The role of music on energy intake is conflicting, and recent research has suggested a positive association between classical music listening and mindfulness. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of music, specifically classical music on state mindfulness and calorie intake of energy-dense foods. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to either a classical, popular or no music condition, and were served a variety of sweet (i.e., chocolate and cookies) and savoury (i.e., crisps) energy-dense foods. Results The results found no significant differences in state mindfulness, overall calorie intake, or intake of sweet foods across the three conditions. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BIBF1120.html However, participants in the classical music condition did consume significantly less savoury food than those in the no music condition. Playing classical music may be beneficial in reducing intake of savoury foods, but not through the association to changes in state mindfulness. Future research should explore extended sessions of music listening on state mindfulness and other experiential evaluations of mindfulness to conclude on the direct and indirect effects of music on sweet and savoury foods. Playing classical music may be beneficial in reducing intake of savoury foods, but not through the association to changes in state mindfulness. Future research should explore extended sessions of music listening on state mindfulness and other experiential evaluations of mindfulness to conclude on the direct and indirect effects of music on sweet and savoury foods. Ischemic brain tissue damage in patients with acute ischemic stroke, as measured by the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) may be more impactful in older than in younger patients, although this has not been studied. We aimed to investigate a possible interaction effect between age and ASPECTS on functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment, and compared reperfusion benefit across age and ASPECTS subgroups. Patients with ischemic stroke from the MR CLEAN Registry (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands; March 2014-November 2017) were included. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was performed to obtain effect size estimates (adjusted common odds ratio) on functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score) for continuous age and granular ASPECTS, with a 2-way multiplicative interaction term (age×ASPECTS). Outcomes in four patient subgroups based on age (< versus ≥ median age [7s with low baseline ASPECTS, outcomes did not significantly differ from the main effect. These results do not support withholding endovascular treatment based n a combination of high age and low ASPECTS.The respiratory tract is a major entry site for microbial pathogens. To combat bacterial infections, the immune system has various defense mechanisms at its disposal, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). To search for novel AMPs from the respiratory tract, a peptide library from human broncho-alveolar-lavage (BAL) fluid was screened for antimicrobial activity by radial diffusion assays allowing the efficient detection of antibacterial activity within a small sample size. After repeated testing-cycles and subsequent purification, we identified ß-2-microglobulin (B2M) in antibacterially active fractions. B2M belongs to the MHC-1 receptor complex present at the surface of nucleated cells. It is known to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli and to facilitate phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. Using commercially available B2M we confirmed a dose-dependent inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and L. monocytogenes. To characterize AMP activity within the B2M sequence, peptide fragments of the molecule were tested for antimicrobial activity. Activity could be localized to the C-terminal part of B2M. Investigating pH dependency of the antimicrobial activity of B2M demonstrated an increased activity at pH values of 5.5 and below, a hallmark of infection and inflammation. Sytox green uptake into bacterial cells following the exposure to B2M was determined and revealed a pH-dependent loss of bacterial membrane integrity. TEM analysis showed areas of disrupted bacterial membranes in L. monocytogenes incubated with B2M and high amounts of lysed bacterial cells. In conclusion, B2M as part of a ubiquitous cell surface complex may represent a potent antimicrobial agent by interfering with bacterial membrane integrity.Transgender women have been understudied and underserved in Paraguay; data are urgently needed to understand their HIV prevention and care needs. To estimate HIV prevalence and related risk and preventive behaviors among trans women in Paraguay, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2017. We employed starfish sampling - a hybrid venue-based and peer-referral method combining recruitment at randomly sampled venues and randomly selected clients from program lists, followed by short-chain referrals of eligible peers. Among 304 trans women enrolled, HIV prevalence was 24.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18.5-31.2%), with risk increasing with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.06 per year, 95% CI 1.03-1.10), residence in Asunción department (AOR 4.75, 95% CI 1.57-14.36), and cocaine use (AOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.11-3.95). Trans women in Paraguay need to be prioritized for interventions with high HIV prevention efficacy. Substance use interventions to address cocaine use may also yield prevention benefits for trans women in our context.A systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the last 10 years was conducted to identify the effect of computer-based training compared to routine methods on post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation and to provide recommendations for future research. A literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, EBSCO (CINAHL), and Web of Science that focused on studies comparing the effects of computerized cognitive training and routine methods in stroke survivors. After extraction of the study characteristics and methodological quality evaluation, a meta-analysis was conducted using the standard model based on the level of the overall cognitive domain. Ten out of 201 studies were included in the systematic review, with a total of 600 stroke survivors. The average age of the participants ranged from 42.1 to 66 years old, 305 participants used the computer-based training method, and males accounted for approximately 58.5%. All studies compared the baseline characteristics of participants at the onset of their studies, and no significant difference was shown.