Low Variability Research Articles

Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire: Variability of Scores and Related Factors.

Objective: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder affecting predominantly females and associated with variants in the MECP2 gene. Recent success in clinical trials have resulted in an expanded use of the Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) for clinical and research purposes. Implementation of the RSBQ as a global clinical severity scale has raised concerns about its construct validity considering its content, structure, and psychometric features. To further understand RSBQ data, we analyzed RSBQ scores available in the literature with a focus on variability and influencing factors. Methods: We identified publications reporting RSBQ total and/or subscale scores and summarized relevant study information, such as type of investigation, administration method, and descriptive data. We then analyzed means and standard deviations, calculating variance-to-mean ratios (VMR), as a measure of variability, when raw score descriptive statistics were available. Where appropriate, we compared means and VMRs by Welch t-tests. Results: Of the 14 publications identified, raw total scores from 5 observational studies and 4 clinical trials (baseline) were available. Raw subscale scores from four of the five observational studies were also available. We found a wide but comparable range of mean total scores for observational studies and clinical trials. However, VMRs were significantly higher in observational studies. Subscale scores showed either high (i.e., General Mood, Breathing Problems) or low (e.g., Hand Behaviours, Body Rocking and Expressionless Face) variability. Available data demonstrated greater variability in pediatric than adult groups and less variability when using interviews or electronic RSBQ administration compared with paper forms. Total score changes over time did not affect variability. Although certain studies offered insight into the relationship between the RSBQ and other measures, overall, data were insufficient for characterizing how RSBQ variability relates to other factors. Conclusions: Our findings on score variability support the need for more comprehensive reporting of RSBQ data, cohort characterization, and methodology; and the deployment of standardized RSBQ administration methods, such as advanced data capture systems. There is potential for use of subscales as outcome measures, subject to further psychometric validation studies, including prospective investigations testing the stability of RSBQ scores and influencing factors. Further examining the relationship between RSBQ scores and other instruments will aid in its interpretation as a clinical outcome measure.

In vitro study of the effects of diode laser on dentin hypersensitivity and evaluation of intra-pulpal temperature variation.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different wavelengths of high-power diode lasers for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity by analyzing morphological changes and temperature variation. Human third molars were irradiated with five different commercially available lasers at wavelengths of 808nm, 940nm, 976nm, and 980nm, both with and without the use of a photoinitiator (activated charcoal). Temperature variations were monitored using thermocouples, and morphological changes were assessed through scanning electron microscopy. Lasers with wavelengths of 940nm, 976nm, and 980nm, used without a photoinitiator, promoted dentinal tubule obliteration without causing thermal damage. Lasers with wavelengths of 808nm, 940nm, 976nm, and 980nm, when combined with a photoinitiator, resulted in even lower temperature variation compared to the non-photoinitiator groups, although no regular fused surface was observed. Diode laser parameters, except Group 1(808nm without photoinitiator), are potentially safe for dentinal tubule obliteration. The use of a photoinitiator continues to be an effective strategy for minimizing temperature variations during irradiation.

Integration of the XY-MD02 Module in an IoT-Based Humidity and Temperature Monitoring System with Graphic Display on Nextion LCD

Abstract—Temperature and humidity monitoring is crucial in various industrial sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and health. Integrating the latest technology, such as IoT (Internet of Things), opens up new opportunities to increase the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring systems. This research focuses on integrating the XY-MD02 module into an IoT-based monitoring system to measure and monitor humidity and temperature levels accurately. The system uses the XY-MD02 module to collect data, which is transmitted wirelessly to the server using the MQTT protocol. The collected data is processed and displayed in real-time on the Nextion LCD, providing an intuitive graphical representation of environmental conditions. Integrating the XY-MD02 module and Nextion LCD in an IoT-based monitoring system demonstrates practical and reliable humidity and temperature measurements. The average value of the measured temperature is 31.58 with a standard deviation of 0.17, indicating high accuracy in temperature measurement with low variation. Meanwhile, for humidity, the average is 62.34, with a standard deviation of 1.01. The system's compatibility with the MQTT protocol ensures smooth communication and data exchange between devices. Integrating the XY-MD02 module in an IoT-based monitoring system has proven successful in providing accurate and real-time monitoring of humidity and temperature, offering an effective solution in environmental monitoring by keeping up with the latest technological developments.

Tired of ACL Injures: A Review of Methods and Outcomes of Neuromuscular Fatigue as a Risk Factor for ACL Injuries

Background/Objectives: One potential risk factor that remains especially contentious in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury literature is the role of neuromuscular fatigue in ACL injury risk. Therefore, the purposes of this review are (i) to present the research and practical concepts of lower extremity neuromuscular fatigue; and (ii) to review the literature relating to neuromuscular fatigue as an ACL injury risk factor and mechanism. Methods: A structured review was performed in the Medline database using a search strategy that included terms such as “anterior cruciate ligament injury” and “knee injuries” combined with terms such as “injury” and “fatigue”. Articles were included if they included young healthy participants (18–35) and made a comparison between non-fatigued and fatigued states that were assessed with at least one lower extremity biomechanical variable associated with ACL injury risk. Results: Overall, there were 67 studies included, accounting for 1440 participants (627 male and 813 female) across a variety of sports and activities. Of these, 53 (79%) reported a post-fatigue change in the kinematics, kinetics, neuromuscular, and/or other (e.g., proprioceptive) outcomes that indicate that the participants would be at an increased risk of an ACL injury. The most common argument against fatigue as a risk factor is that ACL injuries do not tend to occur later in a game or season, when it is assumed that athletes would be most fatigued. Conclusions: The evidence presented in this review suggests that localized neuromuscular fatigue is a risk factor, among multiple factors, for ACL injuries, providing another modifiable risk factor that should be considered when developing ACL injury risk reduction interventions.

Longitudinal Variations of Body Characteristics in Italian Elite Adolescent Football Players: An Observational Study

(1) Background: Body characteristics and physical skills affect field performance, and longitudinal improvements of these features allow one to join elite teams. This pilot study aims to investigate longitudinal changes (30 months) in 24 adolescent football players of an elite Italian club. (2) Methods: Participants were clustered according to their age (U10 = 8, U11 = 11, U12 = 5). Anthropometry and body composition assessments were performed following standardized methods. Countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal speed (15 m), and change of direction (RSA) were tested. The repeated-measures ANOVA was assessed for the interaction effect between time and category. The Pearson correlation product–moment was used to correlate the changes (∆) in physical performance and body characteristics. Also, each delta of performance skill was used as the dependent variable in a multiple linear regression model. (3) Results: Stature, body mass, fat-free mass (FFM), total upper area (TUA), total calf area (TCA), and CMJ improved in all categories (p < 0.05). The lower limb power variability was better explained by humeral diameter and the supraspinal skinfold thickness variation (adj-R2 = 0.621 p < 0.001), while both maximal speed and RSA were negatively affected by the calf fat index (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: To face the complexity of human physiology and ameliorate the monitoring process in youth, football technicians need deeper insight into how body shapes and performance can vary over growth.

Model-informed repurposing of eliglustat for treatment and prophylaxis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli hemolytic-uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) in children.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli hemolytic-uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is a severe illness predominantly affecting young children, with limited treatment options beyond supportive care. Eliglustat, approved for Gaucher disease, shows potential in reducing Shiga toxin binding to target glomerular endothelial cells in vitro, prompting interest as a treatment for STEC-HUS. However, it remains unknown what dose is likely to be effective and safe for treatment of STEC-HUS in the pediatric population. We hypothesize that effective and safe levels of eliglustat can be reached in children. We identified pharmacokinetic targets of efficacy for treatment and prophylaxis of STEC-HUS based on a preclinical model and human cardiac safety data. Then, we developed oral and intravenous dosing regimens using population pharmacokinetic (popPK) simulations based on an existing model enriched to allow extrapolation to a simulated virtual pediatric population. These dosing regimens were then confirmed using a verified physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model. We simulated, using popPK data, oral and intravenous dosing regimens resulting in adequate target exposure in > 90% of all patients, with minimal expected risk for cardiotoxicity. Confirmation of these dosing regimens with PBPK modeling resulted in very similar exposure, with lower interindividual variability and minimal toxicity potential. Based on pharmacokinetic modeling, we developed oral and intravenous eliglustat dosing regimens that are likely safe and effective for treatment of STEC-HUS and prophylaxis in case of outbreaks of STEC infections. Clinical evaluation of these dosing regimens in children suspected of or diagnosed with STEC-HUS is required and should include assessment of pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety (e.g., ECG monitoring).

Methodological Stimulus Considerations for Auditory Emotion Recognition Test Design.

Many studies have investigated test design influences (e.g., number of stimuli, open- vs. closed-set tasks) on word recognition ability, but the impact that stimuli selection has on auditory emotion recognition has not been explored. This study assessed the impact of some stimulus parameters and test design methodologies on emotion recognition performance to optimize stimuli to use for auditory emotion recognition testing. Twenty-five young adult participants with normal or near-normal hearing completed four tasks evaluating methodological parameters that may affect emotion recognition performance. The four conditions assessed (a) word stimuli versus sentence stimuli, (b) the total number of stimuli and number of stimuli per emotion category, (c) the number of talkers, and (d) the number of emotion categories. Sentence stimuli yielded higher emotion recognition performance and increased performance variability compared to word stimuli. Recognition performance was independent of the number of stimuli per category, the number of talkers, and the number of emotion categories. Task duration expectedly increased with the total number of stimuli. A test of auditory emotion recognition that combined these design methodologies yielded high performance with low variability for listeners with normal hearing. Stimulus selection influences performance and test reliability for auditory emotion recognition. Researchers should consider these influences when designing future tests of auditory emotion recognition to ensure tests are able to accomplish the study's aims. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28270943.

Amino acid δ15N in eye lens laminae reveals life-time ontogenetic trophic shifts of a highly migratory species.

Investigating the feeding ecology through the ontogenesis of highly migratory species such as the Pacific Bluefin tuna (PBFT; Thunnus orientalis) is difficult due to its extensive home range and cross-oceanic migration. Here, we show the potential of conducting nitrogen stable isotope (δ15N) analyses in bulk tissue and amino acids (AAs) in consecutive eye lens laminae of PBFT to reconstruct the trophic life history for an individual tuna. The δ15Nbulk profiles between individuals caught in the wild and pen-raised were compared. For all individuals, δ15Nbulk values increased with increasing eye lens diameter or fork length, and exhibited low variation among individual profiles despite tuna being captured in different months. Large δ15Nbulk shifts (6.8‰-8.5‰) were quantified between the first and last deposited laminae for each individual, suggesting major ontogenetic changes in either foraging areas or trophic position. AA δ15N values indicate that this highly migratory schooling predator switches feeding areas from lower to higher δ15N baseline values, reflecting feeding on both sides of the north Pacific, and tends to feed on prey of higher trophic position as it grows. Together, stable isotope analysis in bulk tissue and individual AAs in eye lens laminae could be a powerful approach to investigate changes in the foraging habitat and trophic status of highly migratory species.

Abstract TP382: Genome-wide DNA Methylation Profiling Reveals Low Methylation Variability in Moyamoya Disease

Background: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular disorder that can affect both children and adults. It is characterized by chronic and progressive narrowing of the cerebral arteries and the formation of fragile collateral blood vessels. The narrowed arteries can lead to lead to stroke and neurological dysfunctions. Considering that MMD is mostly sporadic and gene-environment interactions play an important in various diseases, we sought to investigate epigenetic modifications in MMD, focusing specifically on changes in DNA methylation magnitude and variability. Methods: We performed genome-wide DNA methylation using Illumina 850K Methylation EPIC BeadChip, in two racially distinct adult female cohorts: A Non-Asian cohort (13 MMD patients and 7 healthy controls) and an Asian cohort (14 MMD patients and 3 healthy controls). An additional external cohort with both sexes (females: 5 MMD patients and 5 healthy controls, males: 5 MMD patients and 5 healthy controls) was included for validation. Results: Our findings revealed subtle changes in the magnitude of DNA methylation, but a strikingly low DNA methylation variability between MMD patients and healthy controls across both female MMD cohorts. In the Non-Asian cohort, only 6 probes showed increased variability, compared to 647 probes that showed decreased variability. Similarly, in the Asian cohort, the MMD group also displayed a reduced methylation variability across all 2845 probes. Further analysis showed that these differentially variable probes are associated with genes involved in key biological processes such as methylation and transcription, DNA repair, cytoskeletal remodeling, natural killer cell signaling, cellular growth, and migration. Conclusions: These findings mark the first observation of low methylation variability in any disease, contrasting with the high variability observed in other disorders. This reduced methylation variability in MMD may impair patients’ adaptability to environmental changes, such as hemodynamic stress, thereby disrupting vascular homeostasis and contributing to MMD pathology. These findings offer new insights into the mechanisms of MMD and suggest potential avenues for treatment strategies.

Adaptation of functional gait parameters to a newly provided stiffness-optimized ankle-foot orthosis.

Clinical decisions regarding ankle-foot-orthosis stiffness in people with calf muscle weakness are based on immediate evaluations, not taking gait adaptation into account. This study examined adaptation of step length, walking speed and energy cost of walking in the 3-months post-provision and whether individuals with higher gait variability adapt more compared to individuals with lower gait variability. We conducted a post-hoc analysis in eighteen stiffness-optimized ankle-foot-orthosis users with bilateral calf muscle weakness. Gait biomechanics, step length, walking speed and walking energy cost directly after provision (T1) and 3-months post-provision of the ankle-foot-orthosis (T2) were compared using paired sampled t-tests. Based on gait variability scores at T1, a high and low gait variability group was determined, and change scores in the functional gait parameters were compared using non-parametric independent sampled t-tests. A significance level of p ˂ 0.1 was used. No significant differences in step length, walking speed and energy cost of walking between T1 and T2 were found (p>0.20). Step length increased more in people with high gait variability scores at T1 compared to those with low gait variability scores (High: +3.1 [-3.2-+6.9], Low: +0.2 [-6.8-+3.7] cm, p=0.085), while no differences between groups were found for walking speed and energy cost of walking (p>0.129). After provision of stiffness-optimized ankle-foot-orthoses in people with bilateral calf muscle weakness, no functional gait adaptations were found. However, people demonstrating high gait variability increased step length more compared to those demonstrating lower variability, which might be an indication that variability plays a role in adaptation.

Comprehensive industry-relevant black soldier fly bioconversion characterisation by a novel chamber system.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) efficiently convert biowaste into valuable animal feed. Sustainable and reliable bioconversion is desirable to achieve optimal economic and environmental outcomes. Thus, science and industry require an accessible research platform to study complex bioconversion processes under conditions mirroring industrial-scale settings. In this study, industry-relevant respiration chambers were designed, tested, and replicated for BSF feeding trials. Each open-circuit chamber housed three industrial rearing crates. The substrate/frass and air temperature, mass change, NH3 and CO2 emissions, and relative humidity were measured. The design was validated for CO2 recovery, airtightness, airflow homogeneity, and BSFL performance using firstly, a uniform control substrate and secondly, uniform food waste across four parallel chambers. In a third trial, the composition of food waste was varied across parallel chambers to detect differences in metabolic processes. For trials using uniform substrates, low variability across chambers in performance parameters confirmed the reproducibility and comparability of the design (e.g. bioconversion rate: <1%, final larval mass: ≤2 mg, standard deviations, dry matter based). In contrast, the trial with varying food waste compositions showed a strong effect on average substrate/frass temperature (e.g. 31.5 °C vs 41.8 °C) and final dry larval mass (e.g. 67 mg vs 40 mg). This is the first study to systematically assess heat generation directly from heterogeneous food waste, a crucial parameter for efficient BSFL bioconversion. These chambers provide an opportunity for science and industry to thoroughly assess and understand the metabolic bioconversion characteristics. The findings are key for the optimisation of sustainable bioconversion processes.

Blastocystis and Giardia duodenalis infection in a male prison in Spain.

General conditions in a prison may facilitate water- or food-borne infections. Detection of intestinal parasites was achieved in 471 male prison inmates by standard microscopic procedures on their stool samples. Positive samples were processed by PCR amplification of a 600-bp fragment of the Blastocystis SSU rRNA gene and partial sequences of the Giardia duodenalis bg genes. Identification of subtypes/genotypes was based on Sanger sequencing methods. Blastocystis was found in 7.9% (37/471) and G. duodenalis was found in 2.1% (10/471). Out of the 37 Blastocystis positive samples, 54% (20/37) were successfully subtyped, allowing the identification of the subtypes ST3 (50%), ST1 (25%), ST2 (15%), ST4 (5%) and ST6 (5%). Out of 10G. duodenalis positive samples, 50% (5/10) were successfully genotyped, allowing the identification of genotypes A (80%) and B (20%). The predominance of ST3 within the prison inmates, together with its low intra-ST genetic variability, reflected inter-human transmission with spatial stability. The G. duodenalis distribution is not wide enough to consider the possibility of a generalized transmission via contaminated water or food. Personal hygiene practices among male prison inmates may be an important measure to prevent the transmission.

Abstract WMP24: Heart-Brain Connection: White Matter Hyperintensity Associated with Low Heart Rate Variability

Abstract WMP24: Heart-Brain Connection: White Matter Hyperintensity Associated with Low Heart Rate Variability

Hydrological performance of bioretention in field experiments and models: A review from the perspective of design characteristics and local contexts.

Bioretention is a widely used countermeasure to address stormwater runoff issues and restore the urban water balance. This review investigated the variety of designs and local contexts covered by earlier studies, as well as the means for assessing the hydrological performance of a bioretention system. It built on the analysis of 75 documents to discuss the adequacy of experimental setups or models for the evaluation of different performance indicators, and to summarise current knowledge regarding the impact of local context or design parameters on the hydrologic functioning of bioretention systems. The current literature was found to only partially cover the potential variety of local contexts or bioretention designs, and to sometimes omit critical information. Studies were for instance concentrated in regions with low seasonal rainfall variability for which limits the potential for investigating drought resilience issues and more generally restricts the applicability of their findings to other climate conditions. Regarding bioretention design, the use of environmental-friendly materials (renewable and local materials) as alternatives to traditional materials (sand, gravel, geotextile), as well as simpler designs with limited inputs of external materials (e.g. limited use of concrete or polymeric materials), remains largely overlooked. Besides, the over representation of lined system in current studies leads to a lack of understanding of the interactions between bioretention and the surrounding soil, despite evidence of their potential impact on the overall performance of bioretention in the case of unlined systems. In the reviewed studies, certain limitations of the most commonly used monitoring and modelling methods were identified. Event-based and short-term approaches made up a large proportion of the modelling and monitoring methods, but they lead to inaccuracies in annual and long-term performance. 1D models gained popularity due to their ease of use, but the simplification of configuration and hydrological processes and thus their influence on performance was rarely discussed.

Evaluation of glycemia risk index and continuous glucose monitoring-derived metrics in type 1 diabetes: a real-world observational study.

The Glycemia Risk Index (GRI) quantifies the risk of glycemic events by considering both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes, offering a comprehensive evaluation of glycemia. While associations between GRI and various glycometric indicators have been established in clinical trials using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), real-world assessments, particularly with intermittent scanning CGM (isCGM), are underexplored. This study examines these associations and their clinical implications in individuals with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). We conducted a retrospective study involving individuals with T1D undergoing intensive insulin therapy. All participants had used isCGM for at least three months. We collected clinical, metabolic, and glycemic data and calculated the GRI, with its components for hypoglycemia (CHypo) and hyperglycemia (CHyper). We then assessed the correlation between the GRI and traditional glycemic metrics in relation to the coefficient of variation (CV). The study included 194 patients (105 males, 89 females) with a median age of 21.5 years for adults and 16 years for adolescents. Of these, 62.4% were on multiple daily injections, and 37.6% used insulin pumps. GRI showed a significant negative correlation with Time in Range (%TIR70 - 180) (p < 0.001) and a positive association with various glycemic measures such as glycemic variability (r = 0.33, p < 0.001). Individuals with lower glycemic variability (CV< 36%) had significantly higher %TIR70 - 180 (63% vs. 39%, p < 0.01) and lower GRI (40 vs. 45.8, p < 0.01), CHyper (20 vs. 24, p = 0.01), and CHypo (2.6 vs. 3.4, p < 0.01). GRI correlates with key glycemic metrics, indicating its potential utility in comprehensive glycemia assessment. These findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment approaches and suggest GRI's clinical relevance in optimizing glycemic management strategies for individuals with T1D. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-025-01569-w.

Rossby Wave Breaking and its impact on Tropospheric Ozone Variability over the Indian Subcontinent

Rossby Wave Breaking (RWB) propels stratospheric ozone (O3) into the troposphere resulting in an augmentation of tropospheric ozone levels and leading to subsequent alterations in the tropospheric chemistry. Given the profound implications, it is crucial to understand RWB-induced ozone variations comprehensively beyond localized production and transport, particularly over densely populated Indian subcontinent. In this context, we investigated the role of RWB on tropospheric ozone variability followed by its relative contribution at the lower levels by leveraging the data from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) onboard Aqua satellite, along with Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) global reanalysis. In this study, we used 232 RWB events for the period 2004-2021, revealing an enhancement of ozone concentration from the daily mean of corresponding RWB days in a climatological aspect. We examine the fraction of events that allows the stratospheric ozone transport till lower troposphere by analyzing the presence of significantly increased stratospheric ozone tracers (SOT) obtained from CAMS over the Indian subcontinent at various pressure levels during RWB days. Additionally, we subjectively examine stratospheric ozone intrusions till the lower troposphere using SOT and ozone from CAMS on a centroid based relative domain. Our findings reveal that only 46% of the total RWB events facilitate stratospheric ozone transport up to the surface level. Further, analysis reveals an enhancement of ozone before and after the maximum breaking, primarily in upper atmospheric levels. Our results also showed that the intrusion intensity yields diverse increments in various tropospheric layers (e.g., 150-250 ppbv at 100-250 hPa layers). Lower tropospheric ozone variations (850 hPa) to RWB correlates with intrusion intensity, resulting in anomalous changes of about 10-20 ppbv. It is observed that the upper-level positive potential vorticity anomalies catalyze ozone intrusion from the stratosphere, descending to lower levels on intense breaking days through downward transport. These findings deepen our understanding of RWB-induced tropospheric ozone variability and its relative contribution to the ozone changes over the subcontinent.

Comparison of individualized facial growth prediction models using artificial intelligence and partial least squares based on the Mathews growth collection.

To develop facial growth prediction models using artificial intelligence (AI) under various conditions, and to compare performance of these models with each other as well as with the partial least squares (PLS) growth prediction model. Longitudinal lateral cephalograms from 33 subjects in the Mathews growth collection were utilized. A total of 1257 pairs of before and after growth lateral cephalograms were included. In each image, 46 hard and 32 soft tissue landmarks were manually identified. Growth prediction models were constructed using a deep learning method based on TabNet deep neural network and partial least squares (PLS) method. Prediction accuracies of the two methods were compared. On average, artificial intelligence (AI) showed 0.61 mm less prediction error than PLS. Among the 77 predicted landmarks, AI was more accurate than PLS in 60 landmarks. When comparing AI models with varying numbers of training epochs, those with higher epochs yielded more accurate predictions. Overall, PLS and AI exhibited greater prediction errors for soft tissue and mandibular landmarks compared to hard tissue and maxillary landmarks. However, AI showed a smaller increase in prediction error in areas with greater variability. AI proved to be a valuable growth prediction method, with clinically acceptable prediction errors averaging 1.49 mm for 45 hard tissue landmarks and 1.71 mm for 32 soft tissue landmarks. PLS accurately predicted landmarks with low variability. However, AI generally outperformed PLS, particularly for landmarks in the lower part of the craniofacial structure and soft tissue, where uncertainty is considerable.

Are we capturing individual differences? Evaluating the test–retest reliability of experimental tasks used to measure social cognitive abilities

Social cognitive skills are crucial for positive interpersonal relationships, health, and wellbeing and encompass both automatic and reflexive processes. To assess this myriad of skills, researchers have developed numerous experimental tasks that measure automatic imitation, emotion recognition, empathy, perspective taking, and intergroup bias and have used these to reveal important individual differences in social cognition. However, the very reason these tasks produce robust experimental effects – low between-participant variability – can make their use as correlational tools problematic. We performed an evaluation of test–retest reliability for common experimental tasks that measure social cognition. One-hundred and fifty participants completed the race-Implicit Association Test (r-IAT), Stimulus–Response Compatibility (SRC) task, Emotional Go/No-Go (eGNG) task, Dot Perspective-Taking (DPT) task, and State Affective Empathy (SAE) task, as well as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and indices of Explicit Bias (EB) across two sessions within 3 weeks. Estimates of test–retest reliability varied considerably between tasks and their indices: the eGNG task had good reliability (ICC = 0.63–0.69); the SAE task had moderate-to-good reliability (ICC = 0.56–0.77); the r-IAT had moderate reliability (ICC = 0.49); the DPT task had poor-to-good reliability (ICC = 0.24–0.60); and the SRC task had poor reliability (ICC = 0.09–0.29). The IRI had good-to-excellent reliability (ICC = 0.76–0.83) and EB had good reliability (ICC = 0.70–0.77). Experimental tasks of social cognition are used routinely to assess individual differences, but their suitability for this is rarely evaluated. Researchers investigating individual differences must assess the test–retest reliability of their measures.

Prognostic Factors, FLT-3 Mutations, and Treatment Outcomes with pediatric inspired protocols in adolescent and young adults (AYA) and adult patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The treatment protocols of adolescent and young adults (AYA) patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have evolved, with the advent of pediatric-based regimens, measurable residual disease monitoring and mutation analysis. Among the latter, previous reports have identified FLT-3 mutations in up to 5% of pediatric patients, however the full clinical significance of these mutations in the non-pediatric population is still uncertain. Our cohort includes AYA patients with ALL treated with the NY-II and BFM protocols at different time periods, allowing analysis of prognostic factors and survival outcomes. Additionally, we analyzed DNA samples for FLT-3 mutations, focusing on the potential prognostic implications and treatment responses within our cohort. No significant differences were found in overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) between the two treatment protocols. However, a higher rate of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) was noted in the NY-II patients. Older age and high WBC count at presentation were identified as adverse prognostic factors using multivariate analysis. FLT-3 mutations were identified in 4 patients (5%) of the cohort, with only one patient having FLT-3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation and three patients having FLT-3-tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutations. The low rate and variability of FLT-3 mutations in an Israeli cohort precludes broad conclusions regarding their prognostic significance. In our cohort, age and WBC count, but not treatment protocol or FLT-3 mutations influenced survival.

3D scanner's potential as a novel tool for lymphedema measurement in mouse hindlimb models.

Lymphedema is characterized by persistent swelling due to impaired lymphatic function and presents significant challenges in both research and clinical settings. Traditional contact-based measurement techniques such as paw thickness and circumferential measurements using calipers or silk thread are useful but limited by observer variability and measurement accuracy. Non-contact methods, including various imaging techniques, offer improvements but often at higher cost and complexity. In this study, we address the need for a more reliable, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for assessing lymphedema in mouse models. Here we show that 3D scanning technology can enhance the measurement of lymphedema in a mouse hindlimb model. Our results indicate that 3D scanners provide more consistent measurements with lower variability compared with conventional methods and without the need for direct contact, which could potentially alter the measurement outcomes. The findings of this study suggest that 3D scanning could replace traditional methods, offering a more standardized and less subjective tool for lymphedema research in the near future. This technology would not only improve upon conventional methods but also extend the capabilities for detailed anatomical analyses in small animal models, which could have implications for other areas of biomedical research.