Physical workplace adjustments to support neurodivergent workers: a systematic review

Derived from the concept of neurodiversity, neurodivergence is an umbrella term for various conditions such as Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Dyslexia, or Dyspraxia, which affect approximately 22% of the population. Sensory difficulties and overload are a common symptom. The provision of physical workplace adjustments for neurodivergent workers, such as workplace design solutions, has become popular in practice, yet their utility remains unsubstantiated. This review evaluates the evidence for physical workplace adjustments and their link to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being in neurodivergent workers. A systematic review (PRISMA guidelines) of studies published in English between 2000 and 2021 focused on these inclusion criteria: adult office workers clinically considered neurodiverse, their families, colleagues, employers, experts and vocational programme staff; at least one physical workplace adjustment; and all types of empirical study designs. The theoretical framing was based on the ecological model of person– environment fit supplemented by the International Classification of Functioning, (ICF) disability and health and environmental stress theory. Quality assessment and data synthesis were undertaken. Of the 319 studies identified, 20 met the eligibility criteria; the majority addressed ASD. Most studies described a combination of adjustments to address different environmental stimuli. The most frequent adjustments addressed sound distractions (e.g. single-person offices) and light sensitivity (e.g. light control), which were related to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being. A range of other adjustments addressed aspects such as environmental control, crowding or decompression rooms. There is insufficient evidence to fully evaluate the usefulness of adjustments, partially due to methodological shortcomings. Despite the variety of challenges with the sensory physical environment acknowledged in the literature for neurodivergent conditions, there is a paucity of evidence. Given the potential of physical adjustments to improve work and health outcomes, we highlight the necessity for more theoretically driven and methodologically sound research

Educational applications of metaverse: possibilities and limitations

This review aims to define the 4 types of the metaverse and to explain the potential and limitations of its educational applications. The metaverse roadmap categorizes the metaverse into 4 types: augmented reality, lifelogging, mirror world, and virtual reality. An example of the application of augmented reality in medical education would be an augmented reality T-shirt that allows students to examine the inside of the human body as an anatomy lab. Furthermore, a research team in a hospital in Seoul developed a spinal surgery platform that applied augmented reality technology. The potential of the metaverse as a new educational environment is suggested to be as follows: a space for new social communication; a higher degree of freedom to create and share; and the provision of new experiences and high immersion through virtualization. Some of its limitations may be weaker social connections and the possibility of privacy impingement; the commission of various crimes due to the virtual space and anonymity of the metaverse; and maladaptation to the real world for students whose identity has not been established. The metaverse is predicted to change our daily life and economy beyond the realm of games and entertainment. The metaverse has infinite potential as a new social communication space. The following future tasks are suggested for the educational use of the metaverse: first, teachers should carefully analyze how students understand the metaverse; second, teachers should design classes for students to solve problems or perform projects cooperatively and creatively; third, educational metaverse platforms should be developed that prevent misuse of student data

Physical workplace adjustments to support neurodivergent workers: a systematic review

Derived from the concept of neurodiversity, neurodivergence is an umbrella term for various conditions such as Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Dyslexia, or Dyspraxia, which affect approximately 22% of the population. Sensory difficulties and overload are a common symptom. The provision of physical workplace adjustments for neurodivergent workers, such as workplace design solutions, has become popular in practice, yet their utility remains unsubstantiated. This review evaluates the evidence for physical workplace adjustments and their link to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being in neurodivergent workers. A systematic review (PRISMA guidelines) of studies published in English between 2000 and 2021 focused on these inclusion criteria: adult office workers clinically considered neurodiverse, their families, colleagues, employers, experts and vocational programme staff; at least one physical workplace adjustment; and all types of empirical study designs. The theoretical framing was based on the ecological model of person– environment fit supplemented by the International Classification of Functioning, (ICF) disability and health and environmental stress theory. Quality assessment and data synthesis were undertaken. Of the 319 studies identified, 20 met the eligibility criteria; the majority addressed ASD. Most studies described a combination of adjustments to address different environmental stimuli. The most frequent adjustments addressed sound distractions (e.g. single-person offices) and light sensitivity (e.g. light control), which were related to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being. A range of other adjustments addressed aspects such as environmental control, crowding or decompression rooms. There is insufficient evidence to fully evaluate the usefulness of adjustments, partially due to methodological shortcomings. Despite the variety of challenges with the sensory physical environment acknowledged in the literature for neurodivergent conditions, there is a paucity of evidence. Given the potential of physical adjustments to improve work and health outcomes, we highlight the necessity for more theoretically driven and methodologically sound research

Physical workplace adjustments to support neurodivergent workers: a systematic review

Derived from the concept of neurodiversity, neurodivergence is an umbrella term for various conditions such as Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Dyslexia, or Dyspraxia, which affect approximately 22% of the population. Sensory difficulties and overload are a common symptom. The provision of physical workplace adjustments for neurodivergent workers, such as workplace design solutions, has become popular in practice, yet their utility remains unsubstantiated. This review evaluates the evidence for physical workplace adjustments and their link to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being in neurodivergent workers. A systematic review (PRISMA guidelines) of studies published in English between 2000 and 2021 focused on these inclusion criteria: adult office workers clinically considered neurodiverse, their families, colleagues, employers, experts and vocational programme staff; at least one physical workplace adjustment; and all types of empirical study designs. The theoretical framing was based on the ecological model of person– environment fit supplemented by the International Classification of Functioning, (ICF) disability and health and environmental stress theory. Quality assessment and data synthesis were undertaken. Of the 319 studies identified, 20 met the eligibility criteria; the majority addressed ASD. Most studies described a combination of adjustments to address different environmental stimuli. The most frequent adjustments addressed sound distractions (e.g. single-person offices) and light sensitivity (e.g. light control), which were related to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being. A range of other adjustments addressed aspects such as environmental control, crowding or decompression rooms. There is insufficient evidence to fully evaluate the usefulness of adjustments, partially due to methodological shortcomings. Despite the variety of challenges with the sensory physical environment acknowledged in the literature for neurodivergent conditions, there is a paucity of evidence. Given the potential of physical adjustments to improve work and health outcomes, we highlight the necessity for more theoretically driven and methodologically sound research

Physical workplace adjustments to support neurodivergent workers: a systematic review

Derived from the concept of neurodiversity, neurodivergence is an umbrella term for various conditions such as Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Dyslexia, or Dyspraxia, which affect approximately 22% of the population. Sensory difficulties and overload are a common symptom. The provision of physical workplace adjustments for neurodivergent workers, such as workplace design solutions, has become popular in practice, yet their utility remains unsubstantiated. This review evaluates the evidence for physical workplace adjustments and their link to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being in neurodivergent workers. A systematic review (PRISMA guidelines) of studies published in English between 2000 and 2021 focused on these inclusion criteria: adult office workers clinically considered neurodiverse, their families, colleagues, employers, experts and vocational programme staff; at least one physical workplace adjustment; and all types of empirical study designs. The theoretical framing was based on the ecological model of person– environment fit supplemented by the International Classification of Functioning, (ICF) disability and health and environmental stress theory. Quality assessment and data synthesis were undertaken. Of the 319 studies identified, 20 met the eligibility criteria; the majority addressed ASD. Most studies described a combination of adjustments to address different environmental stimuli. The most frequent adjustments addressed sound distractions (e.g. single-person offices) and light sensitivity (e.g. light control), which were related to occupational longevity, performance and health/well-being. A range of other adjustments addressed aspects such as environmental control, crowding or decompression rooms. There is insufficient evidence to fully evaluate the usefulness of adjustments, partially due to methodological shortcomings. Despite the variety of challenges with the sensory physical environment acknowledged in the literature for neurodivergent conditions, there is a paucity of evidence. Given the potential of physical adjustments to improve work and health outcomes, we highlight the necessity for more theoretically driven and methodologically sound research

Routine nasogastric suction may be unnecessary after a pancreatic resection

AbstractBackgroundMost surgeons routinely place a nasogastric tube at the time of a pancreatic resection. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the outcome when a pancreatic resection is performed without routine post-operative nasogastric suction.MethodsOne hundred consecutive patients underwent a pancreatic resection (64a pancreaticoduodenectomy, 98% pylorus sparing and 36a distal pancreatectomy). In the first cohort (50 patients), a nasogastric tube was routinely placed at the time of surgery and in the second cohort (50 patients) the nasogastric was removed in the operating room. Outcomes for these two cohorts were recorded in a prospective database and compared using the χ2 or Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon's rank-sum test.ResultsDemographical, surgical and pathological details were similar between the two cohorts. A post-operative complication occurred in 22 (44%) in each group (P= 1.000). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency or severity of complications, or length of stay between groups. The spectrum of complications experienced by the two cohorts was similar including complications that could potentially be related to the use of nasogastric suction such as delayed gastric emptying, anastomotic leak, wound dehiscence and pneumonia. There was no difference between the two groups in the number of patients who required post-operative nasogastric tube placement (or replacement) [2 (4%) vs. 4 (8%), P= 0.678].ConclusionIt may be safe to place a nasogastric tube post-operatively in a minority of patients after a pancreatic resection and spare the majority the discomfort associated with routine post-operative nasogastric suction

Synergistic Interferon-Alpha-Based Combinations for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections

Background: There is an urgent need for new antivirals with powerful therapeutic potential and tolerable side effects. Methods: Here, we tested the antiviral properties of interferons (IFNs), alone and with other drugs in vitro. Results: While IFNs alone were insufficient to completely abolish replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), IFNα, in combination with remdesivir, EIDD-2801, camostat, cycloheximide, or convalescent serum, proved to be more effective. Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses revealed that the IFNα–remdesivir combination suppressed SARS-CoV-2-mediated changes in Calu-3 cells and lung organoids, although it altered the homeostasis of uninfected cells and organoids. We also demonstrated that IFNα combinations with sofosbuvir, telaprevir, NITD008, ribavirin, pimodivir, or lamivudine were effective against HCV, HEV, FLuAV, or HIV at lower concentrations, compared to monotherapies. Conclusions: Altogether, our results indicated that IFNα can be combined with drugs that affect viral RNA transcription, protein synthesis, and processing to make synergistic combinations that can be attractive targets for further pre-clinical and clinical development against emerging and re-emerging viral infections

Novel diagnostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer: assessing methylation status with epigenetic-specific peptide nucleic acid and KRAS mutation in cell-free DNA

PurposePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that poses challenges for diagnosis using traditional tissue-based techniques. DNA methylation alterations have emerged as potential and promising biomarkers for PDAC. In this study, we aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of a novel DNA methylation assay based on epigenetic-specific peptide nucleic acid (Epi-sPNA) in both tissue and plasma samples for detecting PDAC.Materials and methodsThe study involved 46 patients with PDAC who underwent surgical resection. Epi-TOP pancreatic assay was used to detect PDAC-specific epigenetic biomarkers. The Epi-sPNA allowed accurate and rapid methylation analysis without bisulfite sample processing. Genomic DNA extracted from paired normal pancreatic and PDAC tissues was used to assess the diagnostic efficacy of epigenetic biomarkers for PDAC. Subsequent validation was conducted on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extracted from plasma samples, with 10 individuals represented in each group: PDAC, benign pancreatic cystic neoplasm, and healthy control.ResultsThe combination of seven epigenetic biomarkers (HOXA9, TWIST, WT1, RPRM, BMP3, NPTX2, and BNC1) achieved 93.5% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity in discerning normal pancreatic from PDAC tissues. Plasma cfDNA, analyzed using these markers and KRAS mutations, exhibited a substantial 90.0% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity, and an overall 93.3% accuracy for discriminating PDAC. Notably, cancer antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen both had an accuracy of 90.0%.ConclusionOur study suggests that analyzing seven differentially methylated genes with KRAS mutations in cfDNA using the novel Epi-TOP pancreatic assay is a potential blood-based biomarker for the diagnosis of PDAC

AI is a viable alternative to high throughput screening: a 318-target study

: High throughput screening (HTS) is routinely used to identify bioactive small molecules. This requires physical compounds, which limits coverage of accessible chemical space. Computational approaches combined with vast on-demand chemical libraries can access far greater chemical space, provided that the predictive accuracy is sufficient to identify useful molecules. Through the largest and most diverse virtual HTS campaign reported to date, comprising 318 individual projects, we demonstrate that our AtomNet® convolutional neural network successfully finds novel hits across every major therapeutic area and protein class. We address historical limitations of computational screening by demonstrating success for target proteins without known binders, high-quality X-ray crystal structures, or manual cherry-picking of compounds. We show that the molecules selected by the AtomNet® model are novel drug-like scaffolds rather than minor modifications to known bioactive compounds. Our empirical results suggest that computational methods can substantially replace HTS as the first step of small-molecule drug discovery

25th annual computational neuroscience meeting: CNS-2016

The same neuron may play different functional roles in the neural circuits to which it belongs. For example, neurons in the Tritonia pedal ganglia may participate in variable phases of the swim motor rhythms [1]. While such neuronal functional variability is likely to play a major role the delivery of the functionality of neural systems, it is difficult to study it in most nervous systems. We work on the pyloric rhythm network of the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) [2]. Typically network models of the STG treat neurons of the same functional type as a single model neuron (e.g. PD neurons), assuming the same conductance parameters for these neurons and implying their synchronous firing [3, 4]. However, simultaneous recording of PD neurons shows differences between the timings of spikes of these neurons. This may indicate functional variability of these neurons. Here we modelled separately the two PD neurons of the STG in a multi-neuron model of the pyloric network. Our neuron models comply with known correlations between conductance parameters of ionic currents. Our results reproduce the experimental finding of increasing spike time distance between spikes originating from the two model PD neurons during their synchronised burst phase. The PD neuron with the larger calcium conductance generates its spikes before the other PD neuron. Larger potassium conductance values in the follower neuron imply longer delays between spikes, see Fig. 17.Neuromodulators change the conductance parameters of neurons and maintain the ratios of these parameters [5]. Our results show that such changes may shift the individual contribution of two PD neurons to the PD-phase of the pyloric rhythm altering their functionality within this rhythm. Our work paves the way towards an accessible experimental and computational framework for the analysis of the mechanisms and impact of functional variability of neurons within the neural circuits to which they belong