Background: Schizencephaly is a congenital brain malformation involving a cleft in the cerebral hemisphere lined with abnormal gray matter with an estimated incidence of 1.5 per 100,000 live births. Methods: This study aims to characterize the radiological, etiological, and clinical features of schizencephaly, identifying factors predictive of patient outcomes. A retrospective cohort of 94 individuals, both adult and pediatric, was analyzed across four tertiary care centers. A neuroradiologist systematically reviewed imaging, while charts were reviewed for clinical features. Results: Several perinatal risk factors were identified, including young maternal age and prenatal infections. However, genetic testing yielded only one pathogenic COL4A1 mutation. MRI findings showed frequent additional malformations, including those in the pituitary, corpus callosum, and fornix. Clinical characteristics included neurodevelopmental delay (71.6%), seizures (50.0%), and motor impairments (53.3%). Outcomes were heterogeneous, with bilateral and open-lip clefts associated with more severe developmental delays, while seizure rates were comparable across subtypes. Conclusions: The complexity of schizencephaly is highlighted in the largest cohort reported with high rates of seizures, neurodevelopmental delays, and motor impairments, but outcomes varied widely based on imaging features, underscoring the importance of individualized management. The low yield of genetic findings emphasizes prenatal environmental risk factors as etiological contributors.

Multicenter clinical trials are essential for evaluating interventions but often face significant challenges in study design, site coordination, participant recruitment, and regulatory compliance. To address these issues, the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences established the Trial Innovation Network (TIN). The TIN offers a scientific consultation process, providing access to clinical trial and disease experts who provide input and recommendations throughout the trial’s duration, at no cost to investigators. This approach aims to improve trial design, accelerate implementation, foster interdisciplinary teamwork, and spur innovations that enhance multicenter trial quality and efficiency. The TIN leverages resources of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program, complementing local capabilities at the investigator’s institution. The Initial Consultation process focuses on the study’s scientific premise, design, site development, recruitment and retention strategies, funding feasibility, and other support areas. As of 6/1/2024, the TIN has provided 431 Initial Consultations to increase efficiency and accelerate trial implementation by delivering customized support and tailored recommendations. Across a range of clinical trials, the TIN has developed standardized, streamlined, and adaptable processes. We describe these processes, provide operational metrics, and include a set of lessons learned for consideration by other trial support and innovation networks.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most prevalent zoonotic parasitic infections worldwide. When acquired during pregnancy, T. gondii can be transmitted to the fetus, with clinical outcomes influenced by gestational age at time of infection and the parasite’s genotype. Prenatal screening enables the detection of maternal seroconversion and offers a critical window for intervention. In Uruguay, despite mandatory serological screening during pregnancy, national data on T. gondii seroprevalence and maternal seroconversion have not been updated in two decades. In addition, the genetic diversity of local strains remains poorly characterized. In this study, we analysed publicly available serological data from pregnant individuals attending Uruguay’s largest public maternity hospital between 2019 and 2023. We found that seroprevalence has modestly declined from 50% (reported in 1998) to 45.5%, with a congenital transmission rate of 0.58%. Clinical analysis of affected newborns revealed chorioretinitis as the predominant manifestation. To investigate parasite diversity, we performed genotyping of T. gondii strains using in silico PCR-RFLP following molecular detection. Our findings revealed substantial genetic diversity, including novel allele combinations not previously described in the region. These results highlight both the continued public health burden and the evolving genetic landscape of T. gondii in Uruguay. Our findings underscore the need to strengthen surveillance and prevention strategies for congenital toxoplasmosis in South America.

The near-axis description of optimised stellarators, at second order in the expansion, provides important information about the field, both of physical and practical importance for stellarator optimisation. It, however, remains relatively underdeveloped for an important class of such stellarators, called quasi-isodynamic (QI). In this paper we develop the theoretical and numerical framework, applying the second-order omnigeneity conditions derived in Rodríguez & Plunk (2023), to make explicit construction of equilibrium solutions. We find that the case of QI stellarators calls for the careful treatment of continuity, smoothness and periodicity of the various functions involved, especially for so-called half-helicity fields, which feature prominently in existing QI designs. The numerical implementation of necessary elements is described, and several examples are constructed and quantitatively verified in detail. This work establishes a basis for further systematic exploration of the space of QI stellarators, and the development of both theoretical and practical tools to facilitate effective optimisation of QI stellarators.

Haemosporidians constitute a monophyletic group of vector-borne parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including Neotropical lizards. The remarkable diversity of these host-parasite associations and inadequate research on certain parasite groups have resulted in controversial haemosporidian taxonomy. Herein, we rediscover erythrocytic and non-erythrocytic haemosporidians infecting golden tegus (Tupinambis teguixin) from Brazil and Colombia. The erythrocyte-inhabiting parasite belongs to Plasmodium sp., and the non-erythrocytic form was identified as Saurocytozoon tupinambi, previously attributed to the Family Leucocytozoidae. These non-pigmented haemosporidian parasites do not multiply in the blood. The relationships between the Saurocytozoon and Leucocytozoidae species were discussed for many years, especially during the 1970s. However, cytochrome b (cytb) sequences and the mitochondrial genomes recovered for this species strongly support classifying this parasite as a Plasmodium taxon. Therefore, we proposed a new combination for this parasite, Plasmodium (Saurocytozoon) tupinambi comb. nov., where Saurocytozoon is retained as a subgenus due to its distinct morphology. These results reinforce that a broader definition of Plasmodiidae must include saurian parasites that develop non-pigmented leucocytozoid-like gametocytes.

We provide an assessment of the Infinity Two fusion pilot plant (FPP) baseline plasma physics design. Infinity Two is a four-field period, aspect ratio $A = 10$, quasi-isodynamic stellarator with improved confinement appealing to a max-$J$ approach, elevated plasma density and high magnetic fields ($ \langle B\rangle = 9$ T). Here $J$ denotes the second adiabatic invariant. At the envisioned operating point ($800$ MW deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion), the configuration has robust magnetic surfaces based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium calculations and is stable to both local and global MHD instabilities. The configuration has excellent confinement properties with small neoclassical transport and low bootstrap current ($|I_{bootstrap}| \sim 2$ kA). Calculations of collisional alpha-particle confinement in a DT FPP scenario show small energy losses to the first wall (${\lt}1.5 \,\%$) and stable energetic particle/Alfvén eigenmodes at high ion density. Low turbulent transport is produced using a combination of density profile control consistent with pellet fueling and reduced stiffness to turbulent transport via three-dimensional shaping. Transport simulations with the T3D-GX-SFINCS code suite with self-consistent turbulent and neoclassical transport predict that the DT fusion power$P_{{fus}}=800$ MW operating point is attainable with high fusion gain ($Q=40$) at volume-averaged electron densities $n_e\approx 2 \times 10^{20}$ m$^{-3}$, below the Sudo density limit. Additional transport calculations show that an ignited ($Q=\infty$) solution is available at slightly higher density ($2.2 \times 10^{20}$ m$^{-3}$) with $P_{{fus}}=1.5$ GW. The magnetic configuration is defined by a magnetic coil set with sufficient room for an island divertor, shielding and blanket solutions with tritium breeding ratios (TBR) above unity. An optimistic estimate for the gas-cooled solid breeder designed helium-cooled pebble bed is TBR $\sim 1.3$. Infinity Two satisfies the physics requirements of a stellarator fusion pilot plant.

The fortune jack (Seriola peruana), a pelagic fish typically found along the Tropical Eastern Pacific, has been recorded in the northernmost Gulf of California (GC) region. The first record in the Upper Gulf and habitat expansion of S. peruana is reported based on the meristic, morphometric, and biological data of three specimens caught by local artisanal fishermen in April 2024. The lack of commercial value likely explains the region's absence of records for this species. The increased presence of S. peruana distribution in the Upper GC could have significant ecological implications, which warrants further fish habitat use and climate change research.

We construct a description of ion-temperature-gradient (ITG)-driven localised linear modes which retains both wave–particle and magnetic drift resonant effects while capturing the field-line dependence of the electrostatic potential. We exploit the smallness of the magnetic drift and the strong localisation of the mode to resolve the problem with a polynomial–Gaussian expansion in the field-following coordinate. A simple semianalytical formula for the spectrum of the mode is shown to capture long wavelength Landau damping, ion-scale Larmor radius stabilisation, weakening of Larmor radius effects at short wavelengths and magnetic-drift resonant stabilisation. These elements lead to linear spectra with multiple maxima as observed in gyrokinetic simulations in stellarators. Connections to the transition to extended eigenfunctions and those localised by less unfavourable curvature regions (hopping solutions) are also made. The model provides a clear qualitative framework with which to interpret numerically simulated ITG modes’ linear spectra with realistic geometries, despite its limitations for exact quantitative predictions.

This abstract was presented as the Nutrition in the Treatment, Management and Prevention of Disease Theme Highlight.

Chronic constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition affecting approximately 10% of the global population(1) and is associated with substantial healthcare costs and quality of life impairments in the UK(2). While the aetiology of chronic constipation is not fully understood, lower dietary fibre intake is associated with greater risk of constipation(3) and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains is recommended within clinical guidelines. Although not diagnostic for constipation, low stool weight is a common feature and is associated with greater risk of colorectal cancer(4); yet few studies have ever measured stool weight in constipation. This study investigated associations between frequency of plant food intake and stool weight in people with constipation.

Baseline data from a dietary intervention trial were analysed, which included participants meeting Rome IV criteria for constipation. Self-reported data on habitual consumption of nine plant food categories were collected using a validated tool. Participants performed 7-day total stool collection, which was weighed on the same weighing scales at the research centre. Associations between intake frequency for each plant food category and daily stool weight (total stool weight divided by 7 days) were analysed using independent-samples t-tests (SPSS, version 28, p<0.05 considered significant).

Ninety-nine people with Rome IV constipation (89% female; mean [ ±SD] age 32.4 [ ± 12.4] y; BMI 23.0 [ ±3.2] kg/m2) provided 7-day total stool collections. Mean ( ± SD) stool weight was 72.5±47.2 g/day (minimum 2.1 g/day; maximum 280.6 g/day). Stool weight was significantly higher among those consuming fruit once or more per day (86.2±48.2 g/day), compared with those consuming fruit less than once per day (62.4±44.1 g/day; p = 0.012). Stool weight was also higher among those consuming vegetables once or more per day (98.6±59.1 g/day) compared with those eating vegetables less than once per day (62.2±37.2 g/day; p<0.001). Differences for green salad (79.6±52.1 g/day; 63.3±38.5 g/day; p = 0.088) and high-fibre breads (84.1±46.6 g/day; 65.1±46.6 g/day; p = 0.05) were borderline significant, when comparing those consuming these more than once per week, compared with once or less per week (respectively). No significant differences were found for frequency of consuming fruit juices, potatoes, vegetable soups/stews, high-fibre cereals, or beans and lentils.

This is the most comprehensive analysis to date of measured stool weight in constipation, and its association with plant food intake. Despite presence of constipation, participants with higher intakes of fruit and vegetables had a greater daily stool weight; an important feature associated with lower colorectal cancer risk(4). However, intakes were not sufficient to manage their constipation symptoms. Intervention studies investigating potential benefits from increasing fruit and vegetable intakes in people with constipation are required and are currently underway.

Background and Aim: Puerto Rico is experiencing a rapidly aging society. In old age, it is common to experience one or more chronic diseases that require special attention. If not properly addressed, these health conditions can reduce functionality in daily activities. Some risk factors that can affect health and functionality include sedentary lifestyle, social isolation, and unhealthy lifestyles. To reduce these risk factors, it is necessary to implement health promotion measures aimed at improving the well-being of older adults. Brain Dance has a positive impact on the health of older adults. Its benefits include increasing circulation, reorganizing the neurological system, reducing stress, maintaining joint flexibility, and being aware of the communication between body and mind. The aim was to promote the health of older adults through the 8 Movement Patterns of Brain Dance at CAMPEA, Santa Monica, Bayamón, during the months of March to May 2023.

Methods: A collaboration agreement was established between the Geriatric Research and Education Center and CAMPEA to train older adults and service providers on the benefits of Brain Dance, and educational materials were provided to complement the activities.

Results: The program was implemented as designed. A total of 12 older adults, 60+ practiced Brain Dance and 6 direct services providers were trained on the benefits of Brain Dance in older adults. An infographic with the Eight Movements Patterns was designed and distributed to older adults and services providers.

Conclusions: Older adults reported that engaging in Brain Dance helped them to increase their confidence, bring back memories from the past, strengthen their group interactions, gain new knowledge, develop new skills, self- discover, pay greater attention to the connection between their mind and body, and achieve a state of joy.

Background and Aims: The growth of the elderly population poses challenges and opportunities in society. As we age, normal changes occur that can affect functionality and independence. Aging is associated with brain changes that result in cognitive decline. The most common cause of cognitive decline among the elderly is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is characterized by a progressive spectrum of memory problems that affect the functional capacity of the elderly and their ability to perform activities of daily living, increasing the level of dependence and the social, emotional, and economic burden on caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the 4th leading cause of death in Puerto Rico. These challenges can only be addressed through clinical research for managing conditions, non-pharmacological treatments and therapies, and educational initiatives covering basic aspects of geriatrics aimed at healthcare professionals, direct service providers, and caregivers. These efforts will provide effective management alternatives when intervening with the elderly population and the public. The aims are: to discuss the educational initiative with Dominican caregivers, to review advances in Alzheimer’s disease research, to present the translation and cultural validation of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for patients in the early stages of MCI and Alzheimer’s, and to raise awareness about the importance of physical literacy through the eight (8) Movement Patterns of Brain Dance for older adults.

During a 2019 Chilean Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ECA 55) studying crustose coralline algae (CCA) diversity on the Antarctic Peninsula, bleaching of these algae was observed for the first time in this region. Here, we present initial findings on the physiological state of bleached and normally pigmented CCA (Clathromorphum sp.) assessed using chlorophyll-a fluorescence induction pulse amplitude modulation. The study site experienced high light exposure and salinity in the water column. Our analyses found that bleached CCA have relatively healthy photophysiology responses but lower photosynthetic efficiency, which could be associated with the low salinities recorded in the study area. However, seasonal monitoring and mesocosm experiments across the southern polar latitudes are urgently required to confirm this hypothesis.