Co-activation patterns during viewing of different video game genres.

Past research has revealed cognitive improvements resulting from engagement with both traditional action video games and newer action-like video games, such as action real-time strategy games (ARSG). However, the cortical dynamics elicited by different video gaming genres remain unclear. This study explored the temporal dynamics of cortical networks in response to different gaming genres. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were obtained during eye-closed resting and passive viewing of gameplay videos of three genres: life simulation games (LSG), first-person shooter games (FPS), and ARSG. Data analysis used a seed-free Co-Activation Pattern (CAP) based on Regions of Interest (ROIs). When comparing the viewing of action-like video games (FPS and ARSG) to LSG viewing, significant dynamic distinctions were observed in both primary and higher-order networks. Within action-like video games, compared to FPS viewing, ARSG viewing elicited a more pronounced increase in the Fraction of Time and Counts of attentional control-related CAPs, along with an increased Transition Probability from sensorimotor-related CAPs to attentional control-related CAPs. Compared to ARSG viewing, FPS viewing elicited a significant increase in the Fraction of Time of sensorimotor-related CAPs, when gaming experience was considered as a covariate. Thus, different video gaming genres, including distinct action-like video gaming genres, elicited unique dynamic patterns in whole-brain CAPs, potentially influencing the development of various cognitive processes.

Novel autoantibodies help diagnose anti-SSA antibody negative Sjögren disease and predict abnormal labial salivary gland pathology.

OBJECTIVES: Sjögren disease (SjD) diagnosis often requires either positive anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy with a positive focus score (FS). One-third of patients with SjD lack anti-SSA antibodies (SSA-), requiring a positive FS for diagnosis. Our objective was to identify novel autoantibodies to diagnose 'seronegative' SjD. METHODS: IgG binding to a high-density whole human peptidome array was quantified using sera from SSA- SjD cases and matched non-autoimmune controls. We identified the highest bound peptides using empirical Bayesian statistical filters, which we confirmed in an independent cohort comprising SSA- SjD (n=76), sicca-controls without autoimmunity (n=75) and autoimmune-feature controls (SjD features but not meeting SjD criteria; n=41). In this external validation, we used non-parametric methods for binding abundance and controlled false discovery rate in group comparisons. For predictive modelling, we used logistic regression, model selection methods and cross-validation to identify clinical and peptide variables that predict SSA- SjD and FS positivity. RESULTS: IgG against a peptide from D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD2) bound more in SSA- SjD than sicca-controls (p=0.004) and combined controls (sicca-controls and autoimmune-feature controls combined; p=0.003). IgG against peptides from retroelement silencing factor-1 and DTD2 were bound more in FS-positive than FS-negative participants (p=0.010; p=0.012). A predictive model incorporating clinical variables showed good discrimination between SjD versus control (area under the curve (AUC) 74%) and between FS-positive versus FS-negative (AUC 72%). CONCLUSION: We present novel autoantibodies in SSA- SjD that have good predictive value for SSA- SjD and FS positivity.

A neurofunctional signature of subjective disgust generalizes to oral distaste and socio-moral contexts.

While disgust originates in the hard-wired mammalian distaste response, the conscious experience of disgust in humans strongly depends on subjective appraisal and may even extend to socio-moral contexts. Here, in a series of studies, we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging with machine-learning-based predictive modelling to establish a comprehensive neurobiological model of subjective disgust. The developed neurofunctional signature accurately predicted momentary self-reported subjective disgust across discovery (n = 78) and pre-registered validation (n = 30) cohorts and generalized across core disgust (n = 34 and n = 26), gustatory distaste (n = 30) and socio-moral (unfair offers; n = 43) contexts. Disgust experience was encoded in distributed cortical and subcortical systems, and exhibited distinct and shared neural representations with subjective fear or negative affect in interoceptive-emotional awareness and conscious appraisal systems, while the signatures most accurately predicted the respective target experience. We provide an accurate functional magnetic resonance imaging signature for disgust with a high potential to resolve ongoing evolutionary debates.

Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine Binding Protein FLOWERING LOCUS T-like 12 (OsFTL12) Regulates the Rice Heading Date under Different Day-Length Conditions.

Plant FLOWERING LOCUS T-Like (FTL) genes often redundantly duplicate on chromosomes and functionally diverge to modulate reproductive traits. Rice harbors thirteen FTL genes, the functions of which are still not clear, except for the Hd3a and RFT genes. Here, we identified the molecular detail of OsFTL12 in rice reproductive stage. OsFTL12 encoding protein contained PEBP domain and localized into the nucleus, which transcripts specifically expressed in the shoot and leaf blade with high abundance. Further GUS-staining results show the OsFTL12 promoter activity highly expressed in the leaf and stem. OsFTL12 knock-out concurrently exhibited early flowering phenotype under the short- and long-day conditions as compared with wild-type and over-expression plants, which independently regulates flowering without an involved Hd1/Hd3a and Ehd1/RFT pathway. Further, an AT-hook protein OsATH1 was identified to act as upstream regulator of OsFTL12, as the knock-out OsATH1 elevated the OsFTL12 expression by modifying Histone H3 acetylation abundance. According to the dissection of OsFTL12 molecular functions, our study expanded the roles intellectual function of OsFTL12 in the mediating of a rice heading date.

Efficient Structural Regulation Platform for the Controlled Synthesis of LiFePO4 Cathodes with Shorter Li-Ion Diffusion Paths.

The rate performance of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is mainly limited by its poor electronic conductivity and slow Li-ion diffusion rate. Graphene-based materials are often compounded with LiFePO4 (LFP) to improve their rate performance, mainly because of their excellent electrical conductivity. Unlike most past composite work focusing on the conductive network between LFP and graphene, in this work, we further developed the functionality of graphene-based materials as nanoparticle carriers, where the nitrogen-doping strategy endows graphene with properties that make it an efficient structural regulation platform during the solvothermal process. Compared to reduced graphene oxide, not only does the nitrogen-doped sites confer more nucleation growth sites for LFP on the graphene surface during the solvothermal process, but also the localized formation of an EG-enriched microenvironment helps to further inhibit the in situ growth of LFP along [010]. The efficient structural regulation platform assisted the synthesis of (010)-oriented LFP with a smaller particle size, which further shortens the Li-ion diffusion paths. The optimized LFP composite electrode materials exhibit a discharge-specific capacity of 133.1 mA·h/g at 10C, which exceeds/is comparable to that of previously reported LFP compounded with graphene-based materials. This work broadens the functionality of graphene-based carriers and provides new ideas for the controllable synthesis of nanoparticles.

Novel and unique rheumatoid factors cross-react with viral epitopes in COVID-19.

Rheumatoid factors (RFs), polyreactive antibodies canonically known to bind two conformational epitopes of IgG Fc, are a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis but also can arise in other inflammatory conditions and infections. Also, infections may contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Recently, RFs only in rheumatoid arthritis were found to bind novel linear IgG epitopes as well as thousands of other rheumatoid arthritis autoantigens. Specific epitopes recognized by infection-induced polyreactive RFs remain undefined but could provide insights into loss of immune tolerance. Here, we identified novel linear IgG epitopes bound by RFs in COVID-19 but not rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions. The main COVID-19 RF was polyreactive, binding two IgG and multiple viral peptides with a tripeptide motif, as well as IgG Fc and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. In contrast, a rheumatoid arthritis-specific RF recognized IgG Fc, but not tripeptide motif-containing peptides or spike. Thus, RFs have disease-specific IgG reactivity and distinct polyreactivities that reflect the broader immune response. Moreover, the polyreactivity of a virus-induced RF appears to be attributable to a very short peptide motif. These findings refine our understanding of RFs and provide new insights into how viral infections may contribute to autoimmunity.

Association between albumin-corrected anion gap level and the risk of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the association between albumin-corrected anion gap (AG) (ACAG) levels and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: The ICU patients of this retrospective cohort study were collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database between 2008 and 2019. ACAG = AG + {4.4 - [albumin (g/dl)]} × 2.5. The incidence of AKI was determined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition. The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between ACAG levels and the risk of AKI. Subgroup analyses were applied based on age, gender, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II). RESULTS: Totally, 5586 patients were enrolled, of which 1929 patients (34.53%) occurred AKI. The higher levels of ACAG were associated with the risk of AKI in ICU patients, with the odds ratio (OR) value being 1.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.24, P = 0.005] in ACAG level between 16.5 and 19.5, and OR value being 1.20 (95% CI 1.16-1.24, P = 0.016) in ACAG level > 19.5. A higher ACAG level was associated with a higher risk of AKI in ICU patients aged < 65 years, in ICU patients of female gender, in ICU patients who used mechanical ventilation, in ICU patients who did not use vasopressors, in patients without cardiogenic shock, and in ICU patients with CCI ≥ 2, and SAPS II > 31 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is an association between ACAG level and the risk of AKI in ICU patients. A higher ACAG value in ICU patients should therefore receive more attention.

Molecular dynamics simulation of the interaction between palmitic acid and high pressure CO2.

In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was used to explore the interaction characteristics of palmitic acid and CO2, and the effects of temperature and pressure on the solubility of palmitic acid in CO2 were investigated. In the range of 293-353 K and 5-30 MPa, the snapshot of palmitic acid distribution in CO2 shows that the molecular chain of palmitic acid in high-density CO2 system is more straight and more dispersed than that in low-density CO2 system. The radial distribution function further clearly shows that the solubility of palmitic acid in CO2 decreases with the increase of temperature and increases with the increase of pressure, which is consistent with the fatty acid solubility data reported in the literature and the setting rules of supercritical CO2 extraction process conditions. As the temperature decreases and the pressure increases, the interaction energy between palmitic acid and CO2 increases, which is conducive to overcoming the intermolecular force of palmitic acid and promoting dissolution. The solubility parameters of palmitic acid and CO2 can better reflect the trend of palmitic acid solubility changing with temperature and pressure, which can play a guiding role in the determination of process conditions and even the development of new processes.

Advances in volumetric bioprinting.

The three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technologies are suitable for biomedical applications owing to their ability to manufacture complex and high-precision tissue constructs. However, the slow printing speed of current layer-by-layer (bio)printing modality is the major limitation in biofabrication field. To overcome this issue, volumetric bioprinting (VBP) is developed. VBP changes the layer-wise operation of conventional devices, permitting the creation of geometrically complex, centimeter-scale constructs in tens of seconds. VBP is the next step onward from sequential biofabrication methods, opening new avenues for fast additive manufacturing in the fields of tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, personalized drug testing, and soft robotics, etc. Therefore, this review introduces the printing principles and hardware designs of VBP-based techniques; then focuses on the recent advances in VBP-based (bio)inks and their biomedical applications. Lastly, the current limitations of VBP are discussed together with future direction of research.

Ceftazidime/avibactam combined with colistin: a novel attempt to treat carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli infection.

BACKGROUND: The rapid global emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) is recognized as a major public health concern, and there are currently few effective treatments for CR-GNB infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with CR-GNB infections treated with ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) combined with colistin from October 2019 to February 2023 in China. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with CR-GNB infections were retrospectively identified using the electronic medical record system of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were treated with CAZ/AVI combined with colistin. Respiratory tract infections (87%) were most common. The common drug-resistant bacteria encompass Klebsiella pneumonia (54.8%), Acinetobacter baumannii (29.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.1%). The 30-day mortality rate was 29.0%, and the 7-day microbial clearance rate was 64.5%. The inflammatory marker CRP changes, but not PCT and WBC, were statistically significant on days 7 and 14 after combination therapy. There were seven patients developing acute renal injury (AKI) after combination therapy and treating with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Two patients developed diarrhea. CONCLUSION: The combination of CAZ/AVI and colistin has potential efficacy in patients with CR-GNB infection, but more studies are needed to determine whether it can reduce 30-day mortality rates and increase 7-day microbial clearance. At the same time, the adverse reactions of combination therapy should not be ignored.

Novel autoantibodies help diagnose anti-SSA antibody negative Sjögren's disease and predict abnormal labial salivary gland pathology.

Objectives: Sj□gren's disease (SjD) diagnosis requires either positive anti-SSA antibodies or a labial salivary gland biopsy with a positive focus score (FS). One-third of SjD patients lack anti-SSA antibodies (SSA-), requiring a positive FS for diagnosis. Our objective was to identify novel autoantibodies to diagnose 'seronegative' SjD. Methods: IgG binding to a high density whole human peptidome array was quantified using sera from SSA- SjD cases and matched non-autoimmune controls. We identified the highest bound peptides using empirical Bayesian statistical filters, which we confirmed in an independent cohort comprising SSA- SjD (n=76), sicca controls without autoimmunity (n=75), and autoimmune controls (SjD features but not meeting SjD criteria; n=41). In this external validation, we used non-parametric methods for peptide abundance and controlled false discovery rate in group comparisons. For predictive modeling, we used logistic regression, model selection methods, and cross-validation to identify clinical and peptide variables that predict SSA- SjD and FS positivity. Results: IgG against a peptide from D-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD2) was bound more in SSA- SjD than sicca controls (p=.004) and more than combined controls (sicca and autoimmune controls combined; p=0.003). IgG against peptides from retroelement silencing factor-1 (RESF1) and DTD2, were bound more in FS-positive than FS-negative participants (p=.010; p=0.012). A predictive model incorporating clinical variables showed good discrimination between SjD versus control (AUC 74%) and between FS-positive versus FS-negative (AUC 72%). Conclusion: We present novel autoantibodies in SSA- SjD that have good predictive value for SSA- SjD and FS-positivity. KEY MESSAGES: What is already known on this topic - Seronegative (anti-SSA antibody negative [SSA-]) Sjögren's disease (SjD) requires a labial salivary gland biopsy for diagnosis, which is challenging to obtain and interpret. What this study adds - We identified novel autoantibodies in SSA- SjD that, when combined with readily available clinical variables, provide good predictive ability to discriminate 1) SSA- SjD from control participants and 2) abnormal salivary gland biopsies from normal salivary gland biopsies. How this study might affect research, practice or policy - This study provides novel diagnostic antibodies addressing the critical need for improvement of SSA- SjD diagnostic tools.

Spatio-temporal dynamics and sensitive distance of nighttime light environment in Pearl River Delta Protected Areas, China.

Protected areas (PAs) are important barriers to ensure the ecological security of territory. Light pollution is a threat to PAs, which is particularly obvious in the urban agglomeration environment. We used multi-source big data (satellite remote sensing light data, land cover types and points of interest) to quantitatively analyze the temporal and spatial dynamics of nighttime light in the PAs of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration from 2000 to 2018, the correlation between the night light environment within the PAs and human activity intensity outside, as well as the sensitive distance of the PAs to artificial light interference. The results showed that the total value of nighttime light data of PAs in the PRD increased from 71107 nanoW·cm-2·sr-1 to 127682 nanoW·cm-2·sr-1 from 2000 to 2018, the mean value per pixel increased from 15.3 nanoW·cm-2·sr-1 to 23.7 nanoW·cm-2·sr-1, and the lighted ratio increased from 73.3% to 86.4%, indicating that the nighttime light environment of PAs in the region were facing cumulative deterioration risks and serious challenges. The nighttime light intensity of the PAs in the core area of the PRD was much higher than that in the peripheral areas such as Zhaoqing and Huizhou, whereas the expansion degree of the PAs in the peripheral areas was higher than that in the core area. The nighttime light environment inside the PAs was positively correlated with the intensity of human activities around it. The most sensitive distance of the PAs to the artificial light interference around it was 10 km, and the interference degree tended to be stable after 30 km. We proposed that 0-10 km area outside the boundary of the PAs should be the light control core zone and 10-20 km area as the control buffer zone.

Current status and prospects of basic research and clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and clinically devastating disease that causes respiratory failure. Morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care units are stubbornly high, and various complications severely affect the quality of life of survivors. The pathophysiology of ARDS includes increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability, an influx of protein-rich pulmonary edema fluid, and surfactant dysfunction leading to severe hypoxemia. At present, the main treatment for ARDS is mechanical treatment combined with diuretics to reduce pulmonary edema, which primarily improves symptoms, but the prognosis of patients with ARDS is still very poor. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stromal cells that possess the capacity to self-renew and also exhibit multilineage differentiation. MSCs can be isolated from a variety of tissues, such as the umbilical cord, endometrial polyps, menstrual blood, bone marrow, and adipose tissues. Studies have confirmed the critical healing and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Recently, the potential of stem cells in treating ARDS has been explored via basic research and clinical trials. The efficacy of MSCs has been shown in a variety of in vivo models of ARDS, reducing bacterial pneumonia and ischemia-reperfusion injury while promoting the repair of ventilator-induced lung injury. This article reviews the current basic research findings and clinical applications of MSCs in the treatment of ARDS in order to emphasize the clinical prospects of MSCs.

Bio-Inspired Multiscale Design for Strong and Tough Biological Ionogels.

Structure design provides an effective solution to develop advanced soft materials with desirable mechanical properties. However, creating multiscale structures in ionogels to obtain strong mechanical properties is challenging. Here, an in situ integration strategy for producing a multiscale-structured ionogel (M-gel) via ionothermal-stimulated silk fiber splitting and moderate molecularization in the cellulose-ions matrix is reported. The produced M-gel shows a multiscale structural superiority comprised of microfibers, nanofibrils, and supramolecular networks. When this strategy is used to construct a hexactinellid inspired M-gel, the resultant biomimetic M-gel shows excellent mechanical properties including elastic modulus of 31.5 MPa, fracture strength of 6.52 MPa, toughness reaching 1540 kJ m-3 , and instantaneous impact resistance of 3.07 kJ m-1 , which are comparable to those of most previously reported polymeric gels and even hardwood. This strategy is generalizable to other biopolymers, offering a promising in situ design method for biological ionogels that can be expanded to more demanding load-bearing materials requiring greater impact resistance.

The 2020 derecho revealed limited overlap between maize genes associated with root lodging and root system architecture.

Roots anchor plants in soil, and the failure of anchorage (i.e. root lodging) is a major cause of crop yield loss. Anchorage is often assumed to be driven by root system architecture (RSA). We made use of a natural experiment to measure the overlap between the genetic regulation of RSA and anchorage. After one of the most devastating derechos ever recorded in August 2020, we phenotyped root lodging in a maize (Zea mays) diversity panel consisting of 369 genotypes grown in 6 environments affected by the derecho. Genome-wide and transcriptome-wide association studies identified 118 candidate genes associated with root lodging. Thirty-four percent (40/118) of these were homologs of genes from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that affect traits such as root morphology and lignin content, expected to affect root lodging. Finally, gene ontology enrichment analysis of the candidate genes and their predicted interaction partners at the transcriptional and translational levels revealed the complex regulatory networks of physiological and biochemical pathways underlying root lodging in maize. Limited overlap between genes associated with lodging resistance and RSA in this diversity panel suggests that anchorage depends in part on factors other than the gross characteristics of RSA.

Trait- and State-Dependent Changes in Cortical-Subcortical Functional Networks Across the Adult Lifespan.

BACKGROUND: How the functional interactions of the basal ganglia/thalamus with the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum change over the adult lifespan in movie-watching and resting-state is less clear. PURPOSE: To investigate the functional changes in the organization of the human cortical-subcortical functional networks over the adult lifespan using movie-watching and resting-state fMRI data. STUDY TYPE: Cohort. SUBJECTS: Healthy 467 adults (cross-sectional individuals aged 18-88 years) from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (www.cam-can.com). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: fMRI using a gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence at 3 T. ASSESSMENT: Functional connectivities (FCs) of the subcortical subregions (i.e. the basal ganglia and thalamus) with both the cerebral cortex and cerebellum were examined in fMRI data acquired during resting state and movie-watching. And, fluid intelligence scores were also assessed. STATISTICAL TESTS: Student's t-tests, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected. RESULTS: As age increased, FCs that mainly within the basal ganglia and thalamus, and between the basal ganglia/thalamus and cortical networks (including the dorsal attention, ventral attention, and limbic networks) were both increased/decreased during movie-watching and resting states. However, FCs showed a state-dependent component with advancing age. During the movie-watching state, the FCs between the basal ganglia/thalamus and cerebellum/frontoparietal control networks were mainly increased with age, and the FCs in the somatomotor network were decreased with age. During the resting state, the FCs between the basal ganglia/thalamus and default mode/visual networks were mainly increased with age, and the FCs in the cerebellum were mainly decreased with age. Moreover, inverse relationships between FCs and fluid intelligence were mainly found in these network regions. DATA CONCLUSION: Our study may suggest that changes in cortical-subcortical functional networks across the adult lifespan were both state-dependent and stable traits, and that aging fMRI studies should consider the effects of both physiological characteristics and individual situations. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Sensitive Distance Identification of Light Pollution in Protected Areas Based on Muti-Source Data: A Case Study of Guangdong Province, China.

Ecosystems in protected areas (PAs) are facing new challenges from light pollution. Timely assessment of light pollution in protected areas and exploration of its characteristics are positively valuable for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. As the province with the largest number of nature reserves and the richest biodiversity in China, Guangdong's protected areas have faced more severe light pollution threats in recent years along with rapid urbanization. Hence, in this study, the temporal trends and spatial distribution of light pollution changes, the correlation between light pollution and human activities, and the sensitive distance induced by light pollution in PAs of Guangdong Province from 2000 to 2018 were analyzed based on nighttime light (NTL) remote sensing data, land-use data, and POI data. The results show that: (1) Overall, the light pollution within the PAs increased significantly in these years, with the mean value of NTL (MNTL) increasing from 8.04 to 15.21 nanoWatt/cm2/sr. The number of PAs affected by light pollution was 900 in 2018, accounting for 83% of the total. (2) From the perspective of spatial distribution, the PAs in the Pearl River Delta suffered from the highest intensity of light pollution. Specifically, the MNTL of PAs within the Pearl River Delta was 5.8 times and 2.8 times higher than that in northern Guangdong in 2000 and 2018, respectively. (3) There is a significant correlation between human activities and NTL in PAs within 100 km, and the most sensitive distance is within 40 km, especially the sensitivity within 20 km is much higher than that between 30-40 km. The findings of this study will provide a reference for the implementation of external lighting control and guidance measures to mitigate light pollution in protected areas in Guangdong Province.

Thalamo-cortical inter-subject functional correlation during movie watching across the adult lifespan.

An increasing number of studies have shown that the functional interactions between the thalamus and cerebral cortices play an important role in cognitive function and are influenced by age. Previous studies have revealed age-related changes in the thalamo-cortical system within individuals, while neglecting differences between individuals. Here, we characterized inter-subject functional correlation (ISFC) between the thalamus and several cortical brain networks in 500 healthy participants aged 18-87 years old from the Cambridge Centre for Aging and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) cohort using movie-watching state fMRI data. General linear models (GLM) were performed to assess age-related changes in ISFC of thalamo-cortical networks and the relationship between ISFC and fluid intelligence. We found significant age-related decreases in ISFC between the posterior thalamus (e.g., ventral posterior nucleus and pulvinar) and the attentional network, sensorimotor network, and visual network (FDR correction with p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the ISFC between the thalamus (mainly the mediodorsal nucleus and ventral thalamic nuclei) and higher-order cortical networks, including the default mode network, salience network and control network, showed complex changes with age. Furthermore, the altered ISFC of thalamo-cortical networks was positively correlated with decreased fluid intelligence (FDR correction with p < 0.05). Overall, our results provide further evidence that alterations in the functional integrity of the thalamo-cortical system might play an important role in cognitive decline during aging.

A Height-Based Dosing Algorithm of Bupivacaine in Spinal Anesthesia for Decreasing Maternal Hypotension in Cesarean Section Without Prophylactic Fluid Preloading and Vasopressors: A Randomized-Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial.

Background: There is a high incidence of maternal hypotension in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. The aim of the study is to investigate whether there is a height-based dosing algorithm of bupivacaine that provides adequate anesthesia with less maternal hypotension. Methods: There were 2 groups of 280 parturients who did not receive prophylactic fluid preloading: Test and Conventional group. In Test group, a height based dosing algorithm was used to confirm the dose of bupivacaine in parturients without prophylactic vasopressors. In the Conventional group, a constant dose of bupivacaine was used. The complications and quality of anesthesia were evaluated. Results: In the Conventional group, the shorter participants had higher incidence of hypotension, faster sensory block time, and more participants with complete motor block (p = 0.030, 2.957 × 10-14, and 0.012). In the Test group, the incidence of hypotension, sensory block time, and number of participants with complete motor block did not change with height (p = 0.199, 0.617, and 0.209). The height-based dosing algorithm of bupivacaine decreased the incidence of hypotension (p = 0.004), induced lower sensory block level and less degree of motor block (p = 3.513 × 10-7 and 5.711 × 10-11). The quality of analgesia, quality of muscle relaxation, and degree of intraoperative comfort were similar in both groups (p = 0.065, 0.498, and 0.483). Conclusions: The height influences the dose of bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia; without prophylactic fluid pre-loading and vasopressors, the height-based dosing algorithm of bupivacaine is suitable, and meets the cesarean section' requirement with less maternal hypotension. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03497364.