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Clinical insights into catathrenia: A real-world analysis from a tertiary sleep center.

INTRODUCTION: Catathrenia is a rare sleep-related breathing disorder marked by groaning during prolonged expiration, often underrecognized or misdiagnosed as obstructive or central sleep apnoea (OSA or CSA) or parasomnia. Understanding its clinical and polysomnographic features is essential for accurate diagnosis and management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of adult patients diagnosed with catathrenia at Serviço de Medicina do Sono de Coimbra. Diagnosis was established by attended overnight polysomnography (PSG) with synchronised audio-video recording. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, PSG variables, treatment modalities, and outcomes were reviewed. Catathrenia events were defined as deep inhalation followed by prolonged exhalation with monotonous groaning. RESULTS: Ten patients were included. Median age was 46 years (range 27-78), mostly female (70%). Common comorbidities included obesity (n = 4), depression (n = 2), Parkinson's disease (n = 1), and restless legs syndrome (n = 1). Six patients (60%) had concomitant obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Seven patients had excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale > 10). All catathrenia episodes occurred exclusively during REM sleep. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was the most frequently used treatment and was associated with objective or subjective improvement in most patients. Two patients experienced spontaneous remission. CONCLUSION: Catathrenia remains underdiagnosed and can mimic other sleep disorders. Recognition of its REM-sleep predominance and PSG pattern is essential. Individualised treatment, often involving PAP therapy, may improve symptoms and patient outcomes.

Humans

Age-dependent reorganization of behavioral and striatal function in Cntnap2 knockout mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. While ASD has a neurodevelopmental origin, it remains a lifelong condition, yet little is known about how its behavioral and neural features evolve across adulthood. Here, we investigated behavioral, synaptic, and structural alterations across the transition from early to mature adulthood in Cntnap2 knockout mice, a widely used model of ASD. Using a longitudinal behavioral approach combined with electrophysiological recordings and morphological analysis, we show that KO mice exhibit increased stereotyped and repetitive behaviors and reduced exploratory activity at both ages. However, detailed analysis of behavioral patterns revealed age-dependent differences, with early adult KO mice displaying increased behavioral persistence that later evolved into distinct patterns of behavioral sequences. These behavioral changes were associated with alterations in inhibitory synaptic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), including changes in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) frequency and temporal structure. In parallel, mature adult KO mice showed structural remodeling of spiny projection neurons, characterized by increased distal dendritic arborization and age-dependent organization of dendritic spines. Together, our findings demonstrate that ASD-related alterations are not static but evolve across adulthood, revealing a multi-level reorganization of behavioral, synaptic, and structural features. These results highlight the importance of considering adulthood stages in ASD and provide new insights into the dynamic nature of the condition.

Animals

Enhancement of secondary organic aerosol formation from isoprene photooxidation by ammonia.

Ammonia (NH3) can participate in atmospheric secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation by reacting with organic acids and carbonyl compounds in particle phase, but its influence on the gas phase chemistry remains unclear. This study performed a series of smog chamber experiments to investigate the influence of NH3 on the formation of SOA from isoprene photooxidation by OH radicals. Both gas and particle phase products were measured with a series of state-of- art instruments including a nitrate ion chemical ionization mass spectrometer (nitrate-CIMS) and high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-TOF-AMS). Our results showed that in the presence of NH3 SOA in the chamber significantly increased, along with an enhanced oxidation of isoprene. CIMS analysis further showed that NH3 in the chamber homogeneously reacts not only with gas-phase organic acids but also with gaseous low volatility oxygenated organic molecules (OOMs) to generate extremely low volatility and ultralow volatility NH3-OOMs clusters. Quantum chemical calculation showed that NH3 can spontaneously interact with OOMs to form NH3-OOMs clusters by forming hydrogen bonds with RCOOH, R-OOH, and R-OH. These clusters can promote new particles formation and particle growth through nucleation and condensation, directly enhancing the isoprene SOA production with a contribution of 78% to the enhanced SOA. Moreover, the formation of NH3-OOMs clusters also results in more isoprene consumed by OH radicals, indirectly increasing the SOA production with a contribution of 22 % to the enhanced SOA. Our work for the first time clarified a synergetic effect of NH3 on isoprene SOA formation, which should be accounted for by models.

Aerosols

Single-cell transcriptome revealed the aberrant keratinocytes activation in antigen presentation in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, has been extensively studied using single-cell genomics. However, keratinocytes, as key effector cells in AD, have underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood and require further investigation. METHODS: We integrated single-cell transcriptomic data from skin tissues of healthy controls, chronic active AD patients, spontaneously healed AD (SHAD) patients, and an ovalbumin-induced AD mouse model. The study particularly emphasized the gene expression and cellular dynamics of keratinocytes across the different groups, as well as their interactions with immune cells. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, we observed significant changes in the keratinocyte transcriptome, cellular state, and keratinocyte-immune cell ligand-receptor interactions in AD skin, particularly the marked activation of genes involved in antigen processing and presentation. Interestingly, such gene activation was not observed in keratinocytes from the ovalbumin-induced AD mouse model, despite its phenotype closely resembling human AD. Furthermore, in SHAD, we identified a recovery of both the ligand-receptor interaction patterns and antigen processing and presentation genes, accompanied by a notable shift in the transcriptome. This involved a significant downregulation of genes related to cytoplasmic transcription and oxidative phosphorylation. Notably, this pattern was not observed in the self-healing mouse model following the removal of ovalbumin stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the persistent activation of antigen processing and presentation pathways in keratinocytes may be a key driver of chronic inflammation in AD. Therefore, redirecting anti-allergic therapeutic strategies from solely targeting immune cells to targeting of keratinocyte-mediated antigen presentation may offer a more effective approach. Furthermore, we raise concerns about the use of ovalbumin-induced mouse models to recapitulate human chronic AD, as the underlying mechanisms may differ significantly.

Dermatitis, Atopic

Integrative quantum and systems biology of cancer: From molecular fluctuations to ecological outcomes.

This review treats cancer as a multiscale adaptive system, asks what the framework must predict to be worth adopting, and separates at each scale what the evidence establishes from what is proposed. It is an expert narrative synthesis, not a systematic review, and states the limits of that design. Proton transfer and tautomeric shifts contribute to spontaneous mispairing but do not license claims of directed or non-random mutation: replication timing, three-dimensional chromatin organization, sequence context and known mutagenic processes explain most mutational heterogeneity, leaving any quantum contribution as a residual against that baseline. The Waddington quasi-potential is bounded: outside detailed balance the dynamics are not gradient-derivable and require a probability-flux term. Hysteresis, rate-limited bimodality and return to state after perturbation distinguish an attractor from a transcriptomic cluster. Single-cell karyotype and live-imaging evidence supports whole-genome doubling as an unstable intermediate of heterogeneous origin and context-dependent consequence, not a uniform adaptive strategy. Systems and synthetic biology, virtual cells and digital twins are assessed against benchmarks, not promise. Tissue-scale ecology is reported with the spatial measurements now quantifying it, including evidence that stromal niche construction is not uniformly tumor-supporting. RNA modification is a layer in its own right, showing that the interpretation of a regulatory signal, not its magnitude, is biologically decisive. A dedicated section states the framework's commitments, the observable and evidence at each scale, and what would falsify them, asking what this adds to somatic mutation theory with clonal evolution and plasticity.

Neoplasms

Exploring precision risk in pediatric vesicoureteral reflux: Innate immune gene variations and reflux outcomes in the RIVUR cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are at increased risk for morbidity from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), yet the factors influencing spontaneous VUR resolution remain poorly defined. This study evaluates whether genetic variations in key urinary innate immune effectors (DEFA1A3, DMBT1, and RNASE7) influences VUR resolution and interacts with prophylaxis to alter clinical response. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of 303 RIVUR participants with available DEFA1A3 and DMBT1 copy number variation (CNV) data and RNASE7 rs1263872 genotype. Primary outcomes were (1) VUR improvement (decrease in grade) and (2) VUR resolution at study exit. Multivariable logistic regression models included genotype, treatment, and their interactions, adjusting for age, sex, baseline grade (high vs low), laterality, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and any UTI. Internal validation used 2000-sample bootstrap with bias-corrected and accelerated confidence intervals and influence diagnostics. RESULTS: Clinical covariates did not significantly predict VUR improvement. Children with DEFA1A3 CNV >5 had higher odds of improvement (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.12-4.96, p = 0.023), an effect that remained significant in bootstrap analyses. High-grade VUR was associated with lower odds of resolution (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.94, p = 0.038). A significant interaction was observed between prophylaxis and high DMBT1 copy number for VUR resolution (interaction OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.11-8.04, p = 0.031); no interaction was seen for improvement. RNASE7 rs1263872 was not associated with either outcome. CONCLUSION: Innate immune gene variation may contribute to heterogeneity in VUR outcomes. High DEFA1A3 copy number was associated with reflux improvement and a DMBT1-prophylaxis interaction was associated with reflux resolution. The results of this study is hypothesis-generating and prompt further evaluation to assess whether a subset of children may experience structural benefit from prophylaxis or have a more favorable natural history based on their innate immune genotype.

Humans

Prognostic value of the Island sign for hematoma expansion and functional outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The Island Sign (IS) is a radiological finding observed in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between IS and both hematoma expansion (HE) and functional outcomes by comparing ICH patients with and without IS. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library for studies of intracerebral hemorrhage reporting the IS. The primary outcomes were functional status and hematoma expansion, secondary outcome was mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using RStudio, effect sizes were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CIs), and heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. In addition, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were performed, and publication bias was assessed through funnel plots and Egger's regression test. RESULTS: We included 21 observational studies with a total of 9,459 patients with spontaneous ICH, 1,769 of them had IS, while 7,690 did not. The mean age was 63.5&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;13.2 and 5,835 (61.7%) were male. Poor functional outcomes (OR 2.77, 95% CI: 2.14-3.58, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001, I2&#xa0;=&#xa0;4.9%) and hematoma expansion (OR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.87-4.03, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.0001, I2&#xa0;=&#xa0;77.4%) were substantially higher in patients with IS, as well as the overall mortality rate (OR 2.54, 95% CI: 1.55-4.17, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.0002, I2&#xa0;=&#xa0;0%). Meta-regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between imaging-related timing variables and hematoma expansion. Furthermore, the leave-one-out sensitivity analyses showed that no single study exerted a disproportionate influence on the overall effect for the examined outcomes, and Egger's linear regression tests were not statistically significant for both outcomes. CONCLUSION: Patients with the Island Sign are associated with higher rates of poor functional outcomes and hematoma expansion. Thus, IS is a relevant radiological finding with potential to support early risk stratification and optimize patient management and treatment selection.

Humans

Role of External Vibratory Lithoclast (Lithecbole) in Improving Lower Pole Stone Clearance After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL).

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a widely used non-invasive treatment for renal stones. However, its effectiveness in clearing stones located in the lower pole of the kidney is often limited due to the anatomical challenges that impede the spontaneous passage of fragmented stones. This study evaluate the efficacy and safety of External Physical Vibration Lithecbole (EPVL) when used as an adjunctive therapy following ESWL in patients with lower pole renal stones, with a focus on improving stone clearance rates. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This prospective interventional study was conducted at Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital over two years and included 100 patients with 10-15 mm lower pole renal stones. Patients were randomized into two groups: The ESWL alone and ESWL plus EPVL. All patients received two ESWL sessions (3000 shocks/session). The treatment group additionally received EPVL therapy using a flank-applied vibration device. Follow-up was performed using ultrasound and KUB radiography. Statistical analysis was conducted using appropriate tests with significance set at p<0.05. <b>Results:</b> Baseline characteristics, including age, gender, weight, stone size and location, were statistically comparable between groups. The mean stone size was 12.4&#xb1;1.7 mm. A significantly higher stone-free rate was observed in the ESWL+EPVL group compared to the ESWL-only group (66% vs. 48%, p = 0.027). Although the residual stone size showed a numerical difference favoring EPVL, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). Complication rates were low, mild and similar in both groups (p = 0.3). Logistic regression analysis revealed that smaller stone size (p<0.001) and lower patient weight (p = 0.030) were significantly associated with successful stone clearance. Subgroup analysis further confirmed that patients with stones <11 mm or a weight <70 kg had the highest stone-free rates. <b>Conclusion:</b> In this initial evaluation, EPVL demonstrated a safe and effective adjunct to ESWL in enhancing stone clearance for lower-pole renal stones. Its application was associated with improved treatment outcomes without increasing complication rates. Further studies with extended EPVL sessions and longer follow-up are warranted.

Humans

Transcranial Motor Evoked Potential Monitoring Using Propofol-Fentanyl Versus Desflurane-Dexmedetomidine Anesthesia During Spinal Cord Tumor Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing resection of spinal cord tumours require intraoperative neuromonitoring. Transcranial electrical stimulation is used to record myogenic responses during surgery. This study aimed to compare the effect of 2 anaesthetic regimens, propofol/fentanyl versus desflurane/dexmedetomidine, on the ability to record MEPs with an amplitude of 50&#xa0;&#xb5;V or greater. Our secondary outcome compared intraoperative haemodynamics, recovery profile, and postoperative analgesia between the groups. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blinded, open-label, single-centre, randomized controlled trial of 50 adult patients undergoing spinal cord tumour resection with TcmMEP monitoring. Patients were randomized to 2 groups: Group P (n=25) received intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl; group D (n=25) received desflurane and dexmedetomidine. RESULTS: We recorded TcmMEP's in 80% of group P and 76% group D (95% CI: -23% to 31%, P =1.00). The time in minutes for spontaneous breathing (21.04&#xb1;11.31 vs. 8.00&#xb1;3.42 [8.29-,17.79, P =0.01]), extubation (31.56&#xb1;17.56 vs. 10.84&#xb1;3.99 [13.48-27.96; P =0.01]), emergence (33.68&#xb1;18.11 vs. 10.92&#xb1;4.01 [15.30-30.22, P =0.001]), discharge readiness (45.00&#xb1;25.24 vs. 15.56&#xb1;6.08 [19.00-39.88; P =0.001]) and requirement of first analgesia (136.6&#xb1;108.04 vs. 230.8&#xb1;81.33) (-148.58 to -39.82; P =0.01) was lower in group D compared with group P. Postoperative analgesia assessed using the Visual Analogue Score was lower in group D compared with group P at 12 and 24 hours. (1.68&#xb1;1.18 vs. 0.64&#xb1;1.31 [0.33-1.74 P =0.001]) :1.4&#xb1;0.95 vs. 0.36&#xb1; 0.70 (0.56-1.51; P =0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found similar rates of successful TcMEP monitoring using desflurane-dexmedetomidine and propofol-fentanyl. Patients who received desflurane-dexmedetomidine had reduced emergence time, discharge readiness, and lower pain scores in the postoperative period.

Humans

Effects of positive psychotherapy on anxiety and quality of life in chronic Urticaria.

INTRODUCTION: Individual, social, and economic consequences including anxiety and poor quality of life are recognised to result from allergic disorders. A positive, realistic viewpoint that emphasises balance and the body is provided by positive psychotherapy. The purpose of this randomized, controlled intervention study was to investigate how counseling based on positive psychotherapy affected anxiety and quality of life. METHODS: Patients in the intervention group had eight sessions of individual counseling based on positive psychotherapy in addition to standard treatment. Other than standard care, the members of the control group received no interventions. The Dermatological Quality of Life Scale (DYQS), Urticaria Activity Score, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and Personal Information Form were employed as data collection instruments. The study had 66 patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), 32 of whom were in the intervention group and 34 of whom were in the control group. RESULTS: The mean scores of the intervention group decreased significantly from pre-test to post-test for urticaria activity (UAS7: 28.22&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;11.17 to 4.22&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;4.30, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001), dermatological quality of life (DLQI: 38.63&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;7.61 to 5.09&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;6.19, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001), situational anxiety (61.63&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;7.73 to 26.03&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;4.71, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001), and trait anxiety (61.56&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;7.90 to 25.13&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;3.66, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). Furthermore, post-test scores between the intervention and control groups showed statistically significant differences in favor of the intervention group in all primary outcomes, including the total UAS7 score (intervention: 4.22&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;4.30 vs. control: 21.56&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;11.81, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001) and the total dermatological quality of life score (intervention:5.09&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;6.19 vs. control:30.85&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;10.17, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Counseling based on positive psychotherapy has been shown to improve people's quality of life while lowering anxiety and urticaria symptoms. This study demonstrates how these treatments can enhance the quality of life for patients with chronic urticaria by lowering their anxiety and illness symptoms.

Humans