Sleep is required to consolidate odor memory and remodel olfactory synapses.

Animals with complex nervous systems demand sleep for memory consolidation and synaptic remodeling. Here, we show that, although the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system has a limited number of neurons, sleep is necessary for both processes. In addition, it is unclear if, in any system, sleep collaborates with experience to alter synapses between specific neurons and whether this ultimately affects behavior. C. elegans neurons have defined connections and well-described contributions to behavior. We show that spaced odor-training and post-training sleep induce long-term memory. Memory consolidation, but not acquisition, requires a pair of interneurons, the AIYs, which play a role in odor-seeking behavior. In worms that consolidate memory, both sleep and odor conditioning are required to diminish inhibitory synaptic connections between the AWC chemosensory neurons and the AIYs. Thus, we demonstrate in a living organism that sleep is required for events immediately after training that drive memory consolidation and alter synaptic structures.

The prevalence and associated factors of success of labor induction in Hargeisa maternity hospitals, Hargeisa Somaliland 2022: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The induction of labor is an artificial initiation of labor and has become one of the most common interventions in modern obstetrics to improve maternal and neonatal health. Understanding the prevalence and pregnancy outcomes following labor inductions is crucial in regions with high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity because of insufficient access to comprehensive emergency obstetric care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of the success of induction of labor in Hargeisa maternity hospital Somaliland. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed among 453 women in Hargeisa maternity hospitals, Somaliland from January 1st to March 30th, 2022. Data were entered using Epi data version 4.6 and analyzed by using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the associated factors with the success of labor induction and an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of the association. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 453 study participants who had undergone induction of labor, 349 (77%) of them had successful induction of labor with a 95% CI: 73%, 81%. Favorable Bishop score (AOR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.98, 5.99), time from the start of induction to delivery < 12 h (AOR = 4.01, 95% CI: 2.16, 7.450), non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.78) and amniotic fluid change to meconium (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.79) were significantly associated with the success of labor induction. CONCLUSION: This study implies that three out of four women who underwent induction had successful induction of labor. Favorable bishop score, time from the start of induction to delivery < 12 h, non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, and amniotic fluid change to meconium were significantly associated with the success of labor induction. The hospital should establish a clear bishop scoring system and there should be a strict follow-up on the condition of the fetal heartbeat and take corrective actions as needed. The factors related to healthcare facilities and providers need to be addressed by additional prospective studies.

Assessment of clinical spectrum of thrombocytopenia and its association with different disease states reported in Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Lab (DDRRL).

Objectives: To evaluate the relevance of thrombocytopenia to other disease states in patients reporting at a haematology laboratory. METHODS: The cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted at the Dow Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratory of the Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Blood Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, and comprised data from the blood bank and haematology laboratory related to patients who visited during October 2021to August 2022. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. RESULTS: Of the 1,249 patients with mean age 38.5±19.7 years (range: 0-89 years), 79(6.3%) were aged <12 years, 592(47.4%) were aged 12-40 years and 578(46.3%) were aged >40. Most of the patients were males 793 (63.5%), and 604(48.4%) had Grade 1 thrombocytopenia. Among the females, Grade 1 thrombocytopenia was found in 246(53.9%) and Grade 2 in 140(30.7%) patients compared to 358(45.1%) and 222(28%) in males, respectively (p<0.05). Association between thrombocytopenia and diagnoses was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia was found to be strongly associated with gender.

The receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase CLR-1 is required for synaptic partner recognition.

During neural circuit formation, most axons are guided to complex environments, coming into contact with multiple potential synaptic partners. However, it is critical that they recognize specific neurons with which to form synapses. Here, we utilize the split GFP-based marker Neuroligin-1 GFP Reconstitution Across Synaptic Partners (NLG-1 GRASP) to visualize specific synapses in live animals, and a circuit-specific behavioral assay to probe circuit function. We demonstrate that the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) clr-1 is necessary for synaptic partner recognition (SPR) between the PHB sensory neurons and the AVA interneurons in C. elegans. Mutations in clr-1/RPTP result in reduced NLG-1 GRASP fluorescence and impaired behavioral output of the PHB circuit. Temperature-shift experiments demonstrate that clr-1/RPTP acts early in development, consistent with a role in SPR. Expression and cell-specific rescue experiments indicate that clr-1/RPTP functions in postsynaptic AVA neurons, and overexpression of clr-1/RPTP in AVA neurons is sufficient to direct additional PHB-AVA synaptogenesis. Genetic analysis reveals that clr-1/RPTP acts in the same pathway as the unc-6/Netrin ligand and the unc-40/DCC receptor, which act in AVA and PHB neurons, respectively. This study defines a new mechanism by which SPR is governed, and demonstrates that these three conserved families of molecules, with roles in neurological disorders and cancer, can act together to regulate communication between cells.

Prevalence and risk factors for the development of abdominal aortic calcification among the US population: NHANES study.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is an important marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease and its prognosis. Advanced age, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and higher truncal fat are known markers of AAC in studies conducted around the world. However, literature for these risk factors and their co-occurrence is limited in the US. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used data from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic, v4.0) to detect the occurrence of AAC in a sample population (n = 3140) of the NHANES survey using a computer-assisted interviewing system to assess the risk factors for AAC. RESULTS: We found the national prevalence of AAC in the US to be 28.8%. After adjusting for confounders, persons with hypertension: OR = 1.66 (95% CI: 1.30-2.13) and smokers: OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.24-2.14) were more likely to have AAC compared to their respective counterparts. Increasing age was positively associated with AAC: OR = 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04-1.08). There was a statistically significant negative association between body mass index (BMI) and AAC, more so in smokers than in non-smokers: OR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94-0.97). We did not observe any statistically significant association between diabetes and AAC. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, smoking, and hypertension was associated with increased occurrence of AAC. Paradoxically, increasing BMI was inversely associated with AAC and there was no statistically significant association between total body and trunk fat percentages and AAC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish the nationwide prevalence and associated factors in the US.

Prevalence and association of iron deficiency with anemia among patients with heart failure in the USA: NHANES 2017-2018.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major debilitating disease. HF patients with iron deficiency(ID) have poorer outcomes and treatment significantly improves outcomes. We set out to update the national prevalence of ID in the USA and its association with anemia using data from NHANES 2017-2018. Methods: Diagnosis of HF was self-reported. ID was defined as serum ferritin levels <100 ng/mL or a ferritin level between 100 and 299 ng/mL with transferrin saturation <20%. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level of <13 g/dl and <12 g/dl for men and women, respectively. Differences in prevalence of ID across various groups were assessed using Chi-squared test for categorical variables and equality of means for continuous variables with p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 187 persons ≥20 years, corresponding to a 5.57million had HF. The prevalence of ID was 48.17% (95% CI 36.84-59.69) and the prevalence of anemia was 12.08%(95% CI 8.16-17.53). Diabetics (61.03%) were more likely to have ID compared to nondiabetics (35.38%), p 0.022. The prevalence of ID was similar in persons with anemia (47.45%) and persons without anemia (48.27%), p-value 0.983. The prevalence of ID has been constant for at least the past 20 years, making ID in HF an underdiagnose and/or undertreated condition among patients with HF and should be addressed. Conclusions: One in every two persons with HF has ID. Also, prevalence of ID was similar in patients with anemia and without anemia. Anemia should not be considered a prerequisite for screening for ID in patients with HF.

Association of atrial fibrillation with outcomes in patients hospitalized with inflammatory bowel disease: an analysis of the National Inpatient Sample.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to determine in-hospital outcomes, length of hospital stay (LOS) and resource utilization in a contemporary cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atrial fibrillation (AFIB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample database October 2015 to December 2017 was utilized for data analysis using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes to identify the patients with the principal diagnosis of IBD. RESULTS: Of 714,863 IBD patients, 64,599 had a diagnosis of both IBD and AFIB. We found that IBD patients with AFIB had a greater incidence of in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.4), sepsis (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.3), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.5), shock requiring vasopressor (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.1), and hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.17-1.37). Mean LOS ± SD, mean total charges and total costs were higher in patients with IBD and AFIB. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, IBD with AFIB was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and morbidity, mean LOS and resource utilization.

10-Year community prevalence and trends of severe asymptomatic hypertension among patients with hypertension in the USA: 2007-2016.

BACKGROUND: Severe asymptomatic hypertension (SAH) is associated with significant health cost, morbidity and mortality. AIM: Establish the nationwide prevalence, trends and associated sociodemographic characteristics of SAH among patients with hypertension in the USA. METHODS: We utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination data collected over five survey cycles (2007-2016). Included were participants aged 20-80 years with self-reported diagnosis of hypertension. SAH was defined as having a mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥180 mmHg and/or mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥120 mmHg at the time of examination. The Chi square test was used to compare prevalence across different categories. Associations between sociodemographic variables and SAH were assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of SAH among patients with hypertension is 2.15% (95% CI 1.80-2.56), mainly explained by isolated mean SBP≥180 mmHg (86% of all cases), with no statistically significant change between 2007: 2.66% (95% CI 2.10-3.36) and 2016:2.61% [95% CI 1.73-3.94), p-trend = 0.17. Increasing age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04-1.09), NH Blacks (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.37-3.54), BMI< 25 (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.48-4.28), lack of health insurance OR 4.92% (95% CI 2.53-9.54) and never married individuals (OR = 2.59%, 95% CI 1.20-5.60) were more likely to have SAH, comparatively. There was no significant association between duration of hypertension and SAH. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SAH in the USA is 2.15% and has been stable over the past decade. Our study underscores the importance of identifying barriers to screening and treatment of hypertension which is a major treatable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

'Like a life in a cage': Understanding child play and social interaction in Somali refugee families in the UK.

Migration to a different culture may affect opportunities for play and social interaction, essential for children's developing cognitive and social skills. We asked Somali migrant women about experiences of childhood (both while growing up themselves, and subsequent observations) in Somalia and the UK. In Somalia, they described a supportive, connected community and safe environment enabling children to play and learn together. In the UK, by contrast, multiple local stressors constrained children's opportunities to play and interact. Understanding and improving neighbourhood geography, as experienced and shaped by parents and children, would seem important for promoting early child development in refugee families.

Bright split red fluorescent proteins for the visualization of endogenous proteins and synapses.

Self-associating split fluorescent proteins (FPs) are split FPs whose two fragments spontaneously associate to form a functional FP. They have been widely used for labeling proteins, scaffolding protein assembly and detecting cell-cell contacts. Recently developments have expanded the palette of self-associating split FPs beyond the original split GFP1-10/11. However, these new ones have suffered from suboptimal fluorescence signal after complementation. Here, by investigating the complementation process, we have demonstrated two approaches to improve split FPs: assistance through SpyTag/SpyCatcher interaction and directed evolution. The latter has yielded two split sfCherry3 variants with substantially enhanced overall brightness, facilitating the tagging of endogenous proteins by gene editing. Based on sfCherry3, we have further developed a new red-colored trans-synaptic marker called Neuroligin-1 sfCherry3 Linker Across Synaptic Partners (NLG-1 CLASP) for multiplexed visualization of neuronal synapses in living C. elegans, demonstrating its broad applications.