Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) greatly affect physical independence, especially in older Veterans. While the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is widely used in rehabilitation, it lacks consideration of SCI-specific needs such as ventilation, wheelchair use, and bowel/bladder management. The Spinal Cord Independence Measure-Version III (SCIM-III) was developed to address these gaps, but its effectiveness has not been studied in the veteran population, which is typically older, predominantly male, and has higher comorbidity rates. This study examined the concurrent validity, responsiveness, and predictive value of FIM and SCIM-III for length of stay (LOS) and discharge destinations in older Veterans with SCI. This retrospective cohort study used data from an acute rehabilitation program (March 2021-May 2023) and included 33 adults (≥18 years) with a recent SCI (≤1 year) and a minimum one-week admission. Collected data included demographics, AIS level, injury type/duration, length of stay, and discharge destination. The SCIM-III demonstrated acceptable concurrent validity with the FIM, and both the FIM and SCIM-III were responsive to change. Neither measure was a significant predictor of discharge outcome. The SCIM-III admission score significantly predicted LOS, whereas the FIM admission total score did not significantly predict LOS. SCIM-III demonstrates acceptable concurrent validity and responsiveness to change when compared with FIM. Only the SCIM-III admission scores predicted LOS. These initial findings suggest the utility of the SCIM-III for improving clinical care and discharge planning among Veterans.

ABSTRACT Methamphetamine addiction is a chronic disorder characterized by compulsive drug‐seeking and high relapse rates, driven by dopamine‐mediated neuroadaptations in reward circuits that induce persistent behavioral and synaptic changes that endure despite abstinence, making treatment challenging. In this study, we demonstrated significant downregulation of the tRNA‐derived small RNA (tsRNA) tRF‐M2 (tRF‐1:32‐Gly‐GCC‐2‐M2) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats exposed to methamphetamine self‐administration (METH SA). Through bioinformatic prediction and experimental validation via dual‐luciferase reporter assays, we identified that dopamine receptor D2 ( Drd2 ) mRNA is a direct molecular target of tRF‐M2. We found that NAc‐specific tRF‐M2 delivery attenuated reinstatement behaviors in METH SA rats, potentially mediated through downstream Akt‐Gsk3β signaling cascade and the transcriptional regulator CREB. The antireinstatement effect mirrored the behavioral outcomes observed following Drd2 knockdown in the NAc, which similarly showed concomitant changes in phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt) and Gsk3β (p‐Gsk3β). These findings show that tRF‐M2 regulates Drd2 expression via Akt‐Gsk3β‐CREB signaling, thereby inhibiting drug‐seeking behavior in addiction models. These results provide valuable mechanistic insights into neuroepigenetic regulation of psychostimulant addiction and identify promising candidates for therapeutic intervention against methamphetamine relapse.

This study validates the Spanish version of the Brief-COPE in the Colombian context. This tool assesses 14 different coping strategies, including positive coping, planning, emotional support, instrumental support, substance use, and religion, among others. The structural validations of this tool in Latin America, Europe, North America, and Asia yielded heterogeneous results, with validations in Latin America often having limitations in their data analysis methodologies and sample size. This study aims to address these limitations and provide methodologically sound evidence on the structural validity, reliability, and convergent and divergent validity of the instrument for adults in Colombia. A total of 762 participants completed the Brief-COPE along with the ERQ, the Wellbeing Index, the HSCL-25, the PCL-C, and the Kessler 6. Categorical Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to assess the fit of 12 different theory and data-driven models. After identifying the best-fitting model, reliability, divergent, and convergent validity were assessed for the resulting factors. The best-fitting CFA model for the Brief-COPE had 11 factors: active coping, social support, acceptance, venting, self-distraction, behavioral disengagement, denial, self-blame, humor, religion, and substance use. Substance use, active coping, religion, social support, humor, self-blame, denial, and behavioral disengagement demonstrated good reliability (Omega > = .7), whereas the remaining subscales demonstrated insufficient reliability (Omega > .6 and Omega < .7). Maladaptive coping strategies were found to positively correlate with distress measures, while adaptive strategies exhibited negative correlations, as expected. However, social support and humor presented significant positive associations with PCL-C and HSCL. This study provides evidence supporting an 11-factor structure for the Brief-COPE in Colombian adults, with most factors demonstrating satisfactory reliability. Researchers should use caution when interpreting subscales with lower reliability. The results also underscore the influence of cultural context on coping patterns, given the heterogeneous factor structures found in other validations. Future studies should recruit more diverse samples to enhance generalizability and further investigate the predictive validity of this adapted tool.

Fall prevention recommendations include mobility or balance testing to identify older adults with high fall risk who require further intervention. However, there is no consensus on the best tests or optimal cut-off values. The Initial Test for Fall RIsk Assessment in The Elderly (INITIATE) study was designed to determine the optimal screening test(s) for predicting falls among community-dwelling older adults. Here we describe the study protocol, sample characteristics, and baseline differences between participants with and without a history of falling. We undertook a 1-year prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults (≥ 65 years) able to walk 10m without assistance at baseline and living in Ontario, Canada. Participants underwent a 2-hour baseline visit where 7 validated balance and mobility tests (Timed up and go (TUG) usual pace, TUG fast pace, TUG with a cognitive dual task, Brief Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), 5 times sit-to-stand (5TSTS), single leg stance, gait speed) were administered. Falls were tracked for 12 months using monthly diaries and follow-up calls for context. Participants received quarterly calls to monitor general wellbeing, healthcare utilization, and changes to mobility. Descriptive statistics were calculated and differences by 12-month fall history were tested using t-tests, chi square tests, and Wilcox Rank Sum tests as appropriate. From 3211 contacted older adults, 514 (19%) consented. The mean age was 76.4 years (SD 6.7), 64% were female, 68% had a postsecondary degree/diploma, and 231(45%) reported a fall in the last 12 months. Means(SD) for the performance-based tests were as follows: TUG = 11.8s(4.0), TUG fast pace = 9.2s(3.4), TUG cog = 14.2s(5.9), Brief BESTest = 15.9 score(5.3), 5TSTS = 12.5s(4.3), single leg stance = 14.1s(16.3), gait speed = 1.14m/s(0.28). Comparisons between baseline fallers and non-fallers showed no differences in age, sex, income, or education(p > 0.05) but did show differences in all 7 tests(p < 0.05). Participants are representative of community-dwelling older adults with fall risk. Balance and mobility test differences between fallers and non-fallers support the need for prospective comparisons of their predictive validity. Follow-up results, expected in late 2025, will help inform future updates to fall risk assessment and prevention guidelines.

The rise of social media has democratized information sharing, allowing ordinary individuals to become influential voices in public discourse. However, traditional methods for identifying influential users rely primarily on network centrality measures that fail to capture the behavioral dynamics underlying actual influence capacity in digital environments. This study introduces the Social Influence Strength Index (SISI), a metric grounded in social impact theory that assesses influence through behavioral engagement indicators rather than network structure alone. The SISI combines three key elements: the average engagement rate, follower reach score, and mention prominence score, using a geometric mean to account for the multiplicative nature of social influence. This was developed and validated using a dataset of 1.2 million tweets from South African migration discussions, a context characterized by high emotional engagement and diverse participant types. SISI’s behavioral principles make it applicable for identifying influential voices across various social media contexts where authentic engagement matters. The results demonstrate substantial divergence between SISI and traditional centrality measures (Spearman ρ = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.32–0.36 with eigenvector centrality; top-10 user overlap Jaccard index = 0.20), with the SISI consistently recognizing behaviorally influential users that network-based approaches overlook. Validation analyses confirm the SISI’s predictive validity (high-SISI users maintain 3.5× higher engagement rates in subsequent periods, p &lt; 0.001), discriminant validity (distinguishing content creators from amplifiers, Cohen’s d = 1.32), and convergent validity with expert assessments (Spearman ρ = 0.61 vs. ρ = 0.28 for eigenvector centrality). The research reveals that digital influence stems from genuine audience engagement and community recognition rather than structural network positioning. By integrating social science theory with computational methods, this work presents a theoretically grounded framework for measuring digital influence, with potential applications in understanding information credibility, audience mobilization, and the evolving dynamics of social media-driven public discourse across diverse domains including marketing, policy communication, and digital information ecosystems.

Organic photovoltaics rely on efficient charge separation and transport, processes facilitated by charge delocalisation across the π-conjugated backbone of donor and acceptor molecules. By probing the interactions between the unpaired electron spin associated with photoinduced charged states and magnetic nuclei in their molecular environment, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy enables precise experimental quantification of spin and charge delocalisation. We first characterise the EPR spectral signatures of the positive and negative polarons on polymer donors and non-fullerene acceptors in the PBDB-T:ITIC and PM6:Y6 blends, as well as the corresponding fullerene-based blends PBDB-T:PC61BM and PM6:PC61BM, by multi-frequency EPR spectroscopy. Reliable separation of overlapping donor and acceptor signatures is enabled by EDNMR-induced EPR spectroscopy exploiting unique nuclear hyperfine couplings in the non-fullerene acceptors ITIC and Y6. Then, by combining the measurement of electron-nuclear hyperfine couplings by ENDOR with DFT modelling and a regularised least-squares fitting approach, we quantify the extent of spin and charge delocalisation. The experimental results reveal intramolecular delocalisation of the positive polarons on the PBDB-T and PM6 donors across approximately 6 nm. Delocalisation of the negative polarons, on the other hand, depends on the nature of the acceptor: for ITIC, the electron spin is found to be localised on a single molecule, whereas for Y6, contributions from spins localised on a single molecule, as well as spins delocalised over two adjacent molecules in different π-π stacked configurations, are required to explain the experimental ENDOR and HYSCORE data. Validation of computational predictions by experimental results is shown to be crucial for the accurate estimation of charge delocalisation, and therefore conclusions on its relevance in determining device efficiency in organic photovoltaics.

Purpose The rapid emergence of metaverse technologies presents transformative potential for digital integration in construction supply chains (CSCs). However, in emerging economies, the adoption of such technologies remains limited due to a range of structural and contextual barriers. This study examines the critical challenges hindering the integration of the metaverse within CSCs and justifies the need to address them to facilitate sustainable digital transformation. Design/methodology/approach A hybrid three-phase methodology was employed. Eighteen key challenges were identified through an extensive literature review and categorized using the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM–MICMAC) was applied to map the interrelationships and driving-dependence power of these challenges. The structural outcomes were further validated and prioritized through machine learning (ML)-based predictive modeling, employing logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF) and stacking ensemble (SE) classifiers. Findings Cloud computing and data security (C1), traditional technologies (C6) and artificial intelligence readiness (C17) emerged as the most critical challenges. Among the ML models evaluated, the SE achieved the best performance, with an accuracy of 95.6% and the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.976), confirming the robustness of the ISM–MICMAC structure and underscoring the significance of technological and organizational integration. Originality/value This study extends the TOE framework by integrating the ISM–MICMAC model with ML-based predictive validation to assess metaverse adoption readiness in CSCs, a previously underexplored domain. The findings contribute theoretically by presenting a validated structural model and offering practical insights for policymakers, construction leaders and digital solution providers in emerging economies.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators of skeletal muscle development and regeneration; however, the biological functions of many miRNAs remain to be elucidated. In this study, we focused on the function of miR-379-5p, a miRNA we previously identified as highly expressed in the longissimus dorsi muscle of goats. Overexpression of miR-379-5p inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of goat skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), as evidenced by decreased expression of proliferation and differentiation markers, reduced EdU + cells, and lower myotube formation. Through bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation, we identified LIN28B as a direct downstream target of miR-379-5p. Functional assays revealed that LIN28B promoted the proliferation and differentiation of MuSCs, whereas miR-379-5p suppressed these processes by decreasing LIN28B expression. Furthermore, miR-379-5p inhibited mitochondrial activity during the proliferation phase but promoted it during myogenic differentiation. Additionally, ectopic expression of LIN28B decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, suggesting that LIN28B impairs mitochondrial function. Overall, our findings highlight the role of miR-379-5p and LIN28B in regulating goat MuSCs activity and mitochondrial function, providing new insights into the role of miRNAs in skeletal muscle development.

AimsHip fracture patients have a significant mortality risk. Risk stratification tools are important in guiding management and family discussions. Aims were to assess the associations and validity of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) in predicting mortality and return to original residence within 30 days using national hip fracture registry data.MethodsRoutinely collected clinical registry data for all patients presenting with a hip fracture in Scotland aged 50 years and over between February 2022 and December 2023 with a completed CFS score were analyzed. The association of frailty with mortality and return to original residence was assessed using multivariable Cox regression and logistic regression analysis, respectively, adjusting for confounders to present adjusted hazard (aHRs) and odds ratios (aORs).ResultsOf 15,546 patients, 8,573 had completed the CFS. Exclusion for missingness gave a final sample of 8,092. Most (71.4%) were female with a median American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade of 3 (IQR 3 to 3) and CFS of 5 (IQR 4 to 7). Vulnerable and frail patients (CFS ≥ 4) were older, more likely to be admitted from a higher care setting, and had increased mortality risk on the same admission. Higher CFS scores were associated with increased mortality risk: mildly frail (CFS 4 to 5), aHR 1.67 (95% CI 1.53 to 1.87); and frail (CFS 6 to 8), aHR 3.01 (95% CI 2.59 to 3.50). CFS and ASA grade showed similar performance in predicting one-year mortality (CFS area under curve (AUC) 0.72, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.73; ASA AUC 0.66, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.67) and return to residence (CFS AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.65; ASA AUC 0.61, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.62).ConclusionThe CFS is a pragmatic and validated tool for assessing frailty, which has a strong association with mortality risk in patients with hip fractures. Its predictive accuracy supports its integration into national hip fracture registries. While its utility in predicting return to pre-injury residence is moderate, it remains a valuable component of comprehensive patient assessment.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(12):1550–1558.

Depression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is two to three times more frequent than in demographically matched people without MS. The MS-depression literature is large and has expanded exponentially over the past few years. This increase in new knowledge is the impetus for assessing whether there is now sufficient evidence to differentiate depression linked to multiple sclerosis from depression alone. Establishing the validity of MS-depression as a distinct diagnosis is important because it would enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of depression in general, shed light on a clinical course that might diverge from what is expected from depression without MS, and suggest management strategies that may differ from those followed for people with depression alone. A review of the MS-depression literature from January 2018 to December 2024 (generating 114 papers for inclusion in the manuscript) reveals no unique, distinct MS-depression phenomenology. The factors encompassing predictive validity, namely the course of depression, employment, suicide, cognitive impairment and quality of life, are similar in kind but not severity between depressed people with and without MS. The paucity of randomized controlled trial psychotropic data in MS-related depression means it is unclear whether medication plus psychotherapy is the best treatment option for people with MS who are depressed, as it is in general population samples. In terms of construct validity, the posited immune signature of MS depression, namely an increased frequency of circulating CD4+CCR7low central memory T cells with a Th1 predilection, does not appear to be distinct from depression in the general population. There is considerable neuroimaging commonality, particularly in limbic regional involvement. The potential importance of the dopamine-rich ventral tegmental area in a putative MS depression neural circuit suggests a degree of specificity, but the absence of direct comparison between depressed people with and without MS hinders a more definite conclusion. As for personality factors and socio-economic status in depressed people with MS, the findings essentially overlap with the depression literature in the general population. There are, however, a couple of standout constructs suggesting the possibility of two distinct disorders: the equivocal data pertaining to a specific MS genetic diathesis to depression and the absence of a clear sex difference in depressed people with MS. Until these conundrums are explained, one cannot conclude with certainty that depression in people with and without MS is the same disorder. Further research comparing depressed people with and without MS is needed to understand why this difference may exist.

The interpretability of FSIQ is often believed to rely on variability across index scores, although studies show that FSIQ is the strongest predictor of academic achievement, regardless of scatter. This study investigated whether IQ scatter affects the predictive validity of FSIQ on academic achievement in youth with neurodevelopmental disorders. A retrospective chart review was conducted with patients aged 6-16 evaluated at a developmental assessment clinic between 3/2018 and 12/2022 (N = 76, 74% male, 76% White). Moderation analyses were conducted using the FSIQ as a predictor, index scatter as a moderator, and academic achievement factor as a dependent variable. Index scatter was a significant moderator for the predictive effect of FSIQ on broad achievement and broad written language. The Johnson-Neyman technique revealed that the effect of FSIQ on broad achievement was significant when the index scatter was ≤ 54 in our sample. The results are consistent with previous studies, as the robust predictive validity of FSIQ was overall demonstrated. However, this study also provides novel information suggesting that the predictive validity of the FSIQ for academic achievement in neurodevelopmental disorders may weaken as index score scatter increases, a relationship that became statistically nonsignificant within our sample at highly elevated levels.

Aviation selection tests are high-stakes assessments designed to identify candidates capable of succeeding in demanding flight environments. Most branches of the US military incorporate both content-based and process-based assessments to evaluate prior knowledge and reasoning ability, respectively. A challenge with high-stakes process tests is that their validity requires participant naivety, which is increasingly difficult to maintain in the modern internet era. As such, these high-stakes tests must be continuously evaluated to ensure the most valid, reliable, and cost-effective selection procedures are employed. To address this, we examined practice effects in the psychomotor airplane tracking tasks of the Navy’s Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB). We had 146 Naval Flight Students and 119 enlisted Sailors perform the ASTB’s psychomotor battery six times across two days. Results revealed large practice effects, shifting in rank ordering of individuals across attempts, and that psychomotor performance had not stabilized even by the sixth attempt. Prior action video gaming and flight simulator gaming experience correlated with psychomotor performance, with some evidence that improvements were related, albeit weakly, to either gaming experience or initial performance. Finally, correlations between psychomotor performance and eventual naval flight training scores were stable across the six attempts, but simulations indicated predictive validity can range widely if participants have differing levels of practice from one another. Overall, these findings indicate that the psychomotor component of the ASTB is a valuable inclusion to the Naval Flight School selection process but also could benefit from further refinement.

HAM models have proven their value for analyzing moisture-related pathologies by assessing hygrothermal responses to environmental exposure. In this study, a coupling between CFD and HAM is developed to capture spatial wetting and drying effects, which allows to identify façade degradation patterns. Wind-driven rain (WDR) and evaporation significantly influence the hygrothermal performance and durability of façades, particularly in heritage and renovation. In traditional HAM modeling, WDR and convective heat transfer coefficients (CHTC) are often simplified by applying generic, uniform values across the façade. However, this approximation fails to account for the spatial and temporal variations in WDR and neglects the significant variations in CHTC due to the surrounding velocity flow field. These oversimplifications can limit the validity and accuracy of hygrothermal predictions. This study presents a novel approach by externally coupling CFD simulations with HAM modeling to capture the spatial distribution of WDR and CHTC on building façades. Steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and Eulerian-multiphase simulations are performed to calculate the wind flow and the rain trajectories with turbulent dispersion of raindrops. Using a cubic low-rise building as a case, the coupled model evaluates the effects of wind and rain exposure on façade deterioration, including frost degradation, salt crystallization, and algae growth. Results indicate that conventional approaches tend to underestimate critical rain loads, while drying potential is overestimated. It highlights how spatial variations in WDR and drying influence degradation mechanisms, emphasizing the need for more detailed spatial analyses. This integrated method provides valuable insights into risks posed by moisture exposure and drying dynamics, offering practical applications for targeted renovation strategies and improved preservation of building materials.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) encompasses a spectrum of hip abnormalities that, if undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to long-term complications. While ultrasound is the gold standard for early diagnosis, the criteria for recommending radiographic follow-up remain unclear. This prospective cohort study investigated the predictive validity of ultrasonographic parameters at five months of age for residual acetabular dysplasia at one and two years of age in untreated high-risk infants. A total of 278 high-risk infants underwent ultrasound at the initial visit and at five months, with radiographic follow-up at one and two years. The findings indicate that femoral head coverage (FHC) < 50% at five months is significantly associated with an acetabular index (AI) ≥ 30° at one and two years, whereas Graf classification at five months did not reliably predict long-term dysplasia. These results suggest that FHC < 50% may be a more effective indicator for selecting infants who require radiographic follow-up, potentially reducing unnecessary imaging. Further studies are warranted to refine follow-up protocols and optimize DDH management strategies to balance early intervention with the risk of overtreatment.

In the era of treat-to-target (T2T), there is an urgent need for surrogate non-invasive markers to monitor patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Fecal calprotectin (FC), a non-invasive biomarker reflecting intestinal inflammation, holds potential for improving treatment monitoring. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the role of FC in assessing responses to biological therapies and the new small molecules. A comprehensive literature review was performed using major databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, to identify studies that assessed the performance of FC in predicting treatment responses to advanced therapies in both adult and pediatric IBD populations. Performance was specifically evaluated in terms of area under the curve (AUC) values. Numerous studies demonstrated FC's association with treatment response to biologics and small molecules. While some studies reported strong predictive validity (AUC values up to 0.9), others demonstrated lower performance (AUC ranging from 0.6 to 0.9), depending on the specific outcomes assessed. Longitudinal monitoring of FC levels proved superior to single time point assessments. Pediatric patients with IBD showed similar FC patterns to adults. This review supports the use of FC to assess treatment response in patients with IBD, both in clinical research and clinical practice. Comprehensive prospective studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and meta-analyses with data standardizations will enhance the FC's future clinical application in IBD management, supporting the T2T strategy while minimizing the need for invasive procedures.

Objective: The aim of this longitudinal study was investigating how specific dimensions of client expectations about counseling relate to the initial level and subsequent trajectory of the working alliance and symptom change in psychotherapy conducted by Chinese beginning therapist trainees. Methods: Participants included 173 Chinese therapist trainees and their 1,916 clients. At intake, clients completed a measure (Anderson, T., Patterson, C. L., McClintock, A. S., & Song, X. [2013]. Factorial and predictive validity of the Expectations About Counseling-Brief (EAC-B) with clients seeking counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4), 496-507. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034222) assessing their expectations about counseling along three dimensions: Client Involvement, Counselor Expertise, and Facilitative Conditions. Before every session, clients reported their symptom severity level; after every session, both therapists and clients reported their perceived strength of the working alliance. Results: Multilevel modeling results showed that (1) clients with higher initial symptom levels showed lower expectations on Client Involvement (B = -.586, SE = .292, p = .045) but higher expectations on Counselor Expertise (B = .992, SE = .231, p < .001); (2) clients with higher initial working alliance ratings showed higher expectations on Client Involvement (B = .162, SE = .039, p < .001) and Facilitative Conditions (B = .152, SE = .033, p < .001); and (3) clients with higher expectations on Counselor Expertise appeared to show a greater average decrease in symptom level (i.e., greater improvement in therapy) over the course of therapy (B = -.060, SE = .024, p = .011). Conclusion: The findings confirms that client expectations, particularly for counselor expertise, are both a product of initial clinical factors and a predictor of therapeutic success. Conceptual and clinical implications, especially with regard to the Chinese cultural context, are discussed.

BackgroundMale infertility is a prevalent reproductive disorder worldwide, with decreased sperm quality—particularly reduced motility and fertilization capacity—being one of its common causes. Sperm maturation is a complex process involving multiple molecular mechanisms, the specific pathways regulating sperm motility remain unclear and require further investigation. Among these mechanisms, sialylation serves as an important glycosylation modification during sperm maturation and capacitation, playing a crucial role in these processes. Nonetheless, the specific function of Neuraminidase-1 (NEU1), a kind of sialidase, in sperm maturation and function remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the origin and function of NEU1 in sperm, as well as its impact on sperm motility and fertilization potential, providing new insights into its role in male infertility.MethodsA combination of computational prediction and experimental validation was used to assess the expression profile of sialylation-related enzymes in the male reproductive tract, identifying NEU1 as a candidate for further investigation. Immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and flow cytometry were performed to analyze the expression pattern of NEU1 in human and murine sperm. Functional studies were conducted by inhibiting NEU1 activity to examine its effects on sperm motility and fertilization capacity. Additionally, NEU1 expression was compared between asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic individuals, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) assays were performed to evaluate its role in fertilization. Furthermore, a murine model was used to explore the origin of NEU1 during sperm maturation, particularly focusing on whether it is secreted and transferred onto sperm by epididymal epithelial cells.ResultsThis study demonstrated that NEU1 is highly expressed in both human and murine sperm, and its expression level is closely associated with sperm motility and fertilization capacity. Sperm with higher motility exhibited significantly elevated NEU1 expression, which positively correlated with sperm kinematic parameters such as velocity and linearity. Inhibition of NEU1 activity resulted in a marked decline in sperm motility and fertilization potential. Furthermore, NEU1 is secreted by epididymal epithelial cells and subsequently transferred to the sperm surface. It regulates α-2,6 sialylation, thereby influencing sperm maturation, energy metabolism, and capacitation. IVF assays further confirmed a significant correlation between NEU1 expression and fertilization success.ConclusionThis study identifies NEU1 as a key regulatory enzyme on the sperm surface, directly influencing sperm motility and fertilization capacity. NEU1 is secreted by epididymal epithelial cells and transferred onto sperm, mediating sialylation modifications and regulating sperm capacitation and metabolic processes. These findings provide novel insights into the functional role of sialidases in sperm maturation and function, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-025-05909-0.

Background: Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) significantly impacts individuals following bereavement, particularly under conditions of sudden loss and disrupted mourning. Despite Hindi being one of the most widely spoken languages, no validated PGD assessment tool has existed for Hindi speakers. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and validate the Hindi version of the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13 Revised Scale (PG-13-R-H) among Hindi-speaking adults in the United States for screening and secondary monitoring. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 527 Hindi-speaking adults residing in the United States who had experienced bereavement. Participants completed the PG-13-R-H, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha, and validity was evaluated using Pearson correlations and a multi-trait-multimethod matrix (MTMM). Results: The PG-13-R-H demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75). Overall, 15.6% of participants met diagnostic thresholds for PGD. COVID-19–related deaths were reported by 41.7% of the sample, and 88.6% had experienced an unexpected loss—both strong risk factors for PGD. Convergent validity was supported by correlation with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9; r = .23, p &lt; .001), while discriminant validity was supported by a non-significant correlation with well-being (WEMWBS; r = –.05, p = .34). Findings also highlighted the impact of diaspora mourning contexts, where disruptions in family-based rituals and limited support systems may intensify grief among Hindi-speaking Americans. Conclusions: The PG-13-R-H is a reliable, valid, and culturally sensitive tool for assessing PGD among Hindi-speaking Americans. This study emphasizes the importance of language-specific and contextually informed assessment tools to identify at risk individuals in diasporic communities, where pandemic-related disruptions and limited support systems may heighten vulnerability to prolonged grief.

Mode of nutrition as a reflection of swallowing ability in acute and sub-acute stroke: Validation of a bedside tool.

A bstract Utilizing the framework of free probability, we analyze the spectral and operator statistics of the Rosenzweig-Porter random matrix ensembles, which exhibit a rich phase structure encompassing ergodic, fractal, and localized regimes. Leveraging subordination formulae, we develop a perturbative scheme that yields semi-analytic expressions for the density of states up to second order in system size, in good agreement with numerical results. We compute higher-point correlation functions in the ergodic regime using both numerical and suitable analytic approximations. Our analysis of operator statistics for various spin operators across these regimes reveals close agreement with free probability predictions in the ergodic phase, in contrast to persistent deviations observed in the fractal and localized phases, even at late times. Notably, the fractal phase exhibits partial freeness while retaining memory of the initial spectrum, highlighting the importance of non-localized eigenstates and associated with the late-time dynamics of cumulative out-of-time-ordered-correlators (OTOCs). Employing distance measures and statistical tools such as the χ 2 statistic, Kullback-Leibler divergence, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov hypothesis testing, we define a characteristic time scale — the free time — that marks the onset of the validity of free probability predictions for operator spectral statistics in the ergodic phase. Remarkably, our findings demonstrate consistency across these different approaches.