Cognitive Testing in Dogs: Long-Term Memory and Puzzle Feeders

This study explores long-term memory in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) using puzzle feeder tasks to evaluate problem-solving retention over time. Nineteen dogs participated in two sessions spaced one month apart, where they interacted with five different puzzle feeders designed to vary in complexity. Each session was recorded and coded for interaction types and solution times. Results showed that 14 out of 19 dogs solved at least one puzzle, and paired sample t-tests revealed a statistically significant reduction in solution time during the second session (p = 0.001), suggesting memory retention of the puzzle-solving strategies. These findings support the hypothesis that dogs possess long-term memory capabilities relevant to spatial and problem-solving tasks. Future research will examine how personality traits may influence memory performance in dogs

Effects of EMST On Improving Swallow Function In Individuals With Neurodegenerative Disease

Dysphagia, or swallow dysfunction, poses significant challenges for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Huntington’s Disease (HD). This literature review evaluates the effectiveness of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) devices as a therapeutic intervention to enhance swallow function in this population. A comprehensive review of five articles employing the PEDro scale indicates that EMST leads to notable improvements in swallow safety and quality of life. Notably, randomized studies demonstrated a consistent positive correlation between EMST training and enhancements in Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP), which is integral for safe swallowing. Furthermore, self-report questionnaires used in the studies underscored that improved swallow function significantly correlates with enhanced perceived quality of life among participants. Despite the promising findings, the review highlights a considerable gap in research specific to EMST application in treating dysphagia within neurodegenerative contexts, suggesting a critical need for further investigation to validate and expand upon these preliminary observations. This synthesis emphasizes EMST as a viable intervention while advocating for more robust studies to conclusively address the complexities of dysphagia in neurodegenerative diseases

Use of Alter G Treadmill for Returning From Lower Extremity Injury

A fractured fifth metatarsal is a common weight-bearing injury that often requires progressive rehabilitation to restore gait and prevent re-injury. The AlterG treadmill enables reduced bodyweight walking and captures detailed gait metrics, supporting recovery by offloading pressure and promoting symmetrical movement. In this case, the non-injured ankle maintained strength with minor gains, while the injured ankle showed notable improvement, particularly in plantarflexion. Gait analysis revealed significant increases in plantar pressure symmetry and overall limb loading. Early asymmetry reflected protective strategies, while Week 4 data indicated restored confidence and function in the injured foot. AlterG treadmill use promoted improved gait mechanics, making it an effective tool for supporting recovery from lower extremity injuries

Combined Screening of Different beta-lactamases Enzymes and CipP Protease from Staphylococcus aureus to identify Pharmaceutical Hits

Bacteria has evolved in much more rigorous conditions that today; they have developed mechanisms to survive. A need is for novel antibiotics is imperative. Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria that provide multi-resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Beta-lactamase provides antibiotic resistance by changing the antibiotics\u27 structure. We are also investigating a protease ClpP that is in S. aureus maintaining protein homeostasis. Here, we describe the use of an iterative in silico and in vitro workflow for identifying novel beta-lactamase and protease ClpP inhibitors. Utilizing Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) as the software for our virtual screens. Our virtual screen model evaluates compounds that can be purchased for less than one- hundred dollars, therefore they can eventually be evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The Virtual Screen model that we employ uses multiple poses of the virtual compounds evaluating them via multiple criteria. Then an excel Pivot table is used to identify the duplicates with the logic being the more times a virtual compound appears with a good score it may be of interest to test in vitro. We are evaluating different beta-lactamases and ClpP proteases using different crystal structures then comparing the data from the different virtual screens. ADME studies are being performed on our top theoretical pharmaceutical hits. We have identified ractopamine as a μM inhibitor and a 50 μM inhibitor of a repurposed drug, in vitro against beta-lactamase. We think a novel method of identifying pharmaceutical hits has been revealed. The hope is to treat the patient with a Beta-lactamase inhibitor and then the normal penicillin like drug. ClpP protease is a new drug target, and we are hoping to discover novel inhibitors. Preliminary results appear encouraging, providing hope that a novel drug candidates will be identified and that our computational workflow will prove useful on other pharmaceutical targets

Establishing Benchmarks

This is the seventh article in a new series designed to provide readers with insight into educating nurses about evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). It builds on AJN\u27s award-winning previous series—Evidence-Based Practice, Step by Step and EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change (to access both series, go to https://links.lww.com/AJN/A133). This follow-up series on EBDM will address how to teach and facilitate learning about the evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) processes and how they impact health care quality. This series is relevant for all nurses interested in EBP and QI, especially DNP faculty and students. The brief case scenario included in each article describes one DNP student\u27s journey

Challenges for Leveraging Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Audit Procedures

This paper discusses the challenges encountered by the audit industry in light of the dearth of well-labeled data and the increasing adoption of machine learning technologies. Although existing machine learning techniques have their merits, they have limitations when it comes to transactional data. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) can be a potential solution for applying machine learning models in audit procedures. Primarily, this study discusses challenges related to dependence on preprocessing, verification of explanation, variation in XAI techniques, limitations for feature importance explanation, auditors’ attitude to XAI, and computation time. The paper provides some potential solutions for these challenges

Evidence-Based Interventions for Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

Ventilator associated pneumonia is an hospital acquired infection that can cause severe illness in critically ill patients who are susceptible to complications. Ventilator associated pneumonia or VAP, is defined as an infection in the lungs that develops after 48 hours of intubation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation (Yesilbag & Seker 2020). Specific interventions, such as the use of antibiotics, can be vital in preventing the development of VAP for patients following intubation. Furthermore, the use of endotracheal suctioning in mechanically ventilated patients, to remove secretions containing bacteria, has proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (Ardehali et al., 2020). These interventions not only improve the patient’s quality of life by shortening their hospital stay, but help reduce medical costs for hospitals. In an effort to help reduce hospital costs associated with treatment and high rates of patient mortality associated with VAP, we must decipher which evidence-based interventions are most useful in preventing the development of the infection. In this case, it is evident that when compared to the use of prophylactic antibiotics, endotracheal suctioning is a more effective method of reducing VAP in ICU patients

Brain Transcriptomics of a Social Challenge and Maternal Aggression In Incubating Female Tree Swallows

Aggressive behavior is ubiquitous across many contexts, including defense of territories, mates, and offspring. For decades, researchers have detailed the effect of aggressive behavior on physiology, but our understanding of these mechanisms in females lags behind that of males, despite the fact that female aggression is widespread, particularly in the context of maternal defense of eggs or offspring (i.e., maternal aggression). Here, we measured effects of a social challenge on brain gene expression in free-living incubating females. We hypothesized that the social challenge would generate at least one of three transcriptomic effects: (1) sensitizing the brain to otherwise low levels of sex steroids, (2) changing other neuroendocrine signaling pathways associated with social behavior (e.g., dopamine), or (3) broad shifts related to metabolism or immune function. We tested these hypotheses in incubating female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), exposing 10 females to a 30-min simulated territorial intrusion, which elicited maternal aggression. After this challenge, we measured neural gene expression via RNA-seq and compared gene expression to 10 unchallenged controls. We saw no global treatment effect on gene expression. However, within the experimental group, more maternal aggression was correlated with upregulation of genes associated with immune activation and downregulation of genes associated with synaptic plasticity. Though more research is needed to understand the downstream effects of these transcriptional differences, our findings generate key questions about how the brain responds to social challenges across different contexts