthermore, subjective cognition appears to be especially correlated with other related symptoms of mood, pain, and fatigue. Neuropsychological function in hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) was found to be characterized by globally intact cognition with weaker delayed verbal memory. People with hEDS reported more symptoms of depression, fatigue, pain, subjective cognitive difficulty, and trouble participating in social roles. Subjective cognition was especially tied to social participation.

Competitive gaming presents unique musculoskeletal challenges due to prolonged sitting and repetitive hand and arm movements. This study explores gender-specific regional lean body mass (LBM) differences and their associations with musculoskeletal discomfort in competitive gamers. Sixty participants (30 gamers and 30 matched controls; 15 males and 15 females in each group) underwent DXA scans to assess total and regional LBM, handgrip strength tests, and self-reported musculoskeletal pain surveys. Controls were matched for age and BMI and reported comparable academic and screen time but were not engaged in competitive gaming. Male gamers exhibited significantly reduced forearm (p < 0.05) and upper body LBM (p < 0.001), alongside lower grip strength (p < 0.001), compared to controls. Female gamers demonstrated lower upper body LBM (p = 0.01) but showed no significant differences in forearm lean mass or grip strength. In male gamers, negative correlations were observed between forearm LBM and lower back pain (r = −0.59, p < 0.01), highlighting the protective role of regional LBM against discomfort. Extended gaming duration was associated with increased musculoskeletal pain in both sexes (p < 0.05). These findings emphasize the need for targeted ergonomic interventions and physical conditioning programs to address muscle imbalances and reduce injury risk in esports athletes. Future research should focus on longitudinal and interventional designs to optimize musculoskeletal health and performance in this growing population.

Recently, bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGns) have been acknowledged for their ability to promote interactions with the periapical tissue and enhance tissue regeneration by releasing therapeutic ions. However, there have been no studies on calcium silicate sealers with bioactive glass nanoparticle (BGn) additives. In the present study, a premixed calcium silicate root canal sealer reinforced with BGn (pre-mixed-RCS@BGn) was developed and its physicochemical features and biological effects were analyzed. Three specimens were in the trial: 0%, 0.5%, and 1% bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGns) were gradually added to the premixed type of calcium silicate-based sealer (pre-mixed-RCS). To elucidate the surface properties, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used and flowability, setting time, solubility, and radiopacity were analyzed to evaluate the physical properties. Chemical properties were investigated by water contact angle, pH change, and ion release measurements. The antibacterial effects of the bioactive set sealers were tested with Enterococcus faecalis and the viability of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with this biomaterial was examined. In addition, osteogenic differentiation was highly stimulated, which was confirmed by ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) activity and the ARS (Alizarin red S) staining of hMSCs. The pre-mixed-RCS@BGn satisfied the ISO standards for root canal sealers and maintained antimicrobial activity. Moreover, pre-mixed-RCS@BGn with more BGns turned out to have less cytotoxicity than pre-mixed-RCS without BGns while promoting osteogenic differentiation, mainly due to calcium and silicon ion release. Our results suggest that BGns enhance the biological properties of this calcium silicate-based sealer and that the newly introduced pre-mixed-RCS@BGn has the capability to be applied in dental procedures as a root canal sealer. Further studies focusing more on the biocompatibility of pre-mixed-RCS@BGn should be performed to investigate in vivo systems, including pulp tissue.

The onset of COVID-19 coincided with the peak growth of video game usage, with 2.7 billion gamers in 2020. During the pandemic, gaming and streaming platforms offered an entertaining, social, and safe alternative to recreation during severe lockdowns and social isolations. This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related outcomes in self-proclaimed video gamers based on the type of lockdown experienced and to discuss the potential role of video games during times of preventive lockdown measures. This was a cross-sectional international survey constructed by two academic institutions, NYIT (NY, USA) and McGill University (Montreal, Canada), and Adamas Esports (BC, Canada). The survey consisted of questions including demographics, multiple choice, ratings, and Likert scales relating to the periods prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdowns. There were 897 respondents from North America (72.7%), Europe (10.9%), Asia (4.9%), and other countries (11.5%), with a mean age of 22 years. Significant increases in game time were reported in casual and competitive gamers during the first months of the pandemic. The level of gaming, type of lockdown, and physical activity level prior to the pandemic were examined as potential moderating factors. Significant increases in sedentary behaviors (video game time and sitting time) were observed, while physical activity levels remained unchanged in most participants, regardless of the type of lockdown. Sleep time, but not sleep quality, increased, while mental health exhibited opposing effects, influenced by the type of lockdown and gaming competition levels. Video games, when played moderately, could offer a cost-effective, safe strategy to promote socialization and mental health and improve the overall well-being of the non-gaming and gaming population during pandemic times when strict lockdowns are in place.

Most transgenic animals are generated using a genome-modified stem cell system and genome modification directly in embryos. Although this system is well-established in the development of transgenic animals, donor cell-derived transgenic animal production is inefficient in some cases. Especially in avian models such as chickens, the efficiency of transgenic animal production through primordial germ cells (PGCs) is highly variable compared with embryonic manipulation of mammalian species. Because germ cell and germline-competent stem cell-mediated systems that contain the transgene are enriched only at the upstream level during cell cultivation, the efficiency of transgenic animal production is unreliable. Therefore, we developed an in vivo selection model to enhance the efficiency of transgenic chicken production using microsomal glutathione-S-transferase II ( MGSTII )-overexpressing PGCs that are resistant to the alkylating agent busulfan, which induces germ cell-specific cytotoxicity. Under in vitro conditions, MGSTII-tg PGCs were resistant to 1 μM busulfan, which was highly toxic to wild-type PGCs. In germline chimeric roosters, transgene-expressing germ cells were dominantly colonized in the recipient testes after busulfan exposure compared with non-treated germline chimera. In validation of germline transmission, donor PGC-derived progeny production efficiency was 94.68%, and the transgene production rate of heterozygous transgenic chickens was significantly increased in chickens that received 40 mg/kg busulfan (80.33–95.23%) compared with that of non-treated germline chimeras (51.18%). This system is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of generating transgenic chickens and other animal species by increasing the distribution of donor cells in adult testes.

Background/Objectives: The presence of Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes (EDSs) has significant effects on overall health and results in varying levels of pain and disability. The effects of sleep are not well documented in this population. The purpose of this study is to report the sleep characteristics of people with EDS. Methods: An electronic survey regarding sleep characteristics was created and distributed through the EDS website. Results: Sleep disturbance is common in people with EDS, with 65.3% of respondents sleeping fewer than 8 h and 26.2% averaging fewer than 6 h. Those who slept fewer than 6 h reported more days of poor mental and physical health days. Sleep aids were commonly used with 41.40% of patients regularly taking prescription medication to get to sleep. Sleep latency of greater than 30 min was also found in 67.5% of subjects. Conclusions: The results demonstrate an association between people with EDS and poorer sleep duration, increased sleep latency, and increased use of sleep aids including prescription sleep medication compared to the general population. While more research needs to be completed in this area, sleep may be an important aspect to address in the management of EDS.

Fascia is a ubiquitous and continuous connective tissue containing receptors involved in nociception, proprioception, and the autonomic nervous system. In conjunction with muscle, the myofascial system plays an important role in body mechanics and connectivity. Beyond structure and function, research implicates the myofascial system in the pathophysiology of depression, anxiety, and stress. As understanding of these multidimensional conditions evolves, there is increasing emphasis on integrated treatment approaches such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The myofascial system presents a promising target for standardized treatment that bridges the gap between physical and psychological. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a standardized myofascial and lymphatic OMT protocol on body awareness, dissociation, and mood symptoms related to anxiety, depression, and stress. This was a prospective, randomized, parallel-assignment, open-label, interventional study with 31 volunteer students and staff from an osteopathic medical college. An external party randomly assigned volunteers to one of two groups: OMT intervention or control. Triplanar diagnoses of the occipitoatlantal (OA), cervicothoracic (CT), thoracolumbar (TL), and lumbosacral (LS) regions were obtained and recorded for all subjects for 4 consecutive weeks during a weekly scheduled session. The experimental group was treated with direct myofascial release and a lymphatic pedal pump. Primary outcome measures were scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form Y2), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and Scale of Body Connection (SBC) at baseline (T1), after two treatments (T3), and after four treatments (T4). The effects of OMT on mood and body connection over time were modeled with generalized estimating equations (GEEs). Cohen's effect size was also determined for the between-group comparisons. A total of 31 participants volunteered for the study. Due to scheduling conflicts, 29 participants (21 females, 72.4 % and 8 males, 27.6 %), with ages ranging from 22 to 54 (M=30.9 years, SD=9.4) were randomly assigned to OMT intervention (n=14) or control (n=15). Medical students comprised 72.4 % (n=21) of the population, whereas the remaining 27.6 % (n=8) were faculty or staff employed by the medical school. The average BMI for female participants was 26.7 (SD=4.9), and 26.4 (SD=4.8) for males. The prevalence of the psychiatric conditions among the participants was high, with 17 (58.6 %) participants reporting a psychiatric diagnosis at some point in their life, with only 3 of the 17 (17.7 %) reporting remission. Significant improvements in trait anxiety (p<0.001), depression (p=0.028), body awareness (p=0.046), and body dissociation (p=0.003) occurred in the experimental group over all time periods. Experimental group improvements in DASS (T1-T4; MD=-9.87; p=0.005; 95 % CI [-16.69, -3.04]) and stress (T1-T4; MD=-3.93; p=0.020; 95 % CI [-7.24, -0.63]) were observed after four treatments. A standardized myofascial and lymphatic OMT protocol may have a positive effect on trait anxiety, depression, stress, body awareness, and body dissociation.

High baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with poor survival in a number of solid tumors, but has not been extensively investigated in the context of radiation oncology. Developing more robust models to predict survival would inform patient care for patients with metastatic solid tumors. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of baseline NLR (using 4 as a cutoff) on survival in 320 consecutive patients with metastatic cancer who were referred to a single radiation oncologist between 2012 and 2015, with a median follow-up of 20.6 months. The median NLR was 4.4 (interquartile range, 2.8-7.2). Patients with a baseline NLR ≤4 had a median survival of 9.3 months compared to 4.1 months for NLR >4 (P<0.001). The number of active tumors, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score, baseline albumin, primary tumor site, liver metastases and baseline NLR predicted overall survival on both univariate and multivariate analysis (P<0.05 for all). After adjusting for known prognostic factors for advanced solid tumors, baseline NLR >4 independently predicted adverse survival in this cohort.

Background Esport players require a high number of action moves per minute to play, with substantial contractions of the wrist extensor muscles. Players frequently suffer from acute fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of below the elbow compression sleeves on Sm02 during intense aim training. Secondly, to examine players’ performance and perception with and without compression. Methods This study was conducted at the New York Institute of Technology and enrolled fifteen collegiate esport players, 2 women and 13 men (age 21.2 ± 2.2). All subjects signed written consent. Participants performed 3 high intensity bouts of an aim trainer followed by a 15-minute rest before doing another 3 bouts of high intensity training conducting the other arm of the study. The compression wear order was randomized. The primary outcome included Sm02 of the extensor carpi radialis longus using near-infrared spectrometry. Secondary outcomes included Kills Per Second (KPS), Score, Total Time to Kill (TTK), accuracy, and perceived performance. Results Following 15 min of recovery, there was a significant rise in Sm02 while wearing the compression sleeve compared to no compression sleeve (p = 0.004). No change in Sm02 was seen while gaming. In trials 1 and 2, wearing the compression sleeve resulted in a significant increase in KPS and score when compared to not wearing it (p = 0.002,0.006). Although TTK and accuracy did not alter, 46.7% of participants believed the compression sleeve aided their performance. Conclusions This study provides support that wearing below the elbow upper body compression sleeves while performing high intensity gaming may reduce fatigue, improve muscle recovery and gaming performance. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT05037071. Registered 08/09/2021. URL: Arm Compression on Muscle Oxygen Saturation - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Background. Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) such as cognitive impairment are common and decrease patient quality of life and daily functioning. While no pharmacological treatments have effectively alleviated these symptoms to date, non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) and physical exercise have both been shown to improve cognitive function and quality of life in people with PD. Objective. This study aims to determine the feasibility and impact of remote CRT on cognitive function and quality of life in patients with PD participating in an organized group exercise program. Methods. Twenty-four subjects with PD recruited from Rock Steady Boxing (RSB), a non-contact group exercise program, were evaluated using standard neuropsychological and quality of life measures and randomized to the control or intervention group. The intervention group attended online CRT sessions for one hour, twice a week for 10 weeks, engaging in multi-domain cognitive exercises and group discussion. Results. Twenty-one subjects completed the study and were reevaluated. Comparing groups over time, the control group (n = 10) saw a decline in overall cognitive performance that trended towards significance (p=0.05) and a statistically significant decrease in delayed memory (p=0.010) and self-reported cognition (p=0.011). Neither of these findings were seen in the intervention group (n = 11), which overwhelmingly enjoyed the CRT sessions and attested to subjective improvements in their daily lives. Conclusions. This randomized controlled pilot study suggests that remote CRT for PD patients is feasible, enjoyable, and may help slow the progression of cognitive decline. Further trials are warranted to determine the longitudinal effects of such a program.