Successful Recovery Research Articles

Characteristics of unsuccessful reactive responses to lateral loss of balance in people with stroke

ABSTRACT Purpose The effectiveness of reactive responses to a sudden loss of balance is a critical factor that determines whether a fall will occur. We examined the strategies and kinematics associated with successful and unsuccessful balance recovery following lateral loss of balance in people with stroke (PwS). Methods Eleven PwS were included in the analysis. They were exposed to unannounced right and left horizontal surface translations and demonstrated both successful and unsuccessful balance responses at the same perturbation magnitude. Reactive step strategies and kinematics were investigated comparatively in successful and unsuccessful recovery tests. Results The crossover strategy was used in most of the unsuccessful tests (7/11) while the unloaded-leg side-step in the successful tests (6/11). There were no significant differences in the reactive step initiation time in unsuccessful vs. successful tests. However, the step execution time, step length and center of mass displacement were significantly higher during the first recovery step in unsuccessful tests. Conclusions PwS have difficulties in controlling and decelerating the moving center of mass following a lateral loss of balance. The increased step time and step length of the first reactive step in unsuccessful vs. successful tests suggest the crossover step strategy may be ineffective for PwS.

Renal L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase activity promotes hypoxia tolerance and mitochondrial metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster

ObjectivesThe mitochondrial enzyme L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase (L2HGDH) regulates the abundance of L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L-2HG), a potent signaling metabolite capable of influencing chromatin architecture, mitochondrial metabolism, and cell fate decisions. Loss of L2hgdh activity in humans induces ectopic L-2HG accumulation, resulting in neurodevelopmental defects, altered immune cell function, and enhanced growth of clear cell renal cell carcinomas. To better understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie these disease pathologies, we used the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the endogenous functions of L2hgdh. MethodsL2hgdh mutant adult male flies were analyzed under normoxic and hypoxic conditions using a combination of semi-targeted metabolomics and RNA-seq. These multi-omic analyses were complemented by tissue-specific genetic studies that examined the effects of L2hgdh mutations on the Drosophila renal system (Malpighian tubules; MTs). ResultsOur studies revealed that while L2hgdh is not essential for growth or viability under standard culture conditions, L2hgdh mutants are hypersensitive to hypoxia and expire during the reoxygenation phase with severe disruptions of mitochondrial metabolism. Moreover, we find that the fly renal system is a key site of L2hgdh activity, as L2hgdh mutants that express a rescuing transgene within the MTs survive hypoxia treatment and exhibit normal levels of mitochondrial metabolites. We also demonstrate that even under normoxic conditions, L2hgdh mutant MTs experience significant metabolic stress and are sensitized to aberrant growth upon Egfr activation. ConclusionsThese findings present a model in which renal L2hgdh activity limits systemic L-2HG accumulation, thus indirectly regulating the balance between glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolism, enabling successful recovery from hypoxia exposure, and ensuring renal tissue integrity.

Monitoring invasive exotic grass species in ecological restoration areas of the Brazilian savanna using UAV images

Identifying and monitoring invasive exotic grasses (IEG) is critical for the ecological restoration of grasslands and savannas, as they are the main barrier to the successful recovery of native grasslands and savannas. The integration of high-resolution remote sensing data, acquired through UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), with machine learning algorithms is advancing restoration monitoring. The present study aimed to estimate IEG cover and identify plots with different invasive species dominance in ecological restoration areas in the Brazilian savanna. For ground truth, species cover estimates were carried out in plots through point-line intercept sampling. Then, the areas were classified according to the dominance of each invasive species (>40% vegetation cover) or of a mix of native species. A multispectral camera onboard a UAV was used to acquire images in the visible to near-infrared spectrum. From the images, vegetation indices and texture metrics were derived as predictor variables. The Random Forest (RF) algorithm was used to estimate the percentage of invasive species cover and to classify plots in terms of species dominance. The final RF regression for invasive species cover percentage presented an R2 of 0.71 and selected the blue band, NIR and Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI) as the most important variables. The overall accuracy of plot classification according to species dominance was 84%. The most prominent predictors were the Green Chlorophyll Index (GCI), the atmospherically resistant vegetation index (ARVI), and the RVI. The structural and photosynthetic characteristics of exotic and native species influenced the spectral responses. In conclusion, multispectral images acquired with UAV can be used to estimate the proportion of invasion in restoration sites and to map areas dominated by different invasive grass species in grasslands and savannas. This is a useful tool for evaluating restoration success and can help indicate areas that require management interventions.

Concurrent tDCS-fMRI after stroke reveals link between attention network organization and motor improvement

Restoring motor function after stroke necessitates involvement of numerous cognitive systems. However, the impact of damage to motor and cognitive network organization on recovery is not well understood. To discover correlates of successful recovery, we explored imaging characteristics in chronic stroke subjects by combining noninvasive brain stimulation and fMRI. Twenty stroke survivors (6 months or more after stroke) were randomly assigned to a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or sham during image acquisition. Twenty healthy subjects were included as controls. tDCS was limited to 10 min at 2 mA to serve as a mode of network modulation rather than therapeutic delivery. Fugl-Meyer Assessments (FMA) revealed significant motor improvement in the chronic stroke group receiving active stimulation (p = 0.0005). Motor changes in this group were correlated in a data-driven fashion with imaging features, including functional connectivity (FC), surface-based morphometry, electric field modeling and network topology, focusing on relevant regions of interest. We observed stimulation-related changes in FC in supplementary motor (p = 0.0029), inferior frontal gyrus (p = 0.0058), and temporo-occipital (p = 0.0095) areas, though these were not directly related to motor improvement. The feature most strongly associated with FMA improvement in the chronic stroke cohort was graph topology of the dorsal attention network (DAN), one of the regions surveyed and one with direct connections to each of the areas with FC changes. Chronic stroke subjects with a greater degree of motor improvement had lower signal transmission cost through the DAN (p = 0.029). While the study was limited by a small stroke cohort with moderate severity and variable lesion location, these results nevertheless suggest a top-down role for higher order areas such as attention in helping to orchestrate the stroke recovery process.

Disentangling ground-nest predation rates through an artificial nests experiment in an area with western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) presence: martens are the key

The western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a species of conservation concern that has been experiencing a severe decline in many regions of Europe. The poor breeding success rather than mortality of full-grown birds has been suggested to be responsible for its decline, been the nest loss a potential driver of the low productivity (number of chicks per female and year) of capercaillie. Working in a capercaillie population in the Pyrenees, we aimed to provide further insights into nest predation by monitoring 82 artificial nests (58 of them with camera traps), and estimating the population density of predators using camera traps and applying random encounter model and camera trap distance sampling. Pine/stone martens -Martes foina, Martes martes- were the species with higher nest predation rates (23%) despite being the less abundant (0.49 ind/km2), followed by foxes -Vulpes vulpes- (11%) and a population density of 3.37 ind/km2, and wild boar -Sus scrofa- (4%) and 6.95 ind·km− 2; predators could not be identified at 27% of the events. After fitting statistical models on the nest predation data, we observed that the martens’ encounter rate (i.e. number of martens detected per camera and day) and the altitude had a positive significant effect on the artificial nest predation probability. While caution is recommended in artificial nest experiments, our results are valuable highlighting the importance of martens and red foxes when addressing nest predation to promote the breeding success and population recovery of western capercaillie populations.

Graphene Incorporated Sugar Derived Carbon Aerogel for Pyridine Adsorption and Oil-Water Separation.

Herein, we have synthesized a three-dimensional and hydrophobic graphene incorporated carbon aerogel (G-SCA) derived from sugar. G-SCA is being used as a multifunctional sorbent material for removing various advanced water-soluble and insoluble pollutants. Initially, G-SCA is being explored for the adsorption of nitroarenes (nitrophenols, 3-nitroaniline), an insecticide (Phoskill), an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin), and a pharmaceutical drug precursor (pyridine). Later, the same G-SCA is also explored in the absorption of various protic and aprotic organic solvents, and oils (including crude oil, waste cooking oil, and waste engine oil), with excellent recyclability checked up to 10 cycles. Moreover, oil-water separation experiments are also being done in various industrial wastewater and seawater samples to support the real-life accessibility of the present approach. Large-scale applicability of G-SCA is also checked by performing crude oil-seawater separation experiments using a laboratory-scale prototype demonstrating the successful continuous recovery of crude oil.

Temporary diverting loop ileostomy in Crohn's disease surgery; indications and outcome.

Crohn's disease can present with complex surgical pathologies, posing a significant risk of morbidity and mortality for patients. The implementation of a loop ileostomy for selected patients may help minimize associated risks. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the utilization of temporary fecal diversion through the creation of a loop ileostomy in Crohn's surgery. Closure of all ostomies involved a hand-sewn single-layer technique. We then conducted bivariate analysis on 30-day outcomes for closures, focusing on favorable recovery defined as the restoration of bowel continuity without the occurrence of two challenges in recovery: newly developed organ dysfunction or the necessity for reoperation. In total, 168 patients were included. The median age of the patients was 38 years (IQR 27-51). The most common indication for a loop ostomy was peritonitis (49%). After ileostomy closure, 163 patients (97%) achieved favorable recovery, while five encountered challenges; four (2.4%) underwent abdominal surgery, and one (0.6%) developed acute renal failure requiring dialysis. Two patients (1.2%) had a re-creation of ileostomy. Patients encountering challenges were older (56 [IQR 41-61] vs. 37 [IQR 27-50]; p 0.039) and more often required secondary intention wound healing (40% vs. 6.7%; p 0.049) and postoperative parenteral nutrition following their index surgery (83% vs. 26%; p 0.006). Selectively staging the Crohn's disease operations with a loop ileostomy is a reliable practice with low morbidity and high restoration rates of bowel continuity. Our hand-sewn single-layer technique proves effective in achieving successful surgical recovery.

Polydiacetylene Liposome-Based Dual-Output Optical Sensor for ppb Level Detection of Dopamine in Solution and Solid Phases.

Dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in regulating motor functions and emotions and can serve as a marker for several diseases. In this study, we report a highly sensitive polydiacetylenes (PDA)-based dual-output sensor for dopamine detection in both solution and solid phases that was developed by modifying PDA liposomes with boronic acid groups at the termini. This sensor exploits the high affinity between the catechol residue of dopamine and the -B(OH)2 group of the PDA-based probe (PDA-PhBA) to form boronate ester bonds, causing a stress-induced blue-to-red color change along with a steady increase in fluorescence response at λmax 622 nm. The PDA-PhBA-based sensor displays high sensitivity toward dopamine with low limit of detection of 6.2 ppb in colorimetric analysis and 0.6 ppb in fluorimetric measurements, demonstrating its dual optical output ability. The sensor works well for adrenaline, another catecholamine, with similar efficacy. Its practical applicability was validated by the successful recovery of trace level dopamine in blood serum and real water samples. Additionally, immobilizing PDA-PhBA liposomes in sodium alginate produced PDA beads for the solid-phase detection of dopamine with an limit of detection (LOD) of 59 nM (9.0 ppb) in colorimetric detection using a smartphone for capturing images and ImageJ software for analysis.

Establishing a method for the cryopreservation of viable peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the International Space Station

The analysis of cells frozen within the International Space Station (ISS) will provide crucial insights into the impact of the space environment on cellular functions and properties. The objective of this study was to develop a method for cryopreserving blood cells under the specific constraints of the ISS. In a ground experiment, mouse blood was directly mixed with a cryoprotectant and gradually frozen at −80 °C. Thawing the frozen blood sample resulted in the successful recovery of viable mononuclear cells when using a mixed solution of dimethylsulfoxide and hydroxyethyl starch as a cryoprotectant. In addition, we developed new freezing cases to minimize storage space utilization within the ISS freezer. Finally, we confirmed the recovery of major mononuclear immune cell subsets from the cryopreserved blood cells through a high dimensional analysis of flow cytometric data using 13 cell surface markers. Consequently, this ground study lays the foundation for the cryopreservation of viable blood cells on the ISS, enabling their analysis upon return to Earth. The application of this method in ISS studies will contribute to understanding the impact of space environments on human cells. Moreover, this method may find application in the cryopreservation of blood cells in situations where research facilities are inadequate.

A Green Slurry Electrolysis to Recover Valuable Metals from Waste Printed Circuit Board (WPCB) in Recyclable pH-Neutral Ethylene Glycol

The continuous growth of e-waste necessitates an efficient method to recover their metal contents to improve their recycling rate. The successful recovery of the metallic component from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) can generate great economic benefits to incentivize the industrial recycling effort. In this study, we report the use of slurry electrolysis (SE) in pH-neutral ethylene glycol (EG) electrolyte to extract and recover the metallic component from waste printed circuit broad (WPCB) powder. The system operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and the electrolyte can be recycled multiple times with no signs of chemical degradation. The EG electrolyte system can oxidize the metallic component without triggering anodic gas evolution, which allowed us to incorporate a reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foam anode to maximize the capture and oxidation of the metal content. The system demonstrated up to 99.1% Faraday efficiency for the cathodic metal deposition and could recover Cu from the WPCB powder in a selective manner of 59.7% in the presence of 12 other metals. The SE reaction system was also scalable and displayed no compromises on the Cu recovery selectivity. With the ability to leach and recover metallic content from WPCB in a mild and chemically benign condition, the SE system displayed much promise to be adapted for industrial-scale metal recovery from WPCB. Reference Liu, K., Lam, JCH. et al. "A green slurry electrolysis to recover valuable metals from waste printed circuit board (WPCB) in recyclable pH-neutral ethylene glycol." J. Hazard. Mater. 2022433: 128702.Liu, K., Lam, JCH. et al. "Teaching Electrometallurgical Recycling of Metals from Waste Printed Circuit Boards via Slurry Electrolysis Using Benign Chemicals." J. Chem. Educ. 2023 100(2): 782-790. Figure 1

Deciphering the catalytic activity of nickel anchored on Fe3O4@SiO2@3-CPMS@L as a magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for the efficacious reduction of 4-nitrophenol, nitrobenzene, and methyl orange

In this paper, a versatile heterogeneous nanocatalyst was fabricated employing a self-assembly technique. To commence, Fe3O4 MNPs were coated with a thin layer of SiO2 using the stobbers method. Subsequently, the surface was further functionalized with 3-CPMS, followed by a reaction with a Schiff base. Finally, nickel NPs were deposited on the surface through in situ deposition, forming the Fe3O4@SiO2@3-CPMS@L-Ni magnetic nanocatalyst. The architecture of this magnetic nanocatalyst was meticulously characterized through an array of sophisticated techniques: XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, BET and VSM. The XRD diffraction pattern confirmed the presence of Fe3O4 MNPs, SiO2, and Ni peaks, providing evidence for successful synthesis. Moreover, the successful functionalization with a Schiff base was demonstrated by the presence of an azomethane peak in the FTIR spectra of the synthesized nanocatalyst. The fabricated nanocatalyst was adeptly utilized for the reduction of 4-NP, NB, and MO demonstrating a remarkably elevated rate of catalytic efficacy. Moreover, this catalyst was effortlessly retrievable through the application of an external magnet, and it maintained its catalytic prowess across at least six consecutive cycles. The utilization of water as an environmentally friendly solvent, coupled with the utilization of abundant and cost-effective nickel catalyst instead of the costly Pd or Pt catalysts, along with the successful recovery and scalability of the catalyst, render this method highly advantageous from both environmental and economic perspectives for the reduction of 4-NP, NB, and MO.

A tacrolimus-eluting nerve guidance conduit enhances regeneration in acritical-sized peripheral nerve injury rat model.

Critical-sized peripheral nerve injuries pose a significant clinical challenge and lead to functional loss and disability. Current regeneration strategies, including autografts, synthetic nerve conduits, and biologic treatments, encounter challenges such as limited availability, donor site morbidity, suboptimal recovery, potential immune responses, and sustained stability and bioactivity. An obstacle in peripheral nerve regeneration is the immune response that can lead to inflammation and scarring that impede the regenerative process. Addressing both the immunological and regenerative needs is crucial for successful nerve recovery. Here, we introduce a novel biodegradable tacrolimus-eluting nerve guidance conduit engineered from a blend of poly (L-lactide-co-caprolactone) to facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration and report the testing of this conduit in 15-mm critical-sized gaps in the sciatic nerve of rats. The conduit's diffusion holes enable the local release of tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressant with neuro-regenerative properties, directly into the injury site. A series of in vitro experiments were conducted to assess the ability of the conduit to maintain a controlled tacrolimus release profile that could promote neurite outgrowth. Subsequent in vivo assessments in rat models of sciatic nerve injury revealed significant enhancements in nerve regeneration, as evidenced by improved axonal growth and functional recovery compared to controls using placebo conduits. These findings indicate the synergistic effects of combining a biodegradable conduit with localized, sustained delivery of tacrolimus, suggesting a promising approach for treating peripheral nerve injuries. Further optimization of the design and long-term efficacy studies and clinical trials are needed before the potential for clinical translation in humans can be considered.

“A lot of moving parts”: Recovery home challenges linking and housing individuals with criminal legal system involvement

IntroductionThere are high rates of substance use disorder (SUD) among people released from carceral settings and, upon release, many of these people also face unstable housing situations, posing challenges to connecting with resources to facilitate SUD recovery. Recovery homes provide a temporary sober living environment for those seeking both SUD recovery and transition back to the community after carceral release. However, successful recovery home placement for this population can prove difficult, and there is a need for research to identify ways to overcome them. MethodsThe current qualitative study seeks to understand barriers to recovery home access for people leaving carceral settings and identify potential best practices for overcoming these barriers from the perspective of recovery home directors. The study conducted semi-structured interviews at two data collection points with eight recovery home directors from sites participating in a housing linkage and placement intervention pilot. The research team used qualitative software to identify and organize directors' experiences and practices in housing and supporting this population. ResultsRecovery home directors identified significant barriers to linkage from carceral settings, including difficulties communicating and coordinating placement with potential residents while still incarcerated. Interviews also revealed approaches recovery home directors take to improve recovery home placement, such as sharing information and resources with carceral settings prior to release and helping residents avoid reincarceration by managing relationships with court agents and parole. ConclusionRecovery resident directors have considerable insight into the most significant placement challenges faced by recovery homes upon carceral release as well as experience with potential solutions for overcoming them. Directors can be the key to direct seamless support and continuity of care for criminal legal system involved individuals through coordination with jails, prisons, and other community resources. Directors can also play a significant role in the successful completion of probation and parole by helping residents avoid further issues with the legal system. These directors view working cooperatively with residents as an effective approach to ensuring clients adhere to court orders and are successful in recovery and reentry.

Internalized Shame Among Justice-Involved Women in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Measurement Invariance and Changes During Treatment.

Shame is one of the leading barriers to successful recovery in substance use treatment settings. This secondary analysis study examined measurement invariance of the Internalized Shame Scale (ISS) and explored changes in shame during treatment. Participants (N=105) in the parent study were recruited from a nonprofit residential treatment center for justice-involved women and were randomized to receive mindfulness-based relapse prevention or relapse prevention treatment. A series of confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess measurement invariance in a one-factor measurement model of the ISS. Latent growth curve modeling was used to examine change in shame over time. Our findings support the assumption of measurement invariance across multiple time points and across treatment conditions, supporting comparisons of stigma scores across groups and over time. Although we observed significant reductions in shame from pre- to post-treatment, there were no differences across treatment conditions. Additional research is needed to determine how distinct treatment components relate to reductions in shame among individuals receiving treatment for a substance use disorder.

Post-fire Effects on Soil Properties in High altitude Mixed-conifer Forest of Nepal

Studies on the effects of wildfires on soil are common in mixed-conifer forests worldwide; however, such studies are less frequent in the context of high-altitude mixed-conifer forests. In this research, we analyzed the soil physicochemical properties 14 years after a high-intensity wildfire. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–10 cm across 100 composite samples, representing both control and burnt areas. Our findings revealed significant changes in soil characteristics in the burnt area compared to the control area. Specifically, the average soil pH, electrical conductivity, and available potassium increased by 3 %, 81 %, and 53 %, respectively, in the burnt area, while available phosphorus decreased by 6 %. Conversely, the average total nitrogen and organic matter showed non-significant decreases of 20 % and 12 % in the burnt area compared to the control area. No significant differences were found in slope aspects. Electrical conductivity and available potassium varied significantly among upper (3300–3500 m), middle (3100–3300 m), and lower (2900–3100 m) altitude ranges. Principal component analysis explained a total of 50.1 % of the variance, with approximately 27.4 % explained by the first axis and 22.7 % by the second axis. The control and burnt areas were closely clustered, indicating similar soil properties. Electrical conductivity, available potassium, and pH were more linked to the burnt forests, while nitrogen and organic matter were more associated with the control forests. Consequently, post-fire restoration efforts should consider potential changes in soil nutrient availability to facilitate successful vegetation recovery. This study enhances the formulation of more precise post-fire land management strategies, improves forest restoration initiatives, and promotes sustainable land-use practices by comparing unburnt natural forests.

Are Thai mangrove managers aware of the potential threat posed by sea level rise?

Rapid sea level rise (SLR) represents a novel threat to mangroves, which could adapt through vertical accretion or landward expansion. Depending on tidal conditions and stressors, managers will likely have to intervene to enhance the adaptive capacity of mangroves. However, managers must be aware of, understand, and anticipate the risks of SLR-induced habitat degradation to plan adaptive measures, which must be supported by administrative resources, political will, and stakeholder engagement. Here, we studied how cognitive, experiential, and organizational factors influence risk awareness and adaptive management capacity of communal and state-based managers. In telephone-based interviews, the risk perception of 60 community-based and 23 governmental mangrove managers in Thailand was assessed to gain insights into their awareness and understanding of SLR risks, current management practices and adaptive measures, and the extent of their collaboration and stakeholder engagement. The findings show that most managers acknowledge the presence of SLR (72%) but perceived the adaptive capacity of mangroves as sufficiently high and the risk of SLR-induced degradation as minimal (63%), regardless of their affiliation. However, few respondents (18%) were aware that SLR would prolong hydroperiods and increase waterlogging stress of mangrove trees. The survey also revealed organization-specific biases. State officials cited a high level of uncertainty due to limited research and monitoring preventing them from planning adaptive measures. Community managers relied on their past experiences of mangrove recovery following disturbances, which might be unsuitable for informing management decisions in response to the novel threat of SLR. These findings indicate a lack of knowledge and guidelines for understanding and addressing SLR impacts. Additionally, there was an observed optimism bias among community managers, where past successful recoveries led to an overestimation of mangroves' adaptive capacity. Knowledge transfer and awareness-raising among mangrove resource stakeholders are critical for developing adaptation measures.

Distinct pathway for evolution of enhanced receptor binding and cell entry in SARS-like bat coronaviruses.

Understanding the zoonotic risks posed by bat coronaviruses (CoVs) is critical for pandemic preparedness. Herein, we generated recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSVs) bearing spikes from divergent bat CoVs to investigate their cell entry mechanisms. Unexpectedly, the successful recovery of rVSVs bearing the spike from SHC014, a SARS-like bat CoV, was associated with the acquisition of a novel substitution in the S2 fusion peptide-proximal region (FPPR). This substitution enhanced viral entry in both VSV and coronavirus contexts by increasing the availability of the spike receptor-binding domain to recognize its cellular receptor, ACE2. A second substitution in the spike N-terminal domain, uncovered through forward-genetic selection, interacted epistatically with the FPPR substitution to synergistically enhance spike:ACE2 interaction and viral entry. Our findings identify genetic pathways for adaptation by bat CoVs during spillover and host-to-host transmission, fitness trade-offs inherent to these pathways, and potential Achilles' heels that could be targeted with countermeasures.

One-day surgery is safe and effective in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A prospective comparative study at 1 year of follow-up.

To compare the outcomes and complications of two perioperative protocols for the management of patients who underwent medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA): 24 h (1-day surgery [OS]) versus 72 h (enhanced recovery after surgery [ERAS]) of the length of hospital stay (LOS). In our hypothesis, the reduction of the LOS from 3 to 1 day did not influence the outcomes and complications. A total of 42 patients (21 in each group) with isolated anteromedial knee osteoarthritis and meeting specific criteria were prospectively included in the study. Clinical outcomes included Knee Society Score (KSS) and Forgotten joint score while pain evaluation was performed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Functional outcomes were assessed measuring the knee range of motion (ROM) while radiographic outcomes were evaluated measuring the amelioration of the varus deformity through the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA). Clinical and functional outcomes did not significantly differ between the two groups. Complications occurred in 9.5% of OS and 4.7% of ERAS group patients. Significant improvements in knee ROM, VAS pain, KSS and HKA angle were observed postsurgery, with no significant differences between groups except in KSS expectations and function trends. The OS protocol is safe and effective and LOS, in a well-defined fast-track protocol, did not significantly impact clinical and functional outcomes. OS may lead to reduced hospitalisation costs and potential reductions in complications associated with prolonged stays, benefiting both patients and healthcare facilities. However, further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to confirm these findings. Early mobilisation and rehabilitation protocols are key components of successful patient recovery following UKA procedures. Level II.

Physics-informed genetic programming for discovery of partial differential equations from scarce and noisy data

A novel framework is proposed that utilizes symbolic regression via genetic programming to identify free-form partial differential equations from scarce and noisy data. The framework successfully identified ground truth models for four synthetic systems (an isothermal plug flow reactor, a continuously stirred tank reactor, a nonisothermal reactor, and viscous flow governed by Burgers' equation) from time-variant data collected at one location. A comparative analysis against the so-called weak Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy) demonstrated the proposed framework's superior ability to identify meaningful partial differential equation (PDE) models when data was scarce. The framework was further tested for robustness to noise and scarcity, showing successful model recovery from as few as eight time series data points collected at a single point in space with 50% noise. These results emphasize the potential of the proposed framework for the discovery of PDE models when data collection is expensive or otherwise difficult.

A genome-wide association study implicates the olfactory system in Drosophila melanogaster diapause-associated lifespan extension and fecundity.

The effects of environmental stress on animal life are gaining importance with climate change. Diapause is a dormancy program that occurs in response to an adverse environment, followed by resumption of development and reproduction upon the return of favorable conditions. Diapause is a complex trait, so we leveraged the Drosophila genetic reference panel (DGRP) lines and conducted a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) to characterize the genetic basis of diapause. We assessed post-diapause and non-diapause fecundity across 193 DGRP lines. GWAS revealed 546 genetic variants, encompassing single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions and deletions associated with post-diapause fecundity. We identified 291 candidate diapause-associated genes, 40 of which had previously been associated with diapause. 89 of the candidates were associated with more than one SNP. Gene network analysis indicated that the diapause-associated genes were primarily linked to neuronal and reproductive system development. Similarly, comparison with results from other fly GWAS revealed the greatest overlap with olfactory-behavior-associated and fecundity-and-lifespan-associated genes. An RNAi screen of the top candidates identified two neuronal genes, Dip-γ and Scribbler, to be required during recovery for post-diapause fecundity. We complemented the genetic analysis with a test of which neurons are required for successful diapause. We found that although amputation of the antenna had little to no effect on non-diapause lifespan, it reduced diapause lifespan and postdiapause fecundity. We further show that olfactory receptor neurons and temperature-sensing neurons are required for successful recovery from diapause. Our results provide insights into the molecular, cellular, and genetic basis of adult reproductive diapause in Drosophila .