Differentiating Alzheimer's disease (AD) from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remains a major clinical challenge, particularly in early disease stages when phenotypic overlap is common and in later stages when cortical degeneration becomes widespread. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a widely available, non-invasive framework for assessing region-specific brain atrophy patterns associated with these disorders. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on MRI-based approaches for distinguishing FTD from AD across disease stages. FTD, particularly the behavioral variant, is characterized by early and prominent degeneration of frontal and anterior temporal networks, frequently with hemispheric asymmetry and early behavioral change, including apathy as a core feature. In contrast, AD typically demonstrates a posterior-predominant pattern, with medial temporal and temporoparietal atrophy reflecting a posterior-to-anterior trajectory, while frontal involvement emerges later except in atypical variants. Quantitative MRI techniques, including voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness analysis, and asymmetry indices, together with validated visual rating scales, enhance the detection of these spatial patterns. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging supports interpretation by identifying vascular burden, and complementary biomarkers, including FDG-PET, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood-based markers, provide molecular and functional context in diagnostically ambiguous cases. The diagnostic specificity of frontal atrophy is greatest in early stages and decreases as AD and FTD converge anatomically in moderate to advanced disease. Accurate differential diagnosis, therefore, requires a stage-aware, integrative framework that combines structural MRI with longitudinal clinical assessment, neuropsychological profiling, and biomarker information. Structural MRI remains the cornerstone of differentiation, with regional atrophy patterns interpreted within a broader clinical and biological context rather than in isolation.
Acetoin is a natural compound and is widely used in various industries such as food, dairy, cosmetics, paint, and pharmaceutical industry. The study aimed to enhance acetoin production through Bacillus subtilis by employing strain selection, mutagenesis, nutritional evaluation, and utilization of cell immobilization for enhanced acetoin production. A strain coded as SFS-13 was isolated from agricultural soil and identified as B. subtilis SFS-13. The acetoin production and glucose-consuming efficiency by wild-type SFS-13 were 8.62 ± 0.04 g/L and 25.33 ± 0.02
This study employs small story positioning analysis to illustrate how highly qualified migrants experience subtle workplace discrimination, particularly when such experiences are reported through corporate whistleblowing mechanisms. Drawing on Gerald W. Sue and coauthors' conceptualization of microaggressions and reporting dilemmas, the article examines a single narrative from a former employee of a Danish company. Combining content and positioning analysis, the study investigates how the employee constructs her identity and positions other organizational actors in her account of repeated microaggressions and the subsequent escalation following her whistleblowing. The analysis reveals that reporting microaggressions carries severe psychological and professional consequences. The former employee experienced four reporting dilemmas: invisibility, clash of realities, perceived minimal harm, and the reporting trap. Notably, the whistleblowing function-intended as a protective mechanism-exacerbated her marginalization, resulting in what we term double victimization. The findings show that corporate whistleblowing measures are largely symbolic and fail to foster structural change. The study contributes a theoretical approach to identity-oriented organizational research by demonstrating how everyday communication performs exclusionary boundary work and how individual discrimination can escalate into institutional discrimination. It also contributes to practice by emphasizing the need to improve organizational whistleblowing processes and enhance employee training on recognizing discrimination.
Background Among teenagers and young adults, suicide represents a significant public health challenge. Schools are critical for suicide prevention due to the significant time adolescents spend there. Gatekeeper training (GKT) has shown promise in increasing awareness and knowledge, but its implementation-relevant characteristics and contextual fit in school settings require further investigation.Aim The aim of this review was to describe the programs, identify essential functions, implementation challenges and reported outcomes for gatekeeper training interventions for teaching staff implemented in schools, providing a comprehensive overview.Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was followed. To structure extraction of intervention characteristics, we applied the Usable Innovation Framework, and to interpret reported outcomes we drew on the behavioral science framework COM-B model, which conceptualizes behavior as shaped by capability, opportunity, and motivation.Results This scoping review examined 39 articles (describing 37 studies) on suicide prevention gatekeeper interventions in schools for adolescents aged 10-25. Seven categories of GKT were identified. The review found that while GKT generally increased knowledge, its impact on actual intervention behavior varied. Time constraints and resource limitations were significant barriers to implementation.Conclusion Gatekeeper training was consistently associated with improvements in staff capability and motivation, though findings should be interpreted cautiously. To enhance real-world impact, future research should standardize outcome measures, address contextual barriers, and employ rigorous designs with embedded process evaluations to strengthen sustainability.
PFAS are a group of persistent organic pollutants, that bioaccumulate and are associated with negative health effects. Reviews have suggested that the most critical effects of PFAS are on the immune system, but little is known of effects on development of autoimmunity. Our objective was to map and summarize available evidence concerning exposure to any PFAS and development/presence of autoimmunity, in humans and animals. We assessed studies reporting potential associations between PFAS exposure and autoimmune disease and/or autoantibodies. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science (02.15.2024) and conducted complimentary searches. Results were presented descriptively and we categorized autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies into relevant outcome groups. 51 studies were included, distributed in the following groups: Autoimmune thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, other diseases and autoantibodies. Cross-sectional studies were most common, limiting opportunities for causal inference. 33 studies showed associations between higher PFAS and increased risk of autoimmunity, while nine studies found lower PFAS associated with increased autoimmunity risk. The results suggest that PFAS have negative health impacts with strongest evidence for celiac and inflammatory bowel disease, weaker evidence for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes mellitus. No clear indications of association with autoimmune thyroid disease. The majority of the studies showed an association between PFAS and autoimmunity. There is a need for more longitudinal and dose–response studies, to improve our understanding of individual autoimmunity outcomes in the future. Protocol registration: OSF.io ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3FEVQ ).
