Microstructural brain assessment in late-life depression and apathy using diffusion MRI multi-compartments models and tractometry.

Late-life depression (LLD) is both common and disabling and doubles the risk of dementia onset. Apathy might constitute an additional risk of cognitive decline but clear understanding of its pathophysiology is lacking. While white matter (WM) alterations have been assessed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), this model cannot accurately represent WM microstructure. We hypothesized that a more complex multi-compartment model would provide new biomarkers of LLD and apathy. Fifty-six individuals (LLD n = 35, 26 females, 75.2 ± 6.4 years, apathy evaluation scale scores (41.8 ± 8.7) and Healthy controls, n = 21, 16 females, 74.7 ± 5.2 years) were included. In this article, a tract-based approach was conducted to investigate novel diffusion model biomarkers of LLD and apathy by interpolating microstructural metrics directly along the fiber bundle. We performed multivariate statistical analysis, combined with principal component analysis for dimensional data reduction. We then tested the utility of our framework by demonstrating classically reported from the literature modifications in LDD while reporting new results of biological-basis of apathy in LLD. Finally, we aimed to investigate the relationship between apathy and microstructure in different fiber bundles. Our study suggests that new fiber bundles, such as the striato-premotor tracts, may be involved in LLD and apathy, which bring new light of apathy mechanisms in major depression. We also identified statistical changes in diffusion MRI metrics in 5 different tracts, previously reported in major cognitive disorders dementia, suggesting that these alterations among these tracts are both involved in motivation and cognition and might explain how apathy is a prodromal phase of degenerative disorders.

Conventional and unsupervised artificial intelligence analyses identified risk factors for antimicrobial resistance on dairy farms in the province of Québec, Canada.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to global health worldwide and is threatening not only humans, but also animal production systems, including dairy farms. The objective of this paper was to describe risks factors associated with AMR on dairy farms in Québec, Canada. This observational cross-sectional study included 101 commercial dairy farms and took place between the springs of 2017 and 2018 for a one-year period. We explored risk factors such as farm practices and producer's knowledge (measured using a questionnaire), antimicrobial use (quantified using veterinary invoices), and the presence of Salmonella Dublin (tested by serology). We evaluated AMR with fecal Escherichia coli retrieved from pre-weaned calves and lactating cows using the following outcomes: the presence of extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase/AmpC resistance and the number of resistances to antimicrobial classes. We used logistic regression models to evaluate the association between each risk factor and the 2 outcomes for the 2 types of samples (pre-weaned calves and lactating cows). Furthermore, we explored the relationships between these risk factors utilizing data dimensionality reduction and hierarchical clustering. Outputs of these analyses were used as regressors for AMR in regression models. While the results for univariate analyses were ambiguous, the unsupervised analysis naturally categorized the sample of farms according to their health/treatment status (dimension 1, explaining 12.9% of the variance) and herd size (dimension 2, explaining 7.8%). Three clusters of farms were identified (cluster 1: mainly healthy herds and low ceftiofur users, cluster 2: relatively high ceftiofur users, cluster 3: farms with a higher incidence of diseases and higher antimicrobial treatment rates). Dimension 1 and cluster membership were statistically associated with the presence of extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase/AmpC resistance in lactating cows and in pre-weaned calves. Dimension 1 was also statistically associated with the number of resistances in lactating cows and in pre-weaned calves. This study highlights the complexity of analyzing risk factors associated with AMR. Our results suggest that the herd health status and the AMU-related practices used are associated with AMR in dairy farms. However, prospective studies are needed to confirm a causal relation.

Systematic review and tools appraisal of prognostic factors of return to work in workers on sick leave due to musculoskeletal and common mental disorders.

With the overall objective of providing implication for clinical and research practices regarding the identification and measurement of modifiable predicting factors for return to work (RTW) in people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and common mental disorders (CMDs), this study 1) systematically examined and synthetized the research evidence available in the literature on the topic, and 2) critically evaluated the tools used to measure each identified factor. A systematic search of prognostic studies was conducted, considering four groups of keywords: 1) population (i.e., MSDs or CMDs), 2) study design (prospective), 3) modifiable factors, 4) outcomes of interest (i.e., RTW). Studies showing high risk of bias were eliminated. Tools used to measure prognostic factors were assessed using psychometric and usability criteria. From the 78 studies that met inclusion criteria, 19 (for MSDs) and 5 (for CMDs) factors reaching moderate or strong evidence were extracted. These factors included work accommodations, RTW expectations, job demands (physical), job demands (psychological), job strain, work ability, RTW self-efficacy, expectations of recovery, locus of control, referred pain (back pain), activities as assessed with disability questionnaires, pain catastrophizing, coping strategies, fears, illness behaviours, mental vitality, a positive health change, sleep quality, and participation. Measurement tools ranged from single-item tools to multi-item standardized questionnaires or subscales. The former generally showed low psychometric properties but excellent usability, whereas the later showed good to excellent psychometric properties and variable usability. The rigorous approach to the selection of eligible studies allowed the identification of a relatively small set of prognostic factors, but with a higher level of certainty. For each factor, the present tool assessment allows an informed choice to balance psychometric and usability criteria.

Potential of a New, Flexible Electrode sEMG System in Detecting Electromyographic Activation in Low Back Muscles during Clinical Tests: A Pilot Study on Wearables for Pain Management.

BACKGROUND: While low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, its clinical objective assessment is currently limited. Part of this syndrome arises from the abnormal sensorimotor control of back muscles, involving increased muscle fatigability (i.e., assessed with the Biering-Sorensen test) and abnormal muscle activation patterns (i.e., the flexion-extension test). Surface electromyography (sEMG) provides objective measures of muscle fatigue development (median frequency drop, MDF) and activation patterns (RMS amplitude change). This study therefore assessed the sensitivity and validity of a novel and flexible sEMG system (NSS) based on PEVA electrodes and potentially embeddable in textiles, as a tool for objective clinical LBP assessment. METHODS: Twelve participants wearing NSS and a commercial laboratory sEMG system (CSS) performed two clinical tests used in LBP assessment (Biering-Sorensen and flexion-extension). Erector spinae muscle activity was recorded at T12-L1 and L4-L5. RESULTS: NSS showed sensitivity to sEMG changes associated with fatigue development and muscle activations during flexion-extension movements (p < 0.05) that were similar to CSS (p > 0.05). Raw signals showed moderate cross-correlations (MDF: 0.60-0.68; RMS: 0.53-0.62). Adding conductive gel to the PEVA electrodes did not influence sEMG signal interpretation (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This novel sEMG system is promising for assessing electrophysiological indicators of LBP during clinical tests.

Will my shoulder pain get better? - secondary analysis of data from a multi-arm randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether higher level or improvements over time in pain self-efficacy (PSE) and expectations of intervention effectiveness lead to better outcomes and whether the intervention used to manage rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) impacts PSE and expectations over time. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: 123 individuals (48 [15] years old; 51% female) with RCRSP. INTERVENTIONS: Participants randomised into one of three 12-weeks interventions (education; education and motor control exercises; education and strengthening exercises). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: QuickDASH and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) were administered at baseline and 12 weeks. Pain self-efficacy was assessed at 0 and 6 weeks. Patients' expectations regarding intervention effectiveness were assessed before randomisation and after the first and the last intervention sessions. NparLD were used for the analyses. A time effect indicated a significant change in patients' expectations or PSE over time, while a resolution effect indicated a significant difference in patients' expectations or PSE between those whose symptoms resolved and those whose did not. RESULTS: Patients' expectations (-3 to 3) increased over time (0.33/3 [0.19 to 0.77]). Overall expectations were higher for those who experienced symptom resolution based on the WORC (0.19/3 [0.05 to 0.33]). PSE increased over time (5.5/60 [3.6 to 7.4]). Overall PSE was higher for those who experienced symptom resolution based on the WORC (7.0 [3.9 to 10.1]) and the QuickDASH (4.9 [1.7 to 8.2]). CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider monitoring PSE and patients' expectations as they are important indicators of outcome. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

FITT Odyssey: A Scoping Review of Exercise Programs for Managing Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the FITT (frequency, intensity, time, type), components of exercise programs included in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared 2 or more programs for managing rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). DESIGN: Scoping review. LITERATURE SEARCH: Electronic searches were conducted up to May 2023. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs comparing the effects of 2 or more types of exercise programs, differing in prescription according to the FITT principle, in people with RCRSP. DATA SYNTHESIS: We extracted data from each trial report so that we could answer items 1 to 10 and 13 to 15 from the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT). Descriptive analysis of the exercise programs was performed by summarizing and presenting the FITT characteristics, and other relevant CERT characteristics (material, provider, delivery, tailoring). RESULTS: FITT characteristics from 46 exercise programs included in 22 trials were extracted. The exercise programs were divided into 4 categories (defined in accordance to the original authors' description and proposed rationale): motor control (n = 8), scapula-focused (n = 7), eccentric (n = 8), and nonspecific exercise programs (n = 28). Five programs were allocated to 2 different categories. The different program types had similar parameters. Exercise programs frequency ranged from 2 to 7 times per week, dose ranged from 1 to 3 sets and 4 to 30 repetitions per sets, and exercise program duration ranged from 4 to 16 weeks. CONCLUSION: There was considerable variability in the parameters used to prescribe exercises for RCRSP. Clinicians seeking guidance on FITT parameters derived from trials should do so cautiously because there was no one-size-fits-all approach. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(8):513-529. Epub 4 June 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12452.

The Efficacy of Exercise Therapy for Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain According to the FITT Principle: A Systematic Review With Meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of exercise interventions with differing frequency, intensity, type, and time (FITT) on shoulder pain and disability in people with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). DESIGN: Intervention systematic review with meta-analyses. LITERATURE SEARCH: Electronic searches were conducted up to May 2023. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of exercise interventions differing in prescription according to the FITT principle, in people with RCRSP. DATA SYNTHESIS: Separate meta-analyses comparing exercise type (specific versus nonspecific exercise) and intensity (high versus low) were conducted. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: Twenty-two RCTs (n = 1281) were included. There was moderate-certainty evidence that motor control exercise programs, when compared to nonspecific exercise programs, significantly reduced disability in the short (SMD: -0.29; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.07; n = 323; 7 RCTs) and medium terms (SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.57, -0.09; n = 286; 5 RCTs), but not pain in the short term (SMD: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.41, 0.03; n = 323; 7 RCTs). Uncertainties remained regarding other exercise types (eccentric and scapula-focused exercise programs) versus nonspecific exercise programs, and exercise intensity due to low- to very low-certainty evidence. No trials were identified that compared different frequencies or times. CONCLUSION: For adults with RCRSP, motor control exercise programs were probably slightly superior to nonspecific exercise programs. However, it is unclear if the effects were due to motor control exercise or to other program characteristics such as progression and tailoring. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(8):499-512. Epub 7 June 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12453.

Dairy farmer's income, working time, and antimicrobial use under different dry cow therapy protocols.

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases of dairy cattle. It has a high impact on farm economy, farmers' working time, and antimicrobial usage (AMU). Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) is an effective means of reducing AMU without negatively affecting udder health. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of SDCT implementation on farmer's income, working time, and AMU, using a bioeconomic model. A stochastic dairy simulation model (DairyHealthSim) based on a weekly model was used to simulate herd dynamics, reproduction, milk production, culling decisions, health outcomes, and the management of health events. A specific module was developed for the simulation of quarter-level intramammary infection (IMI) acquisition and elimination during the lactation and dry-off periods, and 25 different farm settings were defined to represent herds with various udder health situations. We then defined 20 scenarios of SDCT by combining both the use of different thresholds of somatic cell count and milk bacteriology for treatment allocation and the use of internal teat sealant (ITS). All SDCT protocols had a low impact on farmer's income, and we identified some protocols with a positive farm gross margin (up to 15.83 CA$/dried- cow). We also found that adding an ITS to all cows led to greater economic gain. The application of SDCT had a low impact on farmers' working time, except when milk bacteriology was used for decision-making. Antimicrobial treatment to all cows above 200,000 cells/mL at last control, with the use of ITS on all cows, seems a good choice in most dairy farms. These findings could be used to convince farmers to adopt this strategy at dry-off.

Development of a decision support tool to compare diagnostic strategies for establishing the herd status for infectious diseases: An example with Salmonella Dublin infection in dairies.

The diagnosis of infectious diseases at herd level can be challenging as different stakeholders can have conflicting priorities. The current study proposes a "proof of concept" of an approach that considers a reasonable number of criteria to rank plausible diagnostic strategies using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods. The example of Salmonella Dublin diagnostic in Québec dairy herds is presented according to two epidemiological contexts: (i) in herds with no history of S. Dublin infection and absence of clinical signs, (ii) in herds with a previous history of infection, but absence of clinical signs at the moment of testing. Multiple multiparty exchanges were conducted to determine: 1) stakeholders' groups; 2) the decision problem; 3) solutions to the problem (options) or diagnostic strategies to be ordered; 4) criteria and indicators; 5) criteria weights; 6) the construction of a performance matrix for each option; 7) the multi-criteria analyses using the visual preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations approach; 8) the sensitivity analyses, and 9) the final decision. A total of nine people from four Québec's organizations (the dairy producers provincial association along with the DHI company, the ministry of agriculture, the association of veterinary practitioners, and experts in epidemiology) composed the MCDA team. The decision problem was "What is the optimal diagnostic strategy for establishing the status of a dairy herd for S. Dublin infection when there are no clinical signs of infection?". Fourteen diagnostic strategies composed of the three following parameters were considered: 1) biological samples (bulk tank milk or blood from 10 heifers aged over three months); 2) sampling frequencies (one to three samples collection visits); 3) case definitions to conclude to a positive status using imperfect milk- or blood-ELISA tests. The top-ranking diagnostic strategy was the same in the two contexts: testing the bulk tank milk and the blood samples, all samples collected during one visit and the herd being assigned a S. Dublin positive status if one sample is ELISA-positive. The final decision favored the top-ranking option for both contexts. This MCDA approach and its application to S. Dublin infection in dairy herds allowed a consensual, rational, and transparent ranking of feasible diagnostic strategies while taking into account the diagnostic tests accuracy, socio-economic, logistic, and perception considerations of the key actors in the dairy industry. This promising tool can be applied to other infectious diseases that lack a well-established diagnostic procedure to define a herd status.

Mitigating Persistent Symptoms Following Rehabilitation in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Scoping Review on After-discharge Strategies.

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with musculoskeletal pain (62% to 64%) achieve their treatment goals upon completing rehabilitation. However, a high re-consultation rate after discharge is frequently reported. Numerous authors have recognized the necessity of secondary prevention programs (after-discharge strategy) to ensure that the gains are maintained or further pursued after the completion of a rehabilitation program. Little is known about the different strategies currently in use, and a detailed review of the existing strategies is needed for future integration into the healthcare systems. OBJECTIVE: This review systematically scopes and synthesizes the after-discharge strategies reported in the literature following rehabilitation for individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: Four databases (OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, and OVID PsycInfo) were screened from their inception until May 4, 2023. Literature search, screening, and extraction were performed according to the PRISMA extension for scoping review guidelines. RESULTS: Different after-discharge strategies were identified and grouped into 2 main categories: (1) in-person and (2) remote strategies. In-person strategies included (1.1) in-person booster sessions and (1.2) the use of existing community programs after discharge. Remote strategies included remote strategies that (2.1) involve a health care professional service or (2.2) strategies that do not involve any health care professional service. DISCUSSION: We identified various after-discharge strategies designed to sustain gains and improve patients' self-management skills following the completion of a rehabilitation program. The existence of numerous promising strategies suggests their potential suitability for various contexts.

Low back pain patients' experience and expectations: A qualitative study focusing on physiotherapist and physician care.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and disabling musculoskeletal disorder. LBP experiences and expectations can vary from one person to another and influence their clinical outcomes. Despite the existence of numerous evidence-based treatment recommendations, LBP management in primary care remains challenging. This study aims to investigate the experiences and expectations of patients with LPB in primary care settings. METHODS: A qualitative study with an inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were performed using individuals who had experienced LBP in the past year and had consulted a family physician (FP) or a physiotherapist (PT). RESULTS: Ten participants with LBP were interviewed (5 women, 5 men, mean age 49 ± 17). Five themes were identified: (1) I am always upset because I can't do anything; (2) I waited to consult; I thought it would go away; (3) I want to see what is going on with my LBP; (4) I want to see the person that will provide the right treatment; (5) I need support to get over it. Participants consulted when their pain was severe and disabling. They expected an imaging test to explain the cause of their LBP and placed more importance on the imaging test results than the FP's or PT's evaluation. Their opinions on care selection and being listened to were important for the participants. CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted the importance of the patient's point of view in their care. This consideration is important to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach with evidence-based practice care.

Epstein-Barr Virus Monitoring after an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Review of the Recent Data and Current Practices in Canada.

Epstein-Barr virus-related post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV-PTLD) is a serious complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A pre-emptive strategy using rituximab, which aims to manage patients early at the time of EBV reactivation to avoid PTLD, has been recommended by the most recent ECIL-6 guidelines in 2016. However, there is still a great heterogeneity of viral-load monitoring protocols, targeted patient populations, and pre-emptive treatment characteristics between centers, making precise EBV monitoring recommendations difficult. We conducted a literature review from the most recent publications between 1 January 2015 and 1 August 2023, to summarize the emerging data on EBV-PTLD prevention strategies in HSCT recipients, including the EBV-DNA threshold and use of rituximab. We also present the results of a survey of current practices carried out in 12 of the main HSCT centers across Canada. We confirm that pre-emptive rituximab remains an efficient strategy for EBV-PTLD prevention. However, there is an urgent need to perform prospective, randomized, multicentric trials with larger numbers of patients reflecting current practices to determine the best clinical conduct with regards to rituximab dosing, timing of treatment, and criteria to initiate treatments. Longer follow-ups will also be necessary to assess patients' long-term outcomes.

Do therapeutic exercises impact supraspinatus tendon thickness? Secondary analyses of the combined dataset from two randomized controlled trials in patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.

BACKGROUND: The mechanistic response of rotator cuff tendons to exercises within the context of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) remains a significant gap in current research. A greater understanding of this response can shed light on why individuals exhibit varying responses to exercise interventions. It can also provide information on the influence of certain types of exercise on tendons. The primary aim of this article is to explore if changes in supraspinatus tendon thickness (SSTT) ratio differ between exercise interventions (high load vs. low load). The secondary aims are to explore if changes in SSTT ratio differ between ultrasonographic tendinopathy subgroups (reactive vs. degenerative) and if there are associations between tendinopathy subgroups, changes in tendon thickness ratio, and clinical outcomes (disability). METHODS: This study comprises secondary analyses of the combined dataset from two randomized controlled trials that compared high and low-load exercises in patients with RCRSP. In those trials, different exercise interventions were compared: 1) progressive high-load strengthening exercises and 2) low-load strengthening with or without motor control exercises. In 1 trial, there was also a third group that was not allocated to exercises (education only). Ultrasound-assessed SSTT ratio, derived from comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic sides, served as the primary measure in categorizing participants into tendinopathy subgroups (reactive, normal and degenerative) at baseline. RESULTS: Data from 159 participants were analyzed. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant Group (P < .001) and Group × Time interaction (P < .001) effects for the SSTT ratio in different tendinopathy subgroups, but no Time effect (P = .63). Following the interventions, SSTT ratio increased in the "Degenerative" subgroup (0.14 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.09-0.19]), decreased in the "Reactive" subgroup (-0.11 [95% CI: -0.16 to -0.06]), and remained unchanged in the "Normal" subgroup (-0.01 [95% CI: -0.04 to 0.02]). There was no Time (P = .21), Group (P = .61), or Group × Time interaction (P = .66) effect for the SSTT ratio based on intervention allocation. Results of the linear regression did not highlight any significant association between the tendinopathy subgroup (P = .25) or change in SSTT ratio (P = .40) and change in disability score. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that, over time, SSTT in individuals with RCRSP tends to normalize, compared to the contralateral side, regardless of the exercise intervention. Different subgroups of symptomatic tendons behave differently, emphasizing the need to potentially consider tendinopathy subtypes in RCRSP research. Future adequately powered studies should investigate how those different tendinopathy subgroups may predict long-term clinical outcomes.

Redefining on-farm practices: The perceived effect of a responsible antimicrobial use regulation on dairy farmers.

The global food animal industry faces a growing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), primarily driven by the use of antimicrobials (AM) for the treatment, control, and prevention of diseases. Addressing this challenge requires promoting responsible antimicrobial use (AMU) practices. In 2019, the province of Québec, Canada, took a significant step by implementing a regulation that limits the use of AM of very high importance for human medicine (category I AM as defined by Health Canada) in the food animal industry. However, the implementation of such regulation can significantly influence behavioral shifts among producers, contributing to the wider effort against AMR. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to describe the perceived changes in dairy producers' knowledge and on-farm practices following the implementation of this regulation, using a cohort design. Data collection involved administering questionnaires to 87 dairy producers from 3 regions of the province of Québec (Estrie, Montérégie, Centre-Du-Québec) before (2017-2018) and after (2020-2021) the implementation of the regulation. The questionnaires explored the descriptive characteristics of farms, the knowledge of producers about the categorization of AM, the on-farm treatment practices, and the perceived effects of the regulation. Statistical analysis included t-tests and McNemar tests to compare the paired data obtained using the 2 questionnaires. The results indicated an increase in the knowledge score (the number of AM correctly categorized by the producers by their importance for human medicine) after the implementation of the regulation, suggesting an improved understanding of the categorization of AM based on their importance for human medicine. Trends in AMU practices for treating clinical mastitis and reproductive diseases suggested that category I AM were less likely to be reported as the primary treatment after the regulation, whereas category II AM were more often reported as primary treatment. Adoption of the selective dry cow therapy method significantly increased, whereas the use of teat sealants remained unchanged. Moreover, producers had divergent perceptions regarding the effect of the regulation on the cure rates and disease frequencies. This disparity emphasizes the need for comprehensive data collection to discern the risks associated with such regulatory shifts. The study acknowledges several limitations, including the potential for recall bias, confirmation bias, and desirability bias. Despite these limitations, this study shows that implementing regulations to encourage responsible AMU drives positive transformations in producers' knowledge and on-farm practices. This underscores the pivotal effect of proactive interventions in combating the escalating threat of AMR within the global food animal industry.

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Amateur Runners' Performance: An Analysis through Monitoring Devices.

This retrospective study aimed to analyze the return to running of non-professional runners after experiencing asymptomatic or mild COVID-19. Participants aged 18-55 years who maintained a training load of ≥10 km/week for at least three months prior to diagnosis and utilized Garmin/Polar apps were included. From these devices, parameters such as pace, distance, total running time, cadence, and heart rate were collected at three intervals: pre-COVID, immediately post-COVID, and three months after diagnosis. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for analysis (significance was set at ≤0.05). Twenty-one participants (57.1% male; mean age 35.0 ± 9.8 years) were included. The results revealed a significant decrease in running duration and distance two weeks after diagnosis, without significant changes in other parameters. Three months after infection, no differences were observed compared to pre-infection data, indicating a return to the pre-disease training load. These findings underscore the transient impact of COVID-19 on training performance among non-professional runners with mild or asymptomatic symptoms, highlighting the importance of tailored strategies for resuming running after infection.

Quantifying Apathy in Late-Life Depression: Unraveling Neurobehavioral Links Through Daily Activity Patterns and Brain Connectivity Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Better understanding apathy in late-life depression would help improve prediction of poor prognosis of diseases such as dementia. Actimetry provides an objective and ecological measure of apathy from patients' daily motor activity. We aimed to determine whether patterns of motor activity were associated with apathy and brain connectivity in networks that underlie goal-directed behaviors. METHODS: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging were collected from 38 nondemented participants with late-life depression. Apathy was evaluated using the diagnostic criteria for apathy, Apathy Evaluation Scale, and Apathy Motivation Index. Functional principal components (fPCs) of motor activity were derived from actimetry recordings taken for 72 hours. Associations between fPCs and apathy were estimated by linear regression. Subnetworks whose connectivity was significantly associated with fPCs were identified via threshold-free network-based statistics. The relationship between apathy and microstructure metrics was estimated along fibers by diffusion tensor imaging and a multicompartment model called neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging via tractometry. RESULTS: We found 2 fPCs associated with apathy: mean diurnal activity, negatively associated with Apathy Evaluation Scale scores, and an early chronotype, negatively associated with Apathy Motivation Index scores. Mean diurnal activity was associated with increased connectivity in the default mode, cingulo-opercular, and frontoparietal networks, while chronotype was associated with a more heterogeneous connectivity pattern in the same networks. We did not find significant associations between microstructural metrics and fPCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that mean diurnal activity and chronotype could provide indirect ambulatory measures of apathy in late-life depression, associated with modified functional connectivity of brain networks that underlie goal-directed behaviors.

How does a motor or cognitive dual-task affect our sense of upper limb proprioception?

BACKGROUND: Daily upper limb activities require multitasking and our division of attention. How we allocate our attention can be studied using dual-task interference (DTi). Given the vital role proprioception plays in movement planning and motor control, it is important to investigate how conscious upper limb proprioception is impacted by DTi through cognitive and motor interference. PURPOSE: To examine how dual-task interference impacts conscious upper limb proprioception during active joint repositioning tasks (AJRT). METHODS: Forty-two healthy participants, aged between 18 and 35, took part in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed two AJRT during three conditions: baseline (single task), dual-cognitive task (serial subtractions), and dual-motor task (non-dominant hand movements). The proprioceptive error (PE; difference between their estimation and targeted position) was measured using an AJRT of 75% and 90% of maximum internal rotation using the Biodex System IIITM and the Upper Limb Proprioception Reaching Test (PRO-Reach). To determine if PEs differed during dual-task interference, interference change scores from baseline were used with one sample t-tests and analyses of variance. RESULTS: The overall mean PE with the Biodex was 4.1° ± 1.9 at baseline. Mean change scores from baseline reflect a mean improvement of 1.5° ± 1.0 (p < .001) during dual-cognitive task and of 1.5° ± 1.2 (p < .001) during dual-motor task. The overall mean PE with the PRO-Reach was 4.4cm ± 1.1 at baseline. Mean change scores from baseline reflect a mean worsening of 1.0cm ± 1.1 (p < .001) during dual-cognitive task and improvement of 0.8cm ± 0.6 (p < .001) during dual-motor task. Analysis of variance with the Biodex PEs revealed an interference effect (p < .001), with the cognitive condition causing greater PEs compared to the motor condition and a criterion position effect (p = .006), where 75% of maximum IR produced larger PEs during both interference conditions. An interference effect (p = .022) with the PRO-Reach PEs was found highlighting a difference between the cognitive and motor conditions, with decreased PEs during the contralateral motor task. CONCLUSION: Interference tasks did impact proprioception. Cognitive interference produced mixed results, whereas improved proprioception was seen during motor interference. Individual task prioritization strategies are possible, where each person may choose their own attention strategy when faced with dual-task interference.

[Update for cord blood unit selection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (workshop SFGM-TC)]. / Mise à jour des recommandations pour le choix des unités de sang placentaire en greffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques (atelier SFGM-TC).

Changing practices and the limited use of cord blood units as a source of cells for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSC) led us to reconsider the recommendations established in 2011 and 2012, and to propose an update incorporating recent bibliographic data. If HLA compatibility was until now established at low resolution for HLA-A and B loci, and at high resolution for HLA-DRB1, the recent papers are converging towards an increase in the level of resolution, making way for a compatibility now defined in high resolution for all the considered loci, and the inclusion of the HLA-C locus, in order to establish a level of HLA compatibility on 8 alleles (HLA-A, B, C and DRB1). The CD34+ dose is a determining factor in hematopoietic reconstitution but it is not correlated with the total nucleated cells content. This is why we recommend taking these two data into account when choosing a cord blood unit. The recommendations established by our group are presented as a flow chart taking into account the characteristics of the underlying pathology (malignant or non-malignant), the cell dose and the HLA compatibility criteria, as well as criteria linked to the banks in which units are stored.

DNA methylation haplotype block signatures responding to Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis and association with production and health traits.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation has been documented to play vital roles in diseases and biological processes. In bovine, little is known about the regulatory roles of DNA methylation alterations on production and health traits, including mastitis. RESULTS: Here, we employed whole-genome DNA methylation sequencing to profile the DNA methylation patterns of milk somatic cells from sixteen cows with naturally occurring Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) subclinical mastitis and ten healthy control cows. We observed abundant DNA methylation alterations, including 3,356,456 differentially methylated cytosines and 153,783 differential methylation haplotype blocks (dMHBs). The DNA methylation in regulatory regions, including promoters, first exons and first introns, showed global significant negative correlations with gene expression status. We identified 6435 dMHBs located in the regulatory regions of differentially expressed genes and significantly correlated with their corresponding genes, revealing their potential effects on transcriptional activities. Genes harboring DNA methylation alterations were significantly enriched in multiple immune- and disease-related pathways, suggesting the involvement of DNA methylation in regulating host responses to S. aureus subclinical mastitis. In addition, we found nine discriminant signatures (differentiates cows with S. aureus subclinical mastitis from healthy cows) representing the majority of the DNA methylation variations related to S. aureus subclinical mastitis. Validation of seven dMHBs in 200 cows indicated significant associations with mammary gland health (SCC and SCS) and milk production performance (milk yield). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings revealed abundant DNA methylation alterations in milk somatic cells that may be involved in regulating mammary gland defense against S. aureus infection. Particularly noteworthy is the identification of seven dMHBs showing significant associations with mammary gland health, underscoring their potential as promising epigenetic biomarkers. Overall, our findings on DNA methylation alterations offer novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of bovine subclinical mastitis, providing further avenues for the development of effective control measures.